Frequently Thoughtful, Occasionally Brilliant

About Frequently Thoughtful, Occasionally Brilliant

A podcast about restaurants, culture, society, and the economy. The program is hosted by Eli Feldman and Deirdre Auld, produced by Mia Groves, and is sometimes recorded live from Boston.

Publisher

FTOB Podcast

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

6 Aug 2024

Latest episode

10 Feb 2025

Latest episodes

14 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   10 Feb 2025

   FAB with Randi Weinstein

   Randi Weinstein is located in Charleston, SC and is the founder of FAB, educational, inspirational business workshop women in the food + beverage industry which hosts over 400 attendees every year. Previous to FAB she served as the Director of Events for the Charleston Food + Wine festival for 8 years. We’re delighted to talk to Randi today about her journey and her thoughts on community in the restaurant industry. Frequently Thoughtful, Occasionally Brilliant is co-hosted by Eli Feldman and Deirdre Auld, produced by Mia Groves. MORE FROM FTOB: Follow us on Instagram @ftobpodcast, (https://www.instagram.com/ftobpodcast/) @heyshybird, (https://www.instagram.com/heyshybird/) @_tableside_ (https://www.instagram.com/_tableside_/) Read Elided Opinions (https://shybird.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search) andThe Mise (https://whatimcookinggtoday.substack.com) on Substack Do you enjoy Frequently Thoughtful, Occasionally Brilliant? Star us on Spotify and Apple, we’d love to hear from you.

2. 

   21 Jan 2025

   2025 Forecast: What's Next for Restaurants?

   2025 predictions from your hosts! Frequently Thoughtful, Occasionally Brilliant is co-hosted by Eli Feldman and Deirdre Auld, produced by Mia Groves. MORE FROM FTOB: Follow us on Instagram @ftobpodcast, (https://www.instagram.com/ftobpodcast/) @heyshybird, (https://www.instagram.com/heyshybird/) @_tableside_ (https://www.instagram.com/_tableside_/) Read Elided Opinions (https://shybird.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search) on Substack Do you enjoy Frequently Thoughtful, Occasionally Brilliant? Star us on Spotify and Apple, we’d love to hear from you.

3. 

   11 Dec 2024

   Roux with Lisa Grimm

   Eli Feldman and Deirdre Auld explore the nuances of Roux with special guest Lisa Grimm, uncovering the secrets to elevating culinary creations.

4. 

   21 Nov 2024

   In the Weeds with Savannah Miller (Top Chef)

   Frequent guest Savannah Miller, Top Chef finalist, shares her experiences navigating the spotlight and balancing her culinary craft with personal brand development on the podcast co-hosted by Eli Feldman and Deirdre Auld.

5. 

   31 Oct 2024

   Growing Restaurant Concepts with Andy Husbands

   This epsiode focuses on guest Andy Husbands, Chef/Owner of Smoke Shop BBQ in Boston, MA a growing restaurant concept with 4 locations and plans for more. In this episode we’ll explore Husbands experiences in the restaurant industry, how he has seen restaurants evolve in his long tenured career, and how he thinks about scaling and growing a restaurant concept, and his vision for the future. Frequently Thoughtful, Occasionally Brilliant is co-hosted by Eli Feldman and Deirdre Auld, produced by Mia Groves. MORE FROM FTOB: Follow us on Instagram @ftobpodcast, (https://www.instagram.com/ftobpodcast/) @heyshybird, (https://www.instagram.com/heyshybird/) @_tableside_ (https://www.instagram.com/_tableside_/) Read Elided Opinions (https://shybird.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search) on Substack Do you enjoy Frequently Thoughtful, Occasionally Brilliant? Star us on Spotify, we’d love to hear from you.

6. 

