The PAX Hospitality Podcast

PAX
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Business

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

  1. 1d ago

    Essential Conversations For Hospitality Leaders with Sean Whitford

    In this episode of the PAX Hospitality Podcast, host Leon sits down with industry expert Sean Whitford to unpack the critical management conversations every hospitality business owner needs to be having right now. Drawing from their daily interactions with leaders across Melbourne's top dining establishments, Leon and Sean break down practical frameworks for solving the industry's biggest management hurdles. Discover how to transition from reactive firefighting to proactive leadership using SMART goal setting, effective feedback models, and situational leadership strategies. Learn why embracing initial team friction - the "storming" phase - is essential for building long-term trust, driving accountability, and achieving sustainable operational success. Whether you're onboarding new executives or scaling your venue, this episode delivers actionable tools to elevate your leadership game. (00:03:15) Accountability and expectation setting (00:09:00) Setting SMART goals that stick (00:13:15) Making labour and COGS targets achievable (00:19:45) Three categories of effective feedback (00:26:30) Ownership versus role clarity (00:30:00) Navigating situational leadership (00:41:30) Understanding Tuckman's team development model For access to our easy-to-digest PDF outlining the 10 key take-aways from this episode, head to https://pax.melbourne/season-3-episode-6. Treat it as checklist to review where your business is at.  If you're keen to get in touch, contact hello@pax.melbourne.  If you're needing advice or want to discuss your business's current status, we highly recommend scheduling a call with Leon. It's just a chat and doesn't have to be anything more than that. We're here to listen and help where we can. Book a call here [ https://calendly.com/hello-pax/30-minute-call-clone ] We would love to know what you'd like to hear in season 4! Let us know here Follow @pax.melbourne on social media. Podcast produced by Posterboy Media.

  2. Oct 11

    Happy Hour: Pizzeria Magma with Michael Bascetta

    In this special episode of Happy Hour, host Leon sits down with his PAX partner Michael Bascetta (Bar Liberty, Capitano, The Pinnacle) to pull back the curtain on opening their newest venue, Pizzeria Magma. Just ten days prior to settlement, their primary investor unexpectedly pulled out, threatening to derail the entire venture. Michael candidly breaks down the high-stakes financial pivot, combining existing investor loans and bank debt to keep the dream alive. Beyond surviving the crisis, they discuss empowering key team members into leadership and co-ownership roles, fine-tuning venue operations alongside OpenTable, and expanding their menu to capture day-to-night community dining. Tune in for an honest, insightful masterclass in resilience, hospitality operations, and strategic venue expansion. (00:00) Introduction and OpenTable partnership (03:45) Connecting with Mathilde and taking over Pizzeria Magma (08:30) Calculating brand equity and securing lease extensions (18:45) Investor backing drops 10 days before settlement (24:15) Executing the rapid financial pivot with bank debt (35:45) Career growth and internal promotions at AM:PM Hospitality (41:45) Redesigning the Pizzeria Magma menu for day-to-night service For more information on PAX , visit pax.melbourne Follow @pax.melbourne on social media. We would love to know what you'd like to hear in season 4! Let us know here For more information on Pizzeria Magma, visit Pizzeria Magma on Instagram. Podcast produced by Posterboy Media.

    Happy Hour: Pizzeria Magma with Michael Bascetta

  3. Oct 4

    Why Banks Say No to Hospitality Funding with Frank Versace

    In this episode of the PAX Hospitality Podcast, Leon sits down with Frank Versace, an industry veteran who has spent years navigating the wide spectrum of lenders and now represents Judo Bank.  Together, they demystify the often-intimidating world of securing bank finance for hospitality businesses. Frank dispels common myths, explaining why relying solely on cashflow for growth is a major pitfall and how operators can instead leverage debt effectively.  Listeners will gain crucial insights into building "confidence" with lenders, the importance of maintaining immaculate financial hygiene, and why including an honest risk assessment in applications is a winning strategy.  Frank also explains how banks evaluate security - from lease values to personal guarantees - and shares a practical, four-step checklist to prepare you for your next bank meeting. Stop guessing and learn exactly how to build a lasting financial relationship. (00:00:00) Introduction to the episode and the hospitality funding gap (00:02:45) Why funding business growth through cashflow is a major mistake (00:04:15) Demystifying the relationship manager vs. credit decision-makers (00:08:00) How banks evaluate business confidence and borrower capability (00:18:30) De-risking loan applications by being honest about business threats (00:31:30) Explaining bank security, lease value, and personal guarantees (00:39:15) A practical four-step checklist for successful finance applications For access to our easy-to-digest PDF outlining the 10 key take-aways from this episode, head to https://pax.melbourne/season-3-episode-5. Treat it as checklist to review where your business is at.  If you're keen to get in touch, contact hello@pax.melbourne.  If you're needing advice or want to discuss your business's current status, we highly recommend scheduling a call with Leon. It's just a chat and doesn't have to be anything more than that. We're here to listen and help where we can. Book a call here [ https://calendly.com/hello-pax/30-minute-call-clone ] We would love to know what you'd like to hear in season 4! Let us know here Follow @pax.melbourne on social media. Podcast produced by Posterboy Media.

  4. Sep 27

    Happy Hour: Renee Buckingham of Melbourne Vegan Guide

    In this episode of Happy Hour, host Leon sits down with Renee Buckingham, creator of the Melbourne Vegan Guide and Sydney Vegan Guide, presenter, and community builder dedicated to helping people uplift their lives through spreading joy. Over a crisp Malt Donkey craft beer, Renee and Leon dive into an honest "Win, Fail, Grateful" check-in. Renee shares her triumphant return from an eight-month injury to hit a personal best in a 21k half-marathon, while opening up about the reality of creative clutter and messy spaces. Meanwhile, Leon reflects on using AI for deep life questions, navigating the challenges of maintaining social connections, and the emotional impact of fostering a guide dog in training. Tune in for a candid conversation on hospitality, community, physical resilience, and the power of meaningful connection. (00:00:00) Introduction to Renee Buckingham and her community platform (00:03:30) Tasting Malt Donkey beer and sustainable brewing (00:09:25) Renee's Win: Running a half-marathon PB post-injury (00:11:10) Leon's Win: Exploring AI for deep life decisions (00:15:45) Renee's Fail: Dealing with room clutter and creative life (00:20:00) Leon's Fail: Struggling with maintaining social connections (00:27:30) Leon's Grateful: Fostering Wilson and the power of pets For more information on PAX , visit pax.melbourne Follow @pax.melbourne on social media. We would love to know what you'd like to hear in season 4! Let us know here For more information on Melbourne Vegan Guide, follow Melbveganguide Podcast produced by Posterboy Media.

    Happy Hour: Renee Buckingham of Melbourne Vegan Guide

  5. Sep 20

    Owner of the 2026 Best Bar in Vic Creates His Job Description Live

    Every founder eventually hits the "operational vortex," but few have the right tether to pull themselves out.  In this episode, we sit down with Matt Stirling of the acclaimed Fancy Free Group - the visionaries behind Melbourne institutions like Caretaker’s Cottage and Three Horses, 2026 Best Bar in Victoria.  Matt dives deep into the necessity of role clarity at the ownership level, explaining why even successful founders struggle to define their own job descriptions. We discuss the shift from a "helping" mindset to a "supportive" one, the critical role of accountability in high-performance hospitality, and how structure is not a constraint, but a pathway to creative freedom.  Whether you’re a business owner feeling stuck in the day-to-day or a leader looking to refine your management style, Matt’s candid insights on building trust, growth, and sustainable culture offer a blueprint for scaling with confidence. (00:01:00) Escaping the operational vortex (00:03:30) Priorities reflected in behaviour (00:13:15) The mantra: support don't help (00:26:30) Understanding servant leadership (00:33:30) Structuring your purpose statement (00:43:30) Employee experience drives customer loyalty (00:47:30) Building resilience through love and boundaries For access to our easy-to-digest PDF outlining the 10 key take-aways from this episode, head to https://pax.melbourne/season-3-episode-4. Treat it as checklist to review where your business is at.  If you're keen to get in touch, contact hello@pax.melbourne.  If you're needing advice or want to discuss your business's current status, we highly recommend scheduling a call with Leon. It's just a chat and doesn't have to be anything more than that. We're here to listen and help where we can. Book a call here [ https://calendly.com/hello-pax/30-minute-call-clone ] We would love to know what you'd like to hear in season 4! Let us know here Follow @pax.melbourne on social media. Podcast produced by Posterboy Media.

  6. Sep 13

    Happy Hour: Guy Greenstone of Stomping Ground Brewing Co.

    In this episode of Happy Hour, host Leon sits down with Guy Greenstone, the co-founder of Stomping Ground Brewing Co., to unpack real-world advice straight from the PAX mailbag. Transitioning from the high-stakes strategy of the PAX Podcast to a conversational pint, Leon and Guy dive into three massive listener dilemmas.  First, they solve the venue music crisis, highlighting why acoustics and curated playlists form the ultimate hospitality "X-factor". Next, they tackle a listener's frustration with greenwashing, explaining the positive cash-flow reality of solar investment and why staff must "be the change". Finally, they offer valuable guidance to a 24-year-old supervisor on handling tough feedback and embracing vulnerability as a key leadership tool.  Packed with top-tier podcast recommendations - from business deep dives to economic stories - this episode is an informal, action-oriented masterclass for anyone looking to elevate their hospitality game. (00:02:15) Malt Donkey and Single-Estate Barley (00:05:45) Conversational Community: Happy Hour vs. PAX Podcast (00:07:45) Cracking the Venue Music Crisis (00:20:25) Top Podcast Recommendations for Hospitality (00:28:45) Tackling Greenwashing and Sustainability Dilemmas (00:30:45) The Business Case for Solar Power (00:41:00) Accidental Leadership and Young Supervisor Advice For more information on PAX , visit pax.melbourne Follow @pax.melbourne on social media. We would love to know what you'd like to hear in season 4! Let us know here. For more information on Stomping Ground, visit Stomping Ground Brewing Co. Podcast produced by Posterboy Media.

    Happy Hour: Guy Greenstone of Stomping Ground Brewing Co.

  7. Sep 6

    The Art of Blueprinting Service with Professor Simon Bell

    In this episode of the PAX Hospitality Podcast, host Leon Kennedy challenges the pervasive industry narrative that hospitality is completely broken. Joining the conversation is Simon Bell, a distinguished Professor of Marketing at the University of Melbourne who specialises in services and marketing strategy. Drawing from decades of academic research and frameworks like Michael Porter’s Five Forces, Simon provides a refreshing analysis of Melbourne's hyper-competitive food landscape, illustrating why the experience economy remains in a powerful ascendancy. The pair dive into the strategic advantages of customer education, revealing how transparency and "delighters" - such as sharing proprietary recipes - actually cultivate unshakeable customer loyalty. Leon and Simon unpack actionable methodologies for operators, detailing how profound internal employee experience directly underpins external brand equity. The episode concludes with a preview of a structured customer experience course centred around the vital concept of "service blueprinting". (00:00:15) Introducing Professor Simon Bell and rewriting the broken hospitality narrative (00:06:00) Applying Porter's Five Forces and analysing the fierce density of the Melbourne market (00:09:15) Navigating the ascendancy of the experience economy and authentic customer connection (00:14:00) The critical power of positive business narrative versus negative self-fulfilling prophecies (00:19:45) Defining customer education and why pulling back the curtain drives firm-specific loyalty (00:38:45) Inverting the organisational pyramid to empower and support front-line employees (00:51:15) Structuring a new three-workshop customer experience course around service blueprinting For access to our easy-to-digest PDF outlining the 10 key take-aways from this episode, head to https://pax.melbourne/season-3-episode-3. Treat it as checklist to review where your business is at.  If you're keen to get in touch, contact hello@pax.melbourne.  If you're needing advice or want to discuss your business's current status, we highly recommend scheduling a call with Leon. It's just a chat and doesn't have to be anything more than that. We're here to listen and help where we can. Book a call here [ https://calendly.com/hello-pax/30-minute-call-clone ] Follow @pax.melbourne on social media. Podcast produced by Posterboy Media.

  8. Aug 30

    Happy Hour: Chris Hamburger of Stagger Lee's

    This week on Happy Hour, join us for a candid conversation with Chris Hamburger, the chef and owner of Fitzroy staple, Stagger Lee’s. With 12 years of experience under his belt, Chris highlights the realities of the modern hospitality industry - the highs, the lows, and the grit required to sustain it. We explore his journey with "sober-curiosity," the healing power of motorcycle rides, and how he uses his restaurant as a beacon of community support, even during tough economic times. Chris shares his raw, unfiltered perspective on work-life balance, building resilience through daily routines, and his dedication to creating a sustainable, community-focused business model. Whether you're in the industry or just looking for inspiration to find your "spark" again, Chris’s honest take on dedication, creativity, and mental health is an essential listen. (00:03:30) The benefits of sobriety and clarity (00:06:50) Unconditioning societal drinking norms (00:08:45) Creative, vegan-forward cooking (00:10:20) Finding the creative spark again (00:13:00) Motorcycle riding and mental resilience (00:16:15) Building community and respect (00:25:45) The reality of hospitality dedication For more information on PAX , visit pax.melbourne Follow @pax.melbourne on social media. For more information on Stagger Lee's, visit Stagger Lee's Podcast produced by Posterboy Media.

    Happy Hour: Chris Hamburger of Stagger Lee's
See All (53)

About

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

Information

You Might Also Like