Episodes

In this session of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the community rallied around a clear challenge: how can content teams move faster without sacrificing purpose? The guest was Scot Turner, a London-based hospitality consultant and creative thinker, who recently joined Shawn and their families on a vacation in Bulgaria. What started as a transatlantic DM has grown into a real-world collaboration rooted in media, mindset, and shared values. From filming with iPhones on the Black Sea to...

Wendy Turk, VP of Regulatory Affairs at Fintech, joins Digital Hospitality to break down California’s new alcohol payment law — and what every bar, restaurant, and distributor needs to know before it takes effect in 2026. From cutting through legal confusion to eliminating check fraud, Wendy explains how Fintech’s free solution makes compliance easy, efficient, and headache-free. Whether you operate a single location or dozens, this episode is your guide to navigating one of the biggest industry...

Shawn Walchef turned a bold dream into reality: landing an interview with Shaquille O’Neal. But the real story isn’t about fame—it’s about persistence, preparation, and the power of storytelling. From putting Shaq’s name on a vision board to building years of credibility through content, Walchef shows what’s possible when you call your shot and keep showing up. This isn’t just a behind-the-scenes look at a dream interview. It’s a roadmap for creators, entrepreneurs, and restaurant operators read...

In this session of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the community rallied around a powerful idea: technology should serve those who serve us. The guest was Grant Vermeer, a former Navy cryptologic warfare officer turned tech founder, who is now building Valor—a military discount app designed to eliminate the awkwardness of asking for appreciation. What started with a DM has grown into a mission to better connect local businesses and the military community. From verified discounts deli...

Chef Adrianne Calvo isn’t just building restaurants, she’s building a business with systems that scale. In this episode, she shares why KitchenSync has become her go-to partner for financial clarity and strategic decision-making. From ditching spreadsheets to understanding the true value of a restaurant-first CFO, Chef Adrianne explains how the right tools (and people) make all the difference. For operators looking to grow smarter, not just bigger, this conversation is packed with practical wisd...

In this session of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the community explored the quiet power of asking for help—and why it’s often the smartest move in business and in life. From a LinkedIn post that led to an unforgettable culinary tour in Istanbul, to founders opening up about mentorship, fundraising, and even emotional recovery, the stories shared were deeply personal and universally resonant. Whether it was building a whiskey brand inspired by a life-saving dog, launching compliance...

Dan Diaz, founder and CEO of F3, is on a mission to clean up one of the restaurant industry’s biggest messes: chaotic, outdated tech systems. From spaghetti-wired closets to high-pressure festival installs, F3 brings order, empathy, and serious technical muscle to operators. In this episode of Digital Hospitality, Diaz shares how his team combines 24/7 support with real-world restaurant experience, why AI is streamlining their nationwide installs, and how telling your story can be just as powerf...

What makes a restaurant successful in 2025? According to Shawn Walchef, it’s not just the food—it’s the story behind it. In this episode, Walchef shares four key strategies from hundreds of interviews with industry leaders: lean into media, embrace fast casual, create experiences, and think beyond the plate. From San Pedro Fish Market’s Amazon Prime show to Brasa Peruvian Kitchen’s cultural hotline, the best brands are evolving in bold new ways. Whether you're just starting out or scaling up, th...

In this session of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the community explored the quiet power of asking for help—and why it’s often the smartest move in business and in life. From a LinkedIn post that led to an unforgettable culinary tour in Istanbul, to founders opening up about mentorship, fundraising, and even emotional recovery, the stories shared were deeply personal and universally resonant. Whether it was building a whiskey brand inspired by a life-saving dog, launching compliance...

Most restaurant operators are not looking for a CFO — until they realize they need one. In this episode of Digital Hospitality, Alex Racioppi, CEO and Founder of KitchenSync, shares how his team is helping growing restaurant groups take control of their finances without building a corporate office. KitchenSync acts as a CFO in a box, delivering real-time reporting, financial clarity, and support tailored to operators. Alex breaks down how AI plays a role, why empathy matters in finance, and what...

In this powerful coaching call, David Meltzer and Shawn Walchef dive deep into the evolving role of content, AI, and intentional living through the lens of Stage Theory. From Bulgaria to the National Restaurant Show, they discuss building digital legacies through consistent storytelling, capturing big moments with purpose, and using technology to deepen human connection. Meltzer introduces the idea of being an “empty miler”—someone who shows up daily without sacrificing what matters most. Togeth...

In this session of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the community dug into the real-world magic of ChatGPT—how AI is reshaping everyday life, one prompt at a time. From travel planning and recipe hacks to video edits, customer service, and even heartfelt family conversations, the group shared powerful, personal stories about AI as a tool for creativity, communication, and clarity. Whether it was planning a 17-day road trip or bridging a language barrier at a Bulgarian café, participan...

