The Post Shift Podcast with Shawn Soole
by Shawn Soole
The Post Shift Podcast with Shawn Soole dives into the business of hospitality with raw, honest conversations on entrepreneurship, leadership, mental health, and modern hospitality culture. From industry icons to rising stars, each episode unpacks real stories, hard lessons, and fresh ideas that help bar and restaurant pros thrive. Tune in for unfiltered insights into what it takes to build a lasting, meaningful career in today’s fast-changing hospitality world.
Episodes
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How Tobin Ellis Designs Bars That Make Bartenders Faster and Guests Happier
In this episode, Shawn Soole sits down with legendary bar designer and hospitality innovator Tobin Ellis, founder of Studio Barmagic and one of the most influential thinkers in modern bar design. With more than three decades in hospitality and decades designing bars around the world, Tobin shares...
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From Chaos to Clarity: Christin Marvin on Modern Restaurant Leadership
In this episode, Shawn Soole sits down with Christin Marvin — hospitality leadership coach, author, and founder of Solutions by Christin — to unpack the realities of leadership in modern restaurants and bars. From opening multiple venues to coaching multi-unit operators, Christin shares…
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Hospitality Business Unfiltered | Bread & Butter Collective x Shawn Soole
In this Post Shift Shot crossover with the Bread & Butter Collective Podcast — a series created by restaurateurs Sam Jones and Calen McNeil to share the real, non-scripted side of running hospitality businesses — Shawn Soole sits down with the hosts to dig into what it really takes to build…
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How Richie Barrow Builds Culture, Empowers Teams & Elevates Service
In this conversation, Shawn Soole sits down with hospitality veteran Richie Barrow — renowned bar leader, culture builder, and mentor — to unpack what it truly takes to run great teams, build resilient service cultures, and lead with clarity and purpose. Richie brings rich perspectives from…
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5 Hard Lessons Every Hospitality Entrepreneur Learns the Hard Way
In this Post Shift Shot, Shawn Soole pulls back the curtain on the reality of owning in hospitality. No hype. No Instagram fantasy. Just truth. Entrepreneurship in this industry isn’t just cocktails, creative freedom, and packed Friday nights. It’s pressure, payroll, people problems, and personal...
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Colin Asare-Apiah on Building Community, Authenticity & Hospitality That Matters
In this episode, Shawn Soole sits down with Colin Asare-Apiah — award-winning bartender, educator, and globally respected leader in cocktail culture — for a thoughtful conversation about hospitality craft, community building, mentorship, and the future of service. Colin breaks down how…
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Intrapreneur vs Entrepreneur: Which One Are You Really?
In this Post Shift Shot, Shawn Soole breaks down a hard truth in modern hospitality: not everyone is built to be an entrepreneur — and that’s not a weakness. With the rise of “cool entrepreneurship,” social media has glamorized ownership and independence. But the reality? Entrepreneurship is…
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How Alexandre Gabriel Blends Terroir, Tradition & Modern Brand Building
In this revealing episode, Shawn Soole sits down with Alexandre Gabriel, visionary founder of Maison Ferrand and one of the most influential thinkers in the global spirits world. From reviving historic brand identities to steering cocktail culture toward authenticity and craftsmanship, Alexandre...
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Why Leadership Is Changing — And What Every Manager Must Know Now
In this episode, Shawn Soole digs into one of the most pivotal topics in hospitality and beyond: leadership that evolves with the times. Whether you’re just stepping into a lead role or you’ve been guiding teams for years, this conversation challenges the old paradigms of authority and hierarchy…
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Behind the Bar with Shawn Soole: Stories, Struggles & Spirits
In this special “Get to Know Me” episode, Shawn Soole sits down without notes, filters, or industry jargon — and invites you into the story behind the journey. From early shifts and first pours to building culture, teams, and his philosophy on hospitality leadership, this is the episode where the...
