☕ Grab your cafecito, tea, or whatever grounds you. Now let’s take a deep breath — inhale for 4....hold for 4 ....exhale for 4....One more time. Okay, let’s get into it 💃🏽

Each edition of the sala is inspired by a griefsense podcast episode about someone I’ve lost and the lessons they left behind. This is my way of making sure their names and stories are never forgotten.

This month, I’m honoring my best friend, Meghan and my grandmother, Wela Sefa. Their lives, and how they lived them, continue to shape the way I show up for my work, creativity, and community. Meghan’s birthday is 3/16 and Wela Sefa’s is 3/19. 🎈❤️‍🩹 And because it’s Women’s Month, I’m also holding space for all of us navigating what it means to be a woman or to be someone reclaiming their identity in a world that often makes that complicated.

This Edition’s Focus: Boldness. Belonging. Becoming.

How do we show up for our work, creative practice, or careers when life is… a lot?

Lately, I’ve been thinking about safety — not just physical, but emotional, mental, and financial.

Because if we don’t feel safe, it’s almost impossible to:
➜ Be bold enough to take the next step
➜ Find belonging in our work and communities
➜ Trust in our own becoming

And the world is a lot right now (tbh, when is it not?😅). It’s easy to feel stuck, stagnant, or like you’re pouring from an empty cup… speaking of which, what about the days you’re not even sure the cup is still there?

I get it. This month, I’m sitting with these three words:
👉🏽 boldness
👉🏽 belonging
👉🏽 becoming

They’re not buzzwords. They’re survival to thrival strategies. (i’m aware thrival isn’t a word, but it is in my head)
This edition is an invitation to create the kind of internal and external safety that makes bold moves possible, belonging sustainable, and your becoming inevitable.

📝 How do I create safety for myself and the spaces I’m building, so I can move forward intentionally?

That’s the question I’m asking myself — and now I’m asking you, too.

Lessons From Meghan + Wela Sefa: for Creators, Career Shifters, and Entrepreneurs

but first:

Quick story time: Meghan was my best friend. We met when I was about seven years old. She was full of life and had a laugh that lives in my head rent free. It was always the three of us: Meghan, Imahni (my sister), and me. The 3 Musketeers. The summer before she died is on constant rotation in my mind. We were at our favorite campground being silly teenagers — talking about boys, impersonating accents, eating cookies and s’mores, drawing with chalk, belly flopping in the ocean, and playing with hermit crabs like we didn’t have a single care in the world. That’s how I choose to remember her. My bestie. My dance partner. My everything. She unalived herself when we were juniors in high school. Halloween. October 31st, 2011. The day my life split into before and after. She would have turned 31 this year. Long live Meg. 🧡 

Meghan’s Lesson ➜ Be bold

Meghan taught me boldness by how she lived and loved. She was color. She was energy. She spoke her mind unapologetically. She didn’t wait for permission.
➜ Sometimes you outgrow spaces before you’re ready to admit it.
➜ Sometimes the best move is the one that feels “too loud” or “too risky.”
➜ If you’re waiting for permission, you’ll be waiting forever.

This month’s reflection:
📝 What’s one bold move I’ve been avoiding?
Maybe it’s launching that project, looking for a new job, or sending a DM to that brand, journalist, or future collaborator. What’s yours?

now Wela Sefa’s turn! Her actual name is Josefina Torres.

Quick story time: Wela Sefa wasn’t my grandmother by blood, but she was mine.
When my mom had me at 17 and my dad passed away eight months later, it was just the two of us. And it was hard. No family, No support. Then Wela showed up…literally our guardian angel IRL. She took us in without hesitation. No paperwork. No conditions. Just love. She fed us. Raised us. Baptized me. She became my chosen family before I even knew what that meant. If you came to her house, you ate, whether you were hungry or not. She made cafecito like it was a love language (it was). She played dominoes like it was a full-contact sport and watched telenovelas like it was her job.

She passed away in 2018 from pancreatic cancer and, if I’m being honest, from a broken heart. She had lost so much. Her son, my Tio George, earlier that year from brain cancer. And years before that, her other son, My Tio Frank, died by suicide, just a few months before Meghan did. That kind of grief doesn’t just go away. I think it stayed with her, in her body and in her spirit, until it was too much to carry.

I find ways to honor her every single day.
🧡 Through griefsense and this newsletter!
🧡 By staying devoted to my craft, even on the hard days.
🧡 And now, with something that feels so full circle…helping my cousin open Hasta Luego Friend, our queer-owned mobile café in Hartford, CT.

