Bring More Joy to the Table

What's the mistake too many young leaders make?

❌ Innovation by committee.❌ Waiting for approval.
❌ Endless alignment meetings.It's not working. And Rita McGrath, C-suite strategist, professor at Columbia Business School and Founder of Valize, says it's time to stop pretending it is!In our latest Business of Joy episode, she breaks down what happens when teams go permissionless—and why it leads to:✅ 75% faster execution
✅ Smarter, more motivated teams
✅ Strategy that actually keeps up with realityWe also dug into Gen Z, leadership blind spots, and how small changes (just 2% better!) lead to big reinvention.If you're clinging to hierarchy, you're already behind!Rita's Website: https://www.ritamcgrath.com/Her Thought Sparks Podcast: https://www.ritamcgrath.com/podcast/Velize: https://velize.com/Rita's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/rgmcgrathHer Current Bedside Book: https://www.amazon.com/Wiring-Winning-Organization-Slowification-Simplification/dp/1950508420

From flipping pancakes to flipping strategy—this episode goes where most interviews don't.

What if the biggest risk to your business... is your mindset?Many of you know, I just returned from The Reinvention Summit in Dublin, what some are now calling the “Davos for Doers.”My guest this week is straight from Dublin, Aidan McCullen, a former international rugby player, global keynote speaker, and one of the masterminds behind the Reinvention Summit. Let me tell you, after hearing Aidan at the conference, I had to have him on this show to share his wisdom with all of you!From selling strawberries as a kid on the side of an Irish highway, to helping big brands navigate constant change, Aidan lives and breathes reinvention. He has insatiable curiosity. His frameworks are grounded by his love of literary classics and nature.We talked about:

CFO Michelle Hook of Portillo's joins me to talk about the ingredients behind one of the most craveable brands in the business!From her first paper route at 13 to overseeing finance, IT, and supply chain for a $9M-AUV powerhouse, Michelle shares so many great insights and leadership lessons.In this episode:

Brand reinvention is about so much more than products! Sharon Price John is the CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop, but she's also a storyteller, an innovator, and an empathetic leader who knows how to build real connection.Sharon's journey spans Barbie, Mattel, Hasbro, and now Build-A-Bear — but what ties it all together is how she leads: with purpose, clarity, and compassion.In this conversation, we covered:

What world do you want to create? For Bob Dalton, it started with one blanket and a mission to change lives.This week's episode features Bob Dalton, CEO/Founder of Sackcloth + Ashes!Founder stories are everywhere, but Bob Dalton's stands apart. After seeing his mother experience homelessness firsthand, he identified an issue — that homeless shelters were drastically understocked on blankets — and took it upon himself to make a difference.His company matches each purchase 1:1 and donates blankets directly to shelters across the country. Talk about making an impact!In this episode we talk about everything from his (failed) first attempt at sewing the very first prototype, to his latest project, a game-changing social platform called LOCL.✅ The Young Life mentor who first told him, "You're already a leader.”✅ The boss who almost fired him at his first job? Now runs operations for his company.✅ He built his brand on Instagram… but now says social media is broken.This was a truly transformational conversation. There is so much to learn from Bob about business, about community, and about truly making the world a better place.https://www.locl.co/PS: This marks the finale of Season 4! Season 5 is on the horizon, and I can't wait to share what's next!

"If you work hard on something you don't care about, it's called stress. If you work hard on something you love, it's called passion." – Simon Sinek That quote, shared by Erica Bardeau, Chief Marketing Officer at Horizon Organic, in the latest episode of Bring More Joy to the Table, stuck with me. Because it's a question so many professionals (and young people) wrestle with:”How do you find what truly excites you?”In this episode, Erica and I covered a LOT of ground. Some of my favorite takeaways:

If you think School of Rock just teaches music lessons, think again!

Sam's Band Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Wkp6yWAqvf6Hvga07alzT?si=ca99ccfad1ac4f08Live 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.

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 brandsThose 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% moreListen 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 industry2. 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!

From selling lemonade as a child to overcoming a life-changing injury in 1994 that ended his military and athletic careers.... this conversation moved me!Today's episode is with John Register, a resilience architect and also a business man, Paralympic silver medalist in the long jump and keynote speaker. He shared his remarkable journey and for the first time he connected that his resilience started way before his injury.Just a few of the incredible insights in this episode:
"Resilience is not just about bouncing back, it's also about finding the silence embedded in resilience.""In a new environment, we have to give our teams space and grace to grow, because there is no 'new normal' - it's a totally new landscape.""Diversity of thought and skillsets on your team is crucial, like having both steady 'distance runners' and agile 'sprinters'."

