Can “Taste” Be Taught? A Book Publisher & Whiskey Maker Debate Intuition vs Data

Can “Taste” Be Taught? A Book Publisher & Whiskey Maker Debate Intuition vs Data

What actually makes someone good at building things people love? In this BU Live conversation, publishing veteran Marji Ross and master blender Brandon McCraney break down one of the most overlooked business skills: taste. From bestselling books to handcrafted whiskey, the discussion explores whether intuition is something you’re born with or something you build through reps, feedback, and real-world exposure. Hosted by Josh Pies, this episode dives into how audience understanding, gut instinct, and iteration shape every successful brand. Key Topics ✅ Can intuition be learned or trained? ✅ The role of feedback loops in business growth ✅ Creative leadership in publishing and distilling 🎙 Guests: 👉Brandon McCraney, Founder of Master Blender at Olde Raleigh Distillery https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonmccraney/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonmccraney/] 👉Marji Ross, Principal at Marji Ross Consulting LLC https://www.linkedin.com/in/marji-ross-5065913/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marji-ross-5065913/] 00:00 Introduction to BU Live and Hosts 02:59 Masters of Taste: Understanding Audience Preferences 07:48 The Feedback Loop: Learning from Audience Reactions 10:38 Gut Instincts: The Evolution of Intuition in Business 16:29 Navigating Controversy: Provocative Content in Publishing 18:17 Experimentation in Craft: The Thousand Blends Project 22:00 The Importance of Consumer Focus 23:05 Trusting Yourself: A Journey 27:52 Taking the Leap: Starting Your Own Business 30:11 Navigating Challenges During COVID-19 32:18 Recommendations: Books and Beverages If this conversation resonated with you, share it with another entrepreneur or business leader who believes relationships still matter. Like, subscribe, and join the conversation in the comments. What’s one business relationship that changed your life? #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #BrandBuilding #LeadershipMindset #Startups #WhiskeyCulture #PublishingIndustry #BusinessStrategy #FounderLife #BUlive

Why Human Connection Still Beats AI in Business

What happens when a business leader from the beverage industry sits down to talk about entrepreneurship, loneliness, AI, hospitality, and why the best business deals still happen face-to-face? In this episode of BU Live, Josh Pies sits down with Jen Hauke, CEO of Draftline Technologies and host of the Thirsty Business Podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation about building relationships in a world increasingly dominated by screens, automation, and artificial intelligence. From the future of draft beer and hospitality to the collapse of human connection after the pandemic, this conversation explores why community, shared experiences, and real conversations matter more than ever. Jen shares lessons from growing a company in a highly specialized niche, what she’s seeing across the economy, how business leaders are adapting to uncertainty, and why breaking bread with people is still one of the most powerful forms of networking. This episode is about more than beer. It’s about the future of human interaction itself. Key Topics ✅ Impact of AI and technology on business ✅ Importance of face-to-face interactions and relationships ✅ Insights into the beverage industry and market trends 🎙 Guests: 👉Jen Hauke, Founder of DraftLine Technologies and host of Thirsty Business Podcast https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-hauke-2281a38/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-hauke-2281a38/] 🎙️ Thirsty Business Podcast https://thirstybusinesspodcast.com [https://thirstybusinesspodcast.com] 🍺 Draftline Technologies https://draftlinetech.com [https://draftlinetech.com] 00:00 Introduction to BU Live and Jen Hauke 03:04 The Thirsty Business Podcast and Family Legacy 05:52 Understanding Draftline Technologies and Its Impact 09:09 The Importance of Social Interaction Post-Pandemic 11:54 Consumer Trends in the Beverage Industry 15:00 Inversion Thinking and Problem Solving 17:59 Navigating Economic Uncertainty 21:49 Navigating Economic Challenges and Opportunities 24:47 The Impact of AI on Business Dynamics 29:44 Market Insights and Industry Trends 34:35 Building Relationships Through Meaningful Interactions If this conversation resonated with you, share it with another entrepreneur or business leader who believes relationships still matter. Like, subscribe, and join the conversation in the comments. What’s one business relationship that changed your life? #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #AI #HumanConnection #Hospitality #BeerIndustry #BusinessGrowth #Networking #BUlive

