Podcast
Private Club Radio Show
Hosted by Denny Corby · EN
Welcome to the Private Club Radio Show, the industry's weekly source for education, news, trends, and other current developments in the world of private clubs.
Hosted by the talented entertainer and industry expert, Denny Corby,
the podcast offers a unique perspective on the private club industry, featuring expert guests, product spotlights, predictions, and more.
Whether you're involved in a golf club management, yacht clubs, athletic clubs, or business clubs, the Private Club Radio Show is the essential podcast for
anyone seeking valuable insights and information on the latest trends and developments in the private club industry.
40episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
503: What Japan Can Teach Us About Hospitality w/ Matthew Gilbert & Joe Smith
6d ago01:44:19Tap to summarizeJapan is not just a destination. It is a lesson in how much care can be placed into even the smallest details.After separate trips to Japan, Denny brings together Joe Smith, General Manager of Countryside Golf and Country Club in Naples, and Matthew Gilbert, Executive Chef at Medinah Country Club outside Chicago.They did not travel together, and they went for very different reasons, but they both came home with a similar appreciation for the culture, the people, the food, the craftsmanship, and a style of hospitality that seems to anticipate what you need before you ever have to ask.The conversation goes well beyond travel stories.Joe and Matthew explore Kaizen and why small, consistent improvement can be more powerful than chasing giant motivational breakthroughs. They discuss the patience behind real mastery, and how ideas like Kintsugi and Wabi Sabi can change the way leaders view mistakes, difficult nights, and the beauty of imperfect human service.They also dig into Kikubari, the practice of thoughtful, anticipatory care, and the idea that leaders are handing out energy all day, whether they realize it or not.From hiring for culture and protecting teams from energy vampires, to creating meaningful member experiences and leading with greater awareness, this episode is filled with ideas club professionals can actually bring back to their teams.It is a longer conversation, but it keeps going somewhere worthwhile.Because the difference between good hospitality and great hospitality often lives in the little things most people never notice.Follow us on the socials Private Club Radio InstagramPrivate Club Radio Linkedin Denny Corby Instagram Denny Corby Linkedin
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502: Layers Of Ambiance
2w ago00:09:13Tap to summarizeA club can look perfect and still feel off. That’s the problem we tackle with one simple idea: the layers of ambiance. We’re not talking about a pretty lobby or an Instagram moment. We’re talking about how deep the experience really goes, from the driveway and parking lot to the bathrooms, locker rooms, signage, music, lighting, and the energy your team brings into every interaction.We unpack why “premium” is a promise that starts the second a member arrives. That promise creates expectations before anyone says hello, and the expectation gap can show up in surprising ways: a lingering smell, a dingy entry, mismatched design cues, or a space that feels great up front but neglected in the corners. Ambiance is bigger than candles and playlists. It’s a full emotional environment built from sound, scent, temperature, cleanliness, pace, and flow. When those layers align, members feel comfort, trust, and belonging.Follow us on the socials Private Club Radio InstagramPrivate Club Radio Linkedin Denny Corby Instagram Denny Corby Linkedin
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501: Spiritual Psychology For Strong Club Culture w/ Crystal Thomas
3w ago00:42:57Tap to summarizeClub leadership can feel like constant problem-solving, but what if the real work is learning how your mind and body react under pressure? Denny sits down with Crystal Thomas, a Master Club Manager and educator with a master’s degree in spiritual psychology, to unpack a grounded approach to staying calm, clear, and effective when members, boards, and staff hit your nervous system at full speed. Crystal explains spirituality as separate from religion and frames inner peace as our natural baseline, with daily disruptions revealing what we still need to heal, practice, and lead through.We dig into Viktor Frankl’s idea that between what happens and what happens next sits a moment of choice, and Crystal lands one of the sharpest leadership lines you’ll hear: the issue is never the issue, it’s how we deal with the issue. From member complaints to staff conflict, we talk about separating operational systems from the human side of reaction, triggers, and limiting beliefs so you can respond with intention instead of reflex. You’ll also hear how questions about “highest potential” can reshape how you coach your team and how you see yourself as a leader.Crystal shares real stories from the club world, including how she supported her chapter team through COVID by creating stability first, then building a stronger plan from that safe foundation. We also get practical on the difference between management and leadership, why culture forms whether you design it or not, and the hidden burnout trap of having responsibility without authority. If you want stronger club culture, better member experience, and steadier leadership presence, you’ll leave with tools you can use the next time a tough conversation walks into your office. Subscribe, share this with a fellow club leader, and leave a review with the biggest takeaway you’re going to try this week.Follow us on the socials Private Club Radio InstagramPrivate Club Radio Linkedin Denny Corby Instagram Denny Corby Linkedin
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500: Moments of Humanity - Jay Schwedelson Interviews Denny Corby
4w ago00:34:52Tap to summarize500 episodes doesn’t happen by accident, and it definitely doesn’t happen by playing it safe. For this milestone, we flip the format and let marketing powerhouse Jay Schwedelson (host of Do This Not That and author of Stupider People Have Done It) interview Denny Corby about the path from Scranton to performing at hundreds of private golf and country clubs, and why Private Club Radio became a home for club stories that usually stay behind the curtain.We get into the unsexy truth behind a “fun” career: the follow-ups, the relationship-building, and the daily business habits that create bookings months later. Denny shares his approach to owning a room with a simple framework that applies to any club leader, speaker, or presenter: intention, surprise, and connection. The pre-show matters, whether you’re greeting members before a big event night or hopping on a Zoom early to make people feel seen.Then we go where most people won’t: the bomb. Denny tells the fresh story of losing the room while giving a talk about control, complete with tech chaos, spilled water on note cards, anxiety spirals, and a full on-stage restart. The surprising takeaway isn’t embarrassment, it’s what happens next: deeper conversations, more honest leadership, and connection that polished perfection rarely earns.We also talk pandemic pivots, virtual events for clubs, staying in your lane versus taking every gig, and why being content with the audience you serve can be the real definition of success. If you lead at a private club, plan member experiences, or care about club culture and communication, hit play and take notes. Subscribe, share this with a club pro who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest lesson from the episode.Follow us on the socials Private Club Radio InstagramPrivate Club Radio Linkedin Denny Corby Instagram Denny Corby Linkedin
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499: Connecting The Dots w/ Sean Bleyl
Jun 1500:43:26Tap to summarizeYour club can spend $10M, $15M, even $20M on a renovation and still leave members with a first impression that feels stuck in the early 2000s. That disconnect is exactly what we tackle with Sean Bleyl from MembersFirst. Sean’s a former club pro who now helps private golf and country clubs improve marketing, communications, and digital presence, and he brings a rare perspective that blends real operations experience with modern website and content strategy.We talk about the timing trap clubs fall into: waiting until the end of a renovation to think about a website redesign, new photography, video, and the full communications plan. Sean breaks down why quality club web design is not a “build it in a day” project, how long it realistically takes when your team still has to run the club, and why photographers and content creators book out months in advance. We also get into what the best-run clubs do differently, including pulling marketing into renovation planning meetings early so member updates stay clear, consistent, and stress-reducing when parking lots change, routes shift, and timelines move.The conversation expands into conferences and education, too. We share why the real magic is often in the hallways, buses, and quick chats between sessions, and how being present in the room makes connections easier and more authentic. Sean also shares a practical way to take notes with intention so you leave any CMAA event with a handful of ideas you will actually implement at your club.Follow us on the socials Private Club Radio InstagramPrivate Club Radio Linkedin Denny Corby Instagram Denny Corby Linkedin
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498: Cockroaches, Connection, and Quiet Leadership w/ Denny Corby
Jun 900:20:14Tap to summarizeA cockroach in a hotel shower is not the opening scene I planned, but it turned into one of the clearest lessons I’ve ever learned about private club leadership. After flying in day-of to emcee the CMAA Golden State Chapter Spring Conference, I’m stressed, underprepared, and trying to keep my head on straight. Then the bathroom turns into enemy territory, and the story becomes the perfect reminder that real hospitality isn’t about looking polished. It’s about how the room feels when real life shows up.From there, I unpack the simple framework I rely on when I’m hosting a conference, performing at a club, or helping leaders think about member experience and staff culture: intention, surprise, and connection. Intention is the deliberate design behind warmth, welcome, and participation. Surprise is the pattern-breaker that pulls people out of autopilot without needing a huge budget. Connection is the point of it all, because clubs are not just in golf, food, fitness, or events. We’re in the feeling business, and feelings are what members talk about and remember.You’ll also hear my favorite “magic trick” of the week, and it wasn’t mine. It was a quiet, professional move that tightened the room, protected the energy, and improved the entire experience without drawing attention. If you lead a team, plan events, work with a board, or care about member engagement, this is a practical listen with a story you won’t forget. Subscribe, share this with a club leader who needs it, and leave a review with the quiet move you think matters most.Follow us on the socials Private Club Radio InstagramPrivate Club Radio Linkedin Denny Corby Instagram Denny Corby Linkedin
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497: Renovations, Committees, & A Great Caddie Program w/ Brian Tulk
Jun 100:31:01Tap to summarizeRenovations can upgrade a golf course, but they can also wreck trust if you miss the human side. I sit down with my friend Brian Tulk, a former club caddie who worked his way up to General Manager, to talk about what it really takes to deliver major private club improvements while members still expect everything to feel effortless.We get into the nuts and bolts of golf course renovation planning at a member-owned club: phased projects, a successful assessment vote, bunker work, irrigation uncertainty, and the constant pressure to protect weddings, dining, and day-to-day operations. Brian shares how the first domino drops in the boardroom, why committees can actually help when they are set up well, and how transparent member communication keeps expectations realistic without killing excitement.Then we shift to one of the most overlooked engines of club culture: the caddie program. Brian explains what makes a great program work, how to earn real member buy-in, and why the Evans Scholars connection turns caddying into a pipeline for opportunity and leadership. We also look ahead at the future of private clubs, from legacy membership programs to robotic mowers and precision turf technology.If you care about private club management, member experience, golf operations, and building a club culture that lasts, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share the episode with a club leader, and leave a review with your biggest renovation or caddie-program question.Follow us on the socials Private Club Radio InstagramPrivate Club Radio Linkedin Denny Corby Instagram Denny Corby Linkedin
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496: The Nicey Effect w/ Hannah White
May 2500:34:21Tap to summarizeYour club can feel lively before a member even pulls into the parking lot, but only if your communication actually sounds like your culture. We’re joined by Hannah White, Membership Experience and Communications Director at Sugar Creek Country Club, to talk about what it takes to create country club marketing and member communications that feel human, fun, and worth paying attention to.Hannah shares her unexpected career pivot from pre-dental biology to event planning, member relations, and social media, including what it’s like to walk into a role with no training and limited funds. We dig into the “limitations force creativity” mindset, how she learned to price events and build basic P&Ls, and why earning trust lets you later say, “Hear me out,” when you want to level up an experience.Then we get tactical: what makes a great event recap video, how to plan five must-have shots, why an intro clip matters, and how keeping edits to 60 to 90 seconds boosts watch time. Hannah swears you can do it with just your phone and CapCut, plus a smart archive of old footage for the weeks you need content fast. We also talk hospitality “niceys” like welcome drinks, finding ideas on TikTok, and using ChatGPT for brainstorming without losing your club’s voice.If you care about member engagement, club culture, and modern private club communications, hit play, then subscribe, share with a club leader, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show.Follow us on the socials Private Club Radio InstagramPrivate Club Radio Linkedin Denny Corby Instagram Denny Corby Linkedin
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495: The Club Communication Shift Every GM Needs To Hear w/ Joe Smith
May 1800:32:51Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Private Club Radio, Denny Corby welcomes back Joe Smith of Countryside Golf and Country Club for a conversation about creating exclusive member experiences through better communication.Joe shares how Countryside has turned communication into part of the member experience, not just a way to send updates. From weekly videos and member stories to transparency, consistency, and better internal communication with employees, Joe explains how clubs can build trust, create anticipation, and help members feel more connected to the life of the club.Denny and Joe also talk about hiring a communications director, handling member feedback, fighting the rumor mill, using video to tell the club’s story, and why the best communication is not just informative, it is engaging.If your club is still relying on basic newsletters, scattered email blasts, and hoping members “just know” what is happening, this episode will make you rethink what communication can really do for member engagement, culture, and connection.Follow us on the socials Private Club Radio InstagramPrivate Club Radio Linkedin Denny Corby Instagram Denny Corby Linkedin
Transcribe →494: The Callback Effect
May 1100:12:04Tap to summarizeThe fastest way to make a member loyal isn’t a new simulator or a renovated clubhouse. It’s a moment where we prove we were paying attention. I learned that on stage as a magician through a tool called the “callback” a reference to something earlier that lands because it feels real, shared, and unscripted. We translate that idea into private club hospitality and country club member experience, where callbacks look like remembering a drink order, a kid’s tournament, a recent retirement, or even the hole that got away last weekend. We dig into the psychology behind it: people are always scanning for belonging, safety, and whether their presence registers. Then we connect it to the peak end rule from behavioral science, showing why members remember emotional peaks and strong endings far more than perfect consistency. From there, we get practical about club operations and leadership. We talk about building continuity across departments so golf, dining, events, and membership feel like one ongoing story, not a reset every time a member changes rooms. We also make the case that scripted warmth fails because members can feel “performance” instantly. The real play is hiring and modelling genuine curiosity, supporting it with simple systems like pre-shift relational notes and shared milestone awareness. If this sparks ideas, subscribe, share with a club leader, and leave a review so more teams can build the kind of culture members feel within 30 seconds.Follow us on the socials Private Club Radio InstagramPrivate Club Radio Linkedin Denny Corby Instagram Denny Corby Linkedin
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