The Market Maven

In this episode of The Market Maven , I'm joined by Amber of The Host Notes for a conversation about hospitality, local food, entrepreneurship, and the often-overlooked ingredient that makes it all work: community. From creating meaningful experiences around the table to building relationships in the marketplace, Amber shares how simple shifts in perspective can transform the way we connect with l...

If you haven’t tuned into the video version of the Market Maven Podcast yet… this is the episode to start with. It was made to be watched. A lot of podcasts don’t make it past a handful of episodes, so hitting 100 is something I don’t take lightly. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has listened, shared, and stuck with me along the way.  With some extra guest-features and a whole lotta gratit...

After six seasons of building the Lake Stevens Farmers Market from the ground up, I’m sharing some honest thoughts on what it feels like to watch a “new” version take shape without the context of what it actually took to build the original. This episode touches on the unseen labor behind a market, the difference between profit and community, using AI to support "local," and the emotional weight of...

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Ilea Bingham, of Posey Acres Kitchen, a sourdough baker navigating one of the most saturated spaces in the market world right now. Sourdough is everywhere—but what does it actually take to stand out when you’re one of many? We talk about how she got started, what she’s learned along the way, and the reality of building a business around something that’s both...

When I say “the C word,” you might think of one thing. But lately, I’ve been thinking about a few: Cancer. Community. Connection. Communication. In this episode, I’m sharing a personal update on my mom’s cancer journey, reflecting on recent experiences with community (from the BLOS cruise to Emerald City Comic Con), and diving into a real-world reminder of how communication can make—or break—your...

In this episode of the Market Maven podcast, I explore the multifaceted nature of leadership, emphasizing that it is not always loud or authoritative. I focus on the importance of authenticity, resilience, and personal growth in leadership roles, drawing parallels between my experiences and cultural symbols like the Seahawks and Bad Bunny's halftime show. The conversation highlights the significan...

In this episode, I’m joined by Kathy Rodriguez of Coaching with Kathy for a powerful conversation about self-love, transitions, and releasing the expectations we place on ourselves. We talk about what it really means to meet yourself where you are — not where you think you “should” be — and how letting go of those internal pressures can create space for growth, clarity, and compassion. Whether you...

In this episode of the Market Maven podcast, host Sarah Dylan Jensen welcomes Nikki, the owner of Nikkster Tech, to discuss the importance of effective website strategies for small businesses. Nikki shares her journey from being a park ranger to a tech expert, emphasizing her mission to help small business owners enhance their online presence without breaking the bank. She highlights the significa...

2026 is starting differently. For the first time in years, I’m managing only one farmers market. My mom is still in cancer treatment. The world feels heavier — violence, political uncertainty, economic stress, and historic flooding here in Snohomish County have all collided. And yet, the market continues. In this episode, I reflect on the lessons of 2025 — not as a neat recap, but as a reckoning....

Running a farmers market isn’t just about booths and permits. It’s about holding space — for farmers, for small businesses, for community — especially when the world feels unstable. I’m Sarah Dylan Jensen, and this is Season 4 of  The Market Maven Podcast. ★ Support this podcast ★

As the tents come down and the holiday season ramps up, Sarah shares an honest look at what life feels like between market seasons — that in-between space of reflection, renewal, and recalibration. In this short and heartfelt update, she talks about what’s ahead for The Market Maven, how she’s navigating her own season of change, and why it’s more important than ever to stay connected to community...

In this follow-up to SNAP Judgements , I return to the mic to unpack what the looming end of SNAP funding means for real people, local farmers, and the small businesses that make up the heart of our communities. As of November 1st, billions in food assistance are set to vanish — leaving millions of Americans wondering how they’ll put food on the table. But the impact doesn’t stop there. From farme...

In this "part deux" episode, Sarah Dylan Jensen delves further into her experiences running the Lake Stevens Farmers Market, highlighting the financial burdens placed on her by the city, the challenges of managing the market amidst city construction, and the contrasting support given to other community events like Aquafest. She expresses frustration over the lack of equitable treatment for the mar...

In this tell-all episode, Sarah Dylan Jensen shares the highs, lows, and oh no she didn’t moments of the Lake Stevens Farmers Market that had it all — drama, heart, community, and a few mic-drop exits. It’s funny, it’s honest, and it’s everything you didn’t know you needed to hear about what goes into making a market begin and end. So grab your coffee (or tea… you’ll need it) and get ready — this...

Markets, Mayhem, and Moving Forward 🎙️ It’s been a whirlwind few months — from funding cuts to political shakeups and even saying goodbye to the Lake Stevens Market. In this new episode of The Market Maven , I’m sharing what’s really been happening behind the scenes… and where we go from here. 🌱 ★ Support this podcast ★

In this short solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain a bit to talk about the work that happens behind the scenes at farmers markets — the kind of work most people never see, but that keeps everything running. I share a recent conversation with someone from the UK who reached out for guidance as she begins her own market journey, and I open up about the tough decision to step away from the Lake...

Send the Market Maven some fan mail! In this episode, I break down the recent Senate bill’s deep cuts to SNAP and what they mean for real people—market shoppers, small farmers, and families already stretched thin. We also dive into the culture of snap judgments online and in life, and why setting boundaries might be the most powerful act of care. Support the show Like what you've listened to? I'm...

Send the Market Maven some fan mail! This episode is about grace . The kind we give to others, and the kind we often forget to give ourselves. I talk about:  ✨ Navigating unruly market days with patience  ✨ Learning to delegate (even when it’s hard)  ✨ Caregiving for my mom during her cancer journey  ✨ And the strange shift from being a 24/7 hustler to feeling like putting on real pants is a w...

Send the Market Maven some fan mail! Welcome to a no-holds-barred peek behind the produce at the farmers market! In this episode, I’m sharing a few annoying and exhausting moments I’ve experienced recently as a market director. From vendors needing constant attention to customer questions that make you do a double take, it’s been a wild ride—and I’m here to tell you all about it. Get ready for a c...

Send the Market Maven some fan mail! A solo episode where Sarah Dylan Jensen reflects on the simultaneous beauty and hardship in her life right now. From launching another busy market season, training a new puppy, and building big partnerships — to helping her mom through cancer treatment and dealing with the unknowns of family income — this episode sits in the tension of “both/and.” It’s about be...

Send the Market Maven some fan mail! In this raw and honest episode, I open up about what the last few weeks have looked like behind the scenes—my mom’s cancer diagnosis and surgery, my dad coming to visit, getting a new puppy from my incredible husband, and kicking off opening day of the Snohomish Farmers Market. It’s been a season of joy, heartbreak, overwhelm, and resilience. If you’ve ever fel...

Send the Market Maven some fan mail! In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Kari, owner of Flourish Organic Farm in Arlington, WA, to dig deep into the ways small businesses, especially farms and makers, help communities bloom. From her first market experiences to building a collaborative flower collective, Kari shares how choosing local isn't just about what you buy—it's about who you’re buil...

Send the Market Maven some fan mail! In this episode of The Market Maven , we're diving into the basics of running a farmers market — from the very first steps to finding your rhythm as a new market manager. After connecting with a brand-new market manager through Instagram, we realized her questions were ones many people have but don't always ask. So instead of keeping the convo in the DMs, we br...

Send the Market Maven some fan mail! If you've listened to any of my previous episodes, you know it's taken some time and effort to learn how to advocate for myself and for others.  Being a woman often makes this hurdle a little higher. So, I was thrilled when Jessica, of BLOS, and Carmella decided to do an event on self-advocacy and how "behaving" doesn't always get things done.  We decided to tr...

Send the Market Maven some fan mail! In this episode of The Market Maven , I reflect on my experiences at two incredible events: Emerald City Comic Con and the In Tents Farmers Market Pros Conference. While these events might seem worlds apart, they both offer a sense of inclusivity, community, and creativity that fills my cup in profound ways. From meeting artists and attending panels on branding...