Writing for Real Simple, Popular Mechanics and Beyond: Stephanie Mickelson’s Freelance Journey Focusing on Home, Lifestyle, Books and More

She wanted to be home with her kids, but she also wanted an income and a career. That tension is where freelance writer Stephanie Mickelson built her business, starting with small Upwork jobs and steadily growing into bylines at major outlets like Real Simple and Popular Mechanics.

We talk through the exact moments that made freelancing feel “real,” including the first $1,000 month that proved the work could move the needle financially. Stephanie shares how she chose niches like home improvement, construction, real estate and lifestyle by following genuine interests and leaning on hands-on experience. We also get practical about the work itself: a quiet 4:15 a.m. writing routine, balancing admin with deep work and how she keeps a flexible rhythm that still ships drafts on deadline.

If you pitch writers for a living or you are trying to land editors yourself, the middle of this conversation is packed with field-tested advice. Stephanie explains what makes an editor say yes, why timing matters, how a smart follow-up can help and how PR reps can tailor ideas by looking at recent bylines on Muck Rack and pitching adjacent angles. She also breaks down how product reviews and gift guide picks happen through testing, research and relationships, plus where she finds community and opportunities on LinkedIn and tools like Pitchcraft, Qwoted and Press Hook. We wrap with her Substack, The Simple Freelancer, and a glimpse of rural life that includes 14 chickens and more fresh eggs than one family can handle.

Subscribe for more conversations with working journalists and writers, and if this one helps you, please share it and leave a rating and review. What part of freelancing do you want us to unpack next?

Connect with Stephanie on: 

LinkedIN 

Simple freelancer substack: https://thesimplefreelancer.substack.com

Transcript

Show Opening And Guest Setup

Angela 0:05

Welcome to Media in Minutes. This is your host, Angela Toole. This podcast features in-depth interviews with those who report on the world around us. They share everything from their favorite stories to what happened behind the lens and give us a glimpse into their world. From our studio here at Communications Redefined, this is Media in Minutes. Today we're talking with Stephanie Mickelson, a freelance writer whose work spans home improvement, lifestyle, construction, personal finance, and more. Stephanie has built an impressive and diverse portfolio with bylines in major national outlets like Real Simple, Popular Mechanics, Apartment Therapy, and Business Insider, along with extensive work for brands and clients across industries. What makes Stephanie's story especially compelling is how she built her freelance career from the ground up while staying home with her young children, gradually growing it into a full-time business by the time they were all in school. In addition to her editorial work, Stephanie shares insights and advice through her Substack, The Simple Freelancer, where she offers straightforward, approachable guidance for writers navigating the freelance world. Hello, Stephanie. How are you? Hi, I'm good. How are you? Great. I look forward to speaking with you. I love your story. You know, building a freelance career while raising

From Teaching To Freelancing

Angela 1:28

young kids. Take us back to the beginning. You know, what made you decide to start freelancing in the first place? I know it wasn't your first career.

Stephanie 1:36

Right. No, I actually have had a lot of like very, very random jobs. Um, but I eventually came into teaching. So I was teaching um high school and middle school English. Okay. Um, my husband and I had um at the time two kids, and he was a stay-at-home dad, and I was teaching. Um and I really, really, really wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. Um, so we kind of after a while, we were able to like figure out how to kind of switch jobs, switch roles, do all these things. Um, and but I also knew that, you know, being a single-income family just wasn't really gonna cut it. We had, you know, financial goals, we wanted to buy a house, you know, all the kind of regular things. So I started freelance writing. Um, I started on upwork and I got a couple jobs, and then it just kind of, you know, snowballed from there. And I realized that this was something I could actually like make into a career. Um yeah, and I wanted to, like, I'm a planner. Um, so I wanted to make sure as my kids at the time when I started were three and one. Okay. Um, the next year we added our third. So I had, you know, a newborn, a two-year-old, and a four-year-old. Oh, wow. I mean, you look back and you're like in the world. It was crazy. Um, but yeah, so then I kind of was like looking ahead, you know, in at that point in five years, they were all gonna be in school. And I didn't want to start from scratch at that point. So I just, you know, kind of built it up slowly with the

The First $1,000 Month

Stephanie 3:10

goal of moving into it when they all went to school.

Angela 3:13

Okay, so at what point did you realize this is actually going to work?

Stephanie 3:18

Um, so December of 2019, actually. Um, I was pregnant and miserable. Um, I never had like really bad morning sickness or anything like that, but it was just, it was the first trimester. I was tired. Um, I ended up with like a stomach bug, and like the kids were little and it was just a lot. And that ended up being my first thousand dollar month.

Angela 3:45

Wow.

Stephanie 3:46

Yeah. And I was like, you know, if I can do it like at that point, yeah. Like if I can do it under these working conditions, I can probably do it in better working conditions. Um, but yeah, it was like reaching that like thousand-dollar threshold was like, oh my gosh, like this is real money, right? This isn't like like any money's real money, but like it's not like $200. Like, this is gonna move the needle. Um, so yeah, that was

Finding Profitable Writing Niches

Stephanie 4:14

that was when I really got excited.

Angela 4:16

Oh, that's great. So it's been uh six, seven years since then. You write across a mix of niches, home improvement, construction, lifestyle, even travel. How did you land on those areas?

Stephanie 4:32

I am so I'm a planner, but I'm also very willing to just kind of like go wherever the wind takes me at the moment. Um, so the the home improvement and construction, um, that came out of when I was um a number of years ago. I worked with a friend of mine, he was a kitchen remodeler. Um, and I told him that he should hire me as his assistant. And he said, Do you have experience? And I said, No, but I have a drill and I'm a fast learner. Um my favorite story. He's still one of my best friends. Um, and he's like, Okay, I'm not gonna hire you. And I was like, Well, that's that's fair. Um, but he eventually did, I convinced him. Um, so you know, I learned how to do like just a variety of things. I installed kitchen cabinets and I installed flooring and we built pergolas. Um so when I many years later, when I was looking at jobs on Upwork, um, there was a countertop company that needed a writer for their blog. Yeah, it was kind of like, oh, well, I like that stuff. That makes sense. I could maybe do that. So that's kind of where I was like, all right, I like that. Um that kind of like led itself into real estate writing, and that was during COVID. Um, so there was real estate was huge. Right. Um, so yeah, I I got to write about real estate. That kind of like morphed into, you know, kind of like a lifestyle home improvement type writing. Um, yeah. And then I just kind of like, as I've seen things that I think are interesting, I'll kind of like pursue that avenue, you know, and some sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. Um, but yeah, that's kind of how I I've gotten into like this very like eclectic, I guess, group of niches.

Angela 6:26

Yeah. Where is your focus lately? Do you have certain, you know, certain of those topics you're focusing on or outlets you're targeting most often?

Stephanie 6:35

Um, yeah, I've been writing for real simple, um, kind of in the lifestyle niche. Um I've done a little bit of like like wellness and health. Um, my the thing I'm really excited about right now is writing about books. Um I've been able to write a couple articles just about, you know, kind of like rounding up um books that are coming out or in some sort of like genre, and that's been really fun. Um yeah, I have actually, I haven't, I won't say who it is yet because I haven't actually finished the assignment. Um but I have a like super niche in the like architecture engineering construction world. Um, and that's coming up, and like that has gotten me really excited about

How PR Should Pitch Freelancers

Stephanie 7:20

kind of exploring more in in that area too.

Angela 7:23

So that's awesome. I wasn't going to get into these questions quite yet, but thinking about that as a PR professional, how do we know what to pitch you?

Stephanie 7:35

So with the other one that I didn't mention yet, but the travel is something that I'm really interested in also. And that's just because um we kind of took a little bit of a break from traveling when we moved into our house, and now we're kind of back in it. Okay. Um, and I'm like, I mean, that's if I'm going to be going anyway, and I like writing, and there's travel opportunities, you know, in the Midwest, like that's a really another exciting avenue. So that's another area. Um, so to get back into how PR can kind of pitch me. Um I obviously like I have kind of like the niches that I write in, right? But I'm also always willing to kind of like look at something outside of those. Um so this is probably not going to be a very helpful answer, but I'm gonna try. Um, I think you know, the things that PR reps can do is definitely look at things I've published recently. Um, so like on MuckRack, I know you can go on and kind of like get that gist. Yeah. Um and then anything kind of like adjacent to those things. So like I've written about books, for instance, and I, you know, right away was getting contacted by book PR, which is um, you know, but then like if somebody sees that I've written about books and then wants to pitch, um, you know, like I know there's like reading, um, what they call like reading retreats now.

Angela 9:04

Right. Yes.

Stephanie 9:06

So like that's yeah, so like a reading retreat, or I think I saw like a literary cruise, like, you know, so if somebody's in that area, like that would work. Um, you know, one of the the book articles that I wrote was about cozy mysteries. So, you know, if somebody is representing products for a cosier home, like that would be a fit. So really I'm open to a lot of different things.

Angela 9:29

Okay, that's awesome. And you'll just tell us if it's not for you, right?

Stephanie 9:33

Yeah, and and I've definitely done that where I've I've seen, you know, something come across and I'm like, I'll eat like I've gotten a lot of stuff about AI lately, and I just am not like cryptocurrency. No, you haven't wrote anything about not the right lady, guys. Um, you know, and not all the time, but a lot of times I'll just send a quick email that's like, hey, I don't

A Real Freelance Workday

Stephanie 9:52

really cover this. Thanks for reaching out, you know.

Angela 9:55

Yeah, that definitely makes sense. It being a as you've seen, being a freelance writer is tough business. What does your day-to-day actually look like behind the scenes?

Stephanie 10:06

Um, I love this because I love I love a day in the life. Um, I so I get up early, I get up at like 4 15. Um my son, yes.

Angela 10:16

What time do you go to bed?

Stephanie 10:18

Uh like 10-ish. Okay. 10 30. Um, yeah, my son actually like randomly got up when I got up to like get water or something yesterday. And he's like, It's 4 19, mom. What are you doing? Like, this is when I get up. But he's like, Oh, this don't judge. Um, but yeah, I and I try like so I got up early when I was just starting out and the kids were little because that was like the only real time to work.

Angela 10:42

Yeah.

Stephanie 10:43

Um, yeah. So now that they're older and in school, I was like, oh, now I can like sleep in, it's gonna be great. And I tried that for like two weeks, and I'm like, nope, hate it. Got it, gotta get up earlier. I just I feel like that's when I do a lot of my best work. Okay. It's quiet. Yeah, that's just my it's my favorite time. So I get up early. Um, I usually, so between like 4:15 and 6, I'll be at the computer. I do like some stretching and drink water and all the stuff you're supposed to do. Um, and then I'll sit, you know, I'll be at the computer until about six. Um, some of that's just like catching up on emails, reading some newsletters, um, and then I'll, you know, do some writing. Um, then I get the kids on the bus. Um, usually from like seven until nine is kind of like I go on a walk, I work out, I tidy the house, like all that, you know, all that type of stuff. Um, and then yeah, so then from nine until 2:30-ish, I'm usually at or around my desk. Okay. Um, I'll stop for lunch because I love lunch. Um, yeah. And then within that time, it's a mix of, you know, I'll do writing and pitching some story ideas. Um, I'm working on kind of like a client outreach framework that I'm testing. Um, so I'll I'll do that, like whatever piece I have for that day. Right. Um, yeah, and then just, you know, field emails and um I write my Substack on one of those days.

Angela 12:17

Okay.

Stephanie 12:17

Yeah. So that's it's it's I think there's a rhythm to it. There's, you know, not necessarily a like hard and fast routine, but definitely like a rhythm, you know.

Angela 12:26

Right. Yes. Sounds like it. It sounds like a good routine overall.

Pitches That Win And Follow-Ups

Angela 12:30

Flexible, yeah.

Stephanie 12:31

Yes, very flexible too. Yes.

Angela 12:33

What have been some of your favorite stories to research and write?

