Crafted Journeys: How To... A New Podcast Format Focused on Practical Wisdom

Over the past year, conversations with diverse professionals on the Crafted Journey podcast revealed a common theme: each guest has built an impressive career and mastered skills that can guide others in their professional paths.

That's why we're launching something new in January 2025: Crafted Journey presents - How To...

Podcast Pivot: From Journey Stories to Practical Wisdom

The Crafted Journey has always celebrated the non-linear path, the career pivots, the bold reinventions, the lessons learned through trial and error. We've showcased how professionals across industries have crafted unique paths, whether they're leading digital ministries, building SaaS products, or revolutionizing account-based marketing.

But here's what we've realized: behind every compelling journey story is a treasure trove of practical knowledge. The skills, frameworks, and hard-won insights that our guests use every day to succeed in their work.

It's time to share those, too.

What Is the"How To..."? Podcast all about?

"Crafted Journey presents - How To..." is a new series within the podcast dedicated to actionable, tactical guidance from professionals who've mastered their craft. Each episode will follow a focused framework designed to give viewers immediately applicable knowledge.

The Five-Question Framework

Every "How To..." interview will follow this proven structure:

1. The Origin Story - A personal story that shows why this skill matters and what happens when you don't have it mastered

2. The Framework - The core process, system, or methodology that works

3. The Red Flags - Warning signs and common mistakes to avoid

4. The Real-World Scenario - Exact scripts, approaches, and tactics for handling difficult situations

5. The Actionable Takeaway - One specific step viewers can take this week

This framework ensures that every episode delivers not just inspiration, but transformation.

Our First "How To" Episode

We're kicking off the series with Linda Mathiasen from Okapi Strategy, who will share her expertise on "Setting Scope with Clarity and Kindness." As a solopreneur since 2005 working in succession planning and organizational transitions, Linda will share some of her expertise that we ecountered at the fantastic FRAK conference earlier this year.

Expect to learn:

• How to create statements of work that begin with clarity

• Warning signs that a project will have scope issues

• Exactly what to say when a client asks for "just one more thing"

• A single action step to rescue projects with fuzzy boundaries

We're Looking for Your Expertise

Here's where you come in: we want to feature YOUR craft.

Do you have a skill, process, or framework that you've mastered through years of practice? Whether you're an expert in:

• Client relationship management

• Team leadership techniques

• Productivity systems

• Communication strategies

• Technical skills (coding, design, analysis)

• Business development

• Career pivoting

• Industry-specific expertise

...we want to hear from you.

The only requirement: You need to be able to teach something specific that our audience can implement immediately.

What Makes a Great "How To" Topic?

The best "How To" topics are:

• Specific, not general  - "How to run effective client discovery calls" rather than "How to be a good consultant"

• Practical and tactical - People should be able to DO something after watching

• Based on real experience - You've done this dozens or hundreds of times and refined your approach

• Broadly applicable - While it can be industry-specific, the principles should help multiple viewers

Think about the skill that colleagues always ask you about. The thing you've trained others on. The process you've refined over years that actually works.

Why Share Your Expertise?

By appearing on "Crafted Journey presents - How To...", you'll:

• Build your professional visibility in front of an engaged audience of business professionals

• Establish thought leadership in your area of expertise

• Give back to the professional community by helping others avoid the mistakes you made

• Join a growing library of practical professional development content

• Connect with like-minded professionals who value craft and continuous improvement

Plus, you'll get a professionally produced video that you can use across your own marketing channels, LinkedIn profile, and website.

The Vision

We believe the future of professional development isn't just about inspiration—it's about practical wisdom passed from one practitioner to another. It's about creating a library of knowledge that helps people level up specific skills, one focused lesson at a time.

"How To..." episodes will sit alongside our traditional Crafted Journey interviews, creating a complete resource: inspiration from career stories paired with practical guidance for skill development.

Ready to Share Your Craft?

If you have expertise worth sharing, we want to hear from you. We're actively booking guests for our January 2025 launch and beyond.

Here's how to get involved:

1. Think about your signature skill or process - the one thing you do better than most

2. Consider whether you can break it down into teachable steps

3. Reach out to us with your proposed topic

We're particularly interested in skills that cross industries and levels of experience—from seasoned executives with decades of wisdom to mid-career professionals who've cracked a specific challenge.

A New Year, A New Way to Learn

As we move into 2025, the Crafted Journey is evolving to meet you where you are: inspired by career stories, but also hungry for practical tools to craft your own success.

Whether you're a longtime listener or discovering us for the first time, we're excited to bring you this new dimension of professional learning. Every expert was once a beginner. Every master was once struggling to figure it out. And every skill you've ever admired in someone else? They learned it, practiced it, and refined it over time.

Now it's time to share that knowledge.

Let's craft something great together.

Want to be featured on "Crafted Journey presents - How To..."? Set up time Suzy DeLine to share your proposed topic & expertise.

Already subscribed to the Crafted Journey on Digital Artisans? You'll automatically get access to the new "How To" series when it launches in January 2025.