Jason Laiacona- Executive Chef- Miel

Episode 11 of the Nashville Restaurant Radio podcast, hosted by New Light Hospitality, titled "Jason Laiacona- Executive Chef- Miel" was published on April 6, 2026 and runs 95 minutes.

April 6, 2026 ·95m · Nashville Restaurant Radio

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Summary

On this episode of Nashville Restaurant Radio, I sit down with Jason Laiacona, Executive Chef at Miel, for an honest, unfiltered conversation about mental health in the restaurant industry.This isn’t a clinical discussion — it’s two people speaking from experience.We get into the realities of ADHD, substance abuse, and why the hospitality industry seems to attract people wired the way we are. Jason shares his personal journey, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and what it looks like to navigate this industry while trying to take care of yourself at the same time.We also talk about what’s happening at Miel — and why the culture there is working. In an industry known for burnout, Jason breaks down how a healthier environment is possible, and what it actually takes to build one.This episode is real, reflective, and one a lot of people in this industry will see themselves in.In This EpisodeJason Laiacona’s path as Executive Chef at MielMental health in the hospitality industry — from lived experienceADHD and how it shows up in restaurant lifeSubstance abuse and recovery conversationsWhy the industry attracts certain personality typesWhat a healthy restaurant culture actually looks likeHow Miel is building something different — and why it’s working

Episode Description

On this episode of Nashville Restaurant Radio, I sit down with Jason Laiacona, Executive Chef at Miel, for an honest, unfiltered conversation about mental health in the restaurant industry.

This isn’t a clinical discussion — it’s two people speaking from experience.

We get into the realities of ADHD, substance abuse, and why the hospitality industry seems to attract people wired the way we are. Jason shares his personal journey, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and what it looks like to navigate this industry while trying to take care of yourself at the same time.

We also talk about what’s happening at Miel — and why the culture there is working. In an industry known for burnout, Jason breaks down how a healthier environment is possible, and what it actually takes to build one.

This episode is real, reflective, and one a lot of people in this industry will see themselves in.

In This Episode