Podcasts about culture map

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Mark Clayton and Terry Williams of Squable. The guys speak with Eric about the opening days of Squable, working with Bobby Heugel and Justin Yu, developing the menu, making some pivots after opening, making the food approachable, the cocktail program, learning what the neighborhood wanted, changes to the front of house over time, being the old heads on 19th street, creating the brunch menu, being #2 on the Houston Chronicle's Top 100 restaurants list, why they're not losing sleep over not being added to the Michelin Guide (yet), goals for the future, and more! Plus, Mark shares about his career leading up to Squable, Terry's time at Trulucks, and we may have to fight a few technical issues.   Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: Posh Houston Seafood Spot Stirs Up 2 Over-the-Top $100 Caviar Martinis Growing Houston Taqueria Sets Opening Date for New Memorial Location Houston Chef Wins $20,000 at Prestigious Restaurant Pitch Competition Car Accident Damages Michelin-Recommended Houston Sushi Restaurant 4 Houston Spots Make Texas Monthly's 25 Best New Taquerias List

Today on the show Eric is joined by Christopher Huang of Narwhal Jousting Club. Christopher speaks with Eric about how computers pushed him towards the restaurant industry, learning on the job, opening Ninja Ramen, why ramen at first, how Ninja Ramen evolved over time, why he decided to close Ninja Ramen last year, Starcraft, opening Narwhal Jousting Club, why they abandoned the initial sandwich first concept Narwhal had, why Houston is considered not a great sandwich city, going the burger route, their burger style, Houston food theories, making things simple, keeping pricing low, goals for Narwhal, food courts, and much more! Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: Houston Bar Owner Speaks Out About Surprise Arrest for Health Code Violations Growing Houston Vietnamese Restaurant Hustles into Hot Katy Neighborhood Houston Hospitality 'Dream Team' Saddles Up for World Cup Pop-Up Restaurant Chef of Michelin-Starred Texas BBQ Joint Pops Up at Houston Crawfish Favorite Eclectic Houston Neighborhood Restaurant will Shutter Bellaire Store

Today on the podcast, Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson of Heights Grocer and Montrose Grocer. Eric and Mary discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Joe & the Juice picking Houston for it's first Texas location and the team behind Mimo debut their new sandwich restaurant concept La Rosa to great success. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Exilio Latin Flair is featured. Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: 2 Houston Restaurants Break their Silence on Owners' Tragic Deaths Couple Behind 2 Houston Restaurants Found Dead in their Home International Coffee Shop Chain Picks Houston for First Texas Store Mimo Duo Open Tiny Italian Sandwich and Gelato Shop in Houston's East End Prolific Houston Pizza Chef Fires Up a New Italian Restaurant in River Oaks

On today's edition of the podcast, Eric is joined by Jason Kerr and Benjy Mason of Shredders Pizza. The duo discuss with Eric how the idea for Shredders Pizza came about, finding their audience, pizza delivery being the coolest job for a time, going down a pizza style rabbit hole, developing the dough recipe, the topping options, pushing each other in the right ways, managing the demand, their goals, and much more.  Plus, Jason speaks about his career leading up to Shredders Pizza, Benjy shares why or more so how he expanded into pizza, that time when Jason gave a piece of cake away that went horribly wrong, the food truck boom, and the wine wolf... yes the wine wolf... so it's a werewolf and... you know what just listen to the episode. It'll make sense.  Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: Couple Behind 2 Houston Restaurants Found Dead in their Home Tomball Barbecue Trio Spins Up New Tavern Devoted to Pizza and Burgers Webpage Leak Offers Sneak Peek at Heights Hotel's New Neighborhood Bar Beard Award-Winning Houston Chef Blasts Off with New Tasting Menu Concept Houston Charcuterie Sensation Opens New Storefront in the Heights

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Felice Sloan, a.k.a. The Swanky Maven. Eric and Felice cover some of the latest happenings from the Houston food scene including Burger Chan opening it's 2nd location, the upcoming closure of Picos, and Bandista rising up the Best Bars in North America rankings for 2026. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Jantra is featured.Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: Beard Award-Winning Houston Chef Blasts Off with New Tasting Menu Concept Houston's Most Customizable Burger Joint is Coming to the Heights in May Mole-Obsessed Mexican Restaurant Sets Closing Date for Kirby Location Hidden Houston Cocktail Den Ranks No. 47 on North America Best Bars List Tomball Barbecue Trio Spins Up New Tavern Devoted to Pizza and Burgers

On today's edition of the podcast, Eric is joined by Julian Haynes of Cosmic Ice Cream Co. to discuss his career, Cosmic, and more. Julian speaks with Eric about why he got into the ice cream business, how he left the oil & gas field, the first iteration of Cosmic, learning to make ice cream, getting the initial ice cream bug from a Portland concept, why Webster was the right location for their first shop, being selective about their locations, building the brand, the decision to take a more old school neighborhood ice cream shop approach with the concept, what they took away from opening their first location, how Christine Ha helped them decide on Spring Branch, getting the call about Pearland/Bellaire, building up the team, plans for the future, and more!Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: Houston Chefs Cook Up Goodwill at Feed the Soul Gala These Houston Restaurants and Bars are Going All Out for Derby Day 2026 Mimo Duo Open Tiny Italian Sandwich and Gelato Shop in Houston's East End Houston's New, All-You-Can-Eat Wagyu Beef Restaurant Opens This Week International Coffee Shop Chain Picks Houston for First Texas Store

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Alba Huerta and Vanessa Alba of Julep as well as Robin Wong of Blood Bros. BBQ. Alba shares her insights on the creation of The Parlor at Julep, why the multi-use space at Julep was the perfect vehicle for The Parlor, trying different things with The Parlor that they wouldn't do at Julep, the modern cocktail movement, the new techniques they're using, creating gastro-cocktails, finding a unique way to work with/see others in the industry with Chef's Cut, Houston's place as a bar city, and more. All 3 share their perspectives on the idea of Chef's Cut, how it came about, the chef's that have done it so far, and Robin's DJ skills. Plus, Vanessa speaks on how she first got involved with Julep and Robin talks about the latest happenings over at Blood Bros. BBQ. Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: Houston's Best Chef, Restaurant, and More Revealed at 2026 Tastemaker Awards Lively Crowd Celebrates Houston's Culinary Stars at 2026 Tastemaker Awards Mole-Obsessed Mexican Restaurant Sets Closing Date for Kirby Location The Quest for a Topo Chico Replacement, We Rate 9 Sparkling Waters Austin-Based Taco Chain Celebrates Katy Debut with Free Breakfast Tacos

