It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast

By: David Kong Dorothy Dowling Rachel Humphrey Lan Elliott
  • Summary

  • It's Personal Stories is a podcast series highlighting the inspiring career journeys of prominent leaders in the hospitality industry. The series features over 200 interviews, with new ones added weekly. Each interview presents the unique personal story and insights of C-suite executives, educators, and other industry professionals. Guests share their experiences, including overcoming self-doubt, achieving work-life balance, facing challenges, public speaking, taking risks, networking authentically, developing leadership skills, and more. Through these deeply personal stories, you are encouraged to dream big and confidently pursue your personal and professional goals.

    Founded in 2022 by industry veterans David Kong, Dorothy Dowling, Rachel Humphrey, Lan Elliott, and Huilian Duan, It’s Personal Stories has been recognized by the International Hospitality Institute as a top hospitality podcast each year since it launched. To watch or listen now, visit www.ItsPersonalStories.com.
    © 2025 It's Personal Stories, A Hospitality Podcast
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Episodes
  • William Ferguson interviewed by David Kong
    Feb 20 2025

    Bill shares how he differentiates Ferguson Partners by meeting his clients’ many needs and the founding of his nonprofit foundation - Centers of Excellence by scaling the Marriott Sorenson Howard University idea to 25 universities. We discuss the chapters of his new book ‘Living Beyond Your Dreams’ and he used the powerful and inspiring stories of Tom Baltimore, Leslie Hale, Daryl Carter and Mit Shah to illustrate the essence of several principles in his book - ‘Character Counts’, ‘Get Back up’, ‘Find Your Champions’, ‘Live to Learn’, ‘Play the Hand You’re Dealt, and ‘But Don’t Settle’. Don’t miss his valuable tips on preparing for job interviews and how he evaluates top candidates.

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    31 mins
  • Amy Vaxman_ Vice President_ Questex_ Interviewed by Rachel Humphrey
    Feb 20 2025

    Amy talks about the importance of public speaking and why everyone should develop this skill as early as possible in their careers. She discusses support systems, preparing for business travel, strategies for conference attendance, and building strong networks. Amy shares why it is important to celebrate and share your successes as an individual and not just as part of a team in order to advocate for yourself and advance your career.

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    28 mins
  • Eric Jacobs_ Global Growth Officer_ Aimbridge Hospitality
    Feb 17 2025

    Eric shares how his love of cooking set in motion a lifelong career in the hotel industry. He talks about realizing leadership at any early age, how his leadership has evolved over time, and why character is the driving factor in building great teams. Eric discusses why his engagement with non-profits is so important for him, the important ways his employers have supported him in these endeavors, and his advice to his younger self.

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    32 mins

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