The Post Shift Podcast with Shawn Soole

In this episode, Shawn Soole sits down with legendary bar designer and hospitality innovator Tobin Ellis, founder of Studio Barmagic and one of the most influential thinkers in modern bar design. With more than three decades in hospitality and decades designing bars around the world, Tobin shares how smart design, workflow, and ergonomics directly impact profitability, staff performance, and guest experience. From designing cocktail stations to consulting on luxury venues and high-volume operations, Tobin’s philosophy is simple: great bar design isn’t decoration — it’s operational strategy.🧠 What You’ll Learn• Tobin’s journey from bartender to one of the industry’s leading bar design specialists• Why bar design should start with workflow, ergonomics, and staff efficiency before aesthetics• The biggest mistakes operators make when building or renovating bars• How equipment, layout, and design influence speed of service, guest interaction, and profitability• Live Q&A: building bars for modern cocktail programs, staff health, and long-term operational success⏱ Timestamp Highlights (Approximate)• 00:02:30 – Tobin’s background and the evolution from bartender to bar designer• 00:14:00 – Why modern bar design must prioritize ergonomics and workflow• 00:28:00 – The intersection of design, profitability, and guest experience• 00:42:00 – Live Q&A: renovation tips, layout mistakes, and operational strategy• 00:58:00+ – The future of bar design: innovation, equipment, and evolving guest expectations🎯 Who It’s ForBar owners, restaurateurs, beverage directors, architects, designers, and operators planning new builds or renovations who want bars that look great but also perform at the highest level operationally.✅ If You Loved This Episode• Hit Like• Subscribe and tap the 🔔 for more conversations with hospitality innovators• Drop your biggest bar design takeaway or question in the comments• Share this episode with your team, partners, or anyone planning a bar build

In this episode, Shawn Soole sits down with Christin Marvin — hospitality leadership coach, author, and founder of Solutions by Christin — to unpack the realities of leadership in modern restaurants and bars. From opening multiple venues to coaching multi-unit operators, Christin shares hard-earned lessons on how leaders grow, how teams scale, and why burnout is often a leadership systems issue rather than a personal failing. This conversation dives into what it actually takes to lead people well in hospitality today — from self-awareness and communication to building teams that can thrive beyond the founder.🧠 What You’ll Learn• Christin’s journey from starting as a line cook at 15 to opening multiple restaurants and becoming a leadership coach. • Why many hospitality leaders struggle with burnout — and the systems that can prevent it.• The leadership mindset needed to scale teams and multi-unit operations successfully.• Why communication, self-awareness, and boundaries are critical leadership skills.• Live Q&A: leadership development, training frameworks, and navigating industry change.⏱ Timestamp Highlights (Approximate)• 00:02:30 – Christin’s origin story and early hospitality career• 00:14:00 – The leadership gap in hospitality training• 00:28:00 – Burnout, boundaries, and sustainable leadership• 00:42:00 – Live Q&A: managing teams and scaling operations• 00:58:00+ – The future of hospitality leadership and personal growth🎯 Who It’s ForRestaurant owners, bar operators, general managers, and hospitality leaders who want to build stronger teams, reduce burnout, and lead with clarity rather than chaos.✅ If You Loved This Episode• Hit Like• Subscribe and tap the 🔔 for more conversations about leadership, culture, and hospitality business• Share your biggest takeaway or leadership challenge in the comments• Share this episode with your managers, partners, or anyone leading teams in hospitality

In this Post Shift Shot crossover with the Bread & Butter Collective Podcast — a series created by restaurateurs Sam Jones and Calen McNeil to share the real, non-scripted side of running hospitality businesses — Shawn Soole sits down with the hosts to dig into what it really takes to build, grow, sustain, and lead in this industry.From cash flow realities to brand identity, team development to strategic decision-making, this is hospitality business talk without the hype — rooted in experience, accountability, and real-world frameworks.The Bread & Butter Collective Podcast pulls back the curtain on hospitality business secrets — from financing and licensing to culture and community building. 🧠 What You’ll Learn• The foundational business principles every hospitality operator must understand• Lessons on building a business that can endure staffing swings, market fluctuations, and consumer behaviour shifts• Why survival isn’t strategy — and what strategic sustainability actually looks like• How community-driven brands (like Big Wheel Burger and 2% Jazz) are rethinking performance, culture, and purpose• Practical business tools and mindset tweaks that separate operators who survive from those who thrive⏱ Timestamp Highlights (Approximate)• 00:02:30 – Introduction: why hospitality business talk still matters• 00:10:45 – The basics of business fundamentals — cash flow, margins, and runway• 00:23:00 – Culture as currency: hiring, retaining, and defining values• 00:36:15 – Strategy over hustle: building systems that scale• 00:48:30+ – Live Q&A: real business scenarios, pitfalls to avoid, and leadership takeaways🎯 Who It’s ForOperators, owners, general managers, beverage directors, and hospitality leaders at any stage of “business thinking” — from concept validation to multi-unit scaling. This isn’t theory: it’s grounded in lived experience.✅ If You Loved This Episode• Smash the Like• Subscribe and ring the 🔔 for more real discussions on hospitality business and culture• Drop a comment with your biggest business takeaway — or your toughest question for operators right now• Share this episode with your team, partners, or anyone building in hospitalityAbout Bread & Butter Collective: A peer-driven podcast and community led by restaurateurs Sam Jones (2% Jazz) and Calen McNeil (Big Wheel Burger), focused on sharing the honest realities of hospitality business ownership, from financing and licensing to culture, collaboration, and long-term sustainability.

In this conversation, Shawn Soole sits down with hospitality veteran Richie Barrow — renowned bar leader, culture builder, and mentor — to unpack what it truly takes to run great teams, build resilient service cultures, and lead with clarity and purpose. Richie brings rich perspectives from decades in high-performing venues, blending operational wisdom with a people-first approach that elevates the entire team.Whether you’re managing a floor, designing systems, or leading staff, this episode delivers insights that help you operationalize culture — not just preach it.🧠 What You’ll Learn• Richie’s hospitality journey: lessons from the bar, the floor, and leadership roles• How intentional systems create consistency, trust, and team autonomy• Why leadership is more about influence and clarity than authority or title• Real talk on accountability, feedback, and evolving service standards• Live Q&A: practical approaches to team growth, conflict resolution, and sustaining excellence⏱ Timestamp Highlights (Approximate)• 00:02:45 – Richie’s origins and early lessons in service and leadership• 00:15:00 – Designing systems that empower staff and drive consistency• 00:28:30 – Leadership frameworks: clarity, influence, and accountability• 00:43:10 – Live Q&A: real scenarios, practical tools, and leadership roadblocks• 00:58:15+ – What’s next: personal leadership growth and sustaining culture🎯 Who It’s ForBar managers, general managers, operators, trainers, and hospitality leaders focused on building teams that perform with purpose — not by command, but by shared clarity and commitment.✅ If You Loved This Episode• Tap Like• Subscribe and ring the 🔔 to catch more strategy, culture, and leadership conversations• Drop your biggest Richie insight or question in the comments• Share this with your managers, trainers, or anyone invested in building strong hospitality cultures

In this Post Shift Shot, Shawn Soole pulls back the curtain on the reality of owning in hospitality. No hype. No Instagram fantasy. Just truth.Entrepreneurship in this industry isn’t just cocktails, creative freedom, and packed Friday nights. It’s pressure, payroll, people problems, and personal sacrifice. And if you’re not prepared for the weight of it — it will expose you fast.This episode lays out five harsh truths every aspiring hospitality entrepreneur needs to hear before signing a lease, taking on investors, or quitting their day job.🧠 The 5 Harsh Truths1. You don’t get freedom — you get responsibility.Ownership doesn’t reduce pressure. It multiplies it.2. Your creativity now answers to cash flow.Cool ideas mean nothing if they don’t pay rent.3. You will outgrow people — and people will outgrow you.Leadership means hard conversations, not just inspiration.4. Nobody cares about your struggle.Guests want consistency. Staff want stability. Vendors want payment.5. It’s lonelier than you think.The higher you climb, the fewer people truly understand the weight.🎯 Who It’s ForBartenders thinking about opening a place.Managers dreaming about “doing it their way.”Operators in year one wondering why it feels heavier than expected.This isn’t discouragement.It’s preparation.🔥 The Real QuestionDo you want applause…or do you want accountability?Because entrepreneurship gives you one far more than the other.✅ If This Resonated• Hit Like• Subscribe for more Post Shift Shots on leadership, ownership, and industry truth• Drop a comment: Which truth hit you hardest?• Share this with someone romanticizing ownership

In this episode, Shawn Soole sits down with Colin Asare-Apiah — award-winning bartender, educator, and globally respected leader in cocktail culture — for a thoughtful conversation about hospitality craft, community building, mentorship, and the future of service. Colin breaks down how experiences shape perception, how intentional leadership lifts teams, and why culture always outlasts trends.Whether you’re behind the stick or leading a team, this episode blends craft insight with empathetic leadership and actionable takeaways that reverberate across hospitality.🧠 What You’ll Learn• Colin’s journey: from global stages to local impact — and the moments that taught him most• Why hospitality is more than cocktails — it’s about connection, purpose, and emotion• How intentional team culture drives consistency, creativity, and loyalty• The difference between performing service and being in service• Live Q&A: leadership challenges, team mentorship, and building careers that matter⏱ Timestamp Highlights (Approximate)• 00:02:45 – Colin’s background and early inspiration in hospitality• 00:15:00 – Craft as connection: why guest experience starts with service mindset• 00:29:30 – Culture before systems: building teams that trust and perform• 00:43:10 – Live Q&A: mentorship, leadership pitfalls, and elevating others• 00:58:15+ – Why vulnerability is strength — and presence is leadership🎯 Who It’s ForBartenders, operators, trainers, beverage directors, community builders — anyone invested in hospitality that’s human-centred, culturally grounded, and wildly intentional.✅ If You Loved This Episode• Hit Like• Subscribe and tap the 🔔 to stay connected with more industry wisdom and deep conversations• Share your biggest takeaway or a question for Colin in the comments• Share this episode with your team or anyone passionate about people, craft, and culture

In this Post Shift Shot, Shawn Soole breaks down a hard truth in modern hospitality: not everyone is built to be an entrepreneur — and that’s not a weakness.With the rise of “cool entrepreneurship,” social media has glamorized ownership and independence. But the reality? Entrepreneurship is risk, stress, sleepless nights, and long-term uncertainty. Meanwhile, intrapreneurs — those who innovate and lead inside existing companies — are often the real engines of growth.This episode challenges you to ask: Are you chasing a title… or playing to your strengths?🧠 What This Shot Covers• The real difference between intrapreneurs and entrepreneurs• Why social media has distorted what entrepreneurship actually looks like• The power of being a high-level intrapreneur inside a strong company• How self-awareness is more valuable than ego• Why building something great doesn’t always mean owning it🎯 Who It’s ForBartenders, managers, operators, creatives, and anyone feeling the pressure to “go out on their own” — even if that might not be their highest-impact lane.🔥 The Core QuestionAre you wired to build the ship…or are you wired to make the ship sail faster than anyone else?Both matter. One just requires brutal honesty.✅ If This Hit Home• Like the video• Subscribe for more Post Shift Shots on leadership, identity, and hospitality growth• Drop a comment: Are you an intrapreneur or entrepreneur — and why?• Share this with someone who needs to hear it

In this revealing episode, Shawn Soole sits down with Alexandre Gabriel, visionary founder of Maison Ferrand and one of the most influential thinkers in the global spirits world. From reviving historic brand identities to steering cocktail culture toward authenticity and craftsmanship, Alexandre shares his perspective on creativity, entrepreneurship, and what it takes to lead in an ever-evolving industry.Whether you’re a bartender, distiller, brand builder, or producer, this conversation bridges deep heritage with modern innovation — unpacking not just how spirits are made, but how ideas endure.🧠 What You’ll Learn• Alexandre’s journey from early curiosity to building Maison Ferrand into a global spirits icon• The balance of heritage and innovation — how tradition informs creativity without constraining it• Lessons on product development, storytelling, and leadership in a crowded market• Why craft, quality, and intuition still matter — even when trends shift• Live Q&A: real talk on flavor, brand identity, market dynamics, and legacy thinking⏱ Timestamp Highlights (Approximate)• 00:02:30 – Alexandre’s beginnings and the intuition that led him to spirits• 00:14:45 – Building Maison Ferrand: philosophy, process, and purpose• 00:29:10 – Craft and context: balancing tradition with creative freedom• 00:42:50 – Live Q&A: spirits trends, mentorship, and sustaining relevance• 00:58:00+ – What’s next: innovation pipelines, community engagement, and industry vision🎯 Who It’s ForDistillers, bartenders, beverage directors, brand builders, and anyone passionate about the intersection of craftsmanship, culture, and creative leadership in the spirits world.✅ If You Loved This Episode• Hit Like• Subscribe and ring the 🔔 for more conversations with leaders shaping drinks and culture• Share your favourite Alexandre insight or question in the comments• Forward this to your team, partners, or anyone building in the world of spirits or hospitality

In this episode, Shawn Soole digs into one of the most pivotal topics in hospitality and beyond: leadership that evolves with the times. Whether you’re just stepping into a lead role or you’ve been guiding teams for years, this conversation challenges the old paradigms of authority and hierarchy — and reframes leadership as purpose, service, and influence rather than title or command.You’ll walk away with practical insight into what leadership looks like today — in venues, teams, communities, and life.🧠 What You’ll Learn• The difference between old-school leadership and modern servant leadership• Why emotional intelligence matters just as much as operational competence• How culture drives performance — and how leaders shape it daily• Real frameworks for accountability, feedback, and team empowerment• The role of vulnerability, presence, and intentional decision-making⏱ Timestamp Highlights (Approximate)• 00:02:40 – What leadership used to mean vs what it means now• 00:14:00 – The three pillars of modern leadership: clarity, care, and consistency• 00:26:30 – Leading teams through change without losing trust• 00:39:00 – Accountability systems that actually work — and why most don’t• 00:52:15+ – How to coach, mentor, and elevate others around you🎯 Who It’s ForGeneral managers, bar/restaurant operators, trainers, beverage directors, front-line leaders, and anyone committed to guiding others with intention and impact — not just authority.✅ If You Loved This Episode• Hit Like• Subscribe and tap the 🔔 to catch more conversations about leadership, culture, and hospitality• Share your biggest leadership takeaway in the comments• Tag a leader you admire — or one you want to be

In this special “Get to Know Me” episode, Shawn Soole sits down without notes, filters, or industry jargon — and invites you into the story behind the journey. From early shifts and first pours to building culture, teams, and his philosophy on hospitality leadership, this is the episode where the host becomes the guest.No deep tactical frameworks this time — just honest reflection, personal milestones, and the lessons that shaped a career in hospitality.🧠 What You’ll Learn• How Shawn first fell in love with hospitality — and why he never looked back• The wins, the misses, the mindset shifts and the moments that mattered• What Post Shift Podcast really represents and why it exists• Personal reflections on mentorship, burnout, growth, and purpose• What’s next: the future of the brand, community, and work still to come⏱ Timestamp Highlights (Approximate)• 00:02:30 – Early beginnings: first bar shifts and the lessons hospitality taught young Shawn• 00:12:15 – The reality of grind culture vs intentional growth• 00:23:40 – Why hospitality culture matters more than technique• 00:38:00 – Turning hard lessons into leadership frameworks• 00:49:30+ – What’s next: personal goals, podcast mission, and community direction🎯 Who It’s ForBartenders, operators, creators, and anyone who’s ever wondered why they keep showing up — especially on the days that feel long, hard, or ungrateful. This episode isn’t a strategy session — it’s a human one.✅ If You Loved This Episode• Hit Like• Subscribe and tap the 🔔 to follow the journey ahead• Share your own story or biggest takeaway in the comments• Share this with a friend, coworker, or team member who’s been with you along the way

In this Post Shift Shot, Shawn Soole tackles a tough but necessary truth: hard work and sacrifice still matter in hospitality — even in a world obsessed with shortcuts, instant success, and surface-level wins.This isn’t about glorifying burnout. It’s about respecting the process. The long nights, the reps, the missed weekends, the uncomfortable growth — the things that still build skill, character, credibility, and trust behind the bar and beyond it.🧠 What This Shot Covers• Why sacrifice isn’t outdated — it’s just misunderstood• The difference between intentional hard work and toxic grind culture• Why mastery, leadership, and credibility still require time and effort• How shortcuts erode culture, standards, and long-term opportunity• A reminder that earning your place still matters — for yourself and your team🎯 Who It’s ForBartenders, managers, operators, and hospitality professionals navigating the tension between work-life balance and earning your stripes — especially those who want longevity, leadership, and real growth in the industry.✅ If This Hit Home• Like the video• Subscribe for more Post Shift Shots on leadership, culture, and real hospitality talk• Drop a comment: Where do you draw the line between sacrifice and sustainability?• Share this with someone who needs the reminder

In this powerful episode, Shawn Soole sits down with Kris Hall, co-founder of The Burnt Chef Project — a global initiative dedicated to improving mental health, work culture, and human connection within hospitality. Kris offers candid insight into the systemic challenges faced by teams and leaders alike and actionable frameworks for creating workplaces that nurture people, not just profits.This conversation goes beyond burnout statistics — it explores why hospitality can be hard, how culture fails us, and what it truly takes to build compassion-driven teams that stay and thrive.🧠 What You’ll Learn• Kris’s journey: what sparked The Burnt Chef Project and its mission to shift hospitality culture• The root causes of burnout in hospitality — and how systems, not individuals, must change• Practical strategies for supporting mental health, psychological safety, and team resilience• How restaurants and bars can create environments where staff feel seen, heard, and valued• Live Q&A: culture transformation, tough conversations, and tools leaders can use today⏱ Timestamp Highlights (Approximate)• 00:02:45 – Kris’s beginnings and the origin story of The Burnt Chef Project• 00:15:00 – Why burnout isn’t about weakness — it’s about systems that fail people• 00:29:20 – Designing workplaces that elevate dignity, belonging, and connection• 00:43:10 – Live Q&A: real-world scenarios, culture practices, and interventions that work• 00:58:00+ – What’s next: scaling impact, training leaders, and changing the industry narrative🎯 Who It’s ForHospitality leaders, operators, trainers, HR partners, and anyone who’s felt the weight of burnout — or has seen team culture struggle under it. If you care about people first, and want to build environments where teams belong, contribute, and grow, this is a must-watch.✅ If You Loved This Episode• Smash Like• Subscribe and hit the 🔔 for more vital conversations on hospitality culture• Drop your key takeaway, question, or experience in the comments• Share this with your team or anyone invested in changing the industry from within

In this week’s Post Shift Shot, I dig into how the rise of remote work is quietly impacting the hospitality ecosystem — from empty downtown cores to shrinking lunch rushes and unpredictable revenue patterns.This isn’t an anti-remote rant; it’s a reality check on how shifts in work culture ripple through restaurants, bars, and the people who rely on them. If you operate in hospitality, this is a conversation we can’t afford to ignore.

In this episode, Shawn Soole sits down with Ann Squires Ferguson, interior designer and hospitality space strategist, to explore how design shapes behaviour, influences service flow, and ultimately determines whether a hospitality venue succeeds or struggles.From restaurants and bars to multi-use hospitality spaces, Ann breaks down how thoughtful design goes far beyond aesthetics — impacting staff efficiency, guest comfort, dwell time, and revenue. This conversation connects design thinking to real operational outcomes.🧠 What You’ll Learn• How interior design directly affects hospitality operations, service flow, and guest experience• The psychology of space: how layout, lighting, materials, and scale influence behavior• Common design mistakes operators make — and how to avoid expensive missteps• How to design hospitality spaces that support both brand identity and team performance• Live Q&A: renovation planning, budget trade-offs, and future-forward design trends⏱ Timestamp Highlights (Approximate)• 00:02:30 – Ann’s background in interior design and hospitality space planning• 00:14:45 – Designing for function first: flow, efficiency, and human behaviour• 00:29:00 – Brand-led design: translating concept into physical space• 00:43:10 – Live Q&A: renovations, mistakes to avoid, and working with designers• 00:58:00+ – The future of hospitality design: flexibility, wellness, and longevity🎯 Who It’s ForHospitality operators, restaurateurs, bar owners, developers, and anyone planning a build-out or renovation who wants spaces that look great, work hard, and last — not just photograph well.✅ If You Loved This Episode• Hit Like• Subscribe and ring the 🔔 for more conversations bridging design, operations, and culture• Drop your biggest design takeaway or question in the comments• Share this episode with your partners, designers, or anyone planning a hospitality space

Whenever I talk about training, the first question is always the same: “What’s the ROI?”In this week’s Post Shift Shot, I break down the real numbers behind staff training and show how a relatively small investment in your team can unlock outsized returns across sales, labour efficiency, retention, and overall culture.This isn’t theory or feel-good leadership talk — it’s a practical look at how training directly impacts the bottom line, why under-investing in people is one of the most expensive mistakes operators make, and how to start thinking about training as a profit centre, not a cost.If you’ve ever wondered how much training actually makes you, this episode is your blueprint.

In this episode, Shawn Soole sits down with Michael Dargie — branding strategist, creative thinker, and author of BrandJitsu — for a sharp, no-fluff conversation on how brands are really built, why most messaging fails, and how hospitality (and beyond) can stop chasing trends and start creating meaning.This episode is a deep dive into brand clarity, creative discipline, and strategic storytelling — with real-world applications for operators, founders, and creatives alike.🧠 What You’ll Learn• Michael’s path into branding and the philosophy behind BrandJitsu• Why most brands confuse noise with impact — and how to cut through• The difference between branding, marketing, and storytelling (and why it matters)• How creative constraints can actually unlock stronger brand identity• Live Q&A: applying BrandJitsu thinking to hospitality, personal brands, and businesses⏱ Timestamp Highlights (Approximate)• 00:02:30 – Michael’s background and the origin of BrandJitsu• 00:14:00 – Why most brands fail: clarity vs chaos• 00:28:00 – Creative discipline, constraints, and brand consistency• 00:42:30 – Live Q&A: applying branding frameworks to real businesses• 00:57:00+ – What strong brands get right — and where most go wrong🎯 Who It’s ForHospitality operators, founders, creatives, marketers, and leaders who want to build brands with intention, stop chasing applause, and create identities that actually resonate — internally and externally.✅ If You Loved This Episode• Hit Like• Subscribe and tap the 🔔 for more conversations on leadership, creativity, and brand strategy• Drop your favourite BrandJitsu insight or question in the comments• Share this episode with your team, creative partners, or anyone responsible for “the brand.”

DOWNLOAD Business Clarity Workbook - https://www.soolehospitality.com/free-resources-1/business-clarity-workbookWelcome back to the Post Shift Podcast! I'm bringing back the Tuesday episodes, the Post Shift Shots, to offer more insights that don't always fit into my interviews. My goal is to provide clarity and motivation to the community, focusing on personal development and a positive thinking mindset for success.

In this episode, Shawn Soole sits down with Sean Finter — operator, trainer, and mastermind behind some of North America’s most respected hospitality playbooks. From frontline execution to strategic leadership, Sean breaks down how to build systems, culture, and habits that help teams scale without losing soul.🧠 What You’ll Learn• Sean’s journey from bartending and FOH leadership into building playbooks that transform teams• How systems, rituals, and repeatable frameworks reduce chaos and drive consistency• The difference between compliance and ownership — and how to foster accountability• Practical tools for coaching, KPIs, training cycles, and team psychology• Live Q&A: real-world problem solving, service scenarios, and legacy thinking⏱ Timestamp Highlights (Approximate)• 00:02:45 – Sean’s origin story: from bar shifts to leadership frameworks• 00:14:30 – What makes a playbook work: clarity, simplicity, adoption• 00:28:15 – Coaching teams: accountability, standards, and culture velocity• 00:42:50 – Live Q&A: service challenges, scaling teams, and keeping morale strong• 00:57:00+ – Leadership habits: vision, structure, and servant leadership in action🎯 Who It’s ForHospitality leaders, general managers, beverage directors, trainers, and operators who want to move from reactive management to proactive, scalable culture systems — building hospitality that works no matter the floor plan.✅ If You Loved This Episode• Hit Like• Subscribe and tap the 🔔 to stay up to date with weekly strategy sessions• Drop your favorite Sean Finter insight or service question in the comments• Share with your team or anyone building culture from the ground up

In this episode, Shawn Soole sits down with chef-entrepreneur and hospitality operator Calen McNeil, founder of Zambris and Big Wheel Burger. Calen breaks down how he’s built loyal teams and passionate communities around two distinctly local brands — one rooted in elevated comfort and community dining (Zambris), and the other in iconic burgers with personality (Big Wheel Burger). This conversation bridges operational strategy, culture building, and creative hospitality that resonates beyond the plate.🧠 What You’ll Learn• Calen’s journey from first shifts to building two beloved hospitality brands focused on people first.• The culture and DNA behind Zambris — how atmosphere, approachability, and intentional design create memorable guest experiences.• Why Big Wheel Burger works as both local favourite and community hub — blending great food with genuine hospitality.• How team culture, leadership style, and communication drive employee retention and guest loyalty.• Live Q&A: managing growth, balancing creativity with consistency, and keeping hospitality human at scale.⏱ Timestamp Highlights (Approximate)• 00:02:30 – Calen’s early hospitality roots and the vision behind his brands• 00:14:00 – Building culture at Zambris: craft, community, and experience• 00:28:15 – The story of Big Wheel Burger: personality, consistency, and local love• 00:42:00 – Live Q&A: scaling teams, operational clarity, and creative growth• 00:56:45+ – What’s next: new ideas, community engagement, and future plans🎯 Who It’s ForRestaurant owners, operators, chefs, beverage directors, and hospitality leaders who care about building brands rooted in culture, connection, and community — not just menus and margins.✅ If You Loved This Episode• Tap Like• Subscribe and hit the 🔔 to stay locked into more hospitality strategy & culture talks• Drop your favourite Calen insight or question in the comments• Share this with your team, your chef friends, or anyone building communities through food and drink

In this special seminar recorded live at Portland Cocktail Week, Shawn Soole delivers one of his most personal and impactful talks: Turn & Burn to Build & Belong — a deep dive into the culture of hospitality, the burnout cycle, and how operators and bartenders can reclaim purpose, connection, and long-term belonging in this industry.Drawing from decades of experience behind the bar, in management trenches, and in mentorship roles, Shawn breaks down how the industry got here, what needs to change, and how teams can build workplaces people want to stay in.SLIDE DECK AND DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES - https://www.proof-and-practice.com/pdxcw-from-turn-burn-to-build-belong/seminar-deck🧠 What You’ll Learn• Why “turn & burn” culture became the norm — and why it’s no longer sustainable• How to build belonging, identity, and community inside your venue• Systems, training, and culture frameworks that reduce turnover and increase engagement• What real leadership looks like in 2025: clarity, accountability, and daily habits• How operators can create workplaces where people grow instead of grind• Live Q&A insights from attendees at Portland Cocktail Week⏱ Timestamp Highlights (Approximate)• 00:02:15 – Opening: the reality of “turn & burn” and its impact on teams• 00:11:40 – The psychology of belonging: why people stay (or leave)• 00:24:00 – Building systems that support culture, not replace it• 00:37:20 – Leadership in practice: accountability without intimidation• 00:52:10 – Q&A: retention strategies, communication habits, and operator pitfalls• 01:03:00+ – Closing: why belonging is the future of hospitality🎯 Who It’s ForBar managers, operators, owners, bartenders, educators, and hospitality leaders who want to build teams that stay, grow, and belong — not just survive the shift.✅ If This Seminar Resonated With You• Hit Like• Subscribe and tap the 🔔 for more leadership, culture, and operations conversations• Leave a comment with your biggest takeaway or how your venue is tackling culture• Share this with your team, management group, or anyone building hospitality from the inside out