Best Sharpened Artist Podcasts (2025)

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THE BUSINESS OF TATTOOING - EPISODE 09 - SHAUN KAMA 2:15:03

1d ago2:15:03

2:15:03

This week, we sit down with the one and only Shaun Kama, a legendary tattoo artist, punk rock rebel, and the undisputed King of Halloween Tattoos. From apprenticing under Mark Mahoney to tattooing at the Punk Rock Museum and launching the mobile tattoo empire Ravens Nest Productions, Shaun shares his journey through horror, hustle, and artistic leg…

1
41. How to S.P.A.R.K. Joy in Your Work Again! 12:32

22h ago12:32

12:32

Feel like you're hitting low point? Are things dull, tired, or totally uninspired? Do you find yourself in a rut lately? Feel like you’re just going through the motions? If being self-employed—turning your creativity into your livelihood—is starting to wear on you and take it's toll... If suddenly you find that the joy is getting buried under the h…

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40. From Pop-Ups to Passive Income: Hallie Kohn’s Artist Journey 🎨 21:18

10d ago21:18

21:18

Today, I’m taking you into a conversation with one of my current clients, Wisconsin-based oil painter, Hallie Kohn. Hallie became my art business coaching client a few weeks after I became her newest collector. Right away, we worked through a visioning exercise that set her up for her own Revenue Ready Plan. Ready to work together to create your ow…

1
THE BUSINESS OF TATTOOING - EPISODE 08 - CHRIS ALLEN TAYLOR 1:41:44

17d ago1:41:44

1:41:44

Chris Allen Taylor joins Rob Smead to discuss preserving tattoo history, building the Indy Tattoo Expo, and honoring the legacy of his mentor, Rabbit Sanders. From walk-in shop grit to big-picture vision, this episode is packed with stories and heart. APT WEBSITE https://safe-tattoos.com/ SHOW SPONSOR https://electrumsupply.com JOIN ELECTRUM INSIDE…

1
39. Your Art Event, Fully Supported—Even on a Budget 19:47

17d ago19:47

19:47

You know those moments when you’ve poured everything into your work — your time, your energy, your heart — and then it hits you: you might be doing too much, stretching yourself too thin, trying to carry every part of this business on your own... Or those long days where you’ve packed up your car, hauled your work, your displays, your tent, and tha…

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THE BUSINESS OF TATTOOING - EPISODE 07 - SEAN BROWN 1:53:13

23d ago1:53:13

1:53:13

Sean Brown joins Rob Smead to talk leadership, regulation, and the future of tattooing, from his days at Eternal Ink to lobbying on Capitol Hill. MoCRA, REACH, artist safety, and corporate transparency, this is the episode every artist and brand needs to hear. APT WEBSITE https://safe-tattoos.com/ SHOW SPONSOR https://electrumsupply.com JOIN ELECTR…

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38. CALL TO ARTISTS: Request for Topics 3:41

25d ago3:41

3:41

Click HERE to Respond to the Request for Topics We've covered a lot of ground in the last 9 months, friend. For artists in business, you'll find the REVENUE READY CREATIVE has you covered for things like: How to get started with quarterly sales tracking Ways to earn consistent sales through passive income Goal mapping, strategic planning, and time …

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THE BUSINESS OF TATTOOING - EPISODE 06 - RYAN ROI 1:29:35

1M ago1:29:35

1:29:35

Ryan Roi joins Rob Smead to discuss money, marketing, and mindset... from tattooing to building a million-dollar coaching business helping artists grow wealth, create freedom, and take control of their careers. This is real talk, real strategy, real growth. APT WEBSITE https://safe-tattoos.com/ SHOW SPONSOR https://electrumsupply.com JOIN ELECTRUM …

1
37. How to Navigate Imposter Syndrome for Good! 18:49

1M ago18:49

18:49

Let's talk about something that hits close to home for a lot of us—especially those who are self employed in creative fields. If you’ve ever found yourself doubting your talents and abilities, feeling like a fraud in your own success, or wondering when people will “find out” you're not as together as they think—you’re not alone. This episode is int…

