Ep. 053 Mike Gibbs, Toast Winery

🎧Mutuality in a Bottle: The Story of Toast Winery

In this episode of The Value of Values, I chat with Mike, co-owner of Toast Winery on Seneca Lake, to explore the unexpected, inspiring journey from first-time Finger Lakes tourist to hands-on winery owner. This grounded conversation blends business savvy, personal philosophy, and a shared love of the region.

To be totally transparent, I knew Mike from another life, which resurfaced recently. We both worked for a company in New Jersey and worked not closely, but enough to know each other. I had NO idea he was a winery owner now! It was only thought my posts in a FB group associated with FLX wines that we reconnected. It’s the old, dreaded message from social media - for those of us who were alive before social media - “hey, are you the (insert name) from (insert time of life you are unaware if you were an @sshole to this person)?” I’m glad Mike remembered me and reached out, because he is the same GREAT GUY, I remember him to be (can’t say the same for myself).

This episode explores:

• The wild story of how Mike ended up with that specific winery

• Why “mutuality” and “attention to detail” are a few elements of the Toast culture (more to learn from this aspect)

• How Mike and Jane’s shared dream became a business rooted in purpose, not ego

• The emotional and strategic journey from corporate finance to full-time winemaking

• Innovation in the glass: why Mike and Toast are pushing the industry

• And what happens when you ask your partner: “What do you think our values are?”

Ep, 052.5 (Part DEUX) - Dana Bernstein, Coach and Author

🎙️ Uncovering Pillars & Radical Self-Honesty with Dana Bernstein (Part Deux)

In Part Deux of my conversation with coach and author Dana Bernstein, we get personal — Dana guides me through her Pillar Discovery process in real time, and what unfolds is a conversation filled with humor, reflection, and surprising clarity.

This isn’t just a demonstration of working with her book — it’s an honest exploration of what makes us us, and how the language we use to describe our inner world can unlock compassion, resilience, and choice.

In this episode, we dive into:

• 🧠 The difference between values and pillars — and why it matters in daily life

• 🎯 Using values like “jackets” you can put on and take off with intention

• 🌀 What internal conflict really reveals — and how to move through it

• 💬 Why mischievousness, kindness, curiosity, and adventure showed up as my own pillars

• 🧃 The chicken parm vs. razor clams metaphor you didn’t know you needed

• 💛 A real moment of gratitude and community that reminded me why this work matters

Dana is equal parts playful and profound in this episode — and the clarity that comes out of the messiness is something I hope listeners sit with, just like I am.

📖 More info on the book: https://danalynnbernstein.com/
📲 Connect with Dana: linkedin.com/in/danabernstein

Ep. 052.0 - Dana Bernstein, Coach and Author

🎙️ The Value of Values: Pillars, Conflict & the Power of Who - with Dana Bernstein (Part 1)

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, I’m joined by Dana Bernstein, leadership coach and author of It’s the Thought That Counts: Mastering the Art of You First. We go deep into the heart of her framework — where values, pillars, and internal conflict all come together to shape who we are and how we show up.

This episode explores:

• 🧭 The difference between values and pillars — in Dana’s model and why confusing them can keep you stuck

• 🧠 How values show up in moments of conflict and frustration

• 💥 When two core values collide — and how to decide which one leads

• 💬 Why naming your internal experiences helps you reduce the emotional weight

• 📖 Behind the scenes of writing her book — and why she almost titled it No One Gives a ****

• 🔁 How values, triggers, and pillars each signal different emotional responses

• 🔍 Why understanding your ideal emotion can guide you through hard choices

Dana brings clarity, energy, and honesty to every part of this episode — and in Part 2, she’ll walk me through one of her most powerful coaching exercises. But first, we unpack the foundation of the work.

📍 Learn more about Dana and the book: https://danalynnbernstein.com/
📲 Connect with Dana on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danabernstein

Ep. 051 Mel Goldman, Keuka Lake Vineyards

🎙️ Legacy, Land, and a Life of Purpose with Mel Goldman

From Peace Corps volunteer to vineyard founder, Mel Goldman has always been driven by something bigger than himself. In this deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation, Mel reflects on the values that shaped his decades of work across continents — from building schools in Nepal to starting a wine legacy in the Finger Lakes.

We cover the why, the where, and the how of his story — and at the center of it all is Mel’s unwavering belief in doing meaningful work, no matter the odds or the season.

In this episode, we explore:

• 🌍 What the Peace Corps taught Mel about humility, community, and contribution

• 🧪 The surprising link between international development and winemaking

• 🧭 The foundation of Keuka Lake Vineyards — and why they planted against the grain

• 🍇 The terroir, tradition, and tension of growing Riesling and hybrids in the Finger Lakes

• 🧤 The value of collaborative learning in a “non-fancy” wine region

• 🛠️ Why starting over at age 50+ might be the most values-aligned move you make

• 💬 Reflections on legacy, mentors, and what makes the Finger Lakes… the Finger Lakes

Whether you’re curious about global development, entrepreneurship, or just love a good origin story — Mel delivers it all with heart, humor, and honesty.

📍 Learn more: https://www.klvineyards.com

Ep. 050 Gavin Wells, COO FX, LSEG

🎙️ Finding Meaning, Coaching with Depth, and the Work of Values with Gavin Wells

In this expansive and deeply thoughtful episode, I’m joined by Gavin Wells — leadership coach, former army officer, financial services executive, and author of the paper Finding Your Values: Why You May Want To — and Why It Shouldn’t Be a Lonely Task.

Gavin’s journey threads through military leadership, global business, coaching psychology, and personal introspection. What emerges is a powerful, researched-based perspective on how values give us not only meaning — but direction, dignity, and resilience.

In this episode, we explore:

• 🧭 Why values aren’t just words on a wall — but internal compasses that shape our decisions

• 🔍 The academic roots of values research, from Maslow to Rokeach to Stelter

• 💬 What happens when your behavior is in conflict with your values — and how that dissonance shows up

• 🧠 Why most people don’t know their values — and why it’s worth the deep work to find them

• 🔨 The research behind Gavin’s paper — including 12 discovery methods and real-world coaching insights

• 🤝 What values-based coaching requires from coaches: vulnerability, trust, structure, and congruence

• 🏢 How organizational values relate to — and sometimes clash with — individual ones

• 🌟 A powerful reflection on legacy, leadership, and making space for meaning at work

Whether you’re a coach, a leader, or someone exploring your own core beliefs, Gavin brings clarity and warmth to a topic that deserves far more depth than it usually gets.

📄 Read the paper: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2023-83189-014
📲 Connect with Gavin on LinkedIn: Gavin Wells | LinkedIn

Ep. 049 Jimmy Smith, Wine Educator, Bar Proprietor and YouTube Creator

🎙️ Communicating Wine, Building Businesses and Legacy with Jimmy Smith

In this episode, I talk with Jimmy Smith, founder of West London Wine School, co-founder of Streatham Wine House, co-owner of South London Wine School & the YouTube channel Wine with Jimmy, and more recently, a winemaker. What began as a teenage rebellion turned into a life-long commitment to breaking down barriers in wine education — and building a business (and life) grounded in curiosity, accessibility, and care. An entrepreneur at heart!

Jimmy shares the story of how a single compliment (“you communicate wine well”) set him on a path that now reaches across the globe. From launching his first wine school during a recession, to navigating a fire and a pandemic, to redefining what it means to be a leader and mentor — this conversation is filled with honesty, heart, and hard-earned wisdom.

