Best Str Tech Podcasts (2025)

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VRS633 - The Trustology: The Secret to a Successful Direct Booking Strategy with Chris Maughan 51:25

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5d ago51:25

51:25

In this penultimate episode in our series on Direct Booking, this is an episode you can’t afford to miss. Heather is joined by long-time industry leader Chris Maughan, the founder of i-PRAC and a pioneer in the trust movement for short-term rentals. This conversation isn’t about OTAs, algorithms, or the latest booking engine. It's about what really…

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002: How Brian Egan Built Evolve Into a Profitable Short-Term Rental Business & What’s Next for Vacation Rentals 57:25

7d ago57:25

57:25

Brian Egan is the Co-Founder and CEO of Evolve, a Denver-based hospitality company with a mission to become the most trusted brand in vacation rental. Since launching Evolve in 2011 alongside Adam Sherry, Brian has grown the company to support over 35,000 properties and more than $5 billion in rental revenue. If you're navigating the complexities o…

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How to Convert a Long-Term Rental into an Airbnb to Triple Your Cashflow 11:25

6d ago11:25

11:25

Do you wonder if your current rental property could make more money as an Airbnb? Are you worried if your place isn’t perfect, it won't have cash flow as a short-term rental? If this sounds familiar, you need to tune into this episode where Liz Mole unpacks her experience of turning a long-term rental investment that was bleeding money into an incr…

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VRS632 - How to Transform Your Short Term Rental Business with Google’s NotebookLM 58:51

13d ago58:51

58:51

In this solo episode, Heather shares her enthusiasm for Google’s NotebookLM. If you've ever wished for a research assistant who knows your business inside and out - an assistant who can analyze guest reviews, SOPs, market data, and spit out insights without hallucinating - this one’s for you. Heather walks through how NotebookLM works, why it’s dif…

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How to Attract Conscious Travelers to Your Airbnb 12:50

14d ago12:50

12:50

By Airbnb Superhosts Culin Tate and Danielle Tate

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001: 6 Hot Takes on the Future and Growing Pains of Short-Term Rentals with Simon Lehmann 16:00

14d ago16:00

16:00

By Powered by AJL Atelier

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STR Global Unlocked with Simon Lehmann | Official Podcast Trailer 1:58

17d ago1:58

1:58

By Powered by AJL Atelier

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VRS631 - Are You a Digital Sharecropper? Taking Back Control with Humphrey Bowles 53:52

20d ago53:52

53:52

In this bold and thought-provoking episode, Heather sits down with Humphrey Bowles, the founder of Truvi and who has adopted the term "digital sharecropping" within the short-term rental industry. Together, they explore the illusion of entrepreneurship in the short-term rental world - especially when you build your business entirely on platforms li…

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6 Game-Changing Airbnb Tools & Takeaways from The STR Rental Conference 15:13

21d ago15:13

15:13

Are you worried you don’t know the latest cutting edge tools for Airbnb investors? Do you wish you could attend a conference to learn more about the future of the industry, but simply don’t have the time? If so, this episode is for you! Today we’re sharing our six biggest takeaways from attending the STR Wealth Conference. These aren’t just cool id…

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VRS630 - Build Trust, Book Direct: Lessons from Louis Andrews of OVO Network 55:50

27d ago55:50

55:50

In this first episode of a special 5-part series on direct booking, Heather Bayer sits down with Louis Andrews, Director at OVO Network, to explore what it really takes to win the battle against OTAs and build a successful direct booking strategy. With OVO Network reaching 75-80% direct bookings, Louis shares the secrets behind their platform, the …

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How Incorporating Experiential Design Boosts Your Airbnb Bookings & ROI 14:50

28d ago14:50

14:50

Are you afraid to decorate your Airbnb? Does the pressure of needing eye-catching design overwhelm you, even though you know you need it to stand out from your competition? Do you wish there was someone to guide you through the process painlessly? If so, don’t miss this episode where experiential design experts, Heather and Erin of Pink Wall Design…

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Demystifying Airbnb Taxes - So You Can File for Maximum Returns 18:15

1M ago18:15

18:15

Are you stressed about filing taxes for your Airbnb investment? Do you worry that you might miss out on deductions and exemptions you don’t know about? Do you wish you had expert advice on exactly what to do as an Airbnb investor? If this sounds familiar, you need to listen to this episode where CPA, Tom Castelli, unpacks the short-term rental exem…

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VRS629 - From Digital Guides to Donut Walls: Inside a Next-Gen Guest Experience 54:14

1M ago54:14

54:14

I first met James Rubino at a VRMA conference in Orlando two years ago. He was there at the start of his journey in short term rentals, to learn and network and I mentioned to him then I would have him as a guest on the podcast down the road. So two years later here we are and what a story it is . At just 26, James launched Rubino Home Ventures and…

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VRS628 - Why Local Wins: The Five Pillars for Success You Must Follow - with Ashley Ching 54:48

1M ago54:48

54:48

Have you ever found yourself wondering why so many large-scale property management companies rise quickly… and then fall just as fast? In this episode, I’m joined by Ashley Ching, Founder and CEO of Inhaven, who brings a fresh - and deeply researched - perspective to this question. Ashley recently published an eye-opening report, “A 25-Year History…

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6 Airbnb Design Hacks to Make the Most of Unique Spaces 13:25

1M ago13:25

13:25

Are you struggling to invest in or decorate an Airbnb property due to weird layouts or finishes? Do you wish you knew how to visualize and change unusual spaces from problems to guest amenities without spending buckets of money? If this sounds familiar, you need to tune in to learn our 6 hacks to “work with the quirk” of your Airbnb property. After…

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VRS627 - Thriving in the Age of AI and Short-Term Rentals with Bart Sobies 55:02

2M ago55:02

55:02

In this episode, Heather Bayer welcomes back a long-time friend and industry innovator, Bart Sobies, founder of iBooked.Online and the creative mind behind the Strive to Thrive events in Australia and beyond. Bart joins Heather (from tomorrow, no less - Australia time!) to share insights on: The power of in-person connections and how conferences ca…

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The Insurance You Need to Protect Your Airbnb 18:24

2M ago18:24

18:24

Are you trying to figure out short term rental insurance? Are you clueless about your current policy and worried it’s not enough coverage? Do you wish you had an easy way to get the exact insurance policy you need as an Airbnb host? If so, don’t miss this episode where Darren Nix, the founder of Steadily, shares what changes to your property could …

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VRS626 - Tech-Enabled Hospitality with Jessica Gillingham of Abode Worldwide 52:56

2M ago52:56

52:56

What does it really mean to run a tech-enabled hospitality business - and how do we do it without losing the human touch? In this episode, Heather sits down with Jessica Gillingham, founder of Abode Worldwide and author of Tech-Enabled Hospitality, to talk about how property managers can embrace technology to improve guest experiences, operations, …

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How a Family Cabin Became an Airbnb Grossing $100,000+ 16:21

2M ago16:21

16:21

Do you wish you could own a getaway place for your family that covered its mortgage and even cash flowed? Are you curious how it’s possible to run an Airbnb in a different state while you have a full-time job? If this sounds familiar, you need to listen to this episode where Jenny and Bill Kirwan share how the news of an out-of-state grandchild spa…

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VRS625 - Five Quick Wins to Start Using AI in Your STR Business Today 47:05

2M ago47:05

47:05

In this solo episode, Heather Bayer returns to the mic for an approachable explanation of the transformative power of AI in short-term rental operations. With over 600 episodes under her belt, Heather has seen just about every trend in this space - but few as game-changing as this. Whether you're a solo host or run a multi-property management compa…

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The Best Place to Buy or Sell an Airbnb 12:36

2M ago12:36

12:36

Do you want to buy an Airbnb and don’t even know where to begin? Do you wish there was a specific place to find short-term rentals for sale and compare them based on their potential earnings? Or are you an Airbnb owner or agent looking to attract short-term rental investors to a property you are selling? If so, don’t miss this episode where Trent H…

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VRS624 - Trust, Tech & Storytelling: The Keys to a High-Converting STR Website 56:04

2M ago56:04

56:04

In this fun and super insightful episode, I’m joined once again by vacation rental marketing expert Jodi Bourne, and we’re diving headfirst into something that’s never been more important - your website. With all the recent changes to the big OTAs, more and more hosts are waking up to the power of direct bookings. And at the heart of that? Your web…

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How to Succeed as Airbnb Investors While Juggling 3 Kids & 2 Jobs 18:19

2M ago18:19

18:19

Do you dream about owning your own Airbnb? Are you afraid you’re too busy with life and family to become an investor? Do you wish you could learn from someone in a life stage like you who succeeded? If so, If so, don’t miss this episode where the Kellers share how they went from dream to Airbnb reality while juggling two full-time jobs and 3 kids u…

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VRS623 - Safety Sells: Why STR Leaders Are Putting Protection First 49:22

