Fist pumps all around—you’ve found the show notes for Episode #8 of Young House Love Has A Podcast. In this special episode, the hosts sit down with design bloggers Emily Henderson (Style By Emily Henderson), Justina Blakeney (The Jungalow), and Nicole Balch (Making It Lovely) for a candid conversation about sponsored posts. Paid content plays a major role in today’s blogging world for creators and readers alike, so these professionals peel back the curtain on common misconceptions and discuss topics such as negative feedback, transparency, and the business realities of sponsored work.
You can listen to the episode on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and TuneIn Radio, or play it using the embedded player below. Use this page to follow links and references mentioned during the conversation.
Justina Blakeney
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- We referenced Justina’s detailed post about the business side of blogging—“Blogging + Money Matters”—which is a thoughtful explanation of how she approaches sponsored work and monetization.
- Explore more of her work on The Jungalow and follow her on Pinterest and Instagram, where she shares colorful, eclectic styling and design inspiration.
- Justina is also the author of the New York Times best-selling book The New Bohemians, which showcases her trademark aesthetic and design approach.
Emily Henderson
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- Emily wrote an informative post that outlines what goes into creating a single blog post on her site—helpful reading for anyone curious about the time and work behind sponsored and editorial content.
- Two sponsored projects mentioned in the episode include a guest bedroom makeover done for a fan company and a sponsored post for a handbag brand—both examples of how sponsored content can still deliver authentic, useful projects for readers.
- Visit Style By Emily Henderson to see her full portfolio and follow her on Pinterest and Instagram for styling tips, room makeovers, and behind-the-scenes content. Emily is also the author of the New York Times best-selling book Styled.
Nicole Balch
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- Nicole has openly discussed how she balances sponsored content with editorial work, even soliciting reader feedback. Her post about finding the balance between sponsored and non-sponsored content offers a candid look at her process and decisions.
- Follow Nicole’s ongoing projects, including the renovation of her Victorian home in Chicago, on Making It Lovely and on her Pinterest and Instagram feeds for room-by-room updates and styling details.
- The hosts also mention having visited Nicole’s previous home during a book tour stop in Chicago, a personal touch that highlights the community aspect of blogging and design friendships.
Other
- We mentioned a Tumblr project called “Who Pays Influencers,” which collected anonymous submissions about sponsorship deals. It served as a conversation starter about industry transparency and the range of compensation creatives receive.
- If you want a peek behind the scenes at how this blog was run, the hosts shared a 2013 post that breaks down how they monetized the site, how they spent their time, and the costs involved—an honest look at blogging as a small business.
- There’s also a 2010 post where the hosts explained why they were no longer accepting free products, illustrating how policies can change as a blog grows and professional considerations come into play.
Psst—Looking for something we discussed in a past episode but don’t remember which show notes to check? Here’s a master list of everything we’ve covered in past episodes.
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