772: How to Grow On Instagram Using Stories (Without Overthinking It) with Shannon McKinstrie

Megan chats with social media strategist Shannon McKinstrie about creating Instagram stories that actually convert, without overthinking, overproducing, or burning out. Shannon McKinstrie is a social media mentor & strategist on a mission to eliminate the neverending content-creation guesswork and overwhelm so business owners can actually enjoy promoting their business and engaging with their audience on social platforms without burning out. If Instagram stories intimidate you or feel like another box to check, this episode will change your mind. Shannon McKinstrie breaks down the art of storytelling on Instagram in a way that's approachable, human, and fun. She shares her three-story formula, engagement hacks that feel natural, and simple ways to connect with your audience beyond recipes. You'll learn how to show up consistently, grow your visibility, and build trust with your followers. No perfection required. Key points discussed include: - Start simple: Three stories a day is all you need to build traction. - The first story sets the tone: Greet, connect, and invite your audience in. - Convert in story two: Drop social proof, share an offer, or link to fresh content. - End with real life: Relatable, offbeat moments make you memorable. - Engagement = conversation: Use polls, questions, and humor to start dialogue. - Be human, not perfect: Messy stories often perform best because they're real. - Test content in stories first: Use reactions to see what should become your next reel. - Stop fearing your voice: Authenticity builds faster than flawless delivery. Connect with Shannon McKinstrie Website | Instagram

Molly Patrick teaches us about creating a values-driven business through genuine connection, radical honesty, and community that sustains itself without ads, gimmicks, or burnout. Molly is the co-founder of Clean Food Dirty Girl, a global community known for its honest, inclusive approach to plant-based living. Raised off-grid in New Mexico, Molly learned early to value simplicity, hard work, and humor - principles that still shape her work today. A lifelong vegetarian and vegan since 2010, she has been alcohol- and cigarette-free since 2015 and now lives on the island of Maui, leading a thriving movement that helps people eat more plants and live more intentionally. For over a decade, Molly has built a thriving global community around eating more plants, not through viral hacks or paid ads, but through heart, storytelling, and trust. She has turned authenticity into strategy and connection into sustainability. In this conversation, she and Megan dive deep into what makes communities stick, how to serve before you sell, and why writing to your audience like a friend will always outperform clever marketing. Key points discussed include: Build trust, not traffic: Community outlasts algorithms every time. Show up human: People connect with your truth, not your polish. Serve before you sell: Generosity creates loyalty that no ad can buy. Email is still gold: Talk to your audience like a best friend, not a brand. Hold it lightly: You can't force connection. Create space for it. Listen and evolve: Feedback is a gift, not a critique. Sustain through simplicity: When you remove the fluff, your message shines. Community over clicks: Real relationships build the most resilient businesses. Connect with Molly Patrick Website | Instagram

Megan chats with Zoe Forestier about using structure, batching, and mindful planning to protect your energy, sustain creativity, and actually enjoy the blogging journey, especially during high-pressure seasons. Zoe is the voice behind Girl Meets Fire, where she shares Puerto Rican recipes with a global audience. Her work blends tradition with modern strategies, from food photography to SEO-driven content planning. Alongside the blog, she developed the Firestarter Planner, a tool designed to help food bloggers streamline their workflows, track ideas, and stay consistent without burning out. Her passion lies in making content creation manageable and sustainable for fellow bloggers. Food blogging can feel like juggling a dozen spinning plates. Zoe has found a system that keeps her grounded. She shares how she uses planning as both a productivity and mindset tool. From batching content before Q4 chaos to color-coding creative focus, she teaches us how organization can actually spark more joy.  Key points discussed include: Structure sparks freedom: Systems don't cage creativity, they protect it. Plan ahead for peace: Treat each quarter like a recipe and prep the ingredients early. Batch like a pro: Group similar tasks to save mental energy and time. Mindset over hustle: Your planner can become a self-care practice, not a stress list. Simplify your workspace: One planner beats seven notebooks every time. Build in joy: Scheduling breaks and simple rituals keeps burnout at bay. Stay consistent, not perfect: Progress compounds when you stop starting over. Ground yourself in purpose: Every quarter, revisit why you started, then plan from there. Connect with Zoe Forestier Firestarter Planner Website | Instagram

Rachel Cunliffe teaches us about transforming a cluttered website into a calm, focused space that serves both you and your readers. Rachel is the founder of Cre8d Design, a web design and development studio that helps creators and businesses build websites that are beautiful, clean, user-friendly, and fast. Cre8d has worked in the space for over two decades, specializing in custom WordPress design, audience experience, and content strategy. At Cre8d, the team partners closely with clients to clarify their goals, organize their content, and create websites that genuinely reflect who they are and that people love to use. Their work blends thoughtful design, modern tech, and a deep respect for the people behind the websites. Over time, even the best food blogs start to feel like overstuffed pantries: too many ingredients, not enough order. Web designer Rachel Cunliffe joins us to explain how to know when it's time for a redesign and how to approach it with clarity, calm, and intention. She breaks down the process of simplifying your site, creating a distraction-free reader experience, and reclaiming the joy in your digital space. This is your invitation to pause, tidy up, and let your creativity breathe again. Key points discussed include: Trust your gut: If your site feels messy, your readers feel it too. Design for calm: People crave clarity, not chaos - keep it simple and focused. Your website is your pantry: Take everything out, organize what matters, toss what's expired. Pop-ups aren't the enemy, but timing matters: Be intentional about when and where you use them. Write like a human again: Authentic stories connect faster than optimized fluff. Your brand should evolve: Outdated design can quietly hold you back. Simplify the tech: A site that's easy to update keeps you consistent and confident. Distraction-free = trust: The cleaner the experience, the stronger the connection. Connect with Rachel Cunliffe Website | Instagram

Megan chats with Diane Woodford about living a life led by love, embracing purpose in uncertainty, and why the most powerful thing food bloggers can do right now is be deeply human. Diane Woodford is a retired critical healthcare professional and educator. She is also a published author, speaker, philanthropist, co-host of Love Drops Podcast, creator of Paths2transformation website, and world traveler. With a deep commitment to serving humanity, Diane focuses on mentoring young women and raising the energy wherever she goes. Diane is currently traveling around Europe with her husband Charles on a remarkable journey, embodying love in action as One Love Ambassadors spreading love at every stop while making incredible human connections. Diane Woodford shares her journey of traveling the world with her husband, Charles, spreading compassion and human connection wherever they go. From overcoming near tragedy to offering hope through storytelling, Diane reminds us that love is the ultimate creative force and the one energy that crosses all barriers. She challenges us to quiet the noise, trust the nudge, and create from the heart, because that's where real impact begins. Key points discussed include: Say yes to the adventure: When you follow the quiet nudge inside, your path unfolds with purpose. Lead with love, not fear: Your energy changes a room long before your words do. Human connection beats AI every time: No algorithm can taste your food, feel your story, or replicate your presence. Let it come, let it be, let it go: A simple mantra to move through chaos with grace. Turn pain into purpose: Even life's hardest storms can become spaces for healing others. Stay present: Joy and clarity live in the "now," not in the what-ifs or should-haves. Forgive to free yourself: Love isn't weakness, it's the boldest form of strength. Be here now: When you stop forcing outcomes, everything you need finds you. Connect with Diane Woodford Website

Megan chats with Melissa Seideman about turning your email list into your most powerful marketing tool, no algorithm required. Melissa is a former 15-year history teacher and the CEO of Not Another Virtual Assistant (NAVA). She helps busy entrepreneurs, especially fellow CEO moms, take the stress out of marketing so they can focus on what they do best. NAVA provides strategic email marketing solutions that drive consistent sales and build strong customer relationships, all while freeing up valuable time. Your email list is more than a newsletter. It's your most reliable business asset. Melissa shares how to use it to consistently drive traffic, boost engagement, and make money. Learn how to build irresistible opt-ins, segment your audience, design engaging weekly emails, and monetize strategically. Whether you're just starting or ready to revamp your entire system, this conversation will give you a blueprint for sustainable email success. Key points discussed include: Email over algorithm: Stop waiting for social media. Email delivers on your terms. Make signups easy: Use popups, embedded forms, and footers to capture every visitor. Segment with purpose: Tag only what you'll use so every subscriber feels seen. Your welcome matters: Create a personal, story-driven welcome series to start strong. Consistency wins: Weekly emails build trust and make you top-of-mind for your readers. Monetize smartly: Use affiliates, sponsorships, and even ads to make your list pay for itself. Template magic: Branded layouts and consistent link colors increase clicks. Repurpose with ease: Recycle old recipes, videos, and blog posts - fresh eyes will love them. Connect with Melissa Seideman Website | Instagram

"Someday" is a myth that keeps you waiting. This episode helps you trade it for today and finally take that first step. I used to say "someday" all the time: someday I'll write a book, someday I'll slow down, someday I'll care for myself. But someday never came until I created space and just started. That's when everything shifted. This episode is a reminder that life isn't waiting for later. It's happening now. Action Steps: Spot your some days: Notice where you're delaying dreams with the word someday. Reframe the myth: Understand that perfect conditions will never arrive. Take one step today: Write a sentence, go for a walk, or block an hour. Choose presence: Replace waiting with courage and simple daily action. Build now, not later: Remember freedom is created in today's choices, not in tomorrow's promises. Join the email list for Take The Exit - Be the first to step inside the story! More from Megan YouTube | Website |  Instagram

Destini Copp teaches us how to transform your knowledge into scalable, automated income streams that sell while you sleep. Dr. Copp is a business growth coach and digital product strategist. She helps business owners turn their digital products into consistent, scalable revenue using growth flywheels and AI-powered systems. If you've ever thought about creating a digital product but weren't sure where to start (or what to do when one flops) this episode is your go-to guide. Destini shares how to identify your best product idea, craft an irresistible mini-course or ebook, and design sales funnels that work. You'll also learn how to simplify your tech, monetize your newsletter, and infuse more of you into every offer. Key points discussed include: Start with a spark: Choose a product that aligns with your passion and expertise - it will sustain you long-term. Mini-courses win: Short, actionable workshops build connection and can't be replicated by AI. Lead magnets that convert: Begin with a simple freebie, then nurture your audience through a natural journey. Fixing funnel flops: Track conversion data before scrapping your ideas, small tweaks can rescue big results. Simplify the tech: ThriveCart, Leadpages, Teachable… they all work. Don't let tech hold you back. The weekly non-negotiable: A consistent newsletter builds trust, drives sales, and multiplies income. Human over automation: Live workshops and personal videos bring back the connection your audience craves. Repurpose with purpose: Every old ebook or freebie can find new life inside your product funnel. If You Loved This Episode… You'll love Episode 653: Beyond Ads – How to Monetize Your Blog with a Product Line with Meggen Wilson Connect with Destini Copp Website | Instagram

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