On Your Terms®

Automation is great — until it makes people forget there's a real human behind your business. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on the tool I've been quietly using to generate content ideas, boost webinar show-up rates, and collect testimonials, all while making my audience feel personally connected to me. It contributed to a $500K launch, and I'm walking you through exactly how I use it for content, sales, and social proof.In this episode, you'll hear…What VideoAsk actually is and why it's more like FaceTiming your audience than filling out a formHow I'm using it to generate content ideas directly from my audience (in their own words)The exact funnel I built to improve webinar show-up rates and make my workshop better in real timeHow I'm collecting video testimonials that I can use in ads, social content, and moreWhy building in "surprise and delight" moments is one of the highest-return investments you can make in your marketingClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.EPISODE RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarGet your copy of Sam's book When I Start My Business, I'll Be HappyIf you have a question you’d like Sam to answer on a future podcast episode, you can submit it here.Check out VideoAsk (affiliate link)Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come outCONNECT:Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"DISCLAIMER

If you've ever opened a blank document to write your newsletter and immediately closed it again, this one's for you.I've been sending my weekly newsletter, Sam's Sidebar, consistently for years, and in this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on exactly how I decide what to write every single week. Including the time I scrapped a completely finished email the morning it was supposed to go out, wrote something raw and real in about five minutes, and watched my inbox light up with replies all day long.This is the behind-the-scenes process I use to make email feel less like a chore and more like one of the most powerful, reliable tools in my business.In this episode, you'll hear…Why I always start by zooming out on my business before I write a single wordHow to reverse engineer your email from your call to action so everything you write actually has a pointWhy your call to action doesn't always have to be a sale (and what to do between launches)The one habit that makes finding topics infinitely easier, even when your brain is totally blankHow I turned a frustrated, throw-it-all-out moment into one of my most-responded-to emails everClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.EPISODE RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarGet your copy of Sam's book When I Start My Business, I'll Be HappyIf you have a question you’d like Sam to answer on a future podcast episode, you can submit it here.Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come outCONNECT:Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"DISCLAIMER

Q1 is officially in the books — so before you barrel headfirst into Q2, let's actually stop and take stock of how it went.In this episode, I'm walking you through the end-of-quarter check-in I use in my own business — one that covers both your stats and your vibes — so you can go into the next quarter with one clear focus, a simple plan, and a lot less "why does running this business feel so chaotic?" energy.We'll talk about how to look at your numbers without spiraling into a shame spiral, how to figure out whether you have a leads problem or a sales problem (because the answer totally changes your Q2 plan), and why the things that are draining you in your business are probably directly connected to what's not working in your data.I'm also sharing my personal Q1 gap year update — what's working, what's not, the mastermind I very painfully said no to, and the morning routine that finally helped me get my writing practice off the ground.In this episode, you'll hear…How to review your Q1 stats without spiraling into a shame spiral (the "curious scientist" approach is a game-changer)Why picking one single focus for Q2 will get you further than 16 half-finished goals ever willThe "vibes check" — how to honestly assess how this quarter felt and what that means for Q2Why what's draining you in your business might be directly connected to what's not working in your statsMy personal Q1 gap year update, including the mastermind I painfully said no to, the morning writing routine that finally clicked, and why "gap year" does NOT mean I'm sitting on a beach doing nothingClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.EPISODE RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarSam's Substack post: Taking a Gap Year as an Entrepreneur: My Year of Letting Go in 2026Sam's Substack post: I called it a gap year—and everyone heard “year off.”Check out The Brick (affiliate link)Kit what I use to build my email list, send emails to my list, and create opt-in forms & pages (affiliate link)If you have a question you’d like Sam to answer on a future podcast episode, you can submit it here.Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come outCONNECT:Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"DISCLAIMER

Sam pulls back the curtain on her biggest launch ever — $500K in revenue in just four days. She's sharing the real numbers: 11,000 webinar registrants, a 5% conversion rate, and exactly what she spent on ads to get there. But this isn't just a brag fest — Sam gets honest about what's actually behind a launch like this, why you can't just copy someone else's formula, and what entrepreneurs at every stage can take away and apply to their own business.Whether you're planning your first launch or looking to scale, this episode is packed with practical strategy on webinars, email list marketing, buyer objections, and building an online business that actually converts.In this episode, you'll hear…The actual stats from my $500K launch — including webinar registrations, show-up rates, conversion percentages, and ad spend (yes, I'm sharing the numbers)Why I switched from three live webinars down to one — and how it actually increased my resultsThe "show up" email strategy I use to get more people to attend the webinar live (and why it works way better than a basic reminder)How I think about Meta ads as their own social channel — and when you should (and absolutely should not) start running adsThe three main buyer objections I prepare for in every launch — and how I use testimonials to overcome each oneClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.EPISODE RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarGrab a copy of Sam's Book When I Start My Business, I'll Be HappyRead Sam's Substack post: I called it a gap year—and everyone heard “year off.”If you have a question you’d like Sam to answer on a future podcast episode, you can submit it here.Learn more about VideoAsk (affiliate link)Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come outCONNECT:Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"DISCLAIMER

Everyone's talking about Substack — and maybe you're curious, a little skeptical, and 100% wondering if you actually need to add another platform to your already-full plate. (Spoiler: you don't need to. But you might want to after this.)In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on exactly how I grew my Substack, Beyond Business, to 1,000 subscribers using only organic strategies — no importing my 60,000+ person email list, no fancy custom design, no team of people building it out for me. Just consistent writing, a growth mindset, and a few simple (but powerful) tactics I wish I'd known earlier.You’ll hear…Why I started a Substack when I already have an email list of 60,000+ people (and why it's absolutely not an either/or decision)The #1 mindset shift you need before you ever publish your first post Why becoming a fan of the platform first is one of the most underrated growth strategies out thereHow I built a consistent writing habit — and what happened to my creativity when I actually stuck with itThe "idea bank" strategy that keeps me showing up even when inspiration goes on vacationWhy you need to bank essays before you let the world respond to your writingHow to use Substack Notes to grow your audience without burning outThe referrals and recommendations strategy I used to accelerate growth (and exactly how to ask for them without being weird about it)Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.EPISODE RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessEpisode 271. Why I Started a Substack When I Already Have an Email ListEpisode 279. What to Focus on First If You Want to Build an AudienceSam's episode of Amelia Hruby's podcast, Off the Grid AI All Stars by Gemma Bonham-Carter (custom GPTs for your business) (affiliate link)Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come outCONNECT:Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"DISCLAIMER

If you’re trying to grow your audience for your online business, you’ve probably heard advice like “build the audience first” or “you need followers before you can launch.” But what if that’s backwards?In this episode of On Your Terms®, Sam shares the real foundation of sustainable audience growth—and why focusing on followers, email list size, or social media metrics too early can actually slow you down. Instead, she breaks down how mastering your craft (whether that’s writing, podcasting, video, or your core service) is what truly builds an audience that sticks.You’ll hear…Why obsessing over audience size can distract you from building actual skillThe “wedding vs. marriage” analogy that changed how I think about growthWhat I realized after being in a mastermind with serious writersHow to practice your craft in public without spiraling over metricsHow to consume content in a way that fuels your output (instead of becoming a content junk drawer)A simple way to audit whether your time matches what you say you wantClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.EPISODE RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessGet Sam's Book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come outCONNECT:Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"DISCLAIMER

Have you ever heard a quote at exactly the moment you needed it? Like it practically reached out and grabbed you by the shoulders?That happened to me recently when I heard this line from The Artist’s Way: "perfectionism isn’t a quest for the best… it’s a pursuit of the worst in ourselves.Oof. Holy cannoli. That one knocked me flat.In this episode, I’m sharing the simple exercise that helped me see my burnout in black and white—and how you can use it to finally exhale.You’ll hear…The quote about perfectionism that stopped me in my tracksThe unexpected way I realized I am a perfectionist (even though I swore I wasn’t)What I wrote on my “trying to do this perfectly” list—and why it shocked meHow this one list immediately softened my burnout and anxietyWhy doing “everything right” might actually be the thing holding you backClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.EPISODE RESOURCES:Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come outCONNECT:Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"DISCLAIMER

If you’re building a business, doing “all the right things,” and still feel exhausted even after a full night of sleep… this episode is for you.So many entrepreneurs think rest is something you earn later — after the launch, after the revenue goal, after things finally feel “stable.” And that belief keeps you stuck in a cycle of pushing, white-knuckling, and wondering why you’re burned out even though you technically love your work.I’m breaking down the 6 different types of rest, why sleep alone won’t fix burnout, and how I’ve been intentionally weaving more play, creativity, and relief into my life and business — without stepping away from work entirely.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why sleep isn’t the kind of rest most business owners actually needThe 6 types of rest and how burnout can show up even when you “love what you do”How pressure, grief, and mental load quietly drain your energyWhat it looks like to rest while building — not afterSimple ways to add more joy, play, and creativity into your everyday lifeClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Get Sam's Book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Taking a Gap Year as an Entrepreneur: My Year of Letting Go in 2026Subscribe to Sam's Substack Beyond BusinessLeslie Stephens' Substack American Psychological Association - Types of rest Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come outCONNECT:Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"DISCLAIMER

It’s mid-February (or honestly… March… or April… or whenever you’re listening), and if your New Year’s goals already feel like they’ve floated off into the abyss — you’re not broken. You’re just human.In this episode, I’m breaking down why January 1st is kind of a terrible time to set goals, especially if you’ve been navigating grief, uncertainty, burnout, or just… life. I’m sharing how I actually set goals now using a monthly goals method that’s way more realistic, flexible, and supportive — and yes, you’re absolutely allowed to steal it.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why January 1st isn’t actually a clean slate (and never has been)How grief, uncertainty, and burnout affect goal-setting more than we admitThe monthly goals method I use instead of New Year’s resolutionsHow to set goals when you don’t feel clear or motivatedWays to bring “new year energy” into any month of the yearHow to stay present and profitable without rigid long-term plansClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Leslie Stephens' Substack NoteListen to EP 274. 4 Tiny Shifts I Make Every Winter (so I feel cozy, not crushed)Listen to EP 251. How To Leave Social Media without Losing Your ClientsClick here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come outCONNECT:Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"DISCLAIMER

In this episode, you get to hear my full live training, “How To Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business in 2026.” I’ll give you the five steps every entrepreneur needs to take. We’ll cover shifting your mindset, registering as the right business entity, protecting yourself in case of a lawsuit, getting your contracts and policies in place, and staying within your scope of practice. Whether you’re a coach, course creator, service provider, or product-based entrepreneur, I’m walking you through the five simple legal steps you must take to set up your business, protect your content, and get paid confidently.No law degree (or stress spiral) required.In this episode, you’ll hear…5 things you must have in place before accepting even $1 (more) onlineExact steps to form your businessShould you become an LLC or sole prop? Why you NEED to have business insurance (it’s so worth it)An actual method for figuring out what you can (and cannot) do online or when you’re NOT working under your professional licenseRESOURCES:The Ultimate Bundle® is on sale through February 13th.CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramDISCLAIMER

There’s this moment in business where you keep thinking, okay… when does it get easier? When does the stress chill out, the money feel steadier, and you finally get to enjoy what you’re building?Here’s the sneaky truth I wish someone had told me sooner: the “someday” version of your life isn’t where the joy starts. The rise is actually the fun part.In this episode, I’m sitting down with the version of myself from five years ago (hello, 2021 Sam) and sharing the six lessons I wish I could’ve handed her in a note. These aren’t fluffy business platitudes — they’re the real, lived-in truths that only come from building a seven-figure business, navigating massive personal loss, and realizing the mountaintop doesn’t feel the way everyone promises it willIn this episode, you’ll hear…Why the rise is actually the best part (even when it feels messy)The hard truth about the “carrot” always moving in businessHow chasing someone else’s version of success can quietly wreck your joyWhy you don’t need to be “one of them” to build a wildly successful businessHow to stay confident being a leader — especially when new platforms and trends pop upThe simple mindset shift that helped me finally loosen my grip on controlClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarGet Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come outClick here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!CONNECT:Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"DISCLAIMER

When it gets dark before you’ve even wrapped up work for the day, winter can feel like it shrinks your whole life. Suddenly everything feels harder, heavier, and honestly… a little bleak. And while part of you might want to hibernate until April, another part of you knows that doesn’t really work when you’re running a business and trying to live a full life.In this episode, I’m sharing how I’ve learned to actually work with winter instead of fighting it. After moving from Philly to the north shore of Long Island (where winter is colder, darker, windier, and somehow five degrees colder just to be rude), I had to build a real winter toolkit — not just cozy socks, but mindset shifts, routines, and intentional rituals that make this season feel supportive instead of soul-crushing.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why your relationship with winter might be making it harder than it needs to beThe mindset shift that completely changed how I experience winterHow I intentionally design winter to feel cozy, grounding, and even enjoyableWhy winter is actually essential for creativity, energy, and long-term sustainabilitySimple routines and rituals that give you something to look forward to all season longClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarLearn about The Ultimate Bundle® on SaleGet Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come outCONNECT:Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"DISCLAIMER

Re-shooting all the videos for a product that’s generated over $8 million sounds like a straightforward business upgrade… until it isn’t.In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of what it was really like to re-record every single video inside the Ultimate Bundle®. Spoiler alert: this was about way more than lighting, scripts, or batch recording. It cracked open a lot for me — about grief, seasons of business, fear of slowing down, and the pressure we put on ourselves to constantly “improve” things that are already working.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by a big project, nostalgic for earlier seasons of your business, or quietly scared of what might happen if you let yourself rest, this episode is for you.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why re-shooting the Ultimate Bundle® felt more like reliving the bar exam than a simple content updateWhat building an MVP actually looks like over eight years of growthThe hidden cost of having a wildly successful signature productHow grief, loss, and survival mode quietly shaped my business from 2020 onWhy “easy” seasons of business can feel surprisingly uncomfortableWhat early-stage hustle teaches you that success sometimes takes awayHow I approached updating a proven product without burning it all downClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarGet Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Kit :what I use to build my email list, send emails to my list, and create opt-in forms & pages (affiliate link)Register for my free LIVE legal training “5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business in 2026”Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come outCONNECT:CONNECT:Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"DISCLAIMER

We all know that moment. It’s Sunday. Your phone buzzes. And suddenly you’re staring down your weekly screen time report wondering… how did THAT happen?For me, those little reports started to feel like a mirror I didn’t really want to look into. The number on the screen didn’t line up with the life I said I wanted to be living—more present, less irritable, doing deeper work, and actually enjoying my days instead of scrolling through them.So I decided to stop ignoring it and actually take my screen time seriously. In this episode, I’m sharing what happened when I did just that—for 30 days.This isn’t about deleting every app or pretending your phone isn’t a major part of your business (because let’s be real… it is). It’s about creating a healthier relationship with your phone so it can be a tool instead of an appendage—and building a business that doesn’t require you to be glued to it 24/7.If you want to be more present in your life and more profitable in your business, this episode is for you.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why your screen time report can reveal way more about your life than you thinkHow I reduced my screen time without shame, guilt, or extreme rulesThe difference between “productive” screen time and the kind that quietly drains youThe app that consistently sends me into a doom-scrolling spiral (and what I do about it)How to find your personal tipping point with screen time—without comparing yourself to anyone elseClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarSubscribe to Sam's Substack Beyond Business Get Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come outCONNECT:Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"DISCLAIMER

If you’ve been side-eyeing Substack trying to figure out whether you should start one, what you’d even put on it, or how it’s different from your “regular” newsletter… this episode is your permission slip to breathe. Because guess what? I’ve been figuring this out in real time too — and today, I’m breaking down exactly how I’m using both Substack and my newsletter, why I treat them differently, and how YOU can create a simple, sustainable content structure that actually supports your business.I’ll also walk you through the discovery → nurture → conversion framework I use to decide which platforms get my energy — and which ones simply get a presence without becoming a second job. Because you are absolutely not meant to create cornerstone content for 19 platforms. No thank you.Whether you’re Substack-curious, newsletter-confused, or trying to design a content flow that doesn’t make you want to run away to a cabin in the woods, this episode will give you clarity.In this episode, you’ll hear…How I’m using Substack differently from my weekly business newsletterWhy your content should flow from one or two core platforms (not all of them)The discovery–nurture–conversion method I use to understand where each platform fitsHow I’m thinking about Substack as an experiment (and why that’s OK!)What goes on Substack vs. what stays in my main newsletterHow to decide where YOUR content belongs without overthinking itClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarSubscribe to Sam's Substack Beyond Business Get Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Listen to Sam on Cubicle to CEO Episode 293. 46k List Growth Case Study: From Snooze-Worthy To Subscriber MagnetWriting a Book Podcast PlaylistKit - what I use to build my email list, send emails to my list, and create opt-in forms & pages (affiliate link)Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come outClick here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!CONNECT:Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"DISCLAIMERDISCLAIMER

Let’s talk about the thing I didn’t even realize was happening until it had already messed with my head: AI was quietly killing my creativity.If you’ve ever opened your laptop, told yourself you’re “just getting a little AI help,” and then suddenly noticed your ideas feel watered down, your content feels off, and you’re second-guessing everything—you’re not alone. When I posted about this on Instagram, you confirmed that this little creep has been slipping into your business too… and not in the cute, helpful way we hoped.So today, I’m getting brutally honest about how AI slowly started impacting my creativity, confidence, workflow, and even the way I approached this podcast. This episode is your reminder that your most valuable business asset is your brain—your original ideas—not a robot’s outline telling you how you should create.In this episode, you’ll hear…How AI slowly crept into my creative process without me realizing itThe dangerous shift from “this helps” → “this must know better than me”How AI’s feedback made me doubt my instincts and dry up my idea wellThe moment I realized AI was contributing to a huge creativity blockWhat happened when I quit using AI for outlines, brainstorming, and feedbackThe difference between using AI as a repurposing tool vs. as a creatorThe creative habits and practices I’m returning to in 2026How to rebuild your originality in a world obsessed with shortcutsClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarSubscribe to Sam's Substack Beyond Business Get Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"My Instagram Reel on quitting ChatGPTListen to Episode 140. We Need To Talk About Dupe CultureMeet Your AI All Stars Course (affiliate link)Grab the Ultimate Bundle®Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come outClick here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!CONNECT:Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"DISCLAIMER

You know that feeling when you come back to your desk in January and everything is a disaster? Your desktop looks like a digital garage sale, your office chair is still wearing yesterday’s sweater, and your brain feels like it’s running 42 tabs at once?Yeah… we’re not doing that this year.In this episode, I’m sharing the super simple, totally doable tasks I’m doing in the next two weeks—while cozied up in my pjs —to close out 2025 in a way that feels calm, grounded, and actually restorative. No “new year, new hustle” energy required. Just a cleaner home base, a quieter mind, and a business you can step back into without the chaos hangover.This is your permission slip to put the laptop away, clean the slate, and give your future self a January that feels good.In this episode, you’ll hear…The 4 things I always do to wrap up my business before the holidaysWhy I deep clean everything (yes, including the dreaded office drawer) before taking time offHow I’m approaching 2026 as a “mental gap year”My end-of-year digital detox ritualWhat I’m doing during my time off to reconnect with creativityThe cozy winter habits keeping me sane in an extremely dark, extremely windy Long Island winterClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarGet Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Listen Episode 267: Before You Plan 2026, do THIS firstListen to Episode 268: How to Create Your Ideal Business Year (Without Burnout-y Goals)Grab the Ultimate Bundle® and use code OYTWRITEOFF to save 20% off through December 18th.Read Sam's Substack Taking a Gap Year as an Entrepreneur: My Year of Letting Go in 2026Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come outClick here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!CONNECT:Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"DISCLAIMER

It’s that time of year again — when everyone online suddenly becomes a color-coded-notion-board-wielding planning expert. But before you map out your entire 2026 vision board, we need to do something way more important: figure out what you actually want.In today’s episode, I’m walking you through the exact reflection + annual planning exercise I do every single year — the one that helps me make decisions based on how I want to feel, not what the latest marketing trend says I “should” be doing. This episode pairs with last week’s 2025 reflection episode, so if you haven’t listened to that one yet, go queue it up next.PLUS — I’m trying something new today. I pulled a random question from the “More, Tell Me More” connection cards I won at a mastermind retreat (yes, I was voted Best Strategy at my table and the whole room — no biggie). I answered it… and I want you to answer it too. If you love this segment, email me or DM me and tell me to keep it!And before you dive in, don’t forget: I created a free 2026 Annual Planning Guide that includes every question I ask in this episode and space for you to jot down your reflections and goals. Grab it in the show notes!In this episode, you’ll hear…The connection-card question I pulled — and the unforgettable story about the stranger who changed how I think about human connectionWhy planning for 2026 means starting with how you want to feel (not arbitrary goals like “50K followers”)How to imagine your ideal day next year so you can reverse-engineer what needs to changeWhy so many entrepreneurs felt unstable in 2025 — and how to honor what actually happened before planning aheadThe questions I use every year to figure out what I truly need in my business and personal lifeA guided reflection to set aligned, realistic, energizing goals for 2026Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarGet Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Listen to the How to Grow Your Email List Series PlaylistSubscribe to Sam's Substack Beyond BusinessDownload Sam's Annual Planning GuideClick here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come outClick here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!CONNECT:Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"DISCLAIMER

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably hit the end of the year and thought:Wait… what actually happened?!How did we blink and suddenly find ourselves staring down a new calendar, new goals, and the same coffee mug we’ve dragged through the highs and lows of the last 12 months?Before you sprint into planning mode for 2026 (don’t worry, we’re doing that next week!), today’s episode is all about slowing down long enough to look back—at what worked, what didn’t, what you let go of, what you gained, and most importantly… how it all felt.Because building a business on your terms means regularly checking in with yourself—not just the metrics, money, or milestones, but the very real human (you!) behind all of it.Inside this episode, I walk you through the exact year-end reflection process I do myself, including the six life categories I evaluate every single December to help me understand what’s out of balance, what’s thriving, and where I want to direct my energy next.Grab your notebook, a cup of something warm, and prepare for some gentle-but-honest self-inquiry.In this episode, you’ll hear…The six life categories I use to check in with myself each yearWhy reflecting before planning will make your 2026 goals actually stickThe progress-based mindset shift that will keep you motivated all year longWhat to ask yourself about what you accomplished, added, and let go ofHow to identify your “accelerators” and “constrictors” going into a new yearClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarGet Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Listen to Epi 262. The 6 Weekly Anchors Behind My $8M BusinessListen to Epi 254. The NEW Way to Structure Your Work Day for Better ContentSubscribe to Sam's Substack Beyond BusinessDownload Sam's Annual Planning GuideClick here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come outClick here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramSam on YouTubeDISCLAIMER

If you’ve ever stared at a blinking cursor while trying to write your weekly newsletter and thought, “What in the whole enchilada am I supposed to say?” — today’s episode is your permission slip to stop overthinking and start structuring your emails in a way that works for you and your audience.I’m breaking down the two classic newsletter formats (and why I don’t follow either), the hybrid structure I swear by, and the eight must-have elements your weekly emails need if you want them to be opened, read, clicked, and shared.Whether you're brand new to email marketing or finally ready to clean up the spaghetti-at-the-wall approach we all start with — this episode gives you practical steps to build a bingeable, forwardable, valuable email your people will look forward to every week.In this episode, you’ll hear…The two traditional newsletter formats — and why a hybrid approach winsWhy story-driven writing builds connection (and how to use it well)How to structure “predictable sections” and weekly “boxes” your audience can rely onThe three core goals every email should have (and how to choose yours each week)How many links to include — and the right balance between your content vs. other people'sEight essentials you must include in your weekly newsletterHow to write subject lines + preview text that actually get openedMy #1 habit that instantly elevates the quality of your emails (and makes them sound human)Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarListen to Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3 of the "How To Grow Your Email List" SeriesDownload the free “How to Grow Your Email List” WorkbookGet Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Listen to Epi 262. The 6 Weekly Anchors Behind My $8M BusinessWatch my email walkthrough trainingClick here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come outClick here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!CONNECT:Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"DISCLAIMER