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 Carter as a mentor. You can hear more about Rob and his endeavors in EP 0 of Season 3.  Please visit http://www.lagralanespirits.org/episodes/oldcarter for shownotes, transcripts, and more.   Links:    Guests: Mark Carter - https://www.instagram.com/markcarter52/ Old Carter Whiskey - https://www.oldcarterwhiskeyco.com/ Rob Beatty - https://robbeattybrands.com/ KBBG - https://kentuckyblackbourbonguild.com/   Additional links + Special thanks to: Flask Fine Wine & Whisky in Studio City - https://flaskfinewines.com/ WEP - https://weeditpodcasts.com/ Liam E. Allen (original music) - @Liamea97  

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 a “gas chromatograph” could be! Bespoken Spirits was an exciting and unexpected stop on our Kentucky adventure. Our guides, Jordan Spitzer (Head of Flavor) and Colin Mulligan (Director of Development), kept the discussion on-the-go as they escorted us through Bespoken Spirits' labs and production facilities. You'll hear a bit of a warbling sound, as their facilities were vast, echoey, and filled with the hums and whirrings of high-tech equipment.  This episode also features curious questions from our production team, who were learning right along with us!   Please visit http://www.lagralanespirits.org/episodes/bespoken for shownotes, transcripts, and more.   Links   Guest: Bepsoken Spirits: https://www.instagram.com/bespokenspirits/ Sable Bourbon Whiskey: https://sablebourbon.com/ Hell House Whiskey: https://hellhousewhiskey.com/   Additional links + Special thanks to: WEP - https://weeditpodcasts.com/ Liam E. Allen (original music) - @Liamea97

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 Management at Fresh Bourbon. Throughout the episode, you'll hear the occasional clinking of glasses as Nate prepares Fresh Bourbon's stunning bar area for the next group of bourbon connoisseurs. If you haven't visited Fresh Bourbon yet, it's worth the trip. And if Lexington isn't in your future, please grab a glass, pour yourself some bourbon (Fresh, if you can), and tune in to this captivating and inspiring episode. Please visit http://www.lagralanespirits.org/episodes/freshbourbon for shownotes, transcripts, and more.   Links Guests: Tia and Sean Edwards, Founders Fresh Bourbon https://www.instagram.com/freshbourbon/ https://freshbourbon.com/   Additional links + Special thanks to: WEP - https://weeditpodcasts.com/ Liam E. Allen (original music) - @Liamea97

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 glasses on the table, and the creaks of old, wooden floors in a 19th-century colonial home set the scene for a riveting conversation with our two dear friends. So please pull up a chair, pour yourself a glass, and enjoy.  Please visit www.lagralanespirits.org/episodes/cyndichris for shownotes, transcripts, and more.   Links Guests Cyndi Gatterdam - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyndi-gatterdam-80b04228b Chris Grecco - https://elementmr.com/who-we-are/our-team/chris-grecco/ Republic National Distributing Company - https://www.rndc-usa.com/   Additional links + Special thanks to: WEP - https://weeditpodcasts.com/ Liam E. Allen (original music) - @Liamea97 Bourbon Women - https://bourbonwomen.org Which Fork Do I Use with My Bourbon? by Peggy Noe Stevens (Cyndi's mentor) & Susan Riegler - https://a.co/d/3988Ut3  

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 hear everything from train whistles to mash bills hissing to factory clangs! The vast grounds of the Old Taylor Distillery are filled with diverse structures and ambient sounds that tell the fascinating story of this charming bourbon destination. Each unique environment from the sunken gardens to cavernous rickhouses influences the audio in a way that we hope will immerse you into the rich atmosphere that is Castle and Key. At times, you will also hear inquisitive remarks from our Production Team, who joined us on this exciting adventure.  Please visit http://www.lagralanespirits.org/episodes/castlekey for shownotes, transcripts, and more.   Links Guest: Valerie Colella - https://www.instagram.com/therealwhiskeywoman/ Castle & Key - https://www.castleandkey.com/   Additional links + Special thanks to: WEP - https://weeditpodcasts.com/ Liam E. Allen (original music) - @Liamea97

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 story you don't want to miss. Please visit www.lagralanespirits.org/episodes/broughbrothers for shownotes, transcripts, and more. Links   Guest: Victor Yarbrough, Brough Brothers https://broughbrothers.com/ https://www.instagram.com/broughbrothers/ Additional links + Special thanks to: WEP - https://weeditpodcasts.com/ Liam E. Allen (original music) - @Liamea97  

