Eat Blog Talk | Megan Porta

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: Ingredien

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 fre

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 ove

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 ca

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

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 ene

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 re

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—

Today we’re diving into something that has truly changed the way I operate in both business and life: boundaries. But not just any boundaries — sacred ones that help you stay aligned with your purpose and energy. Trust me, learning to honor this practice has been life-giving, and I want to share what’s worked for me. Setting boundaries isn’t about pushing others away, it’s about respecting your values by evaluating opportunities, learning to say ‘no’ and making sure your calendar aligns with your energy. Action Plan: - Misalignment has a cost: Staying in the wrong situations drains your energy and purpose. - Sacred boundaries protect what matters: They’re about honoring your truth, not pushing people away. - Watch for warning signs: Dread, resentment, and overcommitment signal a need for - boundaries. - Boundaries unlock magic: Saying no creates space for aligned, energizing opportunities. - Use simple boundary tools: Pause before saying ‘yes’, check in with your body, and lean on your values. - Choosing your

In episode 708, Megan chats to Hanelore Dumitrache and Mariska Ramondino about using artificial intelligence to streamline workflows, understand your audience, and create a more impactful blogging business. Hanelore Dumitrache Hanelore Dumitrache is a food blogger, tech entrepreneur, AI educator and author. Her work tries to bridge the gap between technology and the blogging world. As the founder of Whimzi AI, she's currently developing AI-driven tools for food bloggers and content creators. Her food blog SugarYums focuses on East Asian street food and desserts.  Mariska Ramondino Mariska Ramondino is an international fiscal tax lawyer turned business consultant and now a food blogger with a consulting business on the side. Through her blog, she shares her passion for nutritious home-cooked meals and a more balanced lifestyle. She also offers writing and consulting services for fellow bloggers. Additionally, Mariska is a partner and co-founder of Whimzi AI, a tech-driven company providing custom AI solutions

In episode 707, Dr. Nona Djavid teaches us how to rewire our internal blueprint — the subconscious programming and energy patterns that silently determine whether we thrive or struggle in our business. Dr. Nona Djavid is an entrepreneur, mom, speaker, and founder of the Part Time Million Dollar Business and eLIVate Club. With a background in neuroscience and a doctorate in chiropractic, she blends mindset mastery with energetics and business strategy to help entrepreneurs create the business and life of their dreams. She is also the author of eLIVate Your Life, and currently teaches entrepreneurs how to work just one week a month while scaling to multiple six or seven figures. In this episode, you’ll learn how redefining your vision and identity can help you achieve radical freedom, scale your business, and cultivate deeper fulfillment in every area of life. Key points discussed include: - Craft an “unreasonable” vision: Allow yourself to dream big—even if it feels impossible—and let that vision guide your ev

In this episode, I talk about the idea that we can hold two seemingly opposite truths at the same time - and how that can actually be where our real growth and success as entrepreneurs live. I'm so glad you're here for another mindset-focused episode of Eat Blog Talk. Today, I’m diving into a topic that’s been heavy on my heart lately—duality in entrepreneurship. As entrepreneurs, we often think we have to fix our flaws before we can feel successful, but what if it’s actually about holding space for both our strengths and imperfections? I'm sharing a story from the Flavor Media Summit that beautifully illustrates how powerful it can be to embrace the “both/and” in ourselves. Action Plan: 1 - Acknowledge duality in your journey: Notice when you’re feeling two things at once and give both feelings permission to exist. 2 - Resist the urge to fix yourself first: You don’t need to wait until you’re fearless or confident to move forward—just start. 3 - Stay present in your imperfections: True success comes from sho

In episode 705, Megan chats to Yasmin Henley about how to build a sustainable, multichannel food blogging brand without losing your spark or your sanity. Yasmin is the recipe developer and content creator behind By The Forkful, sharing delicious vegetarian recipes that are easy to put together and meals the whole family can enjoy. In this episode, you’ll learn how Yasmin grew her blog into a full-time business by showing up consistently across platforms in a way that works for her life, energy, and values. Key points discussed include: - Leverage multiple platforms strategically: Yasmin shares how focusing on SEO first, then adding TikTok and Instagram, helped her create a steady traffic flow that doesn't rely on one source. - Batching is your best friend: Creating and editing multiple recipes and videos at once maximizes productivity and helps avoid creative fatigue. - Keep systems simple and repeatable: Yasmin walks through her exact workflow—from keyword research to publishing and promotion—that keeps her

In episode 704, Jackie Thesing shares how food bloggers can go beyond their blogs by pursuing sponsored posts, media appearances, and other visibility opportunities to grow their brand. Jackie Thesing left her corporate job in 2017 to stay home full time with her daughter. Since then, she has welcomed two more children and started her dessert blog, Sweet Girl Treats! She launched the blog as a way to find something for herself outside of motherhood, and it has turned into SO much more. In this episode, you’ll learn actionable tips for landing brand sponsorships, making media connections, and confidently putting yourself out there, even when it feels scary. Key points discussed include: - Start with a media kit: Create a simple one-pager to showcase your blog, offerings, and photography—it's the first step to pitching brands professionally. - Pitch brands you genuinely use: Authenticity matters, so look in your pantry or at your favorite products to find meaningful partnership opportunities. - Explore differen

