The Cohost Bros

Matthew Codd & Austin Spitzenberger

The Cohost Bros Podcast is where short-term rental operators, property managers, and entrepreneurs come to learn how to build freedom through hospitality. Hosted by Matt Codd and Austin Spitzenberger, two proven STR operators who’ve built thriving co-hosting and management businesses across Texas and beyond, the show dives deep into real strategies, systems, and stories from the frontlines of the vacation rental industry. Each week, you’ll hear from top-performing hosts, investors, and industry leaders on topics like: 🏡 Scaling your STR business 💰 Building financial freedom through real estate ⚙️ Automating operations and guest experience 📈 Marketing, branding, and direct booking strategies 🧠 Mindset, leadership, and lifestyle design Whether you’re managing one property or one hundred, you’ll learn how to scale smarter, grow faster, and reclaim your time. 🎧 Subscribe and follow the show — new episodes every week.

  1. 98 - From Luxury STR Builder to VR Nation President | Tera Lorimer

    HACE 2 D

    98 - From Luxury STR Builder to VR Nation President | Tera Lorimer

    In this bonus episode of The Co-Host Bros Podcast, Matt Codd and Austin Spitzenberger sit down with Tera Lorimer, a luxury vacation rental operator with nearly two decades of experience in the industry and the current President of VR Nation. Tera’s journey started in 2001 as a custom home builder, constructing vacation homes near Mount Baker, Washington, one of the snowiest places in North America. Over time she transitioned into managing many of those homes herself, building a luxury STR management business focused on high-end properties in gated communities near the ski resort. Through years of growth, mistakes, and hard lessons, Tera developed a strong brand built around quality standards, clear expectations, and learning when to say no to the wrong properties. In addition to running her management company, she now serves as President of VR Nation, an organization focused on connecting professional operators, vendors, and leaders in the vacation rental industry. In this episode, we discuss: • How Tera transitioned from builder to luxury STR operator • Managing vacation rentals in the Mount Baker ski market • Why saying no to the wrong properties is critical for long-term success • How the vacation rental industry has evolved over the last 20 years • The growing consolidation and professionalization of STR management • What VR Nation is doing to support operators and industry collaboration If you're building a vacation rental business or looking to connect with leaders shaping the industry, this episode offers perspective from someone who has been in the space since long before STRs became mainstream. 🎟️ VR Nation Conference If you want to connect with operators and vendors across the vacation rental industry, check out the VR Nation Conference in Denver. 🌐 https://www.vrnation.com/ Use code cohostbros to get $100 off your ticket. (All lowercase) 👥 Follow the Hosts Matt Codd Instagram: @creativecodds TikTok: @creativecodds Facebook: @matt.codd.3 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-codd-9a3761375/ Austin Spitzenberger Instagram: @austin_spitzz TikTok: @austin_spitzz Facebook: @austin.spitzenberger LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-spitzenberger-70481111b/

    44 min
  2. 95 - From Rock Bottom to Inner Wealth: Mike Kitko on Leadership and Rebuilding Your Life

    4 MAR

    95 - From Rock Bottom to Inner Wealth: Mike Kitko on Leadership and Rebuilding Your Life

    In this episode of The Co-Host Bros Podcast, Matt Codd and Austin Spitzenberger sit down with Mike Kitko, a recovered Fortune 500 executive leader, former Marine, and founder of Inner Wealth. Mike shares a raw story of everything collapsing: two high-level executive roles lost, a home that felt like a battlefield, his wife battling pharmaceutical addiction, his own drinking at toxic levels, and a moment where he seriously considered ending his life. From that rock-bottom point, he rebuilt through daily discipline and identity-level change, anchored by the principles in The Slight Edge. This conversation is about the stuff underneath business: leadership, nervous system regulation, imposter syndrome, and why your “inner world” determines your results, relationships, and ability to scale. In this episode, we cover: Why you “can’t fight a war on two fronts” (home and work)How sobriety, reading, meditation, coaching, and routines became the turning pointThe leadership shift of fixing yourself first instead of trying to fix everyone elseThe difference between chasing success and building capacity for successMike’s take on imposter syndrome as nervous system dysregulation and old identityWhat it means to lead teams at a world-class level while keeping the wheels on at homeMike also shares about his work through Inner Wealth Mastermind, and his books The Imposter in Charge and Inner World Outer World. ✅ Like, subscribe, share, rate, and follow the show on your favorite podcast platform. 👥 Follow the hosts Matt Codd Instagram: @creativecodds TikTok: @creativecodds Facebook: @matt.codd.3 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-codd-9a3761375/ Austin Spitzenberger Instagram: @austin_spitzz TikTok: @austin_spitzz Facebook: @austin.spitzenberger LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-spitzenberger-70481111b/

    50 min
  3. 94 - From Apple Commercials to 60 STRs | Josh George’s Pivot

    25 FEB

    94 - From Apple Commercials to 60 STRs | Josh George’s Pivot

    In this episode of The Co-Host Bros Podcast, Matt Codd and Austin Spitzenberger sit down with Josh George, founder of Deja Vu Vacation Rentals in Southern California. Josh shares his unconventional path into short-term rentals — from directing and working in Apple’s advertising department to managing nearly 60 vacation rentals full time. The conversation dives deep into one major decision that tested his business philosophy: turning down a six-figure commission opportunity from a high-end client who wanted to pay below his standard rates. Instead of chasing the money, Josh chose to protect his margins, brand positioning, and long-term growth strategy. In this episode, we cover: Transitioning from film and advertising into STR managementScaling to 60 properties in competitive California marketsSetting commission standards (25% model breakdown)The real cost of high-maintenance luxury ownersWhy saying “no” can be a growth strategyAvoiding dangerous pricing precedentsGrowth vs. profitability decisions in property managementIf you manage properties, are building a portfolio, or are navigating commission negotiations, this episode is a practical case study in protecting your business long term. 👥 Follow the Hosts Matt Codd Instagram: @creativecodds TikTok: @creativecodds Facebook: @matt.codd.3 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-codd-9a3761375/ Austin Spitzenberger Instagram: @austin_spitzz TikTok: @austin_spitzz Facebook: @austin.spitzenberger LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-spitzenberger-70481111b/

    1 h 14 min
  4. 93 - What Hotels Understand About OTAs That STR Hosts Don’t

    18 FEB

    93 - What Hotels Understand About OTAs That STR Hosts Don’t

    In this episode of The Co-Host Bros Podcast, Matt Codd and Austin Spitzenberger sit down with Simon Seroussi, founder of SuiteOp, to talk about distribution, OTAs, and what short-term rental operators can learn from the hotel industry. Simon brings nearly a decade of experience from the hotel software world, including time at TravelClick before it was acquired by Amadeus — one of the largest travel technology companies globally. His background gives him a unique perspective on how booking platforms, reputation, and distribution systems actually work behind the scenes. The conversation explores how early experiences in New York experimenting with Airbnb evolved into deeper strategic thinking about optimization, positioning, and platform dynamics. In this episode, we cover: How Simon transitioned from hotel tech to short-term rentalsWhat OTAs are really optimizing forWhy reputation matters more than ever in hospitalityLessons the hotel industry learned that STR operators often missEarly Airbnb adoption and platform evolutionThe future of distribution and positioning in short-term rentalsThis episode is ideal for operators who want to understand the mechanics behind booking platforms and build smarter, more resilient businesses. 👥 Follow the Hosts Matt Codd Instagram: @creativecodds TikTok: @creativecodds Facebook: @matt.codd.3 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-codd-9a3761375/ Austin Spitzenberger Instagram: @austin_spitzz TikTok: @austin_spitzz Facebook: @austin.spitzenberger LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-spitzenberger-70481111b/

    1 h 2 min
  5. 92 - Ranking Higher on Airbnb: AI, Optimization & Revenue w/ Sam Hirst

    11 FEB

    92 - Ranking Higher on Airbnb: AI, Optimization & Revenue w/ Sam Hirst

    In this episode of The Co-Host Bros Podcast, Matt Codd and Austin Spitzenberger sit down with Sam Hirst, a short-term rental marketing operator who helped scale some of the most viral themed vacation rentals in the country — and later grew STR tech platforms to tens of thousands of listings. Sam started with Loma Homes, a company known for extreme themed vacation rentals near Disney that went viral and were featured in major publications like Forbes and Travel + Leisure. What began as an admin role turned into leading marketing during a period of explosive growth. From there, Sam joined the founder to build Intellihost, an optimization platform helping STR owners rank higher on OTAs and increase revenue. As head of marketing and sales, he helped scale: 0 → 40,000+ listings on IntellihostA 7-figure revenue run rateRevenue IQ from 0 → 600+ users and 1,400+ properties under managementA multi-person sales team with a repeatable calendar-filling systemIn this episode, we cover: How extreme themed homes went viral near DisneyWhy having a remarkable product makes marketing easierHow to rank higher on Airbnb and other OTAsThe fusion of AI, listing optimization, and pricing strategyBuilding scalable sales systems in STR techWhat most hosts misunderstand about marketing vs. productThis is a must-listen for STR operators who want to understand how marketing, optimization, and positioning actually drive revenue at scale. 👥 Follow the Hosts Matt Codd Instagram: @creativecodds TikTok: @creativecodds Facebook: @matt.codd.3 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-codd-9a3761375/ Austin Spitzenberger Instagram: @austin_spitzz TikTok: @austin_spitzz Facebook: @austin.spitzenberger LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-spitzenberger-70481111b/ I

    58 min
  6. 90 -What Experience Teaches You About STRs and Real Estate w/ Mike Stone

    28 ENE

    90 -What Experience Teaches You About STRs and Real Estate w/ Mike Stone

    In this episode of The Co-Host Bros Podcast, Matt Codd and Austin Spitzenberger sit down with Mike Stone, a short-term rental operator and savvy Realtor in the Arizona market, for a grounded conversation about what it actually takes to operate STRs responsibly. Mike brings a practical perspective shaped by hands-on experience in both real estate and short-term rentals. Rather than chasing hype or quick wins, he talks through the realities of learning through trial and error, building solid processes, and understanding the responsibility that comes with operating properties and advising clients. In this episode, we cover: What Mike has learned from operating STRs firsthandHow his experience as an Arizona Realtor shapes his decision-makingWhy many hosts underestimate the responsibility involved in STRsThe importance of process, consistency, and ownershipLessons that only come from real-world experienceWhy focusing on fundamentals beats chasing trendsThis episode is ideal for listeners who want an honest, experience-driven perspective on short-term rentals and real estate, especially those building for stability and long-term success. 👥 Follow the Hosts Matt Codd Instagram: @creativecodds TikTok: @creativecodds Facebook: @matt.codd.3 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-codd-9a3761375/ Austin Spitzenberger Instagram: @austin_spitzz TikTok: @austin_spitzz Facebook: @austin.spitzenberger LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-spitzenberger-70481111b/

    48 min

Información

The Cohost Bros Podcast is where short-term rental operators, property managers, and entrepreneurs come to learn how to build freedom through hospitality. Hosted by Matt Codd and Austin Spitzenberger, two proven STR operators who’ve built thriving co-hosting and management businesses across Texas and beyond, the show dives deep into real strategies, systems, and stories from the frontlines of the vacation rental industry. Each week, you’ll hear from top-performing hosts, investors, and industry leaders on topics like: 🏡 Scaling your STR business 💰 Building financial freedom through real estate ⚙️ Automating operations and guest experience 📈 Marketing, branding, and direct booking strategies 🧠 Mindset, leadership, and lifestyle design Whether you’re managing one property or one hundred, you’ll learn how to scale smarter, grow faster, and reclaim your time. 🎧 Subscribe and follow the show — new episodes every week.

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