Whiskey & Wisdom

Wedding Photographer Exposes the Biggest Wedding Industry Lies | Leigh Roberts

Chris Kellum and Tyler Yaw welcome back wedding photographer Leigh Roberts for a candid conversation covering sobriety, wedding industry trends, photography hot takes, and what happens when a wedding professional plans her own wedding. Leigh shares her journey of being sober for one year and seven months after a major health scare, discussing the lifestyle changes, nutrition adjustments, supplements, and daily habits that helped her regain her health. She also reflects on her decision to elope after spending nearly 14 years photographing weddings, explaining why she and her husband chose a small, intimate celebration that cost roughly $6,000. The conversation dives deep into the realities of modern weddings, including rising costs, vendor pricing, wedding-industry politics, and the trends Leigh believes should disappear. She discusses everything from polka-dot wedding aesthetics and intentionally crooked photos to preferred-vendor cliques, DJ choices, and the pressure couples face when planning their big day. Leigh also shares practical advice for couples navigating family dynamics, vendor relationships, and wedding-day expectations. On the photography side, Leigh offers strong opinions on delivering RAW images, the importance of editing, flash photography, second shooters, drone coverage, venue lighting, and the ongoing Canon versus Sony debate. The episode wraps with memorable wedding horror stories, discussions on AI's impact on photography, and valuable insights for anyone planning a wedding or working in the wedding industry. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Meet the Guest Leigh 00:53 Sober and Holistic Reset 02:04 Vaccine Injury Recovery 04:37 Lifestyle Changes and Food 05:45 Backyard Gym and Cooking 07:15 Eloping After 14 Years 09:33 Wedding Trends Pet Peeves 12:26 Wedding Costs and Pricing 15:19 Gen Z Vendors and Identity 20:45 Music Choices and DJs 25:03 Preferred Vendor Cliques 28:46 Shot List Hot Takes 28:58 Dress Shot Debate 29:55 Venue Lighting Matters 32:46 Second Shooters Strategy 35:00 Wedding Horror Stories 41:14 Trends, Flowers, and Cake 43:42 Flash, Film, and Gear 47:25 Canon vs Sony Switch 53:58 Pricing RAWs and AI 01:00:53 Family Dynamics Checklist 01:02:27 Wrap Up and Goodbye KEY TAKEAWAYS * Why Leigh chose to elope after nearly 14 years of photographing weddings. * The wedding trends she believes are overrated and ready to disappear. * How sobriety and lifestyle changes transformed her health and daily life. * The truth about wedding photography pricing and vendor costs. * Why professional editing is a critical part of photography. * Her thoughts on second shooters, drones, flash photography, and venue selection. * Canon vs Sony: which system she prefers and why. * Real wedding-day horror stories and lessons learned from years in the industry. * How AI may change the future of photography and creative work. * Practical advice for couples planning a wedding without unnecessary stress.

How a Coffee Truck Turned Canned Lattes Into a Local Phenomenon

What does it take to build one of Wilmington's most talked-about coffee brands? On this episode of Whiskey & Wisdom, Tyler Yaw and Chris Kellum sit down with Caitlyn Goff, owner of Grounds of Grace Coffee Truck. From canned lattes and coffee flights to seasonal flavors and faith-driven branding, Caitlyn shares how she built a growing business that has become a community favorite. We discuss sourcing local coffee beans, learning the craft of espresso, creating unique menu items, leveraging social media, building strategic partnerships, and staying true to your values while growing a business. Whether you're a coffee lover, entrepreneur, or someone pursuing a dream of your own, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiration. 🥤 In this episode: • How Grounds of Grace got started • The rise of canned lattes and coffee flights • Creating seasonal coffee flavors • Building a faith-based brand • Social media growth strategies • Lessons from entrepreneurship • Future plans for expansion Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, and community leaders. 00:00 Why Everyone Loves Grounds of Grace 01:12 The Canned Latte Craze 02:42 Why Start a Coffee Truck? 03:57 Learning Espresso From Scratch 05:50 Seasonal Flavors That Keep Customers Coming Back 07:32 Why Coffee Flights Work 08:54 Funding the Dream 09:57 How Their Canned Lattes Are Made 12:22 Clean Ingredients and Better Syrups 14:04 The Faith Behind Grounds of Grace 18:40 Building Community Through Partnerships 22:21 Branding the Truck 23:30 Coffee Preferences and Favorites 24:52 What Europe Gets Right About Coffee 28:30 New Summer Flavor Launches 29:38 Where to Find Grounds of Grace 31:07 Defining Success and Future Growth 35:47 Advice to Her Younger Self 37:03 What's Next for Grounds of Grace 39:09 Final Thoughts and Wrap Up

