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. We talk about stewardship versus caregiving, why boundaries are essential to sustainable leadership, how markets serve as stabilizing forces in unstable times, and what it takes to keep community-centered work alive when everything feels complicated.

This is the foundation for the 2026 season of The Market Maven — honest, grounded, and deeply human.

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.

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 and shop small this holiday season.

Whether you’re a maker, a market manager, or someone just trying to stay grounded in a busy world — this one’s a reminder to pause, reflect, and root yourself where you are.