Hey Reader! I've been in promo mode (thanks for surviving all those emails!) since mid-September. I couldn't wait to make my coffee this morning and chat with you.

Last week was my second and last live launch of 2026. I generated over $1,000,000+ this year from my 2 live launches alone 🤯

📚 If you want to learn how to build an audience full of buyers, grow an email list, and create a product that flies off the digital shelves, get my book for $15→.

While I was busy hosting a live webinar for 8,000 people and selling $300,000 of the Ultimate Bundle in ~24 hours... I had an epiphany.

I wanted to shake up this newsletter.

My intention here is to share what I'd really tell you about business and life, like we're whispering to each other at the judge's bench, trying not to let the jury hear us -- aka, a sidebar!

So I stripped down all the graphics. I took away the curated sections.

Basically, I gave my newsletter bangs. 💇‍♀️

Not because it wasn't working. Not because I'm panicking.

Because it's ok to let things be fun. It's ok to go with the way you're feeling pulled creatively, even if it's not supported by the 'data'.

So starting now: each week, you'll get my usual essay/story (calling it "Off the Record") at the top.

Then you'll get 1-2 sections of the following, depending on the week:

• Exhibit A (sharing a free resource to help you grow your business),
• Hearsay (what readers are anonymously saying),
• the Verdict (a hot take on industry trends),
• Recess (something I'm doing offline thanks to my business running like a well-oiled machine); and
• the Verdict (a hot take on industry trends).

I might even throw in bonus essays from time to time.

So do me a favor Reader -- read this entire email and hit "reply" to share what you think of Sidebar with bangs!

Also, do you want me to send an extra email this Thursday? I want to share the takeaways I had watching a documentary about the self-funded $100M brand, Cakes. Tell me!

With that -- scroll to read all the extras this week. And don't be stingy with those replies. I'm waiting for you in my inbox.

💼 EXHIBIT A: the team at Kit has a job opening available for in-house counsel (attorney) that I'm seriously jealous of. Apply here→​

📣 HEARSAY: “Thank you very much for sharing so many stories from your life! Your simple yet helpful stories inspire me to get back to my keyboard, write again, and share simple things… I could feel you sharing your ‘entire Shakespeare-style drama’ in your head, which I love, and it made me smile.😃” - from Sidebar reader, L.

🎨 RECESS: I've been in a fall cleaning and organizing mood. After my launch ended this weekend, I tried my hand at redecorating my living room... using only items I had on hand! What do you think of this before and after? 👇

Hit "reply" and let me know what you think of this refresh. Plus, whether you want that extra email this Thursday on what we should all take away from the Cakes founders' journey.

Talk soon!

xo,

Sam