Podcasts about culture map

Thomas Bille of Belly of the Beast returns to the podcast after 5 long years and a James Beard Award win. Thomas shares with Eric why he decided to put a pause on the initial version of Belly of the Beast, what he took away from his experience of Chivos, why Spring was the right place for the new version of Belly of the Beast, looking at spaces in Houston initially, the vision for the new iteration, how it all came together, the menu this time around, taking time to get into a rhythm, what being included in the Michelin Guide did for the restaurant, being part of the new modern version of Mexican food movement in the city, what it was like hearing his name for the James Beard award, the amount of flowers he's gotten since winning (it's a lot), how serious a Belly of the Beast 3.0 with a live fire grill is, details of his upcoming pop-up, what life has been like since the James Beard awards, and much more!      Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: 16 Houston Restaurants Compete in CultureMap's Top Taco Tournament Houston Restaurant Known for American Fare Finds New Location in River Oaks First Look at Modern Houston Ice House's New Location Near the Heights Ex-Tris Chef and Aaron Bludorn Opening New Eateries in The Woodlands Michelin-Starred Houston Restaurant Opens Location in New York City

Eric is back again with another edition of the podcast. For this week's news and restaurants of the week, he is joined by Michael Fulmer, a co-founder of the Houston BBQ Festival. In the news, Eric and Michael discuss CASAEMA being named to Bon Appétit's best new breakfast spots list, a 3rd location of Handies Douzo coming to Spring Branch, and the opening of a new Memorial City location of Katz's. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Yiayia's Greek Kitchen is featured.  Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Bon Appetit Names Michelin-Recognized Houston Cafe to Best Breakfast List Casual Houston Sushi Restaurant Unrolls Third Location in Spring Branch Houston's 24-Hour New York Deli Sets Opening Date for Memorial Location Aggie-Loved Chicken Fingers Spot Sets Spring-Area Opening Date Houston Bakery Rises with a New Name, Bigger Menu, and Matcha

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by chef Luis Robledo Richards of Mayahuel. Luis speaks with Eric about how his career got started, where his career has taken him, what drove him to pursue learning about being a pastry chef, working at Le Cirque, the creation of Tout Chocolat, how Tout Chocolat was unlike any other, being named the best pastry chef in Latin America, what brought him to Houston, restaurants he first visited in the city, Houston still being an underrated food destination, what went wrong with Comalíto Taqueria, why was a better fit Mayahuel for Houston, why finding the perfect partner in Houston was extremely important for Mayahuel, how the restaurant fits in Houston, the core principles of the concept, what went into developing their top tier cocktail program, bringing in experts, the staff, some of the standout dishes, customer feedback so far, whether he would bring any other concepts to the city, and much more! Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Bon Appetit Names Michelin-Recognized Houston Cafe to Best Breakfast List Gourmet Grocer Blasts Off with New Co-Working Space in Houston's Westchase Booming Texas Sports Bar Bounds into Katy with a Covered Patio and 48 TV's Casual Houston Sushi Restaurant Unrolls Third Location in Spring Branch New Heights Cafe Serves Coffee in the Morning and Wine at Night

Dominik Angerer is the CEO and co-founder of Storyblok, a leading headless CMS platform used by major brands like Tesla, Netflix, Adidas, and Pizza Hut.    He started coding at 15, worked as a freelance developer across Europe, and by 19 was leading teams focused on e-commerce.   In 2017, he co-founded Storyblok to solve real content challenges faced by businesses. Since then, the company has grown into a global, fully remote organization with over 230 employees and more than 200,000 users in 130 countries.   He discusses the importance of focus, recalling how early on, they spread themselves too thin trying to build multiple tools until a mentor advised them to solve just one problem exceptionally well.   Dominik highlights their commitment to user experience, including scientific studies proving Storyblok's joyfulness for content teams, and shares productivity tips like speed reading and the importance of cross-cultural communication — recommending The Culture Map.    Dominik's role centers on accountability and clarity, ensuring that everyone on his fully remote team understands how their work supports the company's broader mission.   Website: Stroyblok  LinkedIn: Dominik Angerer   Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level up your organization. Sign up HERE.  I AM CEO Handbook Volume 3 is HERE and it's FREE. Get your copy here: http://cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded. Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson of Heights Grocer to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The duo discuss the Michelin Guide's incoming announcement of Texas' second class of establishments selected for the guide and the 2nd location of The Woodlands area high profile restaurant The Audrey coming to the Galleria area. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Flora Mexican Kitchen, MAD, and Riel are featured.  Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Michelin Guide Will Name Second Texas Class at Invite-Only Houston Ceremony River Oaks Theatre Owner's Movie-Themed Eatery Coming to Galleria High-Rise Booming Texas Sports Bar Bounds into Katy with a Covered Patio and 48 TV's Casual Houston Sushi Restaurant Unrolls Third Location in Spring Branch New Heights Cafe Serves Coffee in the Morning and Wine at Night

On today's episode, Eric is joined by Chris Cusack of Betelgeuse Betelgeuse. Chris speaks with Eric about creating the first Betelgeuse Betelgeuse, their style of pizza, how they were able to open a 2nd location so quickly, why the Montrose area was appealing, how things are going with Betelgeuse Betelgeuse, how Soluna came together (and went), why restaurants are like rock bands, how the initial idea for Endless Bummer came about, entering the world of Tiki, working with artist Brian Dibala, how the customers have responded to Endless Summer so far, restaurant theories, thoughts on expansion, and much more! Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Michelin Guide Will Name Second Texas Class at Invite-Only Houston Ceremony River Oaks Theatre Owner's Movie-Themed Eatery Coming to Galleria High-Rise Keith Lee-Loved Houston Sandwich Shop Rolls into New Cypress Store Nobie's Dynamic Duo Shakes Up Montrose with Speakeasy-Style Tiki Bar Massive Tax Debt Brings Abrupt End to Houston's Beloved Canadian Pub