   25 Oct 2024

   Rethinking Leadership in Restaurants

   In this episode, Deirdre discusses the changing landscape of leadership in the restaurant industry, emphasizing the need for leaders to adapt to new expectations from employees and the complexities of the current economic environment. Frequently Thoughtful, Occasionally Brilliant is co-hosted by Eli Feldman and Deirdre Auld, produced by Mia Groves. MORE FROM FTOB: Follow us on Instagram @ftobpodcast, (https://www.instagram.com/ftobpodcast/) @heyshybird, (https://www.instagram.com/heyshybird/) @_tableside_ (https://www.instagram.com/_tableside_/) Read Elided Opinions (https://shybird.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search) on Substack Do you enjoy Frequently Thoughtful, Occasionally Brilliant? Star us on Spotify, we’d love to hear from you.

7. 

   9 Oct 2024

   Ballot 5 with Ryan Lotz

   This episode explores the upcoming ballot measure 5 on the MA general election. Ballot measure 5, promoted by One Fair Wage, seeks to elimiate the tip credit from MA over the next 5 years raising the minimum wage for tipped employees to the same minimum wage as all other workers (currently $15). This episode explores the challenges of that change with Mass Restaurants United President and hospitality professional, Ryan Lotz. Articles credited include, but are not limited to, the following: UC Irvine Study (https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w29213/w29213.pdf) Impacts in Washington D.C. (https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/workforce/tip-credit-falling-full-service-dc-restaurants-cut-3700-jobs) Tufts Center for State Policy (https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/workforce/tip-credit-falling-full-service-dc-restaurants-cut-3700-jobs) Local Business Multiplier Effects (https://amiba.net/local-multiplier/) Frequently Thoughtful, Occasionally Brilliant is co-hosted by Eli Feldman and Deirdre Auld, produced by Mia Groves. MORE FROM FTOB: Follow us on Instagram @ftobpodcast, (https://www.instagram.com/ftobpodcast/) @heyshybird, (https://www.instagram.com/heyshybird/) @_tableside_ (https://www.instagram.com/_tableside_/) Read Elided Opinions (https://shybird.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search) on Substack Do you enjoy Frequently Thoughtful, Occasionally Brilliant? Star us on Spotify, we’d love to hear from you.

8. 

   27 Sept 2024

   NA isn't just Not Applicable

   In this week's episode we get in the weeds about NA beverages and major changes in the alcohol consumption space. Is the dip in alcohol permanent or temporary? Frequently Thoughtful, Occasionally Brilliant is co-hosted by Eli Feldman and Deirdre Auld, produced by Mia Groves. MORE FROM FTOB: Follow us on Instagram @ftobpodcast, (https://www.instagram.com/ftobpodcast/) @heyshybird, (https://www.instagram.com/heyshybird/) @_tableside_ (https://www.instagram.com/_tableside_/) Read Elided Opinions (https://shybird.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search) on Substack Do you enjoy Frequently Thoughtful, Occasionally Brilliant? Star us on Spotify, we’d love to hear from you.

9. 

   20 Sept 2024

   Dear Pete Wells

   Dear Pete Wells, you're not 20 years old and the industry is not your toxic ex-girlfriend. In this episode we discuss Pete Well's last article for the New York Times. I Reviewed Restaurants for 12 Years. They’ve Changed, and Not for the Better. (https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/06/dining/pete-wells-how-restaurants-have-changed.html) Frequently Thoughtful, Occasionally Brilliant is co-hosted by Eli Feldman and Deirdre Auld, produced by Mia Groves. MORE FROM FTOB: Follow us on Instagram @ftobpodcast, (https://www.instagram.com/ftobpodcast/) @heyshybird, (https://www.instagram.com/heyshybird/) @_tableside_ (https://www.instagram.com/_tableside_/) Read Elided Opinions (https://shybird.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search) on Substack Do you enjoy Frequently Thoughtful, Occasionally Brilliant? Star us on Spotify, we’d love to hear from you.

10. 

