Restaurant veterans launch podcast on life in the service industry

Every other Tuesday, local restaurant veterans and friends Jen Wilt, Jess Nathan and Kathy Callahan sit down behind the microphone to share the highs, lows and unexpected moments of working in hospitality. Their podcast, Triple Sat, blends behind-the-scenes insights with humor and advice, offering listeners a genuine and entertaining look at the service industry.

The three hosts launched the show to share their combined decades of experience in the restaurant industry and to create a platform where both staff and guests can better understand the dining experience. Each episode typically draws from real restaurant scenarios, with discussions about how staff can navigate various situations and how guests can be more aware of their role in creating a positive experience. 

“This podcast is not only supposed to be entertaining, but it’s supposed to be informative and sort of a tool for both sides to learn from,” Wilt said.

The project began when the three friends were on a trip together, and they couldn’t help but watch the hospitality taking place around them. ​​Their discussion led to the realization of how unique and engaging it could be to create a platform for teaching others about the service industry. That idea ultimately led to the formation of their podcast. With no background in this field, they researched recording platforms, leaned on guidance from a friend and worked through trial and error to develop the high-quality show displayed today. 

Podcasts have become an increasingly popular source of entertainment and information in recent years. However, the hosts of Triple Sat believe their show offers a unique addition to the digital landscape.

“There is nothing quite like our podcast out there,” said Callahan. “There’s hospitality, there’s finance, there’s hotel stuff, there’s foodies. Ours is kind of specific to trying to create a better guest, a better environment and more educated people on the service side.”

“It’s relatable,” said Nathan. “Everybody goes to a restaurant at some point, and a lot of folks have worked in a restaurant, even if it’s something that they did when they were 15 or 16. A lot of folks have been in it, and some of the stories don’t change. So I think a lot of it is relatable, whether you worked in the industry 20 years ago or whether you’re in it now.”

Feedback shows the podcast resonates with a wide range of listeners. Service workers find it hilarious and relatable, while guests feel the episodes have given them a new perspective on the dining experience. 

“I feel like more feedback comes from the folks who are not in restaurants,” said Wilt. “I think that’s great, because part of the idea was to teach people, and I feel like it’s happening and they’re laughing.”

Future plans include featuring more guests from the local restaurant industry, gaining potential sponsorships, improving the quality of the show and, overall, continuing to grow while having fun with it.

The podcast is available on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple podcasts and Amazon Music. For more information, go to triplesatpodcast.com.