no proof

Wills Dowd was born and raised in the hospitality industry. As a third generation Portland Maine local, he watched behind the scenes as his father owned and operated six food and beverage concepts in the Portland area. Recognizing this dedication to the industry, Dowd followed in his father’s footsteps by starting as a dishwasher at the age of 15 in the back of a busy kitchen. By the age of 24, he worked his way up the ranks and became the manager of the restaurant and even spearheaded the opening of two more restaurants for that business.

Decades later, he uses his passion and knowledge for the industry, along with his Portland Maine upbringing to his advantage as co-owner and director of operations for restaurant concept, Lucky Cheetah. The new restaurant opening follows the success of his existing Portland-based restaurant Bird & Co, which is a town favorite.

As a business owner, he takes pride in the ability to make change and bring visions to life. “There's no better feeling for me than knowing I made someone’s day with good food, drink and service. I love when people come in for first dates or big relationship moments and we can help them create a core memory. I love watching someone take the first sip of a drink and their eyes widen and then they tell their friend across the table they have to try it” says Dowd. This is what continues to drive his passion for the industry and grow his business.

When he is not overseeing the day-to-day operations of these concepts, he enjoys spending time with his family, catching up with friends on the golf course, and listening to live music in town.

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Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

Will Lindsay is a musician and storyteller who’s spent the past decade chasing songs and dodging algorithms. He fronts the critically acclaimed Philadelphia indie-punk band Caracara, and before that, made noisy, joyful chaos as W.C. Lindsay. He’s toured the world, lost sleep in vans, and somehow managed to make music that people actually felt.

Now, he’s pouring all of that into Buying Fireworks in Indiana—a solo project that blends indie electronic music, cinematic video essays, and longform writing into something you can’t quite describe at parties. The project is a search—for feeling, for meaning, for stories that don’t disappear into the void of infinite scroll.

Shaped by years of DIY shows, overnight drives, and conversations in strange corners of the world, Buying Fireworks in Indiana is part travelogue, part love letter to subculture. It’s a living archive of underground music, fleeting moments, and people chasing something just out of frame.

Musically, the project lives between genres—in a space Lindsay calls “drum & bliss”—a blend of indie electronic, future garage, post-punk, and melodic drum & bass. It’s emotionally charged and built for movement: dancing, driving, drifting, disappearing.

The rest of the story unfolds in essays and videos—dispatches from the road, meditations on art and impermanence, and quiet glimpses of the collaborations that become the songs.

Buying Fireworks in Indiana is a listener-reader-supported project. If the music hits, if the stories get under your skin—becoming a paid subscriber is how you keep it alive. Premium supporters help ensure the next chapter is not only possible, but honest, wild, and worth doing.

In a digital landscape that can amplify and erase with the same swipe, Lindsay leans into the contradiction—making art that holds tension between nostalgia and progress, tradition and invention. Buying Fireworks in Indiana isn’t just his journey; it’s an open invitation to hop in and come along.

website/writing:

https://buyingfire.works 

youtube:

https://youtube.com/@buyingfireworks 

music:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2fSit0fOVH1HGhF1u5cGSg?si=B10hTGPxT7-pUfChWW9pyw

Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

Chef Alex Smith is the Executive Chef of Urban Oak, which sits atop the dual branded Homewood Suites and Tempo by Hilton Raleigh Downtown, bringing over a decade of culinary expertise to one of Raleigh’s newest dining destinations. With a background in fine dining, menu development, and kitchen leadership, he has helmed acclaimed restaurants across the country. As Chef de Cuisine at Parallax Restaurant in Mammoth Lakes, CA, he led kitchen operations, from innovative menu design to staff development, ensuring high culinary standards in a high-demand setting. His experience in research and development with Union Square Hospitality expanded his expertise in recipe creation, ingredient sourcing, and global culinary collaborations. Previously, at Milk and Roses in Brooklyn, he reimagined the restaurant’s Italian-focused menu, earning recognition in travel guidebooks. Passionate about mentorship, food sustainability, and operational excellence, Smith is committed to making Urban Oak a dynamic and memorable dining experience for guests in Raleigh.

Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

Josh Harris, founder of The Bon Vivants, is a San Francisco native and hospitality veteran, Harris is the owner of Trick Dog and the upcoming Quik Dog. A passionate ultra trail runner, vintage watch dealer, and advocate for non-alcoholic drinking culture, he’s been sober since 2003. Harris also co-founded the BV Run Club and established The Bon Vivants Scholarship, raising nearly $850,000 for nonprofits and supporting underserved youth in San Francisco.

Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

Scott Crawford is the Chef/Owner of award-winning Crawford and Son and Jolie in Raleigh, NC. A five-time James Beard Foundation semifinalist for “Best Chef: Southeast,” Crawford earned the coveted Forbes Five-Star award at three properties prior to introducing Crawford Hospitality, and has earned accolades such as Esquire “Best New Restaurant,” Newsweek’s “101 Best Places to Eat in the World,” Triangle Business Journal’s “CEO of the Year” and the News & Observer’s “Restaurant of the Year.” His leadership extends beyond the kitchen; he serves on the Honorary Committee of Healing Transitions – a place for recovery in downtown Raleigh, on The Sunday Supper board, was the Founder of the Ben’s Friends Raleigh chapter, and is committed to cultivating a healthy work-life balance in the culinary industry, and mentoring food and beverage professionals. Crawford Hospitality welcomes Crawford Cookshop in Clayton, NC and Crawford Brothers Steakhouse in Cary, NC’s new Fenton in 2022.

Listening in Columbus, Ohio? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

Kendall Bierman is a licensed therapist and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. Her passion for this work stems from her own experience navigating anxiety and substance abuse in college, ultimately finding sobriety with the support of a compassionate therapist. Now, she specializes in helping young adults with anxiety, substance use, body image concerns, and relational challenges. Using evidence-based approaches like CBT and DBT, Kendall provides a supportive, non-judgmental space to help clients uncover their strengths and develop personalized strategies for healing. Whether someone is contemplating change or ready to take the first step, she meets them exactly where they are in their journey.

Website: www.kendallbtherapy.com

Instagram & TikTok: @kendallbtherapy

Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

LP O’Brien is a highly decorated and award-winning Afro-Boricua mixologist. Her dedication to education, innovation, and cultural integration through cocktail creations led her to establish LP Drinks.

LP was famously crowned the winner of Netflix's new television series, Drink Masters, and has been recognized by DISCUS, Global Bar 100 Industry People To Know, and the Dame Hall of Fame. 

She is a proud shareholder of Siponey Spritz Co.™, the first B Corp-certified spirits-based canned cocktail company.

Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

In this conversation, Julia shares her multifaceted journey through the hospitality industry, her relationship with alcohol, and her path to sobriety. She discusses the chaos of working in restaurants, the challenges of navigating alcohol in a high-pressure environment, and the transformative experience of embracing sobriety. Julia highlights the importance of self-reflection, creativity, and leadership in her life, as well as the growing acceptance of non-alcoholic options in the hospitality industry. Her story is one of resilience, personal growth, and the power of community support.

Shell is a hospitality veteran with 18 years of FOH experience, specializing in operations, training, and business development. She has worked with some of London’s top restaurant groups, including Hawksmoor, Gaucho, and Polpo.

After experiencing a life-changing burnout in 2020, Shell shifted her focus to improving mental health and working conditions in hospitality, pushing difficult conversations into the open—particularly around the hidden epidemic of addiction.

Her podcast, We Recover Loudly, provides a platform for industry professionals to discuss substance use, recovery, and cultural change, proving that a thriving hospitality career doesn’t have to include alcohol or drugs.

Beyond podcasting, Shell offers onsite workshops, small group coaching for managers, and 1:1 recovery coaching for hospitality leaders looking to change their relationship with drugs and alcohol. As someone diagnosed as autistic, ADHD hyperactive, and dyslexic, she also delivers neurodiversity training, helping businesses create supportive environments that enhance mental well-being.

In addition to her advocacy work, Shell has launched a bold, unapologetic sobriety-focused merchandise perfect for gifting, which celebrates recovery with empowering designs and streetwear-inspired style. Her best-selling “Sober C*nt” socks have built a loyal following, and she’s expanding her collection to continue challenging stigma and inspiring confidence in recovery.

Shell is also the resident agony aunt for Low No Drinker magazine and the proud dog mum to Milo, a sassy sausage dog with a passion for brunch.

Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

Liz Mendez is a writer, producer and founder of Aldea Hospitality + Productions. Spending three decades in and around restaurants, has laid the foundation for Liz’s portfolio career - spanning: radio, wine, and tech. As a former wine bar owner and award winning sommelier, with a degree in Communications from DePaul University - Liz has always believed in creativity as our greatest superpower. After including zero proof selections in beverage programs since 2015, Liz made the decision in 2021 to bring those beverages more into her own life with mindful breaks from alcohol - which would lead to a life altering, alcohol free year that opened doors to wellness, opportunity and abundance.Links:The Luncheonette: https://luncheonette.substack.com/Aldea Hospitality + Productions: https://www.aldeahospitality.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mendezmusings/

Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.