Take Command: A Leadership Podcast

Episode Title: Fearless by Design: Building Global Brands with Purpose
Date: September 23, 2025
Host: Joe Hart, CEO of Dale Carnegie
Guest: Adam Von Gutkin, Co-founder and CEO of Highclere Castle Spirits

Overview

This episode features a lively, insightful conversation between Joe Hart and Adam Von Gutkin, exploring how Adam built a global luxury spirits brand rooted in authenticity, heritage, and boldness. Listeners are taken on Adam’s journey from humble beginnings to international acclaim, uncovering how leadership, authenticity, fearlessness, and purposeful storytelling play pivotal roles in business and personal growth. The episode offers actionable leadership lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and those seeking to unlock the next level of their leadership potential.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Life & the Roots of Fearlessness

Timestamps: 02:36 – 04:58

• Adam recounts growing up with a single mother and limited resources—"boiled hot dogs" being a culinary highlight.
• Humble beginnings instilled lasting humility, a willingness to be bold, and a “fearless by design” mentality.
• Adam started his first business selling candy in school out of necessity:

  "The very first business I started was created because I was pretty hungry." (04:21 A)

• He shares that not having much to lose enabled him to take bigger risks without fear of loss.

2. The Transformative Power of Dale Carnegie’s Philosophy

Timestamps: 05:12 – 08:10

• Adam encountered How to Win Friends and Influence People as a teen while working as a pool attendant:

  “It was like taking the blue pill in the matrix ... It all seemed rather mysterious to me. But it comes down to people and personal connection and being hyper thoughtful about others.” (05:12 A)

• The book infused him with confidence and gave him a toolkit for meaningful relationships and self-improvement.
• Adam read biographies of iconic entrepreneurs alongside Carnegie’s book, learning to “copy these behaviors” to cultivate habit change.

3. Authenticity as a Leadership Asset

Timestamps: 06:29 – 08:10, 23:35 – 26:08

• Authentic application of Carnegie’s principles shaped Adam's communication and leadership, allowing him to see past intimidating “adult stuff” to simple human connection.
• Enthusiasm and authenticity, both hallmarks of successful leadership, are emphasized:

  “If you can muster up a little bit of excitement and passion and express it, then people will be more apt to listen.” (23:35 A)

• Adam’s natural passion stands out, yet he underscores the value of authenticity for every leader, regardless of temperament:

  "You are you, I am me. Each of us have our own unique qualities and traits." (24:41 B)

4. Building Highclere Castle Gin: Vision, Outreach, and Partnership

Timestamps: 09:07 – 14:24

• Adam built Connecticut's first distillery for moonshine and whiskey, honoring family tradition before seeking something with truly “global legs.”
• He discovered Highclere Castle via Downton Abbey, envisioned a partnership, and cold-emailed their contact form:

  “I wrote an email in there that was very honest and forthright ... And the next day the phone rang and it was Lord Carnarvon, godson to Queen Elizabeth.” (11:51 A)

• Adam's lack of fear allowed him to seize opportunities, meeting and partnering directly with the Earls and Countess of Carnarvon.
• The castle's heritage, authenticity, and his alignment with their vision were critical for long-term success.

5. On Fear, Procrastination, and Taking Bold Action

Timestamps: 14:24 – 18:29

• Despite appearing fearless, Adam admits to struggling with fear like anyone else, often recognizing fear-driven procrastination in himself:

  “Usually it’s bothering me because I haven’t addressed it. Why haven’t I addressed it? Most of the time it’s because I’m afraid to.” (15:32 A)

• He shares a practical method: Write fears and issues by hand, articulate the worst-case scenarios, and almost always realize “the consequences couldn’t bother me at all.”
• The act of addressing the source of fear produces relief and builds positive momentum for future action.

