The Food Blogger Pro Podcast

Infusing your culture into your brand, launching a digital zine, and building your brand with Krista Linares. ----- Welcome to episode 557 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Krista Linares of Nutrition Con Sabor. Infusing Your Culture into Your Brand and Launching a Digital Zine with Krista Linares In this episode, Bjork is sitting down with Krista Linares, a dietitian who made the bold choice to transition back to a full-time job to reclaim her mental bandwidth (and yes, solve the health insurance nightmare). It's a refreshing look at why stability might actually be the secret ingredient to better creative work. She didn't just change her job, though! She completely overhauled how she shows up online. With the nutrition space getting flooded by generic AI content, Krista realized standard blogging wasn't cutting it anymore. She opens up about her pivot to a "digital zine" — a mix of recipes, hot takes, and cultural deep dives — and why leaning into your specific, un-copyable voice is the only way to make it in today's digital landscape. Three episode takeaways: Trading the grind for stability:Standing out in the era of AI:The return of the "zine" format: Resources: Nutrition Con SaborChatGPTErica JulsonClaudeInstagramJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by AllSpice. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Pivoting from the courtroom to the kitchen, building an authentic brand, and how systems can help you run your business. ----- Welcome to episode 556 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Tanya Harris of My Forking Life. The Reality of Career Pivots and Building an Authentic Brand with Tanya Harris Have you ever wondered what it takes to walk away from a "prestigious" career to chase a creative dream? In this episode, former attorney turned food blogger Tanya Harris gets real about the guilt, identity shifts, and mental hurdles of trading in the courtroom for the kitchen. She opens up about the challenge of redefining success on her own terms and why aligning your work with your personal values is the secret to longevity. But it's not just about mindset—Tanya also pulls back the curtain on the business side of full-time blogging. From the dynamics of working with her spouse to using AI tools to avoid burnout, she shares practical strategies for building a sustainable brand. Whether you're looking to grow your email list or just need permission to be your authentic self online, this conversation is a must-listen. Three episode takeaways: The journey from the courtroom to the kitchen:Why authenticity prevails in content creation:How systems saved her sanity: Resources: My Forking LifeFrom Suits to Slippers: How an Air Fryer Turned a Lawyer into a Food Blogger — KitClaudeWisper FlowGeminiClickUpSmarterQueueInstagramYouTubeFacebookJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by AllSpice. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Actionable advice for finding success on Pinterest, building trust with users, and showing Pinterest (and your audience) that there's a real human behind your content with Kate Ahl from Simple Pin Media. ----- Welcome to episode 555 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Kate Ahl from Simple Pin Media. Pinterest Strategy for Food Creators in 2026 Pinterest has changed a lot in the last year — and food creators are feeling it. With the rise of AI-generated content (aka "AI slop"), many established bloggers have seen traffic declines, while newer creators are still finding success on the platform. In this episode, we're joined by Kate Ahl of Simple Pin Media, to break down what's really happening on Pinterest right now. We talk about how AI has impacted the platform, whether Pinterest still offers a strong ROI for food creators, and what strategies actually work in 2026 — especially if you're an established creator wondering whether Pinterest is still worth your time. Kate also shares practical, actionable advice for using Pinterest more intentionally, building trust with users, and showing Pinterest (and your audience) that there's a real human behind your content. Three episode takeaways: Pinterest can still be a valuable traffic and revenue driverHuman-generated, trust-building content matters more than everPinterest success requires patience, experimentation, and intentional strategy Resources: Simple Pin MediaPinch of YumPinterest Predicts 2026CanvaSafiya Nygaard — I Bought Scam AI Dresses from PinterestSkoolSPM Insiders The Last InventionThe Simple Pin PodcastInstagramFacebookJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Member Kitchens. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

