Hospitality Bites
Hospitality Bites
Podcast Description
Hospitality Bites is hosted by Colleen Silk—founder of Hospitality Bites Media (HBM)—a platform built to spotlight the human side of hospitality. From mental well-being and inclusive leadership to building more sustainable workplaces, Colleen brings thoughtful conversations to the forefront of an industry known for its hustle, pressure, and perfectionism.
This podcast dives deep into real stories from across the hospitality spectrum—celebrating everyday wins, challenging outdated norms, and offering fresh perspectives on what it truly means to build a thriving career in hospitality. Whether you’re front of house, back of house, or anywhere in between, these episodes are designed to educate, destigmatize, and inspire.
Hospitality Bites is proudly produced under the Walk-In Talk Media (WITM) network—home of the #1 food podcast in the country and a leading creator of food industry storytelling through film, photography, and podcasting.
🎙️ Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
📧 Contact: [email protected]
📲 Follow @walkintalkshow and @hospitalitybitesmedia on Instagram
🌐 www.thewalkintalk.com for studio info and media opportunities
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast addresses topics such as mental well-being, inclusive leadership, and sustainability within hospitality. Episodes feature discussions on everyday success stories, challenges to outdated industry norms, and the importance of community support, exemplified in conversations like the one with Carl Fiadini about planning and execution in hospitality.
Hospitality Bites is hosted by Colleen Silk—founder of Hospitality Bites Media (HBM)—a platform built to spotlight the human side of hospitality. From mental well-being and inclusive leadership to building more sustainable workplaces, Colleen brings thoughtful conversations to the forefront of an industry known for its hustle, pressure, and perfectionism.
This podcast dives deep into real stories from across the hospitality spectrum—celebrating everyday wins, challenging outdated norms, and offering fresh perspectives on what it truly means to build a thriving career in hospitality. Whether you’re front of house, back of house, or anywhere in between, these episodes are designed to educate, destigmatize, and inspire.
Hospitality Bites is proudly produced under the Walk-In Talk Media (WITM) network—home of the #1 food podcast in the country and a leading creator of food industry storytelling through film, photography, and podcasting.
🎙️ Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
📧 Contact: [email protected]
📲 Follow @walkintalkshow and @hospitalitybitesmedia on Instagram
🌐 www.thewalkintalk.com for studio info and media opportunities
In this episode of Hospitality Bites, host Colleen Silk sits down with Jeff Boland, a hospitality leader whose story of addiction, recovery, and reinvention is both powerful and deeply human. Jeff shares how his journey through sobriety has shaped his leadership style, inspired his writing, and strengthened his advocacy within and beyond the industry.
From managing multi-unit operations to authoring a book rooted in personal and professional lessons, Jeff emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, communication, and empathy in creating workplaces where people truly feel seen. He also opens up about his involvement with the Isabella Santos Foundation, where his mission to serve others continues in new and meaningful ways.
This episode is a candid look at what it means to lead with heart in hospitality — meeting people where they are, and using our stories to build stronger, more supportive communities.
Takeaways
- Addiction is a mental health challenge similar to anxiety or depression.
- Sobriety thrives with ongoing support, honesty, and community.
- True leadership means meeting people where they are and seeing their potential.
- Vulnerability and openness can inspire others and build trust in the workplace.
- Effective communication is the foundation of successful management.
- Creating a supportive environment enhances employee well-being and retention.
- Jeff’s upcoming book blends lived experiences with actionable leadership lessons.
- The Isabella Santos Foundation fuels hope for families through pediatric cancer research and community events.
- Jeff’s management philosophy includes a three-part audit system centered on accountability, empathy, and growth.
- Vulnerability in leadership builds meaningful, lasting connections.
Chapters
00:00 — Introduction
03:15 — From Addiction to Advocacy
10:42 — The Power of Sobriety and Support
18:50 — Leadership Through Vulnerability
27:20 — The Writing Process and Lessons from the Field
34:05 — Giving Back: The Isabella Santos Foundation
41:00 — Building Supportive Environments in Hospitality
47:30 — Final Thoughts and Words of Encouragement
Listen + Connect
Hosted by Colleen Silk, Hospitality Bites is an honest and restorative space for voices within the hospitality industry. More than just a podcast, it’s a storytelling platform for changemakers, risk-takers, and hospitality professionals redefining what it means to serve.
New episodes drop every Monday, proudly under the Walk-In Talk Media umbrella.
Watch the full episode on YouTube the following week.
🔗 Want to get involved or learn more?
Visit HospitalityBites.com
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
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