Episode 240

Why 70% of 40,000 Podcasters Failed (And What They Were Actually Missing)

28,000 people. Two years of work. No successful business to show for it.

That's the reality Cliff Ravenscraft discovered after helping over 40,000 people launch podcasts. And the reason they failed wasn't what you'd think.

They weren't lazy. They showed up. They created content. They did the work.

But they were focused on the wrong thing.

They focused on the VEHICLE (the podcast, the social media, the platform) instead of building the BUSINESS first.

In this episode, I break down what those 28,000 people were missing—and how you can avoid making the same mistake.

You'll discover:

  • Why focusing on podcasts, social media, or courses FIRST is backwards
  • The 4-pillar framework you actually need (one human, one transformation, one audience, one product ladder)
  • Why most influencers don't make money the way you think (featuring insights from viral marketing expert Austin Armstrong)
  • How to build a business that your content SERVES—not the other way around

Featured clips:

  • Cliff Ravenscraft on the shocking pattern he discovered across 40,000 podcasters
  • Austin Armstrong on the myth of getting rich as an influencer

Stop building backwards. Start with the foundation.

Get the FREE Online Business Basics Bundle: Text FREEDOM to 55444

Includes video training on the 4-pillar framework, how to build a profitable online business, and a PDF worksheet to map out your pillars.

Pre-Order Austin's book here https://www.amazon.com/Virality-Playbook-Social-Media-Marketing-ebook/dp/B0FSTK8QNB

Have a burning question? Leave a message for Lindsay and she will turn it into an episode with an answer. Use the link below to record.

https://www.speakpipe.com/FreedomEntrepreneur

Biz in a Box CRM is the ultimate all-in-one solution designed to simplify and scale your business. Imagine managing every aspect of your operations — from smart contact segmentation and automated follow-ups to call and text functionality, calendar booking, funnels, websites, and even social media scheduling — all from one intuitive platform. No more juggling multiple tools or paying for endless subscriptions. With built-in AI employee support, Biz in a Box CRM doesn’t just organize your business, it actively helps you run it. It’s like having a full-time team behind the scenes, so you can focus on growth, impact, and freedom.


Book your demo: https://bizinaboxsolutions.com/

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About the Podcast

Show artwork for Freedom Entrepreneur Podcast | Online Business Tips, Business System Strategy, Marketing Training, Entrepreneur Mindset
Freedom Entrepreneur Podcast | Online Business Tips, Business System Strategy, Marketing Training, Entrepreneur Mindset
Helping You Engineer Your Freedom & Your Business Success

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About your host

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Lindsay Sutherland

Lindsay Sutherland is a business consultant, speaker, and entrepreneur dedicated to helping business owners build companies that run with freedom, purpose, and profit. With over 20 years of leadership and sales experience in the automotive industry, Lindsay understands the challenges of growing a business that feels more like a burden than a blessing. After leaving corporate life, she co-founded Biz in a Box Solutions, a CRM and automation company that empowers small service-based businesses to streamline their operations and reclaim their time.

Her signature consulting program, The Clockwork Method, guides overwhelmed business owners through the process of systemizing, scaling, and stepping back into the true role of visionary leader. Lindsay’s approach blends practical business systems with faith-led alignment, helping entrepreneurs not only make more money but also create a business that supports their life — not the other way around.

As the host of The Freedom Entrepreneur Podcast, Lindsay shares strategies, stories, and mindset shifts that challenge conventional thinking and inspire business owners to grow without burning out. She also co-owned Off Grid Unlimited Installations, an electrical and renewable energy company in Idaho, where she lives with her husband and four children on their family farm.

Passionate about redefining success beyond hustle culture, Lindsay helps leaders build businesses rooted in clarity, sustainability, and freedom. Whether she’s speaking on stage, consulting with executives, or mentoring faith-led entrepreneurs, her mission is the same: to help people transform their business into a vehicle for purpose, profit, and lasting impact.