Podcast Summary: CHEERS! with Avery Woods
Episode Title: Food Makes Me Happy | Earthy Jane
Release Date: July 28, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of CHEERS! with Avery Woods, host Avery Woods sits down with her guest, Jane—professionally known as Earthy Jane—a successful private chef and social media influencer. The conversation delves into Jane's journey in the culinary world, her rise on platforms like TikTok, and the balancing act between managing a thriving business and maintaining a personal life.
Early Beginnings and Partnership with Smith and Saint
Meeting and Growth
Avery and Jane reminisce about their first meeting at Joyride in Gilbert, where Jane introduced herself as a holistic chef aspiring to make it on social media ([02:01]). Their professional relationship blossomed as Jane's social media presence grew exponentially. Avery recalls telling Jane, “This girl is going to be so big” after witnessing her content quality and dedication to growth ([02:20]).
Signing with Smith and Saint
Jane shares her excitement about signing with Smith and Saint, a boutique management agency. She emphasizes the personalized support she receives, contrasting it with larger agencies. Jane states, “When you have a small team that is only managing a smaller amount of people, you have such an intimate connection with them” ([03:02]). This partnership has been pivotal in scaling her influencer activities alongside her private chef business.
Balancing Multiple Roles
Juggling Business and Social Media
Jane discusses the challenges of managing her private chef business while growing her social media presence. She explains, “I'm the youngest, but everyone, we're all so close” as she talks about her team of chefs who help her manage the workload ([24:12]). Despite the demands, Jane successfully integrates her culinary work with her online activities, ensuring that her clients always come first.
Maintaining Work-Life Balance
Avery commends Jane’s ability to balance her roles, noting, “You're literally living like the best of both worlds” ([05:09]). Jane admits that it’s challenging but manageable because her content often revolves around her day-to-day work, allowing her to seamlessly blend business with her social media presence.
Culinary Philosophy and Business Insights
Healthy and Affordable Meal Prep
Jane elaborates on her approach to meal prepping, catering to diverse dietary needs including vegan, gluten-free, and diets for chronic illnesses ([07:09]). She emphasizes affordability, stating, “It's crazy how much you can actually get out of your groceries when you plan” ([08:31]). Her focus is on creating healthy, tailored meals that resonate with her audience’s desire for nutritious and budget-friendly options.
Favorite Dishes and Cooking Tips
When discussing her favorite foods, Jane mentions a particular love for tacos and lasagnas. She shares practical cooking tips such as keeping dishes warm using the oven or stovetop and making batch margaritas for events ([36:23], [37:01]). These insights provide valuable advice for listeners looking to enhance their cooking skills and meal planning.
Personal Stories and Overcoming Challenges
Journey to Veganism and Cooking Skills
Jane recounts her decision to become vegan at 13 and how her upbringing in Pennsylvania, a place not known for health food stores, led her to self-teach cooking without meat and dairy ([11:05]). Celebrating her 10-year anniversary as vegan, she explains how this lifestyle has become second nature, allowing her to focus on cooking for her clients without personal dietary restrictions.
Handling Public Scrutiny and Negative Feedback
Jane opens up about the difficulties of reading negative comments on TikTok, expressing how hurtful critiques from professional chefs impact her. She affirms, “My clients tell me what they want... that's all that matters” ([62:37]). This resilience highlights her commitment to her clients' satisfaction over external opinions.
Rapid Fire: Getting to Know Jane
Avery and Jane engage in a rapid-fire segment covering various personal preferences and routines:
- Always in the Fridge: Almond milk.
- Go-To Drink: Shaken espresso with a touch of honey.
- Sweet or Savory: Sweet.
- Favorite Farmers Market Find: A tiny clay plant with a face for adoption.
- Dream Vacation: Europe, particularly cooking classes in Italy and Paris.
- Least Favorite Job Aspect: Reading and dealing with hate comments on social media.
Conclusion
In wrapping up the episode, Avery praises Jane’s achievements and encourages listeners to follow her journey on all platforms. Jane emphasizes her close-knit team and the importance of friendships and nature in her personal life ([58:39]). The episode underscores the synergy between personal passion and professional dedication, showcasing Jane as a role model for aspiring chefs and influencers.
Notable Quotes:
- “When you have a small team that is only managing a smaller amount of people, you have such an intimate connection with them.” — Jane ([03:02])
- “I'm the youngest, but everyone, we're all so close.” — Jane ([24:12])
- “What you choose to share, you know.” — Jane ([06:59])
- “It's so hard for me to let go of parts of my business.” — Jane ([61:27])
Where to Find Jane
Listeners interested in Jane’s culinary creations and social media content can follow her under the handle Earthy Jane across all major platforms.
This summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting Jane's professional journey, personal insights, and culinary expertise, while omitting promotional advertisements and non-content segments.