The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald

Ashleigh and Michael Donald
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Welcome to "The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh & Michael Donald". With over 40 years working in the hospitality industry, we’ve had some incredible experiences, and as a husband-and-wife team, we continue to forge a path through business and life. Through this podcast, we would like to share some of these experiences and hope that we can help anyone who is on a similar journey.

  1. Episode 38: The Night Manager Effect

    2D AGO

    Episode 38: The Night Manager Effect

    This episode is inspired by Season 2 of The Night Manager (starring Tom Hiddleston), but this one has fewer silk shirts and less international espionage and a bit more fire alarms at 3 am, overbooked nights, and being the person everyone relies on when the hotel and its guests are at their most vulnerable. Ashleigh and Michael look back on their own time working nights across very different properties, from Dublin city centre to remote resort hotels and five-star London properties. They unpack why the night manager role is often misunderstood and why it is one of the most important positions in any hotel: equal parts leader, problem solver, host, safety officer, and communicator. They talk candidly about what hotels can often get wrong, from under-resourcing and limited training to treating nights as a gap to fill rather than a development opportunity. They also share what the role teaches you fast: operational fluency across every department, decision making under pressure, trust and discretion, and the discipline that protect the day team and the guest experience. Connect with Us: Email: ⁠⁠podcast@gohalo.co.uk Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠  LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠ Book your ticket to NoVacancy London 2026 https://www.terrapinn.com/novacancyldn/gohalo-reg Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode. We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email podcast@gohalo.co.uk if you are interested.

    33 min
  2. Episode 37: People & Performance with Dan Barnes, from Flourish Hospitality

    FEB 11

    Episode 37: People & Performance with Dan Barnes, from Flourish Hospitality

    What does it take to build confident teams, strengthen service culture, and lead with practical clarity in today’s hospitality landscape? In this episode of The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories, Ashleigh and Michael Donald are joined by Dan Barnes, Founder and Managing Director of Flourish Hospitality, for a thoughtful discussion on people, performance, and the leadership behaviours that truly shape guest experience. With more than 25 years of experience across luxury hotels, private members’ clubs, restaurants, and major London pre-openings, Dan shares insights from a career dedicated to learning and development. The conversation explores how onboarding, coaching, and consistent standards drive retention, why early investment in soft skills builds stronger future leaders, and how hospitality can continue to differentiate itself through human connection in an increasingly digital world. From generational engagement and practical training design to the evolving role of technology in learning delivery, this episode offers grounded, operationally relevant perspectives for hospitality leaders, operators, and anyone passionate about building high-performing teams. Connect with Us: Email: ⁠⁠podcast@gohalo.co.uk Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠   flourishhospitality.co.uk Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠, ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠ and @flourish_hospitality LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠, Dan Barnes Book your ticket to NoVacancy London 2026 https://www.terrapinn.com/novacancyldn/gohalo-reg Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode. We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email podcast@gohalo.co.uk if you are interested.

    39 min
  3. Episode 36: For the Love of Hospitality

    FEB 4

    Episode 36: For the Love of Hospitality

    In this episode of The Halo Effect, Ashleigh and Michael Donald explore what Valentine's Day really means in hospitality and why operators may want to move beyond the old predictable formulas. With February now positioned as a full “month of romance”, they unpack how hotels and restaurants can stand out in an increasingly crowded calendar by focusing on experience-led, connection-driven programming rather than generic offers. From rethinking in-room amenities and questioning the real value of the classic bottle of champagne, to the rise of low and no-alcohol preferences, provenance-led British sparkling wine, and more considered welcome moments, this episode looks at romance through a practical and commercial lens. This is an episode about moving beyond the set menu and the single date, and instead designing hospitality experiences that feel personal and genuinely human. Connect with Us: Email: ⁠⁠podcast@gohalo.co.uk Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠ Book your ticket to NoVacancy London 2026 https://www.terrapinn.com/novacancyldn/gohalo-reg Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode. We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email podcast@gohalo.co.uk if you are interested.

    27 min
  4. Episode 35: Fractional Marketing

    JAN 28

    Episode 35: Fractional Marketing

    Hotel marketing in 2026 is not just campaigns and content. It’s about leadership across brand, revenue operations, and guest experience. In this episode, Ashleigh and Michael unpack what fractional marketing support really means, and why it is becoming a serious advantage for hotels navigating tighter margins, shifting guest behaviour, AI-driven discovery, cookieless marketing, and constant operational pressure. They break down where fractional support delivers the most impact: openings and relaunches, repositioning projects, CRM and guest communications audits (including Revinate), F&B concept launches, awards strategies, and building a consistent service culture that matches the brand promise. Connect with Us: Email: ⁠⁠podcast@gohalo.co.uk Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠ Book your ticket to NoVacancy London 2026 https://www.terrapinn.com/novacancyldn/gohalo-reg Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode. We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email podcast@gohalo.co.uk if you are interested.

    36 min
  5. Episode 34: Wellness Resets in 2026

    JAN 21

    Episode 34: Wellness Resets in 2026

    January is the month of resets, but guests do not leave their wellness intentions at home when they travel. In this episode, Ashleigh and Michael explore what “supportive wellness” could look like in hospitality, without becoming preachy, restrictive, or trend-led. From the rise of the no and low alcohol movement and supplement culture, to why “environment beats willpower”, they discuss how hotels can reduce friction and make healthier choices feel effortless. They also cover practical, operational realities: VIP amenities that miss the mark, sleep disruption, gym usability, room temperature, and the importance of getting the basics right year-round. Connect with Us: Email: ⁠⁠podcast@gohalo.co.uk Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠ Book your ticket to NoVacancy London 2026 https://www.terrapinn.com/novacancyldn/gohalo-reg Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode. We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email podcast@gohalo.co.uk if you are interested.

    32 min
  6. Episode 33: New Year Planning and the Pomodoro Technique

    JAN 14

    Episode 33: New Year Planning and the Pomodoro Technique

    In this episode, we take a proper pause after our first week back of the New Year to reflect on what we’re building and how to set your plans up for success, whether you’re running a hotel, leading a team, or growing a business. We talk through why January is the perfect moment to review last year’s results, sense-check your strategy, and update/set your goals for the year. We also share some productivity tips to help make smarter decisions fast, before the year gets away from you. In this episode, we cover: New year planning that sticks ABCs of Hotel Marketing The Pomodoro Technique and how it helps productivity Festive debriefs and Employee review meetings Employer branding and succession planning The Pomodoro Technique and how it helps productivity AI as an assistant Awards and visibility Book your ticket to NoVacancy London 2026 https://www.terrapinn.com/novacancyldn/gohalo-reg Best SME Awards (entries close 22 January 2026, 6pm) https://bestsmeawards.co.uk/ Connect with Us: Email: ⁠⁠podcast@gohalo.co.uk Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode. We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email podcast@gohalo.co.uk if you are interested.

    38 min

  7. JAN 7

    Episode 32: ABCs of Storytelling

    In a world of AI assistants, bots and generative search, a clear and consistent story is no longer a nice-to-have. It is essential. In this episode, Ashleigh and Michael unpack Halo’s ABCs of Storytelling - a practical framework to help hotels and hospitality brands own their narrative from first search to post-stay review. They explore how to join the dots between what is promised in marketing and what guests actually experience on property. Whether you are opening, rebranding or looking to sharpen an existing hotel story, this conversation will help give you a simple structure with plenty of real-world examples. Connect with Us: Email: ⁠⁠podcast@gohalo.co.uk Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode. We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email podcast@gohalo.co.uk if you are interested.

    31 min

  8. 12/10/2025

    Episode 31: 2026 Travel Trends - Part III

    In this third instalment of our 2026 travel and hospitality trends series, Ashleigh and Michael discuss how travel is shifting from escape to expansion. Drawing on the brilliant Forbes trend series by travel writer Angelina Villa Clarke, alongside insights from The Future Laboratory, Fox Communications and leading hotel brands, they explore what guests will really be looking for in the years ahead. From “sub-holidaying” and “puddling” to sleep tourism, AI-driven discovery and sports travel, this episode looks at how hotels and destinations can respond with more thoughtful, memorable and commercially smart experiences. Connect with Us: Email: ⁠⁠podcast@gohalo.co.uk Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode. We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email podcast@gohalo.co.uk if you are interested.

    35 min
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About

Welcome to "The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh & Michael Donald". With over 40 years working in the hospitality industry, we’ve had some incredible experiences, and as a husband-and-wife team, we continue to forge a path through business and life. Through this podcast, we would like to share some of these experiences and hope that we can help anyone who is on a similar journey.

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