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I'm pretty sure it's safe to say that no one got into food blogging to write emails. But every blogger I know who has a stable, profitable business has one thing in common, and it's not their SEO strategy or their Instagram following. It's their email list. So I called in email marketing expert Liz Wilcox to help us fix that, because she makes email way less painful than you think it needs to be. Liz Wilcox is an email strategist and keynote speaker showing small businesses how to build online relationships and make real money with email. She's best known for turning a $9 offer into multiple six figures without ads, and for helping you untangle the email "knot" with her Email Staircase. In this conversation, we cover why email is a full business and not just a side channel, how to build real connection with your subscribers, why your emails don't need to look perfect to convert, and how to write subject lines people actually want to open. Connect with Liz: 🔗 Website: https://lizwilcox.com/ 🔗 Join her $9 membership TODAY! Sign up here!   Related Episode: EP 223: Why Your Welcome Sequence Is Your Secret Weapon Against AI (And How to Build One That Actually Works) with Allea Grummert   Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | YouTube | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2026: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

If you've been blogging for more than a year, you probably have a few things you'd do differently if you were starting today. In this episode, Madison shares nine of hers, including some mistakes you can skip entirely and a few strategies she's still working to build into her own blogs. This one is a little unscripted, and Madison is upfront about where she's still catching up. You'll hear about the platform she'd start on, why an email list matters so much, how consistent emailing has changed her results, and the systems she wishes she'd put in place before her content library grew to a thousand posts. In this episode: Why self-hosted WordPress is the best place to start Building your audience with strategic opt-ins Emailing your list consistently Why video takes repetition, not perfection Connecting with your audience and remembering you're not your ideal reader Creating a system for content updates Hiring out writing sooner Building multiple streams of revenue, even small ones Building authority through a podcast or YouTube channel Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | YouTube | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2026: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

Remember when E-E-A-T was the hot SEO topic, and then it just kind of faded from the conversation? With AI completely reshaping search results, it's back, and it might be your biggest competitive advantage. In this episode, I break down why E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) matters more now than it ever has. AI can generate a recipe in seconds, but it can't generate your actual experience or expertise, and that's exactly what sets real food bloggers apart. I share three quick wins you can put in place this week: How to actually optimize your About page (hint: two sentences and a photo won't cut it) Why inconsistent authorship might be quietly hurting you, and exactly how to fix it How to build authority outside of your own site so Google and readers both trust you're the real deal Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | YouTube | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2026: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

If you're relying solely on ad revenue for your food blog, you're probably leaving money on the table. In this episode, Madison breaks down 15+ proven income streams that give you way more control over your financial future than waiting for traffic to go up. You'll learn: The 15 income streams that actually work for food bloggers (from digital products and online courses to brand deals and local events) Realistic earnings expectations for each one (so you know what's actually possible) Which income streams align with the work you're already doing The three questions to ask yourself before picking your first income stream Why diversification matters for your business stability and peace of mind Whether you're a newer blogger just starting to monetize or an established creator ready to add new revenue streams, there's something here for you. Plus, Madison shares the real talk about why most bloggers get overwhelmed by options and exactly how to avoid that trap. By the end of this episode, you'll have at least 2-3 new ideas you can actually implement, plus clarity on which one to start with first! Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | YouTube | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2026: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

Your logo isn't your brand. And if you've been leaning on a pretty Canva design to do all the heavy lifting, this video is for you. In this episode, I'm breaking down 3 brand mistakes I see food bloggers make over and over again, mistakes that quietly stall growth even when the recipes are great. After 10 years of working with food bloggers on their websites and branding, I can tell you exactly what separates the blogs that grow from the ones that plateau. Here's what we cover: ✨ Mistake #1: Thinking your logo IS your brand (it's not, and here's why that matters) ✨ Mistake #2: Showing up completely differently on social vs. your blog ✨ Mistake #3: Hiding behind your blog instead of building your personal brand (this one's big) If you've ever wondered why your blog isn't growing despite doing everything "right," this is a great place to start. Want help defining your actual brand, not just your logo? Grab my Personal Brand Playbook here! Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | YouTube | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2026: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

If you've been wondering where Madison has been for the past three months — this episode is for you. Madison is back with an honest, behind-the-scenes update on what has been keeping her busy, why the podcast took a pause, and what is coming next for Grace & Vine Studios. Spoiler: it's really good news. In this episode, we cover: Why Grace & Vine Studios has had one of its heaviest client loads to date — and what that means for the health of the food blogging industry The real reason behind the podcast pause — and why I finally gave myself permission to stop and reset A big announcement: Grace & Vine Studios is launching a YouTube channel! (And what that means for the kind of content I will be creating) What is changing for podcast listeners — and why not as much is shifting as you might think A personal reflection on knowing when to take a season away from your content — and why it is always going to be okay   Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2026: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

You've built a successful food blog, you're monetized, you're seeing great traffic, and you know this business is worth investing in. But is your website reflecting the level you're operating at? This week, I'm sharing everything about our custom web design package—the full experience for established food bloggers who are ready to take their entire business to the next level. I'll walk you through what's included, who it's for, and the game-changing addition we're making for 2026. In this episode, you'll learn: Who custom web design is really for (and how it's different from our Crafted package) What makes custom different: full collaboration, custom strategy, and everything designed in mockups first The complete breakdown of what's included—from branding foundations to custom blocks What's NEW for 2026: Our strategic category audit (and why this matters SO much for SEO) Why categories are such a big deal and how we're taking this burden off your plate The key difference between "done with you" and "done for you" The full process, timeline, and what to expect when working with us If you've been wondering whether it's time to invest in a fully custom brand and website—or you're curious about the difference between semi-custom and custom—this episode is for you. Every single custom client tells us they wish they hadn't waited. If you're an established blogger ready for your website to match the authority you've already built, this could be the year to make it happen. div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _*]:min-w-0 standard-markdown">       Related content: The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!   Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2026: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

If your website feels like a carbon copy of every other food blog out there—or worse, you're embarrassed to share it because it doesn't match the quality of your content—this episode is for you. div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _*]:min-w-0 standard-markdown"> I'm pulling back the curtain on our Crafted package, our semi-custom web design solution that gets you a professional, unique website without the custom price tag or timeline. I'll walk you through exactly what's included, who it's for, and how it solves the most common website problems food bloggers face. In this episode, you'll learn: Why your pre-made theme might be holding you back from growth What makes Crafted different from templates and fully custom designs The exact pages and features included in the package Our 4-5 week process from start to finish The truth about what happens to your traffic and RPMs when you switch themes (spoiler: it's not scary!) Who Crafted is perfect for (and who should wait) If you've been band-aiding your website together with random plugins and workarounds, spending hours trying to make simple changes, or feeling stuck between "this is working" and "this could be so much better"—this episode will show you there's a better way. Ready to stop wasting time on your website and start showcasing your content the way it deserves? Let's dive in!             Related content: The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!   Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2026: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

In this episode: How many hours have you spent this year in Canva, tweaking fonts and colors, wondering if your brand really reflects who you are? If you're nodding your head right now, you're not alone. So many food bloggers are creating incredible content but struggling with a brand foundation that just doesn't quite feel right. Here's the thing: your branding isn't just about having a pretty logo. It's about having a clear filter for every decision you make in your business—from the content you create to the platforms you show up on to the products you develop. And when that foundation is shaky? Everything else feels harder than it needs to be. That's exactly why we've updated our branding package for 2026 with some game-changing additions that I'm genuinely excited to share with you.        Key points from this episode: The Real Cost of Not Having a Brand Foundation Why We Never Just Design Logos What's Inside: The Strategy Side What's Inside: The Visual Side What's New for 2026 The Process: How It Works Who This Package Is For Your Next Step     Related content: The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!   Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2026: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

In this episode: If you've felt burned by brand partnerships in the past or believe your blog isn't "big enough" for sponsorships, this episode will challenge everything you think you know about working with brands. Justin Moore has facilitated over $5 million in brand partnerships and he shares why direct brand relationships can be more profitable than working through networks alone. He also reveals his framework for turning one-off deals into recurring partnerships and shares why your audience size matters less than you think when positioning yourself to work with brands.   About Justin: Justin Moore is a Sponsorship Coach, author, and the founder of Creator Wizard, a school & community that teaches you how to find & negotiate your dream brand partnerships so that you stop leaving thousands on the table. His latest book, "Sponsor Magnet," offers a succinct distillation of his ideas and frameworks for securing successful brand collaborations.   Along with his wife April, he has been a full-time creator since 2014 and has personally made over $5M working with brands. He also ran an influencer marketing agency for 7 years that helped other creators earn millions more.   Justin brings a very unique perspective because not only has he been a creator in the trenches doing sponsorships for years but by running an agency, he has insider knowledge behind how big brands choose which influencers to partner with and why they pass on others. Justin's mission is to enable creators big and small to land 1 million paid brand partnerships by 2032.       Key points from this episode: Why Your Past Brand Partnership Experiences Might Have Sucked (And Why That Doesn't Matter) The Mindset Shift: You're Not Just a Creator, You're a Consultant Should You Work With Brands That Have Never Done Influencer Marketing? From One-Off Deal to Recurring Partnership: The Strategy The Pricing Question: What Should You Actually Charge? Creative Deal Structures That Turn Into Long-Term Partnerships Why You Need to Follow Up (Even When It Feels Awkward) The Bottom Line   Related content: The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!   Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2025: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

In this episode: If you've ever struggled with working ON your business instead of in it, you may need to get back into a CEO mindset. Sometimes we can look back on the last month, quarter, or even the year to date and wonder why we haven't achieved as much as we set out to. It's so easy to slip into an employee mindset without even noticing. So if that's you, today I'm sharing some super practical ways that you can shift back into a CEO mindset especially heading into the busiest time of the year.       Key points from this episode: The Quote That Changes Everything Signs You've Slipped Into Employee Mindset The Power of Time Tracking Create a Protected CEO Work Block Managing Your Team Without Getting Sucked Into Employee Work Expand Your Perspective Beyond Food Blogging Your CEO Mindset Challenge Why This Matters Now More Than Ever   Related content: The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!   Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2025: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

In this episode: If you've been treating your welcome email sequence like an afterthought—something you'll "get to eventually"—I have news for you: you're missing out on the single best opportunity to build real connection with your subscribers. In a world where AI-generated content is everywhere and food bloggers are competing for attention like never before, your welcome sequence isn't just nice to have. It's your brand hub, your first impression, and quite possibly the most important automated piece of your email marketing strategy. Email marketing strategist Allea Grummert recently broke down exactly why welcome sequences matter so much right now, and how to create one that actually differentiates you from every other food blogger out there. Here's what you need to know.   About Allea:  Owner of Duett, Allea Grummert is an email marketing strategist, copywriter and tech expert who helps bloggers and content creators make a lasting first impression through automated welcome & nurture sequences. She helps her clients build intentional email strategies that engage readers, build brand loyalty and optimize conversions for sales and site traffic. Allea is the host of the Happy Subscribers podcast, holds the coveted spot as the email marketing industry expert for the Food Blogger Pro membership community, is a Recommended Expert through NerdPress, a trusted Mediavine Partner and recognized as a Kit Approved Expert.   Key points we discuss in this episode: The Wake-Up Call: Your Subscribers Don't Know You What Makes a Welcome Sequence Your "Brand Hub" How Welcome Sequences Combat AI and Information Overload What Actually Goes in a Welcome Sequence? The One Thing That Changes Everything: A Welcome Video Handling Transactional Subscribers (Print Pass, Creator Network, Save This Recipe) Your List Size Doesn't Matter (Your Engagement Does) The Bottom Line: Your Welcome Sequence Matters More Than You Think   Related content: The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!   Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2025: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

In this episode: AI tools have revolutionized content creation workflows, but many bloggers still struggle with how to implement them effectively without losing their authentic voice. Aleka, creator of Learn with Aleka, shares her five-stage framework for using AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to streamline everything from keyword research to content repurposing. She explains how AI has helped her break free from the monotonous blog post structures that were making all food content sound the same, while cutting her writing time in half. You'll discover specific prompts for generating SEO-optimized outlines, uncovering content gaps your competitors are missing, and turning one blog post into multiple pieces of content across different channels.   About Aleka:  Aleka Shunk is an educator, course creator, and former middle school teacher who specializes in helping bloggers master keyword research to increase traffic and revenue. She is the founder of 'Learn With Aleka', Formally 'Keywords With Aleka', which is a suite of SEO-focused courses that provide clear, actionable strategies for ranking higher on Google, tracking keywords and using AI to blog smarter.   Drawing on over a decade of experience in education and content creation, Aleka has taught thousands of bloggers how to identify high-value keywords, optimize existing content, and create posts that consistently attract the right audience.   When she's not teaching or creating content, Aleka enjoys cooking, entertaining, and spending time with her husband and two sons in Florida.   Key points we discuss in this episode: The Pre-AI Content Creation Struggle A 5-Stage Framework for AI-Powered Content Creation The Real-World Impact: From 3 Hours to 90 Minutes Smart Prompting Strategies That Actually Work Starting Small: Where to Begin Beyond Content Creation: Other AI Applications The Voice Mode Game-Changer Maintaining Your Authentic Voice The Future of Content Creation Related content: The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!   Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2025: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

In this episode: Q4 is about to bring you the biggest influx of new visitors all year. These aren't your regular readers - they're people discovering you for the first time through holiday recipe searches. This is your chance to turn one-time visitors into loyal followers, but only if your personal brand is ready to shine. Today we're talking about how to make sure your personality comes through when it matters most.   Key points I'll cover in this episode: The Q4 Traffic Surge: Your Biggest Opportunity of the Year The Personality Gap That's Killing Your Conversions Your Brand Voice: The Bridge Between Platforms Strategic Ways to Infuse Your Brand Into Q4 Content The Q4 Content Audit: Your Action Plan Small Changes, Big Impact Making This Quarter Count             Related content: The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!       Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2025: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

In this episode: Ever feel like you're spending way too much time styling and editing your food photos, only to end up with images you aren't thrilled with? Today I'm talking with Melodee Fiske from Pretty Focused, and she's completely changing the game when it comes to food photography for bloggers.   You'll learn if you're spending too much time editing photos, overthinking your styling and she'll teach you how to shift your mindset from stressful photoshoots to streamlined. If you've been overthinking your food photography or feeling stuck in a rut, this conversation is going to be so helpful for you.   Key points I'll cover in this episode: The Recipe is Always the Hero Simplify Your Styling Approach Master the "Oven to Served" Method Lighting and Composition Trump Styling The Tutorial-Based Photography Mindset Streamline Your Photo Shoot Process Common Angles and When to Use Them The Value is in the Variety     Melodee Fiske is a food photography educator and founder of Pretty Focused, where she has helped thousands turn their passion into profitable, work-from-home businesses. As a former teacher and full-time photographer, she built her own dream career and now teaches others how to do the same. They have recently launched a brand-new edition of Pretty Focused and this time, its built specifically for food bloggers. It's designed to help bloggers take better photos of their own recipes using the camera they already have. Whether they just getting started or have been blogging for years, they are going to love hearing how this new program can help them save time, build confidence, and elevate their content.         Related content: The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!       Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2025: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.