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Joiners

Joiners
Chicago
Hospitality
Hospitality Industry
Restaurant Industry
Restaurant Management
Culinary Arts
Barbecue
Covid-19
Craft Beer
Lettuce Entertain You
Culinary Heritage
Culinary Education
Hyper Seasonal Cooking
Bocadillo Market
Wieners Circle
Fine Dining
Cocktail Culture
Feld Restaurant
Chicago Restaurant Scene
Letherbee

In Joiners, hosts Tim Tierney and Danny Shapiro take a casual stroll through the world of hospitality by chatting with its most colorful characters.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes217Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Latest Episodes

This week, we're joined by Chicago hospitality veteran Mike Boschert, whose career has taken him from rookie back waiter mishaps in Columbia, Missouri, to the openings of some of Chicago’s most beloved spots, and now to his role overseeing operations... more

For the first time in Joiners history, we welcome back a repeat guest: Mindy Segal. A longtime friend of the pod, Mindy remains one of our favorite people to talk to. She's funny, fearless, deeply thoughtful about hospitality, and never especially in... more

This week’s guest entered the restaurant business by offering strangers free labor at a dinner party. Sixteen years later, he’s still at it. Chef Nate Chung is the co-owner of Mott St, the enduring Logan Square restaurant known for Asian-American com... more

This week’s guest was sketching out his dream bakery in a high school notebook. That alone might not be too remarkable, but turning those daydreams into one of Chicago’s most talked-about bakeries certainly is. Pastry chef Justin Lerias is the owner ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Nate Chung
Owner/chef of Mott St
Mott St Chicago
Episode: Episode #210 - Nate Chung of Mott St
Justin Lerias
Owner/Founder of Del Sur Bakery (Filipino Midwestern bakery)
Del Sur Bakery
Episode: Episode #209 - Justin Lerias of Del Sur Bakery
Richie Farina
Chef and ice sculptor, known for Moto/Ever/Monteverde
Various including Moto, Ever, Monteverde
Episode: Episode #208 - Chef Richie Farina
Stephen Sandoval
Chef; runs Diego, Trino, Entre Sueños
Diego, Trino, Entre Sueños
Episode: Episode #207 - Stephen Sandoval of Trino, Diego, and Entre Sueños
Andrew Zimmerman
Chef, Sepia and former Mod/Nomi chef in Chicago
Sepia, Chicago; formerly Mod/Nomi
Episode: Episode #206 - Chef Andrew Zimmerman
Chef Zealand
Chef and food content creator with a large social following
Independent creator
Episode: Episode #205 - Chef Zealand, Food Content Creator
Zubair Mohajir
Chef and restaurateur behind Waswan, Coach House, Lilac Tiger, Sarima Cafe, and upcoming Muhājir
Lilac Tiger / Waswan / Coach House
Episode: Episode #204 - Zubair Mohajir of Lilac Tiger, Sarima, & Mariela
Megan Marshall
Editor of Edible Chicago
Edible Chicago
Episode: Episode #203 - Megan Marshall of Edible Chicago
Noah Sandoval
Head chef and founder of Oriole; later co-creator of All Well
Oriole / All Well
Episode: Episode #202 - Noah Sandoval of Oriole and All Well

Hosts

Tim Tierney
Host of Joiners with a focus on guiding conversations with industry figures and sharing hospitality lore.
Danny Shapiro
Co-host guiding dialogue with guests, known for relatable banter and deep industry questions.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 199 ratings
  • Love the pod

    I’ve never really left a heartfelt review for anything, so this feels a bit unnatural. But I stumbled across my first episode of Joiners about a year ago while researching a trip to NYC, and it completely pulled me in. As a former (and, at that point, somewhat longing) hospitality worker, I found your interview genuinely engaging. You both have a sharp, witty way with words and asked the exact questions I want to hear answered.

    Fast forward a year or so, and I’m back in the hospitality world, c... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sorcha-M
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Awesome Pod!

