🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Maxxine Dupri | Grit, Gold & Owning the Spotlight

This week, we’re joined by the electric Maxxine Dupri, aka Sydney Zmrzel Luke—WWE superstar, elite performer, and one of the most inspiring rise stories in sports entertainment today. At the time of recording, Sydney was riding the momentum of her run as WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion, and while titles come and go, her confidence, work ethic, and presence make one thing clear: her champ energy is permanent.

Sydney takes us inside her journey from NFL cheerleader to WWE main roster, sharing what it really takes to level up in one of the most demanding industries in the world. We talk discipline, reinvention, and the resilience required to perform under pressure—whether it’s under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden or stepping into the ring with everything on the line. Her story is a reminder that belief, preparation, and grit can take you further than anyone expects.

She also opens up about life beyond the ropes, navigating noise and expectations, and stepping into a new personal chapter—recently marrying fellow WWE star Anthony Luke—all while continuing to chase greatness. (And yes, we’re confidently betting that gold finds its way back to her soon.)

And because this is Go With Your Palate, things get delightfully chaotic—in the best way. We dive into caffeine boosters, surprise singing, and Sydney may or may not have coached Fat Mario through some wrestling moves, leaving him with what could only be described as an audition tape (jury’s still out 👀).

It’s energetic, hilarious, and genuinely uplifting—a conversation full of heart, hustle, and inspiration. Whether you’re a WWE fan, a believer in bold pivots, or just here for the laughs, this episode delivers. Grab a glass, hit play, and join us in rooting for a true champion—then, now, and what’s next. 🍷💪🎤

🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Zaylan Jacobsen | From Early Hustle to Building NiteCapp

This week, we sit down with Zaylan Jacobsen, Co-Founder & CEO of NiteCapp—a rising platform changing how hospitality and food & beverage teams connect and learn. Long before tech, Zaylan was already wired for entrepreneurship, selling duct tape wallets and kendamas as a kid—early signs of a builder mindset that would later push him to teach himself the tech skills needed to build apps from the ground up.

Zaylan shares how seven years in the restaurant world—working his way from server to bartender to manager—gave him a front-row seat to the daily chaos of hospitality. That firsthand experience became the foundation for NiteCapp: a tool designed by someone who’s lived the chaos and knew there had to be a better way.

We also get into his love of hiking and exploration, including his belief that the best way to understand a new place is from its highest point—a philosophy he put to the test by climbing Mt. St. Helena the moment he arrived in Napa. Along the way, we talk startups, hospitality, perspective, and the mindset it takes to build something meaningful.

If you’re into entrepreneurship, food & beverage, or founders who learn by doing, this episode is packed with insight—and just enough mystery to keep you listening. Grab a glass and come hang.

🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Zaylan Jacobsen | From Early Hustle to Building NiteCapp

This week, we sit down with Zaylan Jacobsen, Co-Founder & CEO of NiteCapp—a rising platform changing how hospitality and food & beverage teams connect and learn. Long before tech, Zaylan was already wired for entrepreneurship, selling duct tape wallets and kendamas as a kid—early signs of a builder mindset that would later push him to teach himself the tech skills needed to build apps from the ground up.

Zaylan shares how seven years in the restaurant world—working his way from server to bartender to manager—gave him a front-row seat to the daily chaos of hospitality. That firsthand experience became the foundation for NiteCapp: a tool designed by someone who’s lived the chaos and knew there had to be a better way.

We also get into his love of hiking and exploration, including his belief that the best way to understand a new place is from its highest point—a philosophy he put to the test by climbing Mt. St. Helena the moment he arrived in Napa. Along the way, we talk startups, hospitality, perspective, and the mindset it takes to build something meaningful.

If you’re into entrepreneurship, food & beverage, or founders who learn by doing, this episode is packed with insight—and just enough mystery to keep you listening. Grab a glass and come hang.

🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Sarina & Elias | Brewing Love, Culture & Community with Buunni Coffee

This week, we brew up something special with Sarina Prabasi and Elias Gurmu, the husband-and-wife duo behind Buunni Coffee—a brand rooted in Ethiopian coffee culture and built into one of Manhattan’s most beloved community-driven cafés.

Sarina and Elias share their inspiring journey of bringing their love story—and their love for coffee—from Ethiopia to New York City, navigating one of the most competitive coffee scenes in the world while staying deeply connected to origin, hospitality, and purpose. From sourcing small-holder Ethiopian farms to roasting in micro-batches and building cafés that double as cultural hubs, Buunni is about far more than what’s in the cup.

We draw some fun (and surprisingly accurate) parallels between coffee and wine, bust a few myths along the way, and dive into food pairings, flavor notes, and why terroir matters just as much in coffee as it does in wine. Sarina and Elias also open up about entrepreneurship, resilience, and what it takes to build a culture-first brand that truly connects people.

It’s warm, thoughtful, and full of heart—proof that whether it’s coffee or wine, the best experiences start with origin, intention, and community.

Grab your favorite mug (or glass) and join us for a conversation that’s equal parts delicious, inspiring, and deeply human. ☕🍷✨

🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Sarina & Elias | Brewing Love, Culture & Community with Buunni Coffee

This week, we brew up something special with Sarina Prabasi and Elias Gurmu, the husband-and-wife duo behind Buunni Coffee—a brand rooted in Ethiopian coffee culture and built into one of Manhattan’s most beloved community-driven cafés.

Sarina and Elias share their inspiring journey of bringing their love story—and their love for coffee—from Ethiopia to New York City, navigating one of the most competitive coffee scenes in the world while staying deeply connected to origin, hospitality, and purpose. From sourcing small-holder Ethiopian farms to roasting in micro-batches and building cafés that double as cultural hubs, Buunni is about far more than what’s in the cup.

We draw some fun (and surprisingly accurate) parallels between coffee and wine, bust a few myths along the way, and dive into food pairings, flavor notes, and why terroir matters just as much in coffee as it does in wine. Sarina and Elias also open up about entrepreneurship, resilience, and what it takes to build a culture-first brand that truly connects people.

It’s warm, thoughtful, and full of heart—proof that whether it’s coffee or wine, the best experiences start with origin, intention, and community.

Grab your favorite mug (or glass) and join us for a conversation that’s equal parts delicious, inspiring, and deeply human. ☕🍷✨

🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Harvest Update 2025 | Inside the Crush With JLO & Nick Reinell

It’s that time of year, folks—Harvest Update 2025—and we brought in the heavy hitters. This week, Joe sits down with Copper Cane’s own winemaking rockstars: John “JLO” Lopez, Director of Winemaking, and Nick Reinell, Winemaker, resident crusher of grapes and egos (mostly Fat Mario’s).

If you’re a cork dork, buckle up. We dig into everything from this year’s Napa Valley harvest conditions to the never-ending dance between Old World vs. New World wine culture, the curveballs Mother Nature throws at winemakers, and the art of turning chaos into something beautiful in a bottle. These guys live the grind—late nights, early mornings, sticky boots, and the kind of craftsmanship you only get from people who truly love (and obsess over) the process.

But because this is Go With Your Palate, we also wander into “whatever the F else”: hilarious cellar stories, friendly jabs, existential winemaker questions, and a few tangents that only happen when Joe, JLO, and Nick share a mic. Consider it a behind-the-scenes peek at the chemistry that makes Copper Cane tick—equal parts passion, precision, and pure shenanigans.

Whether you’re in the industry, wine-curious, or just here for the laughs, this episode pours out knowledge, chaos, and camaraderie in one delicious blend. Grab a glass and come hang with the guys who make the magic happen in every harvest.

🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Harvest Update 2025 | Inside the Crush With JLO & Nick Reinell

It’s that time of year, folks—Harvest Update 2025—and we brought in the heavy hitters. This week, Joe sits down with Copper Cane’s own winemaking rockstars: John “JLO” Lopez, Director of Winemaking, and Nick Reinell, Winemaker, resident crusher of grapes and egos (mostly Fat Mario’s).

If you’re a cork dork, buckle up. We dig into everything from this year’s Napa Valley harvest conditions to the never-ending dance between Old World vs. New World wine culture, the curveballs Mother Nature throws at winemakers, and the art of turning chaos into something beautiful in a bottle. These guys live the grind—late nights, early mornings, sticky boots, and the kind of craftsmanship you only get from people who truly love (and obsess over) the process.

But because this is Go With Your Palate, we also wander into “whatever the F else”: hilarious cellar stories, friendly jabs, existential winemaker questions, and a few tangents that only happen when Joe, JLO, and Nick share a mic. Consider it a behind-the-scenes peek at the chemistry that makes Copper Cane tick—equal parts passion, precision, and pure shenanigans.

Whether you’re in the industry, wine-curious, or just here for the laughs, this episode pours out knowledge, chaos, and camaraderie in one delicious blend. Grab a glass and come hang with the guys who make the magic happen in every harvest.

Go With Your Palate: Warner | Snob-Free Wine, Real Talk & Confidence in Every Pour

This week, we’re joined by Warner, the fearless, funny, totally snob-free sommelier and wine educator behind @confidenceuncorked—the creator shaking up the wine world with honesty, humor, and a mission to make wine actually accessible.

From her unconventional leap from Texas advertising to California vineyards, Warner shares how a simple Manchego-and-wine pairing sent her down a rabbit hole that ultimately led to sommelier studies, community-building, and a full-blown movement to remove intimidation from wine culture.

We dig into everything from her Graze Craze collaboration to the art of trolling trolls with grace, creating inclusive wine spaces, and why she refuses to gatekeep anything—from education to enjoyment. And because this is Go With Your Palate, we can’t resist a little friendly chaos: In-N-Out vs. Whataburger battles, unexpected food pairings, and a teaser about a… let’s call it a hairy experiment from our host Joe that you’ll have to hear to believe.

If you love wine, hate pretension, and appreciate people who show up 100% themselves, Warner’s story is pure inspiration—with a whole lot of laughs along the way. Grab a glass and come hang!