United States of Dramerica – Details, episodes & analysis

An honour to have broadcaster Kent French on the show.
He tells us about breaking into broadcasting in the early internet days, covering the NHL draft from the Sphere in Vegas and winning a Stanley Cup ring.
We talk about witnessing a player collapse, interviewing Arnie and the grind of travel in long seasons.
Kent discussed his new love of football, his past ownership of Orange County SC and the privilege and the pleasure of a carer in sport.
A fun episode with a real pro.

We speak to New Mexico United President Ron Patel.
The day before their US Open Cup quarter-final against LAFC, we talk the growth of soccer in the US, why so many fans have got behind his team and the time they thought a fan brought a gun into their Stadium.
He explains the day in the life of a football club president, whether the US or England are more likely to win a World Cup and what you need to do to get a parade in Albuquerque.
And why he wants to drink a whisky with the Ironman of India.

We talk to sports exec (and sports fanatic) David Siegel.
We discuss his love of sport, pitching to his heroes and how bad some of the national anthems were at Dodgers Stadium.
David tells us about a career in a baseball front office, sport as entertainment and his greatest memories with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
We talk about LA's sporting riches, his work with the LA Sports Council and what is coming next for this sports-mad city.
And we talk Johnnie Walker Blue, Sandy Koufax and Tommy LaSorda.

We talk rock music, whisky, crypto and the future of banking with the extraordinary Bob Schukai.
The EVP of Open Banking at Mastercard tells us his about love of Orange County rockers Social Distortion, his fascination with technology and buying a coffee with Bitcoin.
We talk about biometrics in banking, fraud and using your palm to pay.
We also cover the future of money, the importance of privacy and the end of cash.
And why he wants to share an Oban with MLK in Atlanta.

We talk to former British diplomat-turned-novelist Leigh Turner.
Leigh tells us about his new novel Palladium, getting clearance from the British Foreign Office to write these books and the motivation behind his new career.
We discuss managing crises - from civil unrest to planning for earthquakes and plane crashes, why representing the modern version of diplomatic life is so important and writing what you know.
Leigh talks us about his early books - The Skip outside the Lenin Museum, Blood Summit and his anthology of hotel stories - and as the previous Ambassador to Ukraine, we talk about the conflict with Russia and what happens next.
And he tells us why he wants to drink Macallan with the Queen.

Home - Leigh Turner/Robert Pimm: novels, short stories and more (rleighturner.com)

We speak to endurance athlete and motivational speaker Grant Lottering.
He talks us through his near-death experience on an Italian mountaintop after a horrific bike crash, his road to recovery and his journey to inspire others.
We discuss his charitable work, making the most of his second chance and his 72-hour non-stop ride across Southern California.
Grant talks in great detail about the moment he  nearly died, his faith and the ‘angelic’ visit from the Italian doctor who saved him.
An inspiring and painful story of one man’s journey to make something of the second half of his life.

Joining us for our first live interview in 2 years, it is American Idol favourite Elliott Yamin.
He tells us his story of driving hours to a first audition for Season 5 of the show and his ascent to finishing third.
We share a Bowmore 10 and discuss the power of music, the challenges of instant fame and his months on tour with American Idol playing full stadia across the US.
He talks about working with Stevie Wonder, becoming a 'Barry Fanilow' and the singing education he got as part of the show.
Elliott discusses fame, his gratitude to the show and his current music career.
And there is even time to talk sports, dog walking and parenthood.

I speak to whisky impresario Chris Uhde.
He tells his story of failed rock star to whisky expert, why he fell in love with scotch and learning about whiskies from around the world.
We talk scotch, rice whisky, as well as Belgian, Indian and Welsh drinks.
Chris talks about collecting whisky, the enjoyment of sharing a dram with people and talks us through some of the best whisky he as tasted.
He explains how he became - and remains the Los Angeles Voice of Whisky - and why he would want to share a whisky with his grandmother.
And we share a Fukano.
A fascinating discussion with a real whisky expert.

An independent baseball team in Oregon have been going viral due to the exploits of their mascot - a giant pickle.
Over a glass of Bulleit, we talk to Ross Campbell, General Manager of the Portland Pickles about Dillon T. Pickle and his exploits.
You'll hear about his viral - and inappropriate - picture, being mislaid by Delta on the way back from the Dominican Republic and then being stolen by a porch pirate.
Ross gives us the inside story of the pickle who made all the late night shows, the Daily Mail and the front page of the Wall Street Journal.

We talk to Emily Cloke, British Consul General for Southern California, Utah, Arizona, Hawaii and Nevada.
Over a glass of Balvenie, we talk diplomacy in a pandemic, remote working as a parent and diversity in the British Foreign Service.
She tells us about the work of a diplomat in Los Angeles, the value of the creative industries and working with the Mayor on climate change.
We take about the soft power value of sports, movies and whisky (and gin and tea!), what she hopes to achieve as the world opens up and meeting Arnold Schwarzenegger.