Bed & Butter: THE Hospitality Podcast

In this episode of Bed and Butter, we sit down with Joe Van Why, a visionary hospitality developer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist whose impact on Maine’s hotel industry—and the future of hospitality education—can’t be overstated. Joe shares his remarkable story of starting in a hotel laundry room at just 12 years old, working his way to the front desk as a teenager, and ultimately building hosp...

In this episode of Bed and Butter, the hospitality podcast produced in partnership with Southern Maine Community College, host Sean Riley sits down with Chet Patel, Senior Vice President and co-founder of Baywood Hotels , one of the most influential privately held hotel ownership and development companies in the United States. Baywood Hotels owns and operates more than 125 hotels across 25 states,...

In this episode of Bed & Butter, host Sean Riley sits down with Danielle Diersing, Senior Manager of Product Experience & Prototypes at Hilton , to explore how thoughtful design, innovation, and operator insight shape the modern hotel guest experience. Recognized as a 30 Under 30 hospitality leader, Diersing shares her career journey into Hilton’s corporate ecosystem and offers an inside l...

In this extended episode of Bed & Butter, host Sean Riley welcomes Kate Fox, executive director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism , for an in-depth conversation on tourism’s role in economic development, workforce opportunity, and community identity. Drawing on more than two decades of leadership in destination marketing—including her tenure in Salem—Fox discusses how strategic...

Join host Sean Riley, a seasoned hotel executive and CEO of Maine Course Hospitality Group, for this inspiring conversation in partnership with Southern Maine Community College (SMCC). This episode features Matthew Boettcher, Senior VP and Global Brand Leader for the Distinctive Brands at Marriott International. Matthew shares his remarkable career path, which began as a sommelier in fine dining a...

In this episode of Bed & Butter, we sit down with Fred Forsley—the entrepreneurial force behind Shipyard Brewing Company and Sea Dog Brewing Co. —for a deep dive into leadership, resilience, and the future of hospitality. From his early days in real estate to founding one of Maine’s most iconic craft breweries, Fred shares how grit, vision, and relationship-building shaped his journey. Listene...

In this inspiring episode of Bed & Butter, we welcome Tiffany Yu, CEO and founder of Diversability, disability advocate, TEDx speaker, and author of The Anti-Ableist Manifesto. Tiffany shares her powerful disability origin story and how a childhood accident fueled her lifelong mission to build a more inclusive, accessible world. She breaks down the real impact of the disability tax, offers eye...

Welcome to Season Three of Bed & Butter, the hospitality industry podcast where purpose-driven leadership, real-world experience, and genuine heart take center stage. Hosted by Sean Riley, CEO of Maine Course Hospitality Group and hospitality veteran with 40+ years of experience, this series goes beyond hotel and restaurant operations to explore what truly fuels success: service, culture, and...

Welcome to Season 3 of Bed and Butter, the hospitality podcast where passion meets profession—and where industry stories come alive. Hosted by seasoned hotel executive Sean Riley and produced in collaboration with students from Southern Maine Community College’s Communications & New Media Studies program, this season dives deeper than ever. From culinary and brewery innovators to hotel leaders...

Welcome to Season 2 of Bed and Butter, the podcast that takes you into the heart of the hospitality industry. Dive into an engaging episode with Jill Gray, a dynamic sales leader based in the greater Boston area. Discover her unique strategies for building and maintaining relationships, even during challenging times like the pandemic. Jill shares her experiences of balancing a thriving career whil...

Welcome to Season 2 of Bed & Butter: The Hospitality Podcast, dedicated to inspiring and educating budding students and future leaders in the hospitality industry. In this episode, we are joined by the seasoned hotelier and podcast host, Brian Proctor, who shares his unique journey through the world of hospitality. Brian discusses the power of gratitude in driving personal and professional suc...

In this inspiring episode of Bed & Butter: THE Hospitality Podcast, we sit down with Carrie Nielsen, Senior Project Designer at Group One, JCJ Architecture Studio. Carrie shares her remarkable journey from sketching floor plans at summer camp to leading the design of stunning hotel interiors. Discover how her unique upbringing, personal influences, and creative vision have shaped her approach...

