Growing Steady | Intentional Creative Business Podcast

We’re Jason and Caroline Zook, a husband and wife team running two businesses together and trying to live out our version of a good life in the process. In this business podcast, we share with you our lessons learned about how to run a calm, sustainable business—one that is predictable, profitable AND peaceful. Join us every Thursday if you’re an online creator who wants to reach your goals without sacrificing your well-being in the process.

256 - Last ep before baby! What pregnancy has been like…

In this episode, we’re answering a handful of questions about our pregnancy journey so far (36 weeks as of recording!) We talk about everything from favorite (and least favorite) parts, to how Jason’s been helping, to what’s surprised us most along the way.We also chatted about:How we’ve prepared financially for babyWhat it’s been like stepping back from WAIMSome of the more emotional, unexpected shifts we’ve experiencedPlus, a few questions about what work and childcare might look like and the baby’s future citizenship in Portugal.

08-12
01:12:57

255 - Our Final WAIM Launch: The FULL Recap...

We just wrapped our last-ever launch of WAIM Unlimited. All while 7 months pregnant, grieving the loss of two family members, troubleshooting a broken-down car, a 5-hour medical snafu, and somehow still exceeding our high goal for our launch. Let’s break it all down.In this episode, we’re going to cover:What actually worked (and didn’t) across email, Instagram, affiliates, YouTube, and moreA surprise takeaway about boosting IG ReelsThe total revenue, MRR, and where we spent moneyHonest reflections on marketing, momentum, and managing real life during a major launchIf you’re curious about what went into a “final launch” of a signature program, the tactics, the lessons, and everything we did to beat our high goal this one is for you.***🚀 Want bigger launches with less stress? Our Calm Launch Formula program can help you plan your next launch in LESS than 2 hours! Sales emails, sales copy, pre-marketing, bonuses, your entire plan ready to go in just ONE sitting. Use code podcastsarecool to get 50% off at wanderingaimfully.com/deal ⚙️ Give Teachery a try today for free! Looking to create online courses with a platform that lets you customize everything? Give our course software a 14-day free trial at teachery.co💌 Want to get a weekly jolt of business inspiration and learn tactics and strategies that can help you increase profits, have more predictability, and feel peaceful with your biz? Sign up for our weekly email at wanderingaimfully.com/newsletter 

07-10
01:10:50

254 - Real-time FINAL launch update (3 of 3, Jason only)

This is part three of our 3-part series sharing the real-time updates of our LAST-EVER launch of our un-boring coaching program WAIM Unlimited.As of recording this FINAL installment, we have just 12 hours left in the launch 😱.You’ll get an update on our total sales numbers, what went on the last week (another death in our family 💔), and the final things happening in the last day. 🔗 Track our daily sales: https://sales.waim.co💻 See the coaching session tool: https://preview.waim.co (expires when launch ends)👉 Get all the details on our final launch of WAIM Unlimited: https://waim.co

06-23
17:31

253 - 10 most common questions we get asked

Since we've been running WAIM, certain questions come up over and over. In this episode, we’re answering the top 10 things we hear most from creative business owners who feel stuck and don't know what to do next.We cover:How to increase sales without feeling pushyHow to get clarity on what you're building and who it's forHow to overcome fear and self-doubt…and 7 more honest, practical questions that we think every solopreneur asks themselves at some point!Whether you're considering WAIM Unlimited or just want some grounded guidance, this episode is packed with the real stuff.👉 Get all the details on our final launch of WAIM Unlimited: https://waim.co

06-19
41:55

252 - Real-time FINAL launch update (2 of 3, Jason only)

This is part two of our 3-part series sharing the real-time updates of our LAST-EVER launch of our un-boring coaching program WAIM Unlimited.As of recording this second installment, we are 1 WEEK post-launch and have 1 week to go! (This is the "Sahara Desert" part of the launch.)You’ll get an update on our total sales numbers, how our boosted IG content is doing, and our adjusted plan for the next week due to a death in the family 😢.Hope you enjoy this and we'll share one more real-time update episode on the last day of the launch.🔗 Track our daily sales: https://sales.waim.co👉 Get all the details on our final launch of WAIM Unlimited: https://waim.co

06-17
23:07

251 - The 3 human skills you need to be building in an AI content world

With AI rapidly multiplying the amount of content flooding every platform (40m vertical videos PER DAY 😬), we’re facing an era where information is no longer scarce... it’s commoditized. So what actually becomes more valuable in a world drowning in content? In this episode, we share the three human skills we’re doubling down on in the year ahead. These are core skills we believe will stand out more than ever:Storytelling: The shift from tip-based to narrative-driven content, and why holding attention is now a superpowerTransparency & Building in Public: Why your lived experience (even failures!) is your best differentiator in the age of generic contentPersonality & Weirdness: As sameness increases, novelty becomes magnetic and showing up imperfectly is your edgeIf you’ve been wondering how to stay relevant (and energized!) as AI transforms everything, we hope this chat offers a grounded, creative direction to move forward with.🤠 If you want to join us for the years to come and get an inside look at how we're continuing to build calm creator businesses during the wave of AI, learn more about WAIM Unlimited: https://waim.co

06-12
32:31

250 - Real-time FINAL launch update (1 of 3)

If you love hearing the behind the scenes of a product launch, then you are going to thoroughly enjoy this 3-part series for our LAST-EVER launch of our un-boring coaching program WAIM Unlimited.As of recording this first installment, we are 24 hours post-launch and have 2 weeks to go!You’ll get to hear how our pre-launch waitlist went, where 44% of sales have come from so far, and how close we are to our initial low goal already.Hope you enjoy this and we’ll have two more of these episodes!🔗 Track our daily sales: https://sales.waim.co👉 Get all the details on our final launch of WAIM Unlimited: https://waim.co

06-10
25:15

249 - How we're learning AI tools without overwhelm

If you’ve ever felt like you’re already behind in the world of AI (or like you need to try every new tool just to keep up) you’re not alone! In this episode, we introduce the idea of slow-learning AI: a calm, intentional approach to staying curious without getting overwhelmed. We share specific strategies we’re using to create boundaries, focus our energy, and integrate tools that actually serve our business goals (instead of just distracting us with new shiny objects).Don’t bury your head in the sand if you are curious about AI. Take a few of our practical tips from this episode to create constraints and put YOU in the driver’s seat of educating yourself on your own timeline.***😏 If you’ve been thinking about using Teachery to build your online courses, take advantage of our Lifetime Deal at https://teachery.com/limited-time 💌 Want practical tips to help you grow your creator business-without burning out? Join our Growing Steady newsletter and every Monday you'll get 3 actionable tips for growing a Calm Business—one that is predictable, profitable, and peaceful: https://wanderingaimfully.com/newsletter 

06-05
32:29

248 - What’s changed with launches?

Are digital product launches dead? Not at all! But in 8 years, we’ve noticed a few changes and we wanted to share what we’ve seen firsthand. How many sales emails matter? Do you actually need launch bonuses? Is there value in using AI to write sales page copy or does it sound too… AI?Here’s what we cover in this ep:Why pre-marketing matters more than ever (and how to start sooner)The power of “carrots” and launch events to drive urgencyWhy inboxes are cluttered and what to do about itHow specificity and social proof are becoming non-negotiableWhy it's easier than ever to execute a launch (doesn’t mean sales are easy)Whether you’re prepping for a big product launch or rethinking how you sell altogether, this episode will help you show up with more intention, strategy, and confidence.***😏 If you’ve been thinking about using Teachery to build your online courses, take advantage of our Lifetime Deal at https://teachery.com/limited-time 💌 Want practical tips to help you grow your creator business-without burning out? Join our Growing Steady newsletter and every Monday you'll get 3 actionable tips for growing a Calm Business—one that is predictable, profitable, and peaceful: https://wanderingaimfully.com/newsletter 

