MJ Towler

Executive Producer and Host of The Black Wine Guy Experience Podcast. I geek out on wine, music and life!

[MJ Towler @BlackWineGuy]

The fear of silence can lead to status plays. At dinner, faced with a wine list, a choice reveals a story. . #Psychology #Marketing #BehavioralEconomics

[MJ Towler @BlackWineGuy]

The placebo effect is real for every drink. For some, status and affiliation drive buying $500 wine, while others seek a good $15 bottle. We tell stories about freedom from fear, status, and belonging. #PlaceboEffect #ConsumerBehavior #WineCulture

[MJ Towler @BlackWineGuy]

Think expensive wine glasses make wine taste better? They don't, unless you believe they do. Your personal story and perception enhance the wine, not the glass itself. #WineFacts #ConsumerPsychology

[MJ Towler @BlackWineGuy]

Making change happen is the goal; a book or a free blog post are just tools. The real challenge? Deciding who you want to become and committing to the effort. Most don't want that hard path, but if you do, you have the info to start. #PersonalGrowth #Motivation

[MJ Towler @BlackWineGuy]

Hustle culture isn't always about being productive; sometimes It's invading someone's space until they say 'yes' just to get out of it. This tactic might get you where you're going, but if everyone hustles, we all end up worse. #HustleCulture #SocialDynamics

[MJ Towler @BlackWineGuy]

The allure of hustle culture and scaling can be a shiny distraction. True focus lies in drilling down on who your efforts are for, not just chasing growth. #Focus #BusinessStrategy

[MJ Towler @BlackWineGuy]

The unlikeliest of friendships started in a telemarketing cubicle. Questlove and I met while selling accidental death insurance, saving up for demos. Who knew? #UnexpectedBonds #MusicHistory

[MJ Towler @BlackWineGuy]

Looking back at my 20s, I cringe. I was an idiot who could have gotten killed. If you're under 40, just have fun. You're going to mess up more than you can imagine. #LifeLessons #Youth

[MJ Towler @BlackWineGuy]

My mom refused to die on the same day as my father, even when she was on morphine. She heard me say she'd pass on June 4th, and deliberately passed on June 5th. She wouldn't let me win, even then. #FamilyLove #MomStrong

[MJ Towler @BlackWineGuy]

The most courageous act witnessed was a mother accepting peace and choosing to wither away. Asking a doctor if they'd recommend another chemo round for their own mother revealed the profound difficulty. It's about choosing peace when the fight is too hard. #Courage #Peace #Family

[MJ Towler @BlackWineGuy]

Grief can lead to drastic decisions. Moving your entire family across the country while grieving might seem like a bright idea at the time, but it's a 'grief brain' move. #Grief #MentalHealth

[MJ Towler @BlackWineGuy]

Bestselling author pushed to market her own book, told to cancel events due to low sales, and then friends show up to help—only to find out they sold more than expected. The industry changes fast; vertical videos are the new norm. #AuthorLife #Publishing #IndieAuthor

[MJ Towler @BlackWineGuy]

I lied to my mom about college, telling her I was doing great. The reality? I was struggling financially, to the point where the mortgage company was taking photos to sell my house out from under me during the economic downturn. #FinancialStruggles #Honesty

[MJ Towler @BlackWineGuy]

Growing up in Philly, I witnessed firsthand the KKK recruiting near our neighborhood. My mom's advice: 'If you see a group of white guys, just keep going.' This harsh reality shaped me, making me tougher than I realized. #Philly #RealLife #Resilience

[MJ Towler @BlackWineGuy]

The 1971 Ridge Monte Bello: a sip of history. Still vibrant, globally revered. An unforgettable taste that stands the test of time. #Wine #History #RidgeMonteBello

[MJ Towler @BlackWineGuy]

Honesty can open unexpected doors. A simple DM questioning authenticity led to a crucial conversation, saving a deal and revealing a new opportunity. Always be upfront – you never know where it might lead. #BusinessTips #Networking #Honesty

[MJ Towler @BlackWineGuy]

Graduating with a six-figure loan and an anthropology degree felt like a dead end. While others with less education landed jobs, I was stuck temping, realizing practical skills like Excel weren't taught, just theories about mummies. #CareerStruggles #JobMarket #SkillsGap

[MJ Towler @BlackWineGuy]

Aging wine is incredibly rare and complex. Ridge Monte Bello's journey, especially after the Judgment of Paris, cemented its legendary status in the wine world. #Wine #RidgeMonteBello

[MJ Towler @BlackWineGuy]

50 years since the Judgment of Paris! Celebrate the rise of California wines and the magic of terroir. Discover how location shapes taste, paired with a special menu. A journey through wine history and flavor. #WineHistory #Terroir

[MJ Towler @BlackWineGuy]

Lindsay is fighting for the future of her family winery, battling Napa County over multimillion-dollar penalties tied to alleged violations. At the core: who decides what a family winery can become? #PropertyRights #SmallBusiness