Show de Vie Podcast

Diana Pinzón has a lust for life, nature, exploration, and protecting natural resources. Her forrest studies led her to Puebla, where the beginnings of Zinacantan Mezcal were born. Now years later and at the helm of Mezcal truth-telling, Diana, via Raices Imports, brings these beautiful spirits into Texas. We talk about bats, dancing, travel, and more.

Naomi Michial Ayala has achieved profound things in the hospitality industry and somehow has never been thrown into the spotlight. With almost 20 years in the business, Naomi has bartended, educated, led the Dallas USBG, and continues to be a consummate professional and role model to others. Her latest chapter with CVH Spirits, brings her back to the world of Scotch whisky and with more horsepower than ever. We chat health, gardening, performative questions, and more.

Aidan Marengo is a staple in the San Francisco hospitality scene. His reputation as a nice guy has opened countless doors for his career. And, one fateful evening in Oaxaca caused a new and exciting door to open. Aidan has made the move from SF to Oaxaca to lend a hand for the team at Quiote Mezcaleria Looking for love in all the right places, we chat about rom coms, music, humor and more.

Katie Black has distilled, fermented, bartended, event coordinated, traveled Europe, and so much more. It's hard to guess where she'll turn up next, but one thing is clear: her love of people and hospitality will keep guiding her. Her curiosity drives her, and with every move she practices the art of "intention". And as we post this chat today, she announces the next big chapter of her career and a move to Houston. We chat dating, produce, sharing, and more.

Almost 10 years into this podcasting journey, new interview opportunities and some legends finally make it to the mic. As part of Dia de Los Muertos last year, I had the privilege to sit down and chat with Fortaleza founder Guillermo Sauza. With such a successful career inside and outside of Tequila, where does he find solace in these later chapters of his life? We sip Fortaleza, chat life, and prepared for a big party in the cave.

Deeply lauded writer Ted Genoways has been a philosopher and storyteller for almost his whole life. His journalistic endeavors have led to authoring 6 books, earning countless awards, and now into an exposé on Mexico's most viable of spirits, Tequila. His new book Tequila Wars examines the founding families of this industry and sheds light on documents/events that have previously been lost in history. We chat peril, dinner time stories, and more.

James Douglas III moved around a bit as a child. The new environments, new social circles have a massive impact on who you become. Now, after years of hospitality, James is adapting yet again as he takes on an incredibly visible role with Ilegal Mezcal in Texas. His love of movies, people, and helping others is on full display in his very podcast chat. We chat 70's movies, close family, and finding out who you are when you're the only one.

Almost 10 years, we first sat down with Ricardo Pico as his journey in Sotol was just beginning. Now, so many achievements and projects later, what does Ricardo Pico reflect on in this new world of Sotol awareness. One of the only guests to appear on the show twice, Ricardo shares his tales of Don Lalo, the creation of Nocheluna Sotol, and what success looks like.

Meghan Webb has been a staple in hospitality industry for over a decade. Her travels and lust for life have taken her across the world, where she always shares her warmth and knowledge. This journey has recently brought things full circle with her return to Austin, TX. But this time, she is leading the charge for Lustau Sherry in the huge market of Texas. We chat architecture, flying, Palo Cortado, and more.

Anthony Wills is the founder and creator of Kilchoman Single Malt Scotch Whisky, the first new distillery to be built on Islay since 1908. His previous career in wine sales led him to delve into independent whisky bottling ventures. And with deep roots to Islay through his wife's family, the grand idea to open a new distillery actualized in 2005. The unique profile of Kilchoman is textured, rich, and elegant. And even more unique is their Islay Barley bottling, in which all of the barley is grown on their farm at the distillery. We chat fear of failing, tinkering, Sherry, and more.

Luis Del Pozo exudes acceptance, curiosity, and hospitality. He cut his teeth in the hospitality industry of California where he honed his aesthetic and built a very supportive following on Instagram. Now, after starting a family and making Austin his new home, Luis represents the beautiful spirits of Lost Explorer. Whether dawning a stylish hat or semi-full copita, Luis is a master of his craft. We chat Puebla, aesthetic, being kind, and more.

Jorge Caldera has remained behind the scenes as Sotol has seen a rise in availability and prominence in the agave market. (although Sotol itself is not agave). Yet, his continued efforts in the market, previously with Clande Sotol, and now with astonishing spirits of Sotol Parejo, have largely gone unnoticed....until now. Jorge was born and raised in Chihuahua. His love and dedication to his state drove his curiosity to explore the world of Sotol and Lechuguilla. After a decision to leave finance, in favor of starting his own projects with his own partners, Jorge ventured into the world of Sotol. We chat failed rock star dreams, pivotal life moments, the beauty of the desert, and more.

Luis Loya grew up on cattle ranch in Chihuahua Mexico. His rebellious nature, and gift for drawing transformed into an insatiable need to explore later in life. He is the purveyor of some of the finest distillates in the world, and more specifically Mexico, with his brand La Mata Spirits. With beautiful spirits from Durango, Oaxaca, Nuevo León, and more, Luis illuminates the undiscovered processes found in more distant areas of Mexico. The rare and coveted bottles contain some the most unique and compelling spirits found anywhere in the world. We talk about architecture, skateboarding, passion, and more.

Originally from Monterrey, Nuevo León, Houston's Daniela Taylan is at the top of the brand ambassador game. Whether it's serving mezcal at La Niña Blanca, sharing and educating for Tequila Fortaleza, or tapping into her botanical roots for Condesa Gin, Dani is truly working hard. She's always happy to offer a pour, share her experiences, and dedicate time to the projects/people that matter. But how does an ex set designing Tennis champ seamlessly become one of the brightest minds in the hospitality industry? We chat horror movies, asking the right questions, work-life balance, and Fortaleza Winter Blend 2024.

Teacher, educator, whiskey ambassador, podcaster, and more... It makes one wonder what Milam and Greene's Blair Ault does NOT do. Houston's Blair Ault is a renaissance woman. She writes, teaches, hosts, and travels the United States extolling the virtues of Texas' Milam and Greene whiskey. Blair is an erudite Star Trek fan that encourages creativity in others. With a massive lust for life, and passion for whiskey, what motivates Blair to keep expanding her knowledge? The answer is: a whole lot. We chat loud noises, audio challenges, writing from the heart, and more.

Eduardo "Lalo" González has a rich history steeped in Tequila. His family created the brand Don Julio and revolutionized the use of whiskey casks to elevate premium categories of Tequila. Lalo Tequila found its roots in Austin, TX and fully took the industry by storm just as the world started to open up again. With a dedication to clarity and the purity of agave Tequilana, Lalo Tequila embraces the beauty of the soil and materials. And to even further heighten the dedication to flavor and expressiveness, Lalo has just released a new high proof Blanco at 54% abv. The balance, intensity, and softness is impressive. The limited edition bottling is available now. Lalo and I talk about ideating, expectations, using fancy pens, and more.

Gustavo Oyarzun is an immensely thoughtful person. From creating culinary/cocktail salts (via Art of Drink) to imagining entirely new bar experiences, he uses a deeply pensive and aesthetic driven perspective to innovate in the cocktail industry. As we all sought connectivity during COVID quarantine, Gustavo chose to take his bartending skills to the people in a fun and mobile way. The traveling cocktail concept turned into Visitant Social Club and this move to Austin unleashed yet another innovative concept that has just taken the city by storm, Traveler's Lounge. We chat corn, mezcal, instinct, and architecture.

Ninotchka Gandula, or as she's fondly known, Nino, is the national brand ambassador for Ojo de Tiger. The beautiful mezcal that mixes production from both Oaxaca and Puebla is yet another creation from the innovative team at Casa Lumbre. Nino grew up in Puerto Rico and remains one of the most respected voices in hospitality as she carries her Boricua love of others. She continues to earn and evolve as a leader and brand ambassador. As the rise of N/A spirits continues, Almave, the blue agave alternative, will bring new conversations and opportunities as Nino's role expands. We talk about travel, boundaries, and calling it an early night.

As a native of Guadalajara, Victor Diaz has been surrounded by Tequila his own life. He has followed business ideas, and his innate tenacity gives him a drive like no other. After a fateful move to Austin Tx, he entered the hospitality industry at the legendary Maudie's TexMex restaurant. Here, whilst building relationships with patrons and fellow hospitality workers alike, the concept of Carabuena Tequila was born. Now, time has passed and the brand is growing at a meteoric pace. It sounds like the perfect time to release a Reposado and Añejo. We chat love, creativity, persistence, and more.

Dalton Kreiss is an athletic, solitary, and driven midwestern guy. He's always pursued ideas for businesses and ways to add value to those around him. After studies abroad, a new sense of entrepreneurship was born. However, in which direction and for whom remained a question. Years later, the subscription service Maguey Melate was founded. Just before a behemoth of a mezcal tasting, we sit down and chat about Michael Jordan, being new to Mexico, teamwork and more.