Shows
Awakening Code RadioStepping into your Greatness with Diane ArmitageTune in for first-time guest Diane Armitage—creator of The Catalyst Coach podcast and host of Best of Laguna on KX FM! Diane is a mindset and wealth mentor, podcast host, and former longtime writer for Bob Proctor, helping entrepreneurs shift their identity and energy to attract prosperity through her coaching, courses, and media platforms. Diane made a big splash on the show with Eric and Michelle, joined by surprise guests Admin Colleen and her firstborn, Carter, who added a heartwarming twist to the lively conversation.Catch Diane and her Money Physics Masterclass on June 19th at 1 PM ET...2025-06-131h 21
Mastering Restaurant RevenueWhy Most Restaurant Wine Programs Lose Money (And How to Fix Yours)Ep. 15 - A well-designed wine program can be a major revenue driving POD – or a costly, space hogging mistake! In this episode, Bruce Russo and Diane Armitage break down what actually works: how much wine inventory you really need, why overbuilding storage kills profits, smart display strategies that sell, better ways to manage temperature (and why Bruce avoids wine coolers), and how shifting customer trends are reshaping today’s wine programs. If you want your wine to flow — and your profits to grow — this one’s for you.
(0:53) Swirl, Sniff, Sip: Why Wine Programs Deserve More Love
(2:29) Liquid Assets: Managing Wine Inven...2025-06-1025 min
Best of Laguna BeachYour VIP Guide to June in Laguna BeachFrom sizzling sangrias to bluegrass under the stars, this first-ever Founders Circle “Best of Laguna Beach” radio replay is your front-row seat to what’s hot in Laguna this June.I’m serving up the latest on can’t-miss restaurant openings, local favorites you might’ve forgotten, and the best live music (even a global one in store) ➕ insider news on our art fests, and coastal gems happening all month long!Here’s a taste of what’s inside this month’s radio roundup:✅ The new spot everyone’s buzzing about 🍝✅ The can't-miss Father’s Day weekend gift - Hollywood’...2025-06-0844 min
Best of Laguna BeachChef Nick Reveals New Drake Venture & Tiny Sous Chef on the WayThis Monday at KXFM 104.7’s “Best of Laguna Beach,” I welcomed Chef Nick Gstrein, Co-Partner of The Drake Laguna Beach and Co-Chef with his famed dad, Chef Paul. This show was a hoot - audio replay above ☝️, especially as Nick had plenty of amazing announcements and I introduced a new CONTEST I’m doing for live listeners … first run was bumpy on my side of the controls, but Chef Nick killed it!Here’s what we covered:✅ Popular plate switchups for spring, including Nick’s favorite, a play on a “light version” of Pork Schnitzel and how Nick uses a vast...2025-06-0850 min
Mastering Restaurant RevenueThe Revenue Pillars That Work and the Projects We Refuse: Listener Q&AEp. 14 - In yet another listener Q&A episode of Mastering Restaurant Revenue, Diane answers questions around the 3 core revenue pillars every restaurant must master plus why your current patrons are the key to bringing in new ones without blowing your budget. (With examples on how to make this happen.) Bruce follows with real talk from the design/build trenches: why we walk away from some big-money contracts, the cost of shopping bids, client red flags in restaurant builds, and how smart timing and the right team save you months (and thousands, even millions).
Drop into our community and...2025-06-0349 min
Mastering Restaurant RevenueExhaust Wars, Sewer Smells & HVAC Truth Bombs: Restaurant Engineering Q&AEp. 13 - In this no-holds-barred Q&A episode, we’re diving headfirst into the unseen forces behind every successful restaurant build – the mechanicals, HVAC, hoods, airflow, and all the nerdy-but-necessary engineering details that make or break your operation. Bruce Russo and Diane Armitage answer questions about 2nd-gen restaurant conversions, wood-fire grill compliance, and why your front door flying open might be your HVAC system screaming for help.You’ll learn what causes that dreaded sewer gas smell (and how to stop it), how exhaust and makeup air must balance to keep your team from walking out, and why “paid air” flying out...2025-05-2730 min
Mastering Restaurant RevenueTakeout, Traffic Lanes & Dish Pit Secrets: Restaurant Ops Answered Rapid-FireEp. 12 - In this rapid-fire Q&A episode of Mastering Restaurant Revenue, we’re answering real-world questions from operators who want smoother systems and bigger margins without burning out their team. Bruce Russo and Diane Armitage dive into the strategic build decisions behind a true “manufacturing plant” kitchen, from traffic lanes and dish pit placement to POS flow and takeout integration. You’ll learn why your host should never handle takeout orders at the stand, how patio warming kitchens and portable bars can boost guest spend, and why a smart kitchen layout is the key to scaling takeout to 25–30% of total reve...2025-05-2027 min
Best of Laguna BeachThe Soul of Laguna: Why the TOT Tax Renewal Matters NowIn this week’s KXFM 104.7’s radio show, Ruben Flores and I are talking about this City’s tourism, arts and brand alignment. In the show’s replay (above), we dive into the heart of what makes Laguna Beach Laguna Beach – and why, with the renewal contract of the Laguna Beach Tourism Marketing District on the table – many residents are engaging more deeply in the conversation about how we move forward.Quick background:As part of this Marketing District discussion, the City is considering the contract renewal for Visit Laguna Beach, our current tourism marketing agency. At the same time, thi...2025-05-1552 min
