Eat Blog Talk

Kristen Wager introduces a new method of monetizing recipes called Recifix and shows us how to build a more stable and diversified food blog business in the face of AI and traffic volatility. Kristen is a PhD-trained consumer insights leader with deep expertise in the creator economy. Over the past decade, she's led research initiatives at Kellogg's Company supporting top CPG brands like Special K, Cheez-It, and Morning Star. Most recently she built research programs for the top 100 food creators at Raptive where she gained firsthand insight into the food creator ecosystem and the challenges creators face. That experience led her to create Recifix - a cleaner, calmer way to find, plan, and share ad-free recipes, all while supporting the creators behind them. Relying on Google traffic alone is becoming increasingly risky. This episode explains what is actually changing in search, why AI is accelerating that shift, and how experienced bloggers can build stronger revenue streams that are not dependent on algorithms. Key Topics Discussed: - Traffic from search is not owned and can disappear without warning. - AI is reducing clicks by delivering answers without sending users to blogs. - Real diversification means adding new revenue streams not just new platforms. - Email lists and direct audience relationships protect your business. - Subscription based models create compounding and recurring income. - Trust with your audience is your strongest long term competitive advantage. Connect with Dr. Kristen Wager Website | Instagram Recifix - kristen@recifix.com

Megan chats with Adam Sobel about advanced email personalization strategies that increase conversions and create a more tailored experience for your audience. Adam Sobel is the chef and owner of The Cinnamon Snail, a vegan food truck, restaurant, and catering company serving New York and New Jersey. Adam has cooked at the James Beard House, represented the USA at the World Street Food Congress in the Philippines, and teaches cooking at the Institute for Culinary Education, De Gustibus Cooking School, and independently online. Adam has appeared on the food network, Cooking Channel, PBS, and several networks, and is the author of the popular cookbook Street Vegan. If your email strategy feels flat or underperforming, this episode shows how to turn your list into a revenue driver. Personalization goes far beyond first names. It is about delivering the right content, offer, and message based on behavior and intent. This is the next level for bloggers ready to monetize smarter. Key Topics Discussed: - Personalization should be based on behavior and preferences, not just names. - Segmenting your audience allows you to send more relevant content and offers. - Email sequences should adapt based on user actions and purchase history. - Selling becomes easier when offers match specific audience needs. - Testimonials and messaging should align with the reader's experience level. - Small optimizations in email flows can significantly increase revenue. Guest Details Connect with Adam Sobel Website | Instagram

Megan chats with Kim Cauti and Reed Dunn about what happens inside the Eat Blog Talk Inner Circle and how it helps bloggers gain clarity, connection, and momentum. The Eat Blog Talk Inner Circle is a supportive community for food bloggers who crave more focus, accountability, and connection. Inside, you'll connect with like-minded creators, stay motivated through weekly check-ins, and gain fresh ideas through group discussions and expert insights. With a private Slack space, live calls, and collaborative opportunities, this is a flexible, encouraging environment designed to help you grow your blog with clarity, consistency, and confidence. This episode gives a behind the scenes look at the Inner Circle experience through real member voices. If you are feeling isolated, overwhelmed, or stuck in your blogging business, this conversation shows how the right community can provide clarity, accountability, and faster progress without adding pressure or complexity. Key Topics Discussed: - Blogging alone can create blind spots and make it harder to move your business forward. - Getting direct answers from experienced bloggers saves time and prevents you from relying on outdated or generic advice. - Having built in accountability through weekly goals and focus calls helps you consistently follow through on important work. - Learning from real data and real experiences gives you better direction than testing everything on your own. - Being in a supportive and safe environment allows you to make clearer decisions and act with confidence. - You do not need to be at a certain level to benefit from the Inner Circle, because everyone brings valuable insight to the group. Connect with the Inner Circle Website Guests on this episode: Reed Dunn - Pesto and Potatoes Kim Cauti - Pretty Delicious Life Taryn Solie - Hot Pan Kitchen

Megan chats with Chris Pieta about using AI strategically to streamline workflows, improve content quality, and grow your blog without sacrificing your voice or credibility. Chris Pieta runs the operations and AI side of Food Blog Coaching, founded by his wife Kayla Burton, where they help food bloggers turn their blogs into thriving businesses and become confident entrepreneurs. They also run the food blog Broken Oven Baking Company together. What they teach in FBC, they first test and refine on their own blog. Chris has been using and testing AI in his businesses since 2022 and has been building AI-powered workflows and tools specifically for food bloggers. Previously he ran a photo and video agency and coached creatives on business. AI is already reshaping how food bloggers create, publish, and grow. This episode cuts through the noise and shows experienced bloggers how to actually use AI in a way that saves time, improves output, and strengthens their brand instead of diluting it. If you want to stay competitive without sacrificing quality or trust, this conversation matters. Key Topics Discussed: Treat AI as an assistant that handles repetitive tasks, not a replacement for your voice. Better prompts with clear goals, context, and constraints produce dramatically better results. Context profiles are the fastest way to create personalized, high quality AI outputs. The real value of AI comes from building repeatable systems, not one off tasks. Avoid generic AI content at all costs or you will lose audience trust quickly. Strong personal branding will matter more than ever as AI content increases online. Connect with Chris Pieta Website | Instagram Resources Coaching & Community for Food Bloggers Ideal Reader Profile Generator Free Blogging Tips Newsletter

Megan chats with Emily Christensen about turning strategic Instagram growth into a six figure blog in under a year. Emily Christensen is a sourdough baker, educator, and food blogger behind Country Roads Sourdough. What started as selling bread locally and teaching community classes grew into a profitable food blog after she leveraged Instagram to build trust and drive traffic. Emily monetized her blog within a year and now helps home bakers make sourdough feel simple, approachable, and realistic for everyday life. Emily went from teaching local sourdough classes and selling bread out of a tiny kitchen to qualifying for Raptive in just a few months. This episode breaks down exactly how she used Instagram to drive serious traffic, build multiple revenue streams, and treat her blog like a real business from day one. If you are an experienced food blogger wondering whether Instagram is still worth your time, this conversation gives you a clear answer and a practical roadmap. Key Topics Discussed: -Social media is a discovery engine, not the end product. -Viral content often comes from unique angles, not high search volume keywords. -Repeat the hooks and formats that already work. -Publish the blog post first, then drive traffic from Instagram. -Build systems and hire help before burnout forces you to. -Treat your blog like a real business from the start. Connect with Emily Christensen Website | Instagram

Megan chats with Melodee from Pretty Focused about the Buyers Club hiring grant and why now is the time to stop doing everything yourself. Melodee is the creator and owner of Pretty Focused. She's a wife, homeschool mom and a second grade teacher turned food photographer. Melodee started working as a food photographer for food bloggers in 2016. In 2017, she started to have friends ask her to teach them how to do it too, so she did, and that's when Pretty Focused was born. Since then, she's had over 1,000 students join Pretty Focused to learn how to photograph food for food bloggers. Melodee connects them with potential clients inside their marketplace when they graduate. Over the last 3 years, 69% of our grads reported making $50,000+ working as food photographers for bloggers. If you are feeling stretched thin, navigating industry shifts, or walking through a hard season of life, this episode matters. Melodee shares a practical path to buying back your time, building real support into your business, and stepping into community instead of isolation. Key Topics Discussed: You do not have to do it all alone. Hiring support is often the move that unlocks momentum. Outsourcing buys back time. Time is the asset that allows you to grow and scale. Community creates resilience. The right ecosystem strengthens your business long term. Trained photographers matter. Working with people who understand food blogging saves frustration. The grant is based on need. Three bloggers will receive $500 to use inside Buyers Club. New seasons require new moves. Fresh strategies and support can redefine your year. The Pretty Focused Buyers Club Connect with Melodee Fiske Website | Instagram

Megan chats with Amy Reid about self publishing a cookbook, choosing the right timing, and building a profitable income stream outside of ad revenue. Amy Reid is the voice-behind and creator-of Baking with Granny. The daughter of a professional baker, Amy grew up in a house which was filled with cakes & bakes. Once her own two children came along (and her mother became "Granny"), it was suddenly obvious that many of their family recipes would be lost in time, if not written down now. And Baking with Granny was born! Amy now takes recipes from years gone by and transforms them into easy home baking recipes that people around the world can make and enjoy. If writing a cookbook has been sitting on your someday list, this episode might be the push you need. Amy Reid from Baking With Granny shares exactly how she self published her first cookbook, why she chose that route, and what it really took to make it profitable. This is a practical, honest look at cookbook creation for food bloggers who want more control and more stability. Key Topics Discussed: - The right time is when your business can support the focus: You do not need perfect conditions, but you do need margin. - Self publishing gives you full creative and financial control: From photography to pricing, every decision stays in your hands. - Pre orders validate demand before you spend big money: Selling first reduced risk and confirmed the book was wanted. - Large scale recipe testing builds confidence and credibility: Hundreds of testers removed guesswork and strengthened the final product. - You can combine hardcover printing with print on demand: This balances profit, accessibility, and global shipping. - Cookbook sales can meaningfully diversify income: This was not a passion project. It was a profitable business move. Guest Details Connect with Amy Reid Website | Instagram

