Mike Bisceglia filled in for Shawn Walchef on Rising Tides Live, leading a thoughtful conversation around one simple question: what is actually working right now? Joined by operators, creators, founders, and community members, the discussion focused on practical wins happening in real time. From early morning routines and protecting focused work time to asking for help, prioritizing health, celebrating progress, and showing up consistently, the throughline was clear. Growth is rarely one big breakthrough. It is built through habits, perspective, and steady action. The takeaway was simple: when you recognize what is working, repeat it, refine it, and keep building from there.

Episode Links

Mike Bisceglia filled in for Shawn Walchef on Rising Tides Live, leading a candid conversation on the constant pull between creativity and administrative work. Joined by a room full of operators, creators, and entrepreneurs, the discussion explored a familiar tension: the ideas that drive growth versus the tasks that keep the business running. From building systems and scheduling creative time to recognizing personal energy patterns, the throughline was clear. Creativity does not just happen. It must be protected, prioritized, and practiced. The takeaway was simple: operators who intentionally create space for creative thinking, while building structure around execution, will move faster, think clearer, and ultimately build stronger businesses.

Episode Links

In this Pitch the Tide session, Trace Smith, CEO of Next Glass, introduces Untappd for Business, a menu management and marketing platform built to help restaurants streamline beverage programs and drive guest traffic. By leveraging a global database of drinks and a large community of engaged users, the platform simplifies menu updates while connecting operators directly to consumers, turning real-time changes into increased visibility, foot traffic, and revenue.

Episode Links

Stepping outside of your comfort zone took center stage on Rising Tides Live as Ryan Skrzypczynski filled in for Shawn Walchef and leaned into the challenge of hosting. What started as a moment of uncertainty quickly turned into a conversation about growth, confidence, and the value of putting yourself in uncomfortable situations. Operators, entrepreneurs, and creators shared real experiences of pushing past hesitation, learning in real time, and building resilience through action. A clear theme emerged: growth does not happen in comfort. When leaders are willing to step up before they feel ready, they unlock new opportunities, strengthen their voice, and create momentum that carries into every part of their business and life.

Episode Links

In this Pitch the Tide session, Stephanie Olson, Founder and CEO of restauWant, introduces a data-driven marketing intelligence platform designed to help restaurants understand what actually drives guest traffic. Built out of firsthand experience running a restaurant marketing agency, restauWant connects fragmented data across POS systems, online ordering, reservations, and ad platforms to solve the industry’s biggest challenge: knowing which marketing efforts lead to real revenue. By translating complex analytics into clear, actionable insights, the platform empowers operators to make smarter marketing decisions, optimize spend, and focus more time on delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Episode Links

Communication and digital wellness took center stage on Rising Tides Live as Marisa Cali filled in for Shawn Walchef and led a conversation on our relationship with technology. Operators, entrepreneurs, and creators shared real experiences navigating constant connectivity and the challenge of staying present. A clear theme emerged: technology is a powerful tool, but without intention, it can take control of our time and attention. When leaders set boundaries and prioritize presence, communication improves and leadership becomes more focused, human, and effective.

Episode Links

In this Pitch the Tide session, Stephanie Florio, Co-Founder of Swob, introduces a mobile-first hiring platform built for high-turnover, hourly workforces. Swob uses its AI assistant, Emma, to streamline job posting, screen candidates, and accelerate communication through real-time notifications and text-based outreach. The platform helps operators quickly identify and connect with qualified candidates, reducing time-to-hire while freeing managers to focus on training, culture, and in-store operations.

Episode Links

Leadership stories took center stage on Rising Tides Live as Ward Olgreen filled in for Shawn Walchef and the community explored a powerful question: what moment in life actually changes how you lead. Operators, entrepreneurs, creators, and advisors shared deeply personal experiences that shaped their approach to leadership. From health crises and personal loss to early career lessons and moments of mentorship, each story revealed how difficult seasons often create the most meaningful leadership growth. A clear theme emerged: leadership is rarely learned in theory, it is forged in vulnerability, responsibility, and real life challenges. When leaders choose empathy, listen with intention, and support their teams during the hardest moments, leadership stops being about authority and starts becoming about service, trust, and lifting others along the way.

Episode Links

In this Pitch the Tide session, Rich Simmerman, Founder and CEO of Cantaloupe AI, introduces an AI-driven hiring platform designed for frontline roles. Cantaloupe uses a conversational AI agent, Cleo, to conduct interviews, assess candidates, and predict turnover risk. The platform delivers ranked candidates directly to managers, saving time and improving hiring quality in high-turnover industries.

Episode Links

Customer Success took center stage on Rising Tides Live as Shawn Walchef, joined by co-host Ryan Skrzypczynski, and the community explored what the term really means across restaurants, technology, and entrepreneurship. While often associated with SaaS metrics like retention and churn, the discussion revealed a simpler truth: customer success is about helping people achieve the outcome they hoped for. From restaurant operators rearranging seats to avoid turning guests away, to sales professionals focusing on helping rather than selling, the conversation highlighted a shared principle. Whether B2B or B2C, the businesses that win are the ones that listen closely, anticipate needs, and deliver on the promise that brought the customer through the door in the first place.

Episode Links