Hour four of the Write for Money and Power book launch livestream felt like sitting at a long kitchen table — the kind where the conversation stretches, the candles are lit, and nobody’s rushing you out the door.
I was joined by Sarah Copeland — an award-winning cookbook author and longtime contributor to the New York Times Times, Food Network, and more. She’s also the voice behind the great food Substack publication Edible Living — and our conversation traveled to te storytelling she does behind the incredible dishes she shares.
We also discussed one of Sarah’s favorite recipes — her incredible tahini granola which is a must-try for every type of chef.
Here are a few more moments from the conversation that I’m still thinking about:
Substack as a Return to Voice
After decades writing in brand voice — for magazines, TV, and major food publications — Sarah described Substack as a place where the veil finally comes down.
No editor translation.
No formatting gymnastics.
Just a direct conversation with readers, in her own voice.
It wasn’t framed as rebellion — more like coming home.
Food as Memory, Not Performance
One of the most grounding ideas from the hour:
Food isn’t about technique first.
It’s about connection.
Across cultures, across languages, across generations — food is where memory lives. It’s where stories get passed down without anyone announcing they’re “telling a story.”
That perspective quietly dismantles the pressure to perform — whether in the kitchen or on the page.
Low-Lift, High-Impact Is a Philosophy
Sarah’s approach to cooking mirrors her approach to creative work:
You don’t need to do the most every day for the work to matter.
One nourishing thing.
Curated supports around it.
Rhythm instead of constant output.
It was a powerful reframe for anyone who feels like creativity has turned into a never-ending to-do list.
Sustainability Means Allowing Pauses
When we talked about longevity — especially for women — Sarah named something that doesn’t get said enough:
Pauses aren’t failure. They’re part of the work.
Caregiving.
Life transitions.
Moments where you regroup instead of forcing momentum.
Creative careers aren’t linear. Pretending they should be is how people burn out.
You Don’t Have to Bloom All the Time
This line stayed with me:
Nothing in nature is performing at full capacity year-round.
Not seasons.
Not plants.
Not people.
You’re allowed to have quieter weeks — in your writing, your cooking, your publishing — without losing credibility or power.
Rituals Matter More Than Optimization
When life feels overwhelming, Sarah’s grounding ritual is simple:
Hot tea. Candles. Slowing down.
Not because it’s aesthetic.
But because it reminds her that humans have lived this way for centuries — slower, more intentional, more connected.
That reminder changes how you show up to everything else.
If Sarah’s work resonated with you — especially if you’re craving a calmer, more nourishing relationship with creativity — spend time with her Substack here:
And if this conversation made something click for you about pace, power, and building a creative life that actually lasts — the framework behind all of this lives inside my new book:
Thank you Mary Beth Kaplan🪶, Mindy McHorse, Oray, Amy Benavides, Elizabeth Norvell, and many others for tuning into my live video with Sarah Copeland!
-Amy
