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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
Parenting
Chicago Restaurant Scene

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes212Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Latest Episodes

This week, we sit down with Chef Stephen Sandoval for a globetrotting whirlwind tour through a career that spans McDonald’s franchises in Southern California, Michelin-starred kitchens in the Bay Area, wood-fire cooking in Argentina, classical Mexica... more

We’ve wanted to have this week’s guest on since we started the podcast. Andrew Zimmerman is one of Chicago’s most respected chefs -- a five-time James Beard finalist and the chef behind Sepia’s remarkable 15-year Michelin star run. In a special episo... more

This week’s guest is an enjoyable diversion for us. Chef Zealand started cooking as a teenager, learning almost entirely through curiosity, YouTube, and trial and error before graphic design school, COVID, and a few hard pivots pushed him toward kitc... more

This week's guest is Chef Zubair Mohajir -- and he's got a lot going on. A former finance guy who found his calling in the kitchen after the 2008 crash, Zubair has since built one of the most compelling culinary identities in Chicago, rooted in the i... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

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
Larry Feldmeier
Partner and kitchen/operations lead at All Well
All Well
Episode: Episode #202 - Noah Sandoval of Oriole and All Well
Lee Wolen
Chef with leadership roles at Boka Group, Alla Vita, GG's Chicken Shop and Zarella
Boka Group / Alla Vita / GG's Chicken Shop / Zarella
Episode: Episode #201 - Lee Wolen of Boka
Sujan Sarkar
Chef, restaurateur; founder of Sifr, Indienne, Nadu
Sifr / Indienne / Nadu
Episode: Episode #200 - Sujan Sarkar of Indienne
Rodrick Marcus
Founder of Rare Tea Cellar, importer and curator of rare teas and ingredients
Rare Tea Cellar
Episode: Episode #199 - Rodrick Markus of Rare Tea Cellar
Doug Phillips
Beverage pro; opened and led programs at Boiler Room, Scofflaw, Heavy Feather, The Whistler, and Trivoli
Trivoli Tavern / Hogsalt group
Episode: Episode #198 - Doug Phillips of Trivoli Tavern

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 195 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 Kingdom2 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 States9 months ago
  • A weekly highlight

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Seanpierce
    United States9 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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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Episode #194 - Danny Espinoza of Santa Masa Tamaleria and ofi
Q: How did your early experiences shape your approach to food and work-life balance?
Growing up with a strong work ethic and multiple jobs, Danny emphasizes persistence, learning from tough mentors, and translating that grit into both serious corporate food development and passionate small-business projects.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
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Social Media Reach

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?

To see how many followers or subscribers Joiners has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Joiners?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Joiners:

1. The Chef's Cut
2. The Dave Chang Show
3. Food with Mark Bittman
4. Brave Little State
5. Happy To Be Here

How many episodes of Joiners are there?

Joiners launched 4 years ago and published 212 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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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Joiners?

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What guests have appeared on Joiners?

Recent guests on Joiners include:

1. Chef Zealand
2. Zubair Mohajir
3. Megan Marshall
4. Noah Sandoval
5. Larry Feldmeier
6. Lee Wolen
7. Sujan Sarkar
8. Rodrick Marcus

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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