Join us as Carl explores the career journey of Jody Churich, COO of Vail Resorts' six major destination resorts: Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Whistler Blackcomb, and Park City. We delve into leadership, innovation, and the future of winter sports and Olympic planning.

In this episode of the Best Boss Ever podcast, host Carl Thomas welcomes Janet Zuccarini, founder of Gusto 54, a restaurant group with locations in Toronto and Los Angeles. Janet shares her journey in the restaurant industry, starting with her first restaurant in 1996 and the challenges she faced along the way, including difficult partnerships and the impact of COVID-19 on her business. She discusses her father's influence on her entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic, highlighting how his pioneering efforts in the restaurant industry shaped her approach to business.Janet delves into the current state of the restaurant industry, expressing concerns about the challenges restaurateurs face, particularly in California. She emphasizes the need for labor law reform and the financial pressures that have made it increasingly difficult to operate profitably. Despite the hurdles, Janet maintains a positive outlook, focusing on creating unique dining experiences and fostering a supportive work environment for her team. The conversation concludes with Janet's reflections on finding peace and balance in her life amidst the chaos of the restaurant business.

In this conversation, Carl Thomas and Dave Klewan discuss the future of sports in Los Angeles, highlighting major upcoming events like the World Cup and the Olympics. Dave shares his journey in sports management, the importance of leadership, and his role as chairman of the LA Sports Council. They also delve into the Ready Set Gold program, which aims to inspire youth through sports, and touch on the significance of work-life balance and personal values in the sports industry.