StarZero All shows Try the podcast clipper →

Oct 19, 2020 · 50m · how-i-built-this

McBride Sisters Wine (Part 1 of 2): Robin McBride and Andréa McBride John

Robin McBride · 16m spoken Andréa McBride John · 16m spoken Guy Raz · 12m spoken
0:00 / 0:00

gold bands on the timeline = statements, start to end. Hover to read, click to jump. CC turns on captions

In this episode of How I Built This, Robin McBride and Andréa McBride John recount growing up unaware of each other's existence 7,000 miles apart, their emotional reunion, and how their shared upbringing in premier wine regions inspired them to build a groundbreaking global wine company.

How this conversation actually went

Every chapter scored 0–10 on four independent dynamics. Hover any point for the reasoning behind the score. Guy holds 29.1% of the talking time here. How this is scored →

Guy as informed peer 0.4 Guest teaching 0.6 Guest disagreement 0.1 Guy pushing back 0.1
05100:0015:0030:0045:004:43–9:32 · Guy as informed peer 0/10 Robin's Early Life in Monterey and Early Career Guy Raz asks standard biographical questions about Robin's childhood in Monterey as an only child and biracial girl. Robin shares her personal history and early entry into the electronics manufacturing workforce in a purely narrative, collaborative exchange.9:33–15:06 · Guy as informed peer 0/10 Andréa's Childhood Transition to New Zealand and Foster Care Raz guides Andréa through the difficult details of her mother's terminal cancer diagnosis, moving to New Zealand, and entering foster care. The tone is deeply empathetic and purely focused on Andréa's personal reflections.15:07–17:16 · Guy as informed peer 1/10 Andréa's Sense of Identity and Athletic Outlet Andréa explains the specific racial demographics of New Zealand's South Island in the 1980s, contextualizing her unique physical appearance and experience of otherness. She explains how track and field became a crucial coping mechanism for childhood anger.17:18–22:15 · Guy as informed peer 0/10 The Father's Call and Discovery of a Sister Andréa recounts the surreal phone call where her estranged father resurfaced, revealed the existence of older sister Robin, and shared his cancer diagnosis before tragically passing away before Andréa could arrive.22:20–26:53 · Guy as informed peer 0/10 The Search for Robin and the Alabama Letter Robin explains how their paternal family used public records and Oprah search tips to locate her in Atlanta via a letter sent to Monterey. Raz reacts with genuine emotion to the dramatic sequence of events.26:56–36:09 · Guy as informed peer 0/10 Mid-Show Break and Book Promotion Following a mid-roll book plug, Robin and Andréa describe their dramatic first phone call and their emotional airport reunion at LaGuardia. The sisters take turns telling the story in close harmony with the host.36:10–43:23 · Guy as informed peer 1/10 Reuniting in California and Shared Agricultural Roots Andréa and Robin explain how they realized they both grew up immersed in wine regions. Andréa educates the audience on Marlborough's 1980s transition from vegetables to Sauvignon Blanc and her work as childhood farm labor, while Robin describes her own wine appreciation moment.43:24–50:50 · Guy as informed peer 1/10 The Decision to Build a Wine Brand and Episode Conclusion Raz presses Robin on the immense intimidation and risk of launching a business while caring for newborn twins and an older daughter. Robin and Andréa pleasantly reframe the situation, explaining they lacked a fear gene and viewed the challenge as exciting.4:43–9:32 · Guest teaching 0/10 Robin's Early Life in Monterey and Early Career Guy Raz asks standard biographical questions about Robin's childhood in Monterey as an only child and biracial girl. Robin shares her personal history and early entry into the electronics manufacturing workforce in a purely narrative, collaborative exchange.9:33–15:06 · Guest teaching 0/10 Andréa's Childhood Transition to New Zealand and Foster Care Raz guides Andréa through the difficult details of her mother's terminal cancer diagnosis, moving to New Zealand, and entering foster care. The tone is deeply empathetic and purely focused on Andréa's personal reflections.15:07–17:16 · Guest teaching 2/10 Andréa's Sense of Identity and Athletic Outlet Andréa explains the specific racial demographics of New Zealand's South Island in the 1980s, contextualizing her unique physical appearance and experience of otherness. She explains how track and field became a crucial coping mechanism for childhood anger.17:18–22:15 · Guest teaching 0/10 The Father's Call and Discovery of a Sister Andréa recounts the surreal phone call where her estranged father resurfaced, revealed the existence of older sister Robin, and shared his cancer diagnosis before tragically passing away before Andréa could arrive.22:20–26:53 · Guest teaching 0/10 The Search for Robin and the Alabama Letter Robin explains how their paternal family used public records and Oprah search tips to locate her in Atlanta via a letter sent to Monterey. Raz reacts with genuine emotion to the dramatic sequence of events.26:56–36:09 · Guest teaching 0/10 Mid-Show Break and Book Promotion Following a mid-roll book plug, Robin and Andréa describe their dramatic first phone call and their emotional airport reunion at LaGuardia. The sisters take turns telling the story in close harmony with the host.36:10–43:23 · Guest teaching 2/10 Reuniting in California and Shared Agricultural Roots Andréa and Robin explain how they realized they both grew up immersed in wine regions. Andréa educates the audience on Marlborough's 1980s transition from vegetables to Sauvignon Blanc and her work as childhood