Podcasts about freelancers

In this episode of The Friday Habit, host Mark Labriola II interviews Chad Prinkey, founder and CEO of Well Built Construction Consulting. They discuss Chad's journey from a successful corporate career to entrepreneurship, the challenges of building a scalable business, and the importance of leadership and culture in driving growth. Chad shares insights on competing on value rather than price, the mindset shifts necessary for long-term success, and key systems that can help construction businesses thrive. The conversation concludes with actionable takeaways for listeners looking to improve their own businesses.

Educator, Freelancer, Vice President of the New Jersey Percussive Arts Society, and PAS New Music/Research member Mika Godbole stops by to talk about her adjunct position at William Paterson University (NJ) (03:55), her freelancing career and working as a member of the Mantra Percussion Sextet (20:00), her roles with the Percussive Arts Society (39:40), growing up in India and outside of Philadelphia and her early percussion teachers (54:50), and studying at Indiana University of Pennsylvania for her undergrad, working with Gary Olmstead and Jack Stamp, and her gap year as a young adult in Mumbai (01:05:25).Finishing with a Rave on the 2025 documentary film It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley (01:22:40).Mika Godbole Links:William Paterson University's Percussion Studio pageMantra Percussion pageNew Jersey PAS Chapter pagePrevious Podcast guests mentioned:Megan Arns in 2017Casey Cangelosi in 2017She-e Wu in 2025Alexandros Fragiskatos in 2021Karli Viña in 2022I-Jen Fang in 2023Bonnie Whiting in 2020Frank Kumor in 2025Other Links:Fabio Oliveira“Timber” - Michael GordonBang on a CanMASS MoCARed Poppy MusicPiano Sonata Op. 111 - L.V. BeethovenJack StampGary OlmsteadChristopher Hanning“Ol' Man River” - Paul RobesonRaves:It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley trailer

Ever feel like you're doing “all the right marketing things” but still not getting clients? This episode tackles that exact frustration head-on.If your posts are getting likes but not leads…if you're busy with content but not booking calls…or if you're wondering whether to pivot or quit altogether, this conversation cuts through the noise. We break down why niching down matters more than you think, how vanity metrics quietly sabotage your progress, why strategy must come before tactics, and what actually moves the needle for most solopreneurs: real human connection.This is your reminder that it's not about doing more marketing, it's about doing the right marketing.EPISODE FAQsWhy am I marketing consistently but still not getting clients? In most cases, the issue is not effort but alignment. Common problems include targeting an audience that is too broad, unclear positioning, focusing on vanity metrics instead of real conversations, and relying on tactics without a cohesive strategy. Effective marketing requires clear audience definition, strong messaging, and activities that lead directly to trust-building and sales conversations.What matters more than social media reach or engagement for solopreneurs? For most solopreneurs, direct conversations with ideal clients are more impactful than reach, impressions, or virality. One-on-one interactions, referrals, networking, and relationship-building consistently outperform high-volume content when it comes to generating qualified leads and clients.What's the difference between marketing strategy and marketing tactics? Strategy defines the overall direction: who the target audience is, what positioning will resonate, and what outcome the marketing should achieve. Tactics are the specific actions used to execute that strategy, such as posting on LinkedIn, running ads, attending events, or sending emails. Without strategy, tactics become scattered and ineffective.

Understanding your numbers and keeping up to date on your finances is key to the success of your business.  When you actively keep a pulse on your business finances, you will certainly make better business decisions.  If you are thinking that you are just not a numbers person, you're not good when it comes to numbers or math, or you are afraid to make a mistake, I want to help you overcome these fears.  I get it, and I know how numbers or finances are not everybody's strength or zone of genius.  I will admit, however, that I love working with numbers, and I've never been afraid of them, but I have other areas in my business that I don't have those same strong strengths in, and I struggle in these areas much like I am sure you struggle with your finances, so I totally understand where you are coming from.  In today's podcast episode, I am going to help you overcome your fear of numbers and how you can let them help you succeed in your business. If you are using a computerized software system like QuickBooks, Xero, Wave, or FreshBooks for your business finances, or if you are doing your bookkeeping manually with an Excel spreadsheet or even a Google Document, you can use your numbers to help you understand your business finances.  I'll have solutions for what you can do if you think numbers and finances are boring or time-consuming as well.  It's okay to have these thoughts or fears, but you and I both know that when you own your own business, there are things you need to do for your business to make an impact not only on your bottom line or your income, but for your business to succeed in other areas as well.  It's time for you to break these fears or habits that may be holding you back and start this new year off in the right direction.  Whether you are starting a business or side hustle, you're a self-employed individual, a solopreneur, entrepreneur, mompreneur, freelancer, small business owner, a remote, virtual, online, or in-house bookkeeper or accountant, a virtual assistant or VA, or other professional; you can overcome these obstacles so that you can enjoy, yes, I said enjoy, your business and your business finances.  If you are looking back at the last year and are thinking about how far behind your bookkeeping or finances are, and just how much work you need to do to catch up on your bookkeeping to get ready for the upcoming tax deadline, listen in I promise I have some solutions for you…   Join us in a community built specifically for accountants and high-stress professionals.  You'll receive support, accountability, and a community that understands what you're going through. We focus on stress reduction, increasing productivity, time management, goal achievement, health, happiness, and desired lifestyle:  https://www.financialadventure.com/community Schedule your Complimentary Stress Audit And Clarity Session, where we'll work together to create a clear and focused plan and overcome the obstacles that stand in your way so that you can move forward and immediately start enjoying your life with less stress, increased productivity, and more time to spend doing what you love with the people you care about: https://www.financialadventure.com/work-with-me Accountants, CPAs, Bookkeepers, Tax Preparers & Financial Professionals, sign up here to get updates on upcoming opportunities & grab the Audit Of Your Well-Being & Balance Guide here: https://www.financialadventure.com/accountant Ready to set up your business?  I have a program to help you get your business set up so that you can start making money.  Sign up for this program here: https://www.financialadventure.com/start Are you ready to try coaching?  Schedule an Introductory Coaching Session today.  You'll have the opportunity to see how you like coaching with an Introductory Coaching Session: https://www.financialadventure.com/intro Join us in the Mastering Your Small Business Finances PROFIT LAB if you are ready to take control of your business finances and create the profitable business you are striving for.  Are you ready to generate revenues and increase the profit in your business: https://www.financialadventure.com/profit If You Are Ready To Choose, Start Or Grow Your Side Hustle, Get Your Free Checklist And Assessment Here: https://www.financialadventure.com/sidehustle Grab Your FREE guide:  5 Essential Strategies For Stress-Free Bookkeeping: https://www.financialadventure.com/5essentials Your FREE Online Virtual Bookkeeping Business Starter Guide & Success Path Is Waiting For You: https://www.financialadventure.com/starterguide Join Our Facebook Community:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenbusinessownersultimatediybookkeepingboutique The Strategic Bookkeeping Academy, including Bookkeeping Basics, is open for registration!  You can learn more and sign up here: https://www.financialadventure.com/sba Looking for a payroll solution for your business?  You can get an exclusive 15% discount on your payroll services when you sign up here: https://www.financialadventure.com/adp QuickBooks Online - Save 30% Your First 6 Months: https://www.financialadventure.com/quickbooks Sign up for a virtual coffee chat to see if starting a Bookkeeping Business is right for you: https://www.financialadventure.com/discovery Show Notes:  https://www.financialadventure.com This podcast is sponsored by Financial Adventure, LLC ~ visit https://www.financialadventure.com for additional information and free resources.

As Pete prepares to have his tonsils removed, he asks Jen for mental frameworks he can use during his two-week recovery.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:How might we use our internal google translator to switch negative language into positive action?How might we switch the words "have to" to "get to"?When life throws us a curveball, how might we embrace this unexpected path?To hear all episodes and read full transcripts, visit The Long and The Short Of It website: https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/.You can subscribe to our Box O' Goodies here (https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/) and receive a weekly email full of book and podcast recommendations, quotes, videos, and other interesting things that Jen and Pete are noodling on. To get in touch, send an email to: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.com.Learn more about Pete's work here (https://humanperiscope.com/) and Jen's work here (https://jenwaldman.com/).

Ever feel like traditional productivity advice just…doesn't work for your brain?In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, Carly Ries and Joe Rando sit down with ADHD coach and former academic Skye Waterson for a refreshing, practical conversation about overwhelm, focus, and building a business that actually works with your brain, not against it.Skye shares her wild origin story (including being recruited by the New Zealand government to train their intelligence services), why so many entrepreneurs experience ADHD traits, and how solopreneurs can prioritize, delegate, systematize, and scale without burning out. You'll learn a simple prioritization filter that instantly reduces overwhelm, how to build a “map of your business,” smarter ways to delegate using AI, and one surprisingly powerful mindset shift that can help you start tasks more consistently.If you've ever struggled with focus, felt scattered, resisted rigid systems, or wondered why your motivation seems inconsistent, this episode will feel like someone finally put words (and tools) to your experience.EPISODE FAQsHow can solopreneurs with ADHD stay focused and reduce overwhelm? Solopreneurs with ADHD (or ADHD-like traits) benefit from externalizing their thoughts instead of trying to hold everything mentally. In this episode, Skye Waterson teaches a prioritization method that starts by writing down every task (work and personal), then filtering for true urgency and importance. This approach reduces cognitive overload, supports executive functioning, and helps overwhelmed solopreneurs focus on what actually matters instead of reacting to everything.What productivity systems work best for solopreneurs who hate rigid structure? Instead of complex planners or overly strict systems, Skye recommends starting with a “map of your business," a simple visual of how clients find you, how you sell, how you deliver, and how you retain or grow relationships. This gives solopreneurs clarity and control without requiring perfection. The goal isn't rigid structure; it's building flexible systems that support your energy, creativity, and attention.How can solopreneurs use AI to delegate and scale without hiring a team? Skye explains that many tasks can now be delegated to AI instead of people, such as turning a voice explanation into an SOP, organizing processes, drafting documentation, or clarifying workflows. For solopreneurs who feel overwhelmed by delegation or who aren't ready to hire, using AI as a “thinking partner” can dramatically reduce workload, improve consistency, and support sustainable growth.

Have you ever taken the time to really think about what you truly want in your life?  Our lives are busy, and it's easy to think about things on the fly, but how often do you take the time to really think about it?  When I ask my clients what they want in their lives, there are many times that they say they don't really know.  They haven't taken the time to think about it, and it makes it hard for them to set goals.  When you aren't setting goals or even the right goals, it's hard to accomplish them.  How do you really know what to do if you don't know what the end goal is?  Ready to clarify what you truly desire in your life?  Let's dive in… Join us in a community built specifically for accountants and high-stress professionals.  You'll receive support, accountability, and a community that understands what you're going through. We focus on stress reduction, increasing productivity, time management, goal achievement, health, happiness, and desired lifestyle:  https://www.financialadventure.com/community I'm inviting you to sign up for the free private podcast where I do a deeper dive into this topic on the Mastering Your Mindset Moments podcast for high-stress professionals: https://www.financialadventure.com/private Schedule your Complimentary Stress Audit and Clarity Session, where we'll work together to create a clear and focused plan for you to move forward so you'll immediately start enjoying your life with less stress, increased productivity, and more time to spend doing what you love with the people you care about: https://www.financialadventure.com/work-with-me Accountants, CPAs, Bookkeepers, Tax Preparers & Financial Professionals, sign up here to get updates on upcoming opportunities & grab the Audit Of Your Well-Being & Balance Guide here: https://www.financialadventure.com/accountant Ready to set up your business?  I have a program to help you get your business set up so that you can start making money.  Sign up for this program here: https://www.financialadventure.com/start Are you ready to try coaching?  Schedule an Introductory Coaching Session today.  You'll have the opportunity to see how you like coaching with an Introductory Coaching Session: https://www.financialadventure.com/intro Join us in the Mastering Your Small Business Finances PROFIT LAB if you are ready to take control of your business finances and create the profitable business you are striving for.  Are you ready to generate revenues and increase the profit in your business: https://www.financialadventure.com/profit If You Are Ready To Choose, Start Or Grow Your Side Hustle, Get Your Free Checklist And Assessment Here: https://www.financialadventure.com/sidehustle Grab Your FREE guide:  5 Essential Strategies For Stress-Free Bookkeeping: https://www.financialadventure.com/5essentials Your FREE Online Virtual Bookkeeping Business Starter Guide & Success Path Is Waiting For You: https://www.financialadventure.com/starterguide Join Our Facebook Community:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenbusinessownersultimatediybookkeepingboutique The Strategic Bookkeeping Academy, including Bookkeeping Basics, is open for registration!  You can learn more and sign up here: https://www.financialadventure.com/sba Looking for a payroll solution for your business?  You can get an exclusive 15% discount on your payroll services when you sign up here: https://www.financialadventure.com/adp QuickBooks Online - Save 30% Your First 6 Months: https://www.financialadventure.com/quickbooks Sign up for a virtual coffee chat to see if starting a Bookkeeping Business is right for you: https://www.financialadventure.com/discovery Show Notes:  https://www.financialadventure.com This podcast is sponsored by Financial Adventure, LLC ~ visit https://www.financialadventure.com for additional information and free resources.

This episode with my friend and HBS classmate Todd Wilcox was recorded before Todd was nominated for his current role as Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security. We speak about his background and views on business and the world. Todd Wilcox was sworn in as Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security (DS) on October 14, 2025. In this role, he leads the security and law enforcement arm of the U.S. Department of State, ensuring a safe environment for U.S. foreign policy operations. He oversees a global team of Special Agents, Diplomatic Couriers, Security Engineering Officers, Security Technical Specialists, contractors, and administrative personnel.Mr. Wilcox brings decades of leadership experience as a decorated combat veteran, former CIA case officer, and successful entrepreneur. Before joining the State Department, he founded Patriot Defense in 2005, a company dedicated to supporting those who defend America. He served as its Chief Executive Officer for 10 years before transitioning to Executive Chairman, where he guided the company's vision and acquisition strategy.Prior to his business career, Mr. Wilcox served as an Arabic-speaking CIA Field Operations Officer focused on Middle East and counterterrorism issues. His final assignment was as the CIA Liaison Officer to the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force in Orlando. He joined the CIA in 1997 after serving in the U.S. Army, where he earned the Green Beret as a Special Forces A-Team commander and completed a combat tour during Operation Desert Storm.Mr. Wilcox's achievements have been recognized by the U.S. Army ROTC Hall of Fame, Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year award, and the Orlando Business Journal's Veterans of Influence Award. He has served on the boards of the National Defense University Foundation, RAND Corporation's Center for Middle East Public Policy, and the Orlando Economic Partnership.An active member of the Young Professionals Organization (YPO), Mr. Wilcox also serves as Treasurer of Business Force, a nonprofit political action committee.

In this episode of The Friday Habit, host Mark Labriola II interviews Emma Tessler, founder and CEO of NinentyFiveMedia, a digital marketing agency. Emma shares her journey from a side hustle in interior design to leading a successful remote team specializing in social media strategy and brand storytelling. The conversation covers the importance of building a strong company culture, the challenges of scaling a business, and the evolving landscape of video content in the age of AI. Emma emphasizes the significance of authenticity in marketing and offers actionable advice for entrepreneurs looking to grow their brands.

If you're a solopreneur wondering “Am I charging enough?” or feeling awkward about raising your prices, this episode is for you.In this episode, Carly Ries and Joe Rando tackle one of the most common questions solopreneurs ask: How should I price my services or products? They unpack why pricing isn't about greed, it's about fairness, value, and respecting the years of expertise you bring to the table.You'll hear why charging based only on time keeps you stuck, how underpricing attracts the wrong clients and leads to burnout, and why shifting toward value-based pricing can protect your energy while increasing your income. They also explore how niching down makes your work more valuable, why higher prices often signal greater credibility, and how your pricing can evolve as your business grows.If you struggle with imposter syndrome around pricing, worry you're “too expensive,” or feel unsure how to confidently quote your work, this episode will help you rethink pricing with clarity and confidence.Episode FAQsHow should a solopreneur price their services?Solopreneurs should price based on value delivered, not just time spent. Your pricing should reflect the problem you solve, the outcomes you create, and the years of expertise behind your work, not simply an hourly rate. Value-based pricing attracts better clients and supports sustainable income.Why do solopreneurs struggle with charging higher prices?Many solopreneurs undercharge because of imposter syndrome, fear of seeming greedy, or wanting to be “nice.” But underpricing often leads to burnout, difficult clients, and income ceilings. Confident pricing helps attract clients who respect your work and your time.Is niching down really necessary to raise your prices?Yes. Niching down makes your expertise clearer and more valuable. When you specialize in a specific audience or problem, clients perceive you as the go-to expert, which makes it much easier to justify higher pricing and attract better-fit opportunities.

I am so delighted to finally welcome one of my friends and mentors, the incomparable Julie Cortés, to The Jake's Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast!  Julie is a copywriter by day and a freelance rockstar by night. Her journey began in 1998, when she was removed from her job. However, the event lit a fire beneath her. What started as a “What now?” moment turned into a HELL YEAH kind of career – one that she built from the ground up following her natural talent, relentless drive, and rebellious energy.  Today, Julie Cortés helps clients across the globe find their voice, own their brand, and show up like the rockstars they were meant to be.  Julie did not choose the freelance life. It chose her! Fast forward over 25 years, and Julie Cortés founded the Freelance Exchange of Kansas City, a community for solo creatives. She also built and taught a college-level Freelancing 101 course at the Kansas City Art Institute. Julie became a business coach for freelancers and solopreneurs and spoke on stages across the country.  She was also featured on various media platforms, including Clients from Hell, CNN, Great Day KC, The Kansas City Business Journal, and The Kansas City Star.  Julie won numerous awards, ranging from Innovator of the Year from the Stevie Awards for Women in Business and the Women's Business Advocate of the Year from the Kansas Department of Commerce to being named a Small Business Superstar by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.  On this episode of The Jake's Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Julie Cortés shared the origin story of Freelance Exchange of Kansas City, the creation of a Freelancing 101 course, and her efforts to combat antisemitism and anti-Zionism on social media.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jake-s-take-with-jacob-elyachar--4112003/support.

I've been getting quite a few messages from business owners saying that they are struggling to create a budget for their business.  Some are just getting their business up and running, and others have been in business for a few years.  Either way, having a budget for your business will allow you to dictate how you want your money coming in and out of your business to flow.  When you don't have a budget, it is easy to lose track of your numbers or your goals for the year.  I often hear business owners say it is hard to create a budget, or they don't know where to start.  In today's podcast episode, I am going to dive into how you can easily create a simple budget for your business and how you can get started.  It doesn't have to be hard, and it doesn't need to take a long time when you know what you need to do in the first place.  So, whether you are using a computerized software system like QuickBooks, Xero, Wave, or FreshBooks for your business finances, or if you are doing your bookkeeping manually with an Excel spreadsheet or even a Google Document, knowing how you can create a simple and easy budget for your business will help you stick to your goals and allow you to track exactly how close you are to your original budget numbers.  Whether you are starting a business or side hustle, you're a self-employed individual, a solopreneur, entrepreneur, mompreneur, freelancer, small business owner, a remote, virtual, online, or in-house bookkeeper or accountant, a virtual assistant or VA, or other professional; you want to take the time to really look at your numbers, create a budget and use your budget as a compass to help guide your finances throughout the year… Join us in a community built specifically for accountants and high-stress professionals.  You'll receive support, accountability, and a community that understands what you're going through. We focus on stress reduction, increasing productivity, time management, goal achievement, health, happiness, and desired lifestyle:  https://www.financialadventure.com/community Schedule your Complimentary Stress Audit And Clarity Session, where we'll work together to create a clear and focused plan and overcome the obstacles that stand in your way so that you can move forward and immediately start enjoying your life with less stress, increased productivity, and more time to spend doing what you love with the people you care about: https://www.financialadventure.com/work-with-me Accountants, CPAs, Bookkeepers, Tax Preparers & Financial Professionals, sign up here to get updates on upcoming opportunities & grab the Audit Of Your Well-Being & Balance Guide here: https://www.financialadventure.com/accountant Ready to set up your business?  I have a program to help you get your business set up so that you can start making money.  Sign up for this program here: https://www.financialadventure.com/start Are you ready to try coaching?  Schedule an Introductory Coaching Session today.  You'll have the opportunity to see how you like coaching with an Introductory Coaching Session: https://www.financialadventure.com/intro Join us in the Mastering Your Small Business Finances PROFIT LAB if you are ready to take control of your business finances and create the profitable business you are striving for.  Are you ready to generate revenues and increase the profit in your business: https://www.financialadventure.com/profit If You Are Ready To Choose, Start Or Grow Your Side Hustle, Get Your Free Checklist And Assessment Here: https://www.financialadventure.com/sidehustle Grab Your FREE guide:  5 Essential Strategies For Stress-Free Bookkeeping: https://www.financialadventure.com/5essentials Your FREE Online Virtual Bookkeeping Business Starter Guide & Success Path Is Waiting For You: https://www.financialadventure.com/starterguide Join Our Facebook Community:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenbusinessownersultimatediybookkeepingboutique The Strategic Bookkeeping Academy, including Bookkeeping Basics, is open for registration!  You can learn more and sign up here: https://www.financialadventure.com/sba Looking for a payroll solution for your business?  You can get an exclusive 15% discount on your payroll services when you sign up here: https://www.financialadventure.com/adp QuickBooks Online - Save 30% Your First 6 Months: https://www.financialadventure.com/quickbooks Sign up for a virtual coffee chat to see if starting a Bookkeeping Business is right for you: https://www.financialadventure.com/discovery Show Notes:  https://www.financialadventure.com This podcast is sponsored by Financial Adventure, LLC ~ visit https://www.financialadventure.com for additional information and free resources.

I think AI is replacing freelancers. I share why and what you can do about it.

If you're a freelancer and you're NOT running paid ads, chances are you fall into one of two types: Type 1: Never tried paid ads because they were too intimidated, too overwhelmed, or convinced they won't work. Type 2: Tried ads and for whatever reason, they didn't work Most freelancers don't even know they're doing it wrong. Common scenario: You spent $100 on ads. Nothing happens. You shrug and say, "paid ads don't work for me." But you have no idea WHICH part didn't work. Was it your hook? Your offer? Your landing page? Your inquiry form? Your sales process? All of the above? But most freelancers won't take the time to figure out what went wrong. They just know "it didn't work." That's like saying "my car doesn't work" without knowing if it's the battery, the engine, or if you just forgot to put gas in it. If you're Type 1, this episode could save you from wasting thousands. If you're Type 2, this episode will show you exactly what went wrong. For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/398

As Jen confronts an upcoming change, she asks Pete for advice and questions to help shift the framework of her status quo.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:What does success look like?How might we reframe a problem as the best possible thing that could happen?Where might we be able to challenge our own assumptions and rules?To hear all episodes and read full transcripts, visit The Long and The Short Of It website: https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/.You can subscribe to our Box O' Goodies here (https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/) and receive a weekly email full of book and podcast recommendations, quotes, videos, and other interesting things that Jen and Pete are noodling on. To get in touch, send an email to: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.com.Learn more about Pete's work here (https://humanperiscope.com/) and Jen's work here (https://jenwaldman.com/).

If you're a solopreneur struggling with burnout, undercharging, or wondering how to build real income without sacrificing your energy, this episode is for you.Carly Ries and Joe Rando sit down with seven-figure solopreneur and writer Amy Suto to talk about what actually drives sustainable success as a one-person business owner. Amy shares why energy management matters more than time management, how she transitioned from Hollywood screenwriting to building multiple income streams, and what finally allowed her to charge premium rates with confidence.You'll learn how to validate a side hustle before quitting your job, how positioning and portfolio matter more than credentials, why Substack is emerging as a powerful revenue stream for creators, and how to structure your content so clients can find you through Google and AI tools like ChatGPT. This conversation is packed with practical insights on pricing, identity shifts, inbound marketing, SEO, audience-building, and long-term business thinking for solopreneurs who want income and autonomy.Episode FAQsHow can solopreneurs avoid burnout when they're responsible for everything?Burnout often comes from mismanaging energy, not just time. Amy recommends doing regular energy audits to identify which clients, projects, and tasks energize you versus drain you. Solopreneurs who build their workload around high-energy activities tend to stay consistent longer, make better decisions, and grow more sustainably.How can a solopreneur use Substack to build both community and income?Substack is a platform for free and paid newsletters that allows solopreneurs to grow an audience and monetize their ideas without upfront costs. Amy shared that Substack works well because:You can start for free and only pay a percentage once you earnIt supports organic discovery through Substack NotesIt allows creators to test ideas, build trust, and validate what people will pay forIt can become a long-term asset, not just another content channelHer key advice: be clear on who you serve, what pain point you solve, and what content belongs free versus behind the paywall.Why do so many solopreneurs undercharge, and how can they fix it?Amy emphasized that undercharging usually stems from an identity issue, not a strategy issue. Solopreneurs often struggle to see their work as valuable because they've been conditioned to believe legitimacy only comes from corporations or credentials. Her advice:Adopt the identity of a professional before you “feel ready”Price for the value you deliver, not just time spentIncrease rates gradually as experience growsRecognize that your energy, expertise, and problem-solving are premium assets

Have you ever found yourself with a full schedule, only to be asked if you could do a favor for someone?  Maybe it was someone in your family, a friend, your boss, or your child.  It seems like they all need something from you.  Part of you might be thinking that there's no way you could add one more thing to your plate for the day, but you always find yourself taking on the additional task and figuring out how you can get it done.  I find many of the clients I work with in this exact situation.  You have multiple roles in your life, and you want to ensure you excel in all of them.  While it may appear that doing everything for everyone is the right thing to do, you probably find yourself stressed, burnt out, and most often feeling guilty because you fall short when trying to meet all these obligations.  I have one thing that you can start doing today that will help you start feeling better in these situations and your overall well-being.  Let's dive in… Join us in a community built specifically for accountants and high-stress professionals.  You'll receive support, accountability, and a community that understands what you're going through. We focus on stress reduction, increasing productivity, time management, goal achievement, health, happiness, and desired lifestyle:  https://www.financialadventure.com/community I'm inviting you to sign up for the free private podcast where I do a deeper dive into this topic on the Mastering Your Mindset Moments podcast for high-stress professionals: https://www.financialadventure.com/private Schedule your Complimentary Stress Audit and Clarity Session, where we'll work together to create a clear and focused plan for you to move forward so you'll immediately start enjoying your life with less stress, increased productivity, and more time to spend doing what you love with the people you care about: https://www.financialadventure.com/work-with-me Accountants, CPAs, Bookkeepers, Tax Preparers & Financial Professionals, sign up here to get updates on upcoming opportunities & grab the Audit Of Your Well-Being & Balance Guide here: https://www.financialadventure.com/accountant Ready to set up your business?  I have a program to help you get your business set up so that you can start making money.  Sign up for this program here: https://www.financialadventure.com/start Are you ready to try coaching?  Schedule an Introductory Coaching Session today.  You'll have the opportunity to see how you like coaching with an Introductory Coaching Session: https://www.financialadventure.com/intro Join us in the Mastering Your Small Business Finances PROFIT LAB if you are ready to take control of your business finances and create the profitable business you are striving for.  Are you ready to generate revenues and increase the profit in your business: https://www.financialadventure.com/profit If You Are Ready To Choose, Start Or Grow Your Side Hustle, Get Your Free Checklist And Assessment Here: https://www.financialadventure.com/sidehustle Grab Your FREE guide:  5 Essential Strategies For Stress-Free Bookkeeping: https://www.financialadventure.com/5essentials Your FREE Online Virtual Bookkeeping Business Starter Guide & Success Path Is Waiting For You: https://www.financialadventure.com/starterguide Join Our Facebook Community:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenbusinessownersultimatediybookkeepingboutique The Strategic Bookkeeping Academy, including Bookkeeping Basics, is open for registration!  You can learn more and sign up here: https://www.financialadventure.com/sba Looking for a payroll solution for your business?  You can get an exclusive 15% discount on your payroll services when you sign up here: https://www.financialadventure.com/adp QuickBooks Online - Save 30% Your First 6 Months: https://www.financialadventure.com/quickbooks Sign up for a virtual coffee chat to see if starting a Bookkeeping Business is right for you: https://www.financialadventure.com/discovery Show Notes:  https://www.financialadventure.com This podcast is sponsored by Financial Adventure, LLC ~ visit https://www.financialadventure.com for additional information and free resources.

In this episode of The Friday Habit, Mark Labriola II interviews John Gallagher, a seasoned leadership coach, who shares insights on the journey of leadership, the importance of emotional intelligence, and the mindset shifts necessary for entrepreneurs. Gallagher emphasizes the need for practical frameworks, the signs that indicate a business owner may need a coach, and the significance of legacy in leadership. He also discusses the challenges of consistency, the impact of distractions, and the importance of prioritization and delegation. The conversation concludes with Gallagher's advice on making small changes for personal growth.

Clients who stiff you? Contractors who ghost you? Most of us learn these lessons the hard way. But you don't have to, if you listen to this episode with Amy Weiher, author of Good Work, Practical Advice for Starting & Scaling Your Creative Freelance Business. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

Most solopreneurs make the mistake of trying to serve everyone and end up standing out to no one. In this short and punchy episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, Carly and Joe dive into one of the most overlooked steps in building a successful solo business: positioning. They break down why niching down isn't limiting, but rather the key to charging more, marketing smarter, and actually getting noticed. If you've ever said, “My product is for anybody,” this episode will make you rethink everything.

Autumn A. Arnett joins us to talk about the EFA and what you should keep in mind when looking for the right editor for your book.The Editorial Freelancers Association is a nonprofit organization that advances excellence among a dynamic community of freelance editorial professionals by providing opportunities for business development, learning, and networking. EFA members are editors, writers, indexers, proofreaders, researchers, desktop publishers, translators, and others who offer a broad range of skills and specialties.//Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//  Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won't charge you a dime.  We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan.  • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/• Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog  • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com  Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

You want to make sure that you have everything done correctly in your business, right?  One of the many important year-end tasks is to make sure that you are correctly paying and classifying wages.  There are many different entity types that businesses can be set up as, and depending on how you're your business is set up will determine how you pay yourself as a business owner, shareholder, or officer, especially if you are considered an S Corporation.  In today's podcast episode, I am covering the essentials of what you need to do when it comes to compensation, especially for the S Corporations who need to pay a reasonable compensation to officers and shareholder-employees.  It doesn't matter if you are using a computerized software system like QuickBooks, Xero, Wave, or FreshBooks for your business finances or if you are doing your bookkeeping manually with an Excel spreadsheet or even a Google Document, you need to make sure you are recording your payroll correctly.  Whether you are starting a business or side hustle, you're a self-employed individual, a solopreneur, entrepreneur, mompreneur, freelancer, small business owner, a remote, virtual, online, or in-house bookkeeper or accountant, a virtual assistant or VA, or other professional; listen in so that you are aware of how to classify and pay your wages as a business owner and avoid one of the major red flags out there… Join us in a community built specifically for accountants and high-stress professionals.  You'll receive support, accountability, and a community that understands what you're going through. We focus on stress reduction, increasing productivity, time management, goal achievement, health, happiness, and desired lifestyle:  https://www.financialadventure.com/community Schedule your Complimentary Stress Audit And Clarity Session, where we'll work together to create a clear and focused plan and overcome the obstacles that stand in your way so that you can move forward and immediately start enjoying your life with less stress, increased productivity, and more time to spend doing what you love with the people you care about: https://www.financialadventure.com/work-with-me Accountants, CPAs, Bookkeepers, Tax Preparers & Financial Professionals, sign up here to get updates on upcoming opportunities & grab the Audit Of Your Well-Being & Balance Guide here: https://www.financialadventure.com/accountant Ready to set up your business?  I have a program to help you get your business set up so that you can start making money.  Sign up for this program here: https://www.financialadventure.com/start Are you ready to try coaching?  Schedule an Introductory Coaching Session today.  You'll have the opportunity to see how you like coaching with an Introductory Coaching Session: https://www.financialadventure.com/intro Join us in the Mastering Your Small Business Finances PROFIT LAB if you are ready to take control of your business finances and create the profitable business you are striving for.  Are you ready to generate revenues and increase the profit in your business: https://www.financialadventure.com/profit If You Are Ready To Choose, Start Or Grow Your Side Hustle, Get Your Free Checklist And Assessment Here: https://www.financialadventure.com/sidehustle Grab Your FREE guide:  5 Essential Strategies For Stress-Free Bookkeeping: https://www.financialadventure.com/5essentials Your FREE Online Virtual Bookkeeping Business Starter Guide & Success Path Is Waiting For You: https://www.financialadventure.com/starterguide Join Our Facebook Community:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenbusinessownersultimatediybookkeepingboutique The Strategic Bookkeeping Academy, including Bookkeeping Basics, is open for registration!  You can learn more and sign up here: https://www.financialadventure.com/sba Looking for a payroll solution for your business?  You can get an exclusive 15% discount on your payroll services when you sign up here: https://www.financialadventure.com/adp QuickBooks Online - Save 30% Your First 6 Months: https://www.financialadventure.com/quickbooks Sign up for a virtual coffee chat to see if starting a Bookkeeping Business is right for you: https://www.financialadventure.com/discovery Show Notes:  https://www.financialadventure.com This podcast is sponsored by Financial Adventure, LLC ~ visit https://www.financialadventure.com for additional information and free resources.

The #1 fear that freelancers have with paid ads? They're terrified of lighting money on fire and never getting it back. I get it. It feels like a gamble that may not actually get you clients. And if this is you, I've got a challenge for you that I hope will change your mind. It's called the $500 ad budget challenge. I want to prove to you that it's possible to turn $500 into $5k or more with paid ads, if you do it the right way. If you're ready to keep an open mind, listen to this week's podcast episode where I'll cover: The 3 prerequisites to running paid ads (if you have all 3 of these, you're in a good position) Our “smart testing process” to squeeze all the juice out of a $500 budget Real stories of clients who have gotten $5k, $15k, $25k clients from less than $500 in ad spend How to get us to pay for your first $500 in ads For full show notes, visit https://6figurecreative.com/397

Looking at his reading list for the year ahead, Pete asks Jen about her processes for selecting and reading books.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:How might we enable ourselves to quit reading a book that isn't exciting to us?Where might we look for the next book to read?How might we examine the list of books we've already read, and use that to guide the future of our reading selections?To hear all episodes and read full transcripts, visit The Long and The Short Of It website: https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/.You can subscribe to our Box O' Goodies here (https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/) and receive a weekly email full of book and podcast recommendations, quotes, videos, and other interesting things that Jen and Pete are noodling on. To get in touch, send an email to: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.com.Learn more about Pete's work here (https://humanperiscope.com/) and Jen's work here (https://jenwaldman.com/).

What if building a business that supports your life actually isn't about hustle…but about resilience, systems, and intention?In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, Carly and Joe sit down with Mike Lynch, creator, RV-lifer, automation strategist, and founder of Flywheel Factory, for a refreshingly honest conversation about what solopreneurship really looks like behind the scenes.Mike shares the truth most people won't say out loud: it's harder than you think, it takes longer than you expect, and the path rarely looks the way you planned. But it's also where creativity, freedom, and momentum can finally meet.You'll hear how Mike and his family design RV travel around work (not the other way around), how he uses AI and automation to protect his creative energy instead of replacing it, and why building a “flywheel mindset” matters more than just staying busy.This is a grounded, practical, and motivating episode for solopreneurs who want to build smarter systems, reclaim their time, and design a business that truly supports their life.Episode FAQsHow can solopreneurs use AI and automation without losing their personal voice?Solopreneurs can use tools like Custom GPTs, content workflows, and automation platforms (like Make or Zapier) to streamline their work while still sounding like themselves. The key is starting with your own ideas and experiences first, then using AI to refine, organize, and scale your content, not replace your thinking. What's the best way for overwhelmed solopreneurs to get started with automation?The best place to start is identifying one repetitive, frustrating task in your business and breaking it into smaller steps. From there, tools like Custom GPTs or simple automations can help eliminate bottlenecks. How can solopreneurs design a business that supports their lifestyle instead of causing burnout?It starts with defining non-negotiables (family time, flexibility, travel, health) and then building systems around those priorities. 

Send us a textIn this episode, Treasa and guest co-host Jessica Farmer tackle Paul's question: How do you transition from traditional employment to freelancing, and how do you find your first client? Treasa shares her intentional transition story, while Jessica reveals how getting laid off after nine years became her best career move. You'll learn why you shouldn't take too long making the decision, the finance setup Treasa wishes she'd done from day one, and why joining a freelancer community before you transition is helpful. ALSO TALKED ABOUTWhy everyone's transition looks differentThe employee mindset trapJessica's story: Getting laid off and finding a large project within days from her networkThe finance book Treasa wishes she'd read from day one: Profit FirstHow to find your first clientsWhy you should join freelancer communities BEFORE you transitionMinimum viable product mentalityAbout Jessica FarmerJessica Farmer is a UK-based freelance content writer, editor, and manager, with nearly 15 years' experience. She Ioves untangling tricky topics to help readers understand complicated concepts. She particularly enjoys working with clients in the B2B/B2C SaaS space and marketing products that help users learn something, achieve something, or do something with a little more ease or efficiency. A former Managing Editor, Jessica is all about quality, consistency, and super-clear communication. She specializes in crafting medium to long-form content marketing assets such as thought leadership articles, SEO-driven blog posts, and case studies.Connect with Jessica:WebsiteLinkedInAbout Treasa EdmondTreasa Edmond is a content strategist, business coach, and podcast host who helps freelancers and consultants transition to confident business leaders. She's been referral-based for five years, rarely needing to prospect for new clients, and teaches practical frameworks for pricing strategy, client boundaries, and business systems through her coaching programs and the Boss Responses podcast. Her goal is to help you build the business you need so you can live the life you want.Connect with Treasa:Coaching Programs - Work with Treasa 1-on-1 or join a mastermindLinkedIn - Connect and follow for daily insightsBoss Responses Newsletter - Weekly frameworks and strategic guidanceResources & LinksProfit First by Mike Michalowicz - The finance book Treasa wishes she'd read from day one. Sets up your business finances so you can take vacations, build emergency funds, and pay yourself consistently.Jennifer Goforth Gregory's "The Freelance Content Marketing Writer" - Covers setup, finding clients, and includes the famous five-sentence LOI (letter of introduction).Support the showThank you for taking time out of your busy day to listen to Boss Responses. This podcast is a passion project that comes from years of helping freelancers shape a business that supports the lifestyle they want. Have a question you'd like answered? Send it to info@bossresponses.com If you'd like to support the podcast, click that link above. Those lattes help keep us going and are much appreciated!

