In this empowering episode of The Prosper Brief, host James Rogers sits down with bestselling author, executive coach, and viral keynote speaker Ryan Leak for an honest conversation about failure, authenticity, and redefining leadership in today’s high-pressure world. Ryan shares wisdom from his books Leveling Up and How to Work with Complicated People, offering practical tools and vulnerable insight into how leaders can thrive by ...

In this future-focused episode of The Prosper Brief, host Jeremiah welcomes Aaron Barulich, President of BiRite Foodservice Distributors, and Hans Schatz, Executive Vice President of Cut+Dry, to explore the intersection of legacy, innovation, and leadership in foodservice distribution. From the roots of a third-generation, family-run business to the digital evolution transforming how suppliers, distributors, and operators connect—t...

In this empowering episode of The Prosper Brief, host Jeremiah Wynn sits down with marketing powerhouse and podcast host Erin Levzow, a woman who’s made a career out of breaking barriers and lifting others as she climbs. Together, they explore what it truly means to advocate for yourself, navigate imposter syndrome, and redefine success. From being the only woman at the executive table to helping young professionals find their voic...

In this deeply personal and motivating episode of The Prosper Brief, host Jeremiah Wynn sits down with Eddie George, NFL legend, actor, entrepreneur, and current head football coach at Tennessee State University. But this isn’t a football story—it’s a conversation about leadership, self-discipline, transformation, and purpose. Eddie opens up about overcoming academic struggles, finding vision in unexpected places, and how he’s usin...

In this episode of The Prosper Brief, host James Rogers is joined by the ever-energetic, endlessly insightful Andrew Davis—founder of Monumental Shift and one of the most compelling voices in modern marketing. Together, they journey through the last 20 years of marketing in the restaurant and hospitality industry, contrasting nostalgic traditional strategies with today’s AI-driven innovations. Andrew brings a delightful mix of stor...

In this deeply moving episode of The Prosper Brief, host Jeremiah Wynn welcomes two restaurant legends: Scott Moore, founder of Maple Street Biscuit Company and Calico Cactus, and Ray Johnson, an industry veteran known for building people-first brands. Together, they unpack the soul of a restaurant—not the systems, but the stories. From Maple Street’s humble beginnings as a comfort food haven to the birth of Calico Cactus, Scott an...

In this dynamic episode of The Prosper Brief, host Jeremiah Wynn sits down with three inspiring leaders—Dan Simons, co-founder of Farmers Restaurant Group; Ekundayo Platt, front-of-house manager at Farmers; and Dustin Portillo, a high-energy hospitality keynote speaker with a colorful past in the circus.

Together, they unpack what it truly takes to ignite team engagement, build a culture of ownership, and foster excellence at every...

In this special “Turn the Tables” edition of The Prosper Brief, rising supply chain voice Larry Monger Jr. takes the lead in an eye-opening conversation with industry legend John Inwright, former President and CEO of Wendy’s Quality Supply Chain Cooperative (QSCC).

Together, they dive deep into the hard-won lessons behind building resilient, people-first supply chains—from navigating COVID’s chaos to pulling off a 30-month blackber...

In this inspiring episode, Andrew Robinson, CHRO of CKE Restaurants, discusses his career trajectory from starting as an hourly employee to leading HR for a major restaurant franchisor. Andrew shares his passion for people-first leadership and talks about the importance of creating growth opportunities for team members. He also highlights the critical role of mentorship in career growth, the challenges and rewa...

This episode of Prosper Brief brings together three inspiring leaders: Roshan Mendis of Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar, John Tallichet  of Specialty Restaurants Corporation, and Alycia Harshfield, President of the California Restaurant Foundation. They share their journeys, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, giving back, and building future leaders in ...

In this episode of Prosper Brief, Ryan Bowlds from Restaurant Technologies discusses how the company is revolutionizing the restaurant industry through innovative automation solutions. From oil management to hood and flue cleaning, Ryan highlights how Restaurant Technologies is not only enhancing efficiency but also making kitchens safer and more sustainable. He shares insights into the company’s commitment to environmental, social...

In this data-driven episode of Prosper Brief, Pat Riley, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Data Delivers, provides insights into how customer data transforms the restaurant industry. Pat discusses his journey from the print industry to leading a company that helps restaurants harness data to understand customer behavior, drive engagement, and improve business performance. He highlights the importance of staying top-of-mind f...

This episode of Prosper Brief features Kris Douglas, the VP of Technology for Smalls Sliders, as he discusses his fascinating career journey from healthcare to major brands like Coca-Cola and Inspire, and ultimately to Smalls Sliders. He delves into the transformational opportunities in the restaurant technology space, emphasizing the importance of innovation, culture, and customer experience. Key themes include the role of technol...

In this episode, Charles Watson shares his leadership insights from over a decade with Tropical Smoothie, growing the brand from 250 locations to over 1,500. Charles discusses the challenges and rewards of franchise leadership, focusing on community involvement and the Prosper Forum’s mission to create inclusive opportunities in the restaurant industry. He highlights his personal leadership philosophy, centered around the acronym “...

In this heartfelt episode of Prosper Brief, Michael Beacham, an esteemed leader at California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), reflects on his inspiring journey in the hospitality industry. Starting unexpectedly in housekeeping at Marriott, Michael learned the value of empathy, teamwork, and resilience. He shares his experiences of building strong teams, navigating personal challenges, and fostering a culture of care and balance. Michael also ...

In this episode of Prosper Brief, Rae George, Senior Manager of Supply Chain at ARCOP, shares her compelling journey navigating the complex world of food service supply chain management. From tackling hurricanes’ impact on distribution to balancing family life with a demanding career, Rae offers a transparent and empowering look into leadership, resilience, and the importance of work-life balance. Her story, shaped by her time as a...

In this lively episode of Prosper Brief, Kenny Rose, founder and CEO of FranShares, shares his entrepreneurial journey and insights into transforming the franchise investment landscape. From identifying untapped opportunities in franchising to building a platform that connects investors with franchise operators, Kenny's story is one of grit, innovation, and relentless drive. He also highlights the power of rela...

In this episode, Alison Davis, Head of Client Development Partnerships at Citi, shares her unique journey through finance, her brief venture into the restaurant industry, and her insights into effective wealth and succession planning for entrepreneurs. Allison describes how her own experience with a restaurant startup allowed her to relate to clients in the food industry. She also highlights Citi’s decade-long ...

In this engaging panel discussion from Prosper Brief, host Luke Kircher moderates a conversation with three influential leaders in the food service and hospitality industry: Cord Mclean from Bloomin’ Brands, Emily Austin of Ziosk, and Ray Johnson of ReCee’s Leadership Consulting Group. Together, they explore the evolution of leadership, the integration of technology in hospitality, and the enduring importance o...