Work + Wander

Some hidden gems don't show up on a map. They show up in the people who bring them to life. In this episode, Jay and Jessica sit down with Cypress Tucker-Wachholz, Guest Services Associate at Worldmark Clear Lake and ARDA Resort Operations Team Member of the Year. In eight and a half years with Travel + Leisure Co., Cypress has gone from housekeeping to launching a gift shop that blew past its...

What if the career you're meant for isn't the one you planned? In this episode of Work and Wander, Kim Marshall, Chief HR Officer at Travel + Leisure Co., chats with Jay and Jessica about how a special project changed the course of her career and led her from public accounting to HR leadership. Along the way, she shares advice on building relationships, staying curious, taking risks, and r...

We're kicking off a special Work + Wander series celebrating Travel + Leisure Co.'s outstanding associates recognized at this year's ARDA Awards. In this episode, Jay and Jessica sit down with Dan Williams, Director of the Human Resources Service Center and recipient of the ARDA Human Resources Professional of the Year award. With more than 37 years at the company, Dan reflects on the...

Leah Rossi's career has taken her from an internship in Puerto Rico to leadership roles across the Caribbean, Texas, and South Carolina. Now preparing for her next chapter in Williamsburg, she joins Jay and Jessica to share the experiences that shaped her approach to hospitality and leadership. Leah reflects on leading through back-to-back Category 5 hurricanes in St. Thomas, the importance of...

Elizabeth Johnson has spent 20 years with Travel + Leisure Co. — and somewhere along the way, a podcast in a school pickup line changed everything. In this episode, Liz joins Jess and Jay to talk about her journey from Fairfield Resorts to frontline sales, and the passion project nobody asked for but everyone keeps signing up for: "The Happy Class". Plus, Park City ski runs, a $249 trip...

For the first full Work + Wander episode on location, Jess and Jay head to Myrtle Beach to sit down with Aaron Evans, Director of Sales & Marketing. Aaron shares the story of how a $50 interview outfit turned into a life-changing career — and how he now helps others do the same. From leadership to mindset to unforgettable travel moments, this episode is all about what’s possible when you bet o...

We took Work + Wander on the road. Recorded on location in Myrtle Beach, this episode marks the start of our new “On Location” series. Jay and Jessica are joined by Angela Small for a quick, unscripted conversation covering travel, career, and a fast-paced Suitcase Sprint — all recorded just feet apart for the first time. A short episode, and a preview of what’s to come.

In this episode of  Work + Wander , hosts Jessica Badlam and Jay Cocorullo sit down with Louis Acosta, Senior Vice President of Sports, Entertainment, Event Marketing and Sales at Travel + Leisure Co. From launching his career on the beaches of Cozumel to leading large-scale, best-in-class events across the industry, Louis shares how a passion for hospitality turned into a career built on creating...

Sales manager  Faizzan Sadruddin  joins  Work + Wander  to share how he went from a new sales agent to a team leader at Travel + Leisure Co. and why referrals, mentorship, and a positive culture make all the difference. Faizzan also shares stories from his honeymoon adventure across Africa, including gorilla trekking in Uganda, a safari in Kenya, and time in Zanzibar. It is a conversation about ca...

Join us as we explore Tatum Diamond’s journey from guest services to general manager at Marble Falls in Texas. Tatum shares the leadership lessons she’s learned along the way, the impact of working across different resorts, and how small moments with guests can shape unforgettable experiences. She also talks about building strong teams, creating a culture where employees and guests thrive, and how...

Join us as we explore Jim Kidd’s 20-year journey in talent acquisition at Travel + Leisure Co. As Senior Director of Talent Acquisition, Jim has helped shape the strategy behind hiring top-performing sales talent across the organization. In this episode, we discuss his leadership lessons, how recruitment strategies have evolved over time, what separates good candidates from great ones, and why vac...

Jeff Weiss joins Jess and Jay to talk about the people behind the vacation and what it takes to build teams that deliver memorable, hassle-free guest experiences. As Talent Acquisition Manager for Resort Operations Recruiting at Travel + Leisure Co., Jeff shares how strong service cultures are built, why the smallest details often matter most, and how recruiting in unique and remote destinations s...

