Hospitality with Purpose

JWU Faculty Member Lou Pullano stops by the HwP Studios for a chat with Nick and Dean about his career trajectory, how he got into teaching and higher education, and weighs in on all the amazing opportunities the JWU students have as they begin to explore their careers. Lou has a great story highlighting how finding your passion is the first step toward success...from there it's understanding how to leverage that passion into a remarkable career!  Thanks for stopping by Coach...and stick around with the episode for a surprise winner of Foodie Fight!

COHM Alumni Michaela Ruffino of Landmark Educational Tours and Carolina Villela of Envoy Boston stopped by the HWP studios for a in-depth chat about what they have been up to since graduating from the COHM. Michaela founded and launched an awesome travel company despite a pandemic and Carolina found her way back to Hospitality and is now leading the sales and marketing efforts for one of the coolest hotels in Boston. Despite going in different directions both Michaela and Carolina discuss the importance of mentorship, exploration, and understanding of the complex industry we can hospitality. It was great catching up with both of them and please be on the lookout for more HwP Episodes coming soon!  Also, for more about the COHM, please follow-us on IG @JWUPVDHOSP and to check out Michaela & Carolina's companies search for @landmarkedutours & @envoyboston respectively. 

Director of Academic Programs for JWU's College of Professional Studies, Michael O'Malley, joines Nick and Dean in studio to share his origin story and highlight some of the goings on in online education. Michael is THE definition of the non-linear career path that is often connected to Hospitality professions. Joining the restaurant industry on a whim, Michael shares his journey that took him around the world as part of the restaurant industry and how those experiences have prepared him for his current role and for his future plans. This episode highlights the need for students to be open to opportunities and to really think about the value they can gain from a quality education. Stick around to the end where Nick, Dean, Lavin, and Michael all respond to listener questions and comments. Be sure to download all the episodes of Hospitality wherever you listen to podcasts and give the show a follow @NickandDeanPodcast on IG. 

Please, welcome to the show....CARSON KRESSLEY!!  Carson joins the Hospitable podcast live from Las Vegas, NV and talks all things hospitality. Literally, the human form of Hospitable, Carson shares with Nick and Dean how he got into show business, some of the fabulous adventures he has been on, and how the original Queer Eye for the Straight Guy was a groundbreaking moment for television and his career. Now, featured on RuPaul's Drag Race Carson is doing a little bit of everything from starring in shows to judging food on TV. He brings incredible perspective to the podcast and leaves us with the amazing take-away that being open to opportunities and sometimes saying "yes" can be the start to an amazing adventure!  HUGE thank you to Carson for joining us and can't wait to have him back someday!  For more episodes of Hospitable with Nick & Dean, check us out where you download your podcasts and follow on IG @nickanddeanpodcast.

Resident food safety expert and newly minted Grandma, Patty Bowman, stopped by for a chat with Dean and fill-in Co-Host Lavin about food safety. Patty dropped so much knowledge in her first visit we had to bring her back to talk about food safety issues in commercial situations highlighted by recent transgressions by Boars Head Meats and Chipotle. Patty also reviewed some common food safety issues around the home and kindly let Dean and Lav know all the things they were doing wrong when it comes to food management. She is the definition of a scholar of practice and Patty flexed that muscle by flipping the script and bringing her own game to the end of the show. This episode is packed with useful tips and information - be sure to listen to the end and check out all of the episodes of Hospitable w. Nick & Dean wherever you download your podcasts!

Jason Evans drops into the studio for part 3 of a 4 part series walking through his origin story, current roles as Dean of the College of Food Innovation & Technology (CFIT) and what the future could have in store. This episode is full of great leadership lessons and insights into what it means to be in charge. In addition to some great take-aways Dean literally falls out of his chair, Nick brings it with an epic soliloquy about what it means to be a Chef, and Lavin takes everyone to school during Foodie Fight! Be sure to listen to the first 2 episodes with Jason and be on the look out for one more interview coming soon. Follow @NickandDeanPodcast on IG and drop us any thoughts, feedback, or ideas for a future episode!

Nick and Dean are joined in studio by colleague, fellow Professor, and resident guru on the Hotel Industry, Katie Davin. Katie shares her experiences getting into the hotel business and then transitioning to Academia. In this rapid fire episode the crew chats about terminal degrees, advancements in the hotel industry, and the management structure of many of the larger hotels. The show wraps up with a spirited round of "who the HELL are you" where Katie is put to the test to answer the age old question, Vans or Hey Dudes? For this, and all the other episodes and previous seasons of Hospitable check us out wherever you download your podcasts. If you have a show suggestion or listener question, drop Nick and Dean a PM @NickandDeanPodcast on Instagram.

Nick, Dean, and show producer Bryan Lavin revisit Season 3 of Hospitable by recapping episodes and sharing their favorite moments. This episode explores the world of coffee, how much of a snob Lavin is, and ends with a spirited game of Foodie Fight....who will win, Lav or Mistretta? What was your favorite episode of Season 3? Drop us a note a NickandDeanPodcast@gmail.com or hit the show on IG @NickandDeanPodcast

Chef Ken is the leader of JWU's dining services and spearheaded a dining hall revolution over the summer on the Providence Campus. Nick & Dean kick off the season getting to know the man behind the plan focused on improving the dining experience for students across campus. In addition to getting the scoop on how the improvements went from idea to reality, the boys discuss proper usage of the term "Chef" and JWU's commitment to leveling up the food and beverage options for students...after all, food not only feeds the stomach, but it feeds the soul. Chef Ken may also spill the secret recipe for their famous pizza sauce...  This is the start of some great conversations with Chef Ken around innovations in the non-commercial food space. Thanks Chef!

Guy Hanuka, owner of Navad Bakers dropped into the studio to tell the story of his journey to owning one of the best bakeries in Rhode Island. In addition to bringing along babka that literally left Nick, Dean, and Bryan speechless, Guy shares his passion for baking along with an incredible entrepreneurial story that aligns the right place, at the right time, combined with an incredible amount of skill and desire. As the boys wrap up season 3, the show closes with a great game of Foodie Fight and a little preview of the summer plans for Nick and Dean. Thats a wrap on season 3 of Hospitable with Nick & Dean...and for real, get to Navad Bakers and enjoy some INCREDIBLE products sooner rather than later!