Podcast Episodes

Send us a message! DARM week is almost here, and we’re kicking things off with the person behind it all — Amy Hinote, Founder of VRM Intel and creator of the industry’s most conversation-packed event. In this episode, Amy gives a behind-the-scenes look at what’s coming to DARM Conference 2025, from the surge of AI-driven innovation to the sessions, speakers, and tech reveals everyone will be talking about. The industry is moving fast, and Amy walks us through why this year’s conference is sha...

Send us a message! VRMA International 2025 is in the books and if you were there, you probably felt it too: this year hit differently. More people, deeper conversations, and a sense that the vacation rental industry is entering a new chapter. But what actually stuck after the applause faded? In this episode, Alex & Annie sit down with Tim Rosolio, Ela Mezhiborsky, and Jessica Gillingham to reflect on what stood out most, not just from the sessions, but from the conversations around the show. ...

Send us a message! In this episode, Alex & Annie head to Florida’s scenic 30A to sit down with Dylan Bozarth, General Manager of 30A Escapes, for a real conversation about leadership, culture, and what it takes to build a team that truly lasts in the fast-paced vacation rental world. Dylan shares how his decade-long journey at 30A Escapes has shaped a people-first approach to property management. One that values work-life balance, communication, and genuine hospitality as the keys to long-ter...

Send us a message! When everything you’ve built disappears overnight, how do you begin again? In this episode, we sit down with Angela “Angie” Leone, founder of Coconut Condos in Maui, to share a story of loss, faith, and rebirth after the devastating Lahaina wildfires. Just days after finding a buyer for her thriving vacation rental company, Angie’s world changed forever. The wildfires destroyed her office, her vehicles, and 45 of the 50 homes she managed — a lifetime of work gone in an i...

Send us a message! Big news to kick off the month! 🚀 In this first-of-the-month bonus episode, Alex & Annie sit down with the Boom founders, Moran, Shahar, and Alon Goldboim, to talk about Boom’s recent $12.7 million funding round and what it means for the future of the short-term rental (STR) industry. The Goldboim brothers share how they built Boom, the world’s first AI-powered Property Management System (AiPMS), and how their newest innovation, BAM (Business Agentic Manager), is redefining...

Send us a message! In this episode, we’re joined by Kerri Gibson, CEO and Co-Founder of Chalets Hygge, a hospitality brand inspired by the Scandinavian idea of hygge — finding joy and contentment in life’s quieter moments. After years in the corporate tech world, Kerri took a much-needed step back to rediscover what truly mattered. That pause led her to create a business grounded in balance, creativity, and genuine human connection. What began as a single renovation project has grown into ...

Send us a message! As hospitality companies race to scale, many face a difficult trade-off: grow fast or stay personal. But Zzzing, a leading hospitality brand based in Malta, is proving you can do both. In this episode, we’re joined by Sab Mulligan, Head of Teams at Zzzing, to explore how they’ve scaled rapidly by using AI not to replace the human touch, but to protect and enhance it. Through a thoughtful blend of technology, team culture, and brand consistency, Zzzing is setting a new...

Send us a message! In this episode, Alex & Annie are joined by Marissa Galle, founder of Click Media, to explore the real impact of photography, video, and social content on brand perception and booking behavior. Marissa shares how vacation rental operators can move beyond generic listings and start using visual storytelling to connect with guests, stand out on OTAs, and bring more personality into their marketing. From FPV drone shots to content repurposing strategies, she breaks down what w...

Send us a message! As the vacation rental industry matures, growth has become the holy grail for many property management companies. But what happens when scaling too fast starts doing more harm than good? In this episode, Ashley Ching, Founder & CEO of Inhaven, joins us to unpack her in-depth research on why many large property management companies fail and what separates the ones that last. Drawing insights from over 100 executive interviews across the hotel, restaurant, and vacation ren...

Send us a message! This year marks 40 years of the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA), a milestone that comes at a pivotal time for the industry. In this episode, Alex & Annie sit down with Anne Gardner, Executive Director of VRMA, to explore how the association is entering a new chapter of growth, engagement, and industry leadership. Anne reflects on her first year as Executive Director and shares how listening to members, strengthening communication, and re-energizing voluntee...

Send us a message! When Airbnb changes its policies, the ripple effect can shake operators everywhere. For many, the problem is deeper than one policy update. Relying too heavily on a single platform leaves businesses vulnerable, and the cracks are starting to show. In this episode, Mark Simpson, CEO and founder of Boostly, shares why now is the time for vacation rental operators to double down on direct bookings. Drawing from more than a decade of helping hosts grow beyond OTAs, Mark brings ...

Send us a message! What does it take to scale luxury vacation rentals while protecting the legacy of the brands that built them? In this episode, Alex & Annie welcome back Scott Wiseman, CEO of Nocturne Luxury Villas, for an inside look at how Nocturne approaches acquisitions in the luxury vacation rental space. Instead of treating acquisitions as one-size-fits-all deals, Scott explains how his team works with founders to create personalized exit plans that honor their legacy, protect employee...

Send us a message! Flexible cancellation policies are no longer optional in today’s vacation rental market. Guests expect them, OTAs prioritize them, and competitors are already adapting. But for property managers, relaxed policies often feel like a direct threat to revenue and owner trust. In this episode, we talk with Sasha Lawler, CEO and Founder of Roam, about how her company is eliminating that trade-off. Roam’s embedded insurance model allows managers to offer flexible bookings that att...

Send us a message! In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Adrienne Clark (President & COO) and Caleb Yaryan (Chief Product Officer) of Xplorie, a trusted partner for vacation rental operators looking to enhance guest satisfaction while gaining a competitive edge. For nearly 30 years, Xplorie has been connecting lodging providers with local attractions in more than 70 destinations across the U.S., creating seamless, curated activity experiences that guests value. But more than just a perks pr...

Send us a message! In this special first-of-the-month bonus episode, Alex & Annie sit down with longtime friend and industry leader Tyann Marcink Hammond to talk about a timely and much-needed initiative to support host education. Tyann shares how she’s leading an effort to prepare short-term rental operators ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, starting in Kansas City and expanding to other host cities across North America. Annie also shares a major personal announcement. After a successful ...

Send us a message! Airbnb’s evolving policies have become one of the most pressing conversations in vacation rentals today - sparking questions, frustrations, and new realities for property managers across the industry. In this episode, Alex & Annie welcome Dennis Schaal, Founding Editor at Skift, to unpack what these changes really mean for property managers, and the broader short-term rental ecosystem. With more than 25 years of experience covering online travel, Dennis brings a sharp journ...

Send us a message! What if imposter syndrome wasn’t a weakness, but a sign you’re growing? In this episode, Alex and Annie are joined by Michelle Marquis, founder of The Marquis Effect and now author of The Bossy Girl’s Guide to Leadership, which has just been released. Written for women navigating leadership and self-doubt, the book is part memoir, part guidebook, and 100% Michelle’s authentic voice. Michelle reveals the mindset shifts that shaped her journey, including: Earn It While...

Send us a message! This week, Alex & Annie sit down with Valerie Gangas, Founder & CEO of Juniper Holiday + Homes, for a conversation that blends business, design, and deep personal transformation. Valerie shares how Juniper began with a personal real estate portfolio and evolved into a thriving multi-market vacation rental management company operating in Michigan, Wisconsin, Florida, and Utah. From navigating the early days of property management without industry experience to creating beaut...

Send us a message! What did it take to bring vacation rentals into the mainstream and what did we lose along the way? In this episode of Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals, we’re joined by industry veteran and Finding Better podcast host John Suzuki, who reflects on the emotional and operational toll of the tech transformation that reshaped short-term rentals over the last two decades. From the early days of fax machines and yellow page listings to the rise of e-commerce and AI, ...

Send us a message! In this episode of Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals, we sit down with Paul Kromidas, Founder & CEO of Summer, to talk about the growing need for asset intelligence in short-term rental investing, and why gut feel is no longer enough when deciding which properties to buy. Paul shares his journey from building products at Airbnb to launching Summer, a powerful underwriting and asset management platform designed specifically for STR operators. Originally built as...

Send us a message! In this episode, we’re joined by Simon Seroussi, Co-Founder of SuiteOp, a guest experience and operations platform built by operators, for operators. With a background in both hospitality tech and short-term rental management, Simon shares how SuiteOp was born from firsthand experience growing a 400-unit portfolio and the operational chaos that came with it. From automating smart locks to unifying guest portals, task management, and upsells, SuiteOp is designed to simplify ev...

Send us a message! In this episode, we’re joined by Lorraine Woodward, CEO of Becoming rentABLE, to explore how property managers and hosts can make their vacation rentals more accessible without needing a full renovation or massive investment. Drawing from her lived experience navigating life with muscular dystrophy and raising two sons with the same condition, Lorraine shares practical, real-world advice for designing spaces that serve a broader range of guests. From small, low-cost additions...

Send us a message! This week, we’re joined by Deborah Labi, a seasoned hospitality professional and the founder of Have You Got, a verified global guest referral network designed to help independent property managers expand their reach and maximize revenue without sacrificing the personal touch that sets them apart. With two decades of experience in the industry, Deborah understands the frustration of turning away great guests, whether due to lack of availability or location. That challenge led...

Send us a message! Many short-term rental operators think that getting listed on Airbnb or Vrbo is enough. But in today’s competitive landscape, basic distribution is no longer enough to stand out or to sustain growth. In this episode, we’re joined by Lennart Kok, VP of Distribution and Marketing at NextPax, to explore what smarter vacation rental distribution really looks like. With a background at Hilton, Booking.com, and now NextPax, Lennart brings rare insight into where distribution ofte...