The Michelle Pascoe Hospitality Podcast

In this week’s episode, I sit down with a true pillar of the registered club industry—Paul Barnett, CEO of Mingara Leisure Group and a leader whose legacy spans more than two decades of growth, innovation, and heart. From starting his career in government and liquor and gaming regulation to transforming a one-venue operation into a five-venue community powerhouse, Paul shares the behind-the-scenes...

In this heartfelt and insightful episode, I sit down with not only a highly respected CEO but also a dear friend of over 25 years – Glenn Cushion from Ingleburn RSL. From humble beginnings as a plumber saving for a house deposit to leading one of Sydney’s most community-driven clubs, Glenn shares his incredible journey through the registered club industry. We explore how a "second job" became a li...

Businesses in 2025 are flooded with digital noise—but what if standing out was as simple as picking up the phone or posting a handwritten note? In this solo episode, I’m going to take you behind the scenes of my recent speaking tour across Far North Queensland (FNQ), where I connected with 97 passionate small business owners. From Atherton to Port Douglas, I will share with you what’s really reson...

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, I sit down with Chenelle Conquest, founder of Paws & Whiskers, a Southern Highlands pet care business driven by purpose, heart, and a lifelong love for animals. From secretly hiding a stray dog in her backyard as a child to building a thriving business that provides pet sitting, dog walking, and genuine peace of mind, Chenelle shares her journey from passio...

In this insightful episode, I sit down with Kat Lynn, an award-winning food and product photographer, branding strategist, and passionate advocate for regional communities. Kat shares her journey from capturing culinary delights to helping businesses tell their authentic stories through visual branding. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the importance of storytelling in photography and ho...

🎙️ In this powerful episode, I’m joined by mental health advocate and founding Board Member of R U OK?, Graeme Cowan. From his personal journey through severe depression to creating meaningful change in workplaces across the globe, Graeme shares the pivotal moments that shaped his mission to build resilience, connection, and care in high-performing teams. We explore how leaders can identify early...

Ever dreamed of opening an Aussie pub… in Sweden? 🇸🇪🍺 Kylie Pangeli-Linky did just that—and she’s sharing how a 20-year vision, leadership resilience, and a deep love for hospitality turned that dream into reality. From selling everything she owned to building a business in a foreign country during a global pandemic, Kylie’s story is equal parts inspiration and strategy. We dive into leading with...

Leadership isn’t just reserved for those with titles. In this solo episode, we explore how frontline team members—those on the ground, face-to-face with guests—can be the most influential leaders in any hospitality environment. Discover how everyday leadership shapes team culture, elevates the customer experience, and sets the tone for service excellence. Whether you're a manager or a team member,...

🐣 Hopping into the Easter rush? In this egg-stra special episode of Holiday Leadership Hacks, I’m sharing 8 smart and simple tips to help you lead your hospitality team with clarity, calm and a sprinkle of fun. From updating policies and FAQs to energising your crew and keeping the customer experience sweet, these Easter-ready leadership hacks will help you stay ahead of the chaos and bring your...

Join me for an inspiring conversation with Michelle Baillie, General Manager of Skycity Entertainment Group in Hamilton, New Zealand, as we dive into authentic leadership. Michelle shares her wisdom on leading without masks or ego, embracing courage and kindness, and cultivating sponsors who advocate for your success—even when you’re not in the room. Discover the power of saying "yes" to new oppor...

Are you ready to trade burnout for freedom and ease in your business? This week on The Michelle Pascoe Hospitality Podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Miriam Castilla—business mentor, bestselling author, and creator of the Magnetic Money Code. 💡 From rebuilding her life as a single mother to running multiple award-winning, six-figure businesses, Miriam shares her powerful journey and practical...

💡 Ever wondered what makes employees stay, thrive, and truly love what they do? In this episode I dive into the secret sauce of building a thriving workplace with none other than Andy Goram, aka “The Sticky Guy.” As the host of Sticky From The Inside and the founder of Bizjuicer, Andy has spent over 27 years leading culture and brand transformations across Leisure, Retail, Hospitality, and Gaming...

In this episode, I sit down with Jim Harenchar, CEO of Response Marketing Group (RMG), to explore how hospitality businesses can leverage predictive modelling, data insights, and personalised marketing strategies to enhance customer engagement and drive business growth. With over 35 years of experience, Jim shares how RMG helps brands like The Ritz Carlton, Georgia Tourism, and Arkansas Tourism cr...

In today’s episode of The Michelle Pascoe Hospitality Podcast, I'm diving deep into the strategies that help hospitality businesses thrive in an ever-evolving landscape. I’ll guide you through how data, measurement, and benchmarking can transform your venue into a VIP destination for every guest. 🔍 What You’ll Learn:✅ Why starting with data is critical for long-term success✅ The six essential t...

In this episode, I sit down with Chris Tripoli, a hospitality industry veteran with over 45 years of experience as a concept developer, owner-operator, and restaurant consultant. Chris shares the key ingredients for building a successful restaurant, from the foundational elements of a winning concept to navigating industry challenges like rising costs and staff shortages. He also dives into his Tr...

In this funny and insightful episode, I sit down with Michael Kerr, Canadian Hall of Fame Speaker and workplace culture expert, to explore the power of humour in the workplace. Michael shares why laughter is a game-changer in high-pressure environments like hospitality, how leaders can create service-first cultures, and the small moments that lead to extraordinary results. Drawing from his books T...

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Daniel Chin, hospitality veteran and General Manager of Raising the Bar Foundation, to discuss his incredible journey from a racetrack bartender in Wollongong to spearheading a mental health movement in the hospitality industry. Daniel shares how his early experiences with poor leadership could have ended his career before it even started—but instead, he u...

🎙️ Thank You, Amazing Listeners! As the year winds down, I would like to take this moment to say a huge THANK YOU for tuning in to the podcast. It means the world to me that the stories I share—whether from our incredible guests or my own experiences—are making an impact on you, your business, your team, and your organisation. 🎄 Wishing you a Christmas filled with joy, peace, and plenty of laught...

In this episode, I sit down with the extraordinary Vance Morris, a Disney management alumnus who spent 10 years creating magical experiences at Walt Disney World. From leading the opening of the iconic Chef Mickey’s to running his own successful business, Vance shares how businesses of all sizes can apply Disney-style service principles to create unforgettable customer experiences. Vance’s unique...

In this episode I’m thrilled to welcome back, Christie Roser, Chief People & Culture Officer at Aristocrat, a global leader in the gaming and hospitality industry. With a team of over 9,000 employees worldwide, Christie brings unparalleled expertise and insight into building strong, inclusive workplaces. Our conversation dives into the critical role of women in the gaming and hospitality industry...

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Kirsty Nancarrow, an award-winning former ABC journalist, passionate advocate for journalists, social justice, and gender equality, and now the Co-Director of eMotion Video & Media Training. Kirsty shares her incredible journey from working in hospitality in Sydney and the UK to becoming a leader in media training and storytelling based in Cairns, Austral...

In this fascinating episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Mariya Radysh—TEDx speaker, author, university lecturer, and interpreter fluent in five languages. With an impressive five university degrees, Mariya brings a wealth of knowledge and personal insight to our discussion about one of the most complex personality types: the narcissist. Mariya unpacks her extensive research on narcissism, offerin...

In this episode I share insights from speaking at the Mystery Shopping Professionals Association - AP 19th annual conference in Hong Kong.  Gathered together with representatives from all over Asia and beyond discussing global labour shortages, ageing populations and the impact on business growth through migration, work preferences and workplace conditions.

In this episode, I sit down with Richard McLeod, hospitality veteran and co-owner of Loaded, a groundbreaking platform designed to transform the way hospitality businesses operate. With over 15 years of hands-on experience running a network of 12 diverse bars, pubs, and restaurants across New Zealand, Rich has built Loaded to be the ultimate operational hub, syncing all systems—labour, ordering, m...