The Audacity to Live: Max's Unfiltered Journey Across Continents and Careers
Episode #0051
Wow. Just… wow. If you’ve listened to the latest episode of the podcast, you already know what I’m talking about. My conversation with Max was one of those where I literally had to fight to keep us on track, not because he was rambling (far from it!), but because I kept getting pulled into every fascinating rabbit hole he opened up. Honestly, my notes for "storyline" went out the window pretty fast, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Max's story isn’t just an immigrant tale; it’s a masterclass in living with relentless curiosity, an open mind, and the sheer audacity to embrace change. Seriously, if you haven't tuned in yet, you absolutely should! But for those of you who want a little more of the behind-the-scenes thoughts and deeper dives that couldn't fit into our chat, well, you've come to the right place.
What's in a Name? Apparently, a Whole New Life!
We kicked off our chat with one of my favorite little quirks, Max's name. You see, his legal name is Holger Hötzle. Try spelling that over the phone in America, especially if you're a journalist on deadline! His solution? Grabbing "Max Steiner" from a biography he'd just read, a name that just works in any language. It got me thinking – how many of us wish we could just hit the reset button, even on something as fundamental as our name, to better fit where we’re going? It’s a subtle but powerful signal of his willingness to adapt and thrive, right from the get-go.
Max's initial move to the US in 1989, pre-internet, pre-Google, was something I found utterly fascinating. Can you imagine trying to navigate a new country, a new life, without the instant access to information we all take for granted today? No quick search for visa requirements, no Google Maps for that first apartment, no instant messaging with family back home. It really underscores the bravery and resourcefulness it must have taken.
That Music Rabbit Hole (And Why It Still Matters Today)
Now, if you know me, you know I’m a huge music fan. So when Max started talking about his love for 20th-century American music – blues, bluegrass, jazz, those noir film scores – I was hooked. We went down a glorious rabbit hole discussing why the music and creativity of the '60s and '70s felt so different.
I brought up my theories: maybe it was the "discovery" of certain mind-expanding substances, or perhaps the sheer lack of data-driven algorithms pushing us into creative echo chambers. Max, with his deeply insightful perspective, countered with his idea that recorded music, in a way, "destroyed" music by shifting the focus from live performance to a repeatable, perfect product. Live music demands presence, he said; recorded music allows for endless repetition, and even AI can now "record a much better solo" than a human.
That hit home. As a podcast host, I'm constantly thinking about the ephemeral nature of live conversation versus the archived, edited product. Does something get lost in the "perfecting" of it? Max's point about modern music's focus on a 30-second, catchy chorus, rather than the entire lyrical or musical journey, resonated deeply with me too. It makes you wonder: are we sacrificing depth for instant gratification in every aspect of our creative consumption?
A Journalist's Dream in the Big Apple
Max’s entry into America was straight out of a movie script. Getting sent to New York by Springer Verlag for a trainee program in 1989, living next to Katharine Hepburn, and eventually getting a full contract thanks to a mentor who loved his writing – that's some serious jackpot stuff! My usual "expectation versus reality" question didn't even apply here; for Max, reality topped expectations in 4D!
He spoke about the incredible access journalism afforded him back then, allowing him to delve into the lives of common people – like the shoeshine man outside the Brooklyn Courthouse. And then, the dream assignment: riding a Harley Davidson down Route 66, not once, but four times, writing a best-selling book about it, and even getting a CD-ROM award (remember those?!). Living and working above Radio City Music Hall? Seriously, some people just live the dream, don't they? And what a testament to the power of seizing opportunities when they appear, even if you don't even have a motorcycle license!
Beyond the Glitz: Culture Shocks & Human Connections
It wasn't all sunshine and Route 66, though. Max shared an interesting culture shock: the stark difference in how men and women socialize and date in America compared to Germany. He was genuinely puzzled by the "dating dance," preferring the more organic connections he was used to. It's funny, usually, it's the German side being perceived as more rigid in emotional discussions, so to hear Max express this was a delightful twist!
His naive "foreigner's lens" in New York, venturing into neighborhoods native New Yorkers deemed "too dangerous," was another great point. It reminded me of my own recent trip to Marseille. Everyone warned me not to go, citing crime and danger. But you know what? Two days there, and nothing. It's almost as if travel itself is a cure for prejudice, isn't it? When you experience things firsthand, the myths often evaporate.
