Beyond Neutral: Water, Stills and the Hidden Flavors of Vodka

The California Agave Movement: How California Grown Agave is Finding Its Own Identity with Gian Pablo Nelson

What happens when passionate producers, drought resistant land and a blank slate come together? You get the California agave movement, and nobody tells that story better than Gian Pablo Nelson of Jano Spirits. In this episode GP sits down with JJ and Jeff to pull back the curtain on how California grown agave is finding its own identity, from native US varietals producing higher sugar content than Mexico to a growing community of producers collaborating across the state's diverse microclimates. GP breaks down the agricultural shift reshaping California's land, the state law locking in quality and integrity from the ground up, and why this movement is bigger than any one bottle or brand. This is the story of people who are all in — from field to still to glass — and the ancient plant that is quietly changing everything. 🌵 Follow GP Nelson and Jano Spirits: Website: www.janospirits.com [http://www.janospirits.com/] Instagram: @janospirits 🎙️ Follow Shots Fired and Poured: Instagram: @shots_fired_and_poured

Mezcal, Migration, and Who Profits: Fabiola Santiago Hernandez on Culture, Land, and Legacy

Mezcal is having a global moment, but who gets heard, who gets paid, and who gets left out? In this episode of Shots Fired and Poured, we sit down with Fabiola Santiago Hernandez, founder of Mi Oaxaca, to talk about mezcal beyond the bottle. Born in Oaxaca and raised in California, Fabiola shares her family’s migration story, the realities of living undocumented, and how that journey shaped her fight for cultural preservation, economic equity, and respect for Indigenous Oaxacan traditions. We dig into the misinformation surrounding mezcal, the damage caused by cultural appropriation, the pressures of tourism and global demand, and why small family producers are often excluded from the value they created. This is a conversation about land, labor, legacy, and what it means to protect culture before profiting from it. If you care about mezcal, agave, foodways, migration, or the future of heritage spirits, this episode is for you.

Beyond Neutral: Water, Stills and the Hidden Flavors of Vodka

On this episode of Shots Fired and Poured hosts JJ and Jeff welcome vodka expert Tatyana "Tat" Petrikova to unpack vodka's history, myths and modern revival. Tat explains vodka's origin as "aqua vita," the role of terroir and raw ingredients (wheat, rye, barley, potato, corn, grapes), and how water, fermentation and still design shape flavor. They discuss pot versus column distillation, proof and labelling myths, tasting approaches, and practical tips for choosing and exploring vodkas—encouraging listeners to try local and comparative tastings to discover real diversity in the category.

Alcohol Policy is Broken — Labeling, Limits, and What Would Actually Reduce Harm With Dr. David Nutt | Ep. 3

Welcome to Shots Fired and Poured — where combat grit meets the world’s boldest bottles. Alcohol is legal, social, and everywhere… but the science of how it affects the brain (especially as we age) is widely misunderstood. In this episode, Dr. David Nutt — one of the world’s leading neuropsychopharmacologists — breaks down what alcohol is actually doing in your brain, why “drink less” isn’t a real guideline, and how quality, price, and policy shape harm more than most people realize. We’re not here to shame anyone. We’re here to give adults better tools to make more informed choices. In this episode: What people assume about “alcohol researchers” — and what they get wrong The difference between reducing harm vs being “anti-alcohol” Why limits matter (and why “drink less” can be too vague) Why alcohol can hit harder as you age (and what brain scans show) Sugar + alcohol: why industrial “flavored” spirits can drive consumption Why some people get mellow… and others get loud, reckless, or aggressive Social anxiety + drinking: when alcohol becomes a confidence crutch The truth behind hangovers, adrenaline, and why exercise can feel like it “helps” Should alcohol have mandatory ingredient and nutrition labels? Can you get the relaxation without ethanol? Dr. Nutt explains what he built with Sentia Spirits One line that sums it up: “Alcohol is to be enjoyed, not consumed.” Drop your question for Dr. Nutt in the comments: If you’ve already decided to drink — what are your personal non-negotiables that keep it from turning into harm? Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of culture + craft + science. Shots Fired and Poured with JJ Jackson & Jeff Bradford. Thanks for Listening!

Are We Being Lied to About Alcohol? Ep. 2 With Dr. Tim Stockwell

In this episode of Shots Fired & Poured, we sit down with Dr. Tim Stockwell — one of the world’s most influential alcohol researchers — to have a real conversation about what “mindful drinking” actually means when you strip away the buzzwords. Dr. Stockwell has spent decades studying alcohol’s impact on health, behavior, and society, and his work has helped reshape how governments and researchers understand harm: it’s often not just about “problem drinkers,” but about the environments we live in — pricing, availability, marketing, and cultural norms. Together, we explore the gray area most people live in: Not abstinence. Not shame. Just better awareness. We talk about how alcohol affects people differently based on context and biology, why public messaging can feel confusing or one-size-fits-all, and what it looks like to drink with intention in the real world — while still respecting the science. If you’ve ever wondered: “Am I drinking too much… or just like everyone else?” “Why do guidelines feel so disconnected from real life?” “How do I drink in a way that aligns with who I want to be? Follow Jeff on your favorite Social Media Platforms: https://linktr.ee/BeerWineandSpirits [https://linktr.ee/BeerWineandSpirits] Follow JJ Jackson on Instagram @outpostdistllery