Infinite Loops Episode Summary
Podcast: Infinite Loops
Host: Jim O'Shaughnessy
Guest: Adam Moskowitz
Episode: The Way of the Cheesemonger (EP.291)
Date: November 27, 2025
Overview
This episode dives into the world of artisan cheese through the passionate lens of Adam Moskowitz—a self-described "Cheese Illuminati" member and guiding force in the American artisanal cheese renaissance. Part exploration of cheese’s cultural significance, part behind-the-scenes look at entrepreneurship and creative risk-taking, and part deep conversation on passion, art, and forging meaningful lives, the episode is both laugh-out-loud funny and thought-provoking. Jim and Adam tackle snobbery, stereotypes, the business of cheese, the philosophy of art, cognitive diversity, and what it means to “bet the house” on your community.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Adam’s Unconventional Path to Cheese (00:00–04:48)
- Adam’s colorful entry into cheese: From Internet startups and an aspiring rap career to embracing the family cheese business and experiencing profound personal transformation through cheese.
- On the healing power of cheese: “Cheese saved my life. Didn’t change my life. It saved my life.” (Adam, 03:44)
- Creativity as a thread: Adam emphasizes the link between art and artisan, noting, “You can’t have artisan without art.”
Why Cheese Connects Us All (05:10–06:55)
- Cheese and human memory: Adam theorizes that the joy and universality of cheese are wired into our limbic system and earliest food memories—connecting cheese to happiness, childhood, and even civilization’s leap forward.
- “Cheese is just a happy food… unlike many foods, it’s welcome at breakfast, lunch, dinners, and snack.” (Adam, 06:29)
- American cheese stereotypes: The hosts delve into European snobbery about American cheese and the reality of America’s burgeoning world-class artisan cheese scene.
Breaking Stereotypes and the Rise of US Artisan Cheese (08:03–12:05)
- Changing the narrative: Adam relishes overturning European misconceptions, noting “they don’t even know we have raw milk cheese in America!” (09:27)
- State of the industry: 20 years ago, great cheese shops were rare in the US—now they’re blossoming everywhere.
- Cheese as an underdog story: Adam’s pride in America’s artisan cheese movement and winning global respect.
'A Cheese Course': Media, Mission & Making Cheese Cool (14:04–16:18)
- A show with purpose: Adam describes his multi-faceted business (importing, events, media) and his vision for “A Cheese Course”—an immersive, creative, long-form show that aims to make cheese approachable, valuable, and non-snobby.
- Format inspiration: “It’s like Hot Ones with cheese… but I’m not going to burn my guest’s face off. It’s a show where we ruminate on what we love while we eat what stinks in a good way.” (Adam, 03:47)
- On cheese culture: “Cheese is not expensive. It’s valuable.” (Adam, 15:00)
The Power of Passion, Cognitive Diversity & Meaningful Work (16:18–29:39)
- Conversations as art: Deep appreciation for true conversation—riffing on "My Dinner With Andre" as the ideal podcast.
- Diversity that matters: Jim and Adam agree that cognitive and interest diversity are more valuable than superficial diversity.
- “Great work happens when people identify their gifts, focus on them, and surround themselves with people who do different things.” (Adam, 22:41)
- Impact vs. Happiness: “I realized happiness is elusive, but impact is deep and meaningful.” (Adam, 20:00)
- Poetry and creativity: The hosts trade stanzas—from Coleridge, Blake, Marvell—to illustrate the surprise and edge that true artistry brings to all crafts, including cheese.
Cheese as Art & the Science/History of Cheese (36:46–48:35)
- Tasting as transformation: Adam and Jim sample elevated cheese creations, debating “Is this art?” and ruminating on how art is about shifting perception.
- Origins of cheese: The pastoral legend of the first cheese—from accidental fermentation in a calf’s stomach to yogurt as “the first cheese.”
- “You can't go back, you can't take that solid and turn it back into milk. That's a one way ticket.” (Alex, 41:16)
- Global variations: Cheese culture vs. non-dairy cultures (China, Ireland’s butter, Mongolia’s yak cheese).
The Cheesemonger Movie: Vision, Risk & Defying Gatekeepers (49:23–63:59)
- “Betting the house” on a documentary: Adam recounts risking large sums to capture the competitive world of cheesemongers against the odds.
- Tussling with media gatekeepers: Frustration with networks demanding blandness and underestimating the potential audience for serious cheese content.
- “The industry is all about, like, 'Talent hold agreements' and shopping agreements, and we’re going to lock you up but give you nothing… I just want to tell a good story.” (Adam, 55:39)
- True partnership and independent production: Adam partners with filmmaker Sarah Jolenski, leverages community and serendipity (“the force”), and ultimately self-funds to bring the documentary to life.
- Recognition and universality: The documentary’s success at making cheese—and passion—resonate beyond niche audiences.
- “The movie is not just about cheese. It’s about… being passion[ate]. Having purpose. Not taking no for an answer. Believing in yourself.” (Adam, 66:36)
Philosophy & Final Wisdom (63:59–73:51)
- Both hosts reflect on optimism, risk, and process over results, using stories from asset management, poetry, and art.
- Staying teachable, embracing problems:
- “Problems are portals to discovery.” (Jim, 68:53)
- “Remain teachable.” (Adam, 68:52)
- Infinite mindset: Expanding on the origin of “Infinite Loops” and time horizon thinking.
- Glass-half-full philosophy: “I'm just really stoked to have a glass.” (Adam, 72:13)
- Final two messages to the world as ‘Emperor’:
- “Leaders? Lead. Lead with love.” (Adam, 73:39)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On cheese and family legacy
- “At 32, I realized I was not the next Eminem. I had burned through all my money, and my grandfather…the first man to import cheese in the US, passed away. So I thought it would be a cool honor to…learn about cheese in honor of my grandfather.” (Adam, 01:43–03:00)
- On overcoming snobbery
- “Look down upon me and watch me roar. Because it’s just frankly not true.” (Adam, 09:39)
- On the cheese show’s mission
- “I really want cheese to not go the way of wine. I don’t want cheese to be snobby. I know it is expensive, but I choose to call it valuable.” (Adam, 15:00)
- On art and changing minds
- “I think art is helping people change their perception.” (Adam, 37:56)
- “I think all human beings are artists. I think life is the stage. Or the canvas, if I may.” (Adam, 38:45)
- On betting on yourself
- “Believe in yourself, bet on yourself, believe anything is possible. And hard work and practice matters.” (Adam, 69:14)
- On the enduring search for meaning
- “My life’s work is fostering meaningful connections. CHEESE is my tool. I help people think more deeply and breathe more deeply through cheese.” (Adam, 18:52)
- On leaders and love (final magic mic answer)
- “Leaders? Lead. Lead with love.” (Adam, 73:39)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Adam’s introduction & cheese journey: 00:00–04:48
- Why cheese is universal: 05:10–06:55
- Artisan cheese in America: 08:03–12:05
- A Cheese Course & philosophy: 14:04–16:18
- Diversity, cognitive mixing, and poetry: 16:18–29:39
- Cheese as art and history/science: 36:46–48:35
- The cheesemonger documentary: 49:23–63:59
- Wisdom, optimism, and ‘infinite’ time horizons: 63:59–72:41
- Magic mic—final wish for the world: 72:51–73:51
Tone & Takeaways
The episode is passionate, irreverent, inspiring, and deeply human. Adam’s journey exemplifies how art, entrepreneurship, and craft can be fused with purpose to build meaningful communities. Cheese becomes both metaphor and medium for breaking through stereotypes, taking creative risk, and leading with love.
For listeners: Whether you’re deep into cheese, entrepreneurship, or just love authentic storytelling, Adam and Jim’s conversation will leave you hungry to find—and follow—your own passion, wherever it may lead.