In this episode of The Co-Host Bros Podcast, Matt Codd and Austin Spitzenberger sit down with Simon Seroussi, founder of SweetOp, to talk about distribution, OTAs, and what short-term rental operators can learn from the hotel industry.

Simon brings nearly a decade of experience from the hotel software world, including time at TravelClick before it was acquired by Amadeus — one of the largest travel technology companies globally. His background gives him a unique perspective on how booking platforms, reputation, and distribution systems actually work behind the scenes.

The conversation explores how early experiences in New York experimenting with Airbnb evolved into deeper strategic thinking about optimization, positioning, and platform dynamics.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Simon transitioned from hotel tech to short-term rentals
• What OTAs are really optimizing for
• Why reputation matters more than ever in hospitality
• Lessons the hotel industry learned that STR operators often miss
• Early Airbnb adoption and platform evolution
• The future of distribution and positioning in short-term rentals

This episode is ideal for operators who want to understand the mechanics behind booking platforms and build smarter, more resilient businesses.

👥 Follow the Hosts

Matt Codd Instagram: @creativecodds TikTok: @creativecodds Facebook: @matt.codd.3 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-codd-9a3761375/

Austin Spitzenberger Instagram: @austin_spitzz TikTok: @austin_spitzz Facebook: @austin.spitzenberger LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-spitzenberger-70481111b/

In this episode of The Co-Host Bros Podcast, Matt Codd and Austin Spitzenberger sit down with Sam Hirst, a short-term rental marketing operator who helped scale some of the most viral themed vacation rentals in the country — and later grew STR tech platforms to tens of thousands of listings.

Sam started with Loma Homes, a company known for extreme themed vacation rentals near Disney that went viral and were featured in major publications like Forbes and Travel + Leisure. What began as an admin role turned into leading marketing during a period of explosive growth.

From there, Sam joined the founder to build Intellihost, an optimization platform helping STR owners rank higher on OTAs and increase revenue. As head of marketing and sales, he helped scale:

• 0 → 40,000+ listings on Intellihost
• A 7-figure revenue run rate
• Revenue IQ from 0 → 600+ users and 1,400+ properties under management
• A multi-person sales team with a repeatable calendar-filling system

In this episode, we cover:

• How extreme themed homes went viral near Disney
• Why having a remarkable product makes marketing easier
• How to rank higher on Airbnb and other OTAs
• The fusion of AI, listing optimization, and pricing strategy
• Building scalable sales systems in STR tech
• What most hosts misunderstand about marketing vs. product

This is a must-listen for STR operators who want to understand how marketing, optimization, and positioning actually drive revenue at scale.

👥 Follow the Hosts

Matt Codd

Instagram: @creativecodds

TikTok: @creativecodds

Facebook: @matt.codd.3

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-codd-9a3761375/

Austin Spitzenberger

Instagram: @austin_spitzz

TikTok: @austin_spitzz

Facebook: @austin.spitzenberger

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-spitzenberger-70481111b/

I

In this episode of The Co-Host Bros Podcast, Matt Codd and Austin Spitzenberger sit down with Jack Zoppa for a grounded conversation about building short-term rentals with clarity, discipline, and intentional decision-making.

Jack shares how he evaluates risk, why patience matters more than speed, and how too many operators get caught up chasing trends instead of building something sustainable. The conversation centers on slowing down, understanding your numbers, and making decisions that still make sense years down the road.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Jack approaches risk and decision-making in STRs
• Why long-term thinking beats short-term excitement
• Common mistakes operators make when moving too fast
• The importance of discipline, planning, and patience
• How to avoid hype-driven decisions
• Building STRs in a way that supports consistency and stability

This episode is ideal for hosts and investors who want a calmer, more strategic approach to short-term rentals and value making smart decisions over fast ones.

👥 Follow the Hosts

Matt Codd Instagram: @creativecodds TikTok: @creativecodds Facebook: @matt.codd.3 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-codd-9a3761375/

Austin Spitzenberger Instagram: @austin_spitzz TikTok: @austin_spitzz Facebook: @austin.spitzenberger LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-spitzenberger-70481111b/

In this episode of The Co-Host Bros Podcast, Matt Codd and Austin Spitzenberger sit down with Mike Stone, a short-term rental operator and savvy Realtor in the Arizona market, for a grounded conversation about what it actually takes to operate STRs responsibly.

Mike brings a practical perspective shaped by hands-on experience in both real estate and short-term rentals. Rather than chasing hype or quick wins, he talks through the realities of learning through trial and error, building solid processes, and understanding the responsibility that comes with operating properties and advising clients.

In this episode, we cover:

• What Mike has learned from operating STRs firsthand
• How his experience as an Arizona Realtor shapes his decision-making
• Why many hosts underestimate the responsibility involved in STRs
• The importance of process, consistency, and ownership
• Lessons that only come from real-world experience
• Why focusing on fundamentals beats chasing trends

This episode is ideal for listeners who want an honest, experience-driven perspective on short-term rentals and real estate, especially those building for stability and long-term success.

👥 Follow the Hosts

Matt Codd

Instagram: @creativecodds

TikTok: @creativecodds

Facebook: @matt.codd.3

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-codd-9a3761375/

Austin Spitzenberger

Instagram: @austin_spitzz

TikTok: @austin_spitzz

Facebook: @austin.spitzenberger

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-spitzenberger-70481111b/

In this episode of The Co-Host Bros Podcast, Matt Codd and Austin Spitzenberger sit down with JJ King, a hospitality and short-term rental professional with deep experience across the industry.

JJ shares how the STR space has evolved over the years, what he’s seen change, and what fundamentals still matter no matter how the market shifts. The conversation focuses on long-term thinking, building real relationships, and approaching hospitality as a people-first business rather than a quick-win opportunity.

Inside the episode:

• How the short-term rental industry has changed over time
• Why relationships still drive success in hospitality
• Lessons learned from years of experience in STRs
• What newer operators often overlook
• How to think long-term in a rapidly growing industry
• The importance of reputation and trust

This episode is ideal for hosts and operators who want to build a durable business rooted in fundamentals, not trends.

👥 Follow the Hosts

Matt Codd Instagram: @creativecodds TikTok: @creativecodds Facebook: @matt.codd.3 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-codd-9a3761375/

Austin Spitzenberger Instagram: @austin_spitzz TikTok: @austin_spitzz Facebook: @austin.spitzenburger LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-spitzenberger-70481111b/

In this episode of The Co-Host Bros Podcast, Matt Codd and Austin Spitzenberger sit down with Joe Rhone, a seasoned real estate professional with years of experience navigating multiple market cycles.

Joe shares his perspective on how the real estate business has evolved, what stays consistent no matter the market, and why long-term thinking beats short-term speculation. Rather than chasing trends, Joe focuses on fundamentals, patience, and understanding how to operate through both good and challenging times.

Inside the episode:

• How Joe views current real estate market conditions
• Lessons learned from past market cycles
• Why experience matters more than hype
• How to think long-term in a fast-moving industry
• The importance of fundamentals in real estate investing
• What newer investors often misunderstand about growth

This episode is a grounded, thoughtful conversation for anyone looking to build a real estate or STR business with clarity and durability.

👥 Follow the Hosts

Matt Codd Instagram: @creativecodds TikTok: @creativecodds Facebook: @matt.codd.3 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-codd-9a3761375/

Austin Spitzenberger Instagram: @austin_spitzz TikTok: @austin_spitzz Facebook: @austin.spitzenburger LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-spitzenberger-70481111b/

✅ Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform. Like, subscribe, share, and rate.

📄 EPISODE DESCRIPTION (Accurate to Transcript)

In this episode of The Co-Host Bros Podcast, Matt Codd and Austin Spitzenberger sit down with Chris Petzy, a short-term rental operator who takes a practical, numbers-first approach to building a profitable hospitality business.

Chris shares how he evaluates deals, why understanding your metrics is non-negotiable, and how too many hosts let emotion or ego drive decisions that should be driven by data. Rather than chasing hype or shortcuts, Chris focuses on consistency, realistic expectations, and making smart choices that hold up over time.

Inside the episode:

• How Chris evaluates STR performance using real numbers
• Why revenue alone doesn’t tell the full story
• The importance of knowing your costs, margins, and break-even points
• Common mistakes hosts make when scaling too quickly
• Why discipline and clarity matter more than hype
• How to think like an operator, not a gambler

This conversation is ideal for hosts who want to build something stable, profitable, and sustainable — not just chase trends.

Follow the show for more honest conversations with operators who focus on what actually works.

👥 Follow The Hosts

Matt Codd Instagram: @creativecodds

TikTok: @creativecodds

Facebook: @matt.codd.3

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-codd-9a3761375/

Austin Spitzenberger Instagram: @austin_spitzz

TikTok: @austin_spitzz

Facebook: @austin.spitzenburger

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-spitzenberger-70481111b/

In this episode of The Co-Host Bros Podcast, Matt Codd and Austin Spitzenberger sit down with Sam Amir, a short-term rental operator who built his hospitality business through consistency, patience, and learning from early mistakes.

Sam shares how he first entered the STR world, what those early days really looked like, and how COVID ended up shifting his mindset, strategy, and long-term vision. Instead of chasing hype or overnight success, Sam focused on building a business with strong systems, sustainable workflows, and a guest-centered approach.

Throughout the episode, Sam opens up about:

• How he got started and what he wishes he knew sooner
• Balancing a full-time job while running STRs
• What COVID taught him about adaptability in business
• How he built systems that actually keep operations running smoothly
• His philosophy on scaling slow vs. scaling fast
• The importance of communication and expectation-setting with guests
• The mindset shift that helped his business grow sustainably

This conversation is full of grounded, real-world STR lessons from someone who built their business step-by-step — not overnight.

Like, share, rate, and follow the show for more STR insights every week.