On Your Terms®

Sam Vander Wielen
  • 5.0 (133)
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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.

  1. 2D AGO

    How To Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business in 2026

    In this episode, you get to hear my full live training, “How To Legally Protect & Grow Your Online Business in 2026.” I’ll give you the five steps every entrepreneur needs to take. We’ll cover shifting your mindset, registering as the right business entity, protecting yourself in case of a lawsuit, getting your contracts and policies in place, and staying within your scope of practice. Whether you’re a coach, course creator, service provider, or product-based entrepreneur, I’m walking you through the five simple legal steps you must take to set up your business, protect your content, and get paid confidently. No law degree (or stress spiral) required. In this episode, you’ll hear… 5 things you must have in place before accepting even $1 (more) onlineExact steps to form your businessShould you become an LLC or sole prop? Why you NEED to have business insurance (it’s so worth it)An actual method for figuring out what you can (and cannot) do online or when you’re NOT working under your professional license RESOURCES: The Ultimate Bundle® is on sale through February 13th. CONNECT: Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on Instagram DISCLAIMER

    1h 22m

  2. 2D AGO

    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: Grab the Ultimate Bundle® on sale through Friday, February 13thGet 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: Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramSam on YouTube DISCLAIMER Mentioned in this episode: Grab the Ultimate Bundle® on sale through Friday, February 13th

    41 min

  3. FEB 2

    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 SidebarGrab 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: Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramSam on YouTube DISCLAIMER Mentioned in this episode: Grab the Ultimate Bundle® on sale through Friday, February 13th

    20 min

  4. JAN 26

    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: Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramSam on YouTube DISCLAIMER Mentioned in this episode: Grab the Ultimate Bundle® on sale through Friday, February 13th

    34 min

  5. JAN 19

    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 outClick here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now! CONNECT: Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramSam on YouTube DISCLAIMER Mentioned in this episode: Grab the Ultimate Bundle® on sale through Friday, February 13th

    29 min

  6. JAN 12

    271. Substack vs. My Newsletter: What Goes Where (and Why)

    If you’ve been side-eyeing Substack trying to figure out whether you should start one, what you’d even put on it, or how it’s different from your “regular” newsletter… this episode is your permission slip to breathe. Because guess what? I’ve been figuring this out in real time too — and today, I’m breaking down exactly how I’m using both Substack and my newsletter, why I treat them differently, and how YOU can create a simple, sustainable content structure that actually supports your business. I’ll also walk you through the discovery → nurture → conversion framework I use to decide which platforms get my energy — and which ones simply get a presence without becoming a second job. Because you are absolutely not meant to create cornerstone content for 19 platforms. No thank you. Whether you’re Substack-curious, newsletter-confused, or trying to design a content flow that doesn’t make you want to run away to a cabin in the woods, this episode will give you clarity. In this episode, you’ll hear… How I’m using Substack differently from my weekly business newsletterWhy your content should flow from one or two core platforms (not all of them)The discovery–nurture–conversion method I use to understand where each platform fitsHow I’m thinking about Substack as an experiment (and why that’s OK!)What goes on Substack vs. what stays in my main newsletterHow to decide where YOUR content belongs without overthinking it 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"Listen to Sam on Cubicle to CEO Episode 293. 46k List Growth Case Study: From Snooze-Worthy To Subscriber MagnetWriting a Book Podcast PlaylistKit - what I use to build my email list, send emails to my list, and create opt-in forms & pages (affiliate link)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: Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on Instagrama href="https://www.youtube.com/@SamVanderWielen" rel="noopener...

    31 min

  7. JAN 5

    270. Is AI Quietly Killing My Creativity?

    Let’s talk about the thing I didn’t even realize was happening until it had already messed with my head: AI was quietly killing my creativity. If you’ve ever opened your laptop, told yourself you’re “just getting a little AI help,” and then suddenly noticed your ideas feel watered down, your content feels off, and you’re second-guessing everything—you’re not alone. When I posted about this on Instagram, you confirmed that this little creep has been slipping into your business too… and not in the cute, helpful way we hoped. So today, I’m getting brutally honest about how AI slowly started impacting my creativity, confidence, workflow, and even the way I approached this podcast. This episode is your reminder that your most valuable business asset is your brain—your original ideas—not a robot’s outline telling you how you should create. In this episode, you’ll hear… How AI slowly crept into my creative process without me realizing itThe dangerous shift from “this helps” → “this must know better than me”How AI’s feedback made me doubt my instincts and dry up my idea wellThe moment I realized AI was contributing to a huge creativity blockWhat happened when I quit using AI for outlines, brainstorming, and feedbackThe difference between using AI as a repurposing tool vs. as a creatorThe creative habits and practices I’m returning to in 2026How to rebuild your originality in a world obsessed with shortcuts 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"My Instagram Reel on quitting ChatGPTListen to Episode 140. We Need To Talk About Dupe CultureMeet Your AI All Stars Course (affiliate link)Grab the Ultimate Bundle® 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: Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on Instagrama...

    33 min

  8. 12/15/2025

    269. 4 Tiny Habits I Do Before Year-End (So 2026 Is More Profitable and Peaceful)

    You know that feeling when you come back to your desk in January and everything is a disaster? Your desktop looks like a digital garage sale, your office chair is still wearing yesterday’s sweater, and your brain feels like it’s running 42 tabs at once? Yeah… we’re not doing that this year. In this episode, I’m sharing the super simple, totally doable tasks I’m doing in the next two weeks—while cozied up in my pjs —to close out 2025 in a way that feels calm, grounded, and actually restorative. No “new year, new hustle” energy required. Just a cleaner home base, a quieter mind, and a business you can step back into without the chaos hangover. This is your permission slip to put the laptop away, clean the slate, and give your future self a January that feels good. In this episode, you’ll hear… The 4 things I always do to wrap up my business before the holidaysWhy I deep clean everything (yes, including the dreaded office drawer) before taking time offHow I’m approaching 2026 as a “mental gap year”My end-of-year digital detox ritualWhat I’m doing during my time off to reconnect with creativityThe cozy winter habits keeping me sane in an extremely dark, extremely windy Long Island winter 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"Listen Episode 267: Before You Plan 2026, do THIS firstListen to Episode 268: How to Create Your Ideal Business Year (Without Burnout-y Goals)Grab the Ultimate Bundle® and use code OYTWRITEOFF to save 20% off through December 18th.Read Sam's Substack Taking a Gap Year as an Entrepreneur: My Year of Letting Go in 2026Click 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: Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramSam on YouTube DISCLAIMER

    16 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
133 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Sam Vander Wielen
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    283
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    ©️ 2025 Sam Vander Wielen LLC
  • Show Website
    On Your Terms®

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