Ep. 073 Jim Quarella Bellview Winery

📄 Show Summary

In this conversation, I sit down with Jim Quarella from Bellview Winery, where we explore 25 years of New Jersey wine, family legacy, and what it means to grow something from the ground up — literally. From vegetable farming to vinifera, from two acres at age 16 to over 20 wine grape varieties today, Jim walks through the real work behind wine — the land, the weather, the humility required, and the joy of seeing a guest’s face light up during that first taste. We talk values, vintage variation, new hybrid varieties, and why wine is more than a drink — it’s connection.

We explore:

• The journey from family farm (est. 1914) to winery (est. 2000)

• Family & quality as the core values driving Bellview

• Growing over 20 grape varieties — and why experimentation matters

• Sustainability & disease-resistant genetics for the future of wine

• Vintage variation, palate evolution, and why spitting matters at tastings

• Why wine is community, story, and shared table — not pretension

• The New Jersey wine scene: progress, camaraderie & sustainability

Ep. 072 Mike Beneduce - Beneduce Vineyards

📄 Show Summary

In this conversation, I sit down with Mike from Beneduce Vineyards — a winemaker shaped by family roots, land, and a grandmother's influence that still guides his work today. What unfolds is a rich exploration of passion, farming, and legacy, and how wine becomes more than a drink — it becomes story. Soil, weather, people, memory… bottled.

Together, we explore discover 5 things most people don’t know about wine — the things you won’t often hear in tasting rooms, marketing campaigns, or wine culture:

1. You don’t need wine vocabulary or expertise to enjoy wine.
Wine has been unintentionally gatekept for generations. Joy comes first — language comes later, if ever.

2. Vintage variation isn’t inconsistency — it’s identity.
Some wineries chase sameness. Here, the year matters. Weather writes chapters in the bottle.

3. Great wine doesn’t require Old World prestige.
Blind tastings change everything. Sometimes the best bottle is the one grown 30 minutes away.

4. Marketing sells wine — terroir makes wine.
Quality comes from the vineyard, not the label. Farming decisions carry more weight than PR.

5. Winemaking starts in the soil — long before stainless steel or oak.
Clone choices, canopy management, light vs. shade… flavor is grown, not manufactured.

We explore passion and risk, collaboration among wineries, the pursuit of craft over shortcuts, and the long-game mindset it takes to make wine meant to outlive the person who planted the vines. This episode is for wine lovers, growers, and anyone curious about how values + land shape what ends up in the glass.

Ep. 071 Marshall Goldsmith, Business Coach and Leadership Thought Leader

🎙️ SHOW SUMMARY

This conversation with Marshall Goldsmith is one of those rare moments where wisdom lands so clearly that you feel it in your chest. We cover generosity, values, daily discipline, human behavior, and the courageous honesty required to look in the mirror. Marshall takes us into his world of “knowledge philanthropy,” his philosophy of helping people live “just a little better life,” and the humbling daily practices he uses himself — even as the world’s top leadership thinker.

We talk about values alignment, the six daily questions, the tension between knowing and doing, lessons from Peter Drucker, how leaders stay anchored during uncertainty, the purpose-driven lives of people who inspired him, and the simple power of imagining your 95-year-old self offering advice.

It’s honest. It’s challenging. And there’s so much heart in it. We explore:

Marshall’s idea of “knowledge philanthropy” and why he shares everything freely

• Why generosity matters more as we age

• LinkedIn as a platform for meaning, community, and “one better minute”

• Marshall’s core value: helping people have a little better life

• The six daily questions that improve happiness, meaning, and engagement

• Why most people quit the process in two weeks

• The painful truth about measuring your life vs. talking about your values

• Lessons from other leaders that have impacted him

• Values alignment vs. burnout

• How professions rooted in purpose sustain energy over time

• The discipline of letting go

• The “95-year-old self” exercise and the three life lessons people regret ignoring

• Why helping others matters for reasons far deeper than success

Ep. 070 Dustin Tarpine, Cedar Rose Vineyards

🎙️ SHOW NOTES

This conversation with Dustin from Cedar Rose Vineyards is one of those episodes where the story behind the wine is as compelling as what’s in the glass.

We talk about origin stories, hard work, terroir, New Jersey’s evolving wine identity, and what it actually takes to build something from absolute scratch—no shortcuts, no safety nets, no pretense.

What struck me most was the honesty. The humility. The grit. And the way a vineyard can carry the fingerprints—literal and figurative—of the people who tend it.

This episode isn’t just about wine. It’s about purpose, values, identity, and the kind of perseverance that can only come from deciding you’re going to create something real, even when the path makes zero sense on paper.

What this episode explores

• The rise of the New Jersey wine industry and why quality—not quantity—is its defining story.

• How Dustin and Steve went from clearing land with a chainsaw to planting 20 acres… and then building an entire winery from raw farmland.

• Vintage variation, terroir, and why “truth in the bottle” matters more than marketing.

• Cedar Rose’s values: authenticity, hard work, 100% Jersey-grown fruit, and keeping the wines honest to place.

• The birth of Vine Tech and how vineyard management became part of the story.

• Running a business through autonomy, trust, and genuine collaboration—not hierarchy.

• Why people increasingly care who makes their wine and how it’s made.

• What it means to build something with purpose, not permission.

Ep. 069 Jenn Todling - Author

🎧 Show Notes

In this episode, I welcome back my first repeat guest, Jenn Todling from Ep. 006! This conversation is a case study in courage, creativity, and personal evolution.

When we first talked, she was standing at the edge of change: leaving a 20-year career in public accounting, finishing her master’s degree, and writing her first book. Now, she returns on the other side of that leap — grounded, grateful, and more herself than ever.

We explore how values informed her decision to leave stability for purpose, what it takes to rewire a life built on urgency into one led by authenticity, and how she’s learning to listen to the quiet wisdom of her body and her gut.

This is a conversation about transformation — creative, professional, and deeply human.

We discuss:

• What it takes to walk away from security and step into the unknown

• Reclaiming identity after years in corporate culture

• Energy work, nervous system regulation, and self-care as leadership practices

• The vulnerability and freedom of writing a memoir

• Building community, finding your authentic expression, and dancing through change

• Why trusting your gut isn’t reckless — it’s wisdom in motion

Ep. 068 Matthew Horkey - YouTuber, Author, Speaker

🎙️ Show Notes

In this captivating conversation, Dr. Matthew Horkey shares his extraordinary journey from chiropractor to world-traveling wine expert and YouTube creator. What began with a childhood curiosity about “communion wine” grew into a lifelong pursuit of travel, taste, and meaning.

Together, we explore:

• How a chance viewing of Sideways sparked his fascination with wine.

• The practical lessons he learned from seven years traveling the globe and tasting thousands of wines.

• The role of core values—and how knowing yours shapes every decision and outcome.

• Why curiosity might be the ultimate value that sustains purpose and creativity.

• How values reveal themselves in winemakers, regions, and even in the character of a bottle itself.

• The unseen discipline behind wine competitions, content creation, and global judging.

• Reflections on mentors, humility, and what it means to keep showing up—no matter what.

At its heart, this episode isn’t just about wine; it’s about the human pursuit of alignment—between who we are, what we value, and how we live it every day.

Ep. 067 Scott Donnini - Auburn Road Vineyards

🎙️ Show Summary

In this grounded and heartfelt conversation, I sit down with Scott Donnini from Auburn Road Vineyards — a former corporate lawyer turned winemaker — to explore how values, terroir, and intention intersect to shape not only the wine in the glass but the life behind it.

We talk about how Valroir — my fusion of values and terroir — reveals itself in every bottle, every vineyard, and every act of creation. Scott shares how leaving a high-powered legal career led him and his wife, Jules, to a life rooted in creativity, connection, and courage. We unpack what it means to live deliberately, to “find what you love and let it kill you,” and to infuse purpose into every act — from plowing fields to pouring wine.

It’s a conversation about art, authenticity, and the quiet power of living by what matters most.

💡 Highlights

• The origin of Valroir — how values and terroir intertwine to express place and purpose

• The philosophy behind “Everything Matters” and Auburn Road’s soulful approach to winemaking

• How Scott and Jules built a life centered on creativity, courage, and partnership

• Why imperfection, compassion, and consciousness belong in the same bottle

• Lessons from 20 years of farming, hospitality, and community — and what it means to be truly “great” at what you do

• The wisdom of Walt Whitman, Bugs Bunny, and Bukowski — unlikely but perfectly fitting heroes in the vineyard of life

Ep. 066 Holly Benner - Metta Performance

🎧 Show Summary

In this heartfelt and high-energy conversation, I sit down with Holly Benner, Metta Performance, to explore what it really means to pursue excellence — not just in sport, but in life. From her journey as a rower chasing Olympic dreams to her evolution as a leadership and performance coach, Holly shares how she helps high-achievers balance ambition with self-compassion.

We talk about the power of values, redefining what it means to “coach,” and the subtle art of translating lessons from endurance sports into business and personal growth. Along the way, we touch on courage, community, and the surprising ways physical challenges mirror the inner ones.

It’s an inspiring reflection on drive, balance, and the transformative energy of doing hard things — not to prove something, but because you love it.

💡 Episode Highlights

• The story behind Holly’s transition from Olympic training to leadership coaching

• How Metta Performance (METTA) blends athletic and executive coaching

• What it truly means to be a “Type A+” personality — and how to thrive with it

• The difference between training plans and coaching

• How values evolve and serve as a compass for fulfillment

• “Metta” as loving-kindness: why softening your inner dialogue changes everything

• Why everyone is an athlete — and how movement becomes meditation

• Lessons from endurance sports that fuel clarity, courage, and compassion

Living Between Two Selves | Duality, Identity & My Type 1.5 Diabetes

🎙️ Show Summary

This quick rant - something to get off my chest - goes into the space between who we think we are and who the world expects us to be. I open up about a personal health diagnosis—Type 1.5 diabetes—and how it’s reshaped my understanding of control, identity, and duality. From the Brooks Brothers “A side” to the Bukowski “B side,” it’s an honest exploration of living in between, and what it means to finally bring more of yourself—flawed, whole, and human—into every part of your life.

What this episode explores:

• The lifelong tension between the polished professional and the creative rebel

• The shock of a Type 1.5 diabetes diagnosis—and how it reframed control and vulnerability

• Why identity and illness can both strip away illusion and reveal truth

• The call to live with more honesty, imperfection, and presence

• The reminder that our core values are the very anchors we need most in uncertain seasons

Ep. 065 Marcia Reynolds, PsyD, MCC

🎧 Show Summary

In this rich, human conversation with Marcia, we explore what it truly means to know who you are. From childhood expectations to career pivots, from judgment to curiosity, and from the noise of doing to the quiet of being seen—this exchange goes deep into values, identity, and the timeless search for meaning.

Together, we reflect on:

• The intersection of values and identity—how knowing what fulfills you shapes who you are.

• The tension between shoulds and authentic joy—why so many live by others’ expectations.

• How coaching helps people see the narratives they can’t see themselves.

• The role of education and why self-awareness should start early.

• How judgment shows up in our bodies—and how curiosity transforms it.

• The need for human connection in an AI-driven world.

• Finding courage in uncertainty, resilience in heritage, and meaning in contribution.

This isn’t just a conversation about coaching—it’s about being human and remembering what it means to be truly seen.

Ep. 064 Gina Martin - Executive Coach

🎙 Show Summary

In this conversation, I chat with executive coach Gina Martin, whose journey to executive coach and cancer survivor reveals the power of living in alignment with one’s values. Together they explore how self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and integrity shape the way we lead and love — both in business and in life.

Gina shares how her experience with breast cancer redefined her core values, moving achievement to the backseat and elevating love, health, and family. She offers thoughtful insights on behavioral change, conscious choice, and the balance between results and empathy in leadership. Their discussion also touches on coaching’s evolving relationship with AI, and the reminder that our humanity — love, gratitude, and connection — remains irreplaceable.

Key themes include:

• The link between values, fulfillment, and self-awareness

• How life-changing events realign what truly matters

• The intersection of emotional intelligence and leadership accountability

• Why trust and data are the twin pillars of effective coaching

• The evolving conversation around AI and the “flight to humanity”

• The enduring importance of love as a core value and leadership force

Ep. 063 Ryan Miller - Founder Peaky Hat

🎧 Show Summary

In this conversation, I sit down with Ryan Miller, founder of Peaky Hat, a small business redefining what it means to wear confidence — one cap at a time.

