The Leadership Table

In this episode of The Leadership Table, host Jason E. Brooks sits down with leadership coach and hospitality strategist Christin Marvin, founder of Solutions by Christin and author of Multi-Unit Mastery.

Together, they explore the tools, mindset shifts, and leadership frameworks that help multi-unit operators grow with intention — not burnout. From managing up and coaching from the middle to letting go of control and building susta...

In this episode of The Leadership Table Podcast, Jason E. Brooks sits down with Anthony Presley, CEO of TimeForge. 
Anthony shares how his journey from coding in Cairo to leading a workforce technology company shaped his perspective 
on leadership, labor, and the future of work. 

They dive into:
- The shift from “managing schedules” to truly leading people
- How technology can empower operators instead of o...

In this episode of The Leadership Table, Jason E. Brooks sits down with Lissa Bowen, Fractional Program & Partnerships Director at The Good Work Collective
— a nonprofit creating trauma-informed, paid workforce training for individuals impacted by incarceration, foster care, and systemic barriers.

With deep roots in hospitality, HR, and leadership development, Lissa shares how building systems rooted in belonging, accountab...

Lauren Coulter didn’t plan to be a restaurant leader—but she’s become one of the most intentional voices in hospitality today.

In this episode, the Co-Founder and Chief Biscuit Eater of Biscuit Belly shares her journey from pharmacy to franchising, how she’s scaled a people-first brunch brand, and what it means to lead with “ruthless hospitality.”

We explore everything from team development and franchising culture to real community e...

Adam Hayes, CFO & Co-Owner of Larkin’s Restaurant Group, shares his journey from fry cook to executive chef to financial leader — and how he’s building a people-first hospitality brand that thrives.

In this episode, we talk about:

• His transition from chef to CFO
• Building a leadership bench across multiple locations
• Scaling culture without compromise
• Why “Be NICE” guides every decision
• How to hire and retain the right people
• The un...

The Virtuous Act of Hospitality: Restoring Generosity and Culture with Steve Fortunato

👤 Guest:

Steve Fortunato
Founder & CEO, Hospitality Collaborative
Author of The Urgent Recovery of Hospitality

📝 Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Leadership Table, Jason E. Brooks sits down with Steve Fortunato to explore hospitality as a virtuous act—one rooted in generosity, intentionality, and human connection.

From his early...

“You're the only person that spends the entire day with you—own it.”
Christopher McFadden brings the heat in this candid conversation about what it really takes to lead yourself, your team, and your business with intention.

From emotional intelligence and burnout recovery to feedback culture and Gen Z expectations, this episode pulls back the curtain on what leadership actually looks like in hospitality today.

🔍 What We Co...

In this episode of The Leadership Table, Jason sits down with Renee Sjulin, Vice President of Runza® National—a 76-year-old brand rooted in people-first leadership, legacy, and a commitment to excellence.

Renee opens up about what it means to carry a family legacy forward while innovating for the future, how Runza builds culture that sticks, and why grace and honesty are essential traits for modern leadership.

This is a must-listen f...

What does it take to grow from a 16-year-old garnish guy to a leadership consultant shaping kitchen culture nationwide?

In this episode of The Leadership Table, host Jason E. Brooks sits down with Simon Zatyrka, founder of Culinary Mechanic, to unpack lessons learned from decades in the trenches of the hospitality industry.

In This Episode, We Cover:
✅ Simon’s journey from the line to leadership
✅ The leadership rejection t...

In this episode of The Leadership Table, host Jason E. Brooks sits down with Sunny Ashman—Founder & CEO of AmpliSKY Franchise Consulting—for a powerful conversation on what it really takes to build high-performing teams, retain talent, and lead with empathy.

Sunny brings over 15 years of franchise and operations experience at brands like Moe’s Southwest Grill, Cinnabon, and Popeyes. She opens up about her leadership journey, the...

In this episode of The Leadership Table, Jason E. Brooks sits down with Danny Klein, Editorial Director of QSR and FSR, to explore how communication, storytelling, and cultural consistency shape great restaurant brands.

🎙 Topics include:

• Why storytelling is more than marketing
• Hiring for culture (not just skill)
• Lessons from Chick-fil-A, Taco Bell, and emerging brands
• How Danny's “CEO to CEO” approach connects the industry
• One ...

In Episode 2 of The Leadership Table, Jason E. Brooks sits down with Angelo Esposito, Co-Founder & CEO of WISK.ai, to uncover how better inventory management can completely transform hospitality operations.

From reducing food waste and overpouring to mastering cost of goods sold and building team trust, Angelo shares hard-earned lessons from the frontlines. Learn why communication—not control—is the secret to better systems, how...

📋 Episode Summary:

In this inaugural episode of The Leadership Table, host Jason E. Brooks sits down with Monte Silva — restaurateur, high-performance coach, and transformational hospitality expert — to explore the intersection of leadership, restaurant success, and work-life harmony.

From his beginnings as a dishwasher to becoming a general manager and now a sought-after coach, Monte shares a powerful journey of redefining success ...