Best Naudy Podcasts (2026)

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Rafat Ali - Skift l Building a Travel Media Empire That Actually Matters 1:01:48

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9d ago1:01:48

1:01:48

Building a travel media empire isn’t for the faint-hearted, and Rafat Ali knows exactly what he’s talking about. This December, Fritz sits down with Rafat, founder and CEO of Skift, for a conversation loaded with insider insights on travel media, startups, and the raw realities of running a global brand. They get into everything from how Skift carv…

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Dirk Bakker – Colliers | The Money Moves Behind Hospitality’s Hottest Destinations 45:54

1M ago45:54

45:54

Money talks, but hotels walk the walk! And Dirk Bakker knows exactly which ones are worth your attention… We’re warming up this month of November with an episode packed with insider perspectives from Dirk, Head of EMEA Hotels at Colliers. During the Future Hospitality Summit 2025 in Dubai, Dirk and Fritz dove into what’s shaping hotel investments, …

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Elie Milky – Radisson Hotel Group | Talking Global Growth, Lifestyle Hotels & Branded Residences 48:14

3M ago48:14

48:14

By SMACK Hospitality

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Christopher Hartley & Simon Naudi - GHA & Corinthia | Loyalty, Luxury & Grand Boutique Hotels 39:10

4M ago39:10

39:10

Two industry titans in one iconic room?! SMACK Season 7 is officially starting, and we couldn’t think of a better way to kick it off. Christopher Hartley, CEO of Global Hotel Alliance, and Simon Naudi, Group CEO of Corinthia Hotels, joined Fritz at the stunning Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria Brussels during the GHA’s annual CEO meeting. The result? …

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Ian Di Tullio - Minor Hotels l Spreadsheets, Sky Miles & Suite Dreams 55:10

7M ago55:10

55:10

First it was finance spreadsheets, now it’s suite dreams: Ian Di Tullio’s journey to the top of Minor Hotels is anything but ordinary. Let’s just say: it started with data and ended with loyalty (lots of it). We mic’d up with the Global Chief Commercial Officer, Ian Di Tullio, who went from flying high with Air Canada & Accor to shaking up hospital…

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Samuel Njoroge - Millenium Hotels l From Phone Operator to Planet Protector 28:00

7M ago28:00

28:00

Say hello to Samuel Njoroge, Director of Quality Assurance & Sustainability at Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA, joining our latest Breaktime episode with the fabulous Mari. Talking trash (literally), tech, and turning purpose into planet-saving action. From phone operator in 2009 to full-blown eco-legend today, Samuel’s journey is pure SMACK: hus…

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María Zarraluqui - Melia Hotels l From Legal Life to Luxury Hotels with a Spanish Twist 38:16

8M ago38:16

38:16

From courtroom to boardroom, now serving global hospitality with that Spanish spice. Meet María Zarraluqui, VP of Global Development at Meliá Hotels International, lawyer-turned-development-queen and Mallorca-based hospitality firecracker. We caught up with her at IHIF2025 in Berlin, where our host Florian had the mic, and María brought the magic. …

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Richard Hyde - SLH | Swiping Right on Luxury & Small Hotels 56:59

8M ago56:59

56:59

Swiping Right on Luxury & Small Hotels. The wait is finally over… As you might know, Richard Hyde, COO of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, took the hot seat SMACK Live at Young Hoteliers Summit at #EHL in Lausanne and here comes his podcast episode. From his slide into hospitality to building what he calls the “Tinder of Hotels” – matching dream s…

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Adam Crocini – Hilton | Crafting Iconic F&B Experiences & CIA Anecdotes 49:14

9M ago49:14

49:14

Are you ready for some stories about waffles, wellness, and the CIA? Adam Crocini isn’t just shaping Hilton’s F&B scene across 8,000+ properties - he and his team have also been pushing those legendary DIY waffles like true breakfast evangelists. Yes, the iconic Hampton by Hilton ones. As SVP of Global Design, Wellness, and Food & Beverage at Hilto…

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Glenn Haussman - No Vacancy | From Hip-Hop to Hospitality and Hustling Behind the Mic 38:40