This episode explores:

• 🧠 Why accessibility and respect are foundational to Jimmy’s wine education philosophy

• 🗣️ How communication became his guiding force — and core value

• 🚀 The early pivot from wine retail to education

• 🧃 From cellar work to classroom — how science caught up to curiosity

• 🔥 Starting over after recession, fire, and COVID — and growing from each one

• 🌍 Building a global brand (Wine with Jimmy) rooted in clarity and generosity

• 🧭 The values that drive Jimmy’s team: progression, ownership, and belonging

• 🧑‍🎓 Why students aren’t just “students” — they’re friends in the journey

• 🧤 Why mentorship, family, and trust are woven through his whole story

At its heart, this is a story about believing in people, staying curious, and knowing when it’s time to shift — again and again. Next time we’ll talk about Jeff!

📍 Learn more: https://winewithjimmy.com
📲 Follow Jimmy: YouTube

Ep. 048 Alfred Poor, PhD - Health Tech Futurist

🎙️ Be Nicer, Be Intentional, Leave It Better with Alfred Poor

In this episode, I talk with Alfred Poor — Health Tech Innovator, writer, speaker, mentor, and lifelong entrepreneur — about what happens when your values become your compass for life and work. From international childhood experiences to building a career based on clarity and service, Alfred shares stories and truths that are simple… but never simplistic.

This is a conversation about how small ideas like “be a little nicer” can ripple out to shape the way we treat each other, the way we lead, and the way we show up.

In this episode, we explore:

• 🌍 How living in India as a teen shaped Alfred’s lifelong worldview

• 📚 The moment 9th-grade comparative religion became a lifelong framework

• ✨ “Be nicer” and “leave it better than you found it” — two deceptively simple guiding values

• 🧭 How Quaker philosophy helped him define worth, dignity, and belonging

• 🤝 The mindset of service: doing things for others with no expectation of return

• 💼 What trust has to do with business — and why values-alignment builds loyalty

• 🔄 Why intention, not just action, is the foundation of authenticity

• 💬 His entrepreneurial truth: “Choosing not to make a choice… is still a choice.”

Alfred reminds us that our legacy isn’t built all at once — it’s built in small, daily acts of integrity, clarity, and compassion.

📍 Connect with Alfred: alfred@alfredpoor.com

Ep. 047 Lynne Fahy - GM & Winemaker, Hillick & Hobbs

🎙️ Intention, Intuition & Impact with Lynne Fahy

This conversation with Lynne Fahy, General Manager and Winemaker at Hillick & Hobbs, really brought together so many of the themes I’ve been exploring in the Vines and Values series.

I learned from our discussion that Lynne didn’t originally set out to be a winemaker. She was on track to become a physical therapist when she took a leap, and that leap turned into harvest work in New Zealand, Oregon, and eventually the Finger Lakes. Now she’s leading one of the region’s most exciting Riesling-focused wineries with a values-first approach that comes through in every decision — and every bottle.

In this episode, we talk about:

• 🌱 How “leave it better than you found it” became more than advice — it became a life philosophy

• 🍇 Making intuitive decisions in the vineyard and why grape tasting is more art than science

• 🎓 Her path from PT to GM, and what she's learned along the way

• 💡 What it means to lead with clarity, care, and curiosity

• 🌍 Sustainability, team culture, and building something that lasts

• 🍬 “Jellybeans,” vintage variation, and letting the wines speak for themselves

This is a story about listening (to yourself), legacy, leadership, and letting your values show up in every detail.

📍 Visit: https://hillickandhobbs.com

Ep. 046 Dr. Kent Tonkin - Professor Saint Francis University

🎙️ Empathy, Education & “Becoming That Someone” with Dr. Kent Tonkin

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Kent Tonkin, professor, consultant, musician, and grief educator. What starts as a discussion about leadership and values in the classroom quickly unfolds into something more: a story of grief, healing, self-awareness, and living with purpose.

Kent shares how early loss, emotional resilience, and powerful mentors shaped both his teaching style and his life. Whether he's consulting with manufacturing leaders or guiding students through transformational learning, Kent’s message is clear: values aren’t just personal — they’re relational.

