The Cohost Bros

Some people chase the biggest portfolio they can find. Michael Friedman did the opposite, and it might be the smartest thing he ever did. Matt and Austin sit down with Michael Friedman, CEO of Simple Life Hospitality and co-founder of Vacation Rental University, for one of the most experience-packed conversations the show has ever had.

With over 35 years in hospitality, vacation rentals, and real estate, Michael has held executive r...

If you want to know where the STR industry is headed, talk to someone who was doing revenue management before Airbnb and VRBO even existed. Matt and Austin sit down with Michelle Marquis, founder of The Marquis Effect and co-founder of ShortCuts4STR, for a wide ranging conversation with one of the most seasoned and respected voices in the vacation rental technology space.

Michelle started her career as a hotelier doing revenue manag...

What if you could generate more revenue with 9 properties than most operators do with 50? That is exactly what Kory Rankine has built in Miami. Matt and Austin sit down with Kory Rankine, founder and CEO of Escape Luxury Hospitality, one of South Florida's premier luxury vacation rental companies catering to high net worth individuals, celebrities, and athletes in the Miami market.

Kory started his career at 27 years old with zero e...

The Great Smoky Mountains is one of the most visited and most competitive STR markets in the country. Over 12 million tourists a year, but also one of the toughest places to stand out when every cabin on Airbnb starts to look exactly the same. Brendan Davis figured out how to win anyway.

Matt and Austin sit down with Brendan Davis, founder and CEO of Magnolia Vacation Rentals and co-founder of Southern Hospitality by Magnolia in Nas...

Some people come into the short-term rental industry chasing money. Lucas Piper came in chasing something bigger and accidentally built one of the most respected luxury STR brands in Central Texas along the way. Matt and Austin sit down with Lucas Piper, founder of Five Star Vacation Home Rentals in Austin, for one of the most genuine and inspiring conversations the show has had.

Lucas started as a social worker making $26,000 a yea...

What if you could get more bookings, give back to veterans, and list your properties for free all at the same time? That is exactly what Matt Hammlett and the team at Crew Dogs have built. Matt and Austin sit down with Matt Hammlett, COO of Crew Dogs and a seriously impressive STR operator in his own right, for a conversation packed with operator insight and a genuinely compelling platform that every host and property manager shoul...

there is one person in the vacation rental industry who has literally seen and done it all, it is Steve Trover. Matt and Austin sit down with the co-founder and CEO of Better Talent for a conversation that every STR operator and property manager needs to hear. With over 30 years in the space, Steve has founded 16 companies, built and scaled a four-location vacation rental management company to 400 properties, co-developed LiveRez (...

Not everyone gets into the short-term rental industry by owning or managing properties, and Stephanie Rounds is proof of that. Matt and Austin sit down with Stephanie, Owner Relations Manager at Beachside VR on Florida's Space Coast, who found her way into the STR world over 12 years ago through photography and conference work with VRMA, eventually landing at Better Talent as a Talent Relationship Specialist before transitioning to...

If you have ever felt overwhelmed by marketing your STR or co-hosting business, this episode is exactly what you need. Matt and Austin sit down with Chantell Hammond, business and marketing strategy coach and founder of Strategy Square, who helps short-term rental operators cut through the noise and build marketing strategies that actually fit their business.

Chantell did not start in the STR world. She ran a Pilates studio, sold a ...

Design is one of the most underrated revenue drivers in the short-term rental business, and this is the first time in over 100 episodes that the Co-Host Bros have had a designer on the show. Episode 103 brings in Andrea Moxham, virtual STR designer and founder of Moxie and Co., to break down exactly how thoughtful design translates directly into more bookings and better reviews.

Andrea started her career running a marketing agency b...

f you have ever thought about taking your STR or co-hosting business to the next level, this episode is your roadmap. Matt and Austin sit down with Dawn Cornett, Texas-based STR investor, co-host, and boutique hotel operator behind Skyview Vacations, as well as co-founder of Hospitality Hustle. With nearly a decade in the short-term rental space, 40 properties under management, and her own micro resort plus multiple boutique hotels...

Austin's out, the guests cancelled, and Matt is flying solo for Episode 101! But don't sleep on this one because he drops some real talk on one of the hottest topics buzzing around the STR community right now: the return of Airbnb's split fee model.

Should you switch back? Matt breaks down exactly why he thinks staying on the simplified fee structure is the smarter move, and walks through the math that most operators are overlooking...

Episode 100 is here, and we brought in a big one to celebrate. Matt and Austin sit down with Mike Michalowicz, bestselling author of Profit First, The Pumpkin Plan, Clockwork, and his newest book, The Money Habit. Simon Sinek called him the patron saint of entrepreneurs, and after this episode, you will understand why.

Mike breaks down the money mistakes that are quietly killing small businesses, including STR management companies, ...

If you've ever thought about selling your STR business someday, this episode is a must-listen. Matt and Austin sit down with Dylan Burgess, VP of Mergers and Acquisitions at C2G Advisors, the leading M&A advisory firm in the short-term rental industry. With nearly 10 years in the space and 36 acquisitions under his belt, Dylan has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Vacasa and VTrips, and now helps ...

In this episode of The Co-Host Bros Podcast, Matt Codd and Austin Spitzenberger sit down with Cody Wood, founder of Ghost Hosts, a company that helps vacation rental operators build stronger systems, leadership structure, and scalable operations.

Cody’s journey into short-term rentals started with a simple house-hacking strategy in Houston while transitioning out of an engineering career. What began with renting spare bedrooms...

In this episode of The Co-Host Bros Podcast, Matt Codd and Austin Spitzenberger sit down with Phillip and Kate Munoz, a husband-and-wife team who turned a single beach house idea into a growing short-term rental portfolio and management company.

Their journey started in 2020, when Phillip — already investing in long-term rentals — started listening to STR podcasts and convinced Kate (while she was very pregnant) that the...

In this bonus episode of The Co-Host Bros Podcast, Matt Codd and Austin Spitzenberger sit down with Tera Lorimer, a luxury vacation rental operator with nearly two decades of experience in the industry and the current President of VR Nation.

Tera’s journey started in 2001 as a custom home builder, constructing vacation homes near Mount Baker, Washington, one of the snowiest places in North America. Over time she transitioned i...

In this episode of The Co-Host Bros Podcast, Matt Codd and Austin Spitzenberger sit down with Mike Kitko, a recovered Fortune 500 executive leader, former Marine, and founder of Inner Wealth.

Mike shares a raw story of everything collapsing: two high-level executive roles lost, a home that felt like a battlefield, his wife battling pharmaceutical addiction, his own drinking at toxic levels, and a moment where he seriously considered...

In this episode of The Co-Host Bros Podcast, Matt Codd and Austin Spitzenberger sit down with Josh George, founder of Deja Vu Vacation Rentals in Southern California.

Josh shares his unconventional path into short-term rentals — from directing and working in Apple’s advertising department to managing nearly 60 vacation rentals full time.

The conversation dives deep into one major decision that tested his business philosop...