178: Sustainability Served Hot: Lead Like a Chef with Matt Beaudin

The Truth About Food Nobody Told You with Matt Beaudin | with Lyndsay Dowd

 

Some chefs chase fame. Matt Beaudin chased truth. From riverbank fires in Vietnam to volcanic soil in Rwanda, he learned from people whose kitchens often had no walls—only stories, culture, and purpose. Today, he shares that journey with us.

In this cinematic and eye-opening episode, we sit down with Chef Matt Beaudin, a world-class culinary leader whose career has been built not in glossy kitchens—but in the kitchens of villagers, fishermen, farmers, and cultures most chefs have only read about.

Matt's journey has taken him from the volcanic slopes of Rwanda to riverbank fires in Vietnam, from hidden markets in Hong Kong to back-porch grills in the Caribbean and small island kitchens in Barbuda. He didn't travel to collect stories—he traveled to earn them.

Today, Matt is a leading voice in sustainability and conservation, using food as a platform for purpose. In this conversation, he shares how consumer choices shape global supply chains, why real sustainability requires truth—not marketing—and how partnering with the right suppliers can uplift communities and protect the environment.

We also dive into his journey from barely graduating high school in a small New Hampshire town to attending the Culinary Institute of America, often called the "Harvard of cooking schools," and becoming a globally respected culinary storyteller.

If you care about food, culture, leadership, conservation, or making an impact, this is a must-listen.



 

 Timestamps


00:00 – Welcome and Episode Themes


01:18 – Meet Chef Matt Beaudin: From Small Town to CIA


04:39 – Leadership and Culture in the Kitchen


05:31 – Partners, Not Purveyors: Food as a Conservation Platform


08:49 – The Reality of the Global Supply Chain (Ghana & Vietnam)


13:00 – Finding Purpose: SSA Group & Seafood Watch


17:14 – Simple Ways to Make an Impact


24:56 – The Power of Consumer Choice & Sense of Place


28:49 – Bluefin Tuna & Conservation Wins


32:00 – Final Takeaway



 

 About the Guest
Matt Beaudin is a globally recognized chef, culinary storyteller, and advocate for sustainability and conservation. His work bridges culture, food integrity, and environmental responsibility through partnerships with communities around the world.


 About the Host – Lyndsay Dowd is a Speaker, Founder, Author, Coach, Podcast Host—and unapologetic Disruptor. With 30 years of leadership experience, including 23 at IBM, she's built and led high-performing teams that consistently delivered results. She also served as a Guest Lecturer at Harvard University, sharing her insights on modern leadership and culture transformation. 



As the founder of Heartbeat for Hire, Lyndsay helps companies ditch toxic leadership and build irresistible cultures that drive performance, retention, and impact. She's been featured in Fortune Magazine, HR.com, ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, and over 100 podcasts. 



 

Lyndsay is a two-time best selling author of Top Down Culture and Voices of Women, and the host of the globally ranked and 2X awarded Heartbeat for Hire podcast—sitting in the top 2.5% worldwide. She is also the host of a weekly live show called THE LEADERSHIP LOUNGE. Lyndsay is a frequent speaker, moderator, and guest, known for her candor, humor, and ability to spark action.


 


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