Welcome to Love What You Do
The podcast that puts joy, purpose, and people at the heart of work.
In each episode, we dive into human-first stories from the world of leisure and hospitality, shining a light on the brilliant people and brands doing things differently. From career journeys and inspiring brand stories to honest conversations about CVs, interviews, AI, brand culture, and the evolving world of recruitment, we explore what it really means to love what you do.
Because when work feels good, life gets even better.
How Sushi Dog Grew from 50 Staff to 200 Without Losing Culture
Recruitment is no longer a numbers game - it is a branding game. Davide Grasso, HR Manager at Sushi Dog, reveals what actually attracts great people in hospitality right now, and why the best candidates are looking for far more than a job ad and a pay rate. With Sushi Dog growing from a single kiosk in 2018 to 17 sites and more than 200 employees, Davide has seen hiring change fast. He and Ola unpack the pressure on hospitality businesses, the cooling job market, and why the real chall...
25 Sept 2026
The No Regrets Approach to Turning Rejected Applicants Into Future Hires
What happens to the thousands of hospitality candidates who get rejected, and what if that “no” could become the start of a better career? Dan from Leisure Jobs, Jonah from Blend, and Monica from ETM Group unpack the scale of the problem behind modern hospitality recruitment and reveal a practical way to turn unsuccessful applications into real opportunities. With 275,000 anonymised applications across 3,280 hires, the numbers are brutal, but the solution is surprisingly human: better f...
24 Aug 2026
The People Behind the Moment, Staffing the UK’s Biggest Events with Laura Rose from Freeman's Events
What does it really take to put thousands of people in the right place, at the right time, to deliver some of the UK’s biggest events? In this episode of Love What You Do, Ola sits down with Laura Rose, Head of People Deployment & Recruitment at Freeman’s Event Partners, to go behind the scenes of an industry where the pressure is high, the scale is huge and no two weeks look the same. Laura shares how an unexpected move into recruitment at just 17 led to a career spanning more than 15 ye...
30 Jul 2026
Thomas Breen on Turning Care Into Culture at Second Nature
He started out collecting glasses in his auntie's pub. Now Thomas Breen leads people strategy for Lamington Group, and he's just overseen one of hospitality's boldest rebrands: Room 2 becoming Second Nature. In this episode of Love What You Do, Thomas takes us behind the scenes of a transformation that started not with a logo, but with people. He explains why the rebrand began with listening sessions and roadshows, why the company chose to write its own failure points into its values, and wha...
30 Mar 2026
The Dan & Daniel Show: Unveiling the Secrets of Hospitality Hiring
Unlock the secrets to standing out in hospitality, retail, and leisure talent markets with insights from recruitment experts Daniel Brown and Dan Razavi. This episode reveals the surprising reality shifts in candidate behavior, employer expectations, and what truly separates the top brands in attracting and retaining talent today. You’ll discover why the traditional CV is nearing obsolescence and how AI, storytelling, and transparency are reshaping recruitment strategies. Daniel and Dan share...
27 Feb 2026
How Nightcap Reimagines Recruitment to Find Personality Over Experience with Mike Phillips
Unlock the secrets to thriving in the high-energy world of late-night hospitality with Mike Phillips, Head of Talent at Nightcap. Discover why personality, resilience, and passion outweigh skills—and how Nightcap’s innovative approach redefines recruitment in a chaotic, fun, and fast-paced industry. If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to attract top talent for vibrant venues or how to stand out in a crowded application process, this episode delivers proven strategies and insider insi...
26 Jan 2026
Building Brilliant Teams, Insights from Katie from DeVere Hotels
In this episode of "Love What You Do," host Olajide dives into the world of talent acquisition in the hospitality industry with guest Katie, Head of Talent Acquisition at DeVere Hotels. They explore the challenges and rewards of building brilliant teams in hotels, the importance of personality over skills, and the evolving landscape of recruitment. Katie shares insights on DeVere's emerging leader program, the role of AI in recruitment, and the significance of maintaining a human ...
24 Nov 2025
A Career and Lifestyle at Raffles with Nathan Craigie
In this episode, we explore the world of luxury hospitality with Nathan Craigie, Head of Talent and Development at Raffles London. Nathan shares his journey from a chef to a leader in recruitment, highlighting the values and culture that make Raffles a unique place to work. Discover how Raffles is not just a hotel for the ultra-wealthy but a welcoming space for everyone, and learn about the innovative ways they are using AI in recruitment. Whether you're interested in hospitality or career de...
29 Oct 2025
Craft, Community & Croissants. Inside Gail’s with Jordan
Gail’s Head of Talent Jordan joins Love What You Do to share the Hampstead “free bread” origin story, why the mission still anchors 180+ neighbourhood bakeries, and how small human moments (yes, a free cookie) build real community. We get into myth-busting “big chain = bad,” using AI to make hiring more human (including CV-free screening), and Jordan’s straight-talk advice for job-seekers. Plus: the ethos of a craft baker—and a daily plain croissant confession. Loved this ep...
29 Sept 2025
More Than Burgers, Building Careers at Five Guys with Daniel Styles-Martin
In this episode of Love What You Do, Daniel Styles-Martin, the Head of People Experience at Five Guys, shares insights into the brand's journey, values, and customer experience. He discusses the importance of simplicity in the menu, the role of generosity in service, and the fresh ingredients that set Five Guys apart. Daniel also addresses common misconceptions about the brand and the hospitality industry, emphasising the potential for career growth within the sector. He shares his experience...
25 Sept 2025
Love What You Do Trailer
Tired of job descriptions that promise “fun teams” but deliver chaos and a box of Celebrations? Love What You Do, the new podcast from Leisure Jobs, is here to reignite your spark at work. Each month we dive into real stories, hiring insights, and the future of hospitality, leisure, travel, and retail, helping you find joy in your career again. Expect bold conversations, honest laughs, and the inside scoop on what it really takes to build teams and thrive. Loved this episode? Kee...
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