Best Philip Duff Podcasts (2025)

1
#126, Christian Balke, founder, SIP Advocacy Program (Pernod-Ricard worldwide), Team Leader, Advocacy & Education, Pernod-Ricard Deutschland 1:57:31

11h ago1:57:31

1:57:31

Me and Christian met almost twenty years ago; when I was still living in the Netherlands, my friend Robin Weiss asked me to help judge the Havana Club Germany bartender contests, and Christian was involved even back then. In the next few years we hung out at Havana Club contests in Sylt, Dusseldorf, Havana itself and several other cities I can't re…

1
#125, BONUS, Amir Babayoff, beverage director, Ophelia Lounge, NYC (collab dual-cast with The Speakeasy podcast) 36:38

4d ago36:38

36:38

This is the last of our Tales-recorded episodes, and our final collab with The Speakeasy! Amir, originally from Tel Aviv, runs the cocktail program at one of Manhattan's hidden gems, the amazing Ophelia Lounge on top of the Beekman Tower, one of NY's last remaining true Art Deco skyscrapers, overlooking the UN. He was down at Tales helping us at Th…

1
Spanish-language Art Song and West Side Story with Dr. Patricia Caicedo 29:27

6d ago29:27

29:27

On today's episode of Behind the Curtain, Dr. Patricia Caicedo is a musicologist, a physician, and a world-class soprano whose work redefines the role of music in society. Today, she shares her excitement for LA Opera's upcoming production of West Side Story, and makes a passionate case for performers and listeners alike to engage with Spanish-lang…

1
#124, Francois Monti, author, drinks writer, vermouth fanatic 1:55:59

7d ago1:55:59

1:55:59

Francois escaped growing up in Belgium and, God help us, working in banking, to become a drinks writer, relocating to his beloved Spain and becoming an in-demand consultant to brands and bars, a World's 50 Best Bars Academy Chair, a drinks writer, drinks book author, and one of the two or three most expert and authoritative voices in the industry o…

1
#123, BONUS, Sahil Beri, master blender (and interim CEO), The Australian Bitters Co. (collab dual-cast with The Speakeasy podcast) 18:18

11d ago18:18

18:18

Sahil was down in New Orleans to re-launch Australian Bitters Co. in the US, and also because Australian Bitters Co scored both gold and silver medals in the New Orleans Spirits Competition, so me and Greg Benson of The Speakeasy lured him into our makeshift podcast studio and talked about the benefits of having royal family license plates, taking …

1
From the Vault: Opera vs Musical Theater with Jeremy Frank and Ashley Faatoalia 28:39

13d ago28:39

28:39

LA Opera kicks off its 40th Anniversary Season this fall with West Side Story, and in this episode from the vault, LA Opera Chorus Director Jeremy Frank joins Connects Teaching Artist and renowned tenor Ashley Faatoalia to try and answer the age-old question: what's the difference between opera and musical theater? Whether you call West Side Story …

1
#122, Jake Burger, mixologist, London bar owner, Portobello Road gin distiller, raconteur 3:10:53

14d ago3:10:53

3:10:53

Jake's one of the OG's of the UK bar scene, first making waves by winning multiple cocktail and bartending contests (including one where he won a £10, 000 diamond) when based out of his native Leeds, working in Leeds' top bars and then opening one of his own, then moving to London and opening beloved industry hangout The Portobello Star bar, co-fou…

1
#121, BONUS, Alan Murungi & Guy Brennan, Founders of Procera Gin (collab dual-cast with The Speakeasy podcast) 30:49

18d ago30:49

30:49

Down in New Orleans during the Tales of the Cocktail festival, I helped Procera, a luxury gin from Kenya, to run a private hospitality House, which came complete with a pool, so myself and Greg Benson of The Speakeasy had the bright idea to interview the Procera founders, Guy and Alan, while drinking martinis on the rocks, in the pool. Yep, we inve…

1
From the Vault: La Bohème with Dr. Andréa Fuentes and Dr. Shana Redmond 36:11

20d ago36:11

36:11

In this episode from the vault, LA Opera Connects' Dr. Andréa Fuentes sits down with Colombia University's Dr. Shana Redmond to talk about why La Bohème so deeply resonates with us. They discuss the friendships, the economic struggle, the resilience, and the gender paradigms that populate this timeless opera, and what gives it its enduring charm. T…

1
#120, Alexandre Gabriel & Matt Pietrek, authors of “The Rum Never Sets”, a history of naval rum (collab dual-cast with The Speakeasy podcast) 28 July 2025 54:54

21d ago54:54

54:54

Myself and The Speakeasy Podcast co-host Greg Benson were both in New Orleans last week at the Tales of the Cocktail festival, and so were Alexandre Gabriel, master distiller and blender at Maison Ferrand & Planteray rum, plus Matt Pietrek, spirits author & publisher, who lives in the Crescent City. AND Alexandre and Matt had just published (with M…

1
Love/Hate/It’s Complicated Island: A New Season of Opera Romance with Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano 24:29

27d ago24:29

24:29

In this episode, Connects affiliated scholar Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano takes us on a romp through the romantic relationships of the upcoming season, from tragic bohemians to passionate Egyptians (with more than a few nods to Shakespeare). LA Opera's 40th Anniversary productions have more steamy intrigue than an episode of—well, we'll let Dr. Brown…

1
#119, Christian Delpech, 19 x world champion flair bartending, bar director Presidente Miami, bar consultant 1:30:00

28d ago1:30:00

1:30:00

I first met Christian, who is Argentinian, in 2000, at the Quest for the Best world bartending championships in Orlando. I'd competed in Quest and Roadhouse and other contests like those quite a few times, but when many of us saw Christian that year - who competed in the Rookie division - a lot of us just decided to retire from competition and beco…

1
From the Vault: La Bohème with Duff Murphy 39:30

1M ago39:30

39:30

As we joyfully prepare for our 40th Anniversary Season, which includes an original LA Opera production of La Bohème, we're going into the vault to bring you a special episode from 2016: a La Bohème talk by Duff Murphy. Here, he shares fascinating knowledge about Puccini, La Bohème's reception in its time, who the opera is dedicated to, and how the …

1
#118, Ian Burrell, global rum ambassador, author, “Rum: A Tasting Course”, founder, UK RumFest, co-founder Equiano Rum, EduTainer 2:45:51

1M ago2:45:51

2:45:51

I've judged many a cocktail contest with Ian, and he's got a new book out AND just been awarded the Lifetime Achievement award by Tales of the Cocktail, so it was time for us to catch up over a rum or two. Having played basketball in his native UK, and rapped - he still gets royalties from a song of his featured on the soundtrack of "Space Jam" - I…

1
From the Vault: Making The Magic Flute 23:52

1M ago23:52

23:52

For our historic 40th anniversary season, LA Opera brings back the world's most delightful opera, the Magic Flute playing May 2026. In this special episode we flash back to a 2019 conversation between Brian Lauritzen and former resident conductor Grant Gershon. Together, they discuss all things Magic Flute, including the secrets of performing on hi…

1
#117, Timo Janse: opening bar manager, door 74 bar; owner, Dutch Courage bar, Perfect Serve Barshow and RevolutionCherry; co-founder, Flying Dutchmen Cocktails bar, Belly of the Beast bar, Amsterdam Cocktail ... 2:01:07

1M ago2:01:07

2:01:07

Timo has been a friend for almost two decades now: first he was the bartender who served me, then my employee, then my bar's manager, and then a bar owner in his own right, before founding a bar show, and several other excellent bars. We could have gone for four hours. We've known each other through multiple marriages, got to know each other before…

1
From the Vault: American Opera with Dr. Tiffany Kuo 19:51

2M ago19:51

19:51

As we approach the 4th of July, we’re turning our attention to the bold, ever-evolving world of American opera. In this special episode, Dr. Tiffany Kuo explores what makes an opera “American,” highlighting works that span ragtime, hip hop, minimalism, and the avant-garde. It’s a powerful reminder that American opera is not one sound—but many. From…

1
#116, Kristiane Westray, UK-based drinks writer and LGBTQIA+ proponent, who also runs FAR too much 1:35:34

2M ago1:35:34

1:35:34

Krissy is a hilarious person that I got to know judging spirits contests together, and an accomplished drinks writer as well as being an outspoken proponent of the LGBTQIA+ community, so I wanted to catch up with her just as we round out Pride Month. We had a great chat, not even that much about that community, because we both had a lot to catch up…

1
From the Vault: Akhnaten in Conversation with Philip Glass and Matthew Aucoin 43:16

2M ago43:16

43:16

This February 2026, Akhnaten returns to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for the first time in a decade. In this special episode, we rewind to a 2017 conversation between Akhnaten's composer, Philip Glass, and LA Opera’s then-artist-in-residence, Matthew Aucoin. Together, they explore the radical reign of the pharaoh Akhnaten, the revolutionary vision…

1
#115, DNN - Duff News Network 1:09:10

2M ago1:09:10

1:09:10

It's been a minute since we went over the news, and I've been rocketing around the world doing interesting things, so here's a DNN episode! We cover bar shows like BCBrooklyn, the Gulf Bar Show, the upcoming BCB London, the risers and fallers in the annual Millionaires List of million-case-selling liquor brands, Pernod's restructuring, the tiny coc…

1
Exploring Opera: Rigoletto with Jeremy Frank 56:51

2M ago56:51

56:51

This episode is an in-depth analysis of the music of Rigoletto, with LA Opera Chorus Director Jeremy Frank. From his piano, Jeremy takes us on a journey through the music of Rigoletto, providing context from the end of the bel canto period into Verdi's early, middle, and late periods. This episode was recorded as part of LA Opera's learning series,…

1
Chris Cheney-Living End-Gavin Wood Highlights 18:55

2M ago18:55

18:55

Born Christopher John Cheney in 1975, Chris graduated with a VCE from Wheelers Hill Secondary College. Chris played guitar since age 6 and studied jazz at Box Hill Tafe in 1994-95. However, it was at a barbecue Chris'was introduced by his sister to Scott Owen. In 1992 they formed a cover band called 'The Runaway Boys' taken from a Stray Cats song o…

1
Rigoletto in Conversation with Quinn Kelsey and Jeremy Frank 41:26

2M ago41:26

41:26

In this episode, LA Opera Chorus Director Jeremy Frank sits down with Rigoletto star Quinn Kelsey to discuss the baritone's artistic journey, his experience of embodying one of Verdi's most iconic roles, and how his Hawaiian cultural heritage has influenced it all. Playing now through June 21, tickets to Verdi's Rigoletto are available at LAOpera.o…

1
#114, Lorenzo Antinori, founder, Bar Leone (HK), #2 W50BB 2024, #1 Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 2:24:10

2M ago2:24:10

2:24:10

I've known Lorenzo since his days bartending at The Savoy in London, and have also had the pleasure of his drinks during his stint at Argo Bar (HK). Now he's opened Bar Leone, which is the fastest-ever to get to #1 in Asia's 50 Best Bars and #2 in World's 50 Best, after opening in June 2023. He's also about to open Montana bar in HK together with h…

1
The Women of Verdi's Rigoletto with Dr. Holley Replogle-Wong 33:58

3M ago33:58

33:58

In this episode, musicologist Dr. Holley Replogle-Wong illuminates the women of Rigoletto and their archetypes, drawing on history, literature, and fine arts. This lecture was recorded as part of Opera for Educators, LA Opera Connects' professional development series for teachers and anyone interested in a deeper dive. Tickets to Verdi's Rigoletto …

1
James Conlon's Pre-Performance Talk on Rigoletto 39:11

3M ago39:11

39:11

In this episode, Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon walks us through the history, the plot, and, of course, the music of Verdi's Rigoletto. Don't miss this heart-pounding drama playing May 31-June 21. Tickets are on sale now at LAOpera.org.By LA Opera

1
#113, Hayden “Woody” Wood, cocktail entrepreneur, world champion, author of 10 cocktail books (and Guy Fieri’s tour buddy) 1:57:24

3M ago1:57:24

1:57:24

Woody, a New Zealander, has been a fixture in Australian bartending for as long as I've been in the business, and he built his flair bartending and cocktail catering firm into a massive business there, wrote ten best-selling cocktail books, toured with Guy Fieri, burned out, came back, and has now founded a new solution to revolutionise the import-…

1
Colin Hay-Gavin Wood Highlights 22:14

3M ago22:14

22:14

Colin Hay first gained international fame in the 1980s asthe frontman of Men At Work, the band known for crafting Australian anthems such as "Who Can It Be Now?" and "Down Under." Men At Work won a GRAMMY Award for Best New Artist and sold over 30 million records worldwide. After the band's breakup in 1985, Colin launched a solo career, releasing t…

1
Rigoletto: Annotated Listening Guide 9:52

3M ago9:52

9:52

In this episode, mezzo-soprano Sarah Saturnino, alumna of the LA Opera Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program, shares the synopsis for Rigoletto, with annotated musical notes from musicologist Dr. Tiffany Kuo.By LA Opera

1
#112, Josh Harris, founder, Trick Dog (San Francisco), Pig & Punch, and forthcoming Quik Dog 1:55:40