6. Storytelling, Sales & Authentic Connection

Timestamps: 25:33 – 27:32

• Storytelling is positioned as a sales superpower and core to Adam’s leadership—and to building Highclere Castle Gin into a global brand:

  “Storytelling is sales. If you’re a good storyteller, then you’re a good salesperson.” (25:33 A)

• Adam emphasizes recognizing and voicing positive qualities in others—authentic, specific appreciation that builds relationships:

  “If I see you and I don’t even know you and we don’t even have a meeting and I like your shoes, I’m definitely going to say something.” (26:22 A)

7. Team Building, Culture, and Raising Capital

Timestamps: 19:56 – 23:09

• Adam’s approach to brand-building is grounded in deep research into the culture and history of his brands.
• Emphasizes surrounding himself with experts (“people who are a lot smarter than me”) in finance, hospitality, spirits, and distribution.
• Investor relations are managed with a focus on fit, culture, and shared values, ensuring no “wrong sort” is involved:

  “Like attracts like. Be open, be transparent, be clear, and you will get the right people that you need all around you.” (19:56 A)

8. Thinking Big, Staying Grounded, and What’s Next

Timestamps: 28:13 – 31:09

• Adam maintains a "limitless mindset":

  “There are no blinders. You’re looking out and saying, hey, what’s possible?” (29:49 B)

• He is developing a TV show to go behind the scenes of the world’s iconic spirits brands, expanding Highclere into cigars, private clubs, and possibly fashion.
• Importance of creative vision, balanced by detailed, execution-oriented management teams who “let me paint” while keeping projects on track.

9. Staying True to Purpose and Values

Timestamps: 31:59 – 34:19

• Adam rejects shortcuts for quick financial gain when they conflict with his values or long-term vision.
• Practices meditation, prayer, and self-reflection to stay centered and ensure all ventures serve a “greater purpose”:

  “By staying true to who I am...that's always been my ultimate barometer.” (32:25 A)

• He never pursued a fallback career—his entrepreneurship is all-in.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Fearlessness:

  “If you don’t have much to lose, then you learn to become bold and you learn to have no fear because there’s nothing behind it to drop out from under you.” (02:57 A)

• On Carnegie’s Impact:

  “I read the book and it was like, you know, taking the blue pill in the matrix or something. ... It comes down to people and personal connection and being hyper thoughtful about others. And through that becomes this magical truth.” (05:12 A)

• On Embracing Fear:

  “Do the thing you fear and the death of fear is certain.” (17:36 B, quoting Dale Carnegie)

• On Relationships:

  “If we’re open with our love, if we’re open with our kindness, if we’re open to seeing the beauty in humanity ... I think from that comes great things.” (26:22 A)

• On Staying True to Yourself:

  “When things come into my sphere that are attractive from a financial perspective ... when they don’t fit naturally and it doesn’t feel warm and fuzzy, I’ve declined them all.” (32:25 A)

• On Future Ambitions:

  “I am excited about what we’re building ... as the world is growing smaller, the capacities and potential for AI is going to get very interesting. Lots of challenges and problems to solve, but I’m excited about that prospect.” (28:13 A)

Key Timestamps

• 02:36: Early life, single mother, learning boldness from humble beginnings
• 04:21: First entrepreneurial venture, selling candy out of necessity
• 05:12: Discovery of Dale Carnegie’s concepts, transformational impact
• 09:07: Entering the spirits industry; family tradition’s influence
• 11:51: Initiating partnership with Highclere Castle; cold outreach story
• 14:24: Macro and micro strategies for overcoming fear
• 19:56: Researching culture, raising capital, team-building
• 23:35: Authenticity, passion, and developing leadership traits
• 25:33: Storytelling as a leadership and sales asset
• 26:22: Relationship-building, kindness, and appreciation
• 28:13: Future ambitions, TV show, and next steps
• 31:59: Anchoring decisions in values and long-term purpose

Summary Flow

Adam Von Gutkin’s journey—rooted in humility and a search for authentic connection—demonstrates how daring leadership can coexist with compassion, and how purpose-driven brand building flourishes through fearless action, authentic storytelling, and relationship-centric sales. The episode is both a masterclass in entrepreneurial mindset and a call for leaders to act boldly, love openly, and never settle for less than authentic greatness.

For more resources, visit www.dalecarnegie.com. To connect with Adam, check him out on Instagram or TikTok. Stay tuned for future episodes of Take Command: A Leadership Podcast. *