Episodes

In this episode, Sloan Dean returns to the show after completing MIT's AI Strategy and Leadership program to share how he's applying AI in his work daily. The conversation covers two practical use cases for hotel GMs: using Claude as an executive assistant for email and communication, and as a financial analyst for P&L benchmarking and cost analysis. Sloan also walks through the power and limitations of "vibe coding" and why the hotel leaders who lean into AI now will be the ones leading ...

In this episode, Kristina Munoz, Senior Vice President of Operations at Cogir Senior Living, shares lessons from an earlier chapter of her career working guest services in the airline industry. She explains how operating in a high-pressure airport environment shaped her mindset around speed, urgency, and decision-making in hospitality. The conversation explores what those lessons mean for hotel operations, hiring people who thrive in fast-changing environments, and building a career in service l...

Hotel earnings calls reveal how major brands and ownership groups view the business right now. In this solo episode, Josiah Mackenzie reviews recent calls from companies such as Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Wyndham, and more to surface the signals hospitality leaders shared with investors. The discussion covers the financial performance behind asset-light brand models, how AI already drives sales productivity and direct bookings, and why ancillary revenue like food and beverage, spa, and experiences...

Sloan Dean, host of the Not Done podcast, reflects on what he has changed his mind about after interviewing some of the most influential leaders across hospitality and technology. In this episode, he shares why he believes traditional loyalty programs are losing strength, reframing points as a form of currency that many brands have steadily devalued. He also explains how AI and data are accelerating a power shift in travel, with technology platforms and distribution channels capturing more value...

Sloan Dean, host of the Not Done podcast and former CEO of Remington Hospitality, returns to share a leadership lesson he gained from an unlikely source: an orchestral conductor. After attending a YPO session led by a professional conductor, Sloan began rethinking the role of a leader as less of a performer and more of a conductor, someone who makes no sound yet drives performance through clarity, intention, and trust. In this conversation, he unpacks why command kills and connection creates, wh...

In this episode, Jeanelle Johnson, Managing Partner at PwC, and Abhi Jain, Partner at PwC, discuss how technology is influencing what people want from travel and real estate today. Abhi explains why the human need for experience and curiosity is showing up across asset classes, with multifamily and wellness real estate borrowing from hospitality’s playbook. Jeanelle brings the consumer perspective to life, sharing a personal story about planning a family trip to Japan and how platforms like TikT...

Jeanelle Johnson, Managing Partner at PwC, shares why their firm is making a deliberate investment in human skills now. As large language models reshape professional services, they argue that critical thinking, storytelling, curiosity, and relationship-building will determine who creates real value. This conversation explores PwC’s Human Skills Project and why knowledge alone is no longer a differentiator. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a...

In this episode, Jeanelle Johnson, Managing Partner at PwC, and Abhi Jain, Partner at PwC, explore what the robotics conversation in hospitality is really about. They discuss where robotics makes practical sense today, and where human judgment and interaction remain essential. The conversation then shifts to the structural realities of the hotel business, including ownership models, incentive misalignment, and the complexity of the ecosystem that often slows technology adoption. You’ll walk away...

In this episode, Jeanelle Johnson, Managing Partner at PwC, and Abhi Jain, Partner at PwC, break down what defined 2025 and what hotel leaders must focus on in 2026. From the rise of a two-speed market to persistent margin compression, they explain why operational excellence is now the primary driver of asset value. We explore how AI, "synthetic customers," and stronger data governance are reshaping pricing, product development, and time-to-market. If you own, operate, or invest in hotels, this ...

Josiah Mackenzie reflects on leading change and reinvention, using Hospitality Daily as an example. 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...

In this episode, Ryan Mann, Partner at McKinsey & Company, shares how "AI has become agenda item one, two, three, four, and five" for hotel leaders worldwide. Recorded at ALIS in January 2026, this conversation explores how AI has shifted from experimentation to executive priority in a matter of months. Ryan outlines three key arenas shaping hospitality today: internal automation, on-property operational efficiency, and the high-stakes disruption of search and booking. He explains why AI ...

Bashar Wali shares a personal look at how he approaches travel, often landing in a city for less than 24 hours and skipping the landmarks altogether. Instead of checking boxes or chasing must-see attractions, he spends his time in conversation, sitting at coffee shops and bars, speaking with strangers about their lives, ambitions, and perspectives. In this episode, he reframes travel as a tool for self-discovery rather than sightseeing, arguing that depth of connection matters more than distance...

In this episode, Bashar Wali, founder and CEO of Practice Hospitality and This Assembly, challenges one of the most common habits in life and work: leading with “What do you do?” He explains why that question limits connection, reinforces hierarchy, and undermines the core spirit of hospitality. Drawing from his global travels and leadership experience, Bashar makes the case for curiosity as a discipline and introduces a better starting point: “Where are you from?” Hospitality Daily is brought ...

In this episode, Bashar Wali, founder and CEO of Practice Hospitality and This Assembly, shares why staying culturally relevant is your responsibility. Read more from Bashar: The Merchants of Cool™ Hospitality Daily is brought to you with support from Mews, the operating system for hospitality that replaces fragmented systems with one connected way to manage reservations, payments, revenue, and guest service. Listen to my recent conversation with Mews founder Richard Valtr for a deep dive on wh...

In this conversation, Emily Johnson, founder of Elevate Wellness Collective, returns to move the conversation from wellness theory to practical execution. Drawing on her background in luxury mystery shopping and experiential audits, she explains how a structured wellness audit helps hotels uncover hidden revenue opportunities already inside their operations. From sleep-focused room upgrades and minibar redesigns to team training and retreat partnerships, she outlines how operators can drive incr...

In this conversation, Emily Johnson, founder of Elevate Wellness Collective, joins the show to unpack what hotels often misunderstand about wellness. Drawing on her background in hotel investment and development, Emily explains why wellness extends beyond the spa and how mental health and emotional well-being shape the overall stay. The discussion explores wellness as a strategic lens for design and operations, not a standalone amenity, and why hospitality leaders need to rethink how wellness fi...

In this episode, Bashar Wali, founder and CEO of Practice Hospitality and This Assembly, shares how observing human behavior shapes his perspective on hospitality. Hospitality Daily is brought to you with support from Mews, the operating system for hospitality that replaces fragmented systems with one connected way to manage reservations, payments, revenue, and guest service. Listen to my recent conversation with Mews founder Richard Valtr for a deep dive on what's happening with AI and hotel t...

In this episode, Bashar Wali, founder and CEO of Practice Hospitality and This Assembly, shares a candid perspective shaped by staying in a different hotel every night he travels, explaining how overdesigned spaces, sensory overload, and scripted service have pushed hospitality away from its core purpose. This conversation reframes hotels as a respite from daily chaos, not an experience competing for attention. Also see: Delighting Guests: Easier Than Ever? (Bashar Wali, Practice Hospitality) ...

In this special bonus episode from Actabl, Josiah Mackenzie and Sarah McCay Tams lead a candid discussion with Shozib Khan, David Lund, and Chris Green on how hotel leaders stop flying blind and win in 2026. The panel explains why having the numbers alone is not enough and why shared data, forecast accuracy, and daily execution drive real performance across portfolios. They explore how operators align revenue, labor, CapEx, and culture, while democratizing financial insight from the boardroom to...

In this episode, Bashar Wali, founder and CEO of Practice Hospitality and This Assembly, shares an unfiltered look at what is shaping his thinking as the industry enters 2026. He breaks down the reality of flat revenues, rising labor and insurance costs, policy uncertainty, and why eroding margins feel more dangerous than an outright downturn. Bashar explains how uncertainty is freezing investment, delaying renovations, and reshaping owners' thinking about growth, debt, and risk. This conversati...

In this episode, Heather Dunwoody, founder and principal of Hospitality in Bloom, shares how participatory experiences, community, and a strong sense of place create guest experiences people remember and return for. Drawing from her background across agencies, large brands, and hospitality, she explains why humans are starving for connection and how hospitality is uniquely positioned to deliver it. You’ll come away with a clearer perspective on how designing for connection builds stronger brands...

In this episode, Stacey Milgram Plotska, VP of Operations and Implementations at Actabl, shares how hotel technology delivers the best results when it’s set up and used the right way. This conversation is a deep dive into what needs to happen, including the implementation, onboarding, training, and systems required to support ongoing learning and adoption. Stacey breaks down how strong technology partnerships work, what hotel teams need to do to succeed, and where some organizations struggle. If...

In this episode, Walter Isenberg, CEO and Co-Founder of Sage Hospitality Group, shares how his company thinks about “Sportspitality,” the intersection of hotels, mixed-use development, sports teams, and entertainment districts. He shares how projects tied to arenas and stadiums create amplified demand beyond traditional group, business, and leisure travel. The conversation explores real examples across professional sports, universities, and urban cores, including how hospitality plays a central ...

In this episode, Walter Isenberg, CEO and Co-Founder of Sage Hospitality Group, shares why his company forecasts labor down to the minute and tracks forecast accuracy at 30, 60, and 90 days out. You'll hear how forecast discipline directly impacts labor planning, cash flow, and investment returns in a business Walter describes as having "one-day leases." Resources: Walter's article in Hotel Management: "Hospitality Begins from Within" Learn more about the technology Sage uses: Actabl Why The ...