The guy behind House of Villains, Flavor of Love, Fast Foodies, and reality TV chaos just joined the podcast.
Dave Kuba pulls back the curtain on how hit reality shows are really made—and yes, we even pitched him our own Napa Valley reality show.

🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Dave Kuba | Reality TV Chaos, Villains & Behind-the-Scenes Gold

This week, we sit down with the man quietly responsible for some of the wildest moments in reality TV history - Dave Kuba, Executive Producer and EVP of Development & Current Programming at Irwin Entertainment. If you’ve ever watched a reality show and thought, “How is this even happening right now?”… there’s a good chance Dave had something to do with it.

From the early chaos of Change of Heart, Flavor of Love, and I Love New York to Fast Foodies, The Apprentice, and the beautifully unhinged House of Villains, Dave walks us through his incredible journey from reality TV’s early days to helping shape what millions binge-watch today. We dive into what makes a hit show actually work, the madness of casting unforgettable personalities, and what it’s like sitting on both sides of the pitch table - selling ideas and hearing them.

And because this is Go With Your Palate, we couldn’t resist pitching Dave our own Napa Valley reality show concepts. Let’s just say Fat Mario may still need to work out a few creative kinks… and possibly pass a psych eval before cameras roll 👀.

We also get into the psychology behind why people love villains, how reality TV has evolved in the TikTok era, and the surprising amount of strategy hidden behind the “controlled chaos” viewers see on screen.

It’s insightful, hilarious, and packed with behind-the-scenes stories from one of the sharpest minds in unscripted television.

Whether you’re a reality TV junkie, a creator with a wild idea, or just curious how the sausage gets made in Hollywood - this episode delivers.

Grab a glass and prepare for some beautifully produced chaos. 🍷📺🔥

The Bay Area radio voice you’ve heard for decades just joined us - for his first time as a podcast guest.
Marcus D opens up on staying relevant for 34 years, hitting #1, and why only our second-ever three-part episode felt worthy of making this one an event.

🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Marcus D | Radio Gold, Real Talk & a 3-Part Ride

This one’s special - only our second time ever doing a three-part episode - and we couldn’t have asked for a better guest to bring back this extended format than Marcus D of Marcus in the Morning on Star 101.3, whose show has climbed to #1 status and whose voice has been entertaining listeners for 34 years (including 25+ in the Bay Area).

In a fun twist, this was Marcus’ first time joining a podcast as the guest instead of the host, and he absolutely brings it. We dive into how he got into broadcasting as a teenager, how he’s stayed relevant across generations, and why authenticity still wins in any era of media. We also get into his food and wine side, his Chef’s Day Off world, and some behind-the-scenes gems from a guy who’s made everyday life entertaining for decades.

And because this is Go With Your Palate, we wander into the good stuff - relationships, keeping chivalry alive, what men can still learn from women (with some fresh younger-generation perspective from producer Taylor in Part 3), and yes… a little nod to the magic behind Second Date Update.

Part of what makes this mini-series extra fun is Taylor joining us in the final episode - her first time in Napa and a great voice on broadcasting, culture, and generational perspective.

There’s radio wisdom, Napa stories, plenty of laughs, and one of our warmest conversations yet.

🎙️ Marcus fans - drop your favorite on-air bit or Bay Area memory in the comments. We’d love to hear what’s made you tune in over the years.

Grab a glass and settle in - this one unfolds like a great trilogy. 🍷📻✨

The Bay Area radio voice you’ve heard for decades just joined us - for his first time as a podcast guest.
Marcus D opens up on staying relevant for 34 years, hitting #1, and why only our second-ever three-part episode felt worthy of making this one an event.

🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Marcus D | Radio Gold, Real Talk & a 3-Part Ride

This one’s special - only our second time ever doing a three-part episode - and we couldn’t have asked for a better guest to bring back this extended format than Marcus D of Marcus in the Morning on Star 101.3, whose show has climbed to #1 status and whose voice has been entertaining listeners for 34 years (including 25+ in the Bay Area).

In a fun twist, this was Marcus’ first time joining a podcast as the guest instead of the host, and he absolutely brings it. We dive into how he got into broadcasting as a teenager, how he’s stayed relevant across generations, and why authenticity still wins in any era of media. We also get into his food and wine side, his Chef’s Day Off world, and some behind-the-scenes gems from a guy who’s made everyday life entertaining for decades.