From the farm, and small-town roots, to big city success as a hospitality leader. Wonder what it's like being the youngest of 11 children and living on a working farm, then growing up to be Managing Director at the prestigious Omni Dallas?For this week's episode, I had the joy of talking with Carolyn Dent!Here are some very cool stories that stood out to me….

We've all been watching the success of Chili's lately - even during these crazy challenging times! Want to know Brinker President/CEO Kevin Hochman's secret sauce? It's pretty simple… literally!“Ruthless simplification” is Kevin's mantra that runs through all aspects of the business –· Menu reduction (cutting the menu by 25% in the last 2 years)· Training procedures (did they really need to be counting all the shrimp? - a great story)· Communication (sharing the why's of key decisions)All while supporting each other and the guest… brilliant!He shares countless back-to-basic stories that lead to a better Guest experience, and it all adds up to a business that's on fire!

“How can we do this better?” This one simple, but powerful question sparks endless innovation. Today's podcast features the one and only, @Lauren Fernandez, Founder & CEO of Full Course! As I've gotten to know Lauren over the last year or so, I realized that I had to get her on the podcast to share her incredible stories and unique insights into the restaurant industry!You will learn that Full Course is more than an investment firm, they are category disruptors!Here are some my favorite highlights: Serving the Underserved: Lauren has a mission to break barriers and give entrepreneurs the shot they need and deserve. Her firm goes beyond just investing, they elevate brands with the support they need to succeed! Reframing Risk: “Most lawyers” might be risk adverse. Not Lauren! Sure, her legal background gave her a strong foundation for understanding risk, but it's her forward-thinking approach and willingness to try new things that has turned her into a category disruptor. People-First Leadership: Lauren believes that the foundation of any thriving restaurant is its people. Her focus on investing in employee education and career development isn't just about retention, it's about building a better, more sustainable future for the industry. Lauren's perspective on innovation and leadership is exactly what the restaurant industry needs right now: fresh ideas and an overwhelming commitment to people.

Education is freedom! Take it from Jim Keyes, the former CEO of 7-Eleven & Blockbuster.In this episode of Bring More Joy to the Table, Jim shares his incredible journey—from flipping burgers at McDonald's to leading Fortune 500 companies.He has worked with LEGENDS from Nelson Mandela to Jimmy Donaldson (Mr. Beast) to advocate for the power of knowledge in overcoming fear and unlocking true freedom in life.Here are some key takeaways from the episode:1. Education Is Freedom: Through his foundation and his book, Jim's mission to make education accessible is enabling the next generation to reach new heights.2. Relentless Positivity: Just like I always say, joy is a choice. Despite early life adversity, Jim focused on staying relentlessly positive and even earned the nickname "smiley."3. Change Equals Opportunity: Jim shares a perfect acronym that embodies what the role of a CEO should be. Rather than see change as a threat, see it as an opportunity.This interview is a perfect parallel to my when joy is greater than fear thesis!

What if I told you that in today's fast-paced world, certainty is the real risk, not uncertainty?For the latest episode of Bring More Joy to the Table, I had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva, a global expert on reinvention and innovation. Nadya challenges the conventional wisdom about change, and explains why the companies, and people, who truly embrace uncertainty are the ones who thrive.Here are just a few of the many takeaways from this episode:1. Humans Are Built for Change: Forget the myth that we're resistant to change. Dr. Nadya shares how babies learn and adapt without fear—and reminds us that we are born to be reinventors.2. Reinvention is a Process, Not a Project: Reinvention is ongoing. Just like brushing your teeth, it has to be consistent and habitual—especially in a world where business cycles are rapidly shrinking!3. Certainty Can Be a Killer: In a world full of disruptions, waiting for certainty before acting is actually a liability. Nadya shares how experimentation and agility are the keys to success in business and life.Are you prepared to future-proof your business, consulting practice, and everyday life for the ever-accelerating pace of change?Do you know which data, tools, and approaches will help you not just stay relevant but truly stand out?Are you clear on what really matters to your clients today – and how to meet those needs?In this episode, we also talk about Nadya's FREE Easy Reinvention Lab. TBH – I attended this about a month ago, it was phenomenal! I highly recommend that you guys register for this!The last lab of the year runs Oct 2nd-4th! Here's what you'll gain:Three 1-hour sessions, available live or via replay3 incredible field-tested tools you can use right away to elevate your skills, unlock breakthrough success, and stay ahead of the curveWorkbook to practice the tools - and get tangible resultsAnd here's the best part: exclusively for the ‘Bring More Joy to the Table' community, the Lab Bonus Pass—packed with tons of valuable bonuses, including immediate access to the session on Personal Reinvention—is absolutely free! Click here to claim your free pass, or use the code JOY2024 at registration for a 100% discount.

After losing his first Olympic trial by just 33 hundredths of a second, Aquil Abdullah had a choice – quit or keep rowing. Not only did he keep rowing, but he also won gold at the Royal Henley shortly after! Then 4 years later, he became first African American male rower to row with Team USA in the Olympics! This episode is PACKED with incredible stories of resilience, service and generosity of spirit!

We're kicking off Season 3 with Trina Roffino, CEO of TMA and Founder of Project Unbroken. From raising horses to leading sports marketing campaigns to navigating through a devastating personal tragedy Trina's journey is a testament to passion, hard work, and the value of staying true to what grounds you. Get involved at projectunbroken.org!

Meredith Sandland, CEO of Empower Delivery. Meredith has truly mastered the trifecta: tech, logistics, and joy! She shares her unlikely journey to the restaurant industry, her passion for solving complex problems, her unique perspective towards technology and its role in the restaurant experience, and so much more. Restaurants have always been one of my favorite topics, and Meredith is of the top voices in the industry. Let's dig in.

Host Lisa W. Miller is joined by Emily Knight, President and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association. In this episode, you'll hear how Emily's early experiences, from mucking stables to excelling in sports, shaped her into the fearless advocate she is today, giving her the grit and love of teamwork to make a real difference.Discover Emily's plans to continue fighting for the industry through key legislative initiatives. This conversation is a testament to the power of passion, integrity, and a relentless commitment to serving others, even in the face of adversity.

How discipline, focus, and commitment as D1 athlete set the stage to become the executive editor covering a trillion dollar industry…In this week's episode of "Bring More Joy to the Table," I sit down with my good friend, Alicia Kelso, Executive Editor of Nation's Restaurant News. We dive into Alicia's journey from lifeguard to leading journalist and the invaluable lessons she's learned along the way, including discipline, coach-ability, and the power of teamwork.She shares her insights on the current landscape of women in food service, the challenges of balancing tough breaking news with positive stories, and the importance of lifting up emerging brands. Plus, we discuss the need for more female representation in the industry, and how initiatives like NRN's Women in Food Service are making a huge difference.

What can running a newsroom teach you about effective business leadership? Imagine this… A little 8 year-old girl pulling a wagon and delivering newspapers. Little did she know, she would grow up to be the Managing Editor of the Dallas Morning News! That's how Amy Hollyfield got her start!In this episode, Lisa and Amy discuss mentorship, setting boundaries, finding joy amidst tragedy, and so much more. There's a lot to be learned from working in the newsroom! Hope you enjoy this episode!

Host Lisa W. Miller is joined by Brad Williams, President of Dallas College El Centro Campus and Vice Chancellor of Operations. From his small-town roots to big-city impact, Brad emphasizes the importance of creating personalized experiences that empower students and foster lifetime connections. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, he emphasizes the need to truly listen to students and understand their unique goals and learning styles.Tune in as we uncover the secrets to delivering memorable higher education experiences in a rapidly changing world. This is a conversation you won't want to miss.

How do you retain creativity in a data-driven world? In this week's episode, I spoke with Steve Smith, CEO of Firehouse Agency. We talk about the tension between top of funnel brand-building and bottom of funnel performance marketing, and how agency skills have had to evolve to keep up. What does it take to become AdAge's best small advertising agency to work at in the country? As Steve explains, it starts with great people and great culture.

What's it like to lead a company where every day is a joyful celebration? In this episode, host Lisa W. Miller speaks with David McKillips, CEO of Chuck E. Cheese and Peter Piper Pizza. You'll get to hear about his inspiring journey from an hourly college worker at SeaWorld to leading the largest family entertainment brand in the world! In this conversation, we delve into his fearless navigation of the pandemic, his commitment to being a player's coach for his team, and debunk a few misconceptions about teenage employees.

