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.
Podcasting since 2023 • 249 episodes
It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
Latest Episodes
Peter Ricci, Director of Hospitality & Tourism Management, interviewed by David Kong
Dr. Peter Ricci encourages us to stay open-minded and embrace differences, rather than dismissing them simply because they challenge our preferences. He reminds us not to lose sight of who we are in the face of immediate challenges...
•
31:40
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...
•
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,...
•
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. ...
•
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.<...
•
25:03