All About the Smoke

All About the Smoke

From Heart Of It by Scott Bennett

April 27, 2026 · 36 min

About this episode

Joe Zavala shares his unconventional journey into Texas barbecue, emphasizing resilience and commitment to people.

In this episode of The Heart of It, I sit down with Joe Zavala pitmaster, entrepreneur, and the force behind Zavala's Barbecue, for a conversation that goes far beyond brisket and smoke. Joe’s journey into Texas barbecue isn’t traditional; it’s a path shaped by grit, curiosity, and pivotal moments that forced him to rethink purpose, success, and what really matters. What emerges is a story of resilience, humility, and a deep commitment to people. We explore how Joe carved out his place in one...

People in this episode

Host: Scott Bennett

Guest: Joe Zavala

Topics covered

  • Texas barbecue
  • entrepreneurship
  • resilience
  • purpose
  • success
  • humility
  • relationships

Keywords

  • barbecue
  • entrepreneur
  • resilience
  • Texas
  • smoke
  • success
  • humility
  • relationships

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Zavala's Barbecue

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