Check-In with Bryan

What if designing your next hotel could be done in minutes—not months?

In this episode of Check-In with Bryan, we’re joined by Brian Ahmes, co-founder of Parafin, an AI-powered platform that’s transforming how developers evaluate sites, run financial models, and design hospitality projects. From his early architecture days at HKS to pitching radical hotel concepts to Hyatt’s C-suite, Brian shares an extraordinary journey blending design, data, and disruption.

We dive into:

• How Parafin bridges the gap between architecture and finance
• Why big brands like Hyatt and Marriott took notice
• What it really takes to innovate in a slow-moving industry
• Real-world stories of pivoting from prefab pods to AI simulations
• How developers are using Parafin to streamline approvals and save money

Whether you’re a developer, architect, or curious about the future of hotel design, this episode unpacks the intersection of creativity and computation—and what it means for the next generation of hospitality.

🔗 Learn more about Parafin at https://www.parafin.ai

🛎️ Subscribe for more conversations with innovators, executives, and creators shaping the travel & hospitality world.

#HotelDevelopment #AIinRealEstate #HospitalityInnovation #CheckInWithBryan #ParafinAI

This week’s Friday Checkout is packed with laughs, travel recaps, and real talk. Bryan and Tyler reunite (with working Wi-Fi!) to reflect on their recent Greece trip—from late-night pizza missions and legendary taxi drivers to overeating on cruise ships and Athens surprises.

They also dive into the latest Check-In with Bryan episode featuring Matthew Schueller, where they explore the rise of community-driven group travel and how he transitioned from nursing to leading curated trips across the globe. The duo reflects on what it takes to turn followers into travel companions—and why online trolls probably won’t book the flight.

Plus:
•The return of George the waiter and Tomas the iconic taxi driver
•Conference culture and how to make networking events worth it
•A look ahead at next week’s guest: Brian Ames of Paraffin
•Why Athens might be your next favorite destination (unexpectedly)

📺 Catch the full episode with Matthew Schueller now if you missed it—available on all platforms.
🎙 New interviews drop every Tuesday, and Friday Checkout is your fast-track update to wrap the week.

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🛎️ Subscribe for more hospitality, travel, and leadership conversations!
🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

#CheckInWithBryan #HospitalityPodcast #GroupTravel #GreeceTrip #TravelCommunity

“I’ve never felt more accepted or free to be myself.”

That’s the kind of feedback Matthew Schueller gets from the travelers who join his global group trips — and in this episode of Check-In with Bryan, we explore exactly why.

This heartfelt conversation welcomes back LGBTQ+ travel expert, content creator, and community builder Matthew Schueller, nearly a year after his first appearance. From launching 11 group trips in under 12 months to building a thriving global community through his new brand Sidequest Travel, Matthew shares how travel became a healing, connecting, and life-changing experience — not only for him, but for hundreds of others worldwide.

🎒 Inside the episode:

• The surprising story behind his first-ever group trip to Greece
• How he’s cultivated deep connections between strangers through travel
• Lessons in loneliness, belonging, and post-pandemic transformation
• What it’s like building a travel company as a queer creator
• His advice on scaling impact-driven businesses while staying grounded

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler, an aspiring founder, or just someone searching for connection, this episode will remind you how powerful intentional experiences can be — especially when community comes first.

👥 Learn more about Sidequest Travel: https://www.sidequesttravel.com

📲 Follow Matthew at @MichaelandMatt

🎧 Check-In with Bryan drops new episodes every Tuesday — and don’t miss our short-form Friday Checkout series!

#LGBTQTravel #HospitalityLeadership #CommunityThroughTravel #CheckInPodcast #SidequestTravel

From rooftop hammocks in Greece to hospitality soul-searching, Bryan takes us solo on this week’s Check-Out Friday.

Hear all about a chaotic yet memorable group trip through Athens, Santorini, and Crete — with cruise surprises, internet meltdowns, and emotional wins. Bryan opens up about why this trip rekindled his love for hospitality, the impact of creating memories for guests, and the power of personal reinvention.

Plus:
•Virgin Voyages food upgrades & the magic of Gunbae dining
•Hammock naps, Haagen-Dazs coupons, and Safeway surprises
•Highlights from Scott Clary’s recent episode: “Architect the life you want to live”
•Why gimmick-free content that matches your personality matters
•Upcoming interviews, conferences, and a Sabrina Carpenter dilemma

This episode is raw, reflective, and real — perfect for your weekend wind-down.

🎧 Subscribe for more episodes every Tuesday & Friday at 9 a.m. EST.
💬 Drop us a DM or comment with your favorite moment from the trip!

#CheckOutFridays #HospitalityTalk #VirginVoyages #ContentCreation #ScottClary

Want your team to give more than just their job description?

In this episode of Check-In with Bryan, host Bryan Fish sits down with returning guest Scott Clary—entrepreneur, podcaster, and marketing strategist—to explore how great leaders can unlock 150% effort from their teams. The key? Helping employees achieve their career goals, even if it means eventually leaving your company.

From real-world examples of team members who grew into their dream careers, to honest talk about quiet quitting, remote work, and the realities of being an introverted leader, Scott offers actionable strategies for building loyalty, productivity, and long-term success.

You’ll learn:

• Why investing in employees’ personal growth pays off for everyone
• How to spot and prevent quiet quitting in your organization
• The benefits (and challenges) of remote-first teams
• Why newsletters are making a big comeback in content strategy
• How to network as an introvert without burning out

Whether you lead a small startup or a large hospitality brand, this conversation will challenge how you think about management, retention, and what it really means to lead with intention.

🎧 New episodes every Tuesday & Friday at 9 AM EST.

📍 Subscribe and follow for more conversations at the intersection of hospitality, leadership, and business.

#LeadershipTips #TeamBuilding #CheckInWithBryan #ScottClary #BusinessGrowth

What if the hustle is hurting more than helping?

In this powerful episode of Check-In with Bryan, host Bryan Fish reconnects with Scott Clary—marketer, podcaster, and business strategist—to explore what it really means to architect a life you love. From cutting unnecessary meetings to rejecting hustle culture, Scott shares raw insights on building a career (and life) that’s sustainable, intentional, and aligned with who you truly are.

Whether you’re a founder on the edge of burnout, a remote team leader, or someone rethinking their relationship with productivity, this episode will help you zoom out and reconsider what “success” actually looks like. You’ll hear:

• How Scott built a podcast empire 5 feet from his bedroom
• Why more meetings ≠ more progress
• Lessons from Guy Kawasaki on quitting the stage for the mic
• The myth of waking up at 5 a.m. (and other productivity traps)
• How to lead by supporting your team’s real long-term goals

This episode is full of real talk, humor, and sharp insights—perfect for anyone navigating entrepreneurship in the modern world.

🎧 New episodes drop every Tuesday & Friday at 9 AM EST.

📍 Learn more at reliancehospitality.com

#EntrepreneurMindset #PodcastGrowth #LeadershipTips #WorkLifeDesign #CheckInWithBryan

This week on Friday Checkout, Bryan and Tyler are reporting in from Athens, Greece, where they’re prepping for a whirlwind content trip with Destinations by Reliance. From scouting shoot locations to navigating unexpected travel hiccups (hello, missing Diet Coke), the duo shares what it’s really like working on the go.

Inside this episode:

• First impressions of Athens 🏛️
• Tyler’s upcoming first-ever cruise
• A sneak peek at international production logistics
• Thoughts on creative collaboration in motion

All that — plus a preview of next week’s Tuesday episode with a special guest.

🎧 Tune in every Tuesday & Friday at 9 a.m. EST. Subscribe for more hospitality, travel, and behind-the-scenes stories.

#CheckInWithBryan

#HospitalityPodcast

#FridayCheckout

#WorkAndTravel

#AthensGreece

In this episode of Check-In with Bryan, we sit down with hospitality executive and inspiring leader Jack Paul for a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership.

With decades of experience across top hotel brands, Jack reflects on the moments that shaped his philosophy—how showing up, staying humble, and making small, human-centered choices can create lasting impact. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in hospitality, leadership, or service-based roles.

You’ll hear:

🔑 How Jack accidentally fell into hospitality—and never looked back

💬 The surprising connection between empathy and team culture

👥 Lessons in managing people, pressure, and long-term success

✨ Why hospitality is the industry of impact when done right

Whether you’re a hotelier, GM, aspiring leader, or just someone who loves this business, this is the kind of conversation that reminds you why you do it in the first place.

🎧 Stream now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

💼 Follow along at @check_in_podcast or visit reliancehospitality.com

#CheckInWithBryan

#HospitalityLeadership

#PurposeDrivenWork

#PeopleFirst

#HotelLife

Welcome back to Check-Out Friday, our short-form spin-off of Check-In with Bryan where we unpack the chaos, insights, and laughs from the week—quick enough to catch on your lunch break or treadmill run (just not Bryan’s).

This week, Bryan and Tyler reflect on Tuesday’s conversation with Aileen Canta of University Hotels and the breakout star—Amper, her dog-slash-Chief Barketing Officer. From launching a brand during NYU’s hotel investment conference to recording with their first-ever dog guest, this one had it all.

We also tease next week’s episode with Jack Paul, a longtime friend in hospitality whose leadership style and grounded presence made for one of our most thoughtful conversations yet.

Plus, the team preps for an upcoming production trip through the Greek Islands with Virgin Voyages—from booking tattoos onboard to surviving interior cabins and marathon itineraries.

And of course, we close with Bryan’s latest hotel war story: how a $25 parking ticket became an existential crisis (and a wild elf-themed holiday party idea from the past resurfaced on Instagram).

🎧 New episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Subscribe and follow for more insights, chaos, and hospitality storytelling.

#CheckInPodcast #HospitalityLife #UniversityHotels #PodcastFridays #TravelAndTourism #DogFriendlyHotels

EPISODE 2: What happens when a mother’s college drop-off nightmare becomes a hospitality revolution? Meet Aileen Canta, visionary hotel developer and founder of University Hotels, who turned five years of persistence, passion, and personal sacrifice into a bold new hospitality concept.

In this deeply moving and entrepreneurial episode, Aileen sits down with Bryan to share how a frustrating hotel experience during her daughter’s freshman year inspired an idea that is now reshaping how universities think about lodging, wellness, and community. Aileen’s journey is nothing short of cinematic.

You’ll hear:
•The emotional inspiration behind University Hotels
•How universities are now reconsidering real estate strategies
•Why Aileen is rejecting the traditional OTA model
•The future of health, wellness, and hospitality near campuses and hospitals

Whether you’re in hospitality, real estate, or just love a powerful entrepreneurial story, this one will stay with you.

→ Subscribe and follow along for more stories where hospitality meets hustle.

#UniversityHotels
#HospitalityLeadership
#WomenInHospitality
#HotelDevelopment
#CheckInWithBryan