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Chef Life Radio: Empowering Culinary LeadersSuccessful Chefs Thriving Kitchens Author: Adam M Lamb
Welcome to Chef Life Radio, where we equip culinary leaders with the skills to create thriving, sustainable kitchens. Im your host, Chef Adam Lamb, a culinary leadership coach and industry veteran, here to help you reclaim your passion, purpose, and process. The kitchen is evolvingand so must we. This isnt just about cooking. Its about leading with confidence, building resilient teams, and creating a kitchen culture where chefs and staff dont just survivethey thrive. Each episode delivers actionable insights on: Reducing turnover & burnout Mastering emotional intelligence in leadership Creating sustainable & profitable kitchen systems Building strong, resilient teams Balancing growth with work-life integration. If you're tired of the grind-for-survival mentality and ready to lead with clarity and purpose, this podcast is for you. Subscribe to Chef Life Radio today and take the first step toward a thriving, high-impact culinary career. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp Language: en Genres: Arts, Business, Careers, Food Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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239 | Chef Live Radio LIVE: Why Chef Mental Health Matters More Than Perfect Plates
Episode 239
Tuesday, 11 November, 2025
The culinary industry is more than just creating beautiful dishes; it's a world where passion meets vulnerability, where creativity collides with chaos, and where the very people who nourish others often struggle to nourish themselves. What happens when we finally start having the conversations that matter most?Don't you wish you had a place to go where you can drop your apron and just be you? Well now there is: Join The Chef Life Brigade Private Member Community by clicking hereIn this inaugural Chef Life Radio Live event from the Mule in Asheville, North Carolina, we gather as a community to address the elephant in the kitchen: mental health, addiction, and the culture that's been shaping our industry for far too long.From Rock Bottom to Rising UpChef Paul Cressend shares his raw, unfiltered journey through 27 years in the industry—from the dive bars of Nashville to the fine dining establishments of Charlotte, and ultimately to his recovery and rebirth as an entrepreneur in Asheville. His story illuminates the reality many of us face: the functional addiction that seems acceptable until it becomes the very thing holding us back from greatness.Paul's path through rehab, farm work, and eventually building his own private chef business, Pauliboy Enterprises, demonstrates that there's life beyond the destructive patterns we've normalized in our kitchens.The Hurricane That Changed EverythingHurricane Helene didn't just devastate western North Carolina physically—it stripped away the facade and revealed who we really are as a community. In the aftermath, something beautiful emerged: neighbors feeding neighbors, chefs supporting chefs, and a renewed understanding of what hospitality truly means.Breaking the Cycle of SilenceJennifer Hough joins the conversation to offer an outsider's perspective on the intensity that defines our industry. Her observations about the dopamine addiction cycle, the instant gratification nature of kitchen work, and the way we've learned to dismiss genuine appreciation reveal uncomfortable truths about how we operate.The discussion tackles head-on:Why "thank you" becomes meaningless when you hear it constantlyThe connection between kitchen culture and addiction patterns How the brigade system, while effective, can perpetuate unhealthy dynamicsThe importance of having conversations before it's too lateEight Minutes That Could Save a LifeResearch shows that eight minutes of genuine conversation with someone who cares can literally change brain chemistry and pull someone back from the brink of despair. It's a simple concept with profound implications for how we show up for each other."This is our mess, and I consider myself part of the problem, but that's why I want to be part of the solution."Building Something BetterThis isn't just another podcast episode, it's a call to action. Whether you're a seasoned executive chef, a line cook finding your way, or someone who simply cares about the people who feed our communities, this conversation offers hope and practical steps forward.The path to change starts with acknowledging where we are, sharing our stories without shame, and committing to being present for one another in ways that actually...