3M ago49:22

49:22

In this episode of the Vacation Rental Success Podcast, host Heather Bayer sits down for a summer Sunday chat with Justin Ford from Breezeway, to discuss how prioritizing safety can transform your short-term rental business. Not just in protecting reputations, even boosting bookings, but in saving lives. Justin has been on the show just a few times…

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How to Find Your Perfect Airbnb Market for Maximum Cash Flow 15:22

3M ago15:22

15:22

Are you looking for a way to generate cash flow outside of your current job? Have you thought about Airbnb investing, but been afraid to choose the wrong place in the wrong market and lose your hard-earned money? Do you wish there was a “silver bullet” to feel truly confident in making a short-term rental investment? If so, you need to listen to th…

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VRS622 - Navigating Growth, Change, and True Hospitality with Jackie Norde from Casago 50:02

3M ago50:02

50:02

When change hits fast and hard, what keeps a company grounded? In this episode, Heather welcomes Jackie Norde, who shares her remarkable journey from vacation rental software onboarding to her current role helping Casago franchisees succeed - especially in the wake of Casago’s rapid expansion via Vacasa acquisitions. Jackie offers rich insights int…

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The Essential Tool for Making Data-Driven Decisions to Improve Your Airbnb’s Earnings & Ranking 15:35

3M ago15:35

15:35

Do you feel like you’re missing a piece of the Airbnb success puzzle? Do you wish you had an easy way to understand exactly how your property was ranking according to the Airbnb algorithm and what you should change to get more bookings? If so, don’t miss this episode where Kelvin Mah, the founder of Rank Breeze, shares his secret weapon for making …

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VRS621 – The Power of Storytelling: How Hospitality Brands Can Stand Out in a Sea of Sameness 54:49

3M ago54:49

54:49

In this inspiring episode, Heather Bayer sits down with storyteller and copywriter Neely Khan to explore how hospitality businesses can set themselves apart through powerful, purpose-driven storytelling. Neely shares her journey from aspiring writer to founding AWC, a story-branding agency that helps short-term rental businesses create meaningful c…

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How to Make Half Your Salary with One Airbnb Investment 16:49

3M ago16:49

16:49

Are you considering Airbnb investing, but you’re scared that you don’t know what you’re doing? Do you want to find a new income stream to change your life or lifestyle? Do you wish you had a real-life example of other new investors succeeding on their very first investment? If so, you need to listen to this episode where Gaby and Ricky Hoover share…

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VRS620 - Staying Human: The Power of Vulnerability in Vacation Rental Leadership 57:44

3M ago57:44

57:44

In this episode, Heather Bayer sits down with Heather Fillmore, co-founder of Utah-based StayLuxe Properties, for an honest and inspiring conversation about resilience, growth, and leadership in the short-term rental space. Heather shares her remarkable journey from surviving a catastrophic flood in Baton Rouge to launching a successful luxury vaca…

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Our Secret 10 Minute Airbnb Hack to Create Repeat Guest Bookings 12:31

3M ago12:31

12:31

Do you wish you could get more of your guests to book repeat stays? Are you overwhelmed by the thought of building a separate website to market your Airbnb? Do you wish there was an easy way to do guest marketing to fill your calendar and bank account? If so, this episode is for you! Today we’re sharing our secret hack for leveraging technology you…

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VRS619 - Making AI Work for You: Insights, Use Cases, and a New Industry Survey with Fred Bassili of Hostfully 50:55

3M ago50:55

50:55

In this episode of the Vacation Rental Success Podcast, host Heather Bayer sits down with Fred Bassili from Hostfully to discuss the evolving role of AI in vacation rental businesses and how short-term rental managers can use AI tools and workflows to scale operations, improve guest communication, and boost owner acquisition. Fred Bassili, a season…

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How to Win the Battle for Next Gen Bookings so Your Airbnb Prospers with WhimStay 19:49

3M ago19:49

19:49

Do you wonder what changes you should be anticipating in the Airbnb market? Are you anxious about how open your rental calendar is next month? Do you wish you had expert advice to help you invest in the right market, or know what to do to maximize your profits? If so, you need to listen to this episode, where Alex Alioto of Whimstay breaks down the…

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VRS618 - Legacy, Leadership & AI: Inside the Evolution of Cottage Connection of Maine with Alexis Miller 44:21

4M ago44:21

44:21

Some of the strongest brands in the vacation rental business have been around for decades and are rooted in tradition, family values and local knowledge. As the next generation stepping into a decades-old family-run vacation rental business, Alexis Miller personifies this legacy as she shares how she's honoring her family’s rich story while usherin…