Distinguished

About Distinguished

What does it take to lead in one of the world's most dynamic industries? Distinguished brings you unfiltered conversations with the executives, founders, general managers, and investors who are shaping the future of global hospitality. Hosted by Dean Arun Upneja of Boston University's School of Hospitality Administration, each episode goes beyond the headlines to tackle the real challenges facing hospitality leaders today from hotel operations and restaurant innovation to talent management, climate action, and the rise of AI and robotics across the industry. Our guests represent every corner of hospitality: luxury hotels, independent restaurants, travel and tourism, entertainment venues, and more. They bring hard-won insight, bold ideas, and the kind of candor you won't find in a boardroom. Whether you're a seasoned hospitality professional, an emerging leader, or simply passionate about the industry, Distinguished is your front-row seat to the conversations that matter. Follow Distinguished on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen and join a growing community of hospitality leaders who never stop learning.

Publisher

BU School of Hospitality Administration

Category

business · business · business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

19 Jun 2023

Latest episode

16 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

7 of 49 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   16 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Chompon “Boong” Boonnak’s Imaginative Take on Thai Food Earns Michelin Recognition and Fuels New Ventures

   Host Arun Upneja interviews Chompon “Boong” Boonnak about his imaginative approach to Thai cuisine, earning Michelin recognition and inspiring new culinary ventures.

2. 

   23 Sept 2026

   Beyond Table Stakes: Staying Power and Growth of Himmel Hospitality Group, the Award-Winning Steakhouse

   Arun Upneja interviews Jaime Campos, COO of Himmel Hospitality Group, about the steakhouse's enduring success and future expansion.

3. 

   9 Sept 2026

   Spencer Davidson: Why Main Street Is Winning Hotel Transactions in 2026

   Kaushik Vardharajan interviews Spencer Davidson about why Main Street investors are dominating hotel transactions in 2026.

Inside a recent episode

Chompon “Boong” Boonnak’s Imaginative Take on Thai Food Earns Michelin Recognition and Fuels New Ventures

Published 16 Oct 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] So I think it's surreal. So for the listeners who may not know, what is a Bib Gourmand Award? So the Bib Gourmand is considered in this category is the excellent food. and with the reasonable price. That's in our category, yes. Great, so outstanding food, approachable price. It's a fantastic award to get. Congratulations on that. Thank you so much. Now, you've talked about your team, and many times when I ask you a question, you say, me and my team, and we decided this. So how does getting this award now change the team dynamics, or what changes for the team after this award? So for me, I think the team is getting better. […]

Who has been a guest on Distinguished

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Chompon Boonnak
• Jaime Campos
• Spencer Davidson
• Sarah Diehl
• Amanda Hyndman

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 37 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

45

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

71

Questions about Distinguished