Whiskey Business

The tables were turned on this installment of Whiskey Business as our host, Dino Tripodis was the guest and the topic was a True Crime case he was instrumental in. A case of MURDER.

No, he didn’t commit it, but he was an integral part in the pursuit of the people who did. 

The Just Sweats Case was an insurance fraud for murder case that started in 1988 and ended in 1992 with John Hawkins, the alleged mastermind behind the whole plot being the last one apprehended and tried and convicted for conspiracy to commit murder. His partners, Melvin Hanson and Richard Boggs were apprehended and convicted FOR the murder of Ellis Greene prior to Hawkin’s capture. 

And…they almost got away with it. 

Interviewed by attorney, Bill Mattes, who left no stone unturned and in turn brought out ghosts that Dino had not confronted in decades, you need to listen or watch and find out the part our host played in initiating the hunt and the subsequent lessons learned that stick with him more than 35 years later. And keep your bottle close. You’re gonna need it. 

Another Oscar year is nearing but it wouldn’t be official for us here at Whiskey Business without our annual visit from George Wolf and Hope Madden from The Screening Room podcast. 

There may appear to be some slam dunks if you’re in an Oscar pool, but I’m going to suggest you listen up/or watch to see if some upsets are predicted as well in our discussion of Oscar gold. 

If you love the movies it’s one of our favorite podcasts of the year. And if you only saw BARBIE, this is your chance to get educated before Oscars are awarded on March 10, 2024. 

That being said, I’d like to thank the podcast academy, my audio and video producers, my family who seldom listens…

Whiskey Business loves being the first kid on the block with something special and on this podcast we got the sneak peek of some NEW Irish Whiskeys from BUA which originates here in Columbus but is made with tender, Irish care in Ireland. What I called “fightin’ whiskey was a single grain but there were also some single malts that were finished in tawny port casks, ALL of them great including the BUA Original which has come a long way since we sampled Batch #1 a few years back. 

Great whiskey coupled with great stories from Martin and Pat made for a great podcast that went “into the wee” hours of the evening and probably could gone on even more. Enjoy this batch of podcasting with a good pour, but if I were you…I’d bring the whole bottle.

A “lobbyist” is NOT a strange person who hangs out in hotel lobbies. Got it. 

They are however, the behind the scenes movers and shakers of influence; be it political, business related or other miscellaneous agendas. 

Steve Dimon has been a lobbyist for 30 plus years and gave us an inside look into the job that some deem as evil while others consider it a needed ally for success. What are YOUR perceptions? Validate them or be surprised at how this world really works on this latest edition of WHISKEY BUSINESS. 

It’s easy to see why we think Dan is "The Man" on this particular podcast because our good friend, Dan Swarthout has worn many hats over the course of his life: lawyer, comedian, Mayor of Powell, Ohio, 18+ years of comedically prepping a crowd before the start of Ohio Lottery’s Cash Explosion TV show (taking a breath here) “early” podcast pioneer, and TV historian!

The show could’ve been, in length, about any of the above, but we tried to cover them all and in the process went down some delightful rabbit holes that will surprise and please. Enjoy this latest episode of WHISKEY BUSINESS.

Whiskey Business kicked off the New Year with a new bourbon and a fairly new distillery to usher in 2024. 

Leather and Oak Spirits founded in 2019 out of Hilliard, Ohio joined the podcast as Steve Lambert and Dave Sheppard shared their journey with not only a fine bourbon but also a nice limoncello that the boys crank out with love and care. 

The bourbon was about as old school as you could get. 100% corn. The limoncello was about as old country as you could get as they eventually got the recipe from a lovely Italian woman who finally caved and allowed Steve and Dave to share it with the world. 

It’s a fun chat about the love of whiskey and more importantly the time and care that goes into making a good one. Here we go, people! Whiskey Business is back!

Our annual Christmas Podcast didn’t disappoint as joy, laughter and true sentiment guided the evening. Join us as we talk with friends and former podcast guests about 2023 and what lies ahead in 2024 while we plowed through some remnant bottles and some Gatto’s Pizza. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah (I know it’s over) and Happy Kwanza. And if you have no religious affiliations…Happy December! See you in 2024!!!

Comedian Mike Larsen returned to Whiskey Business and was locked and comedically loaded to talk about the aftermath of November 7th voting in Ohio, while also taking a peek at the presidential election in 2024. 

   Politics are always divisive but if we don’t find a way to laugh, we cry. No tears on this episode. The conversation got serious at times but laughter was never too far away. 

   Larsen, who had a long career in television comedy writing while living in Los Angeles actually ran for office here in Ohio when he decided to call it career in Hollywood and come back to simpler ways of living. Yeah. So run for office. Thats simple. He witnessed the political machinery first hand and came away “funnier” and wiser for the experience.  

   Enjoy this episode as we offer up humor, empathy, apathy, some objectivity and as is the case with politics- no real answers.

Whiskey Business took it on the road for our annual Halloween episode in front of a live audience. Recorded at The Jury Room, this bar is considered to be one of the most haunted public drinking establishments in Ohio. From murdering Madams to bereaved and suicidal fathers, we covered a lot of supernatural bases with the bar’s owner, Megan Dempsey and our very own Ghost Whisperer, Ralph Scott. Are you a believer? This podcast may give you pause and make you wonder if you’re not. 

Also in the mix was Chris Hamel who joined us to talk about the upcoming Nightmares Film Festival coming to The Gateway Theater in Columbus. Who knows? Maybe you’re coming to it as it’s been dubbed “The Cannes of the horror film genre.” A spooky good time was had by all along with special mixes of alcoholic “spirits”concocted by our friend, Jesse Hubbard. Tune in. If…you…dare. Eh. That’s too much. Just listen. It’s good. Cheers. 

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month and for years, Dino has been a huge advocate for the families and The Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio which you may commonly know as DSACO. 

But there’s nothing common about these families and the organization. On the heels of another successful DSACO BUDDY WALK, it gave us great pleasure to welcome Kari Jones and Mike Messina to share stories, insights, progress and what’s still left to do further awareness and education. There’s also information about a great event with FADO’S and Clyde Mays Whiskey taking place on October 11 that will bring whiskey lovers and supporters together for a magical night. Get inspired, enlightened and entertained with this latest episode of Whiskey Business. Cheers!