Hey there, I'm Chris Panek, Certified Public Accountant, Certified Coach, and the host of the Mastering Your Small Business Finances Podcast, and today I wanted to create this episode on a topic that the majority of the clients that I work with are struggling with, and I have a feeling you'll be able to relate to it as well.  If you've been listening to this podcast for a while, you know that I cover topics that ultimately impact your bottom line, and what I see over and over again is that many of these topics have one thing in common.  Stress.  So, today, I want to talk about how I see stress impacting so many of the clients that I work with and how you can create a plan to manage the stress you may be experiencing as well.  My goal is to continue to help as many high-stress professionals as possible live a happier life with more purpose and joy.  One of the keys to achieving this is to overcome your stress and thrive.  Let's dive in… Join us in a community built specifically for accountants and high-stress professionals.  You'll receive support, accountability, and a community that understands what you're going through. We focus on stress reduction, increasing productivity, time management, goal achievement, health, happiness, and desired lifestyle:  https://www.financialadventure.com/community I'm inviting you to sign up for the free private podcast where I do a deeper dive into this topic on the Mastering Your Mindset Moments podcast for high-stress professionals: https://www.financialadventure.com/private Schedule your Complimentary Stress Audit and Clarity Session, where we'll work together to create a clear and focused plan for you to move forward so you'll immediately start enjoying your life with less stress, increased productivity, and more time to spend doing what you love with the people you care about: https://www.financialadventure.com/work-with-me Accountants, CPAs, Bookkeepers, Tax Preparers & Financial Professionals, sign up here to get updates on upcoming opportunities & grab the Audit Of Your Well-Being & Balance Guide here: https://www.financialadventure.com/accountant Ready to set up your business?  I have a program to help you get your business set up so that you can start making money.  Sign up for this program here: https://www.financialadventure.com/start Are you ready to try coaching?  Schedule an Introductory Coaching Session today.  You'll have the opportunity to see how you like coaching with an Introductory Coaching Session: https://www.financialadventure.com/intro Join us in the Mastering Your Small Business Finances PROFIT LAB if you are ready to take control of your business finances and create the profitable business you are striving for.  Are you ready to generate revenues and increase the profit in your business: https://www.financialadventure.com/profit If You Are Ready To Choose, Start Or Grow Your Side Hustle, Get Your Free Checklist And Assessment Here: https://www.financialadventure.com/sidehustle Grab Your FREE guide:  5 Essential Strategies For Stress-Free Bookkeeping: https://www.financialadventure.com/5essentials Your FREE Online Virtual Bookkeeping Business Starter Guide & Success Path Is Waiting For You: https://www.financialadventure.com/starterguide Join Our Facebook Community:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenbusinessownersultimatediybookkeepingboutique The Strategic Bookkeeping Academy, including Bookkeeping Basics, is open for registration!  You can learn more and sign up here: https://www.financialadventure.com/sba Looking for a payroll solution for your business?  You can get an exclusive 15% discount on your payroll services when you sign up here: https://www.financialadventure.com/adp QuickBooks Online - Save 30% Your First 6 Months: https://www.financialadventure.com/quickbooks Sign up for a virtual coffee chat to see if starting a Bookkeeping Business is right for you: https://www.financialadventure.com/discovery Show Notes:  https://www.financialadventure.com This podcast is sponsored by Financial Adventure, LLC ~ visit https://www.financialadventure.com for additional information and free resources.

Send us a textIn this episode, Treasa and guest co-host Jessica Farmer tackle Alastair's question about dealing with the loneliness of self-employment, particularly when it comes to making big decisions. Jessica shares how she handles loneliness as an extroverted freelancer, including her use of FLOWN, a virtual co-working platform built on the "body doubling" effect. Treasa reveals why she worked in coffee shops to have "people to ignore," and how finding mentors and masterminds changed everything for her. They both break down the mindset shift that helps: You're not just a freelancer, you run a business and you need to think like the boss.​ALSO TALKED ABOUTWhy loneliness in freelancing is about decision-making, not just physical isolation​Jessica's experience as an extroverted freelancerFinding mentors and joining business masterminds​Virtual co-working sessions: Why they work (accountability + chat breaks)​Breaking the employee mindset: You make decisions FOR your business, not just for you​The language trap: "I'm just a freelancer" vs "I run a business"​About Jessica FarmerJessica Farmer is a UK-based freelance content writer, editor, and manager, with nearly 15 years' experience. She Ioves untangling tricky topics to help readers understand complicated concepts. She particularly enjoys working with clients in the B2B/B2C SaaS space and marketing products that help users learn something, achieve something, or do something with a little more ease or efficiency. A former Managing Editor, Jessica is all about quality, consistency, and super-clear communication. She specializes in crafting medium to long-form content marketing assets such as thought leadership articles, SEO-driven blog posts, and case studies.Connect with Jessica:WebsiteLinkedInAbout Treasa EdmondTreasa Edmond is a content strategist, business coach, and podcast host who helps freelancers and consultants transition to confident business leaders. She's been referral-based for five years, rarely needing to prospect for new clients, and teaches practical frameworks for pricing strategy, client boundaries, and business systems through her coaching programs and the Boss Responses podcast. Her goal is to help you build the business you need so you can live the life you want.Connect with Treasa:Coaching Programs - Work with Treasa 1-on-1 or join a mastermindLinkedIn - Connect and follow for daily insightsBoss Responses Newsletter - Weekly frameworks and strategic guidanceSupport the showThank you for taking time out of your busy day to listen to Boss Responses. This podcast is a passion project that comes from years of helping freelancers shape a business that supports the lifestyle they want. Have a question you'd like answered? Send it to info@bossresponses.com If you'd like to support the podcast, click that link above. Those lattes help keep us going and are much appreciated!

Fluent Fiction - Dutch: Breaking the Ice in Amsterdam: A Freelancer's Journey Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/nl/episode/2026-01-11-08-38-20-nl Story Transcript:Nl: In het hart van Amsterdam, waar de grachten het stadsbeeld schilderen met hun kalmerende water, ligt het Freelancer's Cafe.En: In the heart of Amsterdam, where the canals paint the cityscape with their calming waters, lies the Freelancer's Cafe.Nl: Binnen is het warm en bruisend, een levendig contrast met de kille winterlucht buiten.En: Inside, it is warm and bustling, a lively contrast with the chilly winter air outside.Nl: Grote ramen laten royaal natuurlijk licht binnen, en overal zitten mensen gebogen over laptops of verwikkeld in gesprekken.En: Large windows generously let in natural light, and everywhere people are bent over laptops or engaged in conversations.Nl: Joran, een grafisch ontwerper, zit in zijn eentje aan een hoektafel.En: Joran, a graphic designer, sits alone at a corner table.Nl: Hij is onlangs naar Amsterdam verhuisd en vindt het moeilijk om zichzelf hier te vestigen.En: He recently moved to Amsterdam and finds it difficult to establish himself here.Nl: Zijn gedachten zijn al dagen stil.En: His thoughts have been silent for days.Nl: Inspiratie lijkt verder weg dan ooit.En: Inspiration seems further away than ever.Nl: Voor hem ligt zijn laptop open, maar het scherm is leeg.En: In front of him, his laptop lies open, but the screen is blank.Nl: Hij zucht en kijkt om zich heen.En: He sighs and looks around.Nl: In het midden van het café zit een drukke groep mensen.En: In the middle of the café, a busy group of people sits.Nl: Hun lach en levendige gesprekken maken hem nieuwsgierig.En: Their laughter and lively conversations pique his curiosity.Nl: Maar Joran is verlegen en voelt zich snel onzeker tussen vreemden.En: But Joran is shy and quickly feels insecure among strangers.Nl: Toch, diep van binnen, smeult een verlangen om erbij te horen.En: Yet, deep down, there smolders a desire to belong.Nl: Hij draait de woorden in zijn hoofd, oefent begroetingen die natuurlijk klinken.En: He turns the words in his head, practicing greetings that sound natural.Nl: Uiteindelijk staat hij op en met een bonzend hart loopt hij naar de tafel.En: Eventually, he stands up, and with a pounding heart, walks over to the table.Nl: "Hoi, mag ik erbij komen zitten?"En: "Hi, may I join you?"Nl: vraagt Joran zachtjes.En: Joran asks softly.Nl: Aan de tafel zitten Anika en Pieter, samen met een paar anderen.En: At the table sit Anika and Pieter, along with a few others.Nl: Anika kijkt op en glimlacht warm.En: Anika looks up and smiles warmly.Nl: "Natuurlijk, kom erbij!"En: "Of course, join us!"Nl: zegt ze.En: she says.Nl: Joran trekt een stoel naar zich toe en gaat zitten.En: Joran pulls a chair towards him and sits down.Nl: Zijn spanning vermindert een beetje.En: His tension eases a bit.Nl: Pieter, energiek en levendig, start een gesprek.En: Pieter, energetic and lively, starts a conversation.Nl: "Wat doe jij, Joran?"En: "What do you do, Joran?"Nl: vraagt hij geïnteresseerd.En: he asks, interested.Nl: "Eh, ik ben een grafisch ontwerper," antwoordt Joran, terwijl hij een beetje nerveus over zijn woorden struikelt.En: "Uh, I'm a graphic designer," Joran answers, while stumbling a bit nervously over his words.Nl: "Ik zoek nieuwe projecten."En: "I'm looking for new projects."Nl: Anika knikt.En: Anika nods.Nl: "Dat is ook niet makkelijk soms, zeker na de feestdagen," zegt ze begripvol.En: "That's not always easy, especially after the holidays," she says understandingly.Nl: Het gesprek beweegt zich al snel naar verhalen over werk, uitdagingen en grappige momenten.En: The conversation quickly moves to stories about work, challenges, and funny moments.Nl: Joran, nog steeds een beetje zenuwachtig, besluit zijn eigen verhaal te delen.En: Joran, still a bit nervous, decides to share his own story.Nl: Hij vertelt over een project dat misging, maar hoe hij er iets waardevols van leerde.En: He tells about a project that went wrong but how he learned something valuable from it.Nl: Zijn verhaal is oprecht en de anderen luisteren aandachtig.En: His story is sincere, and the others listen attentively.Nl: Tot zijn verrassing lachen ze op de juiste momenten en lijken ze zijn verhaal te waarderen.En: To his surprise, they laugh at the right moments and seem to appreciate his story.Nl: "Pieter hier is ook altijd op zoek naar creatieve geesten om mee samen te werken," zegt Anika en geeft hem een veelzeggende blik.En: "Pieter here is always looking for creative minds to collaborate with," Anika says, giving him a meaningful look.Nl: Pieter knikt.En: Pieter nods.Nl: "Dat klinkt interessant, Joran.En: "That sounds interesting, Joran.Nl: We zouden eens over een samenwerking kunnen praten."En: We could talk about a collaboration."Nl: Joran voelt een warmte in hem opborrelen die niets met de kachel van het café te maken heeft.En: Joran feels a warmth bubbling inside him that has nothing to do with the café's heater.Nl: Deze interactie heeft hem laten inzien dat zijn angsten ongegrond waren.En: This interaction has made him realize that his fears were unfounded.Nl: Hij heeft nieuwe vrienden gemaakt en misschien zelfs een project.En: He has made new friends and maybe even a project.Nl: Wanneer hij het café verlaat, is het nog steeds koud en fris buiten, maar Joran voelt zich opgeladen.En: When he leaves the café, it is still cold and crisp outside, but Joran feels recharged.Nl: Hij kijkt naast zich naar Anika, met wie hij naar de tramhalte loopt.En: He looks beside him to Anika, with whom he walks to the tram stop.Nl: "Bedankt," zegt hij dankbaar.En: "Thanks," he says gratefully.Nl: Zij knikt en glimlacht.En: She nods and smiles.Nl: "Geen probleem.En: "No problem.Nl: We zien je snel weer, toch?"En: We'll see you soon again, right?"Nl: Joran knikt.En: Joran nods.Nl: Met een licht hart en een hernieuwd geloof in zijn capaciteiten, stapt hij de tram in en kijkt uit naar wat de toekomst zal brengen.En: With a light heart and renewed belief in his abilities, he steps onto the tram and looks forward to what the future will bring.Nl: Het ijs rondom zijn creatieve geest lijkt langzaam te smelten.En: The ice surrounding his creative mind seems to be slowly melting. Vocabulary Words:canals: grachtencityscape: stadsbeeldbustling: bruisendwhisper: fluisterencuriosity: nieuwsgierigheidinsecure: onzekerdesire: verlangenpounding: bonzendenergetic: energiekstumbling: struikelenchallenges: uitdagingensincere: oprechtattentively: aandachtigunfounded: ongegrondcrisp: frisrecharged: opgeladengratefully: dankbaarsmolders: smeultcollaborate: samenwerkeninteraction: interactieunfounded: ongegrondrenewed: hernieuwdcapabilities: capaciteitenthoroughfare: doorgaande weglively: levendigbubbling: opborrelententative: voorlopiginspiration: inspiratieblank: leegwintery: winters

Fluent Fiction - Hebrew: From Self-Doubt to Success: Avi's Transformational Journey Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/he/episode/2026-01-11-08-38-20-he Story Transcript:He: בבוקר חורפי אחד, כשהרוח הקרה נשמעה כמו לחישה מתמדת, התכנסו אבי וטלי בבית הקפה "הפרילנסר".En: On a winter morning, when the cold wind sounded like a constant whisper, Avi and Tali gathered at the café "The Freelancer."He: הבית קפה היה מקום שוקק חיים, עם רעש קל של מקלדות וחלונות גדולים שהכניסו אור רך ואפור פנימה.En: The café was bustling with life, featuring a gentle noise of keyboards and large windows that let in soft gray light.He: השולחן שלהם היה מלא ספרים, מחברות ומחשבון שהבהיק כאילו אומר, "התחלנו בעבודה, אז בואו נמשיך.En: Their table was full of books, notebooks, and a calculator that gleamed as if saying, "We've started working, so let's continue."He: "אבי, בחור רגיש ומעט מהורהר, שקל איזו פרויקטים לעשות.En: Avi, a sensitive and somewhat contemplative guy, was considering which projects to tackle.He: הוא לא בטח בעצמו.En: He wasn't confident in himself.He: לעתים קרובות הוא שאל את עצמו, "האם מה שאני חושב באמת טוב מספיק?En: He often asked himself, "Is what I'm thinking really good enough?"He: " לעומתו, טלי הייתה דמות מלאת אנרגיה.En: In contrast, Tali was full of energy.He: היא האמינה בכוחו של אבי יותר ממה שהוא עצמו האמין.En: She believed in Avi's ability more than he believed in himself.He: "אבי, אני יודעת שאתה יכול להצליח," היא אמרה בחיוך.En: "Avi, I know you can succeed," she said with a smile.He: "בוא נעשה משהו מרגש!En: "Let's do something exciting!"He: "אבי חשב על דבריה.En: Avi thought about her words.He: האם להקשיב לה ולאתגר את עצמו בפרויקט גדול?En: Should he listen to her and challenge himself with a big project?He: הוא רצה כל כך להוכיח שהוא יכול, גם לעצמו וגם למורים בבית הספר.En: He so wanted to prove he could, both to himself and to the teachers at school.He: בסוף, הוא החליט לנסות.En: In the end, he decided to try.He: הפרויקט היה על נושאי פיזיקה מתקדמים.En: The project was on advanced physics topics.He: השעות חלפו במהירות.En: The hours passed quickly.He: ההתמקדות הרבה הובילה אותם לרעיון חדש ומבריק.En: The intense focus led them to a new and brilliant idea.He: במהלך לילה מאוחר, כשהבית קפה כמעט התרוקן מאנשים, הם גילו משהו מדהים.En: During a late night, when the café was almost empty of people, they discovered something amazing.He: הלב של אבי דפק בהתרגשות - הם היו קרובים להשלמת הפרויקט בדרך שלא דמיין.En: Avi's heart pounded with excitement - they were close to completing the project in a way he hadn't imagined.He: היום של תערוכת המדע בבית הספר הגיע.En: The day of the school science fair arrived.He: אבי היה מתוח אך עם ניצוץ תקווה שהצליח להפיח בתוכו.En: Avi was nervous but with a spark of hope that he had managed to ignite within himself.He: הוא עמד לצד טלי, והתצוגה שלהם זכתה למחיאות כפיים סוערות ושבחים.En: He stood next to Tali, and their display received thunderous applause and praise.He: המורים והמשתתפים התפעלו מהעבודה שלהם.En: The teachers and participants marveled at their work.He: בסוף היום, כשכולם עזבו את המקום, אבי נשאר שם לרגע, חושב.En: At the end of the day, when everyone left the place, Avi stayed there for a moment, thinking.He: "זה באמת קרה," הוא אמר לעצמו.En: "It really happened," he said to himself.He: הוא הרגיש גאווה שלא הכיר קודם לכן.En: He felt a pride he had not known before.He: הוא הבין שעם התמיכה הנכונה והאמונה בעצמו, הוא יכול להשיג הכול.En: He realized that with the right support and belief in himself, he could achieve anything.He: התחושה הזו הייתה יותר מתיקון בתעודה - זו הייתה נקודת מפנה בחייו.En: This feeling was more than just a diploma correction - it was a turning point in his life. Vocabulary Words:contemplative: מהורהרwhisper: לחישהbustling: שוקקgleamed: הבהיקchallenge: לאתגרadvanced: מתקדמיםbrilliant: מבריקthunderous: סוערותignite: להפיחpounded: דפקdisplay: תצוגהapplause: מחיאות כפייםpraise: שבחיםmarveled: התפעלוdiploma correction: תיקון בתעודהturning point: נקודת מפנהgathered: התכנסוcontemplated: שקלnervous: מתוחspark: ניצוץrealization: הבנהbelieve: להאמיןachievement: השגהempty: התרוקןconstant: מתמדתsensitive: רגישexciting: מרגשdiscovered: גילוapplause: מחיאות כפייםsupport: תמיכהBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fluent-fiction-hebrew--5818690/support.

Fluent Fiction - Hungarian: Budapest Winter: Choosing Essentials at Freelancer's Home Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hu/episode/2026-01-11-23-34-02-hu Story Transcript:Hu: A budapesti tél hideg lehelete éppen hogy behatolt a Freelancer's Home ajtaján, ahol Ákos már órák óta kutakodott a legjobb irodaszerek után.En: The cold breath of a Budapest winter had just barely entered the door of Freelancer's Home, where Ákos had been searching for the best office supplies for hours.Hu: A tér tele volt zsongással, ahol laptopokat éltető kávégépek visszhangja és a tervek fölött dúló beszélgetések keveredtek egymással.En: The space was buzzing with the hum of coffee machines fueling laptops and the mingling conversations over plans.Hu: Borbála csendesen figyelte, ahogy Ákos újra meg újra átforgatta a vastag, színes prospektusokat.En: Borbála quietly observed as Ákos flipped through the thick, colorful brochures again and again.Hu: "Ákos, nem kell mindent megvenned egyszerre" – mondta Borbála, miközben fekete kabátját szorosabban húzta magára.En: "Ákos, you don't need to buy everything at once," Borbála said, pulling her black coat tighter around herself.Hu: "A fontos az, hogy mire van igazán szükséged.En: "What matters is what you really need."Hu: ""Ezt tudom" – válaszolta Ákos tétován.En: "I know that," Ákos replied hesitantly.Hu: "De nézd, milyen praktikus ez a naptár!En: "But look at how practical this calendar is!Hu: És Gergő szerint most mindent féláron lehet beszerezni.En: And Gergő says we can get everything at half price now."Hu: " Ákos tekintetével Gergőt követte, aki a másik asztalnál állt, és egy impozáns, bőrkötésű határidőnaplót villázott a kezében, mintha csak egy trófeát mutatna meg.En: Ákos followed Gergő with his gaze, who was standing at another table, showcasing an impressive, leather-bound planner as if it were a trophy.Hu: Borbála közelebb hajolt, és halkabban folytatta: "De nem csak az számít, hogy mennyibe kerül.En: Borbála leaned closer and continued more quietly: "But it's not just about the cost.Hu: Tényleg ezt a hatalmas naptárt szeretnéd minden nap magaddal cipeli?En: Do you really want to carry this huge calendar around every day?"Hu: "Gergő ekkor odalépett hozzájuk, és szokásos magabiztos mosolyával megszólalt: "Nektek is megéri, higgyétek el!En: At this point, Gergő stepped over to them and said with his usual confident smile: "It's worth it for you too, believe me!Hu: Már alig maradt belőlük.En: There are only a few left."Hu: "Ákos szemében a csábítás és a gyakorlatiasság között dúló küzdelem tükröződött.En: In Ákos's eyes, a struggle between temptation and practicality was reflected.Hu: Azon tűnődött, hogy vajon a drága holmik valóban megkönnyítik-e majd az életét, vagy csak épp ellenkezőleg, elterelik a figyelmét.En: He pondered whether these expensive items would really make his life easier, or just the opposite, distract him.Hu: "Megértem, hogy mit mondasz, Gergő" – válaszolta végül Ákos lassan.En: "I understand what you're saying, Gergő," Ákos finally replied slowly.Hu: "De úgy érzem, előbb meg kell határoznom, mire van igazán szükségem.En: "But I feel I need to determine what I truly need first.Hu: Borbála, igazad van.En: Borbála, you're right."Hu: "Gergő csalódottan vállat vont, ám Borbála elégedett mosollyal nézett rá.En: Gergő shrugged disappointedly, but Borbála looked at Ákos with a satisfied smile.Hu: "Nagyszerű döntés, Ákos!En: "Great decision, Ákos!"Hu: " – bólogatott Borbála, és elindult vele a papír-írószer részleg felé, ahol egyszerű füzetek és praktikus tollak várták őket.En: Borbála nodded and set off with him towards the stationery section, where simple notebooks and practical pens awaited them.Hu: "Most már tényleg a lényegre összpontosíthatsz.En: "Now you can really focus on what's important."Hu: "Ahogy elhagyták a boltot, a hideg szél újra megcsapta őket, de Ákos szívében már meleg elégedettség lobogott.En: As they left the store, the cold wind hit them again, but a warm satisfaction was already glowing in Ákos's heart.Hu: Szilárd elhatározása kifizetődött, és megfogadta, hogy a jövőben mindig a valódi szükségletek vezérlik majd.En: His firm resolution paid off, and he promised himself that in the future, he would always be guided by real needs.Hu: A kihívást jelentő nap végére tisztábban látta céljait, és felismerte, hogy a siker nem a külsőségeken, hanem a helyes döntéseken múlik.En: By the challenging day's end, he saw his goals more clearly and recognized that success is not about appearances, but about making the right decisions.Hu: Így a Freelancer's Home fényei alatt Gergő, Borbála és ő magabiztosan lépte át az új év kapuját.En: Under the lights of Freelancer's Home, Gergő, Borbála, and he confidently stepped into the gate of the new year. Vocabulary Words:barely: éppen hogybuzzing: zsongássalmingling: keveredteksupplies: irodaszerekobserved: figyelteflipped: átforgattabrochures: prospektusokatpractical: praktikushesitantly: tétovánshowcasing: villázottimpressive: impozánsleather-bound: bőrkötésűplanner: határidőnaplótrophy: trófeáttemptation: csábításpracticality: gyakorlatiasságpondered: tűnődöttdetermined: meghatároznomshrugged: vállat vontresolution: elhatározásasatisfaction: elégedettségfueling: éltetőgate: kapujátfirm: szilárdguidance: vezérlikrecognized: felismerteappearances: külsőségekenconfidently: magabiztosancarried: cipelilinger: megcsapta

Fluent Fiction - Catalan: Winter Wonders in Barcelona: Oriol's Gift of Friendship Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ca/episode/2026-01-11-08-38-20-ca Story Transcript:Ca: A l'hivern, amb l'aire fred de Barcelona, l'Oriol es refugiava al Freelancer's Home Café, un petit amagatall al cor d'El Raval.En: In the winter, with the cold air of Barcelona, Oriol took refuge at Freelancer's Home Café, a small hideaway in the heart of El Raval.Ca: Aquí, sota la llum càlida i entre prestatgeries amb llibres polsosos, trobava confort enmig del bullici de la ciutat.En: Here, under the warm light and among shelves with dusty books, he found comfort amidst the city's bustle.Ca: Oriol era un escriptor autònom.En: Oriol was a freelance writer.Ca: Molt talentós, però tímid.En: Very talented, but shy.Ca: Sovint es perdia en els seus pensaments i les seves paraules.En: He often got lost in his thoughts and words.Ca: A prop del seu aniversari, volia trobar un regal especial per a la seva amiga Laia, qui sempre havia estat al seu costat.En: Near his birthday, he wanted to find a special gift for his friend Laia, who had always been by his side.Ca: Es preguntava què podia regalar-li per agrair el seu suport constant.En: He wondered what he could give her to thank her for her constant support.Ca: El dilema del regal l'angoixava.En: The gift dilemma distressed him.Ca: Escollir era una difícil tasca, i a sobre, estava en ple deure amb dies intensos de deadlines que serien difícils de superar.En: Choosing was a difficult task, and on top of that, he was in the middle of intense days of deadlines that would be hard to overcome.Ca: Mentre remenava entre idees, Oriol va notar la presència de Marta.En: As he sifted through ideas, Oriol noticed the presence of Marta.Ca: Ella era una altra escriptora que sovintejava el cafè.En: She was another writer who often frequented the café.Ca: Semblava sempre tenir el consell correcte.En: She always seemed to have the right advice.Ca: Amb un sospir, Oriol va decidir fer un pas endavant.En: With a sigh, Oriol decided to take a step forward.Ca: Va deixar el seu refugi interior i s'acostà a Marta.En: He left his internal refuge and approached Marta.Ca: “Hola, Marta”, va dir.En: “Hello, Marta,” he said.Ca: "Necessito la teva ajuda. No sé què regalar a la Laia".En: "I need your help. I don't know what to give Laia."Ca: Marta va somriure.En: Marta smiled.Ca: “Per què no busques alguna cosa única?En: "Why don't you look for something unique?Ca: Potser alguna cosa feta a mà”, va suggerir mentre prenia un glop del seu cafè.En: Maybe something handmade," she suggested while taking a sip of her coffee.Ca: La seva idea va portar una il·luminació a l'Oriol.En: Her idea sparked an inspiration in Oriol.Ca: Havia sentit parlar d'una petita llibreria peculiar prop de la plaça.En: He had heard of a peculiar little bookstore near the square.Ca: Amb nova determinació, va sortir del cafè i va caminar pel barri de El Raval, sentint el fred de l'hivern punxar les galtes.En: With new determination, he left the café and walked through the El Raval neighborhood, feeling the winter cold pricking his cheeks.Ca: Va trobar la llibreria amagada entre carrerons estrets.En: He found the bookstore hidden among narrow alleys.Ca: A dins, entre piles de llibres, va descobrir una edició rara, primera d'un llibre de l'escriptor favorit de Laia.En: Inside, among stacks of books, he discovered a rare, first edition of a book by Laia's favorite writer.Ca: Al lliurar el llibre a Laia, els seus ulls brillaven de sorpresa i alegria.En: When he handed the book to Laia, her eyes shone with surprise and joy.Ca: Oriol va veure com el regal havia tocat el cor de la seva amiga.En: Oriol saw how the gift had touched his friend's heart.Ca: "És perfecte, Oriol”, va exclamar ella, abraçant-lo fortament.En: "It's perfect, Oriol," she exclaimed, hugging him tightly.Ca: En aquell moment, Oriol va entendre el valor de buscar ajuda i de compartir experiències.En: In that moment, Oriol understood the value of seeking help and sharing experiences.Ca: Havia trobat un regal i, també, una nova confiança.En: He had found a gift and, also, a new confidence.Ca: El vent fred bufava, però dins seu se sentia més segur, sabent que la connexió era tan valuosa com les pròpies paraules.En: The cold wind blew, but inside he felt more secure, knowing that connection was as valuable as words themselves. Vocabulary Words:the refuge: el refugithe hideaway: l'amagatallthe heart: el corthe bustle: el bullicitalented: talentósthe thoughts: els pensamentsthe dilemma: el dilemadistressed: angoixavathe task: la tascathe deadlines: els deadlinesto overcome: superarto sift: remenarthe presence: la presènciafrequented: sovintejavathe advice: el consellthe step: el pasthe inspiration: la il·luminaciópeculiar: peculiarthe alleyways: els carreronsthe edition: l'edicióthe writer: l'escriptorto hand: lliurarto shine: brillarthe confidence: la confiançavaluable: valuosathe connection: la connexióthe light: la llumdusty: polsososto suggest: suggerirto spark: portar

Fluent Fiction - Catalan: Barcelona's Winter Collaboration: Turning Tension into Triumph Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ca/episode/2026-01-11-23-34-02-ca Story Transcript:Ca: A l'hivern gèlid de Barcelona, el caliu humà de la Freelancer's Home contrastava amb el vent fred que bufava pels carrers.En: In the icy winter of Barcelona, the human warmth of Freelancer's Home contrasted with the cold wind blowing through the streets.Ca: Les finestres grans deixaven entrar una llum grisa però consistent que banyava l'espai de treball compartit.En: The large windows let in a gray but steady light that bathed the shared workspace.Ca: Els sons de tecles batent-se i xerrades baixes marcaven el ritme d'aquell matí de gener.En: The sounds of typing and low conversations set the rhythm of that January morning.Ca: La Júlia i l'Enric compartien una taula prop de la finestra, envoltats d'altres estudiants i professionals freelancers.En: Júlia and Enric shared a table near the window, surrounded by other students and freelance professionals.Ca: La Júlia fullejava uns apunts amb determinació mentre l'Enric, amb un llapis entre els dits, feia girar el mòbil sobre la taula.En: Júlia was flipping through some notes with determination while Enric, with a pencil between his fingers, was spinning his phone on the table.Ca: Havien de presentar un treball sobre literatura catalana, i el temps apretava.En: They had to present a paper on Catalan literature, and time was pressing.Ca: "Necessitem acabar això avui," insistí la Júlia, amb les celles arrufades.En: "We need to finish this today," Júlia insisted, with furrowed brows.Ca: L'Enric somrigué amb un toc de serenor.En: Enric smiled with a touch of calm.Ca: "Queda molt per fer, Júlia?" preguntà, mig tancant els ulls, esperant construir un pont d'entesa.En: "Is there much left to do, Júlia?" he asked, half-closing his eyes, hoping to build a bridge of understanding.Ca: En efecte, ell encara no havia enllestit la seva part de l'anàlisi.En: Indeed, he had not yet completed his part of the analysis.Ca: "Confia en mi," afegí, veient la seva mirada de retret.En: "Trust me," he added, seeing her look of reproach.Ca: El treball es titulava "La influència de Verdaguer en la poesia moderna". Tot un repte per a ells, però una gran oportunitat per brillar.En: The paper was titled "The Influence of Verdaguer on Modern Poetry." Quite a challenge for them, but a great opportunity to shine.Ca: Júlia se sentia responsable de mantenir el rumb.En: Júlia felt responsible for keeping things on track.Ca: "Enric, falta poc per entregar... Si no completem a temps, pot ser...," començà a dir, dubtant entre acabar la frase amb una amenaça velada o un crit d'auxili.En: "Enric, it's almost due... If we don't finish in time, it could be...," she began to say, hesitating between finishing the sentence with a veiled threat or a cry for help.Ca: Enric es va posar seriós.En: Enric became serious.Ca: "Júlia, conec la teva passió.En: "Júlia, I know your passion.Ca: Sé que vols que sigui perfecte.En: I know you want it to be perfect.Ca: Em faré càrrec.En: I'll take care of it.Ca: Avui mateix," va dir, mirant-la als ulls amb una sinceritat que desconcertà la Júlia.En: Today," he said, looking her in the eyes with a sincerity that unsettled Júlia.Ca: Durant les hores següents, l'espai es va anar omplint de gent nova, mentre el bruixot del cafè brindava hàbilment el seu aroma reconfortant.En: During the next few hours, the space filled with new people, while the coffee wizard skillfully provided its comforting aroma.Ca: L'Enric, després d'una ràpida infusió de cafè, es va posar a treballar de valent, deixant la Júlia amb el consol de veure que, finalment, estava concentrat.En: Enric, after a quick coffee infusion, got down to work diligently, leaving Júlia comforted to see that he was finally focused.Ca: A mesura que l'Enric elaborava la seva part, la Júlia començava a veure la importància de deixar espai a la creativitat del seu company.En: As Enric worked on his part, Júlia began to see the importance of allowing room for her partner's creativity.Ca: Aquell toc fresc i analític equilibriava la seva anàlisi detallada.En: That fresh, analytical touch balanced her detailed analysis.Ca: Col·laboraven sense paraules, en un tango d'idees que acabaria pintant el treball amb colors més rics del que havia imaginat sola.En: They collaborated without words, in a tango of ideas that would end up painting the paper with richer colors than she had imagined alone.Ca: Cap al vespre, quan les ombres es retallaven contra la llum de la tardor, van donar per acabat el projecte.En: By evening, when shadows were cast against the autumn light, they declared the project finished.Ca: Júlia el revisà, sorprenent-se de la fluïdesa amb què les parts de l'Enric complementaven les seves.En: Júlia reviewed it, surprised at the fluency with which Enric's parts complemented hers.Ca: Un somriure va il·luminar la seva expressió.En: A smile lit up her face.Ca: "Ho hem aconseguit," digué ella, somrient amb alleujament.En: "We did it," she said, smiling with relief.Ca: L'Enric assentí, agafant els seus apunts i rient.En: Enric nodded, grabbing his notes and laughing.Ca: "Sempre sabia que ho faríem.En: "I always knew we would.Ca: Només calia confiar."En: We just needed to trust."Ca: La presentació a classe fou un èxit.En: The presentation in class was a success.Ca: El professor els assenyalà com un exemple de treball en grup.En: The professor pointed them out as an example of group work.Ca: "Un duel de talents," va dir, somrient amb admiració.En: "A duel of talents," he said, smiling with admiration.Ca: Júlia i Enric, satisfets, es miraren l'un a l'altre amb agraïment.En: Júlia and Enric, satisfied, looked at each other with gratitude.Ca: Havien après molt més que literatura catalana; havien aprés a confiar i a complementar-se.En: They had learned much more than Catalan literature; they had learned to trust and complement each other.Ca: En sortir de l'aula, el sol d'hivern de Barcelona els acariciava.En: As they left the classroom, Barcelona's winter sun caressed them.Ca: Caminaven junts pel carrer, la tensió desapareguda, amb la seguretat que, fins i tot en el treball més freda de l'hivern, la col·laboració pot encendre la flama del triomf.En: They walked together along the street, the tension gone, with the assurance that even in the coldest work of winter, collaboration can ignite the flame of triumph. Vocabulary Words:warmth: el caliuwind: el ventworkspace: l'espai de treballtyping: les tecles batent-sedetermination: la determinaciófurrowed brows: les celles arrufadesbridge: el pontreproach: el retretinfluence: la influènciachallenge: el repteopportunity: l'oportunitatcry for help: un crit d'auxilisincerity: la sinceritatshadow: l'ombracoffee wizard: el bruixot del cafèinfusion: la infusiócreativity: la creativitatbalance: l'equilibrianalysis: l'anàlisitango: el tangofluency: la fluïdesarelief: l'alleujamentgratitude: l'agraïmentassurance: la seguretattriumph: el triomfaccompanied: acompanyadabrows: les cellesdue: l'entregaexpressions: les expressionstrust: la confiança

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: From Deadlines to Dragon Dances: Mei's Festival Awakening Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2026-01-11-23-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 上海的冬天寒风刺骨，但这天的自由职业者之家咖啡馆里暖意融融。En: The winter in Shanghai is bone-chilling, but inside the Freelancer's Home Café, it was warm and cozy.Zh: 梅坐在靠窗的座位，面前是打开的笔记本电脑，咖啡的香气在空气中飘荡，衬托出她严肃的神情。En: Mei sat at the window seat with an open laptop in front of her, the aroma of coffee drifting in the air, highlighting her serious expression.Zh: 她是一位勤奋的营销顾问，工作总是她生活的重心。En: She was a diligent marketing consultant, and work was always the focus of her life.Zh: 距离下一个会议还有几个小时，她决定在这里准备一下，并不知不觉间忽视了窗外热闹的过年气氛。En: With a few hours left before her next meeting, she decided to prepare there, unconsciously ignoring the lively New Year atmosphere outside the window.Zh: 咖啡馆四周挂满了红色的灯笼，象征着春节的欢乐。En: Red lanterns symbolizing the joy of Spring Festival hung all around the café.Zh: 梅的两个朋友，亮和佳，刚好经过咖啡馆，手里提着不少新年小吃和烟花。En: Mei's two friends, Liang and Jia, happened to pass by the café, carrying lots of New Year's snacks and fireworks.Zh: “梅，快来！En: "Mei, come quickly!Zh: 我们去城隍庙庙会，听说那里热闹非凡！En: We're going to the City God Temple Fair, I hear it's bustling with excitement!"Zh: ”亮兴奋地说。En: Liang said excitedly.Zh: 梅犹豫了。En: Mei hesitated.Zh: 她得在咖啡馆里准备演讲，但内心深处却隐隐渴望着改变那日复一日的单调。En: She needed to prepare her presentation in the café, but deep down, she craved a change from her monotonous routine.Zh: 她看看两位好友，心底的挣扎浮现于脸上。En: She looked at her two friends, the struggle in her heart showing on her face.Zh: 最后，梅突然一合上笔记本，长舒了一口气。En: Finally, Mei suddenly closed her laptop and let out a long sigh.Zh: “好啊，我去！En: "Alright, I'm coming!"Zh: ”她笑着站起来，决定跟朋友们去感受节日的快乐。En: she said with a smile, standing up and deciding to join her friends to experience the festive joy.Zh: 在城隍庙的庙会上，满是五光十色的灯火、欢声笑语和各种传统小吃的香味。En: At the City God Temple Fair, there were colorful lights, laughter, and the aroma of various traditional snacks.Zh: 梅与朋白一起品尝糖葫芦，观看舞龙舞狮，短暂忘却工作的压力。En: Mei and her friends enjoyed candied hawthorns, watched dragon and lion dances, and momentarily forgot the pressures of work.Zh: 她感到前所未有的轻松，这一切的体验让她心中升腾起新的灵感。En: She felt more relaxed than ever, and the experience filled her with new inspiration.Zh: 会议那天，梅凭借着她从节日中获得的能量和灵感，做了一个出色的演讲。En: On the day of the meeting, Mei, fueled by the energy and inspiration from the festival, delivered an outstanding presentation.Zh: 她的客户们被她的热情和创意深深吸引，演讲获得了圆满成功。En: Her clients were deeply impressed by her enthusiasm and creativity, and the presentation was a complete success.Zh: 从此，梅明白了工作与生活之间应有的平衡。En: From then on, Mei understood the importance of balance between work and life.Zh: 偶尔的停下脚步，去体验生活中的乐趣，不仅丰富了她的人生体验，也为她带来了意想不到的工作灵感。En: Occasionally taking a step back to enjoy the pleasures of life not only enriched her life experience but also brought unexpected inspiration for her work.Zh: 尽管她依然努力工作，但多了几分懂得享受生活的随性和洒脱。En: Although she continued to work hard, she now better appreciated the spontaneity and freedom of enjoying life.Zh: 红灯笼和欢乐的记忆常常提醒她，有时，生活中的意外之喜才是最珍贵的。En: The red lanterns and cheerful memories often reminded her that sometimes, the unexpected joys in life are the most precious. Vocabulary Words:bone-chilling: 寒风刺骨cozy: 暖意融融aroma: 香气highlighting: 衬托diligent: 勤奋consultant: 顾问monotonous: 单调routine: 日复一日hesitated: 犹豫struggle: 挣扎inspiration: 灵感outstanding: 出色impressed: 吸引enthusiasm: 热情spontaneity: 随性freedom: 洒脱festive joy: 节日的快乐successful: 圆满成功balance: 平衡lively: 热闹presentation: 演讲symbolizing: 象征craved: 渴望bustling: 热闹非凡festive atmosphere: 过年气氛unexpected: 意想不到occassionally: 偶尔candied hawthorns: 糖葫芦fulfilled: 丰富laughter: 欢声笑语

Fluent Fiction - Italian: Finding Firenze: A Writer's Journey from Block to Brilliance Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/it/episode/2026-01-11-08-38-20-it Story Transcript:It: A Firenze, in una fredda mattina d'inverno, Luca entrò nel Freelancer's Home Café.En: In Firenze, on a cold winter morning, Luca entered the Freelancer's Home Café.It: Era un luogo speciale.En: It was a special place.It: Le luci calde illuminavano l'ambiente, contrastando con l'aria gelida dell'esterno.En: The warm lights illuminated the space, contrasting with the freezing air outside.It: L'odore del caffè appena fatto riempiva l'aria, creando un'atmosfera accogliente.En: The smell of freshly made coffee filled the air, creating a welcoming atmosphere.It: Luca si sedette a un tavolo vicino alla finestra.En: Luca sat at a table near the window.It: Guardava le strade fiorentine, cariche di storia e bellezza.En: He gazed at the fiorentine streets, filled with history and beauty.It: Doveva scrivere un articolo su Firenze per un importante rivista.En: He had to write an article about Firenze for an important magazine.It: Ma c'era un problema: non sapeva da dove iniziare.En: But there was a problem: he didn't know where to begin.It: La paura di deludere se stesso e gli altri lo paralizzava.En: The fear of disappointing himself and others paralyzed him.It: Aveva bisogno di ispirazione, e presto.En: He needed inspiration, and soon.It: Giulia, una sua amica e collega, entrò nel caffè e si avvicinò.En: Giulia, a friend and colleague, entered the café and approached.It: "Ciao, Luca," disse con un sorriso incoraggiante.En: "Hi, Luca," she said with an encouraging smile.It: "Come va l'articolo?"En: "How's the article going?"It: Luca sospirò.En: Luca sighed.It: "Ho un blocco.En: "I have a block.It: Non so da dove partire."En: I don't know where to start."It: Marco, un vecchio amico, era già lì con il suo portatile.En: Marco, an old friend, was already there with his laptop.It: Stava lavorando a un progetto di design.En: He was working on a design project.It: Sentendo la conversazione, si unì: "Parla del cuore di Firenze.En: Hearing the conversation, he joined in: "Talk about the heart of Firenze.It: Aneddoti personali.En: Personal anecdotes.It: Pensa ai momenti che ti legano a questa città."En: Think of the moments that connect you to this city."It: Luca rifletteva, mentre osservava le persone fuori dalla finestra.En: Luca reflected, while observing the people outside the window.It: Ricordava le passeggiate lungo l'Arno, le notti estive in Piazza della Signoria, il profumo delle librerie antiche.En: He recalled the walks along the Arno, the summer nights in Piazza della Signoria, the scent of old bookstores.It: Poi gli venne un'idea.En: Then an idea came to him.It: Scrivere di come Firenze influenzasse ogni visitatore con la sua bellezza senza tempo.En: Write about how Firenze influences every visitor with its timeless beauty.It: Improvvisamente, le parole fluirono.En: Suddenly, the words flowed.It: Scriveva del fascino dei vicoli stretti, del suono delle campane di Santa Maria del Fiore.En: He wrote about the charm of the narrow alleys, the sound of the bells of Santa Maria del Fiore.It: Metteva in risalto storie di incontri straordinari, momenti catturati in un battito di ciglia.En: He highlighted stories of extraordinary encounters, moments captured in the blink of an eye.It: Il caffè si riempiva e svuotava, il tempo volava.En: The café filled and emptied, time flew by.It: Giulia e Marco lo incoraggiavano, l'ambiente viveva di creatività e risate.En: Giulia and Marco encouraged him, the environment buzzed with creativity and laughter.It: Luca sentiva l'energia del luogo, sentiva finalmente fiducia nelle sue capacità.En: Luca felt the energy of the place, finally feeling confident in his abilities.It: Quando il sole si abbassò e le luci del caffè presero un tono intimo, Luca terminò il suo articolo.En: When the sun lowered and the café lights took on an intimate tone, Luca finished his article.It: Lo rilesse, sorrise, lo inviò.En: He reread it, smiled, and sent it.It: Giusto in tempo.En: Just in time.It: Chiudeva il laptop, il cuore colmo di soddisfazione.En: He closed the laptop, his heart filled with satisfaction.It: Uscendo, ringraziò silenziosamente il caffè, le sue amichevoli mura, le conversazioni che l'avevano liberato.En: As he left, he silently thanked the café, its friendly walls, the conversations that had freed him.It: Aveva superato il suo dubbio.En: He had overcome his doubt.It: Sapeva che poteva farcela, che doveva solo fidarsi del suo istinto.En: He knew he could do it, that he just needed to trust his instincts.It: Firenze brillava nella notte, e Luca si ritrovava a camminare con un nuovo senso di pace.En: Firenze shone in the night, and Luca found himself walking with a new sense of peace.It: Aveva superato il blocco, riscoperto l'essenza di un luogo amato, ricordando che il vero viaggio non è solo visibile agli occhi ma anche al cuore.En: He had overcome the block, rediscovered the essence of a beloved place, remembering that the true journey is not only visible to the eyes but also to the heart. Vocabulary Words:the freelancer: il freelancerthe morning: la mattinathe atmosphere: l'atmosferato illuminate: illuminarefreezing: gelidathe smell: l'odorewelcoming: accoglientethe window: la finestrato gaze: guardarethe history: la storiathe beauty: la bellezzato disappoint: deludereto paralyze: paralizzarethe inspiration: l'ispirazioneencouraging: incoraggianteto sigh: sospirarethe block: il bloccothe design: il designthe project: il progettoto reflect: riflettereto influence: influenzarethe charm: il fascinothe alley: il vicolothe bell: la campanato highlight: mettere in risaltoextraordinary: straordinariothe encounter: l'incontroto capture: catturareto encourage: incoraggiarethe creativity: la creatività

Doors to ON IT 2026 close in just a few days, hear Eva's story and save your space to make this year one of intentional growth - https://www.alicebenham.co.uk/onit _____ Connect with me - Instagram | Website | LinkedIn | Weekly Emails

This week, Jen and Pete go through their intentions, phrases, and things they are thinking about in preparing for the year ahead.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:How do Jen and Pete reflect on the past year, in order to look ahead?How is an unexpected unknown shaping Jen's year?What intention is Pete going to set for his upcoming year?To hear all episodes and read full transcripts, visit The Long and The Short Of It website: https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/.You can subscribe to our Box O' Goodies here (https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/) and receive a weekly email full of book and podcast recommendations, quotes, videos, and other interesting things that Jen and Pete are noodling on. To get in touch, send an email to: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.com.Learn more about Pete's work here (https://humanperiscope.com/) and Jen's work here (https://jenwaldman.com/).

Before you dive headfirst into your solopreneur journey, there are two things you absolutely need to nail down: your competition and your customers.In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, Joe and Carly continue the series on the Solopreneur Success Cycle and break down why “everyone” is not your audience, how to spot opportunities your competitors are overlooking, and why creating personas (yes, even giving them names and backstories) can completely change how you connect with your market. Whether you're refining your niche or just starting to sketch out your customer base, this episode will give you practical insights to avoid spinning your wheels and start building a business that truly resonates.

PR isn't just for big brands with big budgets, and this episode proves it. In this conversation, PR experts Lydia Bagarozza & Bridget Sicsko,of Visibility on Purpose, break down exactly how solopreneurs can get featured in podcasts, publications, and major media without paying thousands or hiring an agency. They walk through a simple, repeatable PR framework that focuses on positioning, pitching, and consistency, plus why most solopreneurs are closer to press than they think.You'll also hear why authenticity beats polish, how PR compounds over time (even when social media doesn't), and how earned media helps you show up in Google results, AI search tools, and real buying decisions. If you've ever thought “PR isn't for me,” this episode will change your mind.EPISODE FAQsIs PR actually worth it for solopreneurs without big budgets?Yes. PR is one of the most cost-effective long-term strategies for solopreneurs because it relies on earned media, not paid ads. You don't need a publicist or a massive following, just clear positioning, a strong pitch, and consistent outreach. One good feature can keep working for your business for years. What do solopreneurs need before pitching themselves to media or podcasts?Before pitching, solopreneurs should have their digital foundations in place: a professional website, clear messaging, up-to-date social profiles, and strong positioning that explains what makes them different. Media isn't looking for perfection. They're looking for clarity and relevance. Does PR help with SEO, AI search, or discoverability?Yes. Earned media creates high-quality backlinks, credibility signals, and keyword relevance that help your business show up in Google and AI tools like ChatGPT. PR tells search engines (and AI) that you're a trusted source, not just another website publishing content. 

Everyone is busy planning what they're bringing into 2026. New goals. New strategies. New habits.But what if the real progress comes from deciding what doesn't make the cut?In this episode, we flip the usual New Year conversation on its head and talk about the things solopreneurs should seriously consider leaving behind. From creating content just because it's “trending,” to chasing passive income fairy tales, to saying yes to clients and projects that quietly drain your energy, we break down what's no longer serving your business (or your life).This is a practical, honest conversation about focusing on what actually works for your audience, your strengths, and your version of success. If you want to head into 2026 with more clarity, less noise, and a business that feels sustainable instead of exhausting, this episode is your permission slip to let some things go.Episode FAQsWhat should solopreneurs stop doing in 2026 to grow faster and feel less overwhelmed?Solopreneurs should stop doing activities that don't directly support their audience, revenue, or energy. This includes creating content without a clear strategy, chasing “passive income” shortcuts, comparing their progress to others, managing every task themselves, and saying yes to clients or projects that don't align with their core business. Letting go of these habits creates space for focus, clarity, and sustainable growth.Is passive income actually realistic for solopreneurs, or is it mostly hype?Passive income is possible for solopreneurs, but it is rarely instant or effortless. Sustainable passive income usually comes from productizing services, creating courses, books, or digital products after significant upfront work. Solopreneurs should avoid “get rich quick” promises and instead focus on building offers that reduce one-on-one time while still delivering real value and support to customers.How do solopreneurs know what to say no to without hurting their income?Solopreneurs should say no to projects that fall outside their core expertise, disrupt their workflow, or pull them away from their ideal clients even if the opportunity seems appealing in the moment. Long-term income stability comes from focus, consistency, and repeatable offers, not from taking on one-off or misaligned work that creates stress and inefficiency.

For creatives and freelancers, time and attention are our most valuable resources. In this New Year special, I dig into the idea of enshittification - how online platforms slowly shift from serving users to extracting value from them - and why social media, algorithms, and subscription-based systems are quietly undermining creative focus, ambition, and long-term work.This episode is about recognising the trap that today's platforms have set, stepping away from systems that no longer serve you, and refocusing your energy on work that actually matters - work that is significant, honest, and genuinely representative of you as a creative.OFFICIAL WEBSITE: https://www.filmproproductivity.com/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/FilmProProdPodFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/filmproproductivityCONTACT: https://www.filmproproductivity.com/contactINDIE FILM HUSTLE: https://indiefilmhustle.com/ifh-podcast-network-filmmaking-and-screenwriting/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqo0Zld2Lm2lJDpDh3GsuZgQUOTES:“The enshittification of platforms is not a bug. It's the business model.” Cory Doctorow “When growth becomes impossible, companies turn to extraction, and quality is the first casualty.” Cory Doctorow “Before long, you're not making films. You're making content.” Elliot Grove“When you build on someone else's platform, you're building on land you don't own.” Douglas Rushkoff “The most important thing a creator can do is make something that matters. Everything else is noise.” Cory Doctorow-----------------------------------------------------------Please check out my friends shows:FILM FIGHTS WITH FRIENDS PODCASTTHE FILMMAKERS PODCASTTHE HORROR CUTWILDE WORLD-----------------------------------------------------------Thanks:A Himitsu Music: Adventures by A HimitsuCommons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...Music released by Argofox https://www.youtu.be/8BXNwnxaVQEMusic provided by Audio Library https://www.youtu.be/MkNeIUgNPQ8 –––Contact the artist: x.jonaz@gmail.comhttps://www.facebook.com/ahimitsuhttps://www.twitter.com/ahimitsu1https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgFwu-j5-xNJml2FtTrrB3A

Freelancers are great at pushing through. We hit deadlines, juggle clients, and squeeze productivity out of thin air. But here's the truth many of us avoid: Our physical health often pays the price. In today's episode, we're talking about the side of freelancing that rarely gets airtime — the slow erosion of our health when the business becomes the only priority. And we're doing it with someone who brings deep experience, grounded wisdom, and a refreshingly simple approach: my friend Lucie Robazza, a certified health coach, personal trainer, kinesiologist, and founder of Strenxia. This conversation started because this past summer I made a real commitment to improving my own health. No crisis. No big scare. Just a decision that the way I'd been operating wasn't sustainable. I shifted to a concierge-style medical practice, partnered closely with my doctor, and began tracking meaningful health metrics — the biomarkers that tell the real story of how your body is functioning. With his guidance, I'm working one day at a time to make real improvements through diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes. As I dug in further, it became impossible to ignore how many freelancers are quietly struggling with the same thing. So I asked Lucie to help us understand what's actually going on, especially for the women in this audience who face unique challenges in midlife that mainstream advice often misses. This episode is practical, simple, and surprisingly encouraging. What You'll Learn · How long hours, stress, and irregular routines affect your key health markers · Why midlife health — especially for women — doesn't follow the "standard" playbook · Why fatigue, brain fog, and stubborn weight changes often aren't moral failings but physiological signals · How to work with your doctor more effectively and ask smarter questions · Simple, sustainable steps to start rebuilding your health without blowing up your life Key Ideas & Takeaways Most freelancers operate in a chronic low-grade stress state: This affects everything from thyroid function to inflammation to metabolic health You can't improve what you don't measure: Baseline labs — cholesterol, triglycerides, thyroid panels, fasting insulin, A1C, and more — are biomarkers, not judgments Midlife changes are real, especially for women: What worked at 25 doesn't work at 45, and that's not a discipline issue Small, consistent improvements beat dramatic overhauls: The "1% better" approach is not only sustainable but often more effective Your doctor is a partner, not a vendor: Preparing questions, bringing context, and understanding your metrics changes the entire experience Download Lucie's 5-Day Writer's Reset Challenge If you're ready to reclaim your energy, improve your daily habits, and build a healthier foundation for your business, download Lucie's 5-Day Writer's Reset Challenge. It's FREE, and it's built for writers who want meaningful change without a complicated program. Disclaimer: Before making changes to your diet, exercise, or health routines, always consult with a qualified medical professional. The information in this episode is for informational purposes only and not to be treated as medical advice. Neither Lucie nor I are doctors. If this episode resonates, share it with another freelancer who's been pushing too hard for too long. This might be the nudge they need.

In the final days of 2025, Jen and Pete noodle on what should be the top priority to have prepared as we move in to 2026.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:Why is it important to have an idea of what success looks like for you?What is an outcome goal? What is a process goal?How might we measure and take an audit of our existing assets?To hear all episodes and read full transcripts, visit The Long and The Short Of It website: https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/.You can subscribe to our Box O' Goodies here (https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/) and receive a weekly email full of book and podcast recommendations, quotes, videos, and other interesting things that Jen and Pete are noodling on. To get in touch, send an email to: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.com.Learn more about Pete's work here (https://humanperiscope.com/) and Jen's work here (https://jenwaldman.com/).

If the word sales makes you tense up, this episode is about to change everything.In this conversation, sales expert Adam Cerra breaks down why most solopreneurs struggle with selling, and it's not because they're bad at it. It's because they've been taught the wrong mindset. Instead of “closing,” Adam introduces inverse closing, a way to turn sales calls into guided conversations where prospects sell themselves without pressure, manipulation, or feeling salesy.You'll learn how to stop pricing your time and start pricing your wisdom, how to run discovery calls that feel collaborative (not awkward), and how to follow up without chasing or feeling desperate. Whether you're booking your first calls or already selling high-ticket services, this episode gives you practical, confidence-boosting shifts you can apply immediately.Episode FAQsWhat is inverse closing, and why does it work for solopreneurs?Inverse closing is a sales approach where the solopreneur acts as an assessor rather than a closer. Instead of pitching, you guide the prospect to articulate their own needs and reasons for buying. This works especially well for solopreneurs because it removes pressure, builds trust, and aligns sales with service, making conversations feel natural and collaborative.How can solopreneurs stop feeling “salesy” on discovery calls?Solopreneurs stop sounding salesy when they shift from trying to convince someone to helping them self-evaluate. By asking thoughtful, emotionally driven questions and listening deeply, the call becomes a guided conversation instead of a pitch. This approach positions the solopreneur as a trusted authority, not a persuader.What's the best follow-up strategy if a prospect doesn't buy on the first call?Most prospects don't buy on the first call, and that's normal. A strong follow-up strategy treats the second call as a continuation—not a chase. By maintaining leadership, referencing prior conversations, and removing urgency pressure, solopreneurs can increase conversions without sounding needy or desperate.

Today, we are opening the door to a massive opportunity that many business owners assume is locked. We're talking about how to scale your business to the moon using an expertise-rich team of contract employees and freelancers without the weight of a traditional payroll.

Ever wonder which tools and services you actually need as a solopreneur, and which ones are just shiny distractions?In this episode of The Aspiring Solopreneur, Carly and Joe revisit one of the most debated sections of their book, Solopreneur Business For Dummies: setting up your company's tools and services.From creating rock-solid SOPs to knowing when to outsource, to avoiding the dreaded “tool overload,” they break down how to make smarter choices that actually save you time. Plus, they share how AI can help today (and where it still falls short). If you've ever felt stuck between doing it all yourself, hiring help, or buying yet another app, you won't want to miss this conversation.Episode FAQsShould I outsource tasks as a solopreneur or keep doing everything myself?You don't need employees to be a solopreneur, but you also don't have to do everything alone. Outsourcing to contractors or companies for specific tasks can save time and prevent burnout. The key is to outsource before you're desperate. This way, you have time to properly train someone and set up processes that work.How do I know which tools are worth paying for?Start by identifying the specific problem you want to solve, then choose tools that are simple, affordable, and easy to integrate with your current setup. Avoid chasing “shiny objects” that solve problems you don't even have yet. Use free trials strategically and actually test them on a real task during the trial period, and start with monthly payments until you're confident it's a good fit.What should come first: documenting processes or finding tools and services?Always start with documenting your processes in the form of standard operating procedures (SOPs). If you try to outsource or automate a broken process, you'll only make the problems bigger. SOPs give you a clear, repeatable checklist that works whether you do it yourself, hand it off to someone else, or use a tool to automate it.

In their annual tradition, Jen and Pete list their very favo(u)rite things of 2025.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about their favo(u)rite:Fiction book.Non-fiction book.Podcast.TLATSOI episode.Thing they watched.Motto.Thing they discovered about themselves.To hear all episodes and read full transcripts, visit The Long and The Short Of It website: https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/.You can subscribe to our Box O' Goodies here (https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/) and receive a weekly email full of book and podcast recommendations, quotes, videos, and other interesting things that Jen and Pete are noodling on. To get in touch, send an email to: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.com.Learn more about Pete's work here (https://humanperiscope.com/) and Jen's work here (https://jenwaldman.com/).

Why is it so hard to explain what you do, even when you're really good at it? In this episode, messaging strategist Damian Vallelonga breaks down why solopreneurs struggle with clarity, confidence, and consistency in their messaging, and what to do about it.We talk about why referrals aren't a strategy, how vague language quietly kills opportunities, and the exact framework Damian uses to help solopreneurs create elevator pitches, website headlines, and LinkedIn bios that actually make sense to other humans. If you've ever said, “I know what I do, I just don't know how to explain it,” this episode is for you.Episode FAQsWhy do solopreneurs struggle to clearly explain what they do?Solopreneurs struggle to explain what they do because they know too much. Years of experience, details, and expertise live in their heads, making it hard to simplify their message for someone hearing it for the first time. Clear messaging requires stepping outside your own perspective and focusing on what your audience needs to understand, not everything you know.What is the simplest framework for creating an effective elevator pitch?An effective elevator pitch has three parts:The common problem your ideal client is struggling withWhat you do to help solve that problemThe outcome or transformation they experience as a resultThis structure keeps your message focused, relatable, and easy to remember, without turning it into a list of credentials or services.How often should solopreneurs update their messaging?Solopreneurs should revisit their messaging any time their business changes in a meaningful way. This includes adding or removing services, narrowing a niche, shifting strategy, or changing who they serve. Messaging should always follow business strategy, because outdated or unclear messaging creates confusion, and confusion is one of the biggest barriers to growth.

Freelancers are giving away their most valuable AI insights, and not getting paid for it. In today's episode, we're taking a hard look at one of the biggest blind spots for freelance writers and content pros right now: the failure to package your AI knowledge into a paid offer. Your clients want to use AI. They're trying. But they're confused, overwhelmed, and scared of doing it wrong. And guess what? You already have the skills and experience to guide them. But unless you turn that informal help into a structured service, it's just free advice that goes nowhere. In this episode, we're going to fix that. What You'll Learn Why most freelance writers are leaving serious money on the table when it comes to AI The three types of AI helpers, and why only one gets paid what they're worth How to package your AI knowledge into a sellable offer (with real examples) The "three blockers" that keep most freelancers from monetizing their AI skills What happens after you package your AI services, and how to push through impostor syndrome Key Ideas & Takeaways The real constraint is implementation confidence within your clients' teams. Everyone has the tools. What they don't have is the confidence to use them well. They're worried about brand voice, risk, reputation, and wasting time. That's where you come in. But clients won't pay you for casual tips. They'll pay for structured guidance. The 3 Types of AI Help The Informal Helper (Invisible Labor) · You're answering AI questions and offering tips for free · No structure, no price, no perceived value The AI-Enabled Doer (Efficient But Undervalued) You use AI to deliver better work faster, but you're still billing for output, not insight Clients don't see the "how," just the deliverable The AI Implementation Partner (Where the Money Is) You guide teams, build workflows, train staff, and solve real problems This is a packaged consulting offer, and it can command $5K–$10K+ fees The 3 Packaging Blockers (And How to Overcome Them) Blocker 1: "I don't know enough" Reality: You don't need to be an expert, just more knowledgeable than your clients Action: Write down 10 AI lessons you've learned the hard way. Your first offer is likely somewhere in there Blocker 2: "I don't know what to sell" Reality: Your offer is hiding in your inbox and client conversations. Extract it from the questions clients already ask Action: Track every AI-related client question over the next 30 days. Your next offer is in there Blocker 3: "I don't know how to price it" Reality: You're not selling outputs, you're selling transformation Action: Anchor your pricing to the outcomes and risk reduction you create The Anatomy of a Packaged AI Service Every successful offer has four parts: The Constraint You're Managing Examples: "I help marketing teams adopt AI without destroying their brand voice." "I implement AI systems legal will approve." "I guide consultants through using AI to mine insights from their internal data." The Deliverables & Process Week 1: Audit Weeks 2–3: Build custom GPTs, create systems Week 4: Train team, hand off playbook The Timeline 3–4 weeks is ideal. Clear start, clear end. The Outcome/Transformation Examples: "You'll get an AI-powered content workflow that triples output without sacrificing quality." "You'll eliminate brand voice inconsistencies in AI-generated content." "You'll get your team onboard with AI confidently and safely." What Happens After You Package It You'll doubt yourself. That's normal You'll stumble through the first pitch You'll realize you know more than you thought Clients will love your structure more than your brilliance You don't need to be the best AI expert. You just need to be the one your client trusts. And you need to take those first few steps in faith, trusting that the path will appear as you move forward. Listener Challenge Take action this week: List 10 things you've learned from using AI in your freelance work Track any AI-related questions your clients ask Package what you already know into a 3–4 week offer Pitch it to one person Start small. Start now. That's how real momentum builds. Want Help Packaging Your Own AI Service? If this episode sparked ideas, I'm running a half-day, 1-on-1 workshop plus a 3-week coaching sprint to help you package their AI knowledge into premium consulting services. No spots open at the moment, but I may open some spots in January or February. If you'd like to work with me privately on this, shoot me an email (ed at b2blauncher dot com) with "AI Consultant Accelerator" in the subject line, and I'll reply with the details. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review to help more freelancers discover the show Share it with a friend who's sitting on unmonetized AI skills