Teague Talks Podcast

Teague Talks with Eric Jacobs, Aimbridge Hospitality

This week, Teague sits down with Eric Jacobs, Chief Global Growth Officer at Aimbridge Hospitality. As the leader driving global growth for the world’s largest hospitality management company, Eric shares how Aimbridge is intentionally moving beyond scale—prioritizing excellence and long-term value for owners, operators, and brands.

In Eric’s words, the goal isn’t just to be the biggest third-party manager, but the best partner. Teague digs into what that commitment looks like in practice—from operational discipline and accountability to leadership decisions that cascade all the way down to the guest experience.

Together, they also explore where AI is headed in revenue management and forecasting, how Aimbridge is balancing growth with uncompromising standards, and Eric’s predications on hospitality both domestically and abroad.

Teague Talks with Mitch Patel, Vision Hospitality Group

This week, Teague connects with Mitch Patel, Founder & CEO of Vision Hospitality Group, to get a boots-on-the-ground perspective on the hospitality industry. As an active owner-operator, Mitch shares how Vision is approaching development, acquisitions, and strategy—what’s working, what’s being rethought, and how decisions are getting made in today’s market.

Mitch unpacks how owner and developer priorities are evolving as 2026 comes into focus—where conviction remains strongest, where discipline matters most, and how operators are balancing near-term caution with long-term opportunity. He also breaks down the trade-offs shaping the current cycle and what it takes to stay nimble as conditions continue to shift.

Mitch, or as Teague likes to call him, the “unofficial mayor of Chattanooga,” also gives his take on whether hospitality is still the place to be—and his answer is anything but shy.

Teague Talks with Jan Freitag, CoStar Group

Ahead of ALIS, Teague sits down with Jan Freitag, National Director of Hospitality Market Analytics at CoStar Group, to tackle the data-driven questions everyone is asking as the industry looks toward 2026.

Following a year defined by tariffs, rising inflation, and economic uncertainty, Jan unpacks what the data is truly signaling—offering a grounded view across markets, asset classes, demand segments, and shifting investor priorities.

With strong optimism around luxury and a more cautious outlook for the American leisure traveler, Jan explores the forces shaping corporate demand, how investors are weighing acquisitions versus new development, and what the World Cup could mean for hotel demand in the year ahead.

Teague Talks with Leslie D. Hale, RLJ Lodging Trust

Teague travels to Bethesda, Maryland, to sit down with Leslie D. Hale, President and CEO of RLJ Lodging Trust. A Howard University alum with an early passion for finance, Leslie built her career driven by a desire to be on the decision-making side of the table—and today leads one of the industry’s most respected public lodging companies.

As the first African American woman to lead a publicly traded REIT, Leslie shares how her strategic mindset and appetite for calculated risks have shaped RLJ’s evolution. With a portfolio of 96 hotels across 23 states—totaling approximately 21,000 rooms—she discusses the company’s focus on urban lifestyle assets that thrive in “live, work, play” destinations.

From active dispositions to reinvesting through renovations and conversions, Leslie calls this “the best portfolio the company has ever owned.” She opens up about the power of mentorship, the value of diverse perspectives in leadership, and the art of balancing professional ambition with family—reminding us that success often means being comfortable without having it all figured out.

Teague Talks with DJ and Keval Rama, Auro Hotels

This week on Teague Talks, the deep dive into family-built hospitality continues with a focus on the next wave of leadership at Auro Hotels. After Part 1 with industry visionary HP Rama, Teague sits down with HP’s nephew, DJ Rama, President & CEO, and great nephew, Keval Rama, Senior Associate—leaders carrying Auro forward while staying true to the company’s founding values.

DJ shares Auro’s humble beginnings, the weight of stepping into a generational role, and how he’s shaping a culture where every associate feels like part of the family. Keval offers a third-generation perspective, reflecting on a childhood immersed in hospitality and the purpose that drives him today, including his commitment to improving the communities Auro serves.

Together, they discuss the delicate balance between honoring tradition and driving innovation, and what it really takes to lead a modern family business across multiple generations.

Teague Talks with HP Rama, Auro Hotels

Teague travels to Greenville, South Carolina, for a conversation with HP Rama, Founder and Chairman of Auro Hotels. HP’s journey began with just $2 in his pocket and a vision that would lead him to co-found Auro Hotels—formerly JHM Hotels—with his brothers. What started more than five decades ago as a single roadside motel evolved into a global enterprise spanning nearly 40 hotels across two countries, each anchored in intentional hospitality.

A true industry visionary, HP helped shape the Asian American hotelier movement as a Founding Member of AAHOA and built Auro around a mission of purpose, collaboration, and service. Through initiatives like Auro University in Surat, India, he continues to champion learning and leadership in hospitality.

In this episode, HP reflects on the values that shaped his legacy—stewardship, selflessness, and a family-first philosophy—and how those same principles continue to guide Auro’s future.

Plus, stay tuned for Part 2 – a continuation of HP’s story, featuring his nephew, DJ Rama, President & CEO, and his great nephew, Keval Rama, Senior Associate, as they lead the next chapter of Auro Hotels.

Teague Talks with Sam Fox, Author & Edit Hospitality and Fox Restaurant Concepts

Teague heads west to Phoenix for a conversation with Sam Fox—the visionary force behind Author & Edit Hospitality and Fox Restaurant Concepts. Known for building some of the most beloved restaurants across the country, Sam now brings his creative lens to hotels with The Global Ambassador, his first foray into hospitality that rethinks the food and beverage experience and avoids the pitfalls many hoteliers face.

With more than 150 restaurant concepts to his name and a $353 million transaction with The Cheesecake Factory behind him, Sam has proven he knows how to scale without losing the magic. Having earned a Michelin Key less than two years in, he shares how creativity and consistency is shaping The Global Ambassador, why focusing on today is the key to unforgettable guest experiences, and the lessons he’s carrying from restaurants into hotels. And of course—Teague asks the question we’re all wondering: what’s tougher to run, restaurants or hotels?

Plus, stay tuned for an exclusive tour of The Global Ambassador in Phoenix, coming next Friday.

Teague Talks with Anup Patel, Tara Investments

Teague travels to Nashville to sit down with Anup Patel, Managing Director at Tara Investments, inside the firm’s recently opened dual-branded Canopy and Homewood Suites in the heart of The Gulch. Anup shares how his family’s journey from textiles in the UK to U.S. hotel ownership led to over $275 million in developments and acquisitions, including this $150 million flagship project.

From balancing family and business to navigating financing, construction challenges, and design details, Anup offers a behind-the-scenes look at building from the ground up—and why this property cements Tara’s confidence in their long-term development strategy.

Plus, stay tuned for an exclusive tour of the Canopy and Homewood Suites Nashville Downtown The Gulch, coming next Friday.

Teague Talks with the Directors of "The Patel Motel Story"

Growing up around the hotel business, Amar Shah and Rahul Rohatgi never felt called to operate properties themselves. Instead, they felt compelled to tell the stories behind them—and how South Asians helped reshape the trajectory of the American hospitality industry.

In this episode, Teague sits down with the directors of "The Patel Motel Story," a short-film making waves at the Tribeca Film Festival. For Amar, a self-described “counter kid” who grew up working at his family’s gas station, the project is deeply personal. Rahul’s path was different, but their shared roots and vision brought this story to life.

The film is the result of years of research, interviews, and time spent at AAHOA conventions—piecing together a narrative that had never truly been told on screen. Together, they talk about heritage, the hustle behind the American Dream, and why the time was right to tell it now.

Teague Talks with Mike Weiss & Ben Weinberg, Castle Peak Holdings

Teague travels to Wrightsville Beach to sit down with Mike Weiss and Ben Weinberg, the visionaries behind Trailborn and founders of Castle Peak Holdings. These Goldman Sachs alums share how they built a vertically integrated hospitality platform, from development to operations, and landed a deal with Marriott with just four open properties.

Trailborn is reimagining experiential lodging with thoughtfully designed hotels in iconic destinations, combining curated itineraries, local flavor, and outdoor access for a stay that feels anything but standard.

Fresh off raising $315 million in just four months, Mike and Ben talk capital, brand building, and what’s next for the industry’s most-watched new brand. Plus, stay tuned for an exclusive look at the brand-new Trailborn Surf & Sound coming next Friday.