PODCAST · education
The Social Hotelier
by Sam-Erik Ruttmann
A podcast that inspires hoteliers to create meaningful and memorable experiences for their customers, in pursuit of their passion.I share my views and experiences relating to hospitality, tech trends and also relating to humanity. I am sitting down with world-class speakers, leading industry suppliers, top performing hoteliers, sharing about their inspiration, lessons they learned and how to make an impact.
Episodes
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The Sea of Sameness: Why Hotels Need a Strong Point of View. TSHS 164
The Sea of Sameness: Why Hotels Need a Strong Point of View What does the future of hospitality look like when marketing, technology, education, leadership, branding, and entrepreneurship collide? In this episode of The Social Hotelier Podcast, host Sam-Erik Ruttmann sits down with Susan Barry,...
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Can AI Make Hospitality More Human? The Future of Guest Experience with Jessie Fischer TSHS – 163
Can technology make hospitality feel more human? That’s the question at the center of this conversation with Jessie Fischer, Founder of GuestOS. Growing up in a family-owned hotel business at the gateway to Yosemite National Park, Jessie learned early that great hospitality isn’t about…
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The Truth About Success in the Hospitality Industry. TSHS-162
The Truth About Success in the Hospitality Industry Learn real hospitality leadership lessons from Christian Grage, Managing Director, DER Touristik Hotels & Resorts. Gain practical advice on navigating hotel management challenges. What does it really take to build a 42-year global hospitality...
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From Michelin-rated Kitchens to CEO Mindset: The Truth About Hospitality Leadership. TSHS – 161
From Michelin-rated Kitchens to CEO Mindset: The Truth About Hospitality Leadership What does true excellence in luxury hospitality really look like behind the scenes? In this episode of the Social Hotelier Podcast, Sam Erik Ruttmann sits down with Chef Franck Desplechin to explore the realities…
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Can Hotels Survive Without Embracing These Changes? TSHS-160
How might culture be quietly shaping—and limiting—your leadership? Tanja Saarinen Chávez shares global stories revealing how Cultural Intelligence (CQ) transforms communication, guest experience, and leadership in an increasingly connected world.
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From Sauna Ritual to Design Philosophy: A Finnish Architect’s Approach. TSHS – 159
From Sauna Ritual to Design Philosophy: A Finnish Architect’s Approach What if the future of hospitality, wellness, and architecture lies not in adding more—but in building less, feeling more, and reconnecting deeply with ourselves? In this thought-provoking conversation, architect Mikko Jakonen...
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China vs West in AI: What Leaders Don’t See Coming. TSHS-158
Is the West really leading the global AI race—or are we missing the bigger picture? In this episode, AI strategist Jayanth N Kolla returns for his sixth appearance to unpack the rapidly shifting balance of power between China and the West in artificial intelligence, and what it means for the...
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Sober Travel Trends 2026: Why hotels must rethink Alcohol in guest experience. TSHS – 157
Sober Travel Trends 2026: Why hotels must rethink Alcohol in guest experience. This episode features Teresa Bergen, a travel writer and expert on sober travel, discussing how hospitality can better include non-drinkers, the rise of alcohol-free experiences, and innovative strategies for hotels to...
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The Truth About Being a Travel Influencer in 2026.TSHS-156
The Truth About Being a Travel Influencer in 2026. TSHS-156 Join us as we explore the journey of Kia Finska, @kiafinska, a Finnish travel and social media creator, who transitioned from cybersecurity to building a global travel brand. Discover her insights on authentic travel experiences,...
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The Future of Vacation Ownership | Derek DeSalvia on Industry Evolution. TSHS – 155
The Future of Vacation Ownership | Derek DeSalvia on Industry Evolution. In this episode, Derek DeSalvia, EVP and Chief Customer Officer at Hilton Grand Vacations, shares insights on the evolution of vacation ownership, industry trends, guest experience, and leadership in hospitality. “Hosting...
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Leadership, Culture & Service Excellence in Luxury Hospitality with Sean McCarron.TSHS-154
⏳Luxury hospitality is often associated with beautiful hotels, elegant design, and flawless experiences. But behind every memorable stay is something far more important: people, culture, and leadership that shows up every single day. In this conversation, Sean McCarron, General Manager of Conrad...
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Why Qualified Candidates Don’t Get Interviews: What Recruiters Really Look for in a Resume TSHS-153
Why Qualified Candidates Don’t Get Interviews: What Recruiters Really Look for in a Resume Why do so many qualified candidates get overlooked before they ever reach the interview stage? In this episode, former recruiter Megan Applegate explains how recruiters scan resumes in seconds, what...
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She Couldn’t Use a Smartphone. Her Son Changed That for Tens of Thousands TSHS – 152
She Couldn’t Use a Smartphone. Her Son Changed That for Tens and Thousands In this episode of The Social Hotelier, Sam-Erik Ruttmann sits down with Matt Smith, founder of Speak2, to discuss one of the most overlooked challenges in our digital world — technology exclusion among older generations....
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Elizabeth Mullins on Building Hotels That Change Lives. TSHS-151
Elizabeth Mullins on Building Hotels That Change Lives ⏳Most people think hospitality is about rooms, service, and luxury standards. But in reality, the industry is fundamentally about how we make people feel — and how we create connection in an increasingly disconnected world. In this...
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Antarctica, Climate & Leadership — Why the Poles Matter More Than Ever with Robyn Woodhead TSHS – 150
Antarctica, Climate & Leadership — Why the Poles Matter More Than Ever with Robyn Woodhead Join for an insightful discussion with Robyn Woodhead, a pioneer in responsible Antarctic tourism and environmental advocacy. Robyn shares her experiences exploring the polar regions, the importance of...
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Technology Won’t Save Your Hotel (Here’s What Will) – A Conversation with Dr. Meng-Mei Chen.TSHS -149
Technology Won’t Save Your Hotel (Here’s What Will) – A Conversation with Dr. Meng-Mei (Maggie) Chen I In this episode of The Social Hotelier Show, Dr. Meng-Mei (Maggie) Chen, with Faculty in Marketing, at EHLＨospitality Business School, Lausanne, Switzerland, challenges the industry’s obsession...
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The Future of Luxury Hotels: Why Lifestyle Ecosystems Will Replace Traditional Hospitality.TSHS – 148
The Future of Luxury Hotels: Why Lifestyle Ecosystems Will Replace Traditional Hospitality Is traditional luxury hospitality losing relevance? In this episode of The Social Hotelier Show, I sit down with global hospitality visionary Claude Attala to explore why lifestyle ecosystems are replacing...
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Hotel Investment in Europe Is Shifting, What Smart Developers Must Know Now. TSHS-147
Hotel Investment in Europe Is Shifting, What Smart Developers Must Know Now In this episode, Sam-Erik Ruttmann sits down with Henri Hakala, founder of Gokstad Advisory, to discuss the dynamic landscape of hotel investing across Europe and the Nordics. They provide crucial insights for hotel...
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Finding Home in Koli: A Story of Nature, Hospitality, and New Beginnings.TSHS 146
What happens when a Helsinki consultant trades boardrooms for lakeside cabins in North Karelia? In this episode, Sam-Erik meets Tiina Kujamäki, the entrepreneur behind Koli Free Time Resort, to discuss building hospitality inone of Finland’s most iconic landscapes — and why serenity, cooperation,...
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Hotels That Master Storytelling Make More Money—Here’s Why with John Elbing. TSHS-145
Hotels That Master Storytelling Make More Money—Here’s Why with John Elbing. Most hotels are telling the wrong story, focusing on features, perfection, and efficiency rather than the lived experiences of guests and staff. In this conversation, storytelling strategist John Elbing reveals how great...
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Luxury Is Not Service — It’s Performance (And Most Hotels Get It Wrong) TSHS-144
Luxury Is Not Service — It’s Performance (And Most Hotels Get It Wrong) What if luxury hospitality isn’t about standards, scripts, or smiles — but about presence, timing, and emotional intelligence? In this episode of The Social Hotelier, Sam-Erik Ruttmann explores luxury service as a live...
