In this episode, Chris Hynes, Co-Founder and CTO of OwnerRez, joins Matt Landau for a wide-ranging conversation on public speaking, self-discovery, leadership, and the human side of AI. From Toastmasters lessons and storytelling breakthroughs to leading engineering teams through uncertainty, Chris shares how creativity, emotional awareness, and repetition shape both personal growth and company culture. Together, they explore how AI is accelerating innovation in the vacation rental industry while also pushing leaders to reconnect with their voice, values, and sense of purpose.

A thoughtful conversation between Ryan Casey, CTO & Principal of Lighthouse Vacations, and Matt Landau on navigating the tension between fear and opportunity in the age of AI, through the lens of hospitality, leadership, and purpose.

From unpacking public skepticism around AI to practical, real-world applications inside a vacation rental business, Ryan shares a grounded perspective: don't chase hype.. start with your mission. The discussion explores how technology should enhance, not replace, what makes hospitality meaningful, highlighting concepts like "front porch hospitality," small vs. big AI bets, and why authenticity is the real competitive advantage.

The episode takes a powerful turn into purpose-driven business, as Ryan shares the story behind Lighthouse Vacations and their deeper mission supporting foster families. Reminding us that the most important innovations aren't just technical, but human.

This is not a conversation about AI tools.
It's about using technology to become more human, not less.

Learn more about their impact initiative: Lighthouse Cares | Lighthouse Vacations

A conversation between Matt Landau and Clair Stoddard, co-owner of Cascade Vacation Rentals, on the power of stepping into the unknown—where growth, leadership, and authenticity truly begin.

From career-defining leaps of faith to redefining "failure" as a pathway to opportunity, Clair shares how embracing uncertainty shaped her journey from hospitality operator to co-owner. Together, they explore how nature, human connection, and curiosity can ground us in an increasingly automated world—and why the most powerful leadership skill today may be the willingness to not have all the answers.

This episode dives into building businesses that scale without losing their soul, the importance of real human relationships in the age of AI, and how small, courageous decisions can unlock entirely new paths.