A deep dive into the world of spirits, featuring expert insights and untold stories of distilled beverages.
"You don’t need a huge budget—these days, you can even record an episode with just your phone."
Today Renato Molo, the creator of The Global Glug shares his story of food podcast.
► Tell us about you and your podcast
I’m a Rummelier® and founder of Rum Chocolate Cartagena, deeply passionate about spirits, their history, and the people behind them. With years of experience in hospitality and spirits education, I’ve had the privilege of traveling extensively, visiting distilleries, tasting unique products, and meeting fascinating producers worldwide.
My podcast, The Global Glug, is dedicated to exploring the world of distillation, with a strong focus on rum, though I plan to expand into other spirits. I dive deep into the stories behind the bottles, uncovering the craftsmanship, traditions, and innovations that make each spirit unique. Through in-depth interviews with distillers, blenders, historians, and industry experts, I bring to light the lesser-known aspects of the spirits world, from raw material selection to fermentation, distillation, and aging techniques.
My audience consists of spirit enthusiasts, industry professionals, and curious minds who want to learn more about what’s in their glass. Whether they are bartenders, collectors, or simply people who enjoy discovering new flavours and stories, my listeners appreciate thoughtful, well-researched discussions that go beyond marketing hype. The Global Glug is for anyone who loves a good drink and wants to understand the passion, science, and artistry behind it.
► Why & how did you start this podcast?
I started The Global Glug because I love sharing knowledge. There are many influencers in the spirits world, but I often find the content to be more about promoting products rather than truly exploring them. I wanted to take a different approach—one that goes beyond the surface, diving deep into distillation, production methods, and the people behind the bottles. I genuinely enjoy talking with experts, learning about their processes, and sharing their insights with a wider audience.
I’ve always been a podcast listener myself, following shows like The Rumcast, The Single Cask, and ShiftDrink, which focus on the alcohol industry. These podcasts inspired me to create my own, but with a multilingual twist. I wanted to bring a global perspective, featuring guests from different countries and cultures while making the content accessible to a broad audience.
I launched The Global Glug in February 2024, and at the moment of writing (March 2025), I’ve published 27 episodes. Getting started wasn’t easy—it took time to find the courage. One of my biggest challenges was speaking in languages that aren’t my native ones. At first, I felt insecure and even ashamed of my accent or occasional mistakes, but I pushed through. Over time, I’ve realized that authenticity matters more than perfection. My audience appreciates the depth of the discussions, and now, I hardly think about it anymore. The important thing is to keep learning, keep sharing, and keep the conversation going.
► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?
I release new episodes twice a month, and thanks to modern technology, editing doesn’t take as much time as it used to. I use a software subscription (which costs around $300 per year) that makes the process much smoother, and I host my podcast on Podbean, which costs $88 per year.
The most time-consuming part isn’t the production itself—it’s getting guests on the show. Finding the right people, reaching out, coordinating schedules, and setting up the interviews takes effort. But once the interview is recorded, the rest of the process is relatively easy and runs smoothly.
Since The Global Glug doesn’t pay my bills, I have to balance it with my main work commitments. However, like any passion project, if you truly enjoy it, you make the time for it. I fund the podcast myself, and while it’s an investment, it’s one I’m happy to make because I love the process of learning, sharing, and connecting with people in the spirits world.
► What do you gain from podcasting?
I don’t have any sponsorships, and I make no money at all from The Global Glug. Right now, my focus isn’t on monetization—I see this podcast as a way to learn, grow, and connect with incredible people in the spirits industry. Maybe one day I’ll explore sponsorship opportunities, but for now, I want to keep improving my podcasting skills and refining the content.
What I do gain from podcasting is invaluable. The networking opportunities have been amazing—it has opened so many doors and led to conversations I might never have had otherwise. I’ve met distillers, blenders, historians, and industry experts from all over the world, each with unique stories and insights. These connections have been the real reward, enriching my knowledge and expanding my professional and personal network.
At the end of the day, I see The Global Glug as more than just a podcast—it’s a passion project that allows me to dive deep into the world of spirits, share knowledge, and build relationships. And that, to me, is worth more than any sponsorship deal right now.
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► How does your podcasting process look like?
I use Riverside, which is an amazing tool for podcasters. For audio quality, I have a microphone and headphones, and I also use a Zoom PodTrak for phone calls or live recordings. These tools help me ensure that my guests sound great, whether we’re recording remotely or in person.
I find my guests mainly through Instagram and Facebook. If I see a new rum producer or an interesting figure in the spirits world, I reach out and invite them to the show. Most people are happy to participate, though some don’t respond or eventually disappear due to time constraints or lack of interest.
Preparing for each episode involves researching my guest, learning about their background, and crafting thoughtful questions. However, I don’t always stick to a strict script. Sometimes, the best conversations happen when I just go with the flow and let the discussion evolve naturally. Each interview is different, which keeps the podcast dynamic and engaging!
► How do you market your show?
I use Podbean, which automatically distributes my episodes across multiple platforms. While it’s difficult to get precise data on listener acquisition sources, I believe Spotify is the most-used platform by my audience.
I also have a website (www.theglobalglug.com) where I post episode summaries and provide links to all major podcast platforms. This serves as a central hub for my content and helps listeners discover episodes more easily.
Social media is useful for visibility—I share updates on Instagram and Facebook—but I’m not sure how much direct traffic it drives to the podcast itself. It’s more about maintaining a presence and engaging with the community.
Recently, I launched an email subscription, allowing listeners to sign up for episode alerts. It’s still in the early stages, but I believe email will be the most effective tool for long-term audience engagement. I just need time to grow my subscriber base!
► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?
Just launch yourself! Creating a podcast takes time and passion, but if you truly enjoy your topic and want to share it with others, just do it. You don’t need a huge budget—these days, you can even record an episode with just your phone.
One of the best resources I’ve used is YouTube—there’s a wealth of advice and in-depth content to help with both creating and promoting a podcast. You can find tutorials on everything from audio editing to marketing strategies.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned? Consistency is key. Especially if you’re a one-person show like I am, it’s easy to lose motivation. But if you keep going, keep improving, and stay committed, the results will come. Podcasting is a long game, and the rewards—whether in learning, networking, or personal growth—are worth it!
► Where can we learn more about you & your podcasts?
You can learn more about me and my podcast here:
🌍 Website: www.theglobalglug.com
📸 Instagram: @theglobalglug
🎥 YouTube: @TheGlobalGlug
📘 Facebook: The Global Glug
Feel free to follow, subscribe, and reach out!
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