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 leading the charge to make the Bourbon industry more diverse and inclusive. This episode was streamed live to Facebook and Instagram. Internet connection impacted the audio quality at a couple brief moments.  Links Guest:  Rob Beatty + Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild https://kentuckyblackbourbonguild.com/ https://www.instagram.com/iamrobbeatty/  

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 you'll enjoy the warm and inviting atmosphere as we share stories over delicious Woodford Reserve Bourbon. Please visit www.lagralanespirits.org/episodes/woodford for shownotes, transcripts, and more.   Links: Guest Elizabeth McCall https://www.woodfordreserve.com/press-room/elizabeth-mccall/ https://www.woodfordreserve.com/ https://www.woodfordreserve.com/lifestyle/   Additional links + Special thanks to: WEP - https://weeditpodcasts.com/ Liam E. Allen (original music) - @Liamea97

Jason and Yvonne share a quick message about this special season of 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, The Salted Parlor, 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 culinary conversation will leave you wondering, if food is a conversation starter, what happens after they leave your table?   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: Chef B.B. Huff - The Salted Parlor https://www.thesaltedparlor.com/about https://www.instagram.com/saltedparlor/   Cesar Chavez https://ufw.org/research/history/story-cesar-chavez/ https://www.history.com/topics/mexico/cesar-chavez   Lower Depth Theatre https://lower-depth.com/   Additional Links + Special thanks to: Podcast Haven - https://thepodcasthaven.com/ Liam E. Allen (original music) - @Liamea97   Cocktail Recipe: Ala Ala* *This cocktail was created by Jason Lee. “Alaala” translates from Tagalog to English as “Memory” or “Recollection.” It is also the name of Jason's elementary school yearbook in Manila, which was an interesting inspiration for the cocktail.    Muddle sliced peaches w/ dashes of Regan's Orange Bitters; Peychauds; Bitters Lab Charred Cedar & Currant bitters; and Hella Bitters Smoked Chili bitters.   Then:   2 oz Pierre Ferrand Cognac 1/4 oz Lambanog 1/2 oz simple syrup 1/2 oz sparkling water    Build in cocktail glass. Serve on rocks. Add Tangerine peel (or blood orange peel) garnish.

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) https://www.freedmensbureau.com/ https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/FreedmensBureau.htm   GirlTrek https://www.girltrek.org/   Lifeline - film https://lagralane.com/#portfolio   Infants of the Spring by Wallace Thurman https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/868448.Infants_of_the_Spring   Lower Depth Theatre www.lower-depth.com     Additional Links + Special thanks to: Podcast Haven - https://thepodcasthaven.com/ Liam E. Allen (original music) - @Liamea97     Cocktail Recipe: Bureau 68 Bureau 68 was coined & created by Jason after being inspired by the actions of the Freedmen's Bureau of 1865-1868. 2.5 oz Hine Cognac 3/4 oz Rammazzotti Amaro 1/2 oz fresh lemon AND lime juice 1/4 oz simple syrup Dash of Angostura Bitters Dash(es) of Chard Cedar + Currant Bitters (Bitters Lab) 2 Blackberries   Shake & serve in Martini Glass. Add blackberry garnish.

Why is film such an important medium for creating access? How can we use empathy to expand vision? Hosts Jason and Yvonne Lee share a moment with Spirit Award nominated producer (Songs My Brothers Taught Me), Angela C. Lee who also is the Associtate Director of Artist Development at Film Independent. By examining the ecosystem of filmmaking and producing, these three discuss the larger notion that access to “Hollywood” doesn't come just because we deserve it. They explore how we can find (or even create) traction within a film system by showing myopic gatekeepers the capability of success from projects that have stories, actors and production teams with whom these power-holders may not associate with viability. As a solution, these three discuss one real truth: diverse producers get diverse projects made. How do we nurture empathy to gain equity? How do we create a pathway to ownership so that we can control and expand vision? Listen and be inspired by Angela's determined passion. LA based and a native Chicagoan, she understands that producing is about seeing and supporting a filmmaker's vision, and sticking with them for the long haul to create space where they can shine. Along with Jason and Yvonne, who are on a mission to provide opportunities for stories that may not otherwise be told, they ask, how can we explain that discovery is infinite? 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: Angela C. Lee https://www.filmindependent.org/talent/angela-c-lee/ Project Involve https://www.filmindependent.org/blog/project-involve-is-back-meet-the-30-new-fellows-joining-us-in-2022-2/ Philiane Phang https://www.filmindependent.org/talent/philiane-phang/ Chloe' Zhao (Songs My Brother Taught Me, Nomadland) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlo%C3%A9_Zhao Original source of NPR episode about the ABA: https://freakonomics.com/podcast/dont-worry-be-tacky/ Kurtis Blow - “Basketball” song https://youtu.be/_shxzlTRK44 Death & Company https://www.deathandcompany.com/ Array Now https://arraynow.com/ Byron Allen https://entertainmentstudios.com/founder/ Robert Townsend https://www.roberttownsend.com/ Shonda Rhimes https://www.shondaland.com/ Sundance Institute https://apply.sundance.org/ Ruth Ann Harnisch https://thehf.org/about/   Additional Links + Special thanks to: Podcast Haven - https://thepodcasthaven.com/ Liam E. Allen (original music) - @Liamea97   Drink Recipe: Ep 4 Cocktail- Smoke & Mirrors A daiquiri variation created by bartender Alex Day for Death & Co in NYC, a company who has been a huge inspiration for Jason.  Ingredients: 1oz Islay scotch - Lagavulin  1oz blended scotch - Johnnie Walker red or black 3/4 oz lime juice  3/4 oz simple syrup 4-6 mint leaves  Absinthe spray  Shake ingredients with ice. Finish with absinthe spray.

Can we move away from caste to create a more equitable society? How do we understand racism by looking at caste and class?    Pull up a seat and join us for a special roundtable episode with the Lagralane Team.    Using the book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, by Isabel Wilkerson as a source of exploration, we help define what caste is, and discuss how race has become the basis of our caste system in the United States. We also talk about how caste affects each of us personally – and what we can do to bring about meaningful change.    Through the lens of our multi-ethnic and multi-generational Lagralane Team, we seek to answer the question: can we move away from caste to create a more equitable society?   How can we be the guardians of truth?   Our team has a myriad of perspectives rooted in being adopted, Black, Asian, White, mixed-race, male, female, fluid and beyond … we are representative of America and we have also lived the experiences presented in Caste. We know first-hand that we're all living in a time of discontent created by generations before us. While sipping The Comeuppance cocktail, knowing the task before us is huge, we also ask how can we make change? How can we live today so that healing can begin for so many? How do we share the task of being guardians of truth?    For more spirited discussions, make sure to subscribe to the podcast. And if you've enjoyed thinking and cocktailing along with us, we'd love for you to leave us a review.  Cheers … and Please Drink Responsibly!   Links:   Guests: The Lagralane Team (in alphabetical order)   Peppur Chambers-Soraci -  www.penandpeppur.com  https://www.instagram.com/peppurthehotone/   AJ Dinsmore -  https://writers.coverfly.com/profile/Amanda-Joy-Dinsmore https://www.instagram.com/aj.dinsmore   Courtney Oliphant -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-oliphant-6546818a/ https://www.instagram.com/cori_anne92/?hl=en,    Matthew Soraci -  www.lagralane.com https://www.facebook.com/matthew.soraci Mentions: Caste:The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson  https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/653196/caste-oprahs-book-club-by-isabel-wilkerson/   The Gilded Age https://www.hbo.com/the-gilded-age   The Myth of the Model Minority: Asian Americans Facing Racism by Rosalind S. Chou, Joe R. Feagin https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-myth-of-the-model-minority-rosalind-s-chou/1124310184 Model Minority Myth https://www.learningforjustice.org/magazine/what-is-the-model-minority-myth   How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith https://www.littlebrown.com/titles/clint-smith/how-the-word-is-passed/9780316492935/   Belonging - Ben McBride http://www.benmcbride.com/   The Ideal Bartender by Tom Bullock https://punchdrink.com/articles/tom-bollock-and-the-forgotten-legacy-of-african-american-bartenders/ https://euvs-vintage-cocktail-books.cld.bz/1917-The-Ideal-Bartender-by-Tom-Bullock/IV/ Additional Links + Special thanks to: Podcast Haven - https://thepodcasthaven.com/ Liam E. Allen (original music) - @Liamea97   Cocktail Recipe: The Comeuppance Jason renamed the Bizzy Izzy to “The Comeuppance” to fit the conversation around Caste in this episode. Although many believe it is “un-American” to challenge hateful and hurtful tropes or to demand reparations from the past 250+ years, that is exactly what we should be doing right now.  The Bizzy Izzy is a classic drink by an African American bartender in St. Louis from 100 years ago named Tom Bullock, who included this cocktail in his book, “The Ideal Bartender.”   1oz fresh pineapple juice (Dole or fresh) 1oz sherry (Lustau) 1 oz  templeton rye whiskey (Templeton) ¾ oz fresh lemon juice ¾ simple syrup  A couple dashes (or more) of angostura bitters  1 oz chilled club soda  Lemon wheel garnish   Shake and pour into a highball glass. 

We return to explore the theme of passing – and the duality of preserving one's identity while being forced to navigate the world in certain ways.  Joining us for this episode are producer and philanthropist Brenda Robinson and CEO and civil rights attorney Chaz Ebert. As Executive Producers on the film Passing (2021), Brenda and Chaz have so much to share on their respective roles, as well as the vital importance of the critically-acclaimed movie.  Together, we examine systems of oppression and share personal stories of what we gotta do – and what we've had to do – to survive and thrive historically. We also examine Modern Day Passing and the many ways we might pass (intentionally or otherwise) outside of skin color.   What is modern-day passing and what are the roles we play to gain equity? How do you find ways to fit into the dominant culture? How do you stay true to self and show up empowered and authentic to everything that you are?   QUESTIONS Power-producers Chaz Ebert and Brenda Robinson join hosts Jason and Yvonne Lee to talk access. In this mini-reunion, these four friends and film professionals share why they do what they do – and that is to lift and provide opportunity for voices of color working in film. By highlighting impactful projects like Regina Hall's award-winning debut film, Passing, to new projects like veteran Lisa Cortes' documentary Empire of Ebony which covers 70 years of culture from Ebony and Jet magazines, we learn from the inside what it's like to operate from what can often feel like the outside. We also learn that what matters in this industry is being empowered from within, showing up to the table as your authentic self… and knowing that the table you're at is THE table.     What do you gain by not having to pass as anything?   In our very first episode with a delicious mocktail, we acknowledge the increasingly popular addition of inclusive mocktails as a beverage choice in social situations. Jason whips up a non-alcoholic French 75 and the conversation flows, as always. Knowing that modern-day passing takes on many, many forms, our guests also share personal stories of how passing has affected them and how it has shown up in their own families. Yvonne poingantly presents Chaz and Brenda with their confessional question, what more needs to be done  so that people of color can show up authentically and not have to pass for anything?   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: Brenda K. Robinson https://www.filmindependent.org/people/brenda-robinson/   Chaz Ebert https://www.rogerebert.com/contributors/chaz-ebert Book:  Passing by Nella Larsen https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/passing-nella-larsen/1001883168   Film:  'Passing' filmmaker Rebecca Hall shares the personal story behind her movie https://www.npr.org/2021/11/30/1059824073/passing-rebecca-hall-film   Empire of Ebony https://deadline.com/2021/02/the-empire-of-ebony-lisa-cortes-documentary-ebony-jet-magazine-one-story-up-1234700486/   LIFE Camp (Erica Ford, Violence Interupter) https://www.peaceisalifestyle.com/   A Most Beautiful Thing https://www.amostbeautifulthing.com/ Additional Links + Special thanks to: Podcast Haven - https://thepodcasthaven.com/ Liam E. Allen (original music) - @Liamea97     Cocktail Recipe: French 75  Mocktail  3/4 oz lemon juice 1/2 oz simple syrup Float San Pellegrino Sparkling water    Cocktail 2 oz gin 3 oz champagne  3/4 oz lemon juice 1/2 oz simple syrup   Shake ingredients and strain into a champagne flute Float champagne on top Add a lemon slice garnish  

What does it mean to look at yourself through the eyes of the ‘other'? How do you maintain a sense of self in this process? How do you build social equity to match the room that you are in? Hosts Jason and Yvonne Lee examine the pathways to equity in this season two debut of Lagralane Spirits. With guests Monique Marshall (anti-bias/anti-racist educator) and DeMille Halliburton (champion of access and equity), they discuss the historical perspectives of ‘Passing' which is the ability of a person to be regarded as a member of an identity group that is different than their own. This meaningful conversation is accompanied by the Ramos Gin Fizz cocktail, chosen purposefully for this episode due its unique appearance and complexity to prepare.  The journey to access, or ‘getting in the room' is different for each one of us, and usually includes self-exploration and self-acceptance. Enjoy Monique and DeMille's unique examples of how they work to provide pathways of access and equity to others whether through food banks, entertainment or education. They also share personal stories about passing and identity as they answer this episode's Cocktail Confession question, “When it comes to establishing and maintaining equity, what have you had to do to get in the room?” *This episode contains strong language.  For more spirited discussions and cocktails, make sure to subscribe to the podcast. And if you've enjoyed thinking (and drinking) along with us, we'd love for you to leave us a review.   Cheers … and Please Drink Responsibly!   Links:   Book:  Passing by Nella Larsen https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/passing-nella-larsen/1001883168   Film:  'Passing' filmmaker Rebecca Hall shares the personal story behind her movie https://www.npr.org/2021/11/30/1059824073/passing-rebecca-hall-film Guests: Monique Marshall https://mmscequity.com/about   SoCalPosis https://socalpocis.org/team-instructor/monique-marshall/   DeMille Halliburton SEE-LA https://seela.org/portfolio-item/sola-food-co-op/   Blackhouse https://theblackhouse.org/about-us/   Film 2 Future https://www.film2future.org/   Additional Links + Special thanks to: Podcast Haven - https://thepodcasthaven.com/ Liam E. Allen (original music) - @Liamea97   Cocktail Recipe: Ramos Gin Fizz 2 oz  gin 1/2 oz lemon juice 1/2 oz lime juice 1 oz simple syrup 2 dashes of orange flower water* 1 oz cream** 1 egg white 2-3 oz of soda water    *We swapped in Rose Water; it's what we had on hand in the house **For lactose intolerant drinkers, this can be swapped cream with oat milk One of the most complicated and difficult cocktails to make. Famous for a big frothy, Meringue-like head because of the egg white and soda water. Shake the ingredients with 3-5 ice cubes for 5-10 minutes to build up thick and creamy foam. Pour into a glass and leave it in the refrigerator for 3-4 minutes to let the head of the cocktail rise up.

In this final episode of the first season, Jason and Yvonne spend valuable time with Oscar-nominated, “brother” Kemp Powers -- journalist, screenwriter, playwright, journalist and now, director. This grounded, yet uplifting conversation circles around this notion: to maintain truth and integrity in storytelling, we must bring ourselves into the story and we do so by holding steadfast to emotional honesty and by creating empathy. This way, we create a great story, and a great story brings us together. This week: Jason asks, “How do we honor identity without exploiting it for the sake of a ‘good' story?” Jason and Yvonne examine the book and 1977 television miniseries, Roots by Alex Haley as a way into the discussion about to honor or to exploit in storytelling Frederick Douglass: “What, to the Slave, is the Fourth of July” (1852) One Night in Miami, stage play (Jason as Malcolm X), “How the Ending of ‘One Night in Miami' Recreated a Long Lost Cultural Landmark” Los Angeles Times Yvonne asks, “Are you in service to yourself or to the greater good?” Episode 5 guest, Jacqueline Olive work is about filling in the gaps of narrative in history and her documentary, “Always in Season” which won the 2019 Sundance Special Jury Prize for Moral Urgency  Kemp Powers, Pixar's first black director; “Do Black People Wear Belts? Kemp Powers on Creativity and Tackling Stereotypes at Pixar” WBEZ, Chicago  ‘Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse' Sequel Reveals Directing Team, The Hollywood Reporter Kemp shares his career journey; the ups and downs and says, “It's about finding the people who get you.” Kemp says, “I'm a storyteller.” Yvonne asks, “How do you maintain integrity in storytelling?” Kemp answers, “It's about emotional honesty.” Kemp shares, “It took me my whole life to understand who I am,” … “I know me really, really, well.” Cocktail: Sidecar A gorgeous, savory drink that is cognac forward with a delightful citrus kick. Recipe 2oz Cognac ¾ oz Cointreau* ¾ oz Lemon juice* (preferably freshly squeezed) Orange twist garnish Shaken *Jason prefers to dial back (or ramp up!) on these two ingredients and uses ½ oz Cointreau and ½ oz lemon juice in his recipe as a perfect way to tell the Sidecar story History & Meaning The Sidecar: Like many cocktails, the Sidecar's history and origination is attributed to more than one story. Here at Lagralane Spirits, and for the emphasis of this episode's title, we both honor and perhaps exploit the story of the sidecar by making it our own. 

In this episode, Jason and Yvonne sit down with Jacqueline Olive, a friend and a filmmaker. All three met through her documentary, “Always in Season” at the Sundance Film Festival. Here, they sit down and examine the meaning behind the question, “Who's telling the story, and does that add or take away from the story?” Through the lens of storytellers and their own experiences as People of Color living in America, they respond.  This week: Jason asks, “How do we author history? Jacqueline's work is about filling in the gaps of narrative in history? Jackie's documentary, “Always in Season” won the 2019 Sundance Special Jury Prize for Moral Urgency  Jackie asks, “Who's telling the story, and does that add or take away from the story?" Quote originates from Greek poet, Dinos Christianopoulos “They tried to bury us but they didn't know we were seeds.” Jackie talks about how acts of rebellion and resistance inspire her to create Jackie says that having a child is authoring history  Jackie described the racial tension that she and her family experienced in Mississippi   Jackie says authoring history is about going to school with questions, not answers Yvonne asks Jackie if she finds that some Black people do not want to talk about painful racial topics  Jackie responds that she is not about to judge them, but she will make space for the conversation to be had  Jason says that trauma can also stop us from exploring our ancestry  Jason explores why some people stop talking about their history  Cocktail: Manhattan Recipe 2 oz of Rye Whiskey 1 oz sweet vermouth Three teaspoons of simple syrup  Several dashes* of Angostura and orange bitters  Brandied cherry Stirred in a mixing tin  *We love our bitters; “You can't under-bitter a Manhattan” History & Meaning The Manhattan : The Manhattan is one of David Embury's six essential cocktails which he mentions in his 1948 book, The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks. The six are the Manhattan, Martini, Old Fashioned, Daiquiri, Sidecar and the Jack Rose. It was important to us to include the Manhattan; no one really knows who created this classic  -- there are a lot of theories and stories. Enjoy! 

