PODCAST · society
Show de Vie Podcast
by Mike Groener
Life, limbs, booze, and personalities. SDV explores the liquor industry from both sides of the bar by interviewing the greatest personalities in the game. Although sometimes diverging into film, music, and non-booze topics, SDV is just about people with great stories. Sip, sit back, and enjoy.
Episodes
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Ep 388 - Carlos Mendez Blas: Home is Where the Mezcal Is
Carlos Mendez Blas never planned to spend his life making mezcal. After leaving Oaxaca to pursue a career as a pilot, family circumstances brought him home, where he transformed a small family palenque into one of the industry's most respected operations. We talk about leadership, resilience,...
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Ep 387 - Luis Niño de Rivera: You're Gonna Love It
Luis Niño de Rivera, CEO of Mezcal Amaras, joins me for a conversation about leadership, mentorship, and building one of the world's most respected mezcal brands. We explore entrepreneurship, sustainability, innovation, and the importance of staying curious, while diving into the diversity of...
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Ep 386 - Francisco Terrazas: Rising Tides Raise All Ships
Francisco "Cisco" Terrazas returns to Show de Vie to reflect on how his journey and the agave industry have evolved over the years. We discuss launching Raíces Imports, his work with the Tequila Interchange Project, and the challenge of balancing entrepreneurship with sustainability…
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Ep 385 - Meredith Mills-Merritt: Transparency is Where It's At
Meredith Mills-Merritt didn't set out to make just another canned cocktail. Drawing on her background in beauty and brand innovation, she reimagined the RTD category with a family Southside recipe built on cleaner ingredients and transparency. We talk about building an alcohol brand from the…
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Ep 384 - Pablo Antinori: The Story of Socorro Tequila
Pablo Antinori's journey has taken him from Argentina and Bolivia to Texas, with stops in restaurants, Tuscany, distribution, and ultimately co-founding Socorro Tequila. We talk about adapting to constant change, building friendships across cultures, entrepreneurship, and why optimism has shaped...
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Ep 383 - Emilio del Conde: Chupes Finos, Macheé Mezcal, a New Kid on the Block
Emilio del Conde grew up in Tecate, crossing the U.S.-Mexico border every day for school, an experience that shaped the way he sees people, culture, and opportunity. That drive took him from sales and finance to founding Chupes Finos (importer, distributor, and more) in Carrollton, Texas. In this...
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Ep 382 - Alejandro Orendain: Arette Tequila, a Brand Above.
Alejandro Orendain understands numbers, travel, and agave. What started as a departure from the family business, quickly turned back into a return to the homeland. His roots in Tequila, and the inescapable pull back into the operations of Tequila Arette, bring us to his current chapter. A chapter...
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Ep 381 - David Rodriguez: The Faces of Patrón Tequila
I had the lovely privilege to visit Hacienda Patrón and explore their various production sites and methods. Beyond the opulent quarters and beautiful hospitality, I found something more intriguing: the hidden complexity of their tequila. (Which is soon to be released in an entirely new 100 Proof,...
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Ep 380 - Santos Serfaty: The Story of Zancudo Mezcal
Santos Serfaty, co-founder of Zancudo Mezcal, has traversed the world while working in many restaurants and bars. This transnational lifestyle has led to him learning many languages, and learning many lessons about life. Nomadic in ways, and tremendously ground in others, Santos has settled in...
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Ep 379 - Alice Carroll: The Right Whiskey at the Right Time
Alice Carroll is breaking waves in the whiskey business. Her many chapters as a brand ambassador for the world's most well known whiskies emboldened an ambition: an ambition to create her own brand. The delicious result is Foxes Bow Irish whiskey, an artist, flavor first concoction. But as…
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Ep 378 - Glenn Boiles: Another Bottle After Another
Austin's Glenn Boiles is seemingly around every corner waiting to freshen your drink. He is at every event with a smile, warm glow, and the finest spirits from across the globe care of The Backbar Project. From Texas, to PDX, back to ATX, Glenn has acquired massive knowledge and experience in the...
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Ep 377 - Cesar Garcia: Back to the Land
Cesar Garcia grew up in mezcal country. He was surrounded by the culture, the land, and the drink itself. However, the realities of alcohol consumption sometimes eclipse the romanticized category. After decades in corporate life, Cesar experienced a life changing event that forever changed the...
