718: Embrace the Season You're In (Mindset & Self-Care)

In episode 719, Ella Padilla Mitchell shares how food bloggers can stay on top of food trends to create content that resonates and drives engagement. Ella is the hungry brain behind Eatin With Ella, a food and travel brand where she documents everything from street eats in Hong Kong to secret pasta spots in Seoul. She creates content that makes people say “I need that in my mouth now,” and she’s not afraid to hop a plane (or just a Phoenix freeway) in the name of flavor. She’s built a following by keeping it real, fun, and full of carbs—with a side of good lighting and better vibes. In this episode, you’ll learn how to spot, leverage, and creatively adapt food trends to grow your online presence and connect with your audience on multiple platforms. Key points discussed include: - Spot trends early by scrolling TikTok: TikTok is usually where food trends originate before making their way to Instagram or Facebook. - Leverage curiosity and engagement: If a viral video sparks questions in the comments, that’s your cue to create a recipe or offer insight that adds value. - Translate trends into blog content: Don’t just stop at social media—turn viral ideas into structured, accessible recipes on your blog with clear measurements. - Use SEO strategically: Incorporate phrases like “viral TikTok recipe” or “copycat [creator’s name] dish” to capture what people are actually searching for. - Ask locals when traveling: When seeking foodie gems abroad, Ella recommends asking locals, exploring Reddit, and watching Anthony Bourdain episodes for authentic finds. - Post imperfect content consistently: Let go of perfectionism - showing up regularly—whether you're polished or not—is how you open the door to exciting opportunities. - Batch content to avoid burnout: Take advantage of creative bursts by batching content, so you can schedule posts and give yourself breathing room during low-energy periods. If You Loved This Episode… You’ll love Episode 705: How to Build A Multi-Channel Brand Without Burning Out With Yasmin Henley. Connect with Ella Padilla Mitchell Website | Instagram

Discover how to find peace and purpose by accepting the natural ebbs and flows of your creative and entrepreneurial journey. Do you ever feel like you’re not doing enough or that you’ve somehow lost momentum?Especially mid-year, it’s easy to question everything. But what if you’re not doing anything wrong? What if you’re just in a different season—and that season is asking for slowness, rest, or reflection instead of hustle? Let’s talk about surrendering to the moment and finding peace in where we are. Action Plan: - Acknowledge that you’re not a machine: Your value isn’t tied to constant productivity—rest and reflection are essential parts of growth. - Stop resisting the season you’re in: Fighting against slow periods adds unnecessary suffering—lean into them instead. - Name your current season: Give it a title like “Rest” or “Rebuilding” to honor and legitimize it. - Adjust your pace intentionally: Repurpose content, schedule breaks, and give yourself permission to pause without guilt. - Trust that unseen growth is happening: Just like roots grow underground, your quiet season is setting the stage for future blooms. More from Megan YouTube | Website |  Instagram

In episode 717, Megan chats to Shawna Clark about how to tell a story through food photography using simple yet impactful prop styling techniques. Healthy Foodie Girl, We are a mother-daughter duo passionate about creating healthy recipes that are full of flavor and easy to make. We believe that eating well should be delicious and effortless. Together, they share lightened-up versions of favorite dishes, using fresh ingredients and simple techniques. Their goal is to inspire others to enjoy a balanced, flavorful approach to healthy eating. In this episode, you’ll learn how to elevate your food photography with thoughtful props that add emotion, texture, and interest. Shawna explains how to style with intention—even if you're just starting out Key points discussed include: - Props tell a story: Use props to create mood, emotion, and visual interest that complements the food. - Start simple: Matte plates, smaller sizes, and herbs go a long way in making your photos more appealing. - Use what you have: Ingredients from the recipe can be great props—parsley, citrus, grains, etc. - Add texture and layering: Linens, vintage silverware, and wood add warmth and dimension to your scenes. - Think outside the box: Shawna shares how she uses wrapping paper, fabric, and even custom pottery in her shoots. - Plan around timing: For time-sensitive food like ice cream, prep your scene ahead of styling. - Create with intention: Take test photos, make adjustments, and let the photo evolve as you shoot. - Vintage and handmade props add depth: Seek out one-of-a-kind items from thrift stores, flea markets, or eBay to spark nostalgia and emotional connection. Connect with Shawna Clark Website | Instagram

In episode 716, Dianne Jacob reveals what it really takes to get your cookbook published—from crafting an irresistible proposal to standing out in a saturated market. Dianne Jacob coaches food writers on how to get a cookbook published, pitch freelance stories, start newsletters, and improve the quality and effectiveness of their writing. She specializes in book proposals. Dianne is the author of a multiple award-winning book on food writing, Will Write for Food: Pursue Your Passion and Bring Home the Dough Writing Recipes, Cookbooks, Blogs and More. She also co-authored two pizza cookbooks with chef Craig Priebe and has won awards for her food writing in such publications as The Washington Post, Food & Wine, and Lucky Peach. Dianne has judged cookbooks for the James Beard Foundation and the International Association of Culinary Professionals. She has also judged for a national magazine awards. Previously a journalist and newspaper, magazine and publishing company editor-in-chief, she writes a monthly free newsletter aimed at food writers.  In this episode, you’ll learn everything you need to know about writing a cookbook proposal—from when to start, to how to structure it, to what publishers are really looking for. Key points discussed include: - Know when you're ready: You need a strong niche and an audience before jumping into a cookbook proposal. - Choose a compelling topic: Find your hook—what sets your content apart and appeals to your audience. - Do your research: Study the competition and understand how your book fills a unique need. - Structure matters: A well-organized proposal includes your bio, target audience, promotion plan, table of contents, and sample recipes. - Recipes must shine: Include a variety of high-quality recipes that showcase your skills—ideally around 10. - Voice makes a difference: A strong, clear writing voice can be the edge that sets you apart. - Your platform matters: A social media following isn’t everything, but publishers want to see a strong online presence. - It’s a business plan: Think of your proposal as a sales pitch—show that you understand the market and your brand. Connect with Dianne Jacob Website | Instagram

When frustration keeps showing up—in your business, your relationships, or just inside your own head—it might be time to look inward. In this episode, I share the mindset shifts that helped me stop blaming and start growing. This episode is a little humbling. I’ve been reflecting on some hard truths lately and realizing that many of the frustrations I experience point back to one thing: me. We often look outward for the source of tension, but what if the shift needs to happen inside us? Let’s talk through five powerful mindset shifts that can help you let go of blame, reclaim your power, and soften into growth. Action Plan: 1 - Let go of being right: Opposing truths can exist; soften your stance and seek connection. 2 - Recognize other realities: Everyone sees the world through their own lens—don’t take it personally. 3 - Lead with love: Even when triggered, choose softness over control. 4 - Build self-awareness: Notice your default reactions so you can change them intentionally. 5 - Choose responsibility over blame: You have the power to shift your energy and your experience. Connect with Megan YouTube | Website |  Instagram

Megan chats with Karissa Parrish from Ginger Snaps Baking Affairs about the three powerful blogging strategies she's embracing in 2025 that are moving the needle in her business. Karissa is the food photographer and recipe developer behind the dessert blog, Ginger Snap's Baking Affairs. She started her food blog in early 2020 with the number one goal of providing fellow home bakers with the confidence they need to bake up homemade and tasty desserts in their own kitchens. What started out as a hobby and needing a creative outlet outside of work and every day life has turned into a thriving and continually growing 5 figure business that allows her to stay at home with her son while still working on the blog. In this episode, you’ll learn how narrowing your focus, updating existing content, and implementing a smart interlinking strategy can lead to increased traffic and a more aligned blogging business. Key points discussed include: - Content clustering is a powerful strategy: Karissa is narrowing her recipe categories to a handful of focused clusters like cupcakes, cakes, and frostings, helping her increase traffic and efficiency. - Updating old content is non-negotiable: Instead of letting older posts sit stagnant, Karissa revamps them with user-first formatting, stronger H2s, and keyword enhancements. - Interlinking strengthens your blog's structure: Smart interlinking throughout posts (not just at the end!) boosts SEO and helps readers find more value on your site. - Work smarter, not harder: Karissa now creates less new content and focuses more time on refreshing older posts, which is yielding better results in less time. - Let data and joy guide your niche decisions: She recommends blending Google Search Console insights with what genuinely excites you to decide what to focus on. - Build your authority through storytelling: Karissa adds personal background and expertise into blog posts and links back to her About page to build trust and relevance. - Mindset matters just as much as strategy: She reminds us that improving a little each day—even if that means taking a break—is key to long-term blogging success. Connect with Karissa Parrish Website | Instagram

Worried about SEO and AI changes in 2025? In episode 713, Ryan Robinson shares how food bloggers can adapt their strategy in a rapidly evolving digital landscape—one shaped by search shifts, AI tools, and new audience expectations. Ryan teaches 500,000 monthly readers how to start a blog and grow a profitable online business at ryrob.com. Co-founder of RightBlogger, a suite of 80+ powerful marketing tools for bloggers and small business owners. Recovering side project addict. In this episode, you’ll learn why clinging to old SEO rules could be holding you back—and how to future-proof your blog with smarter content, evolving business models, and a mindset built for long-term success. Key points discussed include: - SEO is evolving—embrace the change: Expect SEO to shift as large language models (LLMs) redefine how people find content. - Focus on quality, not just traffic: Your audience may shrink, but the visitors who do find you will be more engaged. - Experiment constantly: Try new formats, topics, and tools to keep learning and adapting your content strategy. - Video is a huge opportunity: Real, authentic video content helps build deeper relationships that AI can’t replicate. - Long-tail content is powerful: Optimize for specific, niche queries to stand out in AI-driven search results. - Diversify your income streams: Don’t rely solely on ad revenue—explore memberships, products, and courses. - Your blog is your LLM training guide: AI models use your blog to understand your expertise—make it count. - Mindset matters most: View change as an opportunity to grow, experiment, and redefine success on your terms. If You Loved This Episode… You’ll love Episode 708: AI is NOT a Threat - How to Use It to Revolutionize Your Blogging Workflow With Hanelore Dumitrache & Mariska Ramondino Connect with Ryan Robinson Website | Instagram  

If you’ve been moving through your days on autopilot and suddenly realize you don’t quite feel like you anymore, this episode will gently guide you back to center with real, honest steps that worked for me when I needed them most. If you’ve ever hit a point where you feel totally disconnected from yourself, you are not alone. I recently found myself there after a super fun but unexpectedly exhausting trip, and I had to intentionally work my way back to feeling like “me.” In this episode, I share five things that helped me recalibrate and start moving forward again. I hope these ideas support you, too, when you feel off track. Action Plan: 1 - Stop and listen: Pay attention to the signals your body and mind are sending before they escalate. 2 - Remove what’s misaligned: Say no to the things that feel heavy, even if they're small. 3 - Really, truly rest: Let go of the urge to push and give yourself time to recover. 4 - Offer yourself grace: Reframe negative self-talk with truths and compassion. 5 - Own your energy: Acknowledge your role in your overwhelm so you can choose differently going forward. Connect with Megan YouTube | Website |  Instagram

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