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

VOICES - A Value of Values Micropod - Daniel Budmen from Scout Winery

A sneak peek into our Value of Values Podcast with Daniel Budmen co-founder of Scout Vineyards on the west side of Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes region of New York.

If this doesn’t '“wet your whistle” on what this values journey is all about…well then go listen to another podcast. Who is Daniel referring to in this 1 min and 30 second clip?

Full episode to be released soon…..!

Ep. 054 Michele Siekerka, CEO NJBIA

🎙️Community, Certainty, and Core Values – A Conversation with Michele Siekerka

In this grounded and eye-opening episode, I chat with Michele Siekerka, CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA), for a heartfelt and informed conversation on the values that drive business and leadership in today’s evolving economy.

Together we explore:

• The foundational values of integrity, authenticity, and advocacy in Michele’s work

• How NJBIA supports small and midsize businesses beyond policy, including healthcare, HR, and training resources

• The often-overlooked role businesses play in strengthening their communities

• Real stories of companies connecting with purpose through mission-driven work and workforce engagement

• How COVID exposed the truth about trust, values, and workplace culture

• The importance of lifelong learning, skill development, and flexible education pathways

• Michele’s personal journey from first-generation college student to passionate community advocate

Whether you're a business leader, educator, policymaker, or student—there’s wisdom here about values, trust, and the power of showing up with purpose.

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