018 - Jason Rabinowitz - Proof of Concept

About this episode

Jason Rabinowitz of Proof of Concept --- SUMMARYIn this episode of Talk That Pod, Sebastian sits down with Jason Rabinowitz, co-host of Proof of Concept, a podcast that explores the world of beverage alcohol competitions through the stories of the founders and makers whose spirits have won at the highest level. Jason shares the personal origin story behind the show — rooted in his late father-in-law Anthony Dias Blue's founding of the San Francisco World Spirits Competition — and explains how the podcast has evolved from a simple "why did this spirit win" premise into a broader exploration of subjectivity, objectivity, and the craftsmanship behind excellence. The two dig into building a branded podcast that doesn't feel like an advertisement, the shift toward video and short-form clips in podcast discovery, cross-promotion, and how a "gatekeeper" industry might become more accessible to a wider audience. Jason also opens up about his background as a three-time Grammy-nominated musician and audio professional, and how that experience shaped the show's production. They close with a conversation about generational shifts in alcohol consumption and a rapid-fire round of podcast recom