Shows
workshops work268 - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Co-FacilitationHave you ever found yourself stepping on a dance partner's toes? That's a bit what co-facilitation can feel like without the right rhythm and rapport. Together with Cate Czerwinski and Florentine Versteeg, felllow faculty members from our leadership through facilitation course and peers from the NeverDoneBefore community, we unpack the symphony of co-facilitation, from the powerful duets of mutual support and blending ideas to the occasional missteps of clashing perspectives. It's more than just sharing a stage; it's about creating a performance that uplifts every participant, and in this episode, we share the secrets to that perfect harmony.
2024-05-0855 min
workshops work254 - Are Facilitators Manipulators?Master-manipulator, con-artist… facilitator? When we think of manipulation, facilitation is probably the last thing that springs to mind. We are neutral, we are trusted shepherds, we encourage emergence! So where does the line between manipulation and facilitation start, and where does it end?This week, my brilliant colleagues Thomas Lahnthaler, Cate Czerwinski, Shamir Joseph and Florentine Versteeg sat down with me to examine this ethically grey, but endlessly fascinating area.We explore manipulation in its many, inconspicuous guises: mysterious agendas, influencing the process, the facilitation tools we deploy, practising self-awareness, power dynamics and navigating participant co...
2024-01-3046 min
workshops work241 - Are You Experienced? Gaining and Giving Experiences on the Road to Facilitation with Cate CzerwinskiWorkshops bring the best out of their participants when they are experiential. Which person wants to sit in a workshop that is indeterminable from a lecture? We do not enter these spaces for dictation, we enter them for learning and feeling and experience.And so that has become Cate Czerwinski’s priority: to design memorable, unique, experiential workshops… and what a success she has found!On the other side of memorable experiences are long-lasting learnings and change. Which, when we boil it down, must surely be the priority for facilitators of all kinds?Join...
2023-11-011h 08
Elixir of the GodsS5.C7 - The Wrap Up with Esteban GaribiFinal Car Conversation
It's a wrap. On the drive back to Guadalajara, Esteban, Cate and Diego reflect on their journey and all the places they visited, but didn't have the opportunity to record.
La Plaza del Amor
El Tuito Jalisco
Mascota Jalisco
Manzanilla de la Paz
Sierra del Tigre
Distilling pineapples
Bonete Costa
El Tuito Jalisco
El Tuito, Jalisco
El Tuito, Jalisco
The Team at Tehuamixtle Beach
On the road!
2023-06-3042 min
Elixir of the GodsS5.C6 - LoboEl Lobo de la Sierra & La Venenosa Puntas
El Lobo is a legend. Soft spoken, much like his products, he uses a philosophical approach to create unique flavors. You will always immediately know a Lobo expression when you try one.
Story time with El Lobo
Mascota Jalisco
Lobo de la Sierra and Puntas
El Lobo's garden
Mascota Jalisco
Lobo de la Sierra and Puntas
Mascota Jalisco
Lobo de la Sierra and Puntas
Mascota Jalisco
Lobo de la Sierra and Puntas
Mascota Jalisco
Lobo de la Sierra and Puntas
Mascota Jalisco
Lobo de la Sierra and Puntas
Mascota Jalisco
...
2023-06-301h 02
Elixir of the GodsS5.C5 - BenitoThe creator of La Venenosa Tabernas III and Tabernas Reposado
Unlike most other maestros in this season, Benito's family doesn't have a long tradition of distilling. His scientific approach, love for the plants, and approach to leadership, however, make him a rising star. His products are exciting and innovative.
Los Hermanos
Mascota
Baby agave at Los Hermanos.
Los Hermanos
Mascota
Los Hermanos still detail.
Mascota Jalisco
La Venenosa Tabernas III
Mascota Jalisco
La Venenosa Tabernas III
Mascota Jalisco
La Venenosa Tabernas III
Mascota Jalisco
La Venenosa Tabernas III
Mascota Jalisco
La Venenosa Tabernas III
2023-06-3040 min
Elixir of the GodsS5.C4 - Don Beto & Dona JuanaEl Tuito Jalisco (La Venenosa Green)
This is the third stop, the beach! Don Beto and Dona Juana took amazing care of us, and Dona Juana is a mean cook!
Ay, que sufrir!
Don Beto and Doña Juana's
Venenosa Green
Tuito
New taberna under construction
Venenosa Green
New taberna under construction
Venenosa Green
Beto talking to his parrot
Don Beto's fields.
