Resilience Is a Muscle by Laurie Carey launches April 21, 2026 — preorder now on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Steve Palmer built Indigo Road Hospitality from one restaurant in 2009 to a nationally recognized group spanning eight states — but the real story starts long before that. In this episode, Steve shares how losing his father and grandfather as a child, surviving addiction, and finding purpose through service shaped both his life and his leadership. He and Laurie dig into recovery, people-first culture, the founding of Ben’s Friends, and why resilience isn’t something you’re born with — it’s something you build.

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 — Introduction & welcome

0:22 — Meet Steve Palmer — Indigo Road Hospitality & four-time James Beard semifinalist

1:07 — What does resilience mean to you? Steve opens up about childhood trauma and the power of faith

3:35 — It’s a mindset — surviving jails, IV drug use, and homelessness by believing something better was possible

5:57 — Steve’s story: losing his father, his grandfather, and being on his own at 12

9:15 — How the restaurant industry saved his life — and how addiction nearly took it

11:01 — The founding of Ben’s Friends: sobriety support for restaurant workers, now in 24 cities

19:48 — People-first culture at Indigo Road — free mental health counseling, home loans, and hiring for emotional qualities

29:19 — Servant leadership, staying curious, and why leadership is a privilege, not a title

37:25 — Is society losing resilience? Laurie and Steve on what it will take to build it back

About Steve Palmer:

Steve Palmer is the Founder, Managing Partner, and Chief Vision Officer of Indigo Road Hospitality Group, which he grew from one restaurant in 2009 to a nationally recognized hospitality company spanning eight states with 2,500 employees. A four-time James Beard Award semifinalist, Steve is also the author of Saving Grace (Forbes Books) and the co-founder of Ben’s Friends, a sobriety support network for restaurant industry professionals now active in 24 cities.

Connect & Resources:

• Steve Palmer: Indigo Road Hospitality — theindigoroad.com
• Ben’s Friends (sobriety support for restaurant workers): bensfriendshope.com
• Book: Saving Grace by Steve Palmer — available on Amazon
• Website: resilienceisamuscle.com
• Nonprofit: We Connect The Dots — weconnectthedots.org
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• Watch all episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nebulaacademy2702
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Every comeback started with a setback. Resilience is a muscle — you build it one rep at a time.