Wow, this episode is truly amazing! It was recorded late last year with the fantastic Chef Brother Luck, and we had a deep conversation about the power of vulnerability and sharing your story authentically to help others through their own struggles with pain, grief, or depression. Chef Brother Luck openly rejects the toxic chef lifestyle and attitudes often found in kitchens. He is dedicated to being the change he wants to see in the industry, emphasizing the importance of creating a positive workplace culture through trust and hard work. We also discussed the colleagues he has lost to alcohol misuse, the loneliness of addiction, and his own journey to sobriety.

We also discussed :

- The important of the early mentorship Brother Luck received, and how it ensured he was cooking at a high level from the early days.
- How he found his community of misfits in the early days, and that the connection really pushed him to be his best as he finally felt he fitted in.
- The importnace of the experience you gain through making mistakes
- What is 'culture' - How to communicate it, and how to live it. The danger of the team 'family'
- Brother Luck's incredibly progressive yet hard earnt management style, and the importnace of treating people as individiuals.
- His 'Resting Chef Face'
- The power of standing up and showing that being sober in this industry is a strength and not a weakness.

This conversation has only gotten better with age. Chef Brother Luck is truly a unique and beautiful soul, making a big impact on people's lives by bravely discussing mental health and addiction. He hosts a podcast called "No Lucks Given" which features inspiring episodes on self-improvement and personal development. Be sure to give it a listen and follow him on social media for more amazing inspiration. And don't forget to check out his fantastic book through the link below!

@chefbrotherluck
https://www.chefbrotherluck.com/

No Lucks Given : Life is Hard, But There Is Hope by Brother Luck
https://amzn.eu/d/09bJrs5m

For more information on We Recover Loudly and to reach out for speaking engagements or support email hello@werecoverloudly.com

@werecoverloudly
www.werecoverloudly.com

This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors:

Low No Drinker Magazine @lownodrinkermagazine

www.lownodrinkermagazine.com

In the newest episode of "We Recover Loudly," host Shell chats with special guest, Boiling Point lead writer James Cummings about the fascinating world of the hospitality industry, and how it has been depicted in such a relatable and impactful way by the whole team behind the award winning films and tv series.

James shares his personal stories of working in the industry during his university days, offering insights on how to handle tough situations and demanding customers. We delve into the emotional side of working in hospitality, touching on the often-overlooked issue of customer mistreatment and the lack of respect for service staff. Our conversation also emphasizes the significance of supporting a diverse team, including LGBTQ+ members and those facing personal challenges. It's wonderful to see these real-life situations portrayed in the series Boiling Point. James confirms how important it was for the show to have that authentic voice, and showcase real life scenario's that make us question where we could do better as an industry.

We explore how the characters in Boiling Point mirror real-life scenarios, such as the nurturing side of Hannah Walter's character Emily or the relatable lack of boundaries exhibited by manager Dean when it comes to partying with the team. This episode is packed with heartfelt stories, thought-provoking reflections, and valuable advice on navigating the hospitality industry while prioritizing personal well-being.

We also discussed:

• Handling customer expectations and misconceptions
• Emotional impact of customer mistreatment on service staff
• Supporting diverse team members in the workplace
• The ongoing journey of recovery and the importance of support in the workplace

Enjoy this episode filled with authentic experiences and insights that shed light on the highs and lows of the hospitality world. And don't forget to catch Boiling Point on I Player and Netflix to watch Jame’s words in action.

@jamesacummings
@boilingpointofficial

For more information on We Recover Loudly and to reach out for speaking engagements or support email hello@werecoverloudly.com

@werecoverloudly
www.werecoverloudly.com

This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors:

Low No Drinker Magazine @lownodrinkermagazine

www.lownodrinkermagazine.com

In this new episode of We Recover Loudly, Shell is joined by the wonderful Derek Brown. Derek is an author and NASM-certified wellness coach, and also the founder of Positive Damage, Inc. As one of the US’s top bartenders, he previously owned the Spirited Awards 2017 “Best American Cocktail Bar” Columbia Room in Washington, D.C. Derek published his first book in 2019, and followed that up in 2022 with his book Mindful Mixology: a Comprehensive Guide to No- and Low-Alcohol Cocktails.

Derek has made significant contributions to the global bar industry and has influenced the way we approach non-alcoholic drinking. After experiencing his own struggles with alcohol, Derek now promotes mindfulness as a way to encourage people to reflect on their reasons for reaching for a drink, instead of focusing solely on abstaining from alcohol.

We also discussed -

- The VAMPIRIC lifestyle of a bartender and shift worker
- The joy in finding we can still enjoy the magic of a bar sober!
- How putting down the booze made Derek realise how much he was using it to hide his mental health issues and that finally in sobriety he was able to address issues that had been there for years.
- How boring hanging out with a load of drunk people has become now we are sober!
- How sobriety has completely turned Derek's life around; which does not mean it is all perfect, but does mean you can build real defences to the worlds challenges.

This was a one of a kind conversation with a personal hero, and it is a brilliantly enriching listen. Enjoy!