3M ago1:55:40

1:55:40

Me, Josh and a bunch of other people (including Julio Bermejo and Mauro Mahjoub) were together in Yerevan for Yerevan Cocktail Week (YCW), so I took the chance to tape an episode with Josh, who I always run into at Tales of the Cocktail, but never get to sit down and chat with. Josh is best known for Trick Dog cocktail bar in SF, a perennial award …

1
Action the Future: Arts for Society with Renée Fleming, Dr. Daniel Levitin, Sarah Lyding, Dr. Indre Viskontas, and Stacie Aamon Yeldell 46:20

3M ago46:20

46:20

In this episode, LA Opera Connects is looking forward to the 4th annual LA County Arts and Health Week Summit on June 13. Listen in to this panel conversation recorded at last year's Summit, featuring Renée Fleming leading a discussion about the future of embedding the arts into healthcare with Dr. Daniel Levitin, Sarah Lyding, Dr. Indre Viskontas,…

1
The Spanish Civil War and Francoist Repression with Dr. Luis Martin-Cabrera 41:03

3M ago41:03

41:03

In this episode, scholar Dr. Luis Martin-Cabrera provides context for Ainadamar with an introduction to the Spanish Civil War, the Franco dictatorship, and the fate of poet Federico García Lorca. This conversation was recorded as part of Connects' professional development series Opera for Educators. Playing now through May 18, tickets for Ainadamar…

1
#111, Patrick Pistolesi, owner Drink Kong and Nite Kong, Rome, co-founder NIO Cocktails 1:48:28

4M ago1:48:28

1:48:28

Taped live in an annoyingly child-ridden park on a lovely day in NYC, myself and the rock 'n' roll Irish-Italian Rome-based cocktail bar owner Patrick Pistolesi cracked some all-American tariff-free beers, washed 'em down with mezcal and 'Murican single malt whiskey, and talked about Japan, billionaires, awards, his adventurous Irish mum, bars, coc…

1
Adam Duritz-Counting Crows-Gavin Wood Highlights 18:01

4M ago18:01

18:01

Counting Crows is an American rock band from San Francisco,California. Formed in 1991, the band consists of guitarist David Bryson,drummer Jim Bogios, vocalist Adam Duritz, keyboardist Charlie Gillingham,multi-instrumentalist David Immerglück, bass guitarist Millard Powers, andguitarist Dan Vickrey.Counting Crows gained popularity following the rel…

1
Dr. TIffany Kuo's Pre-Performance Talk on Ainadamar 32:37

4M ago32:37

32:37

In this pre-recorded pre-performance lecture, Dr. Tiffany Kuo guides you through Osvaldo Golijov's Ainadamar: the plot, the history, and, of course, the music. Tickets to Ainadamar are available now at LAOpera.org.By LA Opera

1
#110, Ektoras Binikos, founder, Sugar Monk, Bitter Monk and Atheras Spirits 1:51:50

4M ago1:51:50

1:51:50

Ektoras Binikos opened Sugar Monk cocktail bar in Harlem just 9 months before the COVID lockdowns kicked off, after a career in both art and mixology, having emigrated to Manhattan from his native Greece. While weathering the storm of the lockdown, he and his team started making and selling amaros and liqueurs, and this venture has blossomed into a…

1
Opera, Imagination, and Healing with Danielle Birrittella 30:06

4M ago30:06

30:06

What does trauma-informed mean? How can the opera be a place of catharsis? In this episode, composer, performer, and mental health professional Danielle Birrittella explores the links between opera, mental health, and the operatic imagination. Hear more conversations like this at the 4th annual Los Angeles County Arts and Health Week Summit, hosted…

1
#109, Tony Sachs, Philip Duff Show regular, drinks writer, bon vivant 2:45:39

4M ago2:45:39

2:45:39

Regular listeners will know New York drinks writer Tony Sachs, who occupies a place in The Philip Duff Show universe somewhere between "henchman" and "drinking buddy". It's been a while since we convened to drink our way through the literal lakes of booze Tony is sent on a daily basis, and because he was off to drink Direct Martinis from the hand o…

1
#108, Warren Bobrow, creator KLAUS THC beverages, cocktail book author, cannabis advocate 1:35:15

4M ago1:35:15

1:35:15

Warren has written six cocktail books - including on cannabis cocktails, as well as more conventional cocktail tomes - and he was way ahead of what is now a trend of quitting alcohol, back in 2018, during Tales of the Cocktail, which is like quitting skydiving mid-jump. He's recently created a range of delicious cocktail-inspired THC beverages name…

