Personal Journals Episodes

In a special crossover episode we combine United States of Dramerica and America the Beautiful Game.We talk to whisky lover and soccer expert Oliver Wyss. The former Swiss international youth player, coach, agent and soccer tech is now the President of Soccer at Orange County Soccer Club in the United Soccer League.We talk about the controversial new European Super League, his love of wine and then whisky and the state of soccer in the United States.Oliver tells us about working on Playing fo...

We talk to stuntman, fight co-ordinator, martial arts specialist and member of the famous Crosby family, Luke.He talks about his great-grandfather Bing, the extraordinary career of his mother Spice Williams-Crosby and his fascination with martial arts - not surprising given his father Gregory trained with Bruce Lee.We talk growing up in a celebrity family, the community of black belts and why he chose stunts over acting.And Luke tells us about family film night, earning his SAG card playing a...

We go Down Under this week to talk to Dave Vitale, the founder of Australian whisky sensation Starward.He talks about his company's market positioning, why Starward is perfect for cocktails and as a 'dinner table whisky'. He explains how the pandemic has been tough for a growing brand, why he wanted to start distilling and the growing market in Australia.He talks about the pleasing lack of whisky prejudice against newer markets and why people should embrace new expressions and how Starward are...

We share a whiskey with aspiring golfer Will Leaf, who after a tough pandemic year, is selling shares in himself to fund his pro career.Will, who has had three holes in one (including two on par 4s), explains how his PGA Tour Canada aspirations were ended by the border closure, how the share scheme works and how it feels to be a commodity people can buy.He tells us his passion for the game, meeting his hero Arnold Palmer and tells us about the weird world of lower level tour golf - including p...

We talk to Scottish entrepreneur Chris Newlands, founder of space selfie company Spelfie.The navy veteran explains the genesis of his company, why he thinks people will want to take space selfies at live events and how clouds are Spelfie's enemy.He talks through the challenges of launching a start up in a global pandemic, the ways his company has adapted and his plans for expansion.Chris talks about his partnership with Airbus, selling space visible advertising and why he wants to share a Mac...

We talk to Gary Gillan, the president of NARSA - the North American Rangers Supporters Association. He talks about his beloved club Rangers, how being further afield brings you closer to the club and the origins of NARSA.He talks about the sense of community that these fan groups create, how tough it has been during Covid and he feels closer to the club in Canada even though he used to have a season ticket.Gary tells us about the excitement around Rangers' season, what it will mean to win the ...

We talk to veteran whisky and luxury travel expert Ricky Crawford.He tells us about the growing importance of sustainable travel, how it's going to become more important post-pandemic and the genesis of his Amazon Prime show Leave No Trace.We talk about green luxury travel in Scotland, the purity of distilleries and his time as a roving whisky ambassador - including a disappointing trip to the Playboy Mansion.Ricky tells us about his new virtual Scottish corporate tour company - where he is o...

We talk to Dom Madell, resident of Auckland, New Zealand. He explains what it is like living in a relatively covid-free country, survivor's guilt and the Kiwi view of the rest of the world.He talks about masks on trains - and nowhere else - in his country, the reality of being on an 'island of purity' and the inequity of billionaires of using his country as a safety bolthole.Dom explains his worries about New Zealand for when they re-open borders, he drinks a local Thomson whisky and we share ...

We talk to Tracie Franklin, Head Distiller Apprentice at the Nearest and Jack Advancement Initiative. She tells her story of moving from Broadway to whisky ambassador to the leadership acceleration program run by Jack Daniels and Uncle Nearest whiskey to increase diversity in the whiskey business.Tracie talks about diversity in the industry, her reluctant acceptance of being a role model and tells us the inspiring story of Nearest Green, a freed slave who taught Jack Daniels.We share a virtual...

We talk to Jon Ryan, the Super Bowl winning punter from the Seattle Seahawks.He tells us about the feeling of being part of a Super Bowl and the euphoria of victory.He also tells us about the feeling of being part of a Super Bowl the following year and the agony of a narrow defeat to Tom Brady.Jon talks us through his Championship game touchdown, the first play-off touchdown ever thrown by a punter.We talk about punters tackling, some of Jon's highlight reel - mostly painful-looking hits - a...

We talk to event and marketing expert David Balfour.The Scot living in Dubai with plans to expand in to the US talks events, how the pandemic has changed the industry, what is possible now and what direction he thinks events will go in the future.He tells us how the uneven pace of recovery is creating opportunities, the huge appetite to return to live experiences and how Usher nearly ruined one of his first events in the US.David tells us about his favorite whisky, his sneaker collection and ...

We talk to Estelle McCartney, Chief Customer Officer for Arctic Shores and veteran communications professional.She tells us about how the interface between business and Government has changed, the importance of ‘doing good’ and her first role with Britain in Europe.She talks about her work with Arctic Shores, using technology in recruitment to improve diversity and getting people into the right jobs for the long term.She also talks about watching her father compete in the Whisky Olympics, we ...

