In this episode of The Co-Host Bros Podcast, Matt Codd and Austin Spitz sit down with Mike O’Connell, a seasoned STR operator and one of the founders of Happy Guest — a tool designed to make hosting easier, smoother, and more guest-focused.

We talk about:

• Mike’s journey from host to tech founder
• Why guest experience is the most overlooked growth lever
• How Happy Guest helps automate communication, check-ins, and 5-star stays
• Lessons learned from scaling hospitality tech

If you’re looking to stand out in a crowded market by delivering better experiences (without working harder), this is a must-listen.

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In this episode of The Co-Host Bros Podcast, Matt Codd and Austin Spitz welcome back Justin Powell — but this time, it's not about a rental horror story. It’s about growth, hustle, and scaling fast. Justin shares how he went from zero to managing over 20 short-term rentals in less than a year, and what it took to build Seabrook Vacation Management into a thriving operation.

In this episode:

• How Justin found and onboarded 20+ properties
• What systems and processes kept him sane during the growth
• Lessons he learned the hard way (and how you can avoid them)
• Why relationship-building is his #1 growth hack

This is a must-listen for anyone growing their STR portfolio or looking to build a management business from scratch.

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In this bonus episode of The Co-Host Bros Podcast, Matt flies solo — no Austin, just vibes — and launches a brand new series: Co-Host Bros Woes. The concept? Real stories from real hosts about the disasters, headaches, and lessons that come from the darker side of short-term rentals.

This week’s guest is Justin Powell from Seabrook Vacation Management, and he’s bringing a doozy of a story involving guests, mistakes, and STR chaos.

If you’ve ever said, “This would make a great podcast episode,” this is the one.

Let us know if you like this series — and if you’ve got a story to share, DM us and come on the show!

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In this episode of The Co-Host Bros Podcast, Matt Codd and Austin Spitz are joined by short-term rental investor, content creator, and entrepreneur Michael Elefante. Known for his transparency and STR education content, Michael opens up about building a high-performing rental portfolio while raising a young family and staying true to his values.

You’ll hear:

• How Michael got started with just one property and scaled from there
• His favorite tools and strategies for automation and guest satisfaction
• What he prioritizes now that time is more valuable than money
• How to build a business that fuels your life — not the other way around

This episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration for hosts at every stage.

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On this episode of The Co-Host Bros Podcast, Matt Codd and Austin Spitz welcome Jesse Vazquez — a seasoned short-term rental host and business builder with a passion for longevity over hype. Jesse opens up about his journey, how he’s navigated the ups and downs of STR, and why most people flame out after 7 episodes (or 7 listings).

Inside:

• Jesse’s take on why consistency beats trends in the STR space
• Lessons from hosting at scale and staying profitable
• Encouragement for new hosts who feel like quitting
• Why podcasting and short-term rentals require the same mindset

If you want to build a long-term STR brand with staying power, this episode delivers.

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In this episode of The Co-Host Bros Podcast, Matt Codd and Austin Spitz sit down with short-term rental systems expert Marissa Grover. Marissa shares how she helps hosts streamline their operations, build scalable systems, and stay out of the day-to-day chaos. Whether you're a new host or scaling your property management business, you'll learn actionable strategies to boost your efficiency and guest experience.

We dive into:

• Why most STR operators hit a wall—and how systems fix that
• Marissa’s go-to tools for automating routine tasks
• How to prep your business for growth without sacrificing quality

Tune in and get ready to scale smarter, not harder. Learn more at https://withmarisa.co/

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In this episode of The Co-Host Bros Podcast, Matt Codd and Austin Spitz sit down with real estate investor and short-term rental strategist Alex Sabio. From his roots as a respiratory therapist to building a thriving portfolio of high-performing STRs, Alex shares the mindset shifts, lessons, and tactical plays that helped him break out of the 9–5 grind.

We talk about:

• Transitioning from healthcare to real estate full time
• How to find and fund STR deals with long-term potential
• Common pitfalls new hosts make — and how to avoid them
• Alex’s philosophy on wealth, risk, and living with intention

If you’re ready to take action in the STR space, this one’s for you.

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Matt gives some tips on how to help with you new listing optimization and some other new listing tips that will help boost you first or next co-host listing.

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Follow Matt

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Follow Austin

Facebook - @austin.spitzenburger

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