058 - Sourdough & Contracts

In this episode, Stephanie and I recorded while out on a walk on the first day of spring, and the conversation naturally unfolded into what life has looked like for each of us over the past few weeks.

Stephanie shared her continued journey with sourdough, including what it took to finally get her starter to thrive after multiple failed attempts. What stood out to me was how much of that process came down to filtering through conflicting advice, trusting her own observations, and sticking with it long enough to see results. Now she’s not only baking consistently but experimenting with new recipes and even sharing her starter with others.

For me, I talked about returning to a 5am wake-up routine and how important those early, quiet hours are for reading, reflection, and creative thinking. I shared how reading Company of One helped me gain deeper clarity about who I’m really here to serve. Solopreneurs who genuinely enjoy working in their business and aren’t driven by scaling, exiting, or early retirement.

I also talked about the book Big Magic and how it sparked something significant for me. The idea that creative work asks for commitment led me to make a personal decision. I’ve made a contract with myself to write a book on mastermind groups. That decision immediately led to new clarity, new ideas, and even unexpected conversations opening up around the Next Level Mastermind.

We also touched on the relaunch of the mastermind, what we’re seeing so far, and how I’m thinking about creating a space that supports people from diverse backgrounds while keeping the focus on shared growth, contribution, and meaningful work.

As always, this episode is a snapshot of where we are right now. What we’re learning, what we’re experimenting with, and how we’re continuing to build a life and business together.