The SEO balancing act, the evolution of social platforms, and the importance of diversifying across different platforms. ----- Welcome to episode 554 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork is sitting down to chat with Emily Walker from the Food Blogger Pro team! Food Blogging News Roundtable: The State of SEO, Pinterest Search, and the Facebook Algorithm If you've been feeling like the ground is shifting beneath your feet as a creator lately, you aren't imagining things. Between Google's constant updates and the changing habits of social media users, the content creator's playbook looks a lot different than it used to. In this episode, Bjork and Emily break down why SEO isn't actually " dying — it's just evolving into something that demands a lot less robot-speak and a lot more human connection. They'll also dive into how Pinterest is quietly becoming the search engine of choice for Gen Z and discuss the fascinating new ways Instagram is letting users "hack" their own algorithms to see more of what they actually want. If you want to know how to structure your content for machines but write it for actual people (and keep your sanity in the process!), this conversation is exactly what you need to hear this week. Three episode takeaways: The SEO balancing act:Social platforms are having an identity crisis (in a good way!)Change is the only constant: Resources: Subscribe to the Food Blogger Pro newsletter!The 2025 SEO wrap-up: What we learned about search, content, and trust — YoastChatGPT Pinterest leans into search as Gen Z adoption surges — EMARKETERSimple Pin MediaInstagram's new 'Your Algorithm' tool could boost discovery for brands — Search Engine LandFacebook for Creators SEO expert says websites lose rankings because they're doing too much SEO — PPC LandInside the Facebook algorithm in 2026: All the updates you need to know — BufferManyChatGrocers ListInstagramJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Clariti and Raptive. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Pivoting to Substack, balancing creativity with strategy, and building a brand with Phoebe Lapine. ----- Welcome to episode 553 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Phoebe Lapin from Feed Me Phoebe. Reclaiming Your Audience and Moving Beyond Google with Phoebe Lapine In this episode, Phoebe joins us to talk about her evolution from the early days of blogging to the current landscape, opening up about why the constant SEO headaches finally pushed her to pivot toward Substack. She shares exactly how she's reclaiming her connection with her readers and why shifting your focus from "content creator" back to "writer" might be the best move for your brand right now. But this conversation isn't just about switching platforms; it's a masterclass in creative longevity. Phoebe gets real about the systems that keep her from burning out, including the game-changing decision to hire an SEO team so she could get back to doing what she loves. We also dive into why picking a niche that genuinely excites you is the only real secret to sticking around for the long haul. Whether you're looking to shake up your workflow or just need permission to step off the algorithm hamster wheel, this episode is a must-listen. Three episode takeaways: The Pivot from SEO to Substack:Creativity vs. Strategy:The Secret to Longevity: Resources: Feed Me PhoebeCheck out Phoebe's latest cookbook, Carbivore!SIBO Made Simple by Phoebe LapineThe SIBO Made Simple podcastPhoebe's Substack: Munch MenusFoodie DigitalWho, Not How by Dan SullivanInstagramJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Clariti and Grocers List. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Attracting the right reader, understanding search intent, and adapting to the evolving search landscape with Liane Walker from Foodie Digital. ----- Welcome to episode 552 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Liane Walker from Foodie Digital and the Siftr SEO Newsletter. Why Search Intent Matters for Food Bloggers In this episode, we're joined by Liane Walker to talk about what's actually working in search for content creators right now. Liane breaks down why understanding your brand, defining a clear niche, and owning your expertise are more important than ever — especially as search continues to evolve. Bjork and Liane also dig into search intent: what it is, why it matters, and how mismatches between intent and content can quietly hurt your performance. Liane shares practical advice on writing clearer, more intentional recipe titles, avoiding the pitfalls of keyword chasing, and adapting keyword research in a world influenced by LLMs. Plus, we cover how to evaluate existing content using Google Search Console, what a "good" click-through rate looks like for recipe queries, and how to spot opportunities to better capture attention — and keep it on your site. Three episode takeaways: What search intent is, and why it mattersHow to better match search intentHow to use Google Search Console as part of your SEO process Resources: Foodie DigitalSiftrYummy Toddler FoodBudget BytesPinch of YumGoogle Search ConsoleInstagramJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Clariti and Raptive . Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Expanding your reach, republishing content, and prioritizing your time with Chris and Scott Scheuer of The Cafe Sucre Farine. ----- Welcome to episode 551 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, we're sharing the replay of a Coaching Call that we released earlier this year with Chris and Scott Scheuer of The Cafe Sucre Farine. Coaching Call: Expanding Your Reach and Republishing Content with The Cafe Sucre Farine In this Coaching Call, Bjork is joined by Chris and Scott, the husband-and-wife team behind The Cafe Sucre Farine, their daughter Cait, and daughter-in-law Lindsay! On their site (which they started 14 years ago!), they share food that tastes amazing and actually works in real life through easy, elegant recipes that bring people together and help build meaningful connections around the table. Their goals for their blog include expanding their reach through social media and email marketing, introducing new team members to their audience, republishing and updating their arsenal of almost 2,000 (!!!) recipes, and figuring out how to prioritize their time. Here's a quick overview of the questions answered during the episode: Resources: The Cafe Sucre Farine Raptive Dave Ramsey Clariti KeySearch Ahrefs Google Analytics Episode 518 of The Food Blogger Pro podcast: How Molly Thompson Grew Her Email List from 15K to 100K Grocers List ChatGPT Geniuslink Quiet Light Curbly InfluenceKit Rhodium Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Yoast and Raptive. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Welcome to episode 550 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, we are sharing a replay of our December Live Q&A from within the Food Blogger Pro membership — our annual Ask Bjork Anything session. ----- Every month within the Food Blogger Pro membership we host a Live Q&A for our members to attend. For most of these Q&As we welcome Food Blogger Pro Experts — people like Casey Markee, Andrew Wilder, and Allea Grummert — to answer questions based around their expertise. But every December we like to host an 'Ask Bjork Anything' to answer a wide range of questions from members! We wanted to share an edited version of the Q&A with our podcast listeners over our holiday break so that you could get a taste of what the Q&As are like in the membership and learn from all of the great questions our members asked! Happy Holidays! Here's a quick overview of the questions answered during the episode: Resources: ChatGPT Vs. Gemini Vs. Claude: What Are The Differences? Inside Crowded Kitchen's Strategy for Growing to 2.4 Million Followers on FacebookCrowded KitchenBudget BytesYummy Toddler FoodCondiment ClaireGrocers ListManychat Pinch of Yum's Trader Joe's Meal Plan ReelAkismetQuiet LightMemberfulCircleMembership.ioStan StoreThinkificJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Yoast and Raptive. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

The power of authenticity, website usability, and new monetization opportunities with Rachel Cunliffe. ----- Welcome to episode 549 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Rachel Cunliffe of Cre8d Design. Finding Your Authentic Voice and Scaling Your Food Blog with Rachel Cunliffe This episode is packed with wisdom on thriving in the current food blogging landscape! Rachel Cunliffe, who tracks all the trends in her Best Served Hot newsletter, emphasizes that you absolutely have to stop chasing every trend out there and lean into your own style. Your authentic voice and that irreplaceable "human touch" are the only things guaranteed to truly connect with your audience, even as AI enters the mix. This is your number one priority for sustainable growth! Beyond the content, Rachel reminds us that the basics still matter: website usability and good design are often neglected, but they are crucial for keeping users happy (and staying monetized). With the food blogging market constantly evolving, success requires striking a balance between a strong, unique voice and paying attention to new monetization opportunities! Three episode takeaways: Stop chasing trends and be yourself:Design matters more than you thinkThe food blogging landscape is changing: Resources: Cre8d DesignBest Served Hot — Rachel's SubstackTechCrunchProBloggerRaptiveKitFlodeskMailerLiteMailchimpAdweekWimp DecafSubstackNew York Times CookingPageSpeed InsightsSunoRedditChatGPTJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Clariti and Raptive. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Navigating partnership trends, comparing the big three AI platforms, and Pinterest best practices. ----- Welcome to episode 548 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork is sitting down with our very own Emily Walker to talk through the updates shared in our latest blogging newsletter. Food Blogging News Roundtable: Brand Partnership Trends, AI Platform Comparisons, and Pinterest Best Practices In this episode, Bjork and Emily break down exactly how to navigate the "Big Three" AI tools (ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude) and explain why building deep brand authority is your best defense in the changing search landscape. If you want to future-proof your business, doubling down on your niche expertise is no longer optional — it's essential. They'll then shift gears to practical platform strategies, covering why Pinterest is suddenly obsessed with your site's user experience and the specific metrics that actually drive YouTube growth. Whether you are planning