In this episode of The Leadership Table, Jason sits down with Renee Sjulin, Vice President of Runza® National—a 76-year-old brand rooted in people-first leadership, legacy, and a commitment to excellence.

Renee opens up about what it means to carry a family legacy forward while innovating for the future, how Runza builds culture that sticks, and why grace and honesty are essential traits for modern leadership.

This is a must-listen for operators, executives, and team leaders looking to lead with more clarity, consistency, and care.

🔍 Topics Covered:

• Leading with purpose across generations
• How “We rise each morning…” shapes team culture
• Developing leaders from within a legacy brand
• Navigating change while staying values-driven
• Honest performance management and follow-through
• The power of external partnerships to support growth
• Mentorship moments that shaped Renee’s leadership

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube
🌐 More: www.jasonebrooks.com/podcast

What does it take to grow from a 16-year-old garnish guy to a leadership consultant shaping kitchen culture nationwide?

In this episode of The Leadership Table, host Jason E. Brooks sits down with Simon Zatyrka, founder of Culinary Mechanic, to unpack lessons learned from decades in the trenches of the hospitality industry.

In This Episode, We Cover:
✅ Simon’s journey from the line to leadership
✅ The leadership rejection that became his turning point
✅ Building a positive and productive kitchen culture
✅ Why asking more questions makes you a better leader
✅ The importance of systems, recipes, and communication in restaurant operations
✅ Believing in your team’s desire to succeed

About Simon Zatyrka:
Simon is the founder of Culinary Mechanic, where he helps restaurant leaders streamline operations, build stronger teams, and create sustainable kitchen cultures. Learn more at https://culinarymechanic.com.

Connect with Simon:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonzatyrka/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/culinary.mechanic/

Listen & Subscribe:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/09DHB9DjHpQEcV4SSwstx1
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-leadership-table/id1810437949
RSS Feed: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2471668.rss

Follow Jason E. Brooks for more leadership insights:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-e-brooks/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2LeadnSucceed/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpAeHGYZ50evlJ2KjH2oDvQ
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/2LeadnSucceed

Website:
https://www.jasonebrooks.com

If you found value in today’s conversation, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with another leader!

In this episode, Jason E. Brooks welcomes Sam Oches, Editor-in-Chief of Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality, to explore how storytelling builds culture, shapes brands, and sets the tone for industry leadership. From empathy to media trends, this conversation is packed with insights for every hospitality leader.