The Socially Awkward Podcast

From Green Initiatives to Guest Loyalty: Building the Future of Hospitality Through Tree Planting and Plastic Cleanup Programs

sustainability

Sustainability is no longer optional in hospitality—it’s the expectation. A recent Booking.com report found that 84 percent of global travelers now prioritize making their trips more sustainable, raising the bar for hotels worldwide. Yet too many properties are still relying on the basics—like towel reuse cards or energy-saving reminders—that guests increasingly see as table stakes….

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Latest

Hospitality
Rank, Reach, and Revenue: Unlock YouTube Marketing Strategies That Drive Hospitality Growth

The hospitality industry has weathered enormous shifts in the last five years, from pandemic‑era shutdowns to evolving guest expectations. Although hotels are projected to add over 14,000 employees in 2025, staffing levels are still well below pre‑pandemic (2019) figures. For hotel professionals, visibility and adaptability are critical, not only in operations but in how they…

Read More
Hospitality
Moving Beyond Social Media Buzz: How Authentic Content & Long-Term Influencer Partnerships Can Drive Hotel ROI

Influencer marketing is rapidly changing, and many hotels are still figuring out how to tap into its full potential. As travelers demand more authentic and relatable content, the pressure is on for hotels to adapt their marketing strategies. But with skepticism around the true ROI of influencer partnerships, it’s more important than ever for brands…

Read More
Hospitality
Leaders Driving Hospitality Career Development Must Embrace Tech, Inclusion, and Risk

The hospitality industry is under mounting pressure to modernize to meet guest expectations for seamless, tech-driven experiences and also develop leaders who can drive that transformation. According to Rackspace Technology, only 28% of travel and hospitality companies qualify as “AI leaders”— those aligning strategy, compliance, and training with real-world deployment. Another 28% remain in…

Read More
Hospitality
Heart-First Hospitality Leadership: How Saying ‘Yes’ Transforms Guest Experiences, Boosts Staff Morale, and Drives Business Results

As the hospitality industry emerges from years of pandemic-driven upheaval, hospitality leadership is evolving to meet new challenges. Leaders are looking for new ways to retain staff, elevate guest satisfaction, and drive revenue without burning out their teams. One trend gaining traction is the power of “Yes”: empowering employees to say yes more often,…

Read More

Latest

National Campus Safety Month: What Every Student and Parent Should Know
National Campus Safety Month: What Every Student and Parent Should Know
September 19, 2025

September marks National Campus Safety Month, a timely reminder for students and parents to prioritize personal safety as a new school year begins. In this episode of Secured, Carrie Pasquarello, CEO of Global Secure Resources, highlights emerging risks on college campuses and the proactive steps that can help students stay safe and empowered. One of…

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enrollment
Kai: Finally an AI Tool for Enrollment Teams to Create Connection, Not Just Mine Data!
September 19, 2025

Artificial intelligence has become the buzzword of the moment in higher education, but for many enrollment teams, it often feels like just another layer of complexity on top of an already demanding job. Budgets are tight, teams are stretched thin, and the pressure to recruit and retain students has never been greater. What leaders are…

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Mark Morinishi
Why Discernment and Curiosity Matter in Career and Life: A Conversation with Mark Morinishi
September 18, 2025

Career paths rarely move in a straight line. For Mark Morinishi, the road wound from designing playgrounds to teaching English in Japan, and eventually to leading digital engagement at a Bay Area church. His story raises a timely question: how do we find purpose when our professional lives take unexpected turns? This episode explores what…

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digital
The Science and Artistry of Building a Brand in the Digital Age: Where SEO Meets User Experience and Strategy Meets Creativity
September 18, 2025

What started as a simple race to rank on Google has become a complex game of algorithms, analytics, and AI. Today, standing out online takes more than keywords—it takes strategy, adaptability, and a clear vision. With billions of searches happening every day, businesses are under mounting pressure to capture attention in a digital landscape that’s…

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Latest Videos - Socially Awkward Podcast

sustainability
Articles Hospitality
From Green Initiatives to Guest Loyalty: Building the Future of Hospitality Through Tree Planting and Plastic Cleanup Programs
August 27, 2025

Sustainability is no longer optional in hospitality—it’s the expectation. A recent Booking.com report found that 84 percent of global travelers now prioritize making their trips more sustainable, raising the bar for hotels worldwide. Yet too many properties are still relying on the basics—like towel reuse cards or energy-saving reminders—that guests increasingly see as table stakes….

Read More
Rank, Reach, and Revenue: Unlock YouTube Marketing Strategies That Drive Hospitality Growth

The hospitality industry has weathered enormous shifts in the last five years, from pandemic‑era shutdowns to evolving guest expectations. Although hotels are projected to add over 14,000 employees in 2025, staffing levels are still well below pre‑pandemic (2019) figures. For hotel professionals, visibility and adaptability are critical, not only in operations but in how they…

Read More
Moving Beyond Social Media Buzz: How Authentic Content & Long-Term Influencer Partnerships Can Drive Hotel ROI

Influencer marketing is rapidly changing, and many hotels are still figuring out how to tap into its full potential. As travelers demand more authentic and relatable content, the pressure is on for hotels to adapt their marketing strategies. But with skepticism around the true ROI of influencer partnerships, it’s more important than ever for brands…

Read More
Leaders Driving Hospitality Career Development Must Embrace Tech, Inclusion, and Risk

The hospitality industry is under mounting pressure to modernize to meet guest expectations for seamless, tech-driven experiences and also develop leaders who can drive that transformation. According to Rackspace Technology, only 28% of travel and hospitality companies qualify as “AI leaders”— those aligning strategy, compliance, and training with real-world deployment. Another 28% remain in…

Read More
Hospitality leadership
Hospitality
Heart-First Hospitality Leadership: How Saying ‘Yes’ Transforms Guest Experiences, Boosts Staff Morale, and Drives Business Results
July 2, 2025

As the hospitality industry emerges from years of pandemic-driven upheaval, hospitality leadership is evolving to meet new challenges. Leaders are looking for new ways to retain staff, elevate guest satisfaction, and drive revenue without burning out their teams. One trend gaining traction is the power of “Yes”: empowering employees to say yes more often,…

Read More