Whiskey Hue

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Nov 2025

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About the show

Raw, unfiltered conversations with the greats of business, tech, and culture. Hosted by Atul Prashar - investor, tech, media, and sports enthusiast, and connoisseur of sharp takes - each episode is packed with witty, insightful gems to make you the smartest person in any room. Big ideas. Big business models. The biggest names in the game. All mixed with whiskey and a ton of sarcasm. One Cube. Real Whiskey. Real Talk.

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November 19, 2025Episode 1531 hr 6 min

🎙️ From Filmmakers To Whiskey Trailblazers: Anna Axster + Wendelin von Schroder

Two cousins. Countless miles. One bold mission: bring whiskey to a new generation - and a new audience.In this episode of The Whiskey Hue, we sit down with AnnaAxster and Wendelin von Schroder, founders of Lodestar Whiskey, who went from filmmakers turned accidental music execs - running their own label and touring America - to building a whiskey brand that’s rewriting the rules.They share how green-room pours with country starsturned into a full-blown love affair with the craft: from the viscosity and sweetness of their high-rye bourbon and single-malt blend, to why color, flavor, and texture aren’t accidents.We dive deep into what it takes to source barrels, launch in Southern California, and build community before chasing sales.And we talk representation - why it’s time whiskey spoke to women who’ve been left out of the conversation for far too long. It’s smooth. It’s fiery. It’s full of heart - just like the whiskey itself.Pour a glass, hit play, and discover how these two arelighting a new path in the world of spirits.EPISODE TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intros04:30 Lodestar Quick Intro06:12 But First! Their Music Industry Escapades13:30 Where the Whiskey Love began – First sips with Dads, to Green Rooms of Country Stars17:50 Blended Whiskeys: consistency 20:53 Bringing Women into the World of Whiskey24:22 Flavor, Color, Texture, Not by Accident. 27:22 What makes a Bourbon a Bourbon?30:00 Sourcing the Barrels33:00 Critical Mass for Sales37:00 Launch a Whiskey, Build a Community First 42:50 Representation Matters To Women Consumers53:00 Burn some Oak, taste some Vanilla57:00 Flaviar: Whiskey Club1:02:00 Anna and Wendelin celebrate their industry peersThis episode is part of the ‘Prof P’ series on the Whiskey Hue Stream. Recorded in part for my Fordham Gabelli students.Please Rate, Review, Subscribe and Share with a Friend! Means a lot to us - thank YOU!For more info on:1. Venture, Tech, Sports and Investing, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AtulPrashar | LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠2. Learn Venture Capital Investing for less than a dinner in NYC: “VC: IdeationThrough Execution”: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/APsVCCourse⁠⁠

October 21, 2025Episode 1511 hr 14 min

🎧 From band teacher to NFL coach! Coach Jill Gagliardi breaks down her incredible journey

Band teacher to NFL coach: Coach Jill Gagliardi breaks down her incredible journey from the classroom to coaching DBs with the Las Vegas Raiders. We talk mindset, game film, earning respect in a male-dominated space, and why every great coach is also a mentor, strategist, and culture builder.This one’s about leadership, legacy, and showing up with confidence - even when you're the only one in the room who looks like you. Coach Jill Gagliardi is currently with the NJ HS Lawrenceville Prep, and has also coached with the NFL Las Vegas Raiders 00:00 Intro with Avaan!!06:18 How Music and the NFL entered her life. 12:30 Pop Warner Advocate for yourself17:40 Evaluating and honing in Talent as a Coach19:00 Coaching with an Elite HS + NFL Team28:20 Brian Urlacher gets love as the QB of Da Bears Defense29:00 Film Tape and Strategies That Work35:00 Let’s break down a Play37:28 Unique Voice in a Common Room45:00 Short History of the NFL46:00 National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches48:00 Executive Decision-Making: Sports + IRL56:00 Mindset is the Differentiator 1:05:49 Green Bay Packers-loving Security Guard (Booo!!)1:07:21 Legacy1:11:00 Make people ‘Feel’ RelevantThis episode is part of the ‘Prof P’ series on the WhiskeyHue Stream. Recorded in part for my Fordham Gabelli students.Please Rate, Review, Subscribe and Share with a Friend!Means a lot to us - thank YOU! For more info on: 1. Venture, Tech, Sports and Investing, visit: ⁠⁠Atul Prashar's - Venture Capitalist⁠2. LinkedIN: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AtulPrashar ⁠3. Learn Venture Capital Investing for less than a dinner inNYC: “VC: IdeationThrough Execution”: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/APsVCCourse⁠⁠⁠

