Are you interested in the world of retreats and community building?

Then you won't want to miss this week's conversation on The Conscious Hospitality Podcast.

This week's episode features Susie Arnett, Director of Wellness Programming for Six Senses Hotels, Resorts and Spas. Susie started her career in movie production before transitioning into the world of hospitality, focusing on retreats and wellness programming.

Susie is a master connector and she has built an exceptional global network of humans -- practitioners, healers, hospitality professionals, and more. She has also crafted special, transformative experiences throughout her life.

Susie's story is very special and in this conversation there are several fantastic insights:

• Matching your passion to your work.
• There's nothing more alive than a broken heart.
• Building your community early on.
• Placing yourself in different environments.
• Travel is about becoming someone else.
• The energy of a place.

And more!

Susie is such a generous person and she lives with an abundance mindset. Thank you, Susie, for being such a shining light and for being part of the podcast.

Please connect with Susie, all our other guests and with us as well. Click to subscribe!

Stay conscious, stay connected.

In this episode, David speaks to Tom Roelens, Managing Director of Atlantis Dubai, one of the most spoken about hotels in the world at the moment.

Prior to joining this fascinating project, Tom held executive leadership roles at Four Seasons, including the two resorts in Lana’i, Hawaii, where I had the pleasure of calling him my boss.

Tom, originally Flemish, is a true globetrotter, and he and his wife Sara love exploring different cultures and cuisines around the world.

In this episode, we discuss several important topics, including:

• Making the choice to have a great day.
• Maintaining your child-like essence.
• Pushing yourself towards excellence.
• Learning to truly enjoy the moment and not take anything for granted.
• Being respectful of other cultures.
• The power of heartfelt hospitality and living from the heart.

And much more.

Tom is truly an inspirational leader and a passionate hotelier, who is helping define the future of the industry through his leadership of one of the most iconic resorts in the world.

Thank you, Tom, for your time, your generosity, your friendship and your leadership.

Enjoy the episode, and remember to stay conscious and connected!

#hospitality #conscioushospitality #consciousleadership #care #mindset #generalmanager #leadership #luxury

This week's episode of The Conscious Hospitality Podcast features the great Simon Casson, Chief Executive Officer of Corinthia Hotels Limited.

Prior to joining Corinthia Hotels as CEO, Simon created a beautiful career for himself with one of the most prestigious luxury hotel brands in the world, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, becoming President for the EMEA region.

However, Simon's career has very humble beginnings, as he started out as a potwash, growing up the ranks.

Simon shares the story of his life and career, including his ambitions to grow and chase success, as well as the lessons learned from his journey.

This episode is full of great insights, including:

• Gratitude for nature and the small moments.
• Being gloriously YOU.
• The balance between harnessing empathy and driving excellence.
• The energy and light a leader can bring you.
• The counterintuitive power of vulnerability.

And much more!

This is a powerful and fascinating conversation.

Thank you, Simon, for your inspiration and leadership in our industry. 🙏

Stay conscious, stay connected!

#hospitality #leadership #ceo #conscioushospitality #consciousleadership #mindset #podcast

In this episode, David has the opportunity to speak to his friend Daniel Waite.

Dan is a hospitality consultant centered in the human side of the business. He has held roles in HR leadership in some recognized companies, including: Morgan's Hotel Group, Waldorf Astoria, Loews and SH Hotels. Daniel's passion is surrounding talent and how to get the best out of them.

Dan's leadership style is all about lighting a fire inside people. How do we inspire others to be better? Daniel has modeled his life on this idea and style.

In this wonderful episode, we discussed Daniel's upbringing and life stories, and there were several key insights. These include:

• Gratitude for our spouses and the support they provide us.

• Early watershed moments that cause a drastic shift in us.

• Pushing us beyond our comfort zones.
• How living on both sides of the track builds empathy.
• Pushing boundaries in hospitality with a human perspective.

And much more!

Dan also shared two fantastic references of content that has inspired him in his journey:

• Seth Godin - Logo vs Brand
• Richard Bolles - What Color is your Parachute?

Dan has worked for some revolutionary leaders, including Ian Schrager and Barry Sternlicht, so you know he brings some exceptional wisdom and insight with his journey.

Thank you, Dan, for your amazing perspective, and your openness to share your story with our listeners.

Enjoy the episode and remember to stay conscious, and stay connected.

In this bonus meditation episode from the Shift Your State series on the OPO app, Chris Connors guides us through a breathing session that will help bring your brain greater clarity and purpose.

Wherever you are, pop your headphones in, sit comfortably, and enjoy Chris's magical voice as he centers you and brings you back to presence.

In this epsiode, David has the honor of welcoming a "true OG of Hospitality", Bashar Wali.

Bashar has a 30-year career in hospitality, including GM roles with Starwood and then taking on Executive Leadership roles with Grand Heritage Hotel Group and Provenance Hotels. His first GM role was at the age of 27, and he has since built an inspiring career.

With over 30 years of experience, Bashar is an "OG" of hospitality. He is one of the most passionate believers in our industry and he has held strong views and opinions over the past two decades. In July 2020 Bashar founded This Assembly, a hotel development and advisory firm that is created to help us think differently about hospitality.

Bashar is highly versed and connected in the hospitality world, all thanks to the passion and conviction he has held throughout his life and career. His insight resonate deeply with thousands of hoteliers all over the world.

In this episode, we dive into some fascinating topics, including:

• The power of legitimate authority.
• Doing what you are passionate about.
• The importance of representing the feminine energy in the workplace.
• Being authentic in your point of view.
• The beauty of being part of a cult.
• How fear moves you away from your true self.

And much more!

Thank you, Bashar, for your wonderful wisdom and for always showcasing our industry under a beautiful light, inspiring everyone around you to be as fervently passionate about it. You are the inspiration. 🙏

You can connect with Bashar through his LinkedIn profile or on Instagram.

Enjoy!

#hospitality #conscioushospitality #leadership #consciousleadership #growth #mindset

In this episode, David has the pleasure of welcoming the fabulous Kate Buhler to the show.

Kate is an incredible woman and a true testament of what hospitality means. Kate started her career to supplement her livelihood as a performer, and she fell in love with the industry. She spent the first part of her career in a variety of roles in luxury hotels, before pivoting into the world of revenue management and training. With this change, she began Profitable to Train, and through this company she is an independent consultant, evaluator, trainer and public speaker.

Kate has also just released her book, Inhospitable: Lessons Learned from a Lifetime in Service, a MUST read for any hotel professional out there. In the book, she shares some fascinating stories of her times in hotels or working with teams.

This conversation is so fascinating, and we get into a variety of interesting topics, including:

• Gratitude for age.
• The power of embracing discomfort.
• Where to start in hospitality.
• Where hospitality is headed.
• How the WHY makes a smarter team member.
• Losing our curiosity as a society.

And so much more!

Thank you, Kate, for your wonderful presence and wisdom, and for sharing your story with us. Let's make the world (and our industry) more hospitable!

In this episode, David has a conversation with his friend Steve Turk, Managing Director at Turk Hospitality Ventures and founder of The Hospitality Mentor.

Steve is a true inspiration for everyone in hospitality and he has spent his career highlighting the passion in hotels and resorts. Originally from Miami, he has an impressive career of 24 years, first in operations in some of Miami’s most renowned hotels, working for brands like Loews Hotels, Mandarin Oriental, Nobu Hotels, Trump Hotels, Delano, and Viceroy, and then venturing out on his own as an entrepreneur.

This conversation is full of insights, which is no surprise considering the expansive career Steve brings with him.

Some highlights include:

• Being born with leadership qualities.
• The power of growing up in a diverse culture and leading international teams.
• Motivating different demographics by being present.
• From cabana boy to leading teams in the best hotels throughout Miami.
• Having loyalty to people vs teams.
• How to measure career decisions.
• Holding proper one on ones with your team.
• Power vs. opportunity.

And much, much more!

Steve's energy is contagious; he's the leader we all wish we had in our careers, ready to up your game and push you to be better. He has a broad range of perspectives that make this episode stellar.

Enjoy and remember to stay conscious and stay connected! Thank you!