This episode explores why the most transformative growth happens after the end of an event (like conferences, masterminds or retreats) - and how to harness that energy intentionally. I just got back from the Flavor Media Summit in Savannah, and wow—what a whirlwind! Today I’m sharing from the heart while everything is still fresh. It’s so easy to think the big work happens in the room—at the conference, on the Zoom call, during the retreat—but the truth is, the real transformation begins after you leave. I’ll walk you through what that means and how to take meaningful steps forward once the initial energy fades. Action Plan: 1 - Pause and Reflect: Take intentional time to slow down and journal on what moved you the most from the experience. 2 - Choose One Anchor Action: Pick a single powerful idea and commit to it—don’t overwhelm yourself with too many goals at once. 3 - Follow Up on Relationships: Reach out to people you connected with and nurture those new or deepened relationships. 4 - Protect Your Post-Ro

Learn how to harness the power of Reddit to increase your blog traffic and deepen audience engagement with expert insights from Robin Means. The Vegan Dollhouse is based in northern California. Taking inspiration from cute animals, sweet lolita, and tea parties, I make cute and colorful vegan food and desserts. I’ve been making vegan food for 25 years, and I’m still as passionate as I was on day 1. In episode 702, you’ll learn how Reddit can be a game-changing platform for food bloggers looking to drive meaningful traffic, connect with niche audiences, and spark new content ideas. Robin shares practical strategies, her personal Reddit routine, and how to avoid common missteps when getting started. Key points discussed include: - Reddit can drive massive traffic with less effort than other platforms: Robin gets three times more traffic from Reddit than Pinterest, while spending one-third of the time. - Start by engaging, not posting: Build “karma” by commenting and interacting with others before sharing your o

In episode 701, Megan celebrates reaching 700 episodes by bringing her team together to answer your questions about food blogging, content creation, mindset and life. Dan Porta is a team builder at heart, currently growing Strategic Partnerships for Eat Blog Talk and further developing in-person events. With past experience in educational travel, Dan has cultivated a passion for bringing people together and facilitating positive learning experiences where meaningful connections can flourish. It's all about other people :) Catharina is a podcast producer, video editor and social media expert who loves working with passionate entrepreneurs, helping them make their content ideas come to life. She’s a foodie at heart and used to work in hospitality before becoming a content producer. Since collaborating with Megan on EBT’s podcast episodes, she has developed a keen interest in the food blogging space and hopes to help many more food bloggers expand their horizons into audio and video.  Taryn has been blogging at

Feeling overwhelmed? In this episode, I share five powerful affirmations to help you stay calm, grounded, and resilient through even the toughest weeks. We all hit those weeks where everything feels overwhelming, and it’s tough to find our footing. In today’s episode, I’m sharing five affirmations that have truly helped me stay grounded during chaotic, stressful times. These simple but powerful phrases can shift your mindset and give you a real sense of peace when you need it most. Action Plan: 1 - Relax, Trust, Let Go, Surrender: Anchor yourself by releasing control and allowing things to unfold. 2 - I trust myself: Remind yourself that you are capable, intuitive, and strong enough to handle any challenge. 3 - I choose peace: In the midst of chaos, intentionally create inner calm by making peace your priority. 4 - I give myself permission to pause: Know that resting is not weakness—it's necessary for creativity and clarity. 5 - Everything is Happening in Perfect Timing: Trust that life is unfolding exactly a

In episode 699, Megan chats to Reed Dunn about how discovering the Food Social platform helped him combat creator isolation and reignite his passion for food blogging. Reed Dunn's journey in the kitchen began as a young child in small-town Kansas, where he spent hours learning how to cook by digging through cookbooks and mimicking what his mom was doing. In 2018, after a month of sharing what he was eating on Instagram, friends and co-workers encouraged him to start an account dedicated to his recipes. Pesto & Potatoes was born, and it's where he shares his passion for cooking through wholesome plant-based and pescatarian recipes inspired by the Pacific Northwest and the many regions in which he has lived. In this episode, you’ll learn how finding a supportive creator community can completely transform your food blogging journey and how Food Social offers unique opportunities for connection, traffic, and monetization. Key points discussed include: - Food Social bridges the isolation gap for creators: Reed

In episode 698, Eloise Jennes talks about how what felt like a massive failure on Instagram actually became the catalyst for clarity, growth, and deep alignment in her food blogging business. Elo is a plant-based food blogger, meal prep expert, and founder of Cooking With Elo, where she helps stressed-out professionals, overwhelmed parents, and health-conscious students make healthy plant-based eating way more doable and way less chaotic. With her Master's in food innovation and obsessive love for systems, checklists, and pantry organization, Elo helps you feel confident in the kitchen, even with tofu, tempeh, and beans on the menu. So if you’ve ever wished someone would just tell you what to cook, how to prep it, and when to eat it—she’s your girl. In this episode, you’ll learn how to reframe failure as a learning opportunity to refine your niche, improve your blog and discover a clear business path rooted in passion and purpose. Key points discussed include: - Failure isn't failure—it’s unmet expectations: