The Post Shift Podcast with Shawn Soole

Shawn Soole

The Post Shift Podcast with Shawn Soole dives into the business of hospitality with raw, honest conversations on entrepreneurship, leadership, mental health, and modern hospitality culture. From industry icons to rising stars, each episode unpacks real stories, hard lessons, and fresh ideas that help bar and restaurant pros thrive. Tune in for unfiltered insights into what it takes to build a lasting, meaningful career in today’s fast-changing hospitality world.

  1. Kris Hall on Burnout, Culture Change & Building a Healthier Hospitality Industry

    1D AGO

    Kris Hall on Burnout, Culture Change & Building a Healthier Hospitality Industry

    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 For Hospitality 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

    47 min
  2. The Hospitality Crisis Nobody's Talking About

    4D AGO

    The Hospitality Crisis Nobody's Talking About

    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.

    7 min
  3. Ann Squires Ferguson on Bar & Restaurant Design That Drives Experience and Revenue

    JAN 23

    Ann Squires Ferguson on Bar & Restaurant Design That Drives Experience and Revenue

    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 For Hospitality 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

    49 min

  4. JAN 20

    What Would $3 extra per head Mean to You?

    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.

    6 min
  5. Michael Dargie on Creative Strategy, Storytelling & Making Your Brand Unforgettable

    JAN 16

    Michael Dargie on Creative Strategy, Storytelling & Making Your Brand Unforgettable

    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 For Hospitality 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.”

    40 min

  6. JAN 13

    Breaking The Pattern: Change Your Business

    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.

    9 min
  7. Sean Finter on Coaching Teams From Reactive to Proactive

    JAN 9

    Sean Finter on Coaching Teams From Reactive to Proactive

    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 For Hospitality 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

    50 min
  8. Calen McNeil on Crew Culture, Chaos & Creating Restaurants People Love

    JAN 2

    Calen McNeil on Crew Culture, Chaos & Creating Restaurants People Love

    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 For Restaurant 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

    57 min
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About

The Post Shift Podcast with Shawn Soole dives into the business of hospitality with raw, honest conversations on entrepreneurship, leadership, mental health, and modern hospitality culture. From industry icons to rising stars, each episode unpacks real stories, hard lessons, and fresh ideas that help bar and restaurant pros thrive. Tune in for unfiltered insights into what it takes to build a lasting, meaningful career in today’s fast-changing hospitality world.

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