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In this episode of "The Mixing Glass", Stephanie Jenkins talks about her first adventure into tabletop gaming with her son and how it inevitably led to her career today with Mythical Meats. Stephanie also shares her knowledge and love of festivals and renaissance faires. We also got the rare chance to talk to Stephanie about the amazing brand, Mythical Meats, where she currently works .

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Stephanie Jenkins is an avid gamer, tabletop storyteller, and pop-culture enthusiast who turned a gag gift into a full-time career in the gaming and convention world. Stephanie is a passionate Dungeons & Dragons player and campaign runner who sees roleplaying games as a form of therapy, Stephanie also enjoys diving into Magic: The Gathering and all things geek culture — from retro games to fantasy adventures. Whether she’s building community at conventions or geeking out over nostalgic fandoms, Stephanie brings humor, creativity, and heart to everything she does. 

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Every company has an origin story. Some begin with years of planning and market research. Others start with a simple idea that grows into something much bigger. Mythical Meats started with a joke.  More specifically, it started with a father who was a bit of a gamer nerd looking to prank his then 10-year-old daughter. One day the idea popped into his head:  "Wouldn't it be funny if there was mermaid jerky?"  Like many ridiculous ideas, it should have ended there. But the more the idea sat around, the funnier it became. What would mythical creatures taste like? What would the packaging look like?  Could something like that actually exist?  What began as a playful joke between a dad and his daughter slowly started becoming real. What started as a simple prank idea between a father and his daughter has grown into a company dedicated to bringing unique meats and specialty proteins to customers seeking something different.  Mythical Meats continues to explore new products, build relationships with producers, and expand the range of meats available to adventurers, and gamers looking for something legendary.  While mermaid jerky may have started as a joke, today's mission is very real: deliver exceptional snack sticks that pack adventure with every bite. After all, every great story has a mythical beginning.

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In this episode of The Tale & The Telling... Our adventurers get ready to make the next leg of their journey to find Joey Coconut's lost treasures. Nattie shares something important. Rune offers some counseling. Izzy delves into conspiracy theories (again). 

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In this episode of "The Mixing Glass", Ethan and Salvador join the show to talk about their love for coffee and how they've grown their small business with intent, passion, and dedication. What's not to love about a ttrpg inspired coffee brand?  We also get nerdy and take a deep dive into coffee production at high elevations. 

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Dragon Roast Coffee is a dedicated coffee for gamers and the gaming community. They’re not just coffee roasters; they’re long-time gaming enthusiasts and coffee lovers themselves. They understand the need for high-quality, enjoyable coffee that adds an extra element of joy to your gaming sessions, whether you're rolling dice in a TTRPG or need the extra edge to finish off just one more boss.

Ethan, also known as Rune, is the founder of Dragon Roast Coffee, where he roasts and develops every coffee while also leading design and representing the brand at events. A former full-time Twitch and YouTube creator specializing in competitive card games, he was a partner with Twitch, YouTube, Blizzard, and Riot Games before turning his passion for coffee roasting into a full-time career.

Salvador is the managing director of Dragon Roast, responsible for reigning in all the chaos behind-the-scenes. He creates much of the merch and assists in general product design, shipping and delivery, scheduling, and making sure dragons are cared for. Salvador’s biggest passion is for games - specifically making them. He has spent 10 years developing video games: educational software, casino games, RPGs, and VR titles! In fact, he has been developing something special for Dragon Roast Coffee…

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In this episode of The Tale & The Telling... Our adventurers head to the Angostura Islands to reconnect with family and return the Dwarven Forged Punchbowl to Joey Coconuts. Izzy confronts his patron, Nattie hits the workshop, and Rune explores nature with a friend.

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Don't miss out on any of the action!  Head to www.bardtender.com to stay up to date with all of the Bardtender content, find resources for mental and physical wellbeing, get access to education materials, and check out what all of our bards are up to! You can also check out our Linktree at https://linktr.ee/Bardtenders to find ways to listen to the show, join our Discord!

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In this episode of "The Mixing Glass", Ric deMontmollin discusses what it takes to bring a distillery in a small town to life, the importance of building communities, and his career in the world of hospitality. 

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Ric deMontmollin has been in the alcohol industry for over 20 year and has worked in all facets of the hospitality industry. Ric has worked as a bar back, bartender, bar manager, business owner, brewer, distiller, and political advocate. Today Ric is the VP of Production for the St. Augustine Distillery and City Gate Spirits located in St. Augustine, Florida.  

The St. Augustine Distillery was founded in 2013 and is located in a restored 1917 historic ice plant in St. Augustine, Florida where it is dedicated to crafting spirits with a thoughtful balance of tradition and innovation. Distilling in Florida’s unique maritime climate, the team takes an intentional approach to the decisions that shape each spirit, from fermentation through maturation.

Outside of work, Ric’s passions are his family (Dana, Ravioli and Ziti), his 5 year-long D&D campaign, his teams - Bayern Munich and West Ham, and his close friends and music.

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In this episode of The Tale & The Telling... Our adventurers head to the Angostura Islands to reconnect with family and return the Dwarven Forged Punchbowl to Joey Coconuts. Rune and Izzy read some journals together and Nattie gets to work on some long-overdue projects. 

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Don't miss out on any of the action!  Head to www.bardtender.com to stay up to date with all of the Bardtender content, find resources for mental and physical wellbeing, get access to education materials, and check out what all of our bards are up to! You can also check out our Linktree at https://linktr.ee/Bardtenders to find ways to listen to the show, join our Discord!

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In this episode of "The Mixing Glass", Dave Krysl shares his insight into the cocktail world and the importance of having a system for not just inventory, but also recipe management and education. 

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Dave is the co-founder and CEO of Spec, a platform helping bars and restaurants save time and money through Recipe Management and Inventory Control. He graduated from the Leeds School of Business and spent 9 years in New York City, where he fell in love with cocktail culture. Aside from his passion for elevating the food and beverage industry, he plays guitar in a metalcore band called Haste the Day and spends most of his free time playing golf.

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Don't miss out on any of the action!  Head to www.bardtender.com to stay up to date with all of the Bardtender content, find resources for mental and physical well-being, get access to education materials, and check out what all of our bards are up to!

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In this episode of The Tale & The Telling... Our adventurers make their way back to the Rumrummer after a harrowing encounter beneath the waves. Nattie loses her balance, Rune takes flights, and Izzy sends out flares. 

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Don't miss out on any of the action!  Head to www.bardtender.com to stay up to date with all of the Bardtender content, find resources for mental and physical wellbeing, get access to education materials, and check out what all of our bards are up to! You can also check out our Linktree at https://linktr.ee/Bardtenders to find ways to listen to the show, join our Discord!

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In this episode of "The Mixing Glass", Ken MacKenzie shares his passion for agave spirits, fresh ingredients, and what it means to create, launch, and deliver a product that you've poured your passion into. 

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Ken MacKenzie is the visionary founder and CEO of Fresh Victor, a premium line of all-natural, cold pressed, refrigerated mixers for effortlessly delicious cocktails, low-alcohol and spirit-free drinks. With over 20 years of experience in the creation, import, and distribution of spirits and craft beverages, Ken is a successful serial entrepreneur with a rich history in the industry.

Before launching Fresh Victor, Ken co-founded Republic Tequila and Republic Spirit Blends. His impressive career also includes the import, development, and launch of unique spirits like Onyx Coffee Liqueurs and his highly demanded 100% agave tequila brand, Amate.

Ken's journey in the spirits industry began in 1997, when he apprenticed in Guadalajara, learning the premium pure agave tequila business from the ground up. He soon launched his consultancy, La Mission, S.A. de C.V., dedicating the next decade to pioneering the importation of high-end 100% agave tequila into the United States.

After returning to the U.S., Ken founded Travesia Import Group, continuing to import, distribute, and consult on premium liquor brands. He then expanded his portfolio to include bespoke Texas spirits and mixers, distributed by Republic National Distributors. 

Ken is a frequent and respected speaker at high-profile industry events, educating the beverage market and hospitality industry on 100% agave tequila. His Republic and Amate tequila brands have garnered over 15 top industry accolades, including recognition from Wine Enthusiast magazine and numerous medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Denver International Spirits Competition.

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Don't miss out on any of the action!  Head to www.bardtender.com to stay up to date with all of the Bardtender content, find resources for mental and physical well-being, get access to education materials, and check out what all of our bards are up to!

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In this episode of The Tale & The Telling... Having discovered something more than cargo in the hold of The Midas, our adventurers are faced with a difficult decision. Izzy takes the crew on a "trip", Nattie uses a crossbow, and Rune discovers more than he expected from Klurp. 

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Don't miss out on any of the action!  Head to www.bardtender.com to stay up to date with all of the Bardtender content, find resources for mental and physical wellbeing, get access to education materials, and check out what all of our bards are up to! You can also check out our Linktree at https://linktr.ee/Bardtenders to find ways to listen to the show, join our Discord!

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