United States of Dramerica

Excited to bring back Super Bowl winner Jon Ryan to talk about the big game. We talk about his Super Bowl win, his Super Bowl loss and his expectations for this weekend. We talk group chats, his mum going to a team party to see Snoop Dogg and how much he cries nowadays. We talk about THAT blown play, being named one of the 50 best players in Seahawks history and how many beers he expects to drink...

We talk to filmmaker Martyn Robertson and sports surgeon Gordon Mackay about the inspiring feature doc Make it to Munich. In a crossover episode we talk Hollywood and whisky, pioneering surgeries and telling stories with heart. They explain how the extraordinary story of a young man’s courage to overcome life-changing injuries has ended up at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood - the adventures they...

We explore the world of soccer content creation and influencing over a whisky. Eli cracked open a McKenna and I went for a MacSchwarzenegger as we explore the world of US soccer and telling its story on social media. In a fascinating discussion we cover Eli’s obsession with football, online abuse and turning a hobby into a living. We talk MLS, LA Galaxy and his minority ownership of Orange County...

In a rare crossover episode, we combine American the Beautiful Game and United States of Dramerica and talk about football while drinking whisky. The guest is Danny Stone, head coach of Orange County Soccer Club. He drinks a Glenlivet 15 and we talk about the impact of the World Cup in America, his coaching strengths and weaknesses and his love for the game here in the States. We talk about his fa...

Our 100th episode and it's a funny one. We talk to the fantastic acress, comedian, writer Sarah Colonna. She talks about performing in Starbucks, wearing socks in the shower in crap hotel rooms and performing in Moscow (the Idaho one). We reminisce about the California Angels, discuss watching baseball with her dad and how her and her Superbowl-winning husband were the original NFL/entertainm...

An honour to have broadcaster Kent French on the show. He tells us about breaking into broadcasting in the early internet days, covering the NHL draft from the Sphere in Vegas and winning a Stanley Cup ring. We talk about witnessing a player collapse, interviewing Arnie and the grind of travel in long seasons. Kent discussed his new love of football, his past ownership of Orange County SC and the...

We speak to New Mexico United President Ron Patel. The day before their US Open Cup quarter-final against LAFC, we talk the growth of soccer in the US, why so many fans have got behind his team and the time they thought a fan brought a gun into their Stadium. He explains the day in the life of a football club president, whether the US or England are more likely to win a World Cup and what you need...

Kenny and Craig join the show to discuss why you should put water in whisky and why that water should come from Loch Ness. The Scotsmen discuss the dangers to whisky of ice, tap water and mineral water, their love of Glenfarclas and how water from Loch Ness won’t kill you. We also cover monsters, Elvis and Craig’s love for sharing a dram with his dad and his wife (who doesn’t drink whisky). A grea...

We chat to Scottish striker Marc McNulty. He talks about finding out about his Scotland debut from the TV, his adventures playing  in Orange County and the pride of playing at Wembley. We also cover the excitement of playing in front of large crowds, fitting kitchens and getting kicked in the nuts against San Antonio. In a fun romp through his career, we talk highlights and lowlights, the travel,...

I talk to Jason Myers, trailer editor (and my karate partner). We talk about the world of editing trailers, salvaging bad films and working with Michael Bay on Transformers. He tells us how to make a trailer, his trailer geekiness and the Golden Trailer Awards. We talk editing sport, using music so good in trailers that they put it in the film and the worst films. Jason, over a Japanese whisky, te...

Over a gold rush and a whiskey sour, I talk to the Closet Files - a pair of high-flying personal stylists. We talk fashion, dressing men and styling women for work and leisure. They explain why clients need a stylist, going through people’s wardrobes and working with celebrities. We talk about authentic style, telling clients the truth and working with Mariska Hargitay and Alyssa Milano. And how t...

We talk to Sportiqe co-founder Jason Franklin. He tells us about catching a Hulk Hogan shirt at WrestleMania, how being a ball boy for the Chicago Bulls changed his life and wearing personalized hoodies. He cracks open a Japanese whisky and explains why he founded Sportiqe, his children stopping strangers in the street to talk about their clothing and his dream of working with Taylor Swift. Jason...

The whisky podcast is back and we have the excellently-voices Benjamin Percy aboard. The comic book writer tells us, over a Lagavulin 16, which super heroes would drink, how comics helped him as a kid moving cities and why Marvel is so good. We talk nerds, Batman and how hard it is to write novels. While I drink Wolfburn, we cover the growth of comics, his career ambitions and how Endgame changes...

American in Paris, Hollywood writer and whisky lover Patrick Macmanus is the latest guest on the podcast. We explore learning languages, Americans abroad and what makes a good leader. Over a Dalmore 12 and a Glenfiddich Grand Cru, we swap whisky stories, what makes a good Hollywood writer and diplomatic life. And he tells us why he wants to drink a Japanese whisky with LBJ and in a Washington ceme...

We talk to hat-preneur and marketeer Alan Miller. We talk fashion hats, washing hats, hat designs and basically all things hat. Over an Alexander Murray, he talks about owning 100s of hats, all-mesh hats, corduroy hats, wool hats, numbered hats, baseball hats, who buys their hats and his favorite hats. He explains why he founded his hat company Official League, hat culture and whether he would wea...

We talk to sports exec (and sports fanatic) David Siegel. We discuss his love of sport, pitching to his heroes and how bad some of the national anthems were at Dodgers Stadium. David tells us about a career in a baseball front office, sport as entertainment and his greatest memories with the Los Angeles Dodgers. We talk about LA's sporting riches, his work with the LA Sports Council and what...

We talk rock music, whisky, crypto and the future of banking with the extraordinary Bob Schukai. The EVP of Open Banking at Mastercard tells us his about love of Orange County rockers Social Distortion, his fascination with technology and buying a coffee with Bitcoin. We talk about biometrics in banking, fraud and using your palm to pay. We also cover the future of money, the importance of privacy...

We talk to former British diplomat-turned-novelist Leigh Turner. Leigh tells us about his new novel Palladium, getting clearance from the British Foreign Office to write these books and the motivation behind his new career. We discuss managing crises - from civil unrest to planning for earthquakes and plane crashes, why representing the modern version of diplomatic life is so important and writing...

We speak to endurance athlete and motivational speaker Grant Lottering. He talks us through his near-death experience on an Italian mountaintop after a horrific bike crash, his road to recovery and his journey to inspire others. We discuss his charitable work, making the most of his second chance and his 72-hour non-stop ride across Southern California. Grant talks in great detail about the moment...

Joining us for our first live interview in 2 years, it is American Idol favourite Elliott Yamin. He tells us his story of driving hours to a first audition for Season 5 of the show and his ascent to finishing third. We share a Bowmore 10 and discuss the power of music, the challenges of instant fame and his months on tour with American Idol playing full stadia across the US. He talks about working...

I speak to whisky impresario Chris Uhde. He tells his story of failed rock star to whisky expert, why he fell in love with scotch and learning about whiskies from around the world. We talk scotch, rice whisky, as well as Belgian, Indian and Welsh drinks. Chris talks about collecting whisky, the enjoyment of sharing a dram with people and talks us through some of the best whisky he as tasted. He ex...

An independent baseball team in Oregon have been going viral due to the exploits of their mascot - a giant pickle. Over a glass of Bulleit, we talk to Ross Campbell, General Manager of the Portland Pickles about Dillon T. Pickle and his exploits. You'll hear about his viral - and inappropriate - picture, being mislaid by Delta on the way back from the Dominican Republic and then being stolen...

We talk to Emily Cloke, British Consul General for Southern California, Utah, Arizona, Hawaii and Nevada. Over a glass of Balvenie, we talk diplomacy in a pandemic, remote working as a parent and diversity in the British Foreign Service. She tells us about the work of a diplomat in Los Angeles, the value of the creative industries and working with the Mayor on climate change. We take about the sof...

We talk to Johnny, who has built a substantial following pairing whisky and donuts. As we share a dream and a sugary cake, he explains how this bit of fun turned into a serious endeavor and a change of career, the world of savory donuts and his work in the whisky industry. Johnny tells us about shakshuka donuts, hot chicken donuts and the simple pleasures of blueberry glazed donuts. We talk pairin...

In the first episode of 2022, we talk to wedding and event designer Charley King. She tells us about the extraordinary world of events in Los Angeles, working with elephants and llamas (including one that fell in a swimming pool!) and helping people create special moments with friends and families. She talks through the importance of making weddings personal to the couple, navigating the complicat...