What if the resistance you're seeing in your organization isn't defiance, it's information? What if the way you're talking about change is the very thing blocking it? Episode Summary In this episode of A World of Difference, host Lori Adams-Brown sits down with Jeff Wetherhold, founder of the Sustainable Change System and MI for Health, to unpack why 88% of organizational changes produce no lasting results, and what evidence-based leaders can do differently. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience and the robust science of motivational interviewing (MI), Jeff offers a radically practical reframe: your team isn't resistant. They're ambivalent. And that ambivalence is something you can actually work with. What You'll Learn Why traditional change management frameworks often fail — and what survey data reveals people actually need How to hear the difference between 'change talk' and 'sustain talk,' and why reflecting the wrong one can derail an entire initiative The evidence behind motivational interviewing: 2,000+ randomized control trials, 200+ meta-analyses, and applications across fields from healthcare to organizational transformation Why resistance is a 'blanket term' that blinds leaders to actionable insight — and what to ask instead The critical difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and why leaders who rely on extrinsic shortcuts exhaust themselves What makes change stick: the role of practice, systems, and sustained organizational support — not just training Guest Bio Jeff Wetherhold is the founder of the Sustainable Change System and MI for Health, where he equips leaders and organizations with evidence-based communication skills for navigating change. He is a faculty member with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), and a Prosci-Certified Change Practitioner, with clients including the State of Illinois, MIT, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction — what if resistance is information? 02:30 Jeff's background: behavioral science, adult learning & change management 04:00 What the data says: 88% of organizational changes produce no lasting results 07:00 The 'why' problem — why leaders think they've communicated, but haven't 09:30 Cross-cultural dimensions of change communication (Erin Meyer, The Culture Map) 11:30 Intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation — why shortcuts backfire 14:30 What Jeff does differently: skills + practice vs. frameworks alone 18:00 What is motivational interviewing? Origins, evidence, and applications 21:50 Reframing resistance: change talk, sustain talk, and the 19x rule 28:40 Champions for change — why volunteering someone into a title isn't enough 34:40 Real stories: one manager's shift, and a holiday table breakthrough 38:55 How to work with Jeff + Patreon preview Check out the Patreon exclusive with Jeff on how he would advise a leader on talent strategy here. Connect with Jeff Website: jeffwetherhold.com LinkedIn: Jeff Wetherhold Sustainable Change System + MI for Health: jeffwetherhold.com Connect with the Show Subscribe, leave a review at https://www.aworldofdifferencepodcast.com/reviews/new/, and share this episode with five people who lead people through change. Visit https://www.aworldofdifferencepodcast.com for more resources. Join our Patreon community of Difference Makers: patreon.com/aworldadifference Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the resistance you're seeing in your organization isn't defiance, it's information? What if the way you're talking about change is the very thing blocking it? Episode Summary In this episode of A World of Difference, host Lori Adams-Brown sits down with Jeff Wetherhold, founder of the Sustainable Change System and MI for Health, to unpack why 88% of organizational changes produce no lasting results, and what evidence-based leaders can do differently. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience and the robust science of motivational interviewing (MI), Jeff offers a radically practical reframe: your team isn't resistant. They're ambivalent. And that ambivalence is something you can actually work with. What You'll Learn Why traditional change management frameworks often fail — and what survey data reveals people actually need How to hear the difference between 'change talk' and 'sustain talk,' and why reflecting the wrong one can derail an entire initiative The evidence behind motivational interviewing: 2,000+ randomized control trials, 200+ meta-analyses, and applications across fields from healthcare to organizational transformation Why resistance is a 'blanket term' that blinds leaders to actionable insight — and what to ask instead The critical difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and why leaders who rely on extrinsic shortcuts exhaust themselves What makes change stick: the role of practice, systems, and sustained organizational support — not just training Guest Bio Jeff Wetherhold is the founder of the Sustainable Change System and MI for Health, where he equips leaders and organizations with evidence-based communication skills for navigating change. He is a faculty member with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), and a Prosci-Certified Change Practitioner, with clients including the State of Illinois, MIT, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction — what if resistance is information? 02:30 Jeff's background: behavioral science, adult learning & change management 04:00 What the data says: 88% of organizational changes produce no lasting results 07:00 The 'why' problem — why leaders think they've communicated, but haven't 09:30 Cross-cultural dimensions of change communication (Erin Meyer, The Culture Map) 11:30 Intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation — why shortcuts backfire 14:30 What Jeff does differently: skills + practice vs. frameworks alone 18:00 What is motivational interviewing? Origins, evidence, and applications 21:50 Reframing resistance: change talk, sustain talk, and the 19x rule 28:40 Champions for change — why volunteering someone into a title isn't enough 34:40 Real stories: one manager's shift, and a holiday table breakthrough 38:55 How to work with Jeff + Patreon preview Check out the Patreon exclusive with Jeff on how he would advise a leader on talent strategy here. Connect with Jeff Website: jeffwetherhold.com LinkedIn: Jeff Wetherhold Sustainable Change System + MI for Health: jeffwetherhold.com Connect with the Show Subscribe, leave a review at https://www.aworldofdifferencepodcast.com/reviews/new/, and share this episode with five people who lead people through change. Visit https://www.aworldofdifferencepodcast.com for more resources. Join our Patreon community of Difference Makers: patreon.com/aworldadifference Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's edition of the podcast, Eric is joined by Houston BBQ Festival co-founder Michael Fulmer. Eric and Michael cover some of the latest news from the Houston culinary scene including giving a recap of the 2026 Tastemaker Awards, Captain Fred's upcoming affordable seafood concept opening near Third Ward, and the great quest for a Topo Chico replacement. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Johnny Ritas Cocina y Cantina and the new combination of Pho Prime and Crawfish Cafe are featured.  Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: Houston's Best Chef, Restaurant, and More Revealed at 2026 Tastemaker Awards Chef-Loved Houston Fisherman Opens Affordable Seafood Restaurant Near Third Ward The Quest for a Topo Chico Replacement, We Rate 9 Sparkling Waters Austin-Based Taco Chain Celebrates Katy Debut with Free Breakfast Tacos Hot Houston Hand Roll Spot is First Restaurant at New EaDo Development

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Paige and Andrew Alvis and German Mosquera of Long Weekend. The trio speak Eric about the creation of Long Weekend, where the idea came about, balancing being family friendly with higher end adult offerings, the former King's Bierhaus space being the right location for the concept, the renovations they made, how they utilize the space for the best experience, developing the menu, the baking program, the idea for the playground, the discourse regarding the kids/playground, the relationship with their neighbors, goals for the concept, and more! Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: Chef-Loved Houston Fisherman Opens Affordable Seafood Restaurant Near Third Ward Hot Houston Hand Roll Spot is First Restaurant at New EaDo Development Houston's 11 Best Chefs of 2026 are Leading the City's Rise to Prominence The 11 Best Restaurants of 2026 Showcase Houston's World-Class Status Burger Joint Duo's Frozen Treat Shop Returns with Soft Serve Margaritas Growing Houston Coffee Shop Hits the Road with Battery-Powered Electric Van

On today's edition of the show Eric is joined by Raffi Nasr of Craft Pita. First Raffi catches Eric up on his own personal news, the birth of the pita prince! Then the guys dive into the latest news from the Houston culinary scene including the 2 planned concepts that may arrive to a Houston area golf course from Michelin starred chef/owner Michael Fojtasek and Houston's ranking in Food & Wine Magazine's top 10 food cities of America list. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Loves Dumpling House and Shredders Pizza are featured. Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: Michelin-Recognized Chef Plans 2 New Restaurants at Proposed Houston Golf Club The 11 Best Restaurants of 2026 Showcase Houston's World-Class Status Burger Joint Duo's Frozen Treat Shop Returns with Soft Serve Margaritas Growing Houston Coffee Shop Hits the Road with Battery-Powered Electric Van Houston Earns 6 Finalist Nominations in the 2026 James Beard Awards

Your culture isn't what you say in calm moments. It's what your team experiences when tension rises, deadlines slip, and someone has to tell the truth.We sit down with returning guest Bill Benjamin, co-author of The Last 8%, to move from individual stress behaviors to the bigger question leaders wrestle with: what happens to your culture when things get hard? Bill shares a simple, powerful way to diagnose any team culture using two dimensions that decide everything people do under pressure: courage and connection. We unpack what it looks like when courage shows up without care (transactional, results-first, often unsustainable) and when care shows up without courage (the “family” vibe that can quietly breed frustration, slow decisions, and protect underperformance). We also name the fear-based culture many people recognize and the real costs of silence.From there, we focus on the target: high care with high accountability. We talk about why connection comes before courage, how leaders can create psychological safety without lowering standards, and how to handle the last 8% moments that define trust. You'll also get highly practical tools for leadership communication, including a two-step feedback approach that reduces defensiveness, helps you stay specific, and ensures the hard message actually lands. We close on why culture is the operating system for strategy, execution, engagement, and retention.If this helps you see your team more clearly, subscribe, share the episode with one person who needs it, and leave a review with the quadrant you think your culture lives in today.

On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined by David Anderson III and Dominick Lee of Fancy's. The pair speak with Eric about how they started working together, their work on Augustine's, how the opportunity for Fancy's came about, the difference between Fancy's and Augustine's, why the River Oaks area was the right spot, bringing people together from all walks of life, the food, the amount of caviar, how they'd like the concept to evolve, being a destination spot, and much more! Plus, David talks about his career leading up to becoming a bar owner, the creation of Off the Record, what the scene is like for Off the Record, what Dominick has learned from the pop ups in the lead up to both Augustine's and Fancy's, and what could be next!  Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: Houston Earns 6 Finalist Nominations in the 2026 James Beard Awards These are Houston's 11 Best Dessert Programs of 2026 6 Things to Know in Houston Food: Openings, a Closing, and More Houston Olympian Simone Biles Opens New Restaurant at Bush Intercontinental 16 Best New Houston Restaurants Compete for Coveted Tastemakers Title

On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson of Heights Grocer and Montrose Grocer. The pair dive into some of the latest news from Houston restaurant and bar scene including the 6 James Beard Award finalist nominations from Houston, Be More Pacific shuttering, and Julep's ranking on North America's Best Bars of 2026 list. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Latuli is featured. Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: Houston Earns 6 Finalist Nominations in the 2026 James Beard Awards Guy Fieri-Loved Filipino Restaurant Closes in the Heights After 6 Years Southern-Inspired Houston Cocktail Den Ranks on North America Best Bars List Michelin-Recognized Chef Plans 2 New Restaurants at Proposed Houston Golf Club These are Houston's 11 Best Dessert Programs of 2026

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Jabril Riddick of Southern Jerks. Jabril speaks with Eric about his decision to go on his own to open his own concept, why he decided on fried chicken as the cuisine for his concept, why Houston is the perfect place to showcase fried chicken with a twist, the flavor profile, making the sides standout, how the Jerk Burger ended up on the menu, wanting to open on the northside, opening in conjunction with a gas station, the confidence they have, how influencers have helped their reach, expansion plans, when we could see another location (sooner than you may think), working with his family, following the plan, becoming much more efficient, and much more!Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: Houston Earns 6 Finalist Nominations in the 2026 James Beard Awards These are Houston's 11 Best Dessert Programs of 2026 6 Things to Know in Houston Food: Openings, a Closing, and More Houston Olympian Simone Biles Opens New Restaurant at Bush Intercontinental 16 Best New Houston Restaurants Compete for Coveted Tastemakers Title

Eric is joined once again by the Swanky Maven Felice Sloan on today's edition of the show. The pair dive into some of the latest news from the Houston culinary scene including, the closing of the Upper Kirby location of Fleming's, Simone Biles opening a restaurant at Bush Intercontinental, and the new Mediterranean concept from Ohio coming to Houston. In the Restaurants of the Week portion The Green Room is featured and Felice speaks about recent meal she had that was an all timer for her. Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: Steakhouse Chain's Upper Kirby Outpost will Shutter After 25 Years Houston Olympian Simone Biles Opens New Restaurant at Bush Intercontinental Ohio-Based Mediterranean Restaurant Now Baking Fresh Pita in Memorial These are Houston's 11 Best Dessert Programs of 2026 6 Things to Know in Houston Food: Openings, a Closing, and More

