Private Club Radio Show

In this episode of Private Club Radio, we're joined by John Good and Joe Trauger from the National Club Association to preview the 2026 National Club Conference at Ocean Reef Club in Florida, happening April 19 through 21. We get into what makes this conference different, why it’s designed for both club leadership and boards, and how NCA is building a shared learning experience around their c...

To kick off 2026, Denny’s handing you a power list — the must-have relationships every club pro should be building now. Not just your board, not your team — we’re talking about your go-to people behind the scenes: your construction guy, your media contact, your legal lifeline, your “am I crazy or is this nuts?” text thread crew. These aren’t vendors. They’re not consultants. They’re your professio...

This isn't just a recap — it's a rapid-fire rewind of some of the biggest club leadership takeaways, off-the-wall moments, and most replayed quotes from the Private Club Radio Show in 2025. Denny Corby brings you back through ten standout clips featuring conversations with private club professionals, GMs, consultants, and leaders who dropped gold on everything from imposter syndrome to b...

In this quick solo episode, Denny Corby shares his not-so-secret secret weapon: Schedule Send (or Send Later for iPhone users). It’s one of the most underrated tools in your personal and professional communication toolbox. Whether you’re checking in with a member, sending birthday wishes, or following up like a boss — this feature lets you send emails or texts exactly when they need to land, witho...

Want to get your club featured on the local news? Start here. In this episode, Denny sits down with media pro and strategic communication consultant Julie Kraft , who spent two decades helping TV stations, newsrooms, and networks craft messages that connect. She now coaches leaders, brands, and businesses on how to tell their stories — and how to own the moment when the camera starts rolling. Whet...

Holiday season at the club means packed banquet sheets, nonstop member events, and inboxes that will not quit, so let us turn that boring out of office reply into a tiny hospitality win. In this episode, I walk you through a simple way to turn your autoresponder from a dead end into a warm, useful touchpoint that actually drives engagement. You will hear a real world example from my buddy and fell...

Curtis Garner is running a 27 million dollar renovation at Shoal Creek,  working out of a cottage office while the clubhouse comes down around him,  and still finding ways to keep members happy and staff engaged. In this episode, Curtis, Assistant GM and Director of Operations at Shoal Creek in Birmingham, walks through his path from mechanical engineering student, to hotel bar manager, to cross c...

What if the most impactful thing your club could do this season… didn’t cost a dime? In this episode of The Private Club Radio Show , host Denny Corby shares two powerful — and surprisingly simple — ways club leaders can make meaningful connections with members during the holidays. It’s not about big budgets or fancy activations. It’s about human moments. Gratitude. Intentional outreach. And yes —...

Ever wondered what it’s like to run a private club inside one of the most iconic hospitality brands in the world? In this episode of The Private Club Radio Show , we go behind the scenes with Kevin O’Brien , General Manager of Hershey Country Club , to explore what it takes to lead a club that sits at the intersection of tradition, luxury, and the sweetest brand in America. With over 13 years at H...

She started as a server. Now she’s the General Manager. In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Felegy, CCM , General Manager of Lehigh Country Club , to explore what it really takes to build a club career from the ground up. Over her 25+ years in private clubs, Jen has done it all — membership, HR, events, operations, even teaching hospitality students. Her story is one of grit, loyalty, and l...

This episode is a beginner friendly kit for anyone speaking in front of people, clubs, teams, boards, or conferences. You will learn a simple structure that uses fifteens and tens, how to build clean chunks, one idea, one story, one tool, how to use WIIFM so people lean in, and how to finish on time. We cover pre show nerves, mix and mingle to make friends, the smile on purpose trick, confidence m...

So you want those letters after your name—CCM, CCE,  maybe even MCM—but you’re not sure where to start, how long it takes,  or if it’s even worth it?  This episode answers all your certification questions. This week on The Private Club Radio Show, we sit down with  Brian Watkins, Director of Certification & Education at the  Club Management Association of America (CMAA).  If you’ve ever regist...