Why Moms Are Flocking to This Wilmington Fitness Community

What started as a few moms getting together for movement and connection has grown into one of Wilmington’s fastest-growing postpartum fitness communities. On this episode of Whiskey & Wisdom, Chris Kellum and Tyler Yaw sit down with Brooke Pereira, founder of The Mamalates Group, to talk about motherhood, postpartum fitness, community building, and helping moms feel less alone after having kids. Brooke shares how mommy-and-me Pilates classes, stroller workouts, and weekly walks turned into a movement bringing together dozens of moms across Wilmington — including a recent event with nearly 90 attendees. The conversation dives into: * Postpartum fitness struggles * Building community after motherhood * Making gyms less intimidating for moms * “Babes and Barbells” at Lakeside * Starting imperfectly * Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship * Brooke’s vision for coaching and online programs Whether you’re a parent, fitness enthusiast, entrepreneur, or someone trying to build meaningful community, this episode delivers practical insight and honest conversation.

The Best Deli In Wilmington? Gnome Nom Nom

Nom Nom Nom’s Rob Stang on Gnomes, New York-Style Deli Life, and Building Community in Wilmington On the Whiskey and Wisdom podcast, Chris Kellum and Tyler Yaw welcome guest Rob Stang of Nom Nom Nom, tasting Penelope Havana whiskey and discussing drink preferences. Rob shares his background from upstate New York, years in retail management, and his shift to entrepreneurship with his wife, leading to three gnome-inspired Wilmington businesses: Nom Nom Nom deli in the Cotton Exchange, Gnome Garden ILM (gnomes, mushrooms, houseplants), and Cape Fear Gnomies Dispensary focused on education and quality. He explains the origin of the gnome/“nom nom” concept, the deli’s New York-style emphasis on fresh-sliced ingredients, Apple Annie’s bread, Jess Bagels from the Bronx, breakfast all day, and empanadas tied to his Puerto Rican heritage. They cover community support, seasonal traffic, new desserts, social handles, and Rob’s views on success and advice to his younger self. 00:00 Welcome And Guest Intro 00:44 Penelope Havana Tasting 02:40 Mixers And Whiskey Habits 03:25 Rob Origin Story Retail To Owner 04:38 Gnome Obsession Explained 08:48 Nom Nom Nom Brand Origin 10:01 Three Gnome Businesses Tour 11:21 Dispensary Education And Market 13:47 What Makes A Real Deli 18:32 Cotton Exchange Community Buzz 20:21 Growth Plans Empanadas Hours 21:55 All Day Breakfast NY Bagels 23:50 Bagels Bread Debates 24:24 Travel Food Mixups 25:19 Too Tired To Cook 25:56 Chicken Coop Chronicles 28:15 Egg Brand And Side Hustle 29:00 Finding Nom Nom Nom 29:50 Empanada Flavor Lab 30:34 Hotdog Cart Upgrade 32:38 Store Collabs And Merch 34:40 Dessert Drops And Specials 37:08 Schmear Vs Cream Cheese 39:12 Defining Success And Advice 42:16 Wrap Up And Where To Go

What Wrestling Teaches About Faith, Discipline, and Manhood

Most people see wrestling as just a sport. They’re missing the point. In this episode of Whiskey & Wisdom, we sit down with John Mills, Southeast NC Wrestling Rep for Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), to break down what’s really happening on the mats—and why it matters far beyond competition. From the rapid rise of girls wrestling to the deeper impact of mentorship, discipline, and faith, this conversation goes beyond sports and into formation. We cover: * Why wrestling is one of the toughest—and most transformative—sports * The explosive growth of girls wrestling across North Carolina * How FCA is reaching students through its “E3” model (Engage, Equip, Empower) * The challenge of leading, mentoring, and building real relationships with young athletes * What today’s kids actually need—and why most systems are missing it If you care about faith, discipline, leadership, or the next generation, this episode hits. No whiskey this time—just real conversation. Subscribe for more conversations that blend life, leadership, and perspective.