Radical Hospitality Show

Zeke Freeman

Welcome to the Radical Hospitality Show where we dive into a fascinating blend of business expertise and genuine compansion in hospitality. Whether you're a seasoned hospitality expert or a budding entrepreneur, our show is for you.

We dive deep into the world of architecture, development, and hospitality, exploring the unique challenges and opportunities that arise when creating exceptional experiences. Join us as we interview fascinating guests who share their insights, stories, and practical advice.

Tune in for inspiring conversations, actionable tips, and a fresh perspective on the hospitality industry.

Podcast: https://radicalhospitalityshow.com/

Instagram: @rootarchitecturedevelopment

YouTube: The Radical Hospitality Show

TikTok @RadicalHospitalityShow
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Top 10 Radical Hospitality Show Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Radical Hospitality Show episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Radical Hospitality Show for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Radical Hospitality Show episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Inside Azul Fuego: How a Family Rebuilt a Restaurant—and a Dream

Radical Hospitality Show

04/29/25 • 10 min

Today, we’re coming to you straight from Azul Fuego with the incredible family behind its transformation—Levy, Ligmar, and Arturo.

In this episode, they open up about how they turned a longtime neighborhood restaurant into a vibrant, welcoming new space. You'll hear the full story of Azul Fuego’s rebirth: from buying the business back in 2006, to rolling up their sleeves for a full renovation, and building a restaurant that feels like home for the community.

We dive into:

The family’s deep roots in the restaurant industry
Why quality ingredients and genuine hospitality matter more than anything
How they curated a standout tequila selection without overwhelming guests
The unexpected hurdles (and surprises) during the renovation
What they learned about permits, planning, and patience
Their advice for anyone dreaming of opening or renovating a restaurant

Plus, they share their favorite dishes and the parts of the new space they’re most proud of—from the lively bar to the clean, inviting atmosphere.

Whether you're a foodie, an entrepreneur, or someone who loves hearing about passion projects coming to life, this episode will inspire you.

Connect with Zeke Freeman:
Instagram: @zekefreeman_rootarchitecture and @rootarchitecture
YouTube: @rootarchitecture
Facebook: @RootArchitectureandDevelopment
LinkedIn: Zeke Freeman
X/Twitter: @zfreemanroot
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Brad Blazar Reveals the One Thing Investors Really Want—That Nobody Talks About

Radical Hospitality Show

04/22/25 • 61 min

In this episode of the Radical Hospitality podcast, host Zeke interviews capital raising expert Brad Blazar. They discuss Brad's journey from aspiring architect to successful entrepreneur and capital raiser, exploring the intricacies of building relationships with investors, effective communication strategies, and the importance of understanding regulations in capital raising.
Brad shares insights on how to navigate the investment landscape, the significance of collaboration in real estate, and best practices for managing investor relations and capital. The conversation emphasizes the transformative potential of real estate investment and the importance of education and networking in achieving success.
00:00 Introduction to Capital Raising and Brad Blazar
05:45 Brad's Journey into Capital Raising
11:57 The Blueprint for Successful Capital Raising
18:06 Building Investor Relationships
24:03 Effective Communication with Investors
29:47 Pitch Deck Essentials for Capital Raising
33:01 Crafting the Perfect Pitch Deck
35:07 Understanding Subscription Agreements and PPMs
36:31 The Importance of Disclosure in Securities
41:39 Navigating Regulation D: 506B vs 506C
46:45 Benefits of Investing in Real Estate vs Stocks
55:08 Effective Capital Management and Investor Relations
59:25 The Power of Other People's Money (OPM)
Connect with Brad Blazar:

Instagram: @bradblazar

Why Emotional Design Matters More Than Ever in Modern Architecture with Adrian Ramsay

Radical Hospitality Show

04/15/25 • 64 min

In this episode of the Radical Hospitality Podcast, host Zeke Freeman interviews Adrian Ramsay, a visionary designer and founder of AR Design House. Adrian shares his unique journey from a swimwear designer to an award-winning architect, emphasizing the role of creativity, ADHD, and dyslexia in shaping his career. The conversation explores the importance of collaboration, community, and the power of focusing on one's strengths while navigating challenges in the design industry.
In this conversation, Adrian and Zeke explore the intricacies of architectural design, emphasizing the importance of editing in the design process, learning from industry giants, and the significance of working with great clients. Adrian shares insights from his podcast experiences, highlighting the value of design magic and land whispering, which focuses on understanding the relationship between a building and its environment.
The discussion also touches on finding and filtering clients, the role of word-of-mouth referrals, and the creative processes that lead to successful architectural projects.

