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. Intrapreneur vs Entrepreneur: Which One Are You Really?

    14H AGO

    Intrapreneur vs Entrepreneur: Which One Are You Really?

    In this Post Shift Shot, Shawn Soole breaks down a hard truth in modern hospitality: not everyone is built to be an entrepreneur — and that’s not a weakness. With the rise of “cool entrepreneurship,” social media has glamorized ownership and independence. But the reality? Entrepreneurship is risk, stress, sleepless nights, and long-term uncertainty. Meanwhile, intrapreneurs — those who innovate and lead inside existing companies — are often the real engines of growth. This episode challenges you to ask: Are you chasing a title… or playing to your strengths? 🧠 What This Shot Covers • The real difference between intrapreneurs and entrepreneurs • Why social media has distorted what entrepreneurship actually looks like • The power of being a high-level intrapreneur inside a strong company • How self-awareness is more valuable than ego • Why building something great doesn’t always mean owning it 🎯 Who It’s For Bartenders, managers, operators, creatives, and anyone feeling the pressure to “go out on their own” — even if that might not be their highest-impact lane. 🔥 The Core Question Are you wired to build the ship… or are you wired to make the ship sail faster than anyone else? Both matter. One just requires brutal honesty. ✅ If This Hit Home • Like the video • Subscribe for more Post Shift Shots on leadership, identity, and hospitality growth • Drop a comment: Are you an intrapreneur or entrepreneur — and why? • Share this with someone who needs to hear it

    16 min
  2. How Alexandre Gabriel Blends Terroir, Tradition & Modern Brand Building

    4D AGO

    How Alexandre Gabriel Blends Terroir, Tradition & Modern Brand Building

    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 For Distillers, 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

    1h 18m

  3. FEB 10

    Why Leadership Is Changing — And What Every Manager Must Know Now

    In this episode, Shawn Soole digs into one of the most pivotal topics in hospitality and beyond: leadership that evolves with the times. Whether you’re just stepping into a lead role or you’ve been guiding teams for years, this conversation challenges the old paradigms of authority and hierarchy — and reframes leadership as purpose, service, and influence rather than title or command. You’ll walk away with practical insight into what leadership looks like today — in venues, teams, communities, and life. 🧠 What You’ll Learn • The difference between old-school leadership and modern servant leadership • Why emotional intelligence matters just as much as operational competence • How culture drives performance — and how leaders shape it daily • Real frameworks for accountability, feedback, and team empowerment • The role of vulnerability, presence, and intentional decision-making ⏱ Timestamp Highlights (Approximate) • 00:02:40 – What leadership used to mean vs what it means now • 00:14:00 – The three pillars of modern leadership: clarity, care, and consistency • 00:26:30 – Leading teams through change without losing trust • 00:39:00 – Accountability systems that actually work — and why most don’t • 00:52:15+ – How to coach, mentor, and elevate others around you 🎯 Who It’s For General managers, bar/restaurant operators, trainers, beverage directors, front-line leaders, and anyone committed to guiding others with intention and impact — not just authority. ✅ If You Loved This Episode • Hit Like • Subscribe and tap the 🔔 to catch more conversations about leadership, culture, and hospitality • Share your biggest leadership takeaway in the comments • Tag a leader you admire — or one you want to be

    16 min

  4. FEB 6

    Behind the Bar with Shawn Soole: Stories, Struggles & Spirits

    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 For Bartenders, 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

    49 min
  5. Respect the Process | Hard Work Isn't Outdated, It's Misunderstood

    FEB 3

    Respect the Process | Hard Work Isn't Outdated, It's Misunderstood

    In this Post Shift Shot, Shawn Soole tackles a tough but necessary truth: hard work and sacrifice still matter in hospitality — even in a world obsessed with shortcuts, instant success, and surface-level wins. This isn’t about glorifying burnout. It’s about respecting the process. The long nights, the reps, the missed weekends, the uncomfortable growth — the things that still build skill, character, credibility, and trust behind the bar and beyond it. 🧠 What This Shot Covers • Why sacrifice isn’t outdated — it’s just misunderstood • The difference between intentional hard work and toxic grind culture • Why mastery, leadership, and credibility still require time and effort • How shortcuts erode culture, standards, and long-term opportunity • A reminder that earning your place still matters — for yourself and your team 🎯 Who It’s For Bartenders, managers, operators, and hospitality professionals navigating the tension between work-life balance and earning your stripes — especially those who want longevity, leadership, and real growth in the industry. ✅ If This Hit Home • Like the video • Subscribe for more Post Shift Shots on leadership, culture, and real hospitality talk • Drop a comment: Where do you draw the line between sacrifice and sustainability? • Share this with someone who needs the reminder

    5 min
  6. Kris Hall on Burnout, Culture Change & Building a Healthier Hospitality Industry

    JAN 30

    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
  7. The Hospitality Crisis Nobody's Talking About

    JAN 27

    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
  8. 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
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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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