farm labor, while Robin describes her own wine appreciation moment.43:24–50:50 · Guest teaching 1/10 The Decision to Build a Wine Brand and Episode Conclusion Raz presses Robin on the immense intimidation and risk of launching a business while caring for newborn twins and an older daughter. Robin and Andréa pleasantly reframe the situation, explaining they lacked a fear gene and viewed the challenge as exciting.4:43–9:32 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Robin's Early Life in Monterey and Early Career Guy Raz asks standard biographical questions about Robin's childhood in Monterey as an only child and biracial girl. Robin shares her personal history and early entry into the electronics manufacturing workforce in a purely narrative, collaborative exchange.9:33–15:06 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Andréa's Childhood Transition to New Zealand and Foster Care Raz guides Andréa through the difficult details of her mother's terminal cancer diagnosis, moving to New Zealand, and entering foster care. The tone is deeply empathetic and purely focused on Andréa's personal reflections.15:07–17:16 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Andréa's Sense of Identity and Athletic Outlet Andréa explains the specific racial demographics of New Zealand's South Island in the 1980s, contextualizing her unique physical appearance and experience of otherness. She explains how track and field became a crucial coping mechanism for childhood anger.17:18–22:15 · Guest disagreement 0/10 The Father's Call and Discovery of a Sister Andréa recounts the surreal phone call where her estranged father resurfaced, revealed the existence of older sister Robin, and shared his cancer diagnosis before tragically passing away before Andréa could arrive.22:20–26:53 · Guest disagreement 0/10 The Search for Robin and the Alabama Letter Robin explains how their paternal family used public records and Oprah search tips to locate her in Atlanta via a letter sent to Monterey. Raz reacts with genuine emotion to the dramatic sequence of events.26:56–36:09 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Mid-Show Break and Book Promotion Following a mid-roll book plug, Robin and Andréa describe their dramatic first phone call and their emotional airport reunion at LaGuardia. The sisters take turns telling the story in close harmony with the host.36:10–43:23 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Reuniting in California and Shared Agricultural Roots Andréa and Robin explain how they realized they both grew up immersed in wine regions. Andréa educates the audience on Marlborough's 1980s transition from vegetables to Sauvignon Blanc and her work as childhood farm labor, while Robin describes her own wine appreciation moment.43:24–50:50 · Guest disagreement 1/10 The Decision to Build a Wine Brand and Episode Conclusion Raz presses Robin on the immense intimidation and risk of launching a business while caring for newborn twins and an older daughter. Robin and Andréa pleasantly reframe the situation, explaining they lacked a fear gene and viewed the challenge as exciting.4:43–9:32 · Guy pushing back 0/10 Robin's Early Life in Monterey and Early Career Guy Raz asks standard biographical questions about Robin's childhood in Monterey as an only child and biracial girl. Robin shares her personal history and early entry into the electronics manufacturing workforce in a purely narrative, collaborative exchange.9:33–15:06 · Guy pushing back 0/10 Andréa's Childhood Transition to New Zealand and Foster Care Raz guides Andréa through the difficult details of her mother's terminal cancer diagnosis, moving to New Zealand, and entering foster care. The tone is deeply empathetic and purely focused on Andréa's personal reflections.15:07–17:16 · Guy pushing back 0/10 Andréa's Sense of Identity and Athletic Outlet Andréa explains the specific racial demographics of New Zealand's South Island in the 1980s, contextualizing her unique physical appearance and experience of otherness. She explains how track and field became a crucial coping mechanism for childhood anger.17:18–22:15 · Guy pushing back 0/10 The Father's Call and Discovery of a Sister Andréa recounts the surreal phone call where her estranged father resurfaced, revealed the existence of older sister Robin, and shared his cancer diagnosis before tragically passing away before Andréa could arrive.22:20–26:53 · Guy pushing back 0/10 The Search for Robin and the Alabama Letter Robin explains how their paternal family used public records and Oprah search tips to locate her in Atlanta via a letter sent to Monterey. Raz reacts with genuine emotion to the dramatic sequence of events.26:56–36:09 · Guy pushing back 0/10 Mid-Show Break and Book Promotion Following a mid-roll book plug, Robin and Andréa describe their dramatic first phone call and their emotional airport reunion at LaGuardia. The sisters take turns telling the story in close harmony with the host.36:10–43:23 · Guy pushing back 0/10 Reuniting in California and Shared Agricultural Roots Andréa and Robin explain how they realized they both grew up immersed in wine regions. Andréa educates the audience on Marlborough's 1980s transition from vegetables to Sauvignon Blanc and her work as childhood farm labor, while Robin describes her own wine appreciation moment.43:24–50:50 · Guy pushing back 1/10 The Decision to Build a Wine Brand and Episode Conclusion Raz presses Robin on the immense intimidation and risk of launching a business while caring for newborn twins and an older daughter. Robin and Andréa pleasantly reframe the situation, explaining they lacked a fear gene and viewed the challenge as exciting.

speaking balance: gold is Guy, purple is the guest (3 minute bins)

0:00 · Guy 80.6% · guest 19.4%0:00 · Guy 80.6% · guest 19.4%3:00 · Guy 59% · guest 41%3:00 · Guy 59% · guest 41%6:00 · Guy 16.8% · guest 83.2%6:00 · Guy 16.8% · guest 83.2%9:00 · Guy 19.7% · guest 80.3%9:00 · Guy 19.7% · guest 80.3%12:00 · Guy 28% · guest 72%12:00 · Guy 28% · guest 72%15:00 · Guy 32.1% · guest 67.9%15:00 · Guy 32.1% · guest 67.9%18:00 · Guy 21.2% · guest 78.8%18:00 · Guy 21.2% · guest 78.8%21:00 · Guy 14.5% · guest 85.5%21:00 · Guy 14.5% · guest 85.5%24:00 · Guy 8.1% · guest 91.9%24:00 · Guy 8.1% · guest 91.9%27:00 · Guy 59% · guest 41%27:00 · Guy 59% · guest 41%30:00 · Guy 15.5% · guest 84.5%30:00 · Guy 15.5% · guest 84.5%33:00 · Guy 16.3% · guest 83.7%33:00 · Guy 16.3% · guest 83.7%36:00 · Guy 38.5% · guest 61.5%36:00 · Guy 38.5% · guest 61.5%39:00 · Guy 11.7% · guest 88.3%39:00 · Guy 11.7% · guest 88.3%42:00 · Guy 9.7% · guest 90.3%42:00 · Guy 9.7% · guest 90.3%45:00 · Guy 22.4% · guest 77.6%45:00 · Guy 22.4% · guest 77.6%48:00 · Guy 43.6% · guest 56.4%48:00 · Guy 43.6% · guest 56.4%
Sharpest disagreement ▶ 48:20 Rejecting the idea of fear in entrepreneurship

When Raz emphasizes how scary starting a wine venture should have been with newborn twins, Robin and Andréa counter that they lack a fear gene and find scary situations energizing.

