We were lucky to catch up with Cade Curtis recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Cade thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear how you think where to draw the line in terms of asking friends and family to support your business – what’s okay and what’s over the line?

Asking friends and family to support your creative ideas can be both rewarding and challenging. They are usually your biggest fans and can give you the support you need. However, it can be disappointing if their responses aren’t what you hoped for, especially if you value their opinions. Whether their feedback is positive or negative, it’s important to approach the request thoughtfully.

**What’s appropriate when asking for support:**

1. **Be Clear:** Explain what you need from them to avoid surprises.
2. **Share Your Passion:** Tell them why you care about your project, whether you want their advice or their help.
3. **Be Genuine:** Make your request feel natural. If they sense your passion, they will be more likely to engage.
4. **Reciprocal Support:** Show that you are willing to support them too. Listen to their advice and be there for them when they need help.

**Challenges to avoid:**

1. **Overasking:** If you ask too much, it can harm your relationship. Make sure they don’t feel obligated or pressured, as this can lead to discomfort.
2. **Reading Cues:** Pay attention to their reactions. If they seem overwhelmed, it might be a sign to pull back.

Ultimately, finding the right balance is key. Be open to adjusting your approach as needed.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

The idea for my podcast, Learning From Friends, has been with me for nearly two decades. It has evolved through various forms—writing poetry, recording family stories, interviewing friends, and sparking conversations with strangers (a gift from my dad). I’ve always been passionate about storytelling and believe everyone has a unique narrative to share, whether about hobbies, work, or life events. My strength lies in listening and making others feel comfortable. The podcast was born during COVID to keep me grounded, and I set a goal to launch it by November 1, 2021. My first episode featured one of my best friends, Chris Byess, discussing his journey as an author. The premise is simple: I sit down with a friend, they choose a topic, and we explore it organically, building on our existing relationship. Since its inception, I’ve released bi-weekly episodes and as of my three-year anniversary, I have produced 93 episodes. I’ve never imposed a time limit on discussions, as I feel it constricts the conversation. Some episodes naturally extend to 2-3 hours, and it always feels right to keep going.

Navigating the journey of being a producer, advertiser, and interviewer has been filled with challenges. From mastering the art of interviewing and convincing guests to join, to keeping the atmosphere enjoyable, I’ve faced many hurdles. Learning to use the equipment, handling advertising, and editing each episode all come with their pressures, especially when I aim to present each guest and their topic in the best light. Despite the self-doubt that creeps in, I manage to hold it together because I genuinely enjoy the process. Editing can be the toughest part, requiring hours to remove “ums,” “ahs,” and other distractions. I follow the rule of thumb of spending about an hour to an hour and a half editing for every hour of recorded material. Finding guests can also require persistence; scheduling issues often mean a proposed guest appearance may turn into a six-month wait. Writing outlines for interviews is both enjoyable and painstaking. I want to ensure my guests feel prepared, as my approach isn’t about surprise tactics—it’s about fostering comfortable conversations. Sometimes, researching their chosen topics takes significant effort to avoid feeling out of place. To make my guests comfortable, we record wherever they prefer, which sometimes involves traveling hours to locations like living rooms, porches, or parks, with my kitchen table being the most common site after some tidying up. While using a decade-old setup can present challenges, there’s something comforting about having all my recording equipment fit neatly into an old lawyer’s briefcase.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the ability to express yourself. This when truthfully shown allows you to connect with others through that creativity. Creating something is fulfilling. During the process this allows your unique perspective and emotions to be raw and shared with the world. There is joy to be had when you meet someone who says your work really resonated with them. When someone connects with your “art”, it creates a sense of community. It’s gratifying to know that your creativity can inspire, provoke thought, or bring comfort to someone else. I find it deeply fulfilling to be the the process of constant growth and learning in the expansion of my craft. Each creative experience offers different challenges and opportunities to learn from, explore new things and push myself a little harder. This journey of discovery and exploration keeps me going. The combination of connection with others and growth makes being a creative rewarding.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The goal of my podcast is, as the name suggests, to learn from friends and grow through the stories I hear and share with the community. Each episode is an opportunity to explore different perspectives, experiences, and insights, fostering a sense of connection and understanding. I aim to create a space where listeners can feel inspired and encouraged by the journeys of others while also reflecting on their own growth. By sharing these stories, we can all learn from one another and strengthen our community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.learningfromfriends.com
• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/learningfromfriendspodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/LearningFromFriends⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Linkedin: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/learningfromfriendspodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/LearningFrmFrds⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIo-SMAWutF_reXio8jmGZVISTvaEPJ93
• Other: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/learningfromfriends

  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/learning-from-friends/id1592408936

  cade@learningfromfriends.com