Welcome to Balanced Hospitality: The Ultimate Podcast for Equitable Success
Passionate about the restaurant industry? Balanced Hospitality delivers expert advice and inspiring conversations with top hospitality professionals.
Join award-winning host Stevan as he explores balancing creative excellence with equitable practices. Learn actionable strategies to foster supportive environments, elevate service, and drive profitability while maintaining fairness and respect.
Whether you’re an experienced restaurateur or just starting out, discover innovative ideas and insights to transform your approach to hospitality. Stay informed with the latest trends, success stories, and tips to make a meaningful impact.
Subscribe to Balanced Hospitality and start your journey toward a thriving, equitable restaurant operation!
Our first ever live recording! Mike is a wealth of knowledge and is dedicated to creating the best bowl of Ramen he and his team can in Akahoshi Ramen. Mike goes by the name “Ramen Lord” on the internet, a somewhat tongue-in-cheek name that since garnered him serious attention. He has been making ramen for 13 years, fascinated with its history, combining traditional approaches with a scientific, meticulous view of its components. From refractometers to measure soup viscosity, to specific noodle hydration percentages, no details are spared.
Prior to the shop, Mike ran a series of popups throughout Chicago to showcase his wares, though he has also conducted events in New York City, Nashville, Cincinnati, and Atlanta. The shop is his opportunity to share his craft with a broader audience in the city of Chicago.
Mike’s background is not traditional for chefs. After over a decade in marketing research, Mike quit his job to pursue opening his dream ramen shop. He has no formal restaurant training, he just loves ramen. Too chatty for his own good, you’ll usually find him in the kitchen, spreading the gospel with guests.
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10 Feb 2025
Ed Lee with the Lee Initiative
It’s easy to talk about philanthropy and sustainability, but Chef Edward Lee has turned those ideals into reality. A true innovator, he’s not only creating change in the restaurant industry but also leading by example—cutting non-reusable plastics in his latest concept and using his platform to drive sustainable, equitable practices. As the chef/owner of 610 Magnolia in Louisville, KY, and the culinary director for Succotash in National Harbor and DC, Chef Lee is reshaping what it means to give back while delivering extraordinary food experiences.
In 2018, Chef Lee and Lindsey Ofcacek co-founded The LEE Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to building a more diverse, compassionate, and sustainable restaurant industry. Their mission is clear: to tackle complex social issues in hospitality with heart, innovation, and a commitment to community.
Chef Lee's accolades speak for themselves—from his James Beard Foundation Award for Writing to being a six-time finalist for Best Chef: Southeast. His books, Buttermilk Graffiti and Smoke & Pickles, showcase his passion for both the culinary arts and the evolving cultural landscape of America. In 2018, Food & Wine Magazine named 610 Magnolia one of the country’s most important restaurants of the past 40 years, and the Michelin Guide DC awarded Succotash a Bib Gourmand in 2019.
Tune in to hear how Chef Lee’s vision is reshaping the food world, and how his drive for sustainability and equity is transforming the industry from the inside out.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wayward-muse/donations (https://redcircle.com/wayward-muse/donations)
20 Jan 2025
Laura Louise Green of Healthy Pour
Healthy Pour is dedicated to transforming the workplace. Founded with a mission to enhance the world's relationship with work, Healthy Pour fosters environments that prioritize well-being, productivity, and fulfillment. They believe that a healthy workplace is the cornerstone of a successful and sustainable business.
Laura Louise Green, the driving force behind Healthy Pour, is a well-being strategist, organizational psychologist, and psychotherapist. She specializes in addressing the intersection of mental health and work, with a focus on preventing burnout and toxicity by creating and restoring healthy workplaces. Her expertise empowers organizations to thrive by placing mental health at the center of their operations.
Our podcast conversation with Laura was nothing short of inspiring. Her insights left us reflecting deeply and reaching for our notepads. Laura’s perspective on well-being in the workplace is not only transformative but also a joy to learn from.
Don’t miss the opportunity to engage further! Join us on February 17th for an in-person pop-up event featuring special guest speakers and an exclusive cocktail pop-up "Naniloa" to wrap up the evening. Tickets are available now on our website!
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16 Dec 2024
Danny Childs
Danny Childs, a trained anthropologist and ethnobotanist, shares his expertise on sustainable bar programs and desert island ingredients, revealing the secret to creating a resilient hospitality industry.
2 Dec 2024
Derrick Westbrook
Derrick Westbrook shares his journey breaking barriers in the wine industry, bridging spirits and culture, and empowering diversity through curated events and wine tastings.
18 Nov 2024
The Veraison Project
The beverage world is an ever-evolving industry that continues to create new challenges and opportunities. If it were not for organizations like the Veraison Project we would be trapped in the past. The focus of their project hits close to home and I hope you find this conversation as motivating as I did.
-Stevan
A vibrant and dynamic 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, passionately committed to reshaping the beverage industry. We are a collective of devoted professionals, united by a shared vision of creating an industry that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
The name ‘Veraison’ is not just a term; it’s a metaphor symbolizing our mission. In viticulture, ‘veraison’ marks the pivotal moment when grapes begin to ripen, changing color from their initial green hue to deep shades of purple or gold. It is a period of transformation, of maturation, and of potential realized. This is the change we aim to inspire within the beverage industry – a transition from mere growth to true equity, from blossoming to ripening.
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24 May 2023
Rethink Food
Rethink Food exists to bridge the gap between food waste and food insecurity. In this episode, we discuss the unique ways in which they are changing the way we look at food and how we can help get this resource to the right people. Chef Jenner joined us to discuss how his restaurant Esme contributes to the community including its partnership with Rethink.
