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What are some of the most influential leaders in the spa and wellness industry seeing as they look toward the future?
Recorded live at We Work Well Spa North America in Bonita Springs, Florida, Lisa Starr sits down with four accomplished industry leaders representing Canyon Ranch, Kohler Water Spa, Arch Amenities Group, and Mario Tricoci Spa & Salon. Together, they explore the changing expectations of today's wellness consumer, the rise of longevity programming, recovery-focused experiences, community-driven wellness, AI integration, and the growing intersection of spa, beauty, and medical wellness.
This episode offers a unique cross-section of perspectives from operators, brands, and management groups helping shape the future of wellness and hospitality.
What You'll Learn
How guest expectations have evolved and why personalization is more important than ever
Why community and social connection are becoming essential wellness offerings
The growing demand for longevity, recovery, and contrast therapy experiences
How wellness brands are helping guests take healthier habits home
Where AI may fit into spa operations, marketing, and guest engagement
Why med spas and therapeutic wellness services continue to expand
How leading organizations are adapting to changing consumer behavior
Episode Highlights
04:45 – Canyon Ranch's approach to longevity, women's health, and transformative wellness experiences
11:27 – How Kohler Water Spa is leveraging the healing power of water and experiential wellness
18:10 – Why community, belonging, and social wellness may define the next chapter of the industry
22:04 – Susan Hammer on hotel spa management, recovery programming, and the role of AI
29:35 – Understanding what guests are truly seeking beyond wellness buzzwords
35:54 – Cassandra Stratton on the rapid growth of med spas and therapeutic wellness services
Meet the Guest
Ellen McGinnis is Director of Spa at Canyon Ranch Tucson and represents one of the most respected wellness brands in the world. She shares insights on longevity, guest expectations, innovation, and the future of destination wellness.
Nicole Miller serves as Director of Spa Operations for Kohler Water Spa, overseeing six locations across the United States and Scotland. She discusses experiential water therapies, wellness innovation, recovery experiences, and the growing importance of community.
Susan Hammer is Senior Vice President of Spa Operations and Client Success at Arch Amenities Group, overseeing dozens of spa properties nationwide. She offers perspective on management trends, recovery-focused wellness, employee development, and AI integration.
Cassandra Stratton is Director of Spa Services and Education at Mario Tricoci Spa & Salon, one of the Midwest's leading beauty and wellness brands. A licensed massage therapist with more than two decades in the industry, she discusses the continued growth of spa services, the rise of med spas, and the increasingly connected journey between beauty, wellness, and medical aesthetics.
Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies MentionedLongevity Programming
Women's Health Initiatives
Experiential Water Therapy
Contrast Therapy and Recovery Experiences
Community-Centered Wellness
AI-Powered Operations and Marketing
Med Spa Growth Strategies
Personalized Wellness Journeys
Hospitality Wellness Management
Therapeutic and Preventive Wellness Services
Across every conversation, one theme emerged clearly: wellness is becoming more personalized, more outcome-focused, and more connected. Whether through longevity programs, recovery experiences, advanced technologies, or meaningful community engagement, the future belongs to organizations that help guests create lasting change rather than simply delivering a momentary escape.
Subscribe to StarrCast for more conversations with the innovators, operators, and thought leaders shaping the future of spa, wellness, hospitality, and longevity.
Looking for expert advice in Spa Consulting, with live training and online learning?
Spa Consulting: https://wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-consulting
Live Training: https://wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-courses/
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Other Links:
Connect with Ellen McGinnis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-mcginnis-3569572a/
Connect with Nicole Miller: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-miller-607394115/
Connect with Susan Hammer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susie-hammer-442ba93/
Connect with Cassandra Stratton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandradstratton/
Follow Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisastarrwynnebusiness
Listen or Watch StarrCast Podcast on Your Preferred Platform or YouTube: https://wynnebusiness.com/starrcast-podcast/
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What if the future of wellness has less to do with treatments and more to do with the spaces where we live, work, travel, and recover?
In this special on-location episode of StarrCast, Lisa Starr reports from the Global Wellness Institute's Wellness Real Estate & Communities Symposium in New York City. Through conversations with leaders in wellness architecture, hospitality, healthy buildings, and digital experience design, this episode explores how wellness real estate is evolving from trend to infrastructure. Topics include longevity living, low-EMF environments, wellness-focused hospitality, digital integration, and the growing demand for healthier built environments that support everyday wellbeing.
