Whiskey & Wisdom

From Marine Aviator to Podcast Studio Owner: Rich Cardona on Unfilter, Podcasting for Business, and Client Acquisition

Tyler and Chris Kellum host the Whiskey Wisdom Podcast at Unfilter in Wilmington with owner Rich Cardona, a retired Marine helicopter pilot who left Amazon, explored entrepreneurship, and built a podcasting and video business that evolved from remote work into a physical studio designed to make guests “just show up.” Chris shares tasting notes on E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof. Rich discusses enlisting then becoming an officer, early retirement after being grounded from flying due to a seizure, and the challenges of transitioning from military SOPs to civilian leadership. He credits Gary Vaynerchuk as a catalyst for starting interviews and highlights podcasting’s value for relationship-building and content output, but emphasizes realistic expectations and avoiding “podcasting by proxy.” Rich explains positioning podcasts for revenue by interviewing target decision-makers, cites a logistics client closing three deals after six interviews, shares quitting alcohol after a hangover before an interview, and describes Unfilter’s modular set design, rentals, and ideal client fit.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

00:24 Rich Cardona Backstory

01:28 Unfilter Studio Vibe

02:17 Whiskey Bottle Breakdown

03:25 Early Marine Retirement

05:16 Enlisted to Officer Mindset

07:10 Amazon Exit and Civilian Shift

10:52 Gary V Sparked Podcasting

14:47 Podcasting for Business Growth

18:01 Client Acquisition Podcast Strategy

23:28 Guest Experience and Prep Work

27:07 Co Host Dynamic and Olympics Tangent

30:29 Skating Like Gymnastics

30:50 Hangover Podcast Wakeup

34:40 Quitting Alcohol After

36:09 Drunk Podcast Lessons

37:37 Mocktails And Hop Water

39:06 Building A Modular Studio

43:16 Peerspace Documentary Booking

44:33 Should You Start Podcasting

48:18 Podcast Value For Business

52:26 Teleprompter As A Tool

53:56 Fixing A Stale Show

57:26 Success Family And Freedom

59:17 Advice Focus And Deep Work

01:01:18 Studio Rentals And Clients

01:02:44 Wrap Up And Photos

Inside Cinch: Wilmington’s New Billiards Bar with Cocktails, History, and Hands-On Buildout

On the Whiskey and Wisdom Podcast, Chris Kellum and Tyler talk with Haley and Joe in a new location, Cinch in downtown Wilmington. Joe and Haley describe opening Cinch on December 5 after signing the lease in June and completing a roughly six-and-a-half-month buildout that transformed the former Christmas shops space, including extensive demolition and discovering historic features like 1960s dress boxes, a hidden salon in the basement, old deposit slips labeled “US Depository,” and brick walls. They discuss the concept as a high-end but casual hangout with four quality pool tables, a lounge and TVs, and a cocktail program featuring drinks like the Dirty Cinch, “We Should Start a Podcast,” and “Pony Up,” with seasonal additions. They share hours (4:30 daily; 12:30 weekends), free pool Monday–Tuesday 4:30–6 with two drinks, and closing times (12 weekdays, 1 weekends).

00:00 Welcome to Cinch

00:15 Meet Haley and Joe

01:10 Opening Date and Buildout

02:02 From Christmas Shop to Vision

03:05 Signature Cocktails Talk

04:50 From Rum Cow to Underfront

07:00 Why a Billiards Bar

09:03 What Cinch Means

11:30 Building History and Basement

13:05 Design Choices and DIY Build

16:24 Downtown History and Hidden Finds

19:05 Hours Specials and Popular Drinks

20:16 Custom Bar Art

20:56 Curated Cocktail Menu

22:32 Classic Cocktails Explained

24:20 Chain Restaurant Nostalgia

26:36 Why Food Quality Dropped

27:32 No Food and Ghost Kitchen

28:51 Selling vs Building Legacy

32:48 Building the Space

35:41 Pool Table Deep Dive

37:53 Wild Sports Tangent

40:38 Make Drinks and Wrap

In Tyler Yaw's newest project. He breaks down why Lent is so much more.

Lent as the Original 40-Day Grit Challenge: Leaving the Arena for the Throne

Tyler opens the Applied Faith Podcast by noting that Ash Wednesday marked the start of Lent and challenges listeners not to treat Lent as a watered-down inconvenience or failed resolution. He frames Lent as a 40-day training ground meant to step out of cultural noise, “kill the flesh,” and create space for the spirit, describing fasting as an intentional rebellion against consumerism and instant gratification (endless scrolling, on-demand entertainment, and convenience).

He introduces the “arena and the throne” concept: the gladiator mindset seeks applause in the cultural arena, while the kingdom mindset lives before God as the only true spectator, aligning with Jesus’ teaching to fast in secret. Tyler encourages listeners to use the next 40 days for quiet, disciplined formation and presents his 40-day Kingdom Challenge, built around eight daily disciplines designed to break reliance on the world and anchor participants to the kingdom. He invites listeners to join him, follow along with the daily podcast episodes, subscribe on YouTube, and participate in the community as they pursue resilience and faith leading up to Easter.

00:00 Ash Wednesday Kickoff: Why Lent Matters Again

01:00 Lent as the Original 40-Day Grit Challenge (Not a Diet)

01:44 Fasting as Rebellion Against Consumerism & Instant Gratification

02:41 Arena vs. Throne: Gladiator Mindset vs. Kingdom Mindset

04:00 Fasting in Secret: Leaving the Applause Behind

04:45 A Practical Framework: The 40-Day Kingdom Challenge

05:49 Use the Next 40 Days to Shift Your Trajectory (Join the Challenge)

06:51 Community + Subscribe: Building Applied Faith Together

07:31 Wrap-Up: Daily Episodes, Accountability, and Eyes on the Throne

Whiskey Tasting Adventures with Blind Barrels: Featuring Dr. Chris

In this episode of the Whiskey and Wisdom podcast, co-hosts Chris Kellum and Tyler are joined by special guest Dr. Chris to explore the latest quarterly release from Blind Barrels. The trio embarks on a blind taste test of four distinctive bourbons and whiskeys, including a 12-year single malt and a cask strength wheat whiskey. Alongside the whiskey talk, Dr. Chris shares his journey into chiropractic care, his love for bourbon, and the special story behind some of his favorite bottles. The episode provides insider knowledge on whiskey tasting, engaging anecdotes, and a detailed discussion of each whiskey's flavor profile.

00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement

00:42 Blind Barrels Quarterly Release Overview

02:13 Whiskey Tasting Begins

03:08 Guessing the Whiskey Details

06:51 Revealing the Whiskey and Personal Stories

10:30 Second Whiskey Tasting and Analysis

16:10 Chiropractic Journey and Personal Insights

19:25 Final Whiskey Tasting and Surprises

23:44 Surprising Whiskey Discoveries

25:42 Comparing Whiskey Experiences

26:26 Getting into Bourbon

28:13 Buffalo Trace and Other Favorites

29:09 Tasting Notes and Impressions

38:17 Whiskey Collection and Preferences

44:06 Setting Up the Perfect Whiskey Room

45:11 Conclusion and Farewell

This week we bring back Austin Wolfe, owner of Digital Wave Media.

We discuss business, burgers, podcasting and more.

Building Balanced Wellness with Kelly Jones

In this episode of the Whiskey & Wisdom Podcast, co-hosts Tyler and Chris Kellum welcome wellness content creator Kelly Jones. They discuss Kelly's journey into health and wellness, her experience with starting new fitness regimes like 75 Hard and half-marathon training, and her dedication to maintaining a holistic balance in life. The trio also share a light-hearted whiskey tasting session, delve into Kelly's approach to sustainable healthy living, and explore her commitment to staying active through activities like Pilates and Run Clubs. Additionally, Kelly talks about her background in communication, her move to Wilmington, and building a meaningful community both online and offline.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:25 First Whiskey Experience

00:51 Whiskey Tasting and Discussion

03:01 Kelly's Background and Career

06:52 Health and Wellness Journey

14:59 Running and Fitness

24:54 The Challenge of 10,000 Steps a Day

25:37 Retail Life and Step Count

26:59 Building a Community

27:50 75 Hard and Live Hard Programs

29:48 Pilates and Fitness Goals

36:14 Faith and Personal Growth

41:47 Social Media and Content Creation

45:41 Looking Forward and Reflecting Back

49:34 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

From Brunch to Beverage: The Rise of Grind with Gratitude In this episode of the Whiskey Wisdom Podcast, co-hosts Tyler and Chris are joined by special guest Ty, the dynamic owner of Brunches and the THC beverage company Grind with Gratitude. Ty dives into the inspiring origins and rapid growth of Grind with Gratitude, a company founded to provide a healthy alternative to alcohol with THC-infused drinks. They discuss the recent explosion of the THC beverage segment, detailing the product's development, flavor creation, marketing strategies, and the unique branding that sets them apart. Additionally, Ty shares insights into his entrepreneurial journey, from strength coaching and dental sales to real estate and eventually partnering in innovative ventures. They also examine the current challenges in the THC beverage market, including potential bans and regulatory issues, while remaining optimistic about the industry's future. Throughout, Ty emphasizes the importance of hard work, team dynamics, and maintaining the right energy to achieve business success.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:23 Overview of Grind With Gratitude

01:11 The Birth of Grind With Gratitude

01:21 Tasting and Discussing Whiskey

02:53 The Brunches Story

13:22 The Entrepreneurial Journey

19:15 Challenges and Future of THC Beverages

21:58 Product Design and Flavor Development

26:22 Exciting New Flavor Announcement

26:57 The Success of the Black Bottle

28:15 Grind with Gratitude: Giving Back

29:36 From Zero Sales to Millions

30:43 The Importance of Taste and Quality

39:08 Navigating Regulations and Expanding

46:31 Future Plans and Advice for Entrepreneurs

48:25 Where to Find Us and Final Thoughts

From Jewelry to Real Estate: Patrick Giarelli's Journey of Optimism and Success

In this episode of the West Western Podcast, co-hosts Tyler Yaw and Chris Kellum are joined by special guest Patrick Giarelli, a former jewelry professional turned real estate investor. The conversation covers Patrick's career trajectory, starting from his early days at Reed's Jewelers to his current endeavors in real estate.

Patrick shares insights on maintaining a positive mindset, the impact of relationships, and the various strategies for real estate investment. The episode also touches on Patrick's role as a wedding officiant and his upcoming TEDx talk.

The trio discusses the challenges and rewards of their professional journeys, offering valuable advice on career shifts, investments, and personal growth.

00:00 Introduction and Welcoming the Guest

00:22 Reflecting on Past Experiences

02:10 The Power of Positive Relationships

02:48 Patrick's Career Journey

06:25 Transition to Real Estate

08:37 Real Estate Investment Strategies

14:36 Challenges and Opportunities in Real Estate

21:49 Local Real Estate Market Insights

41:05 Movie References and Activities

41:34 Becoming an Ordained Minister

43:38 Acting and Public Speaking

44:32 TEDx Talk and Optimism

46:20 Defining Success and Personal Growth

57:04 Whiskey and Wisdom

58:15 The World of Bourbon and Whiskey

01:12:19 Podcasting and Networking

01:13:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Whiskey and Wisdom: A 2025 Podcast Recap and Whiskey Review

Welcome back to the Whiskey and Wisdom podcast! In this episode, co-hosts Chris Klum and Tyler discuss their journey over the past three years and share some highlights, including an increase in their audience and ranking on various platforms. The hosts review 'Will It Pot Still Reserve' whiskey, sharing interesting facts about its production. They dive into their 2025 Spotify Wrapped, revealing insights about their listenership across different platforms and countries. They also discuss their favorite whiskeys of the year, including Penelope Rio and Project X Collection. Additionally, they share personal top artists and podcasts. Tune in for a fun and informative episode!

00:00 Introduction and Hosts

00:15 Recap of the Podcast Journey

00:30 Whiskey Tasting: Will It or Won't It?

02:14 Spotify Wrapped: Podcast Performance

03:18 Listener Demographics and Trends

06:22 Top Countries and Listener Insights

09:50 Top Artists and Audio Books

12:15 Top Podcasts and Final Thoughts

13:30 Exploring Conspiracy Theories

13:59 Equator Water Experiment

15:18 Top Podcasts Discussion

16:18 Podcast Listener Engagement

17:23 Favorite Whiskeys of the Year

17:57 Personal Music Tastes

19:52 Podcast Recommendations

25:11 Final Wrap-Up and Thank You

Whiskey Talks and Life Transitions: Catching Up with Sean Bats

In this episode of the Whiskey Wisdom Podcast, hosts Chris Klum and Tyler reunite with special guest Sean Bats, who previously appeared in their 2022 episodes. They reminisce about their earlier studio and discuss the numerous life changes Sean has experienced, including his transition from the mortgage world to working in private security, and his current role in a local Wilmington-based company focusing on employee recognition. Sean shares about his intriguing experiences in the security sector, including protecting foreign diplomats and responding to natural disasters. The trio also delves into whiskey tasting, specifically discussing Basil Hayden Toast, and navigates varied topics such as AI in daily life, the evolution of major cities, and modern societal changes. They touch on topics like AI's role in society, the nostalgia for technological artifacts like Clippy, and differences between modern and past generations' work ethics and major life events. The episode is peppered with light-hearted banter, including discussions on sports, AI conspiracies, and Sean’s children's activities, reflecting the relaxed and conversational nature of the show.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:11 Special Guest: Sean Bats

01:27 Whiskey Talk: Basil Hayden Toast

03:57 Life Updates and Career Changes

07:12 Conspiracy Theories and Cloud Seeding

11:37 AI and Technology Discussion

23:44 Random Conversations and Golf Trips

28:23 Early Morning Dog Walks

29:05 Discussing the Cowboys' Performance

30:41 Mark Cuban's Business Moves

32:20 Living in Different Cities

34:04 Movie Reviews and Recommendations

40:54 NFL's Non-Profit Status

44:41 Defining Success

55:03 High School Wrestling and Football

58:52 Conclusion and Farewell