Welcome to another episode of Bed & Butter: THE Hospitality Podcast, created in partnership with  Southern Maine Community College and designed for students and aspiring industry leaders. In this episode, we welcome Jeanette Clark, the dynamic Chief Capital Investment Officer at Apple Hospitality REIT , one of the most respected publicly traded real estate investment trusts in the U.S. Jeanett...

Welcome to Bed and Butter, THE Hospitality podcast designed for aspiring industry leaders and students. Hosted by Sean Riley and produced in collaboration with Southern Maine Community College, this series dives deep into the world of hospitality with expert insights, hands-on advice, and inspiring stories. In this episode, we hear from three dedicated hospitality students, each with unique experi...

Welcome to Season 2 of Bed & Butter, THE Hospitality Podcast crafted for aspiring students and industry innovators. In this episode, we dive into hospitality with Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO of Azamara Cruises . With a remarkable 40-year career in travel, Dondra shares her journey from American Airlines to leading a renowned cruise line. Join us as Dondra offers invaluable insights on building a...

In this episode of Bed and Butter, THE Hospitality Podcast, host Sean Riley sits down with Alex Chong, a Culinary Institute of America-trained chef turned successful entrepreneur and owner of Grand Cru Hospitality in Portland, Oregon. From his humble beginnings in Maine to running multiple food and beverage businesses across the country, Alex shares his journey and valuable insights into the hospi...

Welcome to Season 2 of Bed & Butter: The Hospitality Podcast, crafted for budding students and aspiring industry leaders in partnership with Southern Maine Community College. In today's episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Jonathan Bogatay, a visionary in the hospitality industry with over 40 years of experience. Join us as we explore Jonathan's remarkable career path, from his earl...

Welcome back to "Bed and Butter," the hospitality podcast, as we kick off an exciting second season with your host, Sean Reilly. This season, we're diving into inspiring stories from industry leaders shaping the hospitality world. Join us as we hear from Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO of Azamara Cruise Lines , a trailblazer breaking new ground in the cruise line business. Discover her insights on balanc...

Welcome to the latest episode of Bed & Butter: THE Hospitality Podcast. Our host, Sean Riley, brings on Peter Twachtman, the charismatic CEO of  Lark Hotels . Listen as Peter recounts his growth from being a busboy to heading one of America's rapidly expanding companies in the boutique hotel sector. Get a glimpse of Peter's people-centric leadership style and focus on core values. Peter talks...

Welcome to the latest episode of Bed and Butter: THE Hospitality Podcast. This week, we talk with brand enthusiast Whitney Knight, Director of Brand Management for Homewood Suites by Hilton , about the core branding elements in the hospitality industry. Learn how she deftly navigates guest experience, service culture, and underlying business models in one of the world's top hotel chains. From high...

Welcome to the latest episode of Bed & Butter: THE Hospitality Podcast! Join your host, Sean Riley, as he delves into an insightful conversation with accomplished Maine Course Hospitality Group (MCHG) Hampton Inn General Manager Virginia Blair. In this episode, gain insight into Virginia's remarkable journey from part-time night auditor to general manager—an invaluable lesson for both students...

In the latest episode of Bed and Butter, THE Hospitality Podcast, host Sean Riley invites Jamie Mulley, the Corporate Director of Operations for Maine Course Hospitality Group, to share her rich journey in the hospitality industry, paving a path from a server to a coveted leadership position. Mulley's insights form an invaluable guide for aspiring hospitality professionals. She discusses the indus...

Welcome to another episode of Bed & Butter, your go-to podcast for all things hospitality. We have a riveting conversation with industry leader Matt McClelland. Matt spent over 26 years with the renowned Concord Hospitality Group and recently became Chief Operating Officer of OTO Development, part of The Johnson Group, an award-winning hotel development and hospitality management company. He t...

Join us for another episode of Bed & Butter: THE Hospitality Podcast, where host Sean Riley sits down with Bo Byrne, a renowned chef and professor at Southern Maine Community College. Spotlighting the breadth of opportunities in the hospitality industry, Bo shares his fascinating journey from dishwasher to respected authority in the culinary world and the inspiration behind being an educator i...

In this episode, Bed & Butter host Sean Riley chats with Ginny Petrovek, the Chief Enthusiast of Canopy by Hilton in Portland, Maine. Ginny shares her journey from working summer jobs and internships to becoming the hotel's General Manager. She talks about her passion for Maine and how she built her career in her favorite state. Ginny explains how the Canopy ethos is that every associate is an...