Episode

From Developing Aman to Building The Stanza: How Nadine Choe Built a Media Brand Where Taste Is the Moat

Podcast
Behind the Stays
Published
Mar 3, 2026
Duration seconds
3160
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https://behindthestays.podbean.com/e/from-underwriting-aman-to-building-the-stanza-how-nadine-choe-built-a-media-brand-where-taste-is-the-moat/
Audio
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/4mr22z8k73d8kw2b/BTS_32763r0f.mp3
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Markdown
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Summary

Explore The Stanza: https://www.thestanzamedia.com/ Apply to join the Journey Alliance: http://journey.com/alliance/Before she built one of hospitality’s most thoughtful media brands, Nadine Choe was underwriting some of the most ambitious luxury developments in the world — including Aman Beverly Hills, a $5B project years in the making.She understands air rights, entitlement risk, capital stacks, branded residences, and why the “flag” can make or break a deal.And then she walked away.Moved to Europe. Started publishing ideas on the internet. Went viral by dissecting how lifestyle brands become hospitality empires — and why most projects fail before they ever break ground.That experiment became The Stanza — a media platform where capital meets culture, and where taste isn’t aesthetic decoration… it’s strategic advantage.In this episode, we explore: What really goes into building ultra-luxury hospitality Distribution vs. desire — and why the best brands don’t optimize for everyone Why most pitch decks fail (and what investors actually want to see) How authenticity becomes a moat in both hotels and media And why the future of luxury may belong to smaller, family-led operators who treat hospitality like art If you’re building a brand, raising capital, or trying to create something truly one-of-one in an increasingly algorithmic world — this conversation will recalibrate how you think about luxury.Taste, Nadine argues, is not decoration. It’s defense.Stream below or wherever you get your podcasts