Best Jim Kroft Podcasts (2025)

1
The Message In Your Stuckness 20:39

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6d ago20:39

20:39

“The Creative Life Newsletter” — for people balancing creativity with the demands of work and life. Written weekly from Berlin. 👉 https://jim-kroft.short.gy/0925A/Jim-Kroft-newsletter ---- Welcome back to The Creative Life Podcast. In the last couple of episodes, I talked about a period of resistance in my creative life. Today, I wanted to go deepe…

1
How Real Branding Actually Works with Liz Kroft 7:05

4d ago7:05

7:05

In this episode of Know Before You Owe, I sit down with Liz Kroft from Aviso Studios to talk about something shockingly misunderstood: building a real brand, not one of those “I made this on Canva in 4 minutes” masterpieces. Liz walks me through why consistency, cohesive visuals, story, and actual human personality matter more than whatever trendy …

1
How I Overcame 3 Months Creative Resistance as a Musician 33:23

13d ago33:23

33:23

✉️ The Creative Life Newsletter The artist’s journey is long. I write a newsletter to help you stay on it 👉 https://jim-kroft.short.gy/0925A/Jim-Kroft-newsletter ___________________ Welcome back to The Creative Life Podcast. This week I’m sharing the story behind a three-month stretch of deep creative resistance — a period where I thought I was bre…

1
The Truth About Home Inspections with Paige Bohrer 10:10

10d ago10:10

10:10

In this episode, I'm joined by home inspection expert Paige Bohrer, who spends every day inside the real trenches of Bay Area real estate. We walk through what a real inspection looks like, how long it should take, what surprises homeowners most, and why rainy days expose a home’s truth better than any other season.Paige breaks down everything you …

1
When You Feel You Have Nothing to Give 32:33

19d ago32:33

32:33

✉️ The Creative Life Newsletter The artist’s journey is long. I write a newsletter to help you stay on it 👉 https://jim-kroft.short.gy/0925A/Jim-Kroft-newsletter ____ 🎤 Welcome back to The Creative Life Podcast. This episode is a counterpart to last week’s — but where that one was raw, unscripted, and full of spontaneous ideas in real-time, this on…

1
Why 50-Year Loans Make Zero Sense with Jim Black 3:59

18d ago3:59

3:59

In today’s episode of Know Before You Owe, I break down the shiny new distraction everyone’s talking about: 50-year mortgages. Yes, they lower your payment a little. No, they don’t help you build wealth. And yes, they quietly drain an extra $550,000 in interest if you keep them long term. I compare a 30-year loan vs a 50-year loan using real number…

1
How Local Agents Can Outrank the Giants, with Vinnie & Anthony of Goalee + Vonk Digital 17:31

25d ago17:31

17:31

In this Know Before You Owe episode, I sit down with Vinnie and Anthony, the sharp minds behind Vonk Digital and Goalee, to talk about how local real estate agents and lenders can finally stop losing to big lead portals. We dig into how SEO, AI tools, and authentic content can make your business stand out online, even against companies with ad budg…

1
How Mortgage Brokers Beat the System | Real Estate Podcast on Broker Advocacy, Homeownership, and Consumer Rights 18:22

1M ago18:22

18:22

Ever been spammed by 57 lenders the second you apply for one home loan? Yeah, thank trigger leads for that.This week, I talk with Brendan McKay, co-founder of the Broker Action Coalition (BAC) and mortgage expert with 20 years in the real estate lending industry. He shares how brokers are taking on big banks, reshaping mortgage laws, and giving hom…

1
Why We Stop Doing the Thing We Started 35:41

1M ago35:41

35:41

🎙️ The Creative Life Episode 49: Why We Stop Doing the Thing We Started This week, I’m exploring one of the hardest parts of creative life — why we stop doing the thing we started. Every project begins with excitement and momentum. Then comes the middle, where time, distraction, and doubt creep in. The work that once flowed starts to feel heavy, an…

1
Reverse Mortgages, Freedom, and the Silver Tsunami with Brad Byrnes 24:23

1M ago24:23

24:23

Reverse mortgages. Two words that make most people’s eyes twitch. But not today. In this episode of Know Before You Owe, I chat with Brad Brynes, one of the top experts at Finance of America, about how reverse mortgages can actually help seniors use their equity for freedom, retirement, and a better lifestyle.We cover everything from the silver tsu…

