Episodes

Send us Fan Mail A mile of waterfront, a hillside that photographs cannot explain, and a resort name that dares you to relax. We’re joined by Justin McWilliams, developer and owner of Camp QYB (Camp Quitcherbichin) on Lake Bridgeport near Runaway Bay, Texas, fresh off winning Glamping Resort of the Year from TACO. Justin has spent roughly four decades in construction and land development, and he brings that hard-earned perspective to what it takes to build a real outdoor hospitality destinati...

Send us Fan Mail Nick Purslow returns with an update on Posh Outdoors and their latest partnership with Lagom Retreat. Connor & Nick compare what is working right now to launch and market boutique outdoor resorts. We swap real numbers, real trade-offs, and the details behind filling high-ADR cabins through video, paid ads, reviews, and distribution. • Posh Outdoors revenue share partnerships with landowners and modular unit deployment • Skyridge performance as proof of concep...

Send us Fan Mail You can learn a lot about outdoor hospitality from spreadsheets and site plans, but you learn the truth from the people who have carried the radio, calmed the queue, and still found a way to make the day feel fun. I’m joined by Lisa Courtney, VP of Operations and Sales at Camp Jellystone, and her career story starts in the most Jellystone way possible: stepping into a character suit and running recreation programming before working her way up to general manager and, later, br...

Send us Fan Mail There are 10+ marketing and advertising channels which should you invest in? We break down a practical, trackable way to drive more direct bookings for outdoor hospitality using better creative, Meta ads, landing pages and email nurture. We also share what we have learned the hard way about OTAs, influencer marketing, pixels, and where AI can genuinely help operators and marketing teams. • prioritising high-quality video content over higher ad spend • treat...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we mix things up a bit and sit down with two leading voices in outdoor hospitality (Mike Harrison of CRR Hospitality and Wendy Heineke of Hospitality Across America) to bust some of the most common myths in the industry. From “Pretty Is Enough” to “Set It and Forget It” pricing, this episode breaks down what actually drives repeat stays, maximized revenue, and stronger profitability across the RV resort and glamping industry. Here’s a breakdown of the myths d...

Send us Fan Mail Hear from Jasper Ribbers the founder of the industry leading 'Get Paid for your Pad' Podcast and the founder of Freewyld Foundry revenue management firm Deep Dive: hear the quickest gains via smart revenue management hacks. Jasper Rivers shares a practical framework for dynamic pricing, pacing, and AI so operators can stop guessing and start making deliberate decisions. • how do you know if your pricing your rooms too high? or too low? • revenue management as pricing pl...

Send a text We sit down with Sarah Dusek to explore how a six-suite, five-star safari lodge can fund rewilding, restore soils, and open access to wilderness without compromising design, comfort, or values. We trace the path from Under Canvas to Few and Far, and dig into pricing, inclusion, funding, and carbon goals. • glamping origins and the leap from under canvas to few and far • operational headwinds, capital stacks, and industry maturity • designing hybrid cliff suites with locally mille...

Send a text We talk with Hilton Grand Vacations COO Gordon Gurnick about how modern timeshares use points, perks, and partnerships to unlock cabins, yurts, and city condos while leaning hard into outdoor experiences and member-only events. We explore unit economics, brand tiers, and why localisation and distribution decide winners. • HGV’s evolution from deeded weeks to flexible points • Member-only experiences from concerts to LPGA events • Outdoor expansion with cabins, yurts, ...

Send us a text We sit down with Mike and Ann Howard of HoneyTrek to unpack what truly makes a glamping stay unforgettable, from soul‑led storytelling to small, high‑impact touches that guests remember for years. Their field‑tested tips show how owners can create warm arrivals, immersive experiences, sustainable operations, and thoughtful farewells without huge budgets. • the proprietor’s why as the foundation of brand and experience • researching Comfortably Wild by visiting 150 camps in per...

Send us a text We chart how Ben Wolff scaled from short-term rentals to design-led outdoor resorts, sold into a public REIT, built a content-first marketing firm, and now launches a wellness agritourism brand near Miami called Baya. Clear tactics on funding, pricing, direct bookings and the partners that make it work. • founder-level partners who own execution and upside • debt and equity strategies across banks, CPACE, USDA and VCs • influencer barbell strategy and content-first marketing •...

Send us a text Connor welcomes new co‑host Shari Heilala to dig into the data, the grit, and the joy that power outdoor hospitality—from feasibility studies and appraisals to design choices that actually raise rates and length of stay. Shari brings a rare mix: she’s valued massive retail portfolios, led international corporate services, developed her own apartments, and for years has guided campgrounds, RV resorts, and glamping projects with lender‑ready analysis. We get practical on what se...

Send us a text We trace Joe Lisa's path from college painting gigs to a $13m experiential hospitality portfolio, exploring how purpose, scrappy execution, and smarter permitting turned failures into fuel. From desert yurts to a reborn Ohio marina, we share what scales, what breaks, and why charm wins. • Aligning purpose with business and life • Invest in your own self development • Soul Stay’s waterfront build and unit mix • Permits, zoning, septic, and conditional use • Bootstrapping Arizon...

Send us a text What if a small, story-rich resort could command a seven-figure brand premium—and what would it take to build one? We sit down with creator-operator Isaac French to trace the arc of Live Oak Lake. From building Waco's first micro resort, an early Airbnb suspension that forced an unexpected direct booking strategy, and a sale shaped by the power of narrative. Isaac opens up about the choices behind fewer, better units, and why biophilic design moves both hearts and numbers...

Send us a text A sign-off, a handover, and a candid origin story. We open with why the mic is changing hands and then dive straight into Connor’s path—from a childhood of four brothers and a legendary treehouse to a career shaped by a passion for the outdoors and a data-led obsession with outdoor hospitality investment data. You’ll hear how a sold-out weekend in Joshua Tree reframed “dirt” as valuable inventory, why the numbers pushed him from traditional camping toward glamping, and how a mo...

Send us a text Soon, we’ll be renaming the show to “The Outdoor Hospitality Podcast” to better reflect our mission and expand our content horizons. Make sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t lose us due to the change. This transformation stems from our core purpose: empowering entrepreneurs and business owners who are creating unique properties that that get people outside. Ultimately, we want our work to help people disconnect from the stressors of daily life and reconnect with nature, l...

Send us a text Nick makes a big announcement about stepping back from the podcast to focus 100% on Posh Outdoors and scaling that business. Shari Heilala the CEO of Sage Outdoor Advisory has stepped up as the new Co-Host joining Connor. Nick shares the latest updates and insights on Posh's successful launch out of the gates. You can continue to follow Nick on his linkedin and subscribe to his newsletter the glamping insider.

Send us a text Matt Bare returns for part two, sharing the real-world challenges of hot tubs, designing a landscape pool, and surviving a hurricane. From health department battles to designing for both luxury and efficiency, this episode reveals what it takes to deliver five-star experiences where adventure and luxury collide. Learn more on the Glamping Collective website or instagram. Sponsor: Clockwork Architecture and Design Website the outdoor hospitality industry leader in site design, e...

Send us a text Are private hot tubs a profitable investment? Is it foolish to build in a booming glamping market with high competition? What is better a glass cabin or luxury dome? What does it take for your glamping property to survive a hurricane? Find out in Part 1 with Matt Bare, the founder of the Glamping Collective near Asheville, NC. He shares how he transformed 130 acres of private mountaintop land into a five-star glamping destination. From uncompromisi...

Send us a text Hear the secrets behind Sandy Van's meteoric rise in the luxury adventure van market. We are joined by Alan Mondus CEO and Evan Purcell COO as they share their journey from building vans in their driveway to building a $350K luxury adventure vehicles. Learn more on the Sandy Vans website or instagram. Sponsor: Sage Outdoor Advisory is the outdoor hospitality industry leader in feasibility studies and appraisals. Schedule a complimentary consultation wit...

Send us a text The two most experienced managers in outdoor hospitality go head-to-head. Hear insights from Scott Randall and Jacob Halverson. These two managers have worked at the industry leading properties like Paws Up, Auberge, AutoCamp, Mendocino Grove, Wildhaven, and more. What does it take to become an elite glamping operator? Find out here. Wildhaven Glampitect North America The Glamping Insider (Nick's newsletter) Posh Outdoors Sage Outdoor Advisory Nick's email: nick@posh-outdoors.c...

Send us a text In huge news for the glamping industry, The Fields of Michigan has been acquired by glamping giants, Under Canvas. Irene Wood returns to the pod to give us the lowdown: How it all went down; the advice she'd give to operators looking for a similar exit; and what's next for her. Irene is always a blast. Give it a listen! Open Sky Glampitect North America The Glamping Insider (Nick's newsletter) Posh Outdoors Sage Outdoor Advisory Nick's email: nick@posh-outdoors.com Connor's em...

Send us a text In this episode we dive in with Scott Randall who helped launch Paws Up, AutoCamp and Wildhaven over his 25 year career in outdoor hospitality. There is no person on this continent with more experience growing prominent glamping brands. Hear about creating ice wall climbing, dog sledding, and hot air balloon rides in the Montana wilderness. Learn about what makes an outdoor hospitality operation fail or flourish. Wildhaven YosemiteGlampitect North Americ...

Send us a text Familiar favourite Bygnal Dutson from Open Sky in Zion returns to the pod today, but this time he's joined by his General Manager, Wes McCloskey. Today's episode is all about the nitty gritty of running a glamping business as the GM. What roles and responsibilities does a GM carry out? What's the hardest part of the job? What's Wes' advice to prospective glamping GMs? Open Sky Glampitect North America The Glamping Insider (Nick's newsletter) Posh Outdoors Sage Outdoor Advisory N...

Send us a text Hear the story behind Sol Stay, one of America's only glamping resorts ON THE WATER. Find out how Joe Lisa and Bill Nolan built this unique property on the waters of Lake Erie in Ohio. In this episode you will learn how they: Found and reimagined this run down marinaRaised the money to renovate into a floating glamping resortBuilt a floating sauna, added a rooftop hot tub, and convinced a Venice Beach graffiti artist to paint a mural on their building. This is ...