Digital Hospitality

Latest Episodes
No More Math at 2AM: The Tip Tech That Let This Leader Build Bigger
Denny LiPira didn’t leave Applebee’s because things were bad. In fact, after 26 years with the brand, things were going well. He had worked his way up from hourly employee to Director of Operations, overseeing 13 restaurants across Florida and Georgia. Bu
Rising Tides Live: Ask Shawn Anything
In this session of Rising Tides Live, the community gathered for a special Ask Shawn Anything, where host Shawn Walchef took questions from the group and encouraged everyone to do the same. From a former dishwasher turned GM sharing leadership lessons, to
Why US Foods Is Turning the Food Show Into a Full-On Operator Retreat
For years, food shows have followed the same formula: booths, samples, vendor brochures. But US Foods is flipping that script with Food Fanatics 2025, an immersive event designed to inform, inspire, and recharge restaurant operators. At the center of this
How We Made Restaurant Reporting Actually Useful
Ted Courtney grew up on Marthas Vineyard, the son of retailers who taught him how to hustle and how to make a business work in a seasonal market. Today, Ted and his brother run two of the islands most popular restaurants, The Port Hunter and The Covingt
Rising Tides Live: Building An Audience From Anywhere
In this session ofRising Tides Live, hosted byShawn Walchef, the community gathered around a powerful idea: how can creators build an authentic audience from anywhere in the world? The guest was David Lissah, a UK-born entrepreneur and creator who moved
Social Media Rule #1: You’re Going to Suck When You Start
When Shawn Walchef connected with David Lissah in Sofia, Bulgaria, it wasnt part of a grand plan. Shawn had simply followed David on Instagram, impressed by his honest storytelling and creator journey. A direct message turned into a podcast invite, and b
No Tax on Tips? Here’s What Restaurant Owners Need to Know
In restaurants across America, tipping is a way of life. Its how servers, bartenders, and back-of-house staff make ends meet. But until now, those tips have always come with a tax bill. Thats starting to change. On July 4, 2025, a new federal law went i
Rising Tides Live: Post Production Speed
In this session ofRising Tides Live, hosted byShawn Walchef, the community rallied around a clear challenge: how can content teams move faster without sacrificing purpose? The guest was Scot Turner, a London-based hospitality consultant and creative thi
New Law, No Problem: The Alcohol Payment Shift Restaurants Can’t Ignore
In the hospitality industry, laws dont often make headlines. But a new California law is about to change how thousands of restaurants and bars handle alcohol payments. The good news is that theres already a solution. AB 2991, signed in 2024, takes effec
How To Book Your Dream Podcast Guest
Shawn Walchef didnt just dream of interviewing Shaquille ONealhe made it happen. The founder of Cali BBQ Media and host of Restaurant Influencers spent years laying the groundwork: building a show, investing in relationships, and telling the kind of st