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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

18:07

Winning in the New Hotel Economy - Jeanelle Johnson &...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2026/02/24

In this episode, Jeanelle Johnson, Managing Partner at PwC, and Abhi Jain, Partner at PwC, break down what defined 2025 and what hotel leaders must focus on in 2026. From the rise of a two-speed market to persistent margin compression, they explain why operational excellence is now the primary driver of asset value. We explore how AI, "synthetic customers," and stronger data governance are reshaping pricing, product development, and time-to-market. If you own, operate, or invest in hotels,

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9:27

What Got Us Here Won't Get Us There - Josiah Mackenzie

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2026/02/23

Josiah Mackenzie reflects on leading change and reinvention, using Hospitality Daily as an example. 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 advertise on

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23:32

"AI Is Agenda Item 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5" for Hotel...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2026/02/18

In this episode, Ryan Mann, Partner at McKinsey & Company, shares how "AI has become agenda item one, two, three, four, and five" for hotel leaders worldwide. Recorded at ALIS in January 2026, this conversation explores how AI has shifted from experimentation to executive priority in a matter of months.Ryan outlines three key arenas shaping hospitality today: internal automation, on-property operational efficiency, and the high-stakes disruption of search and booking. He explains why

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6:21

How I Travel - Bashar Wali

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2026/02/15

Bashar Wali shares a personal look at how he approaches travel, often landing in a city for less than 24 hours and skipping the landmarks altogether. Instead of checking boxes or chasing must-see attractions, he spends his time in conversation, sitting at coffee shops and bars, speaking with strangers about their lives, ambitions, and perspectives. In this episode, he reframes travel as a tool for self-discovery rather than sightseeing, arguing that depth of connection matters more than distance

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6:14

Curiosity Is the First Act of Hospitality - Bashar Wali

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2026/02/14

In this episode, Bashar Wali, founder and CEO of Practice Hospitality and This Assembly, challenges one of the most common habits in life and work: leading with “What do you do?” He explains why that question limits connection, reinforces hierarchy, and undermines the core spirit of hospitality. Drawing from his global travels and leadership experience, Bashar makes the case for curiosity as a discipline and introduces a better starting point: “Where are you from?” A few more resources: If

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5:57

Why Hospitality Leaders Must Be "Merchants of Cool" -...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2026/02/13

In this episode, Bashar Wali, founder and CEO of Practice Hospitality and This Assembly, shares why staying culturally relevant is your responsibility. Read more from Bashar: The Merchants of Cool™ 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

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29:07

How to Turn Wellness Into a Profit Center - Emily...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2026/02/12

In this conversation, Emily Johnson, founder of Elevate Wellness Collective, returns to move the conversation from wellness theory to practical execution. Drawing on her background in luxury mystery shopping and experiential audits, she explains how a structured wellness audit helps hotels uncover hidden revenue opportunities already inside their operations. From sleep-focused room upgrades and minibar redesigns to team training and retreat partnerships, she outlines how operators can drive

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21:49

What Hotels Get Wrong About Wellness - Emily Johnson

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2026/02/11

In this conversation, Emily Johnson, founder of Elevate Wellness Collective, joins the show to unpack what hotels often misunderstand about wellness. Drawing on her background in hotel investment and development, Emily explains why wellness extends beyond the spa and how mental health and emotional well-being shape the overall stay. The discussion explores wellness as a strategic lens for design and operations, not a standalone amenity, and why hospitality leaders need to rethink how wellness fits

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9:08

Watch People, Not Trends - Bashar Wali

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2026/02/10

In this episode, Bashar Wali, founder and CEO of Practice Hospitality and This Assembly, shares how observing human behavior shapes his perspective on hospitality.Hospitality Daily is brought to you with support from Mews, the operating system for hospitality that replaces fragmented systems with one connected way to manage reservations, payments, revenue, and guest service. Listen to my recent conversation with Mews founder Richard Valtr for a deep dive on what's happening with AI and hotel

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7:25

When Hospitality Stops Feeling Like a Welcome -...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2026/02/09

In this episode, Bashar Wali, founder and CEO of Practice Hospitality and This Assembly, shares a candid perspective shaped by staying in a different hotel every night he travels, explaining how overdesigned spaces, sensory overload, and scripted service have pushed hospitality away from its core purpose. This conversation reframes hotels as a respite from daily chaos, not an experience competing for attention. Also see: Delighting Guests: Easier Than Ever? (Bashar Wali, Practice Hospi...

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42:22

Expert Hotel Leaders On How To Outperform In 2026...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2026/02/08

In this special bonus episode from Actabl, Josiah Mackenzie and Sarah McCay Tams lead a candid discussion with Shozib Khan, David Lund, and Chris Green on how hotel leaders stop flying blind and win in 2026. The panel explains why having the numbers alone is not enough and why shared data, forecast accuracy, and daily execution drive real performance across portfolios. They explore how operators align revenue, labor, CapEx, and culture, while democratizing financial insight from the boardroom to the

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11:36

A Hotel Owner’s Unfiltered View of 2026 - Bashar Wali

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2026/02/08

In this episode, Bashar Wali, founder and CEO of Practice Hospitality and This Assembly, shares an unfiltered look at what is shaping his thinking as the industry enters 2026. He breaks down the reality of flat revenues, rising labor and insurance costs, policy uncertainty, and why eroding margins feel more dangerous than an outright downturn. Bashar explains how uncertainty is freezing investment, delaying renovations, and reshaping owners' thinking about growth, debt, and risk. This

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33:49

Humans Are Starving for Connection. Hospitality Can...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2026/02/07

In this episode, Heather Dunwoody, founder and principal of Hospitality in Bloom, shares how participatory experiences, community, and a strong sense of place create guest experiences people remember and return for. Drawing from her background across agencies, large brands, and hospitality, she explains why humans are starving for connection and how hospitality is uniquely positioned to deliver it. You’ll come away with a clearer perspective on how designing for connection builds stronger brands and

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34:59

How to Get Real Performance From Hotel Technology -...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2026/02/05

In this episode, Stacey Milgram Plotska, VP of Operations and Implementations at Actabl, shares how hotel technology delivers the best results when it’s set up and used the right way. This conversation is a deep dive into what needs to happen, including the implementation, onboarding, training, and systems required to support ongoing learning and adoption. Stacey breaks down how strong technology partnerships work, what hotel teams need to do to succeed, and where some organizations struggle. If you

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8:00

"Sportspitality" and the Future of Placemaking -...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2026/02/05

In this episode, Walter Isenberg, CEO and Co-Founder of Sage Hospitality Group, shares how his company thinks about “Sportspitality,” the intersection of hotels, mixed-use development, sports teams, and entertainment districts. He shares how projects tied to arenas and stadiums create amplified demand beyond traditional group, business, and leisure travel. The conversation explores real examples across professional sports, universities, and urban cores, including how hospitality plays a central role

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8:52

Why We Forecast Labor Down to the Minute - Walter...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2026/02/04

In this episode, Walter Isenberg, CEO and Co-Founder of Sage Hospitality Group, shares why his company forecasts labor down to the minute and tracks forecast accuracy at 30, 60, and 90 days out. You'll hear how forecast discipline directly impacts labor planning, cash flow, and investment returns in a business Walter describes as having "one-day leases."Resources:Walter's article in Hotel Management: "Hospitality Begins from Within"Learn more about the technology Sage

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15:23

Hotels Are Splitting Into Two Completely Different...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2026/02/03

In this episode, Walter Isenberg, CEO and Co-Founder of Sage Hospitality Group, shares his reflections on 2025, the lessons he's bringing into 2026, and his perspective on the bifurcation in hospitality: commodity hotels moving toward automation and reduced staffing versus experience-driven hospitality, where people remain the competitive advantage. More from Walter: Walter's article in Hotel Management: "Hospitality Begins from Within"The Letter That Turned a Young Dishwasher

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29:27

Why The National Forecast Is Your Starting Point -...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2026/02/02

In this episode, Jan Freitag, National Director, Hospitality Analytics at CoStar Group, shares why the national forecast should be your starting point -- and gives specific things you can do to find growth this year.Links:"Tell Me More" Podcast by Jan Freitag & Isaac Collazo: Apple Podcasts or Spotify Read Jan's latest articles for CoStarVideo: Teague Talks with Jan Freitag of CoStar GroupOur previous conversation: Tariffs, Travel Disruption, and What Hotel Leaders Must Do Now -

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19:46

Destination AI: How I Built the #1 Hospitality AI...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2026/02/01

Nazpari Aydin is the co-founder and managing director of Destination AI — the #1 hospitality AI event — which she built from scratch in just two years. In this episode, she shares why she created the conference, how she approached speaker selection and community building, and what she learned from bringing hospitality leaders, operators, and technologists into the same room. Register now for Destination AI 2026You may also like: The Next Phase of AI Adoption Inside Hotel Companies - Stuart Greif A

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43:14

"The Taylor Swift of Travel AI" on Agentic AI,...

Hospitality Daily Podcast ·

2026/01/31

In this episode, Janette Roush, the SVP of Innovation and Chief AI Officer at Brand USA, shares how her team moved past AI hype to real, working applications across the organization. She explains what agentic AI looks like in practice, how organizations shift from individual experimentation to true organizational upskilling, and why trust and verified data are becoming mission-critical as travelers rely more on AI for planning. You’ll hear concrete examples from RFP evaluation, internal workflows,

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1,190 results

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