05-29
38:35

247 - 6 tools we *MIGHT* build next year

We are many months away from 2026 and the big shift in our Wandering Aimfully business, but we wanted to pull back the curtain and share how we ideate business ideas BEFORE they see the light of day.This episode, we hope you get to hear how we brainstorm, how we go back and forth, and when we get excited (or not) about a potential new idea.In 2026, we’re going to shift from monthly coaching to building tools using AI no-code platforms (like Lovable). These are a handful of the ideas we might embark on. Let us know if one or two resonated with you!🔗 Try Lovable “vibe coding” https://waim.co/lovable 🎥 Screenstudio video app https://bit.ly/jasonscreenstudio ***😏 If you’ve been thinking about using Teachery to build your online courses, take advantage of our Lifetime Deal at https://teachery.com/limited-time 💌 Want practical tips to help you grow your creator business-without burning out? Join our Growing Steady newsletter and every Monday you'll get 3 actionable tips for growing a Calm Business—one that is predictable, profitable, and peaceful: https://wanderingaimfully.com/newsletter 

05-22
52:33

246 - The Future-Proof Creator (what still works in 2025?)

With AI taking off like wildfire, algorithms shifting like crazy, and tactics expiring faster than ever… what actually still works in 2025? In this episode, we’re cutting through the chaos to ground you in what remains true in online business today. If you feel like you're fighting a current right now, you're not alone! We cover...The three foundational things that still drive results (and always will)From dwindling blog traffic to the decline of vague offersHow to adapt to fast-moving trends without burning out or losing focusAnd three calm truths to anchor you when everything feels uncertainWhether you're feeling the pressure to "keep up" or just want to know how to stay calm with your business right now, we hope this ep helps ya!✨ This episode pairs with our new email series The Future-Proof Creator: wanderingaimfully.com/newsletter⏳ Our LAST EVER enrollment of our WAIM Unlimited program is a few weeks away, get on the VIP Waitlist: wanderingaimfully.com/waitlist

05-15
46:20

245 - We asked AI to interview us...

If you’re like us and using GPT (or Claude, etc) on a daily basis, then you have an AI that is gaining context about you constantly. With that in mind, we decided to ask AI to come up with questions they thought would be compelling for us to answer!In this episode, we have two AI Speakers joining us to ask us questions about our businesses, content creation, and our lives. The AI voices were created using Descript and the questions were created via ChatGPT.We thought this was SUPER interesting and very fun to see what things stood out to the artificial intelligence we spend time interacting with daily.***😏 If you’ve been thinking about using Teachery to build your online courses, take advantage of our Lifetime Deal at https://teachery.com/limited-time 💌 Want practical tips to help you grow your creator business-without burning out? Join our Growing Steady newsletter and every Monday you'll get 3 actionable tips for growing a Calm Business—one that is predictable, profitable, and peaceful: https://wanderingaimfully.com/newsletter 

05-08
51:39

244 - Back on Instagram after 3 years: Month 1 recap + Month 2 plan

We’re one month into our return to Instagram after a 3-year break, and in this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on what’s working, what’s not, and how we’re approaching Instagram in a way that actually feels good (and sustainable). Spoiler: we’re not here to growth-hack, we’re here to experiment, stay aligned with our business, and TRY to enjoy the content creation process.We cover:What our first month back looked like (formats, topics, opt-ins, and spaghetti-throwing)Surprising lessons from low-effort Reels and a spur of the moment carouselWhy we’re pivoting to a focused content series, 40 Days of Launch Prep, and how we’re using storytelling as strategyA behind-the-scenes update that we’re already a bit behind on our Month 2 plan, but we’re moving forward!How to reflect on your own content strategy and find what fits your seasonIf you’ve been thinking about returning to social or just want to create in a way that’s more creatively fulfilling, this one’s for you.🤳 Follow our IG journey: https://instagram.com/wanderingaimfully ***😏 If you’ve been thinking about using Teachery to build your online courses, take advantage of our Lifetime Deal at https://teachery.com/limited-time 💌 Want practical tips to help you grow your creator business-without burning out? Join our Growing Steady newsletter and every Monday you'll get 3 actionable tips for growing a Calm Business—one that is predictable, profitable, and peaceful: https://wanderingaimfully.com/newsletter 

