As we enter our seventh year behind the microphone, it’s still remarkable to say those words out loud: seven years of conversations, insights, and shared experiences across the private members club and hospitality landscape. What began as a passion project has grown into a trusted forum for club leaders, operators, and professionals who care deeply about the future of our industry.

There is no better way to kick off the first Beyond The Baselines podcast of the year than with a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation with Jeff Isbell. Jeff brings a grounded, operator-first perspective that resonates strongly with where clubs find themselves today — balancing governance, culture, staffing realities, and evolving member expectations, all while staying true to their mission and identity.

In this episode, we explore themes that will define much of the year ahead: leadership presence, communication across departments and boards, and how racquets, hospitality, and project management increasingly intersect within a modern club environment. These are the same issues that surface week after week in our work with clubs, boards, and executive teams — and the same topics that sparked such strong engagement during The Monday Morning Club Quarterback. That series will return next fall, but the conversations never really stop.

What continues to energize this podcast is the community around it — from professionals navigating career moves and immigration questions, to general managers and board members trying to make thoughtful, sustainable decisions for their clubs. We hear from you regularly, and those real-world challenges shape every episode we produce.

As always, we welcome the dialogue. If you have thoughts sparked by this episode, questions about the industry, or simply want to connect, feel free to reach out at beyondthebaselines@gmail.com or call 508-538-1288. We are always willing to listen — and when appropriate, to help.

Thank you to our listeners, partners, colleagues, and the many clubs and professionals we are fortunate to work with. We are proud to be private members club consultants, and even more grateful to be part of such a thoughtful, evolving industry.

Here’s to a strong year of conversation ahead — and to starting it with Jeff Isbell.