EPISODE 646 - Chef Franck Desplechin - Relentless Growth - Cultivating a Chef’s Mindset for Professional Fulfillment

Most people simply know me as or simply call me Chef Franck; and that is exactly how I like it. Over time, "Chef Franck" has become more than just a name; it is a reflection of the way I show up in everything I do, with heart, passion, and a relentless commitment to grow and improve.

Behind the title is a lifetime dedicated to the craft of hospitality: My career began in the kitchens of Brittany, France, where I trained under Michelin-starred chefs who demanded nothing short of excellence. Those early years forged a deep respect for precision, discipline, and creativity. As I grew, my path took me beyond the kitchen, leading and mentoring teams, building businesses, and evolving with one constant: a love for creating meaningful connections.

From fine dining restaurants to luxury hotels and entrepreneurial ventures, every chapter has been a pursuit of one thing: creating meaningful experiences that stand the test of time. It has become so much more than food or leadership. It is about connection, transformation, influence and the pursuit of something greater than the work itself. It is the energy you bring into a room, the standard you set without saying a word, and the respect you earn by how you show up day after day.

Cheffranck.com was created as an extension of that spirit, a way to connect directly, without layers or filters. A place where craft, leadership, and authenticity meet opportunity. Whether it is building unforgettable workplace culture, strengthening teams, or guiding personal and professional growth, my mission remains the exact same: to elevate, to inspire, and to leave every place - and every person - better than I found them.

This is not just what I do. It is who I am.

I have never been one to follow a straight path; mine has been forged through pressure, uncertainty, reinvention, and an obsession with meaningful growth. What began in a small kitchen in Brittany at the age of 15 has become a lifelong pursuit of mastery, resilience, and purposeful leadership. From chasing Michelin stars in France to leading five-star operations across the Pacific and the U.S. I have learned that excellence is not found in the title, the awards, or the prestige; it is in the process. I have “failed”, started over, worked in languages I did not speak, and rebuilt my identity more than once. Along the way, I have grown from an apprentice with a dream to a chef tested by fire, an hospitality executive with a broader vision, and now, a founder, CEO and author driven by the same hunger I had on day one; but with far more perspective. Today, my work lives at the intersection of precision, purpose, and transformation; guiding teams, leaders, and organizations to rise, evolve, and deliver at the highest level. Not because it is easy, but because it is worth it.

Book: Relentless Growth - Cultivating a chef’s mindset for professional fulfillment

What if the only thing standing between you and true professional fulfillment was your mindset? Relentless Growth: Cultivating a Chef’s Mindset for Professional Fulfillment is my answer to this problem, offering a bold and practical blueprint for both emerging and seasoned hospitality professionals who want to thrive—not just survive—in one of the most demanding industries in the world.

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podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

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EPISODE 645 - Anthony Dyer - Moon Child - Roots and Wings of a USAF Combat Special Missions

ANTHONY DYER grew up in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, where adventure and resilience were woven into his very being. That same spirit of fearlessness carried him into a life of service, leading to an extraordinary career in Special Operations Aviation as a USAF Combat Special Missions Aviator. Over the course of more than a decade, Anthony flew into some of the most dangerous and unpredictable environments on the planet, executing high-risk missions that demanded precision, courage, and an unbreakable will.

His exceptional skill and unwavering commitment to his team earned him numerous accolades, including the Air Force’s Jolly Green Rescue Mission of the Year award in 2018 for his role in a daring, life-saving operation. Throughout his career, he witnessed both the triumphs and the burdens of combat, experiencing firsthand the weight that warriors carry long after the missions end.

When he’s not writing or speaking on behalf of those who have walked a similar path, Anthony finds solace in fishing, basketball, and the simple joys of family life. Above all, he is a devoted father and husband, embracing the adventure of parenthood with the same passion and intensity that defined his military career. Now residing in New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment, Anthony continues his journey—one that is no longer defined by combat

Book - Moon Child: The Roots and Wings of a USAF Combat Special Missions Aviator

Born in the rugged Appalachian town of Sylva, North Carolina, Anthony Dyer was raised in a world of untamed adventure, where resilience was a way of life. That same fearless spirit propelled him into the elite realm of Special Operations Aviation, where he spent over a decade as a USAF Combat Special Missions Aviator, flying into the world's most volatile war zones. Tasked with executing high-risk missions under relentless pressure, Anthony's career was defined by precision, courage, and sacrifice. But what happens when the mission ends?

In Moon Child, Anthony delivers a raw, unfiltered account of his life in combat-the triumphs, burdens, and unseen wounds that follow Warriors home. He shares the harrowing details of his most dangerous operations, including the 2018 Jolly Green Rescue Mission of the Year, where split-second decisions meant the difference between life and death. Yet, beyond the battlefield, Anthony faced a far deadlier enemy: the silent battles of addiction, trauma, and the search for purpose beyond war.

For those who have known war, for those who have battled addiction, and for those still finding their way-Moon Child is your story, too.

https://www.traitmarkermedia.com/moonchild

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podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

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EPISODE 644 - Marshall Fine - Journalist, Critic, Historian, Filmmaker, and Author of Hemlock Lane

About the author

After a fifty-year career as an award-winning journalist, critic, and filmmaker, Minneapolis native Marshall Fine made the transition to writing fiction in 2024 with the Kindle best-selling novel, "The Autumn of Ruth Winters." Fine has written biographies of filmmakers John Cassavetes and Sam Peckinpah, directed documentaries about film critic Rex Reed and comedian Robert Klein, conducted the Playboy Interview with Howard Stern, and chaired the New York Film Critics Circle four times. The author currently lives in Ossining, New York. His second novel, "Hemlock Lane," will be published in November 2025.

Book: Hemlock Lane

In this riveting story of family bonds and buried truths, a young woman’s homecoming becomes a reckoning as four days together threaten to shatter the comfortable lies that have held her family together.

In the summer of 1967, the Levitsky family convenes for a long weekend at their home in the suburbs―an idyllic holiday for the perfect family.

But Nora has always known better.

Growing up, she learned to tiptoe around her mother Lillian’s explosive temper. Her father did the same. Nora’s sole confidante was their housekeeper, Clara, and their bond has only strengthened through the years. In fact, it’s all that’s keeping Nora together for her homecoming. But under that lifetime of pressure, the facade is beginning to splinter.

Over the next four days, everyone’s secrets are at risk. None more so than what Nora really wants for her life, how Clara has helped her get it…and how they’ve orchestrated it all behind Lillian’s back.

As the family grapples with the complex ties that bind them, Nora discovers that facing the truth―however painful―might be the key to finally breaking free. This weekend, Nora’s bravest act may be in knowing which bonds to cherish and which ones need to be gently set aside, making room for a future of her own choosing.

https://www.marshallfine.com/
https://amzn.to/4n9ZIED

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https://livingthenextchapter.com/
podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
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