 Hardest push from Guy ▶ 48:08 Raz challenges the feasibility of starting a business with newborn twins

Raz pushes back on the romanticized narrative of launching a company, stressing how daunting and impractical the risk was with a ten-year-old child and newborn twin boys.

 Biggest teaching moment ▶ 15:30 Andréa explains New Zealand's South Island racial context

Andréa informs Raz about the specific historic and demographic reasons why people of African descent were virtually nonexistent in 1980s South Island New Zealand.

 Guy holds their own ▶ 46:23 Raz lays out the institutional barriers of the wine industry

Raz articulates the structural difficulties and financial intimidation of breaking into the wine industry, challenging Robin to explain their initial strategic entry.
the scores for every segment, with the reasoning behind each
ChapterTopicGuy as informed peerGuest teachingGuest disagreementGuy pushing backWhy
Robin's Early Life in Monterey and Early Career 0000 Guy Raz asks standard biographical questions about Robin's childhood in Monterey as an only child and biracial girl. Robin shares her personal history and early entry into the electronics manufacturing workforce in a purely narrative, collaborative exchange.
Andréa's Childhood Transition to New Zealand and Foster Care 0000 Raz guides Andréa through the difficult details of her mother's terminal cancer diagnosis, moving to New Zealand, and entering foster care. The tone is deeply empathetic and purely focused on Andréa's personal reflections.
Andréa's Sense of Identity and Athletic Outlet 1200 Andréa explains the specific racial demographics of New Zealand's South Island in the 1980s, contextualizing her unique physical appearance and experience of otherness. She explains how track and field became a crucial coping mechanism for childhood anger.
The Father's Call and Discovery of a Sister 0000 Andréa recounts the surreal phone call where her estranged father resurfaced, revealed the existence of older sister Robin, and shared his cancer diagnosis before tragically passing away before Andréa could arrive.
The Search for Robin and the Alabama Letter 0000 Robin explains how their paternal family used public records and Oprah search tips to locate her in Atlanta via a letter sent to Monterey. Raz reacts with genuine emotion to the dramatic sequence of events.
Mid-Show Break and Book Promotion 0000 Following a mid-roll book plug, Robin and Andréa describe their dramatic first phone call and their emotional airport reunion at LaGuardia. The sisters take turns telling the story in close harmony with the host.
Reuniting in California and Shared Agricultural Roots 1200 Andréa and Robin explain how they realized they both grew up immersed in wine regions. Andréa educates the audience on Marlborough's 1980s transition from vegetables to Sauvignon Blanc and her work as childhood farm labor, while Robin describes her own wine appreciation moment.
The Decision to Build a Wine Brand and Episode Conclusion 1111 Raz presses Robin on the immense intimidation and risk of launching a business while caring for newborn twins and an older daughter. Robin and Andréa pleasantly reframe the situation, explaining they lacked a fear gene and viewed the challenge as exciting.

Statements from this episode (3)

Assertion Supported
Robin McBride discovered her sister Andréa via a 1999 family letter
“At this point, he had passed away in 1996, the letter I got in January of 1999, and said that your father's passed away, and We went desperately to find you. You have a little sister. Her name is Andrea, and you know, at the time she was 16 years old, and she …”
Robin McBride Oct 19, 2020 ▶ 24:37
Assertion Not checkable as stated
New Zealand's Marlborough wine region has zero remaining plantable vineyard land
“Now you fly into Marlborough, and it's just vineyard. There's no more plant. There's no more plantable area.”
Andréa McBride John Oct 19, 2020 ▶ 40:02
Opinion
McBride Sisters uniquely produces its wine across two different global hemispheres
“And I feel like, you know, really quickly, at the time, we felt like we could do something that no other winery in the world could do. And that was that we could authentically make wine in two different hemispheres.”
Andréa McBride John Oct 19, 2020 ▶ 45:23
Made with StarZero

Turn any episode into a week of clips.

This entire site, over 800 episodes transcribed, diarized, checked and made playable, runs on the StarZero media pipeline. Drop in your own episode and the podcast clipper finds the moments worth sharing, cuts them, captions them, and reframes them for every feed.

Try the podcast clipper Learn more