On Your Terms®

Sam Vander Wielen
  • 5.0 (133)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. 23H AGO

    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...

    31 min

  2. 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

  3. 12/08/2025

    268. How to Create Your Ideal Business Year (Without Burnout-y Goals)

    It’s that time of year again — when everyone online suddenly becomes a color-coded-notion-board-wielding planning expert. But before you map out your entire 2026 vision board, we need to do something way more important: figure out what you actually want. In today’s episode, I’m walking you through the exact reflection + annual planning exercise I do every single year — the one that helps me make decisions based on how I want to feel, not what the latest marketing trend says I “should” be doing. This episode pairs with last week’s 2025 reflection episode, so if you haven’t listened to that one yet, go queue it up next. PLUS — I’m trying something new today. I pulled a random question from the “More, Tell Me More” connection cards I won at a mastermind retreat (yes, I was voted Best Strategy at my table and the whole room — no biggie). I answered it… and I want you to answer it too. If you love this segment, email me or DM me and tell me to keep it! And before you dive in, don’t forget: I created a free 2026 Annual Planning Guide that includes every question I ask in this episode and space for you to jot down your reflections and goals. Grab it in the show notes! In this episode, you’ll hear… The connection-card question I pulled — and the unforgettable story about the stranger who changed how I think about human connectionWhy planning for 2026 means starting with how you want to feel (not arbitrary goals like “50K followers”)How to imagine your ideal day next year so you can reverse-engineer what needs to changeWhy so many entrepreneurs felt unstable in 2025 — and how to honor what actually happened before planning aheadThe questions I use every year to figure out what I truly need in my business and personal lifeA guided reflection to set aligned, realistic, energizing goals for 2026 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 to the How to Grow Your Email List Series PlaylistSubscribe to Sam's Substack Beyond BusinessDownload Sam's Annual Planning GuideClick 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...

    28 min

  4. 12/01/2025

    267. Before You Plan 2026, Do THIS First

    If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably hit the end of the year and thought: Wait… what actually happened?! How did we blink and suddenly find ourselves staring down a new calendar, new goals, and the same coffee mug we’ve dragged through the highs and lows of the last 12 months? Before you sprint into planning mode for 2026 (don’t worry, we’re doing that next week!), today’s episode is all about slowing down long enough to look back—at what worked, what didn’t, what you let go of, what you gained, and most importantly… how it all felt. Because building a business on your terms means regularly checking in with yourself—not just the metrics, money, or milestones, but the very real human (you!) behind all of it. Inside this episode, I walk you through the exact year-end reflection process I do myself, including the six life categories I evaluate every single December to help me understand what’s out of balance, what’s thriving, and where I want to direct my energy next. Grab your notebook, a cup of something warm, and prepare for some gentle-but-honest self-inquiry. In this episode, you’ll hear… The six life categories I use to check in with myself each yearWhy reflecting before planning will make your 2026 goals actually stickThe progress-based mindset shift that will keep you motivated all year longWhat to ask yourself about what you accomplished, added, and let go ofHow to identify your “accelerators” and “constrictors” going into a new year 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 to Epi 262. The 6 Weekly Anchors Behind My $8M BusinessListen to Epi 254. The NEW Way to Structure Your Work Day for Better ContentSubscribe to Sam's Substack Beyond BusinessDownload Sam's Annual Planning GuideClick 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...

    41 min

  5. 11/24/2025

    266. How to Grow Your Email List (Series #4)

    If you’ve ever stared at a blinking cursor while trying to write your weekly newsletter and thought, “What in the whole enchilada am I supposed to say?” — today’s episode is your permission slip to stop overthinking and start structuring your emails in a way that works for you and your audience. I’m breaking down the two classic newsletter formats (and why I don’t follow either), the hybrid structure I swear by, and the eight must-have elements your weekly emails need if you want them to be opened, read, clicked, and shared. Whether you're brand new to email marketing or finally ready to clean up the spaghetti-at-the-wall approach we all start with — this episode gives you practical steps to build a bingeable, forwardable, valuable email your people will look forward to every week. In this episode, you’ll hear… The two traditional newsletter formats — and why a hybrid approach winsWhy story-driven writing builds connection (and how to use it well)How to structure “predictable sections” and weekly “boxes” your audience can rely onThe three core goals every email should have (and how to choose yours each week)How many links to include — and the right balance between your content vs. other people'sEight essentials you must include in your weekly newsletterHow to write subject lines + preview text that actually get openedMy #1 habit that instantly elevates the quality of your emails (and makes them sound human) Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode. RESOURCES: Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarListen to Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3 of the "How To Grow Your Email List" SeriesDownload the free “How to Grow Your Email List” WorkbookGet Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Listen to Epi 262. The 6 Weekly Anchors Behind My $8M BusinessWatch my email walkthrough trainingClick 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®a...

