Mike sits down with Lawrence Longo, a serial food and hospitality entrepreneur whose journey from hidden menu curator to restaurant empire builder has reshaped how people connect through food.

Lawrence shares how his early obsession with experience over ego led him from launching Off the Menu — a community built around secret dishes and insider dining — to reviving Irv's Burgers, expanding Prince St. Pizza nationwide, and building a hospitality group that's redefining what "premium fast food" really means.

They dive into the lessons learned from scaling beloved brands without losing their soul, the role of storytelling and community in hospitality, and what travel and culture have taught Lawrence about simplicity, obsession, and belonging.

This episode isn't just about food — it's about the universal language of connection, the places that shape us, and the people who keep showing up for what feels real.

Chapters:
00:00 – From hidden menus to hospitality visionary
05:00 – The story behind Off the Menu and food as connection
10:00 – Reviving Irv's Burgers and honoring old-school soul
15:00 – Expanding Prince St. Pizza without losing authenticity
20:00 – Scaling restaurants while keeping local roots
25:00 – Simplicity, obsession, and the power of hospitality
30:00 – Partner alignment and trusting local voices
35:00 – The community mindset behind every concept
40:00 – The travel that shaped a hospitality entrepreneur
45:00 – What it really means to build brands people love

In this deeply personal episode, Mike returns to his childhood home in Pacific Palisades — a place that once symbolized comfort, community, and family — now forever changed by one of the most devastating wildfires in U.S. history.

Through intimate conversations with his mother (and her experience of living in the Palisades for over 50 years), as well as his childhood best friend, photographer Chris Clinton, Mike explores themes of loss, resilience, and the unshakable spirit of community. Together, they reflect on growing up in the Palisades, the day the fire struck, and what it means to rebuild not just homes, but hope.

This is a story about memory, change, and finding connection in the aftermath of tragedy — a love letter to a place that shaped a lifetime of meaning.

Click here to read the New York Post article about Chris

Chapters:
00:00 – Returning home to the Palisades
04:00 – A call from Mom: loss, displacement, and silver linings
08:00 – Rebuilding community after the fire
10:00 – A conversation with childhood friend Chris Clinton
15:00 – Growing up in the Palisades
18:00 – The day the fire hit
24:00 – Escaping the flames and saving what remains
30:00 – The aftermath: grief, survival, and resilience
40:00 – What we lost — and what remains
48:00 – Finding meaning, healing, and home again

Ever wondered what it's like to record a podcast at 38,000 feet? Host Mike Schibel takes Travel With Meaning to new heights—literally—onboard Condor Airlines' flight from Frankfurt to Los Angeles on the sleek Airbus A330-900neo.

Joined by flight attendant Brendan Osborne, this episode captures the heart of travel, connection, and adventure midair.

Brendan shares what makes Condor stand out—from its stylish new striped fleet and boutique-style business class to its family-like culture and genuine hospitality. He also opens up about his personal journey from banking to flying, his most meaningful travel moments, and how travel represents freedom in his life. Plus, listeners get an inside look at Brendan's appearance on The Voice Germany and how he balances his passion for music with his career in the skies.

This episode celebrates wanderlust, storytelling, and the joy of seeing the world through new eyes—no passport required.

What to Listen For

[00:00:00] Mike introduces Travel With Meaning's first-ever in-flight recording

[00:02:14] The boutique comfort of Condor's new Airbus A330neo fleet

[00:03:32] Brendan shares the meaning behind Condor's colorful striped design

[00:04:43] How Condor's team culture creates a family-like atmosphere onboard

[00:05:41] Brendan's strategy for beating jet lag after long-haul flights

[00:06:19] His first solo flight and inspiration to become a flight attendant

[00:07:05] What "freedom through travel" means to him

[00:07:42] A magical moment watching the sunset from Table Mountain in Cape Town

[00:09:10] Brendan's journey on The Voice Germany and his upcoming single "Let It Go"

[00:11:36] Mike wraps up the journey from 38,000 feet and looks forward to the next adventure