On this very special Book Direct Day, I'm thrilled to welcome Heather Dunwoody to the podcast for a deeply resonant conversation about the why behind what we do in this industry. Heather isn't just someone who works in branding and guest experience., she's someone who truly understands that hospitality goes far beyond service. For her, it's about creating meaningful connections and welcoming guests into something much deeper than just a place to stay.

After reading her article Sewn in Soil and Spirit on Medium, I knew we had to dive into a conversation about designing guest experiences that go beyond the surface. From wild foraging to mushroom inoculation, from stargazing rituals to unlocking the potential of your pollinator garden, this episode explores how authentic, participatory experiences can redefine what it means to host.

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📣 Midroll Sponsor: STRAIT Chat & the AI Ambassador Program

This episode is brought to you in part by the STRAIT Chat Community - an exclusive space for short-term rental pros who want deeper conversations, smarter systems, and more collaborative learning.

And if you're curious about using AI in your business - whether it's for guest communication, operations, or even marketing - check out our AI Ambassador Program. It's designed to help you learn, lead, and get hands-on with the tools shaping the future of hospitality.

🌐 Learn more and join us at VacationRentalFormula.com/AI

Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here: https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/podcast/VRS649