Yep, It's Time To Build A Media Company
Here's why ...
I had a meeting with a good friend and business partner yesterday. He hit me with the cold hard truth about how I’m building my brand.
After that conversation, I asked Juliana what she thought, and she agreed with him.
So this is my moment. This is when I have to commit (there’s that damn word again) to building a media wing for my enterprise.
Shit … I knew this day was coming. It’s here.
LFG. 🔥
Every Company Is A Media Company
Years ago, I watched a Seth Godin presentation called “every company is a media company.” (Okay, I don’t know if that was the actual title, but it was definitely the message.)
I took his advice to heart. That idea is what led me to build Sober Nation as a blog and media brand. Later, I discovered Copyblogger, and it clicked that content marketing and media were really the same thing.
It’s just a fancy way of describing how I publish and use content to build authority, then use that authority to sell.
This isn’t groundbreaking. In 2025, everyone gets the concept.
Still, I’ve fallen out of the habit, at least when it comes to content marketing with intention.
Life Comes In Phases
You don’t see it right away, but life moves in cycles. Interests, priorities, and obligations rise and fall like the tide.
For the last five years, I haven’t been focused on media. I’ve been deep in deal making, investments, and what I would call true entrepreneurship. Building companies. Managing teams. Selling.
That’s very different from media and content.
The truth is, I haven’t enjoyed content marketing like I used to. When I started Sober Nation, I was obsessed. I had calendars, keyword clusters, podcast networks, and entire website sections for personal stories. Media was my edge.
I loved it. I felt like an artist.
But I burned out. Eventually, I shifted into more technical work.
This recent chapter has been about management, high-level sales, and big-picture strategy. The content I’ve made has mostly been for fun.
But after my talk with Darren yesterday, I realized something important: if I want to reach the next level, it’s time to go back to media. It’s time to reestablish my authority.
There’s a catch. And this is very important, so pay attention.
The purpose of this is not to do more, it’s to do less, but do it better. So when I say that I need to reprioritize the media, I don’t mean I need to create more work for myself. Rather, I need to do the emotional labor (which is the hardest part) of sticking to a plan and adding intention to the work I publish.
I Do Not Have It All Figured Out
Over the last year, my Substack has basically been a giant exercise in free association writing. I’ve gone through so much change in the last two years. Some mornings I wake up and feel totally clear. Other days, I feel completely lost. The truth is somewhere in between.
I’ve had bouts of awful sadness and periods of borderline manic energy. I’ve had periods where I am patient and in a Zen like state and then periods of intolerance, impatience, and discontent. These phases are the most difficult, because when I am living in a fearful state, I don’t feel like a good dad. Nothing pushes your threshold for patience like two toddlers, and nothing makes you feel like a bigger asshole then being angry at a 4 year old for being a 4 year old.
I’ve been learning so much about myself. I’ve slowly been chiseling away the stone and exposing the statue which is my life.
That said, I’m starting to get a clearer picture of the life I want. Bit by bit, I’m learning what matters to me, what I want to build, and how I want to do it.
The hardest part has been doing all of this without judging myself. I’m always quick to criticize, to find reasons why I’m not doing good enough.
Writing every morning has helped. And having you here, reading and following along, has meant everything to me. Thank you.
I’m not sure how I got here, but I’m seeing it now. This is the time to go all in on media. I’m no longer running Stodzy. I’m not juggling a dozen clients. I’m more purpose-driven in my work than I’ve ever been. And yes, I still plan to make a profit. The goal is $10 million a year for my holdings company, and that vision is starting to feel very real.
So What’s Next?
I’ve got the start of a plan. Tomorrow’s issue will be all about structuring and mapping out what Tim Stodz Media is going to look like.
Until then, I hope you have a great day.
Love you guys. Talk to you tomorrow.
Tim
245 Pound Deadlift. A New Personal Record
I can lift so much more than this, but I want to be patient and and just go slowly. My immediate goal is 315. I could probably pick up 315 now, but there’s no reason to rush it.
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