Mastering Restaurant RevenueTAKEOUT Isn’t a Side Gig. It’s Your Unsung Profit HeroOften regarded as a nice little add-on, your "takeout" program is actually a juggernaut – and if you're not treating it like one, you're leaving serious money on the table. In this episode, Bruce Russo and Diane Armitage unpack how COVID cracked open the takeout game and why the smartest operators never looked back. From revenue pods that streamline your to-go ops, to eliminating the chaos of drivers loitering at the front desk, they walk you through the real infrastructure of profitable takeout. This isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about building a revenue stream that runs like its own depart...2025-05-1326 min
Best of Laguna BeachAgainst the Tide: Starfish Turns Struggle into Culinary GloryIt was a particularly meaningful radio show day on Monday at KXFM 104.7 when I greeted my guests and good friends, Archie and Gretchen McConnell, with local (and visitor) favorite, Starfish Asian.When Starfish Laguna first opened its doors, it had the name, the vibe and the ambition but what it didn’t have was much of a safety net. The odds were brutal, the bank accounts were near empty, and the early days felt like a losing battle against the tide. But (then) Gretchen Andrews and Archie McConnell – now the husband-and-wife team behind this now-iconic restaurant – didn’t just hol...2025-05-0754 min
Best of Laguna BeachHottest Bites, New Restaurants & Events This Weekend in Laguna BeachThis week’s Best of Laguna Beach radio show covered the gamut! So much to cover! The full audio replay is above ☝️ with a more detailed descriptive of these quick notes I’ve posted below.Tickets are moving fassst!Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival - June 13-14I mentioned this one first because tickets are moving really, really fast. It’s a very cool immersive for everyone in your family.Balboa Yacht Club annually hosts this event and it is always open to the public. This year, it’s a Hollywood theme – Stories of the Sea: Wooden B...2025-05-0743 min
Best of Laguna BeachFrom Silver Screen to Shoreline: Newport’s Wooden Boat Fest Is Here!Step Into Nautical Nostalgia (and a Bit of Old Hollywood Glitz)Yesterday, Monday, April 21st at the “Best of Laguna Beach” radio show, I had an especially fun discussion with Balboa Yacht Club’s Steve Paljieg, who’s Co-Chair for the club’s upcoming, always-amazing Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival on June 13th & 14th.Balboa Yacht Club annually hosts this event and it is always open to the public. This year, it’s a Hollywood theme – Stories of the Sea: Wooden Boats in Film & Fiction – with classic wooden boats arriving from all points of the country that have been owne...2025-05-0755 min
Mastering Restaurant RevenueThe Bar Menu That's Bleeding You DryMost restaurant owners treat the bar menu like an afterthought – and that’s exactly why it’s underperforming. Whether you’re in pre-opening mode or long past your ribbon-cutting, your bar menu could be the biggest missed opportunity on your floor plan.
In this episode, Diane Armitage and Bruce Russo zero in on the profit engine hiding in plain sight: your bar's F&B. From overpriced inventory to drink menus that don’t sell, they expose the silent killers draining your margins – and what to do instead.
Plus, they explore how Yelp reviews, server training and group dining dynamics are all connecte...2025-05-0626 min
Mastering Restaurant RevenueThis Overlooked Restaurant Area Could 2X Your RevenueMost restaurant operators think patios are just “extra seating.”
But if you treat your patio as a separate business unit, it becomes one of the most powerful revenue pods in your restaurant.
In this episode of Mastering Restaurant Revenue, Diane Armitage and Bruce Russo reveal how to design, staff, and operate a patio that pulls serious profit year-round — from heating and airflow to menu strategy and seating flow.
If your patio isn’t performing, this episode will show you exactly what to fix — and what most restaurants miss.
https://restaurantrevenue.substack.com/
(0:00) Introduction to revenue pods and host introducti...2025-04-2945 min
Mastering Restaurant RevenueThe Bartender’s Battlefield: How Bar Design Wins or Loses You Money🍷🍸 If your bar isn’t DESIGNED to sell… you’re pouring money down the drain.
In this episode of Mastering Restaurant Revenue, Diane Armitage and Bruce Russo expose the hidden flaws in bar layout and design that are silently killing operations and profits – and what to fix now to double revenue from the same space.
From bartender chaos zones to smart upsell setups, Bruce and Diane share genius design hacks that owners overlook (until it’s too late).
https://restaurantrevenue.substack.com/
(0:00) – Welcome to the battlefield: Why your bar might be bleeding revenue
(1:00) – Design first, dollars follow: What most bar owners get...2025-04-2245 min
Best of Laguna BeachPermits, Penalties & Pop-Ups: Restaurant Buildouts Uncorked 🍷🛠️On my Best of Laguna Beach radio show at KXFM 104.7, my renowned, very wry regular guest - Bruce Russo - joins me as we pull back the curtain on what it really takes to go from “cool retail space” or “that great 2nd-gen restaurant space that’s going to be so easy to move into” to “fully operational, legally permitted, health-inspected, liquor-serving dining experience.”Bruce Russo’s seen it all – and built it all. And in this episode, he’s spilling hard-won lessons from his legendary 222 Ocean Avenue project (plus the innumerable times he’s built an entire nightclub in 5 days—but we’ll get to...2025-04-1754 min
Mastering Restaurant RevenueThe Real MVP of Your Restaurant (Hint: It's NOT the Chef)If you think your Chef, GM, or even your servers are the most important people in your restaurant, think again. The HOST STAND is where the greatest chunk of your revenue is won or lost. If your host is just greeting guests, checking names off a list and marching forward with menus in hand, you're losing money.
In this episode, Diane Armitage and Bruce Russo break down how a well-trained, strategically placed host can ignite multiple revenue pods throughout the restaurant while vastly ensuring return guest experience and securing long-term profitability for your entity.
This episode will change the way...2025-04-1533 minBest of Laguna BeachFrom Farro Bowls to Margarita Trucks – Laguna’s Got LayersOn this week’s episode of Best of Laguna Beach on KXFM 104.7, I sat down with Laguna Nursery and Visionscape Design owner Ruben Flores to chat about the amazing events, spaces, and stories that make Laguna special – and why strong, authentic, in-the-trenches marketing matters more than ever.I'm publishing this replay early to encourage you to attend tonight's meeting and add your voice.As someone who's been celebrating and championing “Laguna’s best” for nearly two decades from radio to podcast and blog to books — I believe we owe it to this incredible town to ensure that our many unique...2025-04-0952 min
Mastering Restaurant RevenueThe 3 Moves That Take Restaurant Revenue Exponential (Most Owners Miss ’Em)If you're stuck chasing more restaurant patrons to make more money… you're playing the wrong game.
In this powerhouse episode, Diane Armitage reveals the only three ways to increase income in any business – and how most restaurant owners are only using one.
Joined by Bruce Russo, the two break down how to strategically design your ENTIRE marketing and operations strategy around these three golden keys to unlock exponential growth.
https://MasteringRestaurantRevenue.com
https://BRussoDesigns.com
https://ArmtiageInc.com
(0:00) Introduction and hosts' background with early marketing strategy
(3:12) Role of branding and ambiance in restaurant design
(7:33) Diane's marketing pillars and Jay...2025-04-0838 min
Best of Laguna BeachIncoming Piatti restaurant: Why they chose Laguna BeachOn my Best of Laguna Beach show this week, a very special guest joined me – Matt Stuhl – to talk about all the plans for his company’s incoming restaurant, Piatti on 222 Ocean Avenue (previously Taverna/Ocean at Main/Suenos/Cabana). Listen in as he talks about what they have in play and what’s in the plan. What a great introduction between a locally-centric restaurant company and the residents and visitors of Laguna Beach!Go to: BestofLagunaBeach.com for ongoing news on events, restaurants, chefs, artists and more, more more! Follow in social media @BestofLagunaBeach...2025-04-0551 min
Mastering Restaurant RevenueHidden Landmines in Restaurant Leases (+ How One Got 8 Years Free!)You’re about to sign the lease on what looks like your dream location.The rent seems reasonable, the space looks fine and you’re ready to roll.
⚠️ But that lease? It could bury your business before you even open your doors.
In this episode, we uncover the costly mistakes hidden inside restaurant leases – from 2nd-gen space nightmares to city plan review traps, capital expenditure sinkholes and lease terms that bleed you dry. Listen in as Bruce explains saving restaurant owners hundreds of thousands through smart negotiations, VITAL inspections and strategy – including landing one owner 8 years of FREE rent. 😲
https://restaur...2025-04-0140 min
Best of Laguna BeachTearing Down Fences & Talking Restaurants with Ruben FloresOn Monday, at “Best of Laguna Beach’s” radio show at KXFM 104.7, Laguna Nursery and Visionscape Design Owner Ruben Flores joins me for ALL sorts of discussion, from new restaurants to sorry construction fencing at Main Beach … to our dining in 12 restaurants last week and positive moves we’re seeing from the new City Manager and Planning Commission.Here’s a quick summary of this week’s newsy show:✅ Last week’s launch of “Mastering Restaurant Revenue,” the podcast between me and restaurant industry GOAT Bruce Russo, was a happy and successful launch. Ruben says that he can’t go into any...2025-03-2850 min
Best of Laguna BeachLaguna’s F&B Scene + New Podcast Alert!In Monday, March 17th’s “Best of Laguna Beach” radio show (audio replay above) at Laguna’s only KXFM Radio 104.7, I brought in my two favorite regulars – together – for THREE big discussions:🔥 New behind-the-scenes restaurant podcast!🍽️ My latest updates on the entire restaurant scene in Laguna🚧 Big renovation beginning at Main BeachJoining me was Ruben Flores, owner of Laguna Nursery and Visionscape, Inc. and a significant voice in Laguna Beach.Then, I brought Bruce Russo back into Monday’s mix, because this national G.O.A.T of restaurant industry design and build had a lot to say about a...2025-03-2846 min
Mastering Restaurant Revenue🥷 The Secret Sales Weapon in Every Restaurant!From purse hooks to five-star thrones, your restrooms need to be the real MVP of your restaurant. 😲
Diane Armitage and Bruce Russo pull back the curtain on why restroom design is way more important than you think – especially for women and men who love to make a first impression. 👠
From purse hooks to five-star lighting, hidden ADA pitfalls, and the secret psychology behind restroom layouts, Bruce and Diane share how smart design in the smallest space can leave the biggest impression … Because when your guests walk into the restroom, they’re making more decisions than you realize – and ALL of those decision...2025-03-2534 min
Mastering Restaurant RevenueThe PROFIT-First Restaurant Playbook: Build, Run & Scale Smarter🔥 More revenue. Less waste. Smarter design.
In this pilot episode, Restaurant Design/Build Powerhouse Bruce Russo and Growth Strategist Diane Armitage combine 75 years of experience to break down how restaurant design and "minor" front of house decisions directly impact your restaurant profitability — whether you’re running a 25-seat gem or a high-volume powerhouse.
https://restaurantrevenue.substack.com/
(0:00) Meet Your Hosts: Who We Are & Why We’re Pulling Back the Curtain 🎙️
(5:02) The Secret to Restaurant Design That Prints Money 💰
(10:23) Why Your Kitchen & Front-of-House Are Bleeding Profits (And How to Fix It) 🚀
(14:16) Hidden Revenue Streams: The Money You’re Leaving on the Table 💸
(22:48...2025-03-1841 min
Mastering Restaurant Revenue🔥 The Secret Revenue Formula for Every Restaurant💰 More revenue streams. More profit. Less stress.
Most restaurant owners focus on the wrong things when it comes to making money. In this episode, Bruce Russo and Diane Armitage break down how to create a bulletproof revenue strategy that keeps cash flowing —without burning out your team or cutting corners. It starts with your square footage and ends with these multiple revenue pods you want to have in place.
https://restaurantrevenue.substack.com/
(0:00) Introduction and overview of maximizing restaurant revenue
(1:35) Foundational understanding of restaurant design and revenue pods
(2:37) Exploring restaurant categories and casual dining concepts
(13:27) Square footage and desig...2025-03-1835 min
Mastering Restaurant Revenue💥Renovations, Rats & Money Traps - Here's How to Save ThousandsLeasing an old restaurant space? Thinking of a revamp? Before you sign anything or swing a hammer, listen in.
Diane Armitage and Bruce Russo expose the biggest profit-draining mistakes in restaurant maintenance, compliance, and build-outs — plus how to dodge them before they drain your bank account.
https://restaurantrevenue.substack.com/
(0:00) Why restaurant maintenance is secretly draining your profits
(1:46) Contractor horror stories: When renovations turn into nightmares
(8:50) The real cost of kitchen breakdowns (and how to avoid them)
(13:27) The dark side of second-gen spaces — pests, plumbing & hidden costs
(20:11) How skipping inspections now leads to financial disaster later
(27:35) Fire suppression syst...2025-03-1848 min
Best of Laguna BeachFinney’s Secrets: Killer Cocktails, Low Prices & One Must-Try Dish!This week’s Monday radio show, “Best of Laguna Beach,” was especially fun for me because it was my first time meeting and talking with Executive Chef Eric BosRau from Finney’s Crafthouse – uniquely named here, actually, as Finney’s at the White House in homage to our first established restaurant in Laguna Beach (1918).Filling those 105-year old shoes might have been daunting to most restaurant groups, but Finney’s took on the challenge, opening on March 20, 2023. (They initially took over the unrenovated space in September 2021, which required an 18-month overhaul before they first opened their doors.)Chef Eric has been with...2025-03-1650 min
Best of Laguna BeachInside Evan’s Gourmet: New Spring Menu, Wine Picks & Unique Group DiningOn Monday, Feb 17th, it was a fun, fast-moving interview with Chef Evan Lewis of the year-old restaurant, Evan’s Gourmet, my most favorite restaurant find this year!860 Glenneyre Street (Thalia and Glenneyre)Open Wed, Thurs, Fri & Sat evenings, 5 pm - 9 pmSunday Brunch, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. with live musicReservations: Call or text: (949) 388-1568(I always recommend sitting at the Chef’s Counter/Bar)Show Notes: Chef Evan explains her “eclectic/fusion” menu, a compilation of her favorite catering items.We talk about the ONE s...2025-02-2354 min
Best of Laguna BeachGrab Tix: "Artiste" Wine Tasting Comes to LagunaGrab Tix: "Artiste" Wine Tasting Comes to LagunaOn my “Best of Laguna Beach” show, Ruben Flores and I interviewed the Founder of Artiste Wines out of Santa Ynez in Northern Santa Barbara County. Bion Rice, the founder of this truly lovely wine, is a 5th generation winemaker after his great-great-great grandfather first got into the industry in Napa Valley in the 1890s.As we announced in yesterday’s radio show …Bion and his Artiste collection of wines is coming to Laguna Beach for a V.I.P. wine tasting event on Sunday, March 9t...2025-02-1753 min
Everybody's got a StoryPromotional Tips for Writers with Diane ArmitageSocial Media genius and The Best of Laguna Beach maven Diane Armitage offers writers advice and "how to" tips on the subject of promoting their writing. Diane discusses the importance of "leverage" and why writers owe it to themselves and their readers to make sure they "don't paddle around the harbor" but get their work out there! Diane also reveals that it's OK for writers to make money and provides practical insights on how to build readership and potential income streams through joint ventures with others (click here to learn more about her masterclass)....2025-02-1355 min
Laguna TalksDiane ArmitageDiane Armitage is a nationally renown restaurant consultant and a gives us a rundown of the restautrant scene here in Laguna.2025-01-3159 min
Best of Laguna BeachRestaurateur Chris Olsen: Our Fave Wine Gallery Guy + Heroic Moves to Resurrect 242 SushiIn Monday, Jan. 27th’s “Best of Laguna Beach” radio show (audio replay above) at Laguna’s only KXFM Radio 104.7, I had a trifecta winning ticket for you.#1 – It was Chris Olsen, the well-loved Owner/Operator or Wine Gallery as well as the Co-Owner of Miki Sushi with Greg Washer.#2 - Then, I introduced Celebrity Chef Mary Schoenlein, who created the renowned Mary’s Marvelous breakfast and lunch shops in Amagansett and East Hampton of Long Island, NY.#3 - And throughout the show, we offered plent...2025-01-3051 min
Mastering Restaurant RevenueMaximizing restaurant revenue: strategies, cost control, and customer loyaltyDiane Armitage delves into strategies for boosting restaurant revenue, covering menu design, pricing, cost control, and technology. She also discusses building customer loyalty and financial planning. The episode features a Q&A with industry experts and a sponsor segment.
https://restaurantrevenue.substack.com/
Diane Armitage
https://dianearmitage.com/
(0:00) Introduction and Mission Statement
(2:00) Key Strategies for Maximizing Restaurant Revenue
(15:00) Menu Design and Pricing for Profit
(25:00) Effective Cost Control Techniques
(35:00) Leveraging Technology for Revenue Growth
(45:00) Building a Loyal Customer Base
(55:00) Sponsor: Restaurant Success Academy
(1:05:00) Financial Planning and Forecasting
(1:15:00) Q&A with Industry Experts
(1:25:00) Closing Remarks and Next Episode...2025-01-3001 min
Best of Laguna BeachRebuild LA’s Restaurants? Our Insights + Regaining Laguna's MystiqueIn this Monday, Jan 20th’s radio show at KXFM 104.7 (repay above), my guest Bruce Russo (the country’s largest restaurant developer) and I talk about the massive undertaking L.A. retailers and restaurants face in their rebuild. There are SO many layers here that will have to be addressed. All politics aside, this disaster will prove the largest rebuild undertaking in the country. Here’s why …And THEN, we talk about the potential for greater (and specific) support for Laguna Beach’s restaurants.The structural and underground difference between buildings destroyed in hurricane or tornadoes vs. buildings...2025-01-2548 minBest of Laguna BeachFires, Closures & Soup Comfort: Laguna Beach Buzz You Need to KnowOn Monday, Jan. 13th, Best of Laguna Beach’s™ radio show started with a bang for this New Year. My “regular” guest, Ruben Flores, was back in the studio with me to talk about everything from fires to preparing for fires here in Laguna Beach … to Ivan Spiers’ abrupt closure of two popular restaurants … to soups that we love in restaurants all around town (because we all need some love and comfort these days). What we covered: Mon, Jan. 13th’s show notes:The easiest way to “harden” our properties against firesWhile greenery and a canopy of green is a...2025-01-1653 min
Best of Laguna BeachLessons a 150 lb furball Taught the World + My crazy arrival in Laguna BeachOn Monday, Dec. 30th (seems like weeks ago already), I took a bit of a detour from my regularly scheduled “Best of Laguna Beach” show at KXFM Radio 104.7To wrap up the year, I told two personal (and sort of funny) stories.I first talked about how most of the residents here CHOSE Laguna Beach for their permanent residence … me included.How I actually arrived here is a rather astounding story.Then, I shared an old Christmas letter I wrote way back in 2003 about my beloved great Pyrenees, Merlin, passing away just a few days p...2025-01-0645 min
Best of Laguna BeachThe Drake's Chef Nick Gstrein Talks Its Phenom Success + Cookin' With DadOn Monday, Dec. 16th, The Drake’s Chef Nick Gstrein joined me in the KXFM 104.7 radio studio for another exclusive interview on the life and times of Laguna Beach chefs.The Drake Laguna Beach has been a rocking, high-level dining experience from its opening day with live jazz, blues and contemporary classic music 7 nights a week. This is also a rare entity in that it’s a father-son chef duo in the kitchen.In all the times I’ve visited The Drake Laguna Beach, it’s been nothing short of a dazzling experience. Now it’s time for you to lea...2024-12-2051 min
Expansive CEOEpisode 146: Unlocking Your Inner Genius Through the “Tower of Power” Method with Diane ArmitageDo you have a big decision to make in life or business? Can you know for sure which direction to take? More importantly, how can you tap into the inner wisdom that already lies within you?
There are six mental factors that influence your decision making: reason, will, perception, memory, imagination, and intuition. Together they form the “Tower of Power”!
In this episode, Hannah Chapman, CFP, APMA, CRPC, talks with Diane Armitage, a renowned self-development expert, on how to use this powerful framework in your own life.
Tune...2024-12-1843 minBest of Laguna BeachUpdates on Incoming Laguna Restaurants + Holiday Events in a 5-Mile Range!On Dec. 9th, Ruben Flores and I jumped back into my Monday “Best of Laguna Beach” radio show at KXFM 104.7, Laguna’s only community radio. We had A LOT to talk about!SHOW NOTESOur Laguna’s “Hospitality Night” review, including the Pepper tree lighting, our opinion on this year’s downtown holiday lighting and our opinion on what Dana Point is doing in comparison, especially at Dana’s Harbor (Festival of Lights). We also talk about 6 restaurants and 2 great retail stores (Nuance and Tuvalu) that our small group dropped in on during the super-packed evening downtown...2024-12-1357 min
Good GrowingEp. 193 Our Favorite Gardening Books for Winter Reading, Gifts, or Anytime of Year | #GoodGrowingThis week on the Good Growing Podcast, Emily Swihart joins Ken and Chris to discuss our favorite gardening and landscaping books. We discuss reference books, fiction and nonfiction, and even children's books. Beyond our favorites, we also interviewed our fellow horticulture educators to get their recommendations. This is a longer episode, so be sure to use the timestamps in the episode description to jump to your favorite sections. Happy listening!Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/RskDlYC8TRk 00:31 Hey Ken!01:00 Welcome Emily!01:35 What are our reading habits? 03:38 How do we choose bo...2024-12-061h 20
Best of Laguna BeachThe 60 Days That Make (or Break) RestaurantsThis week, the most prolific and successful Restaurant Developer in the country, Bruce Russo, steps in for another fun convo with me on my Monday radio show at Laguna’s only community radio, KXFM Radio 104.7This time, we’re talking about Private Dining and Group Dining in restaurants, particularly around the holiday season. (And how NOT to let your big group dining events impinge on your beloved patrons who just want to be fed in a timely manner.)Typically, the last 60 days of the year are the most profitable AND the most difficult for restaurants everywhere. We t...2024-12-0541 min
Best of Laguna BeachHamptons' Celeb Chef Mary Schoenlein + Recipes!Welcome to my Thanksgiving holiday special for you! On Monday (11/25) at KXFM Radio 104.7, I interviewed Celebrity Chef Mary Schoenlein, renowned Founder of Mary’s Marvelous, a 2002-2021 can’t-live-without-it breakfast and lunch spot in the posh Hamptons of New York.Mary has recently resurrected Mary’s Marvelous at her brand new Substack blog. Readers all over the world are, once again, flocking to see what this Celebrity Chef has to say about life lessons around cookin’ and food, and many of her most well-loved recipes.SHOW SUMMARY & NOTESWe talk about how Mary and her nativ...2024-12-0151 min
KX Takeover 24'Best of Laguna - Diane Armitage with Ruben Flores (Takeover24')2024-11-211h 00
Best of Laguna BeachSawdust Artist Baruch Kaufman's Scoop on Winter Fantasy Fest - Opens Friday!In this podcast, I introduce my TOP TWO favorite holiday events and one of my favorite artists (and humans) at the Winter Fantasy Sawdust Festival – my in-studio guest, Baruch Kaufman.The Winter Fantasy - my #1 favorite event in Laguna Beach all year long – begins this Friday, Nov. 22nd, and we’re here to talk all about its extreme uniqueness. Winter Fantasy at the Sawdust is every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Nov. 22nd through Dec. 22nd 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. 935 Laguna Canyon Road. Pay and park on the s...2024-11-2051 min
Best of Laguna BeachMonday's hectic, crazy-funny radio showIf you saw my 5-minute video in yesterday’s "Best of Laguna Beach" post about my crazy radio show this past Monday, you know it was NOT the standard fare I usually offer. I pulled Ruben Flores in to help me contact friends and raise money for our nonprofit radio station’s KXFM’s annual “Community Takeover” fundraiser. But we had such an inundation of calls, it looked and felt a lot like Lucy and Ethel in that famous "I Love Lucy" episode of their frantic efforts in the chocolate factory. Despite the chaos, it was a funny, heartwarmin...2024-11-1450 minBest of Laguna BeachNew Laguna Dining Announced + The Best Kind of Bars with Bruce RussoThis week at my “Best of Laguna Beach” radio show at KXFM 104.7, Bruce Russo returned to chat with me about another host of restaurant topics, from the new incoming restaurant group to “his” former restaurant in Laguna Beach … to restaurant training that goes MIA … to what Bruce creates in restaurants to woo diners … to a single woman’s take on sitting in restaurant bars.Show Notes:30 We talk about the difficulties and wins Bruce had in developing the 222 Ocean Avenue restaurant “Taverna” in Laguna Beach.11:50 I announce the newcomer restaurant group to 222 Ocean Avenue and what Bruce would...2024-11-0950 minBest of Laguna BeachLaguna Native Chef Evan Lewis Talks Turkey, Holidays, Sawdust & MoreThis past Monday, Oct. 28th, Laguna Beach native Chef Evan Lewis of the new restaurant, Evan’s Gourmet, joined me at the radio station, KFM 104.7. For nearly an hour, we talked everything from …● Evan’s native roots in Laguna Beach and the roots of her recipes in her fabulous restaurant ● Her ongoing, creative tenure at the infamous Sawdust Festival (she makes HOW many burgers each day??)● Evan’s new Thanksgiving specials for you and yours ● Her group dining and catering options for the holidays and beyond, andthe mot creative recipes she creates for her lucky patrons2024-10-3152 minEverybody's got a StoryThe Best of...Diane ArmitageColorado transplant Diane Armitage came to "...this little vortex town in 2000...and decided to get out and explore...and...the “Best of Laguna Beach™” blog (Best of Laguna Beach | Diane Armitage | Substack) and books were inadvertently born." Over 17 years, Diana has shared her “best of” findings for everything from breakfast burritos to live music and Laguna Beach's rockin’ chefs. Diane also owns a marketing agency that has specialized in marketing strategy for restaurants and resorts all over the world. Restaurateurs hire Diane and her team to talk through the physical design and development as well as the concept’s brand development.2024-10-3051 min
Best of Laguna BeachBeautifying Laguna's "Bourbon Street" + Evan's Gourmet ReviewMon, Sept. 23rd’s Best of Laguna show at KXFM 104.7 radio with my special guest, “Beautification Consultant” Ruben Flores:3:39 Ruben Flores recalls his first visit to Laguna Beach at the age of 5. (You wouldn’t believe where his family parked for their beach visit)6:33 The eclectic property in Laguna Beach that Ruben chose for his own home7:47 One of the Best of Laguna Beach Walking Tours ever … still rolling this winter12:29 When Laguna Sushi is closing. Get in there, please, to thank Chef Jay Sada (and the funniest story Chef ever shared with...2024-10-2549 min
Best of Laguna BeachLaguna's Haunted Houses, Greatest Eats & (fill-in-the-blank) Ocean AvenueThis Monday, Oct. 21st, my dear buddy Ruben Flores, joined me at my “Best of Laguna Beach” radio show on KXFM 104.7 Radio for lively, fun discussion that covers everything from places we think are haunted to updates on our favorite eats in Laguna and favorite sets around the world, thanks to Nelson Coates.Moments in the show:1:00 Introducing Ruben Flores “Laguna’s Beautification Consultant” and his versions of Laguna Nursery here in Laguna Beach.3:30 We talk a few minutes about Nelson Coates behind his back (Ruben’s partner and the Production Designer of “The Morning Sh...2024-10-2454 min
Best of Laguna BeachEverything Tacos & Margaritas in Laguna Beach!On Monday, Sept 30th on my KXFM 104.7 radio show, I chatted with two great guests - Coyote Grill's Co-Owner Desirée Gomez and Rasta Taco's / RastaRita Cantina / RastaRita Margarita Trucks Owner Mario Melendez.This was an enlightening, funny conversation as we covered a multitude of topics primarily around the best tacos, inventive margarita trucks and decades of time in Laguna Beach as local-favorite MExican restaurants. Here’s a quick rundown:START: I introduce Mario Melendez, 9-year Owner of Rasta Taco and Desirée Gomez, 35-year Owner of Coyote Grill, How they arrived in the restaurant business and why they chose L...2024-10-1757 min
Best of Laguna BeachLaguna's Chef Maro Molteni is Ramblin' OnOn Monday, Oct. 7th, it was another lively interview in my “Best of Laguna Beach” show at KXFM 104.7, Laguna’s Community Radio station.This week, my guest was local favorite, the immensely talented Chef Maro Molteni, who initially began Maro Wood Grill … then moved to Royal Hawaiian Fire Grill. He then stepped in as pinch hitter with Chef Leo Bongarra for the 2023 summer season at the Festival of Arts’ Terra (along with concessions, seven 7 seven, the [seven-degrees] event center, Hotel Laguna’s Larsen, and even the restaurant at Laguna Art A Fair … long story that you’ll hear about here).This...2024-10-1757 min
Best of Laguna BeachUnlock Big Profits with Killer Restaurant DesignOverview: This Monday, Oct 14th on my Best of Laguna Beach™ show at KXFM 104.7, I introduced one of the most prolifically successful restaurant designers in the United States. Bruce and I first met in 2015 when his Dallas-based restaurateur client asked him to oversee the Laguna development of what would become “Taverna” at 222 Ocean Avenue. I was on the prowl, covering all the restaurant happenings in Laguna Beach. We’ve been fast friends ever since.I consider Bruce Russo the most consequential, definitive restaurant developer and designer in the U.S. Having developed nearly 600 restauran...2024-10-1753 min
Creative CollaborationsLessons Learned As Bob Proctor's Writing Partner with Diane ArmitageIn this episode of "Collaborators Unite," Chuck Anderson welcomes Diane Armitage, a seasoned entrepreneur and personal development expert. Diane shares her insights on the importance of serving better, continuous improvement in client experiences, and quick brainstorming processes that tap into imagination. She discusses the significance of forming an emotional attachment to ideas, asking for support, and tackling self-manufactured obstacles. Diane also delves into the power of collaboration, the necessity of a growth mindset, and how reading impactful books like "Feeling is the Secret" has transformed her and her clients' journeys.Guest Bio:Diane Armitage has...2024-09-1738 min
Shining BrightlyLEGENDARY SPARK – BOB PROCTOR’S PROTEGE With Diane ArmitageEpisode Summary – OUR SAGES, MASTERS AND MENTORS CAN HELP US GET UNSTUCK IN LIFE, BUSINESS AND RELATIONSHIPS TO REACH OUR HUMAN POTENTIAL. In Episode 92 of the Shining Brightly Podcast Show (links in the comments), titled “LEDGENDARY SPARK– BOB PROCTOR’S PROTÉGÉ”. I am truly thrilled to be joined by Bob Proctors 27-year writing and collaborative partner – Diane Armitage. She speaks fondly of the cherished coffee meetings that she had each day as that work to POSITIVELY TRANSFORM LIVES. Mentioned Resources –Diane’s Golden Ticket Blog: https://DianeArmitageBlog.comDiane’s YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3XUgdeQLinkedIn: h...2024-08-1424 min
Unstoppable OvercomersPower Half Hour, Unstoppable Business Owner EP#119 Diane Armitage
30 years ago, Diane Armitage was a brand new entrepreneur who had no idea what she was doing. But on her first official day of business, Bob Proctor – one of the world’s greatest teachers on human potential and success – chose Diane to be his writer.
It was a speeding train from that moment forward as Diane and Bob worked together for 27 years, creating lessons, programs, scripts, and events. Their only goal: Help millions of people transform their lives to much better.
In that same timeframe, Diane was nicknamed “The Creator to the Creators, “The Secret Weapon,” and “The Millionaire Maker” by clie...2024-07-0131 min
Best Full Audiobooks in Non-Fiction, Current Affairs, Law, & PoliticsThe Searchers: Five Rebels, Their Dream of a Different Britain, and Their Many Enemies by Andy BeckettPlease visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/733679 to listen full audiobooks. Title: The Searchers: Five Rebels, Their Dream of a Different Britain, and Their Many Enemies Author: Andy Beckett Narrator: Alexi Armitage Format: Unabridged Audiobook Length: 19 hours 15 minutes Release date: May 2, 2024 Genres: Current Affairs, Law, & Politics Publisher's Summary: Brought to you by Penguin. In the great revolutionary year of 1968, Tony Benn was a respectable Labour minister in his forties, and he was restless. While new social movements were shaking up Britain and much of the world, Westminster politics seemed stuck. It was time, he decided, for a different approach. Over...2024-05-0205 min
Download Best Full Audiobooks in Non-Fiction, Current Affairs, Law, & PoliticsThe Searchers: Five Rebels, Their Dream of a Different Britain, and Their Many Enemies by Andy BeckettPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/733679to listen full audiobooks.
