Media Savvy with Bonnie Taub-Dix

Most of us are not walking into a television studio to record video. We're in home offices and kitchens, using a laptop and whatever light the room gives us, and people judge our credibility in the first few seconds, before we've said anything worth judging. Bonnie walks through lighting, microphones, and camera angle, in the order to fix them, plus the one-minute test that catches every problem before you record anything that matters.

Mentioned in this episode

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Next episode: How to create a soundbite, because you can have perfect light and perfect sound and still say something nobody can use.

You studied biochemistry, medical nutrition therapy, food science, and clinical rotations. Nobody sat you down and explained how to talk to a journalist, what to wear on camera, or how to build a soundbite that lands. Bonnie kicks off a new series on the media skills that actually matter, starting with the one people write off as superficial: how you look on camera, and why it shapes whether an audience trusts you before you open your mouth. In this episode: Why dietitians stayed invisible while doctors became the media faces of health The language media speaks, and why clinical precision often gets cut from the final piece The moiré effect, and why small stripes and tight checks sabotage your message Jewel tones that read well on screen and flatter a wide range of skin tones The all-white and all-black traps under studio lighting When your personal brand style works, and when to call the studio first Mentioned: Louder Than Likes: How to Amplify Your Expertise and Make Media Work for You · Media training course at btdmedia.teachable.com · Questions or bookings: [email protected] Subscribe today so you don't miss the rest of the series.

Have you ever wondered why some podcasts seem to build devoted audiences while others struggle to get noticed?

It turns out... it's not just about having a great voice, an expensive microphone, or even amazing guests.

This week on Media Savvy, I sat down with Jeff Dauler, a self-described Podcast Architect, and our conversation completely shifted the way I think about podcast strategy.

We talked about:

Whether you already host a podcast, are thinking about starting one, or simply want to understand how great content grows an audience, I think you'll take away ideas you can use immediately.

 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

And while you're there, I'd love for you to hit Follow so every new episode of Media Savvy lands in your feed. I have some incredible guests—and conversations—ahead.

Calling Yourself This? Let's Talk About That

Someone said it on stage, matter-of-factly, like a settled fact: there's no such thing as a Media Dietitian. Bonnie couldn't respond in the moment, so this episode is her answer.

She agrees with part of it. It's not an official credential, no exam, no board, no certificate. But neither is content creator or nutrition communicator, and those get claimed without hesitation. Her concern is that dietitians hear a comment like that and quietly decide they're not there yet, waiting for some invisible milestone before they let media count as part of their work.

In this episode:

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     Louder Than Likes: How to Amplify Your Expertise and Make MediaWork for You

What if the most powerful tool in your media toolkit isn't your credentials, your data, or your perfectly polished talking points? What if it's something you already have, something no AI can replicate, something that has been connecting human beings since the beginning of time?

It's your story. And in this episode, Bonnie makes the case that storytelling isn't a soft skill or a nice-to-have. It's a superpower, and every single one of us has one.

In this episode you'll discover:

Why storytelling activates the brain in a way that facts and statistics simply cannot, and what researchers mean by "neural coupling"

Why you are already a storyteller, even if you have never once thought of yourself that way

The kinds of stories that connect most deeply with an audience, from the mentor who changed everything to the mistake that turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to you

Why practicing a story you have already lived is not optional, and the real difference between a memory and a story

How to start your Story Stash, the simple habit that turns everyday moments into powerful content

Why storytelling is magnetic far beyond the stage, in client conversations, business meetings, and yes, even at parties

Bonnie's challenge for you this week: Identify one story from your life. Write it down. Tell it out loud to someone you trust. That's your first deposit in your Story Stash.

Mentioned in this episode: Louder Than Likes: How to Amplify Your Expertise and Make Media Work for You by Bonnie Taub-Dix Available on Amazon: amazon.com/dp/B0GYJM6YB4

Want Bonnie's Media Confidence Guide? Send a paintbrush emoji  to mediasavvybtd.com and it's yours.

Enjoyed this episode? Hit subscribe and leave a review. It takes two minutes and helps other health professionals find this show.

Follow Bonnie: @bonnietaubdix | @BTDmedia

Lisa Lillien didn't set out to build a media empire. She set out to solve a problem she had herself: finding food she actually loved that didn't derail her goals. That's where Hungry Girl was born. And somehow, a simple newsletter to her friends became a brand, a community, a TV show, a book series, and a household name that millions of people trust.