In this episode of Lagralane Spirits, Jason and Yvonne sit down with critically acclaimed actress and documentary filmmaker, Erika Alexander. The three discuss taking control of our storytelling destiny, being the narrators of our own history, and the meaning of true power and agency in the filmmaking industry and beyond.  This week:  Enjoy a Boukman Daiquiri and share this recipe's origins  Erika is the creator of Color Farm Media Erika talks about the difficulties of being a darker skinned woman in the acting industry. She was often only casted as a sex worker, a slave, and maid  Erika's husband was a writer and he taught her the discipline that came with writing  Jason talks about how colorism, and being both too white and too dark, affected his chances at his auditions  Yvonne talks about how she felt that she had to choose whether to be Black or Filipina when auditioning  Erika reflects on the irony of Jason and Yvonne being rejected by casting directors for not being Black enough and her own story of being too Black for many casting directors  Jason asks “Who are the authors of history” and how we can restructure the narrative  Erika thinks that to be an artist is the hardest thing in the world, and it's noble, and it takes more than a pound of flesh Erika got into documentary making to learn more about strong women because they are often depicted as Wicked Witches  Documentary making is what introduced her to John Lewis. This was the last year before he passed away. Erika and her team released Good Trouble in 2020.  Charlamane tha God and Kevin Hart have reached out to Erika to support her documentary work with their own resources   Yvonne talks about how she wants more representation for Filipinas and Asians as a whole  Jason talks about how you have to be assertive to take control of the narrative  Erika talks about how we cannot see each other as Other *Reference for quotes read in this episode: Teow, Jeremy. “Black Revolt in the White Mind: Violence, Race, and Slave Agency in the British Reception of the Haitian Revolution, 1791–1805.” Australasian Journal of American Studies, vol. 37, no. 1, 2018, pp. 87–102. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/26532955. Accessed 28 July 2021. Cocktail: Daiquiri Recipe 1 ½  oz Boukman rum ½ oz Pierre Ferrand cognac ¾ oz lime juice ½ oz cinnamon simple syrup* Shake and enjoy! *Make your own simple syrup with equal parts water and sugar to boil, and add cinnamon sticks. History & Meaning The Boukman Daiquiri was created by Alex Day, a bartender from Philadelphia. The drink was named after Haitian priest, Dutty Boukman, who helped kickstart the Haitian Revolution.  About Erika Alexander Erika Alexander is beloved for her iconic acting roles as Maxine Shaw (Living Single), Detective Latoya (Get Out), Perenna (Black Lightning), Linda Diggs (Wutang: An American Saga) and Barb Ballard (Run The World). Erika wears many hats not only as an actress, but as a trailblazing activist, entrepreneur, creator, producer and director -- an all-around boss. And as co-founder of Color Farm Media, Erika represents one of the most bold, daring, and powerful voices in our country today.

In this 3-part series to Episode 3, we deep dive into three very different adoption stories to explore the topic of biological identity and origin. In Part 3, Jason and Yvonne sit down with Lisa Cole, a writer, mother, filmmaker, and global nomad. Lisa discusses how her writing about strong and disenfranchised women has been her way to find herself and shed light on the people who need it. Lisa also tells Jason and Yvonne about her fertility journey and her relationships with her transracially adopted children.  This week: Yvonne asks Lisa, “What has been your search for identity?” Lisa talks about how her writing has actually always been about finding a sense of self  Lisa talks about adopting after she was unable to carry a child to term; she mentions Safe Surrender.  Lisa talks about the vision of her daughter she had after the birth of her son  Jason asks Lisa, “How do you maintain truth in your adoption stories when there are so many opportunities to tell stories that are meant to protect others?” Lisa tells Jason and Yvonne that her daughter has been reconciling with her own adoption story    Cocktail: Whiskey Old Fashioned Recipe 2 oz of George Dickel Rye Whiskey Three teaspoons of simple syrup  Several dashes of bitters  A couple of splashes of water    History & Meaning The Old Fashioned : Before the 1860s, cocktails in America tended to be some mixture of spirit (often cognac), water, sugar, and bitters. After the 1860s and into the 1870s, other liquors like absinthe were being introduced to bars.  But a generation of drinkers wanted something more classic, so they would ask for something their grandfather would drink. They would say, “Make me something old-fashioned.” And the name stuck.

In this 3-part series to Episode 3, we deep dive into three very different adoption stories to explore the topic of biological identity and origin. In Part 1, Jason reveals a major find, a truth to his own adoption story that perhaps would have gone undiscovered if not for Ancestry.com. In Part 2, we talk about the truths one mom faced while building a family through adoption. Here, we have a heart-to-heart with a mom who shares her very personal journey to building a family through adoption.     This week:  Enjoy a Whiskey Old Fashioned and share this recipe's origins Channing met Jason and Yvonne through a mutual friend, Hank and Sueann Fortener, founders of Adopt Together  Channing tells Jason and Yvonne that she had medical challenges that made it impossible for her to carry her own child  To Channing, adoption felt like it made a lot of sense and there are kids out there that needed a home, so that's the path she chose Channing explains how she talked to her children about their own adoption journeys  Yvonne asks Channing, “What has been your search for identity?”  Channing talks about feeling like she was “playing with half the deck,” being a Black girl growing up in an all-white neighborhood Channing talks about growing up without representation in media, and how much she appreciated women like Shonda Rhimes now  Jason and Channing talk about being biracial, both Black and white, in cities that were historically sundown towns. Channing talks about how she predicts how her children will come to understand their adoption journeys    Cocktail: Whiskey Old Fashioned Recipe 2 oz of George Dickel Rye Whiskey Three teaspoons of simple syrup  Several dashes of bitters  A couple of splashes of water    History & Meaning The Old Fashioned : Before the 1860s, cocktails in America tended to be some mixture of spirit (often cognac), water, sugar, and bitters. After the 1860s and into the 1870s, other liquors like absinthe were being introduced to bars.  But a generation of drinkers wanted something more classic, so they would ask for something their grandfather would drink. They would say, “Make me something old-fashioned.” And the name stuck.

More and more people are questioning their identity and looking to discover their heritage. We're asking, "Who am I?" and we chase that question with, "Where do I belong and to whom?" With the increase of platforms like Ancestry.com, answers no longer die with the dead. Tonight, we live in a space that questions existing truths about definitions of identity and creates new ones.   In this episode we sit down with award-winning actor, producer, podcast host and educator, Fanshen Cox.    This week: Enjoy a White Negroni and share the drink's history and the proper way to mix one.  Yvonne shares her experience on the set of Lucky, Harry Dean Stanton's last film.  Discover the history of Lagralane.  Jason and Yvonne discuss how they identify and the complexities of holding multiple identities. Jason and Yvonne dive into what prompted them to start their separate journeys to learn more about their individual cultural identity and the ways they presusuded their history.    Yvonne reflects on the American perception of ethnicity and the limitations of the structure.  Fanshen answers the question, “If we are all an equation, how do we solve for identity?”  Fanshen talks about the idea of race and how that plays out in the world.  Jason reflects on his experience of representing the enslaved and the slave owners as a biracial male.  Fanshen shares her experience with other people wanting her to “pass” as white. Fanshen talks about racial pride and how that internal struggle plays out when you identify as more than one.  Fanshen, Yvonne, and Jason discuss the important concept of white people digging into their own history to be true allies.  Fanshen explains that black is a culture and how it encompasses so many things besides race.    Cocktail: White Negroni Recipe 1.5oz Gin 1 ounce Dolin Blanc Vermouth 3/4 oz Suze or Cocchi Americano Served on the rocks   History & Meaning The Negroni was invented by an Italian, Count Negroni, but in 2001 it got a little British put on it, by bartender Wayne Collins, while in France. Collins created the White Negroni. It's half Italian, half Brit! Thus it is multiethnic, like Jason and Yvonne.    About Fanshen Cox Fanshen Cox is the creator of the award-winning one-woman show One Drop of Love, exploring the intersections of race, class, gender, history and identity. Fanshen also facilitates workshops and delivers keynotes on using narrative in empathy-building, exploring historical context, and how the construction of race affects our closest relationships.

War, marriage, and opportunity are just some of the reasons we might uproot our entire lives from one homestead to another. And while there are incredible opportunities that come with leaving all that we know and love behind, there can also be immense violence and loss -- be it to culture, identity, or life. What is at stake for those who try to assimilate into a brand new world?    In episode two of Lagralane Spirits, The Violence of Migration, we tell our own migration stories and explore what our roots mean to our past, present, and future. We dig into this joy and pain with guest Natividad Lagramada Huff, also affectionately known as “Mama Nattie.”   This week:  Enjoy a Sazerac and share this recipe's origins  Yvonne asks, “What gets lost in migration?” Yvonne dives into the importance of language in her biracial household  Yvonne shares with Jason how war played a part in how her parents met  Jason poses a question, “Our complete identity cannot be wrapped up in our name, so does that make us other?” Jason shares his thoughts on the current racial climate in America and how we are going through a reconstruction era again where we're finding out more information about the meaning of race in our country  Jason and Yvonne talk to Mama Nattie, Yvonne's mother, about her migration story from the Philippines  to The United States  Mamma Nattie explains to  Yvonne that when she moved to America, she didn't have many people to speak Tagalog with and how that affected her using the language at home, and why it wasn't taught to her children. Mamma Nattie tells Yvonne and Jason, “Wherever you guys are I'll be home."   Cocktail: Sazerac Recipe 1.5 oz of Cognac or Rye Whiskey 1.4 oz Absinthe  1 Sugar Cube 3 dashes of Peychaud's Bitters   History & Meaning The Sazerac was invented in 1838 by Antoine Amedie Peychaud. Peychaud was a Creole apothecary who immigrated to New Orleans from the West Indies. This drink was invented in the same year the forced migration of the Trail of Tears took place. Peychaud was living in New Orleans during the Slave Trade, which forcibly migrated and sold millions of West African people to slave trading ports all over the New World, including a port in New Orleans.

In this 3-part series to Episode 3, we deep dive into three very different adoption stories to explore the topic of biological identity and origin. In Part 1, Jason reveals a major find, a truth to his own adoption story that perhaps would have gone undiscovered if not for Ancestry.com. This find led Jason and Yvonne to a soulful and identity-searching discussion with Hank and Sueann Fortener of Adopt Together, an organization that helps families come to be.      This week: From the lens of what it means to adopt, we'll discuss identity and origins from generation to generation Jason tells Yvonne the story of how he paid the Department of Human Services in Nebraska $17 for information on his adoption while on a road trip to a show in Chicago Jason discusses how his adoption story and his DNA journey lead him to explore family members he never knew; people from Louisiana, Scotland, South Carolina, South Georgia, and even a few Germans in Russia (Volga Germans) Jason discusses what it means to be a Black man, and an adopted man, in America  Jason and Yvonne speak to Hank and Sueann Fortener about their non-profit Adopt Together. Adopt Together is a donation organization that has helped 6500 families raise $25 million in 10 years  Sueann discusses not being American enough in America and not being Korean enough in Korea  Sueann and Yvonne discuss the complexities of multi-ethnic subcultures and their racial standards  Hank discusses how at seven years old his parents approached him about how he felt about them becoming foster parents  Hank discusses how his own family took on foster kids after he and his wife could no longer have kids biologically   Cocktail: Whiskey Old Fashioned   Recipe 2 oz of George Dickel Rye Whiskey Three teaspoons of simple syrup  Several dashes of bitters  A couple of splashes of water    History & Meaning The Old Fashioned :   Before the 1860s, cocktails in America tended to be some mixture of spirit (often cognac), water, sugar, and bitters. After the 1860s and into the 1870s, other liquors like absinthe were being introduced to bars.  But a generation of drinkers wanted something more classic, so they would ask for something their grandfather would drink. They would say, “Make me something old-fashioned.” And the name stuck.

We, Jason and Yvonne Lee, husband and wife, father and mother, actors, producers, and explorers of identity, would like to invite you to a real talk meeting of the minds over reverent cocktails.    This season we are exposing the roots of our identities, and by doing so we are hoping you'll take some time to think about your own. From cultural connections to the authors of history, from biological origins to the families we create, we are digging deep into who makes us who we are and what makes us who we are.    You'll be hearing from some extraordinary guests including notable actors, producers, and award-winning writers.    We will be honoring the word “symposium” with some delicious cocktails. Symposium comes from the Greek word sympinein which means to drink together. We'll be chatting and drinking with some extraordinary guests including notable actors, producers, and award-winning writers. And each episode will feature a spirit-based cocktail, with a recipe you can make at home so you can join us.    Enjoy responsibly.