Whiskey & Wisdom

Whiskey & Wisdom

Discussing life's most fascinating topics over a good glass of whiskey.

  1. 1D AGO

    UNFLTR: Podcasting, Business & Growth

    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

    1h 3m
  2. MAR 4

    It's a Cinch! (Bar & Billiards)

    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

    42 min
  3. FEB 19

    Applied Faith Podcast: Stop Giving Up Chocolate for Lent

    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

    8 min
  4. JAN 7

    From Booze to Buzz: How THC Drinks Set a New Standard

    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

    50 min
5
out of 5
25 Ratings

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Discussing life's most fascinating topics over a good glass of whiskey.

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