StarrCast

StarrCast

The StarrCast: Where Wellness Works Hosted by Lisa Starr of Wynne Business, this podcast is your insider's guide to thriving in the world of wellness. Whether you're a seasoned spa director, wellness entrepreneur, or just launching your journey, each episode offers practical insights, proven tactics, and real stories from industry leaders. Stay ahead of the curve with expert interviews, trend breakdowns, and actionable strategies designed to help you grow a resilient, rewarding wellness career or business in today's ever-evolving landscape.

  1. Ari Peralta on How People-Centered Leadership is Shaping Wellness & Hospitality

    1 DAY AGO

    Ari Peralta on How People-Centered Leadership is Shaping Wellness & Hospitality

    What does it really take to build trust-driven hospitality and wellness brands in a rapidly evolving global market? In this episode, we sit down with Ari Peralta to explore how cultural intelligence, human-centered leadership, and experiential design are shaping the future of wellness, hospitality, and guest experience. Listeners will gain insight into how values, people, and long-term vision drive sustainable growth in a competitive industry. What You'll Learn: How cultural awareness influences leadership and decision-making in global hospitality and wellness organizations Why human-centered design matters more than ever in guest experience and brand loyalty The role of purpose, empathy, and trust in building resilient teams and lasting businesses How experiential wellness is evolving to meet changing guest expectations Practical insights on aligning operations, culture, and vision for long term impact Episode Highlights: 03:45 – Why culture is the foundation of meaningful hospitality experiences 11:20 – How global perspective shapes leadership and team alignment 19:08 – The connection between wellness, trust, and guest loyalty 28:34 – Designing experiences that feel authentic and human 38:15 – What modern hospitality leaders need to understand about purpose and people 49:22 – Lessons learned from building and scaling wellness-focused organizations 58:40 – Final reflections on the future of hospitality and experiential wellness Meet the Guest: Ari Peralta is a hospitality and wellness leader known for integrating cultural intelligence, people-first leadership, and experiential design to create meaningful guest experiences and strong organizational cultures. Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned Human-centered leadership models Cultural intelligence in global operations Experiential wellness design principles Trust based organizational culture frameworks Closing Insight: Great hospitality is never just about places or products. It is about people, purpose, and the experiences that stay with us long after we leave.   Looking for expert advice in Spa Consulting, with live training and online learning?   Spa Consulting: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-consulting Live Training: wynnebusiness.com/live-education Online Learning: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-courses   Other Links: Connect with Ari: https://www.instagram.com/mr_arigami/?hl=en Website: https://www.arigami.co.uk/whoweare   Follow Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisastarrwynnebusiness, Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/at/podcast/starrcast/id1565223226 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/00tW92ruuwangYoLxR9WDd Watch the StarrCast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wynnebusiness Join us on Facebook: facebook.com/wynnebusiness/?ref=bookmarks Join us on Instagram: instagram.com/wynnebusiness

    1h 3m
  2. A Peek Inside The Global Wellness Summit's Annual Trends Report

    29 JAN

    A Peek Inside The Global Wellness Summit's Annual Trends Report

    What happens when leading wellness journalists hear the Global Wellness Trends revealed live and react in real time? In this episode of StarrCast, we bring you on-the-ground interviews with media voices covering the 2026 Global Wellness Trends and unpack what these shifts mean for wellness, hospitality, beauty, and longevity. Recorded in New York during the official trend unveiling, this episode captures how editors and analysts interpret the trends, where they see momentum building, and how these insights will shape coverage, consumer behavior, and industry strategy over the coming year. What You'll Learn: How wellness journalists are interpreting the Global Wellness Summit trend release Which longevity, beauty, and health trends the media believes will gain real traction Why women's health and longevity are becoming unavoidable storylines How social wellness and festival style experiences are resonating with audiences What media leaders see as gaps between trend forecasting and real world adoption Episode Highlights: 03:18 – Media reactions to the Global Wellness Summit trend release 08:42 – Why journalists see women led longevity as a defining storyline 15:07 – Skin longevity and how beauty media is reframing aging 21:55 – Strength training, sports, and the evolving narrative around women's health 29:34 – Microplastics and why media attention is accelerating concern 36:18 – Festivalization of wellness and what audiences are craving now 43:06 – Longevity residences through the lens of media and consumer trust Meet the Guests: Claire McCormack Senior Editor at The Beauty Independent, covering beauty, wellness, and longevity innovation with a focus on science-backed consumer trends. Darlene Fiske Founder and CEO of The Fiske Group, advising wellness, spa, and hospitality brands on media strategy, positioning, and industry visibility. Sara Jones Founder, Editor, and Publisher of Spa & Wellness MexiCaribe, reporting on wellness, hospitality, and longevity trends across Mexico and Latin America. Jane Kitchen Media Trends Analyst at the Global Wellness Institute and author of the longevity residences trend, specializing in wellness real estate and long-term health infrastructure. Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned: Global Wellness Summit Future Trends methodology Media driven trend validation and storytelling frameworks Skin longevity science and reporting lenses Social wellness and experiential health programming models Closing Insight: Trends shape industries, but media shapes belief. Hearing how journalists interpret these ideas offers a rare look at how wellness narratives move from forecasts to headlines and into culture.   Looking for expert advice in Spa Consulting, with live training and online learning?   Spa Consulting: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-consulting Live Training: wynnebusiness.com/live-education Online Learning: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-courses   Other Links:   Visit Global Wellness Summit Trends 2026: https://www.globalwellnesssummit.com/2026trends/   Connect With the Guests: Claire McCormack: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairemccormackmba/ Darlene Fiske: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darlenefiske Sara Jones: https://mx.linkedin.com/in/sarajonesspawell Jane Kitchen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kitchenjane/   Follow Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisastarrwynnebusiness, Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/at/podcast/starrcast/id1565223226 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/00tW92ruuwangYoLxR9WDd Watch the StarrCast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wynnebusiness Join us on Facebook: facebook.com/wynnebusiness/?ref=bookmarks Join us on Instagram: instagram.com/wynnebusiness

    53 min
  3. From Blue Zones to Welltech: The Emergence of Longevity Tourism with Celine Vadam

    22 JAN

    From Blue Zones to Welltech: The Emergence of Longevity Tourism with Celine Vadam

    What does it really take to design wellness experiences that change how people live, not just how they relax? In this episode of StarrCast, Lisa Starr sits down with Celine Vadam to explore how wellness tourism, longevity, and lifestyle design intersect in ways that shape healthier, more meaningful lives. The conversation looks at why authenticity, science, and cultural context matter more than trends when creating wellness destinations that truly work. Listeners will gain insight into how wellness strategies are built, how longevity can be approached without becoming overly medical, and how hotels, resorts, and communities can create experiences that support long term health and human connection. What You'll Learn: Why wellness tourism has shifted from luxury amenities to lifestyle driven experiences How longevity is evolving into a focus on health span, not just life span What makes wellness concepts fail when they rely on copy and paste strategies How Blue Zones principles can be translated into real world retreats and daily life Where wellness technology adds value and where it becomes a distraction Episode Highlights: 03:18 – How Celine's early exposure to different cultures shaped her view of wellness 08:42 – Why hotels can act as micro communities with lasting impact 14:25 – What wellness tourism gets wrong when it copies trends without context 20:10 – Understanding longevity through lifestyle, not just medical protocols 27:34 – How Blue Zones retreats help people recreate healthier lives at home 34:50 – Where wellness technology fits and how to avoid gimmicks 41:12 – Why slowing down, social connection, and purpose still matter most Meet the Guest: Celine Vadam, CEO of WE(i) Think Wellness Tourism. and a global wellness strategist with a background in hospitality development, sustainability, and lifestyle coaching. She has worked with leading hotel brands, wellness destinations, and Blue Zones programs to design wellness experiences rooted in culture, science, and human behavior. Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned: Blue Zones lifestyle principles Wellness tourism development models Longevity and health span frameworks Wellness technology integration in hospitality Purpose driven retreat design Closing Insight: "Wellness works best when it fits naturally into how people live, eat, move, and connect."   Looking for expert advice in Spa Consulting, with live training and online learning?   Spa Consulting: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-consulting Live Training: wynnebusiness.com/live-education Online Learning: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-courses   Other Links: Connect with Celine: linkedin.com/in/celine-vadam   Follow Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisastarrwynnebusiness, Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/at/podcast/starrcast/id1565223226 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/00tW92ruuwangYoLxR9WDd   Watch the StarrCast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wynnebusiness Join us on Facebook: facebook.com/wynnebusiness/?ref=bookmarks Join us on Instagram: instagram.com/wynnebusiness

    46 min
  4. Seeking Acquisitions: How Living Earth Crafts and Earthlite Shape the Future of Wellness Equipment

    15 JAN

    Seeking Acquisitions: How Living Earth Crafts and Earthlite Shape the Future of Wellness Equipment

    What does it really take to scale a purpose driven wellness manufacturing business in a global market? In this episode of StarrCast, we go inside Living Earth Crafts and Earthlite to explore how innovation, culture, and strategic acquisitions are shaping the future of wellness equipment and why these industry leaders are actively looking to acquire aligned businesses as they grow. What You'll Learn: How Living Earth Crafts and Earthlite built a defensible innovation strategy through design, engineering, and intellectual property Why a growth mindset after the 2008 financial crisis reshaped their product mix and long term vision What today's demand for low touch and touchless wellness technology means for spas, clinics, and recovery spaces How global expansion across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific is changing how wellness equipment is manufactured and delivered What the company looks for when evaluating potential acquisitions and strategic partners in the wellness space Episode Highlights: 03:10 – Why wellness equipment is the foundation of every spa and clinical experience 09:45 – Jim Chenevey's journey from professional sports to wellness manufacturing leadership 18:30 – How patents and IP created a competitive moat in a crowded market 26:40 – Entering medical, clinical, and pedicure categories to fuel sustainable growth 34:15 – Rod Derifield on balancing heart and discipline in wellness businesses 41:50 – Technology, touchless solutions, and the future of therapist free experiences 47:20 – Global expansion strategy and why Europe and Asia Pacific matter now 51:30 – What they are looking for as they actively pursue acquisitions Meet the Guests: Jim Chenevey is Chairman and Chief Innovation Officer of Living Earth Crafts and Earthlite, where he has helped lead more than 50 years of wellness equipment innovation and over one million treatment tables shipped worldwide. Rod Derifield is CEO and President of Living Earth Crafts and Earthlite, bringing deep experience in scaling global businesses and guiding the company through its next phase of growth and acquisitions. Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned: Long term intellectual property and patent strategy Touchless and low touch wellness equipment models MindSync vibroacoustic and sensory reset technology Global manufacturing and regional assembly approach Culture first acquisition framework Closing Insight: As wellness continues to expand into longevity, recovery, and everyday living, the companies shaping its infrastructure matter more than ever. If you are building, innovating, or considering an exit in the wellness equipment or technology space, this conversation offers a clear view of where the industry is headed. Looking for expert advice in Spa Consulting, with live training and online learning?   Spa Consulting: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-consulting Live Training: wynnebusiness.com/live-education Online Learning: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-courses   Other Links:   Connect with LEC: https://www.linkedin.com/company/living-earth-crafts/  Website: https://www.livingearthcrafts.com/   Follow Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisastarrwynnebusiness, Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/at/podcast/starrcast/id1565223226 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/00tW92ruuwangYoLxR9WDd Watch the StarrCast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wynnebusiness Join us on Facebook: facebook.com/wynnebusiness/?ref=bookmarks Join us on Instagram: instagram.com/wynnebusiness

    55 min
  5. Is "New Year New You" The Wrong Approach? An Interview with Jennifer Walsh

    7 JAN

    Is "New Year New You" The Wrong Approach? An Interview with Jennifer Walsh

    What if the pressure to reinvent yourself every January is actually pulling you further away from who you already are? In this episode of StarrCast Podcast, host Lisa Starr sits down with Jennifer Walsh to explore why remembering your natural intelligence matters more than optimizing your life, your body, or your productivity. Together, they unpack how presence, ancestral wisdom, and human connection offer a more sustainable path to wellbeing in an increasingly artificial world. What You'll Learn: Why the "new year, new you" mindset can create unnecessary guilt and burnout How natural intelligence differs from artificial intelligence and why it matters now The role of quiet, stillness, and sensory awareness in restoring mental clarity How journaling, walking, and embodied practices support emotional resilience Why biohacking and constant measurement can disconnect us from bodily intuition Episode Highlights: 04:10 – Why "new year, new you" assumes something is broken 10:45 – Consumer wellness vs. inner understanding 18:30 – Reclaiming ancestral intelligence and bodily intuition 27:05 – Quiet as a practice in a noisy, digital world 38:20 – Grief, journaling, and the power of honest reflection 49:10 – Biohacking vs. bio-remembering 57:40 – How wellness and hospitality can restore humanity Meet the Guest: Jennifer Walsh is the founder and Creative Director of the Lost Art of Being Human Lab. A longtime wellness entrepreneur, author, and speaker, she has spent decades exploring biophilic living, human connection, and what it means to live well in a technology-driven world. Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned: Natural intelligence Ancestral intelligence and embodied awareness Journaling as a reflective practice Walking and sensory immersion Mindful technology boundaries Closing Insight: "Wellness isn't about fixing yourself. It's about remembering who you are." This conversation invites listeners to slow down, listen inward, and reconnect with the intelligence already within them. Looking for expert advice in Spa Consulting, with live training and online learning?   Spa Consulting: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-consulting Live Training: wynnebusiness.com/live-education Online Learning: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-courses   Other Links: Connect with Jennifer Walsh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejenniferwalsh   Follow Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisastarrwynnebusiness, Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/at/podcast/starrcast/id1565223226 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/00tW92ruuwangYoLxR9WDd Watch the StarrCast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wynnebusiness Join us on Facebook: facebook.com/wynnebusiness/?ref=bookmarks Join us on Instagram: instagram.com/wynnebusiness

    1 hr
  6. 31/12/2025

    From Farm to Five-Star Spa: Michael Madreiter on Building Puradies in the Austrian Alps

    In this inspiring episode of The StarrCast Podcast, host Lisa Starr travels to the breathtaking Austrian Alps to explore how strategic wellness development is transforming mountain destinations. Against the dramatic backdrop of Leogang's limestone peaks, Lisa visits Puradies eco-resort and sits down with owner Michael Madreiter to discuss the property's stunning Heaven Spa expansion and the remarkable story of how this region has achieved consistent double-digit growth through thoughtful spa and wellness investment. Michael shares the 185-year family farming legacy that informs Puradies' authentic approach to hospitality, revealing how a modest guesthouse evolved into a luxury wellness destination without losing its agricultural roots. From the innovative design philosophy behind the 1,500-square-meter Heaven Spa to the collaborative regional strategy that's made Leogang a world-class wellness hub, this episode offers invaluable insights for spa managers, developers, and hospitality professionals looking to build sustainable, nature-connected properties that thrive year-round. Why This Episode Matters: This conversation demonstrates how wellness amenities can solve the critical challenge of seasonality in mountain destinations while maintaining authenticity and environmental stewardship. Michael's journey from consultant to family business owner provides a masterclass in values-driven entrepreneurship and community collaboration. Key Takeaways For Spa Managers & Operators: Wellness facilities can transform off-season periods into profitable business opportunities, with November now approaching high-season demand for wellness hotels Approximately 70% spa utilization among hotel guests indicates strong return on wellness investment, even when not all guests book treatments Strategic collaboration with neighboring properties elevates an entire destination rather than creating destructive competition For Developers & Investors: Design-led, nature-embedded architecture creates lasting value—Puradies chose Noa architects specifically for their ability to make structures feel like they've "been there for decades" Selective, quality-focused development attracts more discerning (and profitable) tourists than mass-market approaches The four-element design concept and "framing" philosophy creates intimate spaces within overwhelming natural landscapes For Hospitality Leaders: Authentic heritage and local sourcing create differentiation—Puradies maintains working farmland, cattle, henhouses, and gardens that guests actively engage with Regional cooperation drives growth for all—Leogang properties invested in excellence collectively, resulting in 10-15 years of consistent double-digit growth Values-driven leadership attracts both guests and quality employees, creating sustainable business culture

    55 min
  7. Darkness Retreats, Sensory Reduction, and the New Trend of Nervous System Recovery

    17/12/2025

    Darkness Retreats, Sensory Reduction, and the New Trend of Nervous System Recovery

    What happens when darkness becomes the environment for insight, recovery, and self regulation? In this episode of the StarrCast Podcast, we explore the rise of structured darkness retreats and why they are gaining traction across wellness, hospitality, and performance focused audiences. Guests Ananda Jey (AJ) and Diederik van Middelkoop unpack how controlled sensory deprivation is being reinterpreted as a tool for nervous system regulation, psychological clarity, and long term wellbeing. Listeners will gain a grounded, experience driven understanding of why darkness retreats are moving from fringe experimentation into serious wellness programming, and what this shift means for operators, investors, and practitioners. What You'll Learn: Why darkness retreats are emerging as a response to chronic overstimulation and cognitive fatigue How sensory reduction can support nervous system regulation, emotional processing, and mental clarity The difference between unstructured isolation and professionally guided darkness experiences What operators need to consider when designing safe, ethical, and effective darkness retreat environments How this modality fits into the broader evolution of evidence informed wellness travel and recovery programs Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Why darkness retreats are re entering modern wellness conversations 07:45 – The physiological and psychological effects of prolonged darkness 15:30 – Safety, preparation, and integration as non negotiables in retreat design 24:10 – Personal experiences from inside structured darkness environments 34:50 – The role of facilitators, protocols, and ethical responsibility 46:20 – Where darkness retreats fit within future wellness and hospitality models 56:40 – Who darkness retreats are for and who should approach with caution Meet the Guests: Ananda Jey (AJ) is a wellness practitioner and experiential program designer known for his work at the intersection of consciousness, recovery, and immersive environments. His approach emphasizes safety, preparation, and integration within transformative wellness experiences. Diederik van Middelkoop is a wellness entrepreneur and retreat developer with deep experience in immersive and nature based modalities. His work focuses on designing environments that support psychological resilience, self regulation, and long term wellbeing. Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned: Structured darkness retreat protocols Pre retreat screening and preparation frameworks Post retreat integration practices Nervous system regulation principles Sensory reduction as a recovery modality Closing Insight: "Darkness does not create the experience. It reveals what is already there."   Looking for expert advice in Spa Consulting, with live training and online learning? Spa Consulting: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-consulting Live Training: wynnebusiness.com/live-education Online Learning: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-courses Other Links: Learn more about Ultimate Darkness Retreat: https://theultimatedarknessretreat.com/ Follow Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisastarrwynnebusiness, Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/at/podcast/starrcast/id1565223226 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/00tW92ruuwangYoLxR9WDd Watch the StarrCast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wynnebusiness Join us on Facebook: facebook.com/wynnebusiness/?ref=bookmarks Join us on Instagram: instagram.com/wynnebusiness

    1h 3m
  8. Creating the Next Generation of Wellness Hotels

    10/12/2025

    Creating the Next Generation of Wellness Hotels

    What happens when four of the most respected voices in global wellness hospitality gather in Milan to dissect the future of spa, hotel, and guest experience design? This episode brings together Matteo Brusaferri, Emlyn Brown, Lynn Curry, and Laszlo Puczko for a rare, insight-packed conversation recorded live at the Wellness Hospitality Conference. From evolving guest expectations to seismic shifts in design, investment, and operational strategy, this dialogue explores how wellness is redefining the fabric of hospitality worldwide. Listeners will walk away with a sharper understanding of the forces shaping wellness travel, the rise of new business models, and what hotels must do now to stay relevant in a transformed market. What You'll Learn: Why Italy is suddenly emerging as a powerhouse in global wellness hospitality The shift from "spa as amenity" to "wellbeing as a hotel-wide operating system" How design teams are rethinking movement, recovery, and nutrition inside luxury hotels The critical mistakes developers make when building spas, and the fixes that prevent costly rework Why wellness tourism needs a mindset shift from trends and technology to cultural alignment and guest resonance Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Why the Wellness Hospitality Conference was created and what it signals about Italy's industry evolution 04:09 – How international benchmarking helped elevate Italian spa standards 09:45 – The rise of club-style wellbeing spaces and the decline of the "amenity spa" 17:28 – Designing hotels for recovery: circadian lighting, room tech, and the future of the guest room 22:56 – The unseen complexity of spa operations and why most designs fail without operator input 31:40 – Thermal areas: cost, mistakes, and what must happen early in development 37:50 – Laszlo's "hamster wheel" analogy and how hotels can break free from trend-chasing 42:30 – How to craft micro-wellness experiences guests remember months later Meet the Guests: Matteo Brusaferri – Founder of the Wellness Hospitality Conference and General Manager of LEMI Group, leading innovation in Italian spa equipment and wellness design. Emlyn Brown – Group Director of Wellbeing, Mandarin Oriental. A global leader in wellness hotel development and next-generation hospitality concepts. Lynn Curry – Founder of Curry Spa Consulting and one of the most respected spa development experts in North America. Laszlo Puczko – Wellness tourism strategist and advisor known worldwide for integrating cultural insight, guest psychology, and destination development. Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned "Club, not spa" membership-driven urban wellness models Thermal bathing and pay-to-play hydrothermal concepts Guest memory mapping for long-term emotional retention Operational service-mapping for end-to-end spa experience Wellness OS as an integrated, property-wide design philosophy Closing Insight: "Wellness isn't what you offer, it's what the guest remembers months later." For leaders shaping the future of hospitality, this episode provides a roadmap for designing, operating, and investing in wellness experiences that matter.   Looking for expert advice in Spa Consulting, with live training and online learning? Spa Consulting: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-consulting Live Training: wynnebusiness.com/live-education Online Learning: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-courses   Other Links: Visit Wellness Hospitality Conference: https://www.wellnesshospitalityconference.it/it/:   Follow Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisastarrwynnebusiness, Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/at/podcast/starrcast/id1565223226 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/00tW92ruuwangYoLxR9WDd Watch the StarrCast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wynnebusiness Join us on Facebook: facebook.com/wynnebusiness/?ref=bookmarks Join us on Instagram: instagram.com/wynnebusiness

    48 min

About

The StarrCast: Where Wellness Works Hosted by Lisa Starr of Wynne Business, this podcast is your insider's guide to thriving in the world of wellness. Whether you're a seasoned spa director, wellness entrepreneur, or just launching your journey, each episode offers practical insights, proven tactics, and real stories from industry leaders. Stay ahead of the curve with expert interviews, trend breakdowns, and actionable strategies designed to help you grow a resilient, rewarding wellness career or business in today's ever-evolving landscape.