On Your Terms®

Grief isn’t something most of us plan for when we map out our businesses, but it will change you, and by default, your business too.

In this episode, I open up about losing both of my parents within a year and the ripple effects grief had on me as a CEO, business owner, and human. I’m not sugarcoating it—grief is messy, unpredictable, and permanent. But I also share how I navigated those darker seasons, how I adjusted my business when I had no capacity for “growth mode,” and what it looks like to run a business alongside grief today.

Whether you’re in the thick of anticipatory grief, have lost someone, or simply want to understand how grief impacts entrepreneurs, I hope this episode helps you feel less alone.

In this episode, you'll hear…

1. Why anticipatory grief can feel invisible and misunderstood
2. The way grief changed my identity—and how that shows up in my business
3. How I made decisions in my business when I had zero bandwidth
4. The role of steadiness (not hustle) in navigating tough seasons
5. Why grief doesn’t go away, but how I’ve learned to live and work with it

Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.

RESOURCES:

1. Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s Sidebar
2. Ep 254: The NEW Way To Structure Your Workday for Better Content
3. Moving On Doesn't Mean Letting Go by Gina Moffa
4. The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaoud
5. Get $25 off Cometeer Coffee [affiliate link]
6. Click here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!

CONNECT:

1. Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's Sidebar
2. Follow Sam on Instagram
3. Follow Sam on YouTube
4. Subscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond Business
5. Take Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"

DISCLAIMER

Can you actually build a successful online business and keep your personal life private? Spoiler: yes, you can and you don’t have to feel like you’re choosing between being safe and being successful.

I know what it’s like to wonder if sharing that story, posting that photo, or writing that email is too much. Over the last eight years of building my multi–seven-figure business, I’ve had to learn the hard way how important it is to protect my privacy online—not just for safety, but for sanity too.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the six exact steps I take to keep my personal details safe while still showing up authentically for my community. If you’ve ever worried about oversharing online, creepy comments, or what info people can access about you, this one’s for you

In this episode, you’ll hear…

• Why protecting your privacy matters even if you’re just starting out
• The 6 steps I use to stay safe while running a public online business
• Simple swaps you can make today (like updating your email footer address)
• Best practices for posting on social without feeling like you’re hiding
• Why “anonymity” online isn’t real—and what to focus on instead
• How to set healthy boundaries with your audience

Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.

RESOURCES:

• How To Turn Your Instagram Location On or Off
• 👩🏻‍💻 REGISTER FOR MY FREE LIVE LEGAL CLASS --> https://www.samvanderwielen.com/live-legal-workshop
• Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s Sidebar
• Kit - what I use to build my email list, send emails to my list, and create opt-in forms & pages (affiliate link)
• Click here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!

CONNECT:

• Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's Sidebar
• Follow Sam on Instagram
• Follow Sam on YouTube
• Subscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond Business
• Take Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"

DISCLAIMER

Have you ever caught yourself stuck in “plan to plan” mode? You know, where you’re endlessly researching, collecting info, or waiting for the perfect time to finally start that new project, pivot your business, or chase down that dream idea?

If so, this episode is for you.

I’m sharing why waiting for that “right time” is usually just procrastination in disguise, how my own big life pivots were shaped by unexpected challenges, and why the “first pancake” approach is the best way to finally move forward. Whether it’s watercolor painting, launching a program, or simply sending the dang email, it’s time to stop overthinking and just start.

In this episode, you’ll hear…

1. Why waiting for the “perfect moment” keeps you stuck longer than you think
2. The real dangers of endlessly gathering info (hello, overwhelm!)
3. How to build your business confidence without outsourcing your gut instinct
4. Why conflicting advice online is a recipe for paralysis
5. The “first pancake” method to get moving even when you don’t feel ready
6. A personal story of how I finally stopped waiting and took action

Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.

RESOURCES:

1. Get Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"
2. Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s Sidebar
3. Click here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!

CONNECT:

1. Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's Sidebar
2. Follow Sam on Instagram
3. Follow Sam on YouTube
4. Subscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond Business
5. Take Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"

DISCLAIMER

Ever start your workday with the best intentions to finally record that video, write that email, or publish that podcast episode… only to look up at 3 p.m. and realize you’ve been buried in other people’s priorities all day?

Yeah, me too.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on a simple (but mighty) shift I’ve made to my workday that’s helped me stop starting in reactive mode and start creating my best content before the world gets to me first.

We’ll talk about why “eat the frog” might actually be keeping you stuck, how to protect your creativity from getting hijacked, and a practical way to organize your mornings so you actually finish what matters most.

In this episode, you’ll hear…

1. Why the classic “eat the frog” productivity advice might not serve you anymore
2. The sneaky way starting with other people’s priorities puts you in reactive mode
3. How morning creativity works (and why scrolling first can sabotage it)
4. My new, super simple workday structure for better, more consistent content
5. A peek at what’s coming next on the podcast

Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.

RESOURCES:

1. Check out Sam's podcast catalog

CONNECT:

1. Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's Sidebar
2. Follow Sam on Instagram
3. Follow Sam on YouTube
4. Subscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond Business
5. Take Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"

DISCLAIMER

This week, I sat down with video marketing coach and content strategist Natasha Pierre to talk about the REAL reason your content isn’t converting into email list growth (or sales)—and how to fix it using her signature strategy: content series.

We’re breaking down the binge-worthy magic behind creating a content series (like your very own Netflix show), why one-off posts don’t cut it anymore, and how to build content that actually works to grow your audience and your revenue. This episode is all about giving structure to your content and making your visibility efforts way more effective.

Whether you’re building from scratch or want to turn views into opt-ins, this conversation will have your wheels turning.

In this episode, you’ll hear…

1. Why your current content might be holding your list growth back
2. What a “content series” is (and how to make your own)
3. The three must-have ingredients of a high-converting series
4. Real examples of bingeable content that builds authority and drives leads
5. How to align your content with your business goals (instead of random posting)
6. The sneaky mindset shift that can help your content finally stick

Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.

RESOURCES:

1. Follow Natasha on Instagram and check out The Shine Online Podcast
2. Natasha's DIY Your Signature Video Series Workshop - learn step-by-step how to create an engaging signature series on any platform including examples and client case studies
3. Check out Natasha's YouTube Videos: Instagram Carousels Aren’t Dead (You’re Just Using Them Wrong) and My 2025 Instagram Stories Strategy: What I Stopped Doing + What's Working Now
4. Listen to Episode 36: How to Grow Your Business on Instagram [ft. Video Marketing Coach, Natasha Samuel]
5. Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s Sidebar
6. Check out Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy: A Practical. No-BS Guide To Successful Entrepreneurship"
7. Click here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!

CONNECT:

1. Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's Sidebar
2. Follow Sam on Instagram
3. Follow Sam on YouTube
4. Subscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond Business
5. Take Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"

DISCLAIMER

Funnels. The word alone can make your eyes glaze over or send you running for the hills. But what if I told you building a funnel doesn’t have to be overwhelming, expensive, or tech-y?

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Katelyn Collins, funnel copywriter and strategist. Katelyn's helped me fine-tune my own funnels and turn them into sales machines. In this episode, she’s pulling back the curtain on how you can do it too.

Whether you're just getting started or you're tired of hearing “you need a funnel” without any clear next steps, this is the episode for you. Katelyn simplifies everything and gives you a no-fluff, no-gimmick roadmap to creating a funnel that works on your terms.

In this episode, you’ll hear…

1. The real definition of a funnel and why it’s not what you think
2. The easiest way to build a funnel (even if you’re not “techy”)
3. Why webinars aren’t the only option and what works just as well
4. The difference between funnels for services vs. digital products
5. What to include in your funnel so people actually convert
6. When to tweak your funnel—and when to let it do its thing
7. The mindset shift that changed everything for me

Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.

RESOURCES:

1. Grab your guide for How To Start Copywriting and watch Katelyn's free workshop
2. Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s Sidebar
3. Check out Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy: A Practical. No-BS Guide To Successful Entrepreneurship"
4. Click here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!

CONNECT:

1. Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's Sidebar
2. Follow Sam on Instagram
3. Follow Sam on YouTube
4. Subscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond Business
5. Take Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"

DISCLAIMER

What if you didn’t have to show up on social media every day to grow your business?

If you’ve ever felt exhausted by the algorithm or like posting content is just one more thing on your to-do list (and not even a fun one), this episode is your permission slip to rethink your strategy.

In this episode, I sat down with Amelia Hruby — feminist writer, podcaster, producer, and founder of Softer Sounds podcast studio — to unpack what it really looks like to build a sustainable, profitable business off social media.

We talked about what happens when you stop relying on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, the emotional rollercoaster that can come with leaving, and the real-life marketing strategies Amelia uses to grow without a single post or Reel.

Spoiler: you don’t have to quit cold turkey, and no, your business won’t wither away if you take a break from posting.

In this episode, you’ll hear…

1. Why social media isn’t the magic client magnet you’ve been led to believe it is
2. How to create an off-ramp that gently transitions your audience off social
3. The 3 biggest mistakes people make when leaving social media (and how to avoid them)
4. What to replace your social media presence with so your business can keep growing
5. The surprising emotional toll of quitting social and what to expect

Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.

RESOURCES:

1. Get Amelia's Leaving Social Media Toolkit
2. Listen to Amelia’s podcast, Off the Grid
3. Check out Amelia's Substack
4. Check out Softer Sounds
5. Listen to Sam's episode of Off The Grid
6. Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s Sidebar
7. Check out Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy: A Practical. No-BS Guide To Successful Entrepreneurship"
8. Click here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!

CONNECT:

1. Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's Sidebar
2. Follow Sam on Instagram
3. Follow Sam on YouTube
4. Subscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond Business
5. Take Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"

DISCLAIMER

Ever wonder if your podcast is actually doing anything for your business… or if it’s just another thing on your plate? Whether you’re podcasting already or still dreaming about launching, this episode is for you.

In this special 250th episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I built a podcast that’s lasted four years, what I’ve learned, and how my approach is shifting. I’m not some podcasting guru—I’m an online business owner who figured out how to make podcasting actually work for me.

So if you’re feeling like your show is more effort than outcome—or you’re podcast-curious but overwhelmed—this episode will help you cut through the noise and find your own rhythm.

In this episode, you’ll hear…

1. Why I waited four years into business to start my podcast (and why that was the perfect timing)
2. What I thought podcasting would do for my business—and what actually happened
3. The surprising role podcasting plays in nurturing and converting my audience
4. How I’ve kept podcasting consistent for 250 episodes—without losing my mind
5. The tools and tech I use to keep podcasting sustainable
6. My new “YouTube-first” strategy and what’s changing next

Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.

RESOURCES:

1. Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s Sidebar
2. Listen to Episode 247: Craft + Commerce Recap: What I Heard In The Hallways (Not on Stage)
3. Listen to Episode 248: How To Write Emails People Actually Want To Read
4. Listen to Sam's episode of Off The Grid
5. Check out Sam's YouTube Channel and watch Start Your Online Business Legally in 3 Days (+ free legal guide)
6. Sam's Tech Gear: Shure MV7 Mic (affiliate link), Ring Light (affiliate link), & DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo
7. Click here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!

CONNECT:

1. Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's Sidebar
2. Follow Sam on Instagram
3. Follow Sam on YouTube
4. Subscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond Business
5. Take Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"

DISCLAIMER

What happens when your business no longer matches who you’ve become?

This is a raw, behind-the-scenes episode where I’m sharing what it feels like to run a successful business while outgrowing the version of myself who built it. There’s no “5-step plan” here—just real talk about what happens when the inside stuff starts shifting and the outside needs to catch up.

I’m bringing you along as I grieve, evolve, and slowly rebuild what business—and life—look like from here.

If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t know who I am in my business anymore,” you are not alone. And this one’s for you.

In this episode, you’ll hear…

1. Why comfort can actually feel uncomfortable in business
2. How grief and healing have shaped my entrepreneurial path
3. What I’m letting go of and what I’m exploring (without needing a “plan”)
4. Why I’m finally creating outside of performance metrics
5. What it means to build a business that evolves with you
6. 4 takeaways to help you through your own pivot or personal growth season

Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.

RESOURCES:

1. Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s Sidebar
2. Listen to Episode 247: Craft + Commerce Recap: What I Heard In The Hallways (Not on Stage)
3. Get Sam's Book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"
4. Click here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!

CONNECT:

1. Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's Sidebar
2. Follow Sam on Instagram
3. Follow Sam on YouTube
4. Subscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond Business
5. Take Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"

DISCLAIMER

Are you staring at the blinking cursor, wondering what the heck to write in your weekly email? You’re not alone. This week, I’m joined by the email whisperer herself—Tarzan Kay—to finally take the mystery out of email marketing for online business owners.

We’re talking about what actually builds an email list in 2025 and how to write weekly emails that are fun to read and get people to click “buy now.” Tarzan isn’t just one of my favorite copywriters—she’s been dismantling the bro marketing empire and rebuilding something more real and inclusive.

Whether you’re writing to a list of 20 or 20,000, this episode is going to help you build momentum, sell with integrity, and feel a whole lot better about email marketing.

In this episode, you’ll hear…

1. Why a tiny email list can actually be more powerful than a massive one
2. The key mindset shifts to stop dreading your weekly newsletter
3. How to write emails that sound like YOU (and get replies!)
4. What to focus on if your list feels like a ghost town right now
5. Tarzan’s hot take on social media vs. email—and where she’s doubling down

Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.

RESOURCES:

1. Tarzan Kay’s The Welcome Sequence Copy Kit
2. Tarzan's template for writing a landing page for your email list
3. Tarzan's doc for keeping her ideas and the “cutting room floor”
4. Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s Sidebar
5. Click here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!

CONNECT:

1. Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's Sidebar
2. Follow Sam on Instagram
3. Follow Sam on YouTube
4. Subscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond Business
5. Take Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business"

DISCLAIMER