This episode explores:

• 🎓 How vulnerability and transparency create more effective classrooms — and workplaces

• 💬 “Empathy doesn’t equal agreement” — why understanding matters more than convincing

• 🔥 Why Gen X might be the bridge between generations

• 📚 How grief shaped Kent’s journey — and led him to peer support, nonprofit fundraising, and research

• 🦇 Why Batman helped him believe in hope when he needed it most

• 🎸 What a Gibson bass and a student wedding have in common

• 💡 How “Become That Someone” is more than a motto at Saint Francis University — it’s a path forward, no matter your age

This one’s rich, real, and remarkably open — a story about how people grow, how values evolve, and how connection keeps us going.

📍 Learn more about Kent’s work at Saint Francis University: https://www.francis.edu

Ep. 045 John McGregor, McGregor Vineyard

🎙️ Love and Legacy with John McGregor of McGregor Vineyard

In this deeply personal and reflective episode, I talk with John McGregor of McGregor Vineyard, one of the oldest vinifera producers in the Finger Lakes.

John shares how his parents' bold leap from corporate life into winemaking planted more than just vines — it planted the roots of a life built on love, compassion, and presence. With a background in philosophy and anthropology, John brings a rare lens to his leadership, blending hands-on farming with thoughtful reflection.

Together, we explore:

• 🧬 The influence of family legacy — and how his father’s quiet integrity still guides the winery

• 🪵 Growing up with both independence and structure — from vineyard truck beds to competitive swimming

• 📚 How Daoist thought, Eastern philosophy, and the idea of “doing without doing” shaped his worldview

• 💭 The difference between information and knowledge — and why presence is everything

• 🍷 What it means to put your energy, your values, and even your ego into the wine itself

• 🛠️ Reclaiming the idea of terroir — not just as soil and slope, but as the character of the people who tend it

• 💡 Why “fun with integrity” may just be the guiding light McGregor has followed all along

This episode is about more than wine — it’s about knowing when to listen, when to let go, and what happens when you build something that reflects who you are.

📍 Learn more: https://www.mcgregorwinery.com

Ep. 044 Jon Lokhorst, Speaker, Trainer, Coach and Author

🎙️ Transitions, Leadership & Core Foundations with Jon Lokhorst

In this values-rich conversation, I talk with Jon Lokhorst, CPA turned leadership coach, speaker, and author of Mission-Critical Leadership. Together, we explore what it means to lead with intention, build a strong personal foundation, and honor the values that shape who we are — and who we’re becoming.

Jon shares his personal journey, from becoming a managing partner in public accounting to working in the nonprofit space, before launching his own leadership development practice. Throughout it all, his core values — especially growth mindset — have been a quiet compass, guiding him through transitions, both personal and professional.

This conversation explores:

• 🧭 How Jon’s “non-linear path” still lined up with his values

• 📈 Why growth mindset and lifelong learning shaped his identity

• 🧱 The importance of building a strong personal foundation — vision, mission, purpose, and values

• 🪞 Why core values aren’t one-and-done, but a reflection tool for life and leadership

• 📚 The story behind his book Mission-Critical Leadership and the power of leading in all directions

• 🔄 How transitions — big and small — reveal our deepest values

• 💬 Why self-awareness is the gateway to better leadership, deeper relationships, and long-term impact

From boardrooms to stages, Jon brings clarity and care to the practice of leadership — reminding us that values are not plaques on a wall, but daily decisions that build trust and character.

📍 Learn more: https://yourbestleadership.com

Ep. 043 Peter Weis, Weis Vineyards

🎙️ Building on Heritage with Peter Weis of Weis Vineyards

This conversation is part of what I’ve been calling the “Core Four” — the foundational wineries that helped launch the Vines and Values series of The Value of Values podcast. And with Peter Weis, it went somewhere I didn’t quite expect… deeper.

Peter is the 6th generation of a winemaking family from Germany’s Mosel Valley, now building a values-driven winery on Keuka Lake with his wife and partner, Ashlee Weis. Together, they’ve built Weis Vineyards from the ground up — often literally — and they’ve done it with intention, grit, and care.

