SL-036 Running On Empty

For years now, practically any industry has dealt with the threat of burnout. It was a problem before the COVID pandemic, became a bigger issue during 2020 and 2021, and has lingered since, as people try to find work-life balance that helps them find time to feel relaxed, recharged, or just happy. The challenges related to burnout are particularly harsh in hospitality, where staff at your favorite bar, restaurant, or brewery have to deal with high-pressure situations, unruly guests, long hours, and more. If you’re one of the millions of people who’ve watched the TV show, “The Bear,” and the chaos-inducing stories of restaurant staff, you’re also familiar with what can lead to burnout and its consequences.

In this episode of our podcast, Good Beer Hunting reporter and community editor Stephanie Grant takes us along for a series of conversations to better understand how burnout impacts people who work in beer. The causes are common—it’s those intense work environments and sometimes low pay—and we hope that hearing stories from those who’ve faced burnout and who are trying to combat it gives you a deeper understanding of how burnout impacts people.

You may have experienced burnout yourself at some point. You probably know someone who has. So, let’s learn a little bit more about what this issue is, why it needs to be addressed, and how we can better understand it.