Episodes

CMAA World Conference is the Olympics of human behavior, the lobby is a safari, the bar is a documentary, and the expo hall is a very polite casino. In this quick Private Club Radio episode, Denny Corby shares simple, real world body language tips to help club professionals read people and read the room fast, so you can join the right conversations, help your friends join the right conversations, and escape the long ones without faking a phone call. You will learn how to gauge the vibe and energ...

CMAA World Conference is like the Super Bowl for club professionals, positions get earned and lost, deals get made and quietly die, and reputations get built in hallways and at dinner, not just in ballrooms. In this quick episode, We share four simple goal buckets to help you stop gliding through conference and start coming home with real, tangible wins you can use right away. You will learn how to set friend goals, professional friend goals, club goals, and vendor and expo goals, plus smart que...

Booking entertainment for a private club should not feel like a gamble. In this episode of Private Club Radio, Denny Corby breaks down the exact questions club leaders should ask before booking a band, DJ, comedian, magician, speaker, or specialty act, so your club events run smoothly, match the membership vibe, and feel worth the spend. You’ll learn how to vet for fit and professionalism, not just talent, how to build a clean run of show around food service and energy flow, and what to confi...

In this episode of Private Club Radio, Denny sits down with Jeff Thomas from Corning Country Club to talk growth, culture, and what it really takes to move a club forward in a smaller market. Jeff shares the wild moment that kicked off his tenure, yes, a major flood on day one, then breaks down how he aligned departments, rebuilt momentum, and brought in 100 members in 100 days. They also get into Corning’s master planning journey, including how member surveying shaped the priorities (casual di...

In this solo episode of Private Club Radio, Denny Corby shares a personal list of books that changed how he shows up as a leader and decision maker, with practical takeaways for private club professionals who want to lead better, communicate better, and stay sharp under pressure. Denny breaks down lessons on creating access when the standard route is blocked, pushing through resistance, recognizing how leadership issues become behavioral as you rise, protecting your edge, focusing on effort as t...

In this episode of Private Club Radio, we're joined by John Good and Joe Trauger from the National Club Association to preview the 2026 National Club Conference at Ocean Reef Club in Florida, happening April 19 through 21. We get into what makes this conference different, why it’s designed for both club leadership and boards, and how NCA is building a shared learning experience around their core pillars, governance, insight, and advocacy. We also talk speaker highlights including Steve Sand...

To kick off 2026, Denny’s handing you a power list — the must-have relationships every club pro should be building now. Not just your board, not your team — we’re talking about your go-to people behind the scenes: your construction guy, your media contact, your legal lifeline, your “am I crazy or is this nuts?” text thread crew. These aren’t vendors. They’re not consultants. They’re your professional brain trust — people you can count on for honest advice, better decision-making, and fewer mess...

This isn't just a recap — it's a rapid-fire rewind of some of the biggest club leadership takeaways, off-the-wall moments, and most replayed quotes from the Private Club Radio Show in 2025. Denny Corby brings you back through ten standout clips featuring conversations with private club professionals, GMs, consultants, and leaders who dropped gold on everything from imposter syndrome to budgeting red flags to branding with bourbon. You’ll hear about: • Why ghost members and shady data co...

In this quick solo episode, Denny Corby shares his not-so-secret secret weapon: Schedule Send (or Send Later for iPhone users). It’s one of the most underrated tools in your personal and professional communication toolbox. Whether you’re checking in with a member, sending birthday wishes, or following up like a boss — this feature lets you send emails or texts exactly when they need to land, without relying on your memory or mood. It's not just a productivity hack — it's a trust-builder and rel...

Want to get your club featured on the local news? Start here. In this episode, Denny sits down with media pro and strategic communication consultant Julie Kraft, who spent two decades helping TV stations, newsrooms, and networks craft messages that connect. She now coaches leaders, brands, and businesses on how to tell their stories — and how to own the moment when the camera starts rolling. Whether you’re a GM, a club marketer, a chef, or just someone with a story to share, Julie breaks down...

Holiday season at the club means packed banquet sheets, nonstop member events, and inboxes that will not quit, so let us turn that boring out of office reply into a tiny hospitality win. In this episode, I walk you through a simple way to turn your autoresponder from a dead end into a warm, useful touchpoint that actually drives engagement. You will hear a real world example from my buddy and fellow club pro, Sean Bleyl, whose OOO emails use playful subject lines, personal details, and smart lin...

Curtis Garner is running a 27 million dollar renovation at Shoal Creek, working out of a cottage office while the clubhouse comes down around him, and still finding ways to keep members happy and staff engaged. In this episode, Curtis, Assistant GM and Director of Operations at Shoal Creek in Birmingham, walks through his path from mechanical engineering student, to hotel bar manager, to cross country move to Idaho, to coming home to Alabama in a senior leadership role. We talk about what it i...

What if the most impactful thing your club could do this season… didn’t cost a dime? In this episode of The Private Club Radio Show, host Denny Corby shares two powerful — and surprisingly simple — ways club leaders can make meaningful connections with members during the holidays. It’s not about big budgets or fancy activations. It’s about human moments. Gratitude. Intentional outreach. And yes — asking your staff to take the photo. Inside, you’ll hear: Why Thanksgiving is the perfect time to...

Ever wondered what it’s like to run a private club inside one of the most iconic hospitality brands in the world? In this episode of The Private Club Radio Show, we go behind the scenes with Kevin O’Brien, General Manager of Hershey Country Club, to explore what it takes to lead a club that sits at the intersection of tradition, luxury, and the sweetest brand in America. With over 13 years at Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, Kevin brings a rare perspective on: Leading a private club within a ...

She started as a server. Now she’s the General Manager. In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Felegy, CCM, General Manager of Lehigh Country Club, to explore what it really takes to build a club career from the ground up. Over her 25+ years in private clubs, Jen has done it all — membership, HR, events, operations, even teaching hospitality students. Her story is one of grit, loyalty, and long-game leadership. We talk about: What it’s like to rise through the ranks at the same clubHow to...

This episode is a beginner friendly kit for anyone speaking in front of people, clubs, teams, boards, or conferences. You will learn a simple structure that uses fifteens and tens, how to build clean chunks, one idea, one story, one tool, how to use WIIFM so people lean in, and how to finish on time. We cover pre show nerves, mix and mingle to make friends, the smile on purpose trick, confidence monitors for secret notes, slide do’s, crowd control, and the silent vibrate alarm so you can pivot w...

So you want those letters after your name—CCM, CCE, maybe even MCM—but you’re not sure where to start, how long it takes, or if it’s even worth it? This episode answers all your certification questions. This week on The Private Club Radio Show, we sit down with Brian Watkins, Director of Certification & Education at the Club Management Association of America (CMAA). If you’ve ever registered for a BMI, counted your CECs, or prepped for the CCM exam, you’ve already felt Brian’s impact. In thi...

We break down why a short, friendly, and current voicemail can shape first impressions and speed up callbacks, especially in the club world where every touchpoint matters. Practical tips help you record a clear greeting, set expectations, and add just enough personality. Follow us on the socials Private Club Radio Instagram Private Club Radio Linkedin Denny Corby Instagram Denny Corby Linkedin

From bussing tables at Circus Pizza to leading top private clubs, Bridget Eckert, CCM has lived every side of hospitality. In this episode, she and Denny Corby dive into what it takes to build a career you’re proud of — one rooted in curiosity, connection, and purpose. They talk messy résumés that actually make sense, teaching the next generation of club pros, and why pride still matters in this business. Funny, real, and full of takeaways for anyone who loves hospitality. Follow us on the ...

Ever watch the room drift during a seven-minute bio read? We’ve all been there, so we/me (host Denny Corby) built a reliable way to introduce speakers that actually lifts the energy, respects the audience, and makes your guest feel like a headliner. In this fast, focused walkthrough, we share the exact 60-second structure we use onstage: gather attention with a clean opening line, deliver a sharp hook, explain why this person matters to this audience right now, hit two or three punchy highlight...

Seasonal staffing doesn’t have to be a yearly crisis. In this episode, we sit down with Carly Eglin (CEO of Seasonal Connect) and Keith Pabian (Founding Partner of Pabian Law) to break down how private clubs can finally get it right—from H-2B visa strategies to housing solutions, team culture, and compliance nightmares. Whether you’re a general manager, HR director, or just tired of last-minute staffing chaos, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you attract, retain, and supp...

What happens when you throw over 30 club professionals into BMW M cars and let them rip around a professional racetrack? Pure magic—and unexpected leadership lessons that no conference room could ever provide. Management in Motion 2025 began as a casual conversation with the GM of Monticello Motor Club during a podcast interview. What started as a simple track visit evolved into a full-blown event combining adrenaline, education, and authentic connection among club leaders who share a passion f...

Ever feel like you are not good enough, even when you are? In this episode, GM Kent Johnson opens up about his personal experience with imposter syndrome as a leader in the private club world. We talk honestly about the voice of self-doubt that can show up even after years of success, and what it really takes to lead with vulnerability, clarity and confidence. Kent shares how imposter syndrome shows up at the GM level, why it often goes unspoken, and how he works through it without letting it...

How do you go from college intern to banquet manager before 30 — and actually lead with confidence? In this episode of Private Club Radio, we’re joined by Mikayla Luby, a rising star in the private club industry, who shares her journey from hospitality student to full-time banquet manager at a major country club. We explore what it’s like to grow your career inside a private club — navigating early leadership challenges, earning respect from older team members, communicating under pressure, a...