The LoCo Experience

In today’s episode of The LoCo Experience podcast, I hosted Joel Gustafson and Jess Gries from Seed and Spirit Distillery. Joel, Founder and Head Distiller, and Jess, Co-Founder and Chief Enabling Officer, shared their journey and why in starting the distillery in 2022. 

We discussed the concept of a vertically integrated distillery, where they oversee the process from growing their own grains to producing the final spirits. We talked through the economics of distilling, and the creation of their product lineup, including unique offerings like 'Whizcal,' a whiskey-mezcal hybrid, the Forged in Fire line honoring military service members, and future aged spirits to come.  We also discussed their future plans for an expanded tasting room and oyster lounge in the former Funkwerks Brewing location.

We also delved into their shared history in event management and shared some wild stories from their time running music festivals. The segment concluded with the 'Loco Experience Challenge,' where each of us shared some of our craziest stories, and eventually crowned Joel the champion.  

The episode is chock full of entrepreneurial insights, personal anecdotes, and plenty of laughs - so please enjoy, as I did, my conversation with Joel Gustafson and Jess Gries of Seed & Spirit Distilling.  

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Music By: A Brother's Fountain

My good friend Aaron Everitt dropped by for a post-election recap episode this week, and I wore my blue Hawaiian shirt to symbolize the big blue wave that swept across much of America.  Aaron and I dig into what’s going on in the economy, and especially in the minds of young people and the working class, and where we might go as a nation from there.  Aaron shared some updates from his creative work, including his podcast and substack - Besides the Revolution - and his collaboration with House Inhabit. 

We also get into a real estate update - westside Fort Collins finally getting the love it deserves! - and we talked about the upcoming 25th Anniversary show of his travelling folk band from his college days and just after - Maskil.  The show is November 20 at The Rialto Theater, and tickets are both available and affordable - get them here.  We always have a lot of fun, and we usually enjoy a couple of bourbons - but today that was just me, as Aaron had band practice after!  So please enjoy my most recent conversation with Aaron Everitt.  

The LoCo Experience Podcast is sponsored by:  Purpose Driven Wealth Thrivent: Learn more

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Music By: A Brother's Fountain

My guest on today’s podcast was Rebecca Archuletta, Rapid Transformational Therapist and Founder of Because You Matter - Healing By Rebecca.  

Rebecca’s journey is informed by grief, with multiple suicides in her sibling group and extended family, a career rise and fall and rejuvenation - and powered by intentional education.  Her methodology combines hypnosis with other modalities to rewire and break through long  standing barriers to healing, and she shares abundantly how to identify, process, and move past.  

Rebecca shares her authentic journey and more recent experience in transformational healing - and I know you’ll enjoy, as I did, my conversation with Rebecca Archuletta.  

The LoCo Experience Podcast is sponsored by:  Purpose Driven Wealth Thrivent: Learn more

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Music By: A Brother's Fountain

I reconnected with Evan Worsley this spring, when I dropped him a note on LinkedIn, in congratulations of 9 years in business and what I’d seen as steady growth in the numbers of Conduct All Electric trucks around the region.  Turns out, I had helped him register his LLC and obtain his EIN at the Small Business Development Center those 9 years before, and though the name was familiar, it was easy to remember Evan once we sat down over whiskey in the podcast studio. 

From humble beginnings, out of his garage and with half a paycheck from his previous employer in the bank, Evan took every small job he could land, and in a year and a half, hired another electrician and some admin support and moved up to a storage unit, and hired more and moved up to a larger storage unit, and today he owns his own real estate and employs a team of about 45.  Steady growth throughout, and Evan has sat in every seat in the business over time.  

Evan’s journey is one of building a loyal team, developing consistent processes, and investing in his own leadership and team skills along the way.  He’s a good ol’ boy type, and an easy conversation, so please join me in getting to know Evan Worsley, President and Founder of Conduct All Electric, Inc.  

The LoCo Experience Podcast is sponsored by:  Purpose Driven Wealth Thrivent: Learn more

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Music By: A Brother's Fountain

In this episode of the Loco Experience Podcast, I welcome Steven South, Founder and President of LSE Builders. Steven and I connected on LinkedIn, and found a lot of common causes in a zoom, and I hope to add him to the ranks of LoCo Think Tank members in coming months! 

Steven shares anecdotes about his early experiences in the construction industry, including the impact of the 2008 financial crisis on his fledgling contracting business, and the pivots he made to navigate, and the eventual evolution into a corporate role - which led to LSE!   We also delved into the nuances of making connections on LinkedIn and elsewhere, and the importance of transparency and integrity in business dealings. 

Steven elaborates on their core values at LSE and how they have influenced the culture and growth of his company. Later in the conversation, he candidly talks about his struggles with alcohol, describing the night he hit rock bottom and how it led him to sobriety through the help of AA meetings and a supportive sponsor. Steven’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and personal growth - and was one of my most enjoyable recording sessions this season, so I’m certain you will enjoy - as I did - my conversation with Steven South.  

The LoCo Experience Podcast is sponsored by:  Purpose Driven Wealth Thrivent: Learn more

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Music By: A Brother's Fountain

Adam Hirschhorn is a candidate for Fort Collins Mayor, and joined me for the last of our Hot Nugs Conversations - a collaboration between LoCo Think Tank, Matador Mexican Grill, Old Town Spice Shop, and The LoCo Experience Podcast.  

Please visit Adam’s page at @electadammayor.bsky.social to learn more about his platform, and make sure to vote by or before November 4, 2025!  

The LoCo Experience Podcast is sponsored by:  Purpose Driven Wealth Thrivent: Learn more

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Music By: A Brother's Fountain

Emily Francis is a candidate for Fort Collins Mayor, and joined me for the fifth episode of our Hot Nugs Conversations - a collaboration between LoCo Think Tank, Matador Mexican Grill, Old Town Spice Shop, and The LoCo Experience Podcast.  

Please visit www.emilyforfc.com to learn more about her platform, and make sure to vote by or before November 4, 2025!  

The LoCo Experience Podcast is sponsored by:  Purpose Driven Wealth Thrivent: Learn more

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Music By: A Brother's Fountain

Scott VanTatenhove is a candidate for Fort Collins Mayor, and joined me for the fourth of our Hot Nugs Conversations - a collaboration between LoCo Think Tank, Matador Mexican Grill, Old Town Spice Shop, and The LoCo Experience Podcast.  

Please visit Scott’s Facebook Page to learn more about his platform, and make sure to vote by or before November 4, 2025!

The LoCo Experience Podcast is sponsored by:  Purpose Driven Wealth Thrivent: Learn more

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Music By: A Brother's Fountain

Tricia Canonico is a candidate for Fort Collins Mayor, and joined me for the third of our Hot Nugs Conversations - a collaboration between LoCo Think Tank, Matador Mexican Grill, Old Town Spice Shop, and The LoCo Experience Podcast.  

Please visit triciaforfoco.com to learn more about her platform, and make sure to vote by or before November 4, 2025!

The LoCo Experience Podcast is sponsored by:  Purpose Driven Wealth Thrivent: Learn more

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Music By: A Brother's Fountain

Adam Eggleston is a candidate for Fort Collins Mayor, and joined me for the second of our Hot Nugs Conversations - a collaboration between LoCo Think Tank, Matador Mexican Grill, Old Town Spice Shop, and The LoCo Experience Podcast.  

Please visit www.adamegglestonformayor.com to learn more about his platform, and make sure to vote by or before November 4, 2025!

The LoCo Experience Podcast is sponsored by:  Purpose Driven Wealth Thrivent: Learn more

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Music By: A Brother's Fountain