TRAILER - Robert Simonson on Mixing Words, Whiskey, and Cocktail 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 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 health and psychological safety * Leadership that centers empathy, employee engagement, and staff retention * Practical strategies for reducing turnover, absenteeism, and promoting a sustainable team culture * Live Q&A: advice on launching wellness initiatives, empowering teams, and bringing recovery awareness into hospitalityTimestamp Highlights* 00:02:30 – Kimberly shares her early hospitality roots and turning point into recovery* 00:12:00 – Launching Last Call Coaching and what motivated the mission* 00:25:30 – Core principles of building recovery-ready workplaces—well-being meets business* 00:38:00 – Live Q\&A: managing stigma, bringing training into teams, and speaking truth to leaders* 00:52:00 – Kimberly’s vision forward: tools, workshops, and culture change in actionWho It’s ForThis episode is essential for hospitality owners, managers, HR leaders, and anyone passionate about creating cultures that support both team well-being and operational excellence.If You Loved This Episode* Hit Like * Subscribe and tap the 🔔 for weekly industry-style conversations

NEW EPISODE drops Friday, 9am PSTIn 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 why these classics still matter.• Behind-the-scenes insight into his book A Proper Drink and other seminal works like 3‑Ingredient Cocktails.• Why the Martini Expo, launching September 12–13 at Industry City in Brooklyn, is a landmark moment for the industry. Expect tasting seminars, book signings, a Three‑Martini lunch, a glittering Martini Mixer, and more. • Live Q&A: writing for hospitality, preserving cocktail storytelling, and the cultural power of a great Martini.Timestamp Highlights (Approximate)00:02:30 – Robert’s path to becoming a leading voice in cocktail history.00:14:00 – Unpacking the Old-Fashioned: origins, evolution, and legacy.00:28:00 – The Martini’s story: shifts, myths, and modern relevance.00:42:00 – A Proper Drink and the drive to document the cocktail revival.00:58:00+ – Q&A: tips on writing, research, and bringing drink culture into the future.Who It’s ForBartenders, beverage directors, authors, and cocktail lovers who value stories as much as drinks-and who are intrigued by the Martini’s rise to its own festival stage.If You Enjoyed This Episode• Hit Like• Subscribe and ring the 🔔 for more conversations that bridge history, culture, and the bar world• Share your favorite Robert insight-or ask about what you’d like to see at the Martini Expo-in the comments• Share this episode with your bar team, content community, or cocktail-forward friends

NEW EPISODE drops Friday, 9am PSTIn 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 journey through Eleven Madison Park and the culture that shaped him• How NoMad helped bridge fine dining and cocktail excellence• His philosophy on building bar programs that reflect identity, purpose, and flow• The creative process behind Viajante 87’s bar experience and The Teslef Group’s beverage DNA• Audience Q\&A on training teams, scaling systems, and delivering consistency across multiple venues 📌 Timestamp Highlights00:03:00 – Entering the world of fine dining at Eleven Madison Park00:15:00 – Lessons from NoMad: bar meets kitchen meets guest experience00:30:00 – Designing the beverage program at Viajante 8700:45:00 – Live Q&A: leadership, team culture, and scalable excellence01:00:00+ – What’s next: expansion, new projects, and collaborative growth🎯 Who It’s ForBar and restaurant leaders, beverage directors, and operators looking to create world-class programs that blend creative excellence with operational precision. ✅ If You Enjoyed This EpisodeSmash the Like buttonSubscribe and hit the 🔔 for weekly industry insightsDrop your favorite takeaway from Pietro in the commentsShare this episode with your team or bar community

NEW EPISODE drops Friday, 9am PSTIn 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 contentWhy happy hour is more than a drink—it’s community, nostalgia, and connectionHow social media and video trends are transforming bartending cultureHonest Q&A: audience questions on content creation, collaboration, and staying inspired00:02:30 – Brenton’s origin story and the idea behind “Cheers to Happy Hour”00:14:15 – Developing authentic content and connecting with your audience00:27:00 – The culture of happy hour—stories, memories, and community impact00:38:20 – Live Q&A: tools, collaboration, and evolving with content trends00:50:45 – What’s next: expanding the brand, new formats, and future episodesContent creators, bartenders, community-builders, and anyone fascinated by culture, connection, and the evolving face of hospitality online.Tap LikeSubscribe and ring the 🔔 to catch more live conversationsDrop your favourite “Cheers to Happy Hour” moment or tip in the commentsShare this with your friends, followers, or community🧠 What You’ll Learn📌 Timestamp Highlights🎯 Who It’s For✅ If You Enjoyed This Episode

NEW EPISODE drops Friday, 9am PSTIn 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 experimentationThe balance between honoring classic drinks and creating original cocktailsHow to batch serve without losing quality, and tips on mint syrup preservationThe importance of "fun" in bars—even Long Island Iced Teas deserve respectHow to navigate pricing, the non-alcoholic cocktail scene, and avoid burnout mpvieira.github.io+3podcasters.spotify.com+3youtube.com+3youtube.comflavorsunknown.com00:00:50 – The journey of sharing knowledge through writing and how it informs practice00:06:48 – Learning from mistakes and refining cocktail craft00:12:37 – The design process: tasting, memory, and development00:21:39 – Mentorship, evolving bartender culture, and leadership00:29:39 – Industry trends: non-alcoholic cocktails, pricing, and innovation00:35:42 – Cocktail prep hacks: batching, mint syrup fixes, and more00:48:32 – Resilience, creativity, and why bars need a sense of funBartenders, bar managers, writers, hospitality leaders, or anyone seeking thoughtful insights on craftsmanship, balance, and keeping your spark alive behind the stick.Tap LikeSubscribe and ring 🔔 for more weekly episodesDrop your favourite Jeffrey tip or quote in the commentsShare this with your hospitality or cocktail-loving communityLet me know if you'd like a version tailored for LinkedIn, Twitter, or show‑notes styling!🧠 What You’ll Learn📌 Timestamp Highlights🎯 Who It’s For✅ If You Loved This Episode

NEW EPISODE drops Friday, 9am PSTIn 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.