In this episode, Cody & Meagan pull back the curtain on one of the biggest myths in hospitality: that running a rental is “passive income.” With humor, honesty, and plenty of real-life stories, they break down what guests think operators do all day versus the invisible work that actually keeps properties running.

From last-minute emergencies to emotional labor no one prepares you for, this episode shines a light on the reality behind great hospitality—and why consistency is harder than growth.

🔹 Cold Open: The Illusion
“What do guests imagine we do all day?”
Cue the sunsets, coffee sipping, and magically self-cleaning rooms. Cody & Meagan kick things off with laughs before diving straight into reality.

🔹 Segment 1: The Invisible Work
The work guests never see:

• Turnovers and tight timelines
• Maintenance chaos
• Logistics and coordination
• Emotional labor
• Real-time guest problem solving

They share funny emergency stories, last-minute saves, and answer the question:
👉 What’s the hardest part of the job no one ever notices?

🔹 Segment 2: Why Consistency Is Harder Than Growth
Growth looks exciting—but consistency is where operators are tested. This segment covers:

• Systems and standards
• Burnout risk
• Repetition fatigue
• Scaling without losing quality

👉 Anyone can grow. Very few can stay excellent.

🔹 Segment 3: The Reward Side
To balance it all out, Cody & Meagan talk about why it’s worth it:

• Guest memories
• Repeat visitors
• Emotional wins
• Meaningful hospitality moments

Closing reflection:
👉 We’re not selling rooms. We’re hosting milestones.

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Spring Break bookings are chaos season—and in this episode, Cody and Meagan break down why. This isn’t normal travel behavior. It’s emotional, urgent, and often stressful. Guests aren’t just booking a room… they’re booking relief.

With an energetic, observational, and practical tone, this episode helps operators understand the psychology behind Spring Break bookings and what actually pushes guests to click “Book Now.”

🔹 Cold Open: Chaos Season Is Here
Cody and Meagan kick things off with light banter and real-life stories about how Spring Break travel feels different from every other season—higher urgency, group dynamics, emotional decision-making, and planning pressure. The stage is set for why this season matters so much.

👉 Key mindset shift: Guests aren’t shopping for features—they’re shopping for peace of mind.

🔹 Segment 1: The Emotional Booking Brain
Spring Break is an emotional purchase, not a logical one.

Cody and Meagan explore what different guests really want:

• Families want zero stress
• Parents want predictability and safety
• Groups want fun and social space
• Couples want escape and vibe

They dig into questions like:

• What are guests afraid of getting wrong?
• What actually ruins a Spring Break trip?
• What makes parents feel confident hitting “book”?

Operator takeaway:
Remove friction, overcommunicate clarity, and sell confidence—not complexity.

🔹 Segment 2: What Actually Makes Them Book
Framed as a friendly debate, this segment breaks down the real conversion drivers:

• Sleep comfort
• Easy food setup
• Clear location info
• Photos that tell a story
• Fast, responsive messaging

Cody and Meagan challenge each other with questions like:

• What’s the first thing you judge in a listing?
• Do bad photos instantly kill trust?
• Do guests care more about beds or kitchens?

The result: practical insights you can apply immediately.

🔹 Segment 3: Why Guests Bounce
They unpack the hidden deal-breakers that quietly destroy conversions:

• Confusing layouts
• Unclear sleeping arrangements
• Surprise fees
• Parking mysteries
• Slow or unclear communication

👉 The big takeaway: Conversion = clarity + confidence.

🔹 Closing: Easy Wins Every Property Can Apply
Cody and Meagan wrap with a simple truth:

“Spring Break guests don’t want perfect — they want easy.”

Listeners are encouraged to audit their own listings from a guest’s perspective and remove anything that creates hesitation or stress.

This episode is packed with mindset shifts and quick wins that can immediately improve Spring Break performance—and every peak season after.

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In this episode, Cody and Meagan revisit the heart of what this podcast is all about: being a Virtual GM. With remote operations becoming the norm—not the exception—this conversation is a must-listen for any owner or operator looking to manage smarter, leaner, and more flexibly.

Meagan brings a rare perspective, having served as a Virtual GM since 2020, navigating the hospitality industry through massive change. From pandemic-era pivots to today’s tech-driven workflows, she shares real-world lessons learned and what it truly takes to succeed virtually in 2026.

🔹 Segment 1: What It Really Means to Be a Virtual GM
Cody and Meagan break down the role of a Virtual GM and how it differs from traditional on-site management.

🔹 Segment 2: Lessons Learned Since 2020
Meagan reflects on the biggest operational shifts, guest behavior changes, and leadership lessons that emerged through the most transformative years in hospitality.

🔹 Segment 3: Tools That Make Virtual Management Work
From PMS and messaging platforms to automation and reporting tools, Meagan outlines the most important systems every Virtual GM needs.

🔹 Segment 4: Tips, Tricks & Best Practices for 2026
The episode wraps with actionable insights on communication, accountability, service standards, and how to keep the guest experience seamless—even when managing from afar.

If you’re considering virtual management—or already doing it—this episode delivers the blueprint to run your property efficiently while staying deeply connected to your guests.

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Meagan rejoins Cody for a timely and future-focused conversation on one of the most transformative forces in hospitality: Artificial Intelligence. As guest expectations rise and teams remain lean, AI is quickly becoming a must-have—not a nice-to-have—for properties heading into 2026.

In this episode, Cody and Meagan break down how hoteliers can realistically use AI today—without needing a tech background or massive budget.

🔹 Segment 1: Why AI Matters in Hospitality in 2026
Cody and Meagan discuss why AI adoption is accelerating and how properties that ignore it risk falling behind.

🔹 Segment 2: Using AI in Daily Hotel Operations
From guest communication and content creation to internal workflows, they share practical ways AI can save time, reduce errors, and improve consistency.

🔹 Segment 3: AI-Powered Marketing in 2026
Cody shares exciting insights into how AI can:

• Improve website conversions
• Personalize marketing messages
• Enhance email and paid ad performance
• Help properties compete with larger brands

🔹 Segment 4: Getting Started Without Overwhelm
They close with advice on how to adopt AI thoughtfully—starting small, staying human, and using AI to enhance (not replace) hospitality.

Whether you’re AI-curious or already experimenting, this episode gives you a clear roadmap for using AI to operate smarter and market better in 2026.

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In this episode, Cody welcomes Audrey Yates, Vice President of Hotel Partnerships at Stash Hotel Rewards, to break down what truly makes loyalty programs work for independent hotels—without sacrificing brand identity or guest experience.

Cody and Audrey dive into how Stash empowers independent properties to compete with big brands by offering meaningful loyalty benefits, driving repeat stays, and increasing direct bookings—while still letting hotels stay true to their unique story.

🔹 Segment 1: What Makes Stash Hotel Rewards Different
Audrey explains how Stash was built specifically for independent hotels, focusing on quality, experience, and alignment—not cookie-cutter points systems.

🔹 Segment 2: Why Loyalty Matters More Than Ever
With rising acquisition costs and increased OTA competition, Cody and Audrey discuss how loyalty programs like Stash help hotels retain guests and strengthen long-term relationships.

🔹 Segment 3: Best Practices for Independent Properties Using Loyalty
From positioning loyalty at check-in to weaving it into digital touchpoints, this segment covers how to maximize Stash’s impact.

🔹 Segment 4: Top 5 Independent Hospitality Events You Should Attend
Cody and Audrey wrap up by sharing their top events for networking, education, and growth in independent hospitality:

1. Independent Lodging Congress – https://ilcongress.com/
   
   
2. Independent Hotel Show – https://independenthotelshow.us/
   
   
3. AHLA Events – https://www.ahla.com/events
   
   
4. HITEC – https://www.hitec.org/
   
   
5. Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association (BLLA) – https://blla.org/
   
   

Whether you’re running a boutique hotel, independent resort, or lifestyle property, this episode is packed with insight on loyalty, community, and where to show up in the industry.

Learn more about Stash Hotel Rewards: https://www.stashrewards.com/

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In this episode, Cody sits down with special guest J. Viola, Chief Operating Officer at Hotel Interactive, to pull back the curtain on one of the most impactful event series in hospitality: BITAC.

Cody and J. dive into what truly sets BITAC events apart from traditional conferences—from the highly curated format to the quality of relationships built in the room. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or underwhelmed by large trade shows, this episode explains why BITAC continues to stand out year after year.

🔹 Segment 1: What Makes BITAC Different
J. shares how BITAC’s invitation-only structure, balanced buyer-to-supplier ratio, and intentional networking create meaningful conversations—not badge scanning chaos.

🔹 Segment 2: Why Hospitality Leaders Keep Coming Back
With 88.5% of attendees being first-time participants last year, BITAC continues to attract fresh perspectives while maintaining a high-caliber audience of decision-makers.

🔹 Segment 3: Cody’s Role as Master of Ceremonies
Cody announces his exciting role as Master of Ceremonies for six BITAC events this year:

• BITAC Luxury
• BITAC Operations 2026
• BITAC Casino Resorts 2026
• BITAC Purchasing & Design Summer 2026
• BITAC Purchasing & Design Fall 2026
• BITAC Owners Fall 2026

🔹 Segment 4: Why These Events Matter for Your Career & Business
From owners and operators to vendors and brand leaders, Cody and J. explain why BITAC is one of the most efficient ways to build relationships, source solutions, and stay ahead of industry trends.

If you’re serious about growing in hospitality and attending events that actually move the needle, this episode is a must-listen.

Learn more about BITAC events here: https://www.bitac.net/

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In this episode, Cody and Meagan dive into the powerful world of micro-moments—those small, often overlooked guest interactions that can build lasting loyalty and boost your property’s reputation.

🔹 Segment 1: What the Heck is a Micro-Moment?
Discover what micro-moments really are and why they matter more than ever in hospitality.

🔹 Segment 2: Stories from Real Properties
Cody and Meagan share inspiring examples of micro-moments that made a huge impact on guests and businesses.

🔹 Segment 3: Where Micro-Moments Come From
Understand the origins of these meaningful moments and how your team can spot opportunities to create them.

🔹 Segment 4: How to Implement Micro-Moments Today
Practical tips and strategies you can start using right now to elevate your guest experience and build stronger loyalty.

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Kick off 2026 with Meagan and Cody as they dive into everything you need to start the new year strong in boutique hospitality. This special New Year’s Day episode is all about fresh energy, new goals, and smart upgrades to set your property apart.

🔹 Segment 1: New Year Guest Vibes
Learn what guests are expecting in the new year and how to match those fresh vibes to boost guest satisfaction and bookings.

🔹 Segment 2: Quick Upgrades for a Fresh Start
Simple, actionable upgrades you can make now that will have an immediate impact on your guest experience and property appeal.

🔹 Segment 3: Top 5 Goals for 2026
Meagan and Cody share their personal and professional goals for 2026—and offer inspiration to help you set your own hospitality goals for a successful year.

Whether you’re a boutique inn, a small hotel, or a vacation rental, this episode is your guide to starting 2026 with momentum and purpose.

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