Hello Cultivators,

Something is changing.

Across platforms, conversations, and communities, creators are quietly stepping away from the pressure to produce more and choosing to create better. This moment isn’t about algorithms or new tools. It’s about care. It’s about clarity. It’s about deciding what kind of work and life you want to sustain.

It shows up in creators prioritizing mental health, building ownership outside of platforms, and focusing on work that holds meaning beyond the scroll. It’s visible in how audiences are responding, too—lingering longer, trusting deeper, and valuing substance over noise.

This issue explores what that shift looks like in real time. From the creators building support systems where none existed, to platforms signaling that empty volume no longer wins, to examples of reinvention rooted in values and stewardship.

The future of creation isn’t louder.
It’s more intentional.

Let’s take a closer look at what this season is asking of us—and how to move through it with care.

❤️ 🌱,

George Torres

Let’s keep growing.

PS… click the “Read In Browser” button to makd sure you do not miss any of the content here.

Creators 4 Mental Health was founded by Shira Lazar Emmy-nominated host, producer, and digital culture expert. After years of witnessing burnout and mental health struggles in the creator community, Shira launched C4MH to provide real solutions — from therapy access to research-driven advocacy.

The initiative began as a collaborative community event with Peace Inside Live, co-founded by Jordana Reim. As the vision grew, C4MH evolved into its own independent organization in 2025 to better serve the needs of creators and the broader online community.

From Hits to Harvests
Kelis made her name with bold, genre-bending music and iconic singles like “Milkshake” and “Bossy.” But after more than a decade in the spotlight, she chose a new path…one rooted in food, farming, and full ownership of her lifestyle.

She trained at Le Cordon Bleu, launched her own line of gourmet sauces and seasonings, and released a cookbook. Today, Bounty & Full has expanded to include skincare and wellness products, all made with ingredients she grows herself. This pivot wasn’t a gimmick, it was a reclaiming of her time, talent, and values.

Why She Moved to Kenya
In a world where most celebrities are buying more square footage in Malibu, Kelis bought farmland in Kenya. She and her three kids now live on a 300-acre sustainable property where she grows crops, raises animals, and builds community with local farmers and workers.

The decision wasn’t symbolic. It was practical. More land, more freedom, better healthcare, and more control over how her resources are spent. She’s now building a wellness retreat and farm-to-table restaurant while running Bounty & Full from the ground.

Her Feed Is Real Life
Kelis’s social media presence skips the filters. One day she’s planting tomatoes. The next, she’s giving an honest review of what’s hard about living in rural Africa. Her content blends farming, food, family, entrepreneurship, and ethical living—all with clarity and zero fluff.

Followers stick around because she’s not selling an image. She’s documenting a lifestyle choice. Her updates feel personal, informative, and often unexpected. She’s not pitching escape fantasies. She’s showing you what it looks like to build something of your own.

Why It Matters
Kelis’s story resonates because it reflects what more people want right now:

She didn’t quit. She evolved. Kelis is still creating, still performing—just on a different stage. One with real soil, real sweat, and a deeper kind of impact.

Why I Find Her Inspirational
Kelis reminds me that reinvention is a choice we can make on our own terms. She didn’t ask for permission. She didn’t chase trends. She just followed what felt right and built a life that serves her values. As someone who works to amplify cultural visibility, I’m drawn to people who don’t just talk about purpose…

they live it.

Kelis shows that it’s possible to thrive while staying grounded, creative, and deeply connected to the world around you.

AI has changed how consumers shop by speeding up research. But one thing hasn’t changed: shoppers still trust people more than AI.

Levanta’s new Affiliate 3.0 Consumer Report reveals a major shift in how shoppers blend AI tools with human influence. Consumers use AI to explore options, but when it comes time to buy, they still turn to creators, communities, and real experiences to validate their decisions.

The data shows:

The most effective brands are combining AI discovery with authentic human influence to drive measurable conversions.

Affiliate marketing isn’t being replaced by AI, it’s being amplified by it.

Download the full report to see what this means for your brand.

Summary: This track explores the rapidly evolving world where digital creators and content shape culture and commerce. It focuses on the tools, trends, and tactics needed to succeed in the fastest-growing sector of small business. It is ideal for spotting long-term shifts in tech, AI, and digital storytelling.

Dates: March 12 – 15, 2026

Location: Austin, TX

Link: sxsw.com/conference/creator-economy-track

Summary: Known for its deep tactical dives, this event features sessions on organic social growth, paid ads, and marketing strategy. A major highlight for 2026 is AI Business World, a dedicated 2-day conference within the event focused specifically on integrating AI into marketing workflows.

Dates: April 28 – 30, 2026

Location: Anaheim, CA

Link: socialmediaexaminer.com/smmworld

Summary: Aimed at CMOs, creators, and social managers, SMW unpacks strategies to move businesses forward in an era of platform fragmentation and AI-generated content. It focuses heavily on how to tell "real" stories in a digital world and leverages case studies from the world's most viral brands.

Dates: April 14 – 16, 2026

Location: New York, NY

Link: event.adweek.com/smw_2026

Summary: Celebrating its 15th anniversary, VidCon remains the premier event for digital video. For 2026, it has introduced new ticket tiers: Creator Pass (for emerging professionals) and Pro Pass (for industry-defining insights and networking). It features an expanded Gaming Zone and a Live Podcast Studio.

Dates: June 25 – 27, 2026

Location: Anaheim, CA

Link: vidcon.com/anaheim

Summary: This event is specifically designed for brands and influencer marketing professionals. It focuses on the "business" side of creators—specifically data, metrics, and delivering campaign ROI. It’s the top venue for creators looking to understand what major brands are currently looking for in partnerships.

Dates: July 28 – 29, 2026

Location: New York, NY

Link: creatoreconomylive.com/east

Mootion is currently a leader in AI-driven video creation. It allows you to turn a single prompt, script, or image into a structured, high-quality video in minutes. It is particularly useful for creators who need to maintain a high output of visual storytelling without a massive production team.

Canva remains a powerhouse because of its AI integration. It can generate thumbnails, social media graphics, and even short animations from text. Its "Brand Kit" ensures that your visual identity stays consistent across all platforms, which is vital for building a recognizable personal brand.

To survive "The Big Shift," your content needs to be "answer-worthy." Surfer SEO analyzes top-performing content in real-time to give you a data-driven blueprint for your scripts and blog posts, helping you rank higher in both traditional search and AI-driven search engines.

If you are repurposing content for different regions or need professional narration, ElevenLabs provides the most human-sounding AI voices available. It also offers powerful translation features, allowing you to reach a global audience in their native language while maintaining your original tone.

AI Sandbox Prompt

This prompt helps you uncover what you already know how to teach.
Use it to surface skills, stories, and insights you take for granted—but others need.

Slow down.
Reflect on what comes naturally to you.
Let clarity shape what you share next.