Sarah Mae (she/her)

@sarahmae.me

1299 Followers 1431 Following

Playful branding & growth marketing ops for social impact founders and leaders. 🇨🇦 Writer, improviser, fantasy reader, sci-fi fan, actor, ex-high school teacher, PoliSci degree, WordPress dev. Furmum @lokijuankenobi.com Co-founder @ RecessLabs.ca

tell me what is it you plan to do with your one wild precious life ~ Mary Oliver
White text box with words, “Today I had the thought, "Acting is finding the simplicity in complexity and the complexity in simplicity." Then I wondered if the same could be said for joy. And maybe that's where the magic is.”
When Free Speech Is Weaponized: Updating Rhetoric for the Digital Age I was recently scrolling through Facebook when I saw the comment, “Even when we vehemently disagree with others views, I don’t think censorship is the answer. Freedom of speech is a basic tenet of a democratic society. Who gets to decide what should be censored? It’s so problematic to start cancelling people. Just look at history for examples.” What started as a quick reply to this comment quickly evolved into a deeper reflection on the complexities of free speech in the digital age. Yes, free speech has long been heralded as a cornerstone of democratic society, essential for the flourishing of public discourse and the pursuit of truth. Rooted in the classical rhetoric of Aristotle, free speech is intended to empower individuals, foster critical debate, and uphold democratic values. However, the contemporary digital landscape has increasingly seen this ideal weaponized—used not to enlighten but to mislead, polarize, and manipulate. This article explores how Aristotle’s classical framework of rhetoric, which once guided ethical and effective communication, must be updated to address the challenges posed by the weaponization of free speech in today’s hyper-connected world.
My longhair tricolor chihuahua sleeping beside me while I read Kerri Maniscalco’s Kingdom of the Feared. Log ottoman in front of me with my “fur mama” tea cup.
Book cover: Dairy of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
Book cover "THE SHORT BUS A JOURNEY BEYOND NORMAL By JONATHAN MOONEY
“DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift.” - Alicia Keys at the Grammys 2025
Book cover: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Book cover: The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King
Book cover, Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel
Book cover, Untamed by Glennon Doyle
'David Mitchell entices his readers onto a rollercoaster, and at first they wonder if they want to get off. Then - at least in my case - they can't bear the journey to end.' AS Byatt, Guardian
Mornings at Black Water by Mary Oliver For years, every morning, I drank from Blackwater Pond. It was flavored with oak leaves and also, no doubt, the feet of ducks. And always it assuaged me from the dry bowl of the very far past. What I want to say is that the past is the past, and the present is what your life is, and you are capable of choosing what that will be, darling citizen. So come to the pond, or the river of your imagination, or the harbor of your longing, and put your lips to the world. And live your life.
Book dedication: “To the ones who don't run with the popular crowd, the ones who get caught reading under their desks, the ones who feel like they never get invited, included, or represented. Get your leathers. We have dragons to ride.”
Cover of Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
“Santa! Oh my God! Santa’s coming! I know him!” – Elf Brand Lesson: Build a brand that excites your audience. Create experiences that leave people as thrilled and energized as Buddy the Elf spotting Santa.
People don't have a strong intuitive sense of how much bigger 1 billion is than 1 million. 1 million seconds is about 11 days. 1 billion seconds is about 31.5 years. 1 trillion seconds is over 31,709 years.
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through my phone, Not a message was stirring, just an inbox overgrown. The children were dreaming of gifts by the tree, While spam emails promised, “Buy two, get three!” And I in my PJs, with coffee in hand, Clicked “Mark as Spam” on a dozen brands.
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – The Office (Michael Scott) Brand Lesson: Innovation can look messy, but playing it safe won’t win you the game. Shoot your shot—you might just go viral.
Hannah and Benjamin Endicott
Downdetector screenshot showing spike in internet reporting
“Treat yo’ self.” – Parks and Recreation Brand Lesson: Sometimes your audience just needs permission to indulge. Sell the experience, not the guilt trip.
Book cover Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi and Tahl Raz
A little book I made when I was 7. “The Book Of Sarah” Nov 8, 1990 By Sarah
“Show me the money!” – Jerry Maguire Brand Lesson: People want results, not empty promises. Build trust by delivering value that makes them feel like they just won the jackpot.
Buster the balloon dog playing in a park (cartoon, ai gen)
Book cover… Wild: A Journey from Lost to Found by Cheryl Strayed
From the Program: Elizabeth - Sarah Endicott A twelve year old going to Lochdale Community School, Sarah has danced for the past nine years and participated in Toastmasters International Gavel Club as well as holding spots on the school council and Burnaby Youth Council. Sarah has hamster a named Squeaker and a mom who stands by her side every step of the way. This is Sarah's first stage appearance of a hopeful few and she tells us she is very glad she took the part of Elizabeth (you just never know when you're going to get noticed).
Sometimes a single, well-delivered message is all you need to make an impression. I had three words, but they stood out because I gave them everything I had—heart, sincerity, and intention. Even if all you’ve got is three words, make them count. That’s how you become memorable. 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁.
Lots of lessons to be taken from this memory, but here is what popped into my mind the other day…
I hear my Mum clap and shout from the audience—I smile. Afterward, the cast circles around backstage, signing programs. Their notes fill the margins: • Great Job! • You had my favorite line in the whole play • You had only one line but you said it with such 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨! “𝘕𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦, 𝘸𝘦’𝘭𝘭 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴!”
"𝙒𝙝𝙤, 𝙁𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧? 𝙒𝙝𝙤?" Image of program from A Christmas Carol @ James Cowan Theater, December 13-16th, 1995
Rehearsals blur together. I sit in the wings, knees tucked to my chest, mouthing other people’s lines under my breath. Opening night, I am on stage with my fake parents, waiting. My cue comes and, with as much feeling as I can muster, I raise my voice:
I watch as they tape the cast list to the wall. My fingers dig into the hem of my sweater. Her name is near the top. Of course it is. It always is. Mine’s halfway down: Elizabeth—𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘶𝘦. Three measly words.
What can you do with just 3 words?! More than you think... Image of me in the bottom left. Sarah Mae Abji-Endicott @sarahmae.me
“Winter is coming.” – Game of Thrones Brand Lesson: Markets change faster than you can say “dragons.” Stay ahead of the curve, adapt to the seasons, and always keep your armor handy.
Book cover: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Book cover: My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
Book cover: Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss
“With great power comes great responsibility.” – Spider-Man Brand Lesson: Big brands have big influence, so don’t use it to sell snake oil. Your audience is trusting you to make their world better, not just louder.
My tree up with a chihuahua cameo
Image: Bill Lumbergh saying, “If you could lead with empathy and align decisions with your mission, that would be great.”
Not a Boring X-Mas Playlist on Spotify.
Book cover: Round Ireland with a Fridge by Tony Hawks
Text on graphic: “If you build it, they will come.” – Field of Dreams Brand Lesson: A purpose-driven brand doesn’t wait; it invites. Inspire action, create momentum, make sure your audience knows where to find you... and why they should care.
Book cover: The Greatest Salesman in the World Mass Market Paperback by Og Mandino
“Why so serious?” – The Dark Knight Brand Lesson: Have fun with your branding. Humor, personality, and a little edge go a long way! Just make sure it’s aligned with your audience and mission.
Type Right keyboard practice machine.
“Pivot!” Image of the yellow couch from Friends Brand Lesson: When the market changes or campaigns don’t land, be agile. Flexibility in branding ensures relevance and success.
Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
Book cover. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
Image of me
Welcome to Narnia sign
Image of Narnia characters on a beach with a surfer riding a wave (demonstrating inconsistency)
Image of White Witch
Image of Naria's characters
Image of Narnia lamppost in forest
Image of Narnia Map
What Your Brand Can Learn from Narnia’s Magic. Image of open Narnia Wardrobe.