A Note from the Roots

January always invites reflection for us.

Not the loud, pressure-filled kind of reflection—but the quieter kind. The kind that asks not just what are we doing, but why it matters, and how it feels to be doing it.

As we’ve stepped into 2026, we found ourselves having some deep conversations behind the scenes. About our own leadership journeys. About the work we’re doing alongside clients. About what’s changing in the world and what's not. What’s working, and what feels ready to grow deeper roots.

One thing became clear: it’s time for us to show up a little more personally here.

Not because the work has changed—but because the stories beneath the work matter just as much as the tools and resources. The growth we see in leaders and teams doesn’t happen in tidy bullet points and assessments. It happens in real moments: hard conversations, quiet realizations, small shifts that add up to meaningful change.

So this year, you’ll hear more from US.

More about what we’re learning.
More stories from the 'real-world' (and from our own lives).
More honesty about the messy middle of growth.
And yes—still plenty of practical resources we hope make your work and leadership a little lighter and more grounded.

We also want this space to feel less like a one-way update and more like a conversation.

Many of you open these emails faithfully—and that humbles us more than you know. We want to maximize your time with us. We hope that when this email lands in your inbox, it feels like an “oh, yay” moment… not just something to skim or delete.

So as we begin the year, we’ll occasionally ask you what you want more of—and we truly mean it. You can always reply directly to this email or join in when we invite you to share through a quick poll or reflection.

Thank you for joining us here. We’re grateful to grow alongside you.

In Growth & Gratitude,
Amy & Sarah
Aspen Root Collective

New this month:

Rooted Reflections

Insights from the work—and the real life behind it🌿

Lately, I’ve been caught between two loud messages: use AI or fall behind… and be more authentic than ever.

Six days into 2026, I made a simple decision that brought surprising clarity—and a lot of relief.

This month’s Rooted Reflection shares what I’m trying, why I’m keeping it small, and what it’s teaching me about growth that actually sticks.

Read the full reflection

Help Us Shape What Comes Next!

We’re refreshing this newsletter to be more personal, more useful, and more connected to what you’re actually navigating.

If you’re willing, help us out with a quick click—this helps us make sure this stays an “oh yay” email, not inbox clutter.

👉 What would you like to see more of this year? (Click what resonates most—no forms, no pressure.)

We don’t want to send more emails—we want to send better ones. Thanks for helping us grow this space with intention.

Things we're using, reading, and recommending.

Regenerative Business by Samantha Garcia 📗

This month (and this past year!), we’re loving Regenerative Business; a book for weirdo entrepreneurs and creatives who want to build businesses that align with nature for abundance, fulfillment, and impact. It offers a refreshing perspective on growth that’s less about hustle and more about connecting your business to the familiar cycles of nature.

If you’re craving a way of working that feels more rooted and less industrial, this is a great place to begin.

You can explore two free chapters, get a clear overview of the book, and decide if it’s right for you by clicking the link below.

Check out the book here!

Ideas worth thinking about- and talking about!

On LinkedIn, we share weekly leadership insights, short videos, and resources that make you pause, think, and talk with others.

We believe the real magic happens when ideas move across industries, roles, and geographies—and that doesn’t have to stop when a workshop ends. We’re not chasing trends; we’re cultivating conversation.

LinkedIn is where we want to build connections and reflections. We want to stop the scrolling and start a conversation. We're not here to be influencers, but rather 'thinkfluencers'- sparking ideas and connections with the collective that we see come alive every day in our workshops- and we want you to join us!

Check out our most recent video here