Enjoy your summer with this “BEST OF 97% EFFECTIVE” EPISODE! Tune in this fall for new episodes and more great content.Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.comSHOW NOTES:Chris Fenning is a highly-sought after trainer and the award winning author of The First Minute: How to Start Conversations That Get Results. We walk through before-after examples, showing how to structure your business communication for maximum impact. The hard truth is that poor communication is one of the top reasons people don't get promoted.Concise communication matters, but what most training courses fail to doWhy Chris left a fantastic career to help people with business communicationFactoid: Chris did this feat at 17…Chris critiques -- and improves –Michael's 15 second introWhy the first minute is key.Before vs after example: Context-Intent-Key Message framework in actionHow to build the concise communication habitDon't bury the lede!Tips when sending emails and meeting invitesBeing Concise vs Being BluntUsing “GPS” in your first minute, with an example that boils 20 minutes into 3 linesOvercoming “the curse of knowledge”More tips on how to quickly make the framework a habitHow things differ cross-culturallyWill these techniques reverse poor first impressions you may have already created?3 ways you can tell boss they are a bad communicator … without getting in hot water BIO AND LINKS:Chris Fenning is on a mission to help Technical and Business teams communicate clearly and remove the pain they experience so often. His 4x award winning book, The First Minute, shows you the HOW to be concise, step by step, drawing from 20,000 conversations, decades of work leading technical and business teams across the world, and training individuals and teams from start-ups to Fortune 50 companies.Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-fenning/Chris's Website & His Book www.chrisfenning.comChris's Best Giveaway (Free First Minute Workbook, $30 value): https://chrisfenning.com/get-the-first-minute-workbook-free/Erin Myer's Book, The Culture Map: https://erinmeyer.com/books/the-culture-map/Michael's Award-winning Book, Get Promoted: https://a.co/d/2oRmqF4 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A new cohost has entered the chat, as chef Raffi Nasr of Craft Pita joins Eric to go through some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. Raffi and Eric discuss the closure of Picos, the reopening of Savoir under new leadership, and chef Ryan Hildebrand's return to Houston. Plus, Raffi catches us up on the latest happenings with Craft Pita. In the Restaurants of the Week Agnes and Sherman is featured. Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Pioneering Houston Mexican Restaurant Will Shutter After 44 Years French-Trained Houston Chef Revives Shuttered Heights Restaurant Veteran Chef Returns to Houston with a Purpose, Help Ronnie Get a Star Keith Lee-Loved Houston Sandwich Shop Rolls into New Cypress Store Nobie's Dynamic Duo Shakes Up Montrose with Speakeasy-Style Tiki Bar

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Joseph Boudreaux of Boo's Burgers. Joseph speaks with Eric about how he got into the culinary industry, why he decided to transition away from the corporate world, where his culinary journey took him before Boo's Burgers, what he learned from Jason Vaughn, starting Tipping Point Coffee, when word starting getting out about Boo's Burgers, why he decided to grind his own patties, how the burgers have evolved, doing things different with their toppings, why the time was finally right for a brick + mortar, how things are going so far a week into opening, why keeping the momentum is always on his mind, why he decided to do an oyster/mushroom sandwich as a companion to the beef burger, possible expansions to the menu, whether he'd ever want to have a 2nd location, and more!        Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Patriotic Houston Seafood Restaurant Picks Rice Village for New Spot French-Trained Houston Chef Revives Shuttered Heights Restaurant Pioneering Houston Mexican Restaurant Will Shutter After 44 Years Mexico City-Inspired Taqueria Rolls Into Massive Fifth Ward Development Top-Rated Houston Restaurant will Close After 8 Years in Montrose

On today's episode Eric is joined by a newcomer to the podcast, as he's joined by CulutureMap contributor Brianna McClane. Brianna shares a bit about her background, then the pair dive into some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including the closure of Riel and Shipley Do-Nuts being acquired by a California based private equity firm. Plus, the duo give some picks for restaurants to check out during Houston Restaurants Weeks. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Kitchen Rumors and Alora are featured.    Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: 10 Eateries Participating in Houston Restaurant Weeks for the First Time Top-Rated Houston Restaurant will Close After 8 Years in Montrose Favorite Houston Doughnut Shop Swaps One Private Equity Owner for Another Mexico City-Inspired Taqueria Rolls into Massive Fifth Ward Development National Ice Cream Shop Scooping More Than 140 Flavors Opens in Garden Oaks South African Grilled Chicken Chain Opens New Houston Location in Montrose

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Nilesh Ranchod and Rajen Giga of 2 Phat Bastard Pies. Nilesh and Rajen speak with Eric about how they first became friends, coming to Houston from Zimbabwe, moving from environmental company work to the food industry, their fusion approach with their savory pies, how they're pies are different, flavors that were inspired by Houston, transitioning from catering to an everyday business model, opening inside The Post, the spicy options they offer, dishes they're developing, and more!   Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Houston Trattoria and BBQ Joint Team Up for Hill Country Flood Relief Houston Greek Restaurant Reboots with Fresh Location and Refined Style Favorite Houston Doughnut Shop Swaps One Private Equity Owner for Another Top Houston Barbecue Joint Fires Up a New Location at Hobby Airport Convivial Canadian Sports Bar Sets Opening Date for New Woodlands Pub

The Swanky Maven Felice Sloan makes triumphant return to the podcast! Eric and Felice discuss some of the latest happenings in the Houston restaurant and bar scene including the opening of the new permanent location of the cult-favorite burger concept Boo's Burgers, the debut of a new limited time pop-up cocktail bar Navi's at The Post Oak Hotel, and the reopening of the Colorado Club. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Latuli is featured.  Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Cult-Favorite Houston Burger Pop-Up Sets Opening Date for Permanent Location Tilman Fertitta's Posh Hotel Crafts a Limited Time Cocktail Speakeasy Premier Houston Nightclub Group Reopening Iconic Strip Club This Month Favorite Houston Doughnut Shop Swaps One Private Equity Owner for Another Top Houston Barbecue Joint Fires Up a New Location at Hobby Airport

In this diverse episode of China Manufacturing Decoded, hosts Adrian and Renaud cover several thought-provoking topics based on listeners' questions. They will discuss: How to transform an initial idea into a market-ready product. Cultural differences in business practices between Chinese and Western companies. Shortening manufacturing timelines, such as how to effectively reduce lead times. The differences between small and large-scale manufacturing.   Show Sections 00:56 – Listener Questions Format & First Topic Intro 01:13 – 1. Can You Sell Just an Idea or Invention? 09:43 – 2. Cultural Differences in Business Relationships (China vs. West) 16:19 – 3. How to Reduce Manufacturing Timelines? 24:29 – 4. Small vs. Large-Scale Manufacturing: Key Differences 30:25 – Wrap Up & Resources   Related content... 3 blog posts that contain a lot of advice about the common killers for hardware startups: The Market Technical Mistakes Running out of Funding "Flash of Genius" Movie Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory “The Culture Map” by Erin Meyer   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Randy Hines and Michael Horne of Kolache Shoppe. The pair catch Eric up on what's been happening with the brand over the past few years, getting ready to open the new Memorial location, how the new location compares to the others, why Memorial was the right area, Randy's experience with franchising the concept, lessons learned from the Kingwood store closure, how Michael got started with the Kolache Shoppe, doing collaborations, future plans, and much more! Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Cult-Favorite Houston Burger Pop-Up Sets Opening Date for Permanent Location CityCentre Uncorks a Chic New Wine Bar Serving Steak and Charcuterie Star Houston Pitmaster Flames Out On Food Network Barbecue Competition Austin Burger Favorite P. Terry's Sets Opening Date For Third Houston Store Self-Taught Chef Slices Into Houston with High-Quality Sushi To Go

In this episode of the Agilists: Aspire and Achieve podcast, host Renae Craven and guest Nidhya Palaniappan explore Nidhya's journey from South Asia to Canada, including how she found her agile role in her new location. About the Featured Guest Nidhya Palaniappan is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in the IT industry, specializing in Agile practices. With a strong background in software engineering, Nidhya has dedicated over 9 years in various agile roles across geographies. Currently as an RTE at TD Bank Canada, Nidhya is at the forefront of driving Agile transformations and delivering successful products. Follow Nidhya on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nidhyapalaniappan/) Reference(s) The Culture Map by Erin Meyer The Women in Agile community champions inclusion and diversity of thought, regardless of gender, and this podcast is a platform to share new voices and stories with the Agile community and the business world, because we believe that everyone is better off when more, diverse ideas are shared. Podcast Library: www.womeninagile.org/podcast Women in Agile Org Website: www.womeninagile.org  Connect with us on social media! LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/womeninagile/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/womeninagile/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/womeninagileorg  Please take a moment to rate and review the Women in Agile podcast on your favorite podcasting platform. This is the best way to help us amplify the voices and wisdom of the talent women and allies in our community! Be sure to take a screenshot of your rating and review and post it on social media with the hashtag #womeninagile to help spread the word and continue to elevate Women in Agile.   About our Host Renae Craven has been coaching individuals, teams and organizations for over 14 years and has spent a lot of time investing in and formalizing her professional coaching skills in recent years. Renae's passion is leading and coaching organizations and as a Certified Team Coach with Scrum Alliance, she helps teams to find their rhythm and pace that balances learning with delivery. Renae established her own company NaeCrave Pty Ltd (www.naecrave.com.au) in 2020 and keeps herself busy with coaching and training delivery. Renae is also a certified BASI Pilates instructor and runs her own pilates studio in Brisbane, Australia. She has a YouTube channel called ‘Pilates for the Office Worker' which features short 5 minute guided sessions that anyone can incorporate into their day, especially those of us who have been sitting down for extended periods. Subscribe to her channel Crave Pilates. Renae has been organizing the Women in Agile group in Brisbane since 2018. You can follow Renae on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/renaecraven/).

Monica Danna is back! She joins Eric to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including FM Kitchen + Bar being folded into PKL Social and the new ghost kitchen concept Kaisen Sushi Houston making a big splash. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Succulent Fine Dining is featured. Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Inner Loop Pickleball Bar Expands Into Neighboring Burger Joint Self-Taught Chef Slices Into Houston with High-Quality Sushi To Go Star Houston Pitmaster Flames Out On Food Network Barbecue Competition Austin Burger Favorite P. Terry's Sets Opening Date For Third Houston Store 10 Eateries Participating in Houston Restaurant Weeks for the First Time

In this episode of Learning for Good, we explore how nonprofit leaders can navigate the complexities of global teams with guest Dr. Lori Beyar, Global VP of Strategy & Organizational Development at Cru. If your nonprofit is scaling across borders, or even just managing diverse teams, you'll want to hear this conversation on nonprofit leadership development, building trust, and creating high-performing multicultural teams.We dive deep into how to build a foundation for consistent performance across teams by cultivating awareness, acceptance, and appreciation. ▶️ Leading Across Borders? How to Build High-Performing Nonprofit Teams Anywhere in the World ▶️ Key Points:01:20 Miscommunication at work often starts with mismatched expectations03:18 Meet Dr. Lori Beyar and her global leadership development work05:52 Lori's unexpected path to executive coaching08:35 Key principles for building trust across cultures12:30 The 3 A's: Awareness, Acceptance, Appreciation21:08  Identifying the difference between the result and the path to result26:05 Advice for nonprofit leaders working across culturesResources from this episode:The Culture Map by Erin MeyerJoin the Nonprofit Learning and Development Collective: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/nonprofit-learning-and-development-collectiveWas this episode helpful? If you're listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, follow and leave a review!

Time to announce the winner of The Ultimate Houston Dessert Draft, who's picking the winner you ask? Michelle Wallace of b'tween Sandwich Co.! Michelle joins Eric on the podcast today to not only pick the winner of the draft but also let us know how things are going at b'tween Sandwich Co., the advice she gave to Greg Gatlin before he began competing on Food Network's BBQ Brawl, and whether a brick + mortar of b'tween Sandwich Co. is in the works. Plus, Michelle shares her thoughts on how the drafters did, their selections, why she selected [redacted] as the winner, and more! Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: 10 Eateries Participating in Houston Restaurant Weeks for the First Time Two Week Dining Event Celebrates Houston's Latin-Owned Restaurants Award-Winning NYC Chefs Join Houston Rising Star for Pop-Up Dinner Veteran Houston Bartender Shakes Up the Heights with New Tropical Bar Exclusive: New Cocktail Bar from Houston Hospitality Stars Coming to the Heights

On today's episode of the podcast, you're in for something a lot sweeter than normal... because well it's The Ultimate Houston Dessert Draft! Listen as Eric, alongside Local Foods Group's Chelsea Thomas, the Hangry Houstonian Danielle Dubois, Fluff Bake Bar's Becky Masson, Underground Creamery's Josh Deleon, and Heights Grocer's Mary Clarkson attempt to craft the best dessert lineup. The drafters will be selecting a lineup of 6 desserts in total withe each drafter making one selection in each of the following categories: cookies, cake, frozen, pastries, tableside, and a wild card. For the tableside category, drafters may select any dessert that is either prepared or finished at the table. That means lit on fire, sauced, scooped, sliced, etc. For the frozen category, all forms of ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt, bingsu, kakigori, shaved ice, sno balls, etc. are available. The wild card category is any additional dessert that hasn't already been selected. The Draft Rules Rule 1: No drafter may select the same restaurant/bakery twice. For example, if a drafter selects Fluff Bake Bar for cookies they may not also select it for their frozen or cake categories.  Rule 2: Once a restaurant/bakery has been selected for a specific category, no other drafter may select it in that same category. For example, only one drafter will get to select Underground Creamery for the frozen category or Fluff Bake Bar for the cookies category.  Rule 3: Drafters may select menu items served at any restaurant, bakery, bar, or food truck in the Greater Houston area. Which is roughly defined as being within the bounds of the Grand Parkway.    Rule 4: Snake draft format. The draft order will go one through six in round 1 then go backwards six through one in round 2. Rule 5: Categories may be selected in any order. Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Two Week Dining Event Celebrates Houston's Latin-Owned Restaurants Award-Winning NYC Chefs Join Houston Rising Star for Pop-Up Dinner Veteran Houston Bartender Shakes Up the Heights with New Tropical Bar Netflix Chef's Modern Mexican Restaurant Opens in Houston this Month Exclusive: New Cocktail Bar from Houston Hospitality Stars Coming to the Heights

Description In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome Sheena O'Connell, an educator and developer from South Africa who has been making waves in the Python education community. Sheena shares her journey from electrical engineering to founding Prelude, where she runs advanced Django learning sprints and teamwork training courses. We explore the critical importance of soft skills in technical education, diving into Google's Project Aristotle and the five key factors that make teams effective: psychological safety, dependability, structure and clarity, meaning, and impact. Sheena provides fascinating insights into how cultural concepts like Ubuntu ("I am because we are") influence collaborative learning and professional development. The conversation covers practical strategies for teaching both technical and soft skills to adult learners, the challenges of helping students transition from learning to professional environments, and how to build psychologically safe spaces that promote growth and learning. We also discuss upcoming events including Django Con Africa in Tanzania and PyCon Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa, which Sheena is chairing. Whether you're an educator, team leader, or developer interested in fostering better collaborative environments, this episode offers valuable insights into the intersection of technical education, cultural awareness, and team dynamics. Key Topics Discussed Transitioning from technical roles to education Building effective coding bootcamps and adult learning programs The importance of soft skills in technical careers Google's Project Aristotle and team effectiveness Psychological safety and stereotype threat Cultural influences on learning and teamwork (Ubuntu philosophy) Managing the "desperation mindset" in learning environments Professional development and career transitions PyCon Africa and Django Con Africa Cross-cultural team dynamics and communication Guests Sheena O'Connell - Founder of Prelude, former educator at Umuzi, and chair of PyCon Africa 2025 Resources Mentioned Google's Project Aristotle (https://rework.withgoogle.com/en/guides/understanding-team-effectiveness) The Culture Map (book on cultural differences in teams) Prelude Tech (https://prelude.tech) - Sheena's platform for Django courses and teamwork training PyCon Africa 2025 (Johannesburg, South Africa) Django Con Africa (Arusha, Tanzania) Ubuntu philosophy Umuzi (South African coding bootcamp) Connect with Sheena Personal blog: sheenaoc.com (https://sheenaoc.com) Courses and training: Prelude TV PyCon Africa 2025: October, Johannesburg, South Africa Wins and Fails of the Week Sheena Win: Successfully running a teamwork course for Canonical with an international team Fail: All her plants fell onto the couch (and the subsequent cleanup) Kelly Win: Attending ISTE conference in San Antonio, meeting previous podcast guests, and co-hosting a presentation Fail: Losing momentum on Anthony Shaw's GitHub course due to summer break Sean Win: Being interviewed by media about AI coding tools and AWS Amazon Q Fail: Home server power supply failure during a lightning storm, breaking all home automations Episode Notes This episode provides valuable insights for educators at all levels, from K-12 teachers to corporate trainers. The discussion of soft skills, cultural awareness, and team dynamics offers practical strategies that can be applied in classrooms, coding bootcamps, and professional development settings. The conversation highlights how technical education must go beyond coding skills to prepare students for successful careers, emphasizing the importance of communication, collaboration, and cultural competency in today's global technology landscape. Special Guest: Sheena O'Connell.

Season 4 of The Bear premiered on Hulu a couple of weeks ago so it's time to get our into our now yearly discussion with the Ultimate Date Night Draft winner himself, Justin Yu. Eric and Justin dive into a full spoiler conversation all about season 4 including the financial challenges that the restaurant faced this season, the difficulty of changing the menu so much, how that frequency can also speak to a level of selfishness (looking at you Carmy), how tough it is for a restaurant to find the right puzzle pieces to make the concept run smoothly, how those puzzle pieces were reflected in this season, Sydney's big decision this season, the work/life balance of everything, Carmy's journey, restaurants that live on stodges, and much more! Plus, Justin shares with Eric what restaurants he's excited about, what's new at Theodore Rex, and the best wings in Houston. Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Veteran Houston Bartender Shakes Up the Heights with New Tropical Bar Netflix Chef's Modern Mexican Restaurant Opens in Houston this Month Shaquille O'Neal Leaves $1,000 Tip at Houston Tex-Mex Institution Growing Burger Chain Slides into First Houston Location Exclusive: New Cocktail Bar from Houston Hospitality Stars Coming to the Heights

On today's podcast Eric is joined by Michael Fulmer to discuss Bobby Heugel and Jackie Stromm uniting for a new cocktail bar concept and Michael's beef with an overused word in food media. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Good God, Nadine's and Ichijiku Neighborhood Sushi are featured. Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Exclusive: New Cocktail Bar from Houston Hospitality Stars Coming to the Heights Growing Burger Chain Slides into First Houston Location Country Star Koe Wetzel Opens New Location of his Lively Bar in Houston Houston Restaurant Served Beyoncé a Southern Feast for her First Meal in H-Town Houston's Best New Restaurant Shows Off at CultureMap Tasting Table Dinner

