

Hospitality Daily Podcast
Josiah Mackenzie
Stay informed and inspired to delight people and grow your business with daily conversations with interesting people doing interesting things. Hosted by Josiah Mackenzie.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 3, 2025 • 16min
How Tech Gave Me Time Back and Made Me a Better Hospitality Leader - Shanell Marinuzzi
Before her role today at Actabl, Shanell Marinuzzi built a reputation as a hotel fixer, turning around underperforming properties. In this episode, she shares how relying on pen, paper, and spreadsheets became a limiting factor for her -- and how technology gave her time back to focus on guests and her teams. She also explains why adoption is the real key to results, and what leaders can do to make new tools stick.Also see: The Hotel Fixer: Turning Around Performance Through Leadership and CultureFrom Cost to Catalyst: Rethinking Hotel Labor Strategies for 2026 and Beyond 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 Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Oct 2, 2025 • 15min
The Hotel Fixer: Turning Around Performance Through Leadership and Culture - Shanell Marinuzzi
Shanell Marinuzzi has been called in again and again to turn around underperforming hotels. In today’s episode, she shares how she did it: building culture, lifting morale, and driving performance without big budgets.Also see: This Is Where Hotel Teams Win or Lose Today - Shanell Marinuzzi 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 Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Oct 1, 2025 • 12min
This Is Where Hotel Teams Win or Lose Today - Shanell Marinuzzi
In this episode, we hear from Shanell Marinuzzi -- a hospitality leader known for turning around hotel performance and building strong teams -- who now helps hotel companies through her work at Actabl. She begins by recapping insights from a recent Hotel Investment Today webinar on labor strategies, and then shares why she believes it’s moments like these that make or break hotel teams. You’ll hear practical ways she led through tough times, empowered staff, and built a winning culture.Also see: From Cost to Catalyst: Rethinking Hotel Labor Strategies for 2026 and Beyond 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 Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Oct 1, 2025 • 12min
How To Prepare For A Podcast (As a Guest) - Josiah Mackenzie
Podcasts are a powerful way for hospitality leaders to share stories and ideas, but being a great guest takes preparation. In this solo episode, Josiah Mackenzie shares lessons from 1,000+ interviews on how to prepare, communicate with confidence, and create value for listeners. 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 Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Sep 30, 2025 • 15min
How "The Place of Wonders" Connects Guests with Florence’s Hidden Artisans - Claudio Meli, THE PLACE Firenze
Claudio Meli, Virtuoso’s Hotelier of the Year and General Manager of THE PLACE Firenze, shares how he redefines luxury by connecting guests to the city’s artisans and cultural heritage. In this conversation, he explains the creation of The Place of Wonders, a foundation that supports Florence’s craftspeople while offering travelers rare access to workshops normally closed to the public. Meli also discusses the broader impact on community, sustainability, and overtourism, showing how longer, more engaged stays benefit both guests and locals. Hospitality leaders will find lessons here in creating unique, purpose-driven experiences that cannot be replicated anywhere else.You may also enjoy:DJ to "Hotelier of the Year": Meet Claudio MeliNo Check-Ins: Redefining Luxury with "Sartorial Hospitality" - Claudio Meli, THE PLACE Firenze 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 Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Sep 29, 2025 • 13min
No Check-Ins: Redefining Luxury with "Sartorial Hospitality" - Claudio Meli, THE PLACE Firenze
In this episode, Virtuoso’s Hotelier of the Year for 2025, Claudio Meli, General Manager of The Place Firenze, shares why true luxury begins at arrival, how "sartorial hospitality" creates unforgettable experiences, and what hospitality leaders everywhere can learn from rethinking the guest journey from the ground up. 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 Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Sep 28, 2025 • 11min
DJ to "Hotelier of the Year": Meet Claudio Meli
Claudio Meli, General Manager of THE PLACE Firenze and Virtuoso's Hotelier of the Year for 2025, shares his fascinating journey from DJ to hospitality leader. He reveals how his DJ background helps him read guest needs and craft unique experiences. Claudio discusses his ambitious plans for expanding The Place brand across Italy and details his upcoming projects, including community support initiatives. His blend of creativity and passion sets a new standard in the hospitality world!

5 snips
Sep 27, 2025 • 9min
Why "Giving a ****" Is Non-Negotiable for Leadership and Excellence in Hospitality - Dina Belon, Staypineapple
Dina Belon discusses the vital importance of genuinely caring in leadership. She emphasizes how aligning personal values with company purpose fosters belonging and commitment. The conversation highlights the role of experiential architecture in crafting memorable guest experiences. Dina also addresses holistic sustainability, combining human connection, environmental care, and business success. Lastly, she advocates for leaders to embody their beliefs to inspire their teams and cut through the industry's noise for authentic connections.

Sep 26, 2025 • 12min
Dina Belon's 30-Day Hotel Turnaround Plan, Cities as Amenities, Community Engagement, Win/Win Partnerships & More
Dina Belon, President of Staypineapple, returns for a conversation with our guest experience correspondent, Danica Smith, to share how she would approach the first 30 days of leading a new hotel. Instead of relying on a pre-set formula, Dina explains why she treats the city itself like a resort -- drawing on local culture, parks, and other businesses as amenities that elevate the guest experience. She also shares how engaging associates unlocks creative ideas and how win–win community partnerships can drive both guest satisfaction and local impact. 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 Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Sep 25, 2025 • 10min
The Real Power of Our AI Workflow Comes From People - Dina Belon, Staypineapple
Dina Belon, President of Staypineapple, returns for a conversation with our guest experience correspondent, Danica Smith, to share how her team built “Chat Pineapple,” an in-house AI tool that connects guest insights across systems. More important than the technology, Dina says, is the culture that empowers teams to act creatively on that information -- turning surveys, reviews, and guest histories into memorable experiences. You’ll hear what surprised her most about pre-stay guest responses, how the workflow scaled a long-standing culture of surprise and delight, and why the human element is the true driver of personalization in hospitality.See our previous episodes with Dina:How Staypineapple Enables Every Employee to Surprise and Delight - Dina Belon, StaypineappleOur Vision: Hospitality Can Be More - Dina Belon, Staypineapple Hotels"Best Employer": The Secrets Behind Our Winning Strategy for People-First Culture - Dina Belon & Mike Hirschler, Staypineapple Hotels3 Stories, 1 Mission: Our Journeys to Hospitality Leadership - Dina Belon, Mike Hirschler & Casey Barks, Staypineapple HotelsAI & Hotel Tech Bets For Our People-First Approach - Dina Belon, Staypineapple Hotels 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 Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands