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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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About this listen

 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.© 2025 It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast Career Success Economics Management Management & Leadership Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • Sarah Dandashy_ Ask A Concierge_ interviewed by Rachel Humphrey

    Sarah Dandashy_ Ask A Concierge_ interviewed by Rachel Humphrey
    Oct 13 2025

    Sarah shares why she trusts her instincts when it comes to evaluating risks and the impact her preparation and practice have on her public speaking. She discusses the importance of the outdoors and physical activity on her overall performance and why curiosity is important. She talks about how developing human connections can help you feel more at ease in any environment, how she tackles moments of self-doubt, and what she'd tell her younger self.
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    32 mins
  • Rafat Ali_ CEO_Founder_ Skift_ interviewed by David Kong (1)

    Rafat Ali_ CEO_Founder_ Skift_ interviewed by David Kong (1)
    Oct 12 2025

    Rafat Ali shares his journey from engineer-turned-journalist to serial media entrepreneur, reflecting on the choices, setbacks, and grit behind building Skift. We explore the most admired leadership qualities, founder-led passion, and customer empathy. Don’t miss his parting advice on career compounding, travel, embracing contrarian views, and the power of “ask and you shall receive.”
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    29 mins
  • Brian Proctor, Founder, Leeds Hospitality Group, interviewed by Lan Elliott

    Brian Proctor, Founder, Leeds Hospitality Group, interviewed by Lan Elliott
    Oct 8 2025

    Brian shares why investing time upfront is one of the keys to building high-performing teams. He also explains how his The Power of Gratitude at Work program helps transform organizations – and why it’s easy to do. Brian underscores the importance of public speaking and why loving what you do, saying Yes, and raising your hand for more opportunities are critical.
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    35 mins
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