Luca The Podcast

Mandy Naglich on Hospitality, Human Connection & Why AI Can’t Replace Taste

Recorded in New York City, this episode of LUCA, THE PODCAST welcomes journalist, author and educator Mandy Naglich. Mandy shares her journey from working in hospitality to becoming one of the leading voices documenting cocktail culture, drinks journalism and the science of taste and smell. Together, Luca and Mandy explore: – the psychology behind cocktails and hospitality – storytelling in bars and media – burnout, connection and life in the drinks industry – social media, authenticity and AI – what truly makes a great cocktail bar – and why hospitality is ultimately about human connection A thoughtful conversation about culture, curiosity and the future of hospitality. Special thanks to the partners supporting the podcast: 🥃 THE ART OF SHAKING THE ART OF SHAKING 🍊 AMARO SANTONI AMARO SANTONI Follow the podcast on Instagram: @lucathepodcast

Andrea Grujic: “Nobody Else Is You” | Hospitality, Creativity & Building Your Own Brand

Recorded in New York City, this episode of LUCA, THE PODCAST welcomes Andrea Grujic — bartender, creative director and storyteller working at the intersection of hospitality and media. Andrea shares her journey from growing up across multiple countries to building a creative career in New York hospitality. The conversation explores storytelling, content creation, mentorship, burnout, social media, personal branding and the emotional side of hospitality that people rarely talk about. A powerful and deeply human episode about resilience, creativity and connection. Special thanks to the Athens Bar Show. This episode is proudly supported by: 🥃 THE ART OF SHAKING THE ART OF SHAKING [https://theartofshaking.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 🍊 AMARO SANTONI AMARO SANTONI [https://amarosantoni.com/en/prodotto/amaro-santoni/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Follow the podcast on Instagram: @lucathepodcast [https://www.instagram.com/lucathepodcast?utm_source=chatgpt.com]

How Athens Bar Show Really Works | Yiannis Vardakis

In this special Athens Bar Show edition of LUCA, THE PODCAST, Luca sits down with Yiannis Vardakis — Brand Ambassador of Athens Bar Show and one of the people helping make one of Europe’s most important hospitality events happen. From starting with boxes and operations to becoming a key figure behind the scenes, Yiannis shares a real perspective on teamwork, hospitality, and building something that lasts. In this episode, they explore: – How Athens Bar Show operates behind the scenes – Why hospitality skills matter in business – The truth about successful events – Why networking creates opportunity – The future of hospitality gatherings Recorded live during Athens Bar Show. Special thanks to the Athens Bar Show team for hosting this conversation. This podcast is proudly supported by: The Art of Shaking https://theartofshaking.com/ Amaro Santoni https://amarosantoni.com/en/prodotto/amaro-santoni/ Follow LUCA, THE PODCAST for more episodes.

There Is No Secret | Babis Kaidalidis

In this special Athens Bar Show edition of LUCA, THE PODCAST, Luca sits down with Babis Kaidalidis — founder of Athens Bar Show and one of the key figures behind the growth of Greece’s hospitality scene. From starting in the industry at 12 years old to building one of Europe’s most respected bar events, Babis shares an honest perspective on success, hard work, education, and community. In this episode, they explore: – How Athens Bar Show began – Why education matters more than products – The truth behind building something from zero – Why there is no secret to success – The future of hospitality and technology Recorded live during Athens Bar Show. Special thanks to the Athens Bar Show team for hosting this conversation. This podcast is proudly supported by: The Art of Shaking https://theartofshaking.com/ Amaro Santoni https://amarosantoni.com/en/prodotto/amaro-santoni/ Follow LUCA, THE PODCAST for more episodes.

Stop Copying What Works | Bianca Grisolia

In this special Athens Bar Show edition of LUCA, THE PODCAST, Luca sits down with Bianca Grisolia — PR and communication expert working with some of the most exciting bars and brands in the industry. Bianca shares a clear and honest perspective on what it really takes to build visibility and grow in today’s hospitality world. In this episode, they explore: – Why there is no magic formula in PR – The importance of authenticity in branding – How to build a strong communication strategy – The role of storytelling in hospitality – Why communication is no longer optional Recorded live during Athens Bar Show, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone building a brand in the drinks industry. Special thanks to the Athens Bar Show team for hosting this episode. This podcast is proudly supported by: The Art of Shaking https://theartofshaking.com/ Amaro Santoni https://amarosantoni.com/en/prodotto/amaro-santoni/ Follow LUCA, THE PODCAST for more episodes.