On Your Terms®

Sam Vander Wielen

A podcast for online business owners who refuse to choose between revenue and a real life. Most business advice tells you to hustle harder, post more, and "always be on." I'm here to tell you that's BS—and I have the multi-seven-figure business to prove it. I'm Sam Vander Wielen, and I've built a thriving online business while protecting my mornings, unplugging at night, and actually living the life I built my business for. Every week, I share the marketing strategies, legal foundations, and lifestyle boundaries that keep my business profitable without stealing my peace. Whether you're building your first six figures or scaling past seven, this show will help you grow your revenue without sacrificing your presence, your sleep, or your sanity. Because success isn't just about how much you make—it's about having the freedom to actually enjoy your life. New to my world? I’m a lawyer-turned-entrepreneur who built an 7-figure digital product business helping thousands of founders legally protect and grow their online businesses. These days, I’m here to share not just the legal clarity but the lessons, stories, and strategies that make business and life more fulfilling. I'm the author of the best-selling book, When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy, and a weekly newsletter called Sam's Sidebar. Originally a proud Philly girl, I now live ON Long Island with my husband, Ryan, and bernedoodle/velcrodog, Hudson.

  1. HACE 1 DÍA

    278. Make This List If You're Burnt Out (It Changed Everything)

    Have you ever heard a quote at exactly the moment you needed it? Like it practically reached out and grabbed you by the shoulders? That happened to me recently when I heard this line from The Artist’s Way: "perfectionism isn’t a quest for the best… it’s a pursuit of the worst in ourselves. Oof. Holy cannoli. That one knocked me flat. In this episode, I’m sharing the simple exercise that helped me see my burnout in black and white—and how you can use it to finally exhale. You’ll hear… The quote about perfectionism that stopped me in my tracksThe unexpected way I realized I am a perfectionist (even though I swore I wasn’t)What I wrote on my “trying to do this perfectly” list—and why it shocked meHow this one list immediately softened my burnout and anxietyWhy doing “everything right” might actually be the thing holding you back Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode. EPISODE RESOURCES: Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come out CONNECT: Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business" DISCLAIMER Mentioned in this episode: Legal Workshop Do you feel lost thinking about how to legally protect your online business? Head to mylegalworkshop.com to sign-up for immediate access to my free 1-hour legal workshop, 5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow your Online Business. Legal Workshop

    18 min
  2. 23 FEB

    277. The 6 Types of Rest (And Why Sleep Isn't Enough)

    If you’re building a business, doing “all the right things,” and still feel exhausted even after a full night of sleep… this episode is for you. So many entrepreneurs think rest is something you earn later — after the launch, after the revenue goal, after things finally feel “stable.” And that belief keeps you stuck in a cycle of pushing, white-knuckling, and wondering why you’re burned out even though you technically love your work. I’m breaking down the 6 different types of rest, why sleep alone won’t fix burnout, and how I’ve been intentionally weaving more play, creativity, and relief into my life and business — without stepping away from work entirely. In this episode, you’ll hear… Why sleep isn’t the kind of rest most business owners actually needThe 6 types of rest and how burnout can show up even when you “love what you do”How pressure, grief, and mental load quietly drain your energyWhat it looks like to rest while building — not afterSimple ways to add more joy, play, and creativity into your everyday life Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode. RESOURCES: Get Sam's Book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Taking a Gap Year as an Entrepreneur: My Year of Letting Go in 2026Subscribe to Sam's Substack Beyond BusinessLeslie Stephens' Substack American Psychological Association - Types of rest Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come out CONNECT: Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business" DISCLAIMER