Every cup of coffee we serve is a tribute to Wela.
Every space we create for people to belong — that’s her legacy at work. Long live Wela Sefa. 🧡

Wela Sefa’s Lesson ➜ Belonging + Devotion

Belonging: Wela Sefa showed me what it meant to belong before I even had the language for it. She chose me and my mom. Took us in without hesitation when the world didn’t make space for us. She was my chosen family when we didn’t have one. She taught me that belonging isn’t about where you come from, it’s about who shows up for you and creating environments that make you feel safe to be you. She taught me that belonging is a choice we make every day, for ourselves and for others. And that’s what I try to create in my work, in the sala, and in every space I build.

Devotion + Commitment to the Craft: She was also the blueprint for devotion. She raised her kids and grandkids without a partner. She showed up for her people. She was in church five days a week, not because she had to, but because she wanted to be there. That kind of discipline and commitment sticks with me.
I’m not in church five days a week lol but I’m here, showing up for my work, my craft, and my people. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a creator, or someone figuring out your career, devotion is what builds legacy.
Building community, growing your career, making art or creating content…none of it works without consistency and intention.

So, we can ask ourselves:
📝 What am I truly devoted to?
And…
📝 Where are you creating belonging - for yourself and the people you serve?

Becoming (The Invitation for You)

Becoming is messy and the process is often unseen. No one knows what it takes for you to show up everyday. Sometimes:

• It’s releasing an old version of yourself.

• It’s giving yourself permission to grieve a version of your career, creativity, or business that no longer fits.

• It’s knowing you can hold the grief of what was, and still move forward.

📝 What version of yourself are you releasing so you can become who you’re meant to be next?

This is where responses from co-authors and readers will be featured: real stories from people in different industries about how they’re navigating work, creativity, and mental health.

a sala story by Nadia De Ala

The grief of being a leader/business owner who had to downsize/layoff/let go of a team that I absolutely loved. Tl;dr "scaled my business" by hiring two full-time employees for my business and we grew and co-created in a beautiful way for 3-4 years. 2022 was our most abundant year yet, and 2023 was a huge decline due to DEI/Learning & Development budgets being cut -- the grief of feeling like a failure, of feeling like a terrible person taking the livelihood of others, and also the grief of choosing me and my wellbeing. I don't hear many people talking about what it takes to have a human-centered layoff either. And, how 2024 I migrated to another country, while slowly fucking around and finding out what my business is without my team, who I want to be, how I want to move, what kind of content I want to create, what matters most to me, and reimagining what's possible for me and my work. I believe grief is a potent and wise teacher if we choose to listen, and this shaped the joy I get to experience today.

how would you describe your creator identity?  The core has always been leadership and negotiation content for BIPOC women & femmes -- ways to take up space authentically, keep it real and root in your truth, and get the pay, position, and recognition you deserve. It's evolved so much over the years to overall wellness, living a life you love fully, self-tenderness and self-love, taking risks and being able to do what you say you want to do.

What’s one thing LinkedIn (or the creator economy in general) could do to better support content creators? I think it'd be rad if these platforms didn't oppress the voices of those who care about social justice and speak up -- I actively speak up loudly about Palestine's liberation and experiencing intense shadowbanning is so disheartening on platforms. LinkedIn, it's hard to gauge, but IG is so painfully obvious. In almost 4k followers, my views can go as low as 5-20 people only after speaking up. It's hard for a small business owner and creator that gives a damn on these platforms.

Are you currently looking for collaborators or support on a project? Well, I'm co-leading my very first retreat in Oaxaca, Mexico this May 12-16th, the Collective Creation Retreat. It's a sanctuary for QTBIPOC women, femmes and nonbinary friends and we have 4 out of the 8 spots filled -- if there's a possibility of sharing with the community to help us call in aligned beings, we'd welcome that. This is the first of many retreats I hope to host, as I have dreams of creating regular wellness retreats for BIPOC femme leaders -- both groups and 1:1 retreats. A dream in the making for years in my work.

Is there an event, conference, or community space in your field that more people should know about? I did invest in my first coach since 2021 (after over investing in coaching -- but 'ick' capitalist biz coaching -- for the first few years of my business). Natalia Sanyal's 'Activate' 1:1 async marketing and copy program, to help me embody my values and reconnect with my voice and vibe again. Just finished and I'm truly in more of a creative writing practice that's consistent and rooted in love and devotion.

