Hospitality Daily Podcast

In this episode, Josiah Mackenzie speaks with Craig Poole, a three-time Hilton Connie Award winner and AHLA’s General Manager of the Year, about hospitality’s unique ability to heal broken places. Craig shares how he approaches struggling hotels and communities by changing perception first—restoring dignity, self-esteem, and hope long before financial results follow. Drawing on real-world turnarounds, he explains why investing in people and engaging the surrounding community can transform not...

In this episode, Rob Blood, Founder and Chairman of Lark, returns for a one-year check-in following Lark’s blockbuster deal with Life House. Rob reflects on what it actually takes to scale a hospitality company after the announcement—working through integration challenges, repairing trust, and intentionally building culture under pressure. The conversation explores how values are operationalized at scale, why storytelling and culture anchor identity, and what to look for in leaders when compl...

In this episode, Josiah Mackenzie reconnects with Lynn Bruni-Perkins, Chief Marketing Officer of the San Francisco Travel Association, to talk about where San Francisco is right now and where it’s headed. Lynn shares how storytelling and hospitality play a central role in shaping a city’s future, from rebuilding civic pride to driving visitors to powering the economy. The conversation explores SF Travel’s “Believe in San Francisco” messaging platform, the importance of residents as ambassador...

In this episode, Josiah Mackenzie is joined by Danica Smith, guest experience correspondent for Hospitality Daily and founder of MorningStar GX, to discuss whether hoteliers should start “vibe coding” with AI. Danica shares why she decided to experiment with building software herself, what surprised her most along the way, and how AI is removing long-standing technical barriers across hospitality roles. Together, they unpack where this creates real opportunity for operators, leaders, an...

In this episode, Josiah Mackenzie speaks with Mark Fancourt, cofounder and principal at TRAVHOTECH, and a former senior leader across global hospitality brands and technology companies. Their conversation moves beyond the typical AI talking points in our industry to examine the less-discussed implications for hospitality — from the workforce and robotics to shifting consumer demand and long-term industry sustainability. Mark offers a perspective shaped by decades of operational leadership and...