Advertise on podcast: Teague Talks Podcast

Teague Hunter sits down with Rick Hayduk, general manager of The Lantern Hotel Columbia, to talk about the hotel's inclusive hiring model, his personal journey, and how his two children with disabilities inspired him to find a way to help them live independent but also fulfilling lives.  At the center of the conversation is The Lantern's partnership with the University of South Carolina's LIFE program, where nearly a third of the team has special needs. Teague meets Mac Watson and Rick's daughter Jamison Hayduk, both part of that program, along with assistant general manager Sofia, who helps lead the team that makes it work. It's a conversation about compassion, patience, tolerance, and love and proving that purpose-driven hiring and five-star hospitality can go hand in hand.

Teague Hunter sits down with David, developer and partner at Raines, to talk about his unexpected start in hospitality, his partnership with Grey Raines, and the lessons learned developing through the Great Recession, COVID, and hurricane recovery.   At the center of the conversation is The Lantern Hotel, developed in partnership with the University of South Carolina’s LIFE program, where nearly a third of the team has special needs. David also shares the story behind the restoration of the historic Donald Ross-designed golf course at Waynesville Inn & Golf Club.   It’s a conversation about resilience, partnership, and building businesses where purpose and profit don’t have to compete.

What does it take to build a company that lasts for generations? Grey Raines, CEO & Managing Partner of The Raines Company, joins Teague Hunter to discuss the evolution of a fourth-generation hospitality business, the leadership lessons that shaped his career, and why people—not properties—are the true foundation of long-term success. Together, they explore family business, partnerships, development, independent hotels, the changing expectations of today's travelers, and the importance of hiring for culture over talent. This is an honest conversation about growth, legacy, and what the future of hospitality should look like.

What does it take to build a hospitality company that stands the test of time? In this episode of Teague Talks, Teague Hunter sits down with Vamsi Bonthala, CEO of Arbor Lodging, to discuss his journey from practicing law on Wall Street to launching a hotel investment company just before the 2008 financial crisis. Twenty years later, Arbor Lodging has grown into one of the industry's leading ownership, investment, and management platforms. Vamsi shares lessons on entrepreneurship, building enduring partnerships, learning hotel operations from the ground up, and navigating every phase of the market cycle. The conversation also explores today's investment environment, institutional capital, AI's impact on hospitality, international expansion, and why the industry's greatest opportunities still lie ahead. Whether you're a hotel owner, investor, operator, or simply interested in leadership and building businesses that last, this episode is filled with practical insights and timeless advice.

This week, Teague travels to San Diego to sit down with Greg Kennealey, CEO of Peregrine Hospitality, at the Sheraton San Diego Resort on Harbor Island. Greg shares his approach to leadership, team building, and owning and managing a diverse portfolio of more than 46 properties nationwide, spanning select-service hotels, boutique properties, and destination resorts. Greg discusses the importance of empowering teams, his confidence for the long-term future of hospitality, and remaining actively involved in every facet of the company's operations, from acquisitions and asset strategy to branding and guest experience. He also reflects on his own path into the industry—one he jokingly describes as "dumb luck"—and the experiences that ultimately shaped his career. From scaling operations to fostering excellence, Greg offers valuable insights into what it takes to lead at the highest levels of hospitality while keeping people, whether guests or team members, at the center of every decision.

This week, Teague sits down with Michael Lipson, CEO and Chairman of the Board at Access Point Financial. As the leader of a lending platform focused on hospitality, Michael shares how Access Point is navigating today’s financial market with both discipline and creativity. Together, they explore why flexibility in a lender matters more than ever, how capital providers are interpreting today’s geopolitical pressures, and where Michael believes smart money is likely to flow across key assets and markets in the months ahead. Michael also challenges us to question whether our outlook on interest rates is being shaped more by economic fundamentals or political narratives—and how that underlying bias can quietly influence our next moves.

What does it look like to build and grow in today’s market—while everyone else is still trying to figure it out? Live from the 37th Hunter Conference, Main Street Talks brings together the owners and developers doing exactly that—Alpesh Patel, Mitch Patel, Bo Patel, and Azim Saju. These are the voices behind the portfolios—the ones spotting deals before they’re obvious, navigating capitalwith intention, managing risk without hesitation, and making the day-to-day decisions that actually move assets forward. They’re not reacting to change—they’re creating it. In this candid, on-the-ground conversation, panelists pull back the curtain on how they’re thinking about growth in today’s environment, where they’re uncovering opportunity amid uncertainty, and what it truly takes to scale and sustain a hospitality platform right now. Because in this industry, the real story is written on Main Street.

Live from the 37th Hunter Conference, Teague sits down with Hilton President & CEO Chris Nassetta for an on-stage conversation on what it takes to lead, evolve, and win in today’s hospitality industry. A 40-year industry veteran who started out plunging toilets at a Washington DC Holiday Inn, Chris brings a ground-level perspective that spans ownership, development, and running one of the world's largest hospitality brands. Now overseeing more than 9,500 properties across 150 countries, he opens up about why this industry has earned his life's work and why he feels it's his duty to give back to the next generation. Together, they dig into the real pressures owners are facing today, why Chris believes the macro tide is already starting to turn, and how Hilton is deploying AI across efficiency, distribution, and guest experience to drive results at the property level. Because no matter how much the industry evolves, a guest-first approach always wins.