It was eye-opening to hear their perspectives and experiences as they have created structures for change. Food insecurity affects the daily lives of so many and we have the resources to help change that. Thank you all for supporting! Let me know what you think on Insta or Tik Tok!
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5 Apr 2023
Sean Sherman
A member of the Oglala Lakota tribe, Chef Sean Sherman was born and raised in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Cooking in kitchens across the United States and Mexico for over 30 years, Chef Sean is renowned nationally and internationally in the culinary movement of Indigenous foods. His primary focus is the revitalization and evolution of Indigenous food systems throughout North America. His extensive studies on the foundations of Indigenous food systems have led to his deep understanding of what is needed to showcase Native American cuisine in today's world. In 2014, Chef Sean opened the business, The Sioux Chef, designed to provide catering and food education in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area. His first book, The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen, received the James Beard Award for Best American Cookbook for 2018 and was chosen one of the top ten cookbooks of 2017 by the LA Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and Smithsonian magazine. In July 2021, Chef Sean and his partner Dana openedOwamni by The Sioux Chef, Minnesota’s first full-service Indigenous restaurant, featuring healthy Indigenous food and drinks. Owamni received the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant in June 2022.
Thank you for listening!! If you like this content consider getting us a coffee or getting some merch!
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6 Mar 2023
John Kessler
Welcome to SZN 3! We are back and want to grow this channel to new heights and that all starts with you so thank you so much for tuning in!
Our first guest for this season is John Kessler. He is the restaurant critic for Chicago Magazine. He previously spent 18 years as a food writer at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He worked for several years as a restaurant cook and chef in Washington and Denver, where he got his start as a critic at the alternative newsweekly, Westword. His writing has received many awards, including a National Headliner Award and a James Beard award. His essays, columns, and food features have been anthologized 11 times in “Best Food Writing.” He served as chairman of the James Beard Foundation’s journalism awards committee.
We don't want to muddy our show with brands and plug-ins that will censor our speech, so if you like this content consider getting us a coffee or visiting the shop where we've designed a sushi-wielding/sake pouring/ maki serving Ikigai octopus sweatshirt, or a dank Terroir & sugar cane T-shirt. Each design is printed to order! and is unique only 9,998 until we can open a bar!
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22 Jul 2021
CHOW w/ John Hinman & Erin Boyle
Denver pie maker, John Hinman, owner of Hinman Pies, and Executive Director of CHOW Erin Boyle. Together they lead CHOW, or Culinary Hospitality Outreach and Wellness. Which is an organization of individuals employed in the hospitality industry who support each others’ mental wellness through shared stories, learned skills, and available resources.
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8 Jul 2021
Laura Kelton of Support Staff
Welcome to Wayward Muse! The Podcast that takes mixes cocktails and culture! If you like our content, Like, share, subscribe!
Laura Kelton is a Co-Founder of the Support Staff organization. Their focus is to help the hospitality community by working alongside mental health professionals, and community organizers to break down the stigmas surrounding mental health.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wayward-muse/donations
17 Mar 2021
part 2 Chris Shepherd and Southern Smoke
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Welcome to Part 2! We dive into what it takes to turn a restaurant into long-term institution and the inner workings of The Southern Smoke Foundation.
Midwest-raised, James Beard Award-winning Chef Chris Shepherd has helped change the landscape of the Houston culinary scene since opening Underbelly in 2012. He built the restaurant to support the Houston food community and its suppliers by buying local and drawing inspiration from the people and cultures that live in the city.
Are you an industry worker that believes they are eligible for emergency aid?
https://southernsmoke.org/fund/
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10 Mar 2021
Chris Shepherd: A life in the Industry
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Midwest-raised, James Beard Award-winning Chef Chris Shepherd has helped change the landscape of the Houston culinary scene since opening Underbelly in 2012. He built the restaurant to support the Houston food community and its suppliers by buying local and drawing inspiration from the people and cultures that live in the city.
Get to Know Chef Shepherd on this Wayward Muse Exclusive interview. We take a look at what makes Houston so special and how it has affected his life. Our conversation went so well there will be a part 1 and 2!
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17 Feb 2021
Josh Harris of Bon Vivants
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Rarely do you get the chance to sit down and pick the brain of someone you truly admire. Luckily for us, we got such an opportunity. Josh Harris has exemplified creativity and innovation in our industry for years but now with our changing environment, we could use his perspective more than ever. Join us as we discuss everything from Menu and Bar design to how something as simple as a closet dresser can lead to inspiration about form and function.
Part 1 Trick Dog & the Calendar of Invention
Part 2 12:20 Form and function & Bon Voyage
Part 3 20:20 The Great Individualizer & Quick Dog
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wayward-muse/donations
8 Feb 2021
Raise, High Road Restaurants
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Jeanie, and Mikey joined us on this episode to discuss what it means to be an equitable restaurant. Join us as we take a deep dive into what that really means.
Part 1
:00-17:00 What is RAISE, what is an equitable Restaurant
Part 2
17:00-40:37 Changing the system: best practices, legislation, implicit bias
Part 3: Proof that one fair wage works.
Raise is a national network of restaurant owners who are committed to racial and gender justice. This includes how they compensate their employees, define their culture, staff their restaurants, and serve their guests.
High Road Restaurants advocate for fair wages and increased racial and gender equity through hiring, training, and promotional practices.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wayward-muse/donations
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 15 / 100
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Quality
18
Social presence
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YouTube
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Engagement
32
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