The person behind the newsletter, the mic, and the ideas — a little background on who I am and why I do this work.
Writer, podcaster, and recovering perfectionist.
I've spent the last decade trying to figure out how to do creative work sustainably — how to keep making things you care about without burning out, losing your voice, or selling out along the way. Everything I publish is my best attempt to share what I've learned.
I started writing on the internet in 2015, mostly for an audience of twelve people (hi, Mom). I launched my newsletter in 2020 during the pandemic because I needed somewhere to think out loud, and somehow 8,400 people decided they wanted to read my thoughts every Thursday. Still surprised by that.
The podcast came next — 142 episodes and counting of honest conversations with writers, podcasters, photographers, educators, and entrepreneurs about the real work behind creative careers. Not the highlight reel. The actual struggle, the weird pivots, the late nights, and the moments that made it all worth it.
I believe the best creative work comes from a place of clarity — knowing why you make what you make, who you make it for, and what you're willing to sacrifice to keep doing it. I'm not here to teach you to go viral. I'm here to help you build something that lasts.
When I'm not writing or recording, I'm reading (usually three books at once), hiking with my dog Miso, or overcomplicating my coffee routine. I'm based in Portland, Oregon, and I teach occasional workshops at the local library because giving back matters.
How I Got Here
A winding path from corporate marketing to full-time creator — and all the lessons in between.
2015
Published my first piece of writing on the internet: a 400-word post about why I quit my agency job to freelance. 12 people read it. I was terrified and exhilarated.
2017
Left the last of my corporate clients and committed fully to building my own audience. Scariest and best decision I've ever made. Ate a lot of rice and beans that year.
2019
Was invited to speak at a small content marketing conference. 80 people in the audience. I rehearsed 47 times. Got a standing ovation. Cried in the bathroom after.
2020
Launched The Weekly Letter during pandemic lockdowns. In the first month: 200 subscribers. By month 6: 2,000. By year's end: 5,000. The internet is a wild place.
2021
Launched The Thoughtful Creator Podcast with zero audience, borrowed equipment, and a closet full of coats for soundproofing. Episode 1 got 87 downloads. Episode 50 got 12,000.
Today
8,400 newsletter subscribers, 142 podcast episodes, 24K Instagram followers, and still the same question every Thursday morning: "Does this matter? Will anyone care?" Shipping it anyway.
In the Media
Fast Company
"Alex is doing something rare: building a media business entirely on trust. No clickbait, no hot takes, just consistent, thoughtful content that compounds over time."— Feature on Independent Media Creators, 2024
Creator Economy Report
"One of the most genuinely helpful voices in the newsletter space. Alex has figured out how to monetize without ever feeling transactional — a rare skill."— Top 50 Creators to Watch, 2023
Morning Brew
"The Thoughtful Creator Podcast is the anti-hustle-porn podcast the creator economy desperately needs. Honest, nuanced, and always worth the listen."— Podcast Recommendations Issue, 2023
Nieman Lab
"A model for how independent journalists and content creators can build sustainable, reader-supported businesses without compromising their editorial independence."— Independent Creator Spotlight, 2022
What Drives Me
These aren't just words on a page — they shape every piece of content, every partnership, and every decision I make.
I don't pretend to have it all figured out. I share the failures as freely as the wins because that's where the real learning happens.
Algorithms change. Platforms die. What lasts is trust, quality, and relationships. Everything I build is designed for a decade, not a quarter.
Subscribers aren't metrics to me. They're people who gave me their attention and their trust, and I take that seriously every single week.
Whether you want me to speak at your event, consult on your content strategy, or partner on a brand campaign — I'd love to hear what you're building.