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. Now, John brings one of the most lauded tasting events, Good Juice, to Austin Texas on November 8 (2025). What's in store for attendees and how does John's distinct version of hospitality enhance the experience? We chat art, family meal, jam bands, and more.

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 agave. After many years working behind the global spirits specialty restaurant/bar Veracruz, Sebas now takes on his biggest challenge yet with La Mezca, an intimate mecaleria style cocktail bar with lovely ambience and intimacy. We chat NBA GOAT, Nike's, feeling part of a community, and more.

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 into Texas. We talk about bats, dancing, travel, and more.

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 latest chapter with CVH Spirits, brings her back to the world of Scotch whisky and with more horsepower than ever. We chat health, gardening, performative questions, and more.

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 Mezcaleria Looking for love in all the right places, we chat about rom coms, music, humor and more.

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 art of "intention". And as we post this chat today, she announces the next big chapter of her career and a move to Houston. We chat dating, produce, sharing, and more.

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 Tequila, where does he find solace in these later chapters of his life? We sip Fortaleza, chat life, and prepared for a big party in the cave.

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 founding families of this industry and sheds light on documents/events that have previously been lost in history. We chat peril, dinner time stories, and more.

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 helping others is on full display in his very podcast chat. We chat 70's movies, close family, and finding out who you are when you're the only one.

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 Don Lalo, the creation of Nocheluna Sotol, and what success looks like.