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It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast

It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast

By: David Kong Dorothy Dowling Rachel Humphrey Lan Elliott
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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.© 2026 It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast Career Success Economics Management Management & Leadership Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • Indy Adenaw, SVP & General Manager, Upscale Brands Division, Choice Hotels International interviewed by Dorothy Dowling

    Indy Adenaw, SVP & General Manager, Upscale Brands Division, Choice Hotels International interviewed by Dorothy Dowling
    Jun 30 2026
    35 mins
  • Ben Brunt, Chief Investment Officer, Noble Investment Group, interviewed by Lan Elliott

    Ben Brunt, Chief Investment Officer, Noble Investment Group, interviewed by Lan Elliott
    Jun 30 2026

    Ben's story is a reminder that longevity in one place can be just as powerful a career move as chasing the next opportunity. The depth of trust he has built at Noble - with partners, with his team, and through the cycles of the industry - did not happen by accident; it was the result of showing up fully, year after year. For those earlier in their careers: choose your environment wisely, invest in the people around you, and never stop asking how you can contribute more. In hospitality, relationships are the real currency, and the ones built on genuine trust compound over time.
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    24 mins
  • Karen Stephens, Chief Marketing Officer, Revinate Interviewed by Rachel Humphrey

    Karen Stephens, Chief Marketing Officer, Revinate Interviewed by Rachel Humphrey
    May 29 2026

    Karen details her journey from French professor to CRO and CMO of a hospitality technology company including many of the leadership lessons she's learned along the way. Find out how adaptability is a consistent theme for her and why she seeks out team members who can thrive in ambiguity. Karen discusses wellness, balancing time, the benefits of living internationally, comfort in public speaking, and what aspects of her leadership have evolved the most over time, among other great lessons.
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    32 mins
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