James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd made his name celebrating Houston’s diverse food culture but his impact hasn't stopped there. In this episode, Chris shares how his passion for cooking evolved into a deeper calling. After witnessing firsthand (and hearing countless stories about) the unique challenges faced by service industry professionals, he founded the Southern Smoke Foundation to support those needs.

The impact was immediate and Chris hasn't looked back. Chris has stepped away from the restaurant world to focus full-time on the nonprofit, which has since distributed over $14 million to industry professionals in crisis.

We dive deep into stories of resilience, the state of mental health in the food world, and how a collab with Aftershift, brewed with Athletic Brewing, has become a symbol of resilience and recognition for service industry professionals everywhere.

In this episode of Without Compromise we sit down with Ryan Chao, President of Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC), to explore the transformative power of trails, not just as places to recreate, but as vital community infrastructure. With a background in architecture and community development, Ryan shares how his personal journey led him to advocate for a nation connected by trails. From biking and skiing with his family to navigating policy and equity challenges, Ryan offers a compelling look at how trails support health, economic opportunity, and environmental resilience across urban, rural, and suburban communities alike.

We also dive into Celebrate Trails Day and RTC’s partnership with Athletic Brewing through the Two for the Trails program, Athletic’s cornerstone initiative that supports trails across the country and world. Whether you’re a lifelong trail user or just starting to explore the outdoors, this conversation will leave you inspired to get involved and advocate for accessible, connected open spaces for all.

In this episode, we sit down with the hilarious and multi-talented Danae Hays—former Division I softball player turned comedian, musician, and viral content creator. Danae opens up about growing up in small-town Morris, Alabama, the early influence of sports on her confidence and creativity, and whether she was, in fact, the funniest one in the dugout. We trace her path from post-college uncertainty to that moment when she realized comedy wasn’t just a side hustle—it was her next homerun.

Danae shares how she crafts her unique blend of Southern charm with unfiltered humor and outrageous characters, what it’s like building a massive online audience, and the highs and lows of life on her very first stand-up tour. Plus: rapid-fire favorites, Southern sayings, and her take on living Without Compromise.