    39 min
  3. 16 FEB

    276. The Monthly Goals Method (Steal This)

    It’s mid-February (or honestly… March… or April… or whenever you’re listening), and if your New Year’s goals already feel like they’ve floated off into the abyss — you’re not broken. You’re just human. In this episode, I’m breaking down why January 1st is kind of a terrible time to set goals, especially if you’ve been navigating grief, uncertainty, burnout, or just… life. I’m sharing how I actually set goals now using a monthly goals method that’s way more realistic, flexible, and supportive — and yes, you’re absolutely allowed to steal it. In this episode, you’ll hear… Why January 1st isn’t actually a clean slate (and never has been)How grief, uncertainty, and burnout affect goal-setting more than we admitThe monthly goals method I use instead of New Year’s resolutionsHow to set goals when you don’t feel clear or motivatedWays to bring “new year energy” into any month of the yearHow to stay present and profitable without rigid long-term plans Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode. RESOURCES: Leslie Stephens' Substack NoteListen to EP 274. 4 Tiny Shifts I Make Every Winter (so I feel cozy, not crushed)Listen to EP 251. How To Leave Social Media without Losing Your ClientsClick here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come out CONNECT: Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business" DISCLAIMER Mentioned in this episode: Legal Workshop Do you feel lost thinking about how to legally protect your online business? Head to mylegalworkshop.com to sign-up for immediate access to my free 1-hour legal workshop, 5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow your Online Business. Legal Workshop

    38 min
  4. 9 FEB

    275. 6 Lessons I Wish I Knew 5 Years Ago

    There’s this moment in business where you keep thinking, okay… when does it get easier? When does the stress chill out, the money feel steadier, and you finally get to enjoy what you’re building? Here’s the sneaky truth I wish someone had told me sooner: the “someday” version of your life isn’t where the joy starts. The rise is actually the fun part. In this episode, I’m sitting down with the version of myself from five years ago (hello, 2021 Sam) and sharing the six lessons I wish I could’ve handed her in a note. These aren’t fluffy business platitudes — they’re the real, lived-in truths that only come from building a seven-figure business, navigating massive personal loss, and realizing the mountaintop doesn’t feel the way everyone promises it will In this episode, you’ll hear… Why the rise is actually the best part (even when it feels messy)The hard truth about the “carrot” always moving in businessHow chasing someone else’s version of success can quietly wreck your joyWhy you don’t need to be “one of them” to build a wildly successful businessHow to stay confident being a leader — especially when new platforms and trends pop upThe simple mindset shift that helped me finally loosen my grip on control Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode. RESOURCES: Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarGet Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come outClick here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now! CONNECT: Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business" DISCLAIMER Mentioned in this episode: Legal Workshop Do you feel lost thinking about how to legally protect your online business? Head to mylegalworkshop.com to sign-up for immediate access to my free 1-hour legal workshop, 5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow your Online Business. Legal Workshop

    39 min
  5. 2 FEB

    274. 4 Tiny Shifts I Make Every Winter (so I feel cozy, not crushed)

    When it gets dark before you’ve even wrapped up work for the day, winter can feel like it shrinks your whole life. Suddenly everything feels harder, heavier, and honestly… a little bleak. And while part of you might want to hibernate until April, another part of you knows that doesn’t really work when you’re running a business and trying to live a full life. In this episode, I’m sharing how I’ve learned to actually work with winter instead of fighting it. After moving from Philly to the north shore of Long Island (where winter is colder, darker, windier, and somehow five degrees colder just to be rude), I had to build a real winter toolkit — not just cozy socks, but mindset shifts, routines, and intentional rituals that make this season feel supportive instead of soul-crushing. In this episode, you’ll hear… Why your relationship with winter might be making it harder than it needs to beThe mindset shift that completely changed how I experience winterHow I intentionally design winter to feel cozy, grounding, and even enjoyableWhy winter is actually essential for creativity, energy, and long-term sustainabilitySimple routines and rituals that give you something to look forward to all season long Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode. RESOURCES: Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarLearn about The Ultimate Bundle® on SaleGet Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come out CONNECT: Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business" DISCLAIMER Mentioned in this episode: Legal Workshop Do you feel lost thinking about how to legally protect your online business? Head to mylegalworkshop.com to sign-up for immediate access to my free 1-hour legal workshop, 5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow your Online Business. Legal Workshop

