[Creator Briefing] Say what only you can say
A Q&A with Julia Turshen.
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⏩ Today, a Creator Briefing Q&A with
. And heads-up, there’s a paywall below before you get to the Bonus Briefing Insights voicenote I created with takeaways and tips based on this conversation for members of The Content Brief.If you've ever picked up one of Julia Turshen's cookbooks, you know she has a way of making you feel like you're chatting with a friend in the kitchen.
Through bestsellers like "Simply Julia" and "Small Victories," her newsletter and her virtual cooking classes, Julia has built a community by doing something that sounds simple but isn't: Being genuinely herself while showing up consistently to share her work.
I wanted to talk to Julia because she's figured out something we talk about a lot here—how to keep creating meaningful work without burning out. She might be best known for her approachable recipes and cooking expertise, but it's her perspective on sustainable creativity and authentic connection that caught my attention.
In this Creator Briefing Q&A, Julia opens up about how she maintains creative momentum, builds real relationships with her audience and stays inspired in her work. As someone who's successfully navigated multiple creative spaces—from cookbooks to newsletters to teaching—while keeping her distinct voice, she offers a refreshing take on what it means to build a creative practice that lasts.
I love that she emphasizes genuine connection over constant output, and meaningful engagement over metrics. Whether you're just starting to share your work or looking to make your creative practice more sustainable, Julia's practical wisdom feels like advice from a friend who's been there and figured some things out along the way.
You've maintained a consistent creative practice while producing books, newsletters, podcasts and even teaching cooking classes. What systems or rituals have you developed to ensure you can keep showing up for your work without burning out?
Having anchors in my weekly schedule that have nothing to do with my work and that also help me be embodied and present. For me, this includes physical activities like heavy weightlifting, playing pickleball and tennis, walking our younger dog (our older one is not up for walks), and helping out at the farm where I once worked full-time. I also invest in time off with family and friends and travel often to see both.
When developing content, how do you balance sharing personal stories with providing practical value for your audience? How has this balance evolved as your platform has grown?
What a great question. I share a lot less personal, day-to-day stuff than I used to. I try to only share personal stuff when it does attach to some kind of tangible takeaway for my audience (for example, the story behind a recipe I am sharing). I also share way less on social media overall and try to only share stuff attached to my work. I am more open and talkative with my newsletter community. It's a place where I see a bigger return on my investment, both financially and emotionally.
Can you walk us through your process for turning ideas into finished pieces? How do you decide which ideas are worth pursuing and which to set aside?
When it comes to recipes, I write them before I test them, then I fine-tune them as needed and photograph them. When I am working on recipes for my books, I have them cross-tested. The ones worth pursuing are the ones I would make again. The ones I am not interested in repeating get cast aside.
Your work consistently builds genuine connection with your audience—something we all strive for! What practices or philosophies do you use in building community while growing your platform? How do you measure the impact of your work?
I try to only say and share what I can only say and share. I would not say I am religious about that, but I try to stick to it. I try to measure the impact of my work not through numbers, but by thinking about the personal stories and feedback I hear. For example, it's nice to know I've helped someone alleviate their anxiety around making dinner. It's nice to know a cake recipe I've shared has become someone's go-to family birthday cake. It's nice knowing that stuff I've shared about my relationship to my body has helped someone better their relationship with their own. Etc.
“I try to only say and share what I can only say and share.” –Julia Turshen
How do you stay excited about your work and keep things fresh while maintaining consistency for your audience? What helps you push through periods when inspiration feels low? What are you currently feeling inspired by?
I am always excited about food. I don't know exactly why or how as it's always been a thread in my life. When inspiration feels low, I try to connect with other people, whether it's with family or friends, or even volunteering in my community. Right now I feel inspired by my parents and watching them being open to new ideas and experiences as they age. I think they are so cool.
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Rooting for you, always.
⚡️ Members! Your Bonus Briefing Insights are Ready…
Loved this conversation? There's more to unpack. Inside your members-only analysis, we're exploring Julia's approach to sustainable content creation and what it means for thoughtful creators like you. Here’s what stands out to me and practical guidance for implementing these insights in your own work.