Somewhere between the test kitchen and the supply chain spreadsheet is where the magic happens.

In this WiRL Day-in-the-Life episode, we sit down with Jax Sperling, Vice President of Culinary & Supply Chain at Craveworthy Brands, and the woman behind Big Chicken’s reimagined menu. From Shaq Snacks and buttery garlic toast builds to the real decisions that make big food executable, Jax shares how creativity, strategy, and leadership intersect every day.

We talk about her career path, what it really looks like to lead culinary innovation at scale, and how “big fun” becomes operational reality across a growing brand portfolio. It’s an honest, insightful, and playful look at leadership — with plenty of big dip energy along the way.

Leadership in hospitality isn’t just about managing a team or hitting numbers. It’s about people, culture, and resilience.

In this episode, I sit down with Christin Marvin, who started her restaurant career as a line cook at just 15 and went on to become a managing partner, helping scale brands to 48 locations. She’s the founder of Solutions by Christin, author of Multi-Unit Mastery and The Hospitality Leader’s Roadmap, and host of one of the top restaurant leadership podcasts in the world.

Christin shares her journey, including:

• The pivotal lessons that shaped her leadership style
• Building systems that make growth sustainable, not chaotic
• Strengthening teams, reducing turnover, and creating cultures that thrive
• How mental health and wellness play a role in successful leadership

Whether you’re leading a restaurant, a team, or your own career path, this episode is packed with actionable insights and human-first leadership lessons.

2026 is here, and we’re starting the year with intention, gratitude, and community. In this solo (and mini) kickoff episode, Senior Editor Satyne Doner reflects on the WiRL community’s incredible growth in 2025, shares a grounding reminder that it’s okay to ease into the new year, and looks ahead at everything coming for Women in Restaurant Leadership in 2026.

From our biggest Women in Restaurant Leadership Together Summit yet this February in Charleston, to upcoming webinars, podcast conversations, Power Hours, editorial storytelling, and more, this episode sets the tone for a meaningful year ahead.

If you’re joining us in Charleston, register here.

And as always, this community is built with you. Satyne invites you to share what you want from WiRL this year, who you’d love to hear on the podcast, and what conversations matter most to you as a leader.

Here’s to a thoughtful, powerful, intentional start to 2026.