your holiday marketing or just trying to streamline your workflow, this episode is packed with tips to help you adapt without sacrificing quality. Three episode takeaways: - The "big three" AI assistants aren't all the same: Bjork and Emily break down the key differences between ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude. It's not about picking just one; it's about knowing which tool has the right "personality" and strengths for the specific content task you're tackling today. - Brand authority is your new SEO superpower: With AI changing how people search, keyword optimization isn't enough anymore. You'll hear about why doubling down on your niche and proving you are the expert is the best defense (and offense) in the era of AI-generated answers. - YouTube and Pinterest are craving different things right now: Stop treating all visual platforms the same! Pinterest is prioritizing user experience and site functionality, while YouTube is all about watch time and that crucial first click. Plus, Bjork and Emily chat through why consistency is still king for growing an audience through video. Resources: Subscriber to the Food Blogger Pro newsletter!Shoot Emily an email if you have any ideas for articles you want covered in the newsletter! ChatGPT Vs. Gemini Vs. Claude: What Are The Differences? — Search Engine JournalChatGPTClaudeGemini Episode 541 of The Food Blogger Pro podcast: Maximize Efficiency with AI (Without Losing Your Voice) with Trey Griffin from Raptive Episode 446 of the Simple Pin Podcast: How to Get Discovered On Pinterest The Role Of Brand Authority And E-E-A-T In The AI Search Era — Search Engine Journal The Creator-First Holiday Marketing Guide for Brands — LaterTop 5 Tips for Food Bloggers on YouTube — Food Blogger ProEpisode 511 of The Food Blogger Pro podcast: The Cost of Content and Why Carla Lalli Music left YouTubeGoogle Keyword PlannerSemrushGenius LinkInstagramJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Member Kitchens and Raptive. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Turning 5 million social media followers into real revenue, syndicating content strategically across platforms, and prioritizing Facebook with Lexi Harrison from Crowded Kitchen. ------ Welcome to episode 547 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Lexi Harrison from Crowded Kitchen. Inside Crowded Kitchen's Strategy for Growing to 2.4 Million Followers on Facebook Lexi Harrison and her mom first started sharing food content on Instagram back in 2015 — and what began as a fun creative outlet has now turned into a thriving, multi-platform business with over 5 million followers across Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. In this episode, Lexi shares how they strategically grew their audience, refined their content approach, and learned to make social media work for their business. You'll hear how they navigated major shifts in priorities, why they overhauled their content strategy, and what happened when they decided to take Facebook seriously. If you've ever wondered how to build momentum on social media — or how to balance growth and monetization — you won't want to miss this one! Three episode takeaways: The benefits of prioritizing social media growthHow they use recipe series to drive engagement and new followersHow they syndicate and recycle content strategically across platforms Resources: Crowded KitchenThe Feed FeedFood Dolls Facebook Content Monetization BetaGrocers ListManyChat Crowded Kitchen CookbookInstagramFacebookJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Raptive and Yoast. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Adapting to the evolving search landscape, building an ecosystem around your food blog, and practical strategies for staying visible in an answer-engine-first world with Casey Markee from MediaWyse. ----- Welcome to episode 546 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Casey Markee from MediaWyse. Surviving (and Thriving) in an AI-First Search World In this episode, we're welcoming back Casey Markee from MediaWyse to talk about the evolving nature of search and traffic. Casey shares his latest insights on AI Overviews, their impact on food bloggers, how SERPs are changing, and why great content still wins. Bjork and Casey also chat about whether you should block AI bots, the growing importance of community, and practical strategies for staying visible in an answer-engine-first world. If you've been concerned about traffic drops, the future of food blogging, or how AI will reshape content discovery, this episode is a must-listen. Three episode takeaways: How AI Overviews are impacting traffic to food blogsWhy the need for trustworthy recipe creators has not diminishedHow to adapt to the evolving search landscape Resources: MediaWyse Advanced SEO Q&A with Casey Markee399: E-E-A-T, Static Homepages, AI, and More Food Blog SEO Advice with Casey MarkeeCloudflareRaptiveTopHatRankNerdPressRankIQLily RaySemrushAhrefsProfoundLeite's CulinariaBlogging, AI, and the SEO road ahead: Why clarity now decides who survivesFeast AI ButtonsHealthful BlondieCucina by ElenaFit As A Mama Bear Google Tests 'Preferred Sources' To Personalize Top Stories In SearchPlatter Talk — Air Fryer CodJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Yoast. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Understanding your rights as a creator, your guide to DMCA, and how to use technology to hunt down copycats. ----- Welcome to episode 545 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Danielle Liss (one of our esteemed FBP experts!) of Liss Legal. The Creator's Guide to Digital Rights and Copyrighting with Danielle Liss If you feel like you're constantly fighting to protect your original work, you're not wrong; content theft is getting sneakier, especially when you throw AI into the mix. In this episode, Bjork and Danielle of Liss Legal simplify how you can protect yourself. The key takeaway here is knowing that the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) is your best friend. You'll learn exactly how to use this powerful tool to shut down content thieves on major platforms, giving you back control over your hard work. You'll also hear Danielle share innovative strategies for monitoring your content without getting burnt out. We're talking quick wins like using Google Alerts and reverse image searches, and even how you can leverage AI to spot stolen work faster. The goal here is balance: protect your hustle efficiently so you can get back to doing what you do best — creating amazing new content! Three episode takeaways: - Your rights as a content creator: The content game is changing super fast thanks to AI and new privacy rules. This means bad actors are getting sneakier with stealing content. But here's the good news: you have implicit rights to the original content you make, and copyright law is your best friend. - The lowdown on DMCA: Don't let content thieves win! The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is the most important tool you have for fighting back. Major platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and even Google have clear processes for reporting stolen work. Learn how to use those forms — they are your weapon of choice! - Let technology do the heavy lifting: You can't spend all your time hunting down copycats; you have new content to create! Focus on being smart about monitoring. Simple tools like Google Alerts or reverse image searches are quick wins. Even better, AI isn't just a threat—it can actually help you find similar content and speed up your reporting process. Resources: Liss LegalChatGPTDMCA Takedown Notice — Georgetown LibraryRaptiveGoogle AlertsGrammarlyCopyscapeCopyleaksVisualpingShoot Danielle an email for a free consultation!Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Member Kitchens and Raptive. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Creating with purpose in a changing digital world, behind-the-scenes of running Ambitious Kitchen for 14 years, and managing burnout with Monique Volz. ----- Welcome to episode 544 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Monique Volz from Ambitious Kitchen. Monique Volz On Reinventing Ambitious Kitchen Over 14 Years Monique launched Ambitious Kitchen in 2011 as a passion project and now it has grown into her full-time business (with several employees) and a New York Times bestselling cookbook (and another cookbook on the way). In this interview, Monique shares how she has adapted to all of the changes in the food creator landscape over the last 14 years, how her priorties and definition of success have changed, and the different "eras" of her business. Due in part to an incredible season of growth during the pandemic, by 2022, Monique was burned-out. The pressure of keeping up with constant content demands — especially in the age of TikTok and Reels — prompted her to take a step back and refocus. She shifted away from the pursuit of virality, re-centered her creative goals, and leaned into the process of writing her first cookbook. In recent years, Monique has downsized her team so that she can focus on creating content (as opposed to managing a team) and returned to what she loves most: creating from a place of joy. Three episode takeaways: Building a brand takes time and adaptabilityBurnout is real, even when you're doing what you loveReinvention is essential in a changing industry Resources: Ambitious KitchenBroma BakeryThe Iced Coffee HourJohnny Brunet on YouTubeSlackAsana The Ambitious Kitchen CookbookInstagramFacebookJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Member Kitchens and Raptive. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

