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 beverage programs, mentoring teams, and crafting spaces that matter.

🧠 What You’ll Learn

• Sean’s journey from the pubs of New Jersey into becoming an American Bartender of the Year and visionary bar creator.

• The philosophy behind Williams & Graham, Occidental, and American Bonded: how space, story, and service merge into destination bars.

• How mentorship, team culture, and the front-line staff form the backbone of any lasting program.

• Real operational insight: designing bar layouts, service flow, and adapting through change.

• Live Q&A: reflections on legacy, resilience, the future of bartending, and what “craft” still means in today’s world.

⏱ Timestamp Highlights (Approximate)

• 00:02:45 – Sean’s early career: growing up behind the bar and embracing hospitality as heritage

• 00:14:00 – Founding Williams & Graham: vision, identity, and setting the standard

• 00:28:30 – Expanding with Occidental & American Bonded: applying craft across formats

• 00:40:50 – Operational deep dive: bar design, efficiency, staffing, and culture

• 00:57:20+ – Q&A: mentoring the next generation, maintaining relevance, and what comes next

🎯 Who It’s For

Bartenders, bar managers, beverage directors, hospitality operators, and anyone who’s serious about building a program with longevity, purpose, and authenticity.

✅ If You Loved This Episode

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• Share your favourite Sean Kenyon insight or ask your question in the comments

• Share this episode with your team, peers, or anyone passionate about the craft of 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 helping both professionals and home enthusiasts elevate their game.

🧠 What You’ll Learn

• How April progressed from busser and bartender to brand ambassador for major spirits companies — and finally to creating her own line of professional-grade mixers and syrups.

• The story of Cheeky Cocktails: why she spotted a gap in the mixer market, how she rebranded and scaled during the pandemic, and what “premium cocktail ingredients made accessible” really means.

• Key lessons in entrepreneurship: product development, early-stage manufacturing, route-to-market strategy, and how to survive in a male-dominated industry.

• Live Q&A: focusing on how to start with small budgets, build brand equity, navigate failure, and make a meaningful impact in the beverage industry.

⏱ Timestamp Highlights (Approximate)

• 00:02:30 – April’s early hospitality beginnings: bartending, beverages, brand work

• 00:14:00 – Recognizing the gap: why mixers and syrups needed a rethink in the craft-cocktail era

• 00:28:00 – Building Cheeky Cocktails: pivots, scaling, distribution & pandemic dynamics

• 00:42:00 – Live Q&A: advice on entrepreneurship, inclusion, and staying creative behind the scenes

• 00:58:00+ – What’s next: product innovation, education, and building community around the bar-to-business journey

🎯 Who It’s For

Bartenders, beverage directors, hospitality entrepreneurs, CPG founders, and anyone curious about how the bar world and product world intersect — how you turn craft into brand and experience into scale.

✅ If You Loved This Episode

• Tap Like

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• Leave a comment with your favourite April insight — or ask your burning question about starting a beverage brand

• Share this episode with your bar team, your network of creators, or anyone looking to make their mark in hospitality

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 building communities, offering inclusive training, and using limited resources to drive change. 🧠 What You’ll Learn• Lindsey’s journey from bartender to community builder and educator. The philosophy behind her grassroots bar tours, training pop-ups, and hospitality pop culture events. How “jam econo” (doing more with less) informs her approach to building educational spaces for bartenders. • Stories of organizing on the road — pop-ups, training, pop culture collabs, and social advocacy in hospitality. • Live Q&A: scaling community events, hospitality activism, and empowering bar professionals through inclusivity and education.⏱ Timestamp Highlights (Estimated)• 00:02:45 – Lindsey’s background and how she began building Lush Life Productions.• 00:14:20 – The story behind Camp Runamok and the philosophy of grassroots training.• 00:28:00 – PDXCW: designing workshops and events for the community. • 00:42:10 – Live Q&A: empowering bartenders, building inclusive cultures, activism.• 00:58:00+ – What’s next: future events, education programs, and community growth.🎯 Who It’s ForBartenders, hospitality professionals, educators, event organizers, and anyone who wants to build meaningful communities, create inclusive learning experiences, or make an impact through hospitality. If You Loved This Episode• Hit Like• Subscribe and ring the 🔔 for more conversations with industry changemakers• Share your favourite Lindsey insight or question in the comments• Share this with your team, your colleagues, or anyone in the hospitality community

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 purpose.

