Founder, Unfiltered

Hi Founder Fam,I’m recording this one from Lisbon. I just got in yesterday after eight weeks in Madrid, and I want to be honest with you about something that’s been sitting with me.The past three months have been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. I’ve been a founder for six years, but only recently have I actually started thinking of myself as one. And as I keep building this business from international cities, I’ve been sitting with how often I feel misunderstood. Not by strangers. By the people who love me the most. That’s the part that surprised me.In this episode I’m getting into:* The Madrid sublet scramble that ended my eight weeks there, and the visa context behind why I’m not signing a long-term lease yet* The “vagabond” comment from my mom that sat with me, and why I didn’t get triggered by it but also didn’t ignore it* Why my dad’s reaction was completely different, and what reference points have to do with how the people closest to us interpret our choices* The difference between family love and family understanding, and why the absence of one doesn’t mean the absence of the other* Why I’ve been committing to two and three month windows in cities like Lima and Madrid before deciding anything long-term* The bigger takeaway I keep coming back to about why community isn’t a nice-to-have when you’re building something non-traditional. It’s mental health infrastructure.If you’re a founder building something the people closest to you can’t quite picture, this one is for you.Long-form written version of this episode coming later in the week. 🖤If anything in this episode resonated and you want to talk through what you’re building, I offer Single Strategy Sessions designed for exactly that. You can book one here: www.themaxwellmethod.com/lets-talk🎧 Also on Apple Podcasts | 🎥 Watch on YouTube This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themaxwellmethod.substack.com

A short follow-up to last week’s deep dive on nervous system regulation. After six weeks of nonstop build mode in Madrid, I got invited to Denia Beach (in the region of Alicante) and the second I sat in front of the water, I remembered: this is the tool. The ocean isn’t just something I love. It’s the thing that pulls me out of spin-out and into presence faster than anything else.This episode is a challenge: figure out yours.In this episode:* Why six weeks of “go, go, go” mode made the ocean feel like a revelation, not a routine* The difference between something you enjoy and something that actually regulates your nervous system* Why proximity isn’t the point (I lived 10 minutes from the ocean in LA and rarely went)* How sound can be a backdoor to your tool when you can’t physically get there* Journal prompts to help you identify your own anchor5 journal prompts to find your tool:* Where am I when I feel the most like myself; not performing, not producing, just being?* What activity or place makes me lose track of time in a good way?* When was the last time I noticed my breath naturally slow down without trying?* What did I love as a kid that I’ve quietly stopped making space for?* After spending time with what (or whom), do I feel most regulated for days afterward?A few tips once you’ve identified yours:* Don’t wait until you’re depleted to use it. Most of us only reach for our tool after we’ve already spun out. Build in proactive access, even small doses, before the breaking point.* Find the backdoor version. You won’t always have access to the real thing. If yours is the ocean, save a wave-sounds playlist. If it’s a forest, keep a window seat with a tree view. The sensory shortcut is 70% as effective as the real thing and infinitely more available.* Stop confusing “things you like” with “things that regulate you.” A glass of wine, a scroll session, a shopping cart. Those are dopamine hits, not regulation. Your real tool leaves you calmer for days, not minutes.* Proximity isn’t the point. Intention is. I lived 10 minutes from the Pacific for 15 years and rarely went. You can be next door to the answer and still ignore it. Schedule it like a meeting.* Notice what makes you forget your phone. That’s usually the tool. If you naturally stop reaching for the scroll, your nervous system is already doing the work.Connect with me:* Instagram: @themaxwellmethod* Website: www.themaxwellmethod.com* Work with me: www.themaxwellmethod.com/lets-talk This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themaxwellmethod.substack.com

Something I never expected to be talking about as a brand strategist — nervous system regulation. And yet here we are.For a while I kept seeing it everywhere. Instagram, TikTok, YouTube. Somatic coaches, nervous system experts, all saying the same thing: you can only grow as much as your nervous system expands. And honestly? Part of me was like... is this just the new trend?But a few weeks ago I started actually paying attention to what my own system was doing. The constant content creation, the outreach, the go-go-go of building a business was a lot. More than I realized. So I started taking mid-day walks with no podcast, going back to morning pages, eating dinner in actual silence. And something shifted.In this episode I’m sharing what I noticed, what changed, and why I think this applies whether you’re a fighter (spinning, overdoing, can’t slow down) or a flighter (frozen, procrastinating, perfectionism on overdrive). Neither mode is serving your growth. And the fix is simpler than most nervous system coaches will tell you.This one’s for the founders in Q2 who are doing a lot but still feel like they can’t quite see the path forward clearly. That fog might not be a strategy problem. It might be a nervous system one.If you’re in that place and want help seeing your brand and business more clearly, that’s exactly what a Single Strategy Call is for. Book yours at www.themaxwellmethod.com/lets-talk. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themaxwellmethod.substack.com

The job market is shifting fast. AI is displacing roles in design, copywriting, marketing, engineering, and if you’ve been feeling that pressure, this episode is for you.This week I’m breaking down the one thing I wish more people did before the uncertainty hit: figure out what you’re already known for, and build something around it.I share my own story: how a skill I didn’t even have a name for at Equinox turned into a brand strategy consultancy plus two real examples from friends who went through layoffs and came out on the other side with something that was actually theirs.You don’t have to quit your job tomorrow. But you do have to start asking the right questions now.In this episode:* Why this moment is actually an opportunity to build something of your own* The one question to ask friends, family, and colleagues to find your superpower* How a journalist-turned-Latin music thought leader rebuilt her brand after two layoffs* Why “what do people already come to you for” is the most important question you can ask yourself* Simple first steps: landing page, one-page portfolio, a consultancy you can actually launchConnect with Natasha: Instagram: @themaxwellmethod LinkedIn: Natasha Maxwell Website: themaxwellmethod.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themaxwellmethod.substack.com

Three weeks into Madrid and I’ve stumbled onto something the locals seem to know by default; joy isn’t the reward at the end of the to-do list. It’s the fuel you run on while you’re doing it.In this episode I’m talking about the whimsy trend, why I think it’s actually a nervous system necessity for founders, and what’s shifted in my work (and my content) since I started building real play into my days, not as an escape, but as a reset.We get into:* Why founders’ nervous systems specifically need this* What an hour of “pure whimsy” actually looks like in practice* How stepping away from your work makes you better at it* Why the energy behind your content is something your audience can feel* What Madrid taught me about joy that Naples never didIf you’ve been telling yourself “I’ll relax when I hit the number” — this one’s for you.🔗 Ready to look at your brand from a fresh perspective? That’s exactly what the Brand Strategy Intensive is designed to do. [Brand Strategy Sessions] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themaxwellmethod.substack.com

If referrals have been the backbone of your business, this episode is for you and honestly, it’s for me too. In this episode, I’m getting real about a pattern I’ve been seeing while auditing wellness founders on Instagram: your website is built for scale, but your social media is still quietly speaking to the friends, family, and colleagues who found you first.That’s not a content problem. That’s a mindset problem. And once you see it, you can’t unsee it.I break down:* Why referrals are powerful but can’t be your only growth engine* The disconnect between how founders write their websites vs. how they show up on social* Why this might actually be fear-based (and how to move through it)* A simple audit exercise you can do this week to bridge the gapPlus I’m sharing the exact exercise I did using Claude to compare my own website voice to my Instagram content and what I discovered.📩 Try the free audit below and send me what you find: [email protected] AUDIT EXERCISE: The Website vs. Social CheckDo this in under 20 minutes.Step 1. Open your website and ask yourself (or paste it into Claude or ChatGPT and ask): Who is this written for? What problem are they experiencing? How specific is the language?Step 2. Screenshot 6–9 of your most recent Instagram (or TikTok or LinkedIn) posts and ask the same question: Who is this written for? How specific is the language?Step 3. Compare the two. Is your website speaking to a specific person with a specific problem while your social is speaking to “anyone who might relate”? That gap is the work.The question to sit with: Are you creating content for the cold lead who’s never heard of you or for the warm audience who already likes you?READY TO CLOSE THE GAP WITH STRATEGY?If this episode hit a nerve and you’re tired of posting without a clear direction, the Brand Strategy Intensive was made for this exact moment.In two focused 1:1 sessions, we’ll get clear on who you’re really talking to, what you should be offering and how to price it, which platform to actually focus on, and what your content needs to say to convert cold leads, not just warm ones. You’ll leave with a custom brand roadmap and full session recordings to reference anytime.Investment: $600 👉 Book your intensive hereThe Intensive is also the first step into the 6-Week Brand Mentorship if you’re ready to go deeper. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themaxwellmethod.substack.com

What happens to your business when you stop working from the same four walls — and what neuroscience says about it.I picked up my life, my dog, and my business and moved to Madrid, Spain.And within seven days, something shifted.In this episode of Founder Unfiltered, I’m talking about one of the most underrated business strategies out there: changing your environment. Not your offer. Not your funnel. Your environment.From Naples, Florida (slower pace, seeds planted, website rebranded) to the big city energy of Madrid, I’m sharing what I’ve personally noticed about how environment shapes the way we think, create, and show up for our clients.We also get into:* Why neuroplasticity research backs up what you’ve probably already felt* How switching up your workspace, even locally, can break through creative blocks* The time zone hack that’s made working abroad a win-win* What it feels like when a 20-year dream finally landsIf you’ve been feeling stuck or stale in your business, this one’s for you.Feeling like your brand needs a new environment too? If your messaging, positioning, or visual identity has started to feel like those same four walls, that might be the sign. I work with wellness and integrative medicine founders inside my Brand Strategy Container to help you build a brand that actually reflects where you’re going, not just where you’ve been. [Book a discovery call here → Scheduling]Or grab one of my Etsy digital resources if you’re in the early stages and want to start building your brand foundation on your own terms. [ → Shop Haus Template ] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themaxwellmethod.substack.com

What if the real reason founders quit isn’t the market, the competition, or the money — it’s that they never set their business up to make them happy in the first place?In this episode, I’m coming to you fresh off the plane from Madrid, Spain, sharing the insight from Leila Hormozi that I simply cannot stop thinking about: the founders who keep going are the ones who’ve built their lives and businesses around what truly lights them up.I get real about why I moved abroad (again), what I learned from my time in Lima, how I’m intentionally setting up my new environment in Madrid, and the daily morning routine that keeps me grounded even when business gets hard — including the “morning pages” practice I swear by.If you’re feeling burned out, stuck, or close to throwing in the towel, this episode is for you.In this episode:* Why your business setup and your happiness are more connected than you think* How to identify and “hack” the daily stressors pulling you out of the game* My morning routine: quiet time, journaling, and why I never reach for my phone first thing* What I’m doing in Madrid to set myself up for success over the next two monthsResources mentioned:* 📺 Leila Hormozi on why founders quit — Watch the reel here* 📚 The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron — the book behind the “morning pages” practice I mention: Amazon link This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themaxwellmethod.substack.com

This week I’m getting real about something I noticed in my own business — the sneaky cycle between perfectionism and procrastination. If you’ve ever stayed up until 2am perfecting something only to wake up the next day and avoid it entirely, this one’s for you. I break down why the pressure to make something “perfect” actually taxes your nervous system, and the simple mindset shift that’s been helping me get unstuck and create from a place of genuine joy. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themaxwellmethod.substack.com

Episode 5: Dear Algo, Send Me My PeopleNo one understands a founder’s struggles quite like another founder. In this week’s episode, I share how rediscovering Threads gave me the community I didn’t even know I needed—and why finding your people matters at every stage of the founder journey.Whether you’re just starting out, deep in the messy middle, or scaling to the top, isolation is real. But community? That’s where the magic happens.In this episode:* Why founder isolation hits different (even when you’re not alone)* How I accidentally found my tribe on Threads—twice* The one strategy that’s working: show up to connect, not to sell* Why it’s soul-fulfilling to hear “I’m not alone in this”* How to find YOUR founder community (it doesn’t have to be Threads)This week’s challenge: Think about where you can find genuine connection—not everyone trying to sell something, but true community. Maybe it’s Substack, maybe it’s Threads, maybe it’s somewhere else entirely. Your people are out there.See you next week, Founder Fam. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themaxwellmethod.substack.com

This episode is a reminder for personal brands and content creators that sharing from a real place doesn’t cost you; it expands you. When you reach the moment where you feel like you can’t hold something in anymore, that’s not a mistake. It’s human. Inspired by artists like Bad Bunny, this conversation explores unapologetic self-expression, the fear creators have around losing followers or approval, and why honest sharing doesn’t dilute your brand — it actually deepens it. If you’ve been feeling the pull to say something real, this episode is for you.In this episode, we talk about:* Why the urge to share isn’t random* The fear of losing followers, approval, or control* How honest expression strengthens your brand* The difference between oversharing and meaningful sharing* What you gain when you stop holding backThanks for listening! Subscribe for free to receive new posts, voice notes, and to support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themaxwellmethod.substack.com

As your business grows, things will change.New decisions come up. New directions. New discomfort.This episode is about how to respond when fear shows up during those moments.Not by panicking.Not by pulling back.And not by abandoning what you’re building.Growth brings change.Change brings fear.What matters is how you move through it.In this episode:why fear is part of business growthhow to respond to fear when making changesstaying grounded instead of reactivecontinuing forward without forcing yourselfIf you’re building a brand and finding yourself hesitating at the next step, this is your reminder: fear doesn’t mean stop; it means adjust how you move.Slow is still forward.Thanks for listening! Subscribe for free to receive new reflections from the messy middle of building a brand and to support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themaxwellmethod.substack.com

This is the first time in six years I’ve hired someone to help with sales… and it brought up everything.In this episode, I’m talking about the “and then what?” moment — when you finally expand, and your brain immediately wonders if you’re set up to handle what you asked for.We get into:— making the shift from referrals to cold outreach— imposter syndrome + expectations (and what’s actually your role)— building real infrastructure so you can scale without burning outIf you’re in the messy middle too… this one’s for you.Natasha This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themaxwellmethod.substack.com

This week’s quick Founder, Unfiltered reflection is about doomscrolling — and how it quietly hijacks your nervous system and slows down your momentum as you’re building.If you’ve been feeling scattered, overstimulated, or suddenly doubting yourself after too much time online… this is your reminder to come back to calm.Your business grows faster when your inner world feels steady.Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themaxwellmethod.substack.com

Founder, Unfiltered is a reflective podcast for women building businesses — and building themselves at the same time.In this short trailer, I share what this podcast is (and what it isn’t), who it’s for, and why I’m choosing to talk about the parts of building most people leave out.If you’re in the messy middle of building and becoming, you’re in the right place. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themaxwellmethod.substack.com