On March 28th, 2026, the streets of Los Angeles became a frontline for the First Amendment. In this episode of The Mind of Sai Marie, I am laying out the raw, unfiltered truth of what happened at the MDC on Alameda.

From being tear-gassed without protection to the three and a half hours I spent in zip-ties, I’m sharing the story of my arrest as an independent journalist.

This wasn’t just an arrest; it was a defining moment of honor. I’m breaking down the behavior of the officers on the scene—from the blatant coldness of Officer Villanueva to the transition of command under Captain Ventura—and why being released without charges proves that our right to document the front lines is non-negotiable.

But the fight didn’t end when the zip-ties came off. Now, we face the legal aftermath.

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Support the Mission & The Movement

The cost of standing up to tyranny isn’t just physical—it’s financial. We are asking for your help to ensure that the truth isn’t silenced by court costs and travel fees.

Help Dave the Viking Fight His Citation

Dave was there by my side, documenting the truth, and now he has to return to Los Angeles for his court date on April 20, 2026. He needs our help to cover travel expenses and legal costs to fight this citation.

Donate to Dave’s GoFundMe for Court Costs and Travel Support

Support Independent Press (Sai Marie)

As an independent journalist, I rely entirely on this community to keep the cameras rolling and the stories moving. If you value boots-on-the-ground reporting that refuses to back down, please consider contributing to the expansion of my work. Every dollar helps me cover the next story that the mainstream media won’t touch.

* Venmo

* CashApp

* BuyMeaCoffee

Join the Inner Circle

Don’t miss an update in the fight against tyranny. Subscribe to the Substack for deep dives, exclusive scripts, and the stories we all need to see to stay free.

Thank you for standing with us. We don’t back down, and we don’t forget.

Sai’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode of The Mind of Sai Marie, I sit down with author Marie Kuipers to pull back the curtain on her provocative new memoir, We’re All Mad Here.

We often try to curate a perfect legacy, but Marie argues that our most inelegant moments are where the real transformation happens. We dive deep into the process of turning personal chaos into a written work of art, the weight of public vulnerability, and why “madness” is often just another word for authenticity.

Whether you are a writer, a seeker, or someone navigating your own complex story, this episode is a reminder that you have the right to own your truth—no matter how messy it gets.

Inside this episode:

* The Catalyst: What sparked the journey to write an (in)elegant memoir.

* Unmasking: Breaking through the fear of what others think.

* The Release: Navigating the emotional landscape of sharing your life with the world.

Order the Book:

You can find Marie’s memoir, We’re All Mad Here: Right Here We’re All Mad Here” on Amazon

In this episode of The Mind of Sai Marie, Sai sits down with R.L. Malpica, the visionary behind The EAT Coach, to explore the profound intersection of physical health and personal legacy. As a Certified Detox Specialist, R.L. doesn’t just talk about nutrition; he advocates for a complete reclamation of one’s story through the lens of wellness.

We dive deep into the courage it takes to confront toxic habits and the resilience required to build a life that honors your true potential. This conversation is for anyone ready to move past social expectations of normal health and step into a life of creative sovereignty and physical vibrancy.

eady to transform your lifestyle and reclaim your energy?

Dive deeper into R.L. Malpica’s life-changing philosophy. Grab your copy of his latest book to start your own journey toward sustainable health and mental clarity.

👉 Purchase the Book Here.

In this episode, Sai strips back the pretty filters and the vanity tags to look at the hollow core of performative activism. Dive into the “Look at Me” tactics used by privileged creators who treat advocacy like a transaction—dropping donations to mask a pattern of abusive behavior and exclusionary networking.

We discuss the “authenticity gap” that exists when someone’s public persona is built on “virtue signaling” while their private actions cause stress, burnout, and a lack of support for the activists actually doing the work.

True colors always bleed through the most expensive donations.

Join us as we draw a hard line in the sand: integrity isn’t a commodity, and character can’t be bought.

Sai’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Today, I was joined by Blake Arthur Peel on The Mind of Sai Marie. We dove into the foundations of his massive Fall of Radiance series, beginning with the book that started it all: Ranger’s Oath.

The story is a high-stakes journey set in a world where ancient magic is failing, and a collapse seems inevitable. Centered on the weight of duty and the resilience of those sworn to protect a fading realm, Ranger’s Oath weaves a narrative of survival, betrayal, and the sparking of a new legend.

Ahead of St. Paddy’s Day, this episode explores the heart of world-building and the relentless grit required to face an impending dark age. Blake and I discuss the intricate craft of turning classic fantasy tropes into a fresh, pulse-pounding saga that feels both nostalgic and entirely original.

If you haven’t started the journey yet, you can find Ranger’s Oath (and the rest of the Fall of Radiance series) at the link below:

👉 Get Ranger’s Oath on Amazon

In a world of curated feeds, the memoir remains our most potent tool for authentic connection. My recent conversation with memoirist Kimberly Conte, author of Who Am I Really? Do You Know? joins Sai on the Mind of Sai Marie to share an illuminated, simple truth: our deepest pains are often the very raw materials required for our greatest works.

We often mistake resilience for a permanent trophy we win after surviving a crisis. Kimberly challenges this, viewing it instead as a continuous, daily commitment to self-understanding. It isn’t about reaching a destination; it’s about the discipline of turning personal struggle into constructive art.

Writing a memoir is rarely a solitary act of healing. There is a powerful reciprocity that occurs when a reader sees their own reflection in a writer’s vulnerability. This feedback loop often fills the remaining gaps in an author’s journey, proving that bestseller lists don’t measure success, but by the moment one person feels less alone.

For those hesitant to share a story they deem too quiet or too broken, remember that authenticity is the only effective counterbalance to a polished world. Success lies in the impact of your narrative. When you write honestly for yourself rather than for approval, you give others permission to stop pretending and start feeling.

Every story matters. By embracing the imperfections of our past, we create a space for others to find their own courage.

Explore these themes further in Kimberly Conte’s book,

Who Am I Really? Do You Know?

What happens when the Scandinavian philosop

hy of comfort meets the calculated chaos of a crime scene?

Author AL Jenkins joins us to discuss her latest work, Hygge and Homicide, offering a unique look at how heritage and northern landscapes influence modern storytelling.

In this episode, we break down the blueprint for building a fictional community that feels like home and why the amateur sleuth remains our favorite guide through the shadows. Beyond the genre, Kovala shares essential insights on the sanctuary of the page—the importance of protecting your creative space and why light, escapist entertainment is a necessary refuge in today’s world.

It’s a conversation about the warmth of the hearth, the chill of a mystery, and the craft that ties them together.

Pick up Hygge & Homicide here now!

What is the true essence of the Matriarch—a role that extends far beyond biological motherhood and into the realm of community stewardship, moral grounding, and spiritual protection.

However, the weight of leadership often attracts those who seek to consume rather than contribute. We explore the rise of narcissistic energy vampires within activist circles and our personal lives: individuals who weaponize causes or personal trauma to bypass boundaries and drain collective resources.