Can Burger King Save Its Brand? Smart People Debate the Comeback

What makes some people completely freeze under pressure… while others seem to perform even better when things get chaotic? In this live episode of B*U Live, we got into a real conversation about pressure, preparation, branding, business, media, entrepreneurship, and the moments that force you to think fast in real time. What started as a conversation about Burger King trying to reinvent its image turned into a much bigger discussion about how perception shapes everything, from business and social media to jury trials, live broadcasting, and leadership. We talked about: ✅Why perception is reality in modern business ✅Whether brands can actually recover after losing trust ✅How social media can destroy or revive a company overnight ✅Why confidence usually comes from preparation ✅The difference between reacting emotionally vs responding intentionally ✅What real estate, trial law, and live TV teach you about handling pressure ✅How adversity often becomes preparation for future success And somehow we also ended up debating: McDonald’s Diet Coke, Burger King onion rings, Chick-fil-A pickle brine, marathon training, golf media, and why thinking under pressure is becoming a lost skill. This was one of those conversations that went everywhere in the best possible way. 🎙 Guests: 👉Dan Grieb, one of Florida’s top-producing real estate professionals and endurance athlete. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-grieb-4b401431/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-grieb-4b401431/] 👉Matthew Wasserman, personal injury attorney and wine enthusiast. https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-wasserman-3bb09377/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-wasserman-3bb09377/] 👉Whit Watson, longtime sports broadcaster and one of the voices behind The Villages media network. https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitwatson/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitwatson/] If you enjoy honest conversations about business, leadership, mindset, entrepreneurship, and real life without the polished corporate filter, subscribe to B*U Live for more episodes. #BULive #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPodcast #Branding #Leadership #Marketing #PersonalGrowth #Media #RealEstate #Law #SportsMedia

AI Is Replacing Jobs Faster Than Founders Expected

This engaging conversation explores the power of AI, rapid prototyping, business problem-solving, and the importance of relationships in entrepreneurship. Featuring insights from experienced entrepreneurs and tech innovators, it offers practical advice for startups and small businesses navigating today's fast-changing landscape. Key Topics ✅ AI's role in business efficiency and marketing ✅ Rapid prototyping and minimum viable products ✅ Chargeback mitigation and financial protection ✅ The importance of relationships and partnerships in business ✅ The impact of AI layoffs and future of work 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions 04:38 The Necessity of Invention: Josh Sprague's Journey 10:35 Chargebacks and Business Solutions: Don Wilczynski's Innovations 15:44 Creative Challenges and Speed to Market: Bill Reynolds' Perspective 22:13 Navigating Change: Josh Pies' Business Evolution 25:41 AI Layoffs and the Future of Work 27:07 Starting a Business in the Age of AI 28:46 The Importance of Relationships in Business 29:30 Leveraging AI for Efficiency 31:39 AI as a Tool for Problem Solving 36:27 Business Advice for Young Entrepreneurs Guests: 🔷 Bill Reynolds - http://linkedin.com/in/bill-reynolds-element502 [http://linkedin.com/in/bill-reynolds-element502] 🔷 Josh Sprague - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshsprague/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshsprague/] 🔷 Don Wilczynski - https://www.linkedin.com/in/donwilczynski/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/donwilczynski/] 🔔 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BUbusinesspodcastnetwork [https://www.youtube.com/@BUbusinesspodcastnetwork] #ai #entrepreneurship #rapidprototyping #chargebacks #businessstrategy #innovation #networking #smallbusiness #digitalmarketing #problemsolving

We All Got Entrepreneurship Wrong

Welcome to B*U Live — First Session. In this episode, Josh sit down with Dave Grosz, Markus Kaulius and John de Jong for an honest, unfiltered conversation about what entrepreneurship really feels like behind the scenes. From expectations vs reality to the identity shifts that come with building a business, this discussion challenges the idea of what “success” is supposed to look like. No scripts. No surface-level answers. Just real founders sharing what they’ve learned, unlearned, and questioned along the way. If you’ve ever felt like entrepreneurship doesn’t look the way you thought it would, this one’s for you. Key topics ✅ The significance of space launches and their impact on society ✅ The role of mentorship and personal development in business growth ✅ The concept of building 'pyramids' as a metaphor for large-scale projects ✅ The integration of AI in business and its training requirements ✅ The importance of community and national pride in uniting people Guests: 🔷Markus Kaulius - https://linkedin.com/in/markus-kaulius [https://linkedin.com/in/markus-kaulius] 🔷John de Jong - https://linkedin.com/in/johndejong [https://linkedin.com/in/johndejong] 🔷Dave Grosz - https://linkedin.com/in/davegrosz [https://linkedin.com/in/davegrosz] Resources: 👉 Play a Bigger Game by Marcus Kaulius https://www.amazon.com/Play-Bigger-Game-Marcus-Kaulius/dp/XXXXXX [https://www.amazon.com/Play-Bigger-Game-Marcus-Kaulius/dp/XXXXXX] 👉AlleyKat Signs and Marketing https://alleykatsigns.com/ [https://alleykatsigns.com/] 👉Wilson and Company Healthcare Construction https://wilsonandco.com [https://wilsonandco.com] 👉BU Business Podcast Network https://thebusinesspodcastnetwork.com [https://thebusinesspodcastnetwork.com] 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions 04:57 Childhood Dreams and Aspirations 14:01 Navigating Identity Crises in Entrepreneurship 20:57 The Transition from Operator to Owner 28:06 Family Dynamics in Business 31:02 Current Events: Artemis II Launch Discussion 32:06 The Space Age Revival 40:00 Investing in Space and Technology 46:06 The New Pyramids: AI and Innovation 51:59 Sports as a Unifying Force 59:52 Business Insights and Networking #BULive #bootstrappedunicorns #BUBusinessPodcastNetwork