Media Test Kitchen

Cali BBQ Media
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

The Media Test Kitchen is where new media lives. We explore the intersection of technology and new media in the restaurant and hospitality sectors, learning how businesses are utilizing these tools to grow their business.

  1. 5d ago

    Rising Tides Live - Building Resiliency

    Shawn Walchef and Nik Agharkar, host of The Resiliency Project, led this Rising Tides Live conversation focused on building resiliency through adversity, community, and mindset. Entrepreneurs, restaurant operators, and creators shared personal stories about setbacks, recovery, gratitude, and learning how to move forward during difficult moments. The conversation highlighted a simple truth: resilience is not something you are born with. It is something you build through action, support, and perspective. Resilience Is Built, Not Born - Nik Agharkar and the Rising Tides community discussed how resilience is developed through experience, mindset, and consistent action. The group emphasized that setbacks, failures, and uncertainty are part of every entrepreneurial journey. Community Creates Strength - Speakers repeatedly highlighted the importance of asking for help, finding the right support system, and surrounding yourself with people who push you forward. From mentorship to friendship, resilience becomes easier when you are not navigating challenges alone. Gratitude and Perspective Change Everything - Whether discussing business struggles, health scares, or personal loss, many guests shared how gratitude helped them stay grounded during difficult moments. The conversation reinforced the idea that even in hard seasons, perspective can help people keep moving forward. Episode Links: Shawn Walchef LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/ Nik Agharkar: https://www.crownepointtax.com/ The Resiliency Project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-RKG9V53cg

    1h 8m

  2. Jun 4

    Rising Tides Live - Why Hospitality?

    Scott Kleckner and Spencer Michael led this Rising Tides Live conversation focused on Why Hospitality, where restaurant operators, creators, technologists, and entrepreneurs shared why the hospitality industry continues to pull them back despite the chaos, pressure, and unpredictability that comes with it. From restaurant operations and catering to podcast production, technology, and customer experience, the group explored how hospitality is ultimately about making people feel seen, valued, and cared for. The conversation reinforced a common theme throughout the community: hospitality is not limited to restaurants. Whether through service, storytelling, leadership, or small unexpected gestures, creating meaningful human connection remains one of the most valuable skills in any business. Hospitality Is About Human Connection – The group emphasized that hospitality goes far beyond restaurants. Whether through podcast production, restaurant service, sales, or technology, hospitality is ultimately about making people feel seen, welcomed, and valued. Small Gestures Create Lasting Impact – From sprinting down the street in Mexico to grab avocados for a guest to surprising loyal customers with thoughtful details, the conversation highlighted how small acts of care often become the moments people remember most. Showing Up For Others Creates Opportunity – Many speakers shared that hospitality is rooted in consistently showing up for people, anticipating needs, building relationships, and creating opportunities for both guests and team members through genuine care and service. Episode Links Scott Kleckner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottkleckner/ Spencer Michiel on LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-michiel-b9764241/ Cali BBQ Media:https://content.calibbq.media/ Join Our Next Show:https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/ Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/

    51 min

  3. Jun 3

    Rising Tides Live - Summer Business Storytelling

    Shawn Walchef led this Rising Tides Live conversation focused on Summer Business Storytelling, where restaurant operators, creators, and entrepreneurs shared how businesses can stay relevant during slower seasons by documenting the real moments happening inside their companies. From restaurant openings and catering events to renovations, staff culture, and community partnerships, the group emphasized a simple truth: you do not need polished production or a full media team to tell meaningful stories. You just need to consistently show up, share the process, and stay connected to your community. Document the Real Work – Businesses do not need polished production or a full media team to create meaningful content. Some of the best stories come from sharing real moments happening inside the business every day. Consistency Builds Connection – Regularly posting behind-the-scenes moments, staff culture, renovations, events, and community involvement helps businesses stay visible and build trust over time. Community is Part of the Story – Highlighting local partnerships, neighboring businesses, and customer experiences helps restaurants create stronger connections beyond just selling food or services. Episode Links: Cali BBQ Media:https://content.calibbq.media/ Join Our Next Show:https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/ Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/

    59 min

  4. May 29

    Pitch The Tide - Bill Crawley: Founder and CEO of advark.ai

    In this Pitch the Tide session, Bill Crawley, founder and CEO of Advark AI, shares how his frustration with digital advertising and small business marketing led to building an AI-powered platform designed to simplify restaurant marketing. Advark AI helps restaurant operators manage ads across platforms like Google, Meta, and TikTok through automated campaign creation, AI-powered recommendations, budget optimization, and performance tracking tools that reduce the complexity of running digital ads. By combining creative tools, live reporting, and daily optimization insights into one platform, Advark AI aims to help busy restaurant owners market more consistently without needing a dedicated agency or marketing team. AI Can Simplify Restaurant Marketing – Bill Crawley believes most restaurant operators are overwhelmed by digital advertising complexity. Advark AI was built to simplify ad creation, campaign management, and budget optimization so operators can spend less time managing marketing and more time running their business. Consistency Matters More Than Complexity – One of the biggest problems restaurants face is inconsistent marketing. Advark AI helps operators stay active across platforms like Google, Meta, and TikTok through automated recommendations, reporting, and campaign management tools designed to keep marketing efforts running consistently. Restaurant Operators Want Clarity on ROI – Many operators feel like digital advertising is a gamble. Advark AI focuses on helping restaurants better understand where their ad dollars are going through live reporting, AI insights, and recommendations that explain what is working and what needs to change. Episode Links Bill Crawley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-crawley1/ Advark AI LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/advark-ai/ Advark AI: https://advarkai.com/ Cali BBQ Media:https://content.calibbq.media/ Join Our Next Show:https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/ Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/

    57 min

  5. May 26

    Rising Tides Live - Takeaways From NRA 2026

    Shawn Walchef hosted this Rising Tides Live conversation recapping the 2026  National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago, where operators, creators, and founders shared the biggest lessons and moments from the industry’s largest event. The discussion explored storytelling, networking, AI, hospitality leadership, and why the real value of NRA comes from showing up, building relationships, and being ready when opportunity finds you. From escalator pitches to late-night networking and unexpected introductions, the episode highlighted how small moments and consistent effort can create long-term impact. Storytelling Creates Opportunity – Attendees shared how practicing their story, creating content, and showing up consistently led to unexpected introductions, business conversations, and real-world opportunities throughout the show. Relationships Matter More Than the Booths – While technology, AI, and innovation were everywhere at NRA, many of the biggest takeaways came from the connections built through meetups, dinners, after-hours events, and spontaneous conversations across the show floor. Small Moments Can Have Long-Term Impact – From quick escalator pitches to chance encounters and late-night networking, the episode highlighted how being open, prepared, and willing to engage can turn ordinary moments into meaningful opportunities. Episode Links Cali BBQ Media:https://content.calibbq.media/ Join Our Next Show:https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/ Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/

    1h 16m

  6. May 22

    Rising Tides Live - The Story You Should Share More

    With Mike Bisceglia filling in for Shawn Walchef, this Rising Tides Live conversation explored the stories people often hesitate to share and why vulnerability, failure, and difficult moments can become the experiences that shape us most. Guests opened up about career setbacks, personal struggles, leadership lessons, and the pressure that comes with growth, while reflecting on how those moments ultimately created resilience, perspective, and connection. From sports radio failures and life-changing surgeries to business collapses and hard-earned lessons in hospitality, the discussion highlighted how sharing honest stories can help others feel less alone and remind us that setbacks are often part of the journey forward. The Stories We Avoid Often Matter Most - The conversation showed how sharing difficult moments can create stronger connection and perspective for others. Failure Often Leads to Growth - Guests reflected on how setbacks, pressure, and adversity helped shape their careers and personal lives. Everyone Is Carrying Something - The episode highlighted the importance of empathy and remembering that every person is navigating challenges others may not see. Episode Links Cali BBQ Media:https://content.calibbq.media/ Join Our Next Show:https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/ Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/

    49 min

  7. May 20

    National Restaurant Association Show 2026 - What To Know

    Shawn Walchef  hosted another Rising Tides Live conversation ahead of the National Restaurant Association Show Show, this time focused on what attendees hope to take away after the event. Operators, consultants, creators, and technology leaders shared lessons from the show floor, from discovering new AI tools and restaurant tech to building real relationships through meetups, dinners, and spontaneous conversations. The biggest theme throughout the discussion was that NRA is more than a trade show. It is a place where the hospitality industry comes together to learn, connect, and create opportunities that continue long after Chicago. Listen to the replay of the latest room where the participants discussed community service and follow Cali BBQ Media to keep up with the latest and join the rooms to tell your story and have your voice heard. Every Wednesday and Friday at 10am PT, Shawn Walchef hosts the Rising Tides Live room streaming with StreamYard on YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, and more. Leading voices in hospitality, and otherwise, from near and far join to discuss all things business and much more.

    1 hr

  8. May 15

    Pitch The Tide - Teresa Gilman: CEO and Founder of Brainstack.app

    In this Pitch the Tide session, Teresa Gilman, founder and CEO of Brainstack.app, shares how her recruiting background led to building an AI-powered hiring platform for restaurants and hospitality operators. Brainstack.app helps restaurants speed up hiring through AI interviews, soft skills assessments, and candidate screening tools that help managers quickly identify strong candidates while reducing the time spent on early-stage interviews. By allowing applicants to interview anytime through a simple QR code process, the platform creates a faster and more flexible hiring experience for both operators and job seekers. Faster Restaurant Hiring - Brainstack.app uses AI interviews and QR code applications to help restaurants move candidates through the hiring process faster. Hiring for Personality and Soft Skills - The platform helps operators identify communication skills, friendliness, and leadership traits before in-person interviews. Built Around Hospitality Pain Points - The discussion highlighted how hiring and retention remain major challenges for restaurant operators of every size. Episode Links Teresa Gilman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresagilman/ Brainstack app: https://www.brainstack.app/ Cali BBQ Media:https://content.calibbq.media/ Join Our Next Show:https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/ Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/

    34 min
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About

The Media Test Kitchen is where new media lives. We explore the intersection of technology and new media in the restaurant and hospitality sectors, learning how businesses are utilizing these tools to grow their business.

Information

  • Creator
    Cali BBQ Media
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Media Test Kitchen

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