The Post Shift Podcast with Shawn Soole

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 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 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 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 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 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 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

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.”

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 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

In this episode, Shawn Soole sits down with renowned drinks author and journalist Noah Rothbaum — a true heavyweight in cocktail culture and spirits storytelling. From deep dives into whiskey history to thoughtful reflections on the role of media in shaping how we drink, Noah delivers a conversation full of insight, perspective, and passion. 🧠 What You’ll Learn• Noah’s journey: from writing culture and news to becoming one of the world’s most respected spirits writers and editors.• Why whiskey — and cocktails — aren’t just drinks, but lenses into history, geography, culture, and community. • Behind the scenes of his latest major work: how thorough research, curiosity, and storytelling combine to create reference-level content about spirits. • The importance of context — understanding brands, origins, and narratives — when tasting or writing about spirits.• Live Q&A: media, mentorship, the future of cocktail journalism, and what keeps Noah passionate about spirits and writing.⏱ Estimated Timestamp Highlights• 00:02:30 – Noah’s origins as a writer and how he found his footing in the spirits world• 00:14:00 – What whiskey means: from label to history, and how narratives shape perception• 00:28:00 – The craft of writing about drinks: research, context and responsibility in storytelling• 00:42:00 – The role of media and writing in shaping cocktail and whiskey culture• 00:58:00+ – Live Q&A: advice for writers, bartenders, and anyone curious about spirits — and where things go from here🎯 Who It’s ForBartenders, beverage directors, writers, bar-owners, and curious drinkers — anyone who believes a good drink deserves a good story. If you care about history, context, and giving spirits the respect they deserve, this episode is for you.✅ If You Loved This Episode• Hit Like• Subscribe and tap the 🔔 to stay updated with more deep dives into the world of drinks, culture, and hospitality• Share your favourite Noah insight — or ask your own question — in the comments• Share this episode with your bar team, peers, or fellow spirits lovers

In this episode, Shawn Soole sits down with hospitality trail-blazer April Wachtel — a bartender-turned-entrepreneur with more than 25 years in the beverage world, now founder and CEO of Cheeky Cocktails. She opens up about shifting from behind the bar to building a scalable brand, and how she’s helping both professionals and home enthusiasts elevate their game. 🧠 What You’ll Learn• How April progressed from busser and bartender to brand ambassador for major spirits companies — and finally to creating her own line of professional-grade mixers and syrups. • The story of Cheeky Cocktails: why she spotted a gap in the mixer market, how she rebranded and scaled during the pandemic, and what “premium cocktail ingredients made accessible” really means. • Key lessons in entrepreneurship: product development, early-stage manufacturing, route-to-market strategy, and how to survive in a male-dominated industry. • Live Q&A: focusing on how to start with small budgets, build brand equity, navigate failure, and make a meaningful impact in the beverage industry.⏱ Timestamp Highlights (Approximate)• 00:02:30 – April’s early hospitality beginnings: bartending, beverages, brand work• 00:14:00 – Recognizing the gap: why mixers and syrups needed a rethink in the craft-cocktail era• 00:28:00 – Building Cheeky Cocktails: pivots, scaling, distribution & pandemic dynamics• 00:42:00 – Live Q&A: advice on entrepreneurship, inclusion, and staying creative behind the scenes• 00:58:00+ – What’s next: product innovation, education, and building community around the bar-to-business journey🎯 Who It’s ForBartenders, beverage directors, hospitality entrepreneurs, CPG founders, and anyone curious about how the bar world and product world intersect — how you turn craft into brand and experience into scale.✅ If You Loved This Episode• Tap Like• Subscribe and hit the 🔔 to catch more live conversations with industry makers• Leave a comment with your favourite April insight — or ask your burning question about starting a beverage brand• Share this episode with your bar team, your network of creators, or anyone looking to make their mark in hospitality