What You'll Learn
Why wellness real estate is becoming one of the fastest-growing sectors in hospitality and development
How low-EMF building standards are shaping conversations around healthy buildings and longevity living
The role of architecture, technology, and user experience in creating wellness-centered spaces
Why hospitality brands are integrating wellness into residential and mixed-use developments
How personalization, digital design, and human-centered experiences are redefining wellness environments
Episode Highlights
04:50 – Practical ways consumers can reduce EMF exposure at home
10:15 – How EMF testing and certification for buildings works
13:22 – How Cactus combines architecture, strategy, and digital experience design
18:03 – Why digital design is becoming essential in wellness real estate
21:08 – The challenge of integrating technology into wellness experiences without distraction
30:32 – Amanda Al-Masri on how Hilton approaches wellness across hospitality and residential spaces
39:24 – The future of wellness as a lifestyle integrated into everyday living
Meet the Guest
Christophe Laarman is the Executive Partner of EMFIS, a company focused on global low-EMF building standards and healthier living environments through electromagnetic field mitigation and wellness-centered design.
Michael Offerman is the Director of Strategy at Cactus, an innovation consultancy that combines architecture, digital experience design, and strategy to create immersive hospitality, healthcare, and wellness experiences.
Amanda Al-Masri is the Global Vice President of Wellness at Hilton, where she leads wellness strategy across one of the world's largest hospitality portfolios, helping shape the future of wellness hospitality and residential living.
Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies MentionedLow-EMF building standards
Healthy building certification and assessment
Wellness-focused hospitality design
Digital and physical user journey integration
Longevity living and regenerative development
Personalized wellness experiences in hospitality and residential environments
As wellness continues to evolve beyond spas and amenities, the built environment is becoming one of the most important drivers of human health, longevity, and quality of life. From healthy buildings and wellness communities to digitally integrated hospitality experiences, this episode highlights how the future of wellness may be shaped less by what we consume and more by the spaces we inhabit every day.
Subscribe to StarrCast for more conversations exploring the future of wellness, hospitality, leadership, and human-centered business strategy.
Looking for expert advice in Spa Consulting, with live training and online learning?Spa Consulting
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What if conferences and business events actually helped people feel healthier, more energized, and more connected?
In this episode of StarrCast, Lisa Starr sits down with Reina Herschdorfer, Director of Marketing for Caesars Entertainment, and David T. Stephens, Founder of Olympian Meetings, who both serve as Co-Chairs of the Global Wellness Institute Meetings and Events Initiative.
Together they explore the growing movement toward wellness-centered meetings and events. Recorded live at the HSMAI quarterly meeting in Las Vegas, this conversation examines how the hospitality and meetings industry can move beyond packed schedules and transactional networking to create experiences that support human connection, nervous system regulation, engagement, and long-term wellbeing.
The discussion explores how wellness is becoming an essential part of event design, workplace culture, hospitality strategy, and attendee experience across the global meetings industry.
What You'll Learn
Why traditional conferences often leave attendees mentally and physically exhausted
How simple wellness practices like breathwork can improve focus, retention, and authentic connection
Why event design should support human nervous systems instead of nonstop productivity
The role wellness plays in attendee engagement, workplace wellbeing, and conference ROI
How Caesars Entertainment is integrating wellness into large-scale meetings and hospitality experiences
Why the future of conferences may include wellness metrics alongside sustainability and CSR reporting
How wellness-first event strategy can strengthen networking, learning outcomes, and attendee satisfaction
Episode Highlights
05:02 – "We don't design events for nervous systems"
06:27 – How five minutes of breathwork transformed attendee engagement
14:52 – Does incorporating wellness into conferences cost more?
20:26 – How Caesars Entertainment launched its Wellness for Meetings strategy
23:33 – The vision behind the new Meetings and Events Wellness Initiative
28:55 – Why wellness in events may become part of the global wellness economy
31:21 – The growing importance of NA beverages and healthier hospitality offerings
Meet the Guest
Reina Herschdorfer is Director of Marketing for Caesars Entertainment and a leader in advancing wellness-focused meeting experiences across the hospitality industry. She has spent more than two decades in meetings, hospitality, and event strategy and helped launch Caesars Entertainment's Wellness for Meetings initiative.
David T. Stephens is a Wellness Architect, Founder of Olympian Meetings, and host of the Return on Wellness podcast. He specializes in designing wellness-first meetings and events that improve attendee engagement, learning retention, and human performance outcomes.
Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies MentionedWellness-first event design
Breathwork integration for conferences
Experiential wellness activations
Nervous system-aware meeting planning
Wellness hospitality strategy
Return on Wellness framework
Wellness meeting guides and wellness menus
Healthy food and beverage programming
CSR and purpose-driven event experiences
As wellness continues to influence hospitality, workplace culture, and human performance, the meetings industry has an opportunity to rethink how conferences are designed from the ground up. Small shifts in programming, food, movement, connection, and intentional pauses can dramatically change how attendees feel, learn, and engage long after an event ends.
Subscribe to StarrCast for more conversations exploring the future of wellness, hospitality, leadership, and human-centered business strategy.
Looking for expert advice in Spa Consulting, with live training and online learning?Spa Consulting
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Connect with Reina
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What happens when wellness moves beyond treatments and becomes an environment?
Recorded live from the Hot Springs Association Conference in Calistoga, this episode explores how hot springs are emerging as a powerful force in the evolution of wellness ecosystems, experiential design, and human-centered development.
What You'll Learn
Why hot springs are shifting from niche destinations to integrated wellness infrastructure
How operators are designing for human experience, not just amenities or services
The growing role of balneology, mineral composition, and water as a therapeutic system
Why purpose-driven development models are outperforming traditional hospitality approaches
How accessibility, community, and social connection are shaping the future of wellness
Episode Highlights
03:05 – The origin of the Hot Springs Association and its rapid industry growth
10:21 – How collaborative marketing transformed regional hot springs into global destinations
14:39 – Why today's wellness travelers seek meaning, not just relaxation
20:27 – Building a retreat model centered on personal and community transformation
24:00 – The role of balneology and the science of water as medicine
38:21 – Rethinking spa design: from services to full environmental experiences
47:58 – Entrepreneurship, restoration, and the future of hot springs development
Meet the Guest
Vicky Nash Founder of the Hot Springs Association and a tourism and destination marketing expert. Vicky has been instrumental in uniting the hot springs industry, creating a platform for collaboration, education, and global growth.
Jordan Menzel Co-founder & CEO of Maple Grove Hot Springs. With a background in international development and technology, Jordan brings a purpose-driven approach to hospitality, creating a retreat model centered on community, accessibility, and personal transformation.
Brynn Foster Food systems entrepreneur and representative of the Balneology Association of North America (BANA). Brynn focuses on reconnecting people to land, water, and wellbeing, and advancing the role of mineral waters as part of a broader health framework.
Angie Kies Wellness leader at Murrieta Hot Springs and longtime spa executive. Angie specializes in integrating geothermal water into the guest experience, shifting wellness design from treatment-based to environment-driven.
Joe Salisbury Owner of Veyo Pool Resort and a land developer turned hot springs entrepreneur. Joe brings a unique perspective on restoration, adaptive reuse, and building destination experiences rooted in natural environments.
Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies MentionedBalneology and therapeutic water frameworks
Water registry and mineral classification systems
Temperature gradient programming for wellness outcomes
Purpose-driven hospitality and community-based development models
Hot springs are no longer just places to visit. They are becoming platforms for connection, restoration, and transformation—where environment, water, and human experience intersect to shape long-term wellbeing.
Subscribe for more conversations on the future of wellness, experience design, and building environments that truly support how people live.
Looking for expert advice in Spa Consulting, with live training and online learning?Spa Consulting
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Connect with the Hot Springs Association
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What if wellness isn't something you visit—but something you live in every day?
In this episode, we explore how wellness is reshaping real estate, community design, and the future of how we live, work, and connect. From walkability to social infrastructure, this conversation reveals why the next frontier of the wellness industry is not inside spa walls—but embedded into the places we call home.
What You'll Learn
Why wellness real estate is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the global wellness economy
How "pains and gains" shape community design and influence human behavior
The role of social infrastructure in improving connection, belonging, and wellbeing
Why traditional "highest and best use" thinking is outdated—and what replaces it
How smaller, more flexible homes are redefining modern living and affordability
Episode Highlights
03:05 – The sociological question every developer must answer: who will live here and how
10:21 – Why walkable communities command higher value and demand
14:39 – The difference between branding wellness and designing lived experience
20:27 – How the built environment influences 85% of health outcomes
24:00 – The rise of "third places" and social infrastructure in community design
38:21 – The lasting behavioral shifts from the pandemic
47:58 – Why future development must start with life, not buildings
Meet the Guest
Teri Slavik-Tsuyuki is a leading expert in consumer insights, community design, and real estate strategy. As Principal of tst ink. and co-chair of the Wellness Communities and Real Estate Initiative for the Global Wellness Summit, she helps developers design communities grounded in how people truly want to live.
Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies MentionedPains and Gains Framework for understanding human behavior and decision-making
Social Infrastructure as a driver of connection, wellbeing, and community value
Wellness as Infrastructure—embedding wellbeing into the built environment
Outside-In Design Thinking rooted in sociology and lived experience
The future of wellness isn't a destination—it's a design philosophy. When we shift from building spaces to shaping lives, we create communities that foster health, connection, and belonging in lasting ways.
Looking for expert advice in Spa Consulting, with live training and online learning?Spa Consulting
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Connect with Teri
Follow Lisa on LinkedIn
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What if the spa experience isn't actually improving well-being, but simply creating a pleasant moment? In this episode of StarrCast, we explore the shift from traditional customer experience to true wellbeing experience design (WX), and what it means to create measurable, lasting impact for guests.
What You'll Learn
Why many wellness experiences fail to create meaningful, lasting outcomes
The difference between customer experience (CX) and wellbeing experience (WX)
How designing for outcomes, not just delivery, changes everything
Why personalization, cultural awareness, and emotional engagement are essential
A new way to measure success through Net Wellbeing Score (NWS) instead of traditional metrics
Episode Highlights
02:05 – Are spa experiences truly improving well-being or just creating moments?
05:58 – The gap between service delivery and guest outcomes
11:20 – The shift toward transformation and long-term wellness expectations
20:22 – Designing experiences for impact, not just satisfaction
31:41 – The role of emotional engagement and multi-sensory design
52:32 – Moving beyond Net Promoter Score to Net Wellbeing Score
Meet the Guests
Laszlo Puczko and Melanie Smith are co-founders of HTWW Life and globally recognized experts in health, wellness, and tourism strategy. With decades of research and advisory experience, they bring a forward-thinking perspective on how the industry must evolve to deliver meaningful well-being outcomes.
Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies MentionedWellbeing Experience Design (WX)
Net Wellbeing Score (NWS)
Holistic guest journey mapping (pre, during, and post experience)
Multi-sensory and culturally informed experience design
A beautiful spa experience is no longer enough. Today's guest is looking for something deeper, something measurable, and something that lasts. The future of wellness lies not in what is delivered, but in what is truly felt and sustained long after the visit ends.
Looking for expert advice in Spa Consulting, with live training and online learning?Spa Consulting
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Connect with HTWW Life
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What does it really mean to design for transformation, not just relaxation? In this episode, we explore how intentional spaces, technology, and human-centered design can shift behavior, deepen self-awareness, and redefine the future of wellness.
What You'll Learn
Why transformation is the next evolution beyond traditional wellness experiences
How intentional design can influence physical, emotional, and behavioral change
The role of technology when it is used with purpose, not distraction
How to balance science, spirituality, and sensory experience in wellness spaces
Why doing "one thing well" is more powerful than chasing every trend
Episode Highlights
00:00 – Introducing Ramy Elnagar and the concept of wellbeing innovation
04:00 – What "White Mirror" means and the shift from dystopia to intentional design
12:30 – How music, neuroscience, and technology intersect in wellness
20:00 – Designing immersive experiences that move beyond relaxation
31:00 – The problem with wellness trends and how to think long-term
47:30 – Why focusing on one core offering creates stronger impact
52:00 – The future of wellness: balancing technology, ritual, and human connection
Meet the Guest
Ramy Elnagar is a wellbeing innovation strategist and founder of White Mirror Studio. His work sits at the intersection of technology, design, and human transformation, helping brands create experiences that go beyond wellness into meaningful behavioral change.
Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies MentionedThe "Rule of One" approach to wellness strategy
Transformation vs. relaxation design model
Sensory-driven environments and immersive sound experiences
Ritual design and intentional space creation
True wellness is not just about feeling better in the moment. It is about leaving a space different than when you entered it. When design, technology, and intention align, transformation becomes possible.
Looking for expert advice in Spa Consulting, with live training and online learning?Spa Consulting
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What if one of the most requested services in the spa industry is also one of the most misunderstood? In this episode of StarrCast, we explore how maternity massage goes far beyond relaxation and becomes a powerful tool for supporting pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery.
Lisa Starr sits down with Sparrow Harrington, founder of Sparrow's Nest Massage, to uncover how specialized, evidence-based bodywork can transform the maternal experience, reduce stress, and improve outcomes for both mother and baby.
What You'll LearnWhy maternity massage is more than a "special occasion" service and should be part of ongoing care
How structured, therapeutic touch supports nervous system regulation and pregnancy outcomes
The difference between standard prenatal massage and clinically-informed, structural bodywork
How massage can support fertility, labor preparation, and postpartum recovery
Why positioning, technique, and therapist training dramatically impact results
03:20 – Sparrow's journey from alternative health to maternity massage specialization
08:01 – The Carol Osborne method and evidence-based prenatal bodywork
13:54 – Why first trimester care is often overlooked but critically important
16:51 – The ideal cadence for massage throughout pregnancy
19:10 – Induction massage and the role of nervous system readiness
24:20 – Postpartum recovery, C-section care, and functional healing
33:14 – What is Mercier Therapy and how it supports fertility
Sparrow Harrington is a pre- and perinatal massage therapist, educator, and founder of Sparrow's Nest Massage in Pasadena. She is an authorized instructor of the Carol Osborne Method and specializes in fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum bodywork.
Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies MentionedCarol Osborne Method for pre- and perinatal massage
Rhythmic deep tissue sculpting
Mercier Therapy for fertility support
Structured maternity care plans for consistent treatment
Consistent, intentional care during pregnancy is not a luxury. It is a powerful way to support the body's natural intelligence, reduce stress, and create better outcomes for both mother and baby.
Looking for expert advice in Spa Consulting, with live training and online learning?Spa Consulting
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In this episode of StarrCast, we explore how wellness is evolving from a single amenity into a fully integrated, property-wide strategy that shapes how guests feel, function, and live.
What You'll Learn
Why wellness must be embedded into hotel development from the earliest stages
How sleep optimization, circadian lighting, and sound design impact guest recovery
The role of nutrition, neurogastronomy, and food-as-medicine in hospitality
How wellness technology enables scalable, high-impact guest experiences
Why longevity is emerging as a defining framework for the future of wellness travel
Episode Highlights
03:20 – The hidden toll of travel and why recovery is now essential
07:15 – The shift from spa-centric wellness to full-property integration
12:20 – Why wellness must be part of the initial concept, not an afterthought
18:10 – The evolution of spa into recovery and longevity-focused environments
25:00 – How guest room design influences sleep, lighting, and performance
36:00 – The rise of wellness technology and multimodal experiences
45:10 – Longevity as both a guest expectation and a revenue strategy
52:15 – What it means for a guest to "feel better than when they arrived"
Meet the Guest
Adam Mogelonsky is a hospitality strategist and partner at Hotel Mogel Consulting. With a background spanning life sciences, fitness, and luxury hotel consulting, he advises developers and operators on integrating wellness, design, and revenue strategy into modern hospitality experiences.
Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned
Multimodal wellness experiences
Circadian lighting and sleep optimization
Neurogastronomy and mood-based menu design
Touchless wellness technology (red light therapy, PEMF, cryotherapy)
Longevity-driven hospitality programming
Closing Insight
Wellness in hospitality is no longer about offering a spa. It is about creating an ecosystem where every detail—from the food on the plate to the light in the room—supports how a guest feels, recovers, and performs.
Subscribe for more conversations about wellness, hospitality strategy, and the future of the spa and wellness business.
Looking for expert advice in Spa Consulting, with live training and online learning?Spa Consulting
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What does resilience really look like in today's fast-moving wellness industry? In this episode, Kay Pennington shares how leaders can stay grounded, connected, and authentic while navigating pressure, growth, and constant change. This conversation explores the deeper side of leadership, where emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and personal values shape long-term success.
What You'll LearnWhy resilience is the foundation of sustainable leadership and long-term performance
How identity and self-awareness influence leadership effectiveness in spa and wellness environments
The role of emotional intelligence in building trust, connection, and team alignment
Practical ways to prevent burnout and reconnect with purpose in high-pressure roles
How leaders can create stronger teams through communication, values, and authenticity
03:00 – Kay's journey from beauty therapy to leadership and entrepreneurship
08:45 – What resilience really means in a fast-paced wellness career
14:20 – The connection between identity, values, and leadership success
21:10 – Why burnout happens and how to recognize early signs
29:35 – Emotional intelligence and communication in leadership roles
37:50 – Building trust and connection within teams
45:15 – Practical tools to reconnect with purpose and personal strength
Kay Pennington, Founder of Resilience and Power, is a leadership coach and wellness industry expert who helps individuals and teams build resilience, strengthen emotional intelligence, and lead with authenticity.
Closing InsightResilience is not about pushing harder. It is about understanding who you are, what you value, and how you lead with intention in moments that challenge you most.
Looking for expert advice in Spa Consulting, with live training and online learning?Spa Consulting
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