Three Questions, Three Drinks with Chris Mikolay

THINK DIFFERENT. You have never met anyone like Stuart Jenkins. A former elite marathoner, Stuart is a footwear industry legend responsible for commercializing numerous massively successful technologies for brands like Nike, Reebok, Ugg, and Hoka. However, Stuart’s career has been as unconventional as the way he thinks. Stuart grew up on an 8,000 acre cattle ranch in Broken Bow, and he is equal parts cowboy, entrepreneur, inventor, CEO and philosopher. Join Stuart and I for a fascinating conversation over several non-alcoholic cocktails as he shares his perspective on real innovation in business and thinking differently on everything from career paths and raising kids, to picking the right spouse and what one can learn from spending time on a horse.

Drinks in this episode:

>> NA Gin & Tonic – 2 oz Ritual Zero Proof Gin, 4 oz Fever Tree tonic; mix ingredients in glass with ice and garnish with a lime wedge

>> Athletic Brewing Company Run Wild Non-Alcoholic IPA

>> NA Gin Martini – 2 ½ oz Ritual Zero Proof gin, ½ oz Dry Vermouth, a few dashes of Angostura bitters; In a mixing glass filled with ice cubes, combine the gin and vermouth, pouring more or less vermouth to your taste, and stir for 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, add dash of bitters, and garnish with an olive

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HEROES. Who are your heroes? Have you ever been let down by a hero? Or have you ever known an ordinary person who did something truly heroic? Chris, Matt and Amanda discuss all things “heroes”, including what constitutes a hero (not so easy, it turns out) and just how close Amanda was to dancing with the devil at a Bill Clinton campaign stop.

Drinks in this episode:

>> The “Fall Cocktail” – 3 oz apple cider, 2 oz bourbon, ½ teaspoon lemon juice, 2 oz ginger beer or ginger ale; fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add cider, bourbon and lemon juice. Shake for 30 seconds and strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Top off with ginger ale or ginger beer and garnish with an apple slice, cinnamon stick and thyme sprig.

>> The Imperial cocktail – 1 oz gin, 1 oz dry vermouth, dash of angostura bitters, dash of maraschino juice; place ingredients in a shaker and stir, then pour into a martini glass and garnish with 1 green olive.

>> Smoked Strawberry Old Fashioned – place ½ lb of frozen strawberries onto a sheet of foil and onto a smoker grill; grill on medium heat for 10-15 minutes, remove warm, smokey strawberries and place in a large Ziploc bag with a generous portion of sugar. Let rest for several hours, occasionally squishing strawberry/sugar mash. After a few hours, cut one corner of the bag and drain into a strainer and over a bowl. The remaining strawberry simple syrup is now ready to use. To make the Old Fashioned, simply pour bourbon whiskey of your choice over ice, stir in smokey strawberry simple syrup to taste, add a few drops of Angostura bitters and a few drops of water, and enjoy.

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Thank you!

CREATIVITY! It has been said that creativity is just intelligence having fun. If that’s the case, then this is a particularly smart episode as 3Q3D regulars Chris and Amanda are joined by former professional ballet dancer turned entrepreneur Jordan Pacitti, founder of the global skincare brand Jordan Samuel, to discuss all things creativity while inventing brand new cocktails (with varying degrees of success).

Drinks in this episode:

>> The “Watermelon Delight” cocktail – Pour piping hot water into a Wintersmiths ice ball maker, along with 3 shots of Mr. Boston Melon Liquor. Drop a Luxardo cherry into each ice ball mold. Freeze for 36 hours, and then place frozen melon flavored ice balls into a glass. Then mix 2 oz Smirnoff Pink Lemonade vodka, 1 oz Sprite and 1 oz Watermelon Cranberry juice in a shaker with ice; shake and then pour over melon flavored ice balls in a scotch glass.

>> The “Steve Jobs Martini” – pour 3 oz of ice Tito’s vodka into a cocktail shaker with ice; shake vigorously and then pour into a martini glass and garnish with a blue cheese stuffed olive.

>> The “Lake Erie” cocktail – ¾ oz sweet vermouth, 1 ½ oz Canadian whiskey, ½ oz triple sec, dash of angostura bitters, 3 oz Champagne; shake all ingredients except Champagne with ice in cocktail shaker, pour into Champagne flute and top with Champagne.

If you’ve been enjoying the 3Q3D podcast, please consider sharing an episode with a friend, and give us a follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3drinkspodcast/ Thank you!

Everyone in life deserves a second chance. Revisiting prior questions they wish they could have answered differently, posing questions they wanted to ask but never did, and mixing their favorite drinks from the first two dozen episodes, Chris, Amanda and Matt are joined by a 3Q3D superfan for a conversation that (in true 3Q3D fashion) veers from the superficial to the profound and everywhere in between.



Drinks in this episode:

>> The Old Cuban cocktail – 1 ½ oz aged rum, ¾ oz fresh lime juice, 1 oz simple syrup, 2 dashes Angostura bitters; mix ingredients in shaker, pour into a coupe glass and top with ½ oz champagne and a mint leaf

>> Peanut Butter and Jelly cocktail – 1 ½ oz Skrewball peanut butter whiskey, ¾ oz Chambord, pinch of salt; pout into glass with crushed ice, stir and top with 1 oz club soda

>> Manhattan cocktail – 1 oz Bulleit Rye bourbon, 1 oz sweet Vermouth, 2 dashes Angostura bitters, 1 dash orange bitters, garnish with Luxardo cherry

If you’ve been enjoying the 3Q3D podcast, please consider sharing an episode with a friend, and give us a follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3drinkspodcast/ Thank you!

On November 7th, 2020, 7 year-old Vincent William Baran – Vinny – was riding his bike with his family on a beautiful Fall afternoon when he was tragically struck and killed by a car turning out of a parking lot. In a conversation both raw and inspiring, Ben Baran, Vinny’s father, sits down to talk candidly about that day, how the family has been coping with an unimaginable loss, and the individual nature of grieving. Not only will you learn the right and wrong ways to support someone dealing with adversity, you’ll get to know “Mighty Vincent”, the swashbuckling little boy who, in his 7 short years on this earth, left an indelible mark that will inspire you to think a bit differently about your own life and how you interact with those around you.

Drinks in this episode:

>> Glenfiddich 18 year Small Batch Scotch Whisky – serve neat in a tulip glass with a few drops of spring water

>> Glenlivet 12 year Single Malt Scotch Whisky – pour over one ice cube in a cocktail glass

Learn more about Vinny, including the inaugural Vincent William Baran Day of Service to be held on September 25th, 2021, by visiting MightyVincent.org.

The Indigo Podcast, with Ben Baran and Chris Everett, offers raw, unfiltered, and science-based talk about flourishing in life. Join CEOs, executives, and regular folks in learning how to build a better future at work and beyond. The Indigo Podcast is on all major platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more.

If you’ve been enjoying the 3Q3D podcast, please consider sharing an episode with a friend, and give us a follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3drinkspodcast/?hl=en Thank you!

EDUCATION. Strap on that new backpack mom just bought you and get on the bus with the OG 3Q3D podcasting crew for a special back-to-school episode. Broadcasting from an outdoor festival under a blazing sun while being attacked by killer bees, Amanda, Chris and Matt keep their composure to ruminate upon the subjects that should be taught in schools but aren’t, the true value of a liberal arts education, and why one should never pursue a Masters degree in film from Columbia University.

Drinks in this episode:

>> Paper Plane cocktail: 1 ½ oz Elijah Craig bourbon, 1 ½ oz Aperol, 1 ½ oz Amaro Nonino, 1 ½ fresh squeezed lemon juice; pour ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice, shake vigorously and pour into a coupe glass.

>> Buck’s Fizz cocktail: 2 parts Champagne, 1 part orange juice

>> Hemingway cocktail: 1 ½ oz white rum, 1 ½ oz Luxardo, 1 ½ oz freshly squeezed lime juice, 1 ½ oz freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. Pour ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice, shake and strain into coupe glass.

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FAITH. In an exceptionally personal episode, Chris explores his struggle to believe in a higher power with two people who have thought and studied deeply on matters of faith. Joined by Matt Jordan (and his fancy Philosophy Ph.D.) and Father Patrick Schultz (Parochial Vicar at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church), Episode 22 of 3Q3D tackles important questions, including, “what is the best argument to convince someone God exists?”, “how does one maintain faith even after experiencing something truly horrific?”, and “why did Matt bring a cocktail that gave everyone an instant cavity?” In true 3Q3D fashion, the conversation gets more spirited along the way, and this one will undoubtedly leave you wanting for more – possibly in more ways than one.

Drinks in this episode:

>> James Joyce cocktail: 1 ½ oz Irish whiskey, ¾ oz sweet vermouth, ¾ oz Cointreau, ½ oz fresh lime juice; Combine all ingredients in an ice-filled cocktail shaker and shake until cold. Strain into a chilled Martini glass

>> Builder Upper cocktail: 2 oz fresh lemon juice, 1½ oz Cognac, 1 oz Benedictine; pour into a tall glass of ice and top with soda; garnish with a lemon spiral

>> 2008 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley)

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Links and other show information:



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Father Patrick’s Podcast, Slaking Thirsts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/slaking-thirsts/id1441555374

ENTREPRENEURSHIP!  Matt Kaulig and Tim Clepper are rockstar businessmen and philanthropists with an enviable track record – both literally and figuratively.  Starting their partnership as friends first, Matt and Tim have built the single member family office, Kaulig Companies, into a juggernaut: the business now encompasses Kaulig Racing (with 3 cars in NASCAR’s Xfinity series and 2 teams set to race in NASCAR’s 2022 Cup series), consumer home products, marketing and events, finance and financial services, and a philanthropic powerhouse – Kaulig Giving – that supports over 100 nonprofit organizations benefiting children and families across Northeast Ohio and beyond.  In this episode you’ll hear how Matt discovered a new type of direct-to-consumer product, LeafFilter, and started a company out of his basement that has grown to become one of the largest DTC home products companies with over 118 offices across the US and Canada.  And you’ll hear how Tim, as President and CEO of Kaulig Companies, has used a “rhinoceros” mindset to propel his career and combine forces with Matt to build something very special.  Episode 21 of 3Q3D is the story of Matt and Tim’s rise, their serendipitous introduction and subsequent partnership, and how their brand’s “infinity” logo has become the touchstone for the symbiotic success that propels their mission.  Drinks in this episode: >> The Green Flag cocktail: 2 oz Tito’s vodka, ¼ oz Mr. Boston melon liqueur (green color), 1 oz white cranberry peach juice, 1 oz Sprite, ½ oz lime juice; pour ingredients in a tall glass filled with ice and garnish with a lime wedge >> Watershed Distillery Old Fashioned; pour over ice >> FLOH Pink Grapefruit and Dragonfruit vodka; pour over ice

RANDOM QUESTIONS.  The 3Q3D team takes a field trip to their local “Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area”, aka DORA, and scavenges a variety of drinks to share under the town clocktower while debating the best 80s movies, the worst states, and the best day on the calendar.  Stick around for the grand finale as Chris regales Matt and Amanda with a heartwarming story from his youth involving a Highlights for Kids magazine.  Drinks in this episode: >> Negroni cocktail from Hudson’s Restaurant:  Tito’s gin, Campari, Sweet Vermouth, garnished with orange peel >> Old Thyme Sour cocktail from Downtown 140:  Jameson, Thyme, Cinnamon infusion, ginger beer, garnished with a sprig of Thyme >> Lavender Muse cocktail from Downtown 140: Empress gin, Lavender honey infusion, Lemon, Prosecco float >> No Effen Way cocktail from One Red Door:  Effen cucumber vodka, Giffard elderflower, Basil, Prosecco float

RISK.  Risk is ever present in our lives; some of us embrace it, some of us do our best to avoid it, and many of us routinely take potentially life changing risks every single day without realizing it (witness anyone texting and driving).  Between sips of local IPA’s and fueled by kobe beef corn dogs on a stick, Chris, Amanda and Matt debate their respective risk tolerance, whether it’s okay to let your 10 year old ride his bike around town alone, and why “safety” is a myth.  Drinks in this episode: >> Bookhouse Brewery “Patio Season” New England IPA, 5.2% ABV >> Threes “The Things We All Do”, IPA, 6.4% ABV >> Rhinegeist “Truth”, IPA, 7.2% ABV >> R. Shea Brewing “709er”, IPA, 8.0% ABV