Ep. 102 Woody Woodward, Chief Coaching Officer, BetterUp

Ep. 102 Dr. Woody Woodward, Chief Coaching Officer BetterUp

Thomas Metelski

In this episode of The Value of Values, I sit down with Dr. Woody Woodward, Chief Coaching Officer at BetterUp, for a thoughtful conversation about values, leadership, coaching, and what it means to lead in an increasingly complex world.

We explore why values matter most when circumstances are uncertain, how leaders can identify the values they truly live—not just the ones they aspire to—and why clarity around those values creates trust, consistency, and confidence in those we lead.

Woody shares the values discovery process he has used with leaders, executives, and coaching students for years, along with insights from his own journey. We discuss relationships, achievement, playfulness, craftsmanship, coaching, and the importance of continually examining ourselves as leaders and human beings.

We also explore the impact of AI on the workplace, the growing need for reflection in a reactive world, and why the future of leadership may depend as much on self-awareness and values as it does on strategy and technology.

Some conversations leave you with answers. This one leaves you with better questions.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why values become critical when leaders face uncertainty
• How to distinguish aspirational values from lived values
• The four-part litmus test for identifying what you truly value
• Why values create trust and predictability in leadership
• How values evolve through life experiences and major transitions
• The concept of values congruence and its impact on work and life
• Why relationships remain foundational to leadership effectiveness
• The role of playfulness, humor, and balance in leadership
• The growing importance of reflection in a fast-moving AI-driven world
• The science and craft of coaching
• Lessons from Stoicism, self-awareness, and examining our assumptions
• Why improving the human experience of work remains an enduring leadership challenge

Ep. 101 Mike Halpern, Ocean City Winery

Ep. 101 Mike Halpern Ocean City Winery

Thomas Metelski

This conversation explores what happens when a lifetime of business, engineering, public service, and problem-solving gets poured back into the land. Mike Halpern from Ocean City Winery in New Jersey shares the realities of building a winery from the ground up in New Jersey — not from a romantic fantasy, but from persistence, adaptability, spreadsheets, family, and a willingness to keep pivoting when conditions change.

What stood out to me was how much leadership showed up in unexpected places: volunteer firefighting, parenting, agriculture, customer conversations, and even rebuilding vineyards after deer damage and litigation. This wasn’t just a conversation about wine. It was a conversation about awareness, resilience, honesty, and learning how to respond when life changes the conditions around you.

There’s also something deeply human in hearing someone who has traveled the world, worked at high levels in business, and still finds peace sitting alone in a tractor spraying vines for six hours.

This episode explores:

• How problem-solving frameworks from firefighting shaped Mike’s leadership style

• Why adaptability and “pivoting” are essential in both business and farming

• The hidden realities and economics behind running a winery

• The importance of honesty, fairness, hard work, and empathy in leadership

• What farming taught Mike’s children about responsibility and discipline

• Why customer listening matters more than ego in product development

• The differences between growing grapes on opposite coasts of New Jersey

• The emotional connection between terroir, labor, and what ends up in the bottle

• Why great businesses require both passion and financial awareness

• The value of staying connected to local agriculture, local people, and local stories

Ep. 100 Tim Harrison, Global Expert on AI in Coaching

Ep. 100 Tim Harrison, Global Expert on AI in Coaching

Thomas Metelski

Tim Harrison isn't someone who stumbled into purpose — he excavated it. From a Division I basketball career that ended with a torn meniscus and a hard pivot, to turning down a dream job at Accenture because Howard Thurman's words hit him like a two-by-four — what makes you come alive? — Tim has been doing the harder, slower, more deliberate work of building a life around three C's: Contribution, Cultivation, Connection.

This conversation moves from a heckler in a 400-person room, to a Christmas Eve discovery of ChatGPT, to a nonprofit that raised six-figure support out of public conflict. But what's underneath all of it is something Tim calls simply: who we are is how we prompt. The technology changes. The question of who's operating it doesn't. That's the thread this episode pulls on — and it doesn't let go.

Ep. 099 Prince Johnson, 2026 New York State Teacher of the Year

Ep. 099 Prince Johnson, 2026 NYS Teacher of the Year

Thomas Metelski

Show Notes

There’s something powerful about hearing someone talk about education not as a system… but as a responsibility.

In this conversation with 2026 New York State Teacher of the Year Prince Johnson, we explore what happens when teaching becomes bigger than curriculum, testing, or even the classroom itself. What started as a conversation about an award quickly became a deeper discussion about vocational education, sustainability, identity, leadership, and the spaces “between systems” where real transformation often happens.

Prince shares his path from pre-med student to teacher, from working at Rikers Island to advocating for career and technical education, and how food, history, culture, and sustainability can intersect in ways that make students feel seen. This conversation challenged me to think differently about leadership — noticing students, employees, or people who are quietly blending into the wall… and deciding not to let them disappear. Leadership should start in the classroom, not the boardroom!

What This Episode Explores

• The intense process behind becoming New York State Teacher of the Year

• Why leadership often begins with self-reflection and identity

• The hidden inequities inside education and workforce development

• How career and technical education can restore dignity and opportunity

• The connection between sustainability, systems thinking, and leadership

• Why some students thrive outside traditional academic models

• The importance of meeting people where they are

• How food, culture, and history can create deeper engagement in learning

• The “spaces between systems” where innovation often happens

• The difference between teaching information and inspiring action

Ep. 098 Tom Bergeron, Owner/Editor BINJE

Ep. 098 Tom Bergeron Owner and Editor BINJE.com

Thomas Metelski

Show Notes

There was something grounding about this conversation with Tom Bergeron, the owner/editor of BINJE.com - Business in New Jersey Everyday news site.

Not just in what was said—but in how it was said.

We explored leadership through a lens that doesn’t get enough attention:
character under repetition.

When you’re doing something over and over again—interview after interview, decision after decision—it becomes easy to move fast, to treat interactions as routine.

But for the person on the other side…that moment might matter more than you realize.

That tension—between volume and presence—kept surfacing.

And underneath it, a deeper truth:
Leadership isn’t about control. It’s about creating the conditions for others to operate.

Whether it’s journalism, business, or building something new…
the leaders who scale are the ones who trust, let go, and stay anchored in character.

What this episode explores

• The role of character, integrity, and honesty in high-volume decision environments

• Why each interaction matters more to the other person than it does to you

• The evolution of media—and what it reveals about trust and credibility today

• Why attention spans aren’t shrinking—choice is expanding

• Leadership as setting direction, then letting people operate

• The danger of micromanagement and over-structure in scaling organizations

• How strong leaders create environments where people can try, fail, and succeed

• Why culture fit and values alignment outweigh raw talent

• A reframing of “job hopping” as a search for alignment, not instability

• How treating interns (and early talent) reflects the true culture of an organization

• Why business journalism—and business itself—is ultimately about relationships and connection

Ep. 097 Nova Cadamatre Master of Wine

Ep. 097 - Nova Cadamatre, Master of Wine

Thomas Metelski

Show Notes

There’s a difference between saying you value quality… and building something where every single decision reflects it.

This conversation with Nova Cadamatre, a Master of Wine (MW) is a masterclass in intentional leadership. Not loud. Not performative. But deeply considered down to the bottle, the cork, the label, and the long-term strategy behind a business most people would assume is driven by tradition alone.

What stood out to me wasn’t just the commitment to quality or creativity—it was the discipline behind it. The willingness to say no. The ability to pause and think. And the courage to keep going when shutting it down would’ve been completely reasonable.

There’s a thread running through this entire conversation:
👉 Leadership isn’t just about doing more.
👉 It’s about knowing when to stop, reflect, and decide what actually matters.

And when that clarity shows up… everything changes.

