Sensible Woo is the mind. Sasquatch Media Grounds is the muscle.
Hey Reader,
No, I am still not over Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl. Not even a little bit.
What I saw wasn’t just a halftime show. I saw solidarity. Joy. Visibility. Celebration in the face of systems that would prefer certain voices disappear quietly and permanently. And instead of shrinking, they turned on the mics.
We will not be silenced. That was the message.
I saw a creator post a slideshow about Benito’s path… from bagging groceries to dominating global charts to the Super Bowl stage. Quietly shipping the work. Late nights. Doubt. Reps. More reps. That myth we’re all sold about building something from nothing… turns out it’s not a myth if you’re willing to bleed for it.
Nepo babies aside, it’s still possible. I know because I’ve done it. I have rebuilt my life from personal hell into a vision I chose. Have I hit every milestone yet? No. But I am the one with the lamp on when other people clock out at 5pm. I know burnout intimately. I’ve crawled back from it. So when I say I will outwork you, I don’t mean hustle-bro delusion. I mean sustained, strategic pursuit.
You don’t get chart-topping dominance or a Super Bowl stage without putting in the reps, quieting the doubt, and shipping your creation anyway.
That is exactly why the Creator Economy Dojo exists inside Sasquatch Media Grounds.
Yes, it supports smaller voices. Yes, it’s built for creators who don’t have endless capital to outsource everything. But deeper than that… it’s about belonging. It’s about knowing that when you’re exporting your episode at 11:42pm so it hits your feed on time the next morning, you’re not some delusional hobbyist. You’re a creator building infrastructure. And infrastructure is what holds growth without burning you out or hollowing you out.
This week you’ll see a lot about the Dojo because the February intensive is opening. We’re teaching 30-second ad spots so you can start bringing in ad dollars and recover your production overhead each month. When your show covers its own costs, it stops feeling like a money pit and starts behaving like an asset. If your podcast feels like a black hole right now, that is not fate. That is a strategy problem.
You can join the intensive as a one-time workshop for exactly what it costs to be in the Dojo for a month. Try it a la carte if that’s your speed. Or realize you’re ready for consistent growth and stay with us. I built options on purpose.
You’ll also see an invite to our very first Awkward Handshake networking party. Megan and I are past premiere week and our friends at Dovetail Cellars are hosting us. If you’re local, come practice connection like it matters. Because it does. We also recorded a special episode to kick off our regular Friday drops, and it’s about finding your words in the age of “silence is complicity.”
Silence is not neutral. It is not a safety zone. It is a choice.
Turn on the mic.
Gossip From the Creator Trenches...
🏈 Ethical Ownership Is the Real MVP
The Super Bowl had a winner on the field… and a bigger one off it. While everyone was memeing halftime, something quieter and more important was happening. Jody Allen has committed to donating the proceeds from the eventual sale of the Seahawks, and that is what principled ownership looks like in an era of billionaire nonsense. In a world where media and sports are hoarded like dragon treasure, this is a reminder that money can circulate with intention. It felt like a values win. And yes, as a lifelong Seahawks girl, I took that personally.
🔗 See what ethical ownership looks like
🤖 Slop Doesn’t Convert
You know it’s bad when my mom looks up from the hot wings and says, “That looks like bad AI.” I am not anti-AI. You know that. But the Super Bowl ad breaks were a masterclass in what happens when tech bros confuse capability with taste. Crypto cosplay. Generated visuals with zero soul. Just because you can crank something out at scale does not mean it lands. Craft still wins. Always.
🔗 Here’s why the ads flopped
🎭 The Streaming Wars Just Got Petty
Paramount is still circling Warner Bros. like a raccoon in a trash can, and the political undertones are not subtle. Media consolidation is not some boring corporate subplot. It shapes what gets amplified and what gets buried. Meanwhile, Netflix keeps holding the line. Account-sharing crackdowns aside, they have resisted pressure in ways other institutions have not. And from a business perspective… you wouldn’t let your customers share one login across a frat house either. Ownership matters. Distribution matters. Power matters.
🔗 Follow the media power plays
🎙️ February Intensive: 30-Second Ads That Pay
Thirty seconds is enough to generate revenue.
It’s also enough to sound stiff, awkward, or overly salesy if you haven’t trained the skill.
On February 25th at 2pm Pacific (5pm Eastern), I’m teaching a 2-hour focused live intensive on one core revenue muscle: writing and delivering 30-second ad spots that hold attention, feel natural, and convert.
This includes promos for your own show, cross-promotions with other creators, and host-read ads for paying sponsors. If you plan to monetize your podcast or channel, this is not optional training. It’s foundational.
By the end of the session, you will have:
• A repeatable 30-second ad framework
• At least one written ad draft
• Guidance on how to read it so it sounds like you
• A simple editing checklist you can reuse
• Clear next steps for monetization conversations
This is practice, not theory. Each participant will deliver at least one live read of their ad in the group workshop, so come prepared to be on camera and on the mic.
If you’ve avoided ads because you don’t want to sound weird or transactional, this is where that changes. If you’ve been undercharging because you don’t know how to structure value in a short read, this is where that shifts.
Investment: $197
Live session plus replay access included.
One important note: this workshop is included for all Creator Economy Dojo members. If you plan to attend multiple intensives this year or want ongoing structure around promotion and monetization, the Dojo may be the better move. If you simply want this focused skill training, you can grab your seat here:
🤝 Networking Without the Name Tags From Hell
We are officially hosting our very first Awkward Handshake networking party, and yes… it’s structured on purpose.
Friday, February 27th
5:30pm to 7:30pm
Dovetail Cellars
404 E Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver, WA
This is not a business card roulette situation. It is a casual but guided evening for people who want better conversations and more human connection. We will keep the format tight and run on time. Two hours. No chaos. No wandering aimlessly while pretending to check your phone.
Your hosts are Mary Williams (Sasquatch Media Grounds and Sensible Woo) and Megan Eckman (Fat Cap and PDX Spellbound). We care deeply about the rooms we build. That means curated energy, intentional structure, and enough spaciousness for real dialogue.
There will be light bites. You can purchase Dovetail’s excellent wine. You will leave knowing at least one person better than when you walked in.
One past attendee said it best:
“This is a collection of like-minded folks brought together with the purpose of connection. It’s curated and intentional. Make sure to have a deep conversation with someone. They want to have one with you.”
We are capping this under 50 people to protect the vibe. If you’re even thinking about it, RSVP. These rooms fill because people are hungry for substance.
Come practice connection like it matters. Because it does.
At the time of this email send, we're a little over 50% full. If you catch this announcement later and the form doesn't work, it means we hit capacity.
🧪 Strategic Clarity > Waiting for a Sign
This week’s reading is not here to hold your hand.
The Magician showed up first and said, “You already have the tools.” No more hiding behind needing better gear, another certification, or someone else’s permission. The ingredients are in your kitchen. The question is whether you’re willing to run the experiment.
Then the King of Cups stepped in and confirmed something big: you built the capacity in 2025. You can hold complexity now. Which means perfectionism doesn’t get to babysit you anymore.
And at the top of the pyramid? The King of Swords. Strategic clarity. Pattern recognition. Data collected. Decision made. This is not a “wait for a sign” week. It’s a “use your brain and move” week.
I dropped a short excerpt on YouTube so you can feel the shift for yourself. Tap to hear this week's excerpt ⤵️
Want the whole thing?
Let's Hang Out
I have exciting news! I'm officially booked to speak on stage at Podcast Movement Evolutions @ SXSW. I'll be speaking on March 15th at Skybox on 6th. Priority is given to badge holders for SXSW but you can request admission through Podcast Movement for access. I'll have an interest form soon, so I can coordinate an IRL meetup for those of you headed to the ATX.
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Participate + Join In
I’m casting guests for Season 3 of the School of Moxie podcast (airing summer 2026), and this season is reserved for entrepreneurs who are financially self-responsible through their business. Each guest brings a comfort show or movie, which we’ll use to unpack values, decision-making, and the true foundation of your business. If that’s you, apply here.
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