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ACTION: Re-framing and Reclaiming the Narrative with Nambi E. Kelley

Release Date: 07/27/2022

In the Spirit of Bourbon: Old Carter Whiskey

Lagralane Spirits

How unbelievable it feels to say this, but... the final episode is here! In the Season 3 finale, we bring you an intimate and spirited conversation with Mark Carter, the founder of Old Carter Whiskey. This entrepreneur, mentor, and friend has built a Bourbon legacy through grit, camaraderie, and unyielding positivity. Tune in to hear about Mark’s journey, his philosophy on life, and the waiting list for a bottle of Old Carter that has become a legend in of itself. In this episode, we are also joined by Rob Beatty, the Founder of the Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild, who looks to Mark...

In the Spirit of Bourbon: Bespoken Spirits

Lagralane Spirits

In this episode, we take a tour of Bespoken Spirits, the innovative distillery that is transforming the Bourbon industry, one molecule at a time. Instead of waiting years for whiskey to age in barrels, Bespoken Spirits has developed a method that replicates the aging process in just a few days. Tune in to hear how this distillery uses cutting-edge technology like gas chromatographs and mass spectrometers to create bourbons that are delicious, sustainable, and accessible. This episode is for everyone—whether you’re a science enthusiast, a bourbon lover, or simply curious about what the heck...

In the Spirit of Bourbon: Fresh Bourbon

Lagralane Spirits

In this episode, we meet with Tia and Sean Edwards, a couple whose journey began at a gas station and led to redefining the bourbon industry. Tia and Sean’s Lexington-based distillery, Fresh Bourbon, is on a bold mission to make bourbon accessible to everyone. Their journey is not just about crafting a drink but about reclaiming ownership (a word that speaks volumes to us) in an industry that hasn’t always been inclusive. We recorded this episode with Sean and Tia shortly after an interactive “build-your-own Old Fashioned” tasting experience, led by Nate Taylor, the VP of Brand...

In the Spirit of Bourbon: Cyndi Gatterdam & Chris Grecco

Lagralane Spirits

We reconnect with Jason’s long-time friend, Cyndi Gatterdam, and her husband, Chris Grecco. Cyndi has 20+ years experience in the bourbon industry, currently serving as the District Sales Manager at Republic National Distributing. In classic “Cocktail Confession” fashion, Jason and Yvonne discuss how bourbon has become an integral part of culture, a symbol of identity, and a bridge between generations. In this episode, we enjoy homemade cocktails by Jason – self-dubbed the “Best At-Home Bartender in Studio City.” The sounds of Jason making another round of drinks, setting...

In the Spirit of Bourbon: Castle & Key

Lagralane Spirits

In this episode, Jason and Yvonne take listeners on a trip through the grounds of the Old Taylor Distillery – a historic site that was abandoned for over 30 years before Castle and Key brought it back to life in 2018. At the time of our visit, our lovable guest and guide, Valerie (Val) Colella, was Castle & Key’s Single Barrel Specialist and National Brand Ambassador. Join us as we explore the castle-inspired architecture, the rich history of bourbon-making, and the untold stories of the women and enslaved individuals who shaped the industry. As you listen to this episode, you’ll...

In the Spirit of Bourbon: Brough Brothers

Lagralane Spirits

What does it take to break into an industry that hasn’t made room for you? For Victor Yarbrough and his brothers, the answer is clear: a whole lot of grit, a little bit of chemistry, and an unshakable commitment to their community. In this episode, we sit down with Victor, one-third of the trio behind Brough Brothers Distillery — one of the only Black-owned distilleries in Kentucky. In the Spirit of Bourbon: Brough Brothers was recorded in 2024. You know what that means? Any Bourbon releasing “this year” …is available now. So pour yourself a glass of Brough Brothers — this is one...

In the Spirit of Bourbon: LIVE with Rob Beatty of the Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild

Lagralane Spirits

In this special episode, we chatted LIVE with Rob Beatty, Founder of the Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild — a groundbreaking initiative to preserve hidden histories, promote inclusivity, and celebrate the legacy of African Americans in bourbon culture. Rob was instrumental in the making of Lagralane Spirits Season 3. He connected us to several incredible guests this season and guided us through Louisville and Lexington’s rich Bourbon culture. It was a delight to pick Rob’s brain again. So please pour a glass of your favorite Bourbon and hear from a multi-faceted entrepreneur who is...

In the Spirit of Bourbon: Woodford Reserve

Lagralane Spirits

In this episode, we meet with Elizabeth McCall, the Master Distiller of Woodford Reserve, who leads a tasting that feels more like an art class than a lesson in Bourbon. Elizabeth shows us how pairing curated foods with Bourbon releases new flavors. And together, we experience how pairing a few good stories with Bourbon can unlock an unforgettable conversation. Our greatest takeaway? Bourbon is more than a drink — it’s a way to explore identity and history. This episode also features the voices and palettes of our dear friend, Cyndi Gatterdam and our Producing Team. We hope...

A Special Message About Season 3

Lagralane Spirits

Jason and Yvonne share a quick message about this special season of Lagralane Spirits.

FOOD: Creating Connection Through Story with Chef B.B. Huff

Lagralane Spirits

Is food central or trivial to the formation of identity? In our final episode of the season, hosts Jason and Yvonne Lee welcome Yvonne’s sister, Chef B.B. Huff to the show. Chef Huff left the corporate world to begin her own company, , which is a boutique catering firm specializing in storytelling through food. In this episode, these three bring food into the story of our lives. They ask questions like how do we use ingredients and dishes to tell a story? How does art and the story of food connect us to the past? What is food’s role in preserving culture? This spirited...

More Episodes

How do we personally take action to shift the narrative?

With an energetic calm that is both inspiring and soothing, playwright/actor/producer Nambi E. Kelley (Native Son, Re-Memori, Jabari Dreams of Freedom) joins hosts Jason and Yvonne Lee for a discussion about how we take action to shift the narrative from one that is exclusive and often incorrect, to one that is authentic to ourselves and our stories.

Knowing that small change can make a tidal wave of change, these three discuss their personal journeys as examples of how they have individually taken action to change the narrative. From acting in roles and productions with representative stories, to providing access to those who are climbing the ladder now, to adapting stories with strong messages, this episode is full of inspiring solutions to using your voice and career to make change.

As they say, if we don’t take action now, we’re not just letting down those who came before us, but those who came after us.

Jason makes his first original-recipe cocktail and names it Bureau 68 after being inspired by the actions of the Freedmen’s Bureau of 1865-1868. As he says, “[This cocktail] is built upon the specs of others through the lens of access, brought together in the combination of remembrance of all these accomplishments but also the combined bittersweetness of success.”

What advice can we give to those coming up behind us? How can we strive for individuality and the freedom that brings?

Nambi and The Lees suggest that by maintaining identity, self-love and actualizing kindness, we can achieve individuality. By being individual, which means being true-to-self, we can achieve a level of freedom; they further encourage us to be scared but then also be courageous. They ask, how do you change the narrative – how do you impact people? You tell the truth.

For more spirited discussions, make sure to subscribe to the podcast.

And if you’ve enjoyed thinking and mocktailing along with us, we’d love for you to leave us a review.

Cheers … and Please Drink Responsibly!

Links:

Guests:

Nambi E. Kelley

http://www.nambikelley.com/

Jabari Dreams of Freedom

www.jabari-dreams-of-freedom.com

First Woman, Inc.

http://www.firstwomaninc.com/

The Freedmen’s Bureau – The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands (Freedmen’s Bureau 1865-68 primary years)