A quiet but powerful thread through this episode is Peter’s Opa, whose legacy of hard work, craftsmanship, and care for the land shaped Peter’s own approach to wine and life. That influence is felt in the smallest details — and in the biggest choices.

This conversation explores:

• 🧬 How Peter’s Opa’s influences and shapes his values

• 🧱 For our business and entrepreneurial friends - listen up! Find out what it’s like building a winery today in a historic region, with no outside investors — just passion, reinvestment, and a deep belief in what they’re doing

• 💖 Ashlee and Peter’s partnership, from scrubbing out an 1887 barn to hosting their wedding in it

• 🌱 Why sustainability means more than just vineyard practices — it’s about people, intention, and community

• 🍷 How terroir is also about the people behind the wine

• 🔄 A reflection on legacy, family, and what it means to build something you’d be proud to hand down

This one is part history, part entrepreneurship, and all ❤️ — a masterclass in values, family, and quiet excellence.

📍 Learn more about Weis Vineyards: https://www.weisvineyards.com

Ep. 042 Jordan Harris, Winemaker/COO of Heron Hill Winery

🎙️ The Value of Values: Jordan Harris of Heron Hill Winery

In this thoughtful and entertaining episode of The Value of Values, I chat with Jordan Harris, seasoned winemaker and current head of winemaking and operations at Heron Hill Winery on Keuka Lake.

From wine education in Canada to competing internationally in sommelier competitions, Jordan’s journey is rich with twists, laughter, and deliberate choices. But it’s his deep clarity of values, both personal and professional, that grounds the conversation.

Together, we explore:

• 🍷 Why Jordan chose steel-toed boots and cellar floors over suits and Michelin stars

• 🌱 How Heron Hill is returning to its core mission: make world-class wines with sustainability, integrity, and people at the heart

• 🎯 The winery’s renewed focus on its values: sustainability, quality, people, and philanthropy — and how they show up in everything from vineyard practices to decision-making

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 How doughnuts and long-standing vineyard crews are part of Heron Hill’s people-first culture

• 🌍 Why sustainability means more than eco-practices — it’s also about community impact and financial health

• 🪵 The joy of getting your hands dirty, walking the vineyard, and being involved from vine to glass

This episode is a masterclass in intentional leadership, legacy-building, and choosing a values-aligned path — in wine and in life.

📍 Learn more about Heron Hill Winery: https://www.heronhill.com

Ep. 041 Sanjay Batra, Co-Founder WETHRIVV

🎙️ Curiosity, Ethos, and the Four Corners with Sanjay Batra, Co-Founder of WETHRIVV

In this reflective and deeply personal episode, I chat with Sanjay Batra, scientist, entrepreneur, and co-founder of WETHRIVV, a wellness and aesthetics company rooted in truth, beauty, and curiosity.

What emerges is a conversation not just about success, but about meaning — how values, science, and art intersect in business, family, and the way we live and lead.

Together, we explore:

• 🧠 How Sanjay’s upbringing and his father's influence shaped a lifelong pursuit of truth and curiosity

• 🧪 Why he left corporate pharma to build science-first, best-in-class products — including in his own family-run lab

• 🎨 The intersection of art and science in aesthetics, beauty, and product design

• 🧭 The role of ethos in guiding leadership and company culture

• 📞 Why he still picks up the phone to call customers directly — and what that reveals about connection

• 🧱 The importance of knowing your "four corners" — and how staying within them helps avoid burnout and regret

• 🤝 A mentor’s view on paying it forward, showing up, and staying curious — at every stage of life

This episode is about more than building a great company — it’s about building a meaningful life, grounded in values and driven by wonder.

📍 Learn more: https://wethrivv.com
📲 Connect with Sanjay on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sanjaybatraphd

Ep. 040 Citi Medina, Founder =Space

🎙️ Citi Medina Founder =SPACE

In this powerful episode of The Value of Values, I chat with Citi Medina, founder of =SPACE (Equal Space), and discover that Medina is building something far beyond a coworking space.

Depth + Connection “=SPACE” — in my opinion, the equation behind everything Medina stands for.

What began as a few extra desks in Newark has grown into a values-driven ecosystem rooted in equity, intentionality, and radical listening. Medina shares the journey of building Equal Space not as a business, but as a response — to the deep need for safe, affirming spaces where people can grow, rest, and lead.

This conversation explores:

• 🌱 How personal healing revealed deeper clarity and purpose

• 🔍 The difference between offering space and creating belonging

• 🔊 Listening as a leadership strategy — and when stepping out of the room is the right move

• 🧘 Why rest is not earned — it’s essential to sustainable leadership

• 🧱 The intentional design of a community-first environment that scales without losing soul

• 🤝 Why real connection, not transactions, is what drives growth and impact

Whether you're a leader, founder, builder, or someone reimagining how we live and work, this episode is a blueprint for building something meaningful — where your values don’t just guide the mission… they become the model.

📍 Learn more: https://equalspace.co
📲 Follow Medina: @citimedina

Ep. 039 Vineyard View Winery with Adam and Nikki Folts

🎙️ Vines & Values: Vineyard View Winery with Adam & Nikki Foltz

In this episode of The Value of Values, I chat with Adam and Nikki Folts, the passionate husband-and-wife team behind Vineyard View Winery, nestled in the heart of the Keuka Lake wine region.

Adam, a fifth-generation farmer and Air Force veteran, and Nikki, a nurse-turned-winery-owner, share their journey from grape growers to winery founders, rooted in legacy, stewardship, and deep connection to the land. They reflect on how values like family, integrity, hard work, and care are not only foundational to their personal lives but are also poured into every bottle they craft.

This conversation explores:

• How Adam and Nikki explored and aligned their core values before they even thought about marriage or starting a winery — and how that foundation still shapes everything they do

• The meaning of generational farming and sustainability

• The emotional bond to land and legacy

• How their values show up in their wine and visitor experience

• The influence of mentors like the late Tim Moore, a beloved winemaker and founder of Inspire Moore Winery, whose generous spirit and dedication to sustainable viticulture left an indelible mark on the Finger Lakes wine region

• Embracing new varietals like Traminette and Pet-Nat wines

• The unique spirit of the Keuka Lake wine region

🎖️ In Memory of Tim Moore – I didn’t know Tim, but what Adam & Nikki said makes me want to know about him a little more. They say if you speak someone’s name they live on, so thanks for sharing Tim’s name during the podcast. Learn more about Tim’s life and legacy: canandaigualakewinetrail.com/tim-moore-inspire-moore

Whether you listen to the pod for the wine, the values, or the people behind both — this episode is a reminder that great wine isn’t just made, it’s lived. What Adam and Nikki have built at Vineyard View is rooted in legacy, care, and a deep sense of place. It’s a perfect reflection of what Vines & Values is all about — where who you are shows up in what you create.

🌐 Learn more: https://vineyardviewwinery.com

Ep. 038 Rebecca Rutschmann - AI Coaching Consultant

AI, and the Future of Coaching with Rebecca Rutschmann

In this episode, I sit down with Rebecca Rutschmann, thought leader, technologist, and coach, to explore the evolving relationship between AI and human-centered coaching. From her early values-based approach to her career in tech, Rebecca’s journey has led her to the forefront of AI-driven coaching tools and frameworks.

We dive into why values like radical acceptance, presence and curiosity are more essential than ever—especially as coaching integrates AI into practice. Rebecca also explores the ethical, emotional, and technical challenges that come with building humanized AI systems, and how coaches can work with (not against) this technology.

Whether you're a coach, leader, or simply curious about the intersection of humanity and innovation, this is a must-listen conversation filled with honesty, insight, and inspiration.

Key Topics:

• The role of values congruence in family, coaching, and leadership

• How AI tools can enhance—not replace—the coaching relationship

• The importance of building ethical and principled AI frameworks

• The future of hybrid coaching: human and machine in collaboration

🎧 Tune in to explore how embracing change and staying rooted in values can guide us through the future of coaching and beyond.

Ep. 037 Meaghan Frank, Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars

Vines & Values: Exploring the Essence of Finger Lakes with Meaghan Frank

Welcome to the first episode of Vines & Values—a special series of the Value of Values podcast where we explore the intersection of core values, viticulture, winemaking and the wine business. 🍷✨ In this kickoff episode, I sit down with Meaghan Frank, fourth-generation leader of Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, one of the most historic and influential wineries in the Finger Lakes region and the USA.

Meaghan shares how her family's deep-rooted values—from “people as a source of our strength”, integrity and respect to education and empowerment—shape not just their wines, but also their company culture. We also explore a powerful question: Does a wine region have its own values framework? Can Keuka Lake and the Finger Lakes embody a distinct "Valroir"—a fusion of core values and terroir?

Key Topics:
🍇 The evolution of Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery and its commitment to people as a source of our strength
🍷 How core values shape a winery’s culture and long-term success
🍷 Why the H.E.L.M. (Hilda, Eugenia, Lena & Margrit) is central to the winery’s history and importance in steering the culture
🌍 Exploring the concept of Valroir—how values and terroir intertwine
📚 The role of education and mentorship in the wine industry
🛠️ Unique company initiatives—from team-wide WSET training to workplace meditation circles

This conversation sets the stage for an exciting journey into how values define winemaking, leadership, and legacy. If you love wine, culture, and deep conversations, you won’t want to miss this episode.

🎧 Listen now and explore the soul of winemaking beyond the glass!

Ep. 036 Vines and Values...?

What if a wine region had more than just terroir—what if it had a values framework?

In this special new series, Vines & Values, I take my exploration of core values into the world of winemaking, starting with the Finger Lakes wine region. I’m interested in exploring the deep traditions, passion, and philosophy of winemakers, this series goes beyond the technical aspects of wine and uncovers the values that shape the people, the businesses, and ultimately, what ends up in the bottle!

I’m sharing a little behind the reason for doing a series called Vines & Values, introducing the wineries that helped launch this project, and sets the stage for the compelling conversations ahead.

Topics Covered:

• The origins of Vines & Values and how it connects to The Value of Values podcast

• Why values matter in winemaking and business

• What to expect from future episodes

Let us know—what do you think shapes a winery beyond terroir? BTW…I’ll be talking about this in terms of “Valroir” (values + terroir).

So if you're interested in how values shape businesses, communities, and industries, stay tuned. Vines & Values is coming soon, and I can’t wait to share these conversations with you.

Ep. 035 - June Toth - A Values-Driven Leader in Action

Core Values, Leadership, and Building Community with June Toth

In this episode, I chat with June Toth, the 2024/2025 President of the New Jersey Society of CPAs and a principal at WilkinGuttenplan to discuss the power of core values, leadership, and building a thriving professional community.  June is truly a values-driven leader in action, embodying resilience, integrity, and service in every aspect of her career.

Her journey—from working full-time while attending college at night to becoming a CPA and a sought after leader in the accounting profession—highlights how mentorship, authenticity, and purpose-driven leadership can shape careers and create a culture of trust and collaboration.

We explore the importance of culture and values in the workplace, why fostering a community-driven mindset leads to success, and how organizations can attract and retain talent by staying true to their core values.

Key Topics:

• The role of values and ethics in leadership

• How mentorship can change careers and lives

• Building a culture of trust, respect, and collaboration

• The evolving landscape of the accounting profession and what the next generation values

• Why authenticity and resilience are key traits for success

June’s passion for leadership and service is truly inspiring—this conversation is packed with insights for professionals at all levels looking to align their work with their values.