It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast

David Kong, Dorothy Dowling, Rachel Humphrey, Lan Elliott
  • 5.0 (5)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

At It’s Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast, we believe that leadership is shaped as much by setbacks and self-doubt as by achievements and accolades. That’s why we go beyond titles and résumés to uncover the personal journeys of hospitality leaders—the moments of vulnerability, resilience, and courage that define true success.  Since 2022, our mission has been to empower the next generation of leaders by sharing unfiltered stories of growth from across the industry. With more than 250 interviews and counting, we’ve built a library of candid conversations that reveal not only strategies for professional advancement, but also lessons in authenticity, balance, and perseverance. Recognized each year by the International Hospitality Institute as a top hospitality podcast, It’s Personal Stories continues to inspire dreamers and doers to push boundaries, embrace challenges, and pursue their goals with confidence. Learn more and watch the Interviews at www.ItsPersonalStories.com and Follow Us here on LinkedIn.

  1. 5D AGO

    Laura Smith_ Executive Vice President_ Global Sales and Partnerships at Hertz Interviewed by Dorothy Dowling

    Laura Smith’s career began far from a traditional sales path. After studying languages and starting as a teacher, she joined an airline, where early experience in a lost baggage call center shaped her belief in leading with empathy. She explains that empathy shapes trust and culture, and those two things shape performance. When asked in 2020 to lead the global sales organization at Hertz, she relied on people skills, reliability, and a strong team foundation to step into commercial leadership during extraordinary change, including bankruptcy and a complete reset of the business. Smith defines exceptional sales leadership as building an engine that hits the numbers every time, focused on daily behaviors, consistency, and culture as the performance multiplier. She emphasizes preparation, listening more than speaking, understanding the human in the room, knowing the decision maker, and conducting the meeting before and after the meeting. Through uncertainty, she believes in over communication, short-term priorities, celebrating wins, and reminding teams that they can do hard things. Moving from Ireland to the United States reinforced resilience, trust in opportunity, and the power of team. Notable Quotes •        “Leading with empathy shapes trust, it shapes culture.” •        “Sales at the end of the day is really solving problems.” •        “An exceptional sales leader builds an engine that hits the numbers every time.” •        “You cannot over communicate in scenarios of deep change and grave     uncertainty.” •        “Change is the most incredible mechanism for real growth.”

    30 min

  2. FEB 8

    Liz Dahlager, Chief Operating Officer & Partner, Mereté Hotel Management, interviewed by Lan Elliott

    Liz emphasizes sustained career growth comes from consistently asking what comes next and seeking opportunities beyond defined roles. She explains the importance of expanding perspective by understanding how different functions connect, particularly financial and operational considerations, and encourages professionals at all levels to learn the broader business language. By intentionally exposing herself to unfamiliar areas, she was able to contribute in more meaningful ways and open new opportunities for growth.

    35 min

  3. FEB 4

    Calvin Stovall, CEO, Iconic Presentations, interviewed by Rachel Humphrey

    Calvin talks about his journey from hotel desk agent to keynote speaker to published author of Hidden Hospitality. He discusses the importance of sponsorship, the keys to how the hospitality industry can increase diversity at the leadership level, and his thoughts on public speaking. He shares what he wants his sons to learn from his recent experiences, why we should all bet on ourselves, and how his leadership is evolving through better listening and patience.

    32 min

  4. FEB 4

    Suzanne Bagnera, Director of Executive Education, Florida International University, Interviewed by Rachel Humphrey

    Suzanne discusses how her transferable skills have aided her hospitality journey from restaurants to hotels to academia and podcasting and how she develops new skills with each role. She shares her strategies for achieving work life harmony, one thing people don't know about her, and what advice she'd give to her younger self. Suzanne talks about her leadership evolution, how the next generation sees leadership today, and her strategies for public speaking and how they've changed since her first big opportunity.

    34 min

  5. JAN 29

    Michelle Russo, Founder & CEO, hotelAVE, interviewed by Lan Elliott

    Michelle’s insights reinforce that personal success is built through curiosity, preparation, and intentional choices. Her advice encourages professionals to rely on data, communicate clearly, and focus on areas where they can create real impact. By advocating for yourself with confidence, building authentic relationships, and staying curious, you position yourself for sustained growth. Her message reminds us that doing work you love fuels excellence, resilience, and long-term fulfillment.

    28 min

  6. JAN 24

    Myra Biblowit, Board Director, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Interviewed by Rachel Humphrey

    Myra shares how choosing and emulating strong role models shaped her leadership and why she puts so much effort into every single public speaking opportunity. She discusses the ways her self-awareness and self-confidence show up in her career decisions and how her leadership has evolved over time. Myra talks about board service, advice to her younger self, and what leadership traits she looks for in hiring and she thinks makes for great corporate leaders.

    30 min

  7. JAN 23

    Anne Larcade, CEO, Sequel Hotel and Resorts Interviewed by Dorothy Dowling

    As her career advanced, Anne describes finding her voice through preparation and experience rather than position. Confidence, she notes, developed over time as she learned to trust data, ask questions, and take responsibility for outcomes. She speaks candidly about moments that required courage, including taking calculated risks and ultimately buying out partners to form Sequel Hotels and Resorts. Those decisions reinforced her belief that leadership demands ownership, conviction, and a willingness to stand alone when necessary. Resilience became a defining theme in her journey, strengthened through personal loss, reinvention, and navigating uncertainty.

    33 min

  8. JAN 5

    Nelson Knight, President, Real Estate and Investments, Apple Hospitality REIT, interviewed by Rachel Humphrey

    Nelson discusses balancing tradition with innovation in family businesses. He shares his leadership evolution, leaning into curiosity to challenge the status quo, and overcoming self-doubt. Nelson talks about self care and why he'd tell his younger self and others to enjoy each phase of life more.

    28 min
See All (285)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

At It’s Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast, we believe that leadership is shaped as much by setbacks and self-doubt as by achievements and accolades. That’s why we go beyond titles and résumés to uncover the personal journeys of hospitality leaders—the moments of vulnerability, resilience, and courage that define true success.  Since 2022, our mission has been to empower the next generation of leaders by sharing unfiltered stories of growth from across the industry. With more than 250 interviews and counting, we’ve built a library of candid conversations that reveal not only strategies for professional advancement, but also lessons in authenticity, balance, and perseverance. Recognized each year by the International Hospitality Institute as a top hospitality podcast, It’s Personal Stories continues to inspire dreamers and doers to push boundaries, embrace challenges, and pursue their goals with confidence. Learn more and watch the Interviews at www.ItsPersonalStories.com and Follow Us here on LinkedIn.

Information

  • Creator
    David Kong, Dorothy Dowling, Rachel Humphrey, Lan Elliott
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    285
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
  • Show Website
    It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast