Hospitality Daily Podcast

Nathan Woods , founder of Beloved Hospitality , joins the show to share his perspective that the real threat to hospitality is not artificial intelligence—it's artificial hospitality. Drawing from his own work experimenting with AI, Nathan explains why technology does not weaken human connection on its own. The real risk appears when we let systems replace care and attention for our guests. M...

In this episode, Josiah Mackenzie speaks with Mark Fancourt , cofounder and principal at TRAVHOTECH , and a former senior leader across global hospitality brands and technology companies.  Their conversation explores what hotel leaders often misunderstand about technology strategy. Mark shares why many hotels invest heavily in new systems but still struggle to translate those investments into oper...

In this episode, Lisa Chung , Design Director at Gensler , shares how hospitality leaders should think about design through the lens of human needs. Drawing on insights from Gensler’s latest design forecast, she explains why great hospitality environments start with understanding how people want to feel, connect, work, and recharge when they enter a space. In the conversation, Lisa discusses how w...

Kristina Munoz , Senior Vice President of Operations at Cogir Senior Living , shares the leadership principles that shape strong teams. Drawing on experience across Michelin-recognized hotels, airlines, and senior living, she explains why trust, transparency, and follow-through sit at the center of effective leadership. She shares how leaders build loyalty by showing up for their teams, recognizin...

Kristina Munoz , Senior Vice President of Operations at Cogir Senior Living , and former Vice President of Operations at Palisades Hospitality, shares a leadership lesson from one of the most overlooked departments in hospitality: housekeeping. Drawing on her experience working across many operational roles, she explains why leaders must understand frontline work in order to lead effectively. Kris...

Kristina Munoz , Senior Vice President of Operations at Cogir Senior Living , shares how she's applying hospitality principles to an industry that might be a little unexpected. After nearly years running Michelin-recognized boutique hotel properties, she transitioned to build hospitality training programs for caregivers and partner with outside brands to offer concierge-level services without...

In this episode, Sloan Dean returns to the show after completing MIT's AI Strategy and Leadership program to share how he's applying AI in his work daily. The conversation covers two practical use cases for hotel GMs: using Claude as an executive assistant for email and communication, and as a financial analyst for P&L benchmarking and cost analysis. Sloan also walks through the powe...

In this episode, Kristina Munoz , Senior Vice President of Operations at Cogir Senior Living, shares lessons from an earlier chapter of her career working guest services in the airline industry. She explains how operating in a high-pressure airport environment shaped her mindset around speed, urgency, and decision-making in hospitality. The conversation explores what those lessons mean for hotel o...

Hotel earnings calls reveal how major brands and ownership groups view the business right now. In this solo episode, Josiah Mackenzie reviews recent calls from companies such as Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Wyndham, and more to surface the signals hospitality leaders shared with investors. The discussion covers the financial performance behind asset-light brand models, how AI already drives sales prod...

Sloan Dean , host of the Not Done podcast , reflects on what he has changed his mind about after interviewing some of the most influential leaders across hospitality and technology. In this episode, he shares why he believes traditional loyalty programs are losing strength, reframing points as a form of currency that many brands have steadily devalued. He also explains how AI and data are accelera...

Sloan Dean , host of the Not Done podcast and former CEO of Remington Hospitality, returns to share a leadership lesson he gained from an unlikely source: an orchestral conductor. After attending a YPO session led by a professional conductor, Sloan began rethinking the role of a leader as less of a performer and more of a conductor, someone who makes no sound yet drives performance through clarity...

In this episode, Jeanelle Johnson , Managing Partner at PwC , and Abhi Jain , Partner at PwC, discuss how technology is influencing what people want from travel and real estate today. Abhi explains why the human need for experience and curiosity is showing up across asset classes, with multifamily and wellness real estate borrowing from hospitality’s playbook. Jeanelle brings the consumer perspect...

Jeanelle Johnson , Managing Partner at PwC, shares why their firm is making a deliberate investment in human skills now. As large language models reshape professional services, they argue that critical thinking, storytelling, curiosity, and relationship-building will determine who creates real value. This conversation explores PwC’s Human Skills Project and why knowledge alone is no longer a diffe...

In this episode, Jeanelle Johnson , Managing Partner at PwC , and Abhi Jain , Partner at PwC, explore what the robotics conversation in hospitality is really about. They discuss where robotics makes practical sense today, and where human judgment and interaction remain essential. The conversation then shifts to the structural realities of the hotel business, including ownership models, incentive m...

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 governanc...

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 Hospit...

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,...

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...

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 d...

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...

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...

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...

In this episode, Bashar Wali , founder and CEO of Practice Hospitality and This Assembly , shares how observing human behavior shapes his perspective on hospitality. 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 deliver...

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 competin...

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 operator...