In this episode of The Radical Hospitality Show, Zeke Freeman sits down with Kassidy and Erin Warren to unpack the realities of entrepreneurship, marriage, and building a hospitality business together. From sleeping on air mattresses in dusty renovation sites to scaling into boutique hotels, Kassidy and Erin share the raw grind behind their journey to financial independence. They talk candidly about the toll on their health and relationship, the lessons they’ve learned about individuality and partnership, and how focusing on fitness, mindset, and mentorship has reshaped their lives.

The conversation explores balancing personal identity with a shared vision, why doing hard things together matters in a marriage, and how real estate investment—short-term rentals to boutique hotels—can provide both freedom and challenge. Whether you’re a couple in business, a real estate investor, or simply navigating the tension between personal growth and shared goals, this episode offers grounded wisdom and real stories from the trenches.

Connect with Kassidy Warren:
Instagram: @kassidy.warren
LinkedIn: Kassidy Warren

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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If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network! Your support helps us continue delivering conversations with industry leaders redefining hospitality.

In this inspiring episode, Zeke sits down in Waco, Texas with Dale Pahmiyer, VP of Magnolia Realty and a pivotal figure behind the scenes of Fixer Upper. From his early friendship with Joanna Gaines to overseeing Magnolia’s design and construction teams, Dale shares his personal journey into real estate and hospitality—and how the team’s vision has always centered on making space for meaningful moments.

The conversation dives into Magnolia’s real estate culture, the transformation of downtown Waco, the heart behind projects like Hotel 1928, and Magnolia’s commitment to client care, hospitality, and intentional growth. Dale also opens up about a powerful project that provided an accessible home for a family with two disabled children—highlighting how thoughtful design can be life-changing.

Whether you're passionate about real estate, hospitality, or human-centered design, this episode offers insight into what makes Magnolia’s brand so trusted and beloved.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Dale became involved with Magnolia and Fixer Upper
• The strategy behind transforming downtown Waco
• Magnolia’s vision: making space for meaningful moments
• Creating boutique hospitality experiences with heart
• How Magnolia Realty cultivates values-based real estate agents
• What makes a “Fixer Upper” property work—and how Magnolia evaluates them
• Designing for accessibility and why it matters
• The story behind the Hotel 1928 restoration
• Magnolia’s slow-growth philosophy and what's next

Resources & Links:
Explore Magnolia Realty: magnoliarealty.com
Learn about Hotel 1928: hotel1928.com
Visit Magnolia Market in Waco: magnolia.com/visit

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.

Follow, Rate & Review:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network! Your support helps us continue delivering conversations with industry leaders redefining hospitality.

In this episode of the Radical Hospitality Podcast, host Zeke Freeman sits down with Dale Pahmiyer, Vice President of Magnolia Realty, in the heart of Waco, Texas. Known for his pivotal behind-the-scenes role on Fixer Upper, Dale shares the origin story of his long-standing relationship with Chip and Joanna Gaines, how he became a key part of Magnolia’s growth, and what it takes to build spaces that truly feel like home.

From managing Fixer Upper renovations to helping lead the design of Hotel 1928, Dale offers a unique perspective on architecture, transformation, and the intentionality behind every Magnolia project. The conversation explores what sets Magnolia Realty apart—its focus on storytelling, quality, and deep connection with clients—and dives into the revival of Waco’s downtown through thoughtful development.

Zeke and Dale also discuss accessible design, short-term rental trends in Texas, and what makes Magnolia’s real estate model different in a crowded market. Plus, Dale shares a moving story from one of his favorite Fixer Upper projects—the home that became a lifeline for the Copp family.

Whether you’re a fan of Fixer Upper, an investor eyeing Texas, or just curious about how real estate can create meaningful moments, this episode is full of warmth, wisdom, and hospitality-driven insight.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Dale’s personal journey into Magnolia and how he helped shape Fixer Upper behind the scenes
• The vision and community impact behind Hotel 1928
• Why Magnolia’s approach to real estate is rooted in relationship and transition, not just transactions
• How Magnolia trains realtors to carry the brand's hospitality DNA
• The role of storytelling and emotional design in both homes and commercial spaces
• Dale’s perspective on short-term rental growth and investment trends in Texas
• A powerful story of accessibility, hope, and how the right space can change lives

Notable Quotes:

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.

Follow, Rate & Review:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network! Your support helps us continue delivering conversations with industry leaders redefining hospitality.

In this episode of the Radical Hospitality Podcast, host Zeke Freeman sits down with Mike Demson—a growth marketer turned real estate developer and boutique hotel operator. Mike’s unique journey began as one of the early employees at Airbnb, where he led global growth initiatives during the company’s breakout years. He shares behind-the-scenes stories from those formative Airbnb days, including the relentless focus on guest experience that shaped his approach to hospitality.

