Welcome to your Existential Phase – a combination of memoir-style audio essays, musings on politics + culture, reflections on work + life as a self-employed person, ruminations around uncomfortable questions, and an exploration of being human – all through the lens of a Humanities degree holder, professional copywriter, and grown-ass woman who refuses to choose between depth and delight.
006: ADHD, Blue Nail Polish, and The Weight of Other People’s Perceptions
Lessons from my lifelong infatuation with colorful balms, waxes, powders, spritzes, and solvents
Thanks for listening!
Want more? Come hang out with me on the internet:
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18 Jun 2026
005: What DO We Owe Each Other?
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the responsibilities that come with having a platform, including what we owe each other – as leaders, as community members, and as humans on the internet.
And, forgive me, but… a lot of it was prompted by the Hot Chef Saga. If you’re tired of hearing about it, I’m sorry! If it’s any consolation, as I embark on my FIFTH day of writing this piece, I grow ever-wearier of it and of myself. 😂
The whole saga really had me scratching my head, though, and this episode is my attempt to figure out why.
When you're done listening:
→ If you liked this ramble, you’ll probably love Chelsea and Xanthe’s June episode of State of the Internet (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/state-of-the-internet-with-xanthe-appleyard/id1309417352?i=1000770704542) – I found it very measured, fair, and refreshing! And, if being a person on the internet is part of your job, I highly recommend joining the waitlist for Xanthe’s Life of the Party program (https://ohsierra.ca/life-of-the-party) (there’s an entire lesson on boundaries!).
→ In case I didn’t make it clear enough, I genuinely do wish KW Bogen well. I hope she is surrounded by people who love her! I also feel like, since I spent four FIVE days and 3,000 words using her posts about her love life as a springboard to philosophize about what we owe each other on the internet, I should at least include a link to her Patreon (https://www.threads.com/@k.w.bogen/post/DSF3E7AjlPY?xmt=AQG02LxfWmpgVgSoCCatz7B_0nOEAZAp16kBh0-Ow2KRCLWpAAHekpu88jl2IagPRh2_orc&slof=1).
→ Need to make your own batch of Japanese Curry Rice? 😂 Good call – you’ll find our favorite recipe right here (https://www.justonecookbook.com/simple-chicken-curry/) (we double the carrots and the potatoes)
→ If you’re enjoying Existential Phase, you can say “thanks” by buying me a Diet Coke (or sending Mercury a treat!) right here (https://ko-fi.com/carlyatmoonpup). You can also forward this email to a friend! Thank you for reading/listening! I appreciate you! 💖
→ If you’re the friend who received Existential Phase annnnd now you’d like to get each episode in your very own inbox, you can sign up right here (https://moonpupcreative.com/existential-phase/). 🤗
29 May 2026
004: "Oh, so you want people to SUFFER?"
I know that, for many people, using generative AI feels like a viable solution for the constraints of time, capacity, creativity, and even capitalism – but I just do not see it that way. This episode explores why – including the biggest reasons I avoid generative AI and LLMs in my work.
*****
This piece is part of my experimental email + audio series, Existential Phase, where you'll find a combination of memoir-style essays, musings on politics + culture, reflections on work + life as a self-employed person, ruminations around uncomfortable questions, and an exploration of being human –
all through the lens of a Humanities degree holder, professional copywriter, and grown-ass woman who refuses to choose between depth and delight.
*****
Hi Listener! While you're here...
Does writing about yourself feel hard, even though you’re a good writer? Same, and help is here! Beyond Little Treats: The About Page Kit for Smart People Who Care About Things is open for a few more days – only until June 8!
Sooo if you’re ready to learn how tf to write a website about page that features both Legit Professional You and Delightful Human Being You – you know, the kind that gives your perfect-fit people that “Oh shit – THIS is my person!” feeling, click here to get (https://moonpupcreative.com/aboutpagekit/)started (https://moonpupcreative.com/aboutpagekit/) 🙂
19 May 2026
003: I'm Not Ready to Give Up on the Internet
Reflections on the privilege required to decide to opt out
This piece is part of my experimental email + audio series, Existential Phase, where you'll find a combination of memoir-style essays, musings on politics + culture, reflections on work + life as a self-employed person, ruminations around uncomfortable questions, and an exploration of being human –
all through the lens of a Humanities degree holder, professional copywriter, and grown-ass woman who refuses to choose between depth and delight.
*****
Hi Listener! While you're here...
Does writing about yourself feel hard, even though you’re a good writer? Same, and help is here! Beyond Little Treats: The About Page Kit for Smart People Who Care About Things is open until June 8.
Sooo if you’re ready to learn how tf to write a website about page that features both Legit Professional You and Delightful Human Being You – you know, the kind that gives your perfect-fit people that “Oh shit – THIS is my person!” feeling, click here to get all the details (https://moonpupcreative.com/aboutpagekit/) 🙂
5 Feb 2026
002: Cracks in the Foundation: My Deconstruction of the American Myth
It’s quite a thing to reckon with – coming to realize that your country, your government, your church, your community, whatever it is – is not what you always believed it was. When people say, “This is not who we are!” I get it – because for a very long time, I felt that way, too. This is my story.
28 Oct 2025
Intro: Meet Existential Phase
Hi! I'm Carly, the copywriter + messaging strategist behind Moon Pup Creative, and this is Existential Phase: an email and podcast series that combines memoir-style essays,
musings on politics + culture, reflections on work + life as a self-employed person, ruminations around uncomfortable questions, and an exploration of being human –
all through the lens of a Humanities degree holder, professional copywriter, and grown-ass woman who refuses to choose between depth and delight.
Get WTS: What the Specificity!? (https://moonpupcreative.com/wts/) my free workbook + audio featuring the 9 questions that’ll help you get more specific in your copy so that you can connect with your reader more deeply and start selling more confidently (by, like, tomorrow) right here (https://moonpupcreative.com/wts/).
Find me on the internet (I am here to make friends):
MoonPupCreative.com (https://moonpupcreative.com/)
Instagram: @CETWrites (https://www.instagram.com/cetwrites) and @MoonPupCreative (https://www.instagram.com/moonpupcreative)
Threads: @CETWrites (https://www.threads.com/@cetwrites)
27 Oct 2025
001: “He pulls a *head* out of a box? Ok, we’re not going.”
How a 1993 movie – one that I wasn't even allowed to see – helped this Spring Bitch™ become a person who hits the seasonal delights HARD – during the pumpkin spice months *and* beyond
More:
Wish you knew how to make your words connect with your audience more deeply (so you can start selling more confidently)? Get WTS: What the Specificity!? (https://moonpupcreative.com/wts/), a free workbook + audio to help get you started
Come say hi on Instagram, where I'm @CETWrites (https://www.instagram.com/cetwrites) and @MoonPupCreative (https://www.instagram.com/moonpupcreative)
Interested in working together? Stop by MoonPupCreative.com (https://moonpupcreative.com/)!
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