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Ready for a no-holds-barred conversation that's going to challenge the way you think about addiction, mental health, and the hospitality industry?
Fasten your seatbelts and lend us your ears, because episode 30 of Talking Hospitality with Michelle Righini promises to be a game-changer.
Why You Should Listen:
Why should you invest your precious time in this episode? Because we're not talking about 'them'; we're talking about us—all of us.
It's not a preachy call to quit drinking but a crucial dialogue to have, considering the silent but evident crisis unfolding in our industry.
What's more, the episode promises to be an eye-opener whether you're sipping champagne or herbal tea.
So, for those willing to confront the difficult topics that we've swept under the rug for too long, this episode of Talking Hospitality is where the real talk begins. Intrigued?
You should be.
Key Notes:
Point 1: The Silent Killer: The episode starts with a potent message: the hospitality industry often shrouds addiction in silence. When was the last time you heard someone ask what measures are in place for team members grappling with addiction? It's not discussed, and that, according to Michelle Righini, is fatal.
Point 2: We Recover Loudly: Michelle talks about her podcast, "We Recover Loudly," which gives people a platform to be open about their struggles with addiction. "We recover loudly so that others don't die silently," she emphasizes. She aims to unlock darkness for others just by sharing her story.
Point 3: The Illusion of Connection: Michelle delves into how many in the industry mistake the communal act of drinking for genuine connection. There's this illusion that if you're not part of the drinking culture, you're missing out on something fundamental. Sound familiar?
Point 4: The Generational Shift: Michelle enlightens us that 25% of Gen Z doesn't drink. Yes, you heard it right. They choose not to drink. So what does this mean for an industry that often incentivizes its staff with alcohol? Time for a rethink, perhaps?
Point 5: How it Sneaks Up: Michelle opens up about her own journey, revealing that it's easy to slide from social drinking to addiction. The problem is that no one tells you that you're on a slippery slope until it's too late. Ever found yourself justifying that 'one more drink'?
Point 6: Resources and Starting Points: Finally, Michelle provides a plethora of resources for anyone who feels they're struggling. She suggests organisations like Burnt Chef and Choose Sunrise, mentioning free courses on mindful drinking and much more.
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More information on Michelle Righini can be found at:
We Recover Loudly (website)
We Recover Loudly podcast (Apple)
We Recover Loudly podcast (Spotify)
Linkedin
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If you need help please also check out:
The Drinks Trust
The Burnt Chef Project
Choose Sunrise
Hospitality Action
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To hear the episode from Lynn Maltmann about going alcohol free
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Editing & Visuals by: Timothy R Andrews
Theme Tune: "Mandarin & Chocolate" by Doriane Woo
Feat voiceover artist, Lara Rathod
Sound Effects by: Epidemic Sound
Podcast host / Mental Health Trainer
Shell is a hospitality veteran with 18 years FOH experience, focusing primarily on operations, training, and business development. She has worked for some of London's best restaurant groups including Hawksmoor, Gaucho and Polpo. Having suffered a life changing burnout late 2020, she has changed her focus to improving the mental health working conditions of people in the industry by forcing difficult conversations out into the open, specifically concerning the hidden epidemic of addiction.
Her podcast We Recover Loudly offers a platform for people with experience of drug and alcohol addiction, in the hospitality industry to discuss what we can do to change the systemic culture of excessive alochol and substance use we have. The episodes also highlight how it is possible to break these habits and still work within the industry, having a thriving career while in recovery. Shell's work continues to look beyond high levels of addiction we have and ask, "if alcohol/drugs were the solutions to a problem, what problems do we have in our industry that we need to change?” The services she provides include onsite workshops promoting a safe and inclusive drinking culture in the workplace, small group coaching for managers to help them better support team members, and as a qualified recovery coach she also runs 121 mentoring for hospitality leaders who want to change their relationship with drugs and alcohol.
As someone who is diagnosed as autistic, ADHD hyperactive and dyslexic, Shell’s recent training has focused on how we create more supportive e…
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