Gene therapy that sounds like science fiction with Dr. Sam Mackenzie

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Gene therapy that sounds like science fiction with Dr. Sam Mackenzie

February is Rare Disease Month, so on It’s a Lot, we’re doing a mini series focused on spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). My son was diagnosed with SMA a few days after he was born, and then received an incredible gene therapy treatment less than a month later. The experience was a lot to go through, as you might imagine. I’m grateful I can share our story and hopefully help other people.

For the first episode of the mini series, I talked to my son’s neurologist, Sam Mackenzie, M.D., Ph.D. I was super curious about what it’s like delivering a life-changing diagnosis to a family, what you learn in med school about empathy and bedside manner, and how Sam ended up a child neurologist in the first place. We also discussed our flawed healthcare system and his hopes for a better one as well as what people can do to help disabled folks in the U.S. If this episode makes you want to support research, the TANGO2 Research Foundation is a great option! And if you want to go more in depth on child neurology, make sure to check out Sam’s podcast, Immature Brains.

In the second half of the episode, we chat about Sam’s experiences as a father of three. He shares his thoughts on parent guilt, his existential fears about how AI will impact his kids’ lives, why risk can actually be a good thing, and lots more.

Lastly, to learn more about SMA and how you can support the community, check out Cure SMA.

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2016 nostalgia is misguided and perplexing

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2016 nostalgia is misguided and perplexing

For a fun little mini episode of my podcast It’s a Lot, I sat down with my producer, Chris Lindstrom, for a chat about how things are going with the show so far, some of our favorite episodes, and the bizarre 2016 trend that’s been everywhere on social media lately. Yes, 2016 was different, but it was not better. And neither were we! We both reflect on how we’ve grown and changed over the past 10 years—and how Rochester has changed too. It’s a fun discussion; I hope you’ll give it a listen!

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25 Books I Loved in 2025

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25 Books I Loved in 2025

2025 flew by! This year, I launched a podcast called It’s a Lot, where we dive deep on social media, parenthood, and things that are a lot. I had a blast interviewing 15 different guests about the complex, weird, and wonderful things that are a lot in their lives. If you’re reading this blog post because you’re a bookworm, don’t miss my episode with Ella Dawson, author of But How Are You Really or my interview with Kristen Felicetti, author of Log Off. 

This year, I celebrated 6 years of Serve Me the Sky Digital, gave a talk about a book I love at the local library, taught writing for digital media at Nazareth in the spring and two sections of my social media course in the fall, and worked with several new clients, all while raising a very active toddler. Every day is fast-paced, fun, and tiring. Somehow, I managed to read 107 books (as of this writing). Many of my favorite reads this year were ARCs! I’m grateful to the publishers who send me advance copies of books so I can rave about them to the world.

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Celebrating 6 Years of Serve Me the Sky Digital

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Celebrating 6 Years of Serve Me the Sky Digital

Serve Me the Sky Digital turns six today! I’m so proud to have been in business for six whole years now. I’ve been a business owner through the COVID pandemic, the death of my mom and grandma, adopting a new dog, getting an ADHD diagnosis, becoming an adjunct professor, and having my first baby. It’s a lot! I’ve learned and grown so much over the past six years. 

I’m grateful to all of the amazing clients, friends, and supporters who have cheered me on, sent me referrals, and shared kind words about me and my work. I feel seen and valued, and I hope to make those I work with feel the same way. 

My business anniversary is always a good opportunity to reflect, so today I’m sharing some of my favorite projects and experiences from the past year, lessons I’ve learned, and a glimpse at the future of Serve Me the Sky.

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Reading Recap: What I Read for the 2025 Trans Rights Readathon

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Reading Recap: What I Read for the 2025 Trans Rights Readathon

Two years ago, I participated in the inaugural Trans Rights Readathon and wrote about it. I pointed out the significant and alarming increase in anti-trans rhetoric and legislation; sitting here in 2025, that almost seems quaint. The second Trump administration is actively trying to erase the existence of trans folks and spreading disinformation aggressively with the goal of making Americans fear and hate trans people.

Trans people have always existed and always will. Trans rights are human rights. Full stop.

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24 Books I Loved in 2024

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24 Books I Loved in 2024

2024 has been a whirlwind! I welcomed my first child in June, and while a baby isn’t typically conducive to hitting your reading goals, I was still able to read 125 books this year, and my little guy has gotten to enjoy many audiobooks with me during feedings. Pivoting to audio is one big change I’ve noticed in my reading habits this year. I’ve also found myself less drawn to dark and twisty books since having a baby (though they’re still in the mix!). Lighter and more entertaining fare is more appealing these days. If you’re curious about my reading habits in the past, you can take a peek at my roundups from 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020). 

