Just What I Needed with Monica Adalsteinsson

In this episode of Just What I Needed, we dive into the role of AI in creative industries. Is AI a powerful tool for efficiency, or is it replacing the soul of authentic artistry? From AI-generated videos with fake humans to mass-produced "handmade" goods at local markets, we're unpacking what it means to stay in integrity with your brand, values, and creative process. If you're a creative entrepreneur, small business owner, or content creator, this is the conversation you need to hear about ethical AI use, branding authenticity, and the future of creative work.

Ever had anxiety crash your client call like an unexpected storm? In this raw and honest episode, I share what it felt like when anxiety showed up in the middle of a session planning call, what helped me get through it, and how I’m adapting my routines to support my mental health. From pre-call rituals to sour candy hacks, it’s a behind-the-scenes look at staying professional—even when your hands are shaking. If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not alone.

Here are some of the strategies and tools I used, or that were recommended to me, when anxiety showed up mid-call:

My Go-To Tools:

• A fully written, color-coded call script with talking points and cues
• Pre-call rituals like power poses and affirmations
• Keeping a small stuffed animal or stim toy nearby
• Writing affirmations like “I am safe” or “I am good at this” before the call
• Having a tiny piece of sour candy ready (yes, really, more on that below)

Suggestions from the Community (via TikTok and DMs):

• Fidget toys or stress balls within reach
• A calming scent nearby, like lavender essential oil
• Sipping water or keeping a cold drink or ice at your desk
• Asking the client for a short pause or rescheduling if needed
• Popping a Warhead candy to snap out of a spiral (surprisingly effective)

These tools are not about fixing anxiety, but about giving yourself anchors when things feel overwhelming.

If you try any of these, let me know what works for you or share your own favorite grounding tools!

What if one simple change could make your website work 27 times harder for you?

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I used ConvertBox to turn a passive website into a lead-generating machine—even while I was offline and recovering. With interactive, intelligent pop-ups that feel more like a friendly concierge than a sales pitch, my email list exploded—growing 27x faster than before.

Inside, you’ll learn:

• The real numbers that shocked me (from 11 sign-ups in 2 years to 25 in 2 months!)
• Creative pop-up strategies for service providers, coaches, online shops, and more
• How to integrate ConvertBox with ANY email platform—even if yours isn’t listed
• Why ConvertBox is the quiet MVP of my business systems

Whether you’re starting from scratch or ready to scale your list, this is a game-changer you don’t want to miss.

Links:

Our Convertbox course + templates

Convertbox affiliate link (when you purchase using our link, send us the receipt and we'll add you to our course!)

What do you do when your body feels like it’s falling apart—and you still have a business to run? In this honest, unfiltered episode, I’m sharing what it’s really been like navigating chronic illness, perimenopause, and burnout—all at once. From surprise period moments (hello, denim disaster) to mysterious symptoms and spirals about money, this episode is for anyone who's ever felt like their body was betraying them. I’m talking symptoms, coping strategies, and the daily affirmations that help me find my way back to myself.

🔁 If you’ve felt unseen, tired, or just “off”—you’re not alone. And you’re doing better than you think.

Ever stare at your screen, knowing what you want to say... but totally blank on how to say it? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing how AI (specifically ChatGPT) has become my go-to assistant during seasons of burnout and brain fog. I’ll walk you through how I built a custom AI prompt that knows my brand inside and out—and how you can do the same. From writing empathetic emails to saving time on social captions, this tool has helped me reconnect with my voice, even when I’m running on empty.

✨ You’ll learn:

• Why skill regression during burnout is so real (and normal!)
• How ChatGPT became my assistant
• Tips for crafting a “concierge” prompt tailored to your biz
• Creative ways to use AI when your brain just won’t brain

Ever feel like traditional business structures just don’t work for you? You’re not alone! In this episode, I’m sharing how I’ve built a business that actually supports my AUDHD brain—without burnout, back-to-back meetings, or overwhelming schedules. I’ll walk you through my personal accommodations, including why I only schedule two consult calls a day, how I manage sensory overload, and what happened when I tried to push past my limits. Plus, I’ll give you actionable strategies to create a work-life flow that fits your brain. Ready to make your business work for you?

Most businesses weren’t built with neurodivergent people in mind—and for a long time, I just accepted that as the norm. But when I started my own business, I realized something powerful: I have the ability to create a space that actually works for me and for others who think and process the world differently. And guess what? So do you.

In this episode, we’re diving into simple, actionable ways to make your business more accessible, from website design tweaks to intake form questions that signal inclusion. Plus, I’m busting the myth that accessibility takes away from professionalism (spoiler: it actually enhances it).

✨ What you’ll learn:
✔️ How small website changes—like diverse content formats—can improve client experience
✔️ Why asking about accessibility needs should be standard (and how to do it)
✔️ A simple checklist to start making your business more inclusive today

Challenge for you: Pick one accessibility change from this episode and implement it! Then, share your thoughts with me on Instagram @monicaadalsteinsson. Let’s make business better—together.

🎧 Tune in now! And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss next week’s episode: "How Can You Accommodate Yourself?"—because accessibility isn’t just for clients, it’s for you too.

Ever feel like your to-do list is personally attacking you? Or that your brain is running a marathon of overthinking? Same. But what if video games—yes, video games—were the secret weapon to help you regulate, refocus, and reset? In this episode, we dive into the surprising science behind how short, intentional gaming breaks can boost productivity and mental clarity. From calming open-world adventures to brain-boosting puzzle games, we’ll explore how to use gaming as a tool (not a distraction) to make your workday smoother. Ready to play? Let’s press start. 🎮

Our current favorite games:

• It Takes Two
• Animal Crossing New Horizon
• A Short Hike
• Alba
• Disney Dream Valley
• Unpacking

Tired of sending out inquiry emails and hearing… nothing? I get it. I used to spend hours writing custom emails for every single inquiry, only to end up ghosted. It was exhausting and frustrating—until I discovered a tech-savvy way to automate my process and get potential clients on the phone with ease. Spoiler: I now have a 96.61% success rate for getting inquiries on a zoom chat!

In this episode, I’ll share:

• What I used to do (and why it wasn’t working).
• How I use tools like Honeybook to automate my inquiry process and save hours every week.
• My step-by-step system, from automated welcome emails to redirect pages that guide clients effortlessly through the process.
• Why this approach works so well—and how it filters out non-ideal clients while keeping the perfect ones engaged.
• How you can start implementing these tools in your own business, even if you’re new to automation.

If you’re ready to say goodbye to ghosting and hello to a seamless inquiry system, this episode is for you. Let’s simplify your process and start booking dream clients!

🎧 Let me know if this episode inspires you to make changes—I’d love to hear about your success!

Have you ever felt that wave of anxiety right before starting something important? I used to think it was just part of the process—something I had to push through. But then I stumbled upon a game-changing idea in Martha Beck's book Beyond Anxiety, and it completely reframed how I handle those nerve-wracking moments.

In this episode, I’ll dive into:

• My old belief about anxiety and why it wasn’t helping.
• The eye-opening idea from Martha Beck: how creativity can dissolve anxiety.
• Why this shift is so powerful and how it can work for you too.
• Practical strategies to tap into creativity when anxiety strikes.

Whether you’re prepping for a big project, stepping into a new challenge, or just feeling stuck, this episode will give you the tools to choose creativity over fear. Let’s explore how this mindset shift can transform your approach to any anxiety-inducing moment!

🎧 I’d love to hear how this resonates with you—let me know if you try it out!