What’s a song, book, or show that’s getting you through right now? Songs: Cleo Sol's songs 'Know that You Are Loved' and 'Her Light.'

a sala story by Anna Bullock

 A month after I got my first freelance client, I suffered a devastating miscarriage. After it happened, I sat in bed for weeks. My husband would bring me food and water. My daughter would show me her favorite videos. Somehow I managed to answer emails on my laptop and come up with excuses for having my camera off in meetings. For a good month, I was a shell of a person. Many of my memories from that time are still blurry for me. One day I remember springing to life after a strange dream. I told Ryan "I don't know how, but we didn't lose him for good. He's coming back to us." Another month passed and I was pregnant with my son who I'm told is a "rainbow baby" and he is healthy, strong, and vibrant. This experience taught me that even through the most serious grief, we can love each other back to a safe and warm place so we can be whole again. This experience made me appreciate the value of community as someone who had a history of hyper-independence. I learned how to accept the love and support I'm given when my best is not enough on its own.

how would you describe your creator identity? Sprinkled with pop culture and my random obsessions, I create content around work, systems, and the life surrounding them. My newsletter focuses on hard lessons for surviving in business, with the warmth and brutal honesty that only a mother can give. The business page for my services focuses on technical tips, tutorials, and resources to make work better, faster, and easier.

Are you currently looking for collaborators or support on a project? I'm working on a podcast and new YouTube venture. I've worked on the back end of those processes for clients, but never as the host myself, so I'm open to connecting with anyone who has experience on the talent side of things.

Is there an event, conference, or community space in your field that more people should know about? Teachable x Creator Economy NYC are hosting "Connect" on May 10th, bringing together creators and entrepreneurs. As someone who is a member of both groups, I definitely want to attend and hope you all can make it to! Check it out here.

a sala story by Sevval Cira

I have been grieving since I was seven years old. Grieving my family, my teenage years, a sense of safety—things I didn’t even have the words for back then. On the outside, my life looked perfect, but inside, I carried a weight too heavy for a child. Now, as an adult, that grief has shape-shifted into guilt, anxiety, and panic attacks. I’ve spent my life being strong for others. No one ever taught me how to let someone be strong for me. It’s left me in a constant battle: longing for a kinder world, yet struggling to trust the people in it. I’ve seen family and friends struggle with depression, suicidal thoughts and anxiety my whole life, until today. It hurts to see others hurt. I’ve always believed in the beauty of small things—a smile from a stranger, an old couple sharing ice cream, the quiet comfort of friends sitting together. Life is precious. I wish more people would cherish it.

But I’ve also learned that the world isn’t always kind to people like me. Those who feel deeply, who carry things in their hearts, who crave harmony in a world driven by power and greed. That realization made me walk away from corporate life. I couldn’t exist in a space where empathy was seen as weakness, where success was built at the expense of those who care too much. Still, I hold on to hope. I’ve learned that there are people who truly see me, who give without expectation, who support not out of obligation but because they care. And yet, loneliness lingers. I often wonder: why is it so easy for me to sense how others feel, yet so rare for someone to truly understand me? I grieve for a world where kindness is the norm, where people don’t suffer because of the selfishness of others. I don’t believe people are born bad. I believe the world can make them that way. But I also believe in change. I believe in building something different. That’s why I create. That’s why I foster community. Not for validation or performance, but because I want to carve out a space where honesty isn’t commodified—where we speak our truths, not for engagement, but because we feel deeply. A space where kindness wins.

What’s a tool, practice, or platform that’s helping you care for your mental health or has made your journey as a content creator easier? Being offline has been my greatest reset. Allowing me to truly be present, to breathe, to exist without the weight of constant noise. Cherishing the small moments, feeling the fresh air on my skin, and simply pausing, even for a few seconds, has been healing in ways I never expected. For the past seven years, yoga has been my act of self-love: a sacred ritual I refuse to let go of. Daily breath work grounds me, while the words of Brianna Wiest remind me that growth often comes from the hardest places. These practices don’t erase the struggles, but they help me move through them with more grace, more understanding, and a little more peace.

how would you describe your creator identity? I create content that challenges perspectives: bold statements designed to make people pause, reflect, and rethink their reality. My mission is to advocate for mental health, Gen Z, and break the stigmas that hold us back. I want to inspire others to step outside their comfort zones, take bold risks, and lead with confidence. Because when we prioritize our well-being, we create space to uplift and support one another.

Are you currently looking for collaborators or support on a project? Right now, I’m exploring opportunities with organizations focused on social causes like education, healthcare, humanitarian relief, and poverty alleviation. If any of this resonates with you, I’d love to connect! Whether you’re a fellow creator, a brand, or part of a cause-driven initiative, my DMs are always open. Let’s create something meaningful together.

a sala story by Lana Ivory

The tech layoffs over the past few years were my wake-up call. Although I wasn't directly impacted, they highlighted how dangerous it is to tie your personal identity too closely to a company you don't own. I wish more people talked about the genuine struggle of separating self-worth from professional accomplishments, especially in high-pressure industries, like Big Tech.