11M ago38:40

38:40

Buckle up, hospitality fans, this episode is double trouble on the mic! Glenn Hausman, Podcast Host and initiator of THE No Vacancy Podcast, joined Flo to discuss how one moves from editing hip-hop videos to running one of the biggest podcasts in hospitality. Flo and Glenn chat about personal branding, career moves, and why AI will never be able to…

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Glenn Mandziuk - World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance | Leading the Green Revolution in Hospitality 48:59

11M ago48:59

48:59

What do sustainability, the future of hospitality, and King Charles III have in common? Turns out, more than you’d think – and Glenn Mandziuk, CEO of the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, is here to spill the tea (or should we say, the royal Earl Grey?). In this episode, Glenn met with Phil to chat about what sustainability really means for #…

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Nick Cavanaugh | Weather Proof Bookings: From Stormy Clouds to Stress Free Travels 18:46

12M ago18:46

18:46

How to avoid cranky customers and rainy days 🌧☂ Ever wondered what happens when a #climate scientist becomes a travel enthusiast? Meet Nick Cavanaugh, who turned his PhD in atmospheric physics into a solution for weather-impacted #travelplans. In this Breaktime episode, Lisa chatted with the founder and CEO of SensibleWeather, who is planning to ma…

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Emma Sleight | Behind the scenes of the World's 50 Best Hotels 24:12

1y ago24:12

24:12

What makes The World’s 50 Best Hotels award so iconic? In this Breaktime episode, Mari has a delightful chat with Emma Sleight, Head of Content at The World’s 50 Best Hotels - aka the Oscars of hospitality. Emma gives us a peek into the special award categories, like the SevenRooms Icon Award, Flor de Caña Eco Hotel Award, and Nikka Best New Hotel …

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John Blanco - Capella Hotels & Resorts | Winning The World’s 50 Best Hotels & inspiring excellence 46:19

1y ago46:19

46:19

What's the secret behind leading a team to the World’s 50 Best Hotels award? Hint: It’s not just a killer minibar! John Blanco, General Manager of Capella Bangkok, sits down with Phil to share his journey. From chef to hotel industry pro, John’s worked on every continent and brought those global insights with him to create a winning team at Capella…

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Felicity Black-Roberts – Hyatt | The Hyatt Way of Hotel Development 30:45

1y ago30:45

30:45

SVP Development for EAME - Hyatt How does Hyatt approach hotel development? For this episode Felicity Black-Roberts Senior Vice President of Development for EAME at Hyatt met with Fritz at the FHS world to chat about hotel development in Europe and the Middle East. They explored how the hotel investment landscape has transformed and what this could…

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Pier Paolo Righi - Karl Lagerfeld | From Runway to Hospitality 42:44

1y ago42:44

42:44

CEO KARL LAGERFELD Ever dreamed of living in Karl Lagerfeld’s world of fashion and design?  Well, it’s about to get real!  In this SMACK episode Pier Paolo Righi, CEO of Karl Lagerfeld, shares exclusive insights on how the brand has evolved since the maestros passing, his visionary approach to luxury, and the creative legacy he left behind. Fritz a…

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Mieke Berkers on Breaktime | Independent Hotel Show goes Munich 19:49

1y ago19:49

19:49

Director European Business Development @Montgomery Group This is hotter than your morning coffee! Join us for our very first #Breaktime episode on SMACK! Mari is kicking things off with Mieke Berkers, Director of European Business Development at Montgomery Group, who’s giving us the inside scoop on the Independent Hotel Show Munich making its first…

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Daniel Afonso | Senior VP of People & Culture at Radisson | Empowering talent in hospitality 42:17

1+ y ago42:17

42:17

Senior VP of People & Culture @Radisson Hotel Group Are you the driver of your career or just a passenger along for the ride? In this episode, Pat sits down with Daniel Afonso, Senior VP of People & Culture at Radisson Hotel Group, and trust us, staying stagnant is not on the agenda. Daniel shares his story – From a start in finance to his accident…

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Jonathan Worsley - The Bench & FHS | Shaping Hospitality Development through Investment Events 36:50

1+ y ago36:50

36:50

We’re kicking off Season 6 in the vibrant streets of London, where Jonathan Worsley, Chairman & CEO of The Bench, met with Fritz to explore the past, the present and the future of hospitality and its exciting global development. With the FHS World in Dubai just around the corner, Jonathan shared his insights on the Middle East’s remarkable transfor…

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This is SMACK 0:37

1+ y ago0:37

0:37

Hi there, and welcome to Smack. In case we haven't met, we introduce the most knowledgeable experts in hospitality legends in a very personal way. Here, you'll find some great insights and updates from within the hospitality and tourism sector. And besides our podcast, we have some more exciting formats like Dirty Laundry, Ask Me Anything, and Huma…

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Simon Mayle – PROUD Experiences | LGBTQ+ travel experience: traveling under the rainbow flag 46:30

1+ y ago46:30

46:30

…By SMACK Hospitality

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Chris Nader – ENVI Lodges | Sustainable luxury, outdoor hospitality & his entrepreneurial journey 46:17

1+ y ago46:17

46:17

Founder & CEO @ENVI Lodges …By SMACK Hospitality

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Fahad Abdulrahim Kazim - Millennium Hotels & Resort | Insights & stories about hospitality in the Middle East 38:11

1+ y ago38:11

38:11

CEO @Millennium Hotels & Resorts MEA …By SMACK Hospitality

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Caroline Tivéus - Pandox | A Mastermind of Numbers behind Sustainability 43:27

1+ y ago43:27

43:27

SVP & Director of Sustainable Business @Pandox …By SMACK Hospitality

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Alexi Khajavi – Questex | Connecting hotel real estate owners with brands, trends and tech 50:02

1+ y ago50:02

50:02

President Hospitality, Travel and Wellness @Questex Let’s say 2023 was not quite the year of deal-making within the industry. Then what does the future have in stock for #hospitality and #realestate? Alexi Khajavi President Hospitality, Travel and Wellness at Questex set down with Flo at last week’s IHIF to discuss trends, the role of technology an…

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Atul Chopra – FreshOn Table | Minimum emissions, maximum nutrition – harvest on demand 48:28

1+ y ago48:28

48:28

Founder & CEO @FreshOn Table Have you ever wondered what grows in the desert? We have. So we sent Phil to talk to someone who knows - Atul Chopra, Founder and CEO of FreshOn Table, who supplies restaurants and hotels in UAE with fresh greens and other edibles. Minimum emissions, maximum nutrition is his motto and led him to create a company that co…

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Sir Rocco & Lydia Forte | Rocco Forte Hotels – A family business and a way of life 54:44

2y ago54:44

54:44

Chairman and Group Director F&B @Rocco Forte Hotels .By SMACK Hospitality

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Patrick Mendes – ACCOR | SMACK Live! at YHS-Pre-Event 56:56

2y ago56:56

56:56

CEO @ACCOR for Premium, Midscale & Economy in Europe and North Africa …By SMACK Hospitality

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Jillian MacLean - Drake & Morgan | A female-influenced bar & restaurant empire 37:44

2y ago37:44

37:44

Founder & CEO @Drake & Morgan …By SMACK Hospitality

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Bill Heinecke – Minor Hotels | An overnight success that took 55 years 35:44

2y ago35:44

35:44

Founder & Chairman @Minor Hotels …By SMACK Hospitality

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Josiah Mackenzie – Hospitality Daily | Two hosts, countless tales, and a daily dose of hospitality 34:05

2y ago34:05

34:05

Host @ Hospitality Daily .By SMACK Hospitality

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Hubert Viriot – YOTEL | From Gatwick Airport to the world: A success story 45:26

2y ago45:26

45:26

CEO @ YOTEL Yes, you can do things differently! Even in the hotel business. Listen to 2024’s first smack episode and learn from YOTEL CEO Hubert Viriot how the brand has established a new status quo in the travel business over the past decade. YOTEL has been rocking its own way from the beginning, by focusing on highly tech-savvy customers and the …

