We Made It into the YouTube Partner Program

Hey everyone!

I started the Squared Circle Podcast on October 19, 2019. It's been six years. Yesterday, on March 31, 2025, let the record show that WE HAVE OFFICIALLY MADE IT INTO THE YOUTUBE PARTNER PROGRAM!

I started the Squared Circle Podcast to originally be a podcast for indie wrestling and give that a spotlight, but there was already a bright and good podcast out there for that. Squared Circle Podcast then just became a review show, and over the six years turned into an interview series under the umbrella, turned into a vlog, a commentary practice, livestreams, and more. It's a reflection of my huge heart and passion for all things pro wrestling even though I specialize in NJPW. But I love all — except deathmatches as a wrestling genre. I made the Squared Circle Podcast a year after WWE let me go from working on the WWE Network, and all opportunities were amazing to have.

We have been going strong ever since. And I love you guys. Thanks for being with me on this journey.

Getting Real for a Moment

To be honest, the road to this milestone wasn’t easy. I had nights filled with worry, refreshing my analytics and hoping the numbers would update. YouTube’s delays in reporting made it hard not to second-guess myself. There were times I questioned if I’d ever get here, especially while navigating the copyright claims and the challenges of content creation. But your support kept me going.

Every time I saw a comment cheering me on or someone engaging with my wrestling takes, it reminded me why I started the Squared Circle Podcast in the first place. This milestone isn’t just about monetization — it’s about validation that this community is growing, thriving, and making an impact.

Creating with Passion and Purpose

I’ll be honest — there were moments I chased the numbers. I wanted to see the views climb and the channel grow. But even in that pursuit, my passion for wrestling always evened things out. Every video came from a genuine love for New Japan Pro Wrestling, the Bullet Club, and the larger conversations about the wrestling world. I cared deeply about providing thoughtful analysis and sparking meaningful discussions.

Chasing numbers taught me something important: metrics might fluctuate, but passion is steady. When the numbers didn’t grow as quickly as I hoped, my love for the sport kept me going. I stayed committed to making every video the best it could be — from carefully crafted thumbnails to intentional titles — because I believed in the conversations I wanted to spark. Quality always came before quantity for me. I wanted you to feel the effort, the research, and the care I put into every upload.

Why This Milestone Matters

Joining the YouTube Partner Program opens up new opportunities for the Squared Circle Podcast. It means I can create even more wrestling content, bring you deeper analysis, and engage with you in new ways. Plus, with Super Chats available during live streams, we can have even more interactive and lively discussions about all things wrestling.

But I want to be clear — Substack isn’t going anywhere. I know many of you enjoy reading my in-depth analysis, and that’s not changing. Think of YouTube as an additional way to support the content you love. Both platforms allow me to connect with you in different, meaningful ways.

Introducing Channel Memberships

To celebrate this milestone, I’m launching channel memberships with exclusive perks designed just for you. Here’s a quick look at what each tier offers:

• Day 1ish ($1.99) - This is for those who want to support the podcast and be part of the core community. You’ll get a loyalty badge next to your name in comments and live chats, plus access to custom emojis.

• Tape Study+ ($9.99) - Get exclusive access to my full-length Tape Study videos where I break down wrestling matches in detail. Expect deep dives into wrestling psychology, match storytelling, and in-ring techniques. Also includes Q&A sessions and other bonus content.

Each membership helps me continue creating thoughtful wrestling content, while also giving you extra value and insight.

Navigating the Road Ahead

This milestone also means I’m doubling down on what I love: analyzing wrestling stories, dissecting matches, and discussing the industry’s latest developments. I’ll still be providing written analysis over on Substack, along with podcast episodes for those who prefer to listen on the go. And for anyone who enjoys supporting creators directly, I’m also maintaining my Fourthwall shop and membership perks especially with the Wrestler Tape Study Roadmap and Buy Me a Coffee for tips and bonus content.

Your feedback is always invaluable, and I’d love to hear your thoughts. Are there specific matches you’d like to see in the next Tape Study? Topics you’re curious about? Let me know!

Thank you once again for your continued support. This journey is only getting started, and I’m so excited to keep growing with you.

See you in the next stream or video!

Stay passionate,

Marie Shadows

P.S. Ready to explore the new membership perks? Check them out here: https://youtube.com/squaredcirclepodcast/join

Let's keep the conversation going!