The Layover

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Mauri Waneka, founder of Schwet, a hospitality-meets-wellness concept built around saunas, pools, steam, social connection, and what Mauri calls a “detox, retox” approach to living well. Rather than positioning Schwet as just another cold plunge or wellness space, Mauri frames it as a new kind of hospitality product: sexy, social, design-forward, and rooted in connection.

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In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Ryan Simonetti, president and CEO of Convene Hospitality Group, to explore the evolving intersection of hospitality, work, lifestyle, and travel. From his early roots around restaurants and hospitality through his father’s Martin’s potato roll delivery business to building one of the leading platforms for premium meetings, events, and flexible workspaces, Ryan shares how ...

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Robbie Bent, CEO and co-founder of OtherShip, a fast-growing wellness concept blending sauna, ice baths, breathwork, music, comedy, and emotionally driven group classes into a new kind of social experience.

What started as a backyard ice bath community in Toronto has evolved into a cult-favorite wellness brand with locations in Toronto and New York, designed for people looking to conn...

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Alex Schellenberger, former Global Chief Marketing Officer of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, to explore how one of the world’s most iconic luxury hospitality brands balances heritage, growth, and modern brand building.

From his early career at Procter & Gamble, Hugo Boss, Coty, and Accor to leading brand strategy for Mandarin Oriental, Alex shares how classical brand managem...

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Sander Allegro, hospitality strategist, international speaker, and founder of Allegro Innovations, to explore one of the industry's biggest questions: as hospitality becomes increasingly automated, how do we preserve the human connection that makes great travel memorable?

Drawing on decades of experience across hotel operations, education, consulting, and his leadership role with Qual...

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Jessie Fischer, founder and CEO of GuestOS, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming hospitality—not by replacing people, but by giving hotel teams more time to create meaningful guest experiences.

Raised in a family that has operated hotels near Yosemite National Park for more than 50 years, Jessie grew up answering phones, calming guests during wildfires and powe...

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Goedele Mangelaars, founder and CEO of Pink Notebook, an AI-powered travel platform reimagining how trips are discovered, planned, and booked. From growing up across continents to working at companies like Skyscanner and Terra API, Goedele brings a global, data-driven perspective to one of travel’s biggest pain points: too much inspiration, not enough context. Pink Notebook is ...

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Jon Skogmo, CEO of LOST iN, for an inside look at how the brand is redefining travel media; blending physical guidebooks, digital storytelling, and real-world experiences into one cohesive ecosystem.

From betting on print in a digital-first world to building a community that spans social, newsletters, and IRL events, Jon shares why the future of travel isn’t just about where you...

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with D’Andra Duggans, Chief Brand Officer of the Las Vegas Aces, to explore how women’s sports, destination marketing, and live entertainment are reshaping Las Vegas into a global sports travel powerhouse. From championship culture to marquee partnerships, D’Andra shares how the Aces are designing experiences that draw fans far beyond the arena.

As sports tourism surges t...

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Tom Marchant, co-founder of Black Tomato, the award-winning luxury travel company known for designing deeply immersive, emotionally driven journeys around the world. From backpacking through the Philippines and Brazil to building one of the most influential brands in experiential travel, Tom shares how curiosity, not comfort, has always been the compass.

Tom unpacks how Black Tomato h...

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Justine Johnson, Chief Mobility Officer for the State of Michigan, to explore how the state is future-proofing travel through bold infrastructure projects, clean energy innovation, and cross-border connectivity.

From America’s first public wireless-charging road to an EV-friendly Lake Michigan Circuit designed to keep charging stops within reach, Justine breaks down how Michiga...

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Mike Richter and Erica Fieldman of Unplugged Collective to unpack how modern travel storytelling is evolving—and what it really takes to build trust, scale audiences, and create content that actually moves people.

From navigating brand partnerships and audience growth to balancing creativity with commercial realities, Mike and Erica share an insider’s perspective on buildi...

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Gediminas Varvuolis, Ambassador of Lithuania to the United States, live from CES, to explore why this Baltic nation is quietly becoming one of Europe’s most intriguing travel destinations.

From medieval old towns and Baroque architecture to lakeside castles, comfort-driven cuisine, and a booming innovation ecosystem, Lithuania blends deep history with modern momentum in a way mo...

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Elizabeth Cole, Undersecretary of Tourism for the Yucatán, to uncover why this storied region is quickly becoming one of Mexico’s most compelling travel destinations.

Far beyond the crowds of Cancún, Yucatán offers travelers a deeper connection—to Mayan history, sustainable communities, and a culinary heritage that’s as alive today as it was centuries ago.

Elizabeth s...

In this episode of The Layover, we catch up with Mike Petrakis, CEO and founder of Batch, the app revolutionizing how people plan group travel and celebrations. From bachelorette blowouts and golf trips to divorce parties and girls’ getaways, Batch has become the go-to destination for organizing unforgettable group experiences—now in 90 markets across the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Mike shares how Batch is:

• Buil...

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Andy Tretiak, Chief Marketing Officer of Airshare, to explore how one of America’s fastest-growing private aviation companies is redefining what it means to fly smarter, not just higher.

From rebranding MLS club Sporting Kansas City to spearheading Airshare’s partnership with the PGA of America and Ryder Cup, Andy’s career sits at the intersection of creativity, stra...

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In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Zachary Smith, CEO of Anywhere, to unpack how a one-way trip to Oaxaca and an unexpected detour in Costa Rica grew into a global travel company redefining what it means to plan (and actually enjoy) your trip.

Born from the simple idea of making travel less stressful, Anywhere blends t...

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Einar Garzoa, co-founder and CEO of Conserve Safari, to explore how a finance career in Europe transformed into a mission-driven journey in Africa’s wilderness. From Latvia to Uganda to Tanzania, Einar’s story is one of reinvention—trading spreadsheets for savannahs to build eco-conscious safari lodges that connect travelers with nature and purpose.

Conserve Safari i...

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Ian Prichard, CEO and co-founder of Black Tie Ski Rentals & Delivery, to explore how a small-town idea sparked by an Alan Jackson VIP fitting turned into North America’s leading ski and bike delivery network.

From maxing out credit cards to launch a two-van operation in Steamboat Springs, to growing into 20 licensed locations across the U.S. and Canada, Black Tie has rewritt...