Not Quite a Podcast

Some people set out to build an agency. Andrew Mallis accidentally built one. Doug and Andrew talk about the winding path from art school to entrepreneurship, why design is really just creativity with constraints, and the challenge every founder faces after the excitement of a new idea wears off. It’s a conversation about vision, execution, and why the hardest part of building something is usually...

What do a Japanese apprenticeship, a career in luxury hospitality, commercial real estate, and 45 years of martial arts have in common? According to Andrew Benioff, they all teach the same lesson – growth rarely comes from comfort. Andrew shares stories from his time living in Japan, apprenticing at a traditional ryokan, working with the Ritz-Carlton, and eventually becoming a real estate investor...

Two restaurateurs get real about what it takes to build something of your own — long hours, real pressure, and getting your team to believe it’s all worth it.  Alex shares how his experience with Ralph Lauren and Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts shaped the way he approaches building Bar Rêve from the ground up. Doug talks about the good kind of stress, and they both agree that the best ideas don’...

Amy and Doug have a shared love of boutique hotels. But as entrepreneurs and business owners, they cover a lot of ground in this lighthearted discussion about generosity, lessons learned, and how people are their favorite part about their jobs. Amy is a Principal at Hatteras Sky, a commercial real estate development firm with properties across the country, committed to creating places that move, i...

Omar is a true champion of the boutique hotel and a firm believer that the right story can transform a property. This episode is a deep dive into why storytelling isn’t just creative fluff, but a strategic advantage. Call it “Storytime with Omar and Doug” — a conversation about helping brands of all kinds uncover what makes them distinct and worth desiring. Creative Director at Studio Circa, Omar...

Amy Haiar’s unique perspective on marketing and branding is founded on the values of nostalgia and human emotion and she draws from her diverse experiences across industries. We talk about the struggle to measure brand loyalty, staying creative as a business owner, and what can be learned from The Grateful Dead. Equal parts indoorsy and outdoorsy, fueled by fresh air, PB&Js, pop culture, and a dee...

We love a good Founder Story and Rob’s will inspire and encourage. Doug and Rob go down memory lane from their beginnings as young founders building their own websites on Flash (before websites were popular), to still loving what they do 20-plus years later. They also cast their prediction on how technology will help or hurt us when it comes to serving what matters most – people. Rob began his hos...

From imposter syndrome to sleazy sales techniques to founderitis (definition in the podcast), Doug and Laura tackle some of the toughest challenges facing business leaders. Laura speaks with transparency, conviction, and a healthy dose of humor. This is an honest conversation that leaders in all industries can relate to. Laura helps B2B industrial innovators boost their marketing ROI through targe...

The hotelier and the hotel enthusiast get together to talk about their most memorable hotel stays, what the hospitality industry is doing right, where authenticity fits in and how to scale yourself without losing your mind.  Doug and Bashar always have a great time together and this discussion does not disappoint.  Bashar is the founder of This Assembly – born to build hotels with a heartbeat. Wit...

Doug and Moira take a deep dive into the sea of attribution and analytics. Swimming with numbers might not be fun for everyone but in this discussion they share some eye opening stories about navigating client expectations and coming up with a single source of truth. Moira Miller is an organized, motivated, and innovative Marketing Leader with over a decade of agency experience; executing effectiv...

Two wild and crazy guys confirming that human connection trumps all. From discussing the value of creating great content, to connecting virtually, to human versus AI power…these two cover it all.  Christopher is the very definition of a polymath living at the intersection of art, business, design and creativity. Founder of KISMET COWORK and RADIOKISMET, Christopher has an extensive background in a...

Steve and Doug are both founders in their prospective industries…founders who like to have fun! They discuss the state of hospitality, content creation, marketing on Linkedin, algorithms, and moms being their number one fans.  Steve Carran is the Host and Head Writer of The Modern Hotelier podcast. Steve and David Millili interview hospitality executives, personalities, and influencers to talk abo...

Derek and Doug have been long time friends. Their collective backgrounds span over 40 years and the comradery is obvious. In this clip, they discuss the difference between art and design, when the UX experience should be creative, if ever, and use their fortune-telling skills to predict the next infomercial medium. Derek Hollister is the founder of Boldworld, a digital first agency with Pennsylvan...

The show without format, ads, guidelines, or gimmicks. We take the best of our talks with Founders, Marketers, Writers, Builders and Designers and only post the good stuff. Sometimes, we even say something smart. Doug Logan is the founder of Inovāt, a digital agency in New York and Pennsylvania, which he started right out of high school. When Doug isn’t putting together strategic campaigns, launch...