And because this is Go With Your Palate, we wander into the good stuff - relationships, keeping chivalry alive, what men can still learn from women (with some fresh younger-generation perspective from producer Taylor in Part 3), and yes… a little nod to the magic behind Second Date Update.

Part of what makes this mini-series extra fun is Taylor joining us in the final episode - her first time in Napa and a great voice on broadcasting, culture, and generational perspective.

There’s radio wisdom, Napa stories, plenty of laughs, and one of our warmest conversations yet.

🎙️ Marcus fans - drop your favorite on-air bit or Bay Area memory in the comments. We’d love to hear what’s made you tune in over the years.

Grab a glass and settle in - this one unfolds like a great trilogy. 🍷📻✨

The Bay Area radio voice you’ve heard for decades just joined us - for his first time as a podcast guest.
Marcus D opens up on staying relevant for 34 years, hitting #1, and why only our second-ever three-part episode felt worthy of making this one an event.

🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Marcus D | Radio Gold, Real Talk & a 3-Part Ride

This one’s special - only our second time ever doing a three-part episode - and we couldn’t have asked for a better guest to bring back this extended format than Marcus D of Marcus in the Morning on Star 101.3, whose show has climbed to #1 status and whose voice has been entertaining listeners for 34 years (including 25+ in the Bay Area).

In a fun twist, this was Marcus’ first time joining a podcast as the guest instead of the host, and he absolutely brings it. We dive into how he got into broadcasting as a teenager, how he’s stayed relevant across generations, and why authenticity still wins in any era of media. We also get into his food and wine side, his Chef’s Day Off world, and some behind-the-scenes gems from a guy who’s made everyday life entertaining for decades.

And because this is Go With Your Palate, we wander into the good stuff - relationships, keeping chivalry alive, what men can still learn from women (with some fresh younger-generation perspective from producer Taylor in Part 3), and yes… a little nod to the magic behind Second Date Update.

Part of what makes this mini-series extra fun is Taylor joining us in the final episode - her first time in Napa and a great voice on broadcasting, culture, and generational perspective.

There’s radio wisdom, Napa stories, plenty of laughs, and one of our warmest conversations yet.

🎙️ Marcus fans - drop your favorite on-air bit or Bay Area memory in the comments. We’d love to hear what’s made you tune in over the years.

Grab a glass and settle in - this one unfolds like a great trilogy. 🍷📻✨

“Wine is boring.” Yeah… we went there.
Evan Roscoe—wine disruptor and creative strategist—breaks down what the wine industry is getting wrong and how it can actually win over the next generation.
This one’s honest, unfiltered, and a little controversial (in the best way).

🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Evan Roscoe | “Wine Is Boring?” Let’s Talk About It

This week we’re joined by Evan Roscoe—Napa native, creative strategist, and one of the most unapologetic voices shaking up the wine industry right now. If you’ve seen his content, you know he’s not here to play nice—he’s here to call it like it is and push wine into its next era.

From viral takes like “wine is boring” to calling out the endless list of “don’ts” that turn people off, Evan is challenging the industry to drop the ego, ditch the gatekeeping, and actually connect with modern drinkers. We get into the real state of wine today—what’s broken, what’s working, and what needs to change if wine wants to stay relevant in a world competing for attention.

We also dive into his journey—from hospitality to creative strategy—and how he’s now working with brands to rethink storytelling, branding, and what it means to actually stand out in a crowded space.

And because this is Go With Your Palate, we don’t keep it too buttoned up… we get into everything from biblical wine takes to men’s scrunch shorts (yes, really), a little “America, F yeah!” energy, and plenty of laughs woven into some real, honest conversation.

If you love wine—but think it could be way more fun, more inclusive, and a lot less uptight—this episode is for you.

Grab a glass and get ready for a conversation that might just change how you see wine. 🍷🔥

“Wine is boring.” Yeah… we went there.
Evan Roscoe—wine disruptor and creative strategist—breaks down what the wine industry is getting wrong and how it can actually win over the next generation.
This one’s honest, unfiltered, and a little controversial (in the best way).

🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Evan Roscoe | “Wine Is Boring?” Let’s Talk About It

This week we’re joined by Evan Roscoe—Napa native, creative strategist, and one of the most unapologetic voices shaking up the wine industry right now. If you’ve seen his content, you know he’s not here to play nice—he’s here to call it like it is and push wine into its next era.

From viral takes like “wine is boring” to calling out the endless list of “don’ts” that turn people off, Evan is challenging the industry to drop the ego, ditch the gatekeeping, and actually connect with modern drinkers. We get into the real state of wine today—what’s broken, what’s working, and what needs to change if wine wants to stay relevant in a world competing for attention.

We also dive into his journey—from hospitality to creative strategy—and how he’s now working with brands to rethink storytelling, branding, and what it means to actually stand out in a crowded space.

And because this is Go With Your Palate, we don’t keep it too buttoned up… we get into everything from biblical wine takes to men’s scrunch shorts (yes, really), a little “America, F yeah!” energy, and plenty of laughs woven into some real, honest conversation.

If you love wine—but think it could be way more fun, more inclusive, and a lot less uptight—this episode is for you.

Grab a glass and get ready for a conversation that might just change how you see wine. 🍷🔥

The guy who made fermentation cool on YouTube just pulled up to the pod.
Brad Leone—It’s Alive, Local Legends, full-send food energy—breaks down fermentation, fire cooking, and how he built one of the most entertaining brands in food.
This one’s flavor, chaos, and good vibes start to finish.

🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Brad Leone | Fermentation, Fire & Full Send Flavor

This week we’re joined by the one and only Brad Leone—chef, fermentation wizard, outdoor adventurer, and the personality who helped redefine food content on YouTube. From his breakout days at Bon Appétit’s It’s Alive to building his own platform with shows like Local Legends and Makin’ It, Brad has turned curiosity, chaos, and creativity into a full-blown culinary movement.

We dive into the magic of fermentation—why it’s having such a moment, how it connects directly to wine, and where to even start if you’re fermentation-curious (without blowing up your kitchen). Brad also shares his journey from behind-the-scenes test kitchen grind to becoming one of the most recognizable faces in food media—and what he’s learned building his own brand along the way.

And because this is Go With Your Palate, we let it rip a little—getting Brad’s real breakdown of North Jersey (don’t mess that up), talking outdoor cooking, food adventures, raising kids, and yes… introducing the first-ever special guests on the pod—his baby chicks 🐥.

It’s equal parts flavor, storytelling, and straight-up good energy—with plenty of laughs woven into the chaos.

If you love food, fermentation, and content that doesn’t take itself too seriously, this one’s for you.

Grab a glass, maybe something pickled, and come hang. 🍷🔥

The guy who made fermentation cool on YouTube just pulled up to the pod.
Brad Leone—It’s Alive, Local Legends, full-send food energy—breaks down fermentation, fire cooking, and how he built one of the most entertaining brands in food.
This one’s flavor, chaos, and good vibes start to finish.

🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Brad Leone | Fermentation, Fire & Full Send Flavor

This week we’re joined by the one and only Brad Leone—chef, fermentation wizard, outdoor adventurer, and the personality who helped redefine food content on YouTube. From his breakout days at Bon Appétit’s It’s Alive to building his own platform with shows like Local Legends and Makin’ It, Brad has turned curiosity, chaos, and creativity into a full-blown culinary movement.

We dive into the magic of fermentation—why it’s having such a moment, how it connects directly to wine, and where to even start if you’re fermentation-curious (without blowing up your kitchen). Brad also shares his journey from behind-the-scenes test kitchen grind to becoming one of the most recognizable faces in food media—and what he’s learned building his own brand along the way.

And because this is Go With Your Palate, we let it rip a little—getting Brad’s real breakdown of North Jersey (don’t mess that up), talking outdoor cooking, food adventures, raising kids, and yes… introducing the first-ever special guests on the pod—his baby chicks 🐥.

It’s equal parts flavor, storytelling, and straight-up good energy—with plenty of laughs woven into the chaos.

If you love food, fermentation, and content that doesn’t take itself too seriously, this one’s for you.

Grab a glass, maybe something pickled, and come hang. 🍷🔥