What this episode explores:

• The difference between authentic brands vs. “marketing brands”

• How quality as a core value shows up in real decisions—not just words

• The role of intentional design and subconscious consumer psychology

• Why being experimental and “edgy” requires discipline, not chaos

• The power of “think time” in leadership and decision-making

• How reflection drives clarity, energy, and better decisions

• A defining leadership moment during 2020 disruption—shut down vs. go all in

• What it means to ride the “winds of change” instead of resisting them

• The importance of focus, saying no, and protecting core competency

• How growth without discipline leads to brand dilution and strategic drift

Ep. 096 - Mike Renna - CEO SJI

Ep. 096 - Mike Renna, CEO SJI

Thomas Metelski

Show Summary

There’s a certain kind of leadership you don’t have to explain. You can feel it.

In this conversation with Mike Renna, the CEO of SJI, what stood out wasn’t just what was said about values—but how consistently those values showed up in decisions, culture, and outcomes over time.

Integrity. Authenticity. Humility.

Not as words—but as operating principles.

We explored what it actually takes to build a culture where people trust leadership…where innovation is expected…where change is embraced…where people genuinely want to explore their career - where ever that takes them.

What this episode explores:

• How early life experiences shape leadership values and decision-making

• Why integrity isn’t optional if you want real leadership

• The connection between authenticity and trust in leadership curation

• What it takes to build a culture people don’t want to leave

• How values show up in moments of change and uncertainty

• Why innovation is often a byproduct of culture—not a mandate

• The difference between developing people vs. trying to replicate yourself

• How organizations sustain culture over decades—not just define it once

• The role of inclusion, safety, and service as lived—not stated—values

• Why leadership is learned…not inherited

Ep. 095 - Tamer El-Ashmawy - Executive Leader

Ep. 095 Tamer El-Ashmawy Executive Leader

Thomas Metelski

Show Notes

There’s something interesting that happens when you step into conversations with leaders from very different environments.

Different countries. Different industries. Different lived experiences.

And yet… when the conversation gets real—when it moves from strategy to decisions—you start to hear similar questions underneath it all.

In this conversation, Tamer El-Ashmawy brings that to life through his own journey. From the stillness of the desert to the complexity of global business, he shares how clarity isn’t something you force—it’s something you create space for.

But what stood out most wasn’t where he’s worked… it’s how he thinks. The discipline of asking hard questions. The refusal to separate who you are from how you lead. And the belief that values aren’t something you talk about—they’re something you’re tested on.

Not as a theory. Just as something that seems to show up… again and again.

Episode Themes

• Why leaders often find clarity only after stepping away from the noise

• The role of self-questioning in building real self-awareness

• Values as a practical filter for decisions—not a philosophical exercise

• The difference between achieving results and sustaining a team

• Why leadership is defined by how you do things, not just what you achieve

• Patterns that emerge across different environments when decisions get real

• Learning leadership not just from executives—but from everyday interactions

Ep. 094 Rick Rainey, Managing Partner - Forge Cellars

Ep. 094 Rick Rainey, Managing Partner Forge Cellars

Thomas Metelski

🎙 Show Notes

This conversation goes deep into the reality behind doing something meaningful — the grind, the cost, the authenticity, and the quiet satisfaction that keeps people in it. Rick Rainey from Forge Cellars talks candidly about building a winery, balancing optimism with hard reality, learning to live with uncertainty, and why “following the path” sometimes means jumping without a plan.

It’s not just about wine. It’s about the mindset that sits behind craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, and staying human in a world that increasingly feels transactional. We talk about resilience, authenticity, discomfort, craft, family, and why the most meaningful work rarely comes easy.

What the episode explores

• The hard truth behind entrepreneurship: not the highlight reel, but the grind

• Why authenticity is not a buzzword — it’s a lived cost

• Hyper-realism as a survival skill in small business

• Discomfort, pain, and growth — the real ingredients of evolution

• How values shape decisions under pressure

• Why small producers are creating meaning that mass scale cannot replicate

• Family, legacy, and the impact of modeling values for the next generation

• The emotional connection between craft, land, people, and purpose

Ep. 093 Rudy Racine, Author and founder of HireLearners

Ep. 093 Rudy Racine Author and founder of HireLearners

Thomas Metelski

Show Summary

There’s something off in the way we talk about work.

We say we value people.
We say connection matters.
But when pressure shows up — deadlines, budgets, layoffs — those words get tested.

In this conversation with Rudy Racine, we don’t stay at the surface.
We get into what leadership actually looks like when it’s lived… not just stated.

From early career moments that stick with you forever… to the quiet, almost invisible behaviors that build trust (or destroy it)… this one is about the gap between what we say matters — and how we actually show up.

Because sometimes… it’s not the big decisions that define you.
It’s the small, consistent ones no one’s measuring.

Episode Themes

• Listening as a leadership skill — and why most leaders struggle with it

• Burnout as a symptom… not the root issue

• The difference between motivation and inspiration in leadership

• How small, intentional gestures create lasting impact

• Values alignment (or misalignment) as a driver of retention and performance

Ep. 092 Steve Sargent, C12 Chair and Executive Coach (and all-around great guy)

Ep. 092 - Steve Sargent, C12 Chair, Executive Coach

Thomas Metelski

Show Summary

This conversation goes deeper than “values matter.”

It gets into the uncomfortable truth: most organizations say they have values… but don’t actually use them. And when that happens, culture drifts, decisions get fragmented, and people disconnect from their work.

Steve Sargent brings a grounded, real-world lens to what values actually look like in practice — not as words on a wall, but as filters for hiring, decision-making, and how people experience the business every day.

We explore the gap between personal values and organizational values, the role of awareness, and why most leaders skip the foundational work in favor of what feels more urgent.

Because the reality is simple — if values aren’t lived, something else is driving your decisions.

What This Episode Explores

• Why core values are the foundation of business success — not an accessory

• The danger of values being “just words” (and why most companies fall into this trap)

• What a toxic culture looks like when values aren’t integrated

• Why values must be modeled at the top of leadership or they fail

• Hiring through values: attracting the right people and repelling the wrong ones

• The difference between personal values vs. organizational values — and why they shouldn’t be identical

• How lack of awareness creates misalignment inside leadership teams

• The idea of two P&Ls: profit & loss vs. people & legacy

• Why most leaders skip the “unsexy” foundational work — and pay for it later

• How values directly impact employee experience → customer experience → business performance

Ep. 091 James Ferguson - Speaker, Author and FATHER

Ep. 091 James Ferguson - Speaker, Author and Father

Thomas Metelski

🎙️ Show Summary

There’s a difference between saying you have values… and finding out if they actually hold when everything breaks.

This conversation with James Ferguson goes there. Not conceptually—personally. What happens when life compresses everything at once: diagnosis, loss, uncertainty… and you don’t get to prepare. What shows up in that moment isn’t theory. It’s who you are.

What emerged here isn’t just resilience—it’s clarity. A lived understanding that values aren’t promises. They’re practices. And if you’re not living them when it’s hard, you don’t actually have them.

Episode Themes

• Values are not declared—they’re revealed under pressure

• Perspective isn’t mindset fluff—it’s a daily decision under stress

• Hardship doesn’t build character—it exposes it

• Culture doesn’t come from posters—it comes from practiced behaviors

• Feedback only works if your ego doesn’t block it

• Legacy becomes real the moment life feels fragile

• Leadership starts when you stop waiting for permission to live your values

Ep. 090 Diane Wasser - Managing Partner EisnerAmper NJ

Ep. 090 Diane Wasser EisnerAmper Managing Partner

Thomas Metelski

Show Summary

There’s something about leadership that doesn’t show up on a LinkedIn profile.

It shows up in how you respond.
In how you treat people when things are uncertain.
In whether your values are actually present when they’re tested.

In this conversation with Diane Wasser, Managing Partner EisnerAmper NJ, we explore what it really means to lead through values—especially when the environment is anything but predictable. From stepping into leadership just weeks before the world shut down…to navigating the everyday realities of people, pressure, and responsibility…this is a grounded look at leadership in motion.

What stands out most is the simplicity of it. Not easy—but simple.

Remember who you are.
Treat people like they matter.
And don’t lose your compass in the noise.

What this episode explores:

• Why leadership is revealed in moments of uncertainty

• The difference between becoming a partner and becoming a leader

• How reacting to “small things” defines trust and credibility

• Integrity as a lived expectation—not just a professional requirement

• Why the accounting profession is built on trust at its core

• The evolving expectations of younger professionals around values and community

• “Everybody matters” as a foundational leadership principle

• The role of family in shaping leadership identity

• The concept of a “moral compass” in decision-making

• Practicing grace and charitable assumption in everyday interactions

Ep. 089 Loraimy Kendall, Executive Director Dress for Success Northern NJ

Ep. 089 Loraimy Kendall, Executive Director Dress For Success, Northern NJ

Thomas Metelski

Show Notes

It’s not about perfectly naming values or going through an exercise—it’s about how life reveals them to you when you least expect them to. Loss. Parenting. Anxiety. Identity. And somewhere in all of that…you either drift or you start to choose how you live.

What stood out to me is how naturally Loraimy has done the work. She hasn’t sat in a formal “values workshop,” but she’s living it—day in and day out. Making decisions rooted in family, joy, presence, and protecting her peace.

There’s a quiet discipline in the way she approaches life. Not avoiding hardship—but reframing it. Not ignoring emotions—but working through them. Not chasing everything—but choosing what actually aligns.

This conversation is a reminder of something simple—and hard:
You don’t find your values in theory. You find them in how you respond when life hits.

What This Episode Explores

• How major life events (loss, parenthood) shape personal values

• The shift from living for others → living in alignment with yourself

• What it really means to “protect your peace”

• Anxiety, panic, and learning to reprogram your response

• Parenting through values vs. control

• The idea of giving children a foundation—not a script

• Living in the present vs. dwelling in past or future

• Finding purpose through service and meaningful work

• The tension between strict beliefs and balance

• How self-awareness develops without formal “values work”

Ep. 088 Bruce Murray, Boundary Breaks Vineyard

Ep. 088 Bruce Murray, Boundary Breaks Vineyards

Thomas Metelski

Show Notes

There’s something powerful that happens when someone steps into alignment with who they are. Not in theory—but in real life.

This conversation with Bruce is exactly that. A journey from the business world—where numbers, pressure, and sometimes questionable decisions dominate—to something far more grounded. Something human.

What struck me most wasn’t just his transition into winemaking. It was why he made it. The friction he felt. The realization that he wasn’t where he was supposed to be. And the courage to build something that actually reflected his values—even if it would take 40 or 50 years to fully realize.

We also explore something deeper happening in the Finger Lakes. Not just wine—but culture. A shared mindset rooted in collaboration, humility, and authenticity. A region shaped not by competition, but by people who believed that rising together mattered more than winning alone.

And maybe that’s the point.

Values don’t just live in people. They show up in what we build…what we grow…and even what we pour into a glass.

What this episode explores:

• The hidden cost of values misalignment in corporate life

• Why success without alignment creates long-term friction

• Bruce’s journey from NYC business world to Finger Lakes winemaking

• The collaborative culture that defines the Finger Lakes region

• “Tone at the top” and how it shapes entire communities

• Why authenticity—not scale—defines great wine regions

• The evolution of Cabernet Franc in the Finger Lakes

• How shared learning and experimentation elevate quality across a region

• The role of hospitality and human experience in winemaking

• Why values show up in the final product—whether we see it or not

• Building something that won’t fully mature in your lifetime

• The importance of listening, mentorship, and developing young talent early

Ep. 087 John Horton, Hogan Assessments

Ep. 087 John Horton - Hogan Assessments

Thomas Metelski

Show Summary

In this conversation, I explore with John Horton from Hogan Assessments what it means to truly understand another person.

John works extensively with personality assessments and behavioral frameworks, helping people interpret the patterns behind how they think, work, and interact with others. I was curious about something that comes with that level of experience: when you spend your life analyzing human behavior, does that lens ever turn off?

From there, the discussion opens into a deeper exploration of personality frameworks and the role they play in helping people better understand themselves. Assessments can provide data and structure, but the real value often lies in the conversation that follows. They act as catalysts—tools that create space for reflection, awareness, and meaningful dialogue.

One of the striking themes in the conversation is how rare it is for people to be deeply listened to. Most people simply don’t get many opportunities to sit down with someone who is fully present and willing to explore their experiences, motivations, and values. When that kind of conversation happens, something powerful begins to unfold.

We also discuss skepticism toward personality assessments and the importance of not assuming that data tells the whole story. Even when people share similar profiles, their experiences and interpretations can be completely different. The framework starts the conversation—but it’s the human context that brings the insight.

As the discussion continues, we move into the role values play in shaping our lives. We talk about how many people grow up without a clear framework for understanding values, and how the decline of traditional value systems has left many people searching for structure and meaning.

The conversation eventually becomes more personal as we explore purpose, faith, work, and identity. My guest reflects on his own journey—from questioning his values to rediscovering them—and how those values now shape how he approaches work, relationships, and family.

At its heart, this episode is about curiosity, self-awareness, and the importance of creating space for honest conversations about who we are and what truly matters.

Ep. 086 Dr. Keith Wright - Author, Coach Organizational Leader

Ep 086 Dr. Keith Wright - Author - Coach - Organizational Leader

Thomas Metelski

Show Notes Summary

Some conversations remind us that values are not theories. They are lived experiences passed from one generation to another.

In this conversation with Dr. Keith Wright, we explore how the values we inherit from mentors, teachers, and community shape who we become—and who we choose to serve.

Dr. Wright shares powerful stories from his childhood in Orange, New Jersey, including the influence of a remarkable mentor named Jesse Miles. Miles didn’t just teach basketball. He modeled character, integrity, humility, and the responsibility of lifting others up. Jesse Miles was honored with his name on the Orange High School Gymnasium in New Jersey.

Throughout the conversation we explore the idea that community itself may not have disappeared—but it may have become distracted. In a world filled with noise, Dr. Wright reminds us that leadership still begins the same way it always has: by listening, mentoring, and continuing the conversation.

From coaching and leadership to family, mentorship, and the power of words, this episode is a reminder that values travel through relationships. And when we intentionally pass them forward, we build the kind of communities that last beyond our own generation.

In this conversation we explore:

• The powerful impact of mentors and community on shaping core values

• Lessons from Jesse Miles and the importance of “each one, teach one”

• How community has evolved—and what may have been lost in modern life

• Why conversation is essential for leadership and human connection

• The role of mentorship across generations

• How Dr. Wright reads weekly with his grandson to stay connected and guide growth

• The importance of words, listening, and understanding in coaching

• Why leaders must help others succeed in order to succeed themselves

Ep. 085 Jen Littlefield - The Black Walnut, FLX

Ep. 085 Jenn Littlefield, The Black Walnut FLX

Thomas Metelski

Show Summary

Sometimes the path to where we belong isn’t a straight line. It’s a winding road made up of curiosity, courage, and moments where something simply clicks.

In this conversation, I sit down with Jen Littlefield, the owner of the Black Walnut Bed and Breakfast in the Finger Lakes. What unfolds is a story about following sparks of joy—through dance, travel, wine, and ultimately into building a place where people can gather, rest, and experience the beauty of a region that continues to find its identity.

Jen shares how her journey took her from dancing and teaching in New York City to backpacking through Europe, where a series of wine experiences changed the way she thought about food, place, and hospitality. That spark eventually led her to the Finger Lakes, where she immersed herself in harvest work, vineyard life, and the broader wine community before opening her inn.

