785: The Smarter Way to Grow in 2026 (That Has Nothing to Do with Google) with Zhen Zhou
Release Date: 01/19/2026
787: The Blogger’s Guide to YouTube - Traffic, Email Growth, and Income with Maria Lucey
Eat Blog Talk
Megan chats with Maria Lucey about how she built a profitable food brand through YouTube alone and why long form video is one of the smartest growth moves food bloggers can make right now. Maria Lucey is a Registered Dietitian and content creator who launched her YouTube channel at the end of 2023 and grew it to over 44,000 subscribers in just over two years. Her channel focuses on long-form nutrition education and practical recipes that help people meet their health goals. Although she didn’t have a blog when she started YouTube, Maria quickly recognized how the two platforms could...
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786: How to Keep Going When You're Not Seeing Results with Liz Pollio
Eat Blog Talk
Megan chats with Liz Pollio about how to stay motivated when progress feels slow, growth stalls, or the work starts to feel repetitive. Liz Pollio founded Flour de Liz in 2016 as a way to share easy, approachable dessert recipes. She truly believes that anyone who wants to bake can bake, and she strives to create a fun, welcoming, and judgment-free space for home bakers of all skill levels. Are you showing up consistently but not seeing the results you hoped for? Liz shares honest mindset shifts that help her stay motivated during plateaus, boredom, and seasons of uncertainty. This is a...
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785: The Smarter Way to Grow in 2026 (That Has Nothing to Do with Google) with Zhen Zhou
Eat Blog Talk
Megan chats with Zhen Zhou about surviving a massive traffic hit, rebuilding income through diversification, and rethinking what it really means to build a sustainable food blog. Zhen Zhou downshifted from a corporate track post-MBA to full-time content creation and is loving it. She currently runs three blogs: greedygirlgourmet.com, alovelettertoasia.com, and tjtakesthetrain.com. If your blog has felt like a roller coaster since the HCU, this episode will feel grounding. Zhen shares what happened when her traffic dropped by 70 percent, why she stopped obsessing over Google, and how systems,...
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784: Why Podcasting Is a Powerful Growth Channel for Food Bloggers with Traci DeForge
Eat Blog Talk
Traci DeForge teaches us why podcasting can be one of the most sustainable ways to grow a food blog, create multiple revenue streams and build valuable relationships. Traci, founder of , an award-winning full-service production and audience growth marketing agency, is recognized as an international podcast expert, sought-after speaker, and media contributor. The creator of the , the industry’s only certified podcast manager training program, , and Co-Founder of the Traci hosts the , and co-hosts the popular in Los Angeles. She's been featured on all three major networks,...
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783: Why Depth, Intention, and Real Strategy Matter More Than Ever with Christine Pittman, Meredith Kruse and Melissa Erdelac
Eat Blog Talk
Megan chats with Christine Pittman, Meredith Kruse, and Melissa Erdelac about what makes Flavor Media Summit unlike any other blogging conference. This is an exclusive event for experienced food bloggers who have successful and income-generating businesses. Our goal is to unite accomplished food bloggers for strategic networking, empowering them to thrive, collaborate and ignite long-term growth in an exclusive and transformative gathering. Not all conferences are created equal. This episode pulls back the curtain on Flavor Media Summit and explains why experienced food bloggers keep returning...
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782: Mindset Management for Creators - Hustle Culture Worth It? with Chanda Coston
Eat Blog Talk
Megan chats with Chanda Coston about building real success without burnout and why hustle culture is not worth the price. Chanda Coston is a U.S. Navy Veteran, Business Strategist, and Founder of Chanda Co., where she helps entrepreneurs build profitable, purpose-driven businesses without sacrificing peace or passion. With over 20 years of leadership experience and a background in project management, she teaches systems, mindset, and strategy that enable creative professionals, like food bloggers, to grow sustainably, delegate effectively, and avoid burnout. Her coaching blends structure and...
