In a world that often demands we carry our burdens in isolation, where do we go when the weight becomes too heavy?

In this powerful episode of The Mind of Sai Marie, I am honored to welcome back international best-selling author and mentoring pioneer, Doug Lawrence. Doug recently made history as the only mentor in the world to be awarded the prestigious Fellow – Certificate of Practice: Journey Mentor by the International Mentoring Community.

Together, we unpack the raw, quiet reality of grief, emotional healing, and mental health advocacy. Doug pulls back the curtain on his book You Are Not Alone, discussing how structured, empathetic mentorship can alter the trajectory of a life and why creating safe spaces isn’t just an idea—it’s a lifeline.

Tune in to hear how we can reclaim our strength, hold space for one another, and navigate life’s most challenging journeys with dignity and support. Listen to the full episode above, and don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe!

Connect with Doug Lawrence & Explore His Work

Ready to dive deeper into Doug’s life-changing insights and mentorship frameworks?

* Visit his official website: Explore his programs, consulting, and global initiatives at Doug Lawrence’s Website

* Get his book: Order your copy of You Are Not Alone and his other essential titles to start your journey toward healing and authentic connection.

Sai’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Behind every breakout book, every bestseller list, and every author who breaks through the noise, there is often a dedicated advocate fighting for their story.

In today’s episode of The Mind of Sai Marie, Sai is joined by Mickey Mikkelson, the visionary founder of Creative Edge Publicity.

Mickey began his journey in the book industry in 2006, managing special events for Chapters/Indigo, Canada’s largest bookstore chain. A decade later, he launched Creative Edge Publicity—an aggressive, author-centric firm dedicated to championing both traditional and independent storytellers.

Today, Mickey represents some of the industry’s top talents, including award-winning, New York Times, and USA Today bestselling authors.

Whether you’re an author looking to navigate the publishing landscape, a reader curious about what goes on behind the scenes, or a creative building your own path, this episode is a masterclass in staying true to your voice while making sure it gets heard.

Want to learn more about Mickey Mikkelson’s work and how Creative Edge Publicity helps authors break through the noise?

👉 Visit Creative Edge Publicity

Enjoying the show? Be sure to like, share, and subscribe to stay tuned for future episodes and behind-the-scenes insights!

Sai’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

When an elder passes, they leave behind memories—and sometimes, a wall of generational secrets. In this raw and unfiltered episode of The Mind of Sai Marie, Sai digs deep into what happens when family members burn the paper trails, rewrite biological lineages, and rely on made-up double-speak like “blood by marriage” to avoid facing hard facts.

From mid-century shame, illegal abortions, and unwed motherhood to the subtle ways whitewashing and colonial respectability politics erase Indigenous identity, Sai breaks down why cycle-breakers must stand firm as truth-tellers.

If you’ve ever been branded the “problem child” for refusing to play along with long-held family lies, this episode is your reminder: the truth doesn’t need anyone’s permission to exist.

Sai’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

When crisis hits and boundaries are set, performative allies and fake friends reveal their true depth by running away.

In this episode, we break down how the block, delete, and flee response mirrors defensive culture, like not all men, the double burden of healing in silence, and why actions will always speak louder than empty words of support.

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Hosted by Sai Marie Johnson, this Substack digs into the stuff people are too polite or too cowardly to say out loud.

From unpacking the red flags of toxic men and main character syndrome to calling out passive enablers and systemic injustice, we clear out the noise and hold the line.

No fluff, no excuses, and zero tolerance for disrespect.

Sai’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

From Hollywood cult tactics to the trash-ass behavior of men on live streams, the blueprint of male entitlement is the same—it’s just a matter of scale.

In this episode of The Mind of Sai Marie, we dissect the high-profile allegations surrounding Jared Leto, his Echelon fanbase, and the mechanics of cult-like manipulation—from performative messiah imagery and manufactured isolation to weaponized NDAs. Then, we bring it straight back down to reality: analyzing a real-time micro-interaction on a live stream where a taken man attempted to inspect a single woman’s profile while hiding behind the nice guy facade.

We’re breaking down the power dynamics of spiritual conditioning, calling out the erosion of daily boundaries, and setting the standard for what true gentlemanly conduct actually looks like.

Sit down and listen—it’s time to hold the line.

Basic human grace and the social contract didn't just fade—they were deliberately traded for a shock economy where disrespect is sport and sadism gets applause.

Here is a quick breakdown of why cruelty became the modern baseline, and why keeping your empathy intact is an act of resistance.

Thanks for reading Sai’s Newsletter! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Welcome to a space where cold, ticking machinery meets the whispering secrets of the ancient earth.

In this episode of The Mind of Sai Marie, Sai sits down with enchanting fantasy author Debbie Bishop to dissect the stunning, dark industrial world of her newly released novel, Pillywiggin Awakening.

If you have ever felt like a mere cog in a massive machine, running on autopilot while losing your sense of childlike wonder, this conversation is your wake-up call.

Together, they dive deep into folklore, the philosophy of quiet resilience, and what happens when the green, wild spirit of nature forces its way through the heavy iron gears of a modern, rigid society.

It’s time to stop sleepwalking, unplug from the daily grind, and step through the doorway of belief.

Ready to shatter the clockwork and wake up the magic?

Don’t let your soul get lost in the grind. Grab your copy of Pillywiggin Awakening by Debbie Bishop now, launching today, Friday, July 17th, and discover the untamed beauty waiting to be reclaimed!

Order Pillywiggin Awakening Now

Sai’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

At a time when modern life can feel like a passenger seat of endless uncertainty and division, how do we take back the reins?

In this episode of The Mind of Sai Marie, I sit down with GRAMMY®-nominated singer-songwriter, author, and transformational leader Glenda Benevides.

Together, we deconstruct the cozy, dangerous trap of modern complacency and discuss her powerful new anthem, “I Ride”—a defiant, soul-stirring call to action that reminds us that true freedom is forged in our daily choices.

We talk about the launch of her global Rider Movement, the courage it takes to live with unwavering integrity, and how to stay aligned with your true, inspired purpose in a fracturing world.

🐎 Get the Anthem and Join the Movement

Don’t just listen to the conversation—bring the fire of this anthem into your daily walk. You can purchase and download “I Ride” directly from Glenda’s Bandcamp to support her mission and keep your own momentum moving forward.

👉 Purchase and Download “I Ride” on Bandcamp

👉 Explore More Music, Books & Merch at Glenda’s Store

Sai’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

What does it take to rebuild your foundation when everything you know has been stripped away?

In this episode of The Mind of Sai Marie, we are stepping into a world of brass gears, steam-powered rebellion, and fierce, uncompromising autonomy. Joining the studio is Edmonton best-selling multi-genre author and writing community advocate, Mandy Eve-Barnett, to discuss her critically acclaimed steampunk novel, The Commodore’s Gift.

Together, we unpack the journey of her strategist-and-swordsman protagonist, Owena, as she escapes captivity and joins a flawed rebel encampment to fight the formidable Buldrick Empire.

Mandy shares how she uses the rigid structures of the Victorian era to mirror the modern constraints we all face, how she crafts a romance built on absolute equality, and how she maintains her creative drive across eleven published books.

Whether you’re a fan of high-stakes speculative fiction or a creator looking to balance your own multi-genre output, this conversation is an invitation to question the empires in your own life and start carving your own path.

👉 Purchase The Commodore’s Gift on Amazon