United States of Dramerica

We talk to the passionate Michele Kajiwara, SVP Premium at the STAPLES Center. She talks about selling sports experiences in a Covid world, the impact of the social justice movement and how much she missed the thrill of live entertainment during the pandemic. Michele talks passionately about the sports experience, tells the story of being invited to a funeral of one her clients and how all the sto...

We talk to Shaun Robinson, manager of the Hilton Anaheim, California's third largest hotel. He tells stories from his 30+ years in the business including meeting Pele and Muhammed Ali, how we got his start as a waiter in Newport Beach and dealing with power cuts. He talks about having to furlough most of his 1200 staff due to the pandemic, how they dealt with 9/11 and the glitz and glamor of...

We talk to the only Scotsman to headline on the Las Vegas Strip, Jimmy Denning. He tells us about sharing limos with Wayne Newton, how Matt Goss mixes his whisky and being sick in one of the most expensive suites in Vegas. He explains the different sides of his adopted hometown, living life there to excess but also what real life  off the Strip is like. Jimmy talks about his serious brush with Cov...

We talk to Clare Risman, former British diplomat and now Executive Director of the St George’s Society of New York. We talk about the historic charity, their role supporting everyone from Titanic survivors, to creating a 9/11 Memorial Garden to the wide range of support they provide today. We discuss running a charity during a global pandemic, how donors are treated like investors and ways of givi...

We talk to entertainment lawyer Grant Arnow. He talks about his career as front man of Takota, touring Europe and some of the things he saw while touring with bands. He explains his transition to corporate lawyer then entertainment lawyer, how his background helps him understand clients and the satisfaction he gets from working in the industry. Grant talks about live streaming and how the pandemic...

We talk to the lively Neil Strachan of Balvenie. We talk about corporate golf tournaments, the etiquette of drinking whisky and doing business in South East Asia and getting lost during a Manila whisky festival. He explains how luxury whiskys are promoted in Singapore and China, the rarest whiskys he's tasted at the world famous Auld Alliance and why Scottish people are seen as so charming. N...

We talk to the effervescent Nicola Slater, former Scottish tennis professional. We talk playing at Wimbledon, pay equality for women and working with Judy Murray. She talks about the thrill and excitement of the lower level tour, the poor behavior of entitled players complaining about pre-Australia Open quarantine and when is the right time to make the transition to Pickleball. We talk about the a...

We talk to the extraordinary Paul Bae, actor, comedian, writer and podcaster. He talks about having his head blown off in the infamous movie the Interview, how the podcast he started because nobody wanted his screenplay has had more than 50 million downloads and how he performed such a horrible stand up set in LA that people wouldn't even let him sit at their table. He explains how he is tran...

We talk to Markus Stripf, co-founder of nutrition data analysis firm Spoon Guru. He explains how his company helps those on food exclusion diets to more easily find products they can eat. Markus explains that two in every three people are on some form of specialist diet, how his wife's issues finding foods due to her allergies was the inspiration behind the company and the environmental reaso...

In a special crossover episode we combine United States of Dramerica and America the Beautiful Game.  We talk to whisky lover and soccer expert Oliver Wyss. The former Swiss international youth player, coach, agent and soccer tech is now the President of Soccer at Orange County Soccer Club in the United Soccer League. We talk about the controversial new European Super League, his love of wine and...

We talk to stuntman, fight co-ordinator, martial arts specialist and member of the famous Crosby family, Luke. He talks about his great-grandfather Bing, the extraordinary career of his mother Spice Williams-Crosby and his fascination with martial arts - not surprising given his father Gregory trained with Bruce Lee. We talk growing up in a celebrity family, the community of black belts and why he...

We go Down Under this week to talk to Dave Vitale, the founder of Australian whisky sensation Starward. He talks about his company's market positioning, why Starward is perfect for cocktails and as a 'dinner table whisky'. He explains how the pandemic has been tough for a growing brand, why he wanted to start distilling and the growing market in Australia. He talks about the pleasin...

We talk to British comedian and actor Matt Green. He explains how his viral pandemic comedy videos came about, we compare British and American comedic styles and he talks about 'audience deterioration' and how it is likely going to be worse after the pandemic. He talks about performing comedy over zoom, how to try and avoid offending people and using his wife's zoom calls as inspira...

This week's guest is Martin French, managing director at Berylls Strategy Advisors. We talk the future of driving, mobility, electrification and autonomous vehicles. Martin tells us why range anxiety should no longer be an issue, the joy of electric cars and the psychology of autonomous vehicle adoption. He explains why he doesn't own a car, his favorite driving experiences and the diffe...

We share a whiskey with aspiring golfer Will Leaf, who after a tough pandemic year, is selling shares in himself to fund his pro career. Will, who has had three holes in one (including two on par 4s), explains how his PGA Tour Canada aspirations were ended by the border closure, how the share scheme works and how it feels to be a commodity people can buy. He tells us his passion for the game, meet...

We talk to Scottish entrepreneur Chris Newlands, founder of space selfie company Spelfie. The navy veteran explains the genesis of his company, why he thinks people will want to take space selfies at live events and how clouds are Spelfie's enemy. He talks through the challenges of launching a start up in a global pandemic, the ways his company has adapted and his plans for expansion. Chris t...

We talk to Gary Gillan, the president of NARSA - the North American Rangers Supporters Association. He talks about his beloved club Rangers, how being further afield brings you closer to the club and the origins of NARSA. He talks about the sense of community that these fan groups create, how tough it has been during Covid and he feels closer to the club in Canada even though he used to have a sea...

We talk to veteran whisky and luxury travel expert Ricky Crawford. He tells us about the growing importance of sustainable travel, how it's going to become more important post-pandemic and the genesis of his Amazon Prime show Leave No Trace. We talk about green luxury travel in Scotland, the purity of distilleries and his time as a roving whisky ambassador - including a disappointing trip to...

We talk to Dom Madell, resident of Auckland, New Zealand. He explains what it is like living in a relatively covid-free country, survivor's guilt and the Kiwi view of the rest of the world. He talks about masks on trains - and nowhere else - in his country, the reality of being on an 'island of purity' and the inequity of billionaires of using his country as a safety bolthole. Dom e...

We talk to Tracie Franklin, Head Distiller Apprentice at the Nearest and Jack Advancement Initiative. She tells her story of moving from Broadway to whisky ambassador to the leadership acceleration program run by Jack Daniels and Uncle Nearest whiskey to increase diversity in the whiskey business. Tracie talks about diversity in the industry, her reluctant acceptance of being a role model and tell...

We talk to Jon Ryan, the Super Bowl winning punter from the Seattle Seahawks. He tells us about the feeling of being part of a Super Bowl and the euphoria of victory. He also tells us about the feeling of being part of a Super Bowl the following year and the agony of a narrow defeat to Tom Brady. Jon talks us through his Championship game touchdown, the first play-off touchdown ever thrown by a pu...

We talk to event and marketing expert David Balfour. The Scot living in Dubai with plans to expand in to the US talks events, how the pandemic has changed the industry, what is possible now and what direction he thinks events will go in the future. He tells us how the uneven pace of recovery is creating opportunities, the huge appetite to return to live experiences and how Usher nearly ruined one...

We talk to Estelle McCartney, Chief Customer Officer for Arctic Shores and veteran communications professional. She tells us about how the interface between business and Government has changed, the importance of ‘doing good’ and her first role with Britain in Europe. She talks about her work with Arctic Shores, using technology in recruitment to improve diversity and getting people into the right...

We talk to screenwriter Grant Pierce Myers.  He talks about the excitement of working on The Maze Runner, his parents organizing a special screening for their friends in his home town and his favorite line from the movie. He tells us how he celebrates movie projects by buying bottles of whisky, his love for the cherry-infused bourbon made by Traverse City Whiskey Company and he tells the story of...

We talk to magician Kayla Drescher. She tells us about swapping science for magic, her dislike of Las Vegas and why the market town of Dunstable is her favorite place. She talks about her Magic in Heels business, the challenges for women in magic and her favorite trick. We share a (virtual) whiskey as she tells us about a magician's life in Los Angeles compared to Boston, how much she enjoys...