My guest today is Vojkan Brankovic, founder of Apeiron, a principal investment firm that is shaping the future of sustainable real estate investment. Founded in 2013, Apeiron has established itself as a leader in high-impact real asset opportunities, specializing in logistics real estate across Europe.With over 30 years of investment management experience, Vojkan has positioned Apeiron at the forefront of logistics real estate investment, currently managing a portfolio of 500,000 square meters across strategic German locations spanning the full value chain from opportunistic and value-add to core+ strategies.Vojkan's journey into real estate began far from the world of buildings and investments, with his early years spent between Sweden and Belgrade, Serbia, followed by time in the UK. This upbringing shaped much of his entrepreneurial mindset and leadership style.Growing up in these diverse cultures gave him an early understanding of adaptability and collaboration, 2 key factors that would later influence how he built Apeiron. It was this exposure to different ways of thinking, working, and leading that laid the foundation for his approach to business.While his background had always been in business and finance, he found his true passion in real estate. He saw it not just as a way to generate financial returns, but as an opportunity to make a positive environmental impact.This vision was rooted in the recognition that the real estate sector, particularly logistics, was one of the largest contributors to global carbon emissions. But it was also where he saw the greatest potential for change.What sets Vojkan apart is how he's using real estate as a way to do good while making money. For him, it's about transforming inefficient buildings into assets that serve a greater purpose.His vision for sustainable, technology-enabled logistics infrastructure has attracted partnerships with leading institutional investors from Korea and the Middle East, demonstrating the global appeal of Apeiron's differentiated investment approach.One of the interesting features of Apeiron is its lean approach to business. While many firms in the real estate investment space operate with large teams and complex structures, Apeiron keeps things simple and efficient. With just 5 people in its team, the firm can make quick strategy decisions and stay nimble in an industry that's often slow to change.Through Apeiron, Vojkan is demonstrating that real estate doesn't just have to be about buildings and profits—it can be about purpose, too.—Connect with SRI360°:Sign up for the free weekly email updateVisit the SRI360° PODCASTVisit the SRI360° WEBSITEFollow SRI360° on XFollow SRI360° on FACEBOOK—Additional Resources: 

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Bryan Caswell and Allison Knight of Latuli. The pair discuss with Eric why the Memorial area was the right place for Latuli, the scale of it, developing the menu, the nods to previous concepts of Bryan's, the staff, what the opening process has been like for Allison, the unusual design of Latuli, making it kid friendly, how things are going so far, adding lunch service, the vision for the concept, and more. Plus, Allison shares about her background and what led her to wanting to open a restaurant. Also, Bryan speaks about his time away from the spotlight and what changed for him to want to go from consulting to a more permanent position.  Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Exclusive: New Cocktail Bar from Houston Hospitality Stars Coming to the Heights Country Star Koe Wetzel Opens New Location of his Lively Bar in Houston Houston Restaurant Served Beyoncé a Southern Feast for her First Meal in H-Town Houston's Best New Restaurant Shows Off at CultureMap Tasting Table Dinner Immersive, Speakeasy-Style Tiki Bar Brings the Underworld to Montrose

Eric's back! Today he's joined by Chelsea Thomas to go through the latest happenings in the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The duo discuss chef Thomas Bille winning Best Chef Texas at this year's James Beard Awards, Tristen Epps winning Top Chef, and Austin based Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group coming to Houston after claiming a space in Autry Park. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, King Steak is featured.  Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Innovative Houston Chef is the City's Newest James Beard Award Winner Houston Chef Tristen Epps Dishes on his Top Chef Victory and What's Next Michelin-Recognized Austin Restaurant Group Reveals First Houston Project Houston Restaurant Served Beyoncé a Southern Feast for her First Meal in H-Town Immersive, Speakeasy-Style Tiki Bar Brings the Underworld to Montrose

In this week's episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor is joined by EOS implementer Matt Hansen, a former aerospace engineer turned business coach. Matt shares how EOS tools like the Level 10 Meeting, quarterly conversations, and clarity breaks transformed his journey from baling hay to leading a $10 million advanced manufacturing business. They explore why healthy teams, clear roles, and regular time for reflection are essential for scaling with intention. Plus, Matt unpacks insights from The Culture Map and explains why he loves working with bold builders and makers in construction and manufacturing. If you're in construction, manufacturing, or simply want to grow your business without losing your balance, this episode offers real strategies with real results.  CONNECT WITH DEBRA:         ___________________________________________         ►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner ►Connect with Debra: debra@businessaction.co.nz ►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/       ____________________________________________         GUEST'S DETAIL: ► Matt Hansen - EOS Worldwide    ► Matt Hansen - LinkedIn Episode 229 Chapters:   00:24 – Introduction and Guest Overview   04:32 – Transition to EOS Implementation   07:12 – EOS Implementation Journey   09:45 – Favourite EOS Tools   12:12 – Client Success Stories   23:46 – Cultural Insights and Final Tips   30:19 – Personal Preferences and Conclusion   

Yoko Oshima is Associate General Counsel of Corporate, External and Legal Affairs at Microsoft Japan. In this inspiring episode that spans continents, cultures, and cutting-edge technology, Yoko's journey is a masterclass in authentic leadership, purposeful career building, embracing opportunity and seeking support. Yoko shares powerful insights on adaptive leadership, the importance of being true to your values, and why seeking support is actually a sign of strength, not vulnerability.Whether you're navigating cultural shifts in your career, looking to embrace emerging technology, or seeking to lead with authenticity, Yoko's wisdom will resonate long after the episode ends.If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we'd love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we'd love it if you would leave us a message here!In this episode you'll hear:How she overcame the cultural shift from being "blessed with opportunities" in Japan to proactively raising her hand in competitive New York law firmsWhy she turned down a permanent leadership role twice, and the crucial lesson this taught her about embracing opportunityThe innovative approach to helping legal teams adopt AI and why AI is like training a new associateHer favourite books and other fun facts About YokoYoko is Associate General Counsel of Microsoft and leads its Corporate, External Affairs in Japan. Before joining Microsoft in May 2021. she was with General Electric and her last role before the departure was the general counsel of GE Japan and GE Digital Asia. Before going in-house, she was in private practice, with Anderson Mori in Tokyo (first half) and Clearly Gottlieb, Steen and Hamilton LLP in New York (second half). She is qualified in Japan and the State of New York, USA. She has an LLB from Hitotsubashi University, a Master of Law from the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Law and Politics and an LLM from Harvard Law School. Committed to diversity and inclusion and the social impact, she is a board member of Lawyers for LGBT and Allies Network in Japan and a statutory auditor of Earth Company. She recharges through art, music, nature and family and friends.Connect with Yoko LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoko-oshima-36a7396/ LinksAdaptive Leadership: https://hbr.org/2020/09/5-principles-to-guide-adaptive-leadership  Tools and Weapons, Brad Smith: https://news.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/tools-and-weapons/ The Culture Map, Erin Meyers: https://erinmeyer.com/books/the-culture-map/ Connect with Catherine LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

Bobby Heugel is back for an in-depth conversation with Eric about the current state of the restaurant/bar scene in Houston. Bobby speaks with Eric about a plethora of topics including the current state of Thorough Fare Hospitality, whether there's oversaturation in the Houston food scene, why Michelin benefits the winners more than the city, the challenges with tariffs, why fresh build aspirations are decreasing, negotiating with landlords, the gen z customer/worker, and much more! Eric is taking a brief hiatus from the podcast but the show will be back with a new episode on July 8th with Justin Yu, followed by a new Ultimate Draft episode on July 15th. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts to get notified as soon new episodes release. (Although Eric reserves the right to return sooner... like I don't know... maybe if someone wins a James Beard Award when the winners are announced) For more info and tickets to CultureMap's Tasting Table event series click here. You can also read more about the event on CultureMap.com Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: National Food Magazine Champions Houston Nonprofit Head on New 'Power 100' List Houston's Pioneering South American Steakhouse Will Soon Shutter in River Oaks Burger Joint Duo's New Hawaiian Shaved Ice Spot Chills Out The Heights Renovated Galleria Development Will Add 'Greatest Neighborhood Restaurant'  Pizzeria Owner Opens New All-Day Poolside Bar and Restaurant at Heights Hotel

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Daniel Vaughn, the BBQ editor for Texas Monthly and who's also fresh off the release of Texas Monthly's Top 50 BBQ Joints for 2025. Daniel speaks with Eric about how the Houston BBQ scene has changed in the last decade, the turnover for Houston BBQ joints on the list this year, why certain joints in Houston became honorable mentions or fell off the list entirely, why neither Franklin's BBQ nor Snow's BBQ made the list this year, small town BBQ spots making a comeback, the absolutely outstanding top 3, why Burnt Bean Co. BBQ deserved the number one spot, whether Michelin's selections played a role at all with Texas Monthly's selections, and much more!    Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Two Top 10 Pitmasters React to Texas Monthly's New Top 50 Barbecue List 7 Houston-Area Barbecue Joints Make Texas Monthly's New Top 50 List Pizzeria Owner Opens New All-Day Poolside Bar and Restaurant at Heights Hotel Houston Haunt Earns Only Texas Spot on Bon Appètit Best New Bars List Family Friendly Garden Oaks Restaurant Coming Soon to Magnolia

Michael Fulmer is back joining Eric on the podcast today! The guys dive straight into the News of the Week with more reactions to Texas Monthly's Top 50 BBQ spots and Cecil's Pub getting a new home. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Silk Road and Doko are featured. Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Two Top 10 Pitmasters React to Texas Monthly's New Top 50 Barbecue List 7 Houston-Area Barbecue Joints Make Texas Monthly's New Top 50 List 40-Year Old Houston Pub Reopens in Montrose with Pizza and Patio Power Houston Haunt Earns Only Texas Spot on Bon Appètit Best New Bars List Family Friendly Garden Oaks Restaurant Coming Soon to Magnolia

ChatGPT ist wie eine neue Mitarbeiterin am ersten Tag: Total motiviert, aber noch ziemlich planlos. Wie man ChatGPT richtig für seinen Job und seine Firma “einschult”, darüber habe ich mit Anita Zielina gesprochen. Ein Guide für alle, die mit ChatGPT schneller bessere Arbeit leisten wollen.

On a special episode of What's Eric Eating, Eric Sandler was joined by three people very much in the know about the Texas BBQ scene, to discuss the Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ restaurants in Texas list! Renowned photographer and entrepreneur Robert Lerma The pitmaster and owner of Truth BBQ in Houston and Brenham, Leonard Botello IV, who ranked inside the top 10 of this list! And Ernest Servantes, the chef/pitmaster/co-owner from Burnt Bean Co. Barbecue, who ranked at the very top of this list! Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Lively new neighborhood bar shakes up Washington Ave. with diverse menu 7 Houston-area barbecue joints make Texas Monthly's new top 50 list Ben Berg's New York-Inspired, Fancy Burger Joint Will Soon Shutter

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson to dive into some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair discuss the recent closings of PostScript and B.B. Lemon and the recent openings of Succulent Fine Dining and King Steak. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Hachi and Burnt Bean Co. Barbecue are featured. Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Ben Berg's New York-Inspired, Fancy Burger Joint Will Soon Shutter Predicting 13 Barbecue Joints That Could Make Texas Monthly's New Top 10 Houston's New Napa Valley-Inspired Restaurant Sets Opening Date Houstonians Will Get the Royal Treatment at this Lively New Steakhouse East Coast-Inspired Eatery Shakes Up Rice Village with 'World's Coldest Martini' Dough-Obsessed Pizzeria Picks River Oaks for First Houston Location

Chef Allie Peña and chef-owner Aaron Bludorn of Bludorn join Eric on the show today. The pair speak with Eric about Allie taking over as executive chef at Bludorn, why Allie pursued the job, why Aaron felt Allie was the right choice, new ideas Allie has for Bludorn, staples that she plans to keep, her time running the Bar Bludorn kitchen, how Bludorn has exceeded Aaron's expectations in terms of the city's response to it, the Michelin aspect of it all, and more! Plus, they discuss Douglas Keane coming to Houston, any possible interest in The Woodlands, how things are going with Perseid, and Allie goes through the lightning round! Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Houstonians Will Get The Royal Treatment at This Lively New Steakhouse Massive, German-Inspired Beer Garden Coming to New Energy Corridor Project Houston's Most Pretty-in-Pink Restaurant Quietly Closes in Upper Kirby River Oaks Gourmet Grocer Unveils Cozy New Name and Big Dallas Plans

On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined by Lawton Driscoll to go through some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant/bar scene. The pair discuss new restaurant Kirkwood coming this fall from the Mac Haik Restaurant Group, John Avila's new concept Pinballz Pizzeria, and Nancy's Hustle opening daily now for dinner. In the Restaurants of the Week section Agnes and Sherman is featured.  Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: New Houston Pizzeria Serves Up Slices and Vintage Vibes in the East End Michelin-Recognized Houston Restaurant Now Open for Dinner Daily Houston's Most Pretty-in-Pink Restaurant Quietly Closes in Upper Kirby River Oaks Gourmet Grocer Unveils Cozy New Name and Big Dallas Plans

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Jamie Allen of Juliet. Jamie speaks with Eric about his career before his journey into the culinary world, why he decided to switch careers, creating Candy Shack Daiquiris, the inspiration for Juliet, why the movie theater theme for the concept, developing the menu, his influences in the creation of Juliet, what has made Juliet a hit from day one, his team behind the restaurant, the celebs that've visited, the rose wall, plans for expansion, possible other concepts, his work with Haii Keii, the lack of media coverage, and more! Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: New Houston Pizzeria Serves Up Slices and Vintage Vibes in the East End Veteran Houston Chef Steps in to EaDo Barbecue Joint Michelin-Recognized Houston Restaurant Now Open for Dinner Daily Houston's Shuttered Kosher Steakhouse Reopens as Non-Kosher Neighborhood Grill

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by a returning Felice "Swanky Maven" Sloan to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant/bar scene. The pair speak about Jason Goldstein's new non-kosher steakhouse concept, Cactus Club Cafe opening it's 3rd US location in Houston, and Greg Gatlin of Gatlin's BBQ making his BBQ Brawl debut in June on Food Network. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Tavola is featured.    Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Houston's Shuttered Kosher Steakhouse Reopens as Non-Kosher Neighborhood Grill Canadian Comfort Food Restaurant Puts Down Roots in Prime Houston Spot Michelin-Recognized Houston Restaurant Now Open for Dinner Daily Astros Pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. Serves Up a New Pickleball Bar in Midtown

On today's edition of What's Eric Eating, Eric is joined by Drake Leonards of Eunice. Drake speaks with Eric about the evolution of Eunice since he was last on the podcast back in 2018, why it's important that they're open 7 days a week, fixing their patio situation, being part of the Houston chef community, the team at Eunice, the flexibility they provide customers, having one of the best burgers in town, the possibility of expansion in Houston with some of their other concepts, and much more!  Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Canadian Comfort Food Restaurant Puts Down Roots in Prime Houston Spot Astros Pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. Serves Up a New Pickleball Bar in Midtown Bun B Opens New Spring Location of His Smash Hit Smash Burger Joint Beloved Houston Hot Dog Shop Announces Abrupt Closure After 15 Years

Today on the podcast, Eric is joined by Garden Oaks expert Monica Danna to dive into some of the latest happenings in the Houston restaurant/bar scene. The pair discuss Good Dog Houston closing after 12 years in the Heights, chef Arnaldo Richards new fajita delivery aptly titled FajitaDelivery.com, and CultureMap's list of 9 new bars making an impact in Houston. In the Restaurants of the Week section, BeauSoleil is featured. Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Beloved Houston Hot Dog Shop Announces Abrupt Closure After 15 Years Houston Chef Fires Up Tex-Mex Delivery with Fajitas, Margs, and More Astros Pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. Serves Up a New Pickleball Bar in Midtown Bun B Opens New Spring Location of His Smash Hit Smash Burger Joint

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Nick Adair and Katie Adair Barnhart of Adair Concepts. The siblings discuss with Eric growing up in the restaurant business, why they wanted to continue on with the family business rather than do something different, working together, how they made Adair Kitchen different from Skeeters, how things are going with their Adair Kitchen and larger Los Tios location in West U., balancing Los Tios to be approachable for both new/returning customers, expanding the Los Tios brand to Fredericksburg, bringing Buffalo Grille into the fold of Adair Concepts, keeping the changes to a minimum with Buffalo Grille, why they brought on Diego Fernandez as culinary director, their plans for Eloise Nichols, why Betsy's is challenging in some ways, and much more! Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Cult Favorite Houston Burger Joint Adds New Co-Owner to Power Future Growth Cowboy-Inspired, Family-Friendly Restaurant Rides into Prime Inner Loop Space Successful Pop-Up Chef Opens a New All-Day Cafe and Bakery in the Heights Creative New Heights Restaurant Spices Up Diner Fare with Asian Flavors

This week, I talk about my experience as the first ever female trainer of a group of Saudi male graduates, Saudi "Qahwa" (قهوة) or "Gahwa" (قهوة), do a short comparison of Saudi Arabian and Irish culture based on Erin Meyer's Culture Map, and share my dos and don'ts for females going to work in Saudi Arabia. Exceed Custom Learning SolutionsSupport the PodcastConnect on LinkedInConnect on InstagramALL IN Magazine Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by a returning Chelsea Thomas. The pair first discuss Chelsea making her return to the culinary scene with her new gig and then they dive into the latest Houston restaurant news. They cover Burger Chan's owners adding a new co-owner, the new cowboy inspired concept coming to the inner loop, and chef Jane Wild's new cafe/bakery concept opening in The Heights. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Perseid is featured.    Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Cult Favorite Houston Burger Joint Adds New Co-Owner to Power Future Growth Cowboy-Inspired, Family-Friendly Restaurant Rides into Prime Inner Loop Space Successful Pop-Up Chef Opens a New All-Day Cafe and Bakery in the Heights Creative New Heights Restaurant Spices Up Diner Fare with Asian Flavors

On today's edition of the podcast things are little different because Eric is live on-site! Yep, Eric had the chance to catch up with both Fernando Rios and Mike Sammons live at MIMO. The guys speak with Eric about how they first started working together, the fun but hard challenge of Da Marco, why the East End needed an Italian restaurant, what made the space the choice for the concept, how they're a little different from traditional Italian fare, the difficulty of getting MIMO off the proverbial ground at first, how the menu has evolved, their wine list, how things have been going in their first 2 years since opening, the respect they have for Marco Wiles, their plans for the future, and more! Plus, Fernando takes us through his career and where it's taken him, what Mike learned from opening How to Survive, and Fernando experiences his first lightning round.  Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Houston Speakeasy Ranks No. 59 on 100 Best Bars List for North America Cowboy-Inspired, Family-Friendly Restaurant Rides into Prime Inner Loop Space Heights Restaurant Adds Daytime Coffee Service with Guest Chef Pop-Ups Aaron Bludorn's Rising Star Protégé Moving from Memorial to Montrose

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson to go through some of the latest Houston bar and restaurant news. The pair speak about the 4 Houston chefs/restaurants named finalists for James Beard awards, Jūn becoming the home of a daytime coffee service called Third Place, and Alexandra "Allie" Peña becoming Bludorn's new executive chef. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Camaraderie is featured.  Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: 4 Houston Chefs and Restaurants are James Beard Award Finalists Heights Restaurant Adds Daytime Coffee Service with Guest Chef Pop-Ups Aaron Bludorn's Rising Star Protégé Moving from Memorial to Montrose Houston's Best Chef, Restaurant, and More Revealed at 2025 Tastemaker Awards

On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined by Shawn Virene and David Buckley of Succulent Fine Dining. The guys speak with Eric about the inspiration for this new concept, why now was the right time for it, the desire for a patio, why David was the right fit to be the executive chef, their vision for the food, how the concept differs from a'Bouzy, the decor, growing succulents in preparation, the wine list, when they expect to open, and more. Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Houston's Best Chef, Restaurant, and More Revealed at 2025 Tastemaker Awards 4 Houston Chefs and Restaurants are James Beard Award Finalists Aaron Bludorn's Rising Star Protégé Moving from Memorial to Montrose Dallas Tex-Mex Staple Shutters Only Houston Location After Less Than 2 Years

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Shawn Gawle of Camaraderie. Shawn speaks with Eric about what got him first interested in becoming a chef, his journey beginning with his Dad's deli to eventually working in Michelin star restaurants, working at his 2nd grade teacher's restaurant, what brought him to Houston, why he decided to join Goodnight Hospitality, creating the program at Rosie Cannonball, why he decided to pursue savory over doing something like a bakery given his pastry chef background, when he knew the timing was right to open his own restaurant, why the location for Camaraderie was the right spot, the story behind the name, why they're kinda doing both a tasting menu and an a la carte menu, developing the prefix menu, the work/life balance, and much more!  Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Dallas Tex-Mex Staple Shutters Only Houston Location After Less Than 2 Years One of Texas Monthly's Favorite Houston Restaurants will Soon Shutter Houston's 11 Best Pastry Chefs Make Dining Sweeter New Houston Hotspot Debuts with a Seasonal Spin on Prix-Fixe Dining Hospitable Houston Craft Beer and Burger Spot Will Soon Shutter

On today's episode Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson to discuss some of the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant/bar scene. Eric and Mary speak about the recent closings of both Auden and Mi Cocina, whether there's been an actual of rash of closings as of late, Dallas restaurants making their way to Houston, and the Kahani Social Group's latest concept Kitchen Rumors. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Chardon and Yuston's are featured.  Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: Dallas Tex-Mex Staple Shutters Only Houston Location After Less Than 2 Years One of Texas Monthly's Favorite Houston Restaurants will Soon Shutter Houston's 11 Best Pastry Chefs Make Dining Sweeter New Houston Hotspot Debuts with a Seasonal Spin on Prix-Fixe Dining Hospitable Houston Craft Beer and Burger Spot Will Soon Shutter

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Suu Khin of Burmalicious. Suu speaks with Eric about how Burmese cuisine is different from other southeast Asian food, starting her food blog, how she got on Master Chef, her experience being on the show, doing the show in the midst of the pandemic, meeting each other for the first time, sharing her Burmese heritage through her food, working with Cucharita for the Burmalicious pop-ups, being nominated for a James Beard award, her goals, the possibility of opening her own establishment, and more! Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: TikTok Food Critic Keith Lee Awards $50,000 to Pearland Dessert Shop One of Texas Monthly's Favorite Houston Restaurants will Soon Shutter Houston's 11 Best Pastry Chefs Make Dining Sweeter New Houston Hotspot Debuts with a Seasonal Spin on Prix-Fixe Dining Hospitable Houston Craft Beer and Burger Spot Will Soon Shutter

On today's podcast Eric is joined by Michael Fulmer to go through some of the latest news happening across the Houston restaurant/bar scene. Eric and Michael discuss Shawn Gawle's new restaurant Camaraderie, the space that once held Flying Fish transforming into a new cocktail bar called The Kid, and Eric's road trip to Redbird BBQ. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Annam is featured.  Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at eric@culturemap.com. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com: New Houston Hotspot Debuts with a Seasonal Spin on Prix-Fixe Dining Shuttered Heights Eatery Will Soon Transform Into a Neighborhood Cocktail Bar One of Texas Monthly's Favorite Houston Restaurants will Soon Shutter Houston's 11 Best Bars of 2025 Craft Cocktails and Community Houston's 11 Best Pastry Chefs Make Dining Sweeter

Transformative Leadership Insights: As the founder of Conscious Business Consulting, Monika has empowered high-profile clients like EY, Unilever, and Toyota to enhance their leadership capabilities and prevent burnout, showcasing her ability to drive results across diverse industries. Her work with leaders from 68 countries provides unique cultural perspectives that can inspire actionable changes within workplace environments. Innovative Approaches to Resilience and Inclusivity: Monika's innovative methodologies, including the use of LEGO® Serious Play in her coaching, align perfectly with the Breakfast Leadership Show's focus on personal growth and mental resilience. Her passion for cultural diversity and inclusion is poised to offer listeners fresh strategies for fostering inclusive workplaces and enhancing overall well-being. Website:  https://monikaguzek.com/ LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/monika-guzek/ Courses:  https://monikaguzek.com/sklep/   Navigating Challenges and Embracing Diversity Monika and I dove into the tough realities of today's world—everything from the lingering effects of the pandemic and global conflicts to economic struggles and shifting governments. One of the biggest challenges we see? The decline of joy in the workplace. Monika pointed out that the blending of personal and corporate life plays a huge role in this. She stressed the importance of embracing cultural and generational diversity, with leaders stepping up to empower their teams and create truly inclusive environments. We also explored how social skills are critical in today's workplace—many people feel overwhelmed and struggle to manage their workload effectively. Embracing Diverse Communication and Cultural Nuances Communication in a diverse workplace isn't just about words—it's about understanding the meaning behind them. Monika emphasized the need to strike a balance between positivity and tough conversations, as well as the importance of reading between the lines in different cultural contexts. I completely agreed. Clear communication is key, but so is recognizing cultural nuances. Personally, I appreciate direct communication and love using humor as a tool—even if it doesn't always land perfectly. We both agreed that embracing these differences leads to stronger collaboration and better teamwork. Fostering a Healthy Workplace Culture We also explored what it takes to build a thriving workplace culture—one where people feel connected and supported. Monika highlighted the importance of playfulness and fun at work, even bringing up how something as simple as Lego can spark creativity. That said, there's a balance—some industries require a more structured approach. We also touched on the insights from The Culture Map, discussing how different cultural dimensions influence workplace interactions. At the end of the day, considering different perspectives makes for a more productive and enjoyable work environment. Building Trust in Diverse Workplaces Trust is the foundation of any great workplace. When leaders and employees trust each other, they can create better products and services that make a real impact. I emphasized how crucial it is for leaders to foster that trust—because without it, everything else falls apart. Monika added that trust-building requires awareness of cultural differences and individual needs. It's all about open communication, self-awareness, and a conscious approach to understanding those we work with. When we get this right, we create workplaces where people feel valued, heard, and truly connected.