Check-In with Bryan

Bryan Fish

Welcome to Check-In with Bryan, your essential podcast for staying ahead in the dynamic world of hospitality. Hosted by Bryan Fish, CEO of Reliance Hospitality and a highly sought-after keynote speaker, this podcast dives deep into the strategic insights, evolving trends, and transformative ideas driving the hospitality and travel industries forward.    Drawing from Bryan’s extensive background in hospitality management, strategic planning, and business innovation, each episode features compelling discussions with influential industry leaders, hotel executives, investors, asset managers, and expert consultants. You’ll gain valuable insights into operational excellence, market developments, investment opportunities, asset optimization strategies, and relevant travel news influencing the hospitality landscape.   Designed specifically for hotel owners, operators, hospitality investors, travel professionals, and industry leaders, Check-In with Bryan empowers listeners to elevate their business strategies, harness industry-leading insights, and navigate the ever-evolving intersection of hospitality and travel.    Stay informed, inspired, and ahead of the competition with Bryan Fish and Reliance Hospitality.

  1. How Cody Adent is Transforming Hotel Management with Virtual GM's

    2 DAYS AGO

    How Cody Adent is Transforming Hotel Management with Virtual GM's

    What if your hotel could run seamlessly — with no front desk, no on-site staff, and 5-star reviews? In this episode of Check-In with Bryan, host Bryan Fish sits down with Cody Adent, President & CFO of Vibrant Management and host of The Virtual GM Podcast. Cody shares the game-changing process behind their Virtual GM model, which allows boutique hotels to operate profitably with remote teams and lean operations — often in properties with fewer than 40 rooms. 💡 Inside the episode: How Cody built a fully remote hospitality modelThe powerful role of stay-at-home moms in staffingTech tools like Akia that elevate guest communicationFinancial best practices for hotel owners (including reserves, budgeting, and navigating distributions)Why flexibility and transparency are the new gold standard in management contractsThis candid conversation dives deep into entrepreneurship, technology-driven hospitality, and the future of small hotels. Whether you’re a hotelier, investor, or aspiring operator, you’ll walk away with real, actionable insight into scaling properties without sacrificing service. 🎙️ Hosted by Bryan Fish, CEO of Reliance Hospitality 🎧 Tune in every Tuesday for new episodes — plus Friday Checkouts for weekly insights and behind-the-scenes commentary. 👉 Subscribe now and explore more at reliancehospitality.com #HospitalityInnovation #BoutiqueHotels #VirtualGM #HotelManagement #CheckInWithBryan

    39 min
  2. Karaoke in Airports, Grape Jelly Meatballs & Travel Plans to Northern Ireland

    6 DAYS AGO

    Karaoke in Airports, Grape Jelly Meatballs & Travel Plans to Northern Ireland

    From Instant Pot debates to airport karaoke fails, this week’s episode of Check-Out Fridays with Bryan and Tyler is full of laughs, updates, and future plans. Tune in as the duo catch up before their upcoming trip to New York and Northern Ireland, where they’ll be filming, podcasting, and collaborating with some familiar faces in hospitality and the arts. Inside this episode: A bizarre karaoke experience at Orlando International Airport 🎤Why Bryan swears by the Vortex Plus air fryer 🍗Nostalgic stories about grape jelly meatballs (yes, really)Travel updates: Upcoming production trip to Belfast & Dublin ✈️A special shoutout to Come From Away at the Lyric Theatre 🎭Plans for fall, holiday vibes, and entering a new season in life 🎃Bryan and Tyler also reflect on their 20s vs. 30s, the importance of planning for the year ahead, and how podcasting has helped them grow both creatively and personally. 🧳 Whether you’re working the Labor Day weekend shift or soaking up sweater weather, this episode brings light-hearted storytelling with a hospitality twist. 🎧 Check-In with Bryan drops new episodes every Tuesday & Friday. Subscribe for insights, industry stories, and a whole lot of real talk. #CheckInWithBryan #HospitalityPodcast #TravelAndTalks #BelfastTrip #FridayCheckout