1
THE BUSINESS OF TATTOOING - SPECIAL LIVE FROM HELL CITY WITH SCOTT VERSAGO 1:18:32

1M ago1:18:32

1:18:32

Took The Business of Tattooing podcast back on the road this weekend… For the first time since 2020 (thanks, Covid), I went mobile and recorded live at Hell City—which felt pretty damn full circle. Hell City is actually where I launched my very first podcast, Electrum Radio, back in 2018. So recording here again? Nostalgic as hell. This time, I sat…

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THE BUSINESS OF TATTOOING - EPISODE 05 - JOSEPH SWANSON 1:58:42

1M ago1:58:42

1:58:42

Episode 5 – Elevating the Industry: Art, Ethics & Innovation with Joseph Swanson Joseph Swanson joins Rob Smead to talk shop, soul, and systems—from tattoo ethics and AI to client experience, education, and building a career that lasts. A real-deal conversation with one of the most thoughtful voices in the industry. APT WEBSITE https://safe-tattoos…

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36. Distracted Much? Use THIS to Stay Focused as a Creative in Business 16:34

1M ago16:34

16:34

Let’s face it—distractions are everywhere. From social media scrolls to seasonal mood shifts, staying focused as a creative can feel like chasing light through a fog. But what if the secret isn’t eliminating distractions, but learning to work with them? In this episode, we’re talking about the systems and rhythms that support your creative business…

1
THE BUSINESS OF TATTOOING - EPISODE 04 - MICHAEL GETZ 1:48:51

1M ago1:48:51

1:48:51

Episode 4 – Focus, Faith & the Future: A Deep Dive with Michael Getz Michael Getz joins Rob Smead to talk discipline, mindset, and the mission behind Force of Focus. From addiction and burnout to leadership, clarity, and building a purpose-driven tattoo career, this episode is packed with candid insights and powerful perspectives. APT WEBSITE https…

1
35. How to Get Organized in Your Art Business! Tips From Professional Organizer Tracy Hoth 18:06

2M ago18:06

18:06

Each week, I’m thrilled to bring lessons learned and best practices for artists and creative small business owners to your listening ears! Surprisingly, when I look at my podcast episode data, among the most listened to episodes is an episode that starts with "Get Organized." You can find that here: Episode 5, “Get Organized in Your Business with t…

1
THE BUSINESS OF TATTOOING - EPISODE 03 - JOE CAPOBIANCO 2:17:36

2M ago2:17:36

2:17:36

Episode 3 – Old School, New Rules: A Raw Sit-Down with Joe Capobianco Joe Capobianco joins Rob Smead for a raw, unfiltered convo on machines, mentorship, regulation, and the state of tattooing today. From coil vs. rotary to corporate takeover and old-school values, this is a masterclass in real talk from one of the industry's most iconic voices. AP…

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34. Artists: Here’s a Pre-Show Checklist Plan for Your Next Event! 20:47

2M ago20:47

20:47

Congrats! 🎉 You’ve got a show, market, festival, studio tour or workshop coming up. It’s either scheduled with a real date to work towards, or it’s something you’ve imagined, but it’s only a matter of time. Your event is on the horizon. Let’s get you ready, my friend. No need to start from scratch. I’ve got a lightweight plan to share with you that…

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THE BUSINESS OF TATTOOING - EPISODE 02 - ROBBIE RIPOLL & JAYVO SCOTT 1:57:56

2M ago1:57:56

1:57:56

Episode 2 – Blood, Ink, and Brotherhood: A Raw Conversation. Brothers Robbie Ripoll and Jayvo Scott join Rob Smead for a raw, emotional conversation about brotherhood, healing, and their journey from rivalry to reconnection. From Ink Master drama to real-life growth, this is a powerful story of redemption, forgiveness, and finding purpose beyond th…

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33. Inspiration for Your Q1 Review: Peek Into a Profit Planning Session With an Artist Couple 15:15

2M ago15:15

15:15

In the Revenue Ready Creative podcast, "Mon-yay!" is reserved for the first or second Monday of the new quarter. It’s a time to look back at your efforts from last quarter so that you can celebrate your achievements, learn from what happened and make adjustments where necessary. But it’s also a great time to look ahead as you prepare for what will …

