Eat Blog Talk | Megan Porta

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:

Here's a simple 5-step method I created to help stay calm, present, and grounded when you're facing uncertainty and bracing for the unknown. In this episode, I’m diving into a mindset strategy that helped me through a really intense week filled with anxiety and uncertainty. When life feels overwhelming and fear creeps in, it’s so important to have a simple plan to stay grounded. I’ll walk you through the exact five steps I used to calm my mind, stay present, and truly enjoy the moments that mattered most. If you ever find yourself stuck in a cycle of worry, these steps will help you find your way back to peace. Action Plan: 1 - Acknowledge your awareness: Notice when your mind is jumping ahead to worst-case scenarios — awareness gives you back your power. 2 - Set a clear intention: Decide to stay grounded and present, even when challenges are looming. 3 - Focus on your breath: Take three deep, intentional breaths to signal to your body that it’s safe. 4 - Tune into your senses: Name three things you can see,

In episode 696, Megan chats with Barbara Curry about how she launched a wildly successful second food blog that reached 100,000 monthly pageviews within months of starting. Barbara is the creator of Butter & Baggage and Easy Southern Desserts, where she shares her passion for approachable, home-cooked Southern recipes. She started Butter & Baggage in 2014, bringing decades of experience to help home cooks create delicious meals with confidence. In 2024, she launched Easy Southern Desserts to focus exclusively on indulgent, foolproof sweets inspired by Southern traditions. Through her blogs, she combines tested recipes with practical tips to make baking and cooking both stress-free and enjoyable. In this episode, you’ll learn what it takes to start and grow a second blog while maintaining momentum with an existing one, including identifying a viable niche, gaining traffic and dividing your focus efficiently. Key points discussed include: - Identify a market gap before you begin: Barbara saw an untapped

In episode 695, Jonathan Feniak walks us through the legal essentials every food blogger needs to confidently turn a blog into a full-time business while mitigating legal risks. Lead Attorney Jonathan Feniak is a driving force behind LLCAttorney.com with a mission to make quality legal guidance accessible to business owners and individuals across the United States. Specializing in asset protection, estate planning, and business formation, he provides practical solutions that empower clients to protect their assets and build strong legal foundations. In this episode, you’ll learn the importance of setting up your blog as a business entity, how to protect your personal assets, and when should you get a trademark to protect your brand. Key points discussed include: - Why forming an LLC is smart for bloggers: Protects personal assets and establishes your blog as a legitimate business. - You can form an LLC affordably: Many bloggers can complete the process themselves without hiring a lawyer. - Don't mix personal

Learn how to become more efficient and intentional by thoughtfully pairing two tasks together, without adding stress or hustle to your day. Today’s episode is all about shifting your days with simple, intentional strategies. Instead of overwhelming yourself with frantic multitasking, I’m sharing easy ways to pair activities that naturally complement each other. These small changes have helped me be more productive, efficient, and energized without adding stress. I can’t wait for you to try them and see how they transform your workflow too! Action Plan: 1 - Knock out admin work while walking on the treadmill: Use light movement to boost energy while getting through Slack messages, emails, or brainstorming. 2 - Connect with loved ones during outdoor walks: Reserve personal calls or voice messages for walk time to nurture relationships while getting fresh air and exercise. 3 - Learn while you do monotonous tasks: Listen to uplifting podcasts or audiobooks during chores like folding laundry or photo editing. 4 -

In episode 693, Megan chats to Morgan Peaceman about building strong systems that support both content creation and content maintenance for food bloggers. Morgan Peaceman has been blogging for the last 6 years, but only really went all in as of 2023. Her approach to food blogging and recipe development comes from her love of quick and easy family friendly recipes, with fresh, simple ingredients that makes all her recipes accessible for the most novice of cooks. In this episode, you’ll learn how to create sustainable systems for updating and publishing blog content while avoiding burnout and staying organized as a food blogger. Key points discussed include: - Build systems that support sustainability: Morgan shares how she structured her blog workflow to stay consistent without burning out, including tracking and updating older content regularly. - Use tools that align with your needs: From KeySearch and RankIQ to the lesser-known but powerful Thruuu, Morgan walks us through her preferred keyword research and

In episode 692, Megan interviews James Baldwin from Raptive about strategies to increase your ad revenue, optimize your website for better performance, and tackle evolving challenges in the food blogging space—including AI content theft and third-party cookie changes. James and his team of ad performance experts work to help creators make as much money as possible by analyzing network data, troubleshooting ad issues, and designing ad strategies for industry-leading RPMs. James lives is Fargo, North Dakota with his wife and two kids and farms on the occasional summer/fall weekend. In this episode, you’ll learn how to boost your ad earnings, make sense of RPM fluctuations, and future-proof your content strategy in a shifting digital landscape. Key points discussed include: - RPM Variations: U.S.-based traffic consistently earns higher RPMs than international traffic. Understanding audience geography is key to revenue forecasting. - Smart Ad Placement: Positioning ads in high-visibility areas of your recipe post

Learn how to transform everyday experiences into powerful gifts by shifting your perspective and embracing gratitude, seeing the world through a lens of appreciation that can fundamentally change your life. Lately, I’ve been on a journey of uncovering hidden gifts in the most unexpected places - from physical signals in my body to tough conversations and challenging moments. In this episode, I’m sharing some of those discoveries and how they’ve helped me shift my perspective. Instead of getting weighed down by difficulties, I’m learning to see the world through a lens of appreciation and possibility. Action Plan: 1 - Receive Words as Gifts: Listen with curiosity, not defensiveness. 2 - Receive Challenges as Opportunities: See obstacles as pathways to personal growth. 3 - Receive People as Connection: Approach interactions with openness and potential. 4 - Receive Quiet Moments as Reflection: Pause and savor stillness in a busy world. 5 - Receive Your Body as a Miracle: Appreciate the constant, incredible work

In episode 690, Megan chats to Danielle Madden about how generative AI uses significant environmental resources and how content creators can use the technology more ethically. Danielle Madden founded Project Meal Plan in 2016 after spending too many lunch breaks searching for mediocre food while working her office job. Her educational background includes a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science, and hands-on training as a Seattle Urban Nature Guide. Danielle loves being prepared (especially with food), and is usually the first one to arrive at a gathering with a homemade dish to share. At Project Meal Plan, Danielle focuses on make-ahead food and sharing tools to help others plan their own meals. In this episode, you’ll learn how generative AI works, how to understand its environmental impact, and how to implement sustainable practices in business. Key points discussed include: - Generative AI Uses Significant Resources: Data centers consume substantial water and electricity through complex cooling proces

In episode 689, Dr. Kristen Wager teaches us how to use research to drive our content strategy, in order to predict what content will perform well instead of guessing what our audience wants. Dr. Kristen Wager is a consumer researcher with over 15 years of experience and a Ph.D. in research. She has worked with major companies like Google, Amazon, and Meta, gaining firsthand insight into how research shapes strategy and drives growth. While these companies invest billions each year to understand their audiences, she believes creators deserve access to the same level of insight. Most recently, Kristen led consumer research at Raptive, collaborating with some of the biggest food bloggers in the industry, including Half Baked Harvest, Tastes Better from Scratch, Just One Cookbook, Hey Grill Hey, and The Woks of Life. During this time, she developed a deep appreciation for the creator space and identified a significant gap: many creators lack access to first-party data to inform their business decisions. When Rap