It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
It's Personal Stories is a podcast series highlighting the inspiring career journeys of prominent leaders in the hospitality industry. The series features over 200 interviews, with new ones added weekly. Each interview presents the unique personal story and insights of C-suite executives, educators, and other industry professionals. Guests share their experiences, including overcoming self-doubt, achieving work-life balance, facing challenges, public speaking, taking risks, networking authentically, developing leadership skills, and more. Through these deeply personal stories, you are encouraged to dream big and confidently pursue your personal and professional goals.
Founded in 2022 by industry veterans David Kong, Dorothy Dowling, Rachel Humphrey, Lan Elliott, and Huilian Duan, It’s Personal Stories has been recognized by the International Hospitality Institute as a top hospitality podcast each year since it launched. To watch or listen now, visit www.ItsPersonalStories.com.
Episodes
248 episodes
Craig Sullivan, Founder & President, [CLIC] Media interviewed by Lan Elliott
Craig shares his concerns about the industry's brain trust that will soon retire, and the importance of passing information to future generations. He also explains the importance of listening in building one’s network and how discretion i...
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28:29
Liam Brown, Group President, US & Canada, Marriott International, Interviewed by Rachel Humphrey
Liam shares his journey from the dining car on the railway to 35 years with Marriott. He discusses the importance of reading, being curious, and preparing for public speaking. He talks about his leadership evolution, how he develops new skills,...
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32:38
Dr. David Corsun, Director, Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management, University of Denver
David shares his journey from working in NYC restaurants to owning a Manhattan jazz bar, and how that experience motivated him to create humane workplaces, which ultimately led to him leading the University of Denver’s hospitality program. ...
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34:35
Roland Elter, CCO and MD S&M, Maritim Hotelgesellschaft mbH, interviewed by David Kong
In our conversation, Roland Elter shares powerful insights from his journey:✨ "People are individuals—there’s no one-size-fits-all approach." ✨ "No vision = no success." People need to understand their purpose.<...
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25:03
Ryan Mann, Partner at McKinsey & Company, interviewed by Dorothy Dowling
Dorothy Dowling interviews Ryan Mann from McKinsey & Company in the 'It's Personal Stories' podcast. Ryan shares his career journey, the pivotal role of COVID in his professional life, and the importance of asking the right questions in con...
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41:19
Daniel C. Peek, President, Americas, JLL Hotels & Hospitality, interviewed by Lan Elliott
Dan shares how perseverance and continuous learning have been instrumental in his career trajectory and why he looks for a positive attitude and the desire to be a part of a team when building high performing teams. Dan also describes the...
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31:25
Scott Berman, Hospitality & Leisure Expert, interviewed by Lan Elliott
Scott discusses the trajectory of his incredible career journey, from 30 years at PwC to his current chapter. He shares his personal connection to Howard University’s Center for Hospitality Leadership and Marriott’s Arne Sorenson. S...
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29:48
Greg Schulze, Chief Commercial Officer, Expedia Group interviewed by Dorothy Dowling
Greg shares his career journey from industrial engineering to his pivotal roles at American Airlines and Expedia, emphasizing the importance of passion, adaptability, and mentorship. He discusses balancing innovation with operational excellence...
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35:40
Abhijit Patel, VP, Revenue Management & Commercial Strategy, Choice Hotels interviewed by Dorothy Dowling
In this episode of 'It's Personal Stories,' Dorothy Dowling interviews Abhijit Patel, VP of Revenue Management at Choice Hotels International, discussing his diverse career journey. Abbat shares his experience of emigrating from India to the U....
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37:49
Wendy Blissett, Senior Vice President, HREC Investment Advisors, interviewed by Lan Elliott
Wendy shares her incredible journey, rising to senior roles in hospitality brokerage. She explains how she’s overcoming her fear of public speaking, and why champions are critical to career success. She discusses how she built her extensi...
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28:23
Matt Clyde, President & Chief Strategist, Ideas Collide, interviewed by David Kong
The birth of his daughter led Matt to rethink his purpose - ultimately inspiring him to launch Ideas Collide. In our conversation, he shares invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and the most important lesson he’s learned in life. We div...
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28:11
Cesar Wurm, SVP, Member Strategy & Development, Associated Luxury Hotels International
Cesar shares why listening is such an important skill in life and in business, and he delves into the story behind his book: The Powers...
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31:48
Mehul Patel, Managing Partner, NewCrestImage, interviewed by David Kong
Mehul shares his inspiring immigrant journey, arriving in the U.S. at fourteen, learning English, and navigating a new culture. He recounts how, while still in high school, he purchased his first business—an early step that set him on the path ...
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35:07
Mike Gamble, Chairman & CEO, SearchWide Global interviewed by Dorothy Dowling
In this engaging podcast episode, Mike Gamble, Chairman and CEO of SearchWide Global, delivers actionable insights for both candidates and companies. He outlines practical strategies for mapping career paths and acing interviews, while also sha...
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37:22
William Ferguson, Founder & Chairman, Ferguson Partners, interviewed by David Kong
Bill shares how he differentiates Ferguson Partners by meeting his clients’ many needs and the founding of his nonprofit foundation - Centers of Excellence by scaling the Marriott Sorenson Howard University idea to 25 universities. We discuss t...
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31:06
Amy Vaxman, Vice President, Questex, Interviewed by Rachel Humphrey
Amy talks about the importance of public speaking and why everyone should develop this skill as early as possible in their careers. She discusses support systems, preparing for business travel, strategies for conference attendance, and building...
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28:27
Eric Jacobs, Global Growth Officer, Aimbridge Hospitality interviewed by Rachel Humphrey
Eric shares how his love of cooking set in motion a lifelong career in the hotel industry. He talks about realizing leadership at any early age, how his leadership has evolved over time, and why character is the driving factor in building great...
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32:19
Rita J. Varga, CEO, RaizUp, Interviewed by Lan Elliott & Rachel Humphrey
Rita shares how her early exposure to travel, culture, and entrepreneurship led to a hospitality industry career spanning several different chapters. She talks about the importance of believing in self, owning your expertise, the impact of comm...
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31:03
Sasha Day, President & CEO, Aramark Destinations interviewed by Dorothy Dowling
In this episode of 'It's Personal Stories,' Dorothy Dowling interviews Sasha Day, President and CEO of Aramark Destinations. Sasha shares her journey in her current role, discussing Aramark's diverse operations in national parks, conferen...
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40:03
Anil Aggarwal CEO Milestone Inc interviewed by Dorothy Dowling
In this episode of 'It's Personal Stories,' Dorothy Dowling interviews Anil Agarwal, CEO of Milestone. Anil shares his journey into entrepreneurship, starting with his early days at the University of Georgia where he founded an entrepreneurship...
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35:15
Carl Winston, Founding Director, Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at San Diego State University, interviewed by Lan Elliott
Carl, who works with aspiring hoteliers, explains the very simple thing people need to do to distinguish themselves (that most people aren’t willing to do). In this interview, he also discusses the ultimate tool for advancing professional...
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34:20
Dean Kate Walsh, Cornell University Nolan School of Hotel Administration, interviewed by David Kong
Dr. Walsh shares her amazing journey from CPA to corporate trainer to her current role. We discuss how challenges are often opportunities in disguise, and her research on leadership and career development as well as strategic human capital inve...
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31:59
Mark Keiser, President, Development, Viceroy Hotel Group, interviewed by Lan Elliott
Mark explains how his openness to trying different careers within hospitality and help from mentors helped him discover the area of the industry where he has thrived. He also shares the tool that allows him to deepen his connection with t...
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30:50
Kimberly Wilson, Senior Vice President, Global Sales, Preferred Hotels & Resorts interviewed by D_ Dowling
Join me on this learning journey with Kimberly Wilson, a brilliant sales leader at Preferred Hotels & Resorts, as we explore how fostering teamwork and mutual support—within teams and across departments—empowers sales leaders to bett...
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39:56
Stacey Barber, VP of Travel, AAA National interviewed by Dorothy Dowling
Join me for an insightful interview with Stacey Barber, AAA National’s VP of Travel, as she shares valuable guidance on fostering stakeholder engagement, ensuring every voice is heard, and empowering collaborative decision-making. Don't miss th...
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39:45