In addition to giving birth to a small human, I taught a crisis communication course at Nazareth University this spring, celebrated 5 years of Serve Me the Sky Digital in May, lost a major client upon returning from maternity leave, onboarded several new clients throughout the fall, interviewed two content creators I admire (Dr. Fran and Ella Dawson), and had one of my most profitable months ever in December. It’s been a year full of changes, joy, and challenges. It’s been exciting and exhausting. Reading was a good way to stay grounded while life was such an emotional roller coaster. 

Without further ado, let’s dive into my 24 favorite books of 2024! I took a new approach this year and organized by mood. 

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How I Took 3 Months of Maternity Leave as a Freelancer

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How I Took 3 Months of Maternity Leave as a Freelancer

There’s no universal guide for self-employment, so it can be tricky to navigate personal, emotion-packed situations like taking bereavement time or maternity leave as a freelancer. When I found out I was pregnant last fall, I almost immediately started planning my maternity leave in my head. How would this work? How much time should I take? Would my clients be upset? Would they replace me while I was out? How much income would I lose? 

There were a lot of concerns and logistics to work through, but I knew I needed to give myself time to recover from childbirth and acclimate to parenthood. I wanted to take at least eight weeks of leave. Today on the blog, I’m sharing how I planned for maternity leave, how my leave actually played out, and more. I hope it’s helpful for any self-employed, soon-to-be parents out there who are navigating this too!

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Celebrating 5 Years of Serve Me the Sky Digital

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Celebrating 5 Years of Serve Me the Sky Digital

This month marks a huge milestone for Serve Me the Sky Digital: we’ve officially been in business for five whole years! According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 50% of small businesses fail within the first five years. I’m so grateful to be among the 50% that are still standing, especially after social and economic turmoil and personal life changes too. 

In the past five years of growing my business, I’ve met some amazing people, taught engaging workshops, worked on massive global brands and tiny startups, and learned a lot about what it takes to run your own business. I’m thankful for all the opportunities that have come my way, often via my awesome network of supporters and wonderful clients. 

Five years ago, it was hard to picture what the future of Serve Me the Sky Digital would look like. I only had a couple of clients, at rather low rates, and didn’t know what to expect. I took a bet on myself and made the leap. I’m so glad I did. I hope to have many more happy years of self-employment ahead, full of great projects with people and organizations I love working with!

Without further ado, let’s dive into some projects and opportunities I’ve enjoyed this year, lessons learned, and a look to the future. 

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My 23 Favorite Books of 2023

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My 23 Favorite Books of 2023

I always enjoy writing my annual ‘Year in Books’ blog post (check out my roundups for 2022, 2021, and 2020 if you missed them!). Reading is the hobby that’s been there for me consistently, year after year, regardless of whatever changes may be happening in my life. 

2023 has been busy! In January, my husband Tim left his day job in engineering to pursue murals and design work full-time under his business Tenderchomps Art. I helped him run a community art event for elementary schoolers at a local library, ghost wrote blog posts for his website, started running his social media, and offered guidance based on my own experience as a business owner. 

In May, I celebrated four years of running Serve Me the Sky Digital! And in August, I dove into a new endeavor: teaching a social media course for undergraduates at Nazareth University. It’s been a year full of learning, new experiences, changes, and great books! At the time of writing, I’ve read 163 books so far this year. 

Let’s get into it! Here are my 23 favorite books of 2023, organized by genre. 

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Celebrating 4 Years of Serve Me the Sky Digital

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Celebrating 4 Years of Serve Me the Sky Digital

This May marks four years of running my own business full-time. A four year anniversary may not be a big deal to some, but it feels important to me. Four years of successfully running my business, even through an unprecedented global pandemic and economic turmoil? It is a big deal!

As I said in my newsletter this week, running Serve Me the Sky Digital is the most satisfied I’ve ever felt in my work life. I spent four years in higher education and earned a master’s degree in educational administration, then pivoted to nonprofits and worked in marketing at a startup incubator. I learned a lot at those jobs, but both were not a great fit for me.

Since diving into self-employment full-time, I’ve had opportunities I never would’ve guessed would come my way and have been happier all around. Glowing testimonials from clients I love working with make me proud of how far I’ve come and thankful to be where I am in my career right now. 

Let’s get into some of my favorite projects, lessons I’ve learned, and a glimpse ahead!

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