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PODCAST

Behind the Stays

Welcome to Behind the Stays — a podcast that shares the stories behind your favorite boutique hotels, short-term rentals, and hospitality brands and the hosts, operators, and entrepreneurs who’ve brought them to life. Every Tuesday and Friday you’ll meet the military veterans, retired flight attendants, tech entrepreneurs, school teachers, single moms, hoteliers, and real estate investors who are all, in their unique ways, shaping the future of travel and hospitality. Discover how these

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All Episodes

52:01

How They're Building the Next Great American Hotel...

Behind the Stays ·

2025/05/23

What happens when two childhood friends trade finance careers for a crack at building the next great American hotel brand? You get Trailborn.In this episode, I sit down with Mike Weiss and Ben Weinberg, co-founders and co-CEOs of Trailborn — a vertically integrated hospitality brand reimagining what it means to travel to America’s most iconic outdoor destinations. Mike and Ben didn’t just set out to build better hotels — they’re building an experience-driven brand from the ground up, one that

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01:03:06

Why Vibe-Driven Hotels and Restaurants Are Failing...

Behind the Stays ·

2025/05/20

Cory Schisler isn’t just building beautiful hotels and restaurants — he’s rethinking what hospitality actually feels like. He’s worked with brands like Proper and Viceroy, co-founded The Madrona in Healdsburg, and has a sharp eye for the subtle — and not-so-subtle — ways hospitality has evolved (and where it still needs to catch up). In this episode, we unpack: – The early experiences that shaped Cory’s hospitality worldview – How to balance timeless service with modern guest expectations – The

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52:28

How to Build Hotels With a Pulse: Carolyn Schneider,...

Behind the Stays ·

2025/05/13

Before founding creative studio Corner Booth, Carolyn co-founded Casetta Group, the acclaimed boutique hospitality brand known for transforming forgotten roadside motels into soulful, design-forward stays that actually reflect the communities they’re in. But her journey started far from the boardroom — as a cocktail server at the Ace Hotel in New York, where she first experienced the magic of what a hotel could be when it’s built with intention and feeling.In this conversation, Carolyn unpacks how

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01:00:07

Why Hotel Booking Engines Are Dying — And How AI...

Behind the Stays ·

2025/05/09

Khalid Meniri didn’t come from hospitality — but maybe that’s exactly why he was able to see its most obvious blind spot so clearly.A designer and technologist by trade, Khalid is the founder of Selfbook, the beautifully elegant booking platform that’s quietly powering the next generation of high-end hotels. In this episode, you’ll hear the remarkable story of how a glass cube on Fifth Avenue (yes, the Apple Store) first inspired Khalid’s obsession with design — and how years later, that obsession

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58:21

From Sales Guy to Hospitality Media Mogul: The Modern...

Behind the Stays ·

2025/05/06

Steve Carran never set out to become one of the most recognized voices in hospitality media. But what started as a scrappy experiment to engage hoteliers during his time in sales has now blossomed into The Modern Hotelier — one of the industry’s most beloved podcasts and a new video media brand that’s putting a fresh lens on hospitality storytelling.In this episode, you’ll hear the fascinating backstory behind how Steve and his co-host David Millili launched the podcast, how they bought it back

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53:12

How Ash Hotels Became the Coolest Brand You’ve Never...

Behind the Stays ·

2025/05/02

If you’ve scrolled Instagram or Design Milk anytime in the last few years, you’ve probably come across a hotel that made you stop scrolling. Not because it was just beautiful, but because it felt like a world. A story.And chances are... that hotel was built by Ash. In this episode, I sit down with Ari Heckman, founder & CEO of Ash — one of the most distinctive hospitality brands redefining how hotels, neighborhoods, and even guest memories are made. Ari’s story is a masterclass in

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01:04:06

How He Built the Bloomberg of Travel: The Story of...

Behind the Stays ·

2025/04/29

What if the future of storytelling isn't about bigger platforms — but sharper taste?What if the real shift happening in media isn't just economic... but moral? Today, you’re about to meet Rafat Ali — founder and CEO of Skift, one of the most respected travel media brands in the world. But his story didn’t start there. Rafat grew up in India, a shy kid who stuttered — and somehow rewrote his future with nothing but words and a relentless eye for what others missed. He went from studying

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01:10:13

From Instagram Fame to Industry Change: JourneyMore,...

Behind the Stays ·

2025/04/25

When the COVID-era short-term rental boom hit, a new class of creators quietly redefined hospitality marketing — and today, three of the best in the business join me for a conversation you won't want to miss.In this episode, I sit down with Hayden Hughes, Nicky Hughes, and Mike Iannetta — three pioneers who helped transform treehouses, A-frames, and glamp-sites from hidden gems into viral, booked-out brands. We unpack how they redefined marketing in the short-term rental world, where the future of

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59:31

Is This the End of Direct Bookings? Everything You...

Behind the Stays ·

2025/04/22

In this episode, I’m joined by Arthur Colker, Founder of StayFi, and Philip Kennard, CEO of FutureStay, to unpack one of the most talked-about moves in short-term rental history: Airbnb’s newly sharpened Off-Platform and Fee Transparency Policy. Depending on who you ask, it’s either a long-overdue consumer protection measure... or a strategic power grab designed to lock in lifetime guest value at all costs. Arthur and Philip bring firsthand insights — and a healthy dose of reality — to a

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41:34

7 Non-Obvious Lessons Shaping the Future of...

Behind the Stays ·

2025/04/15

In this solo episode, Zach shares seven powerful, non-obvious lessons shaping the next era of hospitality—insights drawn from conversations with some of the most forward-thinking operators, creatives, and strategists in the space.From the rise of emotional loyalty and transformational stays to the power of digital atmosphere and placemaking over property management, this episode challenges traditional assumptions and inspires fresh thinking for hotel owners, experience designers, and anyone shaping

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56:35

She Built a Luxury Resort Around the Moon — And It’s...

Behind the Stays ·

2025/04/11

You’ve heard of luxury glamping. You’ve seen treehouses and mirror cabins. But you haven’t seen anyone doing it like this.In this episode, I sit down with Meredith Garrett — founder of Stay Minty and Stellara — to explore how she’s redefining what it means to deliver luxury in nature. You may know her for her wildly creative short-term rental brand Stay Minty, with its kaleidoscope of high-design vacation homes and glamping domes. But with Stellara, Meredith is pushing the envelope even further —

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01:03:01

The Boutique Hotel Conundrum: Expand the Brand or...

Behind the Stays ·

2025/04/08

Picture this: You’re road-tripping through the Pacific Northwest, and you pull up to a stunning, cliffside micro-resort where elk roam the grounds and the ocean waves crash in the background. Or maybe you’re in the heart of a bustling city, checking into a boutique hotel that oozes local charm and creativity. The problem? These days, everyone from massive chains to up-and-coming brands wants a piece of that “boutique” magic.In this episode, I’m joined by Quentin Incao, founder of Q Hospitality

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01:04:35

Why Big Chains Hijacked Boutique (and How Independent...

Behind the Stays ·

2025/04/04

Imagine growing up in a world where hospitality wasn't just a business — it was family. Where your childhood was spent in boardrooms with industry pioneers, and your teenage years were marked by co-founding an association that would go on to redefine boutique hotels worldwide.Today’s guest, Ariela Kiradjian, has dedicated her life to answering the question: What does it mean to truly preserve the soul and individuality of independent hotels? As the co-founder of BLLA (Boutique & Lifestyle

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01:00:21

Building the Four Seasons of Vacation Rentals: Inside...

Behind the Stays ·

2025/04/01

Imagine being nine years old, on your first-ever family trip to Disneyland, only to have your hotel room broken into and your precious park tickets stolen. Then, just as hope seems lost, a stranger knocks on the door and hands your family their leftover Disney passes, saving the day. That moment didn’t just shape Stephen Petaskey’s childhood — it laid the foundation for his entrepreneurial journey and his passion for creating remarkable travel experiences. Today, Stephen is the visionary behind

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59:23

What Happens When Two Engineers Build a Boutique...

Behind the Stays ·

2025/03/25

What happens when two lifelong friends and engineers decide to stop dreaming about their mountain getaway — and start building it from scratch?Meet Dave Mayo and Matt Kamp, the co-founders of New River Ridge—a design-forward micro resort perched on 14 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. These guys aren’t developers. They’re not influencers. And they’re definitely not hotel veterans. But what they are is obsessed with building a better kind of retreat. One where couples can truly

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01:00:27

Why Most Hotel Developments Feel Soulless — And How...

Behind the Stays ·

2025/03/21

What does it take to transform real estate development into something more than just bricks and mortar—into places with soul, story, and unforgettable experiences?Today’s guest, Zach Rapaport, is on a mission to answer that question. As the founder of Meerkat Development, he’s redefining what it means to build hospitality and lifestyle-driven spaces from the ground up. His journey started in construction — literally digging foundations — and evolved into leading development projects for some of

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59:55

From Red Bull to the Backcountry: Why Sam Degenhard...

Behind the Stays ·

2025/03/18

What does it take to walk away from one of the coolest marketing jobs on the planet—at a company so many would kill to work for—to go sleep in the dirt and build an outdoor hospitality brand from scratch?Today’s guest, Sam Degenhard, did exactly that. After a decade at Red Bull, where he helped shape the world of action sports marketing, Sam traded corporate prestige for the unpredictable wilds of entrepreneurship. He founded Campfire Ranch, a next-gen hospitality brand designed for

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30:35

Loyalty is Broken — Here’s How We’re Fixing It

Behind the Stays ·

2025/03/14

Loyalty programs should feel rewarding, but most hotel programs feel like a frustrating game of hoops to jump through. In this solo episode, Zach breaks down why traditional hotel loyalty is failing and what needs to change. Here’s the problem: Most hotel loyalty programs are built for the brand, not the traveler. Only 18% of consumers feel they get real value from these programs, and 75% of points go unused because of complicated redemption rules and blackout dates. Instead of fostering genuine

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27:07

75 Hospitality Titans Share Their Secrets in Steve...

Behind the Stays ·

2025/03/07

Steve Turk returns to the podcast, this time with a brand-new title—author.In this episode, live from the IMN STR Forum in Miami, Steve shares the journey behind Hospitality Unlocked, a book packed with insights from 75 of the industry's top leaders. We dive into his inspiration (hint: Tim Ferriss was a big influence), the art of guest experience, and the surprising lessons he uncovered while compiling wisdom from hospitality’s best. But that’s not all—Steve also reflects on his own career, from

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01:00:33

Why You Should Buy a Hotel (And How To Do So) with...

Behind the Stays ·

2025/03/04

If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a hotel, this episode is for you.Edwin Kramer, a global luxury hospitality expert with three decades of experience at brands like EDITION, Nobu, and Four Seasons, joins us to discuss the evolving definition of luxury, the art of hospitality, and why more people should own hotels. Known for his mantra “Life is short—own a hotel,” Edwin now helps entrepreneurs and investors develop, launch, and scale boutique hospitality ventures through his consultancy, Kramer

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323 results

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