
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

Mar 3, 2025 • 14min
From Ritz-Carlton to Reinventing Hospitality: What I’ve Learned So Far - Abdul Baaghil
In this episode, Abdul Baaghil, co-founder of Harvest Cotton Tail, shares his journey from a fascination with hotel lobbies to becoming a hospitality visionary and how he continues to innovate today. 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

Mar 2, 2025 • 23min
Behind the Stars: How Forbes Travel Guide Defines Luxury & Five-Star Hospitality - Amanda Frasier, Forbes Travel Guide
In this episode, Emily Goldfischer, founder and editor of hertelier, interviews Amanda Frasier, President of Standards & Ratings at Forbes Travel Guide. Listen to hear insights into her career journey, the Forbes rating system, and the evolution of luxury travel.Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction (01:20) Amanda's background in hospitality(04:34) The world of hotel ratings(08:46) Changes in the luxury traveler(10:04) Testing for intuitive service(11:23) Impact on female travelers(17:23) Retail and experiential collaborations(18:33) Women in leadership 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

Mar 1, 2025 • 31min
"Hawaiian Culture Is Not a Condiment" - Kainoa Horcajo, Mo'olelo Group
Kainoa Horcajo, founder of Mo'olelo Group, discusses the integral role of Hawaiian culture in enhancing hospitality. He advocates for authentic storytelling to enrich guest experiences while critiquing superficial tourism practices. Kainoa highlights the balance between tourism's economic benefits and cultural preservation. He emphasizes the interconnectedness of culture, community, and commerce, showcasing how genuine engagement can foster meaningful connections. The conversation encourages ongoing learning and respect for local traditions in the hospitality industry.

Feb 28, 2025 • 7min
Culture of Innovation: How Hospitality Leaders Can Stay Ahead - Hans Meyer, Zoku
In this episode, Matthias Huettebraeuker interviews Hans Meyer, the co-founder and managing director of Zoku, about how to cultivate a culture of innovation. 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

Feb 27, 2025 • 8min
The Blurring Lines Between Hotels, Offices & Community Spaces - Hans Meyer, Zoku
In this episode, Matthias Huettebraeuker interviews Hans Meyer, the co-founder and managing director of Zoku, about what he is observing in the market today. 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

Feb 26, 2025 • 11min
From Concept to Success: The Strategy Behind Our Hospitality Innovation - Hans Meyer, Zoku
Discover the secrets behind successful hospitality innovation with insights from Hans Meyer, co-founder of Zoku. Learn how essential research and guest feedback can transform experiences. Explore innovative strategies inspired by other industries, and see the importance of adaptability and prototyping. Embrace a growth mindset for continuous learning and innovation, and find out how sharing insights can elevate your team. This discussion is packed with actionable tips for anyone in the hospitality sector!

5 snips
Feb 25, 2025 • 18min
The End of the Hotel Room as We Know It - Hans Meyer, Zoku
Hans Meyer, co-founder and managing director of Zoku, shares his visionary approach to the future of hospitality. He delves into the unique hybrid model that blends home, office, and hotel experiences, specifically crafted for modern travelers. Meyer emphasizes the importance of fostering human connections and community among guests. Additionally, he discusses how innovative design and technology cater to evolving traveler needs, revolutionizing hotel spaces into multifunctional environments that adapt to a post-COVID-19 world.

Feb 24, 2025 • 8min
Forget Trends: How We Redefined Hotels Around What Guests Truly Want - Hans Meyer
Discover the revolutionary journey of citizenM, a hotel brand that reshaped hospitality by focusing on guest needs instead of industry trends. Hans Meyer shares insights on innovating from scratch and creating a unique experience for modern travelers. The conversation underscores the importance of a people-centric design approach, advocating for collaboration in the industry to enhance guest satisfaction. This fresh perspective invites listeners to rethink their understanding of hospitality and embrace what truly resonates with customers.

Feb 23, 2025 • 23min
Serving in the Storm: How Hospitality Leaders Support Their Communities - David Jackson
David Jackson, President & CEO of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, discusses the pivotal role of hospitality in community resilience, especially after hurricanes. He highlights how local hotels became lifelines during crises, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among businesses. Jackson shares inspiring stories of how community engagement and storytelling can transform lives and bolster tourism. He also advocates for prioritizing employee well-being while serving those in need, showcasing the profound impact of united efforts in the hospitality sector.

Feb 22, 2025 • 7min
Hospitality Daily is The #1 Hospitality Podcast (Here's What That Means for You) - Josiah Mackenzie
Exciting news as the show celebrates being recognized as the top hospitality podcast for 2025! The host expresses gratitude for the supportive community and invites listeners to contribute their thoughts and suggestions. Upcoming changes, including new co-hosts, promise to add fresh perspectives. It's a call to action for everyone in the hospitality industry to engage and collaborate, making this a pivotal moment for listeners to get involved.