For more information on We Recover Loudly and to reach out for speaking engagements or support email hello@werecoverloudly.com

@werecoverloudly
www.werecoverloudly.com

This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors:

Low No Drinker Magazine @lownodrinkermagazine

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In this new episode, Shell welcomes the delightful Jason-Candid Knusel, who is the director of non profit Healthy Hospo. With 15 years of experience in the food and drinks industry, including working at renowned venues like The Savoy and the NoMad Hotel in London, Jason has seen the importance of investing in a healthier hospitality culture. Alongside Tim Etherington-Judge, the founder of Healthy Hospo, they decided to create a platform of training and events that promotes a more sustainable and fulfilling industry. In addition to his impressive background, Jason is also a certified nutritionist and all-around great guy. We talked about a lot of awesome things, including -

• Jason's start of his career in hotel kitchens, and we reminised on the charm and nostalgia of hotels from a time when traveling was seen as a special occasion.
• His passion for meeting new people each day in the front of the house quickly led Jason to make the switch from the kitchen to the floor and eventually the bar. Although he initially considered leaving the industry due to missing the creativity of cooking, he soon discovered that the bar provided the ideal balance between creativity and personal interaction.
• How in the industry, we're usually taught to have respect for produce, recipes, processes, and brand standards. However, we often overlook training the importance of respecting ourselves and ensuring our safety in hospitality.
• Tim, the founder of Healthy Hospo's incredible story and what drove him to create the brilliant organisation.
• How we CAN do the job of a bartender and brand ambassador without being an excessive consumer of alcohol; but what are the brands teaching their ambassadors about having a balanced relationship with the drinks they are representing.
• STAFF FOOD! And why it is so important to offer teams nutritious fuel if we want the best from them; and that good staff food is a great indicator of good company culutre.

Jason, and Healthy Hospo have done some incredible work to help people in the industry make more sustainable decisions that are all about keeping ourselves healthy and working longer in this fabulous industry with success. Check out more on their work following the below links :

https://healthyhospo.com/
https://www.drinkstrust.org.uk/
@healthyhospo
@jasoncandid

For more information on We Recover Loudly and to reach out for speaking engagements or support email hello@werecoverloudly.com

@werecoverloudly
www.werecoverloudly.com

This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors:

Low No Drinker Magazine @lownodrinkermagazine

www.lownodrinkermagazine.com

In this new episode, we get to know Joshua Gandee, a bartender and creative who has been working in and around the restaurant industry for over a decade. In 2017, Joshua made the decision to quit drinking and has since been promoting a non-alcoholic culture in his city of Ohio and beyond whether with his buddies Focus On Health, with Historic Revellery who specialise in creating one of a kind experiences with drinks brands, or on his podcast 'No Proof' which has been nomitated at Tales of a Cocktail 2024 for an award for best podcast!

On the podcast, Josh hosts conversations that highlight the different ways we all navigate life without alcohol. It's a reminder that while our journeys may be unique, we ultimately share in the growth and transformation that comes from making this choice. I really resonate with Joshua's mission, as I set up We Recover Loudly as I wish something like this had existed when I was questioning my own relationship with alcohol. Joshua believes it is all about a shift in mindset, which leads to a change in identity, and he is dedicated to continuously improving himself while uplifting those around him. We discussed -

- The ulitmate sparkling water
- The repurcussions the industry is still feeling post pandemic
- What Gen Z really want in a role.
- Culture being a 'tick box' excercise, and how as leaders we have to live the culture we want to see.
- The awesomeness of finding common ground with your team when you remove alcohol and actually get to know them as individuals.
- The power of all recovery stories, and that not having a 'rock bottom' does no invalidate your experiences.

This was a wonderful chat with a beautiful soul. Check out his podcast 'No Proof' on all podcast platforms, and follow Josh on socials to stay in the loop.

@joshuagandee
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/noproof

For more information on We Recover Loudly and to reach out for speaking engagements or support email hello@werecoverloudly.com

@werecoverloudly
www.werecoverloudly.com

This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors:

Low No Drinker Magazine @lownodrinkermagazine

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This week's guest is the iconic, and exceptionally talented, chef Gabriel Rucker. Having started in kitchens at a young age, even though he dropped out of culinary school, Gabriel's incredible talent was there from the start. At 25, Gabriel became the chef at Portland’s iconic Le Pigeon, where he redefined French cuisine with his signature adventurous twists and carefree energy. He continued building award-winning restaurants, and he currently serves as Chef and co-owner of Canard—a French brasserie with two locations in Oregon–in addition to Le Pigeon. He is one of Portland’s most respected and decorated chefs. He has earned two James Beard awards for Rising Star Chef in 2011 and Best Chef Northwest in 2013. Over the past 10 years, he has become a leading advocate within the restaurant industry for recovery, health and fitness. In 2019, Rucker, along with fellow Portland chef Gregory Gourdet, he opened the Portland chapter of Ben’s Friends, the restaurant industry recovery group started by previous guest Mickey Bakst.

Recently Gabriel did a Ted Talk Portland about leadership, mentorship and how to keep pushing forward in life even when things are tough. He also runs a group called Bird Dog Run, which is a running club that meets in front of Le Pigeon every Friday at 9am for people of all industry's to connect and enjoy the positive effects of exercise.

We discussed -
- Being a culinary school drop out.
- How in 2007 he was the top of the culinary world, and how he nearly lost it all due to his spiralling addiction.
- How alcohol and drugs had been an issue from a young age, but the environment and pressure of the kitchen had amplified this until he felt he could not do it anymore and sort help from his father, himself in recovery.
- Priorising his wife and family over his job, and how by doing that and being a better family man he is actually able to be a better leader in the kitchen.
- The teaching and mentoring he now does about balance, presence and boundaries with his own team, so they do not repeat the same patterns he did.

Getting to speak to Gabriel was a real pinch-me moment, and it was amazing to get the chance to connect with one of the first chefs who has really taken it upon themselves to recovery loudly, to stop others dying quietly.

Check him out on Instagram - @ruckergabriel @birddogrunclub

For more information on We Recover Loudly and to reach out for speaking engagements or support email hello@werecoverloudly.com

@werecoverloudly
www.werecoverloudly.com

This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors:

Low No Drinker Magazine @lownodrinkermagazine

www.lownodrinkermagazine.com

ONE YEAR BIRTHDAY PODCAST RELEASE !!!

This week's episode marks one year since releasing episode one. To mark this milestone, it was important to invite a guest along who has been instrumental in the genesis of this whole project, and indeed my sobriety. My guest, Rupert Davison is one of the company directors of A Rule of Tum. Rupert is a director at A Rule of Tum, which operates 6 restaurants in Worcester and Hereford, with plans to open in Birmingham. A Rule of Tum offers a diverse range of dining experiences, from Japanese ramen to classic burgers. They also run Dish by Art, a events company specializing in bespoke weddings and celebrations. Over the past decade, A Rule of Tum has become a culinary powerhouse.

I worked at The Burger Shop Worcester for a few years, including over Covid. During that time, my drinking spiralled out of control, leading to devastating consequences like losing my job. In this episode, I chat with Rupert, a dear friend and the one who ultimately had to let me go. We delve into the challenges faced by employers in an industry with a long history of excessive drinking and drug use.

We also talked about

• How Rupert got into cooking, and the great experiences the industry can offer young people in particular.
• The stresses of being a leader, and the burnout that so frequently comes with that.
• The lessons we have both learnt from the situation we found ourselves in.
• The great work that A Rule of Tum do to support their team members.

This episode includes an introduction discussing the incident and my hope to inspire change by being open and vulnerable. Thank you to all listeners for an amazing year of podcasting.

Check out the fantastic company A Rule of Tum here - https://aruleoftum.com/

And follow on socials
@_burger_shop
@_the_yard_hereford
@leavenpizza
@manekiramenworcester
@thebookshophfd

For more information on We Recover Loudly and to reach out for speaking engagements or support email hello@werecoverloudly.com

@werecoverloudly
www.werecoverloudly.com

This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors:

Low No Drinker Magazine @lownodrinkermagazine

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In this week's episode we speak to the absolute legend Mickey Bakst, co founder of the national organisation Ben's Friends in the US. After losing a friend to addiction, Ben's Friends was born with a simple mission: to help struggling industry professionals break free from addiction. With almost 60 years of combined sobriety, Mickey and his partner Steve Palmer have proven that you can thrive in this industry while staying sober. Established in 2016, Ben’s Friends provides hope, fellowship, and support to those in the hospitality industry dealing with substance abuse. The organisation demonstrates that recovery is possible, and individuals can thrive in the industry without relying on alcohol or drugs through community, communication, and compassion.

We discussed SO MUCH, including -

- Why the industry is not to blame for peoples addiction ... But why it is also not blameless.
- Why we need to stop throwing our people away, and how we can help them collaborative as mental health organisations.
- How addiction is an industry wide issue, and not just reserved for chefs and BOH team members.
- How to change the culture around drinking when the managers are the ones that need to change the most.
- The recent change of narrative from 'let's get rid of the problem worker' to 'what can we do to support' and how important that change is for the future of the industry.
- Sober contracts; what do they mean for the industry?

Micky's honesty and willingness to generously share his story has saved so many lives. He speaks with love, passion and poetry of his time working FOH and his mission to protect both its people, and its magic is why he is an ICON. As Mickey himself says "Sobriety is a ball, we can do it in the industry and its even better if we do it together."

Ben's Friends have daily online meetings, as well as in person meetings across the US and Canada. Check out their website for meeting links and follow on social media for more information.

https://www.bensfriendshope.com/ @bensfriendshope

For more information on We Recover Loudly and to reach out for speaking engagements or support email hello@werecoverloudly.com

@werecoverloudly
www.werecoverloudly.com

This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors:

Low No Drinker Magazine @lownodrinkermagazine

www.lownodrinkermagazine.com