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Estimated from 13 chart positions in 13 markets.
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- 🇺🇸US · Design#7930K to 100K
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15K to 56K🎙 Daily cadence·247 episodes·Last published today - Monthly Reach
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50K to 185K🇺🇸54%🇳🇱5%🇲🇽5%+10 more - Active Followers
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20K to 74K
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On the show
Recent episodes
Niching Down then Grow - Alex Kuby - Defining Hospitality
Jun 24, 2026
58m 40s
Beyond the Bulb - Thomas Paterson - Defining Hospitality
Jun 17, 2026
1h 00m 11s
Navigating the Peaks of Innovation - Larry Traxler - Defining Hospitality
Jun 10, 2026
1h 11m 27s
The Art of Belonging - John O’Sullivan - Defining Hospitality
Jun 3, 2026
1h 00m 14s
Balancing Business and Humanity - David Shove-Brown - Defining Hospitality
May 27, 2026
56m 59s
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| Date | Episode | Description | Length | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/24/26 |  Niching Down then Grow - Alex Kuby - Defining Hospitality | This week, Dan Ryan sits down with Alex Kuby, Associate Principal at Dyelot and a lifelong student of how built environments shape human experience. From his early days at HBA in Santa Monica to helping lead a studio through a full brand transformation, Alex has spent his career asking what it really means to make people feel seen, supported, and cared for inside a space. Together, Dan and Alex explore approachable hospitality, the power of integrated services, and what niching down actually looks like when you are doing it from the inside.About the Guest:On this episode, Dan Ryan sits down with Alex Kuby, Associate Principal at Dyelot, a hospitality interiors studio bolstered by branding, procurement, and architectural services. Alex has been part of the firm since its days as RDC, helping shape its evolution into a focused, values driven hospitality design practice. When he is not leading visioning workshops or authoring the Dylot blog, he is probably thinking about how a grocery store can double as a neighborhood heartbeat.Chapters:00:42 Show Intro and Sponsor01:04 Meet Alex Kuby01:31 Shared Roots and Catching Up03:19 Defining Hospitality03:58 Approachable Hospitality05:25 RDC to Dyelot Story09:34 WELL and Sustainable FF&E20:59 Capital ROI and Visioning32:23 Sustainable Sponsor Shoutout32:41 Design Meets Procurement35:38 Why Branding Comes First39:04 Blogging and Brand Transition41:49 Niching Down the Studio43:22 Grocery as Community Hub46:09 Public Spaces and Connection50:12 Career Advice and Mentorship53:28 Memory Lane and FarewellQuote of the Show:"Hospitality is the humanity in the built environment, that is the way in which we express care and facilitate all of those great high touch point, high emotional engagements that the best hospitality spaces are known for." - Alex KubyBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ Guest’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akuby/Guests Website: https://dyelot.com/Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ | 58m 40s | ||||||
| 6/17/26 |  Beyond the Bulb - Thomas Paterson - Defining Hospitality | Dan Ryan talks with Thomas Paterson, founder and lighting designer at Lux Populi, about one of hospitality's most overlooked design disciplines… light. Thomas explains why lighting designers need a seat at the table from day one, not after the drawings are done, and shares his take on how light shapes a space's emotional experience. The conversation covers the gap between the 2% of projects that engage a true lighting specialist and the 30-50% that probably should, what it means to design from the inside out, his unconventional path from Australia to Mexico City, the sustainability case for old-school screw-in bulbs, and why asking the right question at the right moment is the smartest move a lighting designer can make.About the Guest: Thomas Paterson is the founder, director, and principal lighting designer at Lux Populi, a Mexico City based lighting design studio. He brings a first principles approach to every project, asking what light can do before how it should look. His portfolio spans luxury resorts, boutique hotels, restaurants, museums, and infrastructure, including 15 years with Sandals Resorts, the Four Seasons Los Cabos, and a landmark tunnel gateway in Sydney. Originally from Australia and formerly based in London, he landed in Mexico City by chance and built one of the industry's most distinctive lighting practices.Chapters:00:25 Meet Lighting Designer Thomas03:09 Hospitality Through Light06:43 Bring Lighting In Early10:17 Who Owns The Brief11:46 Do Projects Hire Lighting17:23 Lighting As Editing Tool25:43 Fixing Spaces After Opening29:09 Why Mexico City31:53 Mexico City Safety Shift32:43 Designing the Cocoon33:17 Contrast and Tone Basics34:14 Fixing a Brand’s Lighting35:47 Kelvin Myths Explained37:38 Infrared and Homogenous LEDs42:39 Culture and Buying Bulbs47:37 Sustainability and PoE Lighting54:53 Future of Lighting DesignQuote of the Show: "Lighting design is an editing tool. Emphasize, de-emphasize, reveal, conceal." - Thomas PatersonBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ Guest’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tpaterson/ Guests Website: https://luxpopuli.com/New/ Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ | 1h 00m 11s | ||||||
| 6/10/26 |  Navigating the Peaks of Innovation - Larry Traxler - Defining Hospitality | This week, Dan Ryan sits down with Larry Traxler, a 30+ year veteran of architecture and design, former SVP Global Head of Architecture & Design at Hilton Hotels & Resorts, and founder of Traxworks Hospitality Collaborative, to make the case that great hospitality design isn’t about replicating what’s trending, it’s about understanding place, people, and purpose. From breaking ceramic tiles on job sites in Japan to navigating 102 countries and opening 1,000 hotels a year at Hilton, Larry has spent his career building bridges between creative vision and business reality, and now, finally free to say no, he’s going deeper than ever.About the Guest: On this episode, Dan Ryan sits down with Larry Traxler, founder of Traxworks Hospitality Collaborative and former SVP Global Head of Architecture and Design at Hilton Hotels & Resorts. Larry has shaped some of the most memorable spaces in global hospitality, one mosaic wall, and one very deliberate hammer swing at a time. When he’s not advising owners on design strategy or racking up passport stamps across his 102nd country, he’s photographing wildlife in his backyard, plotting a month in Africa, and finally, finally, getting to put more into the projects that truly light him up.Chapters:00:25 Welcome to Defining Hospitality01:28 Mentors Safari and Photography02:53 Backyard Safari and Reps05:42 Defining Hospitality Through Design12:09 Traxworks Freedom to Say No15:13 Jordan Mozer Narrative Craft22:31 Becoming the Bridge Conductor30:36 The Clift Deep Dive Details35:27 Nine Million Miles36:43 Creativity in the Air38:27 Hilton Lessons to Trexworks43:10 Solo Founder Reality45:13 AI as Creative Toolkit50:00 Recessions and Resilience54:04 Hospitality Beyond Hotels01:00:20 Fighting Design Sameness01:02:35 Traxworks Freedom and FarewellQuote of the Show:“It’s those people that have a fear of the future that get held back. Sometimes you just have to jump off the bridge and leap into those entrepreneurial waters.” - Larry TraxlerBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ Guest’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrytraxler/ Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by BermanFalk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ | 1h 11m 27s | ||||||
| 6/3/26 |  The Art of Belonging - John O’Sullivan - Defining Hospitality | This week, Dan Ryan sits down with John O'Sullivan, hospitality executive, published poet, painter, and Regional Vice President & General Manager at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, to make the case that great hospitality isn't a service standard, it's a soul practice. A GM at just 25 who started peeling potatoes in a small Irish hotel at 12, John has spent over three decades opening and leading luxury properties across seven countries, building a career on the radical belief that belonging is borderless, failure is just success in progress, and heart intelligence will always outperform artificial intelligence.About the Guest: On this episode, Dan Ryan sits down with John O'Sullivan, Regional Vice President and General Manager at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico. With 31 years at Four Seasons and properties across Cairo, Bali, Jakarta, and beyond, John has spent his career quietly proving that the most powerful management tool isn't a system, it's sincerity. When he's not leading a team of more than 1,000 warriors, he's painting, publishing poetry, or stealing cookies from his director of rooms' office. He moves through the world the same way he runs his hotel, with curiosity, warmth, and zero interest in being the most important person in the room.Chapters:00:35 Meet John O Sullivan02:25 Defining Hospitality And Belonging03:06 From Ireland To GM At 2504:18 Making Room For Others10:30 Mentors And Ripple Effects16:22 Travel Memories And Magic Details20:56 Why Punta Mita Wins26:21 Creativity Process And Failure34:02 Potato Peeler Origins34:34 Curiosity Becomes Calling37:06 Heart Intelligence Hospitality38:13 Creativity Fuels Positivity39:14 Recharging Through Adventure41:56 Fun as Leadership42:56 Vulnerability and Forgiveness47:46 Egypt Opening Hope Story54:33 Future of Authentic LuxuryQuote of the Show:"Hospitality is the almost sacred act of seeing another human being and saying, without words, that you authentically belong here." - John O’SullivanBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ Guest’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-o-sullivan-6719551/ Guests Website: https://www.fourseasons.com/puntamita/ Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ | 1h 00m 14s | ||||||
| 5/27/26 |  Balancing Business and Humanity - David Shove-Brown - Defining Hospitality | This week, Dan Ryan sits down with David Shove-Brown, architect, design leader, educator, and partner at //3877, to make the case that the most powerful thing you can put on your business card isn't a title, it's a philosophy. A firm co-founder who launched his practice in the middle of a recession with a newborn at home and a best friend from college as his only business partner, David has spent 15 years proving that relationships aren't a strategy, they're the whole game. David isn't just building great spaces. He's building a firm, a community, and a life worth writing about.About the Guest: On this episode, Dan Ryan sits down with David Shove-Brown, partner at //3877, an architecture and design firm based in DC and New York. David has spent 15 years building a practice and a reputation, on the belief that relationships come before business. Whether he's mentoring students at trade shows, swapping proposals with competitors, or just holding the door for a stranger, he moves through the world the same way he runs his firm, like every person in the room matters.Chapters:00:51 Meet David02:04 NEWH Mentorship Moment03:53 Defining Hospitality04:43 Community Over Competition08:46 Networking Roots and Values13:01 Relationship Building That Lasts17:45 Balance Family and Firm27:24 Design in the Public Interest31:18 Losing a Mentor32:46 Succession and Letting Go33:56 Mentoring Through Mistakes36:19 How to Find Mentors38:01 Learning From Students40:11 Community and Collisions42:25 Craving Certainty Forward48:25 Startup Stories and Growth50:07 Looking Ahead and WrapQuote of the Show: "Networking always had this underlying idea of sales, we flipped it. For us, it's really relationship building." - David Shove-BrownBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ David’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dsb3877/ David’s Company’s Website: https://www.3877.design/ Dan Ryan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ | 56m 59s | ||||||
| 5/20/26 |  Pioneering Global Design - Christine McGinnis - Defining Hospitality | This week, Dan Ryan sits down with Christine McGinnis, Director of Design at Wave Design Consultants, to make the case that the most powerful tool a designer can carry isn't a software subscription or a portfolio, it's a passport and a willingness to ask why. A Canadian kid who got locked in a Tiffany's display window in Hong Kong and never really looked back, Christine has spent over two decades designing across Asia, North America, and now the Canary Islands, chasing a single throughline openness. From restoring a termite-eaten 19th century Bangkok landmark to drawing her first full set of plans in Spanish, she isn't just designing spaces, she's designing a life.About the Guest: On this episode, Dan Ryan sits down with Christine McGinnis, Director of Design at Wave Design Consultants, a Canadian born, world traveling hospitality designer who logged her first miles in the Starwood design lab before most people knew that lab existed. Christine has spent 20 plus years designing hotels and restaurants across Asia, Europe, and Africa not by following the work, but by following the question. And the question, in her case, is always the same one… why?Chapters:00:38 Meet Christine McGinnis01:15 Journey Westward03:15 Early Career Plans04:09 Generations And Nomads05:46 Starwood Innovation Lab14:31 Openness Defines Hospitality20:38 Spain Projects And Asking Why26:03 Design Fatigue and Surprise27:26 Waldorf Respite After 9/1129:13 Hospitality Alchemy From the Heart30:30 Design vs Service That Brings Guests Back31:32 Aloft Seminyak Bali Success33:48 Being Present Wherever You Land35:31 Just Go Travel Advice39:48 Resurgence of Analog ConnectionQuote of the Show:"People come to your joint once for the design, but they come back for the service and how you made them feel." - Christine McGinnisBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ Christine’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinemcginnis/ Wave Design’s Website: https://www.wave.global/ Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ | 48m 33s | ||||||
| 5/13/26 |  Global Visions, Local Touches - Genna Panagopoulos - Defining Hospitality | This week, Dan Ryan sits down with Genna Panagopoulos, Vice President of Development at Minor Hotels, to make the case that the most exciting real estate play in hospitality right now isn't in Asia or Europe, it's right here in America. A restaurant kid from Detroit who fell in love with hotels, Genna is the one handed the keys to a 640 property global giant's entire North American future, armed with 12 brands, a freshly built franchise model, and a philosophy that deals only work when everyone at the table wins. One NH Collection in Manhattan down. Twenty four more to go.About the Guest: Genna Panagopoulos, VP of Development at Minor Hotels, a Greek American, raised in the restaurant business by an immigrant father who treated every customer like family, who somehow ended up being the person responsible for introducing one of the world's largest hotel companies to the United States. With over 15 years spanning hotel investment, brand strategy, and development at the likes of Davidson Hotels and IHG, Genna isn't just opening doors in new markets. She's the one deciding which doors are worth knocking on in the first place.Chapters:00:35 Meet Genna Panagopoulos02:10 Greek Roots and Philoxenia05:43 From Restaurants to Hotels07:03 Minor Brands and Luxury Resorts09:50 US Growth Model and Deal Flexibility12:02 Target Markets and Investor Mindset15:13 Financing and Conversion Strategy20:12 Service Culture and Scaling Luxury27:26 Uniqueness Over Scale28:50 Early Growth Bottlenecks29:30 Portfolio Deals and Marketing30:30 New Brand or Collections32:11 Lessons From US Expansion34:10 Where Deals Are Happening36:09 Choosing the Right Partners38:58 Deal Terms and Key Money42:48 Future Vision and Wrap UpQuote of the Show:“We're not here to make money right now. We're here to plant our flags and build brand awareness." - Genna PanagopoulosBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Minor Hotels is introducing the legendary Anantara and Wolseley brands to North America: learn more about the company's strategy and ambitions!!Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ Genna’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genna-panagopoulos-726a7525/ Minor Hotels Website: https://www.minorhotels.com/en Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ | 53m 24s | ||||||
| 5/6/26 |  Redefining Hospitality Through Tech - Tanya Pratt - Defining Hospitality | This week, Dan Ryan sits down with Tanya Pratt, Global VP of Strategy and Product Management at Oracle Hospitality, to prove that the most powerful upgrade a hotel can make isn't to its lobby, it's to its data. A front desk girl turned tech executive, Tanya unpacks how Oracle is collapsing decades of fragmented systems into one seamless guest experience, why cloud adoption exploded the moment hotels ran out of people, and what happened during an 18-hour outage at 3am that changed the entire trajectory of her career. The promise of hospitality has always been human. The technology is finally catching up. About the Guest:This week, Dan Ryan sits down with Tanya Pratt, Global VP of Strategy and Product Management at Oracle Hospitality, a self described nerdy science kid who accidentally fell in love with a front desk and never really left. Thirty years later, she's the one making sure the technology behind hospitality is finally as seamless as the experience is supposed to feel. Forged at Fairmont, recognized as one of the top 25 extraordinary minds in the industry, and fluent in both boardrooms and lobbies, Tanya isn't just building better software. She's keeping the promise. Chapters:00:35 Meet Tanya Pratt01:27 Hearing Your Own Story03:20 Hospitality Is a Promise04:44 Tech Removes Friction08:14 Unified Data at Check In12:29 Hospitality Tech 10116:08 One Guest One Profile19:18 ROI and Why Hotels Lag30:20 Tech Enables Hospitality31:36 Finding Your Calling33:13 Front Desk To VP34:56 Advice For 18 Year Olds36:01 Grit In Instant Age39:03 Human Skills Matter41:27 Untangling Tech Spaghetti45:11 Crucible Command Center56:22 Future Of Hospitality TechQuote of the Show:"Hospitality is a promise. It's a promise that's made and kept a thousand times in small moments." - Tanya PrattBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ Tanya’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pratttanya/ Oracle Website: https://www.oracle.com/ Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ | 1h 00m 27s | ||||||
| 4/29/26 |  Designing with Magic and Precision - Larah Moravek - Defining Hospitality | This week, Dan Ryan sits down with Larah Moravek, founding partner at Dutch East Design, to make the case that the most powerful thing a designer can bring to a project isn't a mood board, it's a story. Larah pulls back the curtain on how Dutch East blends interior design and branding under one roof, turning narrative driven frameworks into spaces that feel inevitable. With real stories from the ground including the adaptive reuse of a Marcel Breuer brutalist landmark into Hotel Marcel, the first passive house certified hotel in North America, and the Tapestry Chattanooga, a former bank building brought back to life, this episode proves that when magic and precision are working together, the constraint becomes the design. 🏠About the Guest: Larah Moravek is a founding partner at Dutch East Design, a hospitality focused studio offering both interior design and branding under one roof. With a career shaped by two of the most iconic firms in the industry, Clodagh Design and Yabu Pushelberg, Larah brings a rare combination of instinct and rigor to every project she touches. Rooted in the belief that built environments have the power to create lasting emotional experiences, she and her partner Dieter lead a small but mighty studio known for their dense documentation, narrative driven approach, and a body of work spanning adaptive reuse, independent hotels, and licensed product collections.Chapters:00:45 Meet Larah Moravek01:15 Friendship and Dutch East Origins03:58 What Hospitality Means07:08 Clodagh to Yabu Mentorship08:49 Branding as Decision Tool13:37 Stewardship and Adaptive Reuse24:04 Functional Brief and Hard Questions27:54 Science as Magic28:03 From Med School to Interiors30:03 New York Design Path30:47 Yabu Pushelberg Rigor32:19 Burnout and Solo Asia Reset34:41 Building a Team Culture37:43 Sustainability in Hospitality44:33 Licensing and Product Lines47:59 Future Plans and Wrap UpQuote of the Show:"Sometimes you need more structure to be more creative. And I think some of the most beautiful and inspiring solutions come out of restriction." - Larah MoravekBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ Larah’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larah-v-moravek-0b714044/ Dutch East Design Website: https://www.dutcheastdesign.com/Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ | 52m 49s | ||||||
| 4/22/26 |  Green Means Revenue - JoAnna Abrams - Defining Hospitality | This Earth Day, Dan Ryan welcomes back JoAnna Abrams, founder and CEO of MindClick, to make the case that sustainability isn't just good for the planet, it's good for business. JoAnna reveals how MindClick's product intelligence platform transforms the sustainability data already hiding in hotel FF&E purchases into a competitive weapon, winning corporate travel contracts, boosting sustainability ratings, and growing real revenue. With stories from the ground, including Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf, and eye-opening stats on what ditching polystyrene packaging actually means for waste, this episode proves that going green and going profitable are finally pointing in the same direction. 🌍About the Guest:JoAnna Abrams is the founder and CEO of MindClick, a product intelligence platform helping hospitality companies unlock sustainability data across their supply chains. A multi-award winning trailblazer at the intersection of sustainability, supply chain, and finance, she has been recognized by Lodging Magazine as a female industry innovator, named a 2026 Inc. 500 Female Founders honoree, and selected for both the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and the Imagine Program funded by former Unilever CEO Paul Polman.Chapters:00:46 Welcome JoAnna Abrams02:00 Defining Hospitality Revisited05:00 The ROI of Sustainability07:30 EU Regulation Driving Corporate Demand11:00 How Hotels Win Corporate Business with Sustainability14:00 MindClick and Green Key Global16:00 The Alo Index Platform Explained19:00 Revenue Impact: 7–17% Market Share Increase22:00 Training Sales Teams to Tell the Story25:00 A Riskless Path for Hotel Owners28:00 Connecting Guests and Frontline Staff31:00 The Huntington Hotel Case Study36:00 Polystyrene Elimination: The Numbers40:00 Embodied Carbon and FF&E's Outsized Impact44:00 What Hotels Can Control47:00 Asset Value, Appraisals, and Resilience50:00 Inc. 500, Cambridge, and the Road Ahead52:00 How to Connect with MindClickQuote of the Show:"Today's suppliers need to understand that they're no longer just selling a product. They're selling a product with a story." - JoAnna AbramsBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ JoAnna Abrams’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannaabrams/ MindClick: https://www.mindclick.com/ Metropolis Magazine Article: https://metropolismag.com/viewpoints/four-new-roadblocks-on-the-path-to-sustainable-buildings/Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/ #DefiningHospitality #Sustainability #HospitalityDesign #HotelBusiness #GreenHospitality #SupplyChain #MindClick #CorporateTravel #HotelRevenue | 55m 28s | ||||||
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| 4/15/26 |  Beyond the Front Desk - Walter Peseski - Defining Hospitality | In this episode of Defining Hospitality, Dan Ryan sits down with Walter Peseski, Senior Vice President of Asset Management at Garfield Public Private, to explore the often misunderstood world of hotel asset management and public private partnerships. Sponsored by BERMANFALK, this discussion uncovers how cities, universities, and hospitals are leveraging creative financing structures to build hotels that serve as economic catalysts for entire communities.About the Guest:Walter Peseski is the Senior Vice President of Asset Management at Garfield Public Private, a firm specializing in public private partnerships for hotels, convention centers, and cultural infrastructure. With over 20 years of experience in hotel operations and asset management, Walter has built a career bridging the gap between public entities and private developers to bring transformative hospitality projects to life. An adjunct professor at Dallas Baptist University and contributor to Hotels Magazine, Walter is passionate about educating the next generation on the full scope of opportunity that exists within the hospitality industry that goes far beyond the front desk.Chapters:01:00 Introducing Walter Peseski02:00 What Does Hospitality Mean to You?03:00 The Valentine's Day Server Story05:00 When Was the Last Time Service Was Memorable?06:00 What Makes Garfield Public Private Unique?09:00 The Role of Asset Management vs. Hotel Management Companies13:00 How Ownership Groups Get Involved15:00 When Does Third Party Asset Management Make Sense?17:00 Hotels Are a Different Beast Than Multifamily19:00 Navigating Brand Standards & CapEx21:00 Hilton's Carrot and Stick Fee Structure23:00 Downscaling Brands & the "Under Demolished" Theory27:00 Blind Spots Small Operators Miss29:00 The F&B Double Edged Sword33:00 When Brand Standards Become a Straitjacket34:00 What Makes a Good Deal vs. a Great Deal in Public Private36:00 Why Cities Invest in Hotels38:00 Where Garfield Is Seeing the Most Opportunity39:00 How Cities Finance These Projects With Bonds42:00 The Sweet Spot: Upscale to Upper Upscale43:00 Why Walter Started Teaching45:00 Career Advice for Anyone Entering Hospitality49:00 What Walter Is Most Excited About51:00 How to Connect With Walter & OutroQuote of the Show:"It's not how fast can we increase the value of this hotel and flip it. It's how can this hotel contribute to the community." - Walter PeseskiBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ BERMANFALK: https://www.bermanfalk.com/ Ed Bakos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmond-bakos-62102014/ Champalimaud Design: https://www.champalimaud.design/Help preserve a generation of American history: https://www.tunisonfoundation.org/donate Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/ Tags:#DefiningHospitality #AssetManagement #PublicPrivatePartnership #HotelDevelopment #HospitalityBusiness #HotelInvestment | 52m 27s | ||||||
| 4/8/26 |  The Art of Anticipation - Ed Bakos - Defining Hospitality | In this episode of Defining Hospitality, Dan Ryan sits down with Ed Bakos, CEO of Champalimaud Design, to explore the evolving dimensions of hospitality in the design world. Sponsored by BERMANFALK, this discussion uncovers how the nuances of design, from emotional exchanges to anticipating guest needs, define luxury and authenticity in the hospitality industry today.About the Guest:Ed Bakos is the CEO of Champalimaud Design, a New York-based firm renowned for its innovative approach to hospitality design. With over 30 years of experience, Ed has continually pushed the boundaries of what luxury and hospitality can achieve through strategic and emotionally resonant design. His commitment to fostering talented teams and creating memorable experiences makes his work a benchmark in the industry.Chapters:00:46 Welcome Ed Bakos02:12 What Hospitality Means04:04 Early Career Origins07:30 First W Hotel Breakthrough11:07 Heavenly Bed Innovation14:13 Alexandra Legacy18:31 Mosaic Team Culture24:49 Flat Hierarchy Best Ideas27:20 Project Example Clarity28:29 Ideas From Anywhere29:10 Designing Anticipated Needs31:23 Service Defines Luxury32:44 Turning Constraints Into Magic34:59 Building A Creative Culture37:02 Managing Creative Anxiety40:47 Choosing The Right Clients44:29 Aviation Passion And Purpose49:08 Flying The C47 Across Atlantic50:58 Remembering History And ClosingQuote of the Show:"Design is a relationship between different things. Why do certain combinations of things provide us with more satisfaction? Certain combinations in certain settings are… highly successful and can be highly successful." - Ed BakosBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ BERMANFALK: https://www.bermanfalk.com/ Ed Bakos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmond-bakos-62102014/ Champalimaud Design: https://www.champalimaud.design/ Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/ Tags:#DefiningHospitality #HospitalityDesign #HotelDesign #GuestExperience #DesignAnticipation #HotelInnovation | 56m 03s | ||||||
| 4/1/26 |  What the K-Wave Means for Hotel and Restaurant Design - Thomas Oh & Daphne Shin - Defining Hospitality | In this episode of Defining Hospitality, Dan Ryan sits down with Thomas Oh, Co-Founder & General Manager of Perilla Korean American Steakhouse, and Daphne Shin, Founder & Principal Designer of the Ruimte, two passionate creators working at the intersection of culture, cuisine, and design. Sponsored by BERMANFALK, the episode delves into the unique approach Thomas and Daphne take to blend Korean cultural elements into their business ventures in Chicago.About the Guests:Thomas Oh is the co-founder and director of operations at Perilla Korean American Steakhouse. With a mission to introduce Korean culture through dining experiences, Thomas highlights the seamless integration of Korean and American culinary elements at Perilla.Daphne Shin is the founder and principal designer of the Ruimte, an interior design firm. Through her design work at L7 Hotel, Daphne strives to create environments where every guest, regardless of background, feels at home.Chapters:02:26 Defining Hospitality04:38 Building L7 Chicago06:33 Designing Perilla Steakhouse15:26 Korean DNA in the Hotel19:40 Reception in Chicago24:49 The K Wave Momentum27:28 Entrepreneur Lessons30:08 Teamwork Solves Problems30:43 Exhaust System Collaboration32:13 Sponsor Sustainability Note32:48 Immigrant Path to Hospitality34:56 Little Victories in Service38:17 Design vs Operations Reality42:15 Dream Projects and Timelessness46:35 Hotel and Restaurant Synergy49:43 How Lotte Found Them51:09 Luck Meets Hard Work53:27 Closing Thanks and FarewellQuote of the Show:"It's exciting for me and for the team here, for them to come into our space… We're not screaming this is Korean to them, but they're loving the design of this restaurant and the hotel." - Thomas OhBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ BERMANFALK: https://www.bermanfalk.com/ Thomas Oh LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-oh-b6164570/ Daphne Shin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daphne-shin-1a223b44/ Daphne Shin Email: daphne@theruimte.com Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/ Tags:#hospitality #Koreancuisine #design #Kwave #defininghospitality #podcasting #ChicagoDining | 55m 04s | ||||||
| 3/25/26 |  Curating Luxury Through Sound - Michelangelo L’Acqua - Defining Hospitality | In this episode of Defining Hospitality, Dan Ryan sits down with Michaelangelo L’Acqua, a global entertainment director and music/lifestyle branding expert, to discuss hospitality as “infrastructure” built through sound, motifs, and emotional arcs across dayparts. Sponsored by BERMANFALK, this conversation dives into shifting luxury expectations, analog-era craft, and mentoring creatives within business-driven environments.Michelangelo shares how sound serves as the unseen architect in the world of hospitality, crafting emotional journeys for guests. About the Guest:Michaelangelo L'Acqua is a Global Entertainment Director and Founder of his creative strategy agency, L'Acqua Agenzia. With a legacy of working with iconic brands like Virgin Voyages and W Hotels, he brings decades of experience in music branding and luxury lifestyle curation. Known for pioneering concepts like the Sonic Identity Brand Bible, L'Acqua remains a leading voice in integrating sound as a critical component of the hospitality experience, continuously shaping the future of how spaces sound and resonate with their audience.Chapters:01:17 Whale Shark Memories02:51 What Hospitality Means03:52 Sonic Architect Idea05:09 Motifs and Brand Magic07:04 Building a Sonic Bible10:18 Sound Drives Revenue12:32 Mentors and Early Grind14:29 Tom Ford Breakthrough17:37 From Fashion to Hotels20:30 Analog Era Work Ethic23:04 Staying Relevant in Luxury27:27 Timeless Formulas and Flow30:57 Building Sonic Brand DNA33:04 Virgin Voyages Layer Cake36:59 W Hotel Reinvents Hospitality39:45 Finding Local Tastemakers41:29 Mentorship Over Ego44:44 Sound Beats Brick48:07 Next Decade Soundtrack50:49 Timeless Meets New53:30 Hall of Fame Tangent55:46 Wrap Up And ConnectQuote of the Show:"I truly believe that there are moments I can really tap into unconscious feelings within somebody. And if I can do that… you're gonna walk away from that experience and say that was a great night. I don't know why, but it was just special." - Michelangelo L’AcquaBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ BERMANFALK: https://www.bermanfalk.com/ Michelangelo L’Acqua LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelangelo-lacqua/ Starwood Hotels: https://www.starwoodhotels.com/ Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/ Tags:#DefiningHospitality #HospitalityDesign #HotelDesign #GuestExperience #SonicArchitect #HotelInnovation | 57m 05s | ||||||
| 3/18/26 |  Transforming Hospitality for Millennials - Saxton Sharad - Hideaway Inns & Revival Hotels - Episode # 243 | In this episode of Defining Hospitality, Dan Ryan sits down with Saxton Sharad to explore how hospitality and hotel design are evolving for today’s guest experience. Sponsored by BERMANFALK, this conversation dives into micro vacations, invisible hospitality, and how modern leadership is reshaping the way hotels connect with travelers.Saxton shares how Hideaway Inns is redefining hospitality by blending local authenticity, frictionless experiences, and thoughtful design to meet the expectations of millennials and Gen Z guests.About the Guest:Saxton Sharad is the Founder and CEO of Revival Hotels and Hideaway Inns, where he’s building a portfolio of design-forward boutique properties in destinations like Mount Sunapee, Mount Snow, and Lenox. He previously helped scale Graduate Hotels and has worked across major brands, but is now pioneering a high-margin “invisible hospitality” model that’s delivering additional operating profit across his properties.Chapters:01:15 Office Vibes And Intentionality03:03 Defining Hospitality05:58 Origins Of The Philosophy07:51 Unplugging And Micro Breaks09:18 Hideaway Inns Vision11:00 Millennial Travel Shift14:15 Building From Guest Research17:02 Authenticity And Giving Back25:59 Invisible Hospitality Platform30:30 Innkeeper Model Explained36:11 Owner Economics And Margins39:58 Lease Deal Sweeteners40:36 Scale And Tech Advantage44:35 Innkeeper Career Model46:53 Fixing Hospitality Turnover48:15 Design Led Growth Plan50:00 Fandom And Regional Focus56:21 Revival Management Focus58:41 Invisible Or Full Service01:01:35 Authenticity Through Local Art01:03:27 Berkshires Travel Pitch01:07:59 Wrap Up And ThanksQuote of the Show:“ I don't care how talented you are or how much money you have in your pocket, you cannot be good at everything. Step into what you're good at, find that strength, and live that strength.” - Saxton SharadBuilding a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.Links:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1 Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ BERMANFALK: https://www.bermanfalk.com/ Saxton Sharad LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saxton-sharad-cha-6642a49/ Hideaway Inns: https://www.hideawayinns.com/ Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/ Tags:#DefiningHospitality #HospitalityDesign #HotelDesign #GuestExperience #MillennialTravel #BoutiqueHotels #HotelInnovation | 1h 08m 56s | ||||||
| 3/11/26 |  Exploring Data-Driven Trends - Isaac Collazo - STR - Episode # 242 | How does data make the hospitality industry come alive?In this episode of Defining Hospitality, Dan Ryan welcomes Isaac Collazo, the Head of Analytics at STR and Co-Host of "Tell Me More, A Hospitality Data Podcast." They dive into the integral role data plays in the hospitality industry, from informing strategic decisions to influencing how businesses can adapt in changing economic climates.Takeaways:Utilizing data to enhance operational efficiency. Isaac emphasizes how storytelling through data offers valuable insights that can transform guest experiences and improve service delivery.Hospitality is fundamentally about service. By prioritizing the human connections and interactions, businesses can maintain exceptional service standards, no matter the external economic climate.Recession and inflation directly impact strategies and performance. Isaac discusses how staying informed on economic trends helps businesses anticipate and react to market changes effectively.The growing shift from uniformity to personal experiences. Lifestyle brands are emerging as leaders by catering to unique and individualized guest experiences, setting a new standard in the industry.Food and beverage services are essential revenue drivers. By investing in high-quality F&B experiences, hotels can enhance their appeal and drive overall profitability.The notable and optimistic turn in demand trends. Despite some economic uncertainties, the rising demand suggests a promising future for the hospitality sector.Generational preferences influence loyalty. As guest demographics evolve, hospitality businesses must adapt their strategies to cater to a diverse and changing clientele.Quote of the Show:“You want 'em to start with you and stay with you until they no longer travel.” - Isaac CollazoLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaaccollazo/ Company website: https://www.costar.com/products/str-benchmark Shout Outs:1:30 - Adrienne Scribner2:30 - Promise (Hotels) - https://www.promisebrandsuite.com/ 2:30 - Marriott - https://www.marriott.com/ 2:30 - IHG - https://www.ihg.com/ 2:50 - STR - https://www.costar.com/products/str-benchmark 3:10 - Jeff Higley / ALICE Conference - https://www.aliceconference.com/ 5:10 - LaQuinta Inns - https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/laquinta 21:20 - Marriott Bonvoy - https://www.marriott.com/loyalty.mi 23:10 - Kimpton Hotels - https://www.ihg.com/kimptonhotels/ 25:20 - W Hotels - https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/w-hotels/ 30:00 - Hyatt - https://www.hyatt.com/ 30:30 - Tulane University - https://www.tulane.edu/ 35:50 - Jose Andres / Think Food Group - https://www.thinkfoodgroup.com/ 35:50 - Bar Mar - https://www.thinkfoodgroup.com/bar-mar 36:10 - Death & Co (bar at Ramble Hotel Denver) - https://deathandcompany.com/ 🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ | 1h 01m 59s | ||||||
| 3/4/26 |  Hospitality's Soulful Essence Revealed - Stephanie Hopkins - B2 Design Co - Episode # 241 | How do relationships shape the hospitality industry?In this episode of Defining Hospitality, Dan Ryan explores how relationships fundamentally shape the hospitality industry with guest Stephanie Hopkins. As an experienced interior designer and brand specialist, Hopkins shares insights into her extensive career and the essential role that relationships and strategic growth play in navigating the complexities of hospitality.Takeaways:Relationships often transcend profession. Stephanie explains that once you get involved in hospitality, it's challenging to leave because it becomes ingrained in your soul.Varied experiences can lead to a dynamic career path. Stephanie's journey from design to brand specialist and back highlights the diverse opportunities within the hospitality industry.Relationships hold significant value. Throughout her career, Stephanie learned to leverage relationships and networks, which allowed her to effectively navigate complex brand environments and developer needs, saving valuable time and resources.Brand development ties to long-term success. Stephanie emphasizes the importance of understanding and maintaining a brand's essence, going so far to say 'no' to potential changes that could dilute a brand’s coreDiversified portfolios show skill. B2 Design Co’s portfolio spans across multiple sectors like multifamily, senior living, student housing, and hospitality, showcasing their ability to adapt and thrive by integrating hospitality concepts into various living environments.Storytelling in design ensures a cohesive experience. Successful projects often have a well-grounded design narrative that is consistently implemented across all stages.Quote of the Show:“Being able to ascertain… is that going to compromise the essence of the brand? You have to get to that point and you may have to say no to some really powerful ownership groups.” - Stephanie HopkinsLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-hopkins-28445a71/ Stephanie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steph_the_hop/ B2 Design Co’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/b2design.co/ Company website: https://www.b2designco.com/ Shout Outs:1:13 - Tony Chi - https://tonychi.com/ 1:14 - Marriott - https://www.marriott.com/ 1:15 - Moxie Brand - https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/moxy-hotels/ 1:16 - B2 Design Co - https://b2dc.com/ 17:10 - Hyatt - https://www.hyatt.com/ 21:20 - Marriott Bonvoy - https://www.marriott.com/loyalty.mi 30:33 - Tulane University - https://www.tulane.edu/ 🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ | 56m 27s | ||||||
| 2/25/26 |  East Coast Design Expansion - Amy Margolis - BAMO Providence - Episode # 240 | How do detailed preparations elevate hospitality experiences?In this episode of Defining Hospitality, Dan Ryan interviews Amy Margolis, an esteemed interior designer and studio director at Bamo in Providence, Rhode Island. Moving through her career journey from California to the East Coast, Amy shares her thoughts on being deeply rooted in anticipating guests' needs, curating environments that allow people to relax, and creating memorable experiences.Takeaways:Hospitality is an orchestrated experience. Amy illustrates hospitality with an anecdote about Joan Didion's meticulously planned dinner parties, emphasizing the importance of preparation to offer effortless and relaxing experiences for guests.A strategic global footprint enhances service delivery. The expansion of Bamo into different regions allows the firm to better serve clients across various time zones, fostering a diverse range of projects that adapt to regional demands.Understanding guest journeys influences design solutions. Drawing from her experience at Bergmeyer, Amy stresses the importance of tailoring design solutions to enhance unique guest experiences, which is crucial for success in hospitality design.Diverse career transitions enrich design perspectives. Amy's shift from hospitality design in San Francisco to commercial design in Boston provided her with a wealth of experience, enriching her current approach in the hospitality sector.Digital adaptation transforms collaborative practices. The shift to remote work during COVID-19, along with the adoption of tools like Revit, has introduced new ways of managing design and fostered improved team collaboration.Continuous learning fosters dynamic leadership. Amy emphasizes the value of staying open to new ideas and mentoring emerging talents, cultivating a resilient and innovative design practice.Quote of the Show:“Put yourself out there to say yes, to try new things… the biggest thing is to keep educating yourself.” - Amy MargolisLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-reynolds-margolis-ncidq-a625875/ Company website: https://bamo.com/ Shout Outs:1:23 - Brayton and Hughes - https://www.bhdstudios.com/ 1:24 - DLR Group - https://www.dlrgroup.com/1:25 - Wiseman Group - https://www.wisemangroup.com/ 1:26 - Duffy Design Group - https://www.duffydesigngroup.com/ 1:27 - Ann Bergmeyer - https://www.bergmeyer.com/1:28 - Bamo - https://www.bamo.com/ 2:42 - RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) - https://www.risd.edu/ 2:44 - Michael Booth 9:23 - Anne Wilkinson 12:04 - Brown University - https://www.brown.edu/ 19:48 - Ashley Venturini20:20 - Harvard (university) - https://www.harvard.edu/ 20:21 - Wentworth Institute of Technology - https://wit.edu/ 20:22 - MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) - https://www.mit.edu/ 20:23 - NESAD (New England School of Art & Design) - https://www.suffolk.edu/academics/colleges/new-england-school-of-art-design 20:24 - Suffolk University - https://www.suffolk.edu/ 21:00 - Backen & Gillam Architects - https://backengillamarchi.com/ 27:30 - Sergio Mercado (designer, Bamo New York)29:00 - Chatham Luxury Home Summit - https://luxuryhomedesignsummit.com/ 32:10 - NEWH - https://newh.org/ 32:11 - Brick and Wonder - https://brickandwonder.com/ 34:50 - Ocean House, Watch Hill (hotel) - https://www.oceanhouseri.com/ 34:51 - Bretton Woods / Mount Washington (resort) - https://www.brettonwoods.com/ 34:52 - Raffles Boston - https://www.raffles.com/boston/ 35:11 - Chatham Bars Inn - https://www.chathambarsinn.com/ 35:12 - Main Street Hospitality - https://www.mainstreethospitality.com/ 50:10 - Nicole Hollis - https://www.nicolehollis.com/ 50:11 - Howard Backen 53:42 - Glennon Doyle - https://glennondoyle.com/ 54:00 - Embarcadero One 54:01 - Mount Tam / Mount Tamalpais54:02 - Alcatraz 55:30 - Don Winslow - https://www.donwinslow.com/ 55:31 - Austin Butler (actor)🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ | 56m 17s | ||||||
| 2/18/26 |  The Puzzle of Architecture - Andrew Ashey - AAmp Studio - Episode # 239 | What does it mean to find joy and creativity in the constraints of adaptive reuse?In this episode of Defining Hospitality, Dan Ryan sits down with Andrew Ashey, Founder and Principal of AAmp Studio, to discuss the expansive nature of hospitality design, the importance of engaging with diverse community elements, and the delightful challenges presented by adaptive reuse.Takeaways:Architecture is a collaborative puzzle. Andrew finds the challenge of collaboration a central aspect of his practice. Architecture involves working with clients, consultants, and contractors to bring visions to life within existing structures.Context and continuity are vital. Andrew discusses the significance of understanding and preserving the historical context of buildings, particularly in projects like the Municipal Grand in Savannah.Lifelong learning helps the practitioners and the community. Engaging with academic institutions and community organizations allows architects like Andrew to remain at the forefront of design innovation.Approach projects with enthusiasm and creativity. For Andrew, maintaining a balance between professional demands and creative fun is essential.Adaptive reuse champions sustainability. Andrew argues that adaptive reuse is among the most sustainable practices, breathing new life into spaces while preserving their integral stories.Expanding hospitality venues beyond private spaces. Andrew sees these spaces as extensions of the public realm, contributing to the vibrancy of a locality.Quote of the Show:“I find architecture and design to be one big puzzle. That’s what I love most about it.” - Andrew AsheyLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-ashey-a7a9245/ Company website: https://aampstudio.com/ Shout Outs:0:51 - University of Maine Augusta https://www.uma.edu/ 1:02 - Board of Architects https://www.boardofarchitects.org/ 1:19 - AAmp Studio https://aampstudio.com/ 1:35 - Dave and Jenna Kaplan / Death & Co https://www.deathandcompany.com/ 1:59 - NAWH (Newh - The Hospitality Network) https://newh.org/ 8:42 - Anne Marie Armstrong (AAmp Studio Partner)10:08 - AIA Maine https://www.aiamaine.org/ 11:35 - Maine Interior Design Association https://www.midame.org/ 24:13 - Municipal Grand (Savannah) https://municipalgrand.com/ 25:25 - 465 Congress Street, Portland, Maine (Hotel Project)43:45 - SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) https://www.scad.edu/ 48:32 - UNLV Hospitality https://www.unlv.edu/hospitality 51:07 - Deborah Berke / Deborah Berke Partners https://www.dberke.com/ 51:07 - Yale School of Architecture https://www.architecture.yale.edu/ 51:30 - Bridget Shim / Shim-Sutcliffe Architects https://www.shim-sutcliffe.com/ 53:36 - Paul Rudolph (Architect)53:43 - Hotel Marcel (New Haven) https://www.hotelmarcel.com/ 🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ | 0m 59s | ||||||
| 2/11/26 |  The Value of Storytelling - Ian Sharpe - NextTrip - Episode # 238 | How can travel channels inspire personal growth and global understanding?In this episode of Defining Hospitality, Dan Ryan sits down with Ian Sharpe, the Chief Operating Officer of Media at NextTrip, to explore the transformative power of hospitality and storytelling in the realm of global travel. With a vast experience spanning video games and visual media, Ian delves into the intricate tapestry of how cutting-edge technology, media, and human connection shape the way we experience the world.Takeaways:Hospitality is about turning strangers into friends. Ian Sharpe emphasizes this historical tradition as the core of Journey TV’s mission to celebrate diverse cultures and connect people globally.Journey TV transforms inspiration into itineraries. By drawing on video game industry techniques, the network integrates storytelling with travel booking for an enriched travel experience.Authenticity drives Journey TV's content. The network focuses on human stories, whether culinary or adventurous, to explore why people travel and engage deeply with viewers.Cultural richness is captured through storytelling. Programs like "Tide" and "Borderless Table" highlight local experiences, providing a comprehensive view of destinations.Technology enhances viewer engagement. Journey TV uses QR codes and AI-driven itineraries to turn inspiration into seamless travel planning.Travel fosters growth and connection. Journey TV promotes travel as a way to build understanding and friendship, supporting Dan’s vision of hospitality as a human bridge.Quote of the Show:“A storyteller is all about weaving with the imagination. If you can convert that to commerce, then the shareholders are all the happier.” - Ian SharpeLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianstuartsharpe/ Company website: https://nexttrip.com/ Shout Outs:1:10 - Journey TV https://www.journeytv.com/ 1:10 - Next Trip (NASDAQ: NTRP) https://www.nexttrip.com/ 13:50 - WTM (World Travel Market) https://www.wtm.com/ 13:50 - Trend Fest (at WTM)15:35 - Samsung Smart TV https://www.samsung.com/ 15:35 - LG TV https://www.lg.com/ 15:35 - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/ 17:00 - Brand USA https://www.visittheusa.com/ 17:15 - Fin Partners (PR Agency)17:40 - Aman Tourism Board17:55 - Iron Man (Endurance Race) https://www.ironman.com/ 20:50 - Tide (Journey TV Show)20:55 - Chef Ben and Chef Rachel (Below Deck)20:55 - Below Deck (Bravo) https://www.bravotv.com/below-deck 21:10 - Sea Cloud (Luxury Cruise) https://www.seacloud.com/ 25:10 - Borderless Table (Journey TV Show)25:15 - Paradise Kitchen (Journey TV Show)27:15 - Anthony Bourdain46:55 - Go USA Channels49:25 - Five Star Alliance https://www.fivestaralliance.com/ 🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ | 54m 02s | ||||||
| 2/4/26 |  Hospitality’s Innovative Playground - Glenn Nowak - University of Nevada Las Vegas - Episode # 237 | How Can Las Vegas Serve as the Ultimate Architectural Laboratory?In this episode of Defining Hospitality, Dan Ryan sits down with Glen Noack, an accomplished architect and associate professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), to dive into Glen's extensive experience in architecture and hospitality design. They explore various aspects of radical innovation within the built environment, the unique opportunities Las Vegas offers as a 'living laboratory,' and Glen's involvement in fostering creative design through competitions like Radical Innovation.Takeaways:Las Vegas is a learning environment. The city serves as an inspiring backdrop for architectural students who can directly interact with cutting-edge designs.Las Vegas’ hospitality goes beyond traditional assumptions. Hospitality design is evolving to include educational and community-focused projects, not just hotels and casinos.The emotional impact is vital. Emotional resonance in architecture is as vital as functional possibility, and this dual focus is a core aspect of education in Las Vegas.Virtual Reality is architecture’s future. The integration of AI and virtual scanning technology in design education provides unique opportunities for creating interactive project models.Community collaboration opens pathways. Collaborations between universities and industries open pathways for projects that transcend traditional hospitality and influence community development.Quote of the Show:“There isn’t a formula on how to teach this… if it becomes formulaic, it can’t produce the same aha effect.” - Glenn NowakLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenn-nowak-phd-a96117105/ Company website: https://aeroai.io/ Shout Outs:1:12 - University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) https://www.unlv.edu/1:30 - Radical Innovation https://www.radicalinnovation.com/1:49 - The Flamingo Las Vegas https://www.caesars.com/flamingo-las-vegas1:49 - M Resort https://www.themresort.com/1:49 - Caesars https://www.caesars.com/18:20 - Learning from Las Vegas (Book) https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262720069/learning-from-las-vegas/ 26:40 - The Sphere https://www.thesphere.com/28:13 - Madison Square Garden (MSG) https://www.msg.com/28:20 - James Dolan https://www.sphereentertainmentco.com/leadership/james-dolan/ 28:30 - New York Knicks https://www.nba.com/knicks28:50 - Phish (band) https://phish.com/29:02 - Luxor Las Vegas https://www.luxor.com/38:53 - Hard Rock https://www.hardrock.com/39:13 - The Mirage https://casino.hardrock.com/las-vegas 44:08 - Aero AI https://aeroai.io/52:27 - Revit (Autodesk) https://www.autodesk.com/products/revit/52:27 - SketchUp https://www.sketchup.com/62:30 - Jacques Derrida (philosopher)62:50 - Clark County School District https://www.ccsd.net/63:50 - Tesla (tunnels) https://www.tesla.com/🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ | 1h 04m 54s | ||||||
| 1/28/26 |  The Human Side of Hospitality - Chelsea Hershelman - Coral Tree Hospitality - Episode # 236 | Can empathy, curiosity, and a willingness to run toward the fire reshape how leaders design experiences, and careers, in hospitality?In this episode of Defining Hospitality, Dan Ryan sits down with Chelsea Hershelman, VP of Design and Development at Coral Tree Hospitality, to unpack hospitality as an empathetic act and leadership as influence, not authority. From designing for neurodiversity and stressed-out arrivals to taking leaps of faith across a non-linear career path, Chelsea shares how curiosity, courage, and human-centered thinking drive better spaces, stronger teams, and more meaningful guest experiences, without needing perfect credentials or traditional titles.Takeaways:Hospitality starts with empathy, not aesthetics. Great experiences are built by considering the full ecosystem and designing for emotional states, not just how a space looks in photos.The most effective leaders rely on influence, not authority. By building relationships, using humor to help teams “unclench,” and knowing when to listen versus decide.Curiosity beats credentials every time. A background in art history, procurement, and project management became an asset, not a liability, because transferable skills opened doors others never saw.Running toward problems builds momentum and trust. Reframing crises as opportunities to shine, and celebrating quick wins can energize complex projects and establish you as someone who thrives in the arena.Balance isn’t static, it evolves. Sustained leadership requires knowing when to push and when to “take a knee,” prioritizing physical and mental health, and giving yourself grace as your definition of success changes over time.Quote of the Show:“To lead by influence is listening, staying curious and asking good questions.” - Chelsea HershelmanLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-hershelman-a0639656/ Company website: https://www.coraltreehospitality.com/ Shout Outs:3:27 - Coral Tree Hospitality https://www.coraltreehospitality.com/ 19:47 - Ace Hotels https://acehotel.com/ 20:43 - NEWH https://newh.org/ 20:48 - Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association https://www.chla.com/ 25:44 - The National Park Service https://www.nps.gov/index.htm 29:01 - Brené Brown https://brenebrown.com/ 29:56 - The Rotary Club https://www.rotary.org/en 32:57 - Daring Greatly https://brenebrown.com/book/daring-greatly/ 33:06 - Theodore Roosevelt https://www.whitehousehistory.org/bios/theodore-roosevelt 44:40 - Outbound Hotels https://outboundhotels.com/ 53:51 - Hilton https://www.hilton.com/en/ 🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ | 57m 01s | ||||||
| 1/21/26 |  Leading Through Exploration and Service - Richard Wiese - The Explorer’s Club - Episode # 235 | Can exploration, storytelling, and service to others redefine what hospitality really means and why does it start at home?In this episode of Defining Hospitality, Dan Ryan sits down with Richard Wiese, President of The Explorers Club, Emmy Award–winning TV host, and lifelong explorer. Their conversation spans far beyond travel, unpacking hospitality as a human instinct rooted in curiosity, generosity, and connection. From backyard foraging mishaps to Apollo astronauts’ moon-bound navigation, Richard shares how exploration, conservation, and volunteerism shape leadership, culture, and meaningful guest experiences, without relying on luxury or exotic destinations.Takeaways:True hospitality is expressed through universal human languages, food, music, nature, and storytelling, rather than thread count or material luxury.Exploration isn’t about distance; it’s about curiosity. You don’t need Everest or the Serengeti to explore, birding in a city park or foraging in your backyard can spark the same sense of wonder and connection.Leadership means amplifying others, not yourself. Through initiatives like Explorers Club 50, you can challenge leaders to shift from “look at me” to “look who I found,” using their platforms to spotlight emerging changemakers.Small, consistent service creates outsized impact. Whether dedicating 5% of your time to volunteerism or starting a local composting effort, sustained small actions, modeled by Richard and Nikki Wiese, can scale into global change.Everything has a story, from a pencil to a hotel lobby; sharing those narratives authentically deepens emotional connection and transforms experiences into lasting memories.Quote of the Show:“Part of the perspective of exploration is also seeing something that you've seen often through a new set of eyes." - Richard WieseLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-wiese/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richardwiese/?hl=en Born to Explore Website: https://www.borntoexplore.net/ The Explorer’s Club Website: https://www.explorers.org/ Shout Outs:4:11 - Apollo 13 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112384/ 4:28 - Neil Armstrong https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/astronauts/former-astronauts/former-astronaut-neil-a-armstrong/ 6:04 - Mount Kilimanjaro https://www.climbing-kilimanjaro.com/ 8:45 - National Geographic https://www.nationalgeographic.com/ 8:58 - Jane Goodall https://janegoodall.org/ 11:01 - Buzz Aldrin https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/aldrin_buzz.pdf 11:06 - Prince Albert of Monaco https://www.palais.mc/en/princely-family/h-s-h-prince-albert-ii/biography-1-5.html 13:19 - Brown University https://www.brown.edu/ 23:09 - The Emmys https://theemmys.tv/ 31:00 - Rolex https://www.rolex.com/en-us 31:02 - Microsoft https://www.microsoft.com/en-us 31:27 - Armani Hotel, Dubai https://www.armanihotels.com/en/hotels/armani-hotel-dubai/ 33:37 - The Eiffel Tower https://parisjetaime.com/eng/culture/la-tour-eiffel-p3486 41:41 - The James Beard Foundation https://www.jamesbeard.org/ 42:53 - The Africa Foundation https://africafoundation.org/ 44:13 - Abercrombie and Fitch https://www.abercrombie.com/shop/us 49:17 - BBC https://www.bbc.com/ 🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ | 56m 31s | ||||||
| 1/14/26 |  The Future of Hospitality Is Intelligent Tech - John Duffield - Radical Innovation - Episode # 234 | How will AI, biometrics, and healthcare thinking redefine hospitality, and what does the future of truly personalized guest experience look like?In this episode, Dan Ryan sits down with John Duffield, a Speaker at Signal Two and an Advisory Board Member at Radical Innovation. They have a wide-ranging conversation on the intersection of hospitality, healthcare, and emerging technology. Drawing from his patient experience at Cleveland Clinic and his work at the forefront of AI and biometric innovation, John introduces the concept of “living intelligence,” the convergence of AI, sensors, and biometrics that enables environments to adapt in real time to how guests actually feel.Takeaways:Hospitality and healthcare are deeply connected. Both industries serve people during vulnerable moments, and both succeed when personalization, empathy, and care are prioritized. AI combined with biometrics and sensors can create environments that adapt in real time, adjusting lighting, temperature, nutrition, and schedules based on how guests are actually feeling, not static preferences.Guests are willing to share personal and biometric data when the value exchange is clear, immediate, and user-controlled. Privacy must be transparent, opt-in, and flexible, more like “airplane mode” than all-or-nothing consent.Smaller scale, faster decision-making, and closer guest relationships make independents and luxury properties ideal testing grounds for advanced technology, insights that will eventually scale to larger brands.The best tech disappears into the experience, enhancing how guests feel without being noticed. Responsible AI development, clear guardrails, and human-centered design are essential to avoid repeating past digital mistakes.Quote of the Show:“Do you want to sit in the status quo and hope that you just survive and thrive? Or do you want to lean into what's next in this next phase of guest experience?" - John DuffieldLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnjduffield/ The Signal Two Website: https://thesignaltwo.com/ Personal Website: https://thejohnduffield.com/ The Future Patient Website: https://thefuturepatient.com/ Shout Outs:3:17 - Javits Center, New York https://javitscenter.com/ 3:18 - BDNY (Boutique Design New York) https://bdny.com/ 7:07 - Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/ 9:05 - Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/ 9:08 - Memorial Sloan Kettering https://www.mskcc.org/ 10:55 - Hartford Healthcare https://hartfordhealthcare.org/ 12:19 - New York Presbyterian https://www.nyp.org/ 14:17 - Apple Watch https://www.apple.com/watch/ 15:29 - South by Southwest https://sxsw.com/ 18:25 - Whoop https://www.whoop.com/us/en/ 18:27 - Oura Ring https://ouraring.com/ 26:28 - Equinox Hotels https://equinox-hotels.com/ 30:15 - BCG (Boston Consulting Group) https://www.bcg.com/ 30:16 - Google https://www.google.com/ 33:13 - LVMH https://www.lvmh.com/en 33:51 Apple https://www.apple.com/ 34:45 - Pepsi https://www.pepsico.com/ 36:43 - SHA Wellness https://shawellness.com/en/ 42:36 - Snoop Dog https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snoop_Dogg 42:37 - Martha Sterwart https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_Stewart 42:49 - Hilton https://www.hilton.com/en/ 42:50 - Paris Hilton https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Hilton 42:53 - Formula One https://www.formula1.com/ 43:22 - Four Seasons Hotels https://www.fourseasons.com/ 45:56 - ATM Dubai (Arabian Travel Market) https://www.wtm.com/atm/en-gb.html#/ 46:44 - Boeing https://www.boeing.com/ 51:39 - Taylor Swift https://www.taylorswift.com/ 54:05 - Terminator 2: Judgement Day https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103064/ 🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ | 1h 02m 50s | ||||||
| 1/7/26 |  Building Resilient Hotel Investment Models - Hugh Taylor - Michels & Taylor - Episode # 233 | How do you build a global hospitality business without losing the personal touch, resilience, or trust that defines great service?In this episode, Dan Ryan sits down with Hugh Taylor, CEO of Michels & Taylor, for an in-depth conversation on leadership, hospitality, and hotel investment. Hugh shares his journey from marketing roles at major hotel brands like Hilton to becoming one of the most respected voices in hotel asset management and advisory. They explore what true hospitality really means, how Michels & Taylor’s integrated “flywheel” business model creates resilience, and what it takes to lead transparently through crises like the 2008 financial crash and COVID-19. Takeaways:Hospitality is personal. Great service comes from making every guest, client, or partner feel uniquely valued and understood.Build perspective through experience. Exposure to marketing, operations, and investment creates stronger, more balanced leaders.Design for resilience. Integrated and diversified business models are better equipped to survive downturns and volatility.Lead with transparency. Honest, direct communication builds long-term trust with investors, banks, and teams.Expect complexity in growth. Global operations demand deep understanding of local regulations, labor laws, and market dynamics.Adapt to industry shifts. Brand and franchise models, rising costs, and capital needs are reshaping hospitality.Quote of the Show:“If you don’t take advice and get the right people next to you, you can lose your money as easily as you make it.” - Hugh TaylorLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugh-taylor-obe-994bb7288/ Company website: https://michelsandtaylor.com/ Shout Outs:1:49 - OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) https://www.gov.uk/honours/types-of-honours-and-awards 2:33 - Hilton https://www.hilton.com/en/ 11:14 - St. Pancras Hotel, London https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/lonpk-st-pancras-london-autograph-collection/overview/ 12:02 - Chateau Marmont, LA https://www.chateaumarmont.com/ 12:02 - The Mercer, New York https://mercerhotel.com/ 16:35 - Blackstone https://www.brehotels.com/ 18:57 - Grand Metropolitan Hotels https://www.grandmethotels.com/ 19:09 - Diageo https://www.diageo.com/en 19:20 - Savoy (London) https://www.fairmont.com/en/hotels/london/the-savoy.html 19:23 - Jumeirah (Middle East) https://www.jumeirah.com/en 19:27 - Strategic Hotels https://www.strategichotels.com/ 24:11 - Oak Tree Capital https://www.oaktreecapital.com/ 24:15 - Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) https://www.adia.ae/ 25:56 - Rothschild https://www.rothschildandco.com/en/ 25:31 - Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) https://www.rbs.co.uk/ 31:13 - Michels & Taylor https://michelsandtaylor.com/ 1:03:49 - IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) https://www.ihg.com/hotels/us/en/reservation 1:03:50 - Holiday Inn Express https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/reservation?adobe_mc=MCMID%3D32481982626910040562684351706170738292%7CMCORGID%3D8EAD67C25245B1870A490D4C%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1767640921 1:03:53 - Marriott https://www.marriott.com/default.mi 1:10:10 - Penn State University https://www.psu.edu/ 🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/ | 1h 15m 15s | ||||||
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13 placements across 13 markets.
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13 placements across 13 markets.