We talk to screenwriter Grant Pierce Myers. He talks about the excitement of working on The Maze Runner, his parents organizing a special screening for their friends in his home town and his favorite line from the movie.He tells us how he celebrates movie projects by buying bottles of whisky, his love for the cherry-infused bourbon made by Traverse City Whiskey Company and he tells the story of being fired from the Maze Runner - and how the lead actor didn't even realize he was the writer.Gran...

We talk to magician Kayla Drescher. She tells us about swapping science for magic, her dislike of Las Vegas and why the market town of Dunstable is her favorite place.She talks about her Magic in Heels business, the challenges for women in magic and her favorite trick.We share a (virtual) whiskey as she tells us about a magician's life in Los Angeles compared to Boston, how much she enjoys corporate events and travel and why she wants to share a Jefferson's with Celine Dion.

We talk to David Mackay, the Chief Pilot for Virgin Galactic.He tells us his journey from a young boy in northern Scotland watching the moon landing on television to his own flight into space.David, who has more than 15k flying hours, talks about testing aircraft for the British Royal Air Force, his transition to commercial airliners for Virgin Atlantic and then his move to flying spacecraft for Virgin Galactic.He describes the simple joy of his first ever flight, the beautiful vistas he has ...

We talk to James Keston, owner of Orange County Soccer Club.He explains why he bought a USL team, what he is hoping to achieve on and off the field and how hard the pandemic has hit live sport.James talks about the unique partnership with Glasgow Rangers, the CBS documentary about their deal and why all the Scottish players needed subtitles.He tells us that he doesn’t think a promotion and relegation system will happen in US soccer in the next 30 years, the importance of giving American young...

We speak to immigration lawyer Lorraine D'Alessio, founder of the D'Alession Law Group.She talks about the 'hardest year' for her and her clients, battling the combination of the complex and ever-changing world of the Trump administration's immigration policy combined with the challenges of Coronavirus.She tells of the heartbreak of stranded families, jobs lost and her efforts to find novel ways of helping families.And hope that the new Biden administration will make immigration pathways clea...

We talk to whisky entrepreneur Steve Lipp, the man behind everything from Alexander Murray, to Costco's Kirkland whisky and also banana flavor bourbon sensation Howler Head.He tells us about how near-death experiences took him from the oil business to the whisky trade, why he named his brand after his great uncle and how a drowning fisherman helped Lagavulin 16 become his favorite whisky.He talks about banana bourbon - and his partnership with UFC owner Dana White, his beer/whisky partnership ...

For our 50th episode of the podcast, we have ex-CIA operative John Sipher.In a powerful and damning interview he talks about the damage being done to the Intelligence Community by the current administration, the risks to America from a delayed transition and his anger at the current relationship with Russia.He talks about how the pandemic will change intelligence gathering, the complications those currently serving face doing their jobs and how dangerous the politicization of intelligence work...

We talk to documentary filmmaker Tom Stubberfield, founder of Bullitt Films.He talks about his projects with the Chilean mine rescue, the Thai cave rescue as well as Hurricane Katrina and the Kilauea eruption in Hawaii.Tom talks about why documentaries are enjoying a golden age, the emotion of filming rescues and dropping dynamite out of a helicopter.He tells about his travels around America, the power of human story telling and why he wants to share a Laphroaig with Martin Scorsese in his ga...

We talk to former British Deputy Ambassador in Washington Patrick Davies.He talks about Biden's historic victory, the chaos of working with the Trump administration and what next for America.Having met President elect Biden many times, he talks about what sort of man he is, his relationship with Britain and his reputation for reaching out across the political divide.The author of a new book - the Great American Delusion - Patrick admits his fears about the huge divides in America, the myths t...

We talk to the multi-talented David Kwong about puzzling during lockdown, missing live audiences and his love of bringing magic to the big and small screens.David has leaned into the virtual world, hosting instagram live puzzles and now has a full set in his basement for the sold out 'Inside the Box' show.He tells us about compiling puzzles for the New York Times, his favorite magic history stories and working on movies like Now You See Me - where he had to literally tape a coin to Morgan Free...

We talk to the Sage of Saratoga, leading horse handicapper Andy Serling.He tells us how horse racing has grown during the pandemic, what makes the sport so special and how legal sports betting is inevitable in America.He talks about falling in love with his home track of Saratoga, how race tracks without crowds are "sad" and how a horse's name impacts its odds.Andy describes how much research he does on each race why he backs his picks with money and his hopes for big crowds after Corona.And...

We talk to former Glasgow Warrior and Scotland rugby player Ruiradh Jackson.We talk about retiring early due to Covid and transitioning to a career in whisky and gin.He tells us about the re-launch of Glenturret, Scotland's oldest working distillery, describes his frustration at the recent closures of the Scottish hospitality industry and the importance of alcohol for a winter in Scotland.Ruaridh describes the highs and lows of his rugby career, mental health in sport and learning to drink wh...