This podcast episode of "Hustle and Flowchart" features a fascinating interview with Sam Ramsden, creator of the hit podcast "Silly Stories for Kids" and owner of an electrical business. Sam shares his journey from an electrical business owner to a successful podcaster. We also explore how he balances work, family, and creativity seamlessly, along with insights about his stories, inspirations, and the importance of positivity. What This Episode is About: Sam Ramsden joins us to discuss his unexpected podcasting success, how he infuses creativity into different aspects of his life, and the importance of understanding and nurturing unique family dynamics. His podcast, "Silly Stories for Kids," has taken off in unexpected ways, reaching almost 1.5 million downloads. Sam balances his electrical business, Ramp Electrical, with creative storytelling for children. He delves into his past experiences and influences, revealing how his father and father-in-law significantly impacted his trajectory. Unplanned Success Through Creativity Sam Ramsden, originally running an electrical business, never predicted the massive success of his podcast, "Silly Stories for Kids." This podcast started as a fun project for his children, encouraged by his father-in-law. It quickly gained traction, achieving nearly 1.5 million downloads within a year. Sam shares how he uses "Suno," a music AI, to create personalized songs for people at work and social gatherings, enhancing his storytelling endeavors. One interesting quote from Sam: "What started as bedtime stories has become a global phenomenon, all thanks to family encouragement and a bit of fun." Suno Music AI: Suno The Role of Family and Personal Influences Sam's family plays a crucial role in his podcasting journey. His father-in-law suggested starting the podcast, which turned out to be a brilliant idea. Sam's passion for storytelling and creativity stems from his childhood, influenced deeply by his father. He emphasizes how positive influence and support from family members can profoundly shape one’s work and creativity. Key takeaway: Supportive relationships and following one's passion can lead to unexpected success and personal fulfillment. Balancing Work, Life, and Creativity Managing an electrical business and running a successful podcast isn't easy, but Sam Ramsden does it with remarkable balance. Despite his busy schedule as a father of four, he finds joy in spontaneous creativity, often attributing it partly to ADHD, which he considers a superpower in storytelling. He shares that having a supportive wife helps him stay on track and manage his time effectively. Sam’s wise words: "Balancing family, business, and creative endeavors is really about knowing what's important and giving time to those things." Handling Business Challenges Running Ramp Electrical presented many unforeseen challenges, especially during the COVID pandemic, which resulted in lost contracts and personal losses, including the passing of Sam's mother. These experiences have taught him valuable lessons about resilience and prioritization. Sam believes in learning from mistakes and emphasizes the importance of systems and processes, though he admits to needing help in consistently following them. Quote for inspiration: "Think of mistakes as lessons that guide you towards bigger success. Sometimes what not to do is just as important." Mental Health and Personal Growth Sam emphasizes the importance of mental health and seeing a psychologist to realign thoughts and provide self-grace when things don’t go as planned. He compares mental health check-ups to regular servicing of a vehicle. This approach not only helped Sam maintain balance but also enabled him to bring more joy and positivity into his life and work. Key lesson: Taking care of your mental health is crucial for maintaining balance and gaining perspective, much like maintaining a vehicle to ensure it runs smoothly. Understanding and Communication Understanding one's thought processes can greatly enhance communication and empathy. Sam encourages asking others to describe their thinking processes to understand them better and reduce misunderstandings. He highlights that everyone thinks differently, and understanding this can help in fostering better personal and professional relationships. Example shared: Sam’s nephew thinks in pictures, which was a revelation for Sam and helped him connect better with his nephew. "Untethered Soul" by Michael Singer: Untethered Soul Resources from Episode Listen to Silly Stories for KidsTry Suno for yourself and send us the fun songs you createCheck out the Yoto Players for your kids Conclusion Sam Ramsden's journey from an electrical business owner to a successful children's podcaster is inspiring and filled with valuable lessons. Emphasizing the importance of family, mental health, and understanding individual thinking processes, Sam’s story teaches us that success often comes from following ...
