In this episode, I’m joined by Kathy Rodriguez of Coaching with Kathy for a powerful conversation about self-love, transitions, and releasing the expectations we place on ourselves.

We talk about what it really means to meet yourself where you are — not where you think you “should” be — and how letting go of those internal pressures can create space for growth, clarity, and compassion.

Whether you’re navigating a big life shift, feeling stuck in the in-between, or simply trying to be a little kinder to yourself, this episode is your reminder to stop “should-ing” all over yourself and start honoring your own journey.

In this episode of the Market Maven podcast, host Sarah Dylan Jensen welcomes Nikki, the owner of Nikkster Tech, to discuss the importance of effective website strategies for small businesses. Nikki shares her journey from being a park ranger to a tech expert, emphasizing her mission to help small business owners enhance their online presence without breaking the bank. She highlights the significance of small, impactful changes that can lead to substantial improvements in a business's online performance, particularly for those operating on tight budgets.

Learn more about Nikkster Tech services and keep in touch with Nikki here:

Website: https://nikkster.tech
Instagram: https://instagram.com/nikkster.tech
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nikkstertech
Freebies and mini-courses: https://nikkster.tech/resources/
Book your website audit: https://nikkster.tech/services/audits/

2026 is starting differently.

For the first time in years, I’m managing only one farmers market. My mom is still in cancer treatment. The world feels heavier — violence, political uncertainty, economic stress, and historic flooding here in Snohomish County have all collided.

And yet, the market continues.

In this episode, I reflect on the lessons of 2025 — not as a neat recap, but as a reckoning. We talk about stewardship versus caregiving, why boundaries are essential to sustainable leadership, how markets serve as stabilizing forces in unstable times, and what it takes to keep community-centered work alive when everything feels complicated.

This is the foundation for the 2026 season of The Market Maven — honest, grounded, and deeply human.

Running a farmers market isn’t just about booths and permits.

It’s about holding space — for farmers, for small businesses, for community — especially when the world feels unstable.

I’m Sarah Dylan Jensen, and this is Season 4 of The Market Maven Podcast.

As the tents come down and the holiday season ramps up, Sarah shares an honest look at what life feels like between market seasons — that in-between space of reflection, renewal, and recalibration.

In this short and heartfelt update, she talks about what’s ahead for The Market Maven, how she’s navigating her own season of change, and why it’s more important than ever to stay connected to community and shop small this holiday season.

Whether you’re a maker, a market manager, or someone just trying to stay grounded in a busy world — this one’s a reminder to pause, reflect, and root yourself where you are.

In this follow-up to SNAP Judgements, I return to the mic to unpack what the looming end of SNAP funding means for real people, local farmers, and the small businesses that make up the heart of our communities.

As of November 1st, billions in food assistance are set to vanish — leaving millions of Americans wondering how they’ll put food on the table. But the impact doesn’t stop there. From farmers markets and small shops to schools and local economies, I break down how the ripple effect of this funding loss will be felt far and wide.

It’s a candid, compassionate look at hunger, dignity, and the role local markets play in keeping communities fed — and hopeful — even in times of crisis.

In this "part deux" episode, Sarah Dylan Jensen delves further into her experiences running the Lake Stevens Farmers Market, highlighting the financial burdens placed on her by the city, the challenges of managing the market amidst city construction, and the contrasting support given to other community events like Aquafest. She expresses frustration over the lack of equitable treatment for the market, the dynamics of social media in community discussions, and her reflections on the future of the market amidst ongoing challenges.

In this tell-all episode, Sarah Dylan Jensen shares the highs, lows, and oh no she didn’t moments of the Lake Stevens Farmers Market that had it all — drama, heart, community, and a few mic-drop exits. It’s funny, it’s honest, and it’s everything you didn’t know you needed to hear about what goes into making a market begin and end.

So grab your coffee (or tea… you’ll need it) and get ready — this is The Life of a Market Maven.

Markets, Mayhem, and Moving Forward 🎙️

It’s been a whirlwind few months — from funding cuts to political shakeups and even saying goodbye to the Lake Stevens Market. In this new episode of The Market Maven, I’m sharing what’s really been happening behind the scenes… and where we go from here. 🌱

In this short solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain a bit to talk about the work that happens behind the scenes at farmers markets — the kind of work most people never see, but that keeps everything running.

I share a recent conversation with someone from the UK who reached out for guidance as she begins her own market journey, and I open up about the tough decision to step away from the Lake Stevens Farmers Market after years of asking for help that never really came.

This episode is honest, a little raw, and a reminder that even the magic takes muscle. If you’ve ever been the one holding it all together, I hope this speaks to you.