    12 Sept 2024

    McDonald's

    Fast food isn’t the focus of this pod but we think what’s happening at McDonald's tells a story about what the short to medium term for the broader restaurant industry could look like. Articles credited include, but are not limited to, the following, Marketing (https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/corpmcd/our-stories/article/mcdonalds-teamsup-hitanime-jujutsukaisen-unleash-newapp-exclusive-specialgarlic-sauce.html) + Marketing (https://www.adweek.com/creativity/mcdonalds-made-scented-billboards-that-smell-like-its-french-fries/), Sales Drops & Inflation (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c728313zkrjo), Value Meal Impacts (https://www.placer.ai/blog/limited-time-offers-price-wars-boost-visits) Market Rewarding Value Refocus (https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/mcdonalds-stock-price-soaring-big-q2-earnings-miss-value-meals-2024-7) Also Coke, Pepsi, Chipotle… (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/coca-cola-just-agreed-pepsi-093700127.html) McDonalds is a Warning Shot for the Larger Economy (https://www.webpronews.com/mcdonalds-issues-dire-warning-amid-economic-concerns/#:~:text=Recent%20economic%20data%20echo%20McDonald%27s,maintain%20their%20standard%20of%20living.) Cracking of Low Income Consumers (https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/30/companies-from-mcdonalds-to-3m-warn-inflation-is-squeezing-consumers.html) McDonald’s said the Word Value 90 Times on it's Q2 Earnings Call (https://sherwood.news/business/mcdonalds-americas-largest-fast-food-chain-which-fastest-growing/?utm_source=snacks_sendgrid&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=snacks_20240808) Frequently Thoughtful, Occasionally Brilliant is co-hosted by Eli Feldman and Deirdre Auld, produced by Mia Groves. MORE FROM FTOB: Follow us on Instagram @ftobpodcast, (https://www.instagram.com/ftobpodcast/) @heyshybird, (https://www.instagram.com/heyshybird/) @tableside (https://www.instagram.com/_tableside_/) Read Elided Opinions (https://shybird.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search) on Substack Do you enjoy Frequently Thoughtful, Occasionally Brilliant? Star us on Spotify, we’d love to hear from you.

11. 

    29 Aug 2024

    Restaurant Economics with Ara Kharazian

    We’re delighted to welcome our first guest to FTOB, Ara Kharazian. Ara is the economic research Lead at Square where he spearheads research on consumer, labor, and business trains and developed Square Payroll Index, a public tool to track and measure wage growth for service workers in the restauarnt and retail sectors. Ara has been cited in the NY Times, Bloomberg, and the Australian Financial Review and we are delighted to talk to him about his thoughts on restaurant economics and labor. Frequently Thoughtful, Occasionally Brilliant is co-hosted by Eli Feldman and Deirdre Auld, produced by Mia Groves. MORE FROM FTOB: Follow us on Instagram @ftobpodcast, (https://www.instagram.com/ftobpodcast/) @heyshybird, (https://www.instagram.com/heyshybird/) @_tableside (https://www.instagram.com/_tableside_/)_ Read Elided Opinions (https://shybird.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search) on Substack Do you enjoy Frequently Thoughtful, Occasionally Brilliant? Star us on Spotify, we’d love to hear from you.

12. 

    15 Aug 2024

    The World's Largest Catering Event

    The second most important thing about the Olympics is food. An insightful conversation around the complexity of large scale catering, lesson in change management, digital versus analog, and more. Sports and restaurants are the same; you must have a player, you must have physical production of food. Articles credited include the following, Olympics Budget and Cost (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/past-olympics-made-profit-160020931.html?guccounter=1) Food and the Olympics (https://medias.paris2024.org/uploads/2023/03/Paris2024-BIL-230313-FOOD-VISION-Eng-BDEF2.pdf) Tik Tok Reviews on Food in the Olympic Village (https://www.eater.com/24208969/paris-2024-olympic-village-dining-hall-food-reviews-tiktok) How to Feed the Olympics (https://www.eater.com/24172073/paris-2024-olympics-athlete-food-summer-games) Tourism Down During Olympics (https://apnews.com/video/paris-travel-and-tourism-hospitality-and-leisure-industry-recessions-and-depressions-9a6fbcb2ee4d45e3855fec923e6c15e6) Paris Restaurants Struggle with Security Zones (https://www.reuters.com/sports/olympics/paris-restaurants-struggle-olympic-security-zones-2024-07-21/) Second Half of July was Tough for Cafes and Bars in Paris (https://www.dw.com/en/paris-olympics-is-deterring-tourism/a-69794549) Paris is Empty (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QoXyKOhOykU8LMzoF95NZx5HJpKdNQMy/view?usp=sharing) New York Post on Olympics Food Numbers (https://nypost.com/2024/07/05/lifestyle/2024-paris-olympics-food-by-the-numbers-500-recipes-11000-baguettes-3m-bananas-and-more/) Insane Diet of Ryan Crouser (https://www.businessinsider.com/insane-diets-of-ryan-crouser-joe-kovacs-shot-putters-2019-2) Gen X Rise on Tik Tok (https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/gen-x-rise) The War on Gen Z and Eminem's New Album (https://www.wired.com/story/gen-x-has-declared-war-on-gen-z-eminem/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email) Frequently Thoughtful, Occasionally Brilliant is co-hosted by Eli Feldman and Deirdre Auld, produced by Mia Groves. MORE FROM FTOB: Follow us on Instagram @ftobpodcast, (https://www.instagram.com/ftobpodcast/) @heyshybird, (https://www.instagram.com/heyshybird/) @_tableside_ (https://www.instagram.com/_tableside_/) Read Elided Opinions (https://shybird.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search) on Substack Do you enjoy Frequently Thoughtful, Occasionally Brilliant? Star us on Spotify, we’d love to hear from you.

13. 

    8 Aug 2024

    The History of Reservations

    A Brief History of Reservations; an insightful conversation around payment, reservations, OpenTable, Resy, Tock and more. Articles credited include the following, JP Morgan acquires Infatuation (https://www.eater.com/22665350/the-infatuation-zagat-acquired-by-jp-morgan-chase-bank) Where Reservations Come From (https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/07/where-restaurant-reservations-come-from/374919/) History of Credit Cards (https://www.perplexity.ai/page/the-history-of-credit-cards-alVgF..XS7.K7QeUXOjJ5w) CNN on Amex Buying Resy and Tock (https://www.perplexity.ai/page/the-history-of-credit-cards-alVgF..XS7.K7QeUXOjJ5w) Restaurant Reservation Timeline (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1swEnMP_sU35M3KVSpaYzMWEkSU4JstRSMK937pv-bPc/edit?usp=sharing) Amex Earnings Call on Dining (https://www.pymnts.com/earnings/2024/amex-earnings-gen-z-millennials-drive-credit-card-volume-growth/) Digital Rservation Sellers (https://www.grubstreet.com/2023/04/impossible-reservations-resx-dorsia-appointment-trader.html) Frequently Thoughtful, Occasionally Brilliant is co-hosted by Eli Feldman and Deirdre Auld, produced by Mia Groves. MORE FROM FTOB: Follow us on Instagram @ftobpodcast, (https://www.instagram.com/ftobpodcast/) @heyshybird, (https://www.instagram.com/heyshybird/) @_tableside (https://www.instagram.com/_tableside_/)_ Read Elided Opinions (https://shybird.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search) on Substack Do you enjoy Frequently Thoughtful, Occasionally Brilliant? Star us on Spotify, we’d love to hear from you.

14. 

    6 Aug 2024

    Welcome to FTOB

    Welcome to Frequently Thoughtful, Occasionally Brilliant.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 34 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

36

Social presence

97

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Frequently Thoughtful, Occasionally Brilliant

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.