05-01
56:50

243 - How we’re (currently) prepping/planning our parental leave

With just a few months to go before our Tiny Zook 🐣 arrives (!), we’re sharing how we’re approaching parental leave—not as a step-by-step guide, but as a real-time snapshot of our intentions, plans, and mindset. Whether you’re expecting, planning a business sabbatical, or just curious about building more space into your business, this one’s for you. Here’s what we covered:The values guiding our decision to take this time seriously: calm, presence, rest, and bondingOur loose timeline, including a pre-baby wind-down and giving ourselves permission to take the rest of the year off starting in AugustWhat business adjustments we’re making now (like our final WAIM launch and Teachery transition)The emotional and logistical prep we’re doing behind the scenesWhat we’re still figuring out—and why we’re okay not having all the answersThis season of life is calling for softer schedules, deeper presence, and more trust in the unknown. We hope this episode encourages you to honor your own rhythms—whatever chapter you’re in.📺 Shows we’re loving: White Lotus, The Jackal, The Pitt🍿 Movies we’re loving: Taking of Pelham 123 and Companion***😏 If you’ve been thinking about using Teachery to build your online courses, take advantage of our Lifetime Deal at https://teachery.com/limited-time 💌 Want practical tips to help you grow your creator business-without burning out? Join our Growing Steady newsletter and every Monday you'll get 3 actionable tips for growing a Calm Business—one that is predictable, profitable, and peaceful: https://wanderingaimfully.com/newsletter 

04-24
49:19

242 - Why we're ending WAIM Unlimited (part 2)

This is the second part of our discussion about retiring our WAIM Unlimited coaching program. We are going to do ONE final enrollment period in a few months and we answer some of your questions about this decision.The questions we answered in this ep:How are we feeling confident when it comes to the money side of this decision? Do we have savings? Other skills we can fall back on? Are we freaking out about this at all?Monthly coaching has been so valuable for our customers, why would we stop doing it?We talk about running a “calm business” does this completely change how calm things will be for us?Why should someone buy WAIM Unlimited during this last chance to purchase? Hope you enjoy hearing us discuss more of the real-time decision-making and thought process to this big shift in our business! ***😏 If you’ve been thinking about using Teachery to build your online courses, take advantage of our Lifetime Deal at https://teachery.com/limited-time 💌 Want practical tips to help you grow your creator business-without burning out? Join our Growing Steady newsletter and every Monday you'll get 3 actionable tips for growing a Calm Business—one that is predictable, profitable, and peaceful: https://wanderingaimfully.com/newsletter 

04-17
39:55

Minisode (Jason Only) - Does everything feel messy right now?

See what we're up to: https://wanderingaimfully.com/nowTry Teachery for free: https://teachery.co

04-10
11:39

241 - 5 signs it's time to pivot your business

How do you really know when it’s time to move on from an offer you’ve built your business around? In this episode, we’re sharing the four indicators that helped us make the decision to wind down WAIM Unlimited—insights we hope will help you reflect on your own path.We dive into:What it feels like to fall out of love with your offer (and why that’s not a failure)When your results no longer match your effort—and why that’s worth paying attention toHow a strong pull toward something new can be a signal, not just a distractionWhy shifting life circumstances (hello, parenthood!) require more sustainable, aligned business modelsIf you’ve been feeling stuck, disconnected, or daydreaming about a new chapter, this one’s for you. We’ll help you ask the questions that matter and maybe, just maybe, give you the nudge to take that leap.💬 If you have questions you want to ask us about our decision to retire WAIM Unlimited, send them through our contact page.***😏 If you’ve been thinking about using Teachery to build your online courses, take advantage of our Lifetime Deal at https://teachery.com/limited-time 💌 Want practical tips to help you grow your creator business-without burning out? Join our Growing Steady newsletter and every Monday you'll get 3 actionable tips for growing a Calm Business—one that is predictable, profitable, and peaceful: https://wanderingaimfully.com/newsletter 

04-03
43:53

240 - Why we’re ending WAIM Unlimited (part 1)