August 5, 20251 hr 1 min

WH150: Dan Levitan (GP, Maveron) and Elana Levitan discuss consumer-centric, media and wellness markets

Dan Levitan (GP, Maveron) and his daughter Elana join The Whiskey Hue to unpack the wild ride from private to public markets. We dive into early wins like taking Starbucks public as an iBanker with his buddy Howard Schultz, then taking eBay, Zulily, and Allbirds and PotBelly (yay for my Chitown!!) public as a VC. We delve into the 10 lies of venture capital, and what today’s founders must understand about the evolving investment game. Elana brings fresh insight into media, wellness, and impact + a major milestone: Atul finally gets his name pronounced correctly. HUGE win for him, VERY SMALL win for humankind. #LetsRock00:00 Note To Our Whiskey Hue Family05:00 Intro09:30 Maveron Defined13:00 Vodka + Juice17:30 Ten Lies of Venture Capital23:30 Energy Drinks: Lucky Watermelon Candy28:10 Venture Is Sexy. Venture is Tough. 39:12 Companies Raising Tremendous Capital + Remaining Private Longer41:55 Secondary Markets43:45 Younger Generation Influencing Investment Decisions50:20 PotBelly – Great Early Win. Wouldn’t Do That Now: CapEx(!!)55:00 Entrepreneurs vs. Larger Platforms 56:30 VC Game is Radically Shifting1:00:26 Getting Atul’s Name Right. This episode is part of the ‘Prof P’ series on the Whiskey Hue Stream. Recorded in part for my Fordham Gabelli students.Please Rate, Review, Subscribe and Share with a Friend! Means a lot to us - thank YOU! For more info on: 1. Venture, Tech, Sports andInvesting, visit: Atul Prashar's - Venture Capitalist2. LinkedIN: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AtulPrashar | LinkedIN 3. Learn Venture Capital Investing for less than a dinner in NYC: “VC: IdeationThrough Execution”: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/APsVCCourse⁠⁠

July 24, 2025Episode 1491 hr 20 min

WH149: OnlyFans Creator and Journalist Celine Shore talks tech, sexuality, and storytelling

Celine helps us explore the adult industry’s role as an early adopter of emerging tech - from AI companions to no-code app tools, and how it co-exists in family and societal fabric, in a healthy, normalized way. Adult entertainment platforms provide creators a way to control the narrative, safely, while telling the stories they want to tell, when they want to tell them. We break down the truth behind OnlyFans, the psychology of intimacy at scale, and how platforms shape power. This one’s bold, human, and wildly insightful.00:00 Note to our Whiskey Hue Family 05:00 Intro10:00 Celine Shore: Journalist + Adult Content Creator11:45 Exploring Sexuality Through the Written Word16:00 OnlyFans: Let’s Explore21:20 Sophie Rain vs. Bonnie Blue30:50 Bella Thorne32:35 OnlyFans Bots34:10 AI Companions 36:30 Defensive Moat 40:35 Societal Implications 47:10 Religious: War 49:20 TheNakedReport.AI58:00 Burner Account Endorsement (!!)60:30 Tech Enhanced Adult Toys1:05:00 How the Youth Experience The World1:09:45 Promoting Adult Content via mainstream Social Media1:13:01 This is a Service, not a Relationship1:15:40 Tattoos Telling Celine’s StoryThis episode is part of the ‘Prof P’ series on the Whiskey Hue Stream. Recorded in part for my Fordham Gabelli students.Please Rate, Review, Subscribe and Share with a Friend! Means a lot to us - thank YOU!For more info on: 1. Venture, Tech, Sports and Investing, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AtulPrashar | LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠2. Learn Venture Capital Investing for less than a dinner in NYC: “VC: IdeationThrough Execution”: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/APsVCCourse⁠

June 10, 2025Episode 1481 hr 15 min

WH148: From Marvel to Metaverse and Beyond: B. Earl joins to talk storytelling in the age of disruption

From editing Netflix films to building incredible IP with Taboo and Will.I.Am (Black Eyed Peas), Ben has done it all. He has recently launched WeirdBunch Studio with some famed partners, and he continues to dive into tech, community,media turnarounds and shares why your iPhone is already your next studio in the palm of your hand. 🔥 A wild ride from Hollywood to Saudi Arabia—plus a shoutout to ‘Papa’ Prashar. 00:00 Intro06:00 Working with Taboo + Will.I.Am from Black Eyed Peas08:25 Technology Democratized the Opportunity to Succeed19:25 Turtle Island / Cartoon Network / Discovery24:30 To succeed in Media: Know Everything25:16 Speaking in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia30:00 Pulling Together the ‘A’ Team: WeirdBunch Studio37:15 Tech Driving New Media – The Future Storytellers49:00 Distribution Models57:45 Celebrity Influencers / Media Empires1:02:00 Digitizing Community1:05:10 Free Masonry = Community & Connection1:09:43 World Religions – Papa Prashar gets a Shoutout1:12:01 Religion is on the UptickThis episode is part of the ‘Prof P’ series on the Whiskey Hue Stream. Recorded in part for my Fordham Gabelli students.Please Rate, Review, Subscribe and Share with a Friend! Means a lot to us - thank YOU!For more info on: 1. Venture, Tech, Sports and Investing, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AtulPrashar | LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠2. Learn Venture Capital Investing for less than a dinner in NYC: “VC: IdeationThrough Execution”: ⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/APsVCCourse⁠

April 29, 2025Episode 14754 min

WH147: Life Lessons: Win More Than You Lose – That's The Game

This episode is an open letter. I’m blessed to speak at events and this pod throughout the year and share a semester with brilliant students as an adjunct.Bottom line: I want my students — and our listeners — to win.During the final class each semester, I share the lessons learned, the wins, the losses, and the real moments that built me and similarly successful friends and colleagues. This version is a deeper dive — a good listen for our amazing Whiskey Hue family as well.The truth is, I’ve taken some “L’s” in life. But I kept moving forward — and was fortunate to win a few more times than I lost. If any part of that journey can help any of you in this ecosystem win faster, smarter, and more efficiently, then it’s my responsibility to share it.A blueprint to dream bigger, bounce back faster, and live fully. If an idea sparks a fire in you, or a story saves you time or heartache — that’s the win.00:00 Intro: “Win More Than You Lose. That’s the Game”04:35 Mentors: Your Personal Board of Directors10:00 Everyone has a Story11:05 American Dream: My Dad arrived here with $100 and a Suitcase12:10 Show Up, Show Out: Be Unapologetically You12:40 Invest In Your Future13:30 Have Your Money Work For You14:20 You Will Fail. Bounce Back Quicker15:10 Music: “L” #1…18:30 Finance: “L” #2…20:20 VC: “W” 20:50 Fund II: “L” 3…23:05 Billionaire Mantra: Go Deep, Not Wide23:45 Combatting Anxiety26:20 Show Up As Your Best Self29:30 Let the Haters Hate30:20 Criticism vs. Advice vs. Debbie Downers32:15 Choosing a Partner In Life35:40 Friends: Grow Together40:35 Big City Dreams42:00 Work Hard. Party Hard. 47:00 Don’t Negotiate Against Yourself48:52 Every Breath You Take 52:20 Life: It’s Your Story, Go Win It. This episode is part of the ‘Prof P’ series on the Whiskey Hue Stream. Recorded in part for my Fordham Gabelli students.Please Rate, Review, Subscribe and Share with a Friend! Means a lot to us - thank YOU!For more info on: 1. Venture, Tech, Sports and Investing, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AtulPrashar | LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠2. The on-demand investment course, “VC: IdeationThrough Execution”: ⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/APsVCCourse⁠

April 8, 2025Episode 14658 min

WH146: Ben Von Wong, Environmental Artist

From viral photographer to impact-driven artist, Ben Von Wong transforms global issues into unforgettable visual metaphors. We dive into his iconic projects like the "Truckload of Plastic" and "Biodiversity Jenga", and why tech is making us dumber. With Moses-level energy, he literally parts the seas of plastic to spark global awareness.This one’s about legacy, movement, and how micro-decisions create macro impact—tune in and be moved.00:00 Intro: An Artist Focused On Amplifying Positive Impact05:14 Bringing Abstract Challenges into something more Material/Physical with Art07:10 Beautiful art used as Metaphors to explain a better future. 08:15 Project: “Truckload of Plastic” 13:40 The Motivation: Photography 15:11 Jordan Moment, even when we speak about art16:22 Project: “Biodiversity Jenga”23:15 Measuring “D’s”. 25:30 If Humans Relied On Facts…. 33:16 Pause: You’re All Doing Great Work. #KeepGoing 35:30 Micro-decisions: Macro Impact43:19 Legacy48:00 Connect with Ben to create a Movement. 49:30 DOTD: Kung Fu Tea56:00 When is Enough, Enough?This episode is part of the ‘Prof P’ series on the Whiskey Hue Stream. Recorded in part for my Fordham Gabelli students.Please Rate, Review, Subscribe and Share with a Friend! Means a lot to us - thank YOU!For more info on: 1. Venture, Tech, Sports and Investing, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AtulPrashar | LinkedIn⁠⁠2. The on-demand investment course, “VC: IdeationThrough Execution”: ⁠https://tinyurl.com/APsVCCourse

April 3, 2025Episode 14551 min

WH145: Fordham VC Class, Guest Speaker: Angelo Santinelli

We hosted Angelo Santinelli, VC legend and masterclass-level thinker, for a no-holds-barred convo on AI investing, dry powder drama, and the VC flywheel. Fordham and Harvard alum, he went deep in the paint on his storied career and current and future trends, inspiring all of us. Big shoutoutto our sharp student voices: Brendan Johnson, Cole Bellissimo Benedict, and Bismaad Gulati for stellar questions that sparked 🔥insights.Tap in to hear why LPs hold the power, AI's Jetsons moment is here, and how FOMO fuels the market.00:00 Intro 04:00 Capital Invested07:30 First Time Funds / Managers / Power Shifting to LPs08:48 Venture Trends011:50 Fly Wheel of Investing012:50 Secondaries16:53 Dry Powder + ‘Market Constipation’18:35 Student Brendan Johnson Q re: Ai Startup Concentration22:40 Investment FOMO 23:35 Student Cole Benedict Q re: DeepSeek + Timing of Capital Commitment26:20 Student Bismaad Gulati Q re: Medical Ai31:20 Ai Robots Trajectory / Jetsons shoutout / Ai Revolution35:41 Longer Holding Periods in PE / Market Fluctuations42:12 Student Cole Benedict Q re: Funding Smaller Operations 44:10 Student Brendan Johnson Q2: Perspective from Investor / Operator49:30 Fordham ‘Ramily’ Appreciation51:50 Building Skills + Building Network This episode is part of the ‘Prof P’ series on the Whiskey Hue Stream. Recorded in part for my Fordham Gabelli students.Please Rate, Review, Subscribe and Share with a Friend!Means a lot to us - thank YOU!For more info on: 1. Venture, Tech, Sports & Investing, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AtulPrashar| LinkedIn⁠⁠ 2. The on-demand investment course, “VC: Ideation Through Execution”: ⁠https://tinyurl.com/APsVCCourse

March 25, 2025Episode 14451 min

WH144: Anu Bhardwaj, Founder, CEO, SHEQONOMI. Your Voice Is Your Power.