The future of search, using the exposure effect to build trust, and adapting your content strategy for 2026. ----- Welcome to episode 543 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, we're bringing our very own Emily Walker (Associate General Manager, Food Blogger Pro) back to chat with Bjork about the articles we shared in our latest blogging newsletter! Food Blogging News Roundtable: Black Friday Strategies, New Raptive Requirements, and a Guide to GEO for 2026 In this episode, Bjork Ostrom and Emily Walker discuss the latest articles from the Food Blogger Pro blogging newsletter. They talk about where digital marketing is headed and how to make sure your brand doesn't get left behind. Spoiler alert: If you're only focused on Google, you're missing out! Bjork and Emily break down the reality that users under 45 are looking for answers across an average of five different platforms (yes, we're talking TikTok, Reddit, and all the rest). We delve into the exposure effect, which is a fancy way of saying that the more consistently people see you in different places, the more they trust you. Tune in to learn why adapting your content (aka not just copying and pasting) to fit all of those channels is your biggest opportunity right now for brand discovery and building genuine credibility with your audience! Three episode takeaways: Search is multi-platform now:Use the "exposure effect" to build trust:Adapt your content strategy: Resources: Black Friday strategies that grow revenue, not your workload — KitMust-Have Q4 Email Strategies to Grow Your List + Boost Traffic — Happy SubscribersBe sure to check out Allea's podcast, Happy Subscribers, here! Opening the door to more creators who meet Raptive quality standards — RaptiveCreator Levels — RaptiveMediavineMediavine RequirementsGrocers ListManyChat How to plan for GEO in 2026 and evolve your search strategy — Search Engine LandSeven Sundays Google Tests "Analytics Advisor" Inside GA4, According To Reports — Search Engine JournalJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Yoast and Raptive. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Embracing slow and steady growth, scaling a food blog without losing joy or balance, and hiring team members with Isabel Orozco from Isabel Eats. ----- Welcome to episode 542 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Isabel Orozco from Isabel Eats. Scaling a Team and Reaching 2 Million Monthly Pageviews In this episode, we’re welcoming back Isabel Orozco from Isabel Eats, who first joined us on the podcast back in 2019 after she had narrowed her niche to Mexican recipes. Since then, she’s grown her blog from 650,000 to over 2 million monthly pageviews and grown her team to 3 full-time employees (including her husband!) and several contractors. Isabel shares how she’s built a sustainable business by focusing on slow, intentional growth, smart hiring, and maintaining joy in her work. Bjork and Isabel chat about how she avoids the comparison trap, what it’s like working with her husband, and how she uses tools like Airtable to stay organized while managing a growing team. Isabel also gives us a peek into her upcoming cookbook project (coming spring 2027!) and shares what it really takes to scale a business while still loving what you do. Three episode takeaways: How Isabel balances making, managing, and scalingSystems and support are game changersBalance fuels longevity Resources: Isabel Eats The Freedom of a Niche with Isabel Orozco-Moore The Future of Wanting (in an age of A.I.) Slow ProductivityToggl FocusThings AppHow to Get Things Done, Stay Focused and Be More Productive with Dr. Cal NewportAsanaAirtable Buy Back Your TimeSlackSemrushPinch of YumEmail Crush Diversifying Income Series: Monetizing Your Email List with Matt MolenEmail Marketing for Bloggers with Matt MolenWisprFlowGrammarlyRaptiveTastes Better from ScratchInstagramJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Raptive. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

The future of AI, leveraging custom GPTs, and the importance of personal branding with Trey Griffin from Raptive. ----- Welcome to episode 541 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Trey Griffin from Raptive. Maximize Efficiency with AI (Without Losing Your Voice) with Trey Griffin from Raptive In this episode, Bjork and Trey Griffin get real about AI, which is here to be your new workhorse, not your competition. They dive into how tools like Custom GPTs can give you a massive efficiency boost, helping you move past the grunt work of brainstorming and drafting so you can focus on creative risks and developing better ideas. By letting AI handle the routine tasks, you’re freeing up your most valuable resource (your time!!!) to strategize and stay ahead of a rapidly changing content landscape. The biggest factor that will keep you relevant? Your human touch. Since AI can create a mountain of content, your unique personal branding and authentic storytelling is now more crucial than ever. They’ll talk about why the creators who build genuine connections and layer their own personality into their work are the ones who will stand out in a saturated market. This episode provides the blueprint for leveraging AI for speed while ensuring your core content remains something only you can create. Three episode takeaways: Think of AI as an assistant rather than a replacement:Your “human touch” is the secret sauce:Staying nimble in a changing landscape: Resources: RaptiveOpenAI DevDay 2025ChatGPTEpisode 424 of The Food Blogger Pro podcast: The Future of Content Creation (and Protection) in a World of AI with Paul Bannister from RaptiveSora — OpenAIElevenLabsAnthropicVO3 If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies Alpha EvolveAlphaFoldClaudeLinkedInJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Raptive. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Building relationships with your audience, thriving as a content creator in a crowded market, and adapting to AI with Stephanie Woodin from Raptive. Welcome to episode 540 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This is the first episode of Can’t Be Automated: A Raptive Series on Scaling, Standing Out, and Staying Human. To kick-off the series, Bjork interviews Stephanie Woodin from Raptive. Authenticity, AI, and Audience Connection This week, we’re joined by Stephanie Woodin to pull back the curtain on her brand-new podcast with Raptive, Ctrl+Alt+Ask, and dive into the fast-changing world of the creator economy. Stephanie has spent years working with top creators at Raptive, and now, as the host of Ctrl+Alt+Ask, she’s taking calls from creators to talk about everything from burnout and branding to revenue strategies, AI, SEO, and more. She’s the perfect person to chat with Bjork about the unique challenges creators face today. In this episode, Bjork and Stephanie unpack what it takes to thrive as a content creator in a crowded space, how AI is reshaping the industry, and practical ways to grow and connect with your audience. Three episode takeaways: Resources: RaptiveCtrl+Alt+AskSearch Quality Rater Guidelines: An Overview424: The Future of Content Creation (and Protection) in a World of AI with Paul Bannister from Raptive410: AI, Third-Party Cookies, and Changes in Video Advertising Standards with Paul Bannister from Raptive352: How to Optimize Your Ad Revenue with Paul Bannister and Courtney Kahn from AdThriveInspired TasteEmail Stephanie at Ctrl+Alt+AskJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Raptive. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Niching down, the power of a simple sales funnel, and preventing burnout with Johnny Brunet. ----- Welcome to episode 539 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Johnny Brunet. The Journey to $100k as a Content Creator with Johnny Brunet Johnny Brunet’s story is proof that a pandemic pivot can lead to major success! He went from stand-up comedy to mastering the Blackstone griddle, finding his sweet spot by creating content specifically for beginner cooks. He shares the secret sauce of his content empire: how he strategically focused on one niche tool to stand out and why targeting the starting-out crowd was the perfect gap in the market for massive growth. Beyond the cooking, Johnny gets real about the business, breaking down his successful revenue mix of YouTube AdSense, eBooks, and affiliate marketing. You’ll get his best advice on keeping your sales funnel incredibly simple and the importance of smart content marketing to drive product sales. This episode will give you the blueprint for turning a niche idea into a full-time income without spreading yourself thin. Three episode takeaways: The power of niching down:The simple sales funnel is your friend:Don’t spread yourself too thin: Resources: Johnny’s food blog: Johnny BrunetBe sure to check out Johnny’s e-book, Griddle 101!Visit the members-only Food Blogger Pro forum here!CanvaStanGumroadKitThriveCartFourthWallMKBHD — FourthWallYouTubeFacebookJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Yoast and Raptive. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Leveraging Facebook for monetization and audience growth, leaning into short-form video, and creating relatable content with Jessica Robinson from A Farm Girl's Kitchen. ----- Welcome to episode 538 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Jessica Robinson from A Farmgirl’s Kitchen. How Jessica Robinson Built a Profitable Food Brand Without SEO From publishing her first two cookbooks to launching her site, Jessica walks us through the early days of her journey as a food creator and the strategies she used to help her gain momentum — fast! She talks about why she chose to focus on Pinterest and Facebook instead of traditional SEO and how those choices paid off, allowing her to monetize her business within just a few months. Jessica shares her tips for growing her audience on social media, monetizing through the Facebook Content Monetization program and Amazon affiliate links, and how her short-form videos not only drive traffic but also boost her SEO. With over 430k followers on Facebook and a rapidly expanding presence across platforms, Jessica emphasizes the importance of diversifying income streams and traffic sources and connecting with her audience through relatable, authentic content and storytelling. Three episode takeaways: excluding Resources: A Farmgirl’s Kitchen New England Farmgirl A Farmgirl’s TableEverything Food ConferenceDelicious TableIntercomSocial FabricCinnamon Rolls RecipePicMonkeyCanvaSplice App Maximizing Affiliate Revenue with Deep LinkingURLgeniusGrocers ListGeniuslinkManychatInstagramFacebookJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook GroupEmail BjorkEmail JessicaJoin Food Blogger Pro during our Q4 Sale! Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Raptive and Yoast. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.