Episodes

In this episode, Shawn Soole talks with Lindsey Johnson — founder of Lush Life Productions, creator of Camp Runamok, and organizer of PDXCW — about her mission to uplift hospitality professionals through education, grassroots activism, and creative collaboration. Lindsey shares stories of building communities, offering inclusive training, and using limited resources to drive change. 🧠 What You’ll Learn• Lindsey’s journey from bartender to community builder and educator. The philosophy behind her...

In this episode, Shawn Soole sits down with Ryan Foley — publisher of BARTENDER Magazine, author, and advocate for the craft. Together, they dig into how media shapes the narrative of hospitality, the evolving coverage of the trade, and what it takes to document the bar world with clarity and purpose. What You’ll Learn • Ryan’s path from bartender coverage to leading a major industry publication • How BARTENDER Magazine influences trade trends, education and professional standards • His role...

In this episode, Shawn Soole sits down with Kate Chernoff — the newly crowned World Class Canada Bartender of the Year 2025, based out of Keefer Bar in Vancouver. A bartender with a natural gift for hospitality, story-driven craft, and competitive fire, Kate takes us through her ascent, her philosophy behind every shift, and how she’s representing Canada on the the global stage. What You’ll Learn • Kate’s journey from student to bartender, and how she discovered a passion for the craft. • How...

In this episode, Shawn Soole sits down with bartender, educator, and creator Stephen Myers to explore how one builds a meaningful presence from the ground up—blending craft, content, and authenticity in a crowded field. What You’ll Learn Stephen’s journey: from behind the bar to developing his digital brand The mindset behind consistent content creation and storytelling How to find your niche voice—even when the noise is loud Connecting community and craft: techniques, tools, and growth Li...

In this special milestone episode, Shawn Soole sits down with Patrick Dooley, bartender-turned-writer and creator of Boulevardier. Together they explore how one builds a narrative in hospitality, crafts a personal brand, and translates lived bar experience into meaningful storytelling and influence. What You’ll Learn Patrick’s journey behind Boulevardier—why he writes and how the bar perspective shapes his voice The balance between bar work, writing, and maintaining relevance in cocktail jour...

Join Shawn Soole in a dynamic conversation with Geoffrey Toffetti, a hospitality insider turned CEO who’s reshaping how frontline teams drive guest experience and revenue. From his early days as a hotel valet to leading FPG’s SaaS revolution with IN‑Gauge, Geoffrey shares the behind‑the‑scenes strategies that empower hotels to sell more, serve better, and scale smarter. What You’ll Learn • Geoffrey’s journey from valet to C‑suite—building empathy and strategy from the ground up • FPG’s pivot ...

NEW EPISODE drops Friday 9am PST In this trailer, I sit down with frontline efficiency expert Geoffrey Toffetti to explore how creating a nurturing workplace culture can drive stronger performance and ultimately boost revenue per employee.

In this episode, Shawn Soole chats with Charlotte Voisey, newly appointed Executive Director of the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. For nearly two decades before this role, Charlotte shaped the industry as the global head of ambassadors at William Grant & Sons. Now, she’s steering the future of the global cocktail community-here’s how. What You’ll Learn • Charlotte’s journey: from bartender across London, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, and New York to industry leader and educator • How she helped...

NEW EPISODE - Friday 9am PST In this episode, Shawn Soole chats with Charlotte Voisey, newly appointed Executive Director of the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. For nearly two decades before this role, Charlotte shaped the industry as the global head of ambassadors at William Grant & Sons. Now, she’s steering the future of the global cocktail community.

In this special episode, Shawn Soole sits down with the iconic Dale DeGroff , widely known as The King of Cocktails , for a legendary conversation on how he shaped modern cocktail culture and continues to inspire the next generation of bar leaders. What You’ll Learn • Dale’s origins—and how his journey transformed the craft of bartending into an art. • His pioneering work in building storied venues that blurred the lines between bar and experience. • The philosophy behind reviving forgotten ...

NEW EPISODE drops 9am PST In this trailer, I had the amazing privilege to chat to King Cocktail himself, Dale DeGroff. We chatted about the early days of cocktail culture and his rise to fame. MUST LISTEN

In this episode, Shawn Soole chats with Vancouver Island’s shellfish expert and restaurateur Jess Taylor, founder of the acclaimed Wandering Mollusk and now the driving force behind Shuck Taylor’s. Jess takes us on a journey from catering to community hubs—covering everything from live shucks and local sourcing to building a brand that celebrates creativity, locality, and approachable hospitality. What You'll Learn * Jess’s early start-up in shellfish catering and the birth of Wandering Mollus...

NEW EPISODE drops Friday, 9am PST In this trailer, I get to chat to Jess Taylor of Shuck Taylor's and how he has built not just the brick and mortar of the space but the culture with his team, all while elevating the seafood scene in BC.

In this episode, Shawn Soole welcomes Kimberly Flear , founder of Last Call Coaching , for a heartfelt and transformative conversation. Kimberly shares her journey from burnout and addiction within the hospitality industry to becoming a leading advocate for well-being, psychological safety, and sustainable leadership in the places we serve. What You’ll Learn * Kimberly’s personal story: going from service to self-care and recovery * Building recovery-ready workplaces that prioritize mental he...

NEW EPISODE drops Friday, 9am PST In this trailer, I chat with Kimberly Flear about mental health and how it is evolving, changing and finally getting better in the hospitality industry.

In this episode, Shawn Soole dives deep with drinks writer and historian Robert Simonson, exploring not only the evolution of iconic cocktails like the Martini and Old‑Fashioned but also spotlighting his pivotal role launching the very first Martini Expo-a groundbreaking, immersive Martini celebration happening this fall in New York City. What You’ll Learn • How Robert moved from theater writing to chronicling the cocktail revival. • The enduring appeal of the Martini and Old‑Fashioned-and wh...

NEW EPISODE drops Friday, 9am PST In this trailer, Robert Simonson breaks down the nuances of building a true classic martini—covering ratios, technique, and philosophy—offering insider insight ahead of his Martini Expo in New York.

In the episode, Shawn Soole is joined by industry heavyweight Pietro Collina, whose résumé includes legendary institutions like Eleven Madison Park, NoMad, and his current role as Beverage Director for The Teslef Group (Viajante 87, Los Mochis, Sale e Pepe). In this candid and inspiring session, Pietro shares how he’s helped define some of the world’s most influential bar and restaurant programs-through mentorship, precision, and hospitality-driven creativity. What You’ll Learn • Pietro’s jour...

NEW EPISODE drops Friday, 9am PST In this trailer, Pietro Collina delivers a masterclass on multi-unit management - where trust, systems, and accountability form the backbone of sustainable success. If you’re leading teams across multiple venues, this is the insight you need.

In this live episode, Shawn Soole sits down with Brenton Mowforth, creator of “Cheers to Happy Hour,” for a lively conversation on the power of community-driven content, the evolving culture of happy hour, and how to turn passion into purpose. Brenton’s journey: from cocktail enthusiast to hosting “Cheers to Happy Hour” The creative process behind crafting engaging, memorable happy hour content Why happy hour is more than a drink—it’s community, nostalgia, and connection How social media and...

NEW EPISODE drops Friday, 9am PST In this trailer, I chat with Brenton Mowforth about the early days of Cheers to Happy Hour —how it started as a creative side project and evolved into a full-blown brand and business. We dive into content creation, community building, and the real work behind making drinks go viral.

In this live episode, Shawn Soole sits down with renowned bartender, writer, and innovator Jeffrey Morgenthaler for a candid conversation covering everything from creative process and mental health to cocktail culture and sustainability. Jeffrey’s approach to R&D: learning from failures and practical experimentation The balance between honoring classic drinks and creating original cocktails How to batch serve without losing quality, and tips on mint syrup preservation The importance of "fun"...

NEW EPISODE drops Friday, 9am PST In this trailer, I chat with Jeffrey Morgenthaler about staying creative for the long haul—running bars, writing, and keeping the craft fun. We get into technique, humility, and why he still loves the stick. If you’re into cocktails, leadership, or building a bar culture that lasts, this one’s a must-listen.

In this episode, Shawn Soole welcomes Slovenian bartender‑turned‑content‑creator Kevin Kos—the mind behind the hit YouTube channel @KevinKos —for a frank conversation on taking an idea from the bar to a global audience, turning experiments into revenue, and staying authentic while the cameras roll. YouTube🧠 What You’ll LearnKevin’s path from local bars to 100 k‑plus subscribers and sponsorship dealsHow rigorous R&D and “super‑juice” thinking fuel his video conceptsThe nuts and bolts of shooting,...