C&C Pod - Rick Nash, Founder & CEO of Spotlight

This week Bill and I are joined by Rick Nash, Founder & CEO of Spotlight, to mix up a Horsefeather from Rick’s hometown of Kansas City, and talk about analyst relations and how to think about that.

Spotlight is among the leading analyst relations firms that help technology and services companies with analyst relations strategy and execution.

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Rick for many years, from way back when I was an analyst to later, as a customer of Spotlight - it was great to reconnect and have him on the show.

So please pour yourself something to sip along with us and enjoy the conversation.

Cheers!

Episode Chapters:

* Intros exploring the Horsefeather

* Hey Kai, understanding Analyst Relations

* The Birth of Spotlight and Rick’s Founder's Story

* Engaging analysts in new categories

* Misconceptions of Analyst Relations

* The Evolution of analyst firms with influencers and thought-leaders (asking for a friend)

* Strategic AR steps for startups

* A few personal reflections

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This week’s cocktail - the Horsefeather

The Horsefeather is a lesser-known yet highly enjoyable variation of the classic buck cocktail, a family of drinks that combine a spirit, citrus, ginger beer (or ginger ale), and sometimes bitters. Bucks, also known as mules, gained widespread popularity in the early 20th century, particularly with the rise of the Moscow Mule in the 1940s. The Moscow Mule, a simple but effective blend of vodka, lime, and ginger beer, was born out of marketing necessity—a joint effort by John G. Martin, who was struggling to sell Smirnoff vodka in the U.S., and Jack Morgan, who had a surplus of ginger beer at his L.A. bar. Served in copper mug that Morgan also had a surplus of, the drink took off with the Hollywood crowd and cemented the mule (or buck) as an entire cocktail category.

While the Moscow Mule put bucks in the limelight, the family of drinks long predates it. The Kentucky Mule (with bourbon), Mexican Mule (with tequila), and London Mule (with gin) all follow the same template, allowing the base spirit to shape the drink’s profile. The buck itself dates back to the 19th century, when drinks like the Horse’s Neck (a ginger and bitters-based highball) laid the groundwork. The defining characteristic of a buck is its balance between spice, sweetness, and acidity, making it a refreshing and versatile template for bartenders to play with.

The Horsefeather mule variation originated in Lawrence, Kansas, sometime in the 1990s, making it a relatively modern entry in the buck lineage. It swaps vodka for rye whiskey, adding Angostura bitters for depth and complexity. The result is a spicier, more robust take on the mule—where the peppery bite of rye and the warmth of ginger beer complement each other very well. Often served in a highball glass over ice, the Horsefeather remains a regional favorite in the Midwest, though its appeal is slowly spreading beyond Kansas. Its name, while whimsical, remains a bit of a mystery, but like many great cocktails, its charm lies in its balance of the simple and the bold.

Cheers!

Horsefeather Cocktail Spec (Serves one)

Absinthe, to rinse

1.5 oz (~45ml) - Rye whiskey or bourbon

4 oz (~30ml) - Ginger beer (Fevertree recommended)

4 dashes - Angostura bitters

Garnish - Lemon wedge

The process:

Add a bunch of ice to a tall Collins or highball glass, add ingredients and stir. Express lemon wedge, stir again and enjoy.

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