It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
At It’s Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast, we believe that leadership is shaped as much by setbacks and self-doubt as by achievements and accolades. That’s why we go beyond titles and résumés to uncover the personal journeys of hospitality leaders—the moments of vulnerability, resilience, and courage that define true success. Since 2022, our mission has been to empower the next generation of leaders by sharing unfiltered stories of growth from across the industry. With more than 250 interviews and counting, we’ve built a library of candid conversations that reveal not only strategies for professional advancement, but also lessons in authenticity, balance, and perseverance. Recognized each year by the International Hospitality Institute as a top hospitality podcast, It’s Personal Stories continues to inspire dreamers and doers to push boundaries, embrace challenges, and pursue their goals with confidence. Learn more and watch the Interviews at www.ItsPersonalStories.com and Follow Us here on LinkedIn.
Show episodes
Jan Freitag, National Director, Hospitality Analytics, CoStar Group, interviewed by Lan Elliott
One of hospitality’s most prolific, well-respected presenters, Jan shares his public speaking journey, including specific things to do before, during, and after your presentation to elevate your public speaking. He also shares how raising your hand can help you to be “seen” by senior leaders, how he navigates tremendo
Rod shares his journey from working in high school catering services to becoming President of HVS. He reflects on his growth as a public speaker and his preparation, his approach to leadership, and why he prioritizes and models wellness and self-care. As an openly gay, Latino senior executive, Rob highlights the critic
Jacob shares how an early love of video games led to a career in technology and the hospitality industry. He discusses why trust is critical in leadership, reflects on his own leadership evolution and philosophies, and why anticipating and learning from challenges is more important than being perfect. Jacob also talks
Carolyne Doyon, President & CEO, Club Med N. America and Caribbean, interviewed by David Kong
From proving doubters wrong early on to leading with determination and kindness, Carolyne reminds us that “success doesn’t come easy, but small wins build confidence and influence.” She also shared candidly about overcoming imposter syndrome, the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, and why sometim
Having worked in over 25 countries, Petra career has been built on taking risks and leaning into the resilience she’s built along the way. In this interview, she explains the advantages of interim executive roles and shares the key factors that drove her success. In addition, she details the three things to keep in mi
Dorothy Dowling interviews Brian Hicks, CEO of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International. They discuss Brian"s career journey, the importance of intentional career paths, effective team leadership, the significance of networking, and the evolving landscape of technology and innovation in the hospita