United States of Dramerica

We talk to Aston Martin’s President for the Americas Laura Schwab.
She tells us about her love for the iconic British brand, the power of James Bond and growing up in Kentucky.
Laura has also worked for Jaguar Land Rover so tells us about why she loves working for British car companies, how Covid will impact driving and the power of their brand not just for owners but for everyone.
She tells us about the new Aston Martin SUV - complete with optional dog washer - and how to fit a car seat into a DB11.
We talk about life in Bourbon country, how to make a Presbyterian, the clever marketing of Maker’s Mark whisky and her bourbon bar.

We talk to Marc Benardout, British producer and director turned DUI campaigner following the death of his son.
We talk about the social complications of drinking and driving, how DUIs are up dramatically during Covid and he tells the heartbreaking story of the untimely death of his son Noah.
We use handheld breathalyzers to show what a whisky can do to you, talk about the legislative flaws around DUI and how Marc has turned tragedy into activism.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with BACtrack, Makers Mark and the Noah Benardout Foundation.

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.

We talk to Jon Ryan, the Super Bowl winning punter from the Seattle Seahawks.
He tells us about the feeling of being part of a Super Bowl and the euphoria of victory.
He also tells us about the feeling of being part of a Super Bowl the following year and the agony of a narrow defeat to Tom Brady.
Jon talks us through his Championship game touchdown, the first play-off touchdown ever thrown by a punter.
We talk about punters tackling, some of Jon's highlight reel - mostly painful-looking hits - and the under-rated value of the CFL, and why playing in his home country was so important to him.
There is also time to cover soccer - including his love for Swansea City and Jordan Morris' transfer there - and his new career as an owner of rugby and baseball teams.
We also cover retirement, Brady, Gronk and whisky.
And Jon tells us why he wants to drink bourbon with Jackie Robinson in a minor league dugout.
A fantastic discussion with one of the game's popular figures.

We talk to Fifth Dan Black Belt and owner of Cutting Edge Karate, Master Brandon Kemmer.
He tells us about the importance of martial arts in a well rounded education, teaching karate over Zoom and meeting Chuck Norris.
He also talks about learning Krav Maga, how you're never too old to start karate and his brief child acting career - including being given a dirty magazine by Ross in Friends!
We also discover the Karate Kid and Kung Fu Panda led to a spike in student enrollments, his joy in watching Bruce Lee films and why everyone should take up martial arts.