256. How to write, create, and sell beyond the algorithm

A big part of my personal life is whole foods, which is a foundational part of how our family operates. My husband prepares every meal from scratch—from homemade sourdough to scratch sauces to kombucha. So this week’s episode is a special one with Melissa Griffiths, the creative soul behind Bless This Mess, a long-running food and lifestyle brand that celebrates simple cooking, slow living, and the beauty of everyday family life.For more than fifteen years, Melissa has shared approachable recipes, homesteading inspiration, and routines with a community of home cooks looking to bring more peace and purpose into their homes. We talk about how she balances using AI for automating texts yet prioritizing human creativity in core content creation. And even though this episode isn’t about writing books, it’s about writing meaningful content that speaks to your audience, especially through sharing real stories and shared values to deepen audience engagement.We also discuss facing the challenges of business shifts, like with traffic and revenue, and looking at new product development. The overarching theme is connecting and engaging with your audience and finding where you fit in and meet a need.As a mother of five, Melissa built her business in the margins of family life, testing recipes during naptime, photographing meals at her kitchen table, and shaping her work around the seasons of motherhood. Her work isn’t just about food, it’s about reclaiming time, joy, and connection in a world that often demands more than we have.If you’re interested in reclaiming a more meaningful lifestyle through food and community, this episode is for you.Learn more about Melissa:WebsiteInstagram @blessthismessblogFacebookRecommended books:Raising Securely Attached Kid, by Lisa DamourThe Emotional Lives of Teenagers, by Eli HarwoodFollow me on:Instagram @stacyennisFacebook @stacyenniscreativeLinkedInYouTube @stacyennisauthorTo submit a question, email [email protected] or visit stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.