The Post Shift Podcast with Shawn Soole – Détails, épisodes et analyse

In this special seminar recorded live at Portland Cocktail Week, Shawn Soole delivers one of his most personal and impactful talks: Turn & Burn to Build & Belong — a deep dive into the culture of hospitality, the burnout cycle, and how operators and bartenders can reclaim purpose, connection, and long-term belonging in this industry.

Drawing from decades of experience behind the bar, in management trenches, and in mentorship roles, Shawn breaks down how the industry got here, what needs to change, and how teams can build workplaces people want to stay in.

SLIDE DECK AND DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES - https://www.proof-and-practice.com/pdxcw-from-turn-burn-to-build-belong/seminar-deck

🧠 What You’ll Learn

• Why “turn & burn” culture became the norm — and why it’s no longer sustainable

• How to build belonging, identity, and community inside your venue

• Systems, training, and culture frameworks that reduce turnover and increase engagement

• What real leadership looks like in 2025: clarity, accountability, and daily habits

• How operators can create workplaces where people grow instead of grind

• Live Q&A insights from attendees at Portland Cocktail Week

⏱ Timestamp Highlights (Approximate)

• 00:02:15 – Opening: the reality of “turn & burn” and its impact on teams

• 00:11:40 – The psychology of belonging: why people stay (or leave)

• 00:24:00 – Building systems that support culture, not replace it

• 00:37:20 – Leadership in practice: accountability without intimidation

• 00:52:10 – Q&A: retention strategies, communication habits, and operator pitfalls

• 01:03:00+ – Closing: why belonging is the future of hospitality

🎯 Who It’s For

Bar managers, operators, owners, bartenders, educators, and hospitality leaders who want to build teams that stay, grow, and belong — not just survive the shift.

✅ If This Seminar Resonated With You

• Hit Like

• Subscribe and tap the 🔔 for more leadership, culture, and operations conversations

• Leave a comment with your biggest takeaway or how your venue is tackling culture

• Share this with your team, management group, or anyone building hospitality from the inside out

In this episode, host Shawn Soole sits down with longtime industry veteran John Gakuru — a globally seasoned bar professional, brand strategist, and now founder of Coruscent Co.. John brings decades of experience across continents, from managing classic cocktail venues in London to shaping global spirits distribution and now advising on some of the most forward-looking spirits and hospitality projects worldwide.

🧠 What You’ll Learn

• John’s journey through multiple continents — from bartending and bar management in London during the early cocktail-renaissance days, to global brand ambassadorships and trade marketing roles across Australia, Europe, and the US.

• Why he believes bars are “safe spaces” — social places that no algorithm or app can replicate, and his vision for hospitality rooted in authenticity, culture, and human connection.

• The founding and mission behind Coruscent Co.: building brand strategies, global events, and international trade relationships that honor people, place, and product.

• His role on the board of Tales of the Cocktail Foundation and how initiatives like “Beyond the Bar” aim to support well-being, education, and inclusion for hospitality professionals worldwide.

• Live Q&A: insights on global brand strategy, navigating multiple markets, supporting mental health in hospitality, and what it means to build spaces (and brands) with integrity and purpose.

⏱ Timestamp Highlights (Approximate)

• 00:02:45 – Early days: London’s bar scene and the roots of Gakuru’s global hospitality journey

• 00:14:00 – Transition from bartending to brand ambassadorship & global trade marketing

• 00:28:00 – Launching Coruscent Co.: vision, values, and global brand building

• 00:42:00 – Why bars still matter — community, authenticity, and human connection in a digital world

• 00:58:00+ – Q&A: wellness in hospitality, cross-continental perspectives, and what’s next on John’s horizon

🎯 Who It’s For

Hospitality operators, bar owners, brand builders, beverage directors — or anyone interested in understanding how global experience, cultural sensitivity, and strategic thinking can shape the future of hospitality and spirits.

✅ If You Loved This Episode

• Hit Like

• Subscribe and tap the 🔔 to catch more global-minded hospitality conversations

• Drop your favorite John insight or a question in the comments

• Share this episode with your team, colleagues, or anyone passionate about where the bar world is headed

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

Subscribe and ring the 🔔 to stay connected with the latest in hospitality innovation

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

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

Massimo Zitti's exuberance for life is second to known and chatting with him on the show really shows the tenacity it takes to become a World Class champ, his balancing act of work, life and this competition is great inspiration for the younger competitors.

Share a dram with the hospitality industry’s top global talents: bartenders, venue owners, distillers and industry aficionados. Shawn Soole has lived, breathed, and imbibed hospitality for decades. Now, he delves into the advice, opinions, and provocative stories that are helping to define the creative, culturally-necessary space of ‘modern hospitality’—covering topics from front-of-house service, to back-end business operations, and every inch between.

“Tales of the Cocktail” - Top 10 Best Broadcast or Podcast (2020).

New episodes posted every Tuesday and Friday.

Brought to you by ⁠www.soolehospitality.com⁠

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM – Shawn Soole ⁠https://www.instagram.com/shawnsoole/⁠

Soole Hospitality Concepts ⁠https://www.instagram.com/soolehospitalityconcepts/⁠

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER - ⁠https://twitter.com/ShawnSoole⁠

FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGgDDJZM7HvJiQCaqmXEVNA

A very special World Class Canada 10th Anniversary series, I will be bringing back the podcast for this special series. I will be interviewing the competitors on the first day of competition, through to the judges and finally the winner, Jacob Martin. Strap in and get ready for some old school Soole podcasting and we will have tons of fun along the way.

The last competitor up for the first round of interviews was Adrien, everyone had headed out and I snagged him post event and we geeked out about ice, the competition and loving our small markets. 

Share a dram with the hospitality industry’s top global talents: bartenders, venue owners, distillers and industry aficionados. Shawn Soole has lived, breathed, and imbibed hospitality for decades. Now, he delves into the advice, opinions, and provocative stories that are helping to define the creative, culturally-necessary space of ‘modern hospitality’—covering topics from front-of-house service, to back-end business operations, and every inch between.

“Tales of the Cocktail” - Top 10 Best Broadcast or Podcast (2020).

New episodes posted every Tuesday and Friday.

Brought to you by www.soolehospitality.com

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM – Shawn Soole https://www.instagram.com/shawnsoole/

Soole Hospitality Concepts https://www.instagram.com/soolehospitalityconcepts/

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER - https://twitter.com/ShawnSoole

FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGgDDJZM7HvJiQCaqmXEVNA

A very special World Class Canada 10th Anniversary series, I will be bringing back the podcast for this special series. I will be interviewing the competitors on the first day of competition, through to the judges and finally the winner, Jacob Martin. Strap in and get ready for some old school Soole podcasting and we will have tons of fun along the way.

Another small market bartender making big waves in the industry, Xavier talks about what the competition means to him and how entering is pushing him to be better in his market in Alberta. 

Share a dram with the hospitality industry’s top global talents: bartenders, venue owners, distillers and industry aficionados. Shawn Soole has lived, breathed, and imbibed hospitality for decades. Now, he delves into the advice, opinions, and provocative stories that are helping to define the creative, culturally-necessary space of ‘modern hospitality’—covering topics from front-of-house service, to back-end business operations, and every inch between.

“Tales of the Cocktail” - Top 10 Best Broadcast or Podcast (2020).

New episodes posted every Tuesday and Friday.

Brought to you by www.soolehospitality.com

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM – Shawn Soole https://www.instagram.com/shawnsoole/

Soole Hospitality Concepts https://www.instagram.com/soolehospitalityconcepts/

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER - https://twitter.com/ShawnSoole

FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGgDDJZM7HvJiQCaqmXEVNA

A very special World Class Canada 10th Anniversary series, I will be bringing back the podcast for this special series. I will be interviewing the competitors on the first day of competition, through to the judges and finally the winner, Jacob Martin. Strap in and get ready for some old school Soole podcasting and we will have tons of fun along the way.

I couldn't be more proud to have Harry Tham, one of the lead bartender at Clive's compete in the Nationals; he is young and hungry and am proud of his performance throughout the week. 

Share a dram with the hospitality industry’s top global talents: bartenders, venue owners, distillers and industry aficionados. Shawn Soole has lived, breathed, and imbibed hospitality for decades. Now, he delves into the advice, opinions, and provocative stories that are helping to define the creative, culturally-necessary space of ‘modern hospitality’—covering topics from front-of-house service, to back-end business operations, and every inch between.

“Tales of the Cocktail” - Top 10 Best Broadcast or Podcast (2020).

New episodes posted every Tuesday and Friday.

Brought to you by www.soolehospitality.com

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM – Shawn Soole https://www.instagram.com/shawnsoole/

Soole Hospitality Concepts https://www.instagram.com/soolehospitalityconcepts/

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER - https://twitter.com/ShawnSoole

FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGgDDJZM7HvJiQCaqmXEVNA

A very special World Class Canada 10th Anniversary series, I will be bringing back the podcast for this special series. I will be interviewing the competitors on the first day of competition, through to the judges and finally the winner, Jacob Martin. Strap in and get ready for some old school Soole podcasting and we will have tons of fun along the way.

Daphnee is already such a strong presence in the industry and I always love having the chance to sit down with her, her energy and love for the industry is contagious, she also killed it and made it to the Top 4. 

Share a dram with the hospitality industry’s top global talents: bartenders, venue owners, distillers and industry aficionados. Shawn Soole has lived, breathed, and imbibed hospitality for decades. Now, he delves into the advice, opinions, and provocative stories that are helping to define the creative, culturally-necessary space of ‘modern hospitality’—covering topics from front-of-house service, to back-end business operations, and every inch between.

“Tales of the Cocktail” - Top 10 Best Broadcast or Podcast (2020).

New episodes posted every Tuesday and Friday.

Brought to you by www.soolehospitality.com

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM – Shawn Soole https://www.instagram.com/shawnsoole/

Soole Hospitality Concepts https://www.instagram.com/soolehospitalityconcepts/

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER - https://twitter.com/ShawnSoole

FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGgDDJZM7HvJiQCaqmXEVNA

A very special World Class Canada 10th Anniversary series, I will be bringing back the podcast for this special series. I will be interviewing the competitors on the first day of competition, through to the judges and finally the winner, Jacob Martin. Strap in and get ready for some old school Soole podcasting and we will have tons of fun along the way.

As a fellow small market bartender, I connected with Steven on that level of working three times as hard to prove your half as good mentality and what that means for his World Class journey. 

Share a dram with the hospitality industry’s top global talents: bartenders, venue owners, distillers and industry aficionados. Shawn Soole has lived, breathed, and imbibed hospitality for decades. Now, he delves into the advice, opinions, and provocative stories that are helping to define the creative, culturally-necessary space of ‘modern hospitality’—covering topics from front-of-house service, to back-end business operations, and every inch between.

“Tales of the Cocktail” - Top 10 Best Broadcast or Podcast (2020).

New episodes posted every Tuesday and Friday.

Brought to you by www.soolehospitality.com

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM – Shawn Soole https://www.instagram.com/shawnsoole/

Soole Hospitality Concepts https://www.instagram.com/soolehospitalityconcepts/

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER - https://twitter.com/ShawnSoole

FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGgDDJZM7HvJiQCaqmXEVNA

A very special World Class Canada 10th Anniversary series, I will be bringing back the podcast for this special series. I will be interviewing the competitors on the first day of competition, through to the judges and finally the winner, Jacob Martin. Strap in and get ready for some old school Soole podcasting and we will have tons of fun along the way.

This one makes me very proud because Kate Chernoff is a Victorian bartender really doing amazing things, not just on the Victoria scene but also on the competition circuit, watch out for her in the near future. She made Top 4 this year and she definitely wants more! 

Share a dram with the hospitality industry’s top global talents: bartenders, venue owners, distillers and industry aficionados. Shawn Soole has lived, breathed, and imbibed hospitality for decades. Now, he delves into the advice, opinions, and provocative stories that are helping to define the creative, culturally-necessary space of ‘modern hospitality’—covering topics from front-of-house service, to back-end business operations, and every inch between.

“Tales of the Cocktail” - Top 10 Best Broadcast or Podcast (2020).

New episodes posted every Tuesday and Friday.

Brought to you by www.soolehospitality.com

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM – Shawn Soole https://www.instagram.com/shawnsoole/

Soole Hospitality Concepts https://www.instagram.com/soolehospitalityconcepts/

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER - https://twitter.com/ShawnSoole

FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGgDDJZM7HvJiQCaqmXEVNA