Megan chats with Liz Pollio about how to stay motivated when progress feels slow, growth stalls, or the work starts to feel repetitive. Liz Pollio founded Flour de Liz in 2016 as a way to share easy, approachable dessert recipes. She truly believes that anyone who wants to bake can bake, and she strives to create a fun, welcoming, and judgment-free space for home bakers of all skill levels. Are you showing up consistently but not seeing the results you hoped for? Liz shares honest mindset shifts that help her stay motivated during plateaus, boredom, and seasons of uncertainty. This is a grounded conversation about playing the long game, finding small wins, and remembering why you started in the first place. Key Topics Discussed: Future wins matter more than current frustration: The work you are doing now sets you up for growth later even when you cannot see it yet. Small data wins are still real progress: Looking at year over year data can reveal growth you might miss in the day to day. Quarterly check ins beat constant monitoring: Checking metrics too often can kill motivation before results have time to compound. Shift focus toward what is already growing: When one part of your business shows momentum, lean into it instead of forcing what feels stuck. Reconnect with why you started blogging: Creating just for fun can reignite creativity and make everything else feel lighter. Singles lead to home runs: Not every task is a breakthrough but every small action moves you forward. Track accomplishments not just unfinished tasks: Breaking big projects into subtasks helps you see progress instead of failure. Connect with Liz Pollio Website | Instagram

Traci DeForge teaches us why podcasting can be one of the most sustainable ways to grow a food blog, create multiple revenue streams and build valuable relationships. Traci, founder of Produce Your Podcast, an award-winning full-service production and audience growth marketing agency, is recognized as an international podcast expert, sought-after speaker, and media contributor. The creator of the Podcast Management Academy, the industry's only certified podcast manager training program, PodHive, and Co-Founder of the Podcast Professionals Association. Traci hosts the Growth Accelerator Podcast, and co-hosts the popular Ask Brien Radio Show in Los Angeles. She's been featured on all three major networks, including CNN, CTV, American Express Open, and RadioINK. She is also a member of the Rolling Stone Culture Council. Podcasting is often dismissed as too much work or not visual enough for food creators. In this episode, that assumption gets challenged. Traci breaks down why audio builds deeper trust, how podcasting supports SEO and AI discovery, and why consistency matters more than perfection. If you have ever thought "this sounds great but I don't have the capacity," this conversation will help you rethink what podcasting can actually look like. Key Topics Discussed: Clarity before creation: If you do not know why you are launching a podcast, it will never feel sustainable. Consistency beats frequency: One high quality episode you can maintain is more powerful than weekly content you resent producing. Guesting counts as a strategy: You can build authority and reach new audiences without running your own show. Audio builds deeper trust: People invite podcasts into their kitchens, cars, and daily routines and that matters. Podcasting supports SEO and AI discovery: Audio and video content increase repetition and visibility across search and AI platforms. Food content works without visuals: Storytelling, sensory language, and real life examples make recipes come alive in audio. You do not need fancy gear: A simple microphone and a phone are enough to get started. Connect with Traci DeForge Website | Instagram

Megan chats with Chanda Coston about building real success without burnout and why hustle culture is not worth the price. Chanda Coston is a U.S. Navy Veteran, Business Strategist, and Founder of Chanda Co., where she helps entrepreneurs build profitable, purpose-driven businesses without sacrificing peace or passion. With over 20 years of leadership experience and a background in project management, she teaches systems, mindset, and strategy that enable creative professionals, like food bloggers, to grow sustainably, delegate effectively, and avoid burnout. Her coaching blends structure and soul, because clarity and calm are the ultimate success tools. Burnout is not a badge of honor. In this episode, Chanda breaks down what sustainable success actually looks like and why systems, boundaries, and self trust matter more than working harder. This conversation is a reset for anyone who feels overwhelmed, reactive, or constantly behind. Key Topics Discussed: Burnout is a warning, not a requirement: If your business only works when you are exhausted, something is broken and it is not you. Mindset comes before strategy: No system will stick if you believe rest equals failure or productivity defines your worth. Self awareness changes everything: Learning your personal burnout cues helps you intervene before things spiral. CEO themed days create clarity: Structuring your week around focus areas removes daily decision fatigue. Boundaries protect your energy: Time blocks only work when you are willing to turn things off and say no. Delegation is not optional for growth: If you are the single point of failure, your business cannot scale. Guilt is not a good decision maker: Especially for moms, choosing yourself now creates a better future for everyone. If You Loved This Episode… You'll love Episode 642: Strategies for Sustainable Content Creation – How to Avoid Burnout as a Creator and Business Owner Connect with Chanda Coston Website | Instagram Ready to crush your biggest goals? Get Chanda's free ebook!

Megan chats with Cheryl Norris about what the transition from corporate employee to full time blogger really looks like and how to navigate it with purpose. Cheryl Norris is the founder of the Bakes by Brown Sugar baking blog, where she specializes in baked goods for the homebaker. She combines her technical background as a mechanical engineer and self-taught baker to write detailed recipes and explain the baking science behind her recipes. She lives in Porltand, OR with her husband. She recently left her full time job and now operates her food blog full time. In addition to her business, Cheryl loves to travel. Her favorite city is Paris, but her favorite food country is Japan. She also loves to read and is always up to learning something new. Cheryl's story is raw, honest, and deeply helpful for anyone dreaming of going full time. She walks through the emotional and logistical challenges of leaving a 37 year career, the mindset shift that changed everything, and the systems that helped her step into entrepreneurship with clarity instead of chaos. This conversation is a roadmap for anyone craving freedom but unsure how to get there. Key points discussed include: Be the driver in your own transition: Learn how Cheryl reclaimed control during layoffs and turned fear into clarity. Know your numbers before you leap: She breaks down the financial reality that helped her make a confident decision. Plan your first 90 days intentionally: Hear how a transition roadmap reduces stress and brings direction. Write your own job description: Understand your role, hours, and expectations the same way you would in any company. Create an ideal week you can stick to: Build structure so your time expands your work rather than swallows it. Expect the emotional dip: Cheryl names the "pit of incompetence" and why it is a normal part of leveling up. Use systems that support your brain: Learn why tools like ClickUp or a simple planner can be the difference between drifting and momentum. Remember why you started: Returning to the love of baking helped Cheryl find joy and energy again. Connect with Cheryl Norris Website | Instagram

Hanelore Dumitrache explains Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and what bloggers must change now to stay visible in an AI driven search world. Hanelore is a food blogger, AI strategist, and founder of the tech startup Whimzi AI. She helps creators and businesses future-proof their work through innovative, human-centered AI solutions. Hanelore is also the creator of AEO Audits, a pioneering framework that teaches bloggers how to stay visible in AI-driven search. Her mission is to make AI approachable, practical, and genuinely exciting for everyone. Search has transformed and AI engines no longer rely on rigid keyword matching. Instead, they understand intent, context and entities in a way traditional SEO cannot cover alone. Hanelore breaks down AEO, the new optimization approach that helps search engines correctly interpret your content and surface it inside AI answers. She explains why bloggers are losing traffic, what AEO does differently, and the exact shifts you can begin making today to prepare your blog for the future of search. Key points discussed include: Search is now semantic and AI engines match meaning and intent, not keyword density. AEO complements SEO because you still need technical foundations, but now you must add clarity and entity based structure. Authority matters more than ever so your author profile, expertise and topical focus must be consistent across the web. Topic clusters build credibility and prevent AI from seeing your blog as scattered or unfocused. Clear structure fuels visibility because AI engines need concise definitions, strong headings and anchored explanations. FAQ blocks strengthen retrieval and short, direct answers boost your chances of being cited. Internal linking reinforces meaning and helps AI connect your content into a coherent knowledge graph. Early adopters win because AI models learn historically, rewarding blogs that begin optimizing now. Connect with Hanelore Dumitrache Website | Instagram

Megan chats with Megan Flatt about how your hormone cycle affects your ability to focus and the simple shifts that let you work smarter, protect your brain and get bigger results by doing less. Megan Flatt is the founder of Let's Collective, a business strategy firm helping entrepreneurs achieve more revenue, time, and fulfillment—without the hustle. Megan is also the author of Focused: Reclaim Your Time, Ditch Overwhelm, and Do Less Better, where she blends research and practical strategies to help people do less, better. When she's not strategizing, Megan can be found with a stack of romance novels, a fresh set of office supplies and usually a latte. Learn more at letscollective.co This episode reframes productivity in a way that feels sane again. Megan explains what actually helps your brain focus, why multitasking backfires, and how to plan in cycles that match your energy and biology. She digs into the default mode network, the value of "done" definitions, and the three step planning framework she uses with CEOs. If your brain feels foggy or scattered, these tools will reset your entire approach. Key points discussed include: Tasks, projects and goals are different and clarity here prevents overwhelm. Define your container so your brain knows when work starts and ends. Default mode network time matters because your brain needs space to solve problems. Planning in 90 day cycles works and gives your ideas room to breathe. Hormones influence productivity so aligning your work with your cycle can change everything. Triggers help you focus whether it is headphones, a playlist or a specific workspace. Break tasks into small wins because dopamine drives momentum. Do less better and concentrate on the work that actually moves your business. Connect with Megan Flatt Website | Instagram