Host Lisa W. Miller is joined by Cheryl Whiting-Kish, the President and Founder of Define Consulting! In this episode, Cheryl shares her journey: starting at Burger King at a young age, working her way up to the C-suite, and her tenure as Chief People Officer at HOA. We discuss into the valuable lessons learned from starting her own business, insights and perspectives on recent industry trends, and so much more.

Host Lisa W. Miller is joined by Doug Willmarth, President of Mooyah. Doug has had an incredible and inspiring journey! After spending the first 10 years of his career as a Navy helicopter pilot, he transitioned into leadership roles at powerhouse brands like Kraft Foods, Pepsico/FritoLay, Pizza Hut, Wingstop, and more. In this episode, you'll get to hear how his experience as a naval aviator molded his approach to business leadership, how he pushes innovation while maintaining brand authenticity and positioning, and the incredible role joy plays in the guest experience!

Host Lisa W. Miller is joined by Carin Stutz, an industry legend who has experience in leadership roles at companies like Cosi, Brinker, Red Robin, McAlisters, Wendy's, Applebees and more. Carin shares both invaluable lessons learned about the industry and insights into what she believes the future may hold.

Host Lisa W Miller is joined by Rose Kaur, marketing/brand story guru and managing partner of Jester & Genius. In this episode, Lisa and Rose discuss Rose's backstory growing up in India, how struggles can lead to unintended positive consequences, and how the ideas of "timeless" and "timely" work in conjunction to propel a brand.

Host Lisa W Miller is joined by Anna Minto, founder of Transformational Change as well as You Are Possible, which provide customized coaching and executive advisory services, motivational workshops, and inspirational speaking for Fortune 500 companies and professional services firms. Her background includes a Harvard MBA, multiple International Coaching Federation certifications and 17 years with The Boston Consulting Group, including as a Managing Director & Partner.Anna's passion is to empower senior executive women to thrive in fast-paced environments. She is also the author of Maternity Magic, a tool for empowerment and discovery when planning for and returning

Host Lisa W. Miller is joined by Larry Lavine, founder of Chili's. In this episode, Lisa and Larry discuss the importance of culture in the early days of Chili's, some of the things we are most excited about around the industry, dive into our passions and so much more.

Host Lisa W. Miller is joined by Mike Archer, CEO of Lou Malnati's. In this conversation, Lisa and Mike discuss differences between selling a product, a concept, and a brand, how relationships and culture can fuel lasting business growth, the benefits of controlling omni-channel and more.

Host Lisa W. Miller is joined by Ricky Richardson, CEO of Eggs Up Grill. In this conversation, Lisa and Ricky discuss Ricky's pandemic-inspired mantra of survive, sustain, and grow and how it applies today, the value of finding your brand's north star, the benefits of franchise-driven businesses, and so much more.

Host Lisa W. Miller is joined by John Cywinski, CEO of QDOBA and Modern Market Eatery. In this conversation, Lisa and John discuss some of the lessons learned from Covid, the growth of off premise vs. the value of dining rooms, and the unintended consequences the pandemic had on the youth in America.

Host Lisa W. Miller is joined by Starlette Johnson who offers a unique board perspective. In this conversation, Lisa and Starlette discuss the tension between traditional retention goals and the need for more freedom, the process of quantifying joy, and the risks of shrinking dining rooms.

Host Lisa W. Miller is joined by Barry McGowan, restaurant industry veteran and CEO of Fogo de Chão. In this conversation, Lisa and Barry discuss Barry's upbringing in the restaurant industry, the importance of delivering joy, and how culinary knives are for more than just cutting.

Host Lisa W. Miller is joined by Jack Gibbons, the restaurant mastermind behind amazing chef-led restaurant concepts such as Ida Claire, Haywire, and Mexican Sugar. After starting his career at Pappas Restaurants as a waiter, Jack now serves as CEO of FB Society. In this conversation, Lisa and Jack discuss why dining rooms matter, the challenges of scaling, the perks of working in the restaurant industry and so much more.

Host Lisa W. Miller is joined by CEO of Norton Creative, Robin Blanchette. In this episode, Robin shares her perspective on the creative challenges facing agencies today and a simple truth that is the core of her team's success. Plus, you'll hear why volunteering is foundational to who she is and what it was like starting her own company.

After much encouragement and some prodding, I finally decided to do a podcast! First up, I'm going to re-interview the CEOs and COOs from my book, The Business of Joy to see where they are now 4 years later. Then, I'll be interviewing executives across other industries including retail, healthcare and even financial services! We all can bring more joy to the table, no matter what industry you are in!