Miranda Mayer is helping shape what’s next as Brand Manager for  Eddie Bauer Adventure Club , one of Travel + Leisure Co.’s newest and most exciting brands. In this episode of  Work + Wander , Miranda shares her non-linear career journey, how creativity and brand storytelling intersect, and why stepping outside your routine — through travel, nature, and new experiences — fuels both personal and pr...

In this episode of Work and Wander, hosts Jay Cocorullo and Jessica Badlam welcome Candice Gholston, the new area vice president of sales and marketing for the South Florida region. They discuss Candice's journey from a sales rep in Williamsburg to her current leadership role, emphasizing the importance of team culture, personal growth, and the lessons learned along the way. The conversation a...

In this special holiday episode of  Work + Wander , Jay and Jessica trade career stories for cozy conversations about holiday travel. From Christmas markets and winter wonderlands to warm-weather escapes and unexpected destinations, they share what’s trending — and what’s personally inspiring — this season. It’s festive, fun, and full of wanderlust to close out the year.

Careers, like travel, aren’t about shortcuts. In this episode of  Work + Wander , Petru Binzari shares lessons on leadership, growth, and the experiences — both on the job and along the way — that help you see further than your current role and think differently about what comes next.

In this episode of  Work + Wander , Jay and Jessica sit down with Christine Allen, Senior Vice President of Talent Acquisition & Corporate HR at Travel + Leisure Co. Christine shares her 11-year journey with the organization, from her early days in HR and recruiting to leading enterprise-wide talent strategy. They discuss leadership, building strong teams, how travel shapes perspective, and wh...

In this inspiring episode of  Work + Wander , Jay and Jessica sit down with  Lisbeny Duran , Manager of Learning & Development at Travel + Leisure Co. Lisbeny shares her path to becoming a leader in Learning & Development and how her passion for helping others grow has shaped her career. She talks about finding purpose in learning, the power of empathy in leadership, and why taking initiat...

From deep dish debates to dream destinations, Jay and Jessica head to the Windy City to chat with  Matt Taylor , the opening General Manager of the new  Sports Illustrated Resort Chicago . Matt shares his journey from aspiring professor to hospitality leader, his Disney roots, and what it’s like to launch an entirely new resort brand in one of America’s most iconic cities. Along the way, we talk l...

Even the best trips have their  never-again moments . In this episode, Jay and Jess share some hilariously horrifying travel stories — from being escorted off a plane like fugitives, to bears outside the tent, to squid-related airport chaos, and ER trips gone wrong. Buckle up, tray tables up… and enjoy the misadventures that make us laugh  only  after a strong drink and a few years have passed. 🧳...

In this episode of  Work + Wander , Jay and Jess chat with  Lillian Baker , Corporate Responsibility Performance Analyst at Travel + Leisure Co., who turned her internship into a full-time career. Lillian shares her journey from masters graduate to full-time associate, what it’s like to make an impact through corporate responsibility, and her advice for anyone looking to turn an internship into a...

Join us as we sit down with Edwin Pierre-Louis, multi-site General Manager for Club Wyndham National Harbor and Club Wyndham Old Town Alexandria. Edwin shares his journey from starting at La Belle Maison in New Orleans to leading teams that create unforgettable guest experiences in the D.C. area. He dives into his philosophy of leadership, how he develops his team, and the small details that make...

In this episode of  Work + Wander , Jay Cocorullo and Jessica Badlam sit down with Caitlyn Ledden, Assistant General Manager at Club Wyndham Kingsgate. Caitlyn shares how the Leadership Development Program kickstarted her career, the mentors who guided her along the way, and what drives her as she works toward her dream of becoming a General Manager. She also takes us beyond the resort with storie...

In this episode of  Work + Wander , hosts Jay Cocorullo and Jessica Badlam chat with Jonathan Topolosky, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Margaritaville Vacation Club. Jonathan shares how he got his start in real estate and construction, grew his career, starting at National Harbor before moving down to Clearwater Beach, FL, and ultimately found his most recent role at Travel + L...

Our journey begins! Meet Jay and Jessica as they launch  Work + Wander  — the podcast where career stories meet dream destinations. Full Description: In our very first episode of  Work + Wander , hosts Jay Cocorullo and Jessica Badlam introduce the podcast, share the story behind its creation, and give you a sneak peek at what’s to come. You’ll hear about our mission to connect career journeys wit...