AD Show Podcast

Altan Demirkaya

🎙️ Welcome to the AD SHOW Podcast, hosted by Altan Demirkaya — hospitality educator, entrepreneur, and founder of AD Inspire. Each episode brings authentic conversations with leaders across hospitality, business, and education, exploring success stories, leadership insights, and the mindset behind career growth. Empowering professionals to stand out, grow, and succeed — one conversation at a time. 🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Episodes

  1. 24/11/2025

    EP 07 l The Secret Sauce of Hospitality: Passion, AI & Career Growth with Willy Aroca

    Hospitality is more than great service - it’s about how you make people feel. In Episode 7 of The AD Show Podcast, Altan sits down with Willy Aroca, a global hospitality and education leader, to reveal the “secret sauce” of hospitality, why emotional intelligence and passion matter more than ever, and how AI is reshaping the future of our industry. Whether you’re a student, an educator, a hospitality professional, or someone passionate about leadership and personal growth, this episode will leave you inspired, motivated, and thinking differently about your career. 🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode • The defining career moment that shaped Willy’s passion for hospitality • Why genuine passion is essential to thrive in this industry • Emotional labor: the unseen work behind the scenes • The “Secret Sauce” of hospitality that sets true professionals apart • How AI is transforming education and hiring • The role of emotional intelligence in leadership • Do big-name schools still matter for career success today? • Why networking is more important than ever • Rapid-fire insights into Willy’s personal leadership philosophy ⸻ ⏱ Timestamps 00:00 – Intro 01:15 – Guest Introduction: Willy 02:10 – The Moment That Sparked His Hospitality Career 04:11 – Why Passion Is Essential 06:58 – Emotional Labor in Hospitality 12:07 – The Secret Sauce of Hospitality 15:55 – Is ChatGPT Helping or Hurting Students? 25:17 – Emotional Intelligence in Leadership 35:34 – Do School Names Still Matter Today? 38:21 – The Power of Networking 46:31 – Rapid-Fire Questions 51:36 – Closing Thoughts ⸻ 📣 Follow The AD Show Podcast Instagram: @adshowpodcast TikTok: @adshowpodcast YouTube: @theadshowofficial LinkedIn: The AD Show Podcast For inquiries: altan@adinspireglobal.com ⸻ 👉 Call-to-Action If this episode inspired you, follow the show on Spotify for more conversations on leadership, success, hospitality, and personal transformation.

    52 min
  2. 17/11/2025

    EP 06 I Passion Over Paychecks: 50 Years of Hospitality Wisdom with Tim Ellison | The AD Show Podcast

    In this powerful episode of The AD Show Podcast, Altan sits down with Tim Ellison — a true hospitality icon whose career spans more than 50 years across kitchens, dining rooms, leadership roles, and the classroom. From dishwasher to Chef de Cuisine, from General Manager to celebrated Educator at Vancouver Community College, Tim shares hard-earned wisdom about service, leadership, growth, and purpose. Whether you’re a student, industry professional, or someone searching for inspiration, this conversation will leave you rethinking what hospitality truly means. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why passion matters more than chasing paychecks • How to build a meaningful and long-lasting hospitality career • The difference between hotels, restaurants, and private clubs • The return of etiquette and professionalism • How Gen Z is shaping the future of dining • Practical strategies for getting experience with no experience • Why stepping outside your comfort zone is non-negotiable • The biggest mistakes young professionals make — and how to avoid them Tim’s journey is a masterclass in humility, presence, resilience, and genuine hospitality. ⸻ EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction 01:57 – One Role Tim Would Choose Again 04:10 – From Dishwasher to Educator 09:29 – Private Clubs vs. Hotels & Restaurants 15:15 – Do Young People Still Learn Etiquette? 21:28 – The Power of Presence & Branding 25:07 – Passion vs. Tip-Chasing 30:58 – Creating Human Connections 35:31 – Fine Dining vs. Casual 40:14 – Gaining Experience with No Experience 46:58 – Growth Happens Outside Your Comfort Zone 48:32 – Rapid Fire 49:52 – Mistakes Young Professionals Make 51:18 – Final Message ⸻ FOLLOW THE AD SHOW PODCAST Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adshowpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adshowpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104779318/ Host: Altan Demirkaya IG: Altan Demirkaya (@altandemirkaya_) • Instagram photos and videos Linkedin: (1) Altan Demirkaya | LinkedIn Website: www.adinspireglobal.com For inquiries: altan@adinspireglobal.com ⸻ ⭐ If you enjoy this episode… Follow the show, leave a rating, and share it with someone who needs inspiration today. Your support helps us reach more students, professionals, and future leaders around the world.

    53 min

About

🎙️ Welcome to the AD SHOW Podcast, hosted by Altan Demirkaya — hospitality educator, entrepreneur, and founder of AD Inspire. Each episode brings authentic conversations with leaders across hospitality, business, and education, exploring success stories, leadership insights, and the mindset behind career growth. Empowering professionals to stand out, grow, and succeed — one conversation at a time. 🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.