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When I started this show 8 years ago, podcasting was still something people had to explain to their friends. Today it's mainstream. The global audience for podcasts has grown, and in the U.S. alone, more than half the population, roughly 158 million people, tune in every month. The number of shows has exploded too. There are now over 4.5 million podcasts worldwide. But here's the number that matters most for today's episode: only about 10 to 15% of those shows are still actively publishing. Nearly half of all podcasts stop at 3 episodes or fewer, and industry researchers cite a "90/90 rule." Ninety percent of shows don't make it past episode 3. Of the ones that do, 90% don't make it past episode 20. I'm at episode 421. Today I want to cover the mechanics and the meaning of podcasting, so that you can decide for yourself if this is a path worth starting or staying on. In this episode, we discuss: The mechanics of starting a podcast so that you can choose the right tech The meaning of hosting a podcast so that you can reflect on why you want to start a podcast Trends in podcasting over the past 8 years so that you can see how podcasting has changed over the years Takeaways from my time as a podcaster so that you can learn from my experience hosting a podcast Mentioned in This Episode: Download the Cookbook Author Platform Checklist

Today I welcome David Murray and Leslie Jonath. David and Leslie are here to honor the life and work of Debbie Berne, a cookbook and book designer who passed away in December, and to share news of her recently published book, Cookbooking: A Fan's Guide, which all listeners of this show are going to love. Cookbooking is a visually stunning pop-history that traces cookbooks from their earliest days to their most iconic and downright wackiest moments, told through photographs, listicles, graphics, and Debbie's writing. At its heart, Cookbooking celebrates the genre, explores what makes it so engaging, and argues for cookbooks as cultural documents and design artifacts, not just recipe collections.  In this episode, we discuss: How Debbie went from wanting to be a writer to becoming one of the most sought-after cookbook designers in the industry The moment everything changed: selling the book proposal for Cookbooking the same week she was diagnosed Why Debbie chose to write, design, and photograph the book all at once and while going through chemotherapy and radiation instead of waiting This conversation stayed with me long after we stopped recording. Debbie's story is a reminder that the work you do with passion and love for your topic is important. Let's not wait for the perfect moment to share our passion and love with the world. Mentioned in This Episode: Cookbooking: A Fan's Guide Episode 299: Cookbook Layout and Design with Book Designer Debbie Berne Madhur Jaffrey Indian Vegetarian Cooking

Welcome back to the Cookbook Love Podcast! This week I sit down with Justin Ellen, the baker and content creator behind Everything Just Baked, whose fun, chaotic, personality-filled approach to baking has captured the attention of millions of people across social media. We talk all about his beautiful new cookbook, Better Than Grandma's: Comfort Desserts We Grew Up Loving, his path from posting cake photos on Instagram at sixteen to building a following in the millions, and the leap from social media into an independently published book, including the vulnerability of showing up on camera, the real math behind traditional advances versus going independent, and how he decided which recipes made the cut. In this episode, Justin will show you: Why the fear of showing up online never fully disappears, even after you've "made it," so that you can stop waiting for the fear to go away before you start What a traditional publishing advance would actually cost Justin in time and money, and how he weighed his own publishing options  How to decide which of your most-loved recipes or content belongs in a book versus staying just for your audience What it took to independently publish a book that looks and feels as polished as one from a traditional publisher, so that going independent doesn't mean settling for less Justin's journey proves your path to build your platform or publish your cookbook doesn't have to look like everyone else's journey. You truly can choose your own adventure. Mentioned in This Episode: Everything Just Baked Join waitlist for next cookbook publishing masterclass

Welcome back to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast! Today's episode pulls together the best publicity advice from top cookbook PR agents who've been on this show. These experts have worked with names like Jacques Pepin, Julia Child, and Ina Garten, and have helped first time authors build a following from scratch. When I laid their advice side by side, the overlap was clear, and that's what this episode is built around: what to focus your time and energy on, and what to let go of, and what's working in 2026. After this episode, you will: Know where to put your time and energy, without spreading yourself thin Have clarity on publicity vs marketing, and choose the right tool for the job Release the pressure of one big launch so that you can build something sustainable Own your own origin story, so that you are ready for the moment someone asks why your book matters Stop chasing what isn't working, and put your energy toward what is If this episode has you rethinking where to put your energy as you build toward your own book, get on my email list for free training on cookbook writing. Mentioned in This Episode: Join waitlist for next cookbook publishing masterclass

Welcome back to another episode of Cookbook Love Podcast. Today I'm tackling a belief I encourage every one of my students to hold: publishers and agents aren't just open to your ideas, they're actively waiting for them. I share the real story behind my first book deal, including the year I spent sitting on a business card before I found the courage to send my idea, and how that single decision led to four cookbooks with three different publishers over the next ten years and a life built around writing cookbooks and coaching cookbook writers. In this episode, we discuss: The stainless steel bowl analogy: why hiding your ideas keeps you invisible, and what to do instead The business card story: a year of silence, and what finally broke it What actually got me signed (hint: it wasn't a big Instagram following) Two questions to ask yourself about your own kitchen work and its value There's an abundance of publishers and agents ready for your unique perspective. This episode is my invitation to you to start believing they're waiting for you too. Mentioned in This Episode: Join waitlist for next cookbook publishing masterclass

Welcome back to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast! Today I'm talking about something I hear all the time, from people who visit my table at events and from readers on my own email list: the belief that there are already too many cookbooks. I went through a season where I believed this myself. I really did not think there was a need for any more cookbooks, mine included. If that thought has ever crossed your mind, I want you to know you are not alone, and I want to tell you why I no longer believe it. In this episode, we discuss: Why nobody ever says there are too many romance novels, cozy mysteries, or business books, and what that tells us about the "too many cookbooks" complaint The one truth about food that means a cookbook can never stop mattering: every single person alive needs to eat Why your perspective on a subject is worth just as much as the hundred other people who wrote about it first Why there is not too many cookbooks, but the perfect number, with always room for more If this episode has you thinking differently about the story you've been telling yourself about why you haven't started, get on my email list for free training on cookbook writing. Mentioned in This Episode: Join the waitlist for the next cookbook publishing masterclass

Welcome back to the Cookbook Love Podcast! Before I launched my recent masterclass about how to grow your audience for a cookbook, I sent my email list two questions: what's holding you back from growing your audience, and what do you want answered in the class? In this solo episode, I'm sharing the answers my readers sent in, along with a mindset shift for each one, so you can see whether you're standing in the same gap they are. In this episode, I discuss: Why writing a blog isn't a barrier to your email list, it's one step away from it Why consistency isn't a personality trait, it's a weekly decision you keep making The difference between engagement and attention, and how to invite more of the first Why internet politics doesn't have to touch your dream of writing a cookbook What to do when you haven't identified your cookbook topic yet I close the episode with a reminder that waiting to grow your audience or build your platform isn't neutral. A small shift in how you think about these five "excuses" can be the difference between staying stuck and finally starting to build an audience and get a book deal you dream about. Mentioned in This Episode: Cookbook Concept Map (free download)

Welcome back to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast! Today we're getting into the myths I hear most often about what it actually takes to grow a cookbook audience.  Over the years, I keep hearing the same things repeated as if they're facts, and these are costly. They cost time, momentum, a book deal, book sales, or even the book itself. So today I'm walking through five of the biggest myths about audience growth, what's actually true underneath them, and why clearing them up now (not later) matters so much for cookbook authors. In this episode, we discuss: Why your follower count isn't the same thing as your audience, and what actually is The real order of operations between building a platform and landing a book deal What publishers actually expect authors to bring to the table these days Why a well-written book still needs something else to sell The "I'll do it once things settle down" trap, and why that moment tends not to come If any of these myths have been quietly running the show in your own thinking, this episode is your reset. Growing an audience isn't a nice-to-have side project. It's the infrastructure that makes everything else, from pitching to publishing to selling, actually work. And the good news is you don't have to perform for social media algorithms to do it. Ready to learn how to grow your audience the right way? Head to the link below to register for the free Grow Your Audience Masterclass, where I'll show you exactly how to build the kind of audience publishers actually want. Mentioned in This Episode: Grow Your Audience Masterclass: free 3-part video series on growing your audience without performing for social media algorithms

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today's episode is for the chef, the dietitian, the culinary professional who has a cookbook in them, and who has also been told that getting published means getting on TikTok. If you've ever had your teenager laugh at you for trying to "be on camera," or quietly wondered whether your cookbook dream is dead simply because you refuse to perform for an algorithm, this episode is for you. In this episode, we discuss: What publishers actually mean when they say "platform" and why it's not what you think The real difference between building trust and chasing an algorithm Why your years of professional expertise may already be your biggest advantage Whether it's really too late to start building an audience today A different way to think about "platform" that doesn't involve a single dance move If you're a dietitian, chef, or culinary professional who wants to publish a cookbook with a traditional publishing house, I invite you to join my upcoming Grow Your Audience masterclass. You'll learn how to build an audience publishers value, without relying on social media algorithms, by creating a community, sharing your message, and testing cookbook ideas with the people who will eventually become your readers. Mentioned in This Episode: Register for the Grow Your Cookbook Audience class

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today, I'm joined by Dora Ramirez. Dora Ramirez didn't set out to reinvent Mexican cuisine. She wanted to uncover the stories, ingredients, and traditions that were already there. Before we get started:  If you're a dietitian, chef, or culinary professional who wants to publish a cookbook with a traditional publishing house, I invite you to join my upcoming Grow Your Audience masterclass. You'll learn how to build an audience publishers value — without relying on social media algorithms — by creating a community, sharing your message, and testing cookbook ideas with the people who will eventually become your readers. Register for upcoming Grow Your Cookbook Audience class In today's episode, I talk with Dora about the journey behind Comida Casera: More Than 100 Vegan Recipes from Traditional to Modern Mexican Dishes, her James Beard Award-winning cookbook celebrating the indigenous roots and plant-based traditions of Mexican cuisine. Born in Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico, Dora came to the United States to attend the Culinary Institute of America before building a career as a chef, recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator. Her cookbook grew from a desire to share a deeper story about Mexican food — one centered on history, culture, and the ingredients that have shaped the cuisine for generations. In this episode, we discuss:  How Dora transformed her personal experience and culinary background into a unique cookbook concept Why Comida Casera focuses on uncovering indigenous Mexican plant-based foundations rather than simply adapting recipes How she documented recipes and stories from indigenous cooks across Mexico The thought process behind organizing a cookbook as a journey through Mexican culinary traditions What it was like to see her nearly three-year cookbook project recognized with a James Beard Award Dora also shares her new online cookbook club, where she explores historical Mexican cookbooks and brings their recipes and stories to a new audience. Dora's story is also a reminder that a cookbook begins long before the manuscript is written. It starts with understanding your unique perspective, knowing the story you want to share, and building a community of readers who care about your work. If you're a dietitian, chef, or culinary professional who wants to publish a cookbook with a traditional publishing house, I invite you to join my upcoming Grow Your Audience masterclass. You'll learn how to build an audience publishers value — without relying on social media algorithms — by creating a community, sharing your message, and testing cookbook ideas with the people who will eventually become your readers.  Mentioned in This Episode: Register for upcoming Grow Your Cookbook Audience class Dora Ramirez  Comida Casera by Dora Ramirez

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today, I'm joined by Sarah Trad, author of A House in the Lebanese Mountains: Recipes and Stories from Beit Trad.  Before we get started, I'd love your help. I'm creating a brand-new class for aspiring cookbook authors who want to build the audience publishers are looking for. If you've ever wondered how to grow your visibility, connect with future readers, or strengthen your cookbook proposal before pitching publishers, I'd love to hear what questions you want answered. I've put together a quick, two-question survey, and your feedback will help shape the class. If you'd like to be the first to know when enrollment opens, you can leave your name and email at the end of the survey. Now, let's meet Sarah. Sarah is the founder of Beit Trad, a beautifully restored guest house in the Lebanese mountains, and the author of A House in the Lebanese Mountains. In our conversation, we discuss: How restoring her family's ancestral home inspired a cookbook that preserves recipes, culture, and family history. Why hospitality, generosity, and gathering around the table become even more meaningful during times of conflict. The thoughtful process of creating a cookbook that is both visually stunning and approachable for home cooks. What cookbook authors can learn about creating a lasting legacy through food and storytelling. Mentioned in This Episode: Survey for upcoming class Beit Trad Sarah Trad on Instagram Recettes Faciles by Françoise Bernard Books by Trish Deseine

What do comedy and death have to do with cookbook writing? In this episode, Maggie talks with comedian and first-generation Greek American Gus Constantellis about his debut cookbook, My Mom's Greek Recipes. Their conversation explores far more than recipes. It touches on storytelling, vulnerability, family traditions, grief, and the unexpected journey from writing a cookbook without a publisher to signing a traditional book deal. Whether you're writing a cookbook, preserving family recipes, or wondering how personal stories can strengthen your work, this episode offers both inspiration and practical insight. In this episode, you'll discover: Why Gus wrote his cookbook before he had a publishing contract and how that decision led to a book deal. How humor and vulnerability can make cookbook stories more meaningful. What preserving family recipes can mean for future generations. Why authentic storytelling is often what readers remember most. Mentioned in This Episode: ConstantlyGus.com Yiayia cookbook Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci

What can traditional drinking rituals teach us about writing a cookbook that celebrates culture and community? Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today I sit down with Irene Yoo, food writer, recipe developer, and co-owner of Orion Bar in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Irene shares how she translated the vibrant world of Korean hospitality into her James Beard Award-winning cookbook, Soju Party: How to Drink and Eat Like a Korean. Our conversation explores why the most impactful cookbooks do more than list ingredients. They act as visual cultural statements, honor culinary heritage, and bring people together across generations.  In this episode, you'll learn: How Irene navigated the emotions of winning a James Beard Award. Why structuring a cookbook to mirror a real-life experience, like a progressive night out, creates a deeply engaging reader journey. What the essential pillars of Korean drinking culture, from table-side bomb shots to the non-negotiable rule of Anju, teach us about hospitality and sharing meals and drinks. How collaborating with family members on recipes, book design, and illustrations can turn a standard recipe book into a treasured work of art. Whether you're dreaming of writing your first cookbook or looking for creative ways to structure your culinary manuscript, this conversation will inspire you to think beyond the plate. Every dish has a cultural heartbeat, and those rituals are often what readers treasure long after the final round is poured. Ready to turn your cookbook idea into a concept publishers will notice? Download our Cookbook Concept Map and discover how to shape your expertise, recipes, and stories into a compelling cookbook concept.

What can vintage cookbooks teach us about writing a cookbook readers will treasure? Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today I sit down with Bobby Hicks, creator of Retro Recipes Kitchen and author of Retro Recipes: Vintage Dishes with a Modern Twist. Bobby shares how he combined his background as a videographer with his love of vintage recipes to build Retro Recipes Kitchen. This social media brand eventually led to a traditional cookbook deal. Our conversation explores why the most memorable cookbooks offer more than recipes. They preserve culture, spark nostalgia, and invite readers to gather around the table. In this episode, you'll learn: How Bobby transformed his videography skills into Retro Recipes Kitchen and, ultimately, a traditionally published cookbook. Why the stories behind recipes are often what readers remember most. What food history can teach cookbook authors about creating a lasting legacy. How nostalgia and hospitality can make your cookbook more meaningful to readers. Whether you're dreaming of writing your first cookbook or looking for ways to make your recipes more meaningful, this conversation will inspire you to think beyond the ingredients. Every recipe has a story, and those stories are often what readers remember long after the meal is over. Ready to turn your cookbook idea into a concept publishers will notice? Download this Cookbook Concept Map and discover how to shape your expertise, recipes, and stories into a compelling cookbook concept that publishers will love.

What does it really cost to go from dreaming about writing a cookbook to signing a book deal? Many aspiring cookbook authors assume they need a large budget, professional photography equipment, or significant upfront investments before they can pursue publication. In this episode, I break down the actual costs of writing and publishing a cookbook with a traditional publisher and explain why the most important investments are often not financial at all. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why many of the key steps in the traditional publishing process, from writing and pitching a proposal to signing a book deal, can cost little to nothing out of pocket. • Which expenses are optional, and how publishers often cover many of these costs. • The real investment behind every successful cookbook project. If you've been wondering whether writing a cookbook is financially out of reach, this episode offers a different perspective. While every publishing journey requires effort and dedication, the path from cookbook dream to book deal may be more accessible than you think. Ready to turn your cookbook idea into a concept publishers will notice? Download my free Cookbook Concept Map and discover how to shape your expertise, recipes, and stories into a compelling cookbook concept. https://www.cookbookwritersacademy.com/conceptmap