Most people don't know this, but I interviewed at Meta last summer and didn't get the job. I was devastated but accepted it wasn't right for me at the time. Shortly after, I was offered a role at AWS as the only PMM leading the GTM strategy for a 9 figure Tier-1 launch. In just 6 months there, I found a supportive environment, rediscovered my love for content creation, and grew tremendously. Since I showed up to my Meta interview at 100%, the recruiter reached out 6 months after my initial rejection to offer me a role. Those 6 months in between leading an S-Team AWS project prepped me to make an immediate impact in my new role. This whole process taught me to embrace the "Law of Detachment" – letting go of attachment to outcomes, embracing uncertainty, and accepting that rejection isn't a reflection of my capabilities. It's understanding that the right opportunities align when they're meant to.

This shift in perspective hasn't just protected my mental health during setbacks-- it's truly changed how I approach my work. From a corporate perspective, I've learned to focus on controlling what I can while accepting that many decisions involve factors beyond my influence. From a personal standpoint, I'm now committed to sustainable growth and long-term impact, which has made me more authentic in how I lead, mentor others, and build relationships. Remember, change can be scary, but sacrificing your wellbeing for a job is scarier.

What’s a song, book, or show that’s getting you through right now? This is so basic (😅) but I still have TTPD: The Anthology on repeat. Professionally, Diary of a CEO podcast will forever be a staple in my podcast rotation. The final 2 books I'm looking to finish for March include "Let Them" by Mel Robins (not sure how I feel about it yet) and "Women Who Run with the Wolves" by Dr. Pinkola

how would you describe your creator identity? I create content that amplifies Gen Z voices in Big Tech while bridging the generational gap between leadership and younger employees. It started with sharing insights on Reverse Mentoring — a practice where junior employees mentor senior leaders, creating a two-way exchange that helps executives understand emerging perspectives while giving younger talent visibility and influence. I take an unconventional approach to Linkedin content with EGC (employee generated content). My "Day in the Life" series takes my followers behind the scenes of what it really looks like being a PMM in Big Tech — showing the unfiltered realities, challenges, and wins from a unique POV.

What’s one thing LinkedIn (or the creator economy in general) could do to better support content creators? LinkedIn should prioritize creator and creator tools more in their product roadmaps. It's surprising that despite the platform's influx of creators over the past year, the UI remains clunky, analytics are frustratingly limited, and there's no creator fund for monetization. For a platform built on professional connection, LinkedIn seems to have missed that creators are driving some of its most valuable engagement.

a sala story by Lindsey Kee

I wish more people talked about the infinitely variable definitions of success. When I started my corporate career, I had grand ideas about what a successful (read: happy) life would be like for me. I pursued a conventional path to success, and I defined my entire self (and worth) by my career achievements. About 15+ years later, I came to realize I'd been living with the wrong-for-me definition of success.

Back then, I didn't know who I was beyond my career. Exploration of my “true self” identity wasn't something that was fostered when I was growing up. I learned the limiting belief that “your worth is your work/productivity”. So I built a life & career based on what I thought was expected of me. Instead of being rewarded with the success and happiness I'd imagined, I was rewarded with burnout, self loathing, and emptiness.

Fortunately, every step of that unfulfilling career path led me to find my purpose, learn how to like & love myself (even if I don’t like how I’m being in a given moment), and best of all—being able to design a life I love waking up in…yes, even on weekdays. I wish I could tell my younger self that you can define success in ANY way that FEELS RIGHT FOR YOU!

What’s a tool, practice, or platform that’s helping you care for your mental health? One of my "can't live without it" tools for my mental/emotional wellbeing is Messy Journaling. (If that's not an official term, it should be - Lol). Journaling lets me show up anytime, anywhere, any way. I can get the swirling mess of thoughts out of my mind, and land them someplace tangible. I can sift through those puzzle pieces, and then figure out what I really need and want in that situation. Journaling has let me down exactly zero times! :)

how would you describe your creator identity? I'm a content creator on LinkedIn who helps mid- and late-career women uncover what they really want in their work & life, so they can design a life they actually love waking up in.

