Claim OwnershipThe Heart Media Podcast
Subscribed: 2Played: 82
Subscribe
© 2025 The Heart Media Podcast
Description
The heartbeat of hospo. Exploring culture, business, and the stories behind it all.
29 Episodes
Reverse
In this episode, we sit down with the founders of Weave, the creative company built on passion, transparency, and a determination that would not let the business fail. Weave began as something fun, something they loved enough to work endless hours on. Through honest conversations and a culture of oversharing, they built a team that believes in them rather than just works for them. We talk about: How the early hustle kept the business alive Why transparency became their greatest leadership...
In this episode, we catch up with Dylan Walsh — the young filmmaker behind Garden State Journal, the media project that’s turning Melbourne’s everyday magic into visual poetry. Dylan started Garden State Journal in 2022 as a way to “document what Melbourne meant to him,” capturing quiet streets, everyday moments, and local characters with a nostalgic, ’70s-inspired aesthetic. Through his TikTok and Instagram films, he’s turned the mundane into something cinematic — footpaths, coffee s...
Ever find yourself trusting a friend’s food recommendation more than a review site? In this chat we sit down with Taf Chiwanza, co-founder of the restaurant discovery app, Secondz. Taf talks about why people trust recommendations from their own network more than glossy magazines, the ripple effect of genuine word-of-mouth, and how a single shoutout can transform a small business overnight. He also shares the messages from restaurant owners that remind him why he built Secondz in the fi...
If you’ve been to Mecca’s new Bourke Street store, you might’ve stumbled across the hidden bar run by Joe Jones, serving drinks as he continues to push the boundaries of what hospitality can mean. In this episode, we sit down with Joe, who is both a bartender and the creative mind behind Romeo Lane and Purple Pit. We talk about what it takes to build a career in hospitality, the decision to close the doors of Romeo Lane, and how his approach to drinks has evolved as the world shifts toward ...
In this episode, we sit down with Robbie Oijvall, hailing from a small town in Sweden to culinary creative at the helm of Light Years and the Arcade Agency hospitality group. Robbie’s journey is anything but ordinary. After studying in Sweden, he made his way to London and later joined Wagamama in the UK. From there, he transitioned to Australia and spent time in Sydney, Melbourne and finally Byron Bay. This is where he helped shape Light Years into a bold, modern Asian brand adored across Q...
In this episode, we sit down with Emily Gurr, Creative Director of Beverly Rooftop in Melbourne. Her background spans architecture, fashion, ethical manufacturing, and spatial storytelling. We talk about how growing up in a coastal town and moving through places like Bali, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne shaped the way she sees design, community, and connection. Emily shares what it takes to build a creative vision into a real place, everything from design choices to h...
In this episode, we chat with Mikey Gayed, the founder of Good Ideas Studio, and host of the Mikey Talk podcast. Mikey opens up about swapping his corporate life in Melbourne for the uncertainty of following his passion. After studying business, he found himself back home, working the usual 9-to-5… until COVID hit. That upheaval pushed him to build something of his own. Good Ideas is more than just a studio, it’s Mikey’s mission to bridge the gap between businesses that need creative ...
In this episode, we hang out with John Rivera, the culinary force behind three of some of Melbourne’s most exciting Filipino venues. We trace John’s journey from growing up in the Philippines and New Zealand to launching into Melbourne’s fine-dining world, working his way through Rockpool and other prestige hospitality establishments in Australia. During COVID, John doubled down on his roots and creativity by co-founding Kariton Sorbetes, a Filipino-inspired gelato brand, during lockdown. T...
Get ready for a spicy and sweet deep dive with Anthony Randello‑Jahn, the charismatic creator famously known as The Donut Daddy. We're talking succulent pastries… and a dash of shirtless charm that only he can pull off. Born and bred in Melbourne, Anthony turned childhood curiosity into an empire: from crafting doughnuts back in 2017 to launching Levain Doughnuts and Jamm’d Dessert Bar, both now staples in Melbourne's dessert scene . But here's the twist: Anthony didn’t just stop at making m...
In this episode, we sit down with Hugh Allen, one of the most talented and humble chefs to come out of Australia’s fine dining scene. Hugh started working in kitchens as a teenager before landing a life-changing opportunity at Noma in Copenhagen — one of the world’s best restaurants — where he trained under René Redzepi for three years. Returning to Australia, Hugh quickly made waves and, by his mid-twenties, took on the role of Executive Chef at Vue de Monde in Melbourne. At just 26, he bec...
Join us for another episode of HMP with Kieran Spiteri, co-founder of Melbourne's Yolk Group. Known for beloved venues like Terror Twilight, Tinker, Convoy, Hi Fi, and the recently opened Ophelia, Kieran shares insights into building a hospitality brand that resonates with community and innovation. In this episode, we delve into Kieran's journey from launching his first café to expanding into a group that redefines the café experience. He discusses the philosophy behind Yolk Group's success,...
In today's episode we're joined by Julian Hills, the chef-owner of Navi, one of Melbourne's most acclaimed fine dining establishments. Julian's journey began on a 40-acre farm in Victoria's Strzelecki Ranges, where he developed a deep connection to the land through gardening, fishing, and foraging. His background in fine arts adds a unique dimension to his culinary creations, even using ceramics at Navi that he crafts himself. In this episode, we delve into Julian's path from aspiring snowb...
The long awaited episode with Ben Shewry is final here. Hailing from New Zealand's North Taranaki region, Ben is the visionary chef and owner of one of Australia's most renowned restaurant, Attica. In this episode, Ben shares his experiences from his early days in the kitchen to leading Attica, a restaurant celebrated for its innovative use of native Australian ingredients and commitment to sustainability. We delve into his creative process, family life, the challenges of the fine dining in...
Join us for an intimate conversation with Zoe Birch, the talented chef and co-owner of Greasy Zoe's, the acclaimed eight-seat restaurant nestled in Hurstbridge. Zoe, alongside her partner Lachlan Gardner, has crafted a dining experience that embodies hyper-local sourcing and sustainability, offering a seasonal menu that reflects the freshest produce from the Yarra Valley. In this episode, we chat about her journey from working in some of Melbourne's top restaurants, including Middle Brigh...
Join us this episode with Joanna Reymond, Founder and Director of Reymond Communications, a leading Australian lifestyle PR agency specialising in hospitality, design, and property. Joanna's journey began in France, and she later honed her skills in Business, Catering, and Hotel Management in Cannes. Her career in public relations took off upon returning to Melbourne, where she worked with prominent design firms before establishing her own agency. In this episode, we delve into ...
Get ready for a wildly entertaining chat with none other than Pat Nourse— the Creative Director of the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival. Sure, he knows food, but more importantly, he knows how to throw a party that gets an entire city buzzing. In this episode, we get into the real stuff—what it takes to curate an event that brings together world-class chefs, big ideas, and some of the best vibes Melbourne has to offer. We talk about his past life as one of Australia’s sharpest food critics...
We're back this week with our good friend Chef Kyle Nicol, the culinary talent behind Melbourne's Lilac Wine Bar and Hazel. Listen in on Kyle's culinary journey from his humble beginnings in Coffs Harbour to London's Michelin-starred Arbutus, and back to Melbourne, where he's made his mark at Supernormal, Builders Arms, and Rascal Brunswick. We delve deep into Kyle's culinary philosophy, his experiences across various kitchens, and his vision for the future of dining and his career. He also ...
Join us as we explore the culinary career of our good friend Pierre Khodja, the French-Algerian chef renowned for his innovative fusion of Mediterranean and North African flavours. Pierre's passion for cooking ignited in his childhood, inspired by his mother's ability to create flavourful meals from simple ingredients. Throughout his career, Pierre has held esteemed positions in various acclaimed restaurants in Melbourne and around the world. In this week's episode, we chat to Pie...
We're back with a banger for our first episode of 2025. Join Ty and special guest host Ellie as we chat with Stephen Nairn, the brilliant Culinary Director behind two of Melbourne’s hottest dining spots—Yugen Dining and Omnia Bistro. Stephen has cooked in some of the world’s top kitchens and now leads the charge at these iconic venues, blending creativity, precision, and bold flavors to wow anyone who enters their doors. We talk to him about his journey from international kitchens to Me...
Join us for this SPECIAL Christmas episode as we explore ALL things A1 Bakery with none other than Anthony, Daniel and Haikal. The A1 Brothers get a bit deep and chat about family, early days in the bakery, and we get to know a little bit about their bond through some games. This one was a long time coming, so we were absolutely chuffed to talk to the boys inside the OG store in Brunswick. What a way to end the year with this episode, so grab some popcorn, get festive and enjoy the A1 SPECIAL...
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States