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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Ready to get started on your hospitality project? Visit us at https://root-ad.com/

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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.

Using Behavioral Science in Hospitality Design with Callie van der Merwe

Radical Hospitality Show

10/20/24 • 34 min

I'm honored to have Callie Van Der Merwe join me on today's podcast to talk about how his firm uses humans hard-wired psychology to design the most efficient and effective spaces - what color temperature should lighting be, how heavy should chairs be, what angle should walls be. His firm always begins their design process by deeply understanding who is going to use the space, and then begin their process.
You can learn more about Callie Van Der Merwe at his firm's website: https://www.cooop.co/

Connect with Zeke Freeman:
Instagram: @zekefreeman_rootarchitecture and @rootarchitecture
YouTube: @rootarchitecture
Facebook: @RootArchitectureandDevelopment
LinkedIn: Zeke Freeman
X/Twitter: @zfreemanroot
Ready to get started with your hospitality project?
https://root-ad.com/
Get in Touch: Stay connected with the Radical Hospitality podcast for more episodes exploring the intersection of architecture, design, and unforgettable guest experiences.
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Business & Life Lessons from 500 MILES of Hiking (Colorado Trail)

Radical Hospitality Show

08/28/24 • 18 min

Luke Pesce, a local 16 year old adventurer, has accomplished a lot in life. Today, I had the honor of chatting with him about how his journey on the Colorado Trail - an 486 mile trail from Denver to Durango - and what we all can learn from it.
00:00:00 - Why Do The Colorado Trail
00:03:20 - Logistics of the Colorado Trail
00:07:38 - Business Lessons from 500 Miles of Hiking
00:12:25 - Spiritual/Life Lessons from the Colorado Trail
00:16:00 - Luke's Next Big Project
www.RadicalHospitalityShow.com
Instagram @rootarchitecture
YouTube @rootarchitecture
TikTok @RadicalHospitalityShow
Facebook @RootArchitectureandDevelopment
Ready to get started with your hospitality project?
www.Root-AD.com

5 Creative Strategies for Making Money in Short Term Rentals in 2024

Radical Hospitality Show

09/10/24 • 27 min

The 2010's were the Golden Era of STR's and it was easy to make money, but with rising interests rates, new regulations, and competition, making money with STRs is a little harder. Today, I want to present to you five unique strategies and ways to make money in this ever-changing short-term rental market.
00:00 - How I Got Started in Real Estate
05:10 - Short-Term Rental Boom of the 2010's
09:00 - Alternatives to Short-Term Rentals
13:42 - Bed and Breakfasts
15:09 - House Hacks and ADU's
16:40 - Glampgrounds, Treehouses, RV's, etc.
21:09 - Boutique Hotels
24:00 - The Life Real Estate Provides You

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.

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

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

Don't Hire an Architect Unless You Can Answer THIS Question - Peter Twohy Interview

Radical Hospitality Show

10/27/24 • 46 min

I sat down to interview Peter Towhy to hear his philosophy in working with clients, the role of the architect in the design process, and how he's using VR to helps clients visualize their final projects.
Peter Twohy, Principal of 2e Architects, is an award-winning residential architect who specializes in designing custom homes. Peter’s home designs focus on elevating the lifestyle and enjoyment his clients have in their home from traditional or modern to the custom aesthetic his clients seek. He believes that the most beautiful home in the world is the one custom designed for you. Each luxury home he designs is unique and tailored to a client’s sensibilities.

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FAQ

How many episodes does Radical Hospitality Show have?

Radical Hospitality Show currently has 31 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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