The Customs House Podcast

It’s the first couples edition of The Customs House Podcast. Carlo and Phil sit down with friends Ian Pisano and Claudia Vega. Having met during their MBA program, Ian and Claudia share their experiences dating across different (yet similar) cultures and how business school has changed the way they see the world.

From Vietnam to Malaysia, the Southeast Asian craft beer scene is at an inflection point, a young and vibrant industry that’s the focus of this week’s episode. Joining Carlo and Phil is Saigon-based advertising veteran Oliver Woods, who is one of the region’s foremost pundits in the  industry and founder of BeerAsia, a community for people to enjoy, discuss and celebrate Asian beer culture. The guys talk to him about Vietnamese taxi drivers, home brewing, and the peculiar phenomenon of whale testicle-flavored beer.

From real housewives to Rwandan football legends, this week’s guest is no stranger to storytelling. Carlo and Phil talk to their friend Laura Authier about the challenges and rewards of being in the creative industry in Asia and how entertainment is changing post-Covid-19. They also share their thoughts on Asian egg cartoons, sourdough and Laura’s next Emmy Award-winning show.

The Big Apple is in the spotlight in this week’s episode. Phil and Carlo pick the brain of their good friend Donna Cruz, a New York resident of about five years. She talks about the immigrant experience in the US, surprising Craigslist roommates, and how educating oneself is the best course of action in a time of social upheaval.