- Siembra Connect
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- Platforms Change, Authenticity Doesn’t
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For me, authenticity has always been the foundation. Long before likes and algorithms decided what was “popular,” I learned that being real was the only way to build something that lasts. It’s not the viral posts or polished clips that sustain us… it’s the trust people place in our voices, our stories, and our values.
That’s why I built Siembra Connect on the principle that your most powerful brand is your most authentic self. When you lead with truth, you don’t just attract followers…you cultivate a community. You don’t just chase opportunities… you grow them in alignment with who you are.
This week’s stories, strategies and my podcast interview are all here to remind you that while platforms will change, authenticity never goes out of style.
🧠 Mental Health Moment
Simple practices and reminders to support balance and well-being.
Lately I’ve been reminding myself to slow down and notice the small wins. Just the other day, I was walking Benny after a long stretch of calls. Normally, I’d be in my head thinking about emails I still had to send. But when he stopped to sniff every single tree on the block, I actually laughed out loud. In that moment, I realized how grateful I was for something so simple… his presence forcing me to pause.
Gratitude doesn’t always show up as the big things. Sometimes it’s the quiet reminders tucked into an ordinary day.
Gratitude Check-in
Take a second right now…what’s one small thing today that made you smile, even if only for a moment? Make a list of things you are grateful for.
🌟 Featured Creator
Spotlight on a creator showing up for their community, with lessons you can learn from their journey.
Yvette Bodden - Founder Awakened Woman
“Everyone has a story inside of them. When you share it, you not only heal yourself—you help heal others.” – Yvette Bodden
Creator Spotlight: Yvette Bodden
Hello Cultivators,
This week I want to shine a light on someone whose journey truly embodies resilience and reinvention…Yvette Bodden. She’s not just the founder of Awakened-Woman (AW) and the host of the AW Confidential Podcast; she’s also an author, speaker, and storyteller who’s turning her own lived experience into a movement of empowerment.
Who She Is
I first came across Yvette through her book, A Journey to Becoming the Best Self, where she shares her story of pushing through divorce and depression to rebuild her life with purpose. That honesty turned into something bigger:
She built Awakened-Woman, a global platform that’s reached hundreds of thousands of readers.
She launched AW Confidential Podcast, creating raw, unfiltered conversations about love, culture, and identity.
She’s been recognized with multiple Latin Podcast Award nominations for 2024 and 2025.
Why She Inspires Me
Yvette Bodden inspires me because she turned personal pain into purpose. After navigating one of the hardest seasons of her life, she built a platform that gives women space to heal, reflect, and rise. Through Awakened-Woman and the AW Confidential Podcast, she reminds me that vulnerability can be strength, that storytelling creates connection, and that our second chapters can be even more powerful than our first.
She leads with honesty and courage—qualities I aspire to embody in my own work and life.
What You Can Learn From Her
Owning your story. Watching Yvette reminds me that our struggles can be the most powerful part of our storytelling.
Creating with intention. She doesn’t just publish content—she builds conversations that matter.
Leading with empathy. Every time she speaks, she makes people feel seen and valued. That’s the kind of leadership I want to practice too.
Where You Can Connect With Her
Website: Awakened-Woman
Podcast: AW Confidential
BONUS - Here we are kicking off Latino Heritage Month with a conversation about story telling culture on the AW Confidential Podcast.
🌱 Siembra Lessons
Quick, practical takeaways for creators to grow their brand and business.
Siembra Lesson: Authenticity is a Long Game
When I first embraced the Jíbaro identity, it wasn’t cool.
It wasn’t trending.
It defintely not mainstream, not even in Puerto Rico.
Back then, it felt like swimming upstream. People questioned it. Some dismissed it.
Others didn’t understand why I would tie myself to something so deeply rural, traditional, and—at the time—unfashionable in a culture obsessed with assimilation and modernity.
But I knew what it meant.
For me, Jíbaro life is more than just my heritage, it’s a way of living that keeps us connected to each other. It’s sharing food from the same pot, lending a hand before being asked, and carrying our culture into every conversation, every gathering. Jíbaro life means building relationships that go beyond trends, rooted in love, respect, and pride. It’s about showing up for one another and passing those values forward so the community grows stronger with every gebneration, Today things look different. Bad Bunny stands on the world stage, proudly declaring himself a Jíbaro, rocking the hats, using the language, and making it cool to be unapologetically Puerto Rican. Suddenly, the world is paying attention.
And here’s where the lesson comes in:
Authenticity doesn’t expire.
If you stay rooted in who you are, even when the world isn’t clapping for you, your time will come. When the culture shifts and the spotlight swings your way, you won’t need to scramble to prove yourself… you’ll already be standing there, solid in your truth.
