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
237 episodes
Cesar Wurm, Vice President of Commercial, Premium Brands, IHG Hotels & Resorts
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
David McCaslin, Partner, CapStar Advisors, interviewed by Lan Elliott
Dave discusses the importance of delegating and continuous learning as one progress to larger roles. He shares how he acquired the New York Palace with a 3-person team – and why he hires people who have experienced failure. He explains ho...
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34:43
Dr. Kelly McGuire, Managing Principal Hospitality at Zs interviewed by Dorothy Dowling
Join me on It’s Personal: Journeys and Wisdom in Hospitality with Dr. Kelly McGuire. From academia to early SaaS revenue management innovation, pioneering revenue strategy in casinos, and consulting in commercial strategy, Kelly shares...
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33:23
Bashar Wali, Founder and CEO, This Assembly and Practice Hospitality, Interviewed by Rachel Humphrey
Bashar discusses the many ways his passion and love for hospitality fuel his career journey. He talks about public speaking, how self-care means something different to everyone, and how he took every opportunity to learn through doing. Bashar s...
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32:12
David Eisen, VP and Editor-in-Chief, HOTELS Magazine, Interviewed by Rachel Humphrey
David shares his strategies for effective panel moderating, how he uses LinkedIn to share his take on industry news, and what he's curious about right now. He discusses overcoming self doubt and developing new skills. He talks about why reading...
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28:53
Hoda Tahoun, Practice Leader, Global Leisure & Hospitality, Russell Reynolds Associates interviewed by Lan Elliott
Hoda shares the tool she uses to create more authentic, human connections. She discusses current trends in executive recruiting and what hiring managers and top talent are looking for when interviewing. She describes the key attribu...
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27:14
Naureen Ahmed, Founder, Inspiring Women in Hospitality interviewed by Lan Elliott
Naureen discusses the Pie Theory, which says 60% of career development comes from exposure, which can come in the form of public speaking and developing one’s network internally and externally. She shares the 3 things she focused on to de...
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32:40
Dina Belon, President, Staypineapple Interviewed by Rachel Humphrey
Dina discusses how her interest in sustainability and deep dive into it ended up being a pivotal moment in her career journey. She talks about advocating for yourself, having confidence, and seeking out mentors and allies who believe in you. Di...
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30:08
Hannah Greenberg, Chief Executive Officer, Eleven Software interviewed by Dorothy Dowling
Hannah she shares her intentional career journey, from childhood entrepreneurship and Cornell Hotel School, to consulting and private equity, and her transformative time at Berkeley Business School. Now CEO of a SaaS tech company, she reflects ...
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36:52
Dr. Michael Cheng, Dean and Professor, Chaplin School of Hospitality and Management, FIU
Dean Cheng shares his career journey and the important lessons he learned that enabled his success. We discuss the important qualities of a visionary leader, navigating a political environment and his general approach to challenges. Dean Cheng ...
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30:44
Amit Sripathi, Chief Development Officer, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Interviewed by Rachel Humphrey
Amit discusses his path from engineer to CDO of Wyndham with the pivotal reset and opportunities in between. He shares his leadership evolution and the skills he's focused on developing in his own leadership style. Amit also discusses the role ...
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31:58
Zack Gharib, President, Red Roof Interviewed by Rachel Humphrey
Zack discusses his journey from growing up in Lebanon to being the new President of Red Roof with various stops in between. He shares his personal mantra of 'people first' and his advice to his younger self to "trust in your path." Zack also ta...
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30:18