On today's edition of What's Eric Eating, Eric is joined by Tom Cunanan, Daniel Davidson, and Brian Doke of The Green Room. The trio speak with Eric about their respective careers, the early days, what brought Tom to Houston from DC, Brian's journey from helping others open concepts to working for himself, the decision behind carving out a portion of Heights & Co. for their new concept, Tom's journey into Filipino cuisine, the love for European cuisine, the difference in approach between Lazy Lane and The Green Room, the idea for The Green Room, working together, the standouts from their menu, how things are going so far, the possibility of a brunch, ideas for the future, how things are going for Lazy Lane, the goals for Lazy Lane, and much more!Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: Fine Dining Chef Serves Up Casual Sandwich Shop in Houston Suburb Ohio-Based Mediterranean Restaurant Now Baking Fresh Pita in Memorial Steakhouse Chain's Upper Kirby Outpost will Shutter After 25 Years United and Chef's Table Recruit Top Houston Chef for Premium Inflight Meal Houston's 10 Best Bartenders of 2026 Treat Strangers Like Regulars

Today on the show Eric is joined by Monica to go over some of the latest happenings from the Houston culinary scene. Eric and Monica discuss The Raven Grill closing after 28 years of operation, chef Justin Yu's newest endeavor that has him working with United Airlines and Netflix's Chef's Table, and The Swift BLDG development has added 2 concepts to it's lineup. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Long Weekend is featured. Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: Southwestern-Inspired Houston Restaurant will Close After 28 Years United and Chef's Table Recruit Top Houston Chef for Premium Inflight Meal Historic Heights Redevelopment Adds Ice Cream Shop and Premium Juice Bar Steakhouse Chain's Upper Kirby Outpost will Shutter After 25 Years Houston's 10 Best Bartenders of 2026 Treat Strangers Like Regulars

On today's edition of What's Eric Eating, Eric is joined by Ryan Hildebrand of Killen's. Ryan speaks with Eric about his time in Wimberley, the challenges they faced, why it was time to come home to Houston, the best thing they took away from their time in Wimberley, what appealed to him about working at Killen's, collaborating with Ronnie, the changes they've made to Killen's, some of the menu items they've added, the new lunch menu, the pressure to maintain the restaurant's Bib Gourmand status, the goals for the restaurant, and much more!  Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: Casual Houston Coffee Shop Pokes into New Sawyer Yards Location Southwestern-Inspired Houston Restaurant will Close After 28 Years Running List of Houston Restaurants Serving Decadent Easter Brunches Street Corn Shines at Houston's Truffle-Powered Chef Competition YouTube Star Mark Wiens Gets a Taste of Texas at Iconic Houston Steakhouse

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Houston BBQ Festival co-founder Michael Fulmer. Eric and Michael cover some of the latest news from the Houston culinary scene including the new California chicken restaurant chain Starbird coming to the city next year, the closure of Houston's only Pie Tap Pizza, and early thoughts on the new culinary competition show The Culinary Cup hosted by Padma Lakshmi. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Texas Roadhouse and Star Rover are featured. Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: New Chicken Restaurant Flies into Houston with 'Gluten-Friendly' Tendies Running List of Houston Restaurants Serving Decadent Easter Brunches Street Corn Shines at Houston's Truffle-Powered Chef Competition YouTube Star Mark Wiens Gets a Taste of Texas at Iconic Houston Steakhouse These 10 Restaurants and Pop-Ups Serve Houston's Best Sandwiches

Today on the show Eric is joined by Paul Miller of Gr8 Plate Hospitality. Paul speaks with Eric about the latest happenings at Gr8 Plate Hospitality, why Union Kitchen didn't end up working out in Katy, changing the Union Kitchen in Garden Oaks to Jax on the Tracks, why the change was right for that location of Union Kitchen, how the neighborhood has responded so far, what the future looks like for Gr8 Plate, why things are so difficult for restaurants currently, and an overarching conversation about the state of things for restaurants currently. Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: Houston's 10 Best Neighborhood Restaurants Offer Comfort and Convenience New Chicken Restaurant Flies into Houston with 'Gluten-Friendly' Tendies These 10 Restaurants and Pop-Ups Serve Houston's Best Sandwiches Growing Houston Sushi Chain Rolls into New Galleria-Area Development Loch Bar Owner Takes Over Downtown Tower's Cafe, Adds Japanese Eatery

Junaid Shaikh: Why Teams Go Through The Motions of Agile Without Being Agile, And What To Do About It Junaid's book recommendation is The Culture Map by Erin Meyer. As a Scrum Master working at companies like Ericsson and ABB — organizations that are a "United Nations" of cultures — understanding cultural tendencies has been essential. But Junaid goes further: you can customize the Culture Map framework even within a team of people from the same country, using the parameters to map different personalities. It's about how you use the tool, not just where people come from. He also recommends Scrum Mastery: From Good to Great Servant Leadership by Geoff Watts for practical advice on the servant leadership role, and regularly visits Scrum Alliance and Scrum.org for real-world insights from the community. On the topic of teams that self-destruct, Junaid paints a picture that many listeners will recognize. He picked up a team's retrospective history and cumulative flow diagrams and found problems at every level: managers who declared "from tomorrow we're going agile" without understanding what that meant, then started comparing velocity across teams. Product owners who took PO training but reverted to command-and-control project management. A previous Scrum Master doing what Junaid calls "zombie Scrum" — implementing the framework mechanically without understanding its purpose. The pattern underneath it all: people enveloping their traditional mindset under an agile umbrella. The ceremonies happen, the daily standups run, but nobody is questioning why they're doing any of it. As Vasco observes, this zombie pattern isn't limited to Scrum — it happens with code reviews, architecture reviews, any process that gets adopted without critical thinking about its purpose. Junaid's insight: if you don't understand the basics with the right mindset, every event feels like overhead. Teams complain about "too many meetings" because they're running agile ceremonies on top of their old informal processes. "If you don't get out of your previous shell, you cannot get into a new shell." [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson of Heights Grocer and Montrose Grocer. The duo discuss some of the latest news from the Houston food scene including the 4 Houston spots that made Texas Monthly's Best New Restaurants of 2026 list, the new Japanese concept coming from Atlas Restaurant Group, and Handies Douzo getting ready to open a 4th location later this year. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Bar Xolo is featured.   Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: 4 Houston Spots Make Texas Monthly's Best New Restaurants of 2026 List Loch Bar Owner Takes Over Downtown Tower's Cafe, Adds Japanese Eatery Growing Houston Sushi Chain Rolls into New Galleria-Area Development Western-Inspired, Family-Friendly Restaurant Now Open Near the Heights Houston's 10 Best Neighborhood Restaurants Offer Comfort and Convenience

On today's edition of the show Eric is joined by Reginald Scott of The Smoke and Coarse. Reginald catches Eric up on what's been happening with him since first appeared on the podcast 5 years ago, how he's forged his own path in the culinary scene, how The Smoke evolved into what it is today, the incredibly challenging logistics of running a BBQ spot in Finn Hall, being an established presence at Urban Harvest, what made the location for Coarse the right choice, the story behind the name Coarse, what people can expect from the new concept, whether we'll see a brick + mortar of The Smoke one day, and more!Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: Western-Inspired, Family-Friendly Restaurant Now Open Near the Heights Houston's 10 Best Neighborhood Restaurants Offer Comfort and Convenience 4 Houston Spots Make Texas Monthly's Best New Restaurants of 2026 List Houston Restaurateur Dishes on Swapping Tex-Mex for New Retro Steakhouse Beard-Recognized Houston Chef Fires Up Second Taqueria in Lindale Park

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by CultureMap contributor Brianna McClane. Brianna and Eric dive into some of the latest news from the Houston bar and restaurant scene including; Cochinita & Co. getting ready to open a 2nd location and the relaunch of Fancy's under new ownership. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Lee's is featured. Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: Beard-Recognized Houston Chef Fires Up Second Taqueria in Lindale Park 4 Houston Spots Make Texas Monthly's Best New Restaurants of 2026 List Houston Restaurateur Dishes on Swapping Tex-Mex for New Retro Steakhouse Favorite Houston Burger Joint Fires Up Memorial Opening Date Houston Restaurant Known for Meatloaf and Bourbon Sets River Oaks Opening Date

On today's edition of the show Eric is joined by Chico Ramirez of Johnny Ritas Cocina y Cantina. Chico speaks with Eric about what happened with White Elm Brasserie, why Johnny Ritas was the right choice as his next project, deciding where to setup the concept, designing the space, developing the menu, why it was important to describe their food as "authentic Mexican cuisine with Tex-Mex familiarity", what they offer at brunch, how the cocktail program stands out, how his grandparents influenced him, the story behind the name, his team getting the recognition they deserve, goals for the concept, and much more! Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: Favorite Houston Burger Joint Fires Up Memorial Opening Date Houston Restaurant Known for Meatloaf and Bourbon Sets River Oaks Opening Date Fertitta Family Reveals First Details for Pop-Up Steakhouse at RodeoHouston Meet the 10 Rising Star Chefs Shining in Houston's Culinary Scene These Houston Restaurants Won Big at Rodeo Best Bites Competition

Episode 535 of What's Eric Eating, with Eric Sandler! This week Eric was joined by the Swanky Maven, Felice Sloan, an expert on food, wine, and good times to discuss... Pop Up Bagels, a national bagel chain with a couple locations opening up in Houston The Green Room, a new 26 seat, intimate dining experience in town Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles, a cult favorite chicken and waffles chain opening in our city And the restaurant of the week is 'Weights and Measures' Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: These Houston restaurants won big at Rodeo Best Bites Competition James Beard-winning chef opens 26-seat new restaurant in the Heights Celebrity-backed East Coast bagel shop rolls into prime Houston neighborhood Garden Oaks Restaurant Reboots as Family Friendly Bar and Grill Cult-Favorite Chicken and Waffle Restaurant Opens in Houston This Weekend

On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined by Dave Mattern and Cary Grider of Trulucks. Dave and Cary speak with Eric about their culinary careers leading up to Trulucks, the early days of Trulucks, being known for stone crab, their recent renovations, their intentional culture that allows for longevity with it's staff as well as business cards, the difference between their ownership situation versus other restaurants around the city, the company's thoughtful growth approach, being more of a seafood restaurant than a steak restaurant, their beverage program, goals for the restaurant, and much more!Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: Garden Oaks Restaurant Reboots as Family Friendly Bar and Grill Cult-Favorite Chicken and Waffle Restaurant Opens in Houston This Weekend The Rustic Owners Tee Up New Casual Icehouse at Fifth Ward Golf Course Houston Charity Dining Event Returns with $15 Lunches and $25 Dinners Johnny Carrabba Now Serving Southern Comfort Food at New Bellaire Locale

Today on the show Eric is joined by Raffi Nasr of Craft Pita to go through some of the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. First Raffi and Eric discuss  a CultureMap exclusive regarding Brasserie 19 owner Charles Clark's 2 new Italian concepts coming soon, 2 recent closures (Succulent Fine Dining and Fainmous BBQ), and the return of Spanish Village. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Hong Kong Food Street and Honest Mary's are featured. Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: Exclusive: Houston Restaurateur Brings Two New Italian Spots to Montrose Parking Problems Shutter Houston Restaurant After Less Than a Year Houston Barbecue Joint Will Soon Shutter Due to $72,000 of Unpaid Rent Iconic Houston Tex-Mex Restaurant will Reopen in New Third Ward Project Houston Charity Dining Event Returns with $15 Lunches and $25 Dinners

Time to find out who won The Ultimate Houston Date Night Draft 3.0 with special guest judges Erin Smith and Patrick Feges of Feges BBQ. The couple speak with Eric about why they felt [redacted] had the best lineup, the process they took in selecting the winning team, what selections stood out to them, what they would've selected, and more! Plus, they give an update on what's been happening at Feges BBQ. Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: Exclusive: Houston Restaurateur Brings Two New Italian Spots to Montrose Iconic Houston Tex-Mex Restaurant will Reopen in New Third Ward Project Heights Restaurant Celebrates Lunar New Year with Epic Barbecue Collab Texas-Based Microbrewery Theater Chain Claims Houston's Shuttered Alamo Drafthouse Michelin-Recognized Houston Sushi Chef Fires Up 4 Seat Japanese Skewer Spot

Since it's Valentines season Eric said "you know, we should do another Date Night Draft" and since it's Eric's show we said... well nothing you know because it's his show.The Ultimate Houston Date Night Draft is back for a 3rd iteration! This year, Eric is joined by Chelsea Thomas, Monica Danna, Brianna McGriff, Dominick Lee, and Chris Shepherd to draft the perfect date night lineup. This year's categories are: First Date, Coffee Date, Place Your Friends Won't See You Date, Happy Hour Date, Breakup Date, and a Wild Card spot which is any place they'd like to go for a date or somewhere that would be fun for a date.  The winner will be announced on the next episode of the podcast as selected by special judges. So stayed tuned to your podcast feeds to find out the eventual winner. The Draft RulesRule 1: All selections must be located in with in the Greater Houston area.Rule 2: Once a restaurant has been selected for a certain category, no other drafter may select it for the same category. For example, only one drafter can select 13 Celsius for a first date but someone else could select 13 Celsius for a Happy Hour date.Rule 3: Drafters cannot pick the same bar/restaurant/business twice. All 6 selections must be from different places.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.Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: Exclusive: Houston Restaurateur Brings Two New Italian Spots to Montrose Parking Problems Shutter Houston Restaurant After Less Than a Year Michelin-Recognized Houston Sushi Chef Fires Up 4 Seat Japanese Skewer Spot Veteran French Chef Blows into Bellaire with a New Neighborhood Bistro New Restaurant Shakes Up Houston with Oaxacan and Tex-Mex Classics

On today's edition of the show Eric is joined by Paul Prior of Lankford's. Paul speaks with Eric about the history of Lankford's, inheriting the family business,   being known for burgers, expansions to the menu, the evolution of the Midtown location, why Bellaire was the right place for their 2nd location, possible areas they'd like to expand to, changing to counter service, the opening of The Woodlands location, what's new at the 3rd location, listening to customer feedback, and much more!Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: CultureMap Editor's 11 Favorite Houston Restaurant Dishes of January 2026 New Restaurant Shakes Up Houston with Oaxacan and Tex-Mex Classics Arizona Mexican Restaurant is the Latest to Shutter at the Galleria Chopped Champion Houston Chef Packs His Knives for Top Chef Carolinas Houston Taqueria Opens 2 New Locations with Cocktails by Anvil Owner

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Michael Fulmer, a co-founder of the Houston BBQ Festival, to go through some of the latest happenings in Houston food. Michael and Eric discuss Fielding's River Oaks' rebranding as Fielding's Steak, the new Arizona seafood concept making it's way to Houston, and the closure of Wooster's Garden. In the Restaurants of the Week portion the new location of Pinkerton's Barbecue and Sushi Horiuchi are featured.  Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: River Oaks Restaurant Fields a New Menu Devoted to Prime and Wagyu Steaks Lively New Seafood Restaurant Rides into Prime Houston Location Midtown Bar with Creative Cocktails and Craft Taps Will Close in February Arizona Mexican Restaurant is the Latest to Shutter at the Galleria Chopped Champion Houston Chef Packs His Knives for Top Chef Carolinas

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Shiva and Rick Di Virgilio of ŌPORTO Fooding House & Wine and da Gama canteen. Shiva and Rick speak with Eric about how they first met, the initial humble beginnings of Oporto, wanting to experiment at The Queen Vic, the early days of craft cocktails, blending Portuguese and Indian cuisine, why they decided to move Oporto, the benefits of the bigger space, how Midtown has changed over the years, evolving over time, developing da Gama, what dishes they recommend people check out, being recognized by the Michelin Guide, future ideas, and much more!Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: Historic Houston Burger Joint Sets Opening Date for New Woodlands Store French-Trained Houston Chefs Team Up for One-Night Only Mardi Gras Dinner Chris Shepherd Serves Up a New Menu for Houston Performance Series Lively New Seafood Restaurant Rides into Prime Houston Location River Oaks Restaurant Fields a New Menu Devoted to Prime and Wagyu Steaks

On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson of Heights Grocer and Montrose Grocer. The pair discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including the 12 local restaurants/chefs announced as James Beard Semifinalists, Paulie's cookies living on in a new venture, and a new concept called Exilio Latin Flair coming to Montrose. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Zaranda is featured. Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: 12 Houston Restaurants Score James Beard Award Semifinalist Nominations Shuttered Houston Restaurant's Iconic Cookies Revived with New Name Soon-to-Shutter Houston Margarita Bar Will Transform Into New Latin Eatery Historic Houston Burger Joint Sets Opening Date for New Woodlands Store French-Trained Houston Chefs Team Up for One Night Only Mardi Gras Dinner

On today's podcast, Eric is joined by Cooper Abercrombie of Bar-A-BBQ. Cooper speaks with Eric about what drew him to barbecue, how mom's in the neighborhood got the business growing, his helpful barbecue connections, what brought him to Montgomery, developing the weekly specials, what customers can expect at Bar-A-BBQ, moving to a new location, possible expansions to the menu once they're in their new space, the attention they've received, his team, future plans, and the story of a neighbor that saved some briskets.  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-Rated Houston Barbecue Joint Fires Up Retro-Inspired Second Location 12 Houston Restaurants Score James Beard Award Semifinalist Nominations Houston Tex-Mex Staple Now Serving Fajitas and Margaritas at Downtown Hub Shuttered Houston Restaurant's Iconic Cookies Revived with New Name Ramen Joint That Served Super Hot Broth Will Shutter After Only 18 Months Soon-to-Shutter Houston Margarita Bar Will Transform Into New Latin Eatery

Houston BBQ Festival co-founder Michael Fulmer is back on the podcast today to speak with Eric about some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. Eric and Michael discuss the newest retro inspired location of Pinkerton's Barbecue, the sandwich concept Yuma finding a home in the former Ninja Ramen space, and the closure of Perry's Steakhouse in River Oaks. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Casa Kenji and Seven Sushi & Robata 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-Rated Houston Barbecue Joint Fires Up Retro-Inspired Second Location Houston Sandwich Pop-Up Presses Forward with a Brick-and-Mortar Home 'Contractual Dispute' Compels Closure of Prime River Oaks Steakhouse Houston Tex-Mex Staple Now Serving Fajitas and Margaritas at Downtown Hub Shuttered Houston Restaurant's Iconic Cookies Revived with New Name

On today's podcast Eric is joined by Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel and Arjav Ezekiel of Birdie's. Tracy and Arjav speak with Eric about how they first met, their time in New York, choosing to move to Austin with a flip of a coin, conceptualizing Birdie's, developing the menu, why counter service at first, putting what they earn back into their team, their wine program offerings, why they changed to a prix fixe model, the awards recognition they've received, long term and much more in this wide ranging discussion.  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: 6 Rice Village Restaurants Team Up to Support Houston Hospitality Nonprofit Houston Sandwich Pop-Up Presses Forward with a Brick-and-Mortar Home 'Contractual Dispute' Compels Closure of Prime River Oaks Steakhouse Staple Heights Wine Bar and Restaurant will Shutter After 6 Years Veteran Houston Chef Takes Over at Essential Midtown Brunch Destination

Eric is back and he's kicking off the new year with Raffi Nasr of Craft Pita to discuss some of the latest happens in the Houston restaurant and bar scene. Raffi and Eric speak about the rebranding of Superica into a steakhouse concept called Star Rover, the upcoming new delivery focused pizzeria concept coming to The Heights called Shredder's Pizza, and Chef Omar Perey taking over as the new operating partner of Weights + Measures. In the Restaurants of the Week portion, Oru 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 Tex-Mex Restaurant to Shutter and Reopen as a Casual Steakhouse Delivery-Focused Pizzeria with Affordable Wine Coming Soon to The Heights Veteran Houston Chef Takes Over at Essential Midtown Brunch Destination 'Contractual Dispute' Compels Closure of Prime River Oaks Steakhouse Staple Heights Wine Bar and Restaurant will Shutter After 6 Years The Most Memorable Dishes at Houston's 11 Best New Restaurants of 2025

It's the end of 2025 which means it's time to look back and some our favorites from the year in the Houston food scene. Today on the 2025 Year in Review, Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson of Heights Grocer & Montrose Grocer, and Raffi Nasr of Craft Pita to highlight some of their favorite new restaurants that opened this year, some of their favorite dishes, old favorites they revisited this year, the closures they were most sad about, what they'd like to draft in a future draft episode, and much more in this expansive end of the year discussion. 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: Major Closures, Celeb Sightings, More Top Houston Restaurant News of 2025 Coastal-Inspired Houston Restaurant Will Shutter After 3 Years in Montrose Houston's Only Michelin-Recognized Tex-Mex Restaurant Now Open in Bellaire Eagerly Anticipated Houston Barbecue Joint Hosts Weekend Preview Pop-Ups Growing National Pizza Chain Will Bring Halal Pies and Pastas to Katy

On today's edition of the podcast, Eric is joined by Judith Piotrowski of Hotel ZaZa. Judith speaks with Eric about what inspired her to get into bartending/hospitality, her time at Weights + Measures, working at One Fifth during the pandemic, what she learned from working with Chris Shepherd and his team, becoming the director of bars at The Post Oak hotel, finding huge success with the Navi's pop up, making her way to the Hotel ZaZa, what makes a good hotel great, whether a speakeasy is in the cards, and much more! Plus, Judith takes on 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: Houston's Only Michelin-Recognized Tex-Mex Restaurant Now Open in Bellaire Eagerly-Anticipated Houston Barbecue Joint Hosts Weekend Preview Pop-Ups Growing National Pizza Chain Will Bring Halal Pies and Pastas to Katy Family-Friendly Houston Restaurant Picks Missouri City for 6th Location New Houston Cocktail Bar Serves Up a House Party Fueled by Music and Martinis

The Swanky Maven Felice Sloan returns for this edition of the podcast. Eric and Felice touch on some of the latest happenings from the Houston food scene including chef Jean-François Feuillette opening the first US location of Café Feuillette here in Houston, Local Table's 6th location set to open in Missouri City, and ChòpnBlọk getting more national recognition with the latest accolade coming from the New York Times. In the Restaurants of the Week section, Doc's Houston 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: French Pastry Chef Perks Up Houston with First U.S. Coffee Shop and Café Family-Friendly Houston Restaurant Picks Missouri City for 6th Location New York Times Critic Awards Houston Restaurant 2 Stars in Glowing Review Houston's Only Michelin-Recognized Tex-Mex Restaurant Now Open in Bellaire Eagerly-Anticipated Houston Barbecue Joint Hosts Weekend Preview Pop-Ups

Today on the show Eric is joined by Nelson Monteith and Andrew Wiseheart of Honest Mary's. Nelson and Andrew share with Eric their culinary journey's leading up to Honest Mary's, how they first started working together, why River Oaks was the right area of Houston to expand to, how they set themselves apart from other concepts in the healthy fast casual space, creating the perfect bowl, 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: Growing National Pizza Chain will Bring Halal Pies and Pastas to Katy New York Times Critic Awards Houston Restaurant 2 Stars in Glowing Review Family-Friendly Houston Restaurant Picks Missouri City for 6th Location New Houston Cocktail Bar Serves Up a House Party Fueled by Music and Martinis French Pastry Chef Perks Up Houston with First U.S. Coffee Shop and Café

On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson of Heights Grocer and Montrose Grocer. The pair dive into some of the latest news from the Houston food scene including Home Slice Pizza expanding in the Houston area with a new location set to open in The Heights, the closure of Killen's BBQ in The Woodlands, the surprising announcement of Brett's BBQ Shop shuttering at the end of December, and ChòpnBlọk's receiving more national critical acclaim. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Hypsi at the Hotel Daphne 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: East Coast Style Austin Pizzeria Confirms Plans to Open in The Heights Exclusive: Killen's Barbecue Will Soon Shutter in The Woodlands Texas Monthly-Rated Katy Barbecue Joint Surprises with Imminent Closure Esquire Names Houston's West African Eatery to Best New Restaurants List Houston Chef's Hip New Italian Restaurant Now Open in Heights Hotel