Stephanie 12:38

Um, let's see, the cozy mystery one. Um, that one was for real simple. I actually pitched that idea, I think, three different times. Um, and the same outlet? Yes, same outlet, same editor. Um, and then it finally, like the third time landed, and my eight-year-old daughter was home at the time. Um, and I like started yelling. She's like, what? I'm like, I got it, I got it. And she came over, we like jumped around together, and I'm like, I get to write about the books. And she was like, Yeah, like it was a very, it was a very cool moment. That is awesome. Yeah, it was great. Um, but yeah, I'm really enjoying that. Um, I've been writing some review, like product reviews. Um, for there's a a website called In My Expert Opinion. Um, that's been a lot of fun. So, like when I do accept products and things, a lot of it is for that site. Um, and then I've been writing some articles for popular mechanics about smoke detectors and countertop ice makers.

Angela 13:42

Okay.

Stephanie 13:43

Um so yeah, again, again, with like the very eclectic mix. And I just I really I write for a small business lender. Um, and I get to write about like small business association lending, and I think that's really fun.

Angela 13:58

Uh-huh.

Stephanie 13:59

Um, yeah, just like, and then um getting into, I want to get into more of like that travel side too. And I'm excited about, I haven't done a lot yet, but I'm excited about the prospect. Like, yeah, just it's really exciting.

Angela 14:12

That's awesome. So, from your perspective, what makes an editor say yes? Like, how did the third time land? Did you change it up each time?

Stephanie 14:20

Or um, I did change it up each time. I initially, how did I? I think I initially did it as like uh a winter thing, and then I kind of pitched it as like a beach read, and then I pitched it again as like a cozy mysteries for winter. Um I think a lot of times, and I I mean you can do a lot of stuff as a writer to kind of like make the pitch sound really good. Um, but I really think it comes down to the timing and just like getting to them at the right time. Um and I also think that some sort of like, I don't know how to say it, some sort of like other connection point helps. Right. Um so like there have been times where I've pitched an editor, haven't heard anything, but then I've reached out on LinkedIn and either liked one of their posts or commented or messaged and like, hey, I sent you a pitch. And then that's what gets them there.

Angela 15:21

Okay, yeah.

Stephanie 15:22

So I yeah, I think it's that like like you don't want to be annoying, obviously. Right, right.

Angela 15:27

There's a fine line between like annoying and helpful or yes.

Stephanie 15:31

Hey, it's stuff again. If you looked your email, hey, it's stuff.

Angela 15:34

And you see this from the PR side, you know?

Stephanie 15:36

Yeah, exactly. Like, oh, okay, yeah. But so to that point, too, and I don't know if this makes me sound like a jerk or not, I'll say it anyway. Um, but sometimes I don't open a pitch from PR until I see it a second time. And like when I get like when I get the email with the little number two by it, yeah, and I'm like, oh, you know, because there is like that, you know, a lot of people send out like a lot of mass emails, or it's a press release, or and not that that's bad, but there is something to that where I'm like, oh wait, they're trying to, and maybe they they've sent the exact same email to 57 other freelancers, and then they set they followed up again the exact same way. But when I see it again, there's like almost that like part of my brain that's like, oh, they really want to talk to me.

Angela 16:25

You know, how you know that is super interesting too because we hear it's like half and half, maybe, but there are some that are like do not follow up with me and they get angry, or you know, they're like, I do not want a second email. So we have lists that are that are, you know, no follow-up. So it's great to know because it's not, you know, obviously just like none of us are the same, no two writings the same.

Stephanie 16:49

Well, and I think like and at PR, you guys are masters of the follow-up because I know that there are emails that I've sent that have just like they're dead and buried in my outbox somewhere, and I'm like, I'll never think of it again. Um, so I admire like the amount, like the way that you guys were able to do that. Um, but yeah, so I think and and once I that kind of like clicked in my head, yeah, I was like, oh, so editors probably don't get infuriated if they see my name pop up again, right? You know, or like super annoyed, like, oh, there she is again. You know, it's more of like that, like, no, I really do. Like, I want to talk with you, like I want to work with you, you know.

Angela 17:30

Right, like maybe this person's really serious and has a great story.

