{"podcast":{"title":"Defining Hospitality","slug":"defining-hospitality-4474091","podcast_index_feed_id":4474091,"rss_url":"https://feeds.transistor.fm/defining-hospitality-podcast","website_url":"http://www.defininghospitality.live","image_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/OzoyXev3ftWKuyY_-NovZJmcbLN9d-mYgaYpwVNfSZw/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzM5MzU3LzE2ODE4/MjI1NTUtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.jpg","author":"Dan Ryan","episode_count":261,"summary":"Welcome to Defining Hospitality, the podcast focused on highlighting the most influential figures in the hospitality industry. In each episode we provide 1 on 1, in depth interviews with experts in the industry to learn what hospitality means to them. We feature expert advice on working in the industry, behind the scenes looks at some of your favorite brands, and in depth explorations of unique hospitality projects. Defining Hospitality is hosted by Founder and CEO of Agency 967, Dan Ryan. With over 30 years of experience in hospitality, Dan brings his expertise and passion to each episode as he delves into the latest trends and challenges facing the industry. Episodes are released every week on Wednesday mornings. To listen to episodes, visit https://www.defininghospitality.live/ or subscribe to Defining Hospitality wherever you get your podcasts.","last_synced_at":"2026-07-22T18:21:25.387597+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/defining-hospitality-4474091"},"episode":{"title":"Curating Luxury Through Sound - Michelangelo L’Acqua - Defining Hospitality","slug":"curating-luxury-through-sound-michelangelo-l-acqua-defining-hospitality","published_at":"2026-03-25T09:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/defining-hospitality-4474091/curating-luxury-through-sound-michelangelo-l-acqua-defining-hospitality","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/defining-hospitality-4474091","url":"https://share.transistor.fm/s/ab3da90d","audio_url":"https://media.transistor.fm/ab3da90d/bdd2d5a4.mp3","summary":"In this episode of Defining Hospitality, Dan Ryan sits down with Michaelangelo L’Acqua, a global entertainment director and music/lifestyle branding expert, to discuss hospitality as “infrastructure” built through sound, motifs, and emotional arcs across dayparts. Sponsored by BERMANFALK, this conversation dives into shifting luxury expectations, analog-era craft, and mentoring creatives within business-driven environments. Michelangelo shares how sound serves as the unseen architect in the world of hospitality, crafting emotional journeys for guests. About the Guest: Michaelangelo L'Acqua is a Global Entertainment Director and Founder of his creative strategy agency, L'Acqua Agenzia. With a legacy of working with iconic brands like Virgin Voyages and W Hotels, he brings decades of experience in music branding and luxury lifestyle curation. Known for pioneering concepts like the Sonic Identity Brand Bible, L'Acqua remains a leading voice in integrating sound as a critical component of the hospitality experience, continuously shaping the future of how spaces sound and resonate with their audience. Chapters: 01:17 Whale Shark Memories 02:51 What Hospitality Means 03:52 Sonic Architect Idea 05:09 Motifs and Brand Magic 07:04 Building a Sonic Bible 10:18 Sound Drives Revenue 12:32 Mentors and Early Grind 14:29 Tom Ford Breakthrough 17:37 From Fashion to Hotels 20:30 Analog Era Work Ethic 23:04 Staying Relevant in Luxury 27:27 Timeless Formulas and Flow 30:57 Building Sonic Brand DNA 33:04 Virgin Voyages Layer Cake 36:59 W Hotel Reinvents Hospitality 39:45 Finding Local Tastemakers 41:29 Mentorship Over Ego 44:44 Sound Beats Brick 48:07 Next Decade Soundtrack 50:49 Timeless Meets New 53:30 Hall of Fame Tangent 55:46 Wrap Up And Connect Quote of the Show: \"I truly believe th…","meta_description":"In this episode of Defining Hospitality, Dan Ryan sits down with Michaelangelo L’Acqua, a global entertainment director and music/lifestyle branding exper…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":3425,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/defining-hospitality-4474091/episodes/curating-luxury-through-sound-michelangelo-l-acqua-defining-hospitality/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/defining-hospitality-4474091/curating-luxury-through-sound-michelangelo-l-acqua-defining-hospitality.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}