Slick Talk: The Hospitality Podcast

We’re sharing a preview of a new podcast from Skift called Skift Take Sessions. Skift Take Sessions is a weekly, journalist-led podcast built from the most important conversations shaping the global travel industry. Each episode features candid interviews with CEOs and senior leaders across airlines, hotels, and travel platforms, recorded live at Skift events and expanded with context around why t...

In this episode, I’ve got some big news to share: Slick Talk: The Hospitality Podcast, Good Morning Hospitality, and Suite Success by Katie Cline have officially been acquired by Skift — the leading voice in global travel and hospitality media. This is a full-circle moment for me, and I couldn’t be more excited to join the Skift team as their new Director of Video and Audio Strategy. I’ll be overs...

In this episode, Wil Slickers interviews Jon Gardner, the Global President of Development at F1 Arcade. As a huge Formula 1 and Motorsports fan, Wil dives deep into the world of F1 Arcade, a unique concept that combines advanced F1 racing simulators with exceptional hospitality. They discuss the F1 Arcade experience, how it brings the thrill of Formula 1 racing to everyone, and the journey from co...

In this episode, we welcome Susan Barry, host of the Top Floor podcast and founder/CEO of Hive Marketing. Dive into Susan's extensive background in hospitality, from her early days in restaurant catering to her significant role in Starwood, opening New Build hotels. Discover her journey of starting her own business during the financial crisis and evolving it into a B2B marketing powerhouse in the...

In this heartfelt episode, Wil Slickers sits down with Tom Goodwin, a hospitality veteran and current co-owner of Mountain Laurel Chalets. Tom shares the incredible journey of taking over his in-laws' legacy business, the challenges faced, and the personal growth he's experienced over the years. From leading a successful hospitality firm to creating a podcast that tells the rich stories of Gatlinb...

Join us for an exciting episode as we chat with Steve Carran, the co-host of the Modern Hotelier Podcast! In this episode, we geek out about the ins and outs of podcasting, discussing the behind-the-scenes work, the rise of AI in hospitality, and the importance of personalization in enhancing guest experiences. Steve shares his journey from working under a property management company to spinning o...

In this episode of Slick Talk, Wil Slickers is joined by Jennifer Barnwell from Curator Hotel Collection. They discuss the unique perks of operating an independent hotel versus being part of a major brand like Marriott or Hilton. Jennifer shares her journey in the hospitality industry, emphasizing the importance of flexibility, creativity, and community within the independent boutique hotel space....

Welcome back, Slick Talkers! In this episode, Wil Slickers sits down with Boris Pavlov, a European entrepreneur and expert in the hospitality industry, to discuss his journey and the innovations he's spearheading with Flataway. Boris shares his experience scaling a property management company from 0 to 700 properties, selling it, and moving forward with new ventures. We explore the current landsca...

In this episode, Wil sits down with Jeff Low, CEO and founder of Stash Hotel Rewards, to discuss the evolution of loyalty programs within the hotel industry. They dive into Jeff's journey, starting Stash Hotel Rewards in 2010 and its mission to support independent hotels against larger chains and OTAs. Jeff shares fascinating insights on how modern loyalty programs have shifted, the importance of...

Join Wil Slickers as he dives deep into an insightful conversation with Benjamin Gross, Co-Founder of Minty Living. In this episode, Benjamin shares his journey from quantitative trading in New York to dominating the property management industry in Atlanta. The discussion spans a variety of critical topics including the limitations of siloed technology, achieving consistency at scale, and the need...

In this episode, Wil Slickers sits down with Nathan Woods to dive deep into the art of crafting amazing guest experiences. They discuss the importance of utilizing data, mid-stay engagement, digital touchpoints, and personalized hospitality to create memorable moments for guests. Nathan shares insights from his diverse background in hospitality, e-commerce, and sports, along with practical tips fo...

Join Wil Slickers in an engaging conversation with Josiah Mackenzie, Head/VP of Marketing at Actabl and host of Hospitality Daily. In this episode, we dive deep into the intersection of profitability and culture in the hospitality industry. Learn about the importance of real-time data, the role of leadership in driving innovation, and ways to attract the younger generation to hospitality careers....

In this episode, Wil welcomes Eli Pritykin, the founder of Hudson Creative Studio, to discuss Eli's journey in the world of short-term rentals and hospitality. Eli, who initially majored in computer science but found his passion in visual communications and marketing, shares his experience working for Spears Group and eventually starting Hudson Creative Studio in 2021. The conversation delves into...

Join us for a conversation with James Lemon from Stripe as we explore the landscape of payments in the hospitality industry.   Discover how modern payment solutions can drive higher conversions, improve operations, and even create new business models.   James will break down the complexities of payment systems and highlight their strategic importance, using real-world case studies and discussing e...

In this cross-promoted episode originally from Good Morning Hospitality, Wil Slickers interviews Christian Lee, CEO of Mint House, about their first acquisition, Locale, as well as the exciting changes and developments happening in the multifamily urban operator sector. They discuss Christian's experiences, the benefits of the acquisition, the importance of scale, and the future plans for integrat...

Superhost status has long been seen as a mark of excellence, but is it still relevant, or just the baseline? In this episode, Wil unpacks the realities of maintaining Superhost at scale, the overlooked safety concerns in Airbnb’s system, and whether the status truly reflects hospitality excellence. He also explores how Airbnb could evolve the program into something more meaningful and what hosts s...

In this episode, Wil Slickers sits down with Justin Pera, the founder and CEO of Fido, formerly known as Trash Caddies. They discuss the challenges and necessity of standardizing the short-term rental industry, focusing on issues such as trash removal, inspections, and operational efficiency. Justin shares his entrepreneurial journey from Albania to the United States, the evolution of Fido through...

The past decade has been a wild ride—growth, success, struggles, and hard lessons. But as I step into the next 10 years, I’ve made one of the biggest decisions of my life: choosing full sobriety. In this episode, I open up about the breaking point that led to this choice, why it’s about more than just quitting alcohol, and how it’s shaping the way I live, love, and lead. But this isn’t just a pers...

In this insightful episode of Slick Talk, Wil Slickers introduces a new format that expands beyond hospitality into business and entrepreneurship. Wil is joined by Shane Bauman, founder of RISE Wealth Strategies and host of 'Building the Biz' podcast. Shane shares his vision of freeing people from debt and the constraints of the financial system to enable them to live beyond money. Together, they...

In this episode of Slick Talk, Wil Slickers sits down with Victor Feria to discuss the delicate balance of delivering operational excellence and exceptional guest experiences in the hospitality industry. The conversation dives into the innovative approaches Victor's company, Tangy, employs, such as personalized VIP programs and unique guest experiences, including 'Tangy Radio.' They discuss the di...

Join Wil Slickers in this episode of Slick Talk, where he sits down with Lee Curtis, CEO and founder of Reside Worldwide. With over 30 years of experience in corporate housing and extended stay accommodations, Lee discusses Reside's recent partnership with Wyndham Hotels to launch 'Reside, a Wyndham Residence', an upscale extended stay brand in the U.S. They delve into the ethos of hospitality, th...

In the first Slick Talk episode of 2025, Wil Slickers welcomes Frank and Fred from Hostfully to discuss their annual industry report. This episode delves into the main concerns of the hospitality industry, highlighting tech challenges and opportunities. Key topics include the shift toward direct bookings, the rise of AI, optimization of guest experiences through digital guidebooks, and emerging tr...

In this episode of Slick Talk, Wil Slickers sits down with Matt Orley, CEO of Red Cottage, a company known for its thoughtfully curated vacation rentals in the Northeast. They discuss the importance of removing surprises for guests and ensuring they know exactly what they're booking.  Matt shares insights into expanding Red Cottage's reach through property management acquisitions and innovative me...

Join Wil Slickers in an engaging episode of Slick Talk, as he sits down with Jeremy Werden, co-founder of BNB Calc and host of the Short Term Rental Pros Podcast. Jeremy shares his entrepreneurial voyage, starting from managing vacation rentals to transitioning into property ownership in his twenties. He provides insights on the significance of virtual assistants, sustainable growth, and the chall...

In this episode of Slick Talk, Wil Slickers interviews Chris Wheeler, co-founder and managing partner of Scenic Stays, a vacation rental management company with over 460 properties across the Southeast.  Chris shares his journey from traditional hotel roles at Marriott and Hilton to leading Scenic Stays and blending hotel expertise with innovative vacation rental strategies. They discuss the impor...