764: What's Working (and Not) in Food Blogging and a Big Eat Blog Talk Announcement with Megan Porta & Taryn Solie

Megan chats with Eat Blog Talk community manager Taryn Solie about what's truly working in food blogging right now, what's not, and the big changes coming to Eat Blog Talk in 2026. This candid conversation pulls back the curtain on the current food blogging landscape: what's thriving, what's fading, and how Megan and Taryn are evolving Eat Blog Talk to better serve the community. If you've felt the turbulence of 2025's AI and algorithm shifts, this one will help you recalibrate, refocus, and reconnect. Key points discussed include: Community is your lifeline: Stop going it alone, connection is non-negotiable for success. Email is the new MVP: Taryn shares creative, low-lift ways to grow your list and diversify income. Video builds trust: Why showing your face (or at least your voice) can future-proof your brand. Experiment boldly: Short-term tests and gut-led creativity can reveal long-term wins. Consistency is queen: From publishing to relationships, it's the decade-long growth driver. Diversify with intention: Pick one new income stream, master it, then move on. Pinterest isn't dead: How fresh design, compelling copy, and trend-driven pins can revive results. Eat Blog Talk Mastermind Eat Blog Talk MiniMinds Inner Circle Retreats Website Instagram

Fear often feels like a stop sign, but it's really a doorway. This episode shows you how to step through it toward freedom and growth. Fear has kept me stuck in places I didn't belong, like a toxic corporate job I should've left long before I was fired. But that loss became one of the best gifts of my life. Fear is not the enemy. It's a signal pointing to where growth lives. In this episode, I invite you to see fear differently and take a brave step forward. Action Steps: Reframe fear: Recognize it as a signal, not a stop sign. Identify the doorway: Ask what opportunity your fear might be pointing to. Take a small step: Write one line, send one email, or lift one weight. Practice saying no: Release fear of disappointing others with one simple no. Act with fear beside you: Remember courage is action taken even with fear present. Join the email list for Take The Exit - Be the first to step inside the story! More from Megan YouTube | Website |  Instagram

Megan chats with Pat Flynn about breaking free from information overload, focusing on what matters, and building momentum through experimentation and micro mastery. Pat Flynn is a father, husband, and lifelong learner from San Diego known as one of the most trusted voices in digital entrepreneurship. He's the founder of Smart Passive Income, co-creator of the SwitchPod, and host of Deep Pocket Monster on YouTube. Pat inspires millions through his podcasts, communities, and live events like Card Party, all while advising companies and sharing his passion for creativity, connection, and growth. Pat also serves as an advisor to dozens of companies and is a sought-after keynote speaker. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, collecting Pokémon cards, and rewatching the Back to the Future trilogy. Pat shares how to stop drowning in advice and start acting. From his "lean learning" method to daily experiments and micromastery, Pat teaches creators to swap perfectionism for progress. This episode is packed with energy, clarity, and practical strategies for focused, sustainable growth. Key points discussed include: Information isn't progress: Learn only what you need right now. Start small and act fast: Progress comes from experiments, not overthinking. Embrace micromastery: Focus on tiny skills that compound over time. Repurpose smart: Use your content in multiple formats to reach more people. Count actions, not likes: Measure consistency, not vanity metrics. Lean out distractions: Say no joyfully to everything that isn't aligned. Failure is feedback: Each attempt gets you closer to mastery. Discipline creates freedom: Systems and batching unlock creative space. Connect with Pat Flynn Website | Instagram

Michael R. Drew teaches us how to write books that build credibility, serve your audience, and generate lasting business impact, far beyond bestseller lists. He has spent his career turning ideas into bestsellers. With more than 100 books launched onto national lists and over 1,000 No. 1 titles on Amazon, he's one of the most accomplished book marketers in the industry. Having worked with publishers such as Bard Press, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Thomas Nelson, Michael has mastered the art and strategy of getting books noticed. Today, he helps authors write with purpose, build powerful platforms, and turn their message into lasting influence. Michael has helped launch over 130 books onto major bestseller lists. But his true genius lies in showing authors how to use a book as a business tool, not just a trophy. He breaks down the real meaning of success, how to define your book's purpose, and why the best authors start with outcomes, not words. Key points discussed include: Define your "why": Start with the outcome you want your book to achieve, then design everything around that. The bestseller myth: Lists don't define success, impact and leverage do. Build before you publish: Create the infrastructure and audience your book will serve. Measure what matters: Identify metrics that reflect transformation, not just sales. Distribution wisdom: When and how to pursue hybrid, traditional, or self-publishing. PR is your job: No one will care more about your book's success than you do. Start before you're ready: Don't wait for perfect writing, get help editing later. Share your story: You have an obligation to use your experiences to help others. Connect with Michael R. Drew Website | Instagram

If you crave more moments of feeling awake and fully present, this episode reveals how aliveness is already available in the ordinary. I'll never forget a moment in Montana when everything felt so alive - the colors in the sky, my family laughing, the fire crackling. But soon I wondered, why can't I feel this at home too? That question led me to discover that aliveness isn't rare, it's simply missed when we rush past it. Today, I share how to notice it more often. Action Steps: Practice presence: Slow down and let yourself truly notice small things. Savor simple rituals: Linger over coffee, watch the sunset, or enjoy your first bites of dinner. Put the phone away: Create space to be fully there with people and experiences. Use your breath: Take slow, intentional breaths to reconnect with your body. Invite joy daily: Play music, dance, or hug someone a little longer. Join the email list for Take The Exit - Be the first to step inside the story! More from Megan YouTube | Website |  Instagram

Megan chats with Julie Gaeta about turning hardship into strength through intentional habits, grounded mindset work, and resilience that fuels both life and business. She runs Becoming You with Julie, where she shares plant-based recipes, wellness tips, and mindset strategies to help people feel good. After going through a divorce after 22 years, she rebuilt her life and business from the ground up, which taught her how critical mindset is for success. She's a holistic health coach, mom of nine, and working on growing her brand into a sustainable business. When Julie's 22-year marriage ended, she started over with nine kids and a dream. What followed was a journey of deep mindset work, structure, and purpose that transformed her life and blog. Julie shares simple practices for protecting energy, creating momentum, and moving forward, no matter what's fallen apart. Key points discussed include: Reset your life with clarity: Reflect on what you truly want—and what no longer serves you. Habits ground the chaos: Morning and evening routines keep you centered when life feels unpredictable. Resilience is built, not found: Set small challenges that prove you can do hard things. Energy is your currency: Protect it by setting boundaries and avoiding comparison traps. The 80/20 mindset: Focus on the few things that move your goals forward and let the rest fall away. Systems equal peace: Block scheduling and frameworks bring calm to both home and business. Lean into accountability: Surround yourself with people who help you stay consistent. Keep growing: Hard seasons can be the start of your strongest self. Connect with Julie Gaeta Website | Instagram  

Laura Ashley Johnson teaches us what it takes to push through massive setbacks and rebuild a thriving food blog with grit, faith, and community. Dinner in 321 is a place for food and nutrition inspiration for cooks of all levels, busy families and food lovers! It's Laura Ashley's mission to make cooking fun, share delicious and nutritious recipes (comfort food, crockpot meals, casseroles, southern cooking, and nostalgic recipes), and spread joy! She's a Kentucky girl now Texan, married, with two kids (one graduate from A&M now a chemical engineer and the other graduating in May in Computer Science from Texas Tech), and a dog named Butter and cat named Newman. She LOVES cooking, trying new restaurants, traveling to NYC, camping in their Airstream, everything Fall and Christmas, and simply spending time at home with her family. Laura Ashley Johnson faced every blogger's nightmare twice: her website was hijacked for illegal activity and her Facebook audience of nearly half a million was stolen by hackers. Instead of quitting, she rebuilt, monetized, and grew stronger than ever. In this conversation, you'll hear what kept her going, how she rebuilt from scratch, and why connection and faith are the foundations of her success. Key points discussed include: Vet everything: Protect yourself by carefully verifying every opportunity and brand approach. Ask for help: Trusted peers and mentors can open doors and provide the right contacts when you need them most. Lean on community: Strong relationships inside the blogging world can turn obstacles into growth opportunities. Protect your platforms: Use strong passwords, verification tools, and be wary of fake collaborations. Handle trolls wisely: Don't feed negativity, focus on loyal supporters instead. Turn off notifications: Boundaries around social media help you protect mental health and joy in your work. Hire with discernment: Build your team from trusted recommendations, not random portals. Connect with Laura Ashley Johnson Website | Instagram Subscribe to Megan's Substack - Discover more about her first non-cookbook book!

If your voice has grown faint under the noise of everyone else's needs, this episode shows you how to tune back in and hear yourself again. There was a season when my voice felt almost gone. Muted by all the demands around me. I didn't even realize how quiet it had gotten until it was taken away in a painful way. But that loss sparked something powerful and eventually led to creating Eat Blog Talk. If you've ever wondered "Where am I in all of this?" then this episode is for you. Action Steps: Ask gentle questions: Pause daily and ask "What do I need right now?" Listen for whispers: Your true voice usually returns as nudges, not shouts. Try journaling: Let your thoughts spill onto paper without editing. Take quiet walks: Go tech-free and notice what surfaces in silence. Release performance mode: Shift from living for others to partnering with your own truth. Join the email list for Take The Exit - Be the first to step inside the story! More from Megan YouTube | Website |  Instagram

Megan chats with Emma Dunham about weaving emotion, story, and simple styling into your food photography so your images connect deeply with your audience and inspire action. Emma Dunham is an award-winning food photographer, author, and founder of The Food Photography Academy. She helps bloggers, photographers, content creators, and food professionals shoot, style, and curate scroll-stopping images that elevate their brand and support their business goals. Through commercial work, creative retreats, and training thousands online, she has built a business around bridging the gap between brilliant storytelling and the visuals to match.  Photography is one of the most powerful tools in a food blogger's business. In this episode, you'll learn why your camera gear matters less than you think and how to create images that spark emotion and stop the scroll. Emma shares pitfalls to avoid, the three essential angles to use, and the must-have items to keep in your kit bag. Key points discussed include: Lead with emotion: Decide the scene and feeling you want your photo to evoke before you pick up the camera. Find your golden thread: Create consistent style cues across seasons so your brand is instantly recognizable. Avoid yellow food tones: Cool down your white balance for fresh, appetizing images. Light simply: A window and foil are often all you need for professional lighting. Know your hero: Make your main dish bigger, brighter, bolder, and clearer than anything else in the frame. Practice relentlessly: Building sets and compositions gets faster and easier with repetition. Build a kit bag: Stock up on paintbrushes, tweezers, cotton swabs, and fake ice for quick fixes. Use color harmony: A simple color wheel can unlock bold pairings that elevate your brand. Connect with Emma Dunham Website | Instagram

Nicole Kelley teaches us how to use simple, smart ads to amplify what's already working in your blogging business without wasting time or money. She is a marketing strategist who helps creative entrepreneurs turn their BEST content into consistent traffic, leads, and sales using Facebook and Instagram ads. With over a decade of experience in digital marketing, Nicole specializes in building simple, high-converting ad funnels that work behind the scenes, so her clients can spend less time posting and more time creating. She's worked with bloggers, coaches, and small business owners to grow their audiences, launch digital products, and create sustainable revenue streams without relying on the social media grind. Nicole explains how to stop fearing ads and start using them to grow traffic, email lists, and product sales. She shows us why ads aren't a sign of failure but a lever for scale, and how even $5 a day can create momentum. Key points discussed include: - Mindset shift: Ads aren't a sign of failure, they're a sign you're ready to scale. It's a tool for amplifying what's already working in your business rather than a last resort. - Start with your best work: You don't have to advertise everything - choose a highlight reel of recipes or blog posts that showcase your brand at its best, so you make a strong first impression with new audiences. - Lead magnets win: Freebies, checklists, or roundups aren't just busywork. They're powerful tools for building your email list. - $5 a day is enough: Learn how to re-engage past visitors and test content with as little as one dollar per ad set. - Keep it organic-looking: The best ads don't look like ads. Natural-looking videos or photos blend better into social feeds and outperform polished, overly-branded content. - Track results separately: Don't lump everything together. Use unique landing pages and forms for ad-driven traffic so you can see exactly what's working. - Don't boost posts: Nicole cautions against the "Boost Post" button that tempts so many bloggers and shows why running campaigns through Meta Business Manager gives you the control and results you actually need. Connect with Nicole Kelley Website | Instagram