WIRTW #762: the 'cheers' edition

🚨 BREAKING: The death of craft beer has been greatly exaggerated.

According to a new 2024 economic impact study from the Ohio Craft Brewers Association, my state's craft brewing industry is very much alive and pouring.

📊 Consider this:

• $1.29 billion in economic output (up from $1.22 billion in 2022).
• 12,255 jobs supporting 8,095 households (up from around 11,500 jobs in 2022).
• $427.3 million in labor income created.
• Nearly $230 million paid in state and federal taxes (identical to 2022).
• 46 new breweries opened in 2024—with 53 more already in planning (bringing Ohio’s total to 442, up from 420 in 2022, 357 in 2020, and 300 in 2018).

That's not a dying industry. That's a growth industry.

But let's not sugarcoat it: challenges remain. Younger generations are drinking less beer. Tastes are shifting toward spirits, RTDs, non-alcoholic options, and cannabis. And tariffs on brewing equipment and ingredients continue to threaten and squeeze margins. It's not easy out there—but Ohio's brewers are adapting, evolving, and still finding ways to grow.

Moreover, this isn't just about pints. Ohio breweries are revitalizing neighborhoods, anchoring downtowns, hosting community events, and donating millions to charity.

So the next time someone says "craft beer is over," raise a pint and say: Not in Ohio.

🍻 Cheers to great beer and better data.

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Here's what I read this week that you should read, too.

The 6th nominee for The Worst Employer of 2025 is … The Terrible Trafficker

HotHead Grabba is now officially in the hot seat.

A 74-count indictment charges owner Hunter Segree and two managers with operating a tobacco-processing sweatshop and exploiting its immigrant workforce.

2.5 million reasons to avoid age discrimination

"Younger and hungrier."

That was the phrase executives at CrossCountry Mortgage allegedly used to describe the kind of people they wanted in their accounting department.

The only problem? They already had Cheryl Shephard, a senior accountant who wasn't "younger." Shephard was 65. And a CPA. No disciplinary record. No PIP. Just years of reliable, quality work with strong performance reviews

Then, out of the blue, CrossCounty Mortage fired her in a so-called reduction in force.

Do you know the difference between legal and illegal interview questions?

You're hiring. Great.
You're asking illegal interview questions. Not so great.

Most employers don't mean to cross the line in interviews. But intent doesn't matter when the EEOC or a process server comes knocking. The law draws a pretty clear line around certain topics. And the moment you ask the wrong question, you've handed a candidate "Exhibit A" in their future discrimination claim.

The 5th nominee for The Worst Employer of 2025 is … The Predator Manager

The EEOC has filed a lawsuit against Franchise Management LLC, the operator of over 20 Subway locations in the Beehive State, alleging that it failed to prevent the sexual harassment and assault of a 16-year-old male employee by a district manager.

The manager, Justin Nielson, reportedly made inappropriate sexual comments, asked the employee for photos of himself in his underwear, sent similar photos of his own, and ultimately assaulted the teenager during work hours.

Inclusion isn't political #HappyPrideMonth🌈

It's Pride Month. And it matters now more than ever.

Ten years ago, a client fired me. Why? Because I suggested they add LGBTQ+ protections to their employee handbook. There was no federal law requiring it back then. They didn’t support "that lifestyle." I wasn't "a good fit" as their lawyer. I wanted to help them do the right thing, and they wanted to pretend certain people didn't exist. As much as I hoped they'd listen, they were right: I wasn't the right lawyer for them. And I'm proud of that.

Fast forward to 2020: the Supreme Court decided Bostock v. Clayton County, holding that Title VII protects employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It was a legal game-changer. But it didn't change everything.

Now, in 2025, LGBTQ+ rights are under a coordinated attack—through legislation, litigation, and relentless rhetoric. And some companies are backing away from DEI altogether, afraid of the backlash.

But here's the thing: inclusion shouldn't be political. Leading with integrity means standing up for your employees, especially when it's not easy.

WIRTW #761: the 'boss' edition

For over 50 years, Bruce Springsteen has been the voice of working people, dreamers, outcasts, and truth-tellers. His songs tell the story of real America—the kind with grit, heartbreak, hope, and heart.

And he's never been afraid to speak out—against injustice, against corruption, and yes, against authoritarian wannabes who mistake cruelty for strength.

So it's no surprise that Donald Trump has launched a full-on war against The Boss. He's called him a "radical left loser," a "dried up prune," and a "dumb rock star."

Cool. Because if Bruce is everything Trump hates, then maybe Bruce represents everything America should be.

June 14 is Donald Trump's birthday.
Let's take it back.

Let's turn it into something worth celebrating—not a day about narcissism and lies, but a day about music, truth, resistance, and unity.

We’re calling on Congress to declare June 14 as National Bruce Springsteen Day.

• A day to crank the volume.
• A day to remember the power of protest and poetry.
• A day to honor a man who’s never stopped fighting for the soul of this country.

Because you can't start a fire without a spark.
And Bruce Springsteen's been sparking the American spirit since 1973.

Sign the petition. Share it loud.
Let's reclaim the day—and remind the world who really represents the heart of America.

Let's make June 14 National Bruce Springsteen Day.
Because America deserves better than a birthday party for Trump.

Click here to sign the petition.

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Here's what I read this week that you should read, too.

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