703: The Real Work Happens After the Room (Mindset & Self-Care)

In episode 711, Megan chats to Candice Ward about smart and actionable strategies for content creators looking to work with brands in the ever-evolving 2025 landscape. Candice is a food photographer that has worked with brands like Crisco, In the Raw Sugar, Stone Wall Kitchen, Eagle Brand Milk and more. She is also a strategy and monetization coach for food bloggers and content creators that spent a decade in sales at Fortune 500 Companies, hitting massive quotas. Candice founded The Confident Pitch Program, helping hundreds of content creators monetize and scale their business strategically so they have more time to focus on being creative. She teaches a pitching method that has allowed her to make a full time income on a 10 hour work week, take 1 month off to travel with her family and have creative freedom to only say yes to clients that are in alignment with her brand. She lives in Seattle, WA with her husband and 2 boys. In this episode, you’ll learn how to approach brands, pitch confidently, and stay relevant in a market that’s moving away from traditional influencer metrics. Key points discussed include: - Brands want long-term relationships: Say goodbye to one-off deals—brands are now investing in ongoing partnerships with creators. - Small creators are thriving: You don’t need a huge following to land a brand deal; engagement and value matter more. - Pitch with purpose: Stand out by sending customized, value-driven pitches rather than generic emails. - Leverage your strengths: Whether it's your blog, email list, or YouTube channel, focus on where you already perform well. - Position your offer strategically: Think beyond photos and blog posts—offer digital products, memberships, or UGC services. - Evolve with AI in mind: Adapt your messaging and brand collaborations to reflect a world influenced by AI tools and expectations. - Go beyond social media: Brands are hungry for access to niche audiences outside of the algorithm-heavy platforms. - Think like a marketer: Understand what brands need, and position yourself as the creator who can deliver results. Connect with Candice Ward Website | Instagram

In episode 710, Jessica Vogl shares her journey from corporate PR to full-time food blogging, including the mindset and strategies that helped her make the leap. Jessica Vogl is the face behind This Jess Cooks, where she shares simple baking and sourdough discard recipes. She also shares tips and tricks to help get your own sourdough starter up and running, so if you're in your sourdough era (or if you want to be!), then she's your person! Jessica is based in Chicago with her husband and son, and they recently bought a house that they are renovating. In this episode, you’ll learn what it really takes to leave a secure career and dive fully into blogging. Jessica shares actionable steps, key mindset shifts, and how to tap into your existing skills for a smooth transition. Key points discussed include: - Create a structured exit plan: Jessica explains how a 6-month roadmap helped her transition from corporate life to blogging. - Leverage your existing skills: Repurpose your corporate or professional experience—like marketing, PR, or photography—into freelance or blog-related gigs. - Explore creative side gigs: Don’t rely solely on ad revenue; Jessica found early success with freelance food photography and consulting. - Build support and accountability: Get your partner and inner circle on board before making the leap. - Give yourself a test window: Jessica committed to trying blogging full-time for one year with clear financial goals. - Implement systems early: Adding structure to her days post-corporate life helped Jessica stay productive and avoid burnout. - Embrace mindset growth: Overcoming “newbie” thinking and believing in her value was crucial to her success. - Stay open to learning: Whether it’s a new skill or business challenge, Jessica emphasizes the importance of ongoing education. Connect with Jessica Vogl Website | Instagram

Today we’re diving into something that has truly changed the way I operate in both business and life: boundaries. But not just any boundaries — sacred ones that help you stay aligned with your purpose and energy. Trust me, learning to honor this practice has been life-giving, and I want to share what’s worked for me. Setting boundaries isn’t about pushing others away, it’s about respecting your values by evaluating opportunities, learning to say ‘no’ and making sure your calendar aligns with your energy. Action Plan: - Misalignment has a cost: Staying in the wrong situations drains your energy and purpose. - Sacred boundaries protect what matters: They’re about honoring your truth, not pushing people away. - Watch for warning signs: Dread, resentment, and overcommitment signal a need for - boundaries. - Boundaries unlock magic: Saying no creates space for aligned, energizing opportunities. - Use simple boundary tools: Pause before saying ‘yes’, check in with your body, and lean on your values. - Choosing yourself is powerful: Boundaries aren’t selfish—they’re essential for impact. Get in touch with Megan below. YouTube | Website |  Instagram

In episode 708, Megan chats to Hanelore Dumitrache and Mariska Ramondino about using artificial intelligence to streamline workflows, understand your audience, and create a more impactful blogging business. Hanelore Dumitrache Hanelore Dumitrache is a food blogger, tech entrepreneur, AI educator and author. Her work tries to bridge the gap between technology and the blogging world. As the founder of Whimzi AI, she's currently developing AI-driven tools for food bloggers and content creators. Her food blog SugarYums focuses on East Asian street food and desserts.  Mariska Ramondino Mariska Ramondino is an international fiscal tax lawyer turned business consultant and now a food blogger with a consulting business on the side. Through her blog, she shares her passion for nutritious home-cooked meals and a more balanced lifestyle. She also offers writing and consulting services for fellow bloggers. Additionally, Mariska is a partner and co-founder of Whimzi AI, a tech-driven company providing custom AI solutions and AI-powered analytics for food bloggers. In this episode, you’ll learn how to harness the power of AI to save time, make data-driven decisions, and deliver better user experiences on your blog. Hanelore and Mariska share their favorite strategies, tools, and mindset shifts to help you move past fear and use AI to grow a smarter, more efficient blogging business. Key points discussed include: - AI isn’t a threat—it’s an opportunity: Embracing AI can help food bloggers develop more well-rounded businesses and better serve their audiences. - Start by identifying what you don’t love doing: Use AI to take over repetitive or tedious tasks like writing pin descriptions, social captions, or analyzing data. - Analyze your data with ease: ChatGPT can interpret your Google Analytics and ad reports to surface trends, content gaps, and monetization opportunities. - Build authority through topic clusters: Use AI to identify your strongest-performing content and build strategic clusters to boost topical authority and improve EEAT. - Use reader questions to fuel content ideas: Input comments and questions from your blog or social media into ChatGPT to identify missing content or new recipe opportunities. - Incorporate AI into your workflow as a virtual team: Assign AI roles like content strategist, SEO assistant, or copywriter to streamline weekly blog tasks. - Set and stick to your goals with AI support: Use AI to map out your time, reset your mindset, and stay accountable to your personal and business goals. Connect with Hanelore Dumitrache Website | Instagram Connect with Mariska Ramondino Website | Instagram      

In episode 707, Dr. Nona Djavid teaches us how to rewire our internal blueprint — the subconscious programming and energy patterns that silently determine whether we thrive or struggle in our business. Dr. Nona Djavid is an entrepreneur, mom, speaker, and founder of the Part Time Million Dollar Business and eLIVate Club. With a background in neuroscience and a doctorate in chiropractic, she blends mindset mastery with energetics and business strategy to help entrepreneurs create the business and life of their dreams. She is also the author of eLIVate Your Life, and currently teaches entrepreneurs how to work just one week a month while scaling to multiple six or seven figures. In this episode, you’ll learn how redefining your vision and identity can help you achieve radical freedom, scale your business, and cultivate deeper fulfillment in every area of life. Key points discussed include: - Craft an “unreasonable” vision: Allow yourself to dream big—even if it feels impossible—and let that vision guide your evolution. - Expand your identity: Success starts with becoming the version of yourself who can hold the life and business you desire. - Embody your future self daily: It’s not just big moves—how you drink your coffee or answer emails matters when stepping into your next level. - Take aligned, “unreasonable” action: What seems bold now will feel natural once you’ve stepped into your elevated identity. - Prioritize your frequency: Whether it’s a walk, journaling, or a quick reset, make energy and presence a daily non-negotiable. - Track your progress to build self-trust: Reflect often to see how far you’ve come—it builds confidence to keep moving forward. - Create daily rituals that feel good: Sustainable mindset shifts come from practices you enjoy and can return to consistently. If You Loved This Episode… You’ll love Episode 472: 10-Step Formula For How To Achieve Any Goal with Cliff Ravenscraft Connect with Dr. Nona Djavid Website | Instagram

In this episode, I talk about the idea that we can hold two seemingly opposite truths at the same time - and how that can actually be where our real growth and success as entrepreneurs live. I'm so glad you're here for another mindset-focused episode of Eat Blog Talk. Today, I’m diving into a topic that’s been heavy on my heart lately—duality in entrepreneurship. As entrepreneurs, we often think we have to fix our flaws before we can feel successful, but what if it’s actually about holding space for both our strengths and imperfections? I'm sharing a story from the Flavor Media Summit that beautifully illustrates how powerful it can be to embrace the “both/and” in ourselves. Action Plan: 1 - Acknowledge duality in your journey: Notice when you’re feeling two things at once and give both feelings permission to exist. 2 - Resist the urge to fix yourself first: You don’t need to wait until you’re fearless or confident to move forward—just start. 3 - Stay present in your imperfections: True success comes from showing up, even when things feel messy or imperfect. 4 - Honor your contradictions: You can be both proud and nervous, grateful and overwhelmed—this is normal and powerful. 5 - Practice naming the dualities: Say them out loud or journal them—“I am both X and Y”—to build resilience and self-compassion. Get in touch with Megan below. YouTube | Website |  Instagram

In episode 705, Megan chats to Yasmin Henley about how to build a sustainable, multichannel food blogging brand without losing your spark or your sanity. Yasmin is the recipe developer and content creator behind By The Forkful, sharing delicious vegetarian recipes that are easy to put together and meals the whole family can enjoy. In this episode, you’ll learn how Yasmin grew her blog into a full-time business by showing up consistently across platforms in a way that works for her life, energy, and values. Key points discussed include: - Leverage multiple platforms strategically: Yasmin shares how focusing on SEO first, then adding TikTok and Instagram, helped her create a steady traffic flow that doesn't rely on one source. - Batching is your best friend: Creating and editing multiple recipes and videos at once maximizes productivity and helps avoid creative fatigue. - Keep systems simple and repeatable: Yasmin walks through her exact workflow—from keyword research to publishing and promotion—that keeps her content consistent across platforms. - You don’t need to show your face on video: If video content feels intimidating, start by focusing on food-centered footage and using voiceovers to build connection. - Data doesn’t lie—go back and look: Yasmin emphasizes reviewing past content monthly to see what worked and reusing or updating it to boost performance. - Social media can revive your blog: A viral TikTok video helped Yasmin bounce back from being removed from an ad network and reignited her blog traffic. - Let your mindset fuel your momentum: Reminding herself to do things her future self will thank her for helped Yasmin push through slow early growth periods. - Start small and grow from there: You don’t have to be on every platform right away—try one new thing at a time and build from what works. Connect with Yasmin Henley Website | Instagram

In episode 704, Jackie Thesing shares how food bloggers can go beyond their blogs by pursuing sponsored posts, media appearances, and other visibility opportunities to grow their brand. Jackie Thesing left her corporate job in 2017 to stay home full time with her daughter. Since then, she has welcomed two more children and started her dessert blog, Sweet Girl Treats! She launched the blog as a way to find something for herself outside of motherhood, and it has turned into SO much more. In this episode, you’ll learn actionable tips for landing brand sponsorships, making media connections, and confidently putting yourself out there, even when it feels scary. Key points discussed include: - Start with a media kit: Create a simple one-pager to showcase your blog, offerings, and photography—it's the first step to pitching brands professionally. - Pitch brands you genuinely use: Authenticity matters, so look in your pantry or at your favorite products to find meaningful partnership opportunities. - Explore different types of brand collaborations: From recipe development to UGC and sponsored posts, there are many ways to work with companies. - Be bold and follow up: Don’t be afraid to message brands on social or follow up multiple times—persistence pays off. - Media appearances build credibility: Local TV shows are often looking for fresh content—reach out and offer to share your expertise. - Interviews and articles expand your reach: Podcasts, online magazines, and lifestyle publications offer valuable backlinks and visibility. - Imposter syndrome is normal—but push through: You know your stuff, and you have something valuable to offer. - Your work has value—charge accordingly: Follower count isn’t everything; your content is worthy of fair compensation. Guest Details Connect with Jackie Thesing Website | Instagram  

This episode explores why the most transformative growth happens after the end of an event (like conferences, masterminds or retreats) - and how to harness that energy intentionally. I just got back from the Flavor Media Summit in Savannah, and wow—what a whirlwind! Today I’m sharing from the heart while everything is still fresh. It’s so easy to think the big work happens in the room—at the conference, on the Zoom call, during the retreat—but the truth is, the real transformation begins after you leave. I’ll walk you through what that means and how to take meaningful steps forward once the initial energy fades. Action Plan: 1 - Pause and Reflect: Take intentional time to slow down and journal on what moved you the most from the experience. 2 - Choose One Anchor Action: Pick a single powerful idea and commit to it—don’t overwhelm yourself with too many goals at once. 3 - Follow Up on Relationships: Reach out to people you connected with and nurture those new or deepened relationships. 4 - Protect Your Post-Room Energy: Carve out space to stay aligned and avoid tasks that drain your soul. 5 - Reframe the Crash: If you feel depleted, it’s a sign of growth—honor that expansion instead of judging it. Get in touch with Megan below. YouTube | Website |  Instagram

Learn how to harness the power of Reddit to increase your blog traffic and deepen audience engagement with expert insights from Robin Means. The Vegan Dollhouse is based in northern California. Taking inspiration from cute animals, sweet lolita, and tea parties, I make cute and colorful vegan food and desserts. I’ve been making vegan food for 25 years, and I’m still as passionate as I was on day 1. In episode 702, you’ll learn how Reddit can be a game-changing platform for food bloggers looking to drive meaningful traffic, connect with niche audiences, and spark new content ideas. Robin shares practical strategies, her personal Reddit routine, and how to avoid common missteps when getting started. Key points discussed include: - Reddit can drive massive traffic with less effort than other platforms: Robin gets three times more traffic from Reddit than Pinterest, while spending one-third of the time. - Start by engaging, not posting: Build “karma” by commenting and interacting with others before sharing your own content to avoid being flagged as spammy. - Find your niche subreddits: Subreddits are highly specific communities. Robin shares that finding the right ones with high engagement (20K+ members) is essential for success. - Follow each subreddit’s rules: Every subreddit has unique posting guidelines. Read and respect these carefully to avoid bans or deleted posts. - Engagement is key to visibility: Posts that receive strong engagement can hit the “hot” section, skyrocketing your visibility and clicks. - Reddit isn’t about followers: It’s one of the only platforms where your success isn’t dependent on follower count—brand new users can go viral. - Use Reddit to gather content ideas: Reddit is a goldmine for learning what your audience is asking for and brainstorming new recipe ideas. - Expect honesty—and sometimes criticism: Feedback is raw and unfiltered. While it can sting, it often helps improve your content. Connect with Robin Means Website | Instagram