ShandeeLand

Joshua Powers is a student at Nazareth University and the Founder & CEO of Safety Zone, a company dedicated to improving the lives of those with food allergies. Joshua shares his personal journey growing up with food allergies and how those experiences shaped his understanding of the disability and accessibility. We dive into the controversial topic of peanut-free tables in elementary schools,...

“Please keep up this good work,” a patient once told Dr. Ahmar Iqbal — a moment that captured the heart of his mission. For him, helping even one person live a better life is the culmination of his life’s work. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Iqbal, senior leader at Genentech and Therapeutic Area Lead for Respiratory and Influenza, to discuss his leadership on the landmark OUtMATCH trial — t...

Liz Moskow is a true visionary in the world of food and technology. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Liz has transformed her passion for hospitality into a groundbreaking career as a Food Futurist, entrepreneur, and innovator. As the Founder of Saase and Principal at Bread & Circus Ltd, Liz helps businesses navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of hospitality, restaurant tec...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Mia Silverman, a Food Allergy Advocate and NYU student who's making a huge impact both in the allergy community and beyond. We first discovered Mia through her TikTok.  She was traveling with her 50+ food allergies. But her work goes far beyond that. She shares her personal journey, from discovering her diagnosis to managing new allergies as she grow...

Heather Neary, the President and CEO of Taco John’s International, Inc. shares her inspiring professional journey, which began in a cheesesteak shop outside of Philadelphia, where she often left work smelling like onions.  It was here Heather discovered her passion for the fast-paced and exciting hospitality industry. Her career trajectory took a fascinating and incredible trajectory. Heather adva...

Meet Rebecca Berry, a hospitality trailblazer with over a decade of dedicated service! As the Senior Sales Manager for Career & Workforce Advancement at the National Restaurant Association, Rebecca is reshaping careers in the dynamic world of hospitality. Her impressive background includes serving as a former board member of The Colorado Restaurant Association and being a proud member of the W...

We had the pleasure of featuring the incredible David "Rev" Ciancio for his second appearance on our podcast! If you missed his first episode, be sure to check out #158. Rev is a powerhouse in the business, tech, and marketing world. He's the Co-Founder and CMO of Handcraft Burgers and Brews and the Head of Revenue Marketing for Branded Strategic Hospitality. Recently, he's emb...

Meet Caitlin Follett, the Pastry Chef Extraordinaire at Fenway Park! Boston-born and deeply immersed in Boston sports, Caitlin shares her journey from MBA graduate to creating delectable desserts for Fenway's premium department, private suites, and catering programs. Her unique blend of culinary expertise and business acumen sets her apart in the industry. With a family who supported her ever...

Troy Hooper, CEO of Hot Palette America, the parent company of Pepper Lunch is our exciting guest this week. Troy's journey is a fascinating blend of real estate, construction, culinary arts, and supply chain expertise, all converging into his remarkable career path. Troy delves into the art of choosing the perfect location for success, drawing parallels between real estate and crafting the p...

In this episode, we sit down with Aaron Weedy, Vice President of Finance for Ledo Pizza, to unravel the fascinating journey of a finance professional in the dynamic world of hospitality. Aaron shares his unexpected entry into the industry during college, highlighting the diverse career paths that hospitality can offer. We delve into Ledo Pizza's rich history, exploring its origins, unique sel...

We're thrilled to welcome back Žana Usher, Founder and CEO of Žana DeVine Hospitality, for another insightful episode. In our previous chat, Žana shared her incredible journey in the hospitality industry and emphasized the importance of attention to detail for an exceptional guest experience. Today, she's back, urging us to go the extra mile and elevate our hospitality game to ensure our...

Dive into the world of fearless travel with our latest episode featuring Allie Bahn! As a seasoned writer, content creator, educator, and consultant, Allie shares her awe-inspiring journeys through the unique lens of living with severe food allergies. Starting her blog back in 2008, Allie has become a beacon of knowledge in the realm of safe and enjoyable travel for those with food allergies. Her...

We welcome back Lisa Cohen, the founder and CEO of The Kyah Rayne Foundation. Lisa, who tragically lost her daughter Kyah Rayne to an anaphylaxis reaction, returns with inspiring updates. The foundation has just launched new course specifically designed for restaurants and food service personnel. These courses aim to raise awareness and educate on the critical aspects of handling food allergies. I...

In this podcast episode, our guest is Natalie Rice, owner of the peanut-sniffing service dog named Harley, who has gained fame on Instagram. Natalie shares the story of her daughter, who experienced a traumatic bullying incident that heightened her anxiety over a peanut allergy, making dining out even more challenging. The podcast delves into the family's experiences navigating life with a pe...

We have the pleasure of hosting Diva Galan, an attorney, blogger, and dedicated Food Allergy Mom. Her story is one of resilience and transformation, driven by her children's food allergies.  Diva's journey began when her son experienced an anaphylactic reaction to milk at just 6 months old. Additionally, her daughter was diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE). Removing dairy from...

Join us for an extraordinary journey with Betsy Craig, a true testament to the power of resilience and determination! Battling and conquering the relentless autoimmune disease scleroderma, she has emerged as an unstoppable force in the business world. Food played a pivotal role in Betsy's life, especially in the context of her illness. Scleroderma, a condition that threatened her life, made h...

In this compelling episode, we're joined by Lianne Mandelbaum, the Founder of The No Nut Traveler. Her journey began with a distressing airport incident while traveling with her 8-year-old son, who has severe food allergies. Shockingly, the airline's response was, "If you think he's going to die, don't fly." This experience ignited Lianne's mission to advocate fo...

In this episode, we are joined by Dan Anfinson, President of Slapfish Restaurant Group and COO of Mac Haik Restaurant Group. Growing up around the restaurant business, with his father as the general manager of Jack in the Box, Dan's passion for the culinary world ignited at an early age. Starting as a dishwasher at a local pizza joint, he found himself irresistibly drawn to the exhilaration o...

Dr. Julie Sweeney, a pediatrician and food allergy consultant, shares her personal journey of navigating her child's food allergy diagnosis. As the founder of ALLERGY MOM MD, Dr. Julie brings a unique perspective to the challenges faced by families in dealing with allergies and other inflammatory conditions. She discusses the process of food allergy testing and the importance of food challeng...

In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Elizabeth Anderlik, a remarkable advocate for food allergies and disabilities. Elizabeth shares her personal journey, highlighting the challenges she faced with multiple food allergies and the lack of proper accommodations in her school, which led to her being homeschooled. She experienced a newfound sense of belonging when she attended the FA...

John Pepper is a visionary entrepreneur and advocate for socially responsible capitalism. With a strong belief in the power of capitalism to benefit hourly workers, John shares his inspiring journey and insights into creating a more inclusive economy. John's path began during his business school days, where he partnered with two fellow students to launch a restaurant as part of an entrepreneu...

Jason Chan, an Australian-based advocate for food allergies and mental health, is also a dedicated researcher in the field of alternative medicine. Among his three children, all of whom have had food allergies, his daughter continues to grapple with them. Upon discovering her food allergy while feeding her at just 3 months old, Jason experienced overwhelming guilt. However, he managed to alleviate...

Associate Professor Joey Mattingly from the University of Utah College of Pharmacy discusses his collaboration with the FDA to better understand patient and caregiver experiences in developing  therapies for food allergies. These interviews provided valuable feedback on the FDA's current practices and areas for improvement. The FDA's inclusion of patients and caregivers in the process is...

Food allergy advocate Jessica Carrillo shares her personal journey of living with food allergies. Jessica was diagnosed with a peanut allergy at the age of 2 and has since developed additional allergies over time. At the age of 12, she experienced a traumatic allergic reaction that left her feeling anxious and triggered by food. Jessica shares how her anxiety grew as she never knew which food migh...

In this episode of the podcast, we welcome Jonathan Pye, a renowned chef with an impressive career in the culinary world. Jonathan takes us on a journey through his culinary background, from his apprenticeship at a Victorian hotel in Manchester, England to his current role as Corporate Executive Chef - West region at American Dining Creations. Jonathan shares how his mother inspired his love for c...