Shows
It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastMiriam Torres, Co-Owner, Parker-Torres Design Inc., interviewed by Lan ElliottMiriam describes a career shaped by mentorship and an unwavering commitment to service. A turning point came when a mentor immersed her in global luxury hotels, teaching her excellence through real-world experience. That exposure opened doors, built credibility, and reinforced the value of learning by doing. She emphasizes that mentorship is not only about guidance, but about access, trust, and being invited into opportunities that accelerate growth.
2025-12-1431 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastRoger Hill, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of The Gettys Group and Ridgeline Development Partners, interviewed by Lan ElliottRoger describes how overcoming adversity made his companies stronger, and how rewarding others with the opportunity to lead provides continuity. He also explains how preparation and hard work can turn calculated risks into success. In addition to sharing how one builds a strong career, Roger discusses the benefits of becoming a hotel owner as soon as possible.
2025-11-1233 min
Tuesday's ThanksEpisode 160 - Lan ElliottIn this episode, Brian is joined by Lan Elliott, Lan wearsmany hats these days as the Co-Founder and Principal of Acacia Holdings, Co-Host of the popular It’s Personal Stories, a Hospitality Podcast and is an in-demand speaker and moderator for Hospitality trade shows. Tune in to hearwho Lan Thanks for helping her along the way.
2025-11-0447 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastBrian Proctor, Founder, Leeds Hospitality Group, interviewed by Lan ElliottBrian shares why investing time upfront is one of the keys to building high-performing teams. He also explains how his The Power of Gratitude at Work program helps transform organizations – and why it’s easy to do. Brian underscores the importance of public speaking and why loving what you do, saying Yes, and raising your hand for more opportunities are critical.
2025-10-0935 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastBaron Ah Moo, Senior Vice President of Asset Management, IndoChina Kajima, interviewed by Lan ElliottBaron shares how he approaches taking major risks, including moving to 5 countries on 3 continents, and the opportunities created by working in emerging markets, plus how those experiences enhanced his career in the U.S. He also explains why one should not pursue a mentor simply because they occupy a role you aspire to as well as the two key qualities he looks for on his teams.
2025-10-0530 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastJan Freitag, National Director, Hospitality Analytics, CoStar Group, interviewed by Lan ElliottOne 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 tremendous ambiguity, and why acknowledging people’s humanity is critical.
2025-09-1335 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastPetra Deuter, Global Board Director & Interim CEO, interviewed by Lan ElliottHaving 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 mind when advocating for oneself.
2025-08-1531 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastDavid Mansbach, Managing Partner, Global Hospitality & Leisure, DHR Global interviewed by Lan ElliottDave shares the importance for both career and joy to collide. An accomplished Executive Recruiter, he discusses the Top 2 Tips for negotiating an offer letter, which most people rarely do, and 3 Traits that make current candidates stand out, which differ from the past. He also explains why everyone in hospitality has an obligation to make our industry the Employer of Choice, which it currently is not.
2025-07-2736 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastCraig Sullivan, Founder & President, [CLIC] Media interviewed by Lan ElliottCraig 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 is integral in doing deals. Finally, Craig shares the 3 Magic Words that go a long way in a successful career.
2025-04-2428 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastDaniel C. Peek, President, Americas, JLL Hotels & Hospitality, interviewed by Lan ElliottDan shares how perseverance and continuous learning have been instrumental in his career trajectory and why he looks for a positive attitude and the desire to be a part of a team when building high performing teams. Dan also describes the four elements needed to distinguish oneself, and explains why leaders should support team members leaving for a new opportunity.
2025-04-1331 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastScott Berman, Hospitality & Leisure Expert, interviewed by Lan ElliottScott discusses the trajectory of his incredible career journey, from 30 years at PwC to his current chapter. He shares his personal connection to Howard University’s Center for Hospitality Leadership and Marriott’s Arne Sorenson. Scott also explains his approach to networking, why saying Yes is so important, and what it takes to be successful as a consultant.
2025-04-1029 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastWendy Blissett, Senior Vice President, HREC Investment Advisors, interviewed by Lan ElliottWendy shares her incredible journey, rising to senior roles in hospitality brokerage. She explains how she’s overcoming her fear of public speaking, and why champions are critical to career success. She discusses how she built her extensive network and the tip she received from a champion for staying positive when things get hard.
2025-03-1828 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastRita J. Varga, CEO, RaizUp, Interviewed by Lan Elliott & Rachel HumphreyRita 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 community, and why curiosity is a great motivator. Rita also encourages people to know you are enough and why she'd tell her younger self to be more in the moment.
2025-02-1231 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastCarl Winston, Founding Director, Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at San Diego State University, interviewed by Lan ElliottCarl, 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 professionally and how to avoid being that bad boss. Carl also unpacks the most widely misunderstood thing about mentorship.
2025-01-2034 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastMark Keiser, President, Development, Viceroy Hotel Group, interviewed by Lan ElliottMark 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 the many contacts he’s developed over the course of his career, and how listening to his team helps him build higher-performing teams.
2024-12-2330 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastDavid McCaslin, Partner, CapStar Advisors, interviewed by Lan ElliottDave 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 how to navigate industry receptions, the right way to ask for something you want, and how to be prepared when opportunity knocks.
2024-12-0634 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastHoda Tahoun, Chief Talent Officer, Kempinski Hotels, interviewed by Lan ElliottHoda 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 attributes needed for the top jobs, the science and art of building high performing teams, and she explains why agility is so important for success.
2024-11-0127 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastNaureen Ahmed, Founder, Inspiring Women in Hospitality interviewed by Lan ElliottNaureen 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 develop her public speaking skills, and the power of using pauses for impact. Plus, she discusses the importance of flexing one’s leadership style.
2024-10-2932 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastBrian Barker, Executive Director, Alliance for Hospitality Equity and Diversity (AHEAD), interviewed by Lan ElliottBrian shares advice on finding mentors, cultivating champions, and what it takes to nurture those relationships. He explains how leading with kindness is a key factor in his success and how it can help young people distinguish themselves. Brian also shares what he wishes he had learned earlier, and the advice he would give his younger self.
2024-09-1029 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastSusan Barry, President & Queen Bee, Hive Marketing, interviewed by Lan ElliottAn entrepreneur by nature, Susan delves into how she approaches risk and why her tolerance for risk is getting higher. She shares the story of how she became an expert networker at a young age, and how she creates real connections. Susan explains why problem solving is key to distinguishing oneself, and why we can’t outperform our way to equity.
2024-09-0434 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastHeather Balsley, Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer, IHG Hotels & Resorts, interviewed by Lan ElliottHeather shares how her love for solving big, complex problems has led her to spearhead transformative initiatives within IHG, and she describes how she navigates cross-functional, multi-year challenges. She explains why having champions is critical the more senior you become, why public speaking is important, and how she crafts presentations that are both impactful and memorable.
2024-08-0935 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastAik Hong Tan, Chief Investment Officer, Hotel Equities & Founding Principal, Greenwood Hospitality Group, interviewed by Lan ElliottAik Hong shares the key leadership skill he identified early on and the significant learnings he gleaned navigating downturns. Following a successful career in Asia, he describes how he established himself in the U.S., then launched a new company. He describes 3 keys to building high performing teams and the Churchill quote he keeps in mind when interviewing candidates.
2024-08-0132 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastEvan Frazier, President & CEO, The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI), interviewed by Lan ElliottEvan describes his path to leadership and how seeking broader experiences led him to found his nonprofit, TALI, which is focused on cultivating black executive leadership. He shares why those aspiring to leadership roles need to develop their financial skills, how to distinguish oneself today, and the Frazier Formula for Success.
2024-07-1533 min
Hospitality from WithinEp 27 - If you don’t know what you want, it’s hard for those around you to help you with Lan ElliottEp 27 - If you don’t know what you want, it’s hard for those around you to help you with Lan Elliott
Lan’s story is inspiring. She is a force that is deeply tapped into what she is passionate about and she continued to follow that light at each step of her career journey. She is not guiding leaders on how to follow their passion to find their path because there is not only one way to get there. She gives us great pointers on how to ask for someone’s time to gather information whether...
2024-07-0340 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastRachel Vandenberg, Founder, The Travel Leader interviewed by Lan ElliottRachel shares how aligning on purpose creates the glue within a group, and why she would advise her younger self to seek out (early on) the support she needed to achieve her goals. She also explains why developing public speaking skills are key to those looking to advancing their careers, and the practices she utilizes as a skilled presenter.
2024-06-1034 min
Confessions of a Reluctant CaregiverEmbracing the Caregiving Journey: Lan Phan on Transforming Pain into PurposeLan Phan, a former caregiver for her mother with advanced-stage dementia, shares her decade-long journey. As Vietnamese refugees, Lan's mother worked tirelessly as a hairdresser to support their family. In her late 70s, her health declined, prompting Lan to leave her job in New York and move to California to care for her mother.Lan faced challenges in finding full-time care and making decisions with her siblings about her mother's living situation. Her mother's dementia progressed, requiring 24/7 care and eventually a memory care facility. Navigating the healthcare system, advocating for her mother's needs, and dealing with caregiver...
2024-05-1447 minIt's Personal Stories, A Hospitality PodcastJay Shah, Executive Chairman, Hersha Hotels & Resorts, interviewed by Lan ElliottJay describes the important distinction between managing and leading, and he shares his approach to taking risks. He also explains why the easiest approach to networking is thinking of it as developing friendships, and why hospitality is a great connector. He shares a quote that helps overcome self-doubt, and why slowing down for big decisions can be advantageous.
2024-04-1635 min