Keep It Human Podcast

Value Isn’t Created at Exit. It’s Exposed. Some of the best conversations don’t happen when the red light is on. They happen before the interview starts, after the recording ends, or in those unguarded moments when people stop performing and start talking honestly. This episode came out of one of those conversations. My guest is Ian Smith, founder of The Portfolio Partnership, author of The Acquir...

Video Link: Summary In this interview, host Jim Bouchard speaks with Anthony Valletta, President of Bartaco, about the evolving landscape of hospitality and what it truly means to be “guest-first.” Valletta shares his extensive background in the industry, from working in fine dining to leading a high-growth brand like Bartaco. The conversation centers on the philosophy that hospitality is an emoti...

Danny Snow on AI, Automation, and the Human Side of Customer Service What happens when customer service goes fully automated—and no one’s left to help when things go wrong? In this episode of the Keep It Human Podcast , Jim Bouchard is joined by Danny Snow , customer experience leader and co-author of Lessons From The Mouse , to explore why customers are growing frustrated with AI-only customer se...

In this episode, I talk with Jeff Chandler — CEO of Hopdoddy Burger Bar — about what authentic, human-centered leadership really looks like inside a fast-paced, people-driven business. We dive into: How culture is built through daily presence, not policies Why hospitality still depends on genuine human connection Jeff’s philosophy for leading with curiosity, humility, and care The challenges and o...