Title: The Searchers: Five Rebels, Their Dream of a Different Britain, and Their Many Enemies
Author: Andy Beckett
Narrator: Alexi Armitage
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 19 hours 15 minutes
Release date: May 2, 2024
Genres: Current Affairs, Law, & Politics
Publisher's Summary:
Brought to you by Penguin. In the great revolutionary year of 1968, Tony Benn was a respectable Labour minister in his forties, and he was restless. While new social movements were shaking up Britain and much of the world, Westminster politics seemed stuck. It was time, he decided, for a different approach. Over the...2024-05-027h 15
Papa Bear HikesNew Hampshire's Highest 48 Peaks and BeyondMartin welcomes our friend Diane Stuart to the podcast. Diane has been living life to the fullest after a delayed diagnosis and bout with Lyme Disease. Please tune in for a great and inspiring conversation. Follow Diane on Social Media:Diane Stuart (@diane.stuart.2017) • Instagram photos and videos Like and SUBSCRIBE TO: Martin Outside - YouTube Avalon Publicity & Business Services Increasing the Digital Footprint of Content Creators via Modern Publicity and Social Media ServicesSupport the showGet outside, have fun and be sa...2023-03-0656 min
Badass Women at Any AgeFinding Your Reason Why with Diane ArmitageDiane Armitage learned early in her career that she was the creator of her own success. Diane took a leap of faith by quitting her full-time job, following her dreams and jumping into entrepreneurship. She found success by focusing on living life with intention, purpose and actionable faith. 30 years ago Diane was a brand new entrepreneur who had absolutely no idea what she was doing but then came across what she calls “The Epic Switch” and everything changed. She's been nicknamed the Creator to Creators, the Secret Weapon and the Millionaire Maker by clients like Bob Proctor, Jack Canfield, Mark V...2023-01-0338 min
The Mystic Millionaire Podcast114. Lessons Learned from Legendary LeadersIn this episode, I am joined by Diane Armitage, a transformational mentor. She has met some of the most influential and outstanding individuals in the industry including Bob Proctor, Mark Victor Hansen, Jack Canfield, Tony Robbins, Les Brown, Jay Abraham, Mary Morrissey, and reverend Michael Beckwith. Join us as we delve into her key experiences that greatly contributed to her success as well as the importance of taking the first step to achieving your goals. If you're ready to start your way to success, listen in.Follow Diane Armitage here:Instagram: https://instagram...2022-11-0843 min
Download Best Full Audiobooks in Biography & Memoir, Arts & EntertainmentThe News Quiz: Another Classic Collection: Highlights from the topical Radio 4 comedy panel show by TbaPlease visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/593053 to listen full audiobooks. Title: The News Quiz: Another Classic Collection: Highlights from the topical Radio 4 comedy panel show Series: Part of The News Quiz Author: Tba Narrator: Angela Barnes, Andy Zaltzman, Nish Kumar, Sandi Toksvig, Miles Jupp, Barry Took, Barry Norman, Simon Hoggart Format: Unabridged Audiobook Length: 6 hours 53 minutes Release date: August 18, 2022 Genres: Arts & Entertainment Publisher's Summary: Proving that yesterday's news is every bit as entertaining as today's, these 14 archive episodes of the long-running BBC Radio 4 panel show are chaired by Barry Took, Simon Hoggart and Sandi Toksvig. Spanning the years from 1979 t...2022-08-1805 min
Small Changes Big ShiftsAn Upcoming Life-Changing Event for Women and Taking Age Out of the BoxWelcome to our Special Topics episode in July, where we bring in two of our sponsors to help bring our listeners community-building engagement, prevention and education opportunities available. Today’s Special Topics Episode Diane O’Byrne presents an amazing opportunity for women in the Kansas City area on September 3, 2022 – the Living in Vitality conference at AdventHealth (formally known as Shawnee Mission). This year marks its 25th anniversary, where they have spent all prior years bringing women together to learn and receive lifelong self-care takeaways that will finally get them closer to stepping into their best lives. S...2022-07-2431 minSmall Changes Big ShiftsAn Upcoming Life-Changing Event for Women and Taking Age Out of the BoxWelcome to our Special Topics episode in July, where we bring in two of our sponsors to help bring our listeners community-building engagement, prevention and education opportunities available. Today’s Special Topics Episode Diane O’Byrne presents an amazing opportunity for women in the Kansas City area on September 3, 2022 – the Living in Vitality conference at AdventHealth (formally known as Shawnee Mission). This year marks its 25th anniversary, where they have spent all prior years bringing women together to learn and receive lifelong self-care takeaways that will finally get them closer to stepping into their best lives. S...2022-07-2431 min
Freedom Nation PodcastGoing from Behind the Scenes to the Front of the Stage with Diane ArmitageA meeting with Bob Proctor led Diane Armitage on a journey from supporting Bob's work to starting her own business and helping others grow their businesses.
Diane and Jeff discuss:
Started in the corporate world and met Bob Proctor at an event. He encouraged her to start her own business.
Started her own marketing agency that grew worldwide.
Has gone on to go from just writing to website design, branding, etc.
Works with a lot of coaches that needed help getting online during the pandemic.
How she has gone from behind the scenes working for others...2022-06-2730 min
Cubicle to CEO142. Starting Over: Scaling A New Business From $0 to $60K MonthsNicknamed the “creator to the creators”, Diane Armitage is the powerhouse behind many well-known million and billion-dollar brands like Bob Proctor, Jay Abraham, and the creators of Chicken Soup for the Soul.Despite an impressive thirty years as an entrepreneur with several successful businesses she ran behind the scenes already under her belt, Diane was still scared to put her face out there and start her own personal brand. After joining our mentorship program, Cubicle to CEO, Diane finally took the leap. Today’s case study examines the strategy Diane used to scale her brand...2022-05-1643 min