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

Jun 9, 2025 • 9min
From Launch to #1 on TripAdvisor: How We Designed Prague’s Top-Rated Hotel - Nah-Dja Tien
In this episode, Nah-Dja Tien tells our guest experience host Danica Smith how he built what because the #1-rated hotel in Prague. Also see: Curiosity as a Compass: How Nah-Dja Tien Built an Award-Winning Hospitality CareerDanica's firm, MorningStar GX 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

Jun 9, 2025 • 16min
Curiosity as a Compass: How Nah-Dja Tien Built an Award-Winning Hospitality Career
In this episode, Nah-Dja Tien tells his story to our guest experience correspondent, Danica Smith. 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

Jun 7, 2025 • 1h 5min
Hospitality Beyond Hotels: Redefining the Future of Retirement Living - Jan Garde & Matthias Huettebraeuker
In this episode, Jan Garde, founder and chairman of THE EMBASSIES, discusses with our innovation correspondent Matthias Huettebraeuker the opportunity to apply hospitality concepts beyond hotels - and much, much more. 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

Jun 6, 2025 • 5min
Great Hospitality is Simple but Powerful and Memorable (My Experience at Magnolia Hotel Denver) - Josiah Mackenzie
In this episode, Josiah Mackenzie shares a lesson from his experience at the Magnolia Hotel Denver.Also see:The Innkeeper Mindset - Tom Luersen, CoralTree HospitalityBalancing Fun with Attention to Detail: What I Learned from Steve Bartolin at The Broadmoor - Tom Luersen, CoralTree Hospitality 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

Jun 6, 2025 • 7min
Why AI in Hospitality is Still Stuck in First Gear (And How to Accelerate) - Josiah Mackenzie
In this episode, Josiah Mackenzie shares ideas from his panel discussion at the 2025 NYU International Hotel Investment Forum. Also see:Think Like An Owner, Act Like A GM - Josiah MackenzieMy AI Research Results: 87% of Hospitality Pros Already Use AI (Here's How) - Josiah MackenzieLess Ringing, More Hospitality: AI-Powered PBX To Give Our Teams More Time for Guests - Steven Marais, Noble House Hotels & ResortsWhy Real-Time Operations Will Define Success in Hospitality - Josiah Mackenzie & Wil SlickersHow AI Helps Me Run More Profitable Hotels - Sean Murphy, The BowerBeyond Efficiency: How AI Can Help Hospitality Thrive in 2025 - Lou Zameryka 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

Jun 5, 2025 • 8min
Expanding the Pie: Why Hospitality Profits Come from Investment, Not Just Cost-Cutting - Josiah Mackenzie
Discover how strategic investments can transform the hospitality industry into a profit powerhouse. Josiah Mackenzie shares insights from the NYU International Hotel Investment Forum, emphasizing that enhancing guest experiences is key to financial success. He connects high-quality service to better earnings, showcasing that cost-cutting is not the only route to profitability. This engaging discussion offers a fresh perspective on how to thrive in today’s competitive landscape.

Jun 4, 2025 • 9min
Think Like An Owner, Act Like A GM - Josiah Mackenzie
Josiah Mackenzie dives into the significance of thinking like an owner while managing in hospitality. He shares insights from the NYU International Hotel Investment Forum, highlighting the need for a mindset that prioritizes data-driven decisions. The discussion emphasizes enhancing operational performance and cultivating collaboration within the industry. Mackenzie encourages listeners to implement these strategies to achieve measurable success and invites sharing this wisdom with peers for collective growth.

Jun 3, 2025 • 10min
Hospitality Is The Place To Be Now, And For The Future (My Thoughts from NYU IHIF) - Josiah Mackenzie
In this episode, Josiah Mackenzie shares insights from the 2025 NYU International Hospitality Investment Forum held in New York. Josiah discusses the conference's theme, "Engagement Drives Returns," and highlights the importance of active participation in the hospitality industry. He delves into consumer spending patterns, the impact of AI on jobs, and the resilience of the hospitality sector. 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

Jun 3, 2025 • 26min
The Hotel Owner Who Became a Flight Attendant: Life, Leadership, and the Pursuit of Service with Rachel Vandenberg
Hotel owner, leadership coach, and now flight attendant — Rachel Vandenberg returns to the show in a candid conversation with hertelier co-founder and Hospitality Daily career correspondent, Nancy Mendelson. They dive into what it really means to lead with empathy, why great service starts with your team, and how Rachel uses a coach approach to build stronger hospitality cultures. Plus, Rachel shares what inspired her to chase a lifelong dream: 30,000 feet in the air. 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

Jun 2, 2025 • 1h 2min
How Hospitality Leaders Are Made: Dr. Lalia Rach on Experience, Failure, and Defining Success
Dr. Lalia Rach, an esteemed author and educator, shares her remarkable journey from busing tables to becoming a leader in hospitality. She emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning and mentorship in building leadership skills. Dr. Rach discusses the lessons learned from early mistakes and the transformative power of failure in personal growth. She also reflects on her transition to academia and advocates for diversity in leadership within the industry, highlighting programs that promote innovation and effective practices.