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The White Space Hotel Brands are missing. TSHS-141
What if a hotel stay could actively improve how guests sleep, move, recover, and live? In this episode of The Social Hotelier, Sam-Erik Ruttmann sits down with Mark Dardan, CEO of Modern Hospitality, to unpack the thinking behind Olympia Resort Abu Dhabi—a new hospitality brand built at the...
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Hospitality Has Lost Its Imagination! Javier Rodriguez Reveals the Shocking Truth. TSHS-140
Has luxury hospitality design lost its soul? In this explosive episode of The Social Hotelier Podcast, Sam-Erik Ruttmann sits down with Javier Rodriguez, Chief Creative Officer at Experiential Hospitality, to uncover why the industry is stuck chasing Instagram aesthetics instead of creating...
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Designing Emotion: The Art of Space – conversation with Maiju Koskela. TSHS-139
In this episode, I speak with Maiju Koskela, interior architect and spatial designer with @studiopuistoarchitects Studio Puisto Architect,s about the profound impact of design on human emotions and experiences. We explore how elements like light, shadow, and materials shape the atmosphere of...
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AI Won’t Save Hospitality—This Will. TSHS-138
In this conversation, Vladislav Valicek discusses the future of hospitality, emphasizing the importance of storytelling over technology. He explores how cultural immersion and the hero’s journey shape guest experiences, the need for nurturing organizational culture, and the role of AI in…
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Mind Hacking for Hoteliers: The Psychology of Exceptional Guest Service. TSHS-137
Mind Hacking for Hoteliers: The Psychology of Exceptional Guest Service In this episode of The Social Hotelier Show, Sam-Erik Ruttmann sits down with Blair Dunkley, cognitive alignment expert and author of Ultimate Mind Hacking and The Phobia Freedom Formula. Together, they explore how hoteliers...
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The Hotel Industry Is Getting It Wrong, Geoffrey Toffetti Reveals What Really Drives Profit TSHS-136
The Hotel Industry Is Getting It Wrong, Geoffrey Toffetti Reveals What Really Drives Profit What if the secret to hotel success wasn’t found in flashy marketing or expensive renovations, but in the people at your front desk? In this powerful conversation, Sam-Erik Ruttmann speaks with Geoffrey...
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AI Won’t Save Your Hotel — But This Mindset Shift Will.TSHS-135
In this episode of The Social Hotelier Podcast, Sam-Erik Ruttmann sits down with Pablo Torres, founder of Torres Hospitality Consulting and a driving force behind the Global Revenue Forum Madrid, to explore the next frontier of hotel profitability. Discover how hotels can unlock total revenue by...
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Building with Purpose: Portia Hart’s Vision for Sustainable Hospitality in the Caribbean. TSHS-134
Building with Purpose: Portia Hart’s Vision for Sustainable Hospitality in the Caribbean What happens when hospitality becomes a force for good? 🌿 #HospitalityInnovation #ConsciousLeadership In this inspiring episode of The Social Hotelier Show, host Sam-Erik Ruttmann sits down with visionary...
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The AI Revolution in Hotel Marketing: Why Storytelling Beats Ad Spend. TSHS-133
The AI Revolution in Hotel Marketing: Why Storytelling Beats Ad Spend Can independent hotels truly compete with global brands in today’s AI-driven world? In this episode of The Social Hotelier Show, host Sam-Erik Ruttmann speaks with marketing strategist Sarah Stahl (@MarketMoversLLC), the…
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He Beat Cancer And Built A Healing Retreat! TSHS-132
He Beat Cancer And Built A Healing Retreat! How Barry Shimelfarb turned a life-changing diagnosis into a playbook for human-centered hospitality. In this episode, Barry Shimelfarb shares his transformative journey from a high-pressure career in Silicon Valley to creating healing retreats in…
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Regenerative Hotels: The Future of Hospitality. TSHS-131
Regenerative Hotels: The Future of Hospitality Forget “sustainable” — the next wave of hospitality is regenerative. Architect Francesco Allaix joins Sam-Erik Ruttmann to discuss how regenerative hotels restore landscapes, empower local communities, and create more meaningful guest experiences.…
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What I Learned Working With Giorgio Armani on His Iconic Hotels. TSHS -130
Step inside the world of Armani Hotels Dubai & Milan, where Giorgio Armani’s vision of fashion and lifestyle hospitality came to life. In this exclusive interview, Marc Dardenne, the hotelier who worked directly with Armani, reveals behind-the-scenes stories about creating the world’s first...