Stephanie 17:34

Yeah, exactly. Yeah, well, and then too, like, and on the PR side for um like samples and things too, because I don't want to like like obviously you like to get free things, but you know, you want to do it with like a that, you know, from like a best practice sense. Like, I'm not gonna accept something that I know that I'm never gonna write about. Right. Um, you know, but then also, so like sometimes I'll say no or I won't respond because I'm like, I just don't really know. But then if you know, if that person is in contact a couple more times and it's like, oh no, like I could really work with them, or oh, there is maybe an angle for this that I hadn't thought of.

Angela 18:10

Right.

Stephanie 18:10

So yeah, I think there's a lot

Trends Plus Building The Simple Freelancer

Stephanie 18:12

of power in the follow-up.

Angela 18:13

Yes, that makes complete sense. So in that home and lifestyle space, you know, specifically, what topics or trends are really resonating right now?

Stephanie 18:22

Um, I think anything wellness related. Okay. Um, yeah, just the creating, you know, a home and a space and a life that is really that really fits who you are as a person. Um I know, and this is more, I guess, hotel-based. There's a uh a woman I follow on Substack, and she's been writing about different hotel, um, I don't even know trends, but like things she's seen in hotels. And one of them has been like, um, she just did a post about how like the gallery wall is not out of fashion. Like you can have a gallery wall. Um, but yeah, and I think that a lot of the home design specifically kind of really went that like generic way for a while.

Angela 19:08

Yeah, yeah.

Stephanie 19:09

And yeah, and I think that it's coming back to not even a certain like like if you are a maximalist and you want 50,000 different colors in your home, right? It doesn't matter if that's not like the style or if you, you know, like however it is, like you can just do your own thing. And I think that that's really cool.

Angela 19:28

That is really cool. I like that trend.

Stephanie 19:30

Yeah, same.

Angela 19:32

You know, you mentioned you're a Substack also, so we must talk about that. What inspired you to start it? And tell us a little bit more for those who aren't subscribed.

Stephanie 19:40

Yeah, awesome. Um, it's called the Simple Freelancer. Um, and I think that it's a really good testament to starting something before you're ready. Um, and I would say that that is potentially a character flaw or positive of mine that I just like, but I just like start something and I'm like, I'm gonna do it now. And some of those people look at me, they're like, What are you doing? I'm like, I'll figure it out. Um, but that's one. So like I so previous to that, and I still have the websites, I don't do anything with them. Um, but I had the simple girlsguide.com, and that was going to be kind of like a personal finance type blog. Okay. Um, and then I also had the practical pen, which is my business name, and that was more of like a reading book blog, slash business blog, slash whatever. Um so when I started Substack, I literally started it as the simple girl's guide and the practical pen as like a conglomeration because I couldn't think of a name. Okay. Um, and I started it on mail or light as like a newsletter. Um, and then I kind of started learning about Substack and I moved it over to Substack, and then eventually I was working out one day and I stopped and I grabbed a notebook and a pencil and I wrote down the simple freelancer and I was like nailed it.

Angela 21:06

Um, and then it just I love when these ideas pop up, right?

Stephanie 21:11

The weirdest times, and I'm like, okay, well, I gotta write it down.

Angela 21:14

Um my problem is when it pops up in the shower, and I'm like, wait, I need some kind of waterproof uh way that you can write it there.

Stephanie 21:22

Literally, the other day was like, I need a waterproof notebook in here.

Angela 21:25

Yes.

Stephanie 21:27

So I now I can't remember what that idea was, but I'm sure it was great. But yeah, so and it just kind of like um, yeah. So then I just I've I've been writing twice a week for a really long time. I recently just went back to once a week. Okay. Um, so it's every week on Thursdays. Um, yeah, just some, you know, a little glimpse of like the behind the scenes, some advice, some a lot of real life story stuff. Um, but yeah, it's fun.

Angela 21:55

Great. We will include a link to that in our show notes as well.

Stephanie 21:59

Perfect.

Angela 22:00

Something I I was curious about is what do you wish you had known about freelance writing, the the world of it that you didn't when you started?

Stephanie 22:09

Yeah, I um let's see, I the community that of freelancers that exists. Um I am not like uh an online person generally. Like I don't, you know, like I don't post on Instagram or do any of that stuff. Um, but when I started, and I don't know if it existed and I wasn't aware of it or if it's grown. Um, but like today the freelance community is huge and helpful and kind and it's fantastic. But yeah, when I started, I really, I mean, I was literally like in my house with my two kids and my computer going, Well, I guess I'll start a business. Um, and then I actually I'm uh I was on Twitter back when it was Twitter. Okay. And that was kind of like the place to be for freelancers for a while. Yeah. Do you remember the Twitter? For journalists in general, too. Yes, right. It was great.

Angela 23:06

Yes.

Stephanie 23:06

Um, editors were there. Like, yeah, that's where I met like my first, like it made my first PR friend. Like it was great. Um, but yeah, so that was when I kind of got a taste of it. Like there were some freelancers that I talked to there. Um, and then now it's kind of shifted over into a lot of LinkedIn. Um but yeah, it's you know, there's a lot of people that I feel like I can just like reach out to if I have a question. Or yeah, it's it's fantastic. So I I think that to freelance now, that would be something that I would definitely seek out. Um, and same for new freelancers. Like if you're new and you find somebody that like what they're saying resonates, like definitely reach out and say hi.

Angela 23:51

Yes, yes. It's all about just as it is in the PR world, relationships and who you know and those connections. Are there other resources

Community Tools And Networking

Angela 24:00

or tools you you enjoy?

Stephanie 24:02

Yes. Um, so pitchcraft is a really great one. Yes. Um, for like right journalists, writers, and PR.

Angela 24:10

Yes.

Stephanie 24:11

Um, quoted is another one. And it's interesting because I kind of go to like different ones for different things. So they all are kind of like within their own, you know, little space. Um, Press Hook is another really good one. And yeah, those would be, yeah, those are kind of the main ones. And then LinkedIn, um, right, is you know, especially if it's it's something like, hey, I, you know, I'm looking for somebody who knows about blah blah blah. And then people will weigh in and get you to the right person.

Angela 24:44

Yes, and you're like, wow, that happened very quickly. That was amazing.

Stephanie 24:48

It is, and I have to say that it's it's wild. So I came from, like I said, I had a lot of like weird and random jobs, and then I ended up being a teacher, and in like a rural district, a couple different rural districts, but networking like really didn't play a part, like and making, you know, like you went in, like for me, like I went into the classroom. My one of my classrooms actually had its own door, so like I literally like walk in the back door.

Angela 25:17

Yeah. Wow.

Stephanie 25:19

Yeah, literally like walk in the back door. And if I didn't want to leave my room, like I could just hang out, you know, and like hang out with the kids, and it was great, right? But like, yeah, having like seeing how these relationships kind of like work in a professional capacity, um, it's been a learning curve, you know, because a school is pretty well like, you know, you come in, you you teach your class, you teach your class, you do your job, you know the other teachers. So to like walk into this world of like it's like the whole world is here, and I can talk to people wherever and whenever. And it's you know, and then like you meet one person and they connect you to the other person, or I've had people message me, like, hey, do you know somebody who can help with this? And I'm like, Yes. So yeah, it's been just like a very like eye-opening experience, and it's yes, amazing.

Angela 26:12

And the more you help others out, they help you. I

Product Reviews And Brand Samples

Angela 26:16

mean, it's just that community grows and grows and and builds into that. Yeah, I do need to ask about how you mentioned um, you know, product-driven stories. How are those selected and how um can brands be considered?

Stephanie 26:30

Yeah, so the way that I do it is if I'm doing um, it kind of depends on the topic. So sometimes, you know, it's and I don't have a good example um off the top of my head, but like sometimes it's pretty much just stuff that I use.

Angela 26:46

Okay.

Stephanie 26:47

Um, you know, or or stuff that I've tried that I've really liked.

Angela 26:50

Right.

