I first encountered Cal Fussman on The Tim Ferriss Show. As an avid listener and Tim Ferriss devotee (after all, he saved me life), Cal’s interview is still one of my all-time favorite podcasts*.
In his chat with Tim, Cal briefly talked about his wine experience for his column in Esquire Magazine. Exploring the show notes, I read Cocktails Before the Collapse, the article in which Cal writes about his time as Sommelier at Windows on the World.
That piece is cornerstone to my leaving the corporate 9-to-5 in order to chase this crazy wine dream. Some might be wondering, “A magazine article changed your life?”
It certainly did.
I encourage you to hit pause and give it a read before my interview with Cal.
When I created the Road to Wine Expert over two years ago, it was with the hope that I might be able to do the same for someone as Cal had done for me.
*It’s fitting that I’m writing about Cal’s on a train to Chicago, as his train story is incredible.
“When you make a connection with someone who loves wine your life is going to get better.”
Cal Fussman
Listen to Cal Fussman’s Interview
Check back here on July 10 for the kick-off for the Road to Wine Expert Podcast and the re-release of my interview with Cal Fussman.
Want more Cal Fussman?
Listen to his interview with Tim Ferris.
Read his article Cocktails Before the Collapse.
About Cal Fussman
Cal Fussman is a New York Times bestselling author, writer-at-large for Esquire Magazine, keynote speaker and corporate consultant.
As a highly sought-after speaker, Cal has worked with companies including Facebook, Turner Broadcasting, Samsung, Pixar, Apple Music, Lululemon, Vans, General Motors, and several others. His keynotes and interactive workshops, derived from decades of interviewing, inspire organizations to take a new look at the fundamental aspects of their business.
As a writer for Esquire, GQ, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, and The Washington Post Sunday Magazine, he has transformed oral history into an art form, conducting probing interviews with the icons who’ve shaped the last half-century of world history, including: Mikhail Gorbachev, Jeff Bezos, Jack Welch, President Jimmy Carter, President Donald Trump, Ted Kennedy, Quincy Jones, Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Muhammad Ali, and over five hundred others. The Austin Chronicle has described Fussman’s interviewing skills as “peerless.”
Born in Brooklyn, Fussman spent ten straight years traveling the world, swimming over 18- foot tiger sharks, rolling around with mountain gorillas in Rwanda, and searching for gold in the Amazon. He boxed against then-undefeated world champion Julio Cesar Chavez, won a James Beard award and served as sommelier atop of the World Trade Center. He now lives with his wife—whom he met while on his quest to discover the world’s most beautiful beach—and his three children in Los Angeles, where he spends every morning eating breakfast with Larry King.
Connect with Cal Fussman
Cal is the host of an amazing podcast, Big Questions. You can listen to Cal as he uncovers the heart, head, and soul of his guests in thoughtful, deep and entertaining conversations.
- Website: calfussman.com
- Instagram: @calfussman
- Twitter: @calfussman