Go With Your Palate

Joe Wagner
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Joe Wagner, 5th Generation Winemaker, presents the podcast "Go With Your Palate." A podcast about wine, entrepreneurship, and whatever the F else. So buckle up - this isn't your normal wine podcast. 

  1. E89 King Kyote | Joe Wagner

    2D AGO

    E89 King Kyote | Joe Wagner

    🎙️ Go With Your Palate: King Kyote | Rock & Roll, Roots & a Sold-Out Napa Weekend This week, we turn the volume all the way up. We’re joined by King Kyote, Maine-born rock & roll storyteller blending Americana, blues grit, and soul-shaking authenticity. From writing songs at a young age on the Maine coast to representing his home state on NBC’s American Song Contest, Kyote has built a sound that’s both intimate and electrifying. We dive deep into the heart of his songwriting — where the lyrics come from, how vulnerability becomes power, and what it really takes to break into the entertainment industry as an independent artist. From auditioning for The Voice to landing an Atlantic Records single (“Get Out Alive”), to sharing stages with legends, his journey is a testament to grit and growth. We also get into the future of music — including how AI is changing the industry — nostalgic vinyl debates, food tangents, surfing, and how evolution in sound mirrors evolution in wine. And here’s the kicker… King Kyote didn’t just talk music — he performed live in our studio. The first full song performance we’ve ever had on Go With Your Palate. Raw. Unplugged. Electric. Oh, and after this recording? He headed to Quilt & Co. in downtown Napa for what turned into a SOLD-OUT weekend. Two nights. Wine country went full rock & roll. If you care about artistry, hustle, storytelling, and what happens when wine meets music in the most authentic way possible — this episode hits every note. Grab a glass. Turn it up. Let’s ride. 🍷🎸🔥

    45 min
  2. E88 Elijah and Gilbert Smith pt 2 | Joe Wagner

    FEB 6

    E88 Elijah and Gilbert Smith pt 2 | Joe Wagner

    🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Elijah & Gilbert Smith | Legacy, Grit & the Fight Beyond the Cage This week, we’re joined by one of the rarest and most compelling duos in the UFC: Elijah Smith and his father, Gilbert Smith—former UFC fighter turned coach, mentor, and cornerstone of his son’s rise. It’s a raw, honest conversation about legacy, pressure, and what it really takes to build a career in the fight game from the inside out. Elijah takes us inside the moment that changed everything—his now-viral slam knockout over Toshiomi Kazama—breaking down what flipped mentally when instinct, preparation, and opportunity collided. Gilbert shares what it’s like watching your son step into danger, trusting the foundation you helped build, and balancing the roles of father, coach, and protector. We go deep on the behind-the-scenes realities of the UFC: the grind, the business, the sacrifices, and the lessons you don’t learn until you’re living it. From fight IQ and longevity to finances, branding, and mental recovery, this episode pulls back the curtain on what it truly means to pursue greatness in one of the toughest professions on earth. We also explore Elijah’s creative side beyond the cage, including his work as a musician under Shakur da Bag, where discipline, rhythm, and storytelling collide in a completely different arena. And because this is Go With Your Palate, there are plenty of laughs woven into the grit—including a moment where Gilbert is lightly challenged and decides to remind everyone he’s still got moves. We’ll let you discover how that plays out. It’s candid, powerful, and deeply human—a story about family, belief, and carving your own path while honoring the one that came before you. Grab a glass, hit play, and experience one of our most genuine conversations yet. 🍷🥊🔥

    1h 11m
  3. E88 Elijah and Gilbert Smith | Joe Wagner

    JAN 30

    E88 Elijah and Gilbert Smith | Joe Wagner

    🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Elijah & Gilbert Smith | Legacy, Grit & the Fight Beyond the Cage This week, we’re joined by one of the rarest and most compelling duos in the UFC: Elijah Smith and his father, Gilbert Smith—former UFC fighter turned coach, mentor, and cornerstone of his son’s rise. It’s a raw, honest conversation about legacy, pressure, and what it really takes to build a career in the fight game from the inside out. Elijah takes us inside the moment that changed everything—his now-viral slam knockout over Toshiomi Kazama—breaking down what flipped mentally when instinct, preparation, and opportunity collided. Gilbert shares what it’s like watching your son step into danger, trusting the foundation you helped build, and balancing the roles of father, coach, and protector. We go deep on the behind-the-scenes realities of the UFC: the grind, the business, the sacrifices, and the lessons you don’t learn until you’re living it. From fight IQ and longevity to finances, branding, and mental recovery, this episode pulls back the curtain on what it truly means to pursue greatness in one of the toughest professions on earth. We also explore Elijah’s creative side beyond the cage, including his work as a musician under Shakur da Bag, where discipline, rhythm, and storytelling collide in a completely different arena. And because this is Go With Your Palate, there are plenty of laughs woven into the grit—including a moment where Gilbert is lightly challenged and decides to remind everyone he’s still got moves. We’ll let you discover how that plays out. It’s candid, powerful, and deeply human—a story about family, belief, and carving your own path while honoring the one that came before you. Grab a glass, hit play, and experience one of our most genuine conversations yet. 🍷🥊🔥

    49 min
  4. E87 Maxxine Dupri pt 2 | Joe Wagner

    JAN 23

    E87 Maxxine Dupri pt 2 | Joe Wagner

    🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Maxxine Dupri | Grit, Gold & Owning the Spotlight This week, we’re joined by the electric Maxxine Dupri, aka Sydney Zmrzel Luke—WWE superstar, elite performer, and one of the most inspiring rise stories in sports entertainment today. At the time of recording, Sydney was riding the momentum of her run as WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion, and while titles come and go, her confidence, work ethic, and presence make one thing clear: her champ energy is permanent. Sydney takes us inside her journey from NFL cheerleader to WWE main roster, sharing what it really takes to level up in one of the most demanding industries in the world. We talk discipline, reinvention, and the resilience required to perform under pressure—whether it’s under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden or stepping into the ring with everything on the line. Her story is a reminder that belief, preparation, and grit can take you further than anyone expects. She also opens up about life beyond the ropes, navigating noise and expectations, and stepping into a new personal chapter—recently marrying fellow WWE star Anthony Luke—all while continuing to chase greatness. (And yes, we’re confidently betting that gold finds its way back to her soon.) And because this is Go With Your Palate, things get delightfully chaotic—in the best way. We dive into caffeine boosters, surprise singing, and Sydney may or may not have coached Fat Mario through some wrestling moves, leaving him with what could only be described as an audition tape (jury’s still out 👀). It’s energetic, hilarious, and genuinely uplifting—a conversation full of heart, hustle, and inspiration. Whether you’re a WWE fan, a believer in bold pivots, or just here for the laughs, this episode delivers. Grab a glass, hit play, and join us in rooting for a true champion—then, now, and what’s next. 🍷💪🎤

    54 min
  5. E87 Maxxine Dupri | Joe Wagner

    JAN 16

    E87 Maxxine Dupri | Joe Wagner

    🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Maxxine Dupri | Grit, Gold & Owning the Spotlight This week, we’re joined by the electric Maxxine Dupri, aka Sydney Zmrzel Luke—WWE superstar, elite performer, and one of the most inspiring rise stories in sports entertainment today. At the time of recording, Sydney was riding the momentum of her run as WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion, and while titles come and go, her confidence, work ethic, and presence make one thing clear: her champ energy is permanent. Sydney takes us inside her journey from NFL cheerleader to WWE main roster, sharing what it really takes to level up in one of the most demanding industries in the world. We talk discipline, reinvention, and the resilience required to perform under pressure—whether it’s under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden or stepping into the ring with everything on the line. Her story is a reminder that belief, preparation, and grit can take you further than anyone expects. She also opens up about life beyond the ropes, navigating noise and expectations, and stepping into a new personal chapter—recently marrying fellow WWE star Anthony Luke—all while continuing to chase greatness. (And yes, we’re confidently betting that gold finds its way back to her soon.) And because this is Go With Your Palate, things get delightfully chaotic—in the best way. We dive into caffeine boosters, surprise singing, and Sydney may or may not have coached Fat Mario through some wrestling moves, leaving him with what could only be described as an audition tape (jury’s still out 👀). It’s energetic, hilarious, and genuinely uplifting—a conversation full of heart, hustle, and inspiration. Whether you’re a WWE fan, a believer in bold pivots, or just here for the laughs, this episode delivers. Grab a glass, hit play, and join us in rooting for a true champion—then, now, and what’s next. 🍷💪🎤

    55 min
  6. E86 Zaylan Jacobsen (NiteCapp) pt 2 | Joe Wagner

    JAN 9

    E86 Zaylan Jacobsen (NiteCapp) pt 2 | Joe Wagner

    🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Zaylan Jacobsen | From Early Hustle to Building NiteCapp This week, we sit down with Zaylan Jacobsen, Co-Founder & CEO of NiteCapp—a rising platform changing how hospitality and food & beverage teams connect and learn. Long before tech, Zaylan was already wired for entrepreneurship, selling duct tape wallets and kendamas as a kid—early signs of a builder mindset that would later push him to teach himself the tech skills needed to build apps from the ground up. Zaylan shares how seven years in the restaurant world—working his way from server to bartender to manager—gave him a front-row seat to the daily chaos of hospitality. That firsthand experience became the foundation for NiteCapp: a tool designed by someone who’s lived the chaos and knew there had to be a better way. We also get into his love of hiking and exploration, including his belief that the best way to understand a new place is from its highest point—a philosophy he put to the test by climbing Mt. St. Helena the moment he arrived in Napa. Along the way, we talk startups, hospitality, perspective, and the mindset it takes to build something meaningful. If you’re into entrepreneurship, food & beverage, or founders who learn by doing, this episode is packed with insight—and just enough mystery to keep you listening. Grab a glass and come hang.

    53 min
  7. E86 Zaylan Jacobsen (NiteCapp) | Joe Wagner

    JAN 2

    E86 Zaylan Jacobsen (NiteCapp) | Joe Wagner

    🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Zaylan Jacobsen | From Early Hustle to Building NiteCapp This week, we sit down with Zaylan Jacobsen, Co-Founder & CEO of NiteCapp—a rising platform changing how hospitality and food & beverage teams connect and learn. Long before tech, Zaylan was already wired for entrepreneurship, selling duct tape wallets and kendamas as a kid—early signs of a builder mindset that would later push him to teach himself the tech skills needed to build apps from the ground up. Zaylan shares how seven years in the restaurant world—working his way from server to bartender to manager—gave him a front-row seat to the daily chaos of hospitality. That firsthand experience became the foundation for NiteCapp: a tool designed by someone who’s lived the chaos and knew there had to be a better way. We also get into his love of hiking and exploration, including his belief that the best way to understand a new place is from its highest point—a philosophy he put to the test by climbing Mt. St. Helena the moment he arrived in Napa. Along the way, we talk startups, hospitality, perspective, and the mindset it takes to build something meaningful. If you’re into entrepreneurship, food & beverage, or founders who learn by doing, this episode is packed with insight—and just enough mystery to keep you listening. Grab a glass and come hang.

    44 min
  8. E85 Buunni Coffee pt 2 | Joe Wagner

    12/26/2025

    E85 Buunni Coffee pt 2 | Joe Wagner

    🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Sarina & Elias | Brewing Love, Culture & Community with Buunni Coffee This week, we brew up something special with Sarina Prabasi and Elias Gurmu, the husband-and-wife duo behind Buunni Coffee—a brand rooted in Ethiopian coffee culture and built into one of Manhattan’s most beloved community-driven cafés. Sarina and Elias share their inspiring journey of bringing their love story—and their love for coffee—from Ethiopia to New York City, navigating one of the most competitive coffee scenes in the world while staying deeply connected to origin, hospitality, and purpose. From sourcing small-holder Ethiopian farms to roasting in micro-batches and building cafés that double as cultural hubs, Buunni is about far more than what’s in the cup. We draw some fun (and surprisingly accurate) parallels between coffee and wine, bust a few myths along the way, and dive into food pairings, flavor notes, and why terroir matters just as much in coffee as it does in wine. Sarina and Elias also open up about entrepreneurship, resilience, and what it takes to build a culture-first brand that truly connects people. It’s warm, thoughtful, and full of heart—proof that whether it’s coffee or wine, the best experiences start with origin, intention, and community. Grab your favorite mug (or glass) and join us for a conversation that’s equal parts delicious, inspiring, and deeply human. ☕🍷✨

    35 min
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5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Joe Wagner, 5th Generation Winemaker, presents the podcast "Go With Your Palate." A podcast about wine, entrepreneurship, and whatever the F else. So buckle up - this isn't your normal wine podcast. 

Information

  • Creator
    Joe Wagner
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    144
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Go With Your Palate
  • Show Website
    Go With Your Palate