Creators at Work: The Stories Behind What We Make

The $660 Million Problem No One Fixed… Until Now | The Ultimate Coaster Story - Built from Scratch: Real Stories of Risk, Failure, and Reinvention

What if a simple annoyance turned into a patented innovation? On this episode of Built From Scratch, Donald Dunn sits down with inventor and engineer Bob LeBay, the creator of the only drink coaster engineered to truly prevent condensation spills. After a coaster stuck to his Manhattan glass and ruined his silk tie, Bob decided to solve a problem most people just tolerate. What followed was a journey through engineering design, patent law, manufacturing challenges, and launching a family-run business that has already sold over fifty thousand units. In this episode, we discuss: • How a simple design flaw sparked a patented invention • The science behind capillary action and condensation control • The full U.S. patent process (and what it really costs) • Manufacturing in Asia vs. the United States • Why business-to-business sales are dominating the market • Building a multigenerational family business • The real size of the global coaster market Bob recently secured a final U.S. utility patent and is positioning his product in a market worth over two billion dollars globally. If you enjoy entrepreneurship, product design, engineering innovation, or startup stories — this episode delivers practical insight and inspiration. 🔗 Learn more: https://ultimatecoasterco.com [https://ultimatecoasterco.com] 🛒 Available on Amazon Subscribe for more founder stories, veteran-led entrepreneurship, and real conversations about building from scratch. #Entrepreneurship #Invention #StartupStory #Engineering #PatentProcess #BusinessToBusiness Links referenced in this episode: 1. ultimatecoasterco.com [https://ultimatecoasterco.com] 2. amazon.com [https://amazon.com] Companies mentioned in this episode: 1. Ultimate Coaster 2. Amazon 3. Walmart 4. Target 5. Heineken 6. NRA 7. 4H

From Crisis Communications to Award-Winning Thriller: John David on Writing The Bystander

What does it take to pivot from crisis communications expert to award-winning thriller novelist? In this episode of Creators at Work, Donald Dunn sits down with John David, author of the breakout thriller The Bystander, named one of the best thrillers of twenty twenty five. Inspired by real-world headlines and the psychology of fear, John shares how a mall shooting incident sparked the premise for his debut novel — and how he transformed that idea into a commercially successful mystery series. They dive deep into: • The real-life event that inspired The Bystander • Writing fiction after a career in journalism and public relations • Plotter vs pantser writing styles • The realities of publishing and working with editors • Why mystery readers expect structure — and how to deliver it • Building tension through realism instead of fantasy • How pop culture, sports, and politics influence storytelling John also shares insights into his upcoming sequel, The Pawn, and the release of the audiobook edition. If you're an aspiring author, entrepreneur, or creative professional looking to understand the craft and business of storytelling, this episode delivers practical insights and real-world experience from inside the publishing industry. 🔗 Learn more about John David: https://byjohndavid.com 📚 The Bystander available wherever books are sold. If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe, leave a review, and share with another creator. Links referenced in this episode: 1. byjohndavid.com [https://byjohndavid.com] 2. bookshop.org [https://bookshop.org] 3. barnesandnoble.com [https://barnesandnoble.com] 4. amazon.com [https://amazon.com] Companies mentioned in this episode: 1. Authors After Action 2. Tooley Tuli Publishing 3. Barnes and Noble 4. Amazon 5. bookshop.org

How Podcasting Helped Me Overcome Depression and Anxiety: Building Lethal Venom and Growing a Mental Health Platform

How can podcasting become therapy for depression and anxiety? In this episode of Creators at Work, host Donald Dunn sits down with Noah May — journalism graduate, mental health advocate, and host of the rapidly growing podcast Lethal Venom — to talk about building a podcast from scratch, overcoming depression and anxiety, and turning personal pain into purpose. Noah opens up about growing up feeling isolated, battling long-term mental health struggles, and how starting a podcast became a powerful form of self-expression and emotional release. What began as a hobby quickly evolved into a paid opportunity and a growing platform that connects with listeners navigating similar struggles. This conversation explores: 1. How podcasting can be therapeutic for mental health 2. The reality of starting a podcast with no experience 3. Lessons learned from launching multiple shows 4. The power of vulnerability in content creation 5. Depression, anxiety, and finding your voice 6. How platforms like Spotify and Apple impact podcast growth 7. Balancing creative burnout with consistency 8. The transition from hobby podcasting to monetization Noah shares the origin story behind Lethal Venom, the meaning behind the name, and how “truth can be lethal” when it forces growth and confrontation. He also discusses building momentum on podcast platforms, handling guest interviews, and navigating the emotional side of content creation. If you are: 1. A new podcaster looking for practical advice 2. A creator struggling with consistency or burnout 3. Someone battling depression or anxiety 4. Or someone searching for purpose through creative work This episode delivers honest insight into what it means to build something meaningful while healing yourself in the process. 🔗 CONNECT WITH NOAH MAY: Website: https://noahspodcast.com [https://noahspodcast.com] Podcast: Lethal Venom (Available on Spotify & Apple) Companies mentioned in this episode: 1. Auburn University 2. Podmatch 3. Spotify 4. Apple 5. Anchor

Why Accessibility Matters for Podcasters and Creators, And How It Increases Your Reach

In this episode of Creators at Work, Donald Dunn sits down with Maxwell Ivey, known worldwide as The Blind Blogger, to discuss why accessibility matters for podcasters and creators — and how improving accessibility can directly grow your audience. Maxwell shares his journey from teaching himself HTML in two thousand seven just to get online, to becoming a respected accessibility expert, speaker, consultant, and advisory board member for PodMatch. Maxwell explains how most creators unintentionally limit their reach by ignoring accessibility standards on their websites, podcasts, and digital platforms. From proper website structure and alt text to audio clarity and inclusive content practices, he breaks down practical steps that can make your content more usable for everyone — not just people with disabilities. This conversation goes beyond compliance. It’s about opportunity. When you make your content accessible, you’re not just doing the right thing — you’re expanding your visibility, strengthening your brand, and positioning yourself as a professional who understands audience growth. If you’re a podcaster, blogger, business owner, or content creator looking to build authority and increase engagement, this episode will challenge you to rethink how accessible your platform truly is — and what you might be missing. Listen now and discover how accessibility isn’t a limitation — it’s a competitive advantage.

Writing Beyond the Veil: A Chat with Paranormal Author Vicki Ann - Authors After Action: Real Life Stories Behind the Books

Vicki Ann, a talented young adult paranormal author, dives into the enchanting world of spiritualism and the paranormal in our latest chat. With a knack for crafting gripping tales—like her award-winning Alex McKenna series featuring a transgender teen with extraordinary gifts—Vicki shares her journey of navigating the complexities of writing in the genre. We’ll explore how her sensitivity to the supernatural shapes her stories and the unique challenges she faces in both the writing and publishing processes. From the nitty-gritty of editing to the exhilarating highs of seeing her books in print, Vicki's insights will inspire and entertain aspiring authors and readers alike. So grab your favorite drink, settle in, and let’s uncover the mysteries behind her captivating narratives! Takeaways: 1. Vicki Ann's journey into writing began in childhood, sparked by a murder mystery contest that captivated her imagination. 2. The passion for writing is essential to overcome the challenges of editing and marketing in the publishing process. 3. Exploring spirituality and the paranormal can profoundly influence an author's writing style and subject matter, as Vicki's works demonstrate. 4. Creating characters often feels like a collaborative process where they sometimes take the lead in shaping their own stories. 5. The editing phase can be a rollercoaster, as authors often relive their narratives multiple times, which reveals both the joy and the struggles of writing. 6. For aspiring authors, facing rejection is a part of the journey, and using those experiences as motivation can lead to success. Links referenced in this episode: 1. vickiannebush.com [https://vickiannebush.com] Companies mentioned in this episode: 1. Barnes and Noble 2. Creative James Media 3. Amazon