Best Margin Maximizers Podcasts (2025)

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HR Strategies That Protect Your Bottom Line with Renee Henville 29:04

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1d ago29:04

29:04

In this episode, we’re joined by Renee Henville, Founder of Integrate Human Resourcing and Recruit Collective, to unpack the full employee life cycle - from recruitment to retention and everything in between. We explore how smart hiring, onboarding, development, and offboarding practices can reduce business risk, boost productivity, and ultimately …

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EXPEREINCE 230 | Talking Margins, Maximization, and Adventure with Moses Horner, Founder and Owner of Horner Painting 1:38:02

12d ago1:38:02

1:38:02

In this episode, I was joined by Moses Horner, the Founder and Owner of Horner Painting, as he celebrates their 25 years in business! Horner Painting is a market leader in both new construction and residential repaints, and Moses is also my landlord and a longtime LoCo Facilitator for a Builders chapter. We talked about Moses' special sauce in foun…

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EXPERIENCE 232 | Growing a Dream, Serving Community and Continuing a Family Legacy - Reed Miller, Owner of Northern Colorado Insurance Agency 1:56:29

13h ago1:56:29

1:56:29

In this episode of The LoCo Experience podcast, I sat down with Reed Miller, the owner of Northern Colorado Insurance Agency (NCIA) and a LoCo Think Tank member! Reed shared insights on the changing landscape of insurance, detailing how NCIA serves multiple areas for health insurance, including employee benefits, Medicare, and individual plans. We …

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How to Compete in Today’s Restaurant Market: Mark Politzer on Reinventing a Legacy Brand 32:43

3h ago32:43

32:43

What if the hardest part of change isn’t strategy—it’s psychology? Mark Politzer walked away from fine dining to lead Norms, a 76-year-old family-style chain deeply rooted in Southern California. Now he’s balancing evolution with preservation, trying to modernize a beloved brand without breaking what makes it work. In this episode, we talk about ho…

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Office Hours: Why Your Staff Can’t Sell & Why It’s Your Fault 8:55

18h ago8:55

8:55

I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I’ve spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter…

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Unveiling the Subsurface Network with 4M Analytics 32:54

4h ago32:54

32:54

In Giatec’s new episode of The Construction Revolution Podcast, we welcome Itzik Malka, Co-Founder and CEO of 4M Analytics, a company on a mission to map the underground world and prevent costly utility strikes. Itzik shares how 4M is using cutting-edge AI and geospatial data to create the world’s first comprehensive map of underground utilities—em…

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The Caterer Who Built a Creative Empire: Cooper Vaughan on Margin, Meaning, and the Power of Reinvention 39:19

2d ago39:19

39:19

Cooper Vaughan didn’t plan on being a caterer—he was trying not to be. But what started as a side gig in Lexington, Kentucky, turned into Apiary: one of the most creative and complex hospitality companies in the South. And the key to its success? Reinvention. From fine dining drop-offs during the pandemic to immersive, ticketed culinary experiences…

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EXPERIENCE 231 | Exploring Love of Business, Chilean Patagonia, and Strong Relationships with Brian and Mary McKnight, Owners of Turf Tamers Landscaping in Fort Collins 1:38:30

5d ago1:38:30

1:38:30

I had an enlightening conversation with Brian and Mary McKnight, the driving forces behind Turf Tamers Landscaping in Fort Collins. Brian shared how he acquired Turf Tamers, initially a tiny business, and grew it from the ground up starting with a few clients in 2001. Brian shared his background, and the drama in moving from “trendy” California to …

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3X Natl Champ Lauren Stephens 47:44

6d ago47:44

47:44

Lauren Stephens has been easy to spot in both Road and Gravel events; just look for the stars and stripes. She has won three US titles: two gravel and one road. Oh, but there's so much more to her career. How about more than 30 UCI road race victories? She has twice won the Joe Martin Stage Race, the Tour of the Gila and Unbound 100. Lauren has als…

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From Nightlife to High-End Dining: Jamey Shirah on Pivoting, Branding, and Building Revival Restaurant Group 39:35

8d ago39:35

39:35

Most people don’t make it out of nightlife. Jamey Shirah didn’t just make it out—he turned the lessons from late nights and crowded bars into a powerhouse hospitality group that’s redefining what Southern restaurants can be. As the founder of Revival Restaurant Group, Jamey shares how he navigated the leap from nightlife to high-end dining, what he…

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Office Hours: Marketing campaigns that are guaranteed to work 9:18

7d ago9:18

9:18

I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I’ve spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter…

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Scaling a Mission, Not Just a Menu: Dean Neff on Profitability, Purpose, and Leading with Story 33:57

9d ago33:57

33:57

Dean Neff didn’t set out to build the biggest seafood restaurant—he set out to build the most meaningful. At Seabird in Wilmington, North Carolina, Dean’s created a model where purpose isn’t a marketing angle—it’s the operating system. From sourcing to storytelling to team education, his restaurant is a case study in how to scale impact without sac…

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Who Gets to Be the Best? William Drew on Power, Politics, and the Future of Fine Dining 36:13

13d ago36:13

36:13

What if the most powerful list in restaurants isn’t about food—it’s about influence? William Drew runs the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, the ranking that can transform a chef’s life overnight. But behind the glitz is a story of politics, pressure, and purpose. In this episode, we go deep on how the list really works, who gets included, and what it r…

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Office Hours: Your Loyalty Program is your Sales Engine 7:27

14d ago7:27

7:27

I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I’ve spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter…

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Expense Policies That Actually Improve Profitability 25:31

16d ago25:31

25:31

In this episode, Karen and Soonah break down the hidden power of strong expense policies – not just as a compliance tool, but as a profit strategy. From rogue credit card spending to fuzzy approval flows, they share how tightening the reins on expenses can directly improve your margins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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Built on Purpose, Powered by Profit: Derrick Hayes’ Path from Gas Station to National Brand 37:29

18d ago37:29

37:29

Derrick Hayes didn’t open a restaurant—he made a promise. Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks started in a gas station as a tribute to his father. Today, it’s one of the fastest-growing restaurant brands in the country. But the road wasn’t easy. Derrick had the demand, the brand, the lines out the door—but not the systems. And without systems, profitability ne…

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EXPERIENCE 229 | The Power of Strong Relationships with Bob Hewson - CEO of Colorado Youth Outdoors 1:39:48

19d ago1:39:48

1:39:48

In this episode of The LoCo Experience podcast, I sat down with Bob Hewson, the CEO and co-founder of Colorado Youth Outdoors,which will celebrate its 25th year in 2026! We started by inquiring the why around the organization’s focus on building relationships through traditional outdoor activities like fishing, archery, and trapshooting. We talked …

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Why Slowing Down Built a Stronger Brand: John Paterson on Trust, Turnover, and Frankie’s Secret Sauce 38:58

23d ago38:58

38:58

John Paterson had every reason to chase growth. The hype was real. The demand was there. But instead of opening more restaurants, he doubled down on one—and built a brand that runs deep instead of wide. Raised inside family-run restaurants in Alabama, John’s path to ownership wasn’t fast—but it was intentional. And at Frankie’s in Nashville, that i…

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Why “Phase 0” is the secret to ERP success & the industries that truly benefit from SAP 32:56

21d ago32:56

32:56

We’re joined by Judith O’Callaghan from Global ERP Advisory to unpack the real story behind successful business transformations. From cross-stitching quirks to cutting through ERP chaos, Judith shares how “Phase 0” sets the foundation for everything that follows. Whether you're a CFO, advisor, or transformation lead, this episode is a must-listen. …

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Empowering Careers in Concrete with AI 40:05

23d ago40:05

40:05

In this episode of Building Better with AI mini-series, host Sarah McGuire is joined by Robert Litton, Director of Client Development at Concrete Careers, to explore the evolving labor landscape in the concrete industry, and the critical role technology plays in shaping its future. Together, they unpack how AI can help address workforce shortages, …

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From Unknown to Unstoppable: How Ivan Iricanin Made Balkan Cuisine Go Viral in America 33:20

23d ago33:20

33:20

What does it take to introduce an entire country to a cuisine they’ve never heard of—and scale it into a multi-million-dollar empire? Ivan Iricanin pulled it off with AMBAR, turning an obscure idea into one of the most successful and unique restaurant groups in the country. In today’s episode, Ivan breaks down how he created product-market fit wher…

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EXPERIENCE 228 | Start-Up Practice to Over 100 Employees in 4 years! - Julien Faure, Founder and Owner of Momentum Counseling and Consulting 1:32:40

26d ago1:32:40

1:32:40

In this episode of the LoCo Experience Podcast, I spoke with Julian Faure, the Founder and Owner of Momentum Counseling and Consulting. Julien is a member of Loco Think Tank's Next Level III chapter and has grown his company significantly, from a start-up solo practice in 2021 to over 100 employees in 13 offices in a few short years. One of the top…

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AJA #43: CRR/CDA and Hookless plus The Magnus Effect 1:00:05

28d ago1:00:05

1:00:05

We take a look at what has become a dilemma for some Marginal Gains seekers and that is optimizing aero, rolling resistance on a tubeless, hookless rim. Josh has an admittedly unpopular take on the subject. We also get into the aerodymanic idea known as the Magnus Effect. The principle says that a spinning object will develop unequal pressure on ei…

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The Book That Changes Everything: Gavin Kaysen on Legacy, Collaboration, and Scaling for Impact 36:58

27d ago36:58

36:58

Most chefs build restaurants. Gavin Kaysen built a legacy. With his Synergy Series book, Gavin captures years of mentorship, collaboration, and lessons from 25 of the country’s top chefs—all while scaling his own hospitality empire. In this episode, we explore how he turned six years of curated dinners into a blueprint for future generations, the p…

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Office Hours: Dominate Google without writing a single blog post 8:58

1M ago8:58

8:58

I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I’ve spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter…

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Forget the Hustle: Scott Crawford on Transparency, Boundaries, and Building a Healthier Restaurant Culture 34:43

1M ago34:43

34:43

Most chefs wear burnout as a badge of honor. Scott Crawford wears balance and transparency. After years of struggling with addiction, Scott made a radical shift—not just in his own life, but in how he runs his restaurants. From zero-tolerance harassment policies to no-shift-drinks rules, Scott’s approach flips the industry’s toxic culture on its he…

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EXPERIENCE 227 | Navigating Life & Business, Together - Mark & Kathy Rushing Share their Secrets to a Lasting Entrepreneurial Marriage. 1:48:55

1M ago1:48:55

1:48:55

In this episode of the Loco Experience podcast, I sat down with Mark Rushing and Kathy Rushing to discuss their entrepreneurial adventures and 45-year marriage. Mark is the Owner of Portable Restroom Solutions, while Kathy is the Founder of Loadstar Relationship Coaching. They share their journey from their college days at Texas A&M, and into their…

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Forget Loyalty—Build Fandom: Chris Smith on Growing Zunzibar with Simplicity, Purpose, and Relationships 34:43

1M ago34:43

34:43

Forget the loyalty programs and outdated marketing tricks. Chris Smith, CEO of Zunzibar, has a different approach—one that turns customers into fans, simplifies operations, and scales with soul. From flipping burgers in college to building a franchise model with a clear mission, Chris shares how focusing on simplicity, relationships, and purpose ha…

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Office Hours: Serving This Guest Will Scale Your Restaurant 8:12

1M ago8:12

8:12

I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I’ve spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter…

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Why Most Training Fails: Cassie Miller on Building 19 Brands That Retain Top Talent 37:07

1M ago37:07

37:07

Most restaurants throw new hires into the fire and hope they stick. Cassie Miller, VP of Training at Craveworthy Brands, has built a system that keeps them thriving. In this episode, she reveals why generic training is a recipe for churn, how to build real accountability into your culture, and the simple systems that scaled Craveworthy to 19 brands…

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EXPERIENCE 226 | Partners in Construction - Brothers in Life & Business & Faith - Chris & Patrick Elder and Austin Dodder of Elder Construction, Inc. 2:05:30

1M ago2:05:30

2:05:30

In this episode of the Loco Experience Podcast, I sat down with Chris Elder, Patrick Elder, and Austin Dodder, respectively the CEO, President, and COO - and Partners in Elder Construction, Inc. We start by delving into their roles at Elder Construction, along with their roots in Northern Colorado - and previous to that, Colorado Springs. Friends s…