Seared

"Use your words" is something that parents will tell their children when the wee ones struggle to convey their feelings or needs.  This is something we can struggle with as adults too.  You have a voice, but maybe you struggle to find or use it. You're not alone! Do you have a hard time letting others know what you need? Do you mumble or mutter instead of being loud and clear? Are y...

"Don't play with your food!" is something you've probably heard as a kid.  But playing with your food can be a great thing...when you're a chef.  Play is such a HUGE part of creativity and innovation.  You don't have to be in the kitchen to play around. You can be in the boardroom, the construction site, the studio, the auto shop, the sales lot...wherever...and use pl...

If you're a content creator, you probably dream of going viral, amirite? Here's the deal: it ain't what it's cracked up to be.  For realies.  Most creators who have gone viral agree - and while the attention can be great for some, for many it's challenging. Trolls. Bots. Skewed Algorithm. Larger, but now disengaged, audience.  There is a tug-of-war in many of us between wa...

What are you in denial about, homie? We ALL have those things in our lives where we have a convenient blind spot on.   Whether it's a small thing (denying that you hurt someone's feelings) or something big (denying that you have a substance abuse issue), denial is POWERFUL AF. How do you step away from denial and into more freedom? In this episode of Seared, I share examples of denial in...

Regrets...you've had few right? We all have had them - those cringe or painful moments where we feel sadness, guily, disappointment, or other similar feelings about things that have happened (or didn't happen).  Regrets are a type of self-directed resentment, and we all know that resentments are like poison to our system.  In this episode of Seared, I take a look at how YOU can overcome...

What do rats and negative self-talk have in common?  They're both unwanted intruders.  The good news is that you have COMPLETE control over your mind and your thoughts (and maybe not to much control over the rodents!) In this episode, I share with you some kitchen rat tales (tails?) and share how it's so easy to get caught up in negative self-talk. We all do it, right? We beat ourselves...

"I have to work with WHO again?!" If you've ever uttered those words, or just have someone in your circles who you JUST DON'T LIKE, then this episode is for you.  How do you handle being around someone you can't stand?  What do you do when you have to breathe the same air as "that" person?  You'll hear how it took me TWO years (yes, two years!) to finally fi...

Are chef's artists? Or are they craftspeople?  Does it even matter? But this leads to the discussion of CREATIVITY. Have you ever said that you're not a creative person? I call BS on that! You ARE creative, and in this episode, I debunk the idea that only artists are creative. How you create your day, your life, your work, your relationships...everything is creative.  You'll learn t...

Oh boy. This was NOT the episode I had planned. The one I did plan fell apart quicker than a used tissue in a hurricane.  In this SHORT episode (about 10 minutes), I talk about how I had to let go of a disastrous podcast recording and to just accept that it will NEVER see the light of day. So what do you do when something doesn't go to plan? You forge ahead. Not everything is going to go to p...

You know the tired trope - the fired up chef, tossing pots and pans everywhere, screaming at people, barking orders, having a mini-meltdown as everyone murmurs "yes chef", "no chef" under their breath.  TV shows, movies, and books all glorify the Angry Chef, or at least poke fun at them. It's something that is very real, though, and anyone who has worked in the hospitality...

Ever felt trapped in a conversation that's spiraling into a relentless torrent of complaints? Or perhaps you've caught yourself in the throes of a venting session that's just sucking you in?  You're not alone! In this episode of Seared, we dive into the challenge of chronic complainers and offer communication tactics that can reshape these draining exchanges into opportunities...

Did you know that you're a superhero? Okay, you may not wear a cape, but your courage and bravery show up EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. How amazing is that ?? In this episode, we explore the nuances of bravery and courage in your daily life. I'll unravel the distinction between bravery and courage, shedding light on the often-overlooked acts of everyday courage that we all possess. You'll be...

Ever had a plan go awry? Like, when you thought you had it all figured out, something comes along and punts you throught goalposts of life? That thing? Well, that's what happened to yours truly, and in this episode, I throw caution to the wind and speak from the heart, sharing stories about the chaotic, beautiful mess that ensues when life laughs at our well-laid plans.  You get to watch me m...

Have you ever been told that you're TOO good?  In this episode, I unravel the joy and jeopardy of aspiring to be the best—a journey spiced with intense dedication and the sometimes bitter taste of outshining peers. I share how I was once told that I was TOO fast, TOO ambitious...and how that affected me and my performance.  We also talk about Tall Poppy Syndrome—the cultural snare that trips...

Have you ever stood on the precipice of a decision, toes curled over the edge, ready to leap away from all you've worked towards? That's where I found myself, both in the steamy chaos of my early culinary days and during the quiet contemplation of whether my podcast should continue or come to an end.  In this episode, I share my near-quits, along with the wisdom that kept me grounded. It...

Ever noticed how you feel when someone gives your their complete attention?  In this episode,  I share how giving others that same gift can make a difference in their life...and in yours. I outline steps that can help you make more meaningful connections with others. We'll talk about the art of engagement, from active listening to putting our phones away, and how these simple gestures can dee...

Ever wondered why smokers seem to get more breaks at work? Drawing from my experience in the restaurant industry, we dissect this frustrating issue of fairness, offering insights into the often overlooked inequalities between smokers and non-smokers.  On a bigger scale, we look at the idea of perceived unfairness, and discuss ways to manage feelings of resentment and find tranquility amidst injust...

Have you ever been accused of being 'too nice?' Perhaps you've grappled with the fear of losing people's validation, or felt a constant need to perform for others? On this episode, I pull back the curtain on the 'nice guy' syndrome, a concept popularized by Dr. Robert Glover. Sharing from our personal experiences, I delve into the hidden darkness of this seemingly ben...

What if I told you that the world isn't just black and white, but a myriad of shades in between? Binary thinking can sour relationships and lead to frustration, and keep you trapped in negativity. Grab your headphones and join us as I debunk the all-or-nothing mindset. In this episode, I'll share advice on how to break out of this pattern, emphasizing the importance of seeing things from...

When was the last time you truly appreciated the humbling beauty of the desert or the majestic flight of a hawk, and pondered over its spiritual significance? Ever wondered how these seemingly simple experiences could open doors to profound self-discovery and personal growth? Join me as I share intriguing tales from my recent Arizona trip, exploring not just the desert landscape but an introspecti...

It's intriguing how a simple question can provoke deep thought, and in this episode I ask this very type of question to you. This question has prompted me to contemplate the connections I've built over time, and what this means in how I show up daily. I invite you to do the same.  In this birthday episode (53, bitches) I also share about the vital concept of 'impression of increase....

Imagine being a staff member or manager going to eat at the restaurant they work in. How would the other staff treat you? Would they love bomb your table, or would they serve your lunch with a cold dish of side eye?  In this episode, I share with you such a tale, and what that person had to do the next day after they came in for dinner! It's an example of the Law of Cause and Effect, and how...

Addiction SUCKS. We all know this, even those who are afflicted with it. But it's hard to tackle, both as the one who suffers, and the ones who love those who are suffering.  In the latest episode of Seared Stories from the Stove, we address the pervasiveness of addiction and the unique challenges within the hospitality industry, and ways to help cut down, or even eliminate alcohol and drugs...

Ever been tempted to take a shortcut? Sure, they can give you a quick hit of dopamine and temporarily magnify efficiency, but beware, they can be a double-edged sword.  Shortcuts not only stunt creativity but also breed bad habits and perpetuate mediocrity. Tune in as we delve into the pros and cons of shortcuts in the kitchen, and elsewhere. And hey,  famous painter Normal Rockwell enters the cha...

Accidents happen. Especially in a kitchen. But imagine when you get double-whammied in ways that are so unbelievable that it just can't be a coincidence? That's what happened to yours truly, as I share that tale, and the painful lessons that came from that. (And it wasn't just me that felt that pain!) This was a fun one to record, as you'll see. I have a surprise or two here, s...