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Respect the Process | Hard Work Isn't Outdated, It's Misunderstood
In this Post Shift Shot, Shawn Soole tackles a tough but necessary truth: hard work and sacrifice still matter in hospitality — even in a world obsessed with shortcuts, instant success, and surface-level wins. This isn’t about glorifying burnout. It’s about respecting the process. The long…
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Kris Hall on Burnout, Culture Change & Building a Healthier Hospitality Industry
In this powerful episode, Shawn Soole sits down with Kris Hall, co-founder of The Burnt Chef Project — a global initiative dedicated to improving mental health, work culture, and human connection within hospitality. Kris offers candid insight into the systemic challenges faced by teams and…
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The Hospitality Crisis Nobody's Talking About
In this week’s Post Shift Shot, I dig into how the rise of remote work is quietly impacting the hospitality ecosystem — from empty downtown cores to shrinking lunch rushes and unpredictable revenue patterns. This isn’t an anti-remote rant; it’s a reality check on how shifts in work culture ripple...
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Ann Squires Ferguson on Bar & Restaurant Design That Drives Experience and Revenue
In this episode, Shawn Soole sits down with Ann Squires Ferguson, interior designer and hospitality space strategist, to explore how design shapes behaviour, influences service flow, and ultimately determines whether a hospitality venue succeeds or struggles. From restaurants and bars to…
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What Would $3 extra per head Mean to You?
Whenever I talk about training, the first question is always the same: “What’s the ROI?” In this week’s Post Shift Shot, I break down the real numbers behind staff training and show how a relatively small investment in your team can unlock outsized returns across sales, labour efficiency,...
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Michael Dargie on Creative Strategy, Storytelling & Making Your Brand Unforgettable
In this episode, Shawn Soole sits down with Michael Dargie — branding strategist, creative thinker, and author of BrandJitsu — for a sharp, no-fluff conversation on how brands are really built, why most messaging fails, and how hospitality (and beyond) can stop chasing trends and start creating...
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Breaking The Pattern: Change Your Business
DOWNLOAD Business Clarity Workbook - https://www.soolehospitality.com/free-resources-1/business-clarity-workbook Welcome back to the Post Shift Podcast! I'm bringing back the Tuesday episodes, the Post Shift Shots, to offer more insights that don't always fit into my interviews. My goal is to...
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Sean Finter on Coaching Teams From Reactive to Proactive
In this episode, Shawn Soole sits down with Sean Finter — operator, trainer, and mastermind behind some of North America’s most respected hospitality playbooks. From frontline execution to strategic leadership, Sean breaks down how to build systems, culture, and habits that help teams scale…
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Calen McNeil on Crew Culture, Chaos & Creating Restaurants People Love
In this episode, Shawn Soole sits down with chef-entrepreneur and hospitality operator Calen McNeil, founder of Zambris and Big Wheel Burger. Calen breaks down how he’s built loyal teams and passionate communities around two distinctly local brands — one rooted in elevated comfort and community...
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Turn & Burn Seminar: Turning Hospitality Burnout Into Build & Belong
In this special seminar recorded live at Portland Cocktail Week, Shawn Soole delivers one of his most personal and impactful talks: Turn & Burn to Build & Belong — a deep dive into the culture of hospitality, the burnout cycle, and how operators and bartenders can reclaim purpose, connection, and...
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John Gakuru on Purpose-Driven Hospitality: Creating Community Through Bars
In this episode, host Shawn Soole sits down with longtime industry veteran John Gakuru — a globally seasoned bar professional, brand strategist, and now founder of Coruscent Co.. John brings decades of experience across continents, from managing classic cocktail venues in London to shaping global...
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How Noah Rothbaum Records the True Story of Booze, Bars & the People Behind Them
In this episode, Shawn Soole sits down with renowned drinks author and journalist Noah Rothbaum — a true heavyweight in cocktail culture and spirits storytelling. From deep dives into whiskey history to thoughtful reflections on the role of media in shaping how we drink, Noah delivers a...
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Sean Kenyon on Crafting Hospitality’s Next Chapter & Elevating Team Culture
In this episode, Shawn Soole sits down with industry legend Sean Kenyon—third-generation bartender, owner of the award-winning Williams & Graham and more—where they explore the true meaning of bar culture, legacy, and operational excellence. Sean brings decades of experience shaping top-tier...