1
Real Estate’s “Pizza Tracker”: How Rays Is Exposing What Agents Actually Do 15:20

2M ago15:20

15:20

You can track your pizza but not your house sale? That’s the problem, and James Dwiggins, CEO and co-founder of NextHome, is here to fix it. On this episode of Know Before You Owe, I talk with James about Rays, the platform bringing real transparency to real estate. Think of it as a “pizza tracker” for your transactions, one that shows clients exac…

1
Massive 705-Home Project Between Chicago & Milwaukee | Jim Black x Sanjay Kuttemperoor 15:17

2M ago15:17

15:17

What do you get when you mix farmland, a family with 40 years of real estate experience, and a housing shortage the size of Kenosha County? Apparently, 705 new homes. In this episode of Know Before You Owe, Jim Black chats with Sanjay Kuttemperoor, the man helping turn Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, into the Midwest’s hottest new zip code. They talk …

1
I Ripped Up My Routine to Serve My Creativity (Here's What Happened) 26:27

2M ago26:27

26:27

📬 Substack - The Creative Life Newsletter https://www.jimkroft.substack Welcome back to The Creative Life Podcast This week’s episode is about the routines we’ve grown too attached to — the ones we built to survive another time in our lives but never thought to question. I realised mine were no longer serving me. They were built for who I was, not …

1
How Smart Lenders Are Scaling Without Burning Out 20:31

2M ago20:31

20:31

In this episode of Know Before You Owe, Jim Black sits down with Matt Coles to demystify what it takes to go from mortgage broker to banker, and why warehouse lines and AI-backed decision-making are key to scaling in today’s environment. They also explore how to prepare now for the next market cycle in 2026, how smaller lenders are outpacing big in…

1
Why Your Tech Stack is Ghosting You (and How Rollout Fixes It) 15:46

2M ago15:46

15:46

I sat down with AK Lalani from Rollout to talk about why your shiny tools don’t talk to each other, and how his universal API fixes it without you selling your soul (or budget) to engineers. Think of this as therapy for anyone who’s ever asked, “Why can’t this app just work with that one already?” From real estate CRMs to mortgage platforms and eve…

1
Go Where The Mood Take You - When to Ditch the Plan and Follow the Creative Pulse 4:23

3M ago4:23

4:23

✉️ The Creative Life Newsletter The artist’s journey is long. I write a newsletter to help you stay on it 👉 https://jim-kroft.short.gy/0925A/Jim-Kroft-newsletter Welcome back to The Creative Life Podcast! Yesterday I walked into work with three thousand photos to edit, but an urge to create. Logic said “stick to the plan.” But something deeper said…

1
How First-Time Buyers Save on Down Payments With Shared Equity 22:05

3M ago22:05

22:05

In this episode, I chat with Sanjay Kuttemperoor from Steadworth about how his platform helps buyers get into homes faster without being crushed by the traditional down payment. We talk through how shared equity works, the risks, the math, and why this is a big deal for first-time buyers and beyond. If you’ve been stuck renting or thinking homeowne…

1
Creativity Isn’t a Goal. It’s a Way of Living. 11:37

3M ago11:37

11:37

📬 Substack - The Creative Life Newsletter https://www.jimkroft.substack Welcome back guys! If you'd like to support the podcast, taking a moment to rate and review is so very appreciated! Jim TODAY'S EPISODE We’ve been sold a lie: that creativity is a goal, something you reach if you hustle hard enough, suffer long enough, sacrifice deep enough. Bu…

1
Bill Sperry : Real Estate Mindset 26:37

3M ago26:37

26:37

On today's episode of Know Before You Know, we're joined by Bill Sperry, the most renowned voice in real estate. With years of experience working with hundreds of thousands of agents, Bill has witnessed the industry grow from the early days of the internet to AI-based business models. We discuss why relationships will continue to trump leads, how t…

1
How to Reset When You've Drifted From Yourself 6:28

3M ago6:28

6:28

Welcome back to The Creative Life Podcast! Life is a drifting from — and a returning to — ourselves. At any moment, we can almost read it like a gauge: where am I now? In this episode, I share what I learned after breaking from my own routine — travelling across Scotland, spending time with family, and stepping away from the tyranny of schedules an…

1
What Most Homebuyers Don’t Know About Title Insurance Costs 11:57

3M ago11:57

11:57

In this quick and insightful episode of Know Before You Owe, Jim Black sits down with Grant Marple to talk about why title insurance fees are misunderstood, often overpriced, and completely within the buyer’s control. They unpack what’s actually covered by title insurance, why mechanics liens are more common than people think, and how you can use t…

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How KeySteps Helps First-Time Buyers Budget, Build Credit, and Buy Smarter 20:45

3M ago20:45

20:45

Are you ready to take control of your financial future and prepare for homeownership with confidence? In this episode of Know Before You Oh, Jim sits down with Brian View of Key Steps to break down how technology and trusted guidance can help first-time buyers and seasoned homeowners alike make smarter financial choices. Brian explains how Key Step…

1
A Message For Solo Creators 8:29

3M ago8:29

8:29

🎙️ This episode of The Creative Life is for Solo Creators. Whether you're building a podcast, growing a YouTube channel, or writing a newsletter—staying motivated on your own can be tough. In this episode, I share some hard-won encouragement for those walking the path alone. If you're feeling tired, unseen, or unsure if it's worth it, I hope this b…

1
You Will Lose Your Way 5:52

4M ago5:52

5:52

🎙️ You Will Lose Your Way How to find the path back to the work — and to yourself Every ambitious project comes with a hidden truth: at some point, you’ll lose your way. Not because you’re weak. But because you’re being asked to go deeper. In this episode, I reflect on the drift that happens mid-journey—the moment when momentum fades, doubt creeps …

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You’ll Want to Quit. That’s Part of the Path. 13:52

5M ago13:52

13:52

Welcome back to The Creative Life. There’s a moment every artist faces — not just once, but again and again. You’ve put in the hours. You’ve pushed through resistance. And then one day, you ask the question: Should I just… stop? This episode is about that question — and what happens if, instead of giving up, you keep going. It’s a reflection on the…

1
How I Joined Substack’s Top 1% for Consistency — and the 4 Writing Habits That Got Me There 35:21

5M ago35:21

35:21

Welcome back to The Jim Kroft Podcast. After 117 consecutive weeks writing my Substack, I’ve learned this: Consistency isn’t about willpower. It’s about building the kind of system that sustains you when life doesn’t. In this episode, I break down the 4 practices that helped me join Substack’s top 1% for consistency — without burning out or losing …

1
An Artist's Assault on Niching Down 34:25

6M ago34:25

34:25

Jim's Substack: "The Creative Life" Welcome back to The Jim Kroft Podcast. Today’s episode is called “An Artist’s Assault on Niching Down.” It’s for creatives who never fit the playbook—who felt something calling, even if they didn’t yet know what it was. While others picked their lane and built a brand, maybe you were staring out the window—hunger…

1
The Death of the Artist in the Age of Algorithms — And The Fight to Stay Human 43:54

6M ago43:54

43:54

Hello, and welcome back to The Jim Kroft Podcast. The creator economy promised freedom. For many of us, it delivered burnout, invisibility, and a slow erosion of meaning. In this episode, I explore what we lose when we hand our creative process to machines. Because it’s not just about output — it’s about the transformation we abandon when we skip t…

1
One Clear Purpose Per Day: A Creative System to Stay Focused and Finish What Matters 45:16

7M ago45:16

45:16

🎥 New! Watch the Podcast on YouTube I’ve just launched a dedicated YouTube channel for The Jim Kroft Podcast—where you can watch the episode and follow the key moments as they unfold. It’s brand new and shared only with listeners for now. ____ 🎯 One Clear Purpose Per Day How I’m building a creative life without burning out. In this episode, I share…

1
How To Keep Going When Life Loses Meaning 27:14

7M ago27:14

27:14

🎥 New! Watch the Podcast on YouTube I’ve just launched a dedicated YouTube channel for The Jim Kroft Podcast—where you can watch the episode and follow the key moments as they unfold. It’s brand new and shared only with listeners for now. ________ How to Keep Going When Life Loses Meaning 🎙 The Jim Kroft Podcast Ever feel like you’re doing all the …

