Private Club Radio Show

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. 

F...

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, 

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...

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, edu...

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 g...

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 resp...

Ever wondered what it’s like to run a private club that functions more like a municipality than a clubhouse?

In this episode, GM Joe Smith takes us deep into the world of Florida HOAs  where leadership isn’t just about member experience… it’s about navigating state law, statutes, and real legal accountability.

You’ll hear how HOA-run clubs operate under public scrutiny, manage board meetings where anyone can speak...

What happens when chandeliers, mahogany bars, and 150 years of tradition collide with TikTok and influencers? That’s the story unfolding at The Austin Club under the leadership of Paul Kornfeind, MCM, CCE.

In this episode of Private Club Radio, Paul explains how he’s reimagining a historic city club for Gen Z and Millennials, while still honoring its rich legacy. From “Bingo After Dark” and “Gourmet Dinners Under the Stars” to colla...

Want a packed room and zero complaints after comedy night?
Learn how to:

• Book talent your members actually love
• Avoid the AV pitfalls that kill energy
• Set expectations that save your inbox
• Budget for the headline act, not just the dinner
  
  

Comedy night should be a club highlight, not a source of member complaints. In this episode, entertainer, club favorite, and PCR host
 Denny Corby breaks down exactly how to h...

Who's really trying to join your club?
What secrets lie beneath that polished application and those glowing references?
Dan Klimek from Kennis Member Vetting pulls back the curtain on what truly comprehensive member screening can reveal and the results might shock you.

Traditional background checks barely scratch the surface.
Regulated by employment laws, they're limited in scope and depth. But whe...

Buckle up for the most exhilarating professional development experience ever created for private club leaders! Management in Motion isn't your typical leadership seminar - it's what happens when you combine high-performance driving with transformative leadership insights at one of America's premier private racetracks.

Picture yourself behind the wheel of a BMW M-series vehicle, mastering drag racing, precisi...

In this episode of Private Club Radio, we chat with Rollie Carlson, 
Managing Director of the Upper Midwest CMAA Chapter and a longtime leader in the private club industry. 

With a career spanning from senior-level retail marketing to general management at top clubs, Rollie brings a rare mix of operational insight, people-first leadership, and a deep passion for mentorship.

We talk what makes a great club professional, not just i...

Nicole Wasserman isn't your typical club professional. At an age when most are still figuring out career basics, she's already compiled a resume that reads like a hospitality industry scavenger hunt—Augusta National, the Governor's Mansion, Hershey, Roaring Gap, wedding planner, and more. Now serving as Food and Beverage Manager at Daniel Island Club, Nicole brings a refreshingly grounded perspective on what it means...

What if your club could serve as more than just a dining and recreation venue for aging members, but become a true lifeline of purpose and connection? Clubhouse Manager Kaitlyn Allen, CCM takes us on a fascinating journey through how her background in gerontology transformed her approach to hospitality at Long Cove Club.

Starting with her teenage job at a retirement community, Kaitlyn discovered both the beauty of serving ...

The ground is shifting beneath private golf clubs, and not everyone sees it coming. In this eye-opening conversation with Jason Becker, founder of Golf Life Navigators, we peel back the curtain on dramatic changes reshaping the private club landscape across the Sunbelt and beyond.

Remember those endless waitlists and lightning-fast home sales in golf communities? That reality is fading fast. Home prices have dropped 10-15%...

David Sweet’s journey from the luxury hotel world to the private club space is anything but typical—but his impact at Boca Woods shows what’s possible when a leader aligns people, purpose, and values.

In this episode, David shares how Boca Woods has evolved by investing deeply in culture, communication, and brand—from the inside out. From forming a marketing dream team to reshaping how members engage with the club, this is...

Ever wondered why your club's racket department seems financially constrained? In this eye-opening episode, consultant and racket management expert Ed Shanaphy lifts the curtain on the numbers rarely discussed in polite club company.

The financial anatomy of a racket department is more complex than most realize. Shanaphy reveals that nationally, racket departments typically receive just 3% of a club's overall rev...

What do private clubs and political campaigns have in common?
 Turns out… a lot more than you think.

In this episode, Denny sits down with Charles “Chuck” Merriman, CCM. 
TRhe politically wired, quick-witted COO of San Diego Country Club whose journey from congressional campaign manager to club executive is anything but ordinary.

Chuck shares how his deep roots in politics shaped his leadership style, how civic involvement he...

Work Hard, Be Kind, Pour the Wine. 

Today’s guest is Velecia Luckenbill and trust me, you’re gonna love her.

She’s the Director of Food & Beverage at Colonial Country Club, a certified sommelier, and one of the most vibrant, driven, and straight-up joyful humans in the private club world. But her journey? It’s anything but typical.

Velecia came to the U.S. from Jamaica through an H-2B government work program. S...