On a trip to Las Vegas, Shawn Walchef turned a spontaneous family visit to Claw World—a wonderland of arcade games and oversized plushies—into something far more lasting. Between claw machine wins and peach cobbler debates, his kids, Mila and Kalin, joined him on the mic for an unscripted podcast episode filled with joy, chaos, and genuine connection. It was a heartwarming glimpse into fatherhood in real time: showing up, listening, and letting your kids lead. The prizes may fade, but the memory...

Shawn Walchef, founder of Cali BBQ and Cali BBQ Media, makes the case that B2B content is no longer optional—it’s essential. His journey started with a simple unboxing video and evolved into a strategy that builds trust and relationships with technology partners. By sharing authentic, behind-the-scenes stories—about successes, failures, and lessons learned—Walchef turned his business into a media brand. He believes every business owner already has stories worth sharing. You don’t need a big budg...

In this session of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the community gathered to unpack the art of corporate content—how to break free from the expected and craft stories that stick. From product launches to purpose-driven brands, the conversation explored how businesses can infuse personality, authenticity, and even a dash of humor into their messaging. The group highlighted the importance of making content that’s engaging, shareable, and true to the brand’s core values. This episode re...

Maria Zhang, co-founder and CEO of Palona AI, is on a mission to humanize technology for restaurants. With experience from leading roles at Tinder, Instagram, and Meta, Zhang now focuses on hospitality. Palona AI’s voice technology answers calls, takes orders, and even replicates the owner’s voice, ensuring every guest interaction feels personal. At Cali BBQ, this means customers hear a warm, familiar voice every time they call, even during busy hours. Zhang’s approach—combining cutting-edge AI ...

In this session of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the community gathered to explore the art of summer travel storytelling—how to capture the sights, sounds, and experiences that make a journey unforgettable. From London orchestral raves to Tokyo food tours, the conversation illuminated the creative ways hospitality pros and business leaders are documenting their trips. Speakers shared lessons on being intentional with content—whether it's recording a chaotic restaurant kitchen or a ...

At Catersource, Shawn Walchef and Duce Raymond delivered a powerful talk on why every business should be its own media company. Raymond shared how a simple selfie video on ribs sparked his journey to building a 750,000+ follower brand. Walchef echoed the mantra: “Be the show, not the commercial.” Together, they urged attendees to embrace smartphone storytelling, share real moments, and focus on building trust rather than chasing likes. Their message was clear: Every entrepreneur has a story wort...

Cory Yates knows what it takes to keep restaurants running—fast response, clear communication, and service that builds trust. As Managing Partner of Alpha & Omega Restaurant Equipment & Repair, he leads a 24/7 team serving over 300 restaurants across Phoenix. Backed by sharp processes and a partnership with 86 Repairs, Yates has built a business known for reliability in high-stress moments. With deep roots in hospitality and a no-nonsense approach, he shares how great service isn’t just about fi...

In this session of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the community gathered to unpack what’s next in restaurant technology following the 2025 National Restaurant Show. From AI-powered phone systems to precision ramen robots, the conversation explored how operators can embrace innovation without losing the human touch. Guests Dan Dickerson of F3 and Maria Zhang of Palona AI shared stories from the show floor and beyond, offering insight into the tools that are reshaping hospitality—from...

Traditional PR is no longer the key to getting your story heard. Press releases, media gatekeepers, and curated coverage have been replaced by something more powerful: your own voice. In this new media era, business owners don’t have to wait for permission—they can publish directly to the platforms people already use. This article follows the transformation of Cali BBQ from PR hopefuls to content creators, showing how authentic storytelling outperforms traditional strategies. With a simple five-...

In this session of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the community reunited to reflect on the stories, lessons, and breakthroughs from the 2025 National Restaurant Show. Attendees shared tips on balancing content creation with human connection, leaning into both high-tech tools and handwritten takeaways. Whether filming with drones or just showing up with a phone, the message was clear: hospitality is still a people business—and the best innovation is rooted in real relationships. Int...

Duce Raymond is a barbecue master, a catering powerhouse, and now a content creator with more than 750,000 followers across social media. In this episode of Digital Hospitality, Duce joins host Shawn Walchef at Catersource to share how he went from posting shaky iPhone videos to becoming a trusted voice in food and entrepreneurship. His advice is simple. Start creating. Stay consistent. Tell your story. That belief has doubled his business and given him a life beyond the kitchen. Interview Takea...

Shawn Walchef, owner of Cali BBQ, learned a hard lesson early in his restaurant career: one fight night can nearly take down your entire business. In this cautionary tale, he shares how illegally streaming a pay-per-view UFC event led to three lawsuits and almost bankrupted his restaurant. From that near-disaster came a shift—toward doing things the right way, paying for commercial licenses, and eventually building a packed fight night destination. Today, Shawn shares why he no longer shows figh...