<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:psc="http://podlove.org/simple-chapters" xmlns:podcast="https://podcastindex.org/namespace/1.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[The Operator's Table]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>Welcome to The Operator’s Table—a conversation series for founders and operators in food, beverage, and logistics who care about results over buzzwords. Each episode, host Cris Morgado pulls up a chair with industry leaders to explore the moments that shaped them (Backstory &amp; Mentors), the playbooks they use today (What’s Working vs. Friction), and current  realities  (Shifts, channels, and tech). </p><p></p><p>We keep it operator-first, practical, and human: quick wins that last and “from-the-floor” lessons you won’t find in pitch decks. </p><p></p><p>You’ll also hear a fast Lightning Round  with questions like what is your favourite book or podacst to recommend to other operators. </p><p></p><p>Whether you’re scaling a CPG brand, running a restaurant group, or solving last-mile headaches, you’ll get clear ideas you can put to work tomorrow—and the inspiration to keep going. Subscribe and share with someone who loves real stories from real operators.</p><p></p><p>The Operator’s Table—where we meet the people who keep business moving. </p>]]></description><link>www.scalematic.ai</link><generator>Riverside.fm (https://riverside.com)</generator><lastBuildDate>Sat, 01 Aug 2026 09:47:48 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://api.riverside.com/hosting/5yP5lEFT.rss" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><author><![CDATA[Cris Morgado]]></author><pubDate>Thu, 30 Oct 2025 18:32:13 GMT</pubDate><copyright><![CDATA[2025 Cris Morgado]]></copyright><language><![CDATA[en]]></language><ttl>60</ttl><category><![CDATA[Business]]></category><category><![CDATA[Entrepreneurship]]></category><itunes:author>Cris Morgado</itunes:author><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;Welcome to The Operator’s Table—a conversation series for founders and operators in food, beverage, and logistics who care about results over buzzwords. Each episode, host Cris Morgado pulls up a chair with industry leaders to explore the moments that shaped them (Backstory &amp;amp; Mentors), the playbooks they use today (What’s Working vs. Friction), and current  realities  (Shifts, channels, and tech). &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We keep it operator-first, practical, and human: quick wins that last and “from-the-floor” lessons you won’t find in pitch decks. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You’ll also hear a fast Lightning Round  with questions like what is your favourite book or podacst to recommend to other operators. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Whether you’re scaling a CPG brand, running a restaurant group, or solving last-mile headaches, you’ll get clear ideas you can put to work tomorrow—and the inspiration to keep going. Subscribe and share with someone who loves real stories from real operators.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The Operator’s Table—where we meet the people who keep business moving. &lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type><itunes:owner><itunes:name>Cris Morgado</itunes:name><itunes:email>cris.m.morgado@gmail.com</itunes:email></itunes:owner><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:category text="Business"><itunes:category text="Entrepreneurship"/></itunes:category><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/fd0830e1-a20d-44fa-8fe1-c71f4bd62887/logos/da66fed1-088f-44b1-865e-2a918bde18cc.png"/><item><title><![CDATA[French Whisky, Costa Rica Rum & Growth w/ Pierre Bardinet | Les Bienheureux]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>French whisky, Costa Rican single-estate rum, and a French house betting big on the US market. <br /><br />In this episode of <i>The Operator’s Table</i>, host <b>Cris Morgado</b> sits down with <b>Pierre Bardinet</b>, Technical Director &amp; US Export Manager at <b>Les Bienheureux</b> — the team behind <b>Bellevoye French whisky</b> and rums like <b>El Pasador de Oro</b> and <b>Embargo</b> — to unpack how they’re redefining what French-made spirits can be while gearing up for a major 2026 US launch.<br /></p><p>Pierre shares his family roots in wine and rum, the early lessons from scaling a distillery 10× while <i>improving</i> quality, and why blind tasting is the company’s non-negotiable for every new product. <br /><br />They dive into the big shifts in <b>whisky and rum trends</b> (premiumisation vs “de-premiumisation,” new world whiskies, traceability in rum, low/no-alcohol), and how Les Bienheureux is using <b>French credibility plus Costa Rican terroir</b> to stand out in crowded categories.<br /></p><p>From there, the conversation moves into the operator seat:<br /></p><ul><li>How they position <b>French whisky</b> in markets dominated by Scotch &amp; American whiskey</li><li>Why <b>single-estate Costa Rican rum</b> and transparency are central to their growth story</li><li>Where <b>AI, automation and data</b> could transform sales reporting, forecasting and content at scale</li><li>What makes an ideal <b>importer / distributor partner</b> and how they systemise finding them</li><li>The KPIs and headlines Pierre wants to celebrate in 2026 as they launch in the US<br /></li></ul><p>In the final stretch, Pierre shares what keeps him grounded — daily bike rides along the Hudson, a strong value-driven team culture at Les Bienheureux — plus:<br /></p><ul><li>A long-form biography of <b>Napoleon</b> as a surprising leadership playbook</li><li>His golden nugget for anyone building a career in spirits: never lose sight of the consumer, and never trade your values for short-term wins</li><li>Why bringing “good products to good people” is the simple why behind his work<br /></li></ul><p>If you’re into <b>premium spirits, export strategy, distributors, </b>this episode is packed with operator-level insight.