#177 Duff Goldman, Celebrity Chef & TV Personality. "Just A Guy Doing What He Loves."

Podcast Summary: Chef Duff Goldman – Just a Guy Doing What He Loves Guest: Chef Duff Goldman, celebrity baker, entrepreneur, and TV personality Host: Bart Berkey, Founder of Most People Don’t Episode Theme: "Most People Are Really Cool." Chef Duff shares his journey of authenticity, kindness, and creativity—proving that success comes not from chasing profits but from following one’s passions and treating people right. Key Learnings & Takeaways: 1. Overcoming Anxiety and Self-Doubt We are all wired for anxiety, a survival instinct from our ancestors. The key is recognizing it as normal rather than something to feel guilty about. Many people live in a "cage of self-doubt," preventing them from reaching their full potential. Acceptance is the first step toward breaking free and creating great things. 2. Following Your Heart Is Simple, but Not Easy Duff references Moana as an example of how following your heart is a basic yet challenging concept. He emphasizes the importance of ignoring societal currents that try to dictate what we should do and instead embracing personal passions. 3. Shifting Life’s Focus: From Self to Others Becoming a father changed Duff’s perspective—his daughter is now the center of his universe. This shift makes life less self-centered and more fulfilling, driving him to work with purpose, not just for financial gain. 4. Kindness is Strength, Not Weakness Duff believes most people are inherently good, despite society and media painting the world as dangerous. He encourages choosing kindness, even in business, and notes that a culture of fear and transactional interactions have eroded true hospitality. A standout moment: On Kids Baking Championship, he didn’t correct a child when he misidentified their cake design—he adjusted and reinforced their confidence instead. 5. Authenticity in Business & Leadership Duff’s cake business was built on passion and creativity, starting as a way for musicians to support themselves. He hired art students and creatives who helped elevate his cakes to a new level. A key lesson: Let competent people do what they’re best at. He acknowledges that he wasn’t a great businessman initially but learned to delegate and trust others. 6. The Hospitality Industry Needs to Loosen Up Duff critiques the fear-driven, robotic customer service culture in many industries, particularly travel and hospitality. He urges companies to encourage genuine human interactions, as authenticity makes all the difference in customer experiences. 7. The Impact of Television on His Success While Charm City Cakes was already well-known in Baltimore, TV was the game-changer for Duff’s global brand. He learned that being on TV is a craft—and his biggest compliment is when people say he’s the same person in real life as on screen. 8. Future Plans & Business Growth Duff is launching a new deli at the Atlanta Airport—a dream he’s had for years. His cookbooks (Duff Bakes, Super Good Baking for Kids, and Super Good Cookies for Kids) focus on the science and fun of baking. His band will be playing in Vegas at the International Baking Industry Expo. Final Thought: Most People Are Really Cool When asked to complete the sentence “Most people don’t __,” Duff flipped it: **"Most people are really cool."**He believes most people are kind, generous, and willing to help others, despite how society portrays the world. He encourages looking for moments of goodness and supporting others through small acts of kindness—whether it's a simple smile, a few dollars for someone in need, or a moment of empathy. More about Duff here: https://www.duff.com/ More about Most People Don't here: https://bartaberkey.com