Episode Description: In this anniversary edition of Cocktails with Friends, host Bob Culler reflects on the first season's journey, highlighting memorable moments, favorite conversations, and the growth of the podcast. Join us as we look back at the past year, featuring insights from past episodes, notable guests, and exciting announcements for the future. Main Topics Covered: Reflections on the first year of Cocktails with Friends Highlights from notable guests and popular episodes Detailed discussion on Negroni Week with Anne Louise Marquis Personal anecdotes on sports and family life with Kenny Reed Cocktail experiments and the history of the Old Fashioned Interview with Jackie Summers on his hibiscus liqueur journey Women in leadership with Senator Susan Collins Musical insights from Grammy Award winner Lucas Richman Shakespeare's modern relevance with Caroline Bicks Preview and announcements for Season 2 Key Insights or Takeaways: Negroni History and Variations: Learn about the origins and evolution of the Negroni cocktail, including tips on how to batch and serve vermouth for both home and professional bartenders. Balancing Family and Passion: Hear personal stories from Kenny Reed about balancing a demanding sports career with family life, and the importance of supporting each other through successes and setbacks. Women in Leadership: Gain inspiration from Senator Susan Collins as she reflects on her career journey, the impact of role models like Margaret Chase Smith, and the importance of bipartisan collaboration. About The Guest: This episode features multiple guests from previous episodes, including: Anne Louise Marquis from Campari Group discussing Negroni Week. Kenny Reed, sports anchor and author, sharing personal stories about sports and family. Jackie Summers, the first African American to hold a distiller’s license post-prohibition, discussing his hibiscus liqueur. Senator Susan Collins reflecting on her career and leadership. Lucas Richman, Grammy Award-winning conductor, sharing his musical journey. Caroline Bicks, Shakespeare scholar, discussing the modern relevance of Shakespeare. Join us as we celebrate a fantastic year of conversations and look forward to what’s coming in Season 2! Summary Index: 1. Introduction and Reflections [00:00:00] Host Bob Cutler reflects on the podcast's first year, initial challenges, and growth. Mentions early supporters and thanks the community for their support. 2. Notable Guests and Episodes [00:00:50] Highlights of notable guests such as Coach Steve Trimper, head bartender Courtney Meherk, and brand ambassadors. Discussion on memorable episodes and favorite conversations from season one. 3. Negroni Week with Anne Louise Marquis [00:01:20] Anne Louise Marquis from Campari Group talks about Negroni Week. Detailed history of the Negroni cocktail and its variations like Americano and Boulevardier. Organic tips on batching and serving vermouth. 4. Sports and Family with Kenny Reed [00:12:30] Conversation with sports anchor Kenny Reed on balancing sports, family, and life. Personal anecdotes about his children’s athletic journeys and handling rejection. 5. Cocktail Experiments with Jake and Scott [00:19:40] Discussion on Old Fashioned Week with Lynn House, Jake, and Scott. History and variations of the Old Fashioned cocktail. Jake’s humorous recount of his cocktail-making attempts. 6. A Chat with Jackie Summers [00:23:50] Jackie Summers shares the story behind his hibiscus liqueur and its cultural significance. Discussion on his journey as the first African American to hold a distiller’s license post-prohibition. 7. Women in Leadership with Senator Susan Collins [00:32:50] Interview with Senator Susan Collins during Women’s History Month. Reflections on her career, inspirations from Margaret Chase Smith, and bipartisan collaborations. 8. Musical Journey with Lucas Richman [00:41:50] Grammy Award winner Lucas Richman talks about his musical career and the influence of his theatrical family. Anecdotes about his custom-tailored tuxedos and his ongoing projects. 9. Shakespeare and Modern Relevance with Caroline Bicks [00:49:30] Caroline Bicks discusses her podcast on Shakespeare, drawing parallels between historical and modern issues. Insights into teaching Shakespeare in contemporary settings. 10. Season 2 Preview and Announcements [00:55:10] Exciting changes for season two, including weekly episodes and an open cocktail hotline. Introduction of a new Facebook page for better listener engagement. Closing Remarks [00:56:10] Final thanks to listeners, support from the Bourbon Lens Podcast, and encouragement to share and review the podcast.
