That time Jackie Ortiz angered the birding community (and other stories from a content creator & social media pro)

That time Jackie Ortiz angered the birding community (and other stories from a content creator & social media pro)

On It’s a Lot this week, I chatted with Jackie Ortiz (she/they), a social media professional by day and food/travel content creator by night. Their whole career has focused on building community and cultivating curiosity, which I really admire! We explore figuring out how to identify which stories will resonate with your target audience, learning to create video content, encouraging people to see familiar places differently, and lots more. We even talk about the time a small mistake in one of her travel videos infuriated the birding community!

Read More

Artist Christy Roushey on career path pivots & showing up authentically online

Artist Christy Roushey on career path pivots & showing up authentically online

In episode 3 of It’s a Lot, I spoke to artist and mom Christy Roushey, founder of The House of Roushey, about her journey of leaving engineering to be a stay-at-home mom, teaching herself new skills, and eventually launching her own art business. We also discuss having hard conversations with your kids and the importance of having mental health support.

Read More

Author Kristen Felicetti is feeling some social media nostalgia

Author Kristen Felicetti is feeling some social media nostalgia

On the second episode of It’s a Lot, I chatted with Kristen Felicetti, author of Log Off, in celebration of its one year publication anniversary. We discuss the LiveJournal and Myspace days of social media and ponder what the future of social media looks like. We also explore Substack as a social media platform, where Kristen works by day as their Head of Support.

Read More

7 Mistakes to Avoid When Starting a New Instagram Account in 2025

7 Mistakes to Avoid When Starting a New Instagram Account in 2025

So you’ve asked yourself these 5 questions and determined that Instagram is the right fit for you and your business. You have the bandwidth, you know your audience, and you have goals in mind. You’re all ready to launch. How do you launch well? Avoid these 7 mistakes when creating a new Instagram account and you’ll be golden. 

Read More

Therapist & content creator Alaina Brubaker talks performative posting on It's a Lot podcast

Therapist & content creator Alaina Brubaker talks performative posting on It's a Lot podcast

This week, I launched my podcast, It’s a Lot, where I have honest conversations about social media, parenthood, and other things that are a lot. My first guest was therapist and content creator Alaina Brubaker. Five years ago, I interviewed her here on the Serve Me the Sky blog about starting her therapy Instagram, what inspired her to start creating content, how she developed her aesthetic, how she’s grown a following, and more.

Read More

Celebrating 6 Years of Serve Me the Sky Digital

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.

Read More

5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting an Instagram Account

5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting an Instagram Account

So you have a great idea for an Instagram account and you’re all ready to launch… or are you? 🤔 It’s easy to get swept away by an exciting new idea, but social media requires a significant investment of time, energy, and resources that you must carefully consider before diving in. Here are five questions to ask yourself before starting an Instagram account so you can be in the best position possible when you launch. 

Read More

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

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.

Read More

The State of Social Media in 2025

The State of Social Media in 2025

For years, I’ve loved working in social media because it’s constantly changing and you never get bored. But sitting here in 2025, I’m starting to feel like we’ve had enough changes! Social media is getting harder and harder to keep up with, and its influence on the real world continues to grow. These aren’t just silly little apps we all waste time on; they have a massive impact on society and culture. Today on the blog, I’m sharing the latest updates on how social media is changing in 2025, my recommendations as a marketer, and my personal opinions as a human.

Read More

24 Books I Loved in 2024

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. 

Read More