Hospitality Daily Podcast

Josiah Mackenzie

Stay informed and inspired to delight people and grow your business with short, daily conversations with interesting people doing interesting things. Hosted by Josiah Mackenzie.

  • 7 minutes 13 seconds
    What Our "52 Games a Year" Mindset Reveals About Leading Performance in Hospitality - Agnelo Fernandes, Cote Hospitality

    In this episode, Agnelo Fernandes, CEO of Cote Hospitality, shares how he thinks about leading performance in a challenging operating environment. As demand flattens and costs continue to rise, Agnelo explains why labor is unlikely to return to "normal" anytime soon, how simplicity and adaptability have become competitive advantages, and why strong brands are built in moments. He introduces his “52 Games a Year” mindset, reframing performance as a season of wins and losses that requires constant adjustment rather than rigid plans. This episode offers hospitality leaders a practical, people-first perspective on driving sustainable performance without losing what makes hospitality work.

    A few more resources:

    If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!

    Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

    17 December 2025, 9:00 am
  • 15 minutes 26 seconds
    How Mentorship Drives Retention, Culture, and Leadership at Cote Hospitality - Agnelo Fernandes, Cote Hospitality

    In this episode, Agnelo Fernandes, CEO of Cote Hospitality, takes us inside the thinking behind the company’s GUIDE mentorship program—designed to develop leaders from within while improving retention and strengthening culture. Agnelo explains why mentorship works best as a two-way relationship, how personal branding fits into leadership development, and why human connection—not hierarchy—is the foundation of meaningful growth. He also shares the tangible business outcomes Cote is seeing, from stronger retention to deeper engagement and a growing pipeline of future leaders. This conversation offers a practical, values-driven look at how mentorship can become a strategic advantage in hospitality.

    A few more resources:

    If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!

    Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

    16 December 2025, 9:00 am
  • 16 minutes 40 seconds
    Harder Than Rocket Science, but More Fulfilling: Hospitality Lessons from My Journey to CEO - Agnelo Fernandes, Cote Hospitality

    Agnelo Fernandes wanted to work in hospitality so badly that he removed his MBA from his resume just to land an entry-level job in the industry.

    Today, he's the CEO of Cote Hospitality, and his path there was anything but traditional. In this episode, Agnelo shares the moments that pulled him away from investment banking, why he believes hospitality is actually harder than rocket science or brain surgery ("you're dealing with all senses at their highest alert level"), and the leadership philosophy that's guided his rise to the CEO role.

    We explore his concept of "leading from any seat," why he's never followed just one mentor, and the practical habits that helped him stay relevant as technology transformed the industry. Whether you're early in your career or eyeing the top job yourself, there's something here for you.

    Want more? 

    A few more resources:

    If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!

    Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

    15 December 2025, 9:00 am
  • 16 minutes
    How Hospitality Gave Me the Resilience to Fight Cancer - Craig Poole

    In this episode, Craig Poole reflects on how a lifetime in hospitality built the resilience and mindset he’s relied on while fighting cancer. He shares lessons drawn from decades of leadership — gratitude, selflessness, adaptability, and compassion — and explains why hospitality uniquely prepares people to face life’s hardest challenges. Craig also revisits his philosophy of leadership, community, and being “behind” the people you lead, and how that philosophy has taken on deeper meaning through illness. This is a thoughtful conversation about strength, service, and what hospitality teaches us far beyond our careers.

    Resources: 

    A few more resources:

    If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!

    Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

    14 December 2025, 9:00 am
  • 1 hour 3 minutes
    Roundtable Reality Check: Hospitality's Biggest Stories of 2025 and 2026 Predictions

    In this episode, Hospitality Daily host Josiah Mackenzie joins a roundtable of the top podcasters in hospitality for an unfiltered look at the stories that defined 2025 and what leaders can anticipate for the year ahead. Moderated by Katie Cline, host of Suite Success, the discussion brings together Zach Busekrus (Behind the Stays), David Millili and Steve Carran (The Modern Hotelier), and Glenn Haussman (No Vacancy) to unpack the realities behind luxury’s continued rise, loyalty’s identity crisis, AI hype versus impact, trade show fatigue, and how operators protected profitability in a challenging year. Drawing on hundreds of conversations each has had across the industry, this episode offers a grounded, experience-driven perspective on where hospitality stands today and the forces likely to shape 2026.

    A few more resources:

    If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!

    Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

    13 December 2025, 9:00 am
  • 49 minutes 55 seconds
    Why "Beautiful" Isn't Enough: Designing Hospitality People Come Back To - Craig Stanghetta, Ste Marie

    In this episode, we're learning from Craig Stanghetta, Founder and Creative Director of Ste Marie, about why the most successful hospitality concepts are designed around emotion rather than just aesthetics. Drawing on his background in theatre, Craig shares how story, risk, and a balance of comfort and wonder shape spaces guests actually return to. He also shares what emotional design looks like in an increasingly AI-driven world and why human connection remains hospitality's most durable advantage. 

    Want more? 

    A few more resources:

    If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!

    Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

    12 December 2025, 3:00 pm
  • 41 minutes 13 seconds
    Inside the Q3 2025 Labor Report: Trends, Operator Insights, and What To Do Next [Sponsor Bonus]

    In this special bonus episode, we break down Actabl's Q3 2025 Hotel Labor Benchmarking Data and explore what it means for hotel operators planning for 2026. Sarah McCay Tams, Head of Research and Editorial for HotelData.com, walks through the major trends shaping wages, overtime, headcount, and productivity across U.S. hotels. She’s joined by experienced operators Shanell Marinuzzi and Peter Kilbourne, who share practical insights on staffing models, forecasting accuracy, cross-training, and using overtime strategically. Listeners will come away with a clearer understanding of how top-performing hotels protected margins in 2025 -- and what to do now to better align labor with real-time demand in the year ahead.

    Resources:

    A few more resources:

    If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!

    Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

    11 December 2025, 11:00 pm
  • 49 minutes 42 seconds
    Inside the Alpine Resort Where Mindfulness and Enjoying Life Coexist Naturally - Daniel Lauber, CERVO

    In this episode, we're learning from Daniel Lauber, founder of CERVO Mountain Resort, in a conversation with our innovation correspondent Matthias Huettebraeuker about reimagining what hospitality can be today. Daniel shares how CERVO evolved from a modern hunting lodge concept into a holistic “way of living” rooted in community, culture, and connection. He explains why mindfulness and enjoying life can naturally coexist, what authenticity really means beyond alpine clichés, and how design, rituals, and programming can create meaningful spaces for guests, staff, and locals. For hospitality leaders, this episode offers a deeply thoughtful look at innovation, guest expectations, and the human side of building a resort that feels alive.

    A few more resources:

    If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!

    Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

    7 December 2025, 1:00 am
  • 11 minutes 52 seconds
    Why Most Hospitality Tech Isn't Delivering, and What I've Found Actually Works - Matthew Bell, Mollie's

    In this conversation, our guest experience correspondent, Danica Smith, interviews Matthew Bell, Managing Director at Mollie's, and former Chief Hotel Operations Officer at citizenM, about why so many digital initiatives continue to underperform. Matt explains how misaligned goals, over-engineered projects, and a lack of clear value metrics often hold hotels back, and why a more incremental, guest-led approach delivers better results. He also shares why personal devices, identity, and authentication will shape the next wave of guest experience innovation. Hospitality leaders will come away with a clearer framework for evaluating their tech stack and focusing on what actually delivers results.

    A few more resources:

    If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!

    Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

    28 November 2025, 9:00 am
  • 7 minutes 58 seconds
    Gratitude in a Hard Year: The Bright Spots in Hospitality (And What I’m Grateful For) - Josiah Mackenzie

    In this solo Thanksgiving episode, Hospitality Daily founder and publisher Josiah Mackenzie reflects on the bright spots he saw across the hospitality industry this year—from operators protecting profit amid headwinds to a renewed respect for on-property teams and the smart use of technology to drive results. He highlights the leadership, culture, and operational fundamentals that carried the industry through a challenging period. Josiah also shares the personal gratitude he feels for the collaborators, contributors, and listeners who helped shape the show and his own learning this year. 

    A few more resources:

    If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!

    Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

    27 November 2025, 9:00 pm
  • 10 minutes 29 seconds
    The Starfish Principle: How Hospitality Scales Through Agility, Autonomy & A Clear North Star - Matthew Bell, Mollie's

    In this conversation, our guest experience correspondent, Danica Smith, speaks with Matthew Bell, Managing Director at Mollie's, and former Chief Hotel Operations Officer at citizenM, about what it really takes to scale a hospitality brand without losing its soul and energy. Matt explains the “starfish principle” behind great organizational design, showing how cross-functional, self-contained teams stay closer to the guest experience and make better decisions at speed. He also shares how clarity of vision and the right strategic frameworks create autonomy for creative, ambitious teams. 

    A few more resources:

    If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!

    Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

    27 November 2025, 9:00 am
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