On Heart Of Hospitality—presented by the Mississippi Tourism Association—we talk with the passionate leaders, movers, shakers, and change-makers who keep the heart of our state’s vibrant tourism industry going strong. In Mississippi, the Hospitality State, tourism happens to be the fourth-largest industry, and a cornerstone of our economy, generating billions of dollars in revenue, creating jobs, and supporting small businesses in every region of the state. Heart of Hospitality is a deep dive into all things tourism. And, you’ll also learn about the Heart of Hospitality Workforce Development Training Program, established by the Mississippi Tourism Association to energize and empower professionals with the tools they need to create meaningful, positive experiences for guests to our state. So get ready to take a trip into the very Heart of Hospitality. Find us on our website, mstourism.com, or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
A chat with state tourism champion, Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann
We talk with the Lt. Governor about the prospect of elevating tourism to a cabinet‑level agency, connecting tourism to quality of place, talent attraction and retention, and those essential tourism tax revenues that fund teacher pay, healthcare, and infrastructure. Plus, we chat about a favorite new book by author Melody Golding, Hometown Mississippi.
The Heart Of Hospitality podcast is presented by The Mississippi Tourism Association. MTA is an association comprised of tourism professionals established with a mission to unite all sectors of the tourism industry through advocacy, promotion, and education.
15 Dec 2025
How to build powerful programs in rural communities, with Dr. Rachael Carter
For this episode of Heart Of Hospitality, Dr. Rachael Carter guides us through the process of creating tangible, repeatable results. Using sociology and economics, she has focused her efforts on equipping organizations with the tools to make the most of their futures.
An instructor and tourism specialist with MSU for Government and Community Development, Dr. Carter was recently honored with the 2025 Excellence in Research Award by the Southern Rural Sociological Association, recognizing her work to advance the study of rural development in the South and drive meaningful improvements in rural communities.
The Heart Of Hospitality podcast is presented by The Mississippi Tourism Association. MTA is an association comprised of tourism professionals established with a mission to unite all sectors of the tourism industry through advocacy, promotion, and education.
8 Dec 2025
Berkeley Young on how strategy becomes hospitality
On today's episode, Berkeley Young talks with us about the importance of creating a smart strategy for your destination. With the Heart Of Hospitality as the focus, he details the powerful nature of connection, how quantitative data turns into results, and the importance of team culture in crafting genuine experiences.
Early on, Berkeley Young was hired as a Director of Sales and quickly promoted to General Manager of a large golf resort managed by Interstate Hotels Corporation. He joined Randall Travel Marketing in 1998 as Vice President and, in November 2004, opened Young Strategies, focusing on strategic planning and research for DMOs.
The Heart Of Hospitality podcast is presented by The Mississippi Tourism Association. MTA is an association comprised of tourism professionals established with a mission to unite all sectors of the tourism industry through advocacy, promotion, and education.
1 Dec 2025
Danielle Morgan and MTA's Heart of Hospitality Workforce Development Program
In this episode of Heart Of Hospitality, Danielle Morgan shares her passion and dedication to our visitors as the Mississippi Tourism Association Executive Director. She also details MTA's Heart of Hospitality Workforce Development Training Program and all the benefits it delivers for our state.
Mississippi wouldn't be the incredibly hospitable state it is today without people like Danielle, opportunities like this training program, and associations such as the MTA.
The Heart Of Hospitality podcast is presented by The Mississippi Tourism Association. MTA is an association comprised of tourism professionals established with a mission to unite all sectors of the tourism industry through advocacy, promotion, and education.
24 Nov 2025
Rep. Greg Haney on elevating tourism as a career and so much more
On this episode of Heart Of Hospitality, we’re chatting with a true champion of hospitality: Mississippi House Tourism Committee Chair, Representative Greg Haney. Representative Haney discusses translating love of place into smart policy to grow jobs, strengthen communities, and elevate the experience for both visitors and career seekers. He also talks about what makes our state truly unique as a destination, highlighting our strong visitor draws of food, history, culture, and even birdwatching.
The Heart Of Hospitality podcast is presented by The Mississippi Tourism Association. MTA is an association comprised of tourism professionals established with a mission to unite all sectors of the tourism industry through advocacy, promotion, and education.
17 Nov 2025
Senator Lydia Chassaniol on tantalizing (and attracting) visitors with food tourism
In this episode of Heart Of Hospitality, we have the pleasure of speaking with Senate Tourism Chair Senator Lydia Chassaniol. Senator Chassaniol is a Mississippi tourism champion who works nonstop to elevate food tourism and local culinary assets as economic drivers.
In terms of the Heart Of Hospitality, Lydia endeavors to continuously improve culinary service standards, restaurant menu storytelling, credential recognition, and oversee the job bank for Front of House and Back of House roles. With her help, the culinary experience in Mississippi drives visitors to our state and keeps them coming back for more and more.
The Heart Of Hospitality podcast is presented by The Mississippi Tourism Association. MTA is an association comprised of tourism professionals established with a mission to unite all sectors of the tourism industry through advocacy, promotion, and education.
10 Nov 2025
Shannon Gray on crafting super authentic and inspiring travel experiences
For this episode of Heart Of Hospitality—recorded on location at the Mississippi Governor’s Conference on Tourism—we’re chatting with Shannon Gray. Shannon possesses a curious mind and has a passion for understanding what makes people tick—especially when it comes to travel.
Before diving into tourism research, Shannon worked with big brands like Kraft, General Mills, T-Mobile, and Verizon, learning to turn data into actionable insights. But it was in destination marketing that she found her sweet spot—figuring out what inspires people to visit, stay, and return. When she’s not digging into data, she’s probably planning her next trip, because, let’s be honest—travel is the best kind of research.
The Heart Of Hospitality podcast is presented by The Mississippi Tourism Association. MTA is an association comprised of tourism professionals established with a mission to unite all sectors of the tourism industry through advocacy, promotion, and education.
3 Nov 2025
Phil Eich knows the best stories start with better questions
For this episode of Heart Of Hospitality, we’re chatting with Phil Eich, creative storyteller and question asker of the first order. Mr. Eich is the founder of Storyville, an agency dedicated to sharing untold-yet-memorable tales of people and places across the country—cultivating lots of community pride in the process. Listen in, and find out about Mississippi's special edge on the competition when it comes to our stories.
Through interviews, photography, videography, and podcasting, Phil’s approach shines a light on the greatest strength of the hospitality state: our people.
The Heart Of Hospitality podcast is presented by The Mississippi Tourism Association. MTA is an association comprised of tourism professionals established with a mission to unite all sectors of the tourism industry through advocacy, promotion, and education.
27 Oct 2025
Meet Taylor Garretson, Miss Hospitality 2025
For this episode of Heart Of Hospitality, we’re at the Mississippi Governor's Conference on Tourism and are pleased to be chatting with Taylor Garretson. Miss Garretson was crowned the 76th Mississippi Miss Hospitality in July 2025 in Hattiesburg.
A Greene County native, Taylor will spend the next year promoting Mississippi’s tourism and economic development industries across the state and country as Mississippi’s official Goodwill Ambassador. Taylor shares her insights on how to connect with the next generation of students considering hospitality as a career, her favorite aspects of being Miss Hospitality, and what it's like to be a podcaster herself.
The Heart Of Hospitality podcast is presented by The Mississippi Tourism Association. MTA is an association comprised of tourism professionals established with a mission to unite all sectors of the tourism industry through advocacy, promotion, and education.
20 Oct 2025
Calvin Stovall's journey from the front desk to the top floor
On this episode of Heart Of Hospitality, we talk with Calvin Stovall, Chief Experience Officer of ICONIC Presentations, LLC. With nearly 30 years of experience in the hospitality and non-profit service industries, Calvin leverages his life experiences to connect with audiences nationwide. Beginning his hospitality career as a front desk clerk at the Holiday Inn, Stovall eventually became vice president of brand marketing with Hilton Worldwide.
He is also the author of the forthcoming book Hidden Hospitality: Untold Stories of Black Hotel, Motel, and Resort Owners from the Pioneer Days to the Civil Rights Era, scheduled for release in October 2025. Through his tireless efforts in service industry recovery, leadership pipelines, and local storytelling, Calvin is a genuine Heart Of Hospitality partner.
The Heart Of Hospitality podcast is presented by The Mississippi Tourism Association. MTA is an association comprised of tourism professionals established with a mission to unite all sectors of the tourism industry through advocacy, promotion, and education.
13 Oct 2025
Talking with Thabi Moyo about bringing a national festival to Mississippi
For this episode of Heart Of Hospitality, we’re pleased to have Thabi Moyo, Local Festival Manager for the upcoming National Folk Festival in Jackson, Mississippi, where she’s leading the charge to bring this nationally recognized event to the state for the first time. Our chat includes deep dives into the subjects of festival leadership, community co‑creation, volunteer and vendor readiness, and crafting a durable and lasting legacy for Mississippi's Capital City.
The Heart Of Hospitality podcast is presented by The Mississippi Tourism Association. MTA is an association comprised of tourism professionals established with a mission to unite all sectors of the tourism industry through advocacy, promotion, and education.
8 Oct 2025
Welcome to the Heart Of Hospitality
On Heart Of Hospitality—presented by the Mississippi Tourism Association—we talk with the passionate leaders, movers, shakers, and change-makers who keep the heart of our state’s vibrant tourism industry going strong.
In Mississippi, the Hospitality State, tourism happens to be the fourth-largest industry, and a cornerstone of our economy, generating billions of dollars in revenue, creating jobs, and supporting small businesses in every region of the state.
Heart of Hospitality is a deep dive into all things tourism. And, you’ll also learn about the Heart of Hospitality Workforce Development Training Program, established by the Mississippi Tourism Association to energize and empower professionals with the tools they need to create meaningful, positive experiences for guests to our state.
So get ready to take a trip into the very Heart of Hospitality. Find us on our website, mstourism.com, or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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