Stephanie 26:51

Um, within, you know, whatever category. For other things, so like popular mechanics articles that I'm writing, a lot of those are first hand tested. Um so those, you know, if I'm looking for ice makers to be able to like connect with somebody and actually get one of those in my hands to test, um, obviously is gonna up the chances that it's included. Right. Um yeah, and then some of it, depending on on the site, on the project, um, some of it's research based. Um, you know, and even there it helps to have a contact to say that like, you know, even if I haven't gotten my hands on it specifically, like this is still what the product does and how it works and what people say about it. So yeah, I think to have those products featured, a lot of it is just the making connections part. Yeah. Um, and I will say too, if you are, you know, a PR rep and you've emailed somebody, and I've heard other people say this too, um, and you haven't gotten a response, that does not mean that you won't ever. Um, I know that like I again can't think of an example, but I know that I have literally gone to my my email and typed in something, and I find, you know, the email from somebody that somebody sent me. I got an email from somebody from the Wobbles. Okay. The crochet kit.

Angela 28:12

Yes, I'm familiar.

Stephanie 28:13

Yes. And like beginning of 2024, and I like it was when I emailed back, I was like, hey, I don't cover kid crafts. Sorry. Like, yeah, maybe it talks you later. Right. Um, and then like a year later, I had it was like a gift guide roundup for something, and I was like, oh my gosh, that would be really like that would be a great gift. Yes. And I dug through my email and I found that lady's email, and I was like, Hey, can you tell me about you know the Google's or whatever? And then I got it into the gift guide.

Angela 28:45

That is great. Yeah, it was so yeah, it was really cool. I've had some examples like that too, where I won't hear back from a reporter, but literally a year or maybe two years later, about the destination. Or and so that does go to show you like it might not happen right away, but they're usually filing the story or filing the emails, you know, if they need

Rural Life Chickens And Where To Follow

Angela 29:06

something down the road.

Stephanie 29:07

Absolutely.

Angela 29:08

Before we go, I need to ask what's one thing that those who don't know you would be surprised to learn about you.

Stephanie 29:17

Um, oh my gosh, I was thinking about this and I don't know.

Angela 29:21

Um those icebreaker questions, right?

Stephanie 29:26

You cut the thinking part out. Um, so I have chickens. Okay. Um, that would probably surprise people. And I live in a very, very rural area. Okay. Um so like from my house, you there, I think there's one house you can kind of see in the winter. Um, so like very so that's why I think for me, networking has been so exciting.

Angela 29:49

Yeah.

Stephanie 29:50

Because it's not something that I get in like my literal, like real day-to-day life. I have to go to the internet to do it.

Angela 29:57

Yeah.

Stephanie 29:57

Um, but yeah, we also like we have 14 chickens at the moment.

Angela 30:02

Wow, 14.

Stephanie 30:03

Yeah, they are laying more eggs than we can eat.

Angela 30:06

Oh.

Stephanie 30:06

Um, yeah.

Angela 30:08

And I mean kids help with them.

Stephanie 30:10

Oh, yeah. Um my middle one, especially, she loves animals and loves chickens, and she she'll tame them and like, you know, they'll be really skittish, and all of a sudden she's like carrying them around the yard.

Angela 30:22

That's awesome. So you always have the best tasting fresh eggs.

Stephanie 30:27

We do. I'm like looking at like five dozen right now, and I don't know what to do with it. But yeah, so I think that probably is like, and I'm typically willing to just like I don't know, get my hands dirty, get into whatever, like anything needs to be done, like, I'll jump in and do it, whether it's you know, taking care of the chickens or I don't know. Yeah.

Angela 30:48

And that's how you become successful in life.

Stephanie 30:50

Yeah, I think so. Just like really willing to try stuff.

Angela 30:53

Yes. How can our listeners uh follow your work or connect with you online?

Stephanie 30:57

Um, let's see. I'm Stephanie Michelson on LinkedIn. It's M-I-C-K-E-L-S-O-N. Um, and then on Substack, it's the simple freelancer. And you can email me. Perfect. As well.

Angela 31:10

Include those links.

Stephanie 31:12

Awesome.

Angela 31:13

Thank you so much. Yes,

Closing Request To Subscribe

Angela 31:15

thank you. This is great. That's all for this episode of Media and Minutes, a podcast by Communications Redefined. Please take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe to our show. We'd love to hear what you think. You can find more at Communications Redefined.comslash podcast. I'm your host, Angela Toole. Talk to you next time.