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 being fired from the Maze Runner - and how the lead actor didn't even realize he was the writer.Grant tells us how he would pitch a movie about Trump, how the pandemic ruined one of his latest projects and whether his new projects will have masks and social distancing written in to them.He talks about script envy, the Maze Runner being sued for stealing someone else's idea and how he feels about the Maze Runner sequels making less money than the first.And he tells us why he wants to drink any whisky with Ernest Hemingway on a boat - and his favorite cocktail stories.

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Episode 56 - Grant Pierce Myers, writer of The Maze Runner

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 corporate events and travel and why she wants to share a Jefferson's with Celine Dion.

Episode 55 - Kayla Drescher, magician

We talk to David Mackay, the Chief Pilot for Virgin Galactic.He tells us his journey from a young boy in northern Scotland watching the moon landing on television to his own flight into space.David, who has more than 15k flying hours, talks about testing aircraft for the British Royal Air Force, his transition to commercial airliners for Virgin Atlantic and then his move to flying spacecraft for Virgin Galactic and helping Richard Branson achieve his dream.He describes the simple joy of his first ever flight, the beautiful vistas he has captured from the cockpit of planes around the world and the thrill of flying into space and the unique experience and view.David talks through what a Virgin Galactic astronaut will experience, the types of passengers who have signed up for space travel and why he enjoys a post-flight Clynelish.And he tells us why he wants to share a whisky with Neil Armstrong.

Episode 54 - David Mackay, Virgin Galactic Chief Pilot

We talk to James Keston, owner of Orange County Soccer Club.He explains why he bought a USL team, what he is hoping to achieve on and off the field and how hard the pandemic has hit live sport.James talks about the unique partnership with Glasgow Rangers, the CBS documentary about their deal and why all the Scottish players needed subtitles.He tells us that he doesn’t think a promotion and relegation system will happen in US soccer in the next 30 years, the importance of giving American youngsters a pathway to pro that avoids college and how close he came to owning an MLS team.And why he wants to share a highland whisky in a European pub with Alexander Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin.

Episode 53 - James Keston, owner of Orange County Soccer Club

We speak to immigration lawyer Lorraine D'Alessio, founder of the D'Alession Law Group.She talks about the 'hardest year' for her and her clients, battling the combination of the complex and ever-changing world of the Trump administration's immigration policy combined with the challenges of Coronavirus.She tells of the heartbreak of stranded families, jobs lost and her efforts to find novel ways of helping families.And hope that the new Biden administration will make immigration pathways clearer again.The former model also tells her personal journey from catwalk star to award winning lawyer. How her first clients were models and casting agents and some of the prejudice she faced both at the beginning of her career and even now.And Lorraine tells us why she wants to share a Jefferson 17 Presidential Select with her English grandfather.

Episode 52 - Lorraine D’Alessio, immigration lawyer

We talk to whisky entrepreneur Steve Lipp, the man behind everything from Alexander Murray, to Costco's Kirkland whisky and also banana-flavor bourbon sensation Howler Head.He tells us about how near-death experiences took him from the oil business to the whisky trade, why he named his brand after his great uncle and how a drowning fisherman helped Lagavulin 16 become his favorite whisky.He talks about banana bourbon - and his partnership with UFC owner Dana White, his beer/whisky partnership with Firestone Walker and what next for Costco whiskys.And why he wants to share a Lagavulin 16 with Sean Connery at the Pittodrie House Hotel.

Episode 51 - Steve Lipp, whisky entrepreneur

For our 50th episode of the podcast, we have ex-CIA operative John Sipher.In a powerful and damning interview he talks about the damage being done to the Intelligence Community by the current administration, the risks to America from a delayed transition and his anger at the current relationship with Russia.He talks about how the pandemic will change intelligence gathering, the complications those currently serving face doing their jobs and how dangerous the politicization of intelligence work can be.John also explains how his company Spycraft Entertainment bridges the intelligence services and Hollywood, which shows are the most realistic (very few of them!) and how much material there is to work with at the moment.He also talks about scotch and espionage, taking a Russian defector to Scottish distilleries and why he wants to share a Lagavulin with Winston Churchill.

Episode 50 - John Sipher, ex-CIA operative

We talk to documentary filmmaker Tom Stubberfield, founder of Bullitt Films. He talks about his projects with the Chilean mine rescue, the Thai cave rescue as well as Hurricane Katrina and the Kilauea eruption in Hawaii. Tom talks about why documentaries are enjoying a golden age, the emotion of filming rescues and dropping dynamite out of a helicopter. He tells about his travels around America, the power of human story telling and why he wants to share a Laphroaig with Martin Scorsese in his garden. Find out more at www.bullittfilms.com.

Episode 49 - Tom Stubberfield, documentary filmmaker

We talk to former British Deputy Ambassador in Washington Patrick Davies.He talks about Biden's historic victory, the chaos of working with the Trump administration and what next for America.Having met President elect Biden many times, he talks about what sort of man he is, his relationship with Britain and his reputation for reaching out across the political divide.The author of a new book - the Great American Delusion - Patrick admits his fears about the huge divides in America, the myths that drive America to behave the way it does but his hopes for the country going forward.The former diplomat talks about conducting active shooter drills in the Embassy, how Britain and America are going down the same path and the need for electoral reform in the US.And why he wants to share a Macallan with historic Vice President Elect Kamala Harris on the White House lawn.

Episode 48 - Patrick Davies, former British Deputy Ambassador to the United States

We talk to the multi-talented David Kwong about puzzling during lockdown, missing live audiences and his love of bringing magic to the big and small screens.David has leaned into the virtual world, hosting instagram live puzzles and now has a full set in his basement for the sold out 'Inside the Box' show.He tells us about compiling puzzles for the New York Times, his favorite magic history stories and working on movies like Now You See Me - where he had to literally tape a coin to Morgan Freeman's hand - and shows like Deception and Blindspot.We talk about the science of magic, taking advantage of faulty wiring in the brain and his TED talks about it.And he tells the amazing story of Chung Ling Soo.David drinks a Talisker 10 while I enjoy a Bunnahaibhain - which has the same Scrabble tile value as his name.

Episode 47 - David Kwong, puzzler and magician

We talk to the Sage of Saratoga, leading horse handicapper Andy Serling.He tells us how horse racing has grown during the pandemic, what makes the sport so special and how legal sports betting is inevitable in America.The New York Racing Association handicapper talks about falling in love with his home track of Saratoga, how race tracks without crowds are "sad" and how a horse's name impacts its odds.Andy describes how much research he does on each race, why he backs his picks with money and his hopes for big crowds after Coronavirus.And why he wants to share a Blanton's bourbon  with Philip Roth at Saratoga.

Episode 46 - Andy Serling, horse handicapper

We talk to former Glasgow Warrior and Scotland rugby player Ruaridh Jackson.We talk about retiring early due to Covid and transitioning to a career in whisky and gin.He tells us about the re-launch of Glenturret, Scotland's oldest working distillery, describes his frustration at the recent closures of the Scottish hospitality industry and the importance of alcohol for a winter in Scotland.Ruaridh describes the highs and lows of his rugby career, mental health in sport and learning to drink whisky to unwind after games.He tells us about his Garden Shed Gin business, ignoring criticism on Twitter and why he wants to share a Balvenie 14 with Bob Marley on a Scottish beach.

Episode 45 - Ruaridh Jackson, ex-rugby player and Glenturret whisky

We talk to Jael Ballard, director of corporate partnerships at LAFC.She tells us how much she misses live sport, how MLS has seized the moment with social activism and how the world has changed for women in sport.We talk about the principles behind the new Los Angeles MLS club, the passion of the fans and how there is enough room in Los Angeles for all the sports teams.She also talks about equestrian vaulting, family friendly soccer and why she wants to share a tequila with Michelle Obama.

Episode 44 - Jael Ballard, LAFC

We talk to British diplomat Richard Hyde, Her Majesty's representative to Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.He talks about diplomacy in the age of covid, diversity in Texas and in the British foreign service and his love for rodeo, bbq and breakfast tacos.We also cover the importance of teaching Americans to drink scotch while sharing Aberlour and Jura.He tells us about the importance of outreach to the Hispanic community in his States, female leadership in the British foreign office and growing up in Liverpool as the son of a disabled immigrant.The wide-ranging discussion also covers why Texans walk with a swagger, why the state is misunderstood in the UK and how comfortable cowboy boots really are.

Episode 43 - Richard Hyde, British Consul General in Texas

We talk to David Laird, newly appointed Luxury Portfolio Specialist for William Grant.He explains why people spend thousands on good whisky, why sales are up so much during the pandemic and why even the most expensive whisky is made to be drunk.Over Balvenie and Glenfiddich 21 we discuss high-end whisky packaging, a $1k cocktail and the importance of drinking the best whiskys sitting down and with as few other people as possible.He also talks about running a bar in Memphis, his brief professional soccer career and wanting to share a dram with his family.

Episode 42 - David Laird, luxury whisky specialist

The whisky podcast that's not about whisky.Each episode we sit down with a whisky drinker from the worlds of entertainment, sport, business or even the whisky industry.And they tell their story and drink whisky.

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