What This Means for You
Don’t chase trends. Build from your roots.
Your story is your leverage. Even if it feels ignored today, it’s planting seeds for tomorrow.
Redemption isn’t about being proven right. It’s about being proud you never abandoned who you were.
I feel redeemed not because Jíbaro is popular now, but because I never betrayed myself waiting for the world to catch up.
And you?
What part of your story have you been holding onto quietly, waiting for the moment the world might finally recognize its value?
🚀 Growth Opportunities
Resources, grants, and programs designed to help you expand and monetize.
News Creator Corps’ pilot 8-week program will provide partnership and training to U.S.-based information providers who want to level-up their connection to their communities. From discussing social platform changes to accessing expert training on fact-checking, interviewing and other traditional news skills, creators will graduate from the program feeling more equipped to provide their audiences with impactful information, and with a cohort of colleagues to learn from and share with.
Who would benefit most from this program?
We’re looking for independent creators who provide a service to their community, whether that’s restaurant openings, public health information, parenting discussions, or local stories. If you create content that informs or connects people, this program will teach you the tactical skills to ensure you are disseminating accurate information.
Creators only need an engaged following on a digital platform (i.e. Instagram, TikTok, Twitch, Substack, YouTube, etc.), and a focus on providing information-based services to a specific community.
Not sure where you fit in? Apply and tell us about what you’re creating.
If you have questions, please email [email protected].
Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on September 28, 2025
📅 Upcoming Events
Workshops, summits, and community gatherings you shouldn’t miss.
Name | Dates & Location | Focus | Registration URL |
|---|---|---|---|
Content Marketing World 2025 | September 15-17, 2025 • San Diego, CA | Content marketing, storytelling, digital marketing strategy. (Digital Agency Network) | |
Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala | October 22-24, 2025 • Phoenix, AZ | Scaling businesses, peer networking, leadership. (Salesforce) | |
Small Business Expo | Multiple coming up: e.g. October 8, 2025 in Los Angeles at the Pasadena Convention Center (Small Business Expo) | Networking, marketing, resources for small business owners. (Small Business Expo) | Small Business Expo – LA event registration (Small Business Expo) |
Digital Marketing Conference & Expo North America | October 13-14, 2025 • New York, NY | Digital marketing insights, strategy, networking. (#DMWF World Series) |
🛠️ Tech Stack
Essential tools and platforms to make your workflow smoother.
I used to keep my ideas scattered across notebooks, random docs, and voice notes on my phone. Notion changed that. It’s become my creative hub… where brainstorms, content calendars, and project plans all live in one place. As a creator, that matters. Instead of wasting energy trying to remember where I put something, I can focus on the actual work of building, writing, and creating. Whether I’m drafting a blog post, tracking collaborations, or mapping out a new digital product, Notion gives me structure without boxing in my creativity.
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📰 Creator News
Quick hits on the biggest shifts shaping the creator economy—so you know what’s changing, who’s investing, and where the opportunities are.
Here is my personalized creator news drop for 9/17/25
Condé Nast to launch new creator shopping platform, Vette
Condé Nast is building a marketplace for creators to run boutique-style storefronts without managing inventory. Brands will handle dropshipping while creators curate shops with AI insights and storefront tools.
Why it matters: Creators get more control over merchandising without the risk of stocking products.
👉 Read here
YouTube’s massive update: Live, Shorts, AI tools
YouTube unveiled its biggest set of updates: AI-generated highlight clips for Shorts, dual vertical/horizontal streaming with unified chat, rehearsal mode, membership-only live streams, and interactive “Playables” games.
Why it matters: More tools = more ways to engage & monetize. AI highlights and games can drive retention and ad revenue.
Donatuz launches AI-led monetisation platform for creators
The startup Donatuz is introducing AI-driven monetization tools that simplify revenue streams for creators.
Why it matters: Competing platforms = more leverage for creators. AI can help optimize earnings without drowning in admin work.
4. YouTube’s push into TV viewing and premium ads
YouTube wants to rival Disney+ and Netflix by expanding TV-style viewership, adding pause ads, ad pods, and premium formats tailored to living room screens.
Why it matters: If your audience watches on smart TVs, this could mean higher CPMs and more lucrative ad options.
5. Meta cracking down on reposted content
Facebook creators who repeatedly repost stolen or unoriginal content will risk losing monetization eligibility and visibility. Original creators may soon get better crediting features.
Why it matters: Unique storytelling pays off. If you remix content, make sure it’s transformative to avoid penalties.
📚 Mental Health Resources
Curated guides, tools, and mental health support to strengthen your creator journey.
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