The Layover

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Mauri Waneka, founder of Schwet, a hospitality-meets-wellness concept built around saunas, pools, steam, social connection, and what Mauri calls a “detox, retox” approach to living well. Rather than positioning Schwet as just another cold plunge or wellness space, Mauri frames it as a new kind of hospitality product: sexy, social, design-forward, and rooted in connection.Mauri shares how her path from derivatives trading to real estate development to community building led to Schwet. After moving to Los Angeles, she began hosting dinners as a way to meet interesting people, eventually growing those gatherings into large-scale social experiences that blended business, art, science, entertainment, and culture.Mauri breaks down how Schwet is:Reimagining wellness as living well, not rigid self-denialBlending contrast therapy, social time, and nightlife energy into one hospitality experienceCreating a space where people can connect without phones, pressure, or the usual members-club stiffnessBalancing exclusivity with public access so the community stays fresh and dynamicBuilding a brand voice that is funny, irreverent, privacy-conscious, and intentionally anti-flexPositioning itself for a future where wellness, hotels, clubs, and hospitality increasingly overlapThe conversation also explores New York’s current social renaissance, why Mauri believes the city beats Los Angeles for spontaneous connection, and how boutique hotels inspired Schwet’s mix of locals, visitors, friends-of-friends, and new faces.Whether you’re interested in hospitality, wellness, community design, nightlife, or the next wave of social spaces, this episode offers a look at how Schwet is making wellness feel less precious—and a lot more fun.💧 Learn More Follow Schwet at https://www.getschwet.com/ to see the space, the vibe, and Mauri’s very unserious approach to serious hospitality.

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Ian Prichard, CEO and co-founder of Black Tie Ski Rentals & Delivery, to explore how a small-town idea sparked by an Alan Jackson VIP fitting turned into North America’s leading ski and bike delivery network.From maxing out credit cards to launch a two-van operation in Steamboat Springs, to growing into 20 licensed locations across the U.S. and Canada, Black Tie has rewritten the ski rental experience—making it less about lines and logistics and more about lifestyle and leisure.Ian unpacks how Black Tie is:Turning the most dreaded part of skiing—rentals—into a concierge-level, in-room experienceBalancing affordability with luxury, proving “black tie” doesn’t have to mean overpricedExpanding into summer with bike rentals, giving operators year-round sustainabilityScaling through a unique licensing model that empowers local entrepreneursBuilding authentic community relationships with resorts, hotels, and conciergesKeeping customer service at the core—hiring personalities first, ski techs secondWhether you’re a skier, a snowboarder, or just curious about how hospitality meets entrepreneurship on the slopes, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Black Tie is blending high-touch service with smart growth to change the way we gear up for adventure.

In this episode, we journey into the sacred, the obscure, and the nearly forgotten with Eliot Stein, senior journalist and editor at the BBC, and author of the powerful new book Custodians of Wonder: Ancient Customs, Profound Traditions, and the Last People Keeping Them Alive. Eliot takes us behind the scenes of a decade-long reporting journey—one that led him across five continents in search of the final practitioners of ancient rites, endangered crafts, and cultural expressions on the edge of extinction. From the last Inca bridge master to the only family that still plays Mali’s 700-year-old royal instrument, Eliot explores how humanity’s most fragile traditions are preserved, passed down, or lost in a rapidly modernizing world. In this conversation, we explore: How Eliot gains trust and access in deeply private and remote communities The tension between storytelling and overexposure in the age of social media Why the disappearance of local culture, language, and ritual is a global extinction event What it really means to travel with curiosity, humility, and empathy Why “yes” is the most powerful word a traveler can carry Whether you're a cultural anthropologist at heart or a curious traveler wondering what’s being lost in our globally connected world, this episode offers a profound look at the quieter, endangered side of travel—and the people who keep wonder alive. And be sure to check out his book Custodians of Wonder, which can be found on his website https://www.eliotstein.me/

In this episode, we sit down with Sebastian Schoepe, CEO of EagleRider, to explore how the iconic motorcycle travel company is steering the future of experiential travel. From reshaping the traditional rental model to embracing digital tools and immersive branding, Sebastian offers a candid look at how EagleRider is reaching younger, more diverse, and global audiences.