We break down why a short, friendly, and current voicemail can shape first impressions and speed up callbacks, especially in the club world where every touchpoint matters. Practical tips help you record a clear greeting, set expectations, and add just enough personality. Follow us on the socials Private Club Radio Instagram Private Club Radio Linkedin Denny Corby Instagram Denny Corby Linkedin

From bussing tables at Circus Pizza to leading top private clubs,  Bridget Eckert, CCM has lived every side of hospitality.  In this episode, she and Denny Corby dive into what it takes to build a career you’re proud of — one rooted in curiosity, connection, and purpose. They talk messy résumés that actually make sense, teaching the next generation of club pros, and why pride still matters in this...

Ever watch the room drift during a seven-minute bio read?  We’ve all been there, so we/me (host Denny Corby)  built a reliable way to introduce speakers that actually lifts the energy, respects the audience, and makes your guest feel like a headliner.   In this fast, focused walkthrough, we share the exact  60-second structure we use onstage:  gather attention with a clean opening line, deliver a...

Seasonal staffing doesn’t have to be a yearly crisis. In this episode,  we sit down with Carly Eglin (CEO of Seasonal Connect) and  Keith Pabian (Founding Partner of Pabian Law) to break down how private clubs can finally get it right—from H-2B visa strategies to housing solutions, team culture, and compliance nightmares. Whether you’re a general manager, HR director, or just tired of last-minute...

What happens when you throw over 30 club professionals into BMW M cars and let them rip around a professional racetrack? Pure magic—and unexpected leadership lessons that no conference room could ever provide. Management in Motion 2025 began as a casual conversation with the GM of Monticello Motor Club during a podcast interview. What started as a simple track visit evolved into a full-blown event...

Ever feel like you are not good enough, even when you are? In this episode, GM Kent Johnson opens up about his personal experience with imposter syndrome as a leader in the private club world. We talk honestly about the voice of self-doubt that can show up even after years of success, and what it really takes to lead with vulnerability, clarity and confidence. Kent shares how imposter syndrome sho...

How do you go from college intern to banquet manager before 30 — and actually lead with confidence? In this episode of Private Club Radio , we’re joined by Mikayla Luby , a rising star in the private club industry, who shares her journey from hospitality student to full-time banquet manager at a major country club. We explore what it’s like to grow your career inside a private club — navigating ea...

Ever wondered what it’s like to run a private club that functions more like a municipality than a clubhouse? In this episode, GM Joe Smith takes us deep into the world of Florida HOAs  where leadership isn’t just about member experience… it’s about navigating state law, statutes, and real legal accountability. You’ll hear how HOA-run clubs operate under public scrutiny, manage board meetings where...

What happens when chandeliers, mahogany bars, and 150 years of tradition collide with TikTok and influencers? That’s the story unfolding at The Austin Club under the leadership of Paul Kornfeind, MCM, CCE. In this episode of Private Club Radio, Paul explains how he’s reimagining a historic city club for Gen Z and Millennials, while still honoring its rich legacy. From “Bingo After Dark” and “Gourm...

Want a packed room and zero complaints after comedy night? Learn how to: Book talent your members actually love Avoid the AV pitfalls that kill energy Set expectations that save your inbox Budget for the headline act, not just the dinner Comedy night should be a club highlight, not a source of member complaints. In this episode, entertainer, club favorite, and PCR host   Denny Corby breaks down ex...

Who's really trying to join your club? What secrets lie beneath that polished application and those glowing references? Dan Klimek from Kennis Member Vetting pulls back the curtain on what truly comprehensive member screening can reveal and the results might shock you. Traditional background checks barely scratch the surface. Regulated by employment laws, they're limited in scope and dep...

Buckle up for the most exhilarating professional development experience ever created for private club leaders! Management in Motion isn't your typical leadership seminar - it's what happens when you combine high-performance driving with transformative leadership insights at one of America's premier private racetracks. Picture yourself behind the wheel of a BMW M-series vehicle, mast...

In this episode of Private Club Radio, we chat with Rollie Carlson,  Managing Director of the Upper Midwest CMAA Chapter and a longtime leader in the private club industry.  With a career spanning from senior-level retail marketing to general management at top clubs, Rollie brings a rare mix of operational insight, people-first leadership, and a deep passion for mentorship. We talk what makes a gr...