    As a fellow member of the Chicago service industry, I can’t say enough good things about The Joiner’s Podcast. It’s awesome to hear the stories of the colorful people in our world and to make a little game out of spotting them in real life, shaking their hands, and saying, “Loved you on the Joiner’s pod!” It’s also been such a great way to discover some of Chicago’s hidden gems - though my wallet wishes I’d stop going to Shaw’s so often. Love the pod, keep it going!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Al Shifrin
    United States10 months ago
  • A weekly highlight

    A must-listen if you like Chicago, Food, Talking, or Friendship

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Seanpierce
    United States10 months ago
  • The Gold Standard of Industry Podcasts

    Sincerely the most fun and supreme honor to be invited.

    You two have a great dynamic and made me very comfortable being in my own skin on camera/mic.

    One might even call it… exceptional hospitality.

    Genuinely the best insight into the hospitality industry projected through its varied professionals, Tim Tierney and Danny Shapiro masterfully offer the most entertaining and down to Earth glimpse into Food/Beverage and Hospitality through an unfiltered lens…and microphone.

    Most of all, it was immens... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wifi Beater
    United Statesa year ago
  • Joe Flamm Segment

    Great segment with Joe Flamm. As a fellow southsiiiiiiider and from a family with 8 brothers and sisters, it really hit home. Keep up the fine work! Peace out. Jim Moriarty

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    James P. Boots
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the mix of chef, restaurateur, and beverage guests, plus behind-the-scenes anecdotes.
Fans note the hosts' approachable style and deep industry knowledge.
Listeners praise engaging, insightful interviews with a strong sense of Chicago hospitality history.

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The Viall FilesNick Viall
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Chicks in the OfficeBarstool Sports

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode #206 - Chef Andrew Zimmerman
Q: How did you end up in Chicago and what drew you to this city's culinary scene?
Zimmerman explains his move followed by meeting his wife, choosing to study serious French technique, and then leveraging the Park Hyatt network to land roles at Sepia and related restaurants, which catalyzed his Chicago career.
Episode #201 - Lee Wolen of Boka
Q: What drives his leadership philosophy within a multi-concept group?
Lee emphasizes mentorship, promoting from within, and creating opportunities for cooks to advance into culinary directors and general managers, signaling a people-first approach that aligns with long-term business health rather than short-term gains.
Episode #201 - Lee Wolen of Boka
Q: How did Lee's early experiences in Cleveland shape his career trajectory?
Lee describes a passionate, hands-on start in vocational culinary programs, which grounded him in hard work, practical skills, and a willingness to learn across a range of roles, setting the foundation for his later growth in elite kitchens.
Episode #199 - Rodrick Markus of Rare Tea Cellar
Q: What drives Rodrick's sourcing philosophy?
Taste first: he buys based on taste and market fit, regardless of cost, and relies on cupping and network knowledge to guide decisions.
Episode #194 - Danny Espinoza of Santa Masa Tamaleria and ofi
Q: What role did mentorship play in your career path, especially in high-pressure kitchens?
Mentors like the Carmichael's chef pushed him hard but also taught him the value of precision, teamwork, and experimenting within rigorous standards, which he carries into OFI and Santa Masa.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Joiners

What is Joiners about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A lively look at hospitality through conversations with richly varied guests, from high-end chefs and restaurateurs to food media leaders and beverage experts. Episodes center on career trajectories, brand building, mentorship, and the realities of running multi-concept groups, with plenty of behind-the-scenes stories from kitchens, bars, and sourcing trips. Listeners get practical takeaways on leadership, menu development, and storytelling in food and beverage, along with candid reflections on platform monetization, industry evolution, and the interplay between craft and business. Noteworthy angles include cross-cultural cuisine, immigrant entrepreneurship, and the Chicago hospitality ecosystem, often framed with personal anecdotes and a w... more

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What are the audience demographics for Joiners?

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How many subscribers and views does Joiners have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Joiners?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Joiners:

1. The Dave Chang Show
2. Crain's Daily Gist
3. This Is TASTE
4. The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
5. The Chef's Cut

How many episodes of Joiners are there?

Joiners launched 4 years ago and published 217 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Joiners?

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What guests have appeared on Joiners?

Recent guests on Joiners include:

1. Nate Chung
2. Justin Lerias
3. Richie Farina
4. Stephen Sandoval
5. Andrew Zimmerman
6. Chef Zealand
7. Zubair Mohajir
8. Megan Marshall

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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