How to Transform Your Life with BBQ, Discipline & a Winning Mindset with Chef Eric LeVine

#podcast #food #cheflife

In this episode of The Duce Raymond Podcast, Duce sits down with Chef Eric to dive deep into the world of barbecue, leadership, and life behind the pit. From honoring Anthony Bourdain’s storytelling legacy and unpacking the evolution of kitchen culture, to exploring how leadership styles have shifted across generations, this conversation blends raw honesty with hard-earned wisdom. Eric shares lessons from his Hilton “Working with Millennials” training and the importance of adapting leadership to fit individuals, while Duce reflects on his father’s tough kitchen style versus his own approach to leading with respect. The episode closes with a powerful reminder that no one is alone in their struggles, and that through honesty, grit, and positivity, we can leave behind a lasting impact for the next generation. Whether you’re a BBQ enthusiast, a pitmaster in training, or someone seeking inspiration and leadership lessons, this conversation is packed with value, brotherhood, and real talk straight from the heart of the barbecue world.

00:00 – From Mickey Mouse Cookbook to Master Chef
2:13 – Catering Secrets from the King of Catersource
5:14 – How Eric Beat Cancer & Transformed His Health
7:59 – Why Average Is Never Enough
8:47 – Chef Eric’s Wellness Journey
12:03 – Why Risotto Is the Ultimate Chef’s Canvas
14:43 – Food, Life, and Lessons from Writing Cookbooks
17:00 – Start Small, Stay Consistent, Keep Growing
18:43 – Running the NYC Marathon, Loss, and Living with Purpose
24:33 – Never Meet Your Heroes
27:55 – The Power of Books & Presence
29:47 – Finding Purpose & Facing Mental Health
32:25 – Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover
36:18 – Love First, Everything Else Second
45:13 – The War Stories of Catering
53:29 – Running Multiple Concepts
56:13 – Time, Teams & Tough Choices
58:53 – Building Duce’s Wild
1:00:34 – Stop Playing Checkers, Start Playing Chess
1:06:03 – Lessons in Failure & Fuel
1:10:54 – Gary Vee, Storytelling & Real Partnership
1:16:33 – Bourdain, Kitchen Culture & Generational Shifts
1:20:12 – Learning to Lead Millennials (and Beyond)
1:23:23 – You’re Not Alone

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LinkedIn:   / eric-levine-671619104  
Website: https://www.chefericl.com/

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Editor Correction: The source citation at 31:40 should be @Usask