What stands out most is how values show up in unexpected ways. Joy. Community. Connection. Home. These ideas shaped her decisions and ultimately the environment she creates for guests—one that celebrates discovery, great food and wine, and the magic of a place.

This conversation is also a reminder that sometimes the best journeys begin when we simply try something new.

In this conversation we explore:

• What core values mean and how they guide life decisions

• Jen’s journey from dance and choreography to wine and hospitality

• How travel through Europe sparked a passion for wine and sense of place

• The experience of working harvest and vineyard life in the Finger Lakes

• Why community and collaboration define the region’s wine culture

• The importance of exploration and curiosity, both in wine and in life

• What makes the Finger Lakes special—and why it continues to inspire people who discover it

Ep. 084 Gary Mann, CEO Jasfel Analytics

Ep. 084 Gary Mann, CEO JASFEL Analytics

Thomas Metelski

Show Summary

Sometimes the most powerful conversations start with something simple — two people genuinely engaging.

In this episode, I sit down with Gary Mann, a fellow Jersey native! We chat about his journey from Newark to leading a data engineering and AI firm is both inspiring and thought-provoking. What struck me most about Gary isn’t just his career trajectory — it’s the mindset behind it. His story reflects the power of relationships, resilience, and staying grounded in core values.

Gary shares how a scholarship opportunity took him from Newark to Amherst, Massachusetts, where he experienced culture shock but also learned how to connect with people from very different backgrounds. That ability to engage with others became a defining part of his career.

From starting a company while still in college to building a career in technology and eventually launching his own company JASFEL Analytics, LLC - Gary has consistently leaned into challenge rather than avoiding it. He talks openly about how integrity, respect, openness, and hard work guide how he leads teams, builds businesses, and advises clients.

We also explore the rapidly changing world of artificial intelligence and the workforce. Gary offers a thoughtful perspective: AI isn’t just replacing jobs — it’s changing how we think about work. Instead of focusing only on technical tasks, the future belongs to people who can think architecturally, solve real problems, and connect ideas.

At its heart, this conversation is about possibility — about believing in something bigger than your current circumstances and having the courage to pursue it.

In this episode, we explore:

• Gary’s journey from Newark to studying in Massachusetts through the “A Better Chance” scholarship program

• How early experiences shaped his ability to connect and engage with people

• Starting a business while still in college and discovering the power of entrepreneurship

• The role core values like integrity, respect, hard work, and openness play in leadership

• Why some people run toward challenges while others avoid them

• How AI is reshaping work, careers, and the skills we need going forward

• The difference between being a coder and an architect thinker in the modern workforce

• Why educators and companies must rethink how they prepare the next generation

• The importance of mentorship and visible role models for young people

Ep. 083 Eric Aellen, Linganore Winecellars

Ep. 083 Eric Aellen, Linganore Winecellars

Thomas Metelski

🎙️ SHOW NOTES

There’s something powerful about having a conversation with someone whose life has quite literally been shaped by land, weather, family, and resilience.

In this conversation, I had the privilege of speaking with Eric Aellen from Linganore Wine Cellars — a second-generation Maryland winemaker whose story stretches from Brooklyn to blind ambition, from basement wine to 80 acres under vine.

What struck me most wasn’t just the innovation — though there is plenty of that. Electric tractors. Solar power. Low-spray varieties. Experimental blocks. Mead production.

What struck me was heart.

This is a family that didn’t set out to follow a trend. They built something rooted in place. In Maryland. In terroir. In responsibility to the land and to the people who work alongside them.

We talk about:

• What it means to truly be an agricultural winery

• Why “estate bottled” matters more than most people realize

• The tension between market demand and environmental responsibility

• The rise of hybrid and disease-resistant grape varieties

• Why Maryland wines deserve to be experienced on their own terms

• And how culture — real culture — shapes what ends up in the bottle

Three words Eric uses to describe their region: Terroir. Heart. Family.

You can taste that.

This is more than wine. It’s stewardship. It’s legacy. It’s community.

And it reminded me that sometimes the most meaningful stories are happening right in our own backyard.