1
Should I Finish It or Let It Brew? 13:48

7M ago13:48

13:48

Should I Finish It or Let It Brew? Hello and welcome back to The Jim Kroft Podcast. This episode is for anyone caught in that timeless creative tension: should you finish what you’ve started, or let the idea simmer? I take you inside the creative process behind making my new album—grappling with writer’s block, navigating false starts, and learning…

1
Do You Have the Courage to Write Badly? 9:21

8M ago9:21

9:21

Hello everyone and welcome back to "The Jim Kroft Podcast" Do you have the courage to write badly? In this episode, I dive into the messy, liberating truth that to create something meaningful, you first have to give yourself permission to be bad. Inspired by comedian Steve Martin's playful approach to songwriting, we'll explore how embracing imperf…

1
The Curious Catalyst of Being Trolled 19:53

10M ago19:53

19:53

Hello, and welcome back to The Jim Kroft Podcast—a space where every setback is a setup for a creative breakthrough. In this episode, “The Curious Catalyst of Being Trolled,” I get real about a moment when harsh YouTube comments turned into unexpected fuel for my dream to play live again. Ever felt that sting of criticism or doubted whether you’re …

1
Start Somewhere | Releasing "Vampires" & Overcoming Self Doubt 23:49

10M ago23:49

23:49

Hello everyone and welcome back to "The Jim Kroft Podcast" Ever felt like you’re waiting forever to be ready to start a project? Sometimes an idea or seed can live with us for years and, despite our best efforts, we just can't seem to kick-start it. In this episode, I share the personal story behind the writing and recording of my new single "Vampi…

1
What Story Are You Telling? | Overcoming Writer’s Block, Creating My New Album & Releasing It 21:45

11M ago21:45

21:45

Release News: The first single of my new album drops on January 31st. Save it here on Spotify! Hello everyone, and welcome back to the Jim Kroft Podcast – you’re so very welcome here! In this podcast, I explore the insights, breakthroughs, pitfalls, and eureka moments I experience as I navigate creative life. Whether it's through my film and photog…

1
Burnout - How to Overcome Emotional Black Holes 39:02

12M ago39:02

39:02

Hello, and welcome back to "The Jim Kroft Podcast." Many of us struggle with pre-Christmas exhaustion during December - just as we are manically trying to finish our year's work. Low energy vs mountainous work is a bad equation. This collision course can trigger emotional black holes. Remember: This is the season to embrace the dip rather than resi…

1
Finishing Things Is Hard: Why the Last 20% is Challenging and What to Do About It 22:56

1y ago22:56

22:56

Hello, and welcome back to "The Jim Kroft Podcast." Ever find yourself grappling with the final stretch of a creative project? In this episode, I delve into why the last 20% often feels the toughest and share the strategies that help me push through. From reverse-engineering my schedule to implementing practical solutions, I offer actionable insigh…

1
The Power of Templates in Creative Life 30:41

1y ago30:41

30:41

Hello, and welcome back to "The Jim Kroft Podcast." Ever feel torn between your creative projects and life's endless demands? This episode reveals a personal breakthrough: embracing chaos to uncover and learn from the patterns that sustain our creativity. Identifying these patterns is essential to keeping your artistic spirit alive in the whirlwind…

1
Are You In Flight From Yourself? → Why Busyness Masks a Deeper Escape 38:23

1y ago38:23

38:23

Hello everyone, and welcome back to the Podcast! (All the music today is my own and you can find on Spotify) Ever feel like you can’t quite get to yourself? Nietzsche said it well: “Haste is universal because everyone is in flight from himself.” Sometimes, our busyness hides a deeper escape from who we really are. On a flight to Dubai, I caught mys…

1
How to Use—and Challenge—Parkinson's Law: Applying Productivity Lessons to Creativity 31:45

1y ago31:45

31:45

Hello everyone, and welcome back to the Podcast! If you're juggling creative ambitions with everyday demands, this episode is for you. Today, we're tackling: "How to Use—and Challenge—Parkinson's Law: Applying Productivity Lessons to Creativity." I recently faced a tight deadline: two days to write new songs for an upcoming recording session, all w…

1
Why Over-40s Struggle with Social Media: Overcoming Fear to Launch Your Podcast, YouTube Channel, or Newsletter 30:37

1y ago30:37

30:37

Hello everyone, and welcome back to the Podcast! If you're considering starting a Podcast, Newsletter, or YouTube channel, this episode is especially for you. Today, we're exploring a topic that is deeply personal and resonates with many: "Why Over-40s Struggle with Social Media." Over the past two years, I've intentionally embraced social media as…

1
What Is Your One Thing? ► Rilke's Take on a Modern Conundrum 16:33

1y ago16:33

16:33

Welcome back to "The Jim Kroft Podcast"! In this episode, we explore what it takes to focus on your 'one thing' amidst the noise and demands of modern life. As I've discussed previously, one of my own challenges with this podcast has been to keep consistent while juggling my own film business and recording my new album. I've been experimenting with…

1
The Maverick Wisdom of Gordon Raphael 1:03:01

1+ y ago1:03:01

1:03:01

Hello, everyone, and welcome to “The Jim Kroft Podcast,” where I explore creative life, the digital economy, and how we can grow as individuals in this bonkers modern world. Today, I’m buzzing to share a special episode—my first podcast recorded in New York City—with legendary music producer and psychedelic troubadour Gordon Raphael. Gordon's groun…

1
The Holiness of One Good Hour 9:52

1+ y ago9:52

9:52

Hello everyone, and welcome back to the Podcast! Today's episode dives into a pivotal concept in my work life: "The Holiness of One Good Hour." While others might label it a hack, I consider it holy. Why? Because our moods, motivations, and commitments fluctuate daily on our journey. We are always just a moment away from turning things around, but …

1
The Joy and Pain of Podcasting 23:51

1+ y ago23:51

23:51

Welcome to "The Jim Kroft Podcast," where I explore the intersection of creative life and the digital economy. In this episode, I tackle the challenges of sustaining passion projects amidst life's busyness. Drawing from my experience with this podcast, I discuss: Keeping our projects alive Staying human while many creators over-depend on AI Lessons…

1
How To Start A Creative Project From Scratch | Jim Kroft 18:13

1+ y ago18:13

18:13

Welcome to "The Jim Kroft Podcast," where I explore the convergence of creativity and the digital economy. Over the last year, I've spoken to many people: experts in their fields seasoned professionals those just starting out I've noticed that many have a particular project they've never started, always dreamed of initiating, or feel so stuck they …

1
Move Towards What You're Most Afraid of ★ Amistat 55:46

1+ y ago55:46

55:46

Hello, everyone, and welcome to “The Jim Kroft Podcast,” where I seek to build bridges between the parallel worlds of the creative arts and the solopreneur's path. From the inception of this Podcast, the band Amistat has been on my list of dream guests. Watch on YouTube I met Jan and Joseph years ago while I was filming a documentary about "The Ree…

1
The Mission and The Breath | Jim Kroft 15:27

1+ y ago15:27

15:27

Dear friends, Today’s episode, “The Mission and The Breath,” began while I was writing my diary in my local cafe here in Berlin. It was 8 am on a Monday morning, and, honestly, I didn’t set out to write this Podcast. But I found myself moving through the gears and decided to follow the pulse. It brought me to wonder: How can offsetting our life aga…

1
Go All In | "That Icelandic Guy" Talks YouTube 1:20:00

2y ago1:20:00

1:20:00

Hello, everyone, and welcome back to “The Jim Kroft Podcast”, where creativity meets solopreneurship. This week's special guest is Arnulfur Hakonarson, aka "That Icelandic Guy," who has grown his YouTube channel to 170K subscribers and his Instagram to over 300K. IN SHORT: 📈 Arnulfur’s strategy for searchable, impactful YouTube content. 🧠 Mindset, …

1
The Philosophy of Monk Mode | Jim Kroft 24:33

2y ago24:33

24:33

Welcome to "The Jim Kroft Podcast" I'm your host, Jim, and this week we're diving into "Monk Mode". This episode dives into the principles of "Monk Mode," drawing inspiration from the disciplined lifestyle of monks to advocate for focused attention, sacrificial dedication, and a deeper sense of purpose in both work and life. Including the wisdom of…