If you don't have 5,000 inboxes, are you even an email marketer?

To my surprise, the new draft is significantly better. I'm not sure if this theatrical reference is the tactic I didn't know I needed (or whether it'll work again), but it's very entertaining. Give it a try yourself and let me know if it worked out for you!

I'm using this rainy weekend to get a bunch of newsletters for my list done. Claude has been helping me with some rough drafts, all of them ranging between extremely disappointing to "meh". I'm so done with it being so mediocre that I gave up and just wrote "Now one more time, with feelings"...

Well, whaddaya know, shit got done.

Sometimes, I wake up on a Friday and think to myself, “Why has my CEO friend [name] didn't get this shit done by now?”. Then I call said friend and give them some tough love and then shit gets done and they thank me for it.

(Today is one of those Fridays. Shit is about to get done.)

Today started with a brilliant discovery call with a business leader who creates real impact for their community. They had such great questions and complimented my writing. I wouldn’t mind starting every Thursday like that!

Progress has been feeling frustraitingly incremental this week. But I'm reminding myself that feelings are not facts, and the facts are that I'm moving things forward that have been stuck for a while. Also: progress made, however small, is still progress, and it compounds over time.

It looks like March is going to be one of the most interesting ones inside my newsletter.

Think making fun of AI, a monthly roundtable about doing email automations the right way, exciting annoucements, and some spicy takes.

You def don't want to miss it: ethicalemails.co/subscribe

Finishing the workweek with a professional high that’s been on my business plan for over a year now. I can’t reveal it just yet, but soon 😊

Thank you, Sarah! It means a lot ❤️

Join my email list | Ethical Emails Practical email marketing strategy tips for impact brands, pasta, and nomad adventures - all that and more inside my email community! Join now.

Oh, btw, if you're not on my email list, you're seriously missing out - just sayin' (ethicalemails.co/subscribe - you can fix that here!).

P.S. A big shout-out to my former client, Chayelle Rose, who consented to have this reply shared, and for always being in my corner.

A screenshot of a reply I got to one of my recent email newsletters

Tooting my own doesn't come naturally to me, but...

Working with me means that, yes, we'll build your strategic email ecosystem. AND that your entire business will mature accordingly. The ROI from that goes way beyond email marketing.

I did that a few months ago too (over half a year ago?) and deleted most social media apps from my phone. I’m still working on making this device even less interesting, but it’s been really helpful so far!

We're getting both a new Raye album AND a new Yebba album this year? Goddamn, 2026 is going to be a phenomenal year for music.

Almost ready for my first keynote speech of 2026!

What a Friday! I finished up a presentation for my keynote speech next week, and was deliberately asked to give some tough love to two CEOs of companies I'm working with. It's safe to say that all three (with me included) are fired up and ready to go and do our best work this year.

I’m on an orzo roll these days.

Way back when, I used to do "teardowns" of emails in the wild that went south and what I would've done instead. Then I realized that for the type of brands I work with, tarnishing their efforts in public is the wrong approach entirely. I respect my peers, but am completely puzzled when they do that.

Most email systems don’t have a clue what their users truly need. It’s ridiculous.

It's been a big week. Among *many* other things, I got invited to talk in two conferences (I said yes to one), and to contribute to a big brand in my space's blog. Plus, I made some progress with bureaucracy and met lots of lovely people. Can't believe we're just two weeks into the year!

Thank you, Mollie! It feels like 2026 is already going pretty damn well. Hope your year would be just as incredible :)

My name was dropped in a room of my almost-ideal clients today. I wasn't in that room, but got a full report on it.

I'm shaking with excitement!

Join my email list | Ethical Emails Practical email marketing strategy tips for impact brands, pasta, and nomad adventures - all that and more inside my email community! Join now.

P.S. CMOs and CEOs at purpose-driven B2B companies - I run a different monthly roundtable for you!

January's focus is turning that "improve email marketing" line in your 2026 plan into concrete execution, so email doesn't stay in the same spot again. Join my newsletter to get the invite tomorrow:

Email roundtable for marketers | Ethical Emails Join the upcoming monthly ethical email roundtable for marketers.

This month, we're discussing what's worth paying attention to in 2026, what's just noise, and how to approach email marketing without the "shiny object syndrome".

First one's January 22nd at 6pm GMT / 12pm EST. Limited to 10 people.

RSVP here: www.ethicalemails.co/marketers-et...

Email marketing can feel pretty isolating these days, especially when you're trying to do it thoughtfully.

So I'm starting a monthly call for email marketers - consultants, in-house folks, freelance strategists - who want to talk shop with people who get it.

Join my email list | Ethical Emails Practical email marketing strategy tips for impact brands, pasta, and nomad adventures - all that and more inside my email community! Join now.

One hour with fellow CEOs and founders at purpose-driven B2B companies, talking about turning email plans into work that moves the needle.

January 22nd, 4pm GMT / 10am EST.

Only 10 spots available.

Join my email list to get an invite: ethicalemails.co/subscribe

Your 2026 marketing strategy says *something* about email:

Improve conversions, get consistent with it, or finally figure out what you're doing with it.

The first monthly roundtable of the year is about that gap: the distance between the line in your marketing plan and actual execution.

It’s been a very good day. I had my first podcast guest recording of 2026, submitted an application for an in-person speaking opportunity, and got my ass kicked in the gym.

A turquoise mug with the saying "Yes and..." placed on a cork coaster on top of a white desk.

I saw this mug last week and couldn't not get it.

"Yes, and..." is something my clients hear me say ALL the time.

And the color is *on point*.

Plus, nothing is lined the "right" way, which I only realized in hindsight - and that makes me love it even more.

HNY folks!

Happy New Year everyone. We’ve got this.