Episodes

Chef Paul Natrall, founder of Mr. Bannock Indigenous Cuisine, is leading a movement to bring Indigenous foods and stories to the forefront of hospitality. Paul shares his story about launching Vancouver’s first Indigenous food truck, despite it breaking down on day one. Now a national leader and advocate, he’s helping shape the future of Indigenous culinary arts through education, mentorship, and global platforms like the Culinary Olympics. His mission is clear: honor tradition, inspire new chef...

In this session, we dive into the creative and practical world of mind mapping—a simple but powerful tool for organizing ideas, breaking through mental blocks, and bringing clarity to both personal and professional goals. In this episode of Rising Tides Live, guest hosts Laura Wilber, Restaurant Guest Acquisition & Retention Expert at Dinova, and Jason Berkowitz, Founder of Arrow Up Training, step in for Shawn Walchef to lead a collaborative conversation about how mind mapping can be used for ev...

One of the biggest myths entrepreneurs fall for is the old saying, “If you build it, they will come.” Inspired by Hollywood fantasy, it’s a dangerous lie in the real world of business. Shawn Walchef, founder of Cali BBQ Media, breaks this idea apart with one clear message: If you don’t promote yourself, no one will. You could have the best product or the most inspiring mission, but if your story isn’t out there—on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, or even your local community Facebook page—you’re in...

In this session, we dive into the world of hospitality recruiting and talent acquisition—what it takes to find, retain, and grow great people in today’s restaurant and hospitality industry. In this episode of Rising Tides Live, guest hosts Ian Hoxworth and Lauren Hodges of EHS Recruiting step in for Shawn Walchef to lead a practical and heartfelt conversation about hiring strategies, the evolving job market, and the human side of recruitment. From proactive outreach and employee referrals to job...

Joe Fontana, founder of Fry the Coop, isn’t afraid to fail, create, or stand out. In just seven years, he’s grown his spicy chicken concept into a multi-location brand known for bold marketing, loyal culture, and a commitment to quality—from beef tallow to storytelling. Whether he’s roasting competitors on TikTok or turning a Zamboni into a mobile billboard, Joe shows how creativity and community drive success. In this episode, he shares lessons on leadership, brand building, digital tools, and ...

In this episode of Rising Tides Live, the community explores how to turn online relationships into real-life connections through intentional meetups. Angelo Esposito, CEO and Co-Founder of WISK.ai, joins the conversation to share how a spontaneous text about a Vegas happy hour turned into a full-scale Rising Tides in-real-life event. Alongside host Shawn Walchef and others from the community, Angelo dives into the importance of putting a flag in the ground, why smaller meetups often yield bigger...

Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media joined industry leaders at Google HQ in New York City for the Restaurant Industry Influencer Summit—an invite-only event focused on helping restaurants grow through digital tools. With powerful insights from partners like Toast and conversations led by experts like David “Rev” Ciancio and Troy Hooper, the event highlighted the growing importance of Google Business Profiles, first-party integrations, and especially YouTube. As restaurants face increasing competitio...

In this episode of Rising Tides Live, the conversation dives into the evolving world of B2B marketing and how business leaders can leverage platforms like LinkedIn and YouTube to grow their brands with purpose. Guest Finn McKenty, marketing strategist, content creator, and online education entrepreneur, shares insights from a career that spans work with top global brands, over 130 million YouTube views, and a massive LinkedIn following. Joined by host Shawn Walchef and the Rising Tides community...

Jeremy Jones, who goes by Scottie J, is the founder of Suburban LA and has turned a high school blog into one of LA’s most trusted digital media platforms. With over 10,000 Instagram posts and a growing presence on YouTube and beyond, Scottie has built a community rooted in storytelling, consistency, and cultural relevance. His work became especially vital during the recent LA wildfires, where he partnered with local nonprofits to provide real-time, verified information. Now expanding into premi...

In this episode of Rising Tides Live, the conversation dives into the high-stakes world of industry trade shows and strategic networking. Featured guests Laura Wilber, Restaurant Guest Acquisition & Retention Expert with Dinova, and Mark Hatch, VP of Trade Relations and Events at Informa, share their insights on how to maximize opportunities at conferences, build meaningful connections, and create lasting business impact. Laura and Mark join host Shawn Walchef to explore the art of preparation, ...

Shaquille O’Neal knows success is a team effort—on the court and in business. With Big Chicken, he’s applying the same leadership philosophy that won him championships: surround yourself with the right people, trust them to execute, and build a strong culture. With 4,700 franchise applicants, Shaq and CEO Josh Halpern are focused on quality over speed, ensuring Big Chicken grows the right way. Employees don’t work for Shaq—they work with him, reinforcing a culture of collaboration and excellence...

In this session, we explore the art of lead generation and why understanding its nuances is essential for businesses, entrepreneurs, and hospitality professionals. In this episode of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the group dives into effective strategies for attracting and converting leads in B2B, B2C, and H2H (human-to-human) interactions. The conversation highlights real-world examples of how restaurants, service providers, and consultants generate leads through networking, conte...

Josh Bucens, the Director of Food & Beverage at Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Chicago, is redefining hospitality by blending the legacy of Guinness with the city’s dynamic food and drink scene. With a background in bars, restaurants, and nightlife, Bucens leads a high-volume operation that serves thousands each month. Through strategic use of technology, a focus on hiring the right talent, and a deep passion for Chicago’s hospitality culture, he ensures an unforgettable guest experience. From la...

In this session, we explore the power of direct outreach and why mastering this skill is a game-changer for businesses, entrepreneurs, and creators. In this episode of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the group dives into effective strategies for personalizing outreach, building relationships, and leveraging digital tools to connect with potential clients and partners. The conversation highlights real-world examples of B2B and B2C outreach, the impact of community-driven engagement, a...

At the California Restaurant Show, Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media took the stage to share an important lesson: Every business has a story that deserves to be told. While his session emphasized digital storytelling, it was a particular moment—his Orange Tree Story—that truly resonated with the audience. Walchef recounted the significance of an orange tree planted decades ago in front of his family’s restaurant, a symbol of heritage, persistence, and the evolution of his business. The tree was ne...

In this session, we dive into the fundamentals of social selling and why mastering this skill is essential for business owners, content creators, and entrepreneurs. In this episode of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the group explores how building an authentic digital presence can create meaningful connections and drive business success. The conversation highlights key social selling strategies, the role of storytelling in engaging potential customers, and why consistency in content ...

Joshua Sharkey, CEO and founder of Meez, is modernizing how chefs manage recipes and food costs. A former chef himself, Sharkey saw firsthand how inefficiencies in recipe management and costing hurt restaurant margins. That frustration led him to create Meez—an intuitive, chef-driven culinary operating system that simplifies real-time food costing, ingredient tracking, and menu engineering. Unlike static spreadsheets, Meez gives operators the power to make proactive, data-driven decisions. Throu...

In this episode of Rising Tides Live, the conversation explores the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the restaurant industry. Featured guest Jesse Stein, co-founder of Hermetic AI, shares his insights on how AI-driven automation is transforming private event bookings, guest engagement, and operational efficiency. Jesse joins host Shawn Walchef to discuss the biggest opportunities and challenges AI presents for hospitality businesses, from enhancing customer interactions to streamlinin...

In this episode of Digital Hospitality, David Meltzer shares how businesses can leverage Stage Theory to maximize visibility and impact. He explains why post-production content is the most valuable asset from any event and how capturing the right moments can amplify brand growth. Meltzer also highlights how technology has made high-quality content creation more accessible than ever, eliminating the need for large production teams. Whether in hospitality, sports, or business, embracing content st...

In this session, we explore how childhood experiences and early passions can shape careers, personal growth, and the way we navigate the world as adults. In this episode of Rising Tides Live, guest host Elizabeth Doss fills in for Shawn Walchef, leading a conversation filled with personal stories about the seemingly small moments from childhood that turned out to be clues about future paths. The group discusses how hobbies, early interests, and even unexpected childhood experiences—whether selli...

Scott Porter’s journey with San Diablo Churros is a masterclass in persistence, innovation, and internet storytelling. Inspired by fresh-filled churros in Mexico City, Porter saw a gap in the U.S. market and launched San Diablo, evolving from catering to frozen, ready-to-bake churros at home. His viral Costco Churro Funeral and mission to deliver churros to Charles Barkley showcase his marketing genius. With a mission to fill lives with happiness, Porter proves that the right mix of passion, cre...

In this session, we dive into the fundamentals of effective storytelling and why mastering this skill is essential for business owners, content creators, and entrepreneurs. In this episode of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the group explores the power of storytelling in building connections, engaging audiences, and driving business success. The conversation highlights key storytelling techniques, the importance of repetition in refining your narrative, and how framing a story can ma...

Shawn Walchef knows digital storytelling is the future. At the Google Restaurant Industry Influencers Summit, the Cali BBQ owner shared why every business must take YouTube seriously. For years, YouTube was just a content archive for Cali BBQ—until Shawn saw top creators prioritizing it. Now, short-form videos, long-form storytelling, and live content are driving real results. His philosophy? Be the show, not the commercial. YouTube offers longevity, discovery, and brand growth. As Shawn says, t...

In this episode of Rising Tides Live, the conversation focuses on the often-overlooked but critical world of restaurant repairs and maintenance. Featured guest Daniel Estrada, co-founder and CEO of 86 Repairs, shares his insights on how proactive repair strategies, data-driven decision-making, and smart vendor management can transform the way restaurants handle equipment maintenance. Daniel joins host Shawn Walchef to explore the hidden costs of reactive repairs, the impact of maintenance on emp...