Unlocked by Matt Landau
Unlocked is a podcast series that invites you to be a fly-on-the-wall as VRMB founder Matt Landau interviews some of the world’s most innovative vacation rental professionals. The goal of this podcast series is to share best practices and to remind vacation rental professionals that we have everything we need inside of us to succeed.
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Poetry vs. Plumbing with Henrik Kjellberg
05/10/2024
Poetry vs. Plumbing with Henrik Kjellberg
Today's episode features Henrik Kjellberg, CEO of Awaze. In this conversation, Henrik and Matt dive into "the new world". A world that requires adapting to change in more than just the Vacation Rental Industry, which is interesting but can be scary... Henrik shares his take on innovation and creativity and how discipline, consistency, and leadership contribute towards growth in a constantly changing industry. This episode is brought to you in partnership with OwnerRez, a property management software that covers small homeowners and large PMs alike. If you would like to join Matt, and over 1200 of the most creative Vacation Rental operators in the world, head over to .
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“The Connector” with Ruth Manfredi
04/26/2024
“The Connector” with Ruth Manfredi
Today's episode features Ruth Manfredi, owner of Cinque Terre Vacation Rentals in Italy. In this episode, Ruth and Matt talk about a shift toward creativity, authenticity, and originality within the VR industry. You will hear Ruth her passion and excitement while she shares her stories and experiences which involves more than just the VR industry. This episode is brought to you in partnership with OwnerRez, a property management software that covers small homeowners and large PMs alike. If you would like to join Matt, and over 1200 of the most creative Vacation Rental operators in the world, head over to .
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What’s Your Story with Maria Schuh
04/12/2024
What’s Your Story with Maria Schuh
Today's episode features Maria Schuh, owner of Mistiso's Place in Nelson, British Columbia, Canada. In this episode, Maria talks about ways that effectively allow her to navigate the threats that seem to hold a lot of VR owners back and how dancing influences the way she goes about life. This episode is brought to you in partnership with OwnerRez, a property management software that covers small homeowners and large PMs alike. If you would like to join Matt, and over 1200 of the most creative Vacation Rental operators in the world, head over to .
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Here Goes Nothin’ with Steve Hafner
04/04/2024
Here Goes Nothin’ with Steve Hafner
Today's episode features Steve Hafner, the co-founder and CEO of Kayak. Kayak is a search engine for travel services, including airline flights, hotels, rental cars, and vacation packages. In this episode, Steve and Matt talk about what it means to be a visionary, and how to be creative and bring ideas. Steve and Matt dive into the importance of storytelling, and Steve talks about how clarity helps to become more authentic. This episode is brought to you in partnership with OwnerRez, a property management software that covers small homeowners and large PMs alike. If you would like to join Matt, and over 1200 of the most creative Vacation Rental operators in the world, make sure to head over to .
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Authentic Innovation with Barry Shimelfarb
03/28/2024
Authentic Innovation with Barry Shimelfarb
Today's episode features Barry Shimelfarb, who is a short-term rental operator, an executive coach to tech leaders in Silicon Valley, and a father of two. In this episode, Barry opens up about one of the most difficult times in his life and how this has shaped his guest philosophy, the way he manages his businesses, and the way he tries to make the best use of every single day. In addition, Barry shares how he used his years of hosting experience to create Super Host Bootcamp, in which he shares his best secrets about how to boost bookings and increase profits in fewer hours. This episode is brought to you in partnership with OwnerRez, a property management software that covers small homeowners and large PMs alike. If you would like to join Barry, Matt, and over 1200 of the most creative Vacation Rental operators in the world, make sure to head over to .
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Leading With Love with Antonio Bortolotti
11/23/2023
Leading With Love with Antonio Bortolotti
Today's episode features Antonio Bortolotti, who runs the vacation Rental World Summit with his wife, Christina. It's become the preeminent event in Europe and the Middle East for vacation rental professionals. In this episode, Antonio and I recount this most extraordinary moment on stage at the end of the Vacation Rental World Summit in Barcelona just a couple weeks ago. We go through some of the sequences that neither of us could have fathomed, along with the consequences of what happened on stage and these shifts in priorities that myself and Antonio and I'm guessing a lot of you are going through in life as we evolve. This episode is brought to you by Breezeway, the best-in-class property care and operations platform, and bnbfinder, , a book direct marketplace with a 20-year history connecting travelers with unique places to stay. No commissions, no processing fees, no service fees. Plain and simple.
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Playing it Safe with Justin Ford
11/02/2023
Playing it Safe with Justin Ford
This episode features a conversation between Justin Ford and Matt Landau. Justin is a longtime industry advocate, having introduced professional safety protocols to the emerging industry of vacation rentals. In this episode, Matt and Justin talk about leadership and fear, and how certain experiences impact the way we think about, and handle, risk. The episode concludes with a conversation about safety in the vacation rental industry. This episode is brought to you by Breezeway, the best-in-class property care and operations platform, and bnbfinder, , a book direct marketplace with a 20-year history connecting travelers with unique places to stay. No commissions, no processing fees, no service fees. Plain and simple.
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I Got Stuck ... with Steve Schwab
10/20/2023
I Got Stuck ... with Steve Schwab
I GOT STUCK is my story but it could also likely be yours. As burnout started to rear its ugly head my relationships and projects started to wobble. I was forced to accept that I was lacking a clear vision for my future: I was without a firm foundation to create from. How does one become visionary? What does it feel like to grow in new ways? How do we adapt and unstuck ourselves as we enter an era of unprecedented change? I’m particularly grateful to my business partner Steve Schwab, for his courage and patience and willingness to build our retreats company together in creative and curious new ways. This episode is brought to you by Breezeway, the best-in-class property care and operations platform, and bnbfinder, , a book direct marketplace with a 20-year history connecting travelers with unique places to stay. No commissions, no processing fees, no service fees. Plain and simple.
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Our Fathers Would Be Proud with Adam Strauss
10/05/2023
Our Fathers Would Be Proud with Adam Strauss
This episode features a conversation between two lifelong friends, Adam and Matt, who talk about their childhood, their fathers, and their heritage. In this conversation, they reflect on how travel reunited them in a very special place in this world, close to their roots. This episode is about exploring who they are as a person and creating life-lasting memories at their home away from home… This episode is brought to you by Breezeway, the best-in-class property care and operations platform, and bnbfinder, , a book direct marketplace with a 20-year history connecting travelers with unique places to stay. No commissions, no processing fees, no service fees. Plain and simple.
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Everything Was Going Exactly As Planned ...
09/28/2023
Everything Was Going Exactly As Planned ...
In this episode, Matt talks with his friend and neighbor Robin. Robin‘s whole life seemed to be going according to plan -- great job, health, nuclear family -- until she got hit by the shitstorm of her marriage starting to unravel. In this episode, Matt and Robin explore themes of relationships, adversity, movement, and travel, and how to lead your children and loved ones by leading yourself. This episode is brought to you by Breezeway, the best-in-class property care and operations platform, and bnbfinder, , a book direct marketplace with a 20-year history connecting travelers with unique places to stay. No commissions, no processing fees, no service fees. Plain and simple.
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What's the Purpose of Your Trip with Guy Fomin
09/21/2023
What's the Purpose of Your Trip with Guy Fomin
In this podcast episode, Matt Landau and Guy discuss personal growth, business insights, and transformative experiences. Matt talks about his life-changing trip to Israel and how travel can trigger transformation. Guy shares his enlightening experiences with psychedelics and how they altered his perspective on life. The episode also covers Guy's journey into parenthood and its profound impact on him, emphasizing the role of children in shaping better individuals. This podcast episode is an enriching exploration of personal growth, the art of delegation, business expansion, relationship-building, the power of storytelling, heightened awareness, and the transformative influence of life experiences and parenthood. This episode is brought to you by Breezeway, the best-in-class property care and operations platform, and bnbfinder, , a book direct marketplace with a 20-year history connecting travelers with unique places to stay. No commissions, no processing fees, no service fees. Plain and simple.
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From Mother to Son with Barbara Landau
09/14/2023
From Mother to Son with Barbara Landau
Join us for a conversation between Matt and his mother, Barbara Landau. This episode offers a glimpse into Barbara Landau’s rich life experiences and adventures. She reflects on her career choices, emphasizing the importance of building a network of mentors and allies for success. Barbara's impressive achievements are a testament to her dedication and determination. Intriguingly, the episode delves into the core of Barbara and Matt's family dynamics, touching upon their Jewish identity and the role of religion and culture in their lives. Discover how these elements have played a significant part in shaping their values and perspectives. This episode is brought to you by Breezeway, the best-in-class property care and operations platform, and bnbfinder, , a book direct marketplace with a 20-year history connecting travelers with unique places to stay. No commissions, no processing fees, no service fees. Plain and simple.
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The Big Kahuna with Valerie Gangas
09/07/2023
The Big Kahuna with Valerie Gangas
Join us for a captivating conversation with Valerie Gangas as she shares her inspiring journey of growth, spirituality, and resilience. From starting a vacation rental company during the pandemic to exploring the depths of her spiritual awakening, Valerie's story is a powerful testament to the human spirit. Tune in for a dose of inspiration and insights into embracing change, seeking support, and creating exceptional guest experiences in the vacation rental industry. This episode is brought to you by Breezeway, the best-in-class property care and operations platform, and bnbfinder, , a book direct marketplace with a 20-year history connecting travelers with unique places to stay. No commissions, no processing fees, no service fees. Plain and simple.
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Up in the Air with Christina Thoreson
01/26/2023
Up in the Air with Christina Thoreson
In this special episode, Christina Thoreson takes us through the complicated reality of selling a business she'd built from the ground up to a big industry name. Wondering if you might sell one day or what happens in the aftermath? Or just contemplating big changes in life? This episode is for you. This is also the final episode of the Unlocked Podcast in its current form. We expect you'll hear from Matt again soon in a future iteration, but for now, thank you for tuning in for an incredible 159 episodes over 9 seasons! This episode is brought you by PointCentral: the leaders in smart home automation, and Breezeway, the best in class property care and automations platform. VRMB 2023 Trends Report: Join VRMB Communities:
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2023 Trends and Predictions with Lino Maldonado of BeHome247
01/19/2023
2023 Trends and Predictions with Lino Maldonado of BeHome247
In this episode we sit down with Lino Maldonado, the CEO of BeHome247, to discuss where the industry is headed in 2023. Lino also offers advice on how to navigate the changing landscape of life and capitalize on new opportunities. This episode is brought you by PointCentral: the leaders in smart home automation, and Breezeway, the best in class property care and automations platform. VRMB 2023 Trends Report: Join VRMB Communities: Behome247:
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Writing Your Professional Story with Alex Husner of Casago
01/12/2023
Writing Your Professional Story with Alex Husner of Casago
In this episode, we take a look at big leaps, both personal and professional with Alex Husner. As the newly appointed Chief Marketing Officer at Casago and co-host of the popular podcast, "Alex and Annie," Alex's personal brand has flourished alongside her success in the industry. Join us as we gain insight into her journey and strategies for achieving your own professional aspirations. This episode is brought you by PointCentral: the leaders in smart home automation, and Breezeway, the best in class property care and automations platform. Join VRMB Communities: Casago: Alex and Annie Podcast:
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The Quintessential Waverider with Matt Durrette of Cozi Vacation Rentals
12/29/2022
The Quintessential Waverider with Matt Durrette of Cozi Vacation Rentals
Matt Durrette is emblematic of the kind of Homerunner that is positioned to be the biggest winner as our industry evolves. In this episode we'll talk limited edition positioning in the growth to 300 properties, entrepreneurial operating systems and and advocacy in the latest Texas battlegrounds. This episode is brought you by PointCentral: the leaders in smart home automation, and Breezeway, the best in class property care and automations platform. Join VRMB Communities: Cozi Vacation Rentals: EOS Worldwide:
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Presidency with Karen Hunt
12/22/2022
Presidency with Karen Hunt
Karen Hunt's pre-vacation rental career included selling everything from candy and rice to Ben and Jerry's ice cream to Francis Ford Coppola and a whole lot of wine. Now she's running a lifestyle vacation rental business that is the perfect cap to a legendary career. In this episode she gives us perspective on sales, people, and goal setting that will be useful to industry players of any size. This episode is brought you by PointCentral: the leaders in smart home automation, and Breezeway, the best in class property care and automations platform. Join VRMB Communities: Carolina Elegance Vacation Rentals: Francis Ford Coppola Winery:
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A Life's Work with Brian Olson of Beachcomber Vacation Homes
12/15/2022
A Life's Work with Brian Olson of Beachcomber Vacation Homes
In this episode, Brian Olson, former Point Central Rep and owner of Beachcomber Vacation Homes, discusses the impact of health on our teams and networks after a personal wake-up call. Tune in to hear his perspective on how to prioritize well-being and the well-being of your team in what is often a fast-paced work environment. This episode is brought you by PointCentral: the leaders in smart home automation, and Breezeway, the best in class property care and automations platform. Join VRMB Communities: Brian Before and After Photo: Beachcomber Vacation Homes: LiveRez:
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One of a Kind with Sharon Walker of Walker Luxury Vacation Rentals
12/08/2022
One of a Kind with Sharon Walker of Walker Luxury Vacation Rentals
In many ways, Sharon Walker is the ultimate Limited Edition vacation rental professional. She built a business from scratch with great care for guests and employees while raising a family. Now, with the freedom that business provides, she is heading up the statewide advocacy effort in Texas and blazing a trail for her industry fellows. In this episode, Matt explores what makes her business great and talks about what the state of advocacy in Texas means for the industry as a whole. This episode is brought you by PointCentral: the leaders in smart home automation, and Breezeway, the best in class property care and automations platform. Join VRMB Communities: Walker Luxury Vacation Rentals: If you are in Texas, contact Sharon to join the advocacy effort: How to Save your Vacation Rental Business Show: Application form for next Keystone Retreat:
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BONUS: 2023 Trends with Nate Wysk of Point Central
12/01/2022
BONUS: 2023 Trends with Nate Wysk of Point Central
In this episode Matt and Nate Wysk of Point Central talk 'advocacy technology' and upcoming 2023 trends for the vacation rental industry. This episode is brought to you by PointCentral: the leaders in smart home automation, and Breezeway, the best in class property care and automations platform. Point Central's Smart Noise Monitor: Join VRMB Communities:
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Analytical with Eddie Love of Mountain Mama Cabins
11/17/2022
Analytical with Eddie Love of Mountain Mama Cabins
Eddie Love went from renting out a second home to building a full time business with fifteen properties around Harper's Ferry West Virgnia. In this episode we dive into do's and don'ts of early outsourcing, tools that enhance your version of hospitality and innovation without reinventing the wheel. This episode is brought you by PointCentral: the leaders in smart home automation, and Breezeway, the best in class property care and automations platform. Join VRMB Communities: Mountain Mama Cabins: OwnerRez: Revyoos: Application form for next Keystone Retreat:
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Leveling Up with Amanda Hoffmann of Highgate Homes
11/10/2022
Leveling Up with Amanda Hoffmann of Highgate Homes
Our industry talks a lot these days about a departing generation of wisdom. About the operators exiting their businesses and taking all of their knowledge with them. But what you don't hear about is the new minds, the new leaders who will carry the torch and Amanda Hoffmann is definately a new leader on the rise. She's building a finance division from scratch at Highgate and she's forging a new path at the intersection of vacation rentals and finance. In this episode we dive into her approach, get some tips and take a look at how frustrating hotel models can be for our industry. This episode is brought you by PointCentral: the leaders in smart home automation, and Breezeway, the best in class property care and automations platform. Join VRMB Communities: Highgate: Striven: Upwork:
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The Case Against Consolidation with Simon Lehmann of AJL Atelier
11/04/2022
The Case Against Consolidation with Simon Lehmann of AJL Atelier
In this episode two of the industry's top thought leaders reminisce on their friendly rivarly and come together with insights meant to push the whole industry forward. This episode is brought you by PointCentral: the leaders in smart home automation, and Breezeway, the best in class property care and automations platform. Join VRMB Communities: AJL Atelier: VRMA International:
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Leading from the Heart with Lauren Madewell of Auntie Bellham's Cabin Rentals
10/27/2022
Leading from the Heart with Lauren Madewell of Auntie Bellham's Cabin Rentals
Lauren Madewell found her calling when Vacation Rentals unexpectedly became the family business. In this episode Lauren and Matt discuss finding that calling, how a passion for the family business can unlock tools to work with guests and staff and what the future holds for our industry. This episode is brought you by PointCentral: the leaders in smart home automation, and Breezeway, the best in class property care and automations platform. Auntie Belham's Cabin Rentals in the Smokies: Amber Hurdle Leadership Academy: Keystone Retreats: Join VRMB Communities:
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2023 Keystone Awards Update with Terry Whyte
10/21/2022
2023 Keystone Awards Update with Terry Whyte
Years ago Terry and Matt started sharing and formalizing their research on tech stacks and property managment software with the wider community. In this episode they discuss the future of their Keystone project and wider lessons to think about when using a "help don't sell" model in your industry. This episode is brought you by PointCentral: the leaders in smart home automation, and Breezeway, the best in class property care and automations platform. Vacation Rental Software Guy: RSVP to Homerunners Las Vegas World Premiere: The Essential Guide to Property Management Software: Join VRMB Communities:
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How Vacation Rental Laws Work with Tiffany Edwards of Coletta Consulting
10/13/2022
How Vacation Rental Laws Work with Tiffany Edwards of Coletta Consulting
Tiffany Edwards grew up in the vacation rental business and has become one of its foremost goverment affairs experts and fundraisers. In this episode we dig into what our industry is doing well and what it needs to do better for a fair regulatory future. This episode is brought you by PointCentral: the leaders in smart home automation, and Breezeway, the best in class property care and automations platform. How to Save Your Vacation Rental Show: RSVP to Homerunners Las Vegas World Premiere: VRMA Advocacy Fund: Contact Tiffany: Join VRMB Communities:
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Throwback to Hurricane Florence with Mike Harrington
10/07/2022
Throwback to Hurricane Florence with Mike Harrington
Our scheduled epsiode for this week was interupted due to uncertainty around Hurricane Ian. Everyone involved with the show is fine and we'll be back next week with regularly scheduled programming, but for now we're going to archives and resharing Episode 19 with you, where Mike Harrington gives us a big business takeaway from Hurricane Florence in 2018. These are lessons we all need to be mindful of in the coming years. This episode is brought you by PointCentral: the leaders in smart home automation, and Breezeway, the best in class property care and automations platform. Here are some links that may or may not have been mentioned in the show: Collaborate with other professionals in Join VRMB Communities:
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Scaling Culture with Steve Schwab of Casago
09/29/2022
Scaling Culture with Steve Schwab of Casago
Steve Schwab went from living in the back of a bar in Puerto Peñasco Mexico and helping out with HVAC systems to building Casago into a major property management company with thousands of properties and franchises all over the US and Mexico. He's featured in our second episode of Homerunners and he's become a thought partner to Matt in tackling some of the deepest questions of our industry. This episode is brought you by PointCentral: the leaders in smart home automation, and Breezeway, the best in class property care and automations platform. Casago: Homerunners Casago Teaser: Streamline: Rocky Point: Join VRMB Communities:
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Nailed it with Miriam Ramsey of VTrips
09/22/2022
Nailed it with Miriam Ramsey of VTrips
Miriam Ramsey is a key player in the VTrips model of growth through local brands and a star of our first Homerunners episode which premieres worldwide on October 23rd at VRMA International in Las Vegas. In this episode Matt and Miriam discuss what it takes to make it in this industry, how to handle getting bought and how to nail it as a Homerunner. This episode is brought you by PointCentral: the leaders in smart home automation, and Breezeway, the best in class property care and automations platform. Jackson Mountain Homes: Vtrips: Homerunners Premiere RSVP: Explore Gatlinburg: Jed Stevens Koloa Kai: Join VRMB Communities:
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