Virtual GM - A Hotel Management Podcast

In this episode, Cody sits down with Jason Jenkins, Vice President of Sales at Bonafide AI, to unpack one of the most important shifts happening in hospitality today: how artificial intelligence is reshaping exposure, trust, and bookings.

AI isn’t coming—it’s already here. The question is whether hotels will use it to their advantage or get left behind.

Jason and Cody dive into how Bonafide AI is helping hospitality brands cut throug...

In this episode, Cody & Meagan explore a major shift shaping modern hospitality: guests care far more about how a place feels than how big it is. As travel becomes more experience-driven, unforgettable moments, emotional design, and intentional details are replacing square footage as the true measure of value.

This episode challenges operators to rethink how they design, market, and deliver hospitality in the experience economy.

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In this episode, Cody & Meagan pull back the curtain on one of the biggest myths in hospitality: that running a rental is “passive income.” With humor, honesty, and plenty of real-life stories, they break down what guests think operators do all day versus the invisible work that actually keeps properties running.

From last-minute emergencies to emotional labor no one prepares you for, this episode shines a light on the reality b...

Spring Break bookings are chaos season—and in this episode, Cody and Meagan break down why. This isn’t normal travel behavior. It’s emotional, urgent, and often stressful. Guests aren’t just booking a room… they’re booking relief.

With an energetic, observational, and practical tone, this episode helps operators understand the psychology behind Spring Break bookings and what actually pushes guests to click “Book Now.”

🔹 Cold Open: C...

In this episode, Cody and Meagan revisit the heart of what this podcast is all about: being a Virtual GM. With remote operations becoming the norm—not the exception—this conversation is a must-listen for any owner or operator looking to manage smarter, leaner, and more flexibly.

Meagan brings a rare perspective, having served as a Virtual GM since 2020, navigating the hospitality industry through massive change. From pandemic-era pi...

Meagan rejoins Cody for a timely and future-focused conversation on one of the most transformative forces in hospitality: Artificial Intelligence. As guest expectations rise and teams remain lean, AI is quickly becoming a must-have—not a nice-to-have—for properties heading into 2026.

In this episode, Cody and Meagan break down how hoteliers can realistically use AI today—without needing a tech background or massive budget.

🔹 Segment...

In this episode, Cody welcomes Audrey Yates, Vice President of Hotel Partnerships at Stash Hotel Rewards, to break down what truly makes loyalty programs work for independent hotels—without sacrificing brand identity or guest experience.

Cody and Audrey dive into how Stash empowers independent properties to compete with big brands by offering meaningful loyalty benefits, driving repeat stays, and increasing direct bookings—while sti...

In this episode, Cody sits down with special guest J. Viola, Chief Operating Officer at Hotel Interactive, to pull back the curtain on one of the most impactful event series in hospitality: BITAC.

Cody and J. dive into what truly sets BITAC events apart from traditional conferences—from the highly curated format to the quality of relationships built in the room. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or underwhelmed by large trade shows, t...

In this episode, Cody and Meagan dive into the powerful world of micro-moments—those small, often overlooked guest interactions that can build lasting loyalty and boost your property’s reputation.

🔹 Segment 1: What the Heck is a Micro-Moment?
Discover what micro-moments really are and why they matter more than ever in hospitality.

🔹 Segment 2: Stories from Real Properties
Cody and Meagan share inspiring examples of micro-...

Kick off 2026 with Meagan and Cody as they dive into everything you need to start the new year strong in boutique hospitality. This special New Year’s Day episode is all about fresh energy, new goals, and smart upgrades to set your property apart.

🔹 Segment 1: New Year Guest Vibes
Learn what guests are expecting in the new year and how to match those fresh vibes to boost guest satisfaction and bookings.

🔹 Segment 2: Quick Upgr...

In this Christmas-morning episode, Cody & Meagan dive into what makes a stay truly special at the holidays — from guest expectations to festive touches — and wrap things up with their own Christmas movie showdown 🎬.

🎁 What’s Inside:

🔹 Segment 1: What Guests Want for Christmas

• A warm welcome, cozy ambiance, and thoughtful touches that turn a stay into a holiday memory.
• How small hotels and rentals can anticipate guest needs d...

In this episode, Cody sits down with special guest Walter Peseski
(LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-peseski/), Senior Vice President of Asset Management at Garfield Public/Private—one of the most respected firms in the development and public/private partnership space.

With more than 30 million square feet developed, over $11 billion in financing structured, and $2 billion in successful public/private projects, Garfi...

In this episode, Cody & Meagan dive into the powerful role storytelling plays in hospitality branding. A great story can turn a stay into an experience—and create lasting emotional connections with your guests.

They break down how to craft a compelling brand story that truly resonates and builds loyalty.

🔹 Segment 1: Why Story Matters
Why do stories stick? Cody & Meagan explain how stories shape guest expectations, crea...

In this episode, Cody & Meagan tackle one of the trickiest parts of hospitality—upselling. When done poorly, upselling can feel pushy or “slimy” to guests, but when done right, it can enhance the guest experience and boost your revenue.

Cody & Meagan break down how to make upsells feel natural, helpful, and even welcome—so your guests feel cared for, not sold to.

🔹 Segment 1: What Makes an Upsell Feel Bad
Explore common...

Thanksgiving Special!
In this festive episode, Cody & Meagan celebrate the holiday by going head-to-head in a Thanksgiving Snake Draft to build the best Thanksgiving dish lineup ever.

Meagan drafts: Turkey, Ham, Hand-Made Rolls, Gravy, Broccoli Casserole, Cranberries & Funeral Potatoes.
Cody drafts: Mashed Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Brisket, Homemade Mac & Cheese, Salad, Deviled Eggs & Homemade Apple P...

In this episode, Cody & Meagan dive into one of the most mission-critical topics for hotels heading into 2026: Reputation Management. Guest expectations are higher than ever—and reviews now live everywhere, from Google to TikTok to niche travel communities. Whether you're a boutique inn or a full-scale resort, your reputation is your revenue.

Cody & Meagan break down the exact framework Vibrant uses to help properties p...

In this special episode, Cody takes a nostalgic (and inspiring!) look back at the most downloaded Vibrant Guest Management Podcast episodes from each of the last four years. From the very first season to the latest breakthroughs in AI, these episodes represent the best conversations, insights, and moments our listeners couldn’t get enough of.

Here are the top picks:

1. 🏨 Tools You Need to Get Started in Hospitality (July 12, 2022)<...

Just in time for Halloween, Cody gets spooky and shares his top 5 all-time Halloween movies. These are films that deliver chills, laughs, nostalgia—and a little bit of magic for the season.

Here’s the lineup:

1. Halloween (1978) — IMDB
2. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) — IMDB
3. Hocus Pocus - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107120/?ref_=ls_t_1
4. Halloweentown — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0173886/
5. Beetlejuice — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt...

In this episode, Cody breaks down the Top 5 Digital Must-Haves every hotel, resort, and boutique property needs to thrive in today’s hospitality landscape. Whether you’re a small independent inn or managing multiple properties, these digital essentials will help you drive bookings, boost visibility, and stay ahead of the competition.

From building a high-converting website to mastering your review strategy and leveraging paid ads, C...