    41 min

  6. 11/17/2025

    265. How to Grow Your Email List (Series #3)

    Let’s be honest — most freebies out there? They’re not working. If you’ve ever spent hours creating a lead magnet only for it to attract people who download and disappear, this episode is your new best friend. In Part 3 of my 4-part email series, I’m breaking down why your freebie isn’t growing your list (hint: it’s not because freebies don’t work) and how to finally create one that brings in actual future customers — not just freebie hoarders. From finding the perfect topic your people actually want to grabbing the right metrics to track whether it’s working, this episode gives you the full roadmap to a freebie that converts In this episode, you’ll hear… Why most freebies flop — and how to fix yoursThe #1 rule for creating a freebie your audience can’t resistHow to reverse engineer your freebie from your offerThe secret to positioning your freebie so it attracts buyers, not browsersWhich numbers to track to know if your email list is really growing Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode. RESOURCES: Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarListen to Part 1 & Part 2 of the "How To Grow Your Email List" SeriesDownload the free “How to Grow Your Email List” WorkbookListen to Part 1 of "How To Grow Your Email List" SeriesClick 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

    28 min

  7. 11/10/2025

    264. How to Grow Your Email List (Series #2)

    You’ve been told that the only way to grow your email list is with freebies, PDFs, and opt-ins galore—but what if there was an easier (and honestly, more effective) way? In Part 2 of my How to Grow Your Email List series, I’m spilling the details on my Easy Email Strategy—a super simple way to get the right people (aka future customers, not freebie collectors) on your list without creating a single freebie.If you’ve ever felt frustrated with the traditional “freebie → nurture sequence → maybe they’ll stick around” method, this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air. You’ll learn how to make your actual newsletter the thing people want to sign up for—and how to position it so it grows your list on autopilot. In this episode, you’ll hear… Why traditional freebie funnels often attract the wrong peopleHow to flip the script and make your newsletter the valueThe two steps in my Easy Email Strategy: design + promotionHow to create a newsletter people are genuinely excited to receiveReal-world examples of how this strategy simplifies your marketing Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode. RESOURCES: Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarDownload the free “How to Grow Your Email List” WorkbookListen to Part 1 of "How To Grow Your Email List" SeriesCheck out Erin Parek's SubstackClick 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

    33 min

  8. 11/03/2025

    263. How to Grow Your Email List (Series #1)

    You’re doing everything to grow your email list — promoting your freebies, sharing your links, posting on social — and yet, that number just won’t budge. You want new subscribers rolling in every day, the kind who actually want to buy from you, and a reliable way to make sales that doesn’t depend on Instagram’s mood swings. Sound familiar? In this first episode of my 4-part Email List Growth Series, I’m breaking down what it really takes to build a thriving email list that fuels your business (and your freedom). It’s not about hacks or fancy tech — it’s about adopting an “all roads lead to the email list” mindset and taking strategic action to support it. Because when your email list becomes the heartbeat of your business, you can take weekends off, go on vacation without stress, and still make sales while you sleep. In this episode, you’ll hear… Why your email list growth starts with mindset — not hacksThe three key steps to adopting an “All Roads Lead to the Email List” approachHow to clarify what your email list actually does for your businessHow to audit your current strategy (and find the leaks)The simple way to spot new email list opportunities everywhereA sneak peek of what’s coming in Part 2 — my easy email list growth strategy Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode. RESOURCES: Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarDownload the free “How to Grow Your Email List” WorkbookListen to Ep 237. Why Your Email List Isn't Growing +How to Fix ItClick 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

    32 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
    277
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    ©️ 2025 Sam Vander Wielen LLC
  • Show Website
    On Your Terms®

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