Are you currently looking for collaborators or support on a project? Between March and May, I'm currently accepting only 2 new coaching clients for 1:1 Women’s Executive Coaching services. If you know of any women who may be interested in investing in their professional & personal growth, feel free to share my LinkedIn profile. I welcome DM’s and connection requests. Thank you so much!

a sala story by Paula Sima

One of the biggest things I’ve had to navigate is the grief of losing versions of myself—whether due to burnout, rejection, or simply outgrowing spaces I once felt at home in. People talk a lot about losing loved ones (which i have lost quiet a few), but not enough about losing yourself—the version you once believed you’d become, the dreams that didn’t unfold the way you planned, or the communities that no longer align with who you are. That kind of grief is quiet but just as heavy & the loss of losing yourself is unmatched either.

Burnout has been another tough lesson or should i say beast I’ve battled, especially in spaces where I’ve poured my heart in, only to realize the support I give isn’t always reciprocated… I used to take rejection personally—whether from people, opportunities, or even my own expectations of how life should go. I used to believe that being surrounded by people meant being supported, but I quickly learned that not everyone reciprocates energy the way I do. Losing myself and so much has taught me that redirection is just as powerful as success. I’ve learned to invest my energy in communities that see me, in work that fuels me, and in content that reflects my truth, not just what’s trendy or expected. Learning to redirect my efforts toward spaces and people who truly see me has been game-changing.

It’s reshaped how I build community— choosing authenticity over numbers, depth over surface-level connections. I build community for the ones who need it the most—the ones who have been through hell and are still finding ways to laugh, create, and push forward. Because that’s what keeps me going too.

At the core of my work, my content, and the spaces I create, there’s always room for real conversations. I show up for the people who have felt overlooked, misunderstood, or like they had to shrink themselves to fit in. Because I’ve been there too. And if my journey has taught me anything, it’s that losing parts of yourself isn’t the end—it’s just the beginning of something new. Growth is POWERFUL so is taking care of your mental health and that is why i chose & prioritize PEACE over everything.

What's a tool, practice, or platform that's helping you care for your mental health or has made your journey as a content creator easier? Two things have been game-changers for me: community and boundaries. First, having a solid community, whether through Podfest, fellow creators, or the spaces I’ve built, have been essential. Creating content can be isolating, and the pressure to constantly produce, engage, and “stay relevant” is real. Surrounding myself with people who get it, who celebrate wins, understand the struggles, and remind me to take breaks— has been one of the best forms of mental health care. Second, setting boundaries with social media, content creation, and even collaborations has saved me from burnout. Not every opportunity is worth my energy, and not every platform deserves my time. Learning to say no (without guilt) and prioritizing what actually fuels me has made this journey sustainable. And this goes beyond my work, this works for my personal life, family & friends. If I had to pick a tool, Google Calendar keeps me sane— because if it’s not scheduled, it doesn’t exist!

Is there an event, conference, or community space in your field that more people should know about? Podfest Expo! It isn’t just a conference, it’s where podcasters belong. Whether you’re new or seasoned, this is the space to grow, connect, and learn without the ego or gatekeeping. It’s hands-on, it’s collaborative, and it actually feels like community. If you haven’t been, you’re missing out.

Are you currently looking for collaborators or support on a project? Yes! Right now, I’m working on Shattered Mirrors: Pieces of Me—a journal-meets-podcast project that explores self-discovery, mental health, and the raw, unfiltered journey of unbecoming everything the world told us to be. Each chapter comes with an audio episode (accessible via QR codes) where I dive deeper into the themes with real, unapologetic conversations. I’m looking for collaborators, sponsors, and supporters who align with this vision—whether that’s mental health professionals, writers, podcast guests, or brands that value authentic storytelling. If you’re passionate about breaking societal molds, sharing real stories, or just vibing with this kind of project, let’s connect!

If this edition resonated with you, follow our incredible creators and co-authors, support their work, and share this with someone who might need it or share on LinkedIn and tag us!

If you’d like to be featured in the sala newsletter, share your story here.

We are expected to hold everything: the work, the care, the grief, the joy, the pain…
And we’re supposed to do it gracefully. perfectly. quietly. urgently. …yea, nah.

This month, I’m reclaiming:
✨ Boldness: Speaking up. Taking up space. Setting my #BBE - Big Boundary Energy.
✨ Belonging: Creating safe spaces for women, femmes, & gender-expansive folks.
✨ Becoming: Trusting in the messy process of growing, healing, creating, and living.

For you, it might be pivoting careers. Launching your business. Creating work that speaks to something deeper, or simply BEING, but whatever it is… we all get to choose what becoming looks like. And no one else gets to decide that for you.

con amor,

mimi, the zillennial griever 🧡