1
THE BUSINESS OF TATTOOING - EPISODE 01 - BEN SHAW 1:55:40

2M ago1:55:40

1:55:40

In the premiere episode of The Business of Tattooing podcast, Rob Smead sits down with industry leader Ben Shaw to discuss the current state of tattooing. They discuss hot topics like the 'Tattpocalypse,' AI's impact on the craft, the controversial Black Dot tattoo robot, and the future of tattoo regulation. Join them for an unscripted, thought-pro…

1
32. Not Quite Ready for Professional Photography to Enhance Your Online Art Business? This Interview with Photographer Amy Paulson Will Help! 25:31

2M ago25:31

25:31

You're busy providing OTHER people with creative services and solutions, but have you ever taken time to do the same for yourself? In today's episode, I interview photographer Amy Paulson who helps you see the value of investing in brand photography for yourself and your creative work. Photography is SUCH a powerful element of your online art busin…

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31. The Top Mistakes Artists Make in Their Online Business and Website 18:06

2M ago18:06

18:06

Are you struggling to get more sales online? Ever wonder how website might be contributing to that struggle? Let's talk about the top mistakes artists make in their online business, and particularly in their website. And guess what… I’ve made quite a few mistakes myself! I’m hear to spill the beans… Share the deets… I'll tell you where I messed up …

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30. How to Make It Easy to Get Art Sales From Your Website 🍀 17:55

3M ago17:55

17:55

What happens after someone clicks the call-to-action button on your art website or your workshop sales page? Where does it take them? What’s the workflow? And more importantly —how does payment get into your business bank account? Let’s take a look at that today as we march forward with all things sales pages for artists this month. Today, I’ll tea…

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29. An Unconventional Way to Write Your Art Sales Page (6 Tips to Make Selling From Your Website Easier) 18:01

3M ago18:01

18:01

Do you wish your website could actually help you sell more art? Do you wish your online presence could attract more buyers and sales? Are you ready to stop wasting time on a website that doesn't convert? Then you’re in the right place! As we continue with "all things sales pages" in the month of March, I’m excited to dive into a super important top…

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28. 3 Must-Do’s for Artists and Creative Business Owners to Plan for Online Sales Strategically 17:05

3M ago17:05

17:05

Pretend we just developed YOUR Revenue Ready plan. And from that plan, you decide that you want to bring to life a new online offer or service for people to engage with, buy from you, sign up for what you offer, book, schedule. Whatever verb you want to insert there. How do you plan for this new line of business to be profitable for you? Is it poss…

1
27. Are Early Retirement and Financial Freedom Possible When You’re a Self-Employed Artist? 26:13

3M ago26:13

26:13

It’s always helpful to hear different perspectives, especially when it comes to money-related planning for the future. Hi! I’m Heather Allen, your personal professor of revenue readiness. I help artists and creative business owners to identify and optimize their revenue and income potential. And today I’m bringing a special guest into the classroom…

1
26. Daily, Weekly and Monthly Time Management Tips for Creative Solopreneurs 21:08

4M ago21:08

21:08

Raise your hand if time management seems to be a constant battle for you. If you find yourself wishing you had more time... "If I just had more time I could get these things done." Or feeling like the day has gotten away from you. Everything you were planning to do will have to wait until tomorrow or the next day. Or from time to time, you find you…

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25. Achieve Continuous Success With This Goal Mapping Framework for Self-Employed Visual Artists 17:04

4M ago17:04

17:04

It’s time to flip the idea that all goals are a single, one-time event, or the final destination of the journey. 👀🙈 Instead, let’s recognize that some goals can be seen as a process that allows you to make improvements and optimize for continuous wins. ✅ After all, isn’t it better to take what’s working and use it to consistently achieve results? T…

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24. Curious About Passive Income on Etsy? Find Inspiration From My Interview With Jackie Butler 23:07

4M ago23:07

23:07

When you work with me to create your Revenue Ready Plan, you might identify Etsy as a good passive-income option for the future you envision. Or it might already be part of your revenue mix and you’re looking for ways to optimize what you already have. Passive income gives you what you’ve been looking for all along – consistent, predictable revenue…

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23. 7 Ways to Add Passive Income to Your Art Business 22:23

4M ago22:23

22:23

Are you struggling to balance creativity with financial success? Do you like the sound of passive income but don’t know how or where to start? Do you dream of consistent income year round, not just during market and festival season? Feeling like there isn’t enough time to start something new in your creative business? Then this episode is for you! …

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22. Considerations for Your Mission and Vision Statement 19:57

5M ago19:57

19:57

Having a mission and a vision statement can be a powerful tool for the impact you want to make in the world. From an personal perspective, both give you something to fall back on when you need a reminder of your "Why." For other people, like customers and future employees, your mission and vision statements can provide clarity and direction. People…

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21. Guidance for Your Q4 Review: Sales Tracking for Commercial Artists, Makers and Designers 20:48

5M ago20:48

20:48

Need some guidance for reviewing your Q4 sales, communications, and overall efforts? Fourth quarter is the busiest sales time of year for big box and small retailers alike. Many artists, crafters, makers, and designers find themselves overwhelmed by all of the activity, last minute sales and commissions, not to mention personal obligations that com…

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20. Artists, Here's a Plan for Keeping Your New Year's Goals All Year Long 17:14

5M ago17:14

17:14

A common challenge we all experience with New Year's goal setting is figuring out how to sustain that energy and intention beyond the start of the year. You’ve seen those ads or memes about the new exercise bike or treadmill blending in with the furniture, being used as a clothes rack because over time, those exercise goals either change or fade aw…

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19. What Do These 2025 Creative Small Business Predictions and Trends Mean for You? 22:47

5M ago22:47

22:47

Hearing or reading about economic trends and predictions might cause you to think a little differently about how you’re doing things in your business. And how to prepare for uncertainty and change... After all, if you’re a commercial artist, designer, or creative business owner, get this – your customers are part of the economic trends you’re heari…

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18. How to Earn More in 2025 18:02

5M ago18:02

18:02

A new year is on the horizon. Pretty soon you’ll be starting a new semester of learning, testing, and growing in your creative business. But before that semester begins, let’s kick off this episode with a Pop quiz! Question: A self-employed artist wants to earn more in the year ahead. Should she: Have a revenue-ready plan that will lead to higher e…

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17. Turn End-of-Year Overwhelm and Anxiety into Productivity 22:09

6M ago22:09

22:09

Calling all workaholics! For creative small business owners, the end of year rush is particularly overwhelming. There are a lot of overlapping priorities. You’re wrapping up work, business, project commitments, commissions... You’re trying to make sales while gearing up for a new year with a desire to do things differently in your business. On top …

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16. How to Get More Commission Sales — Managing Client Expectations (Part 2) 20:48

6M ago20:48

20:48

Today’s episode is the second in the series, and it’s all about the customer’s point of view. If you're ready for more commission sales in 2025, then put on your customer hat (maybe it’s a fuzzy red and white hat for the holidays) and think about the custom commission process from the buyer’s point of view. Here's the common challenges with this. A…

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15. How Much Does a Custom Art Commission Cost? Managing Client Expectations (Part 1) 17:54

6M ago17:54

17:54

Okay, here’s a common scenario: Someone out of the blue contacts you or stops by your booth at an art fair. They’re curious about how much it might cost if they hired you to make something for them. They want to know what the cost of a commission is. So what do you say? While it might be tempting to give them a solid number up front, doing so might…

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14. Thinking of Starting a Paid-Membership Community? Interview with Jewelry Artist Christine Mighion 21:31

6M ago21:31

21:31

If you're curious about what it takes to start and maintain a paid membership community as part of your business offerings, today I’m chatting with just the gal for you. Since 2004, Christine Mighion has been hand crafting each piece of jewelry in her Northern Indiana studio. Using gold, silver, semi-precious and precious stones, her line is a bala…

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13. All the Planning in the World Means Nothing Without THIS One Thing 8:51

7M ago8:51

8:51

Welcome back to class. Today, we’re talking about ONE KEY THING that’s absolutely essential to successful planning. All of the best planning in the world can go straight out the window if this one thing isn’t there. I’ve experienced it. You’ve experienced it. So let’s talk about the difference between having this one critical piece in place and not…

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12. What's in Your 2025 Creative Online Business Budget? (Here's my 2025 Budgeting Wishlist!) 22:56

7M ago22:56

22:56

Raise your hand if you have a clearly defined budget and a strategy for investing in yourself as a small business owner in the year ahead. I don’t see a lot of hands up. Let me rephrase... Raise your hand if you’re not quite sure what to budget for, business-wise, or where to make minor shifts and adjustments to invest in yourself and your creative…