And then there's the food. Oh, the food! Max's first American hot dog, the glorious prime rib, and the deep dive into diners. He called them the "democratic restaurants of the New World," a place where attorneys and blue-collar workers broke bread together. My first diner experience in New York, a small spot near Wall Street, lit up with Christmas lights, was just as magical for me. It’s exactly what I picture when I think of the social heart of American life, much like our local bakeries and butchers are in Germany, or barber shops in Turkey.
The Audacity to Reinvent (And the Truth About Journalism)
Max's career journey is a powerful example of the "American mentality" I deeply admire. After a decade-long detour running a children's apparel company, he decided he wanted to be inside the story, not just write about it. That's when winemaking entered the picture. This country, as I often say, truly encourages audacity. There's a "Who Moved My Cheese?" mentality that says, "Okay, this isn't working, what next?" It's a stark contrast to Europe's sometimes stifling fear of failure or the expectation that you stick to one path.
But even a dream career has its breaking point. Max recounted the wild story of Tom Kummel, a Swiss journalist who fabricated interviews with Hollywood stars, creating sensational (and utterly fake) pieces that captivated German readers. Max was the one who exposed him, painstakingly translating the "interviews" back into English and sending them to publicists. The fallout was huge, but it left Max so disillusioned that he effectively quit journalism. He felt people were mad at him for exposing the truth, for "destroying the idea" that these amazing stories were real.
It's a tough pill to swallow, isn't it? That people sometimes prefer a compelling lie to a mundane truth. It immediately brought to mind a Romanian F1 commentator who used to casually refer to top drivers by their first names on national TV, like he'd just had coffee with "Luis" yesterday. Everyone knew he was fabricating it, but it was entertaining, so it continued. Max's story really hit home how important it is to seek out the real, authentic narratives, even if they're not as flashy as celebrity gossip. It's why I love talking to people like him – their real-life experiences are infinitely more compelling.
Finding "Home" and the Sweetness of Memory
Max's latest adventure, Glass Rose, is another fantastic pivot. After burning out on the retail side of winemaking and, surprisingly, even giving up drinking wine himself, he's now creating innovative non-alcoholic sparkling beverages from unripe grapes. It's a testament to his unending creativity and willingness to challenge norms.
This shift also resonated with me. I've been reflecting a lot lately on my own relationship with alcohol. As Jimmy Carr once joked (and Max shared a similar sentiment from John Mayer), drinking is like "borrowing happiness from tomorrow." More and more, I'm realizing the long-term impact on quality of life, and it's inspiring to see people like Max creating delicious, sophisticated alternatives.
And finally, the food talk brought us full circle to "home." His journey to create the perfect "Bienenstich" (a German bee sting cake) wasn’t just about the recipe; it was about "baking a memory" of his grandmother and watching the baker from his childhood window. Max's yearning for white asparagus, or my undying love for a simple Butterbrezel, these aren't just about the taste. They're about recreating a feeling, a connection to a past that doesn't exist anymore, except in our minds.
So, when I asked him if home was a feeling or a place, his answer was perfect: "It’s an emotion. It is a feeling and an emotion. It is definitely not a place." I couldn't agree more. We're always chasing those echoes of what once was, making new memories while trying to preserve the old.
Until Next Time...
Max's story is a powerful reminder that life is meant to be an exploration. It's about being open to new paths, even if they lead you away from what you thought was your destiny. It's about taking the audacity to try, to fail, and to reinvent yourself over and over again. And perhaps most importantly, it's about surrounding yourself with people who are smarter and faster than you, because as he wisely put it, "If you have the feeling you are the smartest person in the room, you have to switch rooms."
This first session with Max was truly incredible, and I'm already looking forward to our next one. What did you think of his story? Did any parts particularly resonate with you? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don't forget to listen to the full episode if you haven't already!
Until next time, keep exploring, keep listening, and keep moving!
Warmly,
Your Host, Paul.
🎙️ Listen to the full conversation on Whereabouts Tales — available on Spotify, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.