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Secrets to Thriving in Dubai’s Fast-Changing Hotel Market. TSHS-129
🚀 Dubai’s hospitality market is one of the fastest-growing and most competitive in the world. In this episode of The Social Hotelier Show, I sit down with Paul Williams, Founder & CEO of Spearhead Creativity, to uncover the secrets behind building powerful brands in the GCC. With over 20 years…
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Why Storytelling is essential in both filmmaking and hospitality. TSHS- 128
Why Storytelling is essential in both filmmaking and hospitality. In this episode, I have a conversation with award-winning filmmaker Jaze Bordeaux about the art of storytelling in hospitality. Bordeaux shares his journey from finance to filmmaking, emphasizing the importance of crafting…
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Why Hospitality Skills Are Essential Beyond Hotels: Insights from Monika Moser. TSHS – 127
Why Hospitality Skills Are Essential Beyond Hotels: Insights from Monika Moser In this enlightening episode, we delve into the transformative power of hospitality skills beyond the hotel industry with Monika Moser, a seasoned expert in both hospitality and design. Discover how Monika’s unique...
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Rethinking Hospitality Leadership & Education | Marc Dardenne Interview. TSHS – 126
🎙️ Welcome to The Social Hotelier Show with Sam-Erik Ruttmann – named one of the Top 20 Hotel Podcasts globally by FeedSpot! 🌟 In this exclusive conversation, Sam-Erik interviews Marc Dardenne, CEO of Modon Hospitality, on the evolving role of hospitality education, leadership transformation…
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Future of Food Tourism: 4 Bold Scenarios! TSHS – 125
Future of Food Tourism: 4 Bold Scenarios Welcome to The Social Hotelier Show with Sam-Erik Ruttmann! In this episode, we explore the ¨future of food tourism¨ with renowned futurist Dr. Ian Yeoman. From lab-grown delicacies to regenerative dining experiences and dystopian luxury, we dive into four...
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This Surprising Truth About Wellness Will Shock You! TSHS – 124
In this eye-opening episode of The Social Hotelier Show, Sam-Erik Ruttmann reconnects with Niels Steeman—once a high-flying tourism executive in Asia, now a wellness coach on a mission to redefine success. Discover how a near-death experience underwater triggered a radical transformation…
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What Are The BIG Changes Happening In Hotel Industry NOW. TSHS – 123
✅ What Are The BIG Changes Happening In Hotel Industry NOW In this episode of the Social Hotelier podcast, host Sam-Erik Ruttmann speaks with Rocco Bova, a seasoned hotelier and founder of the Summit Mexicano de la Hospitalidad. Rocco shares his journey in the hospitality industry, his love for...
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How Blue Apple Beach Redefines Eco-Luxury & Regenerative Hospitality TSHS – 122
🌱 In this powerful episode of The Social Hotelier, host Sam-Erik Ruttmann sits down with Portia Hart, founder of Blue Apple Beach—a regenerative hospitality concept in Cartagena, Colombia. From crushing glass bottles into usable sand to empowering local communities through sustainable supply...
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Why Your First Impression Could Make or Break Guest Experience TSHS – 121
Why Your First Impression Could Make or Break Guest Experience In this episode of The Social Hotelier Show, Sam-Erik Ruttmann welcomes renowned keynote speaker and author Sylvie Di Giusto. Together, they explore the psychology of first and lasting impressions in hospitality and how unconscious...
