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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 long Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode. RESOURCES: Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarRegister for my free LIVE legal training “5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business in 2026”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 out CONNECT: Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramSam on YouTube 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 down Click 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 out CONNECT: Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramSam on YouTube 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 else Click 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 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 YouTube 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 it Click 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: Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on Instagrama href="https://www.youtube.com/@SamVanderWielen" rel="noopener...

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 shortcuts Click 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: Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on Instagrama...

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 winter Click 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: Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramSam on YouTube 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 2026 Click 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: Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on Instagrama...

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 year Click 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...

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: Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms®a...

Let’s be honest — most freebies out there? They’re not working. If you’ve ever spent hours creating a lead magnet only for it to attract people who download and disappear, this episode is your new best friend. In Part 3 of my 4-part email series, I’m breaking down why your freebie isn’t growing your list (hint: it’s not because freebies don’t work) and how to finally create one that brings in actual future customers — not just freebie hoarders. From finding the perfect topic your people actually want to grabbing the right metrics to track whether it’s working, this episode gives you the full roadmap to a freebie that converts In this episode, you’ll hear… Why most freebies flop — and how to fix yoursThe #1 rule for creating a freebie your audience can’t resistHow to reverse engineer your freebie from your offerThe secret to positioning your freebie so it attracts buyers, not browsersWhich numbers to track to know if your email list is really growing 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 of the "How To Grow Your Email List" SeriesDownload the free “How to Grow Your Email List” WorkbookListen to Part 1 of "How To Grow Your Email List" SeriesClick 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 YouTube DISCLAIMER

You’ve been told that the only way to grow your email list is with freebies, PDFs, and opt-ins galore—but what if there was an easier (and honestly, more effective) way? In Part 2 of my How to Grow Your Email List series, I’m spilling the details on my Easy Email Strategy—a super simple way to get the right people (aka future customers, not freebie collectors) on your list without creating a single freebie.If you’ve ever felt frustrated with the traditional “freebie → nurture sequence → maybe they’ll stick around” method, this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air. You’ll learn how to make your actual newsletter the thing people want to sign up for—and how to position it so it grows your list on autopilot. In this episode, you’ll hear… Why traditional freebie funnels often attract the wrong peopleHow to flip the script and make your newsletter the valueThe two steps in my Easy Email Strategy: design + promotionHow to create a newsletter people are genuinely excited to receiveReal-world examples of how this strategy simplifies your marketing Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode. RESOURCES: Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarDownload the free “How to Grow Your Email List” WorkbookListen to Part 1 of "How To Grow Your Email List" SeriesCheck out Erin Parek's SubstackClick 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 YouTube DISCLAIMER

You’re doing everything to grow your email list — promoting your freebies, sharing your links, posting on social — and yet, that number just won’t budge. You want new subscribers rolling in every day, the kind who actually want to buy from you, and a reliable way to make sales that doesn’t depend on Instagram’s mood swings. Sound familiar? In this first episode of my 4-part Email List Growth Series, I’m breaking down what it really takes to build a thriving email list that fuels your business (and your freedom). It’s not about hacks or fancy tech — it’s about adopting an “all roads lead to the email list” mindset and taking strategic action to support it. Because when your email list becomes the heartbeat of your business, you can take weekends off, go on vacation without stress, and still make sales while you sleep. In this episode, you’ll hear… Why your email list growth starts with mindset — not hacksThe three key steps to adopting an “All Roads Lead to the Email List” approachHow to clarify what your email list actually does for your businessHow to audit your current strategy (and find the leaks)The simple way to spot new email list opportunities everywhereA sneak peek of what’s coming in Part 2 — my easy email list growth strategy Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode. RESOURCES: Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarDownload the free “How to Grow Your Email List” WorkbookListen to Ep 237. Why Your Email List Isn't Growing +How to Fix ItClick 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 YouTube DISCLAIMER

You’ve probably heard me say before that your business only grows as much as you do — and I mean it. Because no matter how many marketing tricks you try, or how well you plan your next launch… none of it matters if you’re running on fumes. In today’s episode, I’m sharing the six weekly anchors that keep me grounded, creative, and energized enough to run an $8M business — and not one of them has to do with marketing. These are the personal routines and boundaries that have built the foundation for everything I’ve accomplished in my business and my life. Whether you’re building toward your first six figures or scaling beyond seven, these anchors will help you protect your energy, your creativity, and your mental health — the real ingredients of long-term success. In this episode, you’ll hear… Why taking care of yourself is one of the most strategic business decisions you can makeWhat my “Sunday Preheat” routine looks like (and how it keeps my week from falling apart)The planning process I use each week to set priorities and avoid overwhelmHow I protect time for movement, rest, and creativity — even when my schedule’s packedThe mindset shift that helped me stop seeing self-care as “extra”How you can create your own set of anchors that make your business (and your life) work better Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode. RESOURCES: Listen to Episode 1: Community Over Competition is BS: Tips to Navigate Your Competition in a Healthier WayRead Sam's Substack The Girlboss Who Died With My ParentsRead Sam's Substack How I Broke Up With InstagramGet Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarClick 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 YouTube DISCLAIMER

Thinking about starting an online business—or finally making your “side hustle” official—but don’t want to get buried in legal confusion? This episode is your crash course on exactly how to start your business the right way before 2025 ends. 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 licenseYour 2025 To-do List: things to do before Dec 31st to make your biz legally sound RESOURCES: The Ultimate Bundle® is on sale through Oct 24, 2025. If you buy it before Oct 22nd, 2024, you’ll receive 3 bonus templates + my last live call of the year. CONNECT: Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on Instagram DISCLAIMER

Everyone wants the 7-figure business… until they realize what comes with it. In this episode, I’m breaking down what it really takes to build a multi-seven-figure online business — and the trade-offs no one warns you about. I’ll share the 10 things I’d focus on if I were starting over, including how to create a flagship product that actually sells, the “3 Ps” I swear by for sustainable growth, and why making more money doesn’t automatically mean you’re taking more home. If you’ve ever wondered what it actually looks like to grow a business beyond six figures (without losing your sanity or your joy), this episode is your behind-the-scenes reality check — and roadmap. In this episode, you’ll hear… Why only 1% of one-person businesses ever hit $1M/yearThe 10 things I’d do to build a seven-figure business from scratchThe difference between profitable growth and burnout growthWhy your flagship product is the foundation for everythingThe real emotional and personal trade-offs of scaling bigHow to know if a seven-figure business is actually what you want Click 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: A Practical No-BS Guide to Successful Entrepreneurship"Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarEpisode 243: Why Your Content is Driving Customers AwayEpisode 256: How To Protect Your Privacy While Growing Your BusinessEpisode 259: Passion Doesn't Equal Profit (Why Your Idea Might Fail)Click 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 YouTube DISCLAIMER