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šŸ‘‹šŸ¾ Hey Friends,

Ngl getting this newsletter out was tough this week. But! I think I have something to share that might help out a little. Hereā€™s what weā€™re digging into today:

  • How a beloved childhood icon still shows up for his audience šŸ¤”

  • Why failure can lead to Godā€™s promise for you šŸ”„

  • In our FAFO era šŸŽµ

Todayā€™s email is sponsored by PodPitch šŸ¤©

Are you a StraightUp Originalā„¢ newbie?? Join over 2K+ other brand owners using (pop) culture for market research šŸ“ŗ Subscribe here to get the free weekly issue.

šŸ„° IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PODPITCH šŸ„°

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šŸ“£ THE MANIFESTO šŸ“£

These are the House Rules! Get into it.
And when youā€™re readyā€¦memorize it so you know its real!

I AM A STRAIGHT UP ORIGINALā„¢.

I am unapologetic in my beliefs and obedient to my gifts.

I do everything with intention because I am passionate about my assignment.

I cannot stand cookie cutterā€¦I value MY story. 

And I do not ask permission.

I control my own narrative.

šŸ¤” ON BRANDā€¦OR NAH? šŸ¤”

Itā€™s been a somber week around here.

For my folks who are not in the States, we had a Presidential election this week and the results have left half the country in shambles šŸ˜”

So I want share something a lil bit different today, in case you need it.

I have a 5 years old daughter who is non-verbal and on the autism spectrum. (If you have a child diagnosed with autism then Iā€™m sure youā€™re already familiar with some of our story.)

We do a lot of the same things over and over again. We love a routine šŸ«  and she only eats a handful of foods.

Thing is, when itā€™s TV time, thereā€™s only one show that will do : Blueā€™s Clues

Now if youā€™re like me and you were a kid in the 90s, youā€™ll know that there have been 3 different versions of this show.

Steve Burns / Donovan Patton / Josh de la Cruz

You see that last guy on the right? Thatā€™s Josh de la Cruz and he started with the show in 2019. Thatā€™s who my daughter started out watchingā€¦

Until the day the tv rolled over into the original Blues Clues show and its OG host, Steve Burns. Apparently, she immediately fell in love šŸ¤£

So yes, my 5 year old is currently obsessed with a guy from the 90s. And whatā€™s interesting about that isā€¦Steve has been making a comeback on TikTok of all places.

But heā€™s still the same guy. 

This past year, Steve (who is now 51) has gone viral with videos that speak to our inner child and the exhausted adult, all at once. 

How does he do it? By just listening. Like Steve always has.

The comments will show you that it broke people wide openā€¦ a lot like when Elmo asked how everybody was doing that day on Twitter. Turns out weā€™ve needed a ton of that this year.

Steve left the show in the year 2000, but he still hops on TikTok every month to check in on his ā€œfriendsā€.

This Wednesday was no different.

The morning after the election, Steve showed up to sit with us, and this time there were no words.

He just listened and held space. Very on brand.

It actually was the first thing I saw on the socials Wednesday morning and when I tell you I needed it!

If you find yourself feeling lost, sad or even enraged (like me šŸ™‹šŸ¾ā€ā™€ļø) this week, hop on over to Steveā€™s TikTok (or IG) and talk it out.

Itā€™s going to be okay. At least thatā€™s what Steve says.

 šŸ˜ A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR šŸ˜

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šŸ”„ YOUā€™VE GOTTA SEE THIS šŸ”„

A clip that made the rounds this week that you must take with you on your journey.

Chadwick Boseman speaks on appreciating what God brings you through.

Press play ā–¶ļø

TLDR : Jeremiah 29:11

šŸŽµ ISSA VIBE šŸŽµ

If youā€™re gonna be coming up with dope ass ideas and strategies, youā€™re gonna need some dope ass music to inspire you! Hereā€™s a tune that Iā€™ve got on replay this week.

Weā€™re in our FAFO era so Ariā€™s new single is just what we need rn.

Hit the link below to listen šŸ‘‡šŸ¾

šŸŖ© KEEP THE PARTY GOING šŸŖ©

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