</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">367e0656-fa99-4742-a9c8-8d29f839e4cd</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Cris Morgado]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 27 Nov 2025 23:52:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/2cb86dd432414dbae2b44f3e83f6457a989b2018191134a75a321593abb12fdf/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIzNjdlMDY1Ni1mYTk5LTQ3NDItYTljOC04ZDI5ZjgzOWU0Y2QiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJmZDA4MzBlMS1hMjBkLTQ0ZmEtOGZlMS1jNzFmNGJkNjI4ODciLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OGU2ZGRkY2VjZmE2NTQ3OGM5OGFhNTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjkyODZhODBkZjM4OWI3M2FlNDI4MmZmL2NyaXMtbW9yZ2Fkb3Mtc3R1ZGlvLWNvbXBvc2VyLTIwMjUtMTEtMjdfXzE2LTEzLTQubXAzIn0=.mp3" length="40495717" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;French whisky, Costa Rican single-estate rum, and a French house betting big on the US market. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In this episode of &lt;i&gt;The Operator’s Table&lt;/i&gt;, host &lt;b&gt;Cris Morgado&lt;/b&gt; sits down with &lt;b&gt;Pierre Bardinet&lt;/b&gt;, Technical Director &amp;amp; US Export Manager at &lt;b&gt;Les Bienheureux&lt;/b&gt; — the team behind &lt;b&gt;Bellevoye French whisky&lt;/b&gt; and rums like &lt;b&gt;El Pasador de Oro&lt;/b&gt; and &lt;b&gt;Embargo&lt;/b&gt; — to unpack how they’re redefining what French-made spirits can be while gearing up for a major 2026 US launch.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Pierre shares his family roots in wine and rum, the early lessons from scaling a distillery 10× while &lt;i&gt;improving&lt;/i&gt; quality, and why blind tasting is the company’s non-negotiable for every new product. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;They dive into the big shifts in &lt;b&gt;whisky and rum trends&lt;/b&gt; (premiumisation vs “de-premiumisation,” new world whiskies, traceability in rum, low/no-alcohol), and how Les Bienheureux is using &lt;b&gt;French credibility plus Costa Rican terroir&lt;/b&gt; to stand out in crowded categories.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From there, the conversation moves into the operator seat:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;How they position &lt;b&gt;French whisky&lt;/b&gt; in markets dominated by Scotch &amp;amp; American whiskey&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why &lt;b&gt;single-estate Costa Rican rum&lt;/b&gt; and transparency are central to their growth story&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Where &lt;b&gt;AI, automation and data&lt;/b&gt; could transform sales reporting, forecasting and content at scale&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;What makes an ideal &lt;b&gt;importer / distributor partner&lt;/b&gt; and how they systemise finding them&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The KPIs and headlines Pierre wants to celebrate in 2026 as they launch in the US&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;In the final stretch, Pierre shares what keeps him grounded — daily bike rides along the Hudson, a strong value-driven team culture at Les Bienheureux — plus:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;A long-form biography of &lt;b&gt;Napoleon&lt;/b&gt; as a surprising leadership playbook&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;His golden nugget for anyone building a career in spirits: never lose sight of the consumer, and never trade your values for short-term wins&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why bringing “good products to good people” is the simple why behind his work&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’re into &lt;b&gt;premium spirits, export strategy, distributors, &lt;/b&gt;this episode is packed with operator-level insight.&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:46:29</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/fd0830e1-a20d-44fa-8fe1-c71f4bd62887/logos/da66fed1-088f-44b1-865e-2a918bde18cc.png"/><itunes:title>French Whisky, Costa Rica Rum &amp; Growth w/ Pierre Bardinet | Les Bienheureux</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Scaling Wrap City Sandwich Company: Jason Lyon on Franchising, Systems & Hospitality]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>What does it take to turn a beloved local wrap shop into a scalable, franchise-ready brand—without losing its soul?<br /></p><p>In this episode of <b>The Operator’s Table</b>, Cris Morgado sits down with <b>Jason Lyon</b>, Chief Operating Officer at <b>Wrap City Sandwich Company</b>, to unpack how he’s taking a New England favorite from 15 locations to a 50-location vision—with systems, culture, and guest experience at the core.<br /></p><p>Jason shares how he went from <b>14-year-old dishwasher</b> to COO, the lessons he still uses from iconic New England restaurant groups, and why <b>culture and hospitality</b> are the real growth engine behind any restaurant brand.<br /></p><p>You’ll hear about:</p><ul><li>How Wrap City is preparing to scale from local favorite to <b>franchise-ready QSR/fast casual brand</b></li><li>The power of a <b>frictionless loyalty program</b> that guests actually use</li><li>How their <b>potato chip CPG brand</b> drives awareness for the restaurants</li><li>Omni-channel marketing across <b>social, CTV, DTC and retail</b></li><li>Jason’s <b>gratitude practice</b>, leadership routines, and advice for new operators</li><li>The one book he still recommends: <i>The One Minute Manager</i> by Ken Blanchard</li><li>What he’d tell his <b>18-year-old self</b> about hard work, hours, and “no silver bullets”<br /></li></ul><p>If you’re in <b>restaurants, QSR, franchising, or CPG</b>, this conversation is packed with practical insights on systems, people, and growth.</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">c37dfbd7-c6f0-4e88-b271-ba0a6a9adf78</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Cris Morgado]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 27 Nov 2025 23:47:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/6264de67e4646a2f42368d873fd002ba69a229c2b63f81ac2ffddf2ab24af253/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJjMzdkZmJkNy1jNmYwLTRlODgtYjI3MS1iYTBhNmE5YWRmNzgiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJmZDA4MzBlMS1hMjBkLTQ0ZmEtOGZlMS1jNzFmNGJkNjI4ODciLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OGU2ZGRkY2VjZmE2NTQ3OGM5OGFhNTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjkyOGRmNDhiZDAyYzIzNTk5MzEwZmE0L2NyaXMtbW9yZ2Fkb3Mtc3R1ZGlvLWNvbXBvc2VyLTIwMjUtMTEtMjhfXzAtMzEtMjAubXAzIn0=.mp3" length="30193177" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;What does it take to turn a beloved local wrap shop into a scalable, franchise-ready brand—without losing its soul?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;b&gt;The Operator’s Table&lt;/b&gt;, Cris Morgado sits down with &lt;b&gt;Jason Lyon&lt;/b&gt;, Chief Operating Officer at &lt;b&gt;Wrap City Sandwich Company&lt;/b&gt;, to unpack how he’s taking a New England favorite from 15 locations to a 50-location vision—with systems, culture, and guest experience at the core.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Jason shares how he went from &lt;b&gt;14-year-old dishwasher&lt;/b&gt; to COO, the lessons he still uses from iconic New England restaurant groups, and why &lt;b&gt;culture and hospitality&lt;/b&gt; are the real growth engine behind any restaurant brand.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You’ll hear about:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;How Wrap City is preparing to scale from local favorite to &lt;b&gt;franchise-ready QSR/fast casual brand&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The power of a &lt;b&gt;frictionless loyalty program&lt;/b&gt; that guests actually use&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How their &lt;b&gt;potato chip CPG brand&lt;/b&gt; drives awareness for the restaurants&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Omni-channel marketing across &lt;b&gt;social, CTV, DTC and retail&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Jason’s &lt;b&gt;gratitude practice&lt;/b&gt;, leadership routines, and advice for new operators&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The one book he still recommends: &lt;i&gt;The One Minute Manager&lt;/i&gt; by Ken Blanchard&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;What he’d tell his &lt;b&gt;18-year-old self&lt;/b&gt; about hard work, hours, and “no silver bullets”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’re in &lt;b&gt;restaurants, QSR, franchising, or CPG&lt;/b&gt;, this conversation is packed with practical insights on systems, people, and growth.&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:34:23</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/fd0830e1-a20d-44fa-8fe1-c71f4bd62887/logos/da66fed1-088f-44b1-865e-2a918bde18cc.png"/><itunes:title>Scaling Wrap City Sandwich Company: Jason Lyon on Franchising, Systems &amp; Hospitality</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Scaling CPG Brands Without Burning Out | Andy Harrow (Second Seat Partners)]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>Veteran CPG operator <b>Andy Horrow</b>, founder of <b>Second Seat Partners</b>, joins <b>Cris Morgado</b> on <i>The Operator’s Table</i> to break down how early-stage and emerging <b>CPG, food &amp; beverage brands</b> can scale <i>sustainably</i>—without grinding themselves into the ground.</p><p></p><p>In this episode, Andy shares lessons from years inside <b>PepsiCo/Gatorade</b>, protein and beverage startups, and now as a “second seat” operator helping founders with <b>go-to-market, retail velocity and profitable growth</b>.</p><p></p><p>You’ll hear Andy’s take on:</p><p></p><ul><li>His shift from big corporate roles to launching <b>Second Seat Partners</b></li><li>The “co-pilot / wingman” model and the kind of founders he can help the most</li><li>Why most brands <i>aren’t</i> ready for Walmart or Costco (and what to prove first)</li><li>How to think about <b>cash, margins, COGS and marketing spend</b> without sinking the business</li><li>Building distribution in <b>alcohol &amp; beverage</b> through the three-tier system and deep distributor relationships</li><li>Growing in <b>concentric circles</b> instead of chasing national scale too early</li><li>The mindset behind his Substack, <b>“Less Grind, More Joy”</b>, and why joy, walking and reflection matter just as much as strategy and KPIs</li><li>How community, friendships and a strong “second seat” network keep you going when entrepreneurship gets tough<br /></li></ul><p>If you’re a <b>CPG founder, food &amp; beverage operator, or challenger brand</b> trying to scale smart—while still having a life—this conversation is for you.</p><hr /><p><b>Connect with Andy</b><br />🔹 Website: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://secondseatpartners.com" target="_blank">secondseatpartners.com</a><br />🔹 Substack: “Less Grind, More Joy” (search on Substack)<br />🔹 LinkedIn: Andy Harrow</p><hr /><p>If you enjoyed this episode, follow <b>The Operator’s Table</b>, share it with a founder friend, and leave a comment with your biggest takeaway from Andy’s journey.</p><hr /><p>#CPG #SecondSeatPartners #AndyHarrow #CrisMorgado #FoodAndBeverage #GoToMarket #RetailVelocity #CPGConsulting #EntrepreneurLife #LessGrindMoreJoy</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">5dc82c4c-d907-4a90-b786-f7f32d8edf4e</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Cris Morgado]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 18 Nov 2025 22:48:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/3ac68b947a88fdc757d2dc6500da4c87e43c6e31985697b2de22e688786ba472/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI1ZGM4MmM0Yy1kOTA3LTRhOTAtYjc4Ni1mN2YzMmQ4ZWRmNGUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJmZDA4MzBlMS1hMjBkLTQ0ZmEtOGZlMS1jNzFmNGJkNjI4ODciLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OGU2ZGRkY2VjZmE2NTQ3OGM5OGFhNTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjkxN2M0MDcxNGM1NTdjOWUwM2U1NjhhL2NyaXMtbW9yZ2Fkb3Mtc3R1ZGlvLWNvbXBvc2VyLTIwMjUtMTEtMTVfXzEtNi0zMS5tcDMifQ==.mp3" length="26410169" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;Veteran CPG operator &lt;b&gt;Andy Horrow&lt;/b&gt;, founder of &lt;b&gt;Second Seat Partners&lt;/b&gt;, joins &lt;b&gt;Cris Morgado&lt;/b&gt; on &lt;i&gt;The Operator’s Table&lt;/i&gt; to break down how early-stage and emerging &lt;b&gt;CPG, food &amp;amp; beverage brands&lt;/b&gt; can scale &lt;i&gt;sustainably&lt;/i&gt;—without grinding themselves into the ground.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Andy shares lessons from years inside &lt;b&gt;PepsiCo/Gatorade&lt;/b&gt;, protein and beverage startups, and now as a “second seat” operator helping founders with &lt;b&gt;go-to-market, retail velocity and profitable growth&lt;/b&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You’ll hear Andy’s take on:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;His shift from big corporate roles to launching &lt;b&gt;Second Seat Partners&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The “co-pilot / wingman” model and the kind of founders he can help the most&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why most brands &lt;i&gt;aren’t&lt;/i&gt; ready for Walmart or Costco (and what to prove first)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How to think about &lt;b&gt;cash, margins, COGS and marketing spend&lt;/b&gt; without sinking the business&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Building distribution in &lt;b&gt;alcohol &amp;amp; beverage&lt;/b&gt; through the three-tier system and deep distributor relationships&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Growing in &lt;b&gt;concentric circles&lt;/b&gt; instead of chasing national scale too early&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The mindset behind his Substack, &lt;b&gt;“Less Grind, More Joy”&lt;/b&gt;, and why joy, walking and reflection matter just as much as strategy and KPIs&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How community, friendships and a strong “second seat” network keep you going when entrepreneurship gets tough&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’re a &lt;b&gt;CPG founder, food &amp;amp; beverage operator, or challenger brand&lt;/b&gt; trying to scale smart—while still having a life—this conversation is for you.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;hr /&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Connect with Andy&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;🔹 Website: &lt;a rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer nofollow&quot; href=&quot;http://secondseatpartners.com&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;secondseatpartners.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;🔹 Substack: “Less Grind, More Joy” (search on Substack)&lt;br /&gt;🔹 LinkedIn: Andy Harrow&lt;/p&gt;&lt;hr /&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you enjoyed this episode, follow &lt;b&gt;The Operator’s Table&lt;/b&gt;, share it with a founder friend, and leave a comment with your biggest takeaway from Andy’s journey.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;hr /&gt;&lt;p&gt;#CPG #SecondSeatPartners #AndyHarrow #CrisMorgado #FoodAndBeverage #GoToMarket #RetailVelocity #CPGConsulting #EntrepreneurLife #LessGrindMoreJoy&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:34:45</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/fd0830e1-a20d-44fa-8fe1-c71f4bd62887/logos/da66fed1-088f-44b1-865e-2a918bde18cc.png"/><itunes:title>Scaling CPG Brands Without Burning Out | Andy Harrow (Second Seat Partners)</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Desmond Clark: From NFL Tight End to Logistics Leader with a Winning Mindset]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>Former Chicago Bears tight end <b>Desmond Clark</b> sits down at <b>The Operator’s Table</b> with host <b>Cris Morgado</b> to unpack how he went from the NFL to building <b>Bear Down Logistics</b> into a fast-growing freight brokerage.</p><p></p><p>In this episode, Desmond shares his philosophy that <i>“every obstacle is an opportunity”</i>—and how that mindset powers his journey as a founder, leader and coach.</p><p></p><p>You’ll hear us dive into:</p><p></p><ul><li>How Desmond’s NFL career shaped his <b>leadership, resilience and mindset</b></li><li>The early business failures that taught him to <b>bet on himself</b></li><li>Growing Bear Down Logistics with <b>heavy haul</b>, niche expertise and SEO-driven lead gen</li><li>Fighting <b>double-brokering and fraud</b> in freight and protecting cash flow</li><li>Why <b>people, systems and marketing</b> all matter—and which one he’d invest in first</li><li>The role of faith, the <b>Bible</b> and “1% better every day” in his personal operating system</li><li>Culture as <i>“who we are inside the virtual walls”</i> at Bear Down Logistics</li><li>Where Desmond sees the next big opportunities in freight &amp; logistics</li><li></li></ul><p>If you’re an operator, broker, or founder in logistics (or just love real talk on growth, mindset and leadership), this one’s for you.</p><p></p><p>🔔 <b>Subscribe</b> to The Operator’s Table for more conversations with the people who keep business moving.</p><p><br />👍 Like, comment and share this episode with someone who needs a mindset boost today.</p><p></p><p>#DesmondClark #BearDownLogistics #LogisticsPodcast #FreightBroker #EntrepreneurMindset</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">cb4ac133-c725-45ef-9e90-781b89043935</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Cris Morgado]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 17 Nov 2025 19:39:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/f227c59021aa1cd8172cde8704e66dedad402cc6b99fa820a619e1a3e7ebf29e/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJjYjRhYzEzMy1jNzI1LTQ1ZWYtOWU5MC03ODFiODkwNDM5MzUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJmZDA4MzBlMS1hMjBkLTQ0ZmEtOGZlMS1jNzFmNGJkNjI4ODciLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OGU2ZGRkY2VjZmE2NTQ3OGM5OGFhNTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjkxN2QyY2UwNTQzY2EzNDMyYzg2NWI2L2NyaXMtbW9yZ2Fkb3Mtc3R1ZGlvLWNvbXBvc2VyLTIwMjUtMTEtMTVfXzItOS0zNC5tcDMifQ==.mp3" length="38777691" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;Former Chicago Bears tight end &lt;b&gt;Desmond Clark&lt;/b&gt; sits down at &lt;b&gt;The Operator’s Table&lt;/b&gt; with host &lt;b&gt;Cris Morgado&lt;/b&gt; to unpack how he went from the NFL to building &lt;b&gt;Bear Down Logistics&lt;/b&gt; into a fast-growing freight brokerage.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Desmond shares his philosophy that &lt;i&gt;“every obstacle is an opportunity”&lt;/i&gt;—and how that mindset powers his journey as a founder, leader and coach.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You’ll hear us dive into:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;How Desmond’s NFL career shaped his &lt;b&gt;leadership, resilience and mindset&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The early business failures that taught him to &lt;b&gt;bet on himself&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Growing Bear Down Logistics with &lt;b&gt;heavy haul&lt;/b&gt;, niche expertise and SEO-driven lead gen&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Fighting &lt;b&gt;double-brokering and fraud&lt;/b&gt; in freight and protecting cash flow&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why &lt;b&gt;people, systems and marketing&lt;/b&gt; all matter—and which one he’d invest in first&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The role of faith, the &lt;b&gt;Bible&lt;/b&gt; and “1% better every day” in his personal operating system&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Culture as &lt;i&gt;“who we are inside the virtual walls”&lt;/i&gt; at Bear Down Logistics&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Where Desmond sees the next big opportunities in freight &amp;amp; logistics&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’re an operator, broker, or founder in logistics (or just love real talk on growth, mindset and leadership), this one’s for you.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;🔔 &lt;b&gt;Subscribe&lt;/b&gt; to The Operator’s Table for more conversations with the people who keep business moving.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;👍 Like, comment and share this episode with someone who needs a mindset boost today.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;#DesmondClark #BearDownLogistics #LogisticsPodcast #FreightBroker #EntrepreneurMindset&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:46:22</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/fd0830e1-a20d-44fa-8fe1-c71f4bd62887/logos/da66fed1-088f-44b1-865e-2a918bde18cc.png"/><itunes:title>Desmond Clark: From NFL Tight End to Logistics Leader with a Winning Mindset</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Building a Business Core: Insights from Sixpack CEO Ron Dichter]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>Host <b>Cris Morgado</b> sits down with <b>Ron Eliot Dichter</b>, founder &amp; CEO of <b>Sixpack</b>, an all-in-one business and payments platform that helps real-world operators <b>run, sell, and get paid</b>—online and in person.<br /></p><p>In this episode, Ron shares:<br /></p><ul><li>His <b>30+ year entrepreneurial journey</b> and first internet business in college</li><li>Why he built Sixpack as a <b>single core system</b> instead of stacking third-party tools</li><li>What’s <b>working vs. causing friction</b> as he scales a lean 9-person SaaS team</li><li>How he thinks about <b>ideal customer profile, metrics, and distribution</b> without paid ads</li><li>Where he’d invest first: <b>people, systems, or marketing</b><br /></li></ul><p>Stick around to the end to hear Ron’s <b>4 a.m. fitness routine</b>, how he operates <b>without caffeine</b>, and the <b>beet-juice + smoothie combo</b> that powers his days.<br /></p><p>👉 If you’re a <b>SaaS founder, gym or martial arts studio owner, or service operator</b> trying to simplify your tech stack, this episode is for you.</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">fa35408a-7d37-4bae-8062-2bd4818913cb</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Cris Morgado]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 14 Nov 2025 21:51:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/833aa7ad91352552571b8d25527ebfd0c6b7a05843b1c649c884ecc5b03f4a97/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJmYTM1NDA4YS03ZDM3LTRiYWUtODA2Mi0yYmQ0ODE4OTEzY2IiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJmZDA4MzBlMS1hMjBkLTQ0ZmEtOGZlMS1jNzFmNGJkNjI4ODciLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OGU2ZGRkY2VjZmE2NTQ3OGM5OGFhNTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjkxN2EyZjMyM2QzMDFlOWI4ODE2NjBmL2NyaXMtbW9yZ2Fkb3Mtc3R1ZGlvLWNvbXBvc2VyLTIwMjUtMTEtMTRfXzIyLTQ1LTIzLm1wMyJ9.mp3" length="37308796" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;Host &lt;b&gt;Cris Morgado&lt;/b&gt; sits down with &lt;b&gt;Ron Eliot Dichter&lt;/b&gt;, founder &amp;amp; CEO of &lt;b&gt;Sixpack&lt;/b&gt;, an all-in-one business and payments platform that helps real-world operators &lt;b&gt;run, sell, and get paid&lt;/b&gt;—online and in person.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Ron shares:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;His &lt;b&gt;30+ year entrepreneurial journey&lt;/b&gt; and first internet business in college&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why he built Sixpack as a &lt;b&gt;single core system&lt;/b&gt; instead of stacking third-party tools&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;What’s &lt;b&gt;working vs. causing friction&lt;/b&gt; as he scales a lean 9-person SaaS team&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How he thinks about &lt;b&gt;ideal customer profile, metrics, and distribution&lt;/b&gt; without paid ads&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Where he’d invest first: &lt;b&gt;people, systems, or marketing&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Stick around to the end to hear Ron’s &lt;b&gt;4 a.m. fitness routine&lt;/b&gt;, how he operates &lt;b&gt;without caffeine&lt;/b&gt;, and the &lt;b&gt;beet-juice + smoothie combo&lt;/b&gt; that powers his days.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;👉 If you’re a &lt;b&gt;SaaS founder, gym or martial arts studio owner, or service operator&lt;/b&gt; trying to simplify your tech stack, this episode is for you.&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:43:14</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/fd0830e1-a20d-44fa-8fe1-c71f4bd62887/logos/da66fed1-088f-44b1-865e-2a918bde18cc.png"/><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:title>Building a Business Core: Insights from Sixpack CEO Ron Dichter</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[From IT to Distillery: Jason Greenwood's Journey to 47 Medals]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>Join us at the Operators' Table with Cris Morgado as we dive into the inspiring journey of Jason Greenwood, co-owner and head distiller at Divine Distilleries. Discover how Jason transitioned from global SAP operations to crafting award-winning spirits, earning just shy of 50 international medals along the way. Learn about the challenges of distribution, the importance of local partnerships, and the passion that drives this family-run business. Don't miss this engaging conversation filled with insights on entrepreneurship, resilience, and the art of distillation. #Distillery #Entrepreneurship #CraftSpirits</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">d8dad2c8-6c5e-4c1b-838e-fe2839716a3c</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Cris Morgado]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 14 Nov 2025 20:49:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/e12d20d18506d72aae2f692226f099c733eb6fcae5f8bcb898689818cf003e75/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJkOGRhZDJjOC02YzVlLTRjMWItODM4ZS1mZTI4Mzk3MTZhM2MiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJmZDA4MzBlMS1hMjBkLTQ0ZmEtOGZlMS1jNzFmNGJkNjI4ODciLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OGU2ZGRkY2VjZmE2NTQ3OGM5OGFhNTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjkxNzk0ZGRlMWQ3M2Q4NjQ4ZGM2MWI5L2NyaXMtbW9yZ2Fkb3Mtc3R1ZGlvLWNvbXBvc2VyLTIwMjUtMTEtMTRfXzIxLTQ1LTE3Lm1wMyJ9.mp3" length="27617773" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;Join us at the Operators&apos; Table with Cris Morgado as we dive into the inspiring journey of Jason Greenwood, co-owner and head distiller at Divine Distilleries. Discover how Jason transitioned from global SAP operations to crafting award-winning spirits, earning just shy of 50 international medals along the way. Learn about the challenges of distribution, the importance of local partnerships, and the passion that drives this family-run business. Don&apos;t miss this engaging conversation filled with insights on entrepreneurship, resilience, and the art of distillation. #Distillery #Entrepreneurship #CraftSpirits&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:37:55</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/fd0830e1-a20d-44fa-8fe1-c71f4bd62887/logos/da66fed1-088f-44b1-865e-2a918bde18cc.png"/><itunes:title>From IT to Distillery: Jason Greenwood&apos;s Journey to 47 Medals</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[From Musician to Salsa Entrepreneur: Carlos Parisi's Detroit Success Story]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>Join Cris Morgado on The Operator’s Table as he sits down with Carlos Parisi, a key figure in Detroit's food scene and owner of Ant Nee's Prepared Foods. Discover Carlos's journey from musician to food entrepreneur, his insights on community-driven business, and the challenges of distribution in the food industry. This episode offers a deep dive into the realities of running a food business, the importance of local markets, and the power of authenticity and community. Subscribe for more inspiring stories from real operators.</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">13808b89-b224-4913-a3c5-7b8e2a581d27</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Cris Morgado]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 10 Nov 2025 23:36:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/42880123b557d225f54b8429b281581b6e238983f34fd21139a65b9ec7acef47/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIxMzgwOGI4OS1iMjI0LTQ5MTMtYTNjNS03YjhlMmE1ODFkMjciLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJmZDA4MzBlMS1hMjBkLTQ0ZmEtOGZlMS1jNzFmNGJkNjI4ODciLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OGU2ZGRkY2VjZmE2NTQ3OGM5OGFhNTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjkxMjcwMGRlOTYyODJmMzI5YTMzNzQ4L2NyaXMtbW9yZ2Fkb3Mtc3R1ZGlvLWNvbXBvc2VyLTIwMjUtMTEtMTFfXzAtNi01My5tcDMifQ==.mp3" length="22552102" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;Join Cris Morgado on The Operator’s Table as he sits down with Carlos Parisi, a key figure in Detroit&apos;s food scene and owner of Ant Nee&apos;s Prepared Foods. Discover Carlos&apos;s journey from musician to food entrepreneur, his insights on community-driven business, and the challenges of distribution in the food industry. This episode offers a deep dive into the realities of running a food business, the importance of local markets, and the power of authenticity and community. Subscribe for more inspiring stories from real operators.&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:31:57</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/fd0830e1-a20d-44fa-8fe1-c71f4bd62887/logos/da66fed1-088f-44b1-865e-2a918bde18cc.png"/><itunes:title>From Musician to Salsa Entrepreneur: Carlos Parisi&apos;s Detroit Success Story</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Entrepreneurial Insights: Tom Valentine's Guide to Logistics Success]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of the Operator's Table, Cris Morgado sits down with Tom Valentine of Valentine Solutions to explore the journey of entrepreneurship and the intricacies of logistics. Tom shares his insights on building a successful business, the importance of integrity, and how Valentine Solutions is transforming supply chain management. Discover how trust and innovation drive their approach to solving complex logistics challenges. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business leader, this conversation is packed with valuable lessons and inspiration.</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">9de4ad09-9169-42f7-bf50-92a9e77ef983</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Cris Morgado]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 09 Nov 2025 15:06:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/5a558f08ba33aeca80501b1260c1fd7844f6622363547e90df3ae275a236255c/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI5ZGU0YWQwOS05MTY5LTQyZjctYmY1MC05MmE5ZTc3ZWY5ODMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJmZDA4MzBlMS1hMjBkLTQ0ZmEtOGZlMS1jNzFmNGJkNjI4ODciLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OGU2ZGRkY2VjZmE2NTQ3OGM5OGFhNTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjkwZjQ5MTcwNTI3ZjBhOWUzMWRkODhhL2NyaXMtbW9yZ2Fkb3Mtc3R1ZGlvLWNvbXBvc2VyLTIwMjUtMTEtOF9fMTQtNDMtNTEubXAzIn0=.mp3" length="28795236" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of the Operator&apos;s Table, Cris Morgado sits down with Tom Valentine of Valentine Solutions to explore the journey of entrepreneurship and the intricacies of logistics. Tom shares his insights on building a successful business, the importance of integrity, and how Valentine Solutions is transforming supply chain management. Discover how trust and innovation drive their approach to solving complex logistics challenges. Whether you&apos;re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business leader, this conversation is packed with valuable lessons and inspiration.&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:40:59</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/fd0830e1-a20d-44fa-8fe1-c71f4bd62887/logos/da66fed1-088f-44b1-865e-2a918bde18cc.png"/><itunes:title>Entrepreneurial Insights: Tom Valentine&apos;s Guide to Logistics Success</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reena Milani: Elevating Hospitality Through Brand Excellence]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>Join Cris Morgado as he engages with Reena Milani, Chief Growth Officer at Empyrean Hospitality Group, to delve into the nuances of brand building, fostering customer loyalty, and crafting unforgettable dining experiences. Discover how Reena's transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship is redefining the hospitality industry.</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">acc4d6be-38af-4e10-b4e9-2aba2055059b</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Cris Morgado]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 02 Nov 2025 13:28:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/e15a33a6e04bb710d2cacc4d00ada32035458086c039050bbe4cf140d65ee167/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJhY2M0ZDZiZS0zOGFmLTRlMTAtYjRlOS0yYWJhMjA1NTA1OWIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJmZDA4MzBlMS1hMjBkLTQ0ZmEtOGZlMS1jNzFmNGJkNjI4ODciLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OGU2ZGRkY2VjZmE2NTQ3OGM5OGFhNTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjkwM2U2MWU4MzkwNTJjMWVlYTY1NDNiL2NyaXMtbW9yZ2Fkb3Mtc3R1ZGlvLWNvbXBvc2VyLTIwMjUtMTAtMzBfXzIzLTI2LTM4Lm1wMyJ9.mp3" length="27837987" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;Join Cris Morgado as he engages with Reena Milani, Chief Growth Officer at Empyrean Hospitality Group, to delve into the nuances of brand building, fostering customer loyalty, and crafting unforgettable dining experiences. Discover how Reena&apos;s transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship is redefining the hospitality industry.&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:37:28</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/fd0830e1-a20d-44fa-8fe1-c71f4bd62887/logos/da66fed1-088f-44b1-865e-2a918bde18cc.png"/><itunes:episode>4</itunes:episode><itunes:title>Reena Milani: Elevating Hospitality Through Brand Excellence</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[How Ralph Mandarino Built a Gluten-Free Craft Beer Empire with a Horror Twist]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>Join Cris Morgado as he sits down with Ralph Mandarino, the visionary behind Necromantic Brew Co., a unique gluten-free craft brewery with a horror-themed taproom. Discover Ralph's journey from a stay-at-home dad to a pioneering entrepreneur, and learn how his passion for horror movies and gluten-free beer created a community hub for those looking for belonging and enthusiasts alike. Dive into the challenges and triumphs of building a niche business that offers more than just a drink—it's an experience.</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">9932c51c-6b0f-4847-a7e3-db0c4b63c62f</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Cris Morgado]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 02 Nov 2025 13:04:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/cc79b80e8ff7ed2e9deb9e47462eb0b877a9826e63171e26cd7194a66e25e9a7/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI5OTMyYzUxYy02YjBmLTQ4NDctYTdlMy1kYjBjNGI2M2M2MmYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJmZDA4MzBlMS1hMjBkLTQ0ZmEtOGZlMS1jNzFmNGJkNjI4ODciLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OGU2ZGRkY2VjZmE2NTQ3OGM5OGFhNTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjkwNDc4NGZhYzI1ZTA4ZThiMGNhMjkwL2NyaXMtbW9yZ2Fkb3Mtc3R1ZGlvLWNvbXBvc2VyLTIwMjUtMTAtMzFfXzktNTAtMjMubXAzIn0=.mp3" length="63015567" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;Join Cris Morgado as he sits down with Ralph Mandarino, the visionary behind Necromantic Brew Co., a unique gluten-free craft brewery with a horror-themed taproom. Discover Ralph&apos;s journey from a stay-at-home dad to a pioneering entrepreneur, and learn how his passion for horror movies and gluten-free beer created a community hub for those looking for belonging and enthusiasts alike. Dive into the challenges and triumphs of building a niche business that offers more than just a drink—it&apos;s an experience.&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>yes</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>01:09:44</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/fd0830e1-a20d-44fa-8fe1-c71f4bd62887/logos/da66fed1-088f-44b1-865e-2a918bde18cc.png"/><itunes:episode>2</itunes:episode><itunes:title>How Ralph Mandarino Built a Gluten-Free Craft Beer Empire with a Horror Twist</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Autumn Pruitt from Hardy Coffee Co]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>"Join us at the Operators Table as we dive into an inspiring conversation with Autumn Pruitt from Hardy Coffee Company. Discover the journey of entrepreneurship, the importance of community, and the art of balancing quality with growth. Whether you're a coffee enthusiast or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insights and stories that will motivate and inform. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for more engaging content! #CoffeeCulture #Entrepreneurship #Community"</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">9c3439a8-ecff-4f9a-960b-a09848221f34</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Cris Morgado]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 31 Oct 2025 10:28:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/7859ef159927d8236f287dc86041488a5c7329c193f7b8ddadf1fdd456c95271/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI5YzM0MzlhOC1lY2ZmLTRmOWEtOTYwYi1hMDk4NDgyMjFmMzQiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJmZDA4MzBlMS1hMjBkLTQ0ZmEtOGZlMS1jNzFmNGJkNjI4ODciLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OGU2ZGRkY2VjZmE2NTQ3OGM5OGFhNTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjkwNDhjNjEwNDk2NGI1MDU2YTAzODAxL2NyaXMtbW9yZ2Fkb3Mtc3R1ZGlvLWNvbXBvc2VyLTIwMjUtMTAtMzFfXzExLTE2LTEubXAzIn0=.mp3" length="24499836" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;&quot;Join us at the Operators Table as we dive into an inspiring conversation with Autumn Pruitt from Hardy Coffee Company. Discover the journey of entrepreneurship, the importance of community, and the art of balancing quality with growth. Whether you&apos;re a coffee enthusiast or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insights and stories that will motivate and inform. Don&apos;t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for more engaging content! #CoffeeCulture #Entrepreneurship #Community&quot;&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:37:10</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/fd0830e1-a20d-44fa-8fe1-c71f4bd62887/logos/da66fed1-088f-44b1-865e-2a918bde18cc.png"/><itunes:episode>1</itunes:episode><itunes:title>Autumn Pruitt from Hardy Coffee Co</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item></channel></rss>