Today, Mike is at the forefront of boutique hotel development with standout projects like The Stone House in Sonoma and 400 Bay Street in San Francisco. He dives into the nuts and bolts of adaptive reuse, value-add renovations, navigating entitlements, and building legacy hospitality assets. From $1 million gut renovations to creative ground-up builds, Mike offers practical lessons on underwriting, construction strategy, management efficiencies, and the art of blending tech, real estate, and hospitality.

Whether you’re a developer, investor, or hospitality enthusiast, this episode is packed with actionable insights on scaling hospitality projects in high-barrier markets like California.

Highlights:

• Early Airbnb growth stories and guest experience lessons
• Deep dive into renovating a 100-year-old Stone House in Sonoma
• Cost breakdowns: budgeting for boutique hotels and short-term rentals
• How to unlock value through entitlements and zoning strategies
• Balancing lifestyle assets with profitability
• Partnership tips for architects, GCs, and management companies
• Market outlook for building hospitality in 2025 and beyond

🎧 Tune in to hear why now might be one of the best times to build hospitality projects despite market headwinds.

Connect with Mike Demson
Instagram: @mike.demson
LinkedIn: Mike Demson

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.

Follow, Rate & Review:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network! Your support helps us continue delivering conversations with industry leaders redefining hospitality.

In this episode, host Zeke Freeman sits down with Eric Moeller, an 18-year real estate veteran turned hospitality innovator and founder of FreeWyld. Eric shares his remarkable journey from flipping houses in New Jersey to building a nature-focused hospitality brand redefining short-term rentals and boutique stays.

Eric talks candidly about the inspiration behind FreeWyld—from a transformative hiking trip in Utah to the creation of “Wild Mode,” a unique guest experience that helps travelers unplug from their devices and reconnect with nature. He discusses how FreeWild cabins integrate intentional design, reclaimed materials, and tactile experiences that encourage presence and restoration.

Eric also unpacks the importance of revenue management and how FreeWild Foundry helps operators optimize pricing strategies to outperform their markets. From brand storytelling and influencer marketing to scaling direct bookings and creating unforgettable guest touchpoints, Eric offers actionable insights for anyone in hospitality or short-term rentals.

Key Topics Covered:

• Eric’s journey from carpenter to hospitality entrepreneur
• The early days of Airbnb arbitrage and property management
• How FreeWild was born to help guests disconnect through “Wild Mode”
• Designing spaces with purpose: tactile materials, record players, and analog experiences
• The four non-negotiables that drive FreeWild’s success
• Building revenue management systems that increase profitability
• Influencer marketing strategies that work (and which ones don’t)
• The future of FreeWild: expansion, more cabins, and a growing service brand

Connect with Eric Moeller:
👉 Eric Moeller on LinkedIn
👉 FreeWyld

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.

Follow, Rate & Review:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network! Your support helps us continue delivering conversations with industry leaders redefining hospitality.

In this episode of The Radical Hospitality Show, host Zeke Freeman sits down with real estate investor, developer, and unconventional short-term rental expert Kai Andrew. Known for his deep-dive content on YouTube and Instagram, Kai shares how he transitioned from traditional rentals to pioneering some of the most unique and high-performing short-term rental properties on the market—from shipping containers and domes to landscape hotels and RV pads.

Kai walks us through his first "land hack" project, how he finances builds with creative strategies like HELOCs and refinancing, and why understanding your demographic is more valuable than blindly chasing turnkey properties. This episode is packed with tactical insights on development strategy, burn rate budgeting, design ROI, and how to scale at your own pace—whether you're a fast mover or a slow-and-steady type.

You’ll learn:

• Why building for a targeted guest experience beats going “turnkey”
• The real difference between long-term vs. short-term rental ROI
• How Kai evaluates project payback periods and breakeven margins
• What investors need to consider for profitable land-based STRs
• Why trades knowledge and being hands-on still matters in 2025
• How to make small design moves that drive BIG revenue returns

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced STR developer, Kai’s practical advice will challenge the way you think about hospitality, real estate investing, and building long-term wealth with intentionality.

Connect with Kai Andrew:

• 📺 YouTube: Kai Andrew
• 📸 Instagram: @KaiJAndrew

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.

Follow, Rate & Review:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network! Your support helps us continue delivering conversations with industry leaders redefining hospitality.

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:

Resources & Links:

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

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.

Follow, Rate & Review:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network! Your support helps us continue delivering conversations with industry leaders redefining hospitality.

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

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.

Follow, Rate & Review:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network! Your support helps us continue delivering conversations with industry leaders redefining hospitality.

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

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.

Follow, Rate & Review:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network! Your support helps us continue delivering conversations with industry leaders redefining hospitality.

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.

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.

Follow, Rate & Review:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network! Your support helps us continue delivering conversations with industry leaders redefining hospitality.