In Good Connects

Wine isn't about knowing the right answers — it's about being curious enough to ask the questions.Chasity Cooper is a Wine Culture Expert, award-winning journalist, published author, and 2024 Wine Enthusiast Future 40 Tastemaker. She's written for over 30 publications including Wine Enthusiast, Food & Wine, and the Chicago Tribune — and she built the whole thing from a study abroad trip in Madrid and a part-time gig at a wine shop in D.C.In this conversation, we get into:How Olivia Pope on Scandal gave her permission to explore wineThe wine shop tasting note that changed everythingMoving to New York with no job offer — and why it was the best decision she ever madeWhat's really happening in the wine industry right now (tariffs, declining consumption, and what's next)Why she chose "Wine Culture Expert" over sommelier or criticPairing deep dish pizza and Italian beef with wine for the Chicago TribuneBuilding real community through wine walks in ChicagoThe one question she'd ask the worldConnect with Chasity:Instagram: @bychasitycooperWebsite: chasitycooper.comSubstack: Palette CleanserBook: Wine Convo Generator (Chronicle Books)—In Good Company is hosted by Jeremy McKellar. New episodes weekly.🔗 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@InspireWithJerm & youtube.com/@InGoodConnects 🔗 Full episodes & guest profiles: InGoodConnects.com 🔗 All links: bio.site/jermconnects 🔗 More from Jerm: JeremyMcKellar.com

"Picking one lane" is career advice that's officially expired.Alton Peques is in Product at LinkedIn while running Nexus Commerce AND leading product at Forefront. We've been friends since before he even got to Carolina—I was one of his counselors in high school. Watching his journey has been incredible.In this conversation, we get into:- Why AI is collapsing traditional career paths- The multi-hyphenate mindset (and why you probably already have it)- Managing multiple ventures without burning out- The question that reveals more about someone than any job titleConnect with Alton:- Instagram: @altonpeques- Nexus Commerce: nexuscommerce.co- Forefront: forefrontatl.com—In Good Company is hosted by Jeremy McKellar. New episodes weekly.🔗 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@InspirewithJerm & youtube.com/@InGoodConnects🔗 Full episodes & guest profiles: InGoodConnects.com🔗 More from Jerm: JeremyMcKellar.com

He was selling cupcakes out of his dad’s barbershop in high school. Today he’s had the opportunity to cook for celebrities such as Martin Lawrence, George Lopez, Storm Reid and more.In this episode, I sit down with Chef Scotty B (Scotty Bonds) — a celebrity private chef, founder of Gourmet 21, and someone I’ve known since middle school in Greensboro, NC. Scotty takes us through his full journey: scrambling eggs with his dad at 3 years old, launching a cupcake business during high school, outgrowing the “cupcake man” label, and building a private chef brand that serves celebrity clients across the country.We get into what “elevated Southern food” means, why he goes to five different stores for a single event, the night he unexpectedly had to feed Martin Lawrence’s entire tour crew, and his dream of bringing the Gourmet 21 experience to people who’ve never had access to it.This is a conversation about passion, patience, family, and using your gift to serve others. The plate is his canvas. The 21 is his legacy.Book Chef Scotty B: gourmet21catering.com | instagram - @itschefscottybFollow JermConnects: @JermConnects on all platforms and visit our website ingoodconnects.com

Most politicians follow the polls. Senator Caleb Theodros talks to people.At 30 years old, Caleb is the youngest current State Senator in North Carolina. He’s built his career through banking, entrepreneurship, tech, and civic leadership — and brings a perspective to the chamber that most of his colleagues don’t have. He sits on the IT, Education, and Regulatory Reform committees, and he’s one of the few voices in state government who actually understands what’s coming with AI.The gems came so fast we ran out of time due to technical difficulties however we will have a follow-up conversation with Caleb in the future, stay tuned and make sure you're subscribed!In this conversation, we get into:Why relying on polls produces mediocre leadershipThe Henry Ford principle applied to politicsHow he pitches AI policy to colleagues in their 60s and 70sWhy obsession — not just hard work — separates those who make itHis mantra: bias towards action, patience with resultsNC ranked 50th in education investment while being #1 for businessMental health as the only area of human life not improving“Weaponized abundance” — how we’re being chemically addicted by designConnect with Caleb:Instagram: @calebtheodrosWebsite: calebnc.com—In Good Company is hosted by Jeremy McKellar. New episodes weekly.🔗 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@InGoodConnects🔗 Full episodes & guest profiles: InGoodConnects.com🔗 More from Jeremy: bio.site/jermconnects

Hard work alone won't get you promoted—Chris Tazewell learned this when he turned down $100K to take an internship. Everyone thought he was crazy. Two months later, he doubled his salary.In this conversation, we explore why "work hard and you'll get promoted" is a lie, how he went from managing 20 people making $50K to being an individual contributor making 3x that, and why most people are still playing out of an outdated career playbook.Connect with Chris: Instagram @corporateathlete_ In Good Company is hosted by Jeremy McKellar.🔗 InGoodConnects.com

Wine doesn't have to be intimidating—it starts with curiosity, not credentials.Shay Gilchrist is the founder of Wine & Vibes, LLC, a WSET Level 2 certified wine expert, and author of Vinology. She's built a business around intimate, sensory-rich wine experiences in Charlotte—capped at 30 people because she refuses to sacrifice connection for scale.In this conversation, we get into:- Why wine expertise starts with curiosity, not certifications- The intentional choice to keep experiences intimate- Building confidence by doing things scared- How to avoid burnout when your business is your passionConnect with Shay:Instagram: @wineandvibes_Website: www.wineandvibessc.com/—In Good Company is hosted by Jeremy McKellar. New episodes weekly.🔗 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@InGoodConnects🔗 Full episodes & guest profiles: InGoodConnects.com🔗 More from Jerm: JeremyMcKellar.com