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11. Clear the Clutter to Be Ready for Creative Abundance.mp3 20:06

7M ago20:06

20:06

When you’re in business for yourself, wearing so many hats, doing everything yourself or delegating to a few reliable individuals, everything depends on your energy, your focus, your drive, and your ability to create. Creative small businesses ask a lot of their creator. Which is why we’re diving into one of the biggest contributors to distraction,…

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10. How to Manage Clients and Customers Through the Original Artwork Commission Process as a Professional Artist 23:34

7M ago23:34

23:34

Let’s say it’s Monday morning and you open your inbox to find not one, not two, but three emails from customers who want to hire you for a commission of original artwork. What do you do? Do you know how to get those new customers from their commission inquiry email all the way through your process to the final product? Is there a customer service o…

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09. Unsure of Which Passive Income and Creative Business Opportunities Are Worth Your Time? 17:02

8M ago17:02

17:02

You’re in a creative field so chances are, you have many skills and talents that you’ve turned into income at one point or another. Freelance work doesn’t scare you. You’re up for the challenge. You’re a creative professional in a gig economy, and you’re not alone. A few questions for you to consider: Do you ever find yourself so excited or overwhe…

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08. How to Earn Consistent Sales and be "Revenue Ready" as an Artist, Maker, Crafter or Designer in Business 26:06

8M ago26:06

26:06

Whether you’re an artist, crafter, designer, or graphic designer, being "Revenue Ready" is essential for consistent sales and business growth. In this episode, we’re diving into the most critical areas for any creative business owner to have in place in order to ready for that next sale and to get sales consistently. I’m going over some key points …

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07. The Surprising Truth About Happiness and Purpose PLUS Hurricane Helene Relief for Artists 21:52

8M ago21:52

21:52

Today we’re talking about the surprising truth about happiness and purpose through lessons from the book, “Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier,” written by Arther C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey. If you have a vision for your life but believe there are barriers keeping you from achieving a more satisfied and happy outlook, t…

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06. Artists: Use this Repeatable Framework for Monthly and Quarterly Sales Reviews, Projects, Plans, and Pivots 16:22

8M ago16:22

16:22

Welcome to Episode 6! If you haven’t had a chance to listen to Episode 5 which is called, “Get Organized in Your Business with this Sales Tracking Process for Creatives,” that’s a great episode to listen to BEFORE you get into Episode 6. Episode 5 is highly tactical. I lay out how you can prepare for your end of month or end of quarter sales review…

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05. Get Organized in Your Business with this Sales Tracking Process for Creatives 23:05

9M ago23:05

23:05

Welcome to Episode 5 and Happy Mon-yay to you! Today we’re taking a gentle stab at a topic people typically dread – bookkeeping, sales tracking, looking at your numbers, and doing a little spreadsheet administration. Somehow we’re nearing the end of September. So in the coming weeks, you might want to set aside some time to review the last month an…

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04. How to Use AI to Increase Productivity as a Self-Employed Artist, Designer, or Creative Business Owner 19:47

9M ago19:47

19:47

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a little extra support with some of those routine administrative tasks you do on a daily, weekly, monthly basis without having to pay someone to do them? I’ve got you covered. In this episode, I'm sharing how AI can help you increase productivity as a self-employed artist, designer, marker or creative business owner. You…

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03. 8 Guiding Principles for BRAVE Creative Work 16:12

9M ago16:12

16:12

Welcome to Episode 3! Today we’re talking about 8 guiding principles that you can call on to support your productivity and your courageous, brave work. Brave work is often about doing the next thing even through the discomfort of it. The 8 guiding principles we’ll discuss today are prerequisites that lay the groundwork for your vision. They are fou…

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02. Creative Business Owners – Use THIS 3-Step Framework to Make Your Introduction Memorable 22:23

9M ago22:23

22:23

Today we’re digging into a simple structure that you can use to make your introduction and your “about me” more memorable. This will be especially helpful if you already have shows, festivals and holiday markets scheduled for the upcoming Fall season leading up to the holidays – which is a super busy time in which you’re sure to meet some new peopl…

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