You can forgive yourself for unmet goals 💜


Since James Van Der Beek’s passing last month, I’ve been revisiting his work... from Dawson’s Creek to old Dancing with the Stars clips to a recent viral video of his 9-year-old daughter offering tips about grief 🥺

The latest gem I found was an August 2025 Instagram video about creativity, where James talks about how we often chase goals set by younger, less wise versions of ourselves.

He challenges us to revisit them through a new lens, and have the courage to let go.

How much happier would we be if we erased those outdated goals, forgive ourselves for not the meeting them, and just go after something that lights us up?
James Van Der Beek

Hearing James' message, I kept thinking about how much has changed, both for me personally and in the world around us...

We survived a pandemic that reshaped how we work, connect, and live our lives.

I became a mom, learning a new kind of patience, love, and perspective I never knew I needed.

And I'm sure you've evolved, too.

🪞 reflect & reply 💬

What's a goal you set for yourself that now feels outdated?

It's time we pause and ask ourselves if our old goals still serve us. Letting them go can open the door to something better.

Take it from James... our creativity doesn’t need more pressure. It needs a reset.

Brianne Fleming

headline of the week 📰


Donna Kelce’s home renovation… need I say more? This headline went mega-viral.

TMZ originally shared that the 73-year-old NFL mom was making updates to her "modest Florida home" and social media lost it over the “breaking news”.

But TMZ tried to get back in on the joke by sharing some of the memes, and the internet assured them we're laughing AT them, not with them.

Should a brand join in when they're the butt of the joke? Or does that only make it worse?

I'm dying for Donna Kelce's reno to become an SNL skit... check out this past blog post about how brands can use mockery to their advantage.

throwback thursday ⏪

Social media wouldn’t be what it is today without… Ozzy Osbourne?!

When The Osbournes hit MTV in 2002, there was nothing like it. Reality TV back then was all competitions (Survivor) or strangers living together (The Real World).

Then came Ozzy, Sharon, and the family— with cameras in their home capturing unfiltered, everyday chaos.

It popularized the docu-soap format: filming real people but editing their lives like a soap opera. It paved the way for shows like Laguna Beach, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, or more recently, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.

The Osbournes showed that audiences craved a peek into everyday life that was messy, raw, and authentic.

That same formula now powers social media.

And it keeps evolving. Instagram is testing mini-dramas where we all can share a slice of our reality and home life!

faves & finds 😍


In social media, nothing moves faster than sports. You have to share play-by-plays, churn out graphics, and react in real time, all with the unpredictability of how the game will end.

The Miami Heat social team got to live that thrill on Tuesday when Bam Adebayo scored 83 points, the second-highest in NBA history, surpassing Kobe Bryant and chasing Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game from 1962.

But my favorite moment from the night was when the team shared Bam's locker-room photo holding a handwritten “83” sign.

I admittedly didn't realize it right away, but it was a nod to Wilt’s iconic photo.

This callback was a move that takes instinct, awareness, and swift execution. It reminds us just how much skill goes into sports social media.

AND they're selling Bam jerseys for $83... brilliant!!

laugh out loud 🤣

work smarter 🧠

Have your digital bookmarks been collecting dust?

That workout video you saved, the article you meant to read, or the recipe you planned to try… what if they reminded you to make time for yourself?

With Zapier, every time you save wellness content, you can get a daily reminder with a quick tip or idea pulled from it.

How to set it up:

  1. Connect Pocket, Pinterest, or an RSS feed to Zapier.
  2. Choose where you want reminders delivered—Slack, email, or phone notifications.
  3. Set a daily or scheduled time for your self-care prompt.
  4. Let Zapier send a tip or idea from your saved content each day.

And voila! Your saved content becomes a daily self-care reminder, making it easier to build consistent habits and avoid burnout.

#PopChat news 🎉

Of course, we need a place to discuss all the epic memes and brand responses to Donna Kelce's home renovation and so much more!

This was my favorite brand tweet, shared by my former colleague, Sam Ellis!

​Let's dish tomorrow on #PopChat — the livestream where marketers, creators, and pop culture fans come together every Friday to chat about what’s capturing attention online!


As always, thanks for letting me show up in your inbox! Here's another emoji riddle:

Can you guess the song title? Reply with your answer!

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Hint: this singer just released a new album last week 👀


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