Room for All

Room for All

The Inclusion in Hospitality Podcast Welcome to Room for All – the podcast where we dive deep into the world of inclusive employment and explore the power of creating opportunities for people with disabilities. Andrea Comastri, CEO and co-founder of Hotel Etico, Australia’s first not for profit social enterprise hotel and Saraya O’Connell, General Manager of Hotel Etico. will be your hosts as they talk about the importance of breaking down barriers in the workplace with a particular focus on hospitality and other customer facing roles, and how businesses can lead the charge toward inclusion. At Hotel Etico, we believe that everyone deserves a fair chance to succeed, and we’ve made it our mission to not only provide jobs but to build meaningful careers for people with disabilities. On this podcast, we’ll be sharing success stories, best practices, and inspiring conversations with industry leaders from the hospitality sector, disability sector, other social enterprises, philanthropy and of course our own trainees graduates and staff. Whether you’re a business owner, an advocate for inclusion, or someone curious about the future of work, this podcast is for you. So come and join us at Hotel Etico, or as we call it…the Hotel California for the heart. A place where once you have checked in…your heart will never never leave!” So, let’s get started and open the doors for all.

Episodes

October 16, 2024 1 min

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Welcome to Room for All, the podcast dedicated to exploring inclusive employment, particularly for people with disabilities. Hosted by Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell from Hotel Etico, Australia’s first not-for-profit social enterprise hotel, this episode delves into breaking barriers in the workplace, with a focus on hospitality and customer-facing roles. Listeners will hear success stories, best practices,...

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Embracing Inclusion: The Journey and Mission of Hotel Etico

In this series, hosts Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell introduce listeners to 'Room for All,' a podcast dedicated to sharing the mission and vision behind Hotel Etico, Australia's first not-for-profit social enterprise hotel. They explore the origins of Hotel Etico, its Italian roots, and how it serves as a pathway to independence for y...

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Empowering Through Hospitality: The Story of Hotel Etico

This episode of Room For All features hosts Andrea and Saraya O'Connell alongside guest Tracylee Arestides, delving into the inspiring journey of Hotel Etico. The conversation spans from Tracy's personal story as a mother of a child with Down Syndrome to the establishment of Hotel Etico, a pioneering initiative that trains and employs individuals with d...

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Empowering Inclusive Careers in Hospitality: Insights and Strategies

In this insightful episode of Room for All, hosts Andrea and Saraya engage in an enlightening discussion with Sofia Ballone, Employment Manager at Hotel Etico, about the importance of inclusive hiring practices in the hospitality industry. The episode delves into Sofia's background, her passion for human rights, and her commitment to aiding train...

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In this reflective episode of 'Room for All,' hosts Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell discuss their journey with the podcast, personal challenges, and their mission for inclusion in the hospitality industry. They delve into their demanding schedules, touching on personal life pressures, leadership struggles, and the importance of self-care. The episode includes light-hearted moments, such as planning...

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Creating Inclusive Employment: Hotel Etico's Journey with Scott Bear

In this episode of 'Room for All,' hosts Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell delve into inclusive employment for people with disabilities, featuring Scott Bear, General Manager of Mercure Sydney Manly Warringah. They discuss the success of Hotel Etico, a social enterprise providing career opportunities in hospitality, and highligh...

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Welcome to Room for All!

Join hosts Saraya O'Connell and Andrea Comastri as they discuss Hotel Etico's innovative Program Elevate with guest Mariella Cuttonaro. This initiative focuses on transitioning individuals with disabilities from supported employment to open employment in the hospitality and tourism sectors. Learn about Mariella's extensive experience in the field, the genesis of the pr...

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Exploring Social Enterprise with Sally McGeoch - Inclusion in Hospitality Podcast

Join hosts Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell on the Room for All - Inclusion in Hospitality podcast as they welcome special guest Sally McGeoch. In this episode, Sally shares her inspiring journey from growing up in a family business committed to inclusive employment to becoming a Senior Advisor at Westpac Foundation. Le...

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January 15, 2025 53 mins

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Customer Service and Guest Experience - Featuring Samantha Cox

In this episode of 'Room for All,' Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell, hosts from Australia's first social enterprise hotel, Hotel Etico, dive into the world of inclusive employment. They discuss the importance of creating opportunities for people with disabilities, particularly in customer-facing roles within the hospitality industry....

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Training for Inclusion: Interview with Hotel Etico's Training Manager

In this episode of Room for All, hosts Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell welcome special guest Nathalie Kasselis, the Training Manager at Hotel Etico. They discuss Nathalie's personal background, her passion for fitness, nature, and poetry, and her professional journey from finance to training. The conversation delves deep into the ...

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May 17, 2025 75 mins

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Quinn's Inspirational Journey: From Trainee to Accomplished Chef

In a special episode of 'Room For All,' hosts Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell celebrate Andrea's birthday with an extraordinary guest, Quinn Jones. Quinn, one of the original trainees from the first intake back in 2021, shares his inspiring journey from a shy, reserved individual to a confident apprentice chef at the Fairmont...

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June 21, 2025 57 mins

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Innovations in Disability Employment: An Insightful Discussion with Dr. Jenny Crosbie

Join co-hosts Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell from Hotel Etico as they welcome Dr. Jenny Crosbie, a principal industry fellow at the Centre for Social Impact at Swinburne University, to discuss the WISE (Work Integration Social Enterprises) model and the unique WISEability model. The conversation includes an in-depth look at...

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