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Two summers in, the biggest lesson from Lost Fork Base Camp is that guests will tell operators what they built, if operators are willing to listen. In this episode of the Radical Hospitality Podcast, Zeke Freeman walks the property on Guanella Pass with Skyler Moore to see how the project has evolved since they last sat down at the start of operations. Skyler shares why they pulled the camping, why the RV sites underperformed, and how A-frames built on the existing RV hookups became a guest favorite. They talk through what worked better than expected, like the community fire pit, the shared grill, and a buffalo grass lawn that keeps people on site all day. He's also candid about what he'd change, from digital thermostats to the studio layout. And they look ahead at the next phase: nine more acres, thirteen more A-frames, and a venue space for weddings and gatherings. What You'll Learn Learn why mixing campers and luxury cabin guests created friction, and what replaced the campsitesDiscover how hot tubs became both the top operating expense and the top reason guests bookUnderstand the small design choices Skyler would repeat, like concrete floors and quality windows, and the ones he wouldn'tExplore how shared amenities like the fire pit and grill turned into the social heart of the propertyHear how Lost Fork balances on-site managers, third-party management, and automated check-in without hovering over guestsFind out how weddings, concerts, and a writers' retreat are shaping the next phase of growthIf you're building or running a small hospitality project, this is an honest look at what happens after opening day. Give the full walkthrough a listen. Zeke Freeman's new book, Radical Hospitality, is now available. The book explores how to build cool stuff, serve a lot of people, and create lasting wealth, and how hospitality can be the vehicle for all three. For more information about the book: https://radicalhospitality.life/ Grab the free Radical Hospitality Starter Kit → root-ad.com/starter Connect with Zeke Freeman: Instagram: @zekefreeman_rootarchitecture and @rootarchitecture YouTube: @rootarchitecture Facebook: @RootArchitectureandDevelopment LinkedIn: Zeke Freeman X/Twitter: @zfreemanroot Ready to get started with your hospitality project? https://root-ad.com/ Get in Touch: Stay connected with the Radical Hospitality podcast for more episodes exploring the intersection of architecture, design, and unforgettable guest experiences. Follow, R...

What if future guests could help fund a hospitality project before construction is complete? In this episode of the Radical Hospitality Podcast, Zeke Freeman is with Mark Pecota, founder of LaunchBoom, to explore how hospitality developers are using crowdfunding and pre-booking campaigns to generate capital, validate demand, and build an audience long before opening day.  Mark shares how LaunchBoom evolved from launching consumer products on Kickstarter into helping boutique hotels, glamping resorts, and experiential hospitality concepts raise significant pre-booking revenue through guest deposits and discounted future stays. Together, they discuss the mechanics behind hospitality crowdfunding, the role of renderings and storytelling, how developers can test market demand before building, and why some projects generate hundreds of thousands of dollars before a single guest checks in.  For anyone exploring creative alternatives to traditional debt and equity financing, this conversation offers a practical look at a rapidly growing funding strategy. What You'll Learn Learn how hospitality crowdfunding differs from traditional investor-backed fundraising. Discover how pre-booking campaigns can generate revenue before a property opens.Understand why small guest deposits can become powerful indicators of market demand. Explore how renderings, visuals, and storytelling help sell an experience before construction is complete. Hear how hospitality projects like Cosmos generated over $1.9 million in pre-bookings through crowdfunding.Learn how developers can use pre-launch data to refine concepts and reduce risk before construction begins. Listen to the full conversation for practical insights on crowdfunding, guest demand validation, and innovative hospitality funding strategies. Connect with Mark Pecota Website: https://www.launchboom.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markpecota/ Zeke Freeman's new book, Radical Hospitality, is now available. The book explores how to build cool stuff, serve a lot of people, and create lasting wealth, and how hospitality can be the vehicle for all three. For more information about the book: https://radicalhospitality.life/ Grab the free Radical Hospitality Starter Kit → root-ad.com/starter Connect with Zeke Freeman: Instagram: @zekefreeman_rootarchitecture and @rootarchitecture YouTube: @rootarchitecture Facebook: @RootArchitectureandDevelopment LinkedIn: Zeke Freeman X/Twitter: @zfreemanroot Ready to get started with your hospitality project? https://root-ad.com/ Get in Touch: Stay connected with the Radical Hospitality podcast for more episodes exploring the intersection of architecture, design, and unforgettable guest experiences. Follow, R...

Most people work their way up into boutique hotels from short term rentals, but Sujay Mehta came at it from the other direction, and that changes almost everything. In this episode of the Radical Hospitality Podcast, Zeke Freeman sits down with Sujay Mehta of Bloom Ventures in Columbus, Ohio. Sujay spent years in the branded, flagged hotel world before pushing his portfolio toward boutique, experiential hospitality, and he brings a rare mix of operations discipline and creative ambition. They talk about chasing corporate demand instead of only leisure guests, building ancillary revenue around the rooms, and why he believes nobody will ever care about your property more than you do.  Sujay shares how he learned operations by working night shifts and driving the guest shuttle, why your first deal should probably be an acquisition, and how owning a cluster of properties in one market unlocks real economies of scale. Zeke adds stories from the Red Hotel in Morrison and a mountain project at the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park. What You'll Learn Discover why boutique hotels can win corporate demand that leisure-focused owners miss.Learn how to build ancillary revenue with bars, local restaurant partnerships, merch, and white-labeled wine.Understand why nobody cares about your property more than you, and what that means for self-management.Hear how Sujay turned a $44,000 repair quote into a $4,500 fix in one hour.Explore why your first hotel deal should be an acquisition before you ever try a ground-up build.Learn how working the night shift and driving a shuttle taught him operations no SOP could. There is a lot more in the full conversation, from a golf resort with a vineyard to a private member social club. Give it a listen. Zeke Freeman's new book, Radical Hospitality, is now available. The book explores how to build cool stuff, serve a lot of people, and create lasting wealth, and how hospitality can be the vehicle for all three. For more information about the book: https://radicalhospitality.life/ Grab the free Radical Hospitality Starter Kit → root-ad.com/starter Connect with Zeke Freeman: Instagram: @zekefreeman_rootarchitecture and @rootarchitecture YouTube: @rootarchitecture Facebook: @RootArchitectureandDevelopment LinkedIn: Zeke Freeman X/Twitter: @zfreemanroot Ready to get started with your hospitality project? https://root-ad.com/ Get in Touch: Stay connected with the Radical Hospitality podcast for more episodes exploring the intersection of architecture, design, and unforgettable guest experiences. Follow, R...

Most people think the hard part of a short-term rental is buying it, but the real work starts the day a guest checks in. In this episode of the Radical Hospitality Podcast, Zeke Freeman was with Tim Hubbard, founder and CEO of Corzly and host of the Short Term Rental Riches podcast. Tim got into real estate sixteen years ago chasing financial freedom, bought his first short-term rental in California eleven years ago, and slowly turned a remote operation into a business that now supports owners and managers across more than fifty cities. He runs it all from South Brazil with a team spread across the globe. Tim and Zeke get into what it really takes to operate rentals well, where AI helps and where it still falls short, and the honest lessons from Tim's boutique hotel project in Medellin. It is a practical, grounded conversation about operations, technology, and building hospitality businesses that last. What You'll Learn Learn how Tim structures a fully virtual team into four focused groups that keep operations running smoothlyDiscover the partnership model that lets owners keep their brand and their listings while handing off the day-to-dayUnderstand exactly where AI helps in guest communication and where it still needs a humanExplore the real numbers and setbacks behind a boutique hotel build in ColombiaHear why good reviews, not good marketing, decide which properties win in a crowded marketUnderstand what to check before you ever invest in real estate in another countryIf you own, manage, or dream about short-term rentals, this conversation is worth your time. Listen to the full episode with Tim Hubbard on the Radical Hospitality Podcast. Connect with Tim Hubbard LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-hubbard-str/ Website: https://corzly.com/ Zeke Freeman's new book, Radical Hospitality, is now available. The book explores how to build cool stuff, serve a lot of people, and create lasting wealth, and how hospitality can be the vehicle for all three. For more information about the book: https://radicalhospitality.life/ Grab the free Radical Hospitality Starter Kit → root-ad.com/starter Connect with Zeke Freeman: Instagram: @zekefreeman_rootarchitecture and @rootarchitecture YouTube: @rootarchitecture Facebook: @RootArchitectureandDevelopment LinkedIn: Zeke Freeman X/Twitter: @zfreemanroot Ready to get started with your hospitality project? https://root-ad.com/ Get in Touch: Stay connected with the Radical Hospitality podcast for more episodes exploring the intersection of architecture, design, and unforgettable guest experiences. Follow, R...

Bruce O'Neal chased money through his whole twenties, hit every goal he set by 27, and still woke up empty for six months straight. In this episode of the Radical Hospitality Podcast, Zeke Freeman sits down with Bruce O'Neal, founder of Manna Worldwide, at the organization's headquarters in Dallas. What started as one small calling has grown into 247 projects across more than 40 countries, including schools, nutrition centers, clean water initiatives, and medical clinics.  Bruce shares the whole arc: growing up poor with an alcoholic father, building a successful exotic flooring company, finding faith at 27, and then selling everything to become a missionary in Japan and the Philippines. He opens up about the first feeding center that began with 10 kids and grew to 250 in three months, the motto that drives everything he does, the discipline that keeps Manna's overhead near 5%, the Mango Tree coffee shops that fund the mission, and why he handed leadership to his son Keith while he is still around to mentor him. What You'll Learn Learn why chasing money left Bruce empty even after he reached every goal he set.Discover how one feeding center for 10 children grew into 247 projects worldwide.Understand why staying long-term matters more than short bursts of generosity.Explore how Manna keeps overhead near 5% while most nonprofits spend close to half.Hear how a coffee shop became one of the busiest in Denver and funds hungry kids.See why Bruce built the organization to outlast him and handed it to his son Keith.This one goes deeper than a business conversation. Listen to the full episode to hear Bruce tell his story in his own words. Connect with Bruce O'Neal Website: https://mannaworldwide.com/ Zeke Freeman's new book, Radical Hospitality, is now available. The book explores how to build cool stuff, serve a lot of people, and create lasting wealth, and how hospitality can be the vehicle for all three. For more information about the book: https://radicalhospitality.life/ Grab the free Radical Hospitality Starter Kit → root-ad.com/starter Connect with Zeke Freeman: Instagram: @zekefreeman_rootarchitecture and @rootarchitecture YouTube: @rootarchitecture Facebook: @RootArchitectureandDevelopment LinkedIn: Zeke Freeman X/Twitter: @zfreemanroot Ready to get started with your hospitality project? https://root-ad.com/ Get in Touch: Stay connected with the Radical Hospitality podcast for more episodes exploring the intersection of architecture, design, and unforgettable guest experiences. Follow, R...

Most people hear Padre Island and think spring break, but two developers are quietly turning it into one of the most interesting hospitality markets in the country. In this episode of the Radical Hospitality Podcast, Zeke sits down with Tiffany Zhou and Chris Kilcullen to compare the North and South ends of the longest barrier island in the world. Chris walks through Whitecap Resort, a 240-acre master-planned resort near Corpus Christi with canals for direct Gulf access, a fully automated boat storage facility, a world-class marina, and hundreds of homes entitled for short-term rental.  Tiffany shares what is happening on the South side, where SpaceX and Starbase are pouring billions into the Rio Grande Valley and reshaping a historically overlooked border region. Along the way they get into cheap land, fast permitting, designing for real guests, the value of getting in the room with people who scare you, and why being early is still the best edge an investor has. What You'll Learn Learn why Padre Island is being called one of America's most overlooked hospitality marketsDiscover how White Cap is turning 240 acres into a waterfront destination with direct Gulf accessUnderstand how SpaceX and Starbase are changing real estate on the South sideExplore why fast permitting and low land cost give Padre a real advantage over Colorado, California, and FloridaHear how Tiffany runs a full-cycle design, build, and operate model for short-term rentalsLearn the networking and risk-taking habits that helped both guests build their businesses Connect with Tiffany Zhou LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-zhou-design/ Website: www.tiffanyzhou.com Connect with Chris Kilcullen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-kilcullen/ Website: https://www.avisonyoung.us/ Zeke Freeman's new book, Radical Hospitality, is now available. The book explores how to build cool stuff, serve a lot of people, and create lasting wealth, and how hospitality can be the vehicle for all three. For more information about the book: https://radicalhospitality.life/ Grab the free Radical Hospitality Starter Kit → root-ad.com/starter Connect with Zeke Freeman: Instagram: @zekefreeman_rootarchitecture and @rootarchitecture YouTube: @rootarchitecture Facebook: @RootArchitectureandDevelopment LinkedIn: Zeke Freeman X/Twitter: @zfreemanroot Ready to get started with your hospitality project? https://root-ad.com/ Get in Touch: Stay connected with the Radical Hospitality podcast for more episodes exploring the intersection of architecture, design, and unforgettable guest experiences. Follow, R...

In this episode, host Zeke Freeman sits down with Tim Ensmann, founder of the Boutique Hotel Fund and managing partner of the Pine Tree Hotel. Tim shares how he went from investing in short-term rentals to building a fast-growing boutique hotel business. Many investors start with short-term rentals, but Tim Ensmann believes boutique hotels create a better path to long-term wealth. In this conversation, he shares how his team transformed an underperforming hotel into a profitable business using strong branding, direct bookings, social media marketing, and group experiences. He also talks about the mistakes they made during renovations, why marketing should start before opening day, and how they are applying those lessons to build an even bigger boutique hotel portfolio. In this episode, you'll learn: Why Tim shifted from short-term rentals to boutique hotelsHow direct bookings increase profit and reduce OTA dependenceThe marketing strategy that filled hotel bookings before openingWhy group bookings create more predictable revenueHow to use social media to grow a hospitality brandThe biggest renovation mistakes to avoidWhy investor expectations matter during hotel developmentHow to decide whether boutique hotels fit your investment goalsConnect with Tim Ensmann LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-ensmann/ Website: https://boutiquehotelfund.com/ Zeke Freeman's new book, Radical Hospitality, is now available. The book explores how to build cool stuff, serve a lot of people, and create lasting wealth, and how hospitality can be the vehicle for all three. For more information about the book: https://radicalhospitality.life/ Grab the free Radical Hospitality Starter Kit → root-ad.com/starter Connect with Zeke Freeman: Instagram: @zekefreeman_rootarchitecture and @rootarchitecture YouTube: @rootarchitecture Facebook: @RootArchitectureandDevelopment LinkedIn: Zeke Freeman X/Twitter: @zfreemanroot Ready to get started with your hospitality project? https://root-ad.com/ Get in Touch: Stay connected with the Radical Hospitality podcast for more episodes exploring the intersection of architecture, design, and unforgettable guest experiences. Follow, R...

In this Radical Hospitality Podcast episode, host Zeke Freeman talks with Kerri Gibson, co‑founder of Chalet Hygge and Motel Boutique Hygge, a growing boutique hospitality brand in Quebec’s ski country. Kerri explains how she walked away from a top general‑manager role in a multinational tech company, reinvented her life and career, and built a hands‑on portfolio of chalets and a boutique motel grounded in hygge‑inspired design, disciplined numbers, and intentional lifestyle choices. You’ll learn how she and her husband Philippe structure deals, renovate while cash‑flowing, use government loans and grants, and create guest experiences that consistently outperform the local market on ADR, occupancy, and reviews Key topics covered Kerri’s journey from CPA and software executive to full‑time boutique hospitality owner in QuebecHow a winter trip to Norway and discovering “hygge” reshaped her design philosophy and lifestyle prioritiesThe three‑phase model they use for every project: acquisition and underwriting, renovation, and property management/operationsWhy they chose to renovate their 16‑room roadside motel while keeping it open and cash‑flowing—and how that reduced long‑term debt needsCreative financing strategies: personal savings, pulling equity from existing chalets, and leveraging Quebec and Canada government programs for a 20‑year loan and grantsThe operational reality of running short‑term rentals versus a motel: guest planning behavior, communications, staffing and guest expectationsKPIs they track (ADR, RevPAR, occupancy, pacing) and how they lifted ADR from ~139 CAD to ~189 CAD in 18 months, with even higher rates in peak summerBuilding a cohesive brand across multiple properties, staying within a tight “buy box,” and leading with passion and guest experience in every acquisition decisionHow local and regional tourism boards and influencer collaborations drive “warm” demand for their propertiesKerri’s “life 2.0” reflections on leaving corporate, redefining wealth, and designing a business around her strengths and valuesConnect Kerri Gibson Chalets Hygge: https://chaletshygge.com/ Hygge Motel Boutique: https://www.motelboutiquehygge.com/en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerri-gibson-cpa/ Zeke Freeman's new book, Radical Hospitality, is now available. The book explores how to build cool stuff, serve a lot of people, and create lasting wealth, and how hospitality can be the vehicle for all three. For more information about the book: https://radicalhospitality.life/ Grab the free Radical Hospitality Starter Kit → root-ad.com/starter Connect with Zeke Freeman: Instagram: @zekefreeman_rootarchitecture and @rootarchitecture YouTube: @rootarchitecture Facebook: @RootArchitectureandDevelopment LinkedIn: Zeke Freeman X/Twitter: @zfreemanroot Ready to get started with your hospitality project? https://root-ad.com/ Get in Touch: Stay connected with the Radical Hospitality podcast for more episodes exploring the intersection of architecture, design, and unforgettable guest experiences. Follow, R...

In this episode, Zeke sits down with Tyler Coon, founder and CEO of Savvy Realty, a network of over 50 short-term rental specialists across 25+ markets in the United States. Tyler shares how he went from renting out a spare bedroom to afford his first home in 2020 to building a nearly $20 million short-term rental portfolio in just six years.  They dig into what makes a great STR agent, how Tyler's team uses local case studies instead of relying purely on data algorithms, and why experiential amenities like indoor laser tag arenas and outdoor pools are reshaping what investors need to compete. Tyler also breaks down market saturation, how appraisals are starting to catch up to luxury short-term rental values, tips for maximizing your sale price, and his read on where Airbnb and Booking.com are headed next. In This Episode, You'll Learn: How Tyler turned a single homestay rental into a $20 million short-term rental portfolioWhat separates a great short-term rental agent from a typical real estate agentWhy Tyler relies on local case studies instead of trusting data algorithms aloneHow to tell if a short-term rental market is getting saturatedWhat outdoor amenities and design features are driving bookings in 2026The right way to price and prepare a short-term rental for a maximum saleWhy appraisals are starting to catch up with luxury short-term rental valueWhat's changing with Airbnb and Booking.com and what it means for hosts Connect with Tyler Coon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-coon/ Website: https://www.savvy.realty/ Zeke Freeman's new book, Radical Hospitality, is now available. The book explores how to build cool stuff, serve a lot of people, and create lasting wealth, and how hospitality can be the vehicle for all three. For more information about the book: https://radicalhospitality.life/ Grab the free Radical Hospitality Starter Kit → root-ad.com/starter Connect with Zeke Freeman: Instagram: @zekefreeman_rootarchitecture and @rootarchitecture YouTube: @rootarchitecture Facebook: @RootArchitectureandDevelopment LinkedIn: Zeke Freeman X/Twitter: @zfreemanroot Ready to get started with your hospitality project? https://root-ad.com/ Get in Touch: Stay connected with the Radical Hospitality podcast for more episodes exploring the intersection of architecture, design, and unforgettable guest experiences. Follow, R...

In this episode of Radical Hospitality, host Zeke Freeman sits down with Ishita Lalan, founder of Ishita Interiors, to talk about how she and her husband Harshad built a short-term rental design and investment business from the ground up.  Ishita shares her journey from working a W2 job in architecture to becoming a full-time designer after a visa delay during COVID opened an unexpected door. She breaks down how their early investing experience, including a BRRRR deal that took a property from $330,000 to a $475,000 valuation in just six months, shaped the way she now designs for return on investment.  The conversation covers her studio's process, pricing structure, favorite design features, and how she has scaled a team of 30 designers while still staying hands on with every project. In this episode, you'll learn: How Ishita and Harshad used the BRRRR strategy to force appreciation on their first short-term rentalWhat happens during their 90-minute client consultation call and why it mattersThe three service tiers they offer (virtual design, full design, and white glove) and how pricing works per square footWhy landscaping and outdoor amenities can double a property's rental incomeThe design trend Ishita says is overused and should be retired (hint: neon signs)How she built and structured a 30-person design team using a pyramid modelWhat makes short-term rental design different from residential or commercial designHer advice for scaling a creative business without losing quality control Connect with Ishita Lalan Website: https://discovery.ishitainteriors.com/ Zeke Freeman's new book, Radical Hospitality, is now available. The book explores how to build cool stuff, serve a lot of people, and create lasting wealth, and how hospitality can be the vehicle for all three. For more information about the book: https://radicalhospitality.life/ Grab the free Radical Hospitality Starter Kit → root-ad.com/starter Connect with Zeke Freeman: Instagram: @zekefreeman_rootarchitecture and @rootarchitecture YouTube: @rootarchitecture Facebook: @RootArchitectureandDevelopment LinkedIn: Zeke Freeman X/Twitter: @zfreemanroot Ready to get started with your hospitality project? https://root-ad.com/ Get in Touch: Stay connected with the Radical Hospitality podcast for more episodes exploring the intersection of architecture, design, and unforgettable guest experiences. Follow, R...

In this episode, host Zeke Freeman sits down with Garrett Brown, founder of Cameron Ranch Glamping, short-term rental expert at BiggerPockets, and author of The Glamping Investor.  Garrett shares how he went from a music career and three downtown Houston condos to running a 20-plus unit glamping business across two Texas markets. He opens with one of the wildest short-term rental stories you'll ever hear, then digs into the real lessons behind his growth: why commercial real estate and micro resorts beat one-off cabins, how partnerships opened doors without big money down, and why branding and marketing are the real difference between a forgettable stay and a fully booked one. He also reveals his newest project, Paw House Resort, a dog-first luxury nature hotel built to scale. In this episode, you'll learn: Why micro resorts and commercial real estate build more wealth than single cabins, thanks to economies of scale and net operating income valuationHow to use partnerships and park model financing to get into hospitality without a hedge fund behind youWhere to spend your build budget (hint: don't go cheap on the outdoor landscaping and amenities)Why dominating one market beats spreading yourself thin across manyHow to spot an untapped niche and turn passion into a brand people will pay a premium forThe exact three-step marketing funnel Garrett uses to turn social media views into actual bookings Connect with Garrett Brown: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrett-brown-03b673169/ Website: https://cameronranchglamping.com/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/cameronranchglamping Zeke Freeman's new book, Radical Hospitality, is now available. The book explores how to build cool stuff, serve a lot of people, and create lasting wealth, and how hospitality can be the vehicle for all three. For more information about the book: https://radicalhospitality.life/ Grab the free Radical Hospitality Starter Kit → root-ad.com/starter Connect with Zeke Freeman: Instagram: @zekefreeman_rootarchitecture and @rootarchitecture YouTube: @rootarchitecture Facebook: @RootArchitectureandDevelopment LinkedIn: Zeke Freeman X/Twitter: @zfreemanroot Ready to get started with your hospitality project? https://root-ad.com/ Get in Touch: Stay connected with the Radical Hospitality podcast for more episodes exploring the intersection of architecture, design, and unforgettable guest experiences. Follow, R...

In this episode of the Radical Hospitality Podcast, host Zeke sits down with Pastor Mark Batterson of National Community Church in Washington, DC, for a conversation about the spiritual weight of physical spaces. What began with three people meeting in a blizzard in 1996 has grown into a multi-campus church and a portfolio of community-driven places—Ebenezer's Coffee House (built in a former crack house), the Miracle Theater, the Dream Center, and the Capitol Turnaround, a 100,000-square-foot streetcar building stripped down to its 96 columns and rebuilt.  Mark unpacks why he believes a church confined to its four walls "is a club, not a church," how honoring the history of old buildings shapes new vision, and why his team invested a million dollars reinforcing a roof deck they have no plans to build on—because the next generation might. Drawing on themes from his book Gradually, Then Suddenly, he reflects on long-game thinking, the boundaries that protect family and ministry, defining success as being respected most by those who know you best, and why leadership always begins with self-leadership. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why Mark Batterson believes physical spaces carry spiritual weight—and how a coffee house can do what a pulpit sometimes can'tThe "rebuilder of broken walls" philosophy: tapping into a building's backstory rather than erasing itHow intentional design (like seating that faces inward rather than spotlighting a stage) creates communal worship instead of personality-driven worshipThe case for activating church real estate 24/7 through event venues, childcare, and partnerships rather than letting buildings sit empty six days a week"Third and fourth generation" thinking: making costly decisions today to set up people you'll never meetWhy he capped his speaking trips—and the wake-up call from his wife that prompted itHis definition of success: "when those who know you best respect you most"A measured take on AI and technology as "theologically neutral" tools requiring discernmentWhat encourages him about the next generation's spiritual hunger—and his concern about binary, "us vs. them" thinkingWhy the best athletes and leaders he's met excel first at self-leadership, rest, and recoveryZeke Freeman's new book, Radical Hospitality, is now available. The book explores how to build cool stuff, serve a lot of people, and create lasting wealth, and how hospitality can be the vehicle for all three. For more information about the book: https://radicalhospitality.life/ Grab the free Radical Hospitality Starter Kit → root-ad.com/starter Connect with Zeke Freeman: Instagram: @zekefreeman_rootarchitecture and @rootarchitecture YouTube: @rootarchitecture Facebook: @RootArchitectureandDevelopment LinkedIn: Zeke Freeman X/Twitter: @zfreemanroot Ready to get started with your hospitality project? https://root-ad.com/ Get in Touch: Stay connected with the Radical Hospitality podcast for more episodes exploring the intersection of architecture, design, and unforgettable guest experiences. Follow, R...

Louis Thompson, CEO and co-founder of Nomadic Resorts, joins host Zeke Freeman to share how a hospitality career, a tsunami, and a mushroom-inspired treehouse dining pod led to one of the most distinctive eco-resort design firms in the world. Louis and his creative partner have spent over a decade building bamboo floating resorts, manta ray treehouses, caterpillar-cocoon tent camps, and other biomimicry-driven structures for major luxury brands like Six Senses, Shangri-La, and Banyan Tree — all while bootstrapping the company on a $10,000 loan from Louis's mom.  The conversation covers everything from the engineering reality of hanging a nest from living trees in a Thai rainforest to why unconventional construction doesn't have to cost more than a conventional build, and why the future of hospitality belongs to hyper-niche, experience-first destinations. Things You'll Learn in This Episode What biophilic design and biomimicry actually mean, and how they shape every Nomadic Resorts projectWhy a mushroom-inspired treehouse dining pod that rises on a winch became a massive PR win for a luxury hotel brandHow Louis and Olaf bootstrapped Nomadic Resorts and convinced a client to invest $13M from a hand sketchWhy unconventional, nature-inspired construction can cost the same as a conventional buildHow Nomadic Resorts approaches new locations by studying vernacular architecture and local building materialsWhy Louis believes AI will drive a surge in hyper-niche, activity-specific resort concepts Connect with Louis Thompson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-thompson-9825308/ Nomadic Resorts: https://nomadicresorts.com/ Nomadic Escapes: https://www.nomadic-escapes.com/ Zeke Freeman's new book, Radical Hospitality, is now available. The book explores how to build cool stuff, serve a lot of people, and create lasting wealth, and how hospitality can be the vehicle for all three. For more information about the book: https://radicalhospitality.life/ Grab the free Radical Hospitality Starter Kit → root-ad.com/starter Connect with Zeke Freeman: Instagram: @zekefreeman_rootarchitecture and @rootarchitecture YouTube: @rootarchitecture Facebook: @RootArchitectureandDevelopment LinkedIn: Zeke Freeman X/Twitter: @zfreemanroot Ready to get started with your hospitality project? https://root-ad.com/ Get in Touch: Stay connected with the Radical Hospitality podcast for more episodes exploring the intersection of architecture, design, and unforgettable guest experiences. Follow, R...

In this episode of the Radical Hospitality Show, host Zeke Freeman sits down with Garr Russell, founder of Fireside RV Rentals, to unpack how a simple family RV purchase turned into one of the largest RV rental management franchises in the country. Garr shares his entrepreneurial journey from early lawn care businesses to building scalable systems in hospitality, why RV rental management is fundamentally different from short-term rentals, and how faith, discipline, and long-term thinking have shaped his approach to business. The conversation covers franchising, asset-light models, delegation, generational wealth, and why documenting systems is the real work behind scale. Things You’ll Learn in This Episode How RV rental management works and why it differs from Airbnb-style real estate rentalsWhy turning lifestyle assets like RVs into income streams can offset ownership costs without chasing appreciation The economics behind Fireside’s 50/50 management model and why it makes sense in the RV industryWhat it takes to build and operate an RV rental management franchise with low overhead How franchising can be a faster and more scalable path than owning large fleets of depreciating assets The importance of documentation, systems, and delegation when scaling a hospitality business How faith influences Garr’s decision-making, leadership style, and approach to entrepreneurship Why thinking in terms of assets and recurring revenue changes how entrepreneurs build long-term wealthHow community and support systems play a critical role in sustainable franchise growth Connect with Garr Russell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrrussell Website: https://firesidervrental.com/ https://firesidervrentalfranchise.com/ https://garrrussell.com/ Zeke Freeman's new book, Radical Hospitality, is now available. The book explores how to build cool stuff, serve a lot of people, and create lasting wealth, and how hospitality can be the vehicle for all three. For more information about the book: https://radicalhospitality.life/ Grab the free Radical Hospitality Starter Kit → root-ad.com/starter Connect with Zeke Freeman: Instagram: @zekefreeman_rootarchitecture and @rootarchitecture YouTube: @rootarchitecture Facebook: @RootArchitectureandDevelopment LinkedIn: Zeke Freeman X/Twitter: @zfreemanroot Ready to get started with your hospitality project? https://root-ad.com/ Get in Touch: Stay connected with the Radical Hospitality podcast for more episodes exploring the intersection of architecture, design, and unforgettable guest experiences. Follow, R...

Download to get you $1M Presale Framework based on this episode → root-ad.com/presale In this episode of the Radical Hospitality Show, host Zeke Freeman sits down with Tori Bolt, co-founder of Bolt Farm Treehouse, to unpack how one of the most recognizable names in experiential outdoor hospitality was built from a single handcrafted treehouse into a thriving, design-forward micro-resort.  Tori shares the real story behind Bolt Farm, including early missteps with zoning and entitlements, the painful decision to walk away from a failed development, and the lessons that shaped their successful relaunch in Tennessee.  The conversation dives deep into building with intention, scaling through offsite construction, designing amenities that actually drive revenue, and creating a hospitality brand centered on connection, relationships, and unforgettable guest experiences.  This episode is a masterclass for anyone building in hospitality who wants to grow with clarity, discipline, and heart. Things You’ll Learn in This Episode How Bolt Farm Treehouse evolved from a single wedding treehouse into a 33-unit experiential destinationWhy zoning, entitlements, and location selection can make or break a hospitality projectThe financial and operational lessons learned from a failed development and full restartHow offsite construction and prefab manufacturing accelerated Bolt Farm’s growthWhy focusing on a clear guest avatar leads to stronger branding and higher nightly ratesHow spa and wellness amenities can significantly impact revenue and marginsThe role of Instagram, influencers, and direct bookings in building demand before openingHow to structure a hospitality team as you scale without bloating payrollWhat it takes to deliver “unreasonable hospitality” at scalePractical advice for couples building and running a business together Connect with Tori Bolt LinkedIn: Tori Bolt - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tori-bolt/ Website: https://www.boltfarmtreehouse.com/ Instagram: @boltfarmtreehouse - https://www.instagram.com/boltfarmtreehouse/ Zeke Freeman's new book, Radical Hospitality, is now available. The book explores how to build cool stuff, serve a lot of people, and create lasting wealth, and how hospitality can be the vehicle for all three. For more information about the book: https://radicalhospitality.life/ Grab the free Radical Hospitality Starter Kit → root-ad.com/starter Connect with Zeke Freeman: Instagram: @zekefreeman_rootarchitecture and @rootarchitecture YouTube: @rootarchitecture Facebook: @RootArchitectureandDevelopment LinkedIn: Zeke Freeman X/Twitter: @zfreemanroot Ready to get started with your hospitality project? https://root-ad.com/ Get in Touch: Stay connected with the Radical Hospitality podcast for more episodes exploring the intersection of architecture, design, and unforgettable guest experiences. Follow, R...