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The Pursue Vegas Podcast

The Pursue Vegas Podcast

By: Dave Burlin Tawni Nguyen
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Pursue Vegas connects you with the untold stories of Las Vegas’s boldest innovators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.

Hosts Dave Burlin and Tawni Nguyen dive deep into conversations that inspire, motivate, and reveal the grit behind real success in a city that never stops evolving.

On a mission to connect the people of our city, The Pursue Vegas Podcast shines a light on the trailblazers defining the true spirit of Las Vegas with vision, resilience, and passion.

Join us to discover the powerful stories that show the world who we really are—and what Vegas is really about!

© 2025 The Pursue Vegas Podcast
Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Marketing Marketing & Sales Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • How Taylor Goodyear & Tyler Gallo Orchestrate Vegas’s Most Iconic Experiences
    May 19 2025

    "You have to find the incredible people that make any city—but especially Vegas—what it is."

    In this episode of Pursue Vegas, we spotlight two powerhouses behind some of the city’s most intentional events: Taylor Goodyear, founder of Social Exchange, and Tyler Gallo of Das Erbe Collective. Together, they’re designing experiences that move people—not just through food, music, and aesthetics, but through real connection.

    Taylor’s background in hospitality and event planning laid the groundwork for Social Exchange, a brand that creates networking and lifestyle activations for small businesses and locals. Tyler brings car culture to the community in a way that’s raw, immersive, and storytelling-driven. Their partnership proves that when you combine hospitality with passion, you create magic.

    "There's really no better place to be than Vegas for hospitality and event opportunities."

    We dig into their event philosophies, how they’ve made things like the Paddock Featured Showcase and a massive Halloween takeover on Fremont feel both cinematic and personal, and why collaboration—not competition—is what keeps the Vegas scene fresh.

    Whether you’re in events, brand marketing, or just want to build community around something you love—this episode is your blueprint for how to do it right.


    Key Takeaways:

    • Events are about emotional connection, not just production.
    • Collaboration between creatives builds more powerful ecosystems.
    • Car culture can be community-building when layered with storytelling.
    • Vegas thrives on creators who actually care about locals.
    • Networking works when it’s people-first, not pitch-first.


    Resources:

    • Social Exchange Group
    • Instagram: @taygoodyear | @dawserbcollective
    • Mentioned: Choice Sound, Corner Bar Management, Abel Baker Brewing, Stay Tuned Burger

    "What we do here on the show is we always want to focus on the incredible people that make Vegas, Vegas."

    Tap into this episode and see how Taylor and Tyler are building culture, one experience at a time. Because when you stop trying to be impressive and start being intentional—community shows up.

    Thanks for tuning in to The Pursue Vegas Podcast!

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    56 mins
  • How Brian Schulz Is Turning Las Vegas into a Filmmaker’s Playground
    May 18 2025

    "I'm all in on Vegas. The camaraderie, the energy, the variance of industries—there's so much opportunity out here, and it’s just so untapped."

    In this episode of Pursue Vegas, we sit down with Brian Schulz, documentary cinematographer and founder of Hot Fuss Films, to talk about why creatives, filmmakers, and storytellers are betting on Las Vegas as the next big production hub.

    Brian's credits span from NFL Films to projects on Netflix, Showtime, and Amazon, but it’s his move from New York to Vegas that lit a new creative fire—and gave him the space to build something original.

    "It's a creator's economy, so if you're not opening up a podcast studio, you're sort of behind the eight ball."

    We dig into how the city’s startup energy, booming sports scene, and influx of talent are shaping a cultural renaissance—one that’s still flying under the radar but growing fast. For Brian, Las Vegas isn’t just entertainment and nightlife—it’s a sandbox for storytelling, tech, media, and collaborative energy that can’t be found in LA or NYC anymore.

    "The best marketing is the truth. And through what I show, there’s a remarkable energy around what’s possible here in Las Vegas."

    We also talk about the power of routine, infrastructure, and staying grounded in a city built for distraction—and why Brian believes investing in creative infrastructure could unlock an entirely new economy in the Valley.

    "All politics is local... I want the infrastructure in Las Vegas to evolve to support the creative and business growth we’re seeing."

    If you’re a filmmaker, builder, or visionary looking for the next frontier—this episode’s for you.


    Key Takeaways:

    • Las Vegas is ripe for creative industries to take root and scale.
    • The local energy, sports expansion, and entrepreneurial culture are drawing national attention.
    • Routine and discipline are the secret sauce to thriving in a high-stimulation environment.
    • Investing in creative infrastructure could unlock long-term growth and retention.
    • Truth-driven storytelling is the most powerful form of marketing.


    Resources:

    • Hot Fuss Films Website
    • Instagram: @brianjschulz
    • Book Mentioned: Open by Andre Agassi
    • Filming Locations: Pizza Rock, Good Pie

    "What I've noticed, it's funny that basketball is going to probably be the fourth sport. Whenever that happens, we're hoping it goes on the north side of the Strip." — Brian Schulz

    Tune into the full episode to learn why the most innovative minds are building their futures in Las Vegas—and how Brian Schulz is documenting the rise in real time.

    Thanks for tuning in to The Pursue Vegas Podcast!

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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Erica Bell on the Secret Sauce Behind Great Pizza—and Even Better Culture
    May 17 2025

    In this episode of Pursue Vegas, we sit down with Erica Bell, the powerhouse GM behind Double Zero Pie, a Neo Neapolitan pizzeria tucked inside Las Vegas’s Chinatown and quickly becoming one of the city’s culinary crown jewels.

    Erica’s journey—from Albuquerque to San Francisco to the Vegas food scene—has been built on one core belief: “When you start with the person, everything else falls in place.”

    At Double Zero, it’s not just about pizza. It’s about emotional intelligence, mentorship, and building a team that actually gives a damn. Erica, alongside chef Michael Vakneen and Joshua Goss, has helped shape a restaurant known not only for fermented dough and international ingredients, but for culture and care.

    “Neo Neapolitan pizza stems from Naples. When it came to the States, it got tweaked. Here at Double Zero, we care about quality.”

    We talk about what it takes to build something great in a city of trends—how showing up consistently, supporting your team, and knowing when to ask for help creates longevity.

    “If you feel insecure and can't find the words, lean on someone to help you bring that forward.”

    Now preparing for the Pizza Expo, Erica shares how she’s stepping into the spotlight with the World Pizza Champions and why she believes collaboration will always beat competition.

    “We stand out together because we can’t do things by ourselves.”

    Whether you’re in the hospitality industry or just hungry for a better way to lead, this episode will feed your soul—and maybe your pizza cravings too.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Neo Neapolitan pizza is a blend of science, tradition, and bold reinvention.
    • Emotional intelligence and mentorship are vital in building lasting business culture.
    • Hospitality is about care—what you do and how you do it.
    • Las Vegas’s food scene is thriving through collaboration, not competition.
    • When you love what you do, it shows up on the plate and in the team.

    Resources:

    • Double Zero Pie and Pub Instagram
    • Erica Bell on Instagram
    • Vegas Test Kitchen
    • Ferguson's Downtown
    • Pizza Expo

    Thanks for tuning in to The Pursue Vegas Podcast!

    Show More Show Less
    44 mins

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