Hospitality Daily Podcast
Learn to delight people, make money, and thrive each day with Josiah Mackenzie and the best in the business. Voted #1 hospitality podcast and the most-listened-to podcast in the hotel industry.
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Recent Episodes
June 30, 2026
Why We Break the Rules to Deliver a Feeling - Lily Wecker, Aethos
In this episode, Lily Wecker , CEO of Aethos , shares how her teams break hotel brand standards to deliver a feeling rather than a checklist. You'll hear why one property has no TVs in the rooms, why she tells front desk teams to observe guests instead of predicting what they want, and how a GM in Sardinia turned beach rocks into welcome-card holders. This conversation is hosted by our innovation correspondent Matthias Huettebraeuker . Also see: Human-to-Human: Rethinking Luxury Hospitality - L
June 29, 2026
Human-to-Human: Rethinking Luxury Hospitality - Lily Wecker, Aethos
In this episode, Lily Wecker , CEO of Aethos , explains why she believes the future of luxury hospitality is shifting away from status and product, and toward genuine human connection. In conversation with our innovation correspondent Matthias Huettebraeuker , she shares how Aethos is redefining luxury through community, belonging, and a human-to-human approach to service. It's a fresh perspective on how guest expectations are evolving and what hospitality leaders should be thinking about next.
June 28, 2026
Listening to Yourself: A Hotel CEO on the Setback That Reset Her Leadership - Lily Wecker, Aethos
This episode introduces our week-long series with Lily Wecker , CEO of Aethos , in conversation with our innovation correspondent Matthias Huettebraeuker . She reflects on her journey and a pivotal moment that changed how she thinks about success, leadership, and listening to yourself. 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
June 26, 2026
Where AI Actually Pays Off in Hospitality, and What Owners Should Demand - Ben Rafter, Hotel Equities
In this episode, Ben Rafter , CEO of Hotel Equities , shares where he believes AI is already delivering measurable results in hospitality and why operational applications are advancing faster than guest-facing experiences. He explains how Hotel Equities evaluates and tests new technology through HE Labs, the questions hotel owners should ask when selecting a management company, and where he sees AI driving hotel performance in the years ahead. Learn more: HE Labs by Hotel Equities Hotel Equities
June 25, 2026
How AI Addresses the Biggest Cost in a Hotel: Labor (Ben Rafter, Hotel Equities)
In this episode, Ben Rafter , CEO of Hotel Equities , shares how his team is using AI, data, and real-time operational insights to improve labor management, often the largest controllable expense in a hotel. He explains how better scheduling and smarter decision-making create opportunities to improve efficiency while maintaining the guest experience. You'll also hear why data alone isn't enough and how intelligent recommendations help hotel leaders think more like owners. Learn more: HE Labs by
June 24, 2026
Why Hotel Ownership Is Becoming Unsustainable, and What We're Doing About It - Ben Rafter, Hotel Equities
In this episode, Ben Rafter, CEO of Hotel Equities, shares why he believes today's hotel operating model is becoming increasingly unsustainable for owners. He explains the growing pressure from labor, insurance, and other operating costs, why healthy hotel ownership is essential for the entire industry, and how Hotel Equities is responding through its problem-first innovation initiative, HE Labs. If you're looking to better understand the economic challenges facing hotel owners and how leadin...
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About the Host
Josiah Mackenzie
Host and Producer
Josiah is the founder of Hospitality Daily. Through its podcast, newsletter, and social channels, Hospitality Daily helps you stay informed and inspired each day by the most interesting people in hospitality. After getting his start in hospitality working at the front desk of a small property on the California coast, Josiah went on to hold leadership roles in technology companies serving tens of thousands of hotels around the globe with operations, revenue, and investment management before founding Hospitality Daily.