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What Makes a SUCCESSFUL Digital Ads Campaign in 2025. TSHS – 120
Maximize Your Digital Ads ROI Proven Strategies for Lasting Success Proven Strategies for Hotels, Restaurants, and Businesses to Succeed in Google Ads, Meta, and Beyond Many businesses are burning through their digital advertising budgets without a clear strategy. As John Horn, CEO of @Stubgroup…
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From Boardroom to Global Impact: How One Family Foundation is Changing Lives. TSHS – 119
From Boardroom to Global Impact: How One Family Foundation is Changing Lives In this inspiring episode, Sam-Erik Ruttmann welcomes Morgan DeNicola, Executive Director of the DeNicola Family Foundation. Discover how this dynamic leader transitioned from marketing in her family’s business empire to...
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How to Maximize Hotel Profitability in a Changing Market. TSHS – 118
How to Maximize Hotel Profitability in a Changing Market. In this episode of the Social Hôtelier podcast, host Sam-Erik Ruttmann speaks with Michael Grove, CEO of HotStats, about the evolving landscape of the hospitality industry. They discuss the importance of financial intelligence, the need…
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AI & Service Transformation Unforgettable Hospitality Experiences TSHS – 117
AI & Service Transformation Unforgettable Hospitality Experiences In this episode of the Social Hotelier podcast, host Sam-Erik Ruttmann interviews Johann Diaz, an expert in service transformation and customer experience. They discuss the importance of redefining strategies to meet evolving...
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Redefining Hospitality: From Sustainability to Regeneration. TSHS – 116
Redefining Hospitality: From Sustainability to Regeneration A Deep Dive into Sustainable Tourism, Policy Challenges, and the Double-edged Sword of Social Media In this episode of the Social Hotelier podcast, host Sam-Erik Ruttmann engages with Chalana Perera, the founder of Retrace Hospitality…
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The Hidden Profit Killers in Restaurants—And How to Fix Them. TSHS – 115
The Hidden Profit Killers in Restaurants—And How to Fix Them In this episode, Sam Erik Ruttmann interviews Geordy Murphy, a visionary restaurateur and owner of Cypress Hospitality Group. Geordy shares his journey from managing restaurants to developing innovative software solutions for the...
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Independent vs. Global Hotels: The Fight for Authenticity & Culture. TSHS – 114
In this engaging conversation, with Abdul Baaghil, Co – Founder / principal Harvest Cotton Tale, Abdul speaks about his experience working for luxury hotel brands, like Ritz Carlton, Cambell Gray Hotel. Abdulshares his journey from corporate management to independently developing hotels rooted in...
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AI Expert Exposes Shocking Truth About Video Generation! TSHS – 113
🔥 Get ready for an interesting conversation with Jayanth N Kolla, Founder& Partner of Convergence Catalyst, Expert on AI, Machine Learning. This is our annual episode discussing the rapid evolution of AI and its profound impact on the travel and tourism industry. We explore how social media...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
A podcast that inspires hoteliers to create meaningful and memorable experiences for their customers, in pursuit of their passion.I share my views and experiences relating to hospitality, tech trends and also relating to humanity. I am sitting down with world-class speakers, leading industry suppliers, top performing hoteliers, sharing about their inspiration, lessons they learned and how to make an impact.
HOSTED BY
Sam-Erik Ruttmann
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Social Hotelier have?
The Social Hotelier currently has 191 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Social Hotelier about?
A podcast that inspires hoteliers to create meaningful and memorable experiences for their customers, in pursuit of their passion.I share my views and experiences relating to hospitality, tech trends and also relating to humanity. I am sitting down with world-class speakers, leading industry...
How often does The Social Hotelier release new episodes?
The Social Hotelier publishes regularly with 191 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Social Hotelier?
You can listen to The Social Hotelier on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Social Hotelier?
The Social Hotelier is created and hosted by Sam-Erik Ruttmann.
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