On this special episode, Eric is joined by MasterChef Season 3 winner Christine Ha, and her husband John Suh, who co-own the great Houston restaurant "The Blind Goat," to reveal the winner from the Ultimate Houston Vietnamese Food Draft on the previous episode! 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: Third location of Bun B's smash hit smash burger joint sets opening date Award-winning ramen shop sets opening date for new Memorial location Eclectic comfort food restaurant to shutter after 21 years in Houston Beyoncé-loved Houston brunch spot sweetens Sugar Land with new location Houston chef's hip new Italian restaurant now open in Heights hotel East Coast-style Austin pizzeria confirms plans to open in the Heights

On today's podcast episode, it's The Ultimate Houston Vietnamese Food Draft! Listen as Eric, alongside Local Foods Group's Chelsea Thomas, Heights Grocer's Mary Clarkson, Stevie Vu from the Chow-down in Chinatown Facebook group, Isabel Protomartir from the 'Have A Nice Day' AAPI pop-up markets, and Michael Fulmer, who co-founded the Houston BBQ Festival, attempt to craft the best lineup! The drafters will be selecting a lineup of the following 6 categories: salad/appetizer, entrée, sandwich, soup, Viet-Cajun, and a wildcard item. The Draft Rules Rule 1: No drafter may select the same restaurant in more than one category. Rule 2: Once a restaurant has been selected for a specific category, no other drafter may select it in that same category.    Rule 3: Snake draft format. The draft order will go one through six in round 1, then go backwards six through one in round 2. Rule 4: 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: Beyoncé-loved Houston brunch spot sweetens Sugar Land with new location Houston chef's hip new Italian restaurant now open in Heights hotel East Coast-style Austin pizzeria confirms plans to open in the Heights New Houston seafood restaurant adds live-fire flair to Japanese flavors CultureMap editor's 10 favorite dishes at Houston restaurants in November

On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined by a returning Monica "The Mayor of Garden Oaks" Danna to go through some of the latest news from the Houston culinary scene. Eric and Monica discuss Ninja Ramen shuttering at the end of December, the new sushi concept from Grace and Leo Xia coming to Chinatown, and Lankford's opening a new location in The Woodlands. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Lazy Lane 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 Ramen Shop Known for Asian Whisky will Shutter After 11 Years New Chinatown Restaurant Serves Up AYCE Sushi and More for $37 Historic Houston Burger Joint Serves Up New Woodlands Location Exclusive: Killen's Barbecue Will Soon Shutter in The Woodlands Esquire Names Houston's West African Eatery to Best New Restaurants List 2-Acre Houston Patio Bar Rebrands with New Name and Family-Friendly Menu

On today's edition of the podcast Eric is joined by Tracy Vaught, Hugo Ortega, and Sofia Ortega of H-Town Restaurant Group. H-Town Restaurant Group is the company behind Backstreet, Hugo's, Xochi, Caracol, Urbe, and Zaranda. The family speak with Eric about their new concept Zaranda, why now was the right time for the concept, the inspiration behind Zaranda, integrating different flavors from other cuisines into Zaranda's dishes, Sofia's role, menu development, the signature dessert, how things have been since opening, and more. Plus, Tracy and Hugo share how they first met, their memories of opening Hugo's, their reaction when Hugo's first took off, what Sunday brunch at Hugo's represents, revamping Backstreet, their thoughts on not being included in the Michelin Guide, and Sofia's put to the Lightning Round test.  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: Historic Houston Burger Joint Serves Up New Woodlands Location Street Food-Inspired Houston Restaurant Swaps Counter Service for Servers River Oaks Italian Spot Claims Shuttered Woodlands Steakhouse for New Location Houston Restaurant Veteran Fires Up Pizzas and Steaks in Garden Oaks Food-Focused Houston Nonprofit Rounds Up Top Chefs for Sunday Supper

As our world becomes increasingly connected, we work with teams spanning continents, cultures, and contexts. What works brilliantly in one culture can completely miss the mark in another. For example, silence in a meeting might mean respect, not disengagement. Humility might be mistaken for a lack of leadership potential, and direct communication styles can either build trust or create distance, depending on who's listening. If you're ready to stop making assumptions and get curious about the people you lead and coach, this episode is for you. Join us!Dr. Ling Hua is an ICF-certified executive leadership coach and former global biotech executive. In today's episode, she discusses the critical importance of cultural awareness in leadership and shares helpful tips and techniques we can put into practice. Dr. Ling has become an expert in something the world needs more of: leading with cultural respect. Drawing on her experience working across three continents, she explores how leaders and coaches can navigate high- and low-context communication styles, avoid cultural assumptions, and create inclusive environments for diverse teams. Show Highlights:Understanding what it means to lead with cultural respect High-context vs. low-context communication styles: reading non-verbal cuesFactoring cultural differences into performance reviewsMistakes in cross-cultural relationships happen when we don't understand humility vs. assertiveness.Dr. Ling's tips for cultural awareness in different types of organizationsThe impact of coaching and a coaching mindset on diversity within organizations and individualsDr. Ling's observations about the evolution of company culture and overall cultural awareness in organizationsDr. Ling's key takeaways about cultural respect in leadership:Don't assume, ask questions.Adapt your approach.Look beneath the surface.Meet people where they are.Remember, our differences make us stronger, not weaker. Don't miss our Enroll More Clients: Clarity Sprint 5-Day Challenge! It's free, and we begin on November 10.Resources:Connect with Dr. Ling HuaLinkedInEmailRecommended resources for leaders to raise their cultural awareness:The Culture Map by Erin Meyer and a Harvard Business Review article“Develop Cultural Intelligence to Lead Global Teams,” by Dr. David Livermore (May 2025)Connect with MegStruggling to enroll more clients? Sign up today for our Enroll More Clients: Clarity Sprint 5-Day Challenge! It's free, and we begin on November 10. Get clarity that makes enrolling clients feel natural, not pushy! Get Meg's FREE download, Finding Your Perfect Match: