2 R A W with Damian Kosior

t u r b u l e n c e

I won’t lie — this one comes from the edge of a breakdown. After stepping into a catering manager role, I suddenly found myself covering six units with barely any training when everything shifted overnight. What followed was chaos: stressful stock orders, constant miscommunication, lack of support, and the pressure of trying to keep everything running while nothing felt under control.  I talk about the reality behind the role — the audits, the shortages, the impossible schedules — alongside a company conference that felt more isolating than inspiring, and an awards night overshadowed by work stress. I also open up about a moment that hit deeper than expected, triggering body image struggles and forcing me to confront some uncomfortable truths.  This episode is messy, overwhelmed, and honest — about burnout, pressure, missing where I came from, and trying to hold it together when everything feels like too much.  . . . . message me [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449140/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449140/support] Discover more: . Home [https://2raw.buzzsprout.com] . Glimpse [https://www.instagram.com/damian_kosior] . Noise [https://x.com/2rawdamo] . Flicks [https://letterboxd.com/damiankosior] . Tunes [https://open.spotify.com/user/damcix] . Rotation [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1rPF8bpJbQcpg0Uqd15t0W?si=_q3epMwwRl6C8TRpVXGObw] . r a w - Season 1 available to stream on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r-a-w/id1775066562] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5abNBttfx8GkxEFLUTCnbh?si=a63e9e174ef84ba1]. . Come find me and let's chat.

f a l l o u t

This episode is split into two halves: before and after manager training. In the first half, recorded on my last day of holiday, I reflect on recent hangouts, give a blunt Wagamama’s review, touch on pop culture opinions, and open up about leaving a toxic workplace that drained me mentally. I also share my anxiety going into training.  In the second half, I recap the reality of training in Leicester — learning the technical side of the role, navigating hotel chaos and busy services, receiving some positive feedback, and ultimately getting hit with a stomach illness that cut the week short. An honest, introspective look at expectations vs. reality and what this next chapter really feels like.  . . . . message me [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449140/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449140/support] Discover more: . Home [https://2raw.buzzsprout.com] . Glimpse [https://www.instagram.com/damian_kosior] . Noise [https://x.com/2rawdamo] . Flicks [https://letterboxd.com/damiankosior] . Tunes [https://open.spotify.com/user/damcix] . Rotation [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1rPF8bpJbQcpg0Uqd15t0W?si=_q3epMwwRl6C8TRpVXGObw] . r a w - Season 1 available to stream on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r-a-w/id1775066562] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5abNBttfx8GkxEFLUTCnbh?si=a63e9e174ef84ba1]. . Come find me and let's chat.

f r a c t u r e d

On the first official day of holiday before training for a new role, I hit record and let it all out. With my schedule rearranged and a big transition ahead, I talk about feeling overwhelmed, out of sync, and struggling with motivation, body image, and routine changes. I share the chaos of slipping in the mud at Junction One while picking up a very underwhelming Secret Santa gift, wrapping up seven years with my old team, and the unexpected loneliness that came with saying goodbye. From Chinese New Year “rules” to venting about difficult customers, food mishaps, and my Grammys opinions, this episode is a messy, honest snapshot of burnout, change, and trying to reset before the next chapter begins. . . . . message me [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449140/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449140/support] Discover more: . Home [https://2raw.buzzsprout.com] . Glimpse [https://www.instagram.com/damian_kosior] . Noise [https://x.com/2rawdamo] . Flicks [https://letterboxd.com/damiankosior] . Tunes [https://open.spotify.com/user/damcix] . Rotation [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1rPF8bpJbQcpg0Uqd15t0W?si=_q3epMwwRl6C8TRpVXGObw] . r a w - Season 1 available to stream on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r-a-w/id1775066562] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5abNBttfx8GkxEFLUTCnbh?si=a63e9e174ef84ba1]. . Come find me and let's chat.

t h e . g r e a t . d i v i d e

In this episode I reflect on stepping into a new chapter after being promoted to a manager role and what it’s been like to look back on my years at work from a new perspective. Inspired by Noah Kahan’s album The Great Divide, this episode explores transition, growth, and the space between who you were and who you’re becoming. I talk about managing new brands, evolving responsibilities, and how life can feel like different seasons of a TV show. I also share dreams of building my own brands and businesses, ending on a hopeful, grateful note about the support around me and the road ahead.  . . . . message me [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449140/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449140/support] Discover more: . Home [https://2raw.buzzsprout.com] . Glimpse [https://www.instagram.com/damian_kosior] . Noise [https://x.com/2rawdamo] . Flicks [https://letterboxd.com/damiankosior] . Tunes [https://open.spotify.com/user/damcix] . Rotation [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1rPF8bpJbQcpg0Uqd15t0W?si=_q3epMwwRl6C8TRpVXGObw] . r a w - Season 1 available to stream on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r-a-w/id1775066562] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5abNBttfx8GkxEFLUTCnbh?si=a63e9e174ef84ba1]. . Come find me and let's chat.

s t r a n g e m a s

This unplanned episode was sparked by a meaningful conversation with my site director and turned into a full reflection on December and everything it stirred up. I talk through work tensions, holiday parties, complicated feelings about Christmas, and even the small but telling struggles—like not knowing what to wear when you’re changing as a person. The episode centers on letting go of old patterns, focusing on personal growth, and choosing myself as I step into a new chapter, including plans to start a YouTube channel. Along the way, I share moments with friends, thoughtful gifts, and my very mixed emotions about the Stranger Things finale. A reflective close to a month all about shedding and moving forward.  . . . . message me [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449140/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449140/support] Discover more: . Home [https://2raw.buzzsprout.com] . Glimpse [https://www.instagram.com/damian_kosior] . Noise [https://x.com/2rawdamo] . Flicks [https://letterboxd.com/damiankosior] . Tunes [https://open.spotify.com/user/damcix] . Rotation [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1rPF8bpJbQcpg0Uqd15t0W?si=_q3epMwwRl6C8TRpVXGObw] . r a w - Season 1 available to stream on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r-a-w/id1775066562] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5abNBttfx8GkxEFLUTCnbh?si=a63e9e174ef84ba1]. . Come find me and let's chat.