Howdy Reader! AI is everywhere right now. And strangely enough, instead of making content better, a lot of it feels more polished, more automated, and honestly… more forgettable. That’s why this week on Creator News Live, I’m having a conversation I think a lot of creators need right now. I’m joined by Paul Gowder, who’s been building online communities for over 25 years, long before algorithms, feeds, and automation were part of the plan. We’re talking about: Why audiences are craving more...
9 days ago • 1 min read
Howdy Reader! A couple of emails ago, I shared a concept from Natalie Nixon that hit me right between the eyes: Impact over Output. I love creating, and I’m all for smart systems and repurposing, but cranking out more, more, more can lead straight to burnout. So I’m taking it a step further: Impact over Income. Money matters. Bills exist. But too often, I’ve let revenue potential dictate my goals. The forehead-slap realization? If I focus on helping people and genuinely moving the needle for...
11 days ago • 1 min read
Howdy Reader! Ever feel like “creator income” sounds like “champagne wishes and caviar dreams”? (Extra credit if you reply with the show that was from) Yeah. Me too. So let’s cut the fluff and talk real revenue, not hype, not “maybe money.” It’s exactly what we’re exploring on Creator News Live today with someone who’s been in the trenches: Billy Thorpe. He’s landed thousands of brand deals and worked with hundreds of e‑commerce sellers, so he knows what actually pays when ads and affiliates...
16 days ago • 1 min read
Howdy Reader! The joys of live streaming, right? Sometimes the wheels come off. Streams crash. Tech melts down. Guests lose their voice, and unfortunately, there is no show today. Fridays are usually one of my favorite parts of the week because I get to spend them with you, but today I am sitting here in the middle of December feeling like I am making a list and checking it twice with nothing to show for it. When I can't go live, it feels like an open loop in my head that I can’t close, and...
30 days ago • 3 min read
Howdy Reader! Quick question… have you opened Canva lately and thought, “Wow, this is a lot”? Between new tools, new buttons, and new features arriving every other week, even seasoned creators are feeling the pressure to keep up. And if you’re running your business, making content, and trying to stay consistent online, design can easily chew up more time than you planned. That’s why I’m excited about this week’s Creator News Live. I’m bringing on Maliha Khan, a designer and strategist who’s...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Howdy Reader! This is one of my favorite times of the year. Not just because of all the wonderful food (looking at you, pecan pie) but also because of the Christmas music. How early do you start listening? As soon as I push back from the Thanksgiving table, right before I settle my brain for a long winter's nap, I hit play on my favorite curated playlists. BUT, Christmas traditions can generate a lot of controversy… For me, the question of whether or not Die Hard is a Christmas movie is a...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Howdy Reader! Have you noticed search feels… off lately? The Google traffic that used to roll in has now disappeared faster than a toupee in a hurricane, and AI tools are answering questions before anyone even clicks a link. If you create content or rely on it to bring in customers, you can’t ignore what’s happening. That’s why I’m bringing Rich Brooks back on the show this week. Rich is the founder and president of Flyte New Media (nearly 30 years helping businesses grow), runs The Agents of...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Howdy Reader! December flips my brain into low‑power mode: work slows down, family time ramps up, and the creative circuits start processing on “reflect.” I’m leaning into it this year. Which brings me to you. As I plan the next few live shows and trainings, I’m lining up topics like: Practical AI workflows you can actually use Building an email list that converts (without spammy tactics) Growing a community that sticks around What would help you most right now? Hit reply with the top 1–2...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Howdy Reader! First off, I’m so thankful you’re part of this email community. It’s a noisy world out there, and the fact that you open, read, and often reply means more to me than you know. Thank you. Now, as many of us start prepping for Thanksgiving, I have a very important culinary question: Do you burn the “hairs” off your turkey? I stumbled on an article about Thanksgiving prep in the 18th and 19th centuries, and boy, did it make me grateful for modern conveniences. The short version:...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
