Why I’ve Been Quiet on Substack: A Personal Update on Family, Transitions, and Gratitude.

Written By: Danny Savage / Savage Media ✍️ 📕

To my Savage Media community, it’s been a minute since I’ve posted regularly, and I owe you an explanation.

The truth is, life has thrown some big changes put families way—not the kind that make for splashy headlines or viral content, but the deeply personal kind that demand our full heart and focus.

My family, particularly my son Skyler, has been navigating a significant transition as he started Grade 1 at R.J. Hawkey Elementary in Airdrie, Alberta but circumstances at home prohibit him from ever going to the school he loves ever again.

🏫 This journey has been both challenging and rewarding, and it’s reshaped my priorities over the past few months. In this article, I’ll share the story behind my quieter presence, the incredible support system that’s helped us through, and how this experience is fueling my return to Savage Media with fresh perspective and renewed energy.

Most of this piece is absolutely FREE to read, diving into the personal side of why I’ve been less active and the lessons I’ve learned about balancing passion with family.

But for our paid subscribers, I’ve reserved the juiciest wholesome, wholehearted details—specific insights into how Our’s and Skyler’s transition is shaping new content ideas, exclusive updates on upcoming projects inspired by this outcome, no setbacks only future updates and progress and a sneak peek at what’s next for Savage Media.

Stick with me to the end, and if you’re ready to dive deeper, consider joining our paid community for the full story.

A New Chapter for Skyler: The Transition to Grade 1

For those who’ve followed Savage Media, you know I’m all about bold, unfiltered storytelling—whether it’s dissecting media trends, breaking down wrestling drama, or exploring cutting-edge tech. But behind the keyboard, I’m also a dad, and my son Skyler is the heartbeat of my world. This fall, Skyler started Grade 1 at R.J. Hawkey Elementary, a milestone that’s brought immense pride but also a steep learning curve for our family.

Starting elementary school is a big deal for any kid, but for Skyler, it’s been a particularly significant transition. My wife Sarah and I have moved through various school systems over the years—both as students ourselves and now as parents—and we know how critical these early years are. Skyler’s entry into Grade 1 isn’t just about new teachers and classrooms; it’s about building a foundation for his growth, confidence, and happiness. As parents, we’ve been hyper-focused on ensuring he feels supported, understood, and ready to thrive in this new environment.

This transition hasn’t been without its challenges. Adjusting to a full school day, navigating new social dynamics, and settling into a routine have required a lot of time and emotional energy. Skyler’s a bright, curious kid, but like any six-year-old, he’s needed extra care to feel secure in this big step. That’s meant countless parent-teacher meetings, late-night talks with Sarah about how he’s doing, and being present for every drop-off and pickup to ease him into this change. These moments, while deeply fulfilling, have pulled me away from the keyboard and the Substack dashboard more than I anticipated.

The Unsung Heroes: Skyler’s Support System at R.J. Hawkey

One of the reasons I’ve been able to focus so much on Skyler is the incredible team at R.J. Hawkey Elementary.

His Grade 1 teacher, Miss G, along with her the schools Principle Mackenzie and the broader school staff, have gone above and beyond to make our transition smooth.

From the first day we toured the school, we could tell R.J. Hawkey was different—a place that genuinely prioritizes kids’ needs, not just academically but emotionally and socially, along with a keen understanding and desire to help special needs children. 🇨🇦

Marissa has been a rock star Teacher. Her dedication to Skyler’s growth, from tailoring activities to his learning style to keeping us in the loop with open communication, has made all the difference over the last year and a bit.

Whether it’s helping him navigate a tricky math concept or encouraging his creativity during story time, she’s shown a level of care that’s rare and deeply appreciated by us always.

Mackenzie, too, has been instrumental, stepping in with additional support to ensure Skyler feels seen and valued in school. The entire school—from the principal to the support staff—has created an environment where Skyler can flourish, and as parents, Sarah and I feel confident we’ve found the right place for him.

This kind of support isn’t something you take for granted. Sarah and I have experienced our share of schools growing up, some great, some less so, and R.J. Hawkey stands out as a community that truly invests in its students.

Their efforts have allowed us to focus on being present for Skyler without worrying about whether he’s in good hands during the school day or if we ever had to move and relocate, they are right there with us! It’s a gift that’s hard to put into words, but one myself (Danny) and Sarah (Momma) felt compelled to acknowledge publicly. 🏫 📝 📚

Why the Silence? Balancing Family and Creative Drive

Running Savage Media is a labor of love. Crafting articles, engaging with all of you’re comments, and building our community through Substack’s Chat and Notes features fuels my passion for storytelling.

But as always folks as we know, family comes first, always. The demands of Skyler’s transition meant I had to hit pause on regular posting to be there for him—whether that was helping with homework, cheering at his first school event, or just listening to his stories about new friends and playground adventures.

This wasn’t an easy choice for us to move. Truly wasn’t a choice of ours but more-so forced. As a creator, there’s always pressure to stay consistent, keep the algorithm happy, and deliver the bold, unfiltered content you expect from Savage Media.

But I also know that showing up for Skyler now sets the stage for him to chase his own dreams later on in life successfully. It’s the kind of grounding perspective that only comes from stepping back and realigning your priorities.

That said, I haven’t been completely idle. Behind the scenes, I’ve been jotting down ideas, sketching out new article series, studying like cray-cray, and reflecting on how this experience can enrich Savage Media.

The challenges of parenting through a school transition have sparked thoughts on resilience, community, and the stories we tell ourselves to navigate change—themes I’m eager to weave into future posts.

I’ve also been inspired by the educators at R.J. Hawkey, whose dedication mirrors the kind of commitment I want to bring to this platform.

The Bigger Picture: What This Means for Savage Media

This period of quiet has been a reset, not a retreat. I’m back with a clearer vision for Savage Media, one that blends the bold, edgy content you love with deeper, more personal stories that reflect the real-life moments shaping my perspective.

Skyler’s journey has reminded me why I started all this content: to connect authentically, share unfiltered truths, and build a community that values both the big wins and the quiet struggles.

I’m also doubling down on Substack’s community tools to keep you all engaged.

Expect more FUN Notes—quick, punchy updates like “What’s one lesson parenting has taught you about creativity?”—to spark conversations between posts and parents.

I’m relaunching a fresh Savage Media Chat, starting with a “Back-to-School Stories” session where you can share your own experiences or ask everyone about ours as well with our autistic stage 3 son Skyler. And for those who’ve been with us from the start, thank YOU—your support keeps this engine running. ❤️❤️

The best part? I’m channeling this transition into new content that’s bigger, bolder, and more Savage than ever.

From articles on navigating life’s pivot points to deep dives into the media trends shaping our world, I’m ready to hit the ground running.

But for the juiciest details—how Skyler’s journey is inspiring a new Savage Media series, exclusive updates on upcoming digital products, and my predictions for where this newsletter is headed—you’ll need to join our paid subscribers.

The paywall below unlocks the full scoop, plus access to our private Chat and premium resources like the “Savage Guide to Storytelling Through Chaos.”

Become a Savage Media paid subscriber to unlock the exclusive details on how Skyler’s transition is shaping our next chapter, plus access to private Chats, premium content, and digital downloads like the “Savage Guide to Storytelling Through Chaos.” Your support fuels bold, authentic stories—join us today!