1
Ainadamar in Conversation with Ana María Martínez and Jeremy Frank 26:43

4M ago26:43

26:43

In this episode, soprano and Grammy Award winner Ana María Martínez sits down with LA Opera Chorus Director Jeremy Frank to discuss transitioning from the comedic and crafty Despina in Così fan tutte to the reverent keeper of Federico García Lorca's legacy, Margarita Xirgu, in Ainadamar. Playing April 26-May 18, tickets to Ainadamar are available n…

1
Darren Hayes Savage Garden- Gavin Wood Highlights 43:28

4M ago43:28

43:28

Darren Stanley Hayes (born 8 May 1972) is anAustralian singer, songwriter, music producer and composer. He was thefrontman and singer of the pop duo Savage Garden until theirdisbandment. Their 1997 album Savage Garden peaked at number 1 inAustralia, number 2 in the United Kingdom and number 3 in the United States. Itspawned the singles "I Want You"…

1
#107, Rob Husted, flair bartender, competitor & judge, co-creator “Shaken & Stirred” flair documentary 2:16:16

4M ago2:16:16

2:16:16

Me and Rob have known each other since the early early days, back when I was still a competitive flair bartender in the 1990s, and together with fellow OGs Dean Serneels and Deborah Richards, he's just created and premiered the world's first documentary about flair, "Shaken & Stirred", so it was high time we had a chat. We talked about the wild net…

1
The Music of Ainadamar with Jeremy Frank 45:09

4M ago45:09

45:09

In this episode, LA Opera Chorus Director Jeremy Frank provides a musical overview of Ainadamar. Playing April 26 through May 18 - don't miss the opera LA Times calls "one of the most moving and meaningful" of our time. Tickets are on sale now. This lecture was recorded in partnership with the Opera League of Los Angeles at the historic Ebell of Lo…

1
Ainadamar: Annotated Listening Guide 10:25

5M ago10:25

10:25

In this episode, Vinícius Costa, member of the LA Opera Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program, shares the synopsis for Ainadamar with annotated musical notes from musicologist Dr. Tiffany Kuo. Playing April 26 through May 18, tickets are available now at LAOpera.org.By LA Opera

1
Loss, Legacy, and Liberation: Ainadamar in Conversation with Dr. Tiffany Kuo, Osvaldo Golijov, and David Henry Hwang 45:04

5M ago45:04

45:04

In this episode, Connects affiliated scholar Dr. Tiffany Kuo sits down with Ainadamar composer Osvaldo Golijov and librettist David Henry Hwang to discuss the evolution of this contemporary opera and the themes of loss, legacy, and liberation. Join Dr. Tiffany Kuo for additional historical and musical context at free community lectures on April 1 a…

1
How to Drink Buck & Birch with Tom Chisholm, Co-Founder 51:33

5M ago51:33

51:33

Sometimes, you don't realize that all paths have led you to where you end up. Think about it - it could be true for you. It is for our guest - he’s right where he was meant to be all along. For Tom Chisholm, all those dead ends and missed starts made sense when Buck & Birch was born. Founded in 2016 by Tom and his partner Rupert Waites when they j…

1
GRAHAM NASH-GAVIN WOODS HIGHLIGHTS 13:26

5M ago13:26

13:26

Graham William Nash OBE (born 2 February 1942) is an English-American musician, singer and songwriter. He is known for his light tenor voice and for his contributions as a member of the Hollies and Crosby, Stills & Nash. Nash is a photography collector and a published photographer. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of …

1
#106, Hayden Lambert, owner, Above Board (Melbourne), jet-set bartender 2:40:11

5M ago2:40:11

2:40:11

Hayden's been a mate for ages, and his bar, a gorgeous, tiny, stripped-back speakeasy-type Mecca in Melbourne, is almost ten years old and has been winning awards and getting on lists quite a lot, so it was time we got together and shot the shit. This tiny little bar in Australia's second city got #100 on the overall World's 50 Best Bars list - not…

1
The Women of Mozart's Così fan tutte with Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano 44:17

5M ago44:17

44:17

In this episode, Connects affiliated scholar Dr. Kristi Brown-Montesano provides an introduction to the women of Così fan tutte and the gender roles and expectations of Mozart's time. This conversation was recorded as part of Connects' professional development series Opera for Educators. Playing now through March 30, tickets for Così fan tutte are …

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