What You’ll Learn

• Ryan’s path from bartender coverage to leading a major industry publication

• How BARTENDER Magazine influences trade trends, education and professional standards

• His role in amplifying non-alcoholic cocktail education and bar best practices

• The intersection of content, culture, and bar commentary

• Live Q&A focusing on journalism, trade events, and how media supports hospitality growth

Timestamp Highlights (Approximate)

• 00:02:30 – Ryan’s background and the genesis of BARTENDER Magazine

• 00:14:00 – The role of trade media in shaping bar culture and education

• 00:28:00 – Expanding into non-alcoholic content and serving professionals

• 00:42:00 – Live Q&A: media, mentoring emerging talent, and covering hospitality in real time

• 00:58:00+ – What’s next: editorial direction, industry events, and evolving narrative

🎯 Who It’s For

Bar managers, hospitality leaders, beverage directors, writers, and anyone interested in how media and storytelling influence the trajectory of the industry.

✅ If You Loved This Episode

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• Drop your favorite takeaway from Ryan or ask any questions in the comments

• Share this with your team or your hospitality network

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 philosophy behind every shift, and how she’s representing Canada on the the global stage.

What You’ll Learn

• Kate’s journey from student to bartender, and how she discovered a passion for the craft.

• How competitions shaped her style and voice behind the bar—technical skill, storytelling, creativity.

• Her winning approach in challenges that include flair, flavour, and sustainable thinking.

• How she infuses hospitality with heart — making guests feel seen and welcomed.

• Live Q&A on performing under pressure, preparing for global finals, and staying true to her roots while growing publicly.

Timestamp Highlights (Estimated)

• 00:02:30 – Kate’s early days behind the bar and what drove her into competition.

• 00:14:00 – Behind the scenes of her winning performance at World Class Canada.

• 00:28:00 – Balancing creativity, technique, and sustainability in cocktail development.

• 00:42:00 – Live Q&A: lessons from competition, and moving into global finals.

• 00:58:00+ – What’s next: representing Canada, refining her craft, and mentoring others.

🎯 Who It’s For

Bartenders, hospitality leaders, competition hopefuls, and anyone wanting to see how passion + technique + narrative can lead to national recognition — and beyond.

✅ If You Loved This Episode

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• Drop your favorite Kate insight or send your questions in the comments

• Share this with your team or colleagues who love craft, competitions, and growth

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 digital brand
• The mindset behind consistent content creation and storytelling
• How to find your niche voice—even when the noise is loud
• Connecting community and craft: techniques, tools, and growth
• Live Q&A: content strategy, monetization, burnout, and staying inspired in hospitality

Timestamp Highlights (Approximate)

00:02:30 – Stephen’s beginnings and storytelling aspirations

00:14:00 – Finding a unique brand voice in hospitality

00:28:00 – Building systems and processes for consistency

00:42:00 – Live Q&A: advice on content, collaboration, and sustainability

00:58:00+ – Where Stephen’s headed next: projects, community, and growth

🎯 Who It’s For

Bar operators, content creators, educators, and anyone looking to build a personal presence rooted in craft, authenticity, and community.

✅ If You Loved This Episode

• Give it a Like

• Subscribe and hit the 🔔 for more conversations from hospitality’s creators
• Drop your favorite Stephen insight or leave a question in the comments
• Share this with your team, creative peers, or anyone looking to find their voice

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 influence.

What You’ll Learn

• Patrick’s journey behind Boulevardier—why he writes and how the bar perspective shapes his voice
• The balance between bar work, writing, and maintaining relevance in cocktail journalism
• How to build content that resonates: finding your niche, staying candid, and evolving with your audience
• Strategies for monetizing creative work without sacrificing authenticity
• Live Q&A: managing criticism, staying inspired, and scaling your influence across the industry

Timestamp Highlights (Approximate)

00:02:30 – Patrick’s origin: how and why he started Boulevardier

00:14:15 – Crossover craft: blending bar life and writing voice

00:28:00 – Navigating content strategy, growth, and maintaining integrity

00:42:20 – Audience questions: growth pains, brand deals, and staying fresh

00:57:00+ – Looking ahead: new projects, collaborations & what’s next

🎯 Who It’s For

Bartenders, content creators, hospitality professionals, and anyone interested in how to turn passion into platform—this is for those who want to build something that lasts beyond the bar shift.

✅ If You Loved This Episode

• Like this video
• Subscribe and hit the 🔔 to get future episodes
• Drop your favorite Patrick insight or question in the comments
• Share this episode with your team, collaborators, or friends in the industry

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 strategies that empower hotels to sell more, serve better, and scale smarter.

What You’ll Learn

• Geoffrey’s journey from valet to C‑suite—building empathy and strategy from the ground up

• FPG’s pivot from consulting to a scalable SaaS model, designing IN‑Gauge to empower staff at the point of sale

• The value of incremental revenue via front desk and F&B upselling—high-margin, high-impact, low‑overhead

• How FPG onboard and train large teams virtually, from launch cadence to ongoing client success frameworks

• Looking ahead: integrating AI not to replace, but to amplify frontline creativity, backed by decades of performance data

Timestamp Highlights (Estimated)

• 00:02:30 – Starting as a valet and rising into leadership—Geoffrey’s hospitality origin story

• 00:14:00 – Building IN-Gauge: FPG’s shift to digital training and performance insights

• 00:28:00 – Revenue without renovation: how hotels unlock millions with existing resources

• 00:42:00 – Rolling out FPG’s onboarding and client success strategy—scalable, virtual, consistent

• 00:58:00+ – Leveraging AI to support—not replace—human connection at the frontline

🎯 Who It’s For

Hotel leaders, beverage and customer experience managers, training directors, and hospitality operators eager to turn frontline moments into powerful revenue engines—all while empowering staff and keeping the guest at the heart.

✅ If You Loved This Episode

Hit Like

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Share your biggest takeaway—or your dream upsell strategy—in the comments

Spread the knowledge: share this episode with your team or industry community

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.

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 the global cocktail community-here’s how.

What You’ll Learn

• Charlotte’s journey: from bartender across London, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, and New York to industry leader and educator

• How she helped craft the legendary experiences at Tales of the Cocktail-and the hands-on parties, seminars, and cultural moments that made the event iconic

• What’s next for Tales in 2025 under her leadership: the theme “Evolve,” expanded seminar tracks from education to wellness and business, and a renewed focus on preparation for the industry’s future

• Balancing the legacy of the global gathering with innovation, inclusivity, and the energy of newcomers-Tales continues evolving while honoring its roots

• What attendees-both returning and first-timers-can expect, and how Charlotte is helping tailor the experience for diverse generations and needs

Timestamp Highlights (Estimated)

00:02:30 – Charlotte’s global journey from bartender to global brand ambassador to festival leader

00:15:00 – Tales’ party legacy and the storytelling that made it legendary

00:30:00 – Shifting from ambassador to Executive Director-what this role means for the industry

00:42:00 – "Evolve" in 2025: new seminar tracks, future-forward programming, and inclusion strategies

00:58:00+ – How Charlotte is bridging generations and shaping a forward-looking Tales experience

🎯 Who It’s For

Bar leaders, event organizers, educators, and anyone invested in the culture, community, and evolution of hospitality-this episode shows how leadership and vision drive progress.

✅ If You Loved This Episode

• Hit Like

• Subscribe and ring the 🔔 to stay tuned for more conversations from hospitality’s changemakers

• Share your favorite Charlotte insight-or a memory from Tales-in the comments

• Share with your team, industry peers, or anyone passionate about where the cocktail community is headed