When we invited Ben and Jess Loseke, the married co-founders of Midwest Barrel Co., onto the show, we thought we were just going to talk about barrels — the kind that once held bourbon, whiskey, wine, and beer. But what we got was a front-row seat to one of the most unexpected and inspiring stories in the world of whiskey.

In this episode, we dig into how a simple side hustle turned into a booming business, what most people don’t know about used barrels, and the wild places these barrels end up next (spoiler: it’s not always whiskey 👀 ). From building a business as a couple to serving everyone from distilleries to DIY-ers to barbecue pitmasters, Ben and Jess are redefining what it means to be a part of the spirits community — even after the spirits are long gone.

This one’s equal parts business, love story, and bourbon-soaked adventure. Pour a glass of one of your favorite drams and enjoy a Hollywood worthy story in the first of our “Voices of the Industry” special episodes.