The PAX Hospitality Podcast

PAX
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A podcast meant to be shared. For the hospitality industry, created by the team at PAX.

  1. 1D AGO

    Hospitality's Social Media Conversion Kit

    On this episode, Loren Daniels (Head of Sales & Marketing at PAX) and Yolanda from Kiss the Cook Creative join the PAX table to dissect the biggest headache in hospitality marketing: social media. Stop obsessing over vanity metrics and start focusing on the core strategy - Awareness, Behaviour, and Conversion (ABC). This episode provides a practical, no-fluff guide on how to make social media work for your venue, not against it. Learn why your profile's 'architecture' is more important than virality, why an iPhone photo outperforms a professional shoot, and the sweet spot for posting frequency. Yolanda shares her on-the-ground tips for creating authentic, low-lift content, and Lauren reveals how your social setup impacts discoverability on platforms like ChatGPT. Tune in for the mechanical, working truth behind turning scrolling into seating.

    55 min
  2. Decisions That Kill Your Business

    MAR 15

    Decisions That Kill Your Business

    In this episode of The PAX Hospitality Podcast, hosts Leon Kennedy and Michael Bascetta tackle the invisible force that's quietly killing hospitality businesses: governance. Despite being statistically correlated with long-term success, only one in four Australian businesses have any conscious governance function - and most aren't doing it well. Leon and Michael unpack why reactive decision-making compounds into business-breaking pressure, how governance builds trust across teams, and why founders need protection from themselves. Michael shares candid stories from his decade running venues, including what went wrong without proper governance structures. The conversation delivers practical frameworks for implementing governance at any scale - from sole operators finding trusted advisors to groups building effective advisory boards. This isn't corporate bureaucracy; it's the system that sets you free. For more information on PAX , visit pax.melbourne Follow @pax.melbourne on social media. Podcast produced by Posterboy Media. PAX acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we operate. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging and to all First Nations People.

    1h 17m
  3. Building a Community-First Brand with Stomping Ground

    MAR 1

    Building a Community-First Brand with Stomping Ground

    In this episode of the PAX Hospitality Podcast, we sit down with Guy and Justin, the visionary founders behind Stomping Ground Brewing Co. and The Local Taphouse. While many businesses stumble during the transition from startup to industry pillar, these legends explain the specific frameworks that kept them grounded. The conversation unpacks their "reason for being," the early investment in a dedicated People and Culture function, and the surprisingly simple way they use a brand book to filter out noise and prevent decision fatigue. From delivering emergency kegs in a car during a Grand Final to the academic rigor of monthly board meetings, this episode is a masterclass in balancing authenticity with governance and provides a practical roadmap for building a business that people truly love. For more information on PAX , visit pax.melbourne Follow @pax.melbourne on social media. Podcast produced by Posterboy Media. PAX acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we operate. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging and to all First Nations People.

    1h 4m
  4. Bonus: How Stomping Ground Made Craft Beer Welcoming For Everyone

    FEB 26

    Bonus: How Stomping Ground Made Craft Beer Welcoming For Everyone

    What does it take to turn a passion for craft beer into a thriving, scalable hospitality brand? In this episode, Justin Joiner and Guy Greenstone, the visionary founders of Stomping Ground Brewing Co., sit down to discuss the "economically irrational" decisions that defined their success. From building a legendary indoor cubby house to launching a high-risk airport pop-up, Justin and Guy share how they use hospitality as a competitive weapon. They dive deep into the essential role of early people-and-culture hires, the discipline required to maintain a functioning board, and the difference between 'professionalising' and 'corporatising' a startup. This conversation offers a masterclass in leading with purpose and protecting your brand’s DNA while you scale. For more information on PAX, pax.melbourne  Follow @pax.melbourne on social media. PAX acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we operate. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging and to all First Nations People.

    1h 11m
  5. We've reached the Pinnacle.

    FEB 17

    We've reached the Pinnacle.

    In this series finale, we reach the finish line of our 10-day podcast sprint, recorded in a stifling 34-degree room just 48 hours before the grand reopening of the Pinnacle pub. We reflect on the intense journey of documenting a venue build in real-time. Michael shares insights into the 'anti-climax' of opening day and the necessity of finding an internal yardstick for success to avoid industry burnout. From community feedback on the street to the viral reception of their project, they celebrate the enrichment of the Fitzroy North community. Stick around for more of Leon's ideas - including a Sunday Roast hotline and limited edition vinyl podcasts designed to reward their most dedicated listeners as the pub finally throws open its doors to the public. Join us on this journey from idea to opening the doors to The Pinnacle. Check out Michael's Pinnacle deck here.  For more information on The Pinnacle, visit thepinnacle.melbourne For more information on PAX, pax.melbourne  Follow @pax.melbourne on social media. Podcast produced by Posterboy Media. PAX acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we operate. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging and to all First Nations People.

    33 min
  6. Are we killing live music?

    FEB 16

    Are we killing live music?

    In this penultimate episode of the Pinnicast, Leon and Michael are rinsed but racing toward opening night with only six days to go. The duo is joined by Loren to discuss all things marketing including the strategy behind rebranding a much-loved local venue. Loren provides a candid look at managing the fallout of removing a live music stage and the 'common-sense' logistics of reaching a local audience without a massive budget. Later, new Venue Manager Jaime McDonnell (formerly of Reed House) shares her transition from refined dining to pub culture, bringing insights from the London hospitality scene.  Join us on this journey from idea to opening the doors to The Pinnacle. Check out Michael's Pinnacle deck here.  For more information on The Pinnacle, visit thepinnacle.melbourne For more information on PAX, pax.melbourne  Follow @pax.melbourne on social media. Podcast produced by Posterboy Media. PAX acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we operate. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging and to all First Nations People.

    44 min
  7. Dude, where's my pub?

    FEB 15

    Dude, where's my pub?

    Grab a pot and pull up a stool for episode eight of the Pinnicast. This week, Leon and Michael are deep in the trenches, recounting the absolute head-spin of nearly losing the lease on a handshake deal. We cover everything from accidental demolition discoveries to the pleasant surprise of a sloped floor where a bench was supposed to go. The boys also tackle the online comments section when news breaks of the removal of live music, keeping it real about the brutal financial math of running a modern local. Plus, they reveal some legendary community ideas for the pub’s vintage PO boxes and a 50% "investor's discount" policy that’s still being debated over a few beers.  Join us on this journey from idea to opening the doors to The Pinnacle. Check out Michael's Pinnacle deck here.  For more information on The Pinnacle, visit thepinnacle.melbourne For more information on PAX, pax.melbourne  Follow @pax.melbourne on social media. Podcast produced by Posterboy Media. PAX acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we operate. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging and to all First Nations People.

    42 min
  8. Is there a 'Bunnings' of pubs?

    FEB 14

    Is there a 'Bunnings' of pubs?

    In this episode, Michael and Leon are joined by executive chef Scott Eddington at the legendary Arnold’s to discuss the final hurdles before taking the keys to The Pinnacle. The team breaks down commercial lease transfers, and what happens when landlords sit on paperwork while renovations are already underway. You’ll hear about the "Bunnings model" for community engagement and how the team plans to overhaul the traditional kids' menu to eliminate every parent's mealtime anxiety.  Join us on this journey from idea to opening the doors to The Pinnacle. Check out Michael's Pinnacle deck here.  For more information on The Pinnacle, visit thepinnacle.melbourne For more information on PAX, pax.melbourne  Follow @pax.melbourne on social media. Podcast produced by Posterboy Media. PAX acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we operate. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging and to all First Nations People.

    41 min
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A podcast meant to be shared. For the hospitality industry, created by the team at PAX.

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