    18 min
  6. 26 ENE

    273. I Refilmed My Entire Signature Program (Here’s What I Didn’t Expect)

    Re-shooting all the videos for a product that’s generated over $8 million sounds like a straightforward business upgrade… until it isn’t. In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of what it was really like to re-record every single video inside the Ultimate Bundle®. Spoiler alert: this was about way more than lighting, scripts, or batch recording. It cracked open a lot for me — about grief, seasons of business, fear of slowing down, and the pressure we put on ourselves to constantly “improve” things that are already working. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by a big project, nostalgic for earlier seasons of your business, or quietly scared of what might happen if you let yourself rest, this episode is for you. In this episode, you’ll hear… Why re-shooting the Ultimate Bundle® felt more like reliving the bar exam than a simple content updateWhat building an MVP actually looks like over eight years of growthThe hidden cost of having a wildly successful signature productHow grief, loss, and survival mode quietly shaped my business from 2020 onWhy “easy” seasons of business can feel surprisingly uncomfortableWhat early-stage hustle teaches you that success sometimes takes awayHow I approached updating a proven product without burning it all down Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode. RESOURCES: Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarGet Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Kit :what I use to build my email list, send emails to my list, and create opt-in forms & pages (affiliate link)Register for my free LIVE legal training “5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business in 2026”Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come out CONNECT: CONNECT: Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business" DISCLAIMER Mentioned in this episode: Legal Workshop Do you feel lost thinking about how to legally protect your online business? Head to mylegalworkshop.com to sign-up for immediate access to my free 1-hour legal workshop, 5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow your Online Business. Legal Workshop

    32 min
  7. 19 ENE

    272. What Happened When I Actually Took My Screen Time Seriously for 30 Days

    We all know that moment. It’s Sunday. Your phone buzzes. And suddenly you’re staring down your weekly screen time report wondering… how did THAT happen? For me, those little reports started to feel like a mirror I didn’t really want to look into. The number on the screen didn’t line up with the life I said I wanted to be living—more present, less irritable, doing deeper work, and actually enjoying my days instead of scrolling through them. So I decided to stop ignoring it and actually take my screen time seriously. In this episode, I’m sharing what happened when I did just that—for 30 days. This isn’t about deleting every app or pretending your phone isn’t a major part of your business (because let’s be real… it is). It’s about creating a healthier relationship with your phone so it can be a tool instead of an appendage—and building a business that doesn’t require you to be glued to it 24/7. If you want to be more present in your life and more profitable in your business, this episode is for you. In this episode, you’ll hear… Why your screen time report can reveal way more about your life than you thinkHow I reduced my screen time without shame, guilt, or extreme rulesThe difference between “productive” screen time and the kind that quietly drains youThe app that consistently sends me into a doom-scrolling spiral (and what I do about it)How to find your personal tipping point with screen time—without comparing yourself to anyone else Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode. RESOURCES: Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarSubscribe to Sam's Substack Beyond Business Get Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Click here to be notified when new episodes of On Your Terms® come out CONNECT: Get Sam's weekly newsletter, Sam's SidebarFollow Sam on InstagramFollow Sam on YouTubeSubscribe to Sam's Substack, Beyond BusinessTake Sam's free legal workshop "5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business" DISCLAIMER Mentioned in this episode: Legal Workshop Do you feel lost thinking about how to legally protect your online business? Head to mylegalworkshop.com to sign-up for immediate access to my free 1-hour legal workshop, 5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow your Online Business. Legal Workshop

    27 min

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A podcast for online business owners who refuse to choose between revenue and a real life. Most business advice tells you to hustle harder, post more, and "always be on." I'm here to tell you that's BS—and I have the multi-seven-figure business to prove it. I'm Sam Vander Wielen, and I've built a thriving online business while protecting my mornings, unplugging at night, and actually living the life I built my business for. Every week, I share the marketing strategies, legal foundations, and lifestyle boundaries that keep my business profitable without stealing my peace. Whether you're building your first six figures or scaling past seven, this show will help you grow your revenue without sacrificing your presence, your sleep, or your sanity. Because success isn't just about how much you make—it's about having the freedom to actually enjoy your life. New to my world? I’m a lawyer-turned-entrepreneur who built an 7-figure digital product business helping thousands of founders legally protect and grow their online businesses. These days, I’m here to share not just the legal clarity but the lessons, stories, and strategies that make business and life more fulfilling. I'm the author of the best-selling book, When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy, and a weekly newsletter called Sam's Sidebar. Originally a proud Philly girl, I now live ON Long Island with my husband, Ryan, and bernedoodle/velcrodog, Hudson.

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