After six incredible years, we’ve decided to retire our flagship program, WAIM Unlimited (after one FINAL upcoming launch). In this episode, we’re walking you through exactly why we’re making this sizable change. Retiring WAIM Unlimited didn’t come from burnout or panic… but from clarity, alignment, and a desire to move into our next chapter with intention. We’ve been business coaches for 72 months and we’re excited to take things in a new direction!Here’s what we cover in this ep:What a final enrollment will look like (May/June 2025)The real (and nuanced) reasons we’re making this shift—from changing buyer behavior to our own creative evolutionWhat this means for current WAIM members (spoiler: NOT MUCH!)What the next 12 months will look like for us, including our final launch and plans for parental leaveA glimpse at what we’re pivoting toward in 2026—and why we’re genuinely excited to build from the ground up againThis episode is for anyone who’s questioning a long-standing offer or wondering if it’s time to let go of something that no longer fits. Your business can grow with you… if you let it.💬 If you have questions you want to ask us about this decision to retire WAIM Unlimited, send them through our contact page.***😏 If you’ve been thinking about using Teachery to build your online courses, take advantage of our Lifetime Deal at https://teachery.com/limited-time 💌 Want practical tips to help you grow your creator business-without burning out? Join our Growing Steady newsletter and every Monday you'll get 3 actionable tips for growing a Calm Business—one that is predictable, profitable, and peaceful: https://wanderingaimfully.com/newsletter 

03-27
52:27

239 - Spring 2025 Launch Recap (lower sales, big lessons, and future shifts)

Our latest WAIM Unlimited launch was smaller than expected, but instead of panicking, we’re using it as a chance to adapt, experiment, and pivot. In this launch recap episode, we’re breaking down:The details of our Spring 2025 launch (amidst first trimester, new 6-month option, and our very minimal marketing effort)Why we think sales were lower this time (hello, economic uncertainty, changing buyer behavior, and declining web traffic)What we’re doing differently moving forward (getting back on social, refining our offers, and leaning into AI tools for creators)Our plans for WAIM Unlimited, Calm Launch Formula, and where we see our business evolving for the rest of 2025If you’ve ever had a launch that didn’t go as planned, we hope this episode reminds you that business is an ever-changing game—and that reinvention is part of the process. Listen in for our takeaways and what’s next for us!🔗 See our fancy new office at https://wanderingaimfully.com/now***😏 If you’ve been thinking about using Teachery to build your online courses, take advantage of our Lifetime Deal at https://teachery.com/limited-time 💌 Want practical tips to help you grow your creator business-without burning out? Join our Growing Steady newsletter and every Monday you'll get 3 actionable tips for growing a Calm Business—one that is predictable, profitable, and peaceful: https://wanderingaimfully.com/newsletter 

03-20
58:32

238 - We’re having a baby! 😱 (Fertility journey update)

This episode is a special one—because we’re pregnant! 🎉 We want to share our journey so far, from navigating fertility struggles to getting our positive test (on New Year’s Eve, no less!), and what the first trimester has been like for both of us.We’re covering:The fertility challenges we faced (Ep #223), including two pregnancy losses and the diagnosis that changed everythingWhat it was like to start daily blood thinner injections and progesteroneHow we found out we were pregnant and why it felt different this timeCaroline’s first trimester experience (hello, nausea and fatigue)Jason’s deep emotional reflections (aka, his attempt to share feelings 😂)How we’re adjusting work and life for this big transitionWe’re incredibly grateful for this moment, and we also want to acknowledge that fertility journeys are deeply personal—if you’re in the thick of it, we see you and are sending so much love. 💛***😏 If you’ve been thinking about using Teachery to build your online courses, take advantage of our Lifetime Deal at https://teachery.com/limited-time 💌 Want practical tips to help you grow your creator business-without burning out? Join our Growing Steady newsletter and every Monday you'll get 3 actionable tips for growing a Calm Business—one that is predictable, profitable, and peaceful: https://wanderingaimfully.com/newsletter 

03-13
59:40

Niki Torres

that inside out reference. hehehe so cute! i love this episode on anxiety. i recently started seeing a therapist and it's been so helpful.

03-07 Reply

Recommend Channels