Teague Talks Podcast

Teague Hunter sits down with Rick Hayduk, general manager of The Lantern Hotel Columbia, to talk about the hotel's inclusive hiring model, his personal journey, and how his two children with disabilities inspired him to find a way to help them live independent but also fulfilling lives.  At the center of the conversation is The Lantern's partnership with the University of South Carolina's LIFE program, where nearly a third of the team has special needs. Teague meets Mac Watson and Rick's daughter Jamison Hayduk, both part of that program, along with assistant general manager Sofia, who helps lead the team that makes it work. It's a conversation about compassion, patience, tolerance, and love and proving that purpose-driven hiring and five-star hospitality can go hand in hand.

Teague Hunter sits down with David, developer and partner at Raines, to talk about his unexpected start in hospitality, his partnership with Grey Raines, and the lessons learned developing through the Great Recession, COVID, and hurricane recovery.   At the center of the conversation is The Lantern Hotel, developed in partnership with the University of South Carolina’s LIFE program, where nearly a third of the team has special needs. David also shares the story behind the restoration of the historic Donald Ross-designed golf course at Waynesville Inn & Golf Club.   It’s a conversation about resilience, partnership, and building businesses where purpose and profit don’t have to compete.

What does it take to build a company that lasts for generations? Grey Raines, CEO & Managing Partner of The Raines Company, joins Teague Hunter to discuss the evolution of a fourth-generation hospitality business, the leadership lessons that shaped his career, and why people—not properties—are the true foundation of long-term success. Together, they explore family business, partnerships, development, independent hotels, the changing expectations of today's travelers, and the importance of hiring for culture over talent. This is an honest conversation about growth, legacy, and what the future of hospitality should look like.

What does it take to build a hospitality company that stands the test of time? In this episode of Teague Talks, Teague Hunter sits down with Vamsi Bonthala, CEO of Arbor Lodging, to discuss his journey from practicing law on Wall Street to launching a hotel investment company just before the 2008 financial crisis. Twenty years later, Arbor Lodging has grown into one of the industry's leading ownership, investment, and management platforms. Vamsi shares lessons on entrepreneurship, building enduring partnerships, learning hotel operations from the ground up, and navigating every phase of the market cycle. The conversation also explores today's investment environment, institutional capital, AI's impact on hospitality, international expansion, and why the industry's greatest opportunities still lie ahead. Whether you're a hotel owner, investor, operator, or simply interested in leadership and building businesses that last, this episode is filled with practical insights and timeless advice.

This week, Teague travels to San Diego to sit down with Greg Kennealey, CEO of Peregrine Hospitality, at the Sheraton San Diego Resort on Harbor Island. Greg shares his approach to leadership, team building, and owning and managing a diverse portfolio of more than 46 properties nationwide, spanning select-service hotels, boutique properties, and destination resorts. Greg discusses the importance of empowering teams, his confidence for the long-term future of hospitality, and remaining actively involved in every facet of the company's operations, from acquisitions and asset strategy to branding and guest experience. He also reflects on his own path into the industry—one he jokingly describes as "dumb luck"—and the experiences that ultimately shaped his career. From scaling operations to fostering excellence, Greg offers valuable insights into what it takes to lead at the highest levels of hospitality while keeping people, whether guests or team members, at the center of every decision.