Tastemaker Talk

In this episode, Jordan Gill (Senior Affiliate Marketing Manager at Kit) shares the importance of building an owned audience through email for food creators navigating platform shifts. We're talking about strategies to increase engagement, maintain audience ownership through a smart email approach, and leverage email for community building and revenue. Email doesn't have to be boring or scary, and Jordan is here to make sure you're set up for success!Show NotesSign up for your Kit account - free until you surpass 10,000 subscribers!Follow Jordan on InstagramJoin us in San Antonio for Tastemaker #10. Jordan will be speaking on our email panel and we couldn't be more excited!

In this episode, branding expert Katie Trant (Foodie Brand Lab) shares insights on building a strong brand strategy for creators. Katie and Chandice are exploring the importance of understanding your brand's core, and providing practical steps to future-proof your revenue—even amidst platform changes and AI updates. Katie argues that moving beyond simply knowing your personal "why" is a key step, and that all creators should be able to to strongly answer "Why you?" Tune in for advice to help you anchor your brand to your core values and weather the next round of shifts in the creator economy.Show NotesRSVP for Katie's upcoming webinarFind Katie online at Foodie Brand Lab and Hey Nutrition LadyFollow Katie on Instagram at foodiebrandlab and heynutritionladyJoin us at TC 2027 - Foodie Brand Lab will be a sponsor for the first time ever, and we're SO excited!

Jen Holt (Jennifer Holt Designs) is here to chat with us about the best ways to turn your food blog into an ad income-generating machine! Sounds fun, right?!Jen has contagious energy and a wealth of knowledge that will have you nodding along and taking furious notes. We're diving into low-lift strategies to make your food blog or website compliant with the latest SEO/GEO/AEO recommendations without feeling like you're writing for robots. Every millisecond counts, and Jen is helping us make the most of each one that readers spend on your site (aka-making you more $$)!Show NotesGrab your free Ad Income Website Blueprint from Jen's site!Find Jen on IG or FBIf you like our podcast, you have to check out Jen's! Listen to The Food Blogger's Table podJoin us at TC 2027 San Antonio!

Today on the pod, Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack shares her inspiring journey of building the Muy Bueno brand, rooted in Mexican culture and family stories. We're chatting all about storytelling, authenticity, and community have fueled her success in food blogging, media, and cookbook publishing. Plus, Yvette is sharing something major that she has coming out this fall; tune in for the inside scoop!Find more of Yvette and Muy Bueno:https://muybuenoblog.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muybuenocookingYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/muybuenocookingFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/muybuenocookbook/Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/muybueno/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@muybuenocookingJoin us in San Antonio! Tickets for our 2027 Tastemaker Conference are 55% SOLD OUT

We are SO excited to be joined by Tastemaker Conference 2027 MC, Kalen Allen! Kalen is an award-winning actor, television personality, and singer, reaching millions of people worldwide across his social media platforms and through his unique content. Today Kalen is chatting with Chandice about the responsibility attached to digital commentary, leading with your art rather than becoming dictated by audience demands, and finding your "cherry limemade." Tune in and enjoy!Show NotesFind Kalen across socials at thekalenallenJoin us in San Antonio for Kalen's third appearance as Tastemaker Conference MC!We had a major echo issue while recording this episode, so we'd like to give a huge shoutout to Kalen for being a true professional and carrying on with the show! 🫶

In this episode, Maria Lucey shares her journey from dietitian to successful YouTube content creator, exploring strategies for growth, monetization, and community building on YouTube. Discover how to leverage video content for long-term success and authenticity—tune in!Show LinksFind Maria on her websiteCheck out Maria's YouTube channelFollow Maria on InstagramGet your TC 2027 San Antonio ticket!

Join us as we explore the latest trends in food content marketing with Anastasia Shtompel, Forbes Council Member and former Head of Marketing at a multi-million-dollar company. Hit play to discover how niche audiences, strong visual identity, and strategic collaborations can elevate your content. Anastasia is sharing the need-to-know info to position yourself not only as an influencer, but as a BRAND, baby!Show Links:Follow Anastasia for sharp marketing and brand strategy insights. If you’re interested in working with her, you can schedule a call directly.Find Anastasia's IG post from February 3, "Food is the New Status Symbol," HERE!Get your ticket to TC 2027 for more industry-leading conversations

Today Abbey sits down with Jack Thomas to explore the future of food content through an ethical lens, covering everything from social commerce and monetization to transparency, sustainability, and the real impact of AI. Jack shares the mission behind ACRE and challenges creators to think deeper about trust, values, and the “optics of local.” Plus, a candid take on industry buzzwords (watch your back “farm-to-table”) and a few exclusive perks for the Tastemaker community.Show Links:Explore what ACRE has to offer creators like youUse code TASTEMAKER20 for 20% off all ACRE annual plans. Those who join before June 20 will be eligible to win a FREE stay at the farmstead!Browse educational resources at WorkPlay XDCheck out Jack's Substack!Get your TC 2027 ticket!!

Kelli Quinn is the VP of Product, Customer Success, and People Ops at VEOX Inc, and she's also a longtime photographer. Today she's joining Abbey to talk about where creativity meets technology. From her journey into the AI space to practical ways creatives can use it without losing their voice, this episode is all about staying adaptable, thinking for yourself, and using tech as a tool to unlock your best life.Show Links⁠Visit Kelli's site⁠⁠Follow Kelli on IG⁠Explore the Tastemaker Tunes playlist (shoutout Step Up franchise 😝)⁠Learn more at TC 2027!⁠

This week on the Tastemaker Talk podcast, we're picking up where we left off. Abbey is opening up about her personal experiences following the pandemic, including a divorce that shaped how she showed up in all aspects of her life–including her business. In this episode, she and Chandice explore the ways in which they have continued to #holdspace for one another throughout these highs and lows, and how the Tastemaker Conference team and community has been a source of joy and support for each of them.P.S. The Tastemaker Birthday Sale is still running for 2 more days!! We’d love to invite you to celebrate with us, and we’re offering $80 off your Tastemaker Conference 2026 ticket. Use the code BDAY80 and keep the party going, available now through April 30.

Welcome back to Season 2 of Tastemaker Talk! We were honored to be joined by Kate Ahl of Simple Pin Media to discuss the rise of AI-generated content on Pinterest, which is competing directly with content creators driving traffic to their websites on the platform. The group discusses the context for how this AI slop came to dominate Pinterest pages, what Pinterest plans to do about it, and how creators can adjust their strategies in the meantime.Show Links and Further Learning:Get in touch with Kate at SimplePinMedia.comListen to this Simple Pin Podcast episode on using AI imagesRead the Futurism article that sparked this conversationCheck out Lisa Nguyen and her awesome ramen shortsInfo on Pinterest's plan to label AI content and how they're working towards giving users more controlOfficial article from Pinterest on their move with AI content and PinterestWhat to do about the new setting in Pinterest Canvas