El Tuito Jalisco
La Venenosa Green
Don Beto
El Tuito Jalisco
La Venenosa Green
El Tuito Jalisco
La Venenosa Green
2023-04-1542 min
Elixir of the GodsS5.C3 - Don Chalio and BlancaEl Tuito, Jalisco (La Venenosa Tabernas II and the Barking Dog Special)
We made it to Cabo Corrientes! First Stop: "Rancho el Cono" Don Chalio and Blanca, explained everything about their taberna and the tradition that runs in the family for generations.
El Tuito Jalisco
La Venenosa Tabernas II
La Venenosa Tabernas II
El Tuito Jalisco
La Venenosa Tabernas II
El Tuito Jalisco
La Venenosa Tabernas II
El Tuito, Jalisco
2023-04-1544 min
Elixir of the GodsS5.C2 - Don Arturo & JocelynTuxpan, Jalisco (La Venenosa Red)
Tuxpan. Arturo, his Family, Carnitas, Raicilla, Tradition. We were so excited to begin our travel and get to meet one of the greatest producers. Arturo is young but comes from a long line of producers. The tradition in this Taberna is vibrant.
La Venenosa Volcanes, Tuxpan
Arturo, Jocelyn and unknown person, Sierra Volcanes, Tuxpan
Arturo's clay distiller - Tuxpan, Jalisco La Venenosa Red
Tachica, La Venenosa Red Tuxpan, Jalisco
Arturo's oven, Tuxpan, Jalisco La Venenosa Red
On our way to Arturo Campos
Nevado de Colima
...
2023-04-1527 min
Elixir of the GodsS5.C1 - Introduction to Jalisco TripDiego and Cate went on a tour
For this season we went on a road trip through the state of Jalisco and we had the opportunity to meet the maestros, maestras and their families at their homes. Where it seemed appropriate Cate and Diego recorded their conversations that we are now sharing with you. Albert was with us only in spirit (and he provided all the technology and knowledge for us to record).
This chapter is a warm-up conversation between our new co-host Cate (welcome!) , Diego and Albert and provides the context for the things to come...
2023-04-1518 min
Elixir of the GodsS4.C3: Carl and the Agave FamilyMargeritas, Palomas and Wrangels
Carl Wrangel is our guests on today's chapter. He represents Agave love from a bartender and bar owner perspective. We do not know how different the European knowledge of our beloved spirits would be without Carl, but we are pretty sure it would be less educated and less passionate.
In our conversation we tag along Carl's journey starting as a kid, when he wanted to have a hangover from a tequila, along to his first bar gigs, trips to Mexico, coincidences, genetic memories, his businesses and end at his current life as a...
2021-11-261h 11
Elixir of the GodsS4.C2: Noble Coyote - with Bernardo Sada and Nikša PirovićOaxaca - Traunstein - Berlin
You might have already met Bernardo and Nikša in our season premiere, but it took us about two years from being introduced to the first bottle of Noble Coyote at a bar in Munich to get to this conversation that we recorded in July 2021.
This photo was taken after we recorded this podcast.
In fact, the recording was the first time we saw each other. And as always it did not take us long to go deep into a conversation about our favorite spirits, with Bernardo linking his biologist b...
2021-11-1252 min
Elixir of the GodsS4.C1: BCB 2021 with Gernot Allnoch, Ioannis Sideromenos, Iván Saldaña, Nikša Pirović and Bernardo SadaReal company, real spirits, real talk
Real company, real spirits, real talk
BCB entry point
For our season premiere we mingled with the crowd again, and it was glorious. Starved for face-to-face human contact the European spirits world met up at BCB - in a new location and at a smaller scale than the years before. Nevertheless we were able to capture interesting conversations on our audio device. We met old friends and found new ones. A big thanks to Gernot, Ioannis, Iván, Bernardo and Nikša for their time and insights
...
2021-10-3137 min
Elixir of the GodsS3.C7: Finale, Podcast recommendationsRecap, thank yous and a cautiously optimistic look into the future
Our last hurrah for this season. The god of weather was in a good mood and so we were able to meet and record outside during a cold but sunny winter day in Berlin.
Here are the spirits we tasted this time:
Los Danzantes ArroqueñoLopez Real (the travelling bottle)Lalo's magic juiceFlor del Desierto SotolSietes Noches (thanks Fernando)Season 3's last flight
We will continue to record for Season 4, which will probably take us the better part of the year. In t...
2021-01-0847 min
Elixir of the GodsS3.C6: The world of Sotol with Isaac Montes and Sergio Gonzalez, part 2The history and future of a parallel universe
The second part of our conversation. If you missed part 1, you can find it here.
We also would like to thank Claas von Zombory who kindly provided us with samples of Flor del Desierto Sotol.
Sergio (left) and Isaac (right)
Isaac in the fields
Harvest
Harvest
Get in touch with Isaac from Casa Montes
Instagram - @sotolcasamontes
Facebook - @sotolcasamontes
Get in touch with Sergio from Flor del Desierto
Instagram...
2020-12-2526 min
Elixir of the GodsS3.C5: The world of Sotol with Isaac Montes and Sergio Gonzalez, part 1The history and future of a parallel universe
In this chapter we are exploring Sotol and the craftsmanship behind it. Though there are many parallels to the Agave universe and Sotol makers suffered from the same injustices as their maguey cousins, it is a different world with unique challenges and opportunities. Isaac and Sergio are behind two separate brands but have the same mission, namely that Sotol is recognized as a high quality artisanal product that stands for itself. They share their know how of the history and give us their outlook on the future.
There is...
2020-12-1838 min
Elixir of the GodsS3.C4: The Novelist - with Ulises TorrenteraWhen literature meets mezcal
Photo kindly provided by Ulises Torrentera
For this chapter, which we recorded back in July, we invited a guest who really doesn't have to be introduced. We'll do it anyway ;-)
Ulises Torrentera's love for literature has brought him to Mezcal and his love for Mezcal has inspired his literature. For example, his non-fiction book Mezcalaria, first published in 2001, is a result of his research for a novel.
Ulises does not use his creativity for writing alone. He runs In Situ, a Mezcaleria in Oaxaca and also owns the In Situ...
2020-12-041h 04
Elixir of the GodsS3.C3: The Librarian - with Silvia Philion from MezcalotecaTaking the long road
Silvia at Mezcaloteca
Our guest Silvia escaped from a life in marketing industrial products and took a very different path. As one of the co-founders of Mezcaloteca she has taken on the quest to educate people about the history and culture of Aguardientes de Agave. Learn more about her work on the preservation of traditions and her legendary library in Oaxaca in this spectacular chapter!
(This was our first remote recording, so please excuse the occasional audio problems)
Get in touch with Silvia:
Instagram - @mezcaloteca
Twitter...
2020-11-2057 min
Elixir of the GodsS3.C2: The Enthusiast - with Stefan "Teddy" AertsThe Agave loving one-man-guerilla
Teddy knows almost every Mezcal lover in Europe, and almost every Mezcal lover in Europe knows Teddy. He has a unique way to manage getting his hands at as many different varieties of this wonderful juice.
It doesn't get much closer to heaven
In this chapter you can follow along on his journey starting at his very first sip - or as he calls it "kiss" - and he tells us about his time in Mexico as well as his efforts promoting our beloved spirit to his friends.
Teddy with host Diego...
2020-11-0653 min
Elixir of the GodsS3.C1: The wisdoms of mezcalEverything is different in 2020
Yes! Elixir of the Gods is back for a new season! Over the year we have recorded some (in our view) very insightful and enlightening conversations, but for this one we just wanted to have a good time.
Zoomin', talkin' and tastin'
In this chapter you will find out more about the upcoming season and we are enjoying a carefully selected flight together - even though we recorded in two different places.We will release a new episode every two weeks from now on.
In the coming chapters...
2020-10-2347 min
Elixir of the GodsS2.C10: Finale, Craft Spirits Berlin, Bars: Auroom - with Alex WimmerLooking back and looking forward
This is a short one. And the last one for a little while. We are recapping season 2 , which has enabled us to have some outstanding conversations with giants of the Agave world. Thanks again to all our guests and to you for listening and giving us feedback!
For Season 3 we will try to keep up the quality and we are looking forward to it (we hope that some of the ideas we have hatched already will become a reality...
For those of you who are in Berlin, you can meet...
2020-03-0318 min
Elixir of the GodsS2.C9: Bartender Work Program - with Cate CzerwinskiA hands on experience in the heart of Tequila land
In this chapter we are joined by Cate, a tequila nerd and wonderful conversation partner. She gave us some insight into her experiences at the Fortaleza bartender program last year - a trip let her experience the hard work, craftsmanship and arts of creating Agave spirits first hand. (If you want to learn more about Fortaleza, you can listen to our episode with Don Guillermo here.) She also shared some amazing spirits from her personal collection with us, one of them a "dusty bottle" of Herradura which gave Diego...
2020-02-211h 20
Elixir of the GodsS2.C8: Sign up for a guided tour of Oaxaca - with Fernando BolañosPrepare for an unforgettable trip in September 2020
Albert, Fernando & Diego (and some Oaxacan spirits)
Fernando - co-owner of our Berlin's most favorite Mezcal bar "La Tentación" - has planned a spectacular trip to his birthplace Oaxaca from September 1st to September 10th 2020. When we read about it, we wanted to create some more awareness of this tour to our listeners and asked Fernando if he can walk us through the schedule. So we could learn more about the Mecca of Mezcal and you can decide if you want to join this trip. You can contact Fernando directly ( f...