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Ep 376 - Cristina Allen: The Heart of Rock and Roll is Still Drinking
Cristina Allen co-founder of Volans Tequila learned that the craft and beauty of tequila is always attainable but only with the right processes in place. Cristina studied music production and has always had a knack for creativity. Seeing the dawn of the digital era sunset on those bygone days of...
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Ep 375 - John Melvin: Come Together, Right Now
Montagave's co-founder John Melvin has delved in finances, drumming, winemaking, and now fatherhood. His brand, Montagave Tequila , is a promise ring to his French wife and their love of all things flavor. This beautiful French meets Jalisco project produced at Cascahuin was just the first step....
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Ep 374 - Sebastian Cajas: Never Met A Stranger
Austin's Sebas Cajas has had an interesting journey through the jungle, basketball courts, and mezcalerias of Ecuador. After a fateful gap in gigs, and motherly advice, he left Quito to start a new chapter in Austin. Here he has found love, friends, and most recently of all a deeper love of…
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Ep 373- Diana Pinzón: This is Zinacantan Mezcal
Diana Pinzón has a lust for life, nature, exploration, and protecting natural resources. Her forrest studies led her to Puebla, where the beginnings of Zinacantan Mezcal were born. Now years later and at the helm of Mezcal truth-telling, Diana, via Raices Imports, brings these beautiful spirits...
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Ep 372 - Naomi Michial Ayala: Behind the Scenes
Naomi Michial Ayala has achieved profound things in the hospitality industry and somehow has never been thrown into the spotlight. With almost 20 years in the business, Naomi has bartended, educated, led the Dallas USBG, and continues to be a consummate professional and role model to others. Her...
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Ep 371 - Aidan Marengo: Oh The Places We'll Go
Aidan Marengo is a staple in the San Francisco hospitality scene. His reputation as a nice guy has opened countless doors for his career. And, one fateful evening in Oaxaca caused a new and exciting door to open. Aidan has made the move from SF to Oaxaca to lend a hand for the team at Quiote...
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Ep 370 - Katie Black: Spirits in the Material World
Katie Black has distilled, fermented, bartended, event coordinated, traveled Europe, and so much more. It's hard to guess where she'll turn up next, but one thing is clear: her love of people and hospitality will keep guiding her. Her curiosity drives her, and with every move she practices the…
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Ep 369 - Guillermo Erickson Sauza: Live at the Fortaleza Cave
Almost 10 years into this podcasting journey, new interview opportunities and some legends finally make it to the mic. As part of Dia de Los Muertos last year, I had the privilege to sit down and chat with Fortaleza founder Guillermo Sauza. With such a successful career inside and outside of...
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Ep 368 - Ted Genoways: The Pen, The Process, Tequila Wars
Deeply lauded writer Ted Genoways has been a philosopher and storyteller for almost his whole life. His journalistic endeavors have led to authoring 6 books, earning countless awards, and now into an exposé on Mexico's most viable of spirits, Tequila. His new book Tequila Wars examines the…
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Ep 367 - James Douglas III: We'll See What's Next
James Douglas III moved around a bit as a child. The new environments, new social circles have a massive impact on who you become. Now, after years of hospitality, James is adapting yet again as he takes on an incredibly visible role with Ilegal Mezcal in Texas. His love of movies, people, and...
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Ep 366 - Ricardo Pico: The Story of El Sotolero
Almost 10 years, we first sat down with Ricardo Pico as his journey in Sotol was just beginning. Now, so many achievements and projects later, what does Ricardo Pico reflect on in this new world of Sotol awareness. One of the only guests to appear on the show twice, Ricardo shares his tales of…
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Ep 365 - Meghan Webb: The Journey, Not The Arrival, Matters
Meghan Webb has been a staple in hospitality industry for over a decade. Her travels and lust for life have taken her across the world, where she always shares her warmth and knowledge. This journey has recently brought things full circle with her return to Austin, TX. But this time, she is…
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Ep 364 - Anthony Wills: The Story of Kilchoman Scotch Whisky
Anthony Wills is the founder and creator of Kilchoman Single Malt Scotch Whisky, the first new distillery to be built on Islay since 1908. His previous career in wine sales led him to delve into independent whisky bottling ventures. And with deep roots to Islay through his wife's family, the…
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Ep 363 - Luis Del Pozo: Always Be Exploring
Luis Del Pozo exudes acceptance, curiosity, and hospitality. He cut his teeth in the hospitality industry of California where he honed his aesthetic and built a very supportive following on Instagram. Now, after starting a family and making Austin his new home, Luis represents the beautiful…
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Ep 362 - Jorge Caldera: Home Is Where The Sotol Is
Jorge Caldera has remained behind the scenes as Sotol has seen a rise in availability and prominence in the agave market. (although Sotol itself is not agave). Yet, his continued efforts in the market, previously with Clande Sotol, and now with astonishing spirits of Sotol Parejo, have largely…
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Ep 361 - Luis Loya: A True Treasure Hunter
Luis Loya grew up on cattle ranch in Chihuahua Mexico. His rebellious nature, and gift for drawing transformed into an insatiable need to explore later in life. He is the purveyor of some of the finest distillates in the world, and more specifically Mexico, with his brand La Mata Spirits. With...
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Ep 360 - Dani Taylan: A Symbol of Strength
Originally from Monterrey, Nuevo León, Houston's Daniela Taylan is at the top of the brand ambassador game. Whether it's serving mezcal at La Niña Blanca, sharing and educating for Tequila Fortaleza, or tapping into her botanical roots for Condesa Gin, Dani is truly working hard. She's always…
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Ep 359 - Blair Ault: Full of Teachable Moments
Teacher, educator, whiskey ambassador, podcaster, and more... It makes one wonder what Milam and Greene's Blair Ault does NOT do. Houston's Blair Ault is a renaissance woman. She writes, teaches, hosts, and travels the United States extolling the virtues of Texas' Milam and Greene whiskey. Blair…
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Ep 358 - Eduardo "Lalo" González: Tequila Is Thicker Than Water
Eduardo "Lalo" González has a rich history steeped in Tequila. His family created the brand Don Julio and revolutionized the use of whiskey casks to elevate premium categories of Tequila. Lalo Tequila found its roots in Austin, TX and fully took the industry by storm just as the world started to...
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Ep 357 - Gustavo Ortega-Oyarzun: The Shape of Drinks to Come
Gustavo Oyarzun is an immensely thoughtful person. From creating culinary/cocktail salts (via Art of Drink) to imagining entirely new bar experiences, he uses a deeply pensive and aesthetic driven perspective to innovate in the cocktail industry. As we all sought connectivity during COVID...
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Ep 356 - Nino Gandulla: The Eye of the Tiger
Ninotchka Gandula, or as she's fondly known, Nino, is the national brand ambassador for Ojo de Tiger. The beautiful mezcal that mixes production from both Oaxaca and Puebla is yet another creation from the innovative team at Casa Lumbre. Nino grew up in Puerto Rico and remains one of the most...
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Ep 355 - Victor Diaz: The Story of Carabuena Tequila
As a native of Guadalajara, Victor Diaz has been surrounded by Tequila his own life. He has followed business ideas, and his innate tenacity gives him a drive like no other. After a fateful move to Austin Tx, he entered the hospitality industry at the legendary Maudie's TexMex restaurant. Here,...
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Ep 354 - Dalton Kreiss: There's No I In Mezcal
Dalton Kreiss is an athletic, solitary, and driven midwestern guy. He's always pursued ideas for businesses and ways to add value to those around him. After studies abroad, a new sense of entrepreneurship was born. However, in which direction and for whom remained a question. Years later, the...
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Ep 353 - Carolyn Gil: When You're Here You're Family
Carolyn Gil has a rich history in the hospitality industry. Not only has her family been foundational in the cocktail movement of NYC, but they have had their hands in some of world's most influential spots. Carolyn was in a sense, born into hospitality. Doing prep at a young age, her youth was...
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Ep 352 - Darrin Commerford: One Foot In Front of the Other
Darrin Commerford has midwest sensibilities and an inviting smile. Whether capturing the action of others, or venturing onto the hiking trails of the world, Darrin embodies hospitality. You're certain to find him slinging a drink, or snapping a perfectly framed photo. But you'll never find him in…
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Ep 351 - Rich Bailey: Exploration Is Evolution
Houston native Rich Bailey has embraced kindness, openness, and a steady journey into self-empowerment. What at first was a path leading into practicing psychology soon turned into a path about self exploration. Years and many bar shifts later, Rich has recently moved to Austin, Tx to begin a new...
