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Lan Elliott
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It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
Miriam Torres, Co-Owner, Parker-Torres Design Inc., interviewed by Lan Elliott
Miriam 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.
2025-12-14
31 min
It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
Roger Hill, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of The Gettys Group and Ridgeline Development Partners, interviewed by Lan Elliott
Roger 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.
2025-11-12
33 min
Tuesday's Thanks
Episode 160 - Lan Elliott
In 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.
2025-11-04
47 min
It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
Brian Proctor, Founder, Leeds Hospitality Group, interviewed by Lan Elliott
Brian 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.
2025-10-09
35 min
It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
Baron Ah Moo, Senior Vice President of Asset Management, IndoChina Kajima, interviewed by Lan Elliott
Baron 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.
2025-10-05
30 min
It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
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 tremendous ambiguity, and why acknowledging people’s humanity is critical.
2025-09-13
35 min
It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
Petra Deuter, Global Board Director & Interim CEO, interviewed by Lan Elliott
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 mind when advocating for oneself.
2025-08-15
31 min
It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
David Mansbach, Managing Partner, Global Hospitality & Leisure, DHR Global interviewed by Lan Elliott
Dave 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.
2025-07-27
36 min
It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
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 is integral in doing deals. Finally, Craig shares the 3 Magic Words that go a long way in a successful career.
2025-04-24
28 min
It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
Daniel C. Peek, President, Americas, JLL Hotels & Hospitality, interviewed by Lan Elliott
Dan 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.
2025-04-13
31 min
It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
Scott Berman, Hospitality & Leisure Expert, interviewed by Lan Elliott
Scott 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.
2025-04-10
29 min
It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
Wendy Blissett, Senior Vice President, HREC Investment Advisors, interviewed by Lan Elliott
Wendy 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.
2025-03-18
28 min
It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
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 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.
2025-02-12
31 min
It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
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 professionally and how to avoid being that bad boss. Carl also unpacks the most widely misunderstood thing about mentorship.
2025-01-20
34 min
It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
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 the many contacts he’s developed over the course of his career, and how listening to his team helps him build higher-performing teams.
2024-12-23
30 min
It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
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 how to navigate industry receptions, the right way to ask for something you want, and how to be prepared when opportunity knocks.
2024-12-06
34 min
It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
Hoda Tahoun, Chief Talent Officer, Kempinski Hotels, 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 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.
2024-11-01
27 min
It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
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 develop her public speaking skills, and the power of using pauses for impact. Plus, she discusses the importance of flexing one’s leadership style.
2024-10-29
32 min
It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
Brian Barker, Executive Director, Alliance for Hospitality Equity and Diversity (AHEAD), interviewed by Lan Elliott
Brian 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.
2024-09-10
29 min
It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
Susan Barry, President & Queen Bee, Hive Marketing, interviewed by Lan Elliott
An 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.
2024-09-04
34 min
It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
Heather Balsley, Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer, IHG Hotels & Resorts, interviewed by Lan Elliott
Heather 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.
2024-08-09
35 min
It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
Aik Hong Tan, Chief Investment Officer, Hotel Equities & Founding Principal, Greenwood Hospitality Group, interviewed by Lan Elliott
Aik 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.
2024-08-01
32 min
It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
Evan Frazier, President & CEO, The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI), interviewed by Lan Elliott
Evan 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.
2024-07-15
33 min
Hospitality from Within
Ep 27 - If you don’t know what you want, it’s hard for those around you to help you with Lan Elliott
Ep 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...
2024-07-03
40 min
It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
Rachel Vandenberg, Founder, The Travel Leader interviewed by Lan Elliott
Rachel 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.
2024-06-10
34 min
Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver
Embracing the Caregiving Journey: Lan Phan on Transforming Pain into Purpose
Lan 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...
2024-05-14
47 min
It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
Jay Shah, Executive Chairman, Hersha Hotels & Resorts, interviewed by Lan Elliott
Jay 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.
2024-04-16
35 min