This week on Teague Talks, Teague travels to the newly developed dual-brand Embassy Suites and Tempo by Hilton Pigeon Forge, where he sits down with Alpesh Patel, CEO of Kana Hotel Group, to discuss the strategy and momentum behind the $80 million investment in the heart of Tennessee. From humble beginnings and an early passion for hard work, Alpesh shares how he strategically repositioned and evolved Kana’s portfolio, approaches brand selection with intention, and thoughtfully champions development in an ever-evolving landscape. The conversation dives into what it truly means to be guest-first—welcoming travelers like they’re entering your own home—and why no role is beneath him, from operations to housekeeping. Next week, tune in for Teague’s exclusive tour of the 276-room dual-branded property that seamlessly marries practicality with modern luxury in Pigeon Forge.

This week, Teague sits down with Joe Bocherer, Chief Commercial Officer of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA), to talk about the campus that’s home to the new venue for the Hunter Conference, Signia by Hilton Atlanta. The duo dives into group travel trends, hosting the FIFA World Cup, and why the GWCCA sets the standard for safety and scale as we head into our biggest year yet. With just 17 days until our big move, Joe pulls back the curtain on what it takes to operate a campus of this magnitude—where security, logistics, and adaptability must work in lockstep to support everything from industry gatherings to global events. This episode goes behind the scenes as the Hunter team, GWCCA, and Hilton align plans, people, and priorities to bring you the 37th Hunter Conference.

This week, Teague sits down with Eric Jacobs, Chief Global Growth Officer at Aimbridge Hospitality. As the leader driving global growth for the world’s largest hospitality management company, Eric shares how Aimbridge is intentionally moving beyond scale—prioritizing excellence and long-term value for owners, operators, and brands. In Eric’s words, the goal isn’t just to be the biggest third-party manager, but the best partner. Teague digs into what that commitment looks like in practice—from operational discipline and accountability to leadership decisions that cascade all the way down to the guest experience. Together, they also explore where AI is headed in revenue management and forecasting, how Aimbridge is balancing growth with uncompromising standards, and Eric’s predications on hospitality both domestically and abroad.

This week, Teague connects with Mitch Patel, Founder & CEO of Vision Hospitality Group, to get a boots-on-the-ground perspective on the hospitality industry. As an active owner-operator, Mitch shares how Vision is approaching development, acquisitions, and strategy—what’s working, what’s being rethought, and how decisions are getting made in today’s market. Mitch unpacks how owner and developer priorities are evolving as 2026 comes into focus—where conviction remains strongest, where discipline matters most, and how operators are balancing near-term caution with long-term opportunity. He also breaks down the trade-offs shaping the current cycle and what it takes to stay nimble as conditions continue to shift. Mitch, or as Teague likes to call him, the “unofficial mayor of Chattanooga,” also gives his take on whether hospitality is still the place to be—and his answer is anything but shy.

Ahead of ALIS, Teague sits down with Jan Freitag, National Director of Hospitality Market Analytics at CoStar Group, to tackle the data-driven questions everyone is asking as the industry looks toward 2026. Following a year defined by tariffs, rising inflation, and economic uncertainty, Jan unpacks what the data is truly signaling—offering a grounded view across markets, asset classes, demand segments, and shifting investor priorities. With strong optimism around luxury and a more cautious outlook for the American leisure traveler, Jan explores the forces shaping corporate demand, how investors are weighing acquisitions versus new development, and what the World Cup could mean for hotel demand in the year ahead.

Teague travels to Bethesda, Maryland, to sit down with Leslie D. Hale, President and CEO of RLJ Lodging Trust. A Howard University alum with an early passion for finance, Leslie built her career driven by a desire to be on the decision-making side of the table—and today leads one of the industry’s most respected public lodging companies. As the first African American woman to lead a publicly traded REIT, Leslie shares how her strategic mindset and appetite for calculated risks have shaped RLJ’s evolution. With a portfolio of 96 hotels across 23 states—totaling approximately 21,000 rooms—she discusses the company’s focus on urban lifestyle assets that thrive in “live, work, play” destinations. From active dispositions to reinvesting through renovations and conversions, Leslie calls this “the best portfolio the company has ever owned.” She opens up about the power of mentorship, the value of diverse perspectives in leadership, and the art of balancing professional ambition with family—reminding us that success often means being comfortable without having it all figured out.

This week on Teague Talks, the deep dive into family-built hospitality continues with a focus on the next wave of leadership at Auro Hotels. After Part 1 with industry visionary HP Rama, Teague sits down with HP’s nephew, DJ Rama, President & CEO, and great nephew, Keval Rama, Senior Associate—leaders carrying Auro forward while staying true to the company’s founding values. DJ shares Auro’s humble beginnings, the weight of stepping into a generational role, and how he’s shaping a culture where every associate feels like part of the family. Keval offers a third-generation perspective, reflecting on a childhood immersed in hospitality and the purpose that drives him today, including his commitment to improving the communities Auro serves. Together, they discuss the delicate balance between honoring tradition and driving innovation, and what it really takes to lead a modern family business across multiple generations.