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Ep 350 - Stephen Carrona: Decadence In Art
Houston native Stephen Caronna has worked in every conceivable role in the hospitality industry. A king of content and service, his career trajectory has led him to a gig of a lifetime as Texas market manager for Compass Box whisky. The exploratory and supremely cerebral whisky brand pairs the…
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Ep 349 - Dercy Cabrera: Hustling and Bustling
Dercy Cabrera is a polished student of mezcal and spirits. Her years in distribution and sales made her the perfect person to make Mezcal Rosaluna a household name. With a dedication to health, community, and constant evolution, she embodies hospitality. You are sure to find her waiting right...
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Ep 348 - Jesus Verde: Here, There, and Everywhere
Whether in front of or behind the camera, crafting an elegant cocktail, or competing on a national stage, you'll soon be familiar with the work of Jesus Verde. Although his burgeoning hospitality career is relatively new, he is no stranger to long hours and unflinching work ethic. Originally from...
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Ep 347 - Maestros Mezcaleros Antenogenes y Jose Garcia San Isidro Guishe
On a beautiful fall afternoon, we set out to San Isidro Guishe in Miahuatlán. A beautiful hotbed of mezcal production. The unique flavor of these mezcales are vibrant, stoney, and green. This is the interview with father and son maestros Antenogenes and Jose, two of the producers for Cinco...
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Ep 346 - Maestro Mezcalero Alberto Martinez: Santa Catarina Albarradas
On a beautiful fall afternoon, I took a trek to visit the palenque of maestro mezcalero Alberto Martinez. The awe inspiring view and perfect weather was accompanied by delicious food and mezcal. After settling in over a few drams, I had the privilege of interviewing Alberto. With the translation...
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Ep 345 - Roberto Nuñez: Awakening the Senses
Roberto Núñez has traveled the world and the seven seas. His past studies in the seminary exposed him to many aspects of philosophy and cultural diversity. One day, things changed, and his journey into hospitality began to take form. With a litany of academic and cultural achievements, Roberto...
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Ep 344 - You Make Whiskey Where?
A lovely live podcast recording in San Antonio for Bartender's Holiday. Chatting about challenging elements in producing Still Austin with Jordan Kaiser, Starward (Jake Hukee), and Blair Ault (Milam and Greene) Lots of indie rock in the conversation and amazing interactive tasting with folks at...
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Ep 343 - Cameron George: How Nice To Peat You
Ardbeg's national brand ambassador Cameron George has a lush career in Seattle's hospitality industry. The transition from agave to Scotch whiskey was all so natural given a childhood connection with the country. With a focus on intellect, inclusion, and exploration of one's self, Cameron remains…
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Ep 342 - Ryan Chetiyawardana (Mr. Lyan): Innovating and Titilating
Ryan Chetiyawardana (Mr. Lyan) and his team are celebrating 10 years of bringing intrepid and bold bar concepts to the world. Starting with White Lyan, Ryan has redefined elements of hospitality and encourages patrons to think differently about flavors. What inspires him? What changes after a...
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Ep 341 - Carlos Soto: We Are In This Together
Carlos Soto arrived in the United States at the age of 18 to pursue a college education. His art filled roots in Costa Rica set the perfect stage for his now 8 year journey in the hospitality industry. At first a rejected business idea in his college class, is now a flourishing business. Nosotros...
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Ep 340 - Rachael Bloom Soto: On The First Try
Rachael Bloom Soto was destined to be in the hospitality industry. With a blend of food and nurturing, quite literally in her blood, she was destined to care. When a calculated move to Texas, for a different reason than you might think, ended up with her behind the bar at Rosewater She naturally...
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Ep 339 - Alberto Espinosa: Stimulating All The Senses
Alberto Espinosa is pensive, hospitable, and superbly present. He has created a style of tasting for mezcal that is inclusive, thoughtful, and above all else, connective. His two Mezcal tasting rooms (one in Oaxaca and one in CDMX) are simply called Recia. These rooms are curated with every sense...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Life, limbs, booze, and personalities. SDV explores the liquor industry from both sides of the bar by interviewing the greatest personalities in the game. Although sometimes diverging into film, music, and non-booze topics, SDV is just about people with great stories. Sip, sit back, and enjoy.
HOSTED BY
Mike Groener
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