Live Conversation with J’K Frederick and Chef Julia
What happens when two women with portfolio careers, creative minds, and a healthy dose of curiosity sit down to talk about Substack?
A 48-minute conversation about much more than publishing.
In this live discussion, J’K Frederick (Like Me) and Chef Julia (The Recipe for Life) explored how they each found their way to Substack, what they’ve learned during their first six months on the platform, and why authenticity matters more than chasing algorithms.
What We Discussed
Why we joined Substack
Hulya’s journey back to writing after years of focusing on teaching, coaching and community work.
How Substack became the unexpected home for J’K’s podcast and writing.
The surprising freedom of publishing without the pressure of traditional social media.
Finding our authentic voice
The shift from trying to write “the right way” to writing honestly.
Why being yourself attracts the right people.
The dangers of comparing your work to everyone else’s.
Building community over chasing numbers
What community really means.
The difference between followers and genuine connection.
Why meaningful engagement matters more than vanity metrics.
The realities of creating content
Running businesses while creating content.
Balancing creativity with earning a living.
Why consistency looks different for everyone.
Avoiding burnout in a world full of advice and algorithms.
The next six months
Turning content into a connected ecosystem.
Developing products, workshops, retreats and coaching offers.
Exploring monetisation in a way that feels aligned.
Creating work that serves both audience and purpose.
Key Takeaways
1. Authenticity scales better than performance.People connect with real voices, not polished perfection.
2. Community is built one conversation at a time.It doesn’t require a massive audience. It requires meaningful connection.
3. You don’t need to do everything.The internet is full of advice. Not all of it applies to you.
4. Create first. Optimise later.Publishing consistently beats endlessly preparing.
5. Your work deserves more than one use.Repurpose, revisit and build upon what you’ve already created.
Memorable Moments
How a yearly accountability call evolved into a Substack partnership.
The confession that some people post 30 Notes a day (and why neither of us plans to do that).
Why “Substack made me write again.”
The ongoing quest to build something meaningful without losing ourselves in the process.
Future plans for live cooking sessions, community conversations and collaborative events.
Connect With Us
J’K Frederick
Chef Hulya - https://substack.com/@chefhulya
