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PODCAST

Hospitality Daily Podcast

Josiah Mackenzie

Stay informed and inspired to delight people and grow your business with daily conversations with interesting people doing interesting things. Hosted by Josiah Mackenzie.

business places & travel

All Episodes

10:10

What Hoteliers Can Learn About AI from Waymo's...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2025/08/21

In this episode, Sloan Dean returns to share a new perspective on artificial intelligence in hospitality. While AI is often framed around efficiency and cost-cutting, Sloan points to lessons from outside the industry -- like his experience with Waymo -- that show how AI can actually enhance the customer experience and create pricing power. He explores what this could mean for hotel operations, guest interactions, and the future of luxury hospitality. Listeners will come away with a new way of

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17:01

How Hilton Cut 6-12% in Labor Costs Across 600 Hotels...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2025/08/20

In this episode, Michael Escalante, former Global Vice President of Hilton’s Center of Operational Excellence, shares how his team delivered 6–12% savings on labor across more than 600 hotels, while improving both guest service and employee satisfaction. Michael explains the methodology behind Hilton’s approach: observing processes instead of people, quantifying human behavior, and modeling work as a function of volume. He also shares how Hilton overcame the hardest part -- change management -- by

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18:13

Labor, Leadership & Leveling Up: How Michael...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2025/08/19

Michael Escalante took an unexpected path from aerospace engineering to hospitality, eventually serving as Hilton’s Global VP for the Center of Operational Excellence and the President of Operational Effectiveness at Hotel Asset Value Enhancement (hotelAVE). Today, he's the CEO and founder of R5 Hospitality Solutions. In this conversation, he shares how scientific thinking and people-first leadership helped him uncover hidden value, improve service, and deliver millions in labor savings across

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7:42

AI Psychosis & Humanity in Hospitality Leadership -...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2025/08/18

In this episode, Josiah Mackenzie and Sloan Dean explore the concept of "AI psychosis" - how people's over-reliance on AI tools can cause them to lose touch with reality and critical thinking skills. They discuss the evolution of leadership from physical strength to IQ to emotional intelligence, and examine how the hospitality industry has a unique opportunity to preserve human connection and counter the isolating effects of our increasingly digital world. Sloan shares his concerns as

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19:04

Not Done: Sloan Dean After Remington - How He's...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2025/08/16

In this episode, Sloan Dean shares why he stepped down as CEO of Remington Hospitality after eight transformative years, walking away to bet on himself as a founder and disruptor. He discusses enrolling in MIT AI courses, his philosophy on taking calculated risks, and why becoming CEO was never meant to be his "summit."Resources mentioned:Not Done with Sloan DeanCulture Creates Room To Thrive At Remington HotelsMore episodes with SloanResource from Actabl: The Future of Hotel Labor

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11:26

Hospitality's Innovation Gap (And How to Close It) -...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2025/08/15

In this episode, Sloan Dean shares why curiosity and the willingness to keep learning might be the most important leadership trait in hospitality today. In a candid conversation, Sloan shares his view on the flat state of RevPAR, the generational gap slowing AI adoption, and why the industry risks falling behind if it only experiments on the fringes. Drawing on his own deep dive into AI education and lessons from other industries, he offers a challenge to rethink how we grow, lead, and

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10:01

Why STR’s 40 Years of Proprietary Data Is Its...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2025/08/15

In this episode, STR President Amanda Hite shares how she’s thinking about the role artificial intelligence could play in the future of hospitality forecasting. Recorded at the 2025 Hotel Data Conference, this conversation explores why STR’s 40 years of proprietary hotel data remain its greatest advantage, how her team is cautiously testing AI tools without risking data integrity, and the opportunities AI presents for improving data onboarding and analysis. Amanda also explains why human judgment

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7:33

The Real Purpose of Hotel Benchmarking - Amanda Hite,...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2025/08/14

In this episode, STR President Amanda Hite shares why benchmarking still matters in a hospitality market that feels like it changes every month. Recorded at the 2025 Hotel Data Conference, this conversation explores the “golden rule” of benchmarking, why consistency matters more than the specific numbers, and how hotel leaders can grow market share even when overall demand is flat. You’ll hear how to cut through the noise of rapid change, focus on what you can control, and use performance data to

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17:00

Inside the 2025 Profitability Squeeze: STR’s Amanda...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2025/08/13

In this episode, STR President Amanda Hite joins us to discuss the profitability pressures shaping hospitality in 2025, and what leaders can do about them. She explains why margins are shrinking despite strong demand, from ADR lagging behind inflation to rising labor costs, PIPs, and debt service challenges. Amanda also shares how STR’s new tools and global benchmarking capabilities are helping owners, operators, and brands align on data, make faster decisions, and protect the bottom line. This

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11:30

Six Months of Challenges: STR President Amanda Hite...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2025/08/12

In this episode, STR President Amanda Hite shares the latest forecast for the hotel industry on August 7, 2025. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to

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9:41

Calm Minds, Bold Moves: Amanda Hite on Leading STR...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2025/08/11

In this episode recorded at the 2025 Hotel Data Conference in Nashville, Josiah Mackenzie speaks to STR President Amanda Hite about the leadership lessons that have shaped her career. She recalls what she learned from STR founder Randy Smith’s humility, clarity, and ability to empower others — setting guardrails while encouraging smart risk-taking. Amanda then shares how she applies these principles today, balancing a calm, thoughtful presence with the need for speed and decisiveness in a

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25:11

From Forts to Function: The Innovation Kids Love That...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2025/08/08

Saar Shai, co-founder of Wanderland, returns to share how a simple idea—born from watching his own kids on vacation—is changing the way hotels welcome families. (See our first conversation here.) Since our last conversation, Saar has been working with leading hotel brands to introduce “Screener,” a modular, themed room divider that gives kids their own space while improving the stay experience for parents.We explore how this innovation solves a common operational challenge—limited connecting

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13:47

The Lantern Hotel: Pioneering Inclusive Employment in...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2025/08/07

David Tart, Managing Partner at Raines, joins us to discuss The Lantern Hotel, an innovative hospitality project dedicated to creating inclusive employment opportunities. David explains how The Lantern not only transforms an old fire station in Columbia, South Carolina, into a vibrant hotel but also empowers individuals with intellectual disabilities. Hospitality leaders will gain insights into how intentional employment practices can impact communities and the hospitality industry as a whole. A few

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13:47

Visibility as a Competitive Advantage: How Raines...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2025/08/06

David Tart, Managing Partner at Raines, shares how the practice of visibility drives the culture at his rapidly growing hospitality company. He dives deep into how Raines maintains its close-knit, relationship-driven culture through intentional leadership practices, especially during growth periods and acquisitions like the integration of HP Hotels. Listen in to discover how visibility, internal events, and cross-training initiatives create career opportunities and cultivate a unified team

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17:17

Risk, Reward, and Relationships: David Tart’s Proven...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2025/08/05

David Tart, Managing Partner at Raines, entered the hospitality industry by turning family farmland into his first Hampton Inn. Today, he leads development at Raines, an integrated hospitality company known for both branded and independent hotels. In this conversation, David shares key lessons from his career—particularly around risk-taking, relationship-building, and why trust is foundational in navigating the world of hospitality. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily,

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21:30

Winning Without OTAs: How Unplugged Achieves 100%...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2025/08/04

In this episode, our guest experience correspondent, Danica Smith, speaks with Hector Hughes, co-founder of Unplugged, who shares how they have achieved the remarkable with 100% direct bookings and nearly full occupancy year-round -- all without relying on OTAs. Hector discusses Unplugged's unique approach to organic growth, the creative use of social media, and how building a movement rather than just a brand has driven their success. Hospitality leaders will gain fresh insights into how

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23:36

Digital Detox Done Differently: How Hector Hughes...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2025/08/03

In this episode, our guest experience correspondent, Danica Smith, speaks with Hector Hughes, co-founder of Unplugged: a hospitality concept transforming wellness travel through digital detox experiences. Hector shares why merely offering digital detox as a hotel amenity rarely succeeds, and reveals how Unplugged has built its entire guest experience around the power of disconnecting. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message her...

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30:02

How Chris Gilbert is Humanizing Government Through...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2025/08/02

Chris Gilbert, CEO of Springfield Township in Hamilton County, Ohio, and founder of Municipal Hospitality Advisors, shares how he's applying hospitality principles to transform local government. Chris reveals what inspired him to shift civic leadership from transactional interactions to meaningful moments of hospitality, highlighting practical ways he's building a people-focused culture within government operations. Listeners will learn how to effectively humanize their leadership

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10:51

Inside Zara’s "Travel Mode": A Blueprint for...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2025/08/01

In this episode, Danica Smith, Hospitality Daily’s guest experience correspondent and founder of MorningStar GX, breaks down Zara's innovative "Travel Mode" initiative, demonstrating how hospitality leaders can draw inspiration from retail to rethink guest experiences. She highlights the importance of creative, cross-industry collaborations and addresses critical debates surrounding sustainability, brand alignment, and the future role of retail in hospitality. See Danica's post

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20:37

The Four Ps of Guest Experience: How to Know, Grow,...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2025/07/31

Danica Smith, Hospitality Daily’s guest experience correspondent and founder of MorningStar GX, returns to dive deeper into her innovative framework, The Four Ps of Guest Experience: Personal, Purposeful, Playful, and Participatory. In this episode, Danica breaks down each pillar with actionable insights, exploring why personalization must move beyond superficial data points, how travel can serve as a powerful catalyst for personal growth, and why playful, participatory experiences are key to guest

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