In this episode of Media Savvy, I sit down with Lisa to talk about what it really takes to build something that lasts. Not the highlight reel version. The real one.

We go back to the beginning, to the days when she was writing a newsletter and wondering if anyone was actually reading it. We talk about how she figured out who she was talking to and what they actually needed. We talk about the media opportunities she said yes to, the ones she passed on, and how she decided which doors were worth walking through.

And we get into something I think about a lot: the difference between growing an audience and genuinely connecting with one. Lisa has done the latter, and you can feel it in the way her community shows up for her.

She also gave me one of my favorite cover quotes for my book, Louder Than Likes: How to Amplify Your Expertise and Make Media Work for You, so I may be a little biased. She said: "I wish I had a book like this 20 years ago. As someone who was once petrified of media, I know how intimidating it can feel to step into the spotlight. Bonnie Taub-Dix makes it approachable, practical, and empowering, with the kind of tips and takeaways that help you find your voice and use it with confidence.”

This conversation will stick with you, too.

If you've ever felt intimidated by media, unsure where to start, or wondered whether visibility is even worth the exposure, this one is for you.

Connect with Lisa: hungrygirl.com 

(Just look for Hungry Girl to find her books, her Instagram, her FB page — her incredible brand!)

Connect with Bonnie:

     Louder Than Likes: How to Amplify Your Expertise and Make Media                           Work for You

I still remember one of my first TV appearances. I wore a flowered blouse, dangling earrings, and delivered soundbites that sounded more like a textbook than a conversation. Nobody pulled me aside. There was no roadmap. I learned by doing, by stumbling, and by watching the playback and wanting to disappear.

That experience never left me and eventually, it became the reason I wrote Louder Than Likes: How to Amplify Your Expertise and Make Media Work for You.

In this episode, I'm sharing the full story behind the book: why I wrote it, what's inside, why it’s perfect for you and why I believe visibility isn't a personality trait. It's a skill. And skills can be learned.

We cover:

Grab the book: amazon.com/dp/B0GYJM6YB4

And as a bonus, claim your free companion workbook: Purchase the book, then DM me on Instagram @BTDmedia or email [email protected] with your proof of purchase and I'll send your workbook right to you.

Until next time — speak up, show up, and be louder than the noise.

Media Confidence Isn’t Magic: Top Skills To Helps You Stand Out in Media with TJ Walker

Here's happens when you sit down with one of the very first media trainers you ever worked with!

In this episode, I’m joined by TJ Walker — a globally recognized media trainer who has coached everyone from CEOs to politicians… and yes, someone who once coached me in my early days.

We talk about how media has changed (a lot), what hasn’t (more than you think), and the biggest mistakes people still make when they step in front of a camera or microphone. TJ shares practical, no-nonsense advice on building confidence, preparing for interviews, handling unexpected questions, and showing up in a way that actually connects.

If you’ve ever wondered whether media skills are something you’re born with or something you can learn — this conversation will give you your answer.

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You know your stuff. But can you deliver it in ten seconds, clearly, confidently, and in a form a journalist can actually use?

In this quick episode, Bonnie breaks down the difference between knowing your material and being ready to share it on deadline. She introduces the concept of a personal soundbite library: varied topics, one sentence each, practiced until it feels like yours.

Because the journalists are out there looking for experts. This is how you make sure you're ready when they find you.

What you'll take away:

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From Sidewalks to Soundbites: How Maya Feller Makes Media Meaningful for Everyone

What does it take to turn everyday conversations into powerful media moments?

In this episode of Media Savvy, Bonnie sits down with Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN — nationally recognized nutrition expert, author of Eating from Our Roots, and a familiar face on national television — to talk about building a media presence that feels as real as it is impactful.

Maya shares how she got her start in media, what it’s really like behind the scenes of major TV appearances, and how she prepares to deliver clear, confident messages under pressure. She also opens up about balancing expertise with vulnerability, using storytelling to connect with audiences, and why authenticity is her most powerful tool.

You’ll also hear the story behind her creative “Ask a Dietitian” series — and how taking nutrition conversations to the streets changed the way she communicates with the public.

Whether you’re pitching your first story or stepping onto a bigger stage, this episode will leave you thinking differently about how you show up, speak up, and connect.

Connect with Maya Feller:

Website: mayafellernutrition.com

Instagram: @mayafellerrd

Maya’s Book: Eating From Our Roots

Connect with Bonnie: