Brad and Deken unpack a week of big moves and bigger questions: they trade travel stories from the road, wrap up the final moments of the Olympics, and break down OpenAI’s latest Frontier Model announcement - what it means for capability, deployment, and competition. The conversation then turns to Anthropic’s escalating standoff with the Department of Defense and a brewing industry dispute as Anthropic accuses Deepseek and two other Chinese firms of using distillation on Claude to reverse‑engineer and train lower‑cost LLMs. Through sharp analysis and candid banter, the hosts separate signal from noise, explore the technical and ethical stakes, and consider how these developments reshape trust, regulation, and the business of AI while sipping a great new bourbon.

Episode highlights

• Travel notes — Anecdotes and lessons from Brad and Deken’s recent trips that shaped their week.
• Olympics wrap — Key takeaways and cultural moments from the closing events.
• OpenAI Frontier Model — What the announcement signals for performance, safety, and market dynamics.
• Anthropic vs DoD — The policy and partnership implications of Anthropic’s stance.
• Claude distillation controversy — Technical overview of distillation claims, competitive risks, and intellectual‑property questions.

Legal Disclaimer:

The views & opinions shared on the Podcast are our own & those of our guests. Nothing we discuss should be taken as financial, legal, business, or gambling advice. Don’t make investment, business, or betting decisions based on our conversations as you should always talk to a qualified professional. Listeners must always drink responsibly, never drink & drive, & only consume alcohol if you are of legal drinking age.

Disclosure:

Some of the images in the Podcast were AI generated &/or edited with AI. The cover image was AI generated. The voice overs are original AI generated voices. The 'Better with Bourbon' theme music is an original instrumental created using AI.

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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week on Better with Bourbon, we’re joined by curling expert and all‑around legend Jordan Paul for an episode that slides effortlessly from the Winter Olympics to the golf course to the latest shockwaves in AI.

We break down with Jordan why curling is the most deceptively strategic sport on ice, what to watch for as the Winter Games heat up, and then we pivot to this week's golf headlines.

And because it wouldn’t be Better with Bourbon without a little tech heat, we dig into the newest moves from Anthropic and what they may signal for the AI landscape.

Fast thinkin’. Smooth drinkin’. Elite guests.

New episode drops Friday. Pour a glass of your favorite bourbon and join us. 🥃🔥

👉 Be sure to Like & Subscribe on Spotify and YouTube to support the show.

Legal Disclaimer:

The views and opinions shared on the 'Better with Bourbon' Podcast are our own and those of our guests. Nothing we discuss should be taken as financial, legal, business, or gambling advice. Don’t make investment, business, or betting decisions based on our conversations as you should always talk to a qualified professional. Listeners must always drink responsibly, never drink and drive, and only consume alcohol if you are of legal drinking age.

Disclosure:

Some of the images in the 'Better with Bourbon' Podcast were AI generated and/or edited with AI. The 'Better with Bourbon' cover image was AI generated. The voice overs are original AI generated voices. And the 'Better with Bourbon' theme music is an original instrumental song that was created using AI.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Part 2 of 2 - We’re joined by one of the most knowledgeable and battle‑tested voices in the NIL era — Eddie Edwards.

Eddie’s career spans years as a corporate attorney, licensed NFLPA and NBPA contract advisor, and trusted representative for athletes competing at the highest levels. But his impact on today’s college sports landscape is even bigger. Eddie has worked hands‑on with NIL collectives across the country, advising on strategy, compliance, athlete support, and the rapidly shifting legal and financial realities reshaping college athletics.

With lawsuits, revenue‑sharing debates, collective restructuring, and pay‑for‑play confusion dominating the headlines, Eddie brings the kind of real‑world, on‑the‑ground perspective that cuts through the noise.

If you want to understand what’s actually happening in NIL — and where it’s most likely heading next — this is the episode you don’t want to miss.

New episode drops Friday. Pour a glass of your favorite bourbon and join us. 🥃🔥

👉 Be sure to Like & Subscribe on Spotify and YouTube to support the show.

Legal Disclaimer:

The views and opinions shared on the 'Better with Bourbon' Podcast are our own and those of our guests. Nothing we discuss should be taken as financial, legal, business, or gambling advice. Don’t make investment, business, or betting decisions based on our conversations as you should always talk to a qualified professional. Listeners must always drink responsibly, never drink and drive, and only consume alcohol if you are of legal drinking age.

Disclosure:

Some of the images in the 'Better with Bourbon' Podcast were AI generated and/or edited with AI. The 'Better with Bourbon' cover image was AI generated. The voice overs are original AI generated voices. And the 'Better with Bourbon' theme music is an original instrumental song that was created using AI.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We’re joined by one of the most knowledgeable and battle‑tested voices in the NIL era — Eddie Edwards.

Eddie’s career spans years as a corporate attorney, licensed NFLPA and NBPA contract advisor, and trusted representative for athletes competing at the highest levels. But his impact on today’s college sports landscape is even bigger. Eddie has worked hands‑on with NIL collectives across the country, advising on strategy, compliance, athlete support, and the rapidly shifting legal and financial realities reshaping college athletics.

With lawsuits, revenue‑sharing debates, collective restructuring, and pay‑for‑play confusion dominating the headlines, Eddie brings the kind of real‑world, on‑the‑ground perspective that cuts through the noise.

If you want to understand what’s actually happening in NIL — and where it’s most likely heading next — this is the episode you don’t want to miss.

New episode drops Friday. Pour a glass of your favorite bourbon and join us. 🥃🔥

👉 Be sure to Like & Subscribe on Spotify and YouTube to support the show.

Legal Disclaimer:

The views and opinions shared on the 'Better with Bourbon' Podcast are our own and those of our guests. Nothing we discuss should be taken as financial, legal, business, or gambling advice. Don’t make investment, business, or betting decisions based on our conversations as you should always talk to a qualified professional. Listeners must always drink responsibly, never drink and drive, and only consume alcohol if you are of legal drinking age.

Disclosure:

Some of the images in the 'Better with Bourbon' Podcast were AI generated and/or edited with AI. The 'Better with Bourbon' cover image was AI generated. The voice overs are original AI generated voices. And the 'Better with Bourbon' theme music is an original instrumental song that was created using AI.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Pour a glass and join the 'Better with Bourbon' crew for “Our 2026 Predictions” where we cut through the noise on AI infrastructure, why alcohol sales are slipping, and what that means for consumers and businesses. From stocks and crypto to market trends and the biggest sports storylines of 2026, we mix sharp analysis with bourbon‑soaked banter to help you spot opportunities ahead. We also make our market, stock, crypto, and big sports picks.

Legal Disclaimer:

The views and opinions shared on the 'Better with Bourbon' Podcast are our own and those of our guests. Nothing we discuss should be taken as financial, legal, business, or gambling advice. Don’t make investment, business, or betting decisions based on our conversations as you should always talk to a qualified professional. Listeners must always drink responsibly, never drink and drive, and only consume alcohol if you are of legal drinking age.

Disclosure:

Some of the images in the 'Better with Bourbon' Podcast were AI generated and/or edited with AI. The 'Better with Bourbon' cover image was AI generated. The voice overs are original AI generated voices. And the 'Better with Bourbon' theme music is an original instrumental song that was created using AI.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A smooth first pour to kick off the show. Brad and Deken introduce themselves, share why they launched Better with Bourbon, and dive into this week's biggest headlines across finance, AI, and sports. They are joined by Dave Brocious, Managing Partner of Sky Point Crane, for a sharp conversation on building in high-stakes industries and his take on the stories of the week. Grab a glass of your favorite bourbon, and settle in as the conversation starts here.

Also, be sure to listen to the very end and check out the Out-Takes at the end where we discuss the negative comments we have gotten so far!

Legal Disclaimer:

The views and opinions shared on the 'Better with Bourbon' Podcast are our own and those of our guests. Nothing we discuss should be taken as financial, legal, business, or gambling advice. Don’t make investment, business, or betting decisions based on our conversations as you should always talk to a qualified professional. Listeners must always drink responsibly, never drink and drive, and only consume alcohol if you are of legal drinking age.

Disclosure:

Some of the images in the 'Better with Bourbon' Podcast were AI generated and/or edited with AI. The 'Better with Bourbon' cover image was AI generated. The voice overs are original AI generated voices. And the 'Better with Bourbon' theme music is an original instrumental song that was created using AI.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy