Eat Blog Talk | Megan Porta

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

A practical guide to reframing negative thought patterns and inviting more joy, peace, and success into your daily life through intentional mental shifts. Today, I want to dive into the way we talk to ourselves and the narratives we create in our minds. Our brains are naturally wired to focus on the negative—but here’s the good news: we have the power to rewrite that narrative. In this episode, I’m sharing five transformative strategies to help you reframe your thoughts and invite more joy into your everyday life. Action Plan: 1 - Flip the “What If” Spiral: Challenge negative what-if scenarios by intentionally creating positive, empowering alternative narratives. 2 - Rewrite Your Personal Stories: Recognize that the stories you tell yourself are often assumptions, and consciously choose more compassionate interpretations. 3 - Refuse Negative Talk: Disengage from gossip and complaints, instead redirecting conversations towards positivity and inspiration. 4 - Shift “I Have To” to “I Get To”: Transform obligatio

In episode 687, Megan chats to Anna Dearmon Kornick about why a Weekly Planning Session is the best time management tip to start overcoming overwhelm and hitting our goals. Anna Dearmon Kornick is a highly sought after time management coach and keynote speaker, top 1% globally ranked podcast host of It's About Time, and founder of the It’s About Time Academy. A true Louisiana firecracker who has become known for making time management fun, Anna helps busy professionals and business owners struggling with overwhelm manage their time using her personality-driven HEART Method. In this episode, you’ll discover how to revolutionize your time management by creating a personalized weekly planning system for your food blogging business, including the best tools to use and strategies for building habits that last. Key points discussed include: - Weekly Planning is Critical: A consistent weekly planning session can help you anticipate challenges and create smoother transitions between tasks and responsibilities. - Cust

In episode 686, Christine Van Bloem shares how she was able to thrive in her niche and diversify her revenue after losing her cooking school in 2020, fighting against giving up on life post-50. Christine Van Bloem is the owner and head cook in The Empty Nest Kitchen, where she teaches empty nesters how to cook for one or two, while finding the fun in cooking with a healthy-ish vibe. She is also the creator of Menopause Meal Plans, providing tasty weekly menus utilizing the Mediterranean Diet for perimenopausal, menopausal, and post-menopausal women. Christine completed her Culinary Medicine Medical Provider (CCMP) certification and also hosts popular monthly online classes through AARP and the Empty Nest Kitchen podcast. In this episode, you’ll learn how to build a reliable income from your food business (without relying on ad revenue), why your niche plays a critical role in diversifying your business and how to rise above personal hardships. Key points discussed include: - Diversification is Key: Explore mu

Have you ever considered attending an in-person retreat with like-minded individuals? In this episode, I talk through 5 major mindset shifts I’ve experienced from attending retreats and how they have impacted my bus I’m super excited to share with you the incredible mindset benefits I’ve discovered from hosting and attending in-person retreats. These aren’t just your typical business events - they’re life-changing experiences that can completely shift how you see yourself and your potential. If you’ve ever felt stuck or isolated in your entrepreneurial journey, this episode is going to open your eyes to the magic of stepping out of your comfort zone. Action Plan: 1 - The power of in-person connections: Creating deep, meaningful relationships beyond virtual networking. 2 - Changing the way we talk to ourselves: Challenging and rewriting negative self-talk narrative. 3 - Identifying blind spots that are holding you back: Getting fresh perspectives from peer. 4 - The confidence boost that comes from external val

In episode 684, Chelsea Cole teaches us how to creatively manage our time and build a successful business—all while navigating the challenges of first-time parenting. Chelsea Cole is a cookbook author, food blogger, and founder of The Cookbook Lab, a course that teaches self-publishing cookbooks. Her website, A Duck’s Oven, focuses on sous vide cooking. She has written two cookbooks, Everyday Sous Vide and Sous Vide Meal Prep and her third, "A Feast of Thorns and Roses," a fan cookbook inspired by the "A Court of Thorns and Roses" series, comes out April 1st. She currently lives outside of Portland, Oregon with her husband, son, and daughter on the way. In this episode, you’ll discover strategies for balancing your blog, launching new ventures like writing a cookbook, and embracing first-time parenthood—so you can keep growing your business while showing up for your family. Key points discussed include: - Strategic Outsourcing: Sometimes you have to know when to ask for help. Chelsea’s smart move of delegatin