How Adventure Built a Hotel: Bobby Mikulas on Purposeful Hospitality

Radical Hospitality Show

04/07/25 • 48 min

In this episode of the Radical Hospitality Show, host Zeke Freeman interviews Bobby Mikulas, co-founder of Kinship Landing, a boutique hotel in Colorado Springs.

Bobby shares his journey from a non-hospitality background to creating a community-centric hotel that emphasizes adventure and local experiences. The conversation delves into the importance of core values in building a strong team and navigating the challenges of starting a new hospitality venture, including the construction process and lessons learned along the way. In this conversation, Bobby from Kinship Landing shares insights on navigating the complexities of construction costs, hotel operations, and future visions for community engagement.

He discusses the importance of budgeting, contractor relationships, and the challenges faced during hotel development. Bobby emphasizes the significance of culture in hotel management and the need for strategic partnerships. He also outlines his vision for expanding Kinship Landing and engaging with local communities through various initiatives.

03:55 Building a Community-Centric Boutique Hotel

09:33 Core Values and Team Formation

15:38 From Concept to Construction

20:14 Navigating Construction Challenges

25:58 Navigating Construction Bids and Budgeting

26:36 Dealing with Budget Overruns and Bank Issues

28:57 Strategies for Contractor Agreements

32:19 Incentivizing Contractors for Better Results

33:07 Transitioning to Hotel Operations

34:23 DIY vs. Professional Hotel Management

36:18 Key Roles in Hospitality Management

41:00 Balancing Unique Experiences with Professional Management

43:29 Future Plans and Vision for Kinship Landing

45:51 Upcoming Events and Community Engagement

Discover A Blueprint For Scaling From Side Hustle To A Thriving 10+ Hotel Portfolio with Neil Shah

Radical Hospitality Show

03/31/25 • 54 min

In this episode of The Radical Hospitality Show, host Zeke Freeman sits down with Neil Shah, founder of Inntech Management and owner/operator of 13 hotels, including six in Sedona, Arizona. Neil shares his inspiring journey from immigrant electrical engineer to hospitality entrepreneur. He reveals how he got his start with just $20,000 saved from a side hustle building websites, and how that turned into a growing portfolio of boutique hotels.

Neil breaks down his investment strategy, partnership dynamics, operations philosophy, and what it really takes to succeed in the boutique hotel space—especially when transitioning from short-term rentals. This episode is packed with real-life lessons, tactical advice, and behind-the-scenes stories that are especially helpful for aspiring hoteliers, STR operators, and real estate entrepreneurs.

Key Topics Discussed:

Neil’s journey from India to owning 13 hotels in Arizona
How a side hustle funded his first hotel investment
The power of mentorship and long-term partnerships
What it takes to transition from STR to hotel ownership
Operational efficiencies, financing strategies, and building teams
Technology tools for hotel operations (Cloudbeds, DDL, Whistle)
Workforce housing challenges and solutions in high-cost areas
Advice for structuring GP/LP partnerships
What to consider before jumping into new hotel construction
How Neil turned around a 30% occupancy hotel into a thriving asset

02:15 Neil's Journey: From Electrical Engineer to Hotel Owner

03:04 First Steps in the Hotel Industry

04:09 The Big Realization: Loving the Hospitality Business

04:37 From College to Flagstaff: Building a Career

06:14 First Investment: The Best Western Deal

12:56 Scaling Up: The Tucson Property

17:24 Partnership Dynamics and Mentorship

21:44 Advice for Aspiring Hotel Entrepreneurs

27:00 Staffing Needs for Larger Properties

27:39 Transitioning from Airbnb to Boutique Hotels

28:13 Challenges in Hotel Management Systems

29:49 Common Mistakes by New Hoteliers

30:39 Defining Your Buy Box and Raising Capital

31:42 Current Portfolio and Management Strategies

34:23 Technology and Operations in Boutique Hotels

37:28 Dealing with Workforce Housing Challenges

38:54 Impact of Political Changes on Business

40:23 Advice for Limited and General Partners

43:41 Acquiring vs. New Construction

46:23 Case Study: Successful Repositioning in Sedona

53:15 Future Plans and Mentorship

Why Grit, Risk, and Vision Matter in Business and Climbing with Asa Firestone, CEO of A-Lodge

Radical Hospitality Show

03/24/25 • 56 min

In this episode of The Radical Hospitality Show, host Zeke Freeman sits down with Asa Firestone—climber, adventurer, and CEO of A-Lodge—to unpack the wild journey from scaling granite walls in the Amazon to creating one of Colorado's most unique hospitality experiences.

Asa shares what it means to build a life around adventure, how near-death expeditions taught him tenacity, and the surprising lessons he carried from the big walls of El Capitan into building A-Lodge. Together, Zeke and Asa explore the parallels between entrepreneurship and exploration, the evolution of adventure hospitality, and why sometimes not knowing the full plan is a feature—not a bug.

Whether you’re a climber, a creative, or a business builder, this episode will challenge you to go all in—even when the summit seems far away.

What We Cover:

Growing up between D.C. and Colorado, and falling in love with the outdoors
Big wall climbing in Yosemite, Peru, and a wild National Geographic expedition to Venezuela
The uncomfortable lessons of solo climbing—and solo entrepreneurship
Building A-Lodge from scratch and reimagining what "adventure hospitality" means
Tips on seasonal hospitality, off-season strategy, and building for both climbers and families
How to commit to a path even if you don’t know the outcome

Quotes Worth Remembering:

“At a certain point, it’s easier to keep moving forward than to bail.”
“If you're not growing, you're dying—and that applies to people just as much as business.”
“Sometimes the climb you didn’t finish teaches you the most.”

🔗 Links & Resources:

A-Lodge Website
Learn more about Zeke Freeman & Root Architecture: root-ad.com

The Growth Formula: How Architects Can Scale from $1M to $10M with Enoch Sears

Radical Hospitality Show

03/17/25 • 54 min

Most architecture firms hit a glass ceiling at $1M—so how do you break past that and scale to $10M without burning out?

In this episode, host Zeke Freeman sits down with Enoch Sears, founder of Business of Architecture, to unpack the Smart Practice Method—a framework that helps architects transition from solopreneurs to firm owners with thriving, profitable businesses.

Enoch shares hard-won insights from his journey coaching architects on how to stop being overworked and underpaid, build a team, and implement scalable systems to achieve financial freedom. Whether you’re an architect, developer, or entrepreneur in the real estate and hospitality space, this episode is packed with actionable advice you don’t want to miss.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

The biggest mistakes architects make when trying to grow their firms
Why most firms stall at $1M and the mindset shift needed to break through
The Smart Practice Method—a 4-pillar framework for sustainable firm growth
How to position your firm for high-value projects and premium pricing
The power of delegation: hiring the right people vs. outsourcing efficiently
How to structure your fees to ensure profitability (hint: $200K should be your baseline)
Remote vs. in-house teams: which model is winning today?
How Enoch is building a retreat center in Costa Rica (and what he's learning from it)

02:22 Challenges in Starting an Architecture Firm
09:27 The Smart Practice Method
13:48 Scaling an Architecture Business
28:02 Remote vs. In-House Teams
29:57 The Red Hotel Project: From Architecture Office to Boutique Hotel
30:49 Building a Remote and Integrated Team
31:39 Effective Client Engagement Strategies
33:14 Creating Educational Content and Podcasting
36:34 The Business of Architecture: Consulting, Coaching, and Training
41:18 Delegation Challenges and Overcoming Subconscious Programming
46:45 Spiritual Growth and Internal Work
50:46 Upcoming Projects and Future Plans
53:43 Conclusion and Contact Information

The Blueprint for Building Wealth Through Short-Term Rentals with Emanuele Pani

Radical Hospitality Show

03/10/25 • 40 min

In this episode of Radical Hospitality, host Zeke converses with Emanuele Pani, a seasoned real estate expert and CEO of Dulce Vita Vacation Rentals. Emanuele shares his journey from Sardinia, Italy to the U.S. and his success in building a diverse real estate portfolio and managing Airbnb properties. He delves into the essence of creating a clear mental picture, inspired by Gaudi's architectural visions, to achieve personal and professional goals. Emanuel also touches on the importance of mindset, personal development, and surrounding oneself with the right people to foster growth. The discussion addresses practical advice for those looking to break into the short-term rental market and create their own version of La Dulce Vita.
00:16 Emanuel's Journey and Achievements
01:32 Exploring Mediterranean Culture
05:18 Mindset and Personal Development
08:39 The Immigrant Experience and American Dream
13:27 Building a Supportive Community
17:31 Mentorship and Continuous Learning
21:06 The Importance of Deep Knowledge
21:58 Understanding the Concept of 'I Am'
27:25 The Power of Visualization
28:49 Creating a Clear Mental Picture
31:06 Bringing Your Vision to Life
39:00 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