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Gabriela Schmidle – MTS Marketing | The mystery of Christmas Markets & mulled wine maneuvers 34:41

2y ago34:41

34:41

Founder & CEO @MTS Vienna Winter wonderland vibes coming your way! 🏰 🌟 Gabriela Schmidle, Founder and CEO of mts vienna (Marketing Tourism Synergy #Vienna) and organizer of the Schloss Schönbrunn Christmas Market in Vienna, joined Pat for a jolly chat about the business side of these unique events. Patrizia and Gabriela discussed what makes the per…

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Dr. Ellen Madeker – Airbnb | Balancing acts: tourism regulations, politics & female leadership 40:54

2y ago40:54

40:54

Head of Public Policy DACH & CEE @Airbnb What happens when Airbnb meets hotel management? Well, confessions were made by Dr. Ellen Madeker Head of Public Policy for Germany, Austria, Switzerland (DACH) & Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) at Airbnb and Phil during a live podcast recording at the Berlin Travel Festival. A lot has changed in the apartm…

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Mark McCulloch – Hospitality Rising & Supersonic Marketing | Kick-ass employer branding for hospitality 55:02

2y ago55:02

55:02

Founder & CEO @Hospitality Rising & Supersonic Marketing Attention please: “Hospitality Rising” That’s the title of Mark McCulloch’s campaign, which is addressing the painful topic of staff shortage in the UK hospitality scene in an unseen way. And one thing is for sure: This is a game-changer in how employment in hospitality is seen, not just in t…

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Emma Banks – Hilton| Buffet hype & the importance of F&B in sustainability 40:23

2y ago40:23

40:23

Vice President, F&B Strategy & Development Europe, Middle East, and Africa @Hilton This episode will leave you hungry for more! 😋 Emma Banks Vice President, F&B Strategy & Development Europe, Middle East, and Africa at Hilton joined us for an episode of SMACK at the recent Future Hospitality Summit in Abu Dhabi hosted by the Bench to tell us her st…

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Dr. Jeffrey O – St. Justine & IHI | From humble beginnings to hospitality powerhouse 45:26

2y ago45:26

45:26

President @IHI & Chairman @St.Justine Do you ever run out of battery? This man surely doesn’t! We are proud to welcome Dr. Jeffrey O - Chairman of the Directors Board at St. Justine, President of the International Hospitality Institute, coach, mentor, writer, and simply put: One of the most influential people in #hospitality. Jeffrey let Flo in on …

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John Langford – AEG | The meaning & impact of live music 40:06

2+ y ago40:06

40:06

COO @ Anschutz Entertainment Group Europe Have you ever been to a large arena and thought to yourself, “Damn – this place is huge.”?!   John Langford, the COO of Anschutz Entertainment Group for Europe, knows all about that feeling as he is responsible for the operations of some of the largest arenas in Europe, including The o2 in London, Mercedes …

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Tao Tao – GetYourGuide | Digitalizing Travel Experiences & Founding a Billion Dollar Company 38:42

2+ y ago38:42

38:42

COO & CO-FOUNDER @ GETYOURGUIDE Welcome Tao Tao, co-founder and COO of GetYourGuide, the revolutionary of travel experiences and one of the best people to hang out with if you need top travel advice in any city on this planet. For the opening of SMACK's fifth #podcast season, Florian had the pleasure of hosting Tao Tao and discussing his founder st…

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4 Hosts 4 Seasons – A recap of how everything started and our favorite moments of SMACK-history 35:15

2+ y ago35:15

35:15

Our recap episode! Hey there, Hospitality Fans! We missed you… and didn’t want to wait until Season 5 starts in September, so we sat our 4 hosts down together and sent them on a trip down memory lane. It’s been 4 years already – yeah, that’s right: 4 years since SMACK first started.Pat, Flo, Phil, and Fritz reminisced in a bit of nostalgia and a lo…

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Ronisha Goodwin – Hyatt Corporation | The heart of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Hospitality 51:34

2+ y ago51:34

51:34

Director of Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Hyatt Corporation Back with another podcast episode you simply don’t want to miss. Join us on a heartfelt journey as Phil sits down with Ronisha Goodwin, the Director of Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Hyatt Corporation, at the Proud Experience conference in Los Angeles. Prepare to…

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Jeremy McCarthy - Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group | The core of wellness, positive psychology and tech in the spa-industry 41:06

2+ y ago41:06

41:06

Group Director of Spa & Wellness at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group Here’s one very inspiring SMACK podcast episode. Pat had the chance to chat with Jeremy McCarthy, Group Director of Spa & Wellness at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and they cruised through a bunch of topics, that will make you feel well - from innovation in Spas to positivepsychology…

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Donald Leadbetter – U.S. National Park Service | Managing National Parks, creating experiences and understanding nature 46:07

2+ y ago46:07

46:07

Tourism Program Manager @U.S. National Park Service Donald Leadbetter, the Tourism Program Manager at the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) based in Washington D.C. joined us on the show and talked us through his passion for national parks, tourism and nature. Patrizia and Donald dove into the specific tasks that Donald carries out as a Tourism Prog…

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Dimitris Manikis - Wyndham hotels | The importance of caring for people in hospitality 45:08

3y ago45:08

45:08

President & Managing Director for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa Take a deep dive into the world of hospitality with Dimitris Manikis, the President & Managing Director for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, as he shares his insights on the future of business and corporate travel, susta…

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Wybcke Meier - TUI Cruises | The unique experience of traveling with cruises 48:49

3y ago48:49

48:49

CEO of TUI Cruises Have you ever been on a cruise ship? No?! If you need some convincing, this podcast episode featuring @Wybcke Meier, the CEO of @TUI Cruises, will tell you all you want to know about the cruise world.Wybcke spoke to @Philip about how TUI cruises came together and told us how traveling on a #cruise works with the incredible size o…

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Deborah Rothe – Messe Berlin | ITB 2023 and the exhibition business 42:32

3y ago42:32

42:32

Exhibition Director of the ITB Berlin After 3 years of absence, the ITB Berlin, the world’s largest exhibition event for the hospitality industry, will be back in full throttle this year. We know you are as excited as we are, so here is a little personal service for you from us. Deborah Rothe, the Exhibition Director of the ITB Berlin, joined us on…

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Alex Schneider - Nikki Beach | Local cultures, breaking traditions & becoming a global hospitality brand 54:29

3y ago54:29

54:29

President of Nikki Beach’s Hotels & Resorts Missing the beach? So are we, so we brought somebody to the podcast that knows all about beaches, hotels and hospitality. Alexander Schneider, president of Nikki Beach’s Hotels & Resorts division came to visit us and told us the touching story of how the name “Nikki Beach” came about, the company’s transi…

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Christoph Hoffmann – 25hours Hotels | Creating outstanding atmospheres, concepts and designs 53:35

3y ago53:35

53:35

Founder of 25hours Hotels Christoph Hoffmann, Founder of the 25hours Hotels, came to visit us on the show and talked to us about his path into hospitality and founding 25hours Hotels, their success, his way of thinking in concept & design to create a certain atmosphere with food & beverages, staying local and his future plans with Bikini Island & M…

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Torgeir Silseth – Nordic Choice Hotels | Cultural differences, the battle of the giants and employee turnover in hotels 32:40

3y ago32:40

32:40

CEO of Nordic Choice Hotels Torgeir Silseth, the CEO of Nordic Choice Hotels, joined us on the podcast after the Nordic Hotel Conference in Copenhagen and talked to us about the Conference itself, including his participation in the talk “The Battle of the Giants”, how he got to Nordic Choice Hotels, their challenges and what’s coming in the near fu…

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Shannon Knapp - The Leading Hotels of the World | Remarkably uncommon hotels & the latest buzz around luxury hotels 42:10

3y ago42:10

42:10

President and CEO of The Leading Hotels of the World The Leading Hotels of the World have cemented their legacy in hospitality for years. Their current President and CEO, Shannon Knapp, joined us on the show and Patrizia and her spoke about the importance of remaining open to new opportunities, that success is not always a linear path and the essen…