The Vine Podcast

Madison Wetherill

The Vine Podcast is a show designed for food bloggers who want to spend more time creating content for their audience and less time feeling overwhelmed on how to make their brand and website work for them. Each episode is designed to give you strategies and tools to build your brand and website and get back to why you started a food blog in the first place. Join host Madison Wetherill as we explore how to build a food blog that serves you and your audience.

  1. 12/16/2025

    Your Food Blog Deserves Better: Why Established Bloggers Go Custom

    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.

    29 min
  2. 12/09/2025

    Why Food Bloggers Are Choosing Semi-Custom Design

    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.

    20 min
  3. 10/21/2025

    Unlearn Everything You Think You Know About Working With Brands with Justin Moore

    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.

    48 min
  4. 10/07/2025

    Why Your Welcome Email Sequence Is Your Secret Weapon Against AI (And How to Build One That Actually Works) with Allea Grummert

    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.

    41 min
  5. 09/23/2025

    Streamline Everything from Keyword Research to Content Repurposing Using AI with Aleka Shunk

    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.

    37 min
4.9
out of 5
42 Ratings

About

The Vine Podcast is a show designed for food bloggers who want to spend more time creating content for their audience and less time feeling overwhelmed on how to make their brand and website work for them. Each episode is designed to give you strategies and tools to build your brand and website and get back to why you started a food blog in the first place. Join host Madison Wetherill as we explore how to build a food blog that serves you and your audience.