In episode 683, Chad Allen delivers a game-changing strategy that could transform the way food bloggers think about growing their email lists: the powerful and often overlooked technique of email swaps Chad R. Allen is a writer, speaker, editor, and writing coach. A 25-year publishing professional, he has worked with such bestselling authors as Michael Hyatt, Caroline Leaf, Mark Batterson, and Phyllis Tickle. He is the creator of BookCamp, a training center and community for writers, as well as Book Proposal Academy, an online course. His passion is helping writers craft must-read books that reach large audiences, and he blogs at http://www.chadrallen.com/. In this episode, you’ll learn about email swaps, how they can benefit you, and how to execute them effectively so you can get high-quality, valuable email subscribers. Key points discussed include: - Email is essential: You need an email list to build a solid business because social media is “rented property”. - Anyone can do an email swap: It is best to s

Discipline and freedom go hand in hand - implementing structure in your life can unlock creativity, joy, and long-term success. As entrepreneurs, we can have all the goals, dreams, and good intentions in the world, but without discipline, none of it matters. Lately, I’ve been reading The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin, and one section on discipline really stopped me in my tracks. It reminded me that discipline isn’t about restriction - it’s about creating the freedom to do what we truly love. Let’s dive into five ways you can build more discipline into your life! Action Plan: 1 - Define Your Non-Negotiables: Get clear on what absolutely must happen in your business and life - treat these like brushing your teeth, no excuses. 2 - Create a System, Not Just a Goal: Goals are great, but systems are what keep you moving forward - set up routines that make discipline automatic. 3 - Time Block Like a Pro: Structure your schedule intentionally, dedicating specific time blocks to deep work, content creatio

In episode 681, Megan chats to Megan Keno about key aspects of her 15-year blogging journey that have led to her success, including knowing where to spend your time and when to pivot. Megan is creator and CEO of Homemade Home, a veteran 15 year old food blog, focused on every day elevated dishes and cast iron cooking. Megan is also a cast member of season 4 of FOX's Next Level Chef with Gordon Ramsay. Oh yeah, and he has her cookbook. In this episode, you’ll learn about building a sustainable food blogging business while maintaining authenticity, and why saying ‘yes’ to unexpected opportunities can determine the future of your blog. Key points discussed include: - Authenticity is Key: Staying true to yourself creates opportunities and resonates with your audience. - Slow and Steady Wins: Consistency and intentional content creation are more important than viral trends. - Platform Strategy: Focus on social media platforms where you naturally enjoy consuming content, rather than spreading yourself thin. - Rebra

In episode 680, Coley Gaffney teaches us how to deal with mental health struggles like anxiety and depression while running a food blog. Nicole "Coley" Gaffney is a professionally trained chef and content creator behind the website Coley Cooks. She specializes in seafood and Italian cuisine, and previously had her own business as a personal chef and caterer. Coley has made numerous television appearances, including on QVC, The Rachael Ray Show, The Today Show, and most notably, was 2nd runner up on season 10 of Food Network Star. Coley lives at the southern Jersey shore with her husband and pup, and is passionate about helping people connect through food. In this episode, you’ll learn how to recognize and address mental health issues without relying on therapy, and why understanding food blogging as a long game is essential to keep a healthy balance with your blog. Key points discussed include: - Mental health struggles are common: Experiencing mental health challenges is a normal part of life, and sharing ex

Here are five practical ways to slow down and savor life, helping you create more balance, joy, and mindfulness in your personal and entrepreneurial journey. Life moves FAST, doesn’t it? If we’re not careful, we get swept up in the hustle, always chasing the next thing, and suddenly, we realize we haven’t truly enjoyed our days. I’ve been there, pushing, striving, and forgetting to pause. But this year, I’m making a conscious effort to slow down, reflect, and soak in life’s little joys. If you’re feeling stretched thin, you are NOT alone. Let’s do this together! Here are five ways we can all slow down and savor life. Action Plan: 1 - Prioritize What Matters Most: Do a time audit, set boundaries, and make sure your daily actions reflect what’s truly important. 2 - Be Mindful in the Present Moment: Take a deep breath, engage your senses, and stop letting distractions pull you away from what really matters. 3 - Simplify Your Day: Clear the clutter from your schedule, cut out unnecessary tasks, and create routine