He Left Medicine to Build a $187M Hotel Empire—Here’s How! - Sujay Mehta Interview

Radical Hospitality Show

03/03/25 • 62 min

In this episode of Radical Hospitality, host Zeke Freeman sits down with Sujay Mehta, the entrepreneur behind Bloom Ventures, a company managing over $187 million in hotel assets. Sujay’s journey is anything but ordinary—starting in medical research and addiction rehab before pivoting into boutique hotels and real estate development. He shares how a life-changing spiritual retreat influenced his business approach, why boutique hotels are better than multifamily investments, and the unexpected challenges of hotel development. Tune in to hear insider tips on raising capital, working with hotel brands, and managing a thriving hospitality business while balancing family life.
00:00 – Welcome to Radical Hospitality: Meet Sujay
01:07 – Sujay’s Wildly Diverse Background (Medical, Rehab, Real Estate)
04:45 – A Life-Changing Spiritual Retreat That Changed Everything
10:08 – Why Boutique Hotels Over Multifamily Investments?
16:45 – The Challenges of Running a Hotel vs. Other Real Estate
22:32 – Building a $7M Hotel: Costs, Financing, and Construction
34:15 – The Truth About Hotel Franchise Fees (And How They Get You!)
42:10 – The Rise of Container Hotels: Inside His Next Big Project
51:03 – How To Invest in Hotels & Get Involved with Sujay
56:45 – Where To Follow Sujay & Closing Thoughts

The STR Optimization Mindset with Michael Sjogren

Radical Hospitality Show

05/26/25 • 54 min

In this episode of Radical Hospitality, Zeke Freeman sits down with Michael Sjogren—CPA-turned-hospitality entrepreneur, founder of Short-Term Rental Secrets, and co-founder of STR WealthCon, the world’s largest host-driven short-term rental conference. Michael shares his powerful origin story—from navigating his son’s rare health condition to leaving corporate life and building a real estate empire with 90+ properties and boutique hotels.

But this episode isn’t just about real estate—it’s about optimization. Michael breaks down his signature approach to building systems that let you stop trading time for money, avoid burnout, and play the game at the CEO level. Whether you're just starting or scaling fast, this conversation is filled with game-changing advice on co-hosting, RevPAR, investor relations, boutique hotel strategy, and how to build wealth through strategic hospitality.

Key Topics Covered:

Michael’s personal journey from CPA to STR mogul
How a health crisis became the catalyst for freedom
The CASPER framework for building scalable STR businesses
Why most people create another job (and how to avoid it)
RevPAR over ADR: how real pros optimize revenue
The shift from short-term rentals to boutique hotels
How to think like an asset manager, not a property manager
The power of mastermind rooms and leveling up your network
STR WealthCon 2025: what’s new and what to expect

Notable Quotes:

“There are three ways to play this game: the player, the coach, or the owner. The goal is to become the owner—and optimize your time, your team, and your freedom.”

Resources & Links:

Connect with Michael on Instagram: @mike.sjogren
Learn more at: shorttermrentalsecrets.com
STR WealthCon 2025 Tickets: strwealthconference.com

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FAQ

How many episodes does Radical Hospitality Show have?

Radical Hospitality Show currently has 32 episodes available.

What topics does Radical Hospitality Show cover?

The podcast is about Architecture, Hospitality, Entrepreneurship, Hotel, Podcasts, Business and Airbnb.

What is the most popular episode on Radical Hospitality Show?

The episode title 'Brad Blazar Reveals the One Thing Investors Really Want—That Nobody Talks About' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Radical Hospitality Show?

The average episode length on Radical Hospitality Show is 41 minutes.

How often are episodes of Radical Hospitality Show released?

Episodes of Radical Hospitality Show are typically released every 7 days, 1 hour.

When was the first episode of Radical Hospitality Show?

The first episode of Radical Hospitality Show was released on Jul 25, 2024.

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Radical Hospitality Show

Zeke Freeman

Top 10 Radical Hospitality Show Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does Radical Hospitality Show have?

What topics does Radical Hospitality Show cover?

What is the most popular episode on Radical Hospitality Show?

What is the average episode length on Radical Hospitality Show?

How often are episodes of Radical Hospitality Show released?

When was the first episode of Radical Hospitality Show?

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