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781: Stop Forcing Creativity - How To Plan And Manage a Repeatable Workflow To Prevent Burnout with Vinny DelGuidice
Eat Blog Talk
Vinny DelGuidice teaches us how to build a sustainable food blogging workflow using batching, planning ahead, and reusing what already works. Vinny DelGiudice is the creator of Always From Scratch, an Italian-American family food blog he started six years ago. He is a professional photographer, dad, and husband who focuses on developing nostalgic family recipes from his and his wife’s childhood, meals that make it easier for families to sit down at the table and enjoy time together. Burnout is not a requirement for success. Vincent shares how he stopped forcing creativity, built a repeatable...
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780: “I Decided I Was Going to Be the Driver” - Leaving a 9-to-5 for Full-Time Blogging with Cheryl Norris
Eat Blog Talk
Megan chats with Cheryl Norris about what the transition from corporate employee to full time blogger really looks like and how to navigate it with purpose. Cheryl Norris is the founder of the Bakes by Brown Sugar baking blog, where she specializes in baked goods for the homebaker. She combines her technical background as a mechanical engineer and self-taught baker to write detailed recipes and explain the baking science behind her recipes. She lives in Porltand, OR with her husband. She recently left her full time job and now operates her food blog full time. In addition to her business,...
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779: The Instagram Strategy Behind 200K Followers (In 5 Minutes) with Natalie Battaglia
Eat Blog Talk
Natalie Battaglia teaches us simple and sustainable Instagram growth strategies that attract loyal followers without burnout. Natalie Battaglia is the founder of The Mindful Mocktail, a blog and Instagram community dedicated to helping people celebrate without alcohol. What began as a way to share simple, beautiful mocktails has grown into a global destination for wellness-inspired drinks that anyone can make at home. Through her website, social channels, and book The Mindful Mocktail, Nat inspires people to drink mindfully, explore new flavors, and find joy in the ritual of making a beautiful...
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778: Is Your Blog Ready for AI Search? The AEO Strategy You Need Now with Hanelore Dumitrache
Eat Blog Talk
Hanelore Dumitrache explains Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and what bloggers must change now to stay visible in an AI driven search world. Hanelore is a food blogger, AI strategist, and founder of the tech startup Whimzi AI. She helps creators and businesses future-proof their work through innovative, human-centered AI solutions. Hanelore is also the creator of AEO Audits, a pioneering framework that teaches bloggers how to stay visible in AI-driven search. Her mission is to make AI approachable, practical, and genuinely exciting for everyone. Search has transformed and AI engines no longer...
info_outlineMegan chats with Zhen Zhou about surviving a massive traffic hit, rebuilding income through diversification, and rethinking what it really means to build a sustainable food blog.
Zhen Zhou downshifted from a corporate track post-MBA to full-time content creation and is loving it. She currently runs three blogs: greedygirlgourmet.com, alovelettertoasia.com, and tjtakesthetrain.com.
If your blog has felt like a roller coaster since the HCU, this episode will feel grounding. Zhen shares what happened when her traffic dropped by 70 percent, why she stopped obsessing over Google, and how systems, funnels, and brand clarity helped her move forward without burning out. This is not a silver bullet episode. It is an honest look at adapting in a landscape that keeps changing.
Key Topics Discussed:
Stop waiting for Google to save you: Relying on one traffic source is no longer realistic and waiting it out keeps you stuck.
Diversification works but it is not simple: Running multiple sites helped offset losses but also revealed how much energy different niches require.
Pinterest needs a system not hope: Random pinning creates noise while structured testing creates clarity and consistency.
Your sub niche matters more than you think: Seasonality and trends behave differently depending on what type of food you actually publish.
Traffic without a funnel is fragile: Fewer clicks can outperform big traffic when those clicks lead somewhere intentional.
Email challenges outperform free downloads: Inviting people into an experience builds stronger engagement and fewer unsubscribes.
Branding starts before colors and logos: A blog needs a reason to exist beyond recipes if you want people to seek you out.
Hope is a better strategy than fear: Letting fear dictate decisions leads to paralysis while hope keeps you moving forward.
Connect with Zhen Zhou