Sam's Band Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Wkp6yWAqvf6Hvga07alzT?si=ca99ccfad1ac4f08

Live life loudly! Couldn’t agree more!

This was a blast! Thanks Sam Oches, Editorial Director at Informa and the mastermind behind Nation’s Restaurant News.

We dove into everything in this podcast from his passion for drumming (yes, drumming!) to our shared childhood obsession with Little Debbie Nutty Buddy Bars—trust me, there were plenty of laughs along the way.

Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll hear:

>>>Sam’s journey from being a bona fide “news junkie” as a kid (credit to his parents) to using his killer writing skills, and even a free education, to break into journalism.

>>>A look at the standout mentors who’ve shaped his path, inspiring him to pay it forward to the next generation of storytellers.

>>And the common thread among the industry’s greatest leaders? A blend of longevity and a real commitment to keeping the true meaning of culture alive - it’s all about balancing quality and quantity!

For this episode of Bring More Joy to the Table, I talked with my friend Wade Allen, President at Costa Vida!

One of Wade’s favorite quotes (from Abraham Maslow) is that “at any moment, we can step forward into growth or step back into safety.” I think it is perfect! He has repeatedly chosen to lean into new opportunities and his willingness to press beyond fear has kept him on the forefront of innovation and is a recurring theme in his success.

There were so many great moments and takeaways in this conversation:

>>> Wade’s very first job as an “assistant dishwasher” at age 14 taught him how to hustle and the payoff of hard work, speed, and service! His early experiences in the kitchen set the tone for a lifelong belief in going the extra mile to delight both clients and guests!

>>>His career shows how blending analytical insights with a people-first mindset can transform guest experiences and drive brand loyalty. Despite being on the forefront of marketing and data science, he emphasizes the importance of never losing sight of the human at the other end of every data point!

>>>Wade underscores the idea that trust is the bedrock of high-performing teams. Instead of micromanaging, his leadership philosophy is to focus on removing obstacles and empower people do their best work.

>>>Wade’s transition to Costa Vida was equal parts serendipity and conviction. Trusting his gut, and paying attention to those too-good-to-be-true coincidences, reinforced his belief that success often comes from embracing change when the moment feels right.

The key to being a successful entrepreneur? Being “Irrationally Passionate!” – Wow! I can relate!

For this episode of Bring More Joy to the Table, I spoke with Zach Goldstein, CEO and Founder of Thanx. His company is a leading guest engagement platform in the restaurant industry.

Zach shared tons of great lessons and insights. It was hard to pick my favorites, but here goes:

>>>His first job: Tutoring middle school students as a freshman in high school. That taught him how people learn differently, a lesson he applied throughout his business career to better connect with his employees.

>>>It’s not just about capturing data. You need to create a frictionless way that allows you to actually utilize it! Data is only as good as what you do with it!

>>> Zach explains that loyalty is a “business outcome”, not just a “program to drive traffic.” They’re working to overturn that misconception!

>>>It is all about the people! It is critical that early on, you empower your team and surround yourself with people who share your passion!

Passion + Excellence = Success!

In this episode of Bring More Joy to the Table, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with my friend, Dr Shawnda Floyd, Provost and Vice Chancellor of Workforce Education at Dallas College.

Today, Shawnda leads with a servant's heart, guiding over 4,300 faculty and adjunct professors and 127,000+ students toward a big audacious goal of reaching 180,000 students by 2030.

💡 Her remarkable journey:


👉 Shawnda began her career at just 14 years old (yes, 14!) working at Burger King in New Jersey. That’s where she first discovered her appreciation for hard work and her love for connecting with people.


👉 Inspired by her mom, a phenomenal manager while working at Sears, and shaped by her career in litigation, Shawnda’s experiences have given her profound insights into leadership, communication, and life itself.


👉 Now, she’s leading Dallas College to new heights, offering over 360 programs that serve everyone, from first-time college students to professionals expanding their skills.

Shawnda’s passion is to help students succeed and find joy, even through the challenges they face, and her goal to inspire hope in the next generation

Ready to be inspired? Don’t miss this episode—listen now! 🎙️

From busboy to brand builder, how Clay Dover brings create opportunities and joy in the hospitality industry!

We’re back for season four of Bring More Joy to the Table. I spoke with Clay Dover, CEO, President, and Taco Maker at Velvet Taco! It was an incredibly fun conversation in which we covered so much ground...

>>>Clay’s early experience in the industry, and how his early love for hospitality begun with magical (I love that word!) family dinners with his grandfather

>>>Velvet Taco’s ‘tribe’ led culture — their employees found values they identified with such as being relentless, staying rebellious, kicking ass and taking names

>>>The lessons Clay learned from industry founders and icons such as Todd Graves and Doug Brooks, and the lessons he picked up from his time working with so many incredible brands

Those of you who have tried it know just how yummy Velvet Taco is! And for those who haven’t, just know, you’re missing out!


Thanks again Clay, it was a blast!

Boost sales, boost Guest satisfaction…. AND fight hunger…

It’s a perfect real world example of the Business of Joy in action!

Meet Andrew Glantz, CEO and founder of GiftAMeal! For this episode of Bring More Joy to the Table, I spoke with Andrew about his amazing company that is elevating restaurant experience… and creating a BIG social impact along the way!

His company has already partnered with thousands of restaurants to donate funds for more than 2.2 million meals to those in need!

You guys know I love data… in a case study, GiftAMeal led to:

>guests returning 39% more

>spent 20% more per visit

>tipped 32% more

Listen to the full episode to learn more! Restaurant operators, this is one you don't want to miss!

Your mom was right! It’s not what you say but how you say it!

For the finale of Season Three, I spoke with the legendary Mac Brand!

From his early days working with his father in downtown Los Angeles, to his time working at big companies like PepsiCo and Mars, to his experiences traveling around the world, Mac has so many valuable insights.

Emotional intelligence & 55/38/7: Mac explains the Mehrabian model of communication and how communication is about much more than words!

The importance of culture: Whether it’s learning Spanish from the locals, or sharing experiences with classmates while taking a course at Oxford University, Mac emphasizes the value of culture and the countless lessons you can learn by just listening.

Tending To Your Garden: Mac’s latest book, Tending To Your Garden, emphasizes the importance of relationships in business and in life.

He also shares a ton more great business lessons and practices, such as a protocol that allows employees to self-select out of the organization.

Mac, thank you for coming on the show!

Get his book!

How today’s leaders can better support the next generation – A student’s perspective.

Meet Chayil Hyland! She’s a Senior at Cornell University studying hospitality. I have no doubt she will be one of the leaders of this industry some day!

From the first time I saw her speak at Will Guidara's The Welcome Conference, I knew Chayil was wise far beyond her years. And unlike many who just “end up” in the hospitality industry, she knew exactly what she wanted to do at a young age!

Her passion for cooking and hospitality is contagious, and she is simply amazing! There are so many great takeaways from this episode, such as an acronym she uses for empowering those in the industry: BET (Believing, Equipping, and Teaching).

You’ll also hear:

1. What she learned from her family, going to Food and Finance high school, and in her early jobs in the industry

2. What she enjoys now, what she’s looking for after she graduates, and where she hopes the industry is headed!

Chayil - thank you! It was a joy to have you on the show!