In this one, we procrastinate while diving deep into… procrastination. But first, we check in: Hannah’s building a new routine targeting 15 minutes a day on the elliptical, Ashley’s finding more ways to play while juggling creative projects, Alex shares how he’s staying active through recovery, and Nick’s on track with his training goals and coaching support. Then we explore procrastination—what it is, why we do it, and how we can better understand the feelings behind it. From the pressure of packed schedules to the pull of distraction and the pursuit of instant gratification, we unpack the mental mountains that can stall progress. We talk about building systems that work for your bandwidth, refining your routines, and how to gently guide yourself forward—without shame. We end with community questions, what we’d love to hear from you, and our weekly gratitude round: green-thumbed friends, animated masterpieces, family support, and the gift of choice in our lives.

We start this week’s episode with a check-in around physical setbacks—injuries, chronic pain, and how we cope, recover, and stay accountable to our goals through it all. Nick’s back on his bullshit (yes!), Ashley and Hannah are balancing the task to identify a new goal with taking time to reflect on giving time back to reset, rest and play. Then we dig into motivation: what it means, how it works, and what we do when it disappears. We wrap with a community question and a moment of gratitude.

We know we’ve been on a short summer break but we do have an update — A very, very special re-release of our first-ever interview for The Walk-In Club, featuring none other than @elpatio510’s finest, Hamei Hamedi.

In this episode, we sit down with Larry, a true industry lifer whose journey began with a mop and a sense of pride. From delivering medication as a teen to poaching lobsters on the cold station, Larry has worn every hat in the back of house. He later found a second calling behind the bar, where his love for flavor and hustle helped him stand out. With two careers in one industry, Larry shares what it takes to lead, adapt, and stay passionate in hospitality.

We kick off with life updates, upcoming races and fitness workouts, scalp massages, and practicing patience with where we are in our goals. The conversation flows into a powerful topic: the influence of who we surround ourselves with. From coworkers to family to digital spaces, we explore how our environment shapes us. We end the episode honoring legacy, gratitude, and intention.

This week on The Walk-In Club Podcast, we sit down with the one and only Jessica Maria—owner of the iconic Hotsy Totsy Club and living proof that your hospitality path can (and probably will) look nothing like what you planned. From her early days making fluffernutters and crushing on line cooks at Uncle Tony’s, to cocktail waitressing at hotel bars and deadlifting keg up and down stairs at Bill Graham Presents, Jessica takes us through a journey rich with grit, growth, and just the right amount of figuring things out. We hear how a “year abroad” learning graphic design turned into joining a traveling improv group landing the goal to opening a bar in Thailand. Her first cocktail she ever put on a menu was called Sex with a Goat (yes, really), and what it means to rebuild a space from scratch—with your community, for your community. This episode is full of laughter, honesty, and a reminder that you don’t have to follow anyone’s script to make magic. Whether it’s passing along fluffernutter traditions or using fresh juice for the first time, Jessica’s journey is a wild, heart-filled ride—and we’re lucky to hear it here at the Walk. In Club Podcast.

We’re back at The Combine—sweaty, sore, and a little more self-aware—after taking a class together that kicked off a big conversation about fear, failure, and regret (you know, just the light stuff). We start with our usual check-in and slowly realize maybe it’s time to shift what that even means. Ashley offers her go-to grounding question: "What does support look like for you right now?" Alex shares about his upcoming men’s group camping trip and the power of nature and intentional gathering. Hannah reflects on feeling ready to create more—and get out of her own way. From there, we spiral (in a good way) into the episode’s real heart: the messy blur between fear of failure and fear of regret. Is it the fall we fear—or the what if of never jumping? We talk about: The inner monologue that keeps us from complimenting strangers The stakes of social vulnerability (talking to your crush, anyone?) The pressure of hindsight and how it clouds presence Whether we’re playing smaller as we get older—and if that’s a form of self-protection We also dive into a community question about how working in hospitality has shaped our wellness journeys—spoiler alert: it’s complicated. This one’s for anyone standing at the edge of something scary and wondering if it’s worth the risk.

Alissa Johnson wears many hats—bar owner, urban farmer, distillation tinkerer, and systems wizard. In this episode, we follow her unexpected journey from a $5/hour counter service job to running some of Oakland’s most beloved bar spaces: Legionnaire Saloon, Beeryland, and The Oakland Whiskey Library. We explore how she’s navigated burnout, pandemic pivots, and industry shifts with curiosity, grit, and a whole lot of SOPs. From WWOOFing to juicing for Starline, Alissa proves that adaptability and care are the cornerstones of longevity in hospitality.

This week on The Walk-In Club Podcast, we get real about what it means to not be okay—and how that can be... well, okay. From the push-pull of needing solutions to the deeply human mess of just sitting with hard feelings, we explore the not-so-linear path of emotional growth. We go around the table checking-in while we begin recording for the first time from The Combine in Oakland, hosted by the incredible Alex Hooper - even squeeze in a few pushups (obviously), and had some play time. The heart of this episode? A vulnerable, unscripted conversation about mental health, discomfort, and how we don’t have to have it all figured out to keep showing up between friends sharing their personal experiences and thoughts, and by no mean are experts. We talk therapy, community, the trap of always seeking solutions, and how important it is to feel safe being seen, and when to seek a professional for help. Also: 6 cartwheels, a pigeon drinking from a dog bowl, carsickness (for friendship!), and the big question—what do we call The Walk-In community?

In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Seidman, a true force in the Bay Area hospitality scene whose roots run deep and whose story captures decades of grit, reinvention, and staying power. From her first gig running a paper route as a kid to owning two iconic bars—Acme and Little Bird—Jennifer’s career is a masterclass in working every angle of the business, learning by doing, and leading with bold honesty. We talk about what it means to hold your ground in an industry that wasn’t always ready for women behind the bar. Jennifer walks us through her early days bartending in North Beach, where her first order was a Cynar on the rocks—and she had to ask what the hell that even was. From flyer girl to cocktail waitress to bar owner, Jennifer shares what it was like to grind through San Francisco’s bar scene in the ‘90s and early 2000s and carve out her own lane. This one’s for the folks who know bars as more than just places to drink—it’s for those who know them as stories, stages, and snapshots of time.

This week on The Walk-In Club Podcast, we’re circling back to a big, recurring theme: doing hard things. The kind of hard that stretches you—not breaks you. The kind that asks for vulnerability, effort, and showing up, even when it’s uncomfortable. We talk about what it looks like to expand our comfort zones (not just “leave” them), how strength training is having a moment, and why the hardest part of doing the thing is usually just starting. There’s a surprising productivity hack using TikTok, a vulnerable share from Nick (yes—his first-ever update stays in!), and a conversation about how we can normalize growth that feels good—not punishing. We reflect on play, resistance, and what it means to choose effort with intention. Also: cartwheels, taxes, salami sticks, and how stress can be both helpful and harmful depending on how we carry it. You’ll laugh, you might relate a little too hard, and you’ll definitely feel seen.

In this episode, we sit down with Gabriel Holland, the heartful and humble owner of Theory Bar in downtown Oakland. Gabe’s story isn’t loud or flashy—it’s built on quiet consistency, showing up when no one’s watching, and learning by doing. From busing tables at the Claremont Hotel to stepping into ownership, his journey is one of curiosity, care, and steady growth. We talk about what it really takes to go from cleaning pint glasses (and learning not to grab them from the top) to building a space of your own. Gabe isn’t here to prove he’s the best—he’s here because he’s done the work. As a food runner at Pican, he first began to understand the importance of bridging the gap between front of house and back of house, learning patience and communication. He shares how strong support from management early on gave him the confidence to delegate later, with clarity and care. This one is for the folks who move quietly, think deeply, and lead with their hearts.

This week’s episode of The Walk-In Club Podcast is a special one—Alex is back from Mexico (again) and we’ve got EXCITING NEWS! We officially welcome Ashley as a co-host to the Monday Pod! Ashley is someone who knows how to make life fun while holding it down shoulder to shoulder with others, and they’re all about building community and lifting people up together. In this episode, we dig into what success really means, why perfection is an illusion, and how allowing space to make mistakes might actually be the key to growth. We talk about how success is less about getting it “perfect” and more about just starting—about showing up messy, vulnerable, and ready to learn. Ashley brings their own perspective on navigating transition and choosing commitment over survival mode, while Hannah reflects on her ongoing struggle with saying “no.” We dive deep into the nuances of being vs. doing, and how taking action, even imperfectly, often matters more than overthinking it. Oh—and Nick tries the chia seed challenge, so there’s that, too.

In this episode of The Walk-In Club Podcast, we talk about specific uncomfortable moments that have helped push us forward—whether in careers, health journeys, sobriety, or just life. Alex shares how launching this podcast brought imposter syndrome front and center, and how sitting with discomfort has led to unexpected growth. We explore why feeling uncomfortable isn’t always a bad thing and how vulnerability, self-awareness, and supporting each other can help us navigate the messiness of growth.

In this episode, we sit down with Casey Carr, a bartender-turned-bar consultant whose journey started with a corporate structure but evolved into a world of creative problem-solving. From begging for a job at Starbucks to thriving in the structured chaos of restaurant consulting, Casey has built a career on systems, hospitality, and a little bit of charismatic stupidity. We talk about what it takes to be a bar consultant, how he “accidentally” helped open four restaurants in a year, and why promoting from within is key to building a strong team. He shares insights on pricing, building menus, and understanding when to push boundaries—or when to just give the people what they want. Plus, we dive into how hospitality professionals are creatives in their own right, the importance of a third home, and why the best bar teams are built on more than just skills—they’re built on community, humility, and a solid group hang before hiring.

In this episode of The Walk-In Club Podcast, we’re checking in—literally and figuratively. What does it mean to check in with yourself, your people, and your community? Is it different from just showing up? And how do we build real, intentional connections without feeling like we’re just going through the motions?

In this episode of The Walk-In Social Club Podcast, we dive into the idea of creating community with intention—what that really means, how we foster it, and what we seek in the people and spaces that make us feel part of something.

In this episode, we sit down with Kat Parsons, a bartender whose journey started behind the counter at Starbucks, where she fell in love with crafting drinks. With a mix of ambition and a "fake it till you make it" mentality, she navigated the bar world with a hunger to learn, working her way into some of the best bars in the industry. The first time she set foot in Oakland, she knew this was where she wanted to be—drawn in by the energy, the culture, and the people. We talk about her approach to bartending, her journey through Speed Rack, and how it made her a better bartender, competitor, and part of a national community of badass women in the industry. She shares the story behind her Babyface Assassin cocktail, an ode to Steph Curry, and how she kept regulars engaged and cared for during the pandemic. Plus, we dive into the importance of having a dream team behind the bar, checking in on each other, and why there should never—ever—be anything on the backbar, especially your drink.

Alright, this is the one where the gang gets together and talks about best practices when it comes to getting ready for work — it's all about finding your groove between life and work. We’re diving into the pre-shift rituals that set you up for success and the post-work routines that help you unwind after the chaos. From meal prepping and hydration hacks to mindful movement and breathwork, we’re sharing our honest, sometimes messy, yet always real strategies for balancing the grind and the grace. We explore the art of preparing your mind and body before the shift, and the little habits that transform a hectic day into a chance to reset. It’s a candid conversation filled with laughs, confessions, and practical tips on turning everyday chaos into intentional, empowering routines.