2020-01-3056 min
Elixir of the GodsS2.C7: Bars: "Crazy Pedro's" with Adam WilsonDrink Pizza. Eat Mezcal.
This bar episode takes us to Manchester. Already in July 2019 and only equipped with a tiny microphone (so please excuse the sound quality) Albert met with Adam to discuss the love for Agave based spirits in Northern England. Crazy Pedro´s mixes Pizza and Agave, so it is not a classical Mezcaleria, however their range of spirits is excellent. No matter if you like your spirits in pure form or in a cocktail, Crazy Pedro's can fix you up in three locations. We have marked all of them in our custom map for you.
D...
2020-01-2412 min
Elixir of the GodsS2.C6: Bars: The Barking Dog with Carl WrangelCopenhagen's first address for Agave spirits
Carl and Albert took a walk through Berlin to talk about our favourite topic! A couple of days before Carl made an experiment in Berlin's La Tentancion Mezcaleria where he served the same drink three times, but each time with a different Agave spirit, showing how little details can make a big impact. Albert wanted to know more about his approach towards mixing spirits that are not predictable and about his history with Tequila and Mezcal.
You can find "The Barking Dog" and other great European bars on this custom map:
...
2020-01-1113 min
Elixir of the GodsS2.C5: The Ambassadors - with Roberto Artusio and Cristian BugiadaWhen Italian passion meets Mexican spirits
Albert, Diego, Cristian and Roberto during a busy BCB
Roberto Artusio and Cristian Bugiada are Italian Mezcal legends. Roberto is the owner of Jerry Thomas Speakeasy and Cristian Bugiada is a partner of Freni e Frizioni. Together they created La Punta Expendio de Agave in Rome, which is a Mezcaleria, only dedicated to Agave spirits and offers more than 600 expressions.
La Punta Expendio de Agave
Their passion for Agave did not go unnoticed by Mexico's official regulatory board for Mezcal (CONSECO REGULATOR DE MEZCAL or CRM ) and it officially declared them “Me...
2019-12-2625 min
Elixir of the GodsS2.C4: Tequila - with Don Guillermo Erickson Sauza from FortalezaMy heart is in Mexico
We took advantage of BCB to speak to Don Guillermo Ericsson Sauza, an absolute legend in the industry. Of course we talked about his brand "Fortaleza" but the conversation went deeper into family and why Guillermo's heart is in Mexico.
Diego, Albert and Don Guillermo at the "Cantina Mexico" BCB booth
The Fortaleza products from left to right with the individual images from the farms
2019-11-2229 min
Elixir of the GodsS2.C3: Mezcal & Tequila - with Sergio Mendoza from Derrumbes and Don FulanoOur guest Sergio "Cache" Mendoza takes us to Mexico with his poetic words and his passion. In a conversation respectful to the brothers Tequila and Mezcal we also learned that there used to be five levels to describe the maturity of agave plants. Recorded at Bar Convent Berlin (please excuse the background noise).
2019-11-0134 min
Elixir of the GodsS2.Bonus - BCB introductionIn high spirits
We went to BCB to meet with some very respected people in the Agave industry. This episode is just a quick warm-up before we go deep. We were able to interview Sergio "Cache" Mendoza (Don Fulano, Derrumbes), Don Guillermo Ericsson Sauza (Fortaleza) and from Rome's famous "La Punta" Mezcaleria: Roberto Artusio and Cristian Bugiada (they are involved in many other things too).
2019-11-0104 minElixir of the GodsS2.C2: Oaxaca - with Axel Huhn from Mezcaleria BerlinHow Mezcal found an architect from Berlin.
2019-10-041h 07
Elixir of the GodsS2.C1: Jalisco - with Christian Schrader Goette from AgaveraThere is more to Jalisco than Tequila
Correction:
During our conversation we made a mistake while talking about the aging of Tequila and Mezcal (they have the same regulation):
Blanco: unaged
Reposado: at least 2 months and until one year in contact with wood
Añejo: more than 1 year in contact with wood
And in the case of Tequila there is an extra category called “extra añejo” which requires more than 3 years in contact with wood.
2019-09-2458 minElixir of the GodsIntermission - Season 2 preparationsWe need your participation in finding Europe's best Mezcal places
Here are some of the spirits Albert tasted at Auroom:
2019-07-0905 min
Elixir of the GodsExtra Chapter 3: The limitations of denominations with Esteban Morales GaribiWhy categorizing might hurt the culture of agave spirits
For this episode we met Esteban from Mexcio in Diego's office. Some of the photos on this blog were made by him. Esteban is well connected in the Mezcal scene, he knows many small Agave spirit producers in Mexico and is involved in different small but high-quality brands. He also started his own farm and he is a business partner of Diego who imports crafted spirits to Europe.
We discussed about the importance of the small families for the culture of Agave spirits and also the problems that...
2019-05-3058 min
Elixir of the GodsExtra Chapter 2: Live from the Berlin Podcasting MeetupThe first time live on a stage
Our friends at Bear Radio invited us to The Venue Berlin so that we could introduce Elixir of the Gods to a live audience. We went through the basics and also invited Maria and Cassandra on the stage to have a tasting with us
On Stage for the live tasting
We only had time to taste one bottle, Diego brought a bottle of Fidencio Clasico.
A special thanks to Jill from Bearradio and of course Maria and Cassandra for being on stage with us!
2019-03-2016 min
Elixir of the GodsExtra Chapter 1: Visting the "Puntas, Gracias" pop-up storeWe got four mezcal heads and two microphones
About this chapter
For this special chapter we were invited to a basement inside a barber shop, where the pop-up "Puntas, Gracias" is located.
Christian Schrader and Tom Bullock want to make Agave spirits accessible to anybody and share their knowledge and experiences. Based on your individual preferences you can taste four different spirits in a session and they will guide you through the experience. You also can purchase bottles there.
We recorded this chapter to give you a feeling for the experience.
Spirits tasted
2019-03-011h 02Elixir of the GodsChapter 6: Sotol TastingMezcal's smaller cousin and a fig farm
The cousin of Mezcal. Traditionally a Mezcal, but now a days we know it is not an Agave, but a Dasylirion.
The plants are very similar and in this chapter we will try to explain the differences between them.
We will be trying the same brand, but different varieties of Dasylirions, which is not something that was common in the past years.
La Higuera Leiophyllum
La Higuera Wheeleri
La Higuera Cedrosanum
Leiophyllum
Wheeleri
Cedrosanum
2018-12-1923 minElixir of the GodsChapter 5: Bacanora TastingSame plant - same denomination of origin
We will be trying Bacanoras the pride of the north.
Typically a Mezcal, but with its own local Appellation.
The Plant in this case is an Angustifolia, but the subspecies is Pacifica.
Not a very common drink, but give it a try, you might like it.
Bacanora Cielo Rojo
Bacanora Yoowe
Bacanora Rancho Tepúa
Bacanora Cielo Rojo
Bacanora Yoowe
Bacanora Rancho Tepúa
2018-12-1834 minElixir of the GodsChapter 4: How to read the LabelWhat to look for when you buy Mezcal
In this chapter we are going to go for the methods. We have seen the process but now we go a bit deeper.
The methods are the different techniques used for each stage of the process.
The method begins with the Jima, the different tools used for cutting. The cooking, the different ovens. The mashing, how do they mash the plant once its cooked. The fermentation, times, tools, yeasts, etc. The distillation, most common techniques per region.
Jima with Machete
Underground oven
The hearts are in
H...
2018-12-1746 minElixir of the GodsChapter 3: Espadin TastingSame plant - very different tastes
Espadin subspecies tasting.
3 Different Espadines, from different regions, with different techniques.
Raicilla La Venenosa Tabernas
Mezcal Mina Real Blanco
Mezcal Fidencio Clásico
Raicilla La Venenosa Tabernas
Mezcal Mina Real Blanco
Mezcal Fidencio Clásico
2018-12-1636 minElixir of the GodsChapter 2: From the seed to the bottleThe processes around creating Mezcales
The goal is to try and give you an idea of the process Agave distills go through to become Spirits.
The process is complicated but very interesting. If you know the process for other distills, then it will not be so hard grasp the idea, but each distill has its own characteristics.
The 3 most important factors:
The Plant: The star of the show, which variety of Agave is being used.
The Terroir: The territory and the soil were the plant grows.
The Hand: The...
2018-12-1537 minElixir of the GodsChapter 1: The BasicsThe 101 of Mezcal
In this first chapter we will try to differentiate the Agave distills, uncover some myths, and explain how to drink it.
We will give some information about the Appellations of origin and explain a bit about the complexity and variety of the Agave plant.
Agave fields
Close up
2018-12-1424 minElixir of the GodsChapter 0: TeaserWhy we are doing a Mezcal Podcast
Hi, we are Diego and Albert and we would like to share our passion for the world of Agave spirits with you.
2018-11-1702 min