What happens when a chef known for speed, standards, and scaling brands decides to flip the script and live “God first, family second, work third”? We sat down with our friend John Franke—chef, leader, and founder of Franke Culinary Consulting—to talk about faith in a high-pressure industry and how convictions hold up when tickets are firing, clients are waiting, and home life is loud.

John opens up about the long arc from kitchen chaos to steady leadership, including a season when work paused, family tensions rose, and he had to choose surrender over spin. He shares how therapy and faith worked together, why boundaries are not posturing but proof, and how he measures success by integrity instead of applause. We unpack the shift from reputation with people to reputation with God, the daily practice of gratitude, and a simple idea that changed everything: enough. Enough time for family dinners. Enough humility to listen. Enough provision to keep moving when contracts fall through.

If you’re feeling frayed by the restaurant grind—or any hustle—this conversation offers practical steps and honest encouragement. You’ll hear how to set clear boundaries without burning bridges, how to lead teams without playing hero, and how to trust provision when plans take an unexpected turn. We end on a fun note with a candid food confession that proves even serious chefs savor simple comforts.

If this episode helps you exhale, share it with a friend who needs a reset. Subscribe for more candid conversations that put first things first, and leave a quick review to tell us what part hit home.

For more on Franke Culinary Consulting: https://www.frankeculinaryconsulting.com/about

Christian Counselors Network:

https://www.christiancounselordirectory.com/?https://ChristianCounselorDirectory.com&gad_source=1

Recovery:
https://celebraterecovery.com/

Focus on the Family: Offers a free, one-time phone consultation with a licensed or pastoral counselor at 1-855-771-HELP (4357).

What happens when a civil engineer discovers his true calling isn’t in concrete and steel—but in cast iron and cornbread? Meet Myles, the founder of Myles Comfort Foods, who traded spreadsheets for skillets and built a frozen food brand that’s shaking up supermarket aisles.

In this episode, Myles shares his extraordinary journey from corporate burnout to Food Network competitor to bold food entrepreneur. For him, the dinner table was always sacred—a place where southern comfort classics brought his family together. After just two days in an engineering job, an existential crisis led him back to that place of passion: the kitchen.

This is a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the messy realities of starting a food brand. Myles recounts walking into stores with bottles of homemade barbecue sauce, fumbling through food shows without knowing the lingo, and the financial lows that nearly ended it all. His story of resilience—through near-bankruptcy and burnout—offers essential lessons for anyone dreaming of building something from scratch.

What sets Myles apart? He reimagined frozen mac and cheese—notoriously seen as an “aisle of sacrifice” purchase—into a protein-packed, premium comfort food experience ready in just four minutes. His mission: to create a comfort moment in the chaos.

The real gem of this conversation is a decade’s worth of wisdom distilled into one tough truth: “The masses don’t care about your product.” Myles explains why claiming to make “the best version” isn’t enough—and how brands must prove real value to survive.

If you're hungry for inspiration, honesty, and practical advice about food entrepreneurship, this episode serves it up hot.

You can follow Myles Comfort Foods online to learn more about their products and where to find them in stores.

https://www.mylescomfortfoods.com/

Nancy Ridlen shares ten hard-earned lessons for women in foodservice, sales and entrepreneurship, drawing from her 25 years of experience navigating spaces that weren't always built for women. These personal confessions offer a roadmap for staying authentic while confronting biases and building successful careers in any industry.

1. Embrace Who You Are
2. Know You Will Face Challenges
3. Understand Communication Perception
4. Address Harassment and Microaggressions Head-On
5. Be Kind and Uplifting to Other Women
6. Mentor the Next Generation
7. Do Your Homework on Company Culture
8. Confront Bullying Tactics
9. Leverage the Unique Strengths Women Bring
10. Avoid Reverse Discrimination

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