Beyond the Pre-Shift: Mentorship, Burnout, and Building Healthier Hospitality Teams with Nokkie Lipsey

What does it really mean to lead in hospitality when you're expected to take care of everyone else while managing the pressures of the industry yourself?

In this episode of 86 the Stigma, Colleen Silk sits down with Nokkie Lipsey, chef, advocate, mentor, and founder of Pre-Shift Hospitality Experts, to explore leadership under pressure, emotional labor, burnout, and what it takes to create healthier workplace cultures in hospitality.

Growing up in an immigrant family surrounded by restaurants, from her father's hibachi work to her grandmother's Thai restaurant, Nokkie shares how her upbringing shaped her understanding of hospitality, community, and leadership.

But finding her place in the industry came with its own challenges.

Nokkie opens up about navigating expectations as an Asian American woman, being overlooked for opportunities, and learning how saying yes to everything can leave hospitality professionals overworked, undervalued, and burned out.

Together, Colleen and Nokkie explore the difference between managing and mentoring, why accountability and compassion belong in the same conversation, and how small moments of connection can make a meaningful difference in the workplace.

They also discuss Nokkie's approach to leadership, affectionately known as "Mama Nokes," and her work creating training systems, supporting BIPOC hospitality professionals, and building mentorship opportunities through organizations including the James Beard Foundation Legacy Network and Eat Denver.

At its heart, this conversation is about recognizing that strong hospitality leadership isn't just about running a successful operation. It's about understanding, supporting, and developing the people who make it possible.

Because creating a healthier hospitality culture starts with how we show up for one another, especially when the pressure is on.

ABOUT 86 THE STIGMA

86 the Stigma is a CHOW podcast powered by Hospitality Bites Media, hosted by Colleen Silk. This season brings together voices from across food, beverage, and hospitality for honest conversations about mental health, burnout, recovery, leadership, workplace culture, and the human experiences behind the industry.

This season is made possible with support from Hoshizaki America and US Foods® — We Help You Make It®.

CHOW (Culinary Hospitality Outreach and Wellness) provides peer support, community, and mental health resources for people working in hospitality.

Visit https://www.chowco.org/ to learn more and access resources.

Hosted by: Colleen Silk
Produced by: Hospitality Bites Media

Disclaimer: The views and experiences shared by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of CHOW, Hospitality Bites Media, our sponsors, or affiliated organizations. Conversations are intended for education and awareness and should not replace professional medical or mental health advice.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis in the U.S., call or text 988 for immediate support.