It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast

David Kong, Dorothy Dowling, Rachel Humphrey, Lan Elliott
  • 5.0 (7)
  • 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. 4d ago

    Eric Lent, Former SVP, Upscale Hotels, IHG Hotels & Resorts, interviewed by Lan Elliott

    Eric's guiding career advice dates back to age 17, when a cousin told him to strive to understand your client's business better than your client does, a principle he has carried into every role since. That same instinct shaped how he approached turnarounds later at IHG, where he made a point of listening widely, from frontline teams to owners to industry journalists, before ever proposing a plan.

  2. 5d ago

    Dr. Tim Flohr, Co-Founder, Hospitality Nexus, interviewed by Lan Elliott

    Tim’s insights remind us that growth rarely comes from having every answer. It comes from saying yes, listening closely, and treating people as the most important part of any conversation. His experience encourages us to see setbacks as turning points, not endings. Keep showing up for the unglamorous daily work, and choose action over analysis paralysis, since a wrong decision beats no decision. Above all, we are never finished becoming.

  3. Aug 16

    Peter Bheda, Chairman & CEO, Frontera Hotel Group, interviewed by Lan Elliott

    Peter’s career began emptying trash as a young immigrant houseman, teaching him never to look down on people. Leadership is a pattern of behavior, not a title: one part strategy, two part judgment, and three parts grace. He separates the risk to the business from the risk to his own ego - being wrong about an idea never means it was wrong to try - and believes listening and a willingness to learn matter more than any resume.

  4. Aug 14

    Karl Bieberach, SVP & Head of Global Development, Belmond, interviewed by Lan Elliott

    Karl's reflections encourage listeners to embrace opportunities that stretch them, even when uncertain, and to trust that growth lives just beyond comfort. He reminds us that failure is temporary and should not define our sense of self, and that preserving relationships matters more than winning every negotiation. Above all, he urges building a reputation rather than a resume, because character, not titles, determines which doors stay open.

  5. Aug 12

    Margaret Egan, EVP & General Counsel, Hyatt Hotels Corporation Interviewed by Rachel Humphrey

    Margaret discusses her 23 year career journey with Hyatt along with her legal career prior to that, including her leadership story, the role corporate purpose plays, and how she has evolved as attorneys have evolved into strategic business leaders. She talks about why self-awareness is such a valuable leadership trait, what she looks for when building great teams, and how she develops the new skills she needs to be successful. She also shares her advice to her younger self, her guiding star, and the one thing that would surprise people about her.

  6. Aug 7

    David Peller Travel Hospitality and Technology Board Member & Advisor interviewed by Dorothy Dowling

    Innovation Driven by Curiosity, Humility, and Purpose David Peller’s leadership journey is rooted in curiosity, problem-solving, and a lifelong fascination with technology. Introduced to computers at an early age, he learned to view innovation not as novelty but as finding better ways to overcome challenges. His formative leadership experience came while helping launch the first Wagamama restaurant in London, where he worked every role, reinforcing his belief that leaders should never consider themselves above the work. Throughout a career spanning Google, Booking.com, Amazon Web Services, and now a portfolio of board and advisory roles, he has embraced entrepreneurship, continuous learning, and meaningful relationships. Peller describes his career as shaped by both serendipity and intentional decisions. After years building new businesses inside global enterprises, he deliberately chose a portfolio career focused on mentoring founders, advising boards, and supporting organizations across industries and geographies. His philosophy centers on slowing down to understand the real problem before accelerating toward solutions, creating environments where ideas come from everywhere, and remaining stubborn on strategy while flexible in execution. Whether discussing AI, Asia’s digital transformation, or future leadership, he consistently emphasizes curiosity, adaptability, resilience, and learning.

  7. Jul 23

    Gyan Manohar Khurana Asst VP Dusit Hotels & Resorts interviewed by Dorothy Dowling

    Gyan Manohar Khurana’s leadership journey began with a conversation that changed the direction of his career. Encouraged by an early mentor who recognized his communication skills and commercial aptitude, he discovered that hospitality extended far beyond guest service into strategy, sales, and business performance. Since then, his career has been shaped by continuous learning, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace rapid technological change. As hospitality has become increasingly data-driven, he has learned that effective leaders remain humble, accept they cannot know everything, and build teams that bring diverse perspectives to every challenge.

  8. Jul 17

    Amanda Frasier, President, Standards & Ratings, Forbes Travel Guide, interviewed by Lan Elliott

    Amanda's career is a masterclass in treating uncertainty as opportunity rather than obstacle. Her willingness to say yes, paired with a mindfulness around chasing perfection, is a reminder that growth rarely comes from staying comfortable. Just as importantly, her approach to self-advocacy and relationship-building shows that confidence doesn't require volume - it requires clarity about one's own worth. For anyone navigating a career crossroads, her story is proof that authenticity, patience, and a willingness to take a leap can shape a lasting and meaningful path forward.

See All (312)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 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
    312
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
  • Show Website
    It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast

You Might Also Like