🔥 On this powerful episode of The Whiskey Hue, Atul is joined by dear friend Anu Bhardwaj - a visionary leader and global force amplifying women’s voices through Sheqonomiand Podcasthers Global, now in 65+ languages! 🌍 We dive into financial literacy, women investors, and women’s sports—bringing essential conversations to the bottom billion girls and women who need to be heard. 🎙️ Anu shares how tech, storytelling, and pure grit can empower anyone to make their voice heard, reminding us that your voice is your power.💥 Anu has been fighting this fight since the first time Atul met her 10+ years ago, and he’s proud to stand beside her as an ally on this mission—because when we amplify women’s voices, we’re not just changing the narrative—we’re changing the world.00:00 Intro04:12 Women Investing In Women06:20 Radio Show: Voice America Kids12:30 SHEQONOMI: Podcasters, Women Centric Podcasts Targeting The Bottom Billion 16:00 Utilizing Tech To Meet The Customer / Creators Where They Are18:16 Podcasters Global: Accessible Content Everywhere For Everyone20:51 Popular Genres: Women’s Health, Financial Literacy27:31 Global Partnerships with the best media partners30:00 Incredibly Ambitious (Yet Achievable) Goals31:00 Model: Membership, Ads, Brands – #LetsGo33:10 Value of Strategic Partnerships42:31 Wisdom: Having the Grit to Run Into The Fire. 43:55 Build Your Personal Board of Advisors50:45 Your Voice Is Your PowerThis episode is part of the ‘Prof P’ series on the Whiskey Hue Stream. Recorded in part for my Fordham Gabelli students.Please Rate, Review, Subscribe and Share with a Friend! Means a lot to us - thank YOU!For more info on: 1. Venture, Tech, Sports and Investing, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AtulPrashar | LinkedIn⁠2. The on-demand investment course, “VC: IdeationThrough Execution”: https://tinyurl.com/APsVCCourse

March 11, 2025Episode 1431 hr 5 min

WH143: Two CFL legends turned entrepreneurs, Tad Kornegay & Nik Lewis 🏈🔥

You get it all in this episode: 2 friends and on-the field rivals talking ‘trash talk’, 4 Grey Cup wins, numerous records set, and major business moves. From tech startups to athletes positioning themselves as brands ready to take over the world. Plus, hear about the hardest hits, wildest rumors, and how they’re helping athletes & HBCUs monetize. 🚀🥃 Tap in for an episode packed with laughs, insights, and game-changing advice!00:00 Intro 02:45 Checking in on our Canadian friends05:45 Trash Talking Starts between the Athletes 😊09:00 Time for some of the Phenomenal Awards10:30 My Winnipeg fam gets some love14:50 Nik discusses AO Sports18:35 Tad discusses Maven Group24:05 DOTD: Don Julio: Anejo Tequila, Penelope Bourbon Barrell Strength 27:15 Tad’s Fans Starting Rumors about Nik back in the Day31:05 Creating Personal Branding 34:22 Getting Hit and Putting on the Hits as a Player45:35 How the Game Has Changed 53:00 What a WR & a DB do to gain an edge Pre-Snap1:00:00 Bringing Athletic Dominance to Business1:04:35 CFL HOF inductee: Nik Lewis gets a shout outThis episode is part of the ‘Prof P’ series on the Whiskey Hue Stream. Recorded in part for my Fordham Gabelli students.Please Rate, Review, Subscribe and Share with a Friend! Means a lot to us - thank YOU!For more info on: 1. Venture, Tech, Sports and Investing, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Atul Prashar | LinkedIn⁠2. The on-demand investment course, “VC: IdeationThrough Execution”: https://tinyurl.com/APsVCCourse