What began as a simple Facebook ad turned into a deep dialogue about craftsmanship, values, and legacy. Ryan shares how his journey from corporate consulting to hat design became an act of creative and personal renewal.

This episode explores what happens when you infuse business with heart — when quality, purpose, and humanity guide every decision. It’s about finding meaning in the making, honoring family, and building a community around something more than style.

We talk about:

• The evolution from digital strategy to handcrafted design

• The three pillars behind Peaky Hat: quality, experience, and integrity

• Turning a simple cap into a symbol of confidence and connection

• The story behind the “Bob Wayne” hat — and how it honors Ryan’s father

• How entrepreneurship can bring family, creativity, and values together

Ep. 062 Lewin Keller - Founder CoachBot.ai

In this conversation with Lewin from CoachBot.ai, we explore the evolving relationship between technology, coaching, and humanity. There is a deep reflection on presence, values, and how we define freedom in a rapidly changing world.

Together, we examine how personal growth, spiritual awareness, and technology intersect — and why the rise of AI makes it more essential than ever to stay rooted in what makes us human.

Episode Highlights:

• How love, growth, and freedom interact in moments of peace and stress

• Redefining freedom — from financial independence to spiritual surrender

• The evolution of AI coaching and the call for ethical, values-driven design

• Why the future of technology must include philosophers, not just engineers

• A candid look at what makes human coaching irreplaceable

Ep. 061 Dr. Joanne Ciulla, Professor and Director of the Institute for Ethical Leadership - Rutgers University

🎙️ Show Summary

In this powerful and thought-provoking conversation, I chat with Dr. Joanne Ciulla, Professor and Director of the Institute for Ethical Leadership at Rutgers University, to explore the intersection of AI, ethics, philosophy, and humanity.

What unfolds is a rare philosophical deep dive into how artificial intelligence challenges our understanding of agency, morality, and consciousness—and what it reveals about us as human beings.

Together, they discuss everything from moral decision-making in AI, the trolley problem, and the role of fear and courage in modern society, to the importance of critical thinking, literature, and philosophy in shaping ethical leaders of the future.

🧭 This is a grounded, deeply human reflection on what it means to live—and lead—consciously in the age of intelligent machines.

Key topics explored:

• The philosophical roots of AI and what they reveal about human understanding

• What makes an entity an “agent” — and whether AI can ever qualify

• Moral accountability, bias, and the illusion of AI objectivity

• The “trolley problem” and the ethics of decision-making in autonomous systems

• Why humanities and philosophy are essential in an AI-driven world

• The dangers of fear—and courage as a modern moral virtue

• How critical thinking and kindness shape ethical leadership

Ep. 060 Mike Whitney, Adoria Vineyeards, Owner

In this episode, I talk with with Mike Whitney, an American entrepreneur who left the corporate boardroom to build one of Poland’s first modern wineries. What began as a risk has become a story of quality, grit, and values shaping not only a business but a life.

We dive into what it means to hold firm to standards, how core values translate into wine and leadership, and why mistakes and humility might be the greatest teachers of all. Mike shares his journey from CFO and global executive to farmer, winemaker, and father—and what it takes to build something lasting from the ground up.

What this episode explores:

• Building Poland’s first modern winery and the courage to start from scratch

• How quality standards become non-negotiable values in business

• Reflections on family, sacrifice, and choosing presence over corporate success

• Insights from mentors, Stoic philosophy, and ancient wisdom

• Why mistakes are essential to growth and freedom

• A story of Easter eggs, cotton candy, and learning by failing forward

Ep. 059 Luka Pelicarić, Lead Guide & Tour Creator Free Spirit Tours - Croatia

🎙 Show Summary

In this reflective and deep spirited conversation, I chat with Luka—a historian, cultural anthropologist, a modern philosopher who happens to be the Lead Guide and Tour Creator for Free Spirit Tours in Croatia. He brings history to life with humor, passion, and authenticity. We dive into how his journey led from studying law to guiding thousands of people through Zagreb and beyond, and why he sees guiding as equal parts teaching, storytelling, and stand-up comedy. Luka shares the role of honesty and being true to oneself, the impact of growing up with a love of history, and his belief that despite politics and division, people everywhere share common values of kindness and connection.

This episode explores what it means to craft experiences, stay authentic, and live by values that guide both work and life.

Episode Highlights:

• Luka’s path from law school to history and tour guiding

• Why guiding is a blend of history, storytelling, and comedy

• The importance of museums and memory in Croatia’s cultural identity

• Core values Luka lives by: honesty and being true to oneself

• Insights on how people across the world are more alike than different

• Reflections on family influence, mentors, and heroes (including Kobe Bryant’s Mamba mentality)

• How humor, preparation, and presence create lasting impact

Ep. 058 Joel Zeff Humorist, Author and Keynote Speaker

In this conversation, I sit down with Joel to explore his incredible journey from journalism and PR into the world of comedy, improv, and keynote speaking. Joel shares the pivotal moments that shaped his path, from discovering the magic of improv to merging humor with leadership lessons. Along the way, he opens up about his values—fun, whimsy, giving back, and education—and how they’ve guided his career and life choices. This is a reflection on passion, presence, and the importance of finding joy in the work we do.

What this episode explores:

• Joel’s leap from journalism into improv and comedy

• The turning point when improv became a calling

• How humor and leadership found common ground in his career

• Lessons improv teaches about change, presence, and teamwork

• The power of giving back—scholarships, mentorship, and whimsy

• Why fun should be part of every career and workplace

Ep. 057 Dan Bissell Head Winemaker, Keuka Spring Vineyards

🎙 Show Summary

In this reflective conversation with winemaker Dan Bissell of Keuka Spring Vineyards, we explore how hospitality, community, and history intertwine with the craft of wine. Dan shares his journey from bartending in New Jersey to finding purpose in the Finger Lakes, where each vintage tells a story of nature, people, and place. Together we discuss the culture of teamwork, the balance of science and magic in winemaking, and the way intention and emotion end up in every bottle.

What we explore in this episode:

• How Dan’s path from hospitality led to winemaking

• The “bug” of wine and why it’s a never-ending pursuit

• Vintage variation in the Finger Lakes and why it matters

• Balancing science with the magic of winemaking

• Hospitality roots, culture, and teamwork in both service and cellar

• The importance of community, wine clubs, and shared stories

• How history and place shape Keuka Spring’s wines

Ep. 056 Aleksandar Zecevic, WineEnthusiast Writer

🎙️ Authenticity, Wine Hybrids, and Hemingway: A Conversation with Aleksandar Zecevic

In this killer episode, I chat with a wine writer for WineEnthusiast and former Wine Spectator reviewer Aleksandar Zecevic. What starts as a deep dive into PIWIs (fungus-resistant hybrid grapes) for my WSET Diploma research paper becomes a thoughtful exploration of authenticity, sustainability, and the shifting values in the wine world and beyond.

What we explore in this episode:

• The ethics and environmental promise of hybrid grape varieties (PIWIs)

• The paradox of wine marketing vs. wine’s agricultural roots

• Alexander’s personal journey into wine and journalism

• The challenges of tasting notes, subjectivity, and structure in wine reviews

• Reflections on authenticity, storytelling, and the influence of Hemingway

• Why describing a cat says just as much about your values as your job does

• A touch of philosophy, a dash of sarcasm, and plenty of honesty

Here is the WineEnthusiast article I referenced: https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/wine/hybrid-and-piwi-grape-climate-change/?srsltid=AfmBOooW3tzvU3osg06ZHzB4FIqRu3V7jc4eFZ8Fo2nd84iReE0KPqxR

Ep. 055 Daniel Budmen, Scout Vineyards

In this grounded and thoughtful conversation, I chat with Daniel Budmen, co-founder of Scout Vineyards on the west side of Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes region of New York. What started as a shared dream between two young winemakers evolved into something much more — a story of community, intention, and inherited wisdom.

Daniel shares what drew him and his wife Olivia back to the Finger Lakes, their mission-driven approach to starting Scout Vineyards, and the deep roots of collaboration that define the region. We explore the often-overlooked values baked into winegrowing — patience, generosity, stewardship — and what it means to carry forward both ancestral and community-driven values in every bottle.

💡 Highlights from this episode:

• Why a sense of place and people defines the Finger Lakes wine region

• The origin story of Scout Vineyards, and why its name carries layered meaning

• How mentorship, shared wisdom, and generosity shape the winemaking community

• The importance of mission statements in aligning growth with purpose

• What happens when wine becomes more than a product — and instead, a shared story