    26 min
  3. Revolutionizing Hotel Development with AI – Brian Ahmes of Parafin

    26 AUG

    Revolutionizing Hotel Development with AI – Brian Ahmes of Parafin

    What if designing your next hotel could be done in minutes—not months? In this episode of Check-In with Bryan, we’re joined by Brian Ahmes, co-founder of Parafin, an AI-powered platform that’s transforming how developers evaluate sites, run financial models, and design hospitality projects. From his early architecture days at HKS to pitching radical hotel concepts to Hyatt’s C-suite, Brian shares an extraordinary journey blending design, data, and disruption. We dive into: How Parafin bridges the gap between architecture and financeWhy big brands like Hyatt and Marriott took noticeWhat it really takes to innovate in a slow-moving industryReal-world stories of pivoting from prefab pods to AI simulationsHow developers are using Parafin to streamline approvals and save moneyWhether you’re a developer, architect, or curious about the future of hotel design, this episode unpacks the intersection of creativity and computation—and what it means for the next generation of hospitality. 🔗 Learn more about Parafin at https://www.parafin.ai 🛎️ Subscribe for more conversations with innovators, executives, and creators shaping the travel & hospitality world. #HotelDevelopment #AIinRealEstate #HospitalityInnovation #CheckInWithBryan #ParafinAI

    43 min
  4. Jet Lag, Greek Food & Group Travel with Matthew Schueller

    22 AUG

    Jet Lag, Greek Food & Group Travel with Matthew Schueller

    This week’s Friday Checkout is packed with laughs, travel recaps, and real talk. Bryan and Tyler reunite (with working Wi-Fi!) to reflect on their recent Greece trip—from late-night pizza missions and legendary taxi drivers to overeating on cruise ships and Athens surprises. They also dive into the latest Check-In with Bryan episode featuring Matthew Schueller, where they explore the rise of community-driven group travel and how he transitioned from nursing to leading curated trips across the globe. The duo reflects on what it takes to turn followers into travel companions—and why online trolls probably won’t book the flight. Plus: •The return of George the waiter and Tomas the iconic taxi driver •Conference culture and how to make networking events worth it •A look ahead at next week’s guest: Brian Ames of Paraffin •Why Athens might be your next favorite destination (unexpectedly) 📺 Catch the full episode with Matthew Schueller now if you missed it—available on all platforms. 🎙 New interviews drop every Tuesday, and Friday Checkout is your fast-track update to wrap the week. — 🛎️ Subscribe for more hospitality, travel, and leadership conversations! 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. #CheckInWithBryan #HospitalityPodcast #GroupTravel #GreeceTrip #TravelCommunity

    23 min
  5. How Group Travel Helped Matthew Schueller Build Community

    19 AUG

    How Group Travel Helped Matthew Schueller Build Community

    “I’ve never felt more accepted or free to be myself.” That’s the kind of feedback Matthew Schueller gets from the travelers who join his global group trips — and in this episode of Check-In with Bryan, we explore exactly why. This heartfelt conversation welcomes back LGBTQ+ travel expert, content creator, and community builder Matthew Schueller, nearly a year after his first appearance. From launching 11 group trips in under 12 months to building a thriving global community through his new brand Sidequest Travel, Matthew shares how travel became a healing, connecting, and life-changing experience — not only for him, but for hundreds of others worldwide. 🎒 Inside the episode: The surprising story behind his first-ever group trip to GreeceHow he’s cultivated deep connections between strangers through travelLessons in loneliness, belonging, and post-pandemic transformationWhat it’s like building a travel company as a queer creatorHis advice on scaling impact-driven businesses while staying grounded Whether you’re a seasoned traveler, an aspiring founder, or just someone searching for connection, this episode will remind you how powerful intentional experiences can be — especially when community comes first. 👥 Learn more about Sidequest Travel: https://www.sidequesttravel.com 📲 Follow Matthew at @MichaelandMatt 🎧 Check-In with Bryan drops new episodes every Tuesday — and don’t miss our short-form Friday Checkout series! #LGBTQTravel #HospitalityLeadership #CommunityThroughTravel #CheckInPodcast #SidequestTravel

    37 min
  6. Greece Recap, Hospitality Reflections & Scott Clary Wisdom

    15 AUG

    Greece Recap, Hospitality Reflections & Scott Clary Wisdom

    From rooftop hammocks in Greece to hospitality soul-searching, Bryan takes us solo on this week’s Check-Out Friday. Hear all about a chaotic yet memorable group trip through Athens, Santorini, and Crete — with cruise surprises, internet meltdowns, and emotional wins. Bryan opens up about why this trip rekindled his love for hospitality, the impact of creating memories for guests, and the power of personal reinvention. Plus: •Virgin Voyages food upgrades & the magic of Gunbae dining •Hammock naps, Haagen-Dazs coupons, and Safeway surprises •Highlights from Scott Clary’s recent episode: “Architect the life you want to live” •Why gimmick-free content that matches your personality matters •Upcoming interviews, conferences, and a Sabrina Carpenter dilemma This episode is raw, reflective, and real — perfect for your weekend wind-down. 🎧 Subscribe for more episodes every Tuesday & Friday at 9 a.m. EST. 💬 Drop us a DM or comment with your favorite moment from the trip! #CheckOutFridays #HospitalityTalk #VirginVoyages #ContentCreation #ScottClary

    25 min
  7. Scott Clary on Building Teams That Give 150%

    12 AUG

    Scott Clary on Building Teams That Give 150%

    Want your team to give more than just their job description? In this episode of Check-In with Bryan, host Bryan Fish sits down with returning guest Scott Clary—entrepreneur, podcaster, and marketing strategist—to explore how great leaders can unlock 150% effort from their teams. The key? Helping employees achieve their career goals, even if it means eventually leaving your company. From real-world examples of team members who grew into their dream careers, to honest talk about quiet quitting, remote work, and the realities of being an introverted leader, Scott offers actionable strategies for building loyalty, productivity, and long-term success. You’ll learn: Why investing in employees’ personal growth pays off for everyoneHow to spot and prevent quiet quitting in your organizationThe benefits (and challenges) of remote-first teamsWhy newsletters are making a big comeback in content strategyHow to network as an introvert without burning out Whether you lead a small startup or a large hospitality brand, this conversation will challenge how you think about management, retention, and what it really means to lead with intention. 🎧 New episodes every Tuesday & Friday at 9 AM EST. 📍 Subscribe and follow for more conversations at the intersection of hospitality, leadership, and business. #LeadershipTips #TeamBuilding #CheckInWithBryan #ScottClary #BusinessGrowth

    39 min
  8. Scott Clary on Architecting a Life You Actually Enjoy

    6 AUG

    Scott Clary on Architecting a Life You Actually Enjoy

    What if the hustle is hurting more than helping? In this powerful episode of Check-In with Bryan, host Bryan Fish reconnects with Scott Clary—marketer, podcaster, and business strategist—to explore what it really means to architect a life you love. From cutting unnecessary meetings to rejecting hustle culture, Scott shares raw insights on building a career (and life) that’s sustainable, intentional, and aligned with who you truly are. Whether you’re a founder on the edge of burnout, a remote team leader, or someone rethinking their relationship with productivity, this episode will help you zoom out and reconsider what “success” actually looks like. You’ll hear: How Scott built a podcast empire 5 feet from his bedroomWhy more meetings ≠ more progressLessons from Guy Kawasaki on quitting the stage for the micThe myth of waking up at 5 a.m. (and other productivity traps)How to lead by supporting your team’s real long-term goals This episode is full of real talk, humor, and sharp insights—perfect for anyone navigating entrepreneurship in the modern world. 🎧 New episodes drop every Tuesday & Friday at 9 AM EST. 📍 Learn more at reliancehospitality.com #EntrepreneurMindset #PodcastGrowth #LeadershipTips #WorkLifeDesign #CheckInWithBryan

    45 min
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About

Welcome to Check-In with Bryan, your essential podcast for staying ahead in the dynamic world of hospitality. Hosted by Bryan Fish, CEO of Reliance Hospitality and a highly sought-after keynote speaker, this podcast dives deep into the strategic insights, evolving trends, and transformative ideas driving the hospitality and travel industries forward.    Drawing from Bryan’s extensive background in hospitality management, strategic planning, and business innovation, each episode features compelling discussions with influential industry leaders, hotel executives, investors, asset managers, and expert consultants. You’ll gain valuable insights into operational excellence, market developments, investment opportunities, asset optimization strategies, and relevant travel news influencing the hospitality landscape.   Designed specifically for hotel owners, operators, hospitality investors, travel professionals, and industry leaders, Check-In with Bryan empowers listeners to elevate their business strategies, harness industry-leading insights, and navigate the ever-evolving intersection of hospitality and travel.    Stay informed, inspired, and ahead of the competition with Bryan Fish and Reliance Hospitality.

Information

  • Creator
    Bryan Fish
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Check-In with Bryan
  • Show Website
    Check-In with Bryan