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From the Bar to the Boardroom: April Wachtel on Entrepreneurship in Hospitality
In this episode, Shawn Soole sits down with hospitality trail-blazer April Wachtel — a bartender-turned-entrepreneur with more than 25 years in the beverage world, now founder and CEO of Cheeky Cocktails. She opens up about shifting from behind the bar to building a scalable brand, and how she’s...
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How Lindsey Johnson is Transforming the Bartending World with Community & Education
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…
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Inside Bartender Magazine: Ryan Foley on Legacy, Print Media, and Industry Storytelling
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...
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Kate Chernoff on Winning World Class, Telling Stories Through Cocktails & Representing Canada
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...
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Stephen Myers on Strategy, Spirit Brands & Scaling with Intention
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...
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How Patrick Dooley Brought the Boulevardier Story Back to Life
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...
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Geoffrey Toffetti on Turning Frontline Staff into Revenue Drivers
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...
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TRAILER - Geoffrey Toffetti on Turning Frontline Staff into Revenue Drivers
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.
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Charlotte Voisey on Evolving Tales of the Cocktail and Leading the Culture Shift
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...
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TRAILER - Charlotte Voisey on Evolving Tales of the Cocktail and Leading the Culture Shift
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,...
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From Punch to Platform: Dale DeGroff on Craft, History, and Hospitality Evolution
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...
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TRAILER - From Punch to Platform: Dale DeGroff on Craft, History, and Hospitality Evolution
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
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Jess Taylor on Shucking Success: Building a Seafood Destination from Scratch
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...
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TRAILER - Jess Taylor on Shucking Success: Building a Seafood Destination from Scratch
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.
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Kimberly Flear on Healing Hospitality: Recovery, Resilience & Rebuilding the Culture
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...
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TRAILER - Kimberly Flear on Healing Hospitality: Recovery, Resilience & Rebuilding the Culture
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.
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Robert Simonson on Mixing Words, Whiskey, and Cocktail Culture
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...
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TRAILER - Robert Simonson on Mixing Words, Whiskey, and Cocktail Culture
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.
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From EMP to Viajante 87: Pietro Collina on Leading Bar Culture at the Highest Level
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,...
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TRAILER - From EMP to Viajante 87: Pietro Collina on Leading Bar Culture at the Highest Level
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.
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Brenton Mowforth on Turning Content into Community with Cheers to Happy Hour
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…
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TRAILER - Brenton Mowforth on Turning Content into Community with Cheers to Happy Hour
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...
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Jeffrey Morgenthaler on Giving Away the Playbook and Staying in Love with Bartending
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...
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TRAILER - Jeffrey Morgenthaler on Giving Away the Playbook and Staying in Love with Bartending
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...
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Kevin Kos on Content, Creativity, and Making Education Entertaining
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…
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TRAILER - Kevin Kos on Content, Creativity, and Making Education Entertaining
NEW EPISODE drops Friday, 9am PST In this trailer, I chat with Kevin Kos about his journey from Slovenian bartender to global cocktail content creator. We dive into storytelling, creativity, and how he’s redefining education behind the bar. If you’re into cocktails, branding, or building a voice...
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Behind the Bar with Alex Kratena: Designing Drinks That Tell a Story
In this live episode, Shawn Soole welcomes acclaimed bartender, author, and cocktail innovator Alex Kratena, co-founder of the prestigious P(our) festival and creator of truly boundary-pushing drink experiences. Get ready for an insightful dive into flavor design, creative inspiration, and the...
About this show
The Post Shift Podcast with Shawn Soole dives into the business of hospitality with raw, honest conversations on entrepreneurship, leadership, mental health, and modern hospitality culture. From industry icons to rising stars, each episode unpacks real stories, hard lessons, and fresh ideas that help bar and restaurant pros thrive. Tune in for unfiltered insights into what it takes to build a lasting, meaningful career in today’s fast-changing hospitality world.
Hosted by
Shawn Soole
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