Seacoast Stories
Compelling stories about the unique people, businesses, and newsmakers of New Hampshire and Maine, an underrated region of the United States. This weekly interview podcast gets vulnerable as guests and host tell entertaining stories, get vulnerable, and display what makes the Seacoast an American hidden gem. Hosted by acclaimed producer, speaker, and author Troy Farkas.
Mon, April 14, 2025
Why Are So Many Portsmouth Businesses Closing? Plus, the State of Real Estate, Restaurant Week, & Summer Tourism Expectations (50th Episode Roundtable!)
**Seacoast Stories is celebrating today's 50th episode with a Portsmouth West End Bar Crawl on 4/25! Watch here for more details and snag your FREE tickets today. Book 'N Bar, Ten Thousand Villages, Life Is Good, Colby's, Earth Eagle Brewing, Litherman's Brewing, Stroll Cafe. The last year in Portsmouth has been a business bloodbath. Why are so many beloved downtown Portsmouth businesses closing their doors, and what can be done to give our businesses a better chance of survival moving forward? In the 50th episode of "Seacoast Stories," host Troy Farkas welcomes returning guest, Andrew Samonas of Samonas Realty, and first-timer Nate Hastings , the Vice President of the Portsmouth Chamber Collaborative, for a transparent roundtable discussion about the harsh realities of the current economy on Portsmouth business owners, the state of Portsmouth commercial and residential real estate, how having locals participate in events like Art Round Town, Restaurant Week, and Local Love makes a huge difference, and some ideas for how to fix the current state of affairs. Plus, a cameo from the Chamber's Tourism Manager, Hope Anderson , who tells Troy about her recent trip to Montreal, where she was tasked with convincing Canadiens that they're welcomed to Portsmouth this summer, even if the current U.S. administration has our Northern neighbors feeling otherwise. CHAPTERS: What makes Portsmouth so special (00:00) Why are so many businesses closing? (05:32) Portsmouth's new initiative, Local Love (12:25) The economic realities of doing business in Portsmouth (18:04) SPONSOR: Sage Interior Design (31:15) SPONSOR: Kim Vargo (32:34) Portsmouth's ambitious residential building plans (34:12) Portsmouth Restaurant Week! (37:50) Portsmouth's new co-living space (42:35) Expectations for Portsmouth summer tourism (49:18) Advice to younger selves (56:30) To donate to a good cause to support Andrew's London Marathon performance later this month, <a href="https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/fundraisers/ce6844a872ea4db8f1b5?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZ
Mon, April 07, 2025
La Mulita: How Immigration, Drug Lords, and a Coffee Icon Shaped the Seacoast’s Authentic Colombian Coffee Shop. Plus, Advice for Entrepreneurs!
Max Pruna had never tasted specialty coffee. But one day at Northeastern University in the mid 2010s, craft coffee pioneer George Howell poured Max the cup of coffee that would change his life. Inspired by this one sip, Max then dedicated his life to learning everything about craft coffee, eventually leading him to open La Mulita Coffee in Rye, N.H., now one of the most beloved shops on the Seacoast. From La Mulita, Colombian native Max Pruna joins host Troy Farkas to discuss growing up in Colombia when drug lord Pablo Escobar was terrorizing the streets, the immigration process that brought him and his wife to the U.S. in the early 2000s, when he first discovered specialty coffee, why he opened La Mulita in 2019, the Portsmouth politics that nearly prevented him from opening the shop at all, the creative ways La Mulita survived the pandemic, how to make better coffee at home, lessons he's learned from a lifetime of entrepreneurship, and so much more. CHAPTERS: Growing up in dangerous Colombia (00:00) Max's emigration to New Hampshire (07:10) Max's career prior to La Mulita (15:41) Learning about specialty coffee from George Howell (19:43) SPONSOR: Sage (33:36) SPONSOR: Kim Vargo (34:50) The fight to open La Mulita in 2019 (36:06) Surviving the pandemic (44:50) What makes La Mulita special (50:40) Problems in the coffee industry (56:18) How to brew better coffee at home (01:00:44) Advice to younger self (01:05:56) To support Max, you can visit him at La Mulita Monday-Saturday from 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. To purchase perfectly roasted coffee beans, check out LaMulitaCoffee.com . THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: Sage is a new interior design studio in Portsmouth. When checking out at Sage in downtown Portsmouth, tell them "Seacoast Stories" sent you for 10% off your entire order! Offer ends 4/20/25. To streamline your annoying workflows, please visit www.kimvargo.com/contact and tell Kim that "Seacoast Stories" sent you for your free call and cust
S2 Enull · Mon, March 31, 2025
Women’s Complicated Relationship with Money, the New Definition of Success, and Why the “Woo-Woo” Can Make You Richer! w/ The Profit Mama
Gabbie Kelly ran away from her home in Auburn, N.H. In her 17-year-old mind, it was the only way she could begin to create the fiercely independent life and career she sought for herself. She wanted a fancy title in accounting, and then a husband, house, and a baby ... all before the age of 30. And she got all of that and then some. Today, at 35 years old, Gabbie Kelly is "The Profit Mama." No longer working 50 hours per week in accounting and auditing at important firms in Boston, Manchester, or Portland, she now assists working mothers with their finances, providing the kind of empathetic help she failed to receive while working in the corporate world. From her Kensington, N.H. home, Gabbie (a Seacoast Catapult 10 to Watch winner in 2024) joins host Troy Farkas to open up about why she ran away from home at 17 years old, why she wanted to check all of life's major boxes before age 30, the wakeup call she received after having her first child, leaving corporate to start her own business, why women struggle in their relationships with money, and so much more. CHAPTERS: Running away from home at 17 (00:00) Gabbie's ambitious life and career plans (12:57) SPONSOR: Kim Vargo (19:22) The mistreatment of mothers in the workplace (21:10) Redefining success (25:06) Starting The Profit Mama to help mompreneurs (27:50) How Gabbie helps women fix their relationship with money (36:50) The untraditional method that could change your financial fortune (49:00) Why Gabbie leads the MOB (56:45) Advice to younger self (01:00:16) To learn more about Gabbie's services, please visit TheProfitMama.com or follow her on Instagram @theprofitmama . THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR: To streamline your annoying workflows, please visit www.kimvargo.com/contact and tell Kim that "Seacoast Stories" sent you for your free call and custom discount. To support "Seacoast Stories," will you FOLLOW the show for free here on our <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3zg7za9HHoJeu
S2 Enull · Mon, March 24, 2025
The Seacoast's Dream Dealer: Why Starting the Live Freely Market Was the "Scariest Decision of My Life"
Alyssa Pine felt like a fraud. While running the first Live Freely Fest at Smuttynose Brewing last fall, Alyssa was quietly closing her own shop, a storefront in Hampton where she sold her Live Freely merchandise. But after seeing the success of the market, one of the most boomin' business days in Smuttynose history, Alyssa had accidentally stumbled upon her next project: The Live Freely Market. The Market, which has quickly garnered the attention of the Seacoast masses, is an indoor retail collaborative in Hampton. Every weekend, 30+ businesses of all genres sell their goodies to enthusiastic customers who eagerly arrive wondering which Seacoast businesses are on display. For Alyssa, the 31-year-old entrepreneurial daughter of Hampton restaurateur Shane Pine (The Community Oven, Shane's Texas Pit, Backyard Burgers & Wings, etc.), this Market represents everything she stands for: The murals on the walls? She painted them. She actually has 75+ murals splattered across the walls of New England, including at Blue Harbor Coffee in Hampton. The collection of small businesses? It's a celebration of her lifelong mission to support local at all costs. And of course, her own mini-store for selling Live Freely hats, shirts, and mugs that inspire customers to be their most authentic selves. From inside the walls of this 9,000 square foot facility, Alyssa joins host Troy Farkas to discuss growing up in the restaurant business alongside her father, the inspiration behind the Live Freely brand, advice for Seacoast business owners, why the Market has attracted so much attention so quickly, the failure that led to the most successful and fulfilling venture of her life, and more. CHAPTERS: Building several Hampton restaurants alongside her father (00:00) Biggest business lessons she's learned (11:34) Opening the Live Freely store (18:15) SPONSOR: JOBTALK LLC (23:17) SPONSOR: 3 BRIDGES YOGA (24:40) Why she knew the Live Freely Market would work (25:45) The incredible support she's received from the community (36:30) What makes the Market special (44:06) Dealing with anxiety (49:15) Why she credits the universe for the Market's success (55:30) Advice to younger self (59:58) To learn more about the Live Freely Market, visit their website LiveFreelyNH.com or follow them on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/livefreelymarket/" target="_blank" rel="ugc no
S2 Enull · Mon, March 17, 2025
“I Was Living a Lie!” How Ashley Ryall Found Freedom After Escaping N.H. (and a Broken Marriage)
Ashley Ryall wanted to get the f*ck out. A native of the small town of Weare, N.H., she dreamt of escaping small-town life as soon as possible. When college in Connecticut offered that opportunity, she took it and ran with it. And after studying abroad in Australia, an experience that completely opened up her worldview, Ashley vowed to live a life of adventure from that point forward. Except it didn't pan out that way. From the Portsmouth Public Library, Ashley Ryall joins host Troy Farkas to discuss the trap she fell into in her 20s, how her marriage fell apart, what escaping New England taught her about belonging, how the Seacoast gave her everything she was searching for, and why she's now writing a memoir about her lifelong journey toward self-discovery. CHAPTERS: Ashley Ryall's life-changing trip (00:00) How Ashley's life became boring (06:25) Debating having children (14:46) Getting a divorce (17:04) SPONSOR: 3 Bridges Yoga (23:26) SPONSOR: JOBTALK LLC (24:49) Ashley's cross-country adventures (26:20) How the Seacoast became home (34:17) Advice to younger self (46:35) For more "Seacoast Stories" episodes straight to your phone every Monday, FOLLOW the show for free here on our Spotify or Apple Podcasts pages. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS FOR SUPPORTING OUR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S MONTH PROGRAMMING: 3 Bridges Yoga : New members get one FREE class with code "STORIES" at digital checkout all March! If you're an existing customer, email info@3bridgesyoga.com to arrange a custom discount with Stephanie. JOBTALK LLC : Get 50% off JOBTALK Academy courses with the code "SEACOASTSTORIES50" for the rest of 2025!
S2 Enull · Mon, March 10, 2025
“Women Are Built for Community” Why Alexis Morton Believes in the POWER of Bringing Women Together. Plus, an Unbelievable IVF Story
Alexis Morton wanted to get together with other women on the Seacoast. However, as a stay-at-home mom during the pandemic, she couldn't find any groups of women who wanted to partake in fun Seacoast activities. So she started that group herself: Well Lived Women, a Seacoast-based women's group that's attracted nearly 1500 attendees since 2022. In this group, women of all demographics gather at various Seacoast businesses to support local, have fun, and most importantly, realize how powerful a room can get when it's filled with well-intentioned women. From her estate in Stratham, Lex -- who has 33,000 Instagram followers -- joins host Troy Farkas to discuss the Well Lived Women origin story, the magic that happens when women gather, the playful way she met her husband, the painstaking process of undergoing IVF, dealing with negative comments online, living in New York City, and more. CHAPTERS: How Lex met her husband (00:00) Lex's hellish IVF journey (06:30) Successfully having two kids (21:17) Sponsor: 3 Bridges Yoga (24:16) Sponsor: JOBTALK LLC (25:44) Amassing 33K IG followers (27:28) The origins of Well Lived Women (35:50) Well Lived Women's mission (42:32) Advice to younger self (55:21) To learn more about upcoming Well Lived Women events, visit WellLivedWomen.org or give them a follow @welllivedwomen on Instagram. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS FOR SUPPORTING OUR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S MONTH PROGRAMMING: 3 Bridges Yoga : New members get one FREE class with code "STORIES" at digital checkout all March! If you're an existing customer, email info@3bridgesyoga.com to arrange a custom discount with Stephanie. JOBTALK LLC : Get 50% off JOBTALK Academy courses with the code "SEACOASTSTORIES50" for the rest of 2025! There's still a few tickets left to our "Seacoast Stories" dinner Thursday at Ore Nell's Barbecue! Learn more information and snag your ticket <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
S2 Enull · Mon, March 03, 2025
WOKQ's Kira Lew on Beach Pizza & Why N.H. Hates Mass.! And Does Travis Kelce Give Taylor Swift the Ick?
Kira Lew wanted out of radio. After working in an environment that didn't bring out the best in her, she considered leaving the industry she had fallen in love with a few years prior. But she decided to stick it out. And then everything started falling into place. A few years later, Kira made history by becoming the first female morning show lead in the 54-year history of WOKQ, the Seacoast's No. 1 country music station. Alongside Logan Sherwood, she co-hosts " Kira and Logan in the Morning ," and it's one of the most popular radio shows in the region. From her estate in Hampton, Kira joins host Troy Farkas to discuss her untraditional path, navigating a male-dominated industry as a woman, toxic work conditions, podcasting vs. radio, Taylor Swift's historic performance at Gaslight (and why she thinks Taylor doesn't like Travis Kelce), and of course, her favorite Seacoast spots for pizza, Mexican food, cocktails, and more. CHAPTERS: Kira Lew's radio path (00:00) The harsh realities of show business (11:30) Why "Kira and Logan in the Morning" works so well (17:46) Taylor Swift's performance at Gaslight (25:57) Sponsor: JOBTALK LLC (30:04) Sponsor: 3 Bridges Yoga (31:58) Favorite Seacoast Italian joints, cocktails, etc. (33:23) WTF is beach pizza? (42:23) Why does N.H. hate Mass.? (51:00) Advice to younger self (56:15) To support Kira, listen live to "Kira & Logan in the Morning" every weekday from 5:30 - 10am on 97.5 WOKQ. You can also follow her on Instagram @kiralewwho . THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS FOR SUPPORTING OUR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S MONTH PROGRAMMING! JOBTALK LLC : Get 50% off JOBTALK Academy courses with the code "SEACOASTSTORIES50" for the rest of 2025! 3 Bridges Yoga : New members get one FREE class with code "STORIES" at digital checkout all March! If you're an existing customer, email info@3bridgesyoga.com to arrange a custom discount with Stephanie. For more "Seacoast Stories" episodes straight to your phone every Monday, FOLLOW the show here on our <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3zg7za9HHoJeuQN3JVTJHN?si=c532269f2e524204" target="_blank"
S2 Enull · Mon, February 24, 2025
Why Ore Nell's Wants to Make You Happy (and How Kittery's Top BBQ Joint Almost Didn't Exist)
Will Myska always wanted to be an executive chef. But with three kids at home, he doubted whether he'd have the ability to go all in on the restaurant of his dreams. So instead, he stayed the course, choosing to work and learn under some of the top chefs on the Seacoast perhaps longer than he needed to. Until one day, chef David Vargas (Vida Cantina) sat Will down and asked him, "What's next for you?" And that was the day everything changed for Will. From Ore Nell's Barbecue in Kittery, M.E., host Troy Farkas sits down with Will to discuss his love for cooking, what it was like working alongside top Seacoast chefs Evan Hennessey (Stages), Jethro Loichle (Ristorante Massimo) and Vargas, the tough conversation that led Will to open Ore Nell's BBQ in 2018, the keys to making authentic Texas brisket, meeting boxing legend Mike Tyson at The Wilder, and more. CHAPTERS: Will Myska's Texas cooking background (00:00) Working at Ristorante Massimo, Vida Cantina & Stages (07:18) Opening Ore Nell's BBQ in 2018 (18:44) Tell a friend about the show! (27:25) The day-to-day of Ore Nell's (28:27) How to make authentic Texas brisket & chili (33:23) Ore Nell's catering services (42:32) The toll of Ore Nell's on Will's personal life (46:55) Meeting Mike Tyson (49:53) Advice to younger self (55:30) Born outside of Houston, Ore Nell's Barbecue chef owner Will Myska spent the first 19 years of his life in Texas. After attending culinary school in Dover, N.H., he worked at Seacoast staples like Stages, Ristorante Massimo, and La Vida Cantina. In 2018, he partnered with Jay McSharry to open the first Ore Nell's Barbecue location in Kittery, M.E. The father of three children, Will is also a massive sports fan. To learn more about Ore Nell's menu, community nights, catering services, or second location in Biddeford, M.E., visit OreNellsBBQ.com or follow them on Instagram @OreNellsBBQ . For more "Seacoast Stories" episodes straight to your phone every Monday, FOLLOW the show here on our Spotify or Apple Podcasts p
Mon, February 17, 2025
F*ck the Blueprint! Ankati Day’s Journey From Costa Rican Jungles to Hosting Portsmouth's Best (and Most Bizarre) Saturday Night Out
Ankati Day gave up the blueprint. After years spent searching for her purpose in the deep woods of The White Mountains, the open fields of Missoula, Mont., and the jungles of Costa Rica, the now-yoga teacher eventually returned home to Maine with the realization that the linear path society bred her to take was simply not for her. From Shiloh Farm in Eliot, Maine, host Troy Farkas sits down with Ankati to candidly discuss her many lives, and how the road led her to become a spiritual force in the area. Plus, Troy tells Ankati about his bizarre experience at her ecstatic dance, and why modalities like ecstatic dance may just be the cure to some of society's problems. CHAPTERS: Who is Ankati Day? (00:00) Eating disorder battles (02:00) Working for the AMC (08:34) Moving to Montana (13:36) A life-changing yoga experience in Costa Rica (17:23) "Seacoast Stories" merch! (32:28) Teaching yoga on the Seacoast (33:55) What is ecstatic dance? (41:00) Troy's ecstatic dance experience (45:12) Why we're so lonely (57:22) How to know yourself better (01:02:50) Advice to younger self (01:10:07) Born and raised in Maine, Ankati Day is a beloved Seacoast yoga teacher (Barre & Soul, 3 Bridges Yoga, Shiloh Farm) who also leads yoga retreats, sound healings, cacao ceremonies, and ecstatic dance. To learn more about Ankati's many healing offerings, please visit AnkatiDay.com. To acquire some "Seacoast Stories" merchandise, shoot us a DM on Instagram @SeacoastStories .
Fri, February 14, 2025
Love in 2025, Famous Couples, and Dating Red Flags with a Seacoast Love Expert (Valentine's Day Bonus)
In this special Valentine's Day bonus video episode, host Troy Farkas welcomes Dover's own Kelly Anderson of the "Significant Lovers" podcast to talk all things love, dating, breakups, relationships, and of course, Seacoast coffee shops. From the cozy confines of the Portsmouth Public Library, the two discuss: Seacoast networking (00:00) Why we LOVE love (02:40) Why breakups suck (07:24) Dating red flags (12:10) Keys to successful relationships (17:00) Favorite famous couples (22:30) Top Seacoast coffee shops (24:34) To hear more stories of famous couples, check out the "Significant Lovers" podcast on Spotify. They're also on Instagram @significantlovers . Kelly Anderson is the co-host of the very popular "Significant Lovers" podcast, a show where Kelly -- alongside her cousin and sister -- conduct extensive deep dives into the relationships of famous couples, including pairs like Cleopatra and Julius Caesar, Olivia Rodrigo and Josh Bassett, and so many more. After spending several years in Boston and then New York City, Kelly now lives in Dover, N.H. Will you help us make "Seacoast Stories" the Seacoast's go-to destination for hearing stories? To do so, please consider FOLLOWING the show on our Spotify or Apple Podcasts pages.
S2 Enull · Mon, February 10, 2025
Reedmor Books 'N Brews: How Portsmouth's Hottest New Store (Finally) Came to the Seacoast
Nissa Bagelman grew up in the book business. In fact, she spent many childhood days at a popular indie bookstore, Reedmor Books, in Center City Philadelphia in the early 90s. It was the family business. Her great grandfather opened Reedmor in 1928, and he passed it down to generations of Bagelmans. But when buying books online became commonplace, the Reedmor business suffered. In the early 2000s, the Bagelmans made the difficult decision to close down their stores. Now, 20+ years later, Reedmor is back ... with a twist. From the brand new Reedmor Books & Brews in downtown Portsmouth, host Troy Farkas sits down with Nissa to discuss how and why she's reopened the family business in Portmouth, the nitty-gritty of the book business, why it's so difficult for indie bookstores to survive (and why this store will buck the trend), and so much more. CHAPTERS: Reedmor's extensive history (00:00) Nissa's work in the publishing industry (02:50) Why indie bookstores fail (16:25) The motivation for re-opening Reedmor (20:02) How Book 'N Bar's end led to Reedmor's rebirth (24:14) The chaotic re-opening of Reedmor (28:50) The Seacoastonline article that blew up Reedmor (32:16) Reedmor's break from traditional bookstores (34:25) How the Seacoast has received Reedmor so far (44:00) Reedmor's big plans for 2025 (47:15) Advice to younger self (53:51) Nissa Bagelman is the owner of Reedmor Books & Brews, a popular new bookstore located in the former Raleigh Wine Bar in downtown Portsmouth. The great granddaughter of the original founder of Reedmor in Philadelphia, Nissa reopened Reedmor late last year following the closure of Book 'N Bar. A veteran of the publishing industry, Nissa dreamt for years about opening her own indie bookstore. To stay up-to-date with the latest from Reedmor, give them a follow on Instagram @reedmor_books or visit their web site. For future "Seacoast Stories" events, please follow us on our new Eventbrite page. Will you help us make "Seacoast Stories" the Seacoast's go-to destination for hearing stories? To do so, please consider FOLLOWING the show on our Spotify or Apple Podcasts pages.
S2 Enull · Mon, February 03, 2025
Paige Lindsey's Agonizing Path to Becoming a Top Seacoast Artist & Influencer
Paige Lindsey is ... a lot. (Those are her words.) The 34-year-old, who has nearly 18,000 Instagram followers, is a self-described member of Gen Z trapped in a millennial body. She's full of energy, feels deeply, loves intensely, and is unlike anyone you've ever met before. And on today's episode, the Exeter-based artist tells host Troy Farkas about the rollercoaster that's led her to become one of the most popular artists on the Seacoast. The two discuss the many obstacles placed in Paige's way, from a failed college art class, to complicated family dynamics, to falling out of love with painting, and also a miscarriage. But, perhaps because of her stubborn New Jersey roots, Paige never allowed any of these obstacles to prevent her from creating her dream life, a life she's now living with her little family unit on the Seacoast. CHAPTERS: Meeting Paige Lindsey (00:00) College hook-up stories (02:15) Paige's early days in art (05:26) Life in Seattle during COVID (20:20) Paige's miscarriage (25:51) Moving to the Seacoast (33:00) Advice for creating killer social media content (35:20) Paige's Seacoast art workshops (42:00) Life as an artist and mother (45:50) Advice to younger self (53:34) Paige Lindsey is a popular Seacoast artist, workshop planner, live event painter, and podcast host. A New Jersey girl at heart, Paige studied art at the University of New Hampshire. She's lived in Boston, Seattle, and now resides in Exeter with her husband Sam and son Bodhi. Loved for her flamboyant behavior, Paige also creates content on Instagram for her fast-growing audience of nearly 18,000 followers. To stay up-to-date with Paige's crazy life, you can follow her on Instagram @paigelindseydesign , visit her web site , subscribe to her Substack newsletter , or follow "Paige's Pod" on Spotify. Will you help us make "Seacoast Stories" the Seacoast's go-to destination for hearing stories? To do so, please consider FOLLOWING the show on our Spotify or Apple Podcasts pages.
Mon, January 27, 2025
Flight House Gym's Jay Collins: "I Blew My Life Savings Twice, & I'll Do It Again!"
Jay Collins left his house every morning at 2:45 to get to work. In his eyes, that's what obsessed people do. And it's that grit and dedication which led him to create MaxEdge Fitness, a beloved Seacoast gym that lasted 11 years before the pandemic wiped it away. Then, standing in the ruins of the business he and his family poured everything into, Jay emerged from the pandemic with a vision. A vision that was bigger and better than anything he'd ever done before: Flight House Gym , a one-of-a-kind workout facility in Rye that houses $750,000 of state-of-the-art equipment. And on today's episode, Jay joins the show to tell host Troy Farkas about the obsessive early days of MaxEdge, why he believes in betting on himself, the toll his dedication took on his family, learning how to delegate, navigating the pandemic, the challenges of starting Flight House, why he thinks he's the Seacoast's biggest psychopath, and so much more. CHAPTERS: Jay's intro to group training (00:00) Reinventing himself at 40 (03:50) Starting MaxEdge Fitness (10:45) When MaxEdge took off (20:15) The end of MaxEdge (26:52) The birth of Flight House (32:00) Why exercise is essential (38:38) Advice to younger self (49:40) Jay Collins is the founder and owner of Flight House Gym, a massive fitness facility located at 6 Airfield Dr. in Rye, N.H. Formerly the owner of beloved gym MaxEdge Fitness, Jay has also served in the military, coached football, and worked as a mortgage broker. A lifelong New Hampshire resident, the father of seven operates Flight House alongside his wife, Nancy, and son, Jack. Check out FlightHouseGym.com for information on memberships, class schedules, and more. Will you help us make "Seacoast Stories" the Seacoast's go-to destination for hearing stories? To do so, please consider FOLLOWING the show on our Spotify or Apple Podcasts pages.
Mon, January 20, 2025
How Flamingos Coffee Bar Became "Disgustingly Pro-Women"
Mackenzie Logan vowed to never open a restaurant. A veteran of the hospitality industry, she understood the extremely taxing nature of the business. She knew she wanted to run her own business one day, but she promised she'd wait until the Universe presented her with the right opportunity at the right time. That opportunity came during the throes of the pandemic, when Mackenzie finally found the business idea she'd been searching for all along: Flamingos Coffee Bar. On today's episode, the popular coffee bar's owner explains why she opted to get back into the hospitality business anyway, why Flamingos caught on so quickly, their very unique approach to making coffee, their Instagram-able coffee flights, and yes, the viral Yelp review that launched Flamingos into another stratosphere of popularity. CHAPTERS: Mackenzie's hospitality background (00:00) How Flamingos got started (04:20) "Support your local caffeine dealer" (14:22) The famous coffee flights (18:27) Flamingos' staying power (25:04) Opening the Exeter location (30:45) The "Disgustingly Pro-Women" story (34:40) How Flamingos gives back to the Seacoast (42:28) Flamingos' impressive social media (51:00) Living with Celiac disease (54:46) Advice to younger self (01:01:18) BIO: Mackenzie Logan is the 31-year-old founder and owner of Flamingos Coffee Bar, a popular Seacoast coffee shop with locations in Hampton and Exeter. A lifelong N.H. resident, Mackenzie opened Flamingos on Hampton Beach in 2021 shortly after ditching her job in the corporate world. After dropping out of the University of Vermont to return to the restaurant industry, Mackenzie would later graduate from UNH with a business degree. SUPPORT: To check out Flamingos, pay their coffee bar a visit at 56 Lincoln St. in Exeter, or 27 B St. in Hampton. You can also follow them on Instagram @flamingoscoffeebar. This podcast is hosted, written, researched, and produced by Troy Farkas . FOLLOW the show on Apple or Spotify to make sure you never miss an episode.
Mon, January 13, 2025
Stages: The Award-Winning Restaurant Hidden in Dover
Evan Hennessey wanted to come back home. After working in some of the most famous fine dining restaurants in New York City and Chicago, the Dover native felt the Seacoast pleading with him to return to the place that raised him. And when he returned in 2012, he opened a restaurant unlike anything Dover had ever seen before. Stages , located at One Washington in downtown Dover, offers a progressive tasting menu experience that showcases the bounty of ingredients native to New Hampshire through globally-influenced techniques and flavors. From the cozy confines of the tucked-away The Living Room at Stages, Evan Hennessey and Troy Farkas discuss: Troy's Stages experience (00:00) Dover's evolution (02:40) Falling in love with fine dining (06:43) The experience at Stages (12:40) Sourcing only NH ingredients (27:58) Problems with the restaurant industry (31:28) Food Network superstardom (37:42) The staging program at Stages (40:38) Hiking the presidential traverse (49:13) Advice to younger self (51:09) To make a reservation at Stages, visit this page . If you or someone you know is interested in their world-class staging program, you can fill out this Google form . Dover native Evan Hennessey is the chef/owner of Stages at One Washington in downtown Dover. A 2014 James Beard Semifinalist and 3x champion of The Food Network's "Chopped," Evan has been spearheading the fine dining game for over a decade. After stints in renowned restaurants in New York City and Chicago, Hennessey decided to return to his hometown of Dover to open Stages in 2012. This podcast is hosted, written, researched, and produced by Troy Farkas . FOLLOW the show on Apple or Spotify to make sure you never miss an episode. MENTIONED LINKS:
S2 E1 · Mon, January 13, 2025
Katy Marshall Drops Breaking News! Plus, Krystal Hicks on Making Enough Money, Seacoast Trivia, & Rae + Ryan Lambert on Creating Community (LIVE)
In front of a SOLD OUT crowd at The Press Room in downtown Portsmouth, it's the first episode of Season 2, and the first podcast in the history of one of Portsmouth's most beloved locations. In this very special episode, host Troy Farkas opens the show by speaking to past guests Rae and Ryan Lambert about the Seacoast dance community, people's intense desire to connect with one another, trying to contact MrBeast, and more. Then, in the first edition of Seacoast Trivia hosted by past guest Alex Bynum , three randomly selected audience members compete for a prize gifted by a previous guest of the show. After that, Krystal Hicks of JOBTALK LLC makes her podcast debut to discuss the strange way she left her position at Lindt Chocolate, how the pandemic changed the role of work in people's lives, Gen Z in the workplace, and the mistakes she made dating "b*tch a** men." Then, two audience members compete for money in the Seacoast Stories Cash Cube, which leaves the winner with far more money than expected. Plus, a matching donation to a beloved Seacoast nonprofit is made. To close the show, Studio One Cycle owner Katy Marshall drops breaking news about the future of her business, and she also talks about her freewheeling nature and why she came back to the Seacoast after teaching in several spin studios across the country. Plus, Q/A with every person who joined the stage tonight. The opening video (00:00) Troy Farkas joins the stage (03:40) Rae and Ryan Lambert (09:28) Seacoast Trivia with Alex Bynum (32:31) Krystal Hicks (55:06) The Money Machine (01:18:05) Katy Marshall (01:30:20) Q/A (01:52:55) Raechel and Ryan Lambert are the co-founders of River , an in-person meeting and event platform that's designed to get like-minded people together. Krystal Hicks is the owner of JOBTALK LLC , an inclusive career counseling practice. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/itskatymarsh/" target="_b
Mon, January 06, 2025
How Studio One Became the Seacoast's Top Indoor Cycling Studio (RE-AIR)
*UPDATE* If you don't have your ticket yet for Thursday's LIVE podcast at The Press Room, please arrive at 6 p.m. when the doors open to try to get a standing room-only spot. For the first 20+ years of her life, soccer was all that Katy Marshall knew. It was her entire identity. But when reality set in that she wouldn't play professionally, panic ensued. What was her purpose without sports, and where should she go to find it? Over the next few years, Katy asked herself these questions as she left the Seacoast in search of self-discovery. She eventually found the answers she craved, but she found them in the most unlikely of places. In her first podcast interview, Katy opens up about life before, during, and after the founding of Studio One, the Dover-based cycling studio that gives Katy everything she's searching for in this life. In today's conversation from the Studio One lobby, Katy and I discuss: Live podcast update (00:00) Katy Marshall's Seacoast Story (02:20) How Katy lost her sense of self after school (10:10) Katy's path to becoming a spin instructor (16:20) Studio One's CRAZY origin story (19:55) Building culture and community at Studio One (39:58) What's your mission? (45:43) The Final Final Question (48:29) Katy Marshall is the owner and founder of Studio One Cycling, Dover's first indoor cycling studio. Originally from Eliot, ME, Katy played Division III college soccer, worked barista jobs in Seattle, and taught spin classes in Nashville and California before eventually returning to the Seacoast to start her business in late 2020. --To learn more about the various fitness classes Katy's studio offers, please visit StudioOneCycling.com . --To support the telling of more incredible Seacoast Stories like Katy's, please FOLLOW this podcast on our Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify feeds.
Mon, December 30, 2024
Stephanie Paolini, Jennifer Desrosiers, and Sam Robbins LIVE from The Music Hall Lounge (RE-AIR)
"Seacoast Stories" was born the night that Troy Farkas hosted "The Found Generation" live at The Music Hall Lounge in downtown Portsmouth on March 25, 2024. After that night, Troy realized he needed to do something different, which led him to create a show that would focus only on the amazing people of the Seacoast. On today's episode, we air the ENTIRE live show from that special night, which gives a sneak peek of what to expect for the first live edition of "Seacoast Stories" Jan. 9 at The Press Room. The following guests join the show: The beloved owner of 3 Bridges Yoga , Stephanie Paolini , talks to Troy about how she started teaching yoga, illegally buying a home in Maine, getting robbed at gunpoint, her battle with cancer, and so much more. Then, Portsmouth-born musician Sam Robbins performs original music before discussing the state of the music industry and the superstardom of Taylor Swift. To close it out, LANEY & LU owner Jennifer Desrosiers talks about the origin story of the Exeter location, what good leadership is, the cost of ambition, and so much more. Jan. 9 live show update (00:00) "The Found Generation Live" opening monologue (05:35) 3 Bridges Yoga's Stephanie Paolini (12:19) Portsmouth musician Sam Robbins performs (49:47) Sam Robbins hates on Taylor Swift (01:04:50) Jennifer Desrosiers on the origin story of LANEY & LU (01:25:00) Closing message (01:53:30) Tickets to Seacoast Stories Live are SOLD OUT! But, The Press Room will release several standing-room-only tickets the night of the event on Thurs., Jan. 9. To claim a spot, please arrive when the doors open at 6 p.m. FOLLOW SEACOAST STORIES: <a hr
Mon, December 23, 2024
Top 10 Moments from "Seacoast Stories" Season 1! (Season Finale)
In the final episode of Season 1 of "Seacoast Stories," host Troy Farkas revisits 10 of the top moments from the season, offering his own insights about the behind-the-scenes of the podcast, the friendships he's made through the show, the impact the show has had on the Seacoast community, and so much more. The top 10 moments are as follows: Season 1 finale intro (00:00) Comedian Nick Callas needs friends with boats (01:35) Photographer Andrea Schwanbeck's health struggles (05:33) Artist Amy Tilton wants you to get out of your own way (09:24) Soul Models' Carrie Penna's career crossroads (13:03) How yoga teacher Sarah Oleson got her sh*t together (15:44) Manifesting with Studio One's Katy Marshall (18:10) Vernon Family Farm's mental health battles (21:40) How Carley Crain's work is saving lives, including her own (25:44) Eric Cacciatore is sticking to his principles (30:10) Emily Spencer's preparation for Miss America (34:33) "Seacoast Stories" is a podcast about the businesses, people, and newsmakers of New Hampshire and Maine. Hosted by renowned podcast producer and author Troy Farkas, this show is quickly becoming the area's go-to resource for learning about the people behind the Seacoast, a true hidden gem of America. Tickets to <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/seacoast-stories-live-hosted-by-troy-farkas-tickets-1099154433499?aff=oddtdtcreator
Mon, December 16, 2024
The Real Reason Troy Farkas Started "Seacoast Stories"
Troy Farkas listened to his first podcast when he was a depressed 21-year-old. Exhausted, lonely, and purposeless while working at ESPN in Bristol, Conn., Troy dreamt of the days he could create his own blogs, books, and podcasts while traveling the world. But, rather than let his hopelessness destroy him, Troy took the opportunity to learn from the very best in the world so that one day, he'd be ready to do his own thing. Now, seven years after he first stepped through the doors at ESPN, Troy feels he's finally ready to create something of real meaning, something that will fulfill his dream of bringing people together via his creations. That something? The "Seacoast Stories" podcast. On today's episode, previous guest Alex Bynum turns the tables around on Troy, interviewing the host in a feature that will become a staple of the show toward the end of podcast seasons. From Empowering Path in Portsmouth, Alex and Troy discuss: Who is Troy Farkas? (00:00) Working at ESPN (04:10) Troy's beginnings in podcasting (09:06) What inspired "Seacoast Stories" (17:42) Reflecting on Season 1 of the show (22:30) The live podcast on 1/9/25 (28:56) The Seacoast Stories IPA (30:50) Guest booking for "Seacoast Stories" (34:50) Biggest lessons from Season 1 (39:15) What's your mission? (43:30) Troy Farkas is the Executive Producer of the "Seacoast Stories" podcast. And in addition to producing for The Ringer, a sports and pop culture podcast network owned by Spotify, Troy is an author, public speaker, fitness fanatic, and Type 1 diabetic. Formerly a producer at ESPN, Troy has also lived in several places throughout the world, including Denver, Boston, London, Glasgow, and O'ahu. He now lives in Portsmouth, and is originally from upstate New York. Alex Bynum is a world-renowned spiritual guide, and she is the owner of Empowering Path in Portsmouth. FOLLOW SEACOAST STORIES: Spotify Apple Podcasts Instagram MENTIONED LINKS: Beer: The Seacoast Stories IPA at <a href="https://www.loadedquesti
Mon, December 09, 2024
Van Life, The Four Freedoms, and an Unstoppable Quest to Change the Restaurant Industry
*The first "Seacoast Stories" LIVE podcast is Thurs. 1/9 at The Press Room in Portsmouth! Expect special guests, major discounts, cash prizes, and merchandise. Snag your tickets here to guarantee a seat.* Eric Cacciatore was sleeping in his listeners' backyards. That's all he could afford to do. A podcast host with only a few dollars in his pocket in the late 2010s, Eric committed himself to traveling the country and producing multiple episodes a week of a podcast that's centered on talking to restaurant industry folks about the secrets behind their success. It's certainly not the path to wealth, but it's the path Eric is steadfastly dedicated to, and it's his unique sense of mission that's carried him for 10 years of hosting "Restaurant Unstoppable." From the Portsmouth Public Library, Seacoast native Eric Cacciatore and I discuss: How I met Eric Cacciatore (00:00) Past life as a pilot (04:02) How Eric discovered podcasts in the early 2010s (10:30) 10 years of Restaurant Unstoppable (14:50) Seacoast Stories LIVE details (27:40) Eric's commitment to the podcast (29:00) Why Eric doesn't just take money from anyone (36:27) Challenges of living on the road (41:12) Issues with the food industry (48:00) What's your mission? (57:15) You can listen to "Restaurant Unstoppable" on Apple or Spotify , or watch full video episodes on YouTube. For even more information about the mission Eric is on, please visit RestaurantUnstoppable.com. Eric Cacciatore is the host of the Restaurant Unstoppable podcast. Started in 2014, this twice-weekly show seeks to educate and inspire folks in the restaurant industry. One of the most listened-to podcasts in this space, Eric hosts and produces this podcast while traveling the country in his camper van. Before starting this podcast, Eric worked as a commercial pilot. He is originally from East Kingston, N.H. This podcast is hosted, written, researched, and produced by Tro
Mon, December 02, 2024
The 2025 Small Business Social Media Marketing Guide
*The first "Seacoast Stories" LIVE podcast is Thurs. 1/9 at The Press Room in Portsmouth! Snag your tickets here to guarantee a seat.* For small businesses on the Seacoast, a strong social media presence is a non-negotiable. However, staying relevant in a content-saturated world is becoming increasingly difficult. Furthermore, the social media platforms constantly change the rules. What worked last year doesn't work this year, and what works this year won't work next year. To help small Seacoast businesses navigate the tricky social media waters, I've called upon a trusted former colleague to set the record straight on how small businesses and content creators can best utilize social media to capture attention, build their brand, and drive revenue in 2025. From the comforts of our cozy home studios over the holidays, my old friend and I discuss: Live podcast details (00:00) The evolution of media in 2024 (01:00) TikTok tips for success (09:40) Gen Z's love of Snapchat (21:52) Instagram tips for success (23:44) How to capture attention in 2025 (29:05) Biggest mistakes on Instagram (35:22) Is X worth your time? (42:55) Why Facebook is a must on the Seacoast (47:41) How to win on LinkedIn (51:09) What's your mission? (56:08) You can catch Eric live on "The Ariel Helwani Show" YouTube channel live every Monday-Thursday at 1 p.m. Eastern. To follow along with Eric's thoughts on all things social media, check him out @NewYorkRic on X, where he has 23,000 followers. Eric Jackman, commonly known as NewYorkRic online, is an Executive Producer at Uncrowned , a combat sports web site that operates in partnership with Yahoo! Formerly a Social Media Director at MMAFighting (Vox Media) and a Social Media Manager at ESPN (Disney), Eric is one of the foremost experts on social media in the world. A father of three, he is a lifelong New Yorker and (sadly) has never visited the Seacoast. This podcast is hosted, written, researched, and produced by Troy Farkas . FOLLOW the show on Apple or <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3zg7za9HHoJeuQN3JVTJHN?si=49ab
Mon, November 25, 2024
How Two Former Silicon Valley Standouts Are Creating Community with $1.6 Million!
Raechel and Ryan Lambert want to get people together. Human beings are wired to connect with one another in real life. However, as our lives become increasingly digital, we're also getting more lonely. And today's guests, two Silicon Valley standouts who now live on the Seacoast, are on a mission to address this urgent problem. Their solution? River , an app that brings like minded-people together. Think Meetup, but more efficient and user-friendly, and also less weird. From their apartment in the West End of Portsmouth, Raechel, Ryan, and I share their wild story with me. We discuss: How I met Raechel and Ryan (00:00) Raechel and Ryan's love story (03:30) The book that changed their lives (07:34) Living and working in Silicon Valley (10:22) Becoming digital nomads after leaving SF (19:18) Why like-minded people are desperate to get together (29:08) How Raechel organized podcast meetups across the world (33:11) Meeting the founder of Meetup (38:05) Working with Tim Ferriss (42:21) Moving to Portsmouth in 2023 (52:08) What is community? (54:28) What's your mission? (01:00:00) Raechel and Ryan Lambert are the co-founders of River , an in-person meeting and event platform that's designed to get like-minded people together. The two New England natives spent most of the 2010s living in San Francisco, where the two worked together at various Silicon Valley-based startups. After leaving San Francisco, the couple spent time in New York City, Miami, Portugal, and other destinations before deciding to make Portsmouth their home last summer. For more information on River, check out the app or visit their web site. This podcast is hosted, written, researched, and produced by Troy Farkas . FOLLOW the show on Apple or Spotify to support the show. It's free :) RELEVANT LINKS: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/4-Hour-Workweek-Escape-Live-Anywhere/dp/0307465357" target="_blank" re
Mon, November 18, 2024
How White Heron Tea & Coffee Built a Cult Following
Japan...9/11...and farmer's markets? Most Seacoast stories don't involve these components. But for Jonathan Blakeslee, the owner of the very popular White Heron Tea & Coffee, they're critical elements of a story that you have to hear to believe. From the roasting room at White Heron located in the West End of Portsmouth, founder/owner Jonathan and I discuss: Jonathan's Japan experience (00:00) Living and working in the Pacific Northwest (06:20) The origins of White Heron (09:41) Organic, fair trade, and sustainably sourced (16:10) Follow the podcast (22:13) Opening in Portsmouth in 2013 (23:48) Advice to future shop owners (31:38) Jonathan's concerns about the industry (35:54) Opening in Eliot in 2020 (47:58) What's your mission? (53:03) Jonathan Blakeslee is the founder and owner of White Heron Tea & Coffee. Born in Portsmouth in 1969, Jonathan also spent his formative years in North Hampton and South Berwick. In lieu of attending college, Jonathan spent two years with the Coast Guard in Japan. After that, he spent several years working at top-ranked restaurants in Seattle and Portland (OR) before returning to the Seacoast in the mid-2000s to start White Heron. This podcast is hosted, written, researched, and produced by Troy Farkas . FOLLOW the show on Apple or Spotify to support the show. It's free :)
Mon, November 11, 2024
The Seacoast's Communication Expert on Confidence & the Lost Art of Listening
Competent. Clear. Compelling. According to Michael Cinquino, these are the traits of an effective communicator. He calls it the 3C Method, and it's a philosophy that he swears by. A combination of lessons learned from his world-class acting teachers, four years in the U.S. Navy, a past career advising CIOs, teaching at UNH, and running his own small business, the 3C Method is the North Star for a man whom I believe may just be the most interesting man on the Seacoast. On this Veterans Day, Michael Cinquino joins me at the Portsmouth Public Library to discuss: How I met Michael Cinquino (00:00) Michael's Navy background (03:55) Pursuing a career in acting (16:53) How to support "Seacoast Stories" (21:34) How acting changed Michael's life (22:45) The lost art of listening (28:48) Gen Z's communication skills (36:36) The 3 Cs of effective communication (44:32) How to get more confidence (54:18) What's your mission? (01:03:12) Michael Cinquino is the CEO of Soho Creative Studio, a remote agency that captures content and designs strategies for small businesses. A veteran with four years of Navy experience, Michael graduated with a MFA from Rutgers, a degree he took to New York City to then pursue a career in acting. He moved to the Seacoast in 2020, and he now also works as an adjunct professor at the University of New Hampshire. Michael also hosts the "Performance Anxiety" podcast. To find out more about Michael's services, please visit SohoCreativeStudio.com or @michaelcinquino on Instagram. This podcast is hosted, written, researched, and produced by Troy Farkas . To support this show, please leave a review of "Seacoast Stories" on our Apple Podcasts page. Details on last week's contest will come out Wednesday on the @seacoaststoriespodcast Instagram account. *For tickets to support Troy at the Catapult Seacoast "10 to Watch" event on Wednesday at The Press Room, click here.
Mon, November 04, 2024
Growing a Photography Business While *Trying* to Stay Alive
We all want to be our own bosses. Honestly, who actually enjoys taking orders from somebody else? Don't we all spend most of our days dreaming and scheming about all the better ways we could spend our time, if only we could work up the courage to take the leap? Today's guest, Andrea Schwanbeck , is all too familiar with that inner dialogue. She engaged with it for years, waiting and waiting for the right time to dive into the unknown. But when a COVID layoff blindsided her, Andrea was left with no choice but to finally go all in on herself, even if it meant she had to pay a premium for health insurance as a Type 1 diabetic. In this week's conversation from Brass Tacks Photography in Portsmouth, and in celebration of Diabetes Awareness Month, my friend Andrea joins me to discuss: Andrea's start in photography (00:00) Diabetes diagnosis (06:36) Andrea's career prior to Brass Tacks (15:32) Wedding photography (23:15) A fun show announcement! (26:14) An unforgettable story (27:32) Our relationships with T1 Diabetes (31:19) Opening the Brass Tacks Studio in Portsmouth (46:50) Building a brand (51:21) What's your mission? (55:25) Andrea Schwanbeck is the owner of Brass Tacks Photography, a studio located in the heart of downtown Portsmouth. Originally from Andover, Mass., Andrea graduated from Bentley University with a degree in finance. Before pursuing a full-time career in luxury wedding photography, Andrea worked in radio advertising and jigsaw puzzle licensing, among other things. A former collegiate swimmer, Andrea is also a proud Type 1 diabetic. To find out more about Andrea's services, please visit BrassTacksPhotography.com or @brasstacksphotography on Instagram. This podcast is hosted, written, researched, and produced by Spotify's Troy Farkas . To support this show, please leave a review of "Seacoast Stories" on our Apple Podcasts page. To enter the contest mentioned in the podcast, please DM @seacoaststoriespodcast. *For tickets to support Troy at the Catapult Seacoast "10 to Watch" event on Nov. 13 at The Press Room, <a href="https://portsmouthcollaborative.org/events/details/10-to-watch-awards-nig
Mon, October 28, 2024
How Alex Bynum Became a Top 20 Spiritual Guide in the World
This world is riddled with issues. In this election year, you don't need me to tell you what they are. But one problem you likely aren't aware of? That won't get voted on in this year's ballot? Today's guest joins Seacoast Stories to educate you on the problem you may not even know you have: The spiritual clutter that is blocking you from fulfilling your potential. In this week's conversation from Empowering Path in Portsmouth, spiritual guide Alex Bynum joins me to discuss: Alex Bynum's background (00:00) Trauma from working as an EMT (07:40) Health problems that nearly killed Alex (10:33) The "weird guy" that introduced her to healing (13:23) Leave a podcast review here (17:54) Energy healing and life activations (19:20) Training at The Modern Mystery School (24:48) Alex's weird job (29:06) Why we're in a "spiritual crisis" (37:12) How we can read others' energy (40:56) What's your mission? (46:17) Alex Bynum is the owner of Empowering Path, a spiritual training and energy healing center based in Portsmouth. Started 11 years ago in Boston, Alex moved her business to the Seacoast during the COVID-19 pandemic. A Tennessee native, Alex graduated from the University of Tennessee following a dreadful one-year stint at NYU. Per the Modern Mystery School in Toronto, Alex is one of the top 20 spiritual guides in the world. To find out more about Alex's services, you can check out the Empowering Path web site and/or Instagram account . This podcast is hosted, written, researched, and produced by Spotify's Troy Farkas . To support this show, please leave a review of "Seacoast Stories" on our Apple Podcasts page. *For tickets to support Troy at the Catapult Seacoast "10 to Watch" event on Nov. 13 at The Press Room, click here.
Mon, October 21, 2024
"This Never Goes Away For Us" A Bowling Alley's Inspiring Recovery From the Lewiston Shooting
*This podcast contains references to death and violence. Listener discretion is advised.* "It was all-consuming. It was unbelievable." That's how Justin Juray felt on October 26, 2023, the day after the largest mass casualty event in Maine history took place in Lewiston, an event that claimed the lives of 18 innocent Mainers on a night that will never be forgotten. But Juray, the co-owner of Just-In-Time Recreation, where eight people lost their lives, is charging forward. Determined to honor the memories of those taken far too soon, and to not let hatred win, he and his wife, Samantha, reopened the alley earlier this year despite facing seemingly insurmountable hurdles that would have permanently closed most businesses facing similar situations. In today's conversation from Just-In-Time Recreation in Lewiston, Justin and I discuss: The Lewiston shooting (00:00) Buying the bowling alley (03:20) Owning a business with his wife (08:47) The aftermath of the Lewiston shooting (10:28) Re-opening the alley in May 2024 (18:28) "Lewiston Strong" (33:30) Effects of the shooting on mental health (35:06) What's your mission? (43:21) How this episode came together (44:55) Justin Juray is the co-owner of Just-In-Time Recreation, a bowling alley located in Lewiston, ME. Born in New Jersey, he moved to Maine in childhood and has stayed ever since. Along with his wife, Samantha, he purchased the bowling alley in 2021 before renovating and re-naming it. For more information on the alley, please visit their web site here . To donate to Lewiston recovery efforts, check out MaineResiliencyCenter.org. This podcast is hosted, written, researched, and produced by Spotify's Troy Farkas . To support this show, please leave a review of "Seacoast Stories" on our Apple Podcasts page.
Mon, October 14, 2024
Portsmouth's Spooky History: Ghosts at The Music Hall, the Smuttynose Murders & a Love Triangle Gone Wrong!
The next time you think about attending a show at The Music Hall in downtown Portsmouth...you may want to think twice. Because you may just come into contact with something that will haunt you forever. In today's conversation from a sketchy cellar in Deadwick's Ethereal Emporeum, Portsmouth's top ghost historian Juniper Pickwick and I discuss: Juniper Pickwick's affinity for ghosts (00:00) What makes Deadwick's special (06:26) Interacting with the ghosts of Portsmouth (08:22) The first stop along the Spectral Stroll (17:10) John Paul Jones' complicated love life (23:25) The Music Hall's haunted history (27:53) The conviction of Ruth Blay (30:35) Smuttynose Murders (33:52) Is Portsmouth spookier than Salem? (38:23) What's your mission? (44:18) Juniper Pickwick is the Director of Visual Artistry and the Keeper of Hearth and Banke at Pickwick's in the Strawberry Banke region of Portsmouth. Adopted into the magical Pickwick family in 2019, Juniper is the leader of the annual Spectral Strolls, and she's a critical part of the machine behind beloved spooky spots Pickwick's, Deadwick's, and Fezziwig's. To book a private Spectral Stroll with Juniper, visit this link here. For more information on the Halloween party mentioned in the episode, send @seacoaststoriespodcast a DM on Instagram. This podcast is hosted, written, researched, and produced by Spotify's Troy Farkas . To support this show, please leave a review of "Seacoast Stories" on our Apple Podcasts page.
Mon, October 07, 2024
"The Human Rights Crisis No One Is Talking About"
Jezmina Von Thiele has dealt with it her whole life. The racist stereotypes. The assumptions. Others labeling her as a nomad, runaway, and a thief. But rather than shun her Romani heritage, Jezmina leans fully into it. Through her podcast, social media channels, and new book, Jezmina represents swaths of "outcasts" in this country. A nonbinary woman of Romani heritage, Jezmina uses her platforms to fight for the world she's dreamt of feeling safe in -- a world where people of all belief systems, sexual orientations, and physical appearances can live in harmony. But for that world to exist, the rest of us non-Romani people (gadje) need to understand first who the Romani people are, where they come from, and why -- in an era when we're heightened to the experiences of outcasts -- no one seems to care about the Romani people. In today's conversation from my makeshift home studio in downtown Portsmouth, Jezmina Von Thiele and I discuss this subject and much more, including: Who are the Roma? (00:00) Identifying as queer + nonbinary (11:56) How COVID ravaged Jezmina's life (19:50) Grappling with a new life (26:53) Jezmina's new book (34:52) Palm reading, Evil Eye, and talking to horses (37:40) The normalization of anti-Romani racism (46:30) Book tour details (51:37) What's your mission? (54:12) Jezmina Von Thiele is a popular Seacoast-based Romani fortune teller, podcaster, writer, and now, an author! Jezmina's new book (co-written with Paulina Stevens), " The Secrets of Romani Fortune Telling ," is now available on Amazon. You can also check out her Romanistan podcast or follow her on Instagram @jezmina.vonthiele . This podcast is hosted, written, researched, and produced by Spotify's Troy Farkas . To support this show, please leave a review of "Seacoast Stories" on our Apple Podcasts page. BACKGROUND LISTENING: Jezmina's appearance on "The Found Generation" podcast in 2023 The LA Times podcast
Mon, September 30, 2024
Inside Vernon Family Farm's Fight For Survival
Jeremiah and Nicole Vernon can't take it anymore. The complaints from the neighbors. The town meetings. The regulation boards. The financial burdens. The stress. The tears. The drama. They just want to focus on what they love to do: Responsibly growing nutritious and delicious food for the thousands of customers who attend their famous agritourism events, shop in the farm store, and value local farms. Tired of fighting these battles behind closed doors, the Vernons are ready to talk about the 10 years they've owned and operated the farm. And that's why they're on the podcast today. In today's conversation from Vernon Family Farm in Newfields, N.H., Jeremiah and Nicole Vernon join me to discuss: Jeremiah's love for farming (00:00) Jeremiah and Nicole's smelly first date (04:50) The Vernon Family Farm backstory (08:10) The financial challenges of running a farm (15:20) Agritourism (18:22) The neighbors' complaints with VFF (20:20) The Vernon's mental health struggles (32:58) The uncertain future of Vernon Family Farm (44:25) What's your mission? (55:07) BONUS: The issue with "Big Ag" (56:38) Jeremiah and Nicole Vernon are the owners and operators of Vernon Family Farm in Newfields, N.H., and they’ve been in business since 2014. Known for their events that bring live music, farm-grown food and beer to the community, the Vernons have built a robust following. For more information on the events and offerings from the farm, please visit VernonFamilyFarm.com or give them a follow on Instagram @VernonFamilyFarm . This podcast is hosted, written, researched, and produced by Troy Farkas . To support the telling of more important Seacoast Stories like this one, please FOLLOW this podcast on our Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify feeds. BACKGROUND READING: “Farming Right: Newfields Neighbors Address C
Mon, September 23, 2024
The Hospital Stay That Saved Carley Crain’s Life
*WARNING* This episode contains discussion about suicide. Listener discretion is advised. Carley Crain felt lonely. Away from her college friends, confused about her career path, drowned in student loan debt, and frustrated by social media algorithms that told her she was failing, Carley started feeling an all-consuming sadness that she couldn't shake. She wanted a way out. But she didn't take it. Instead, she sought the help she needed. And now, through her work at Connections Peer Support , she's offering services to those who struggle with the very issues Carley was (and still is) navigating post-college. In today's conversation from my makeshift studio in downtown Portsmouth, Connections Peer Support Community Outreach Director Carley Crain and I discuss: My past mental health issues (00:00) Manchester's bad reputation (04:00) Battling depression and anxiety (08:30) Carley's hospitalization (14:00) Social media's impact on mental health (19:20) The benefits of peer support (21:07) Changing the narrative around suicide (31:35) Mental health struggles for the LGBTQ+ community (43:20) What's your mission? (56:00) Carley Crain is the Community Outreach Director for Connections Peer Support, a peer support center with locations in Portsmouth and Northwood, N.H. Peer support is a non-clinical method for treating mental health issues, and it's FREE. A product of Hooksett, N.H. and a graduate of Springfield College, Carley studied sports journalism and sociology in college. She's also a proud advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. --For more information on the offerings at Connections, visit ConnectionsPeerSupport.org . For non-urgent situations pertaining to mental health, you can reach their "warmline" between 5 and 10 p.m. during the week by calling 603-427-6966. For urgent matters, please dial 988. To support the telling of more important Seacoast Stories like this one, please FOLLOW this podcast on our Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify feeds. It helps more than you think. This podcast is hosted, written, researched, and produced by Spotify's Troy Farkas , who moved to the Seacoast in June 2023. If you'd like to nominate Troy for Catapult's "10 to W
Mon, September 16, 2024
How Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern Pays His Rent on Earth
Deaglan McEachern didn't want to be the mayor of Portsmouth. But, as a lifelong lover of people and politics, he couldn't help but join the City Council in his beloved hometown. Believing it's our duty to give back to the world that gives us so much, McEachern is devoted to use his privilege to enrich the lives of those in our sacred community. The mayor title, according to him, is simply a vessel for him to carry out his basic responsibility as a human. In today's conversation from a random office (we got kicked out of his) at Portsmouth City Hall, Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern and I discuss: Governor Sununu's heroics (00:00) McEachern's extensive education (03:26) Professional rowing career (08:47) Meeting his wife in NYC (13:47) Balancing his other job (22:50) Why he's the mayor of Portsmouth (27:22) The biggest sacrifice he's made (33:07) What's your mission? (39:13) Deaglan McEachern is the mayor of Portsmouth. Elected in 2021, McEachern also holds a full-time job at a tech company called Smarsh. The son of former Assistant Mayor Paul McEachern and nephew of former mayor Mary McEachern Keenan, Deaglan was born and raised on the Seacoast. A graduate of UC Berkeley, McEachern also studied at the University of Cambridge in England. Additionally, he spent 10 years as a professional rower! To support the telling of more Seacoast Stories like this one, please FOLLOW this podcast on our Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify feeds. It helps more than you think. This podcast is hosted, written, researched, and produced by Spotify's Troy Farkas , who moved to the Seacoast in June 2023. If you'd like to nominate me for Catapult's "10 to Watch" award , which honors hard-working young professionals on the Seacoast, please do so here.
Mon, September 09, 2024
How Carrie Penna Helps Young Girls Discover Their Authentic Selves. Plus, Egg Freezing and Stretch Pants.
Middle school is a terrible time for teenage girls. Their bodies are changing. Acne is developing. Boys are starting to look at them. And for whatever reason, girls start being really mean to each other. They often feel like no one understands them, like they have to pretend to be someone else, like they're supposed to mold themselves into what society expects them to be. Carrie Penna remembers these feelings. Now she's on a mission to make sure no Seacoast girl ever has to feel them again. In today's conversation from my makeshift studio in Portsmouth, the Executive Director of Soul Models and I discuss: Why I care about women's issues (00:00) Carrie's middle school experience (02:45) Living in San Diego (07:04) Working at Lululemon in NH (12:50) Why Carrie joined Soul Models (26:05) What Soul Models does (28:02) How to participate in Soul Models (38:18) Boys' struggles vs. girls' struggles (42:55) Soul Powerful event (47:10) Why Carrie froze her eggs (48:58) What's your mission? (58:13) Carrie Penna is the Executive Director of Soul Models , a Seacoast nonprofit that gives middle school girls the tools they need to become confident young women. With the help of facilitators like Amy Tilton or Bridget Jenkins , Carrie creates a curriculum featuring local leaders in art, mindfulness, cooking, and more. Formerly a leader at Portsmouth's (extinct) Lululemon showroom downtown, Penna grew up in Durham, N.H., attended Stonehill College, and also lived in San Diego for five years following a stint working at Dana Farber in Boston. --To get Soul Models into your daughter's school district, visit SoulModels.org . For information on next month's Soul Powerful event in Kittery, visit here. --To support the telling of more Seacoast Stories like this one, please FOLLOW this podcast on our Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify feeds. It helps more than you know. This podcast is hosted, written, researched, and produced by Spotify's <a href="https:
Mon, September 02, 2024
Yes, Seacoast Real Estate is Expensive. But There's Hope.
Everyone wants to live on the Seacoast. And who can blame longtime city dwellers, newlyweds, retirees, or recent college graduates for wanting to plant down roots here? With proximity to mountains, beaches, great food, and Boston, the Seacoast is a highly practical place to call home. The problem is ... the demand doesn't meet the supply these days. So, as simple economics would have it, housing prices surge. Costly Seacoast real estate, unfortunately, is costing many aspiring homeowners their dreams of owning property, leaving lots of New Hampshirites and Mainers feeling dejected, hopeless, and like they'll have to settle for a house that doesn't meet their needs and wants. Fortunately, today's guest is here to help those who feel they're getting the short end of the real estate stick. In today's conversation from my makeshift studio in Portsmouth, Andrew Samonas, one of the Seacoast's leading real estate experts joins me to discuss: The importance of choosing the right home (00:00) The BTS of working in real estate (03:30) The state of Seacoast real estate (09:51) How to buy an (expensive) Seacoast home (14:30) How the U.S. economy impacts Seacoast housing (17:20) Under-the-radar Seacoast towns to buy property in (23:30) Buyers' biggest concerns (25:35) Buying vs. renting (30:36) Hearth Market's big miss (36:13) Why businesses struggle surviving in Portsmouth (43:00) What's your mission? (52:10) The Final Final Question (53:41) Andrew Samonas is an operating agent and owner of Samonas Realty, a legendary Portsmouth-based real estate agency. Alongside his father, John, Andrew is responsible for selling many of the residential and commercial properties you see as you walk through Portsmouth, Kittery, Eliot, Rye, and more. --To learn more about the services offered at Samonas Realty, simply visit SamonasGroup.com for more information. --To support the telling of more educational Seacoast Stories like this one, please FOLLOW this podcast on our Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify feeds. It helps more than you know. This podcast is hosted, written, researched, and produced by Spotify's Troy Farkas , who lives in downtown Portsmouth. *Nothing discussed on "Seacoast Stories" should be considered as investment advice. Please always do your own research and speak to a financial adviser before thinking about investing you
Mon, August 26, 2024
Why Nubble Lighthouse Attracts One Million People Every Year
As another Seacoast summer nears its end, so too does the busy season for one of the Seacoast's top tourist destinations. The Nubble Lighthouse, seated along scenic Cape Neddick in Maine, is an enduring symbol of the Seacoast. It's a nod to Maine's past as a commercial hub, an ode to Americana in its purest form. For over a century, the Nubble has captured the imaginations of all who have visited. Why? Because they can look, but they can't touch. Only one person alive is fortunate enough to have that honor, and he joins me on the show today. In today's conversation from my makeshift studio in Portsmouth, the keeper of the Nubble Lighthouse, Matt Rosenberg, joins me to discuss: The founding of Nubble Lighthouse (00:00) What does the keeper do? (03:53) Why Nubble is so beloved (19:42) Tourism at Nubble (22:08) Follow/subscribe to the podcast (30:25) Teaching at York High School (31:46) What's your mission? (44:35) The Final Final Question (46:00) Matt Rosenberg is the keeper for the Nubble Light House in Cape Neddick, M.E. The keeper for the last 13 years, he's also an English and media teacher at York High School, where he's taught for 25 years. Additionally, he takes photos and videos for the realtors of the Seacoast. --To see some of Matt's stunning photographs of Nubble, give him a follow on Instagram @nubblelightkeeper. You can also click here find out more details about his photography and videography business, Light Keeper Media. --To support the telling of more fun Seacoast Stories like this one, please FOLLOW this podcast on our Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify feeds. It helps more than you know. This podcast is hosted, written, researched, and produced by Spotify's Troy Farkas , who lives in downtown Portsmouth.
Thu, August 22, 2024
How Duncan Robinson Went from New Castle to the NBA 🏀
Duncan Robinson never anticipated making it to the NBA. The Seacoast doesn't produce elite basketball talent. The region's best ballers may end up playing a few years professionally in Europe, but that's the extent of it. And Robinson saw himself going down a similar path. As for Robinson's story of attending prep school at Phillips Exeter, playing D-III ball in Massachusetts, transferring to Michigan, and ending up in the NBA as un undrafted free agent? It's an unlikely one, and his story of scrappiness, hard work, resilience, and a little luck resonates deeply with the people of the Seacoast. In today's bonus conversation from the virtual Seacoast Stories studios, one of the best shooters in the NBA joins me to discuss: Duncan's love for yoga (00:00) Favorite Seacoast hangouts (03:48) Duncan's WILD journey from NH to the NBA (07:18) Signing with the Miami Heat (as a lifelong Celtics fan) (16:38) Lessons learned from coach Erik Spoelstra and Heat legend Dwyane Wade (19:30) Naming Dunkin' Donuts Munchkins (24:17) Duncan Robinson is a forward for the Miami Heat, a rival of the Boston Celtics. A native of New Castle, N.H., Robinson attended Phillips Exeter in Exeter. After that, he played D-III basketball at Williams College in The Berkshires before transferring to the University of Michigan. Then, as an undrafted free agent, Robinson signed with the Heat. Since entering the league in 2018, Robinson has gained a reputation as one of the best shooters in the NBA. The holder of several shooting records, Robinson signed a massive 5-year deal with the Heat for a whopping $90 million in 2021. --To support the telling of more fun Seacoast Stories like this one, please FOLLOW this podcast on our Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify feeds. To watch the full video conversation, check it out on my YouTube channel. This podcast is hosted, written, researched, and produced by Spotify's Troy Farkas , who lives in downtown Portsmouth.
Mon, August 19, 2024
The Man with 40+ UFO Encounters (and a Traumatic Alien Abduction Story)
One night at his grandmother's house in South Hampton in the 1980s, Mike Stevens felt an internal calling to go outside. Alongside his cousin, 3-year-old Mike saw something that's still seared into his brain 40+ years later. He remembers the flying saucer coming, and he remembers it flying away. As for what happened in between? Well, it still haunts him to this day. *In today's conversation from my makeshift studio in Portsmouth, one of New Hampshire's leading UFO researchers joins me to discuss the following: The Betty and Barney Hill incident (00:00) The Incident at Exeter (03:20) Getting abducted at age 3 (07:04) Mike's other UFO encounters (14:30) Hypnoregression therapy (19:24) Granite Sky Services (26:42) Lifelong trauma from the abduction (32:10) "It's about people, not proof" (35:36) What's your mission? (44:02) And stick around for the surprise at the end! Mike Stevens is a New Hampshire born-and-bred paranormal researcher and investigator. A well-respected member of the paranormal community, Mike is the founder of Granite Sky Services , a support group for those who have had traumatic experiences with UFOs. He currently resides in Rochester, N.H. --To learn more about Mike's story, you can check out Nomar Slevik's book based on Mike, "Granite Skies: A Disconcerted Journey Through the Unknown. " Mike will also speak on August 31 at the Exeter UFO Festival . --To support the telling of more fun Seacoast Stories like this one, please FOLLOW this podcast on our Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify feeds. It helps more than you know. This podcast is hosted, written, researched, and produced by Spotify's Troy Farkas , who lives in downtown Portsmouth. *This episode is not fact-checked nor rooted in scientific evidence.
Mon, August 12, 2024
An Art Teacher's "Quiet Rebellion" Against the 21st Century
Amy Tilton couldn't take it anymore. The incessant emails. The infiltration of politics. The unkind words from parents. So when she realized her job as an elementary school art teacher had become something vastly different than what she had signed up for six years prior, Amy concocted an exit strategy. It was a quiet strategy, but it speaks loudly about who Amy is, what she stands for, and the impact she wants to make on the Seacoast. In today's conversation from my makeshift studio in Portsmouth, the Seacoast's beloved community art teacher and I discuss the following: Intro + storytime (00:00) Amy Tilton's Seacoast Story (04:36) Amy lifetime of traveling (08:25) Amy's art background (13:05) Challenges of teaching in 2024 (16:34) Amy's dumpster diving prowess (26:13) The power of community (32:19) Rebellion against the 21st century (35:52) Why art matters (48:28) What's your mission? (50:57) The Final Final Question (54:52) Amy Tilton is a beloved community art teacher on the Seacoast. Formerly an elementary school art teacher, Amy now hosts her "Paint Everywhere!" workshops at Loaded Question Brewing, North Country Cider, Tree Line Outfitters, and other locations on the Seacoast. She also hosts group lessons for kids, gives individual lessons, and will also paint you anything your heart desires. --To learn more about Amy's upcoming workshops, visit HomeRemedyStudio.com or follow @paint.everywhere on Instagram. You can also reach her at amy@homeremedystudio.com any time for questions. --To support the telling of more inspirational Seacoast Stories like this one, please FOLLOW this podcast on our Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify feeds. It helps more than you know. This podcast is hosted, written, researched, and produced by Spotify's Troy Farkas , who lives in downtown Portsmouth.
Mon, August 05, 2024
Why Sarah Oleson Believes We Need Yoga Retreats
Sarah Oleson was at dinner with friends one night when she announced one of the biggest decisions of her life. A decision that would remove her from teaching elementary school, help her heal from the unhealthy decisions of her youth, and send her on an epic journey that's whisked her to places like Costa Rica, Mexico, Italy, Spain, and so many more. That decision? A trip to Bali for a yoga teacher training. From there, everything fell into place. In today's conversation from my makeshift studio in Portsmouth, the Seacoast's top yoga retreat leader and I discuss: Sarah Oleson's yoga beginnings (00:00) Partying too much in her 20s (10:20) Becoming a teacher (16:04) The Bali trip that changed Sarah's life (18:38) The benefits of yoga retreats (30:00) Running a yoga retreat business (37:53) Why yoga retreats are necessary (44:50) What's your mission? (49:02) The Final Final Question (52:09) Sarah Oleson is one of the Seacoast's most beloved yoga instructors. Known most for taking yogis on epic retreats to exotic locations around the world, she also teaches in-studio at 3 Bridges Yoga, and virtually via her web site. A former elementary school teacher, she also mentors other yoga instructors on how to throw their own epic retreats. --To learn more about Sarah's upcoming retreats, visit SarahOlesonYoga.com . She's also on Instagram @SarahOlesonYoga . This is the post we mentioned in the conversation. --To support Lucy's Love Bus, a cause near and dear to Sarah's heart, visit LucysLoveBus.org . --To support the telling of more awesome Seacoast Stories like this one, please FOLLOW this podcast on our Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify feeds. It helps more than you know. This podcast is hosted, written, researched, and produced by Spotify's Troy Farkas , who lives in downtown Portsmouth.
Mon, July 29, 2024
Emily Spencer's Long Road to Winning Miss New Hampshire
Emily Spencer set her sights on winning the Miss New Hampshire pageant eight years ago. First, she won Miss Bedford in 2019. And then Miss Greater Nashua in 2022, Miss Rockingham County and Miss Winnipesaukee in 2023, and then, in May of 2024, she was crowned Miss New Hampshire. Now, the 23-year-old Bedford, NH, native has her gaze set on an even bigger prize, a prize that Miss New Hampshire has never won before: the coveted Miss America title. In today's conversation from my makeshift studio in Portsmouth, Emily and I discuss: Winning Miss New Hampshire (00:00) The long road to becoming Miss NH (06:05) The positives and negatives of the job (10:00) Emily's future aspirations (26:11) Miss America preparation (30:25) Emily's New Hampshire upbringing (34:20) Emily's service initiative, Miss Inspiration (39:33) What's your mission? (49:30) Emily Spencer is the current Miss New Hampshire. A participant in pageants across the state since 2016, Emily is also a graduate of Point Park University, one of the top dancing schools in the country. She currently lives in Bedford, where she splits her time dancing for a local company, choreographing, working as a flexologist, and fulfilling her laundry list of duties as Miss New Hampshire. --For more information on how to support Emily and the Miss New Hampshire program, please visit MissNH.org. --To support the telling of more awesome Seacoast Stories like this one, please FOLLOW this podcast on our Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify feeds. It helps more than you know. This podcast is hosted, written, researched, and produced by Spotify's Troy Farkas , who lives in downtown Portsmouth.
Mon, July 22, 2024
Why Stoneface Brewing Credits "Dumb Luck" for 10 Years of Success
Pete Beauregard was tired of "catching bad guys" in cyberspace. So to fill the space left unfulfilled by his day job, he started brewing beer at his home in Portsmouth. Shortly after (and years before craft beer had taken off in New Hampshire) Pete and some buddies toyed with the idea of opening a brewery. And in 2014, after receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding, the group of four men executed their vision by opening Stoneface Brewing off Exit 4 in Newington, N.H. In the 10 years since opening, Stoneface has built a strong brand, opened a restaurant, and united a community primarily on the shoulders of one signature beverage: the Stoneface IPA. In today's conversation from Stoneface Brewing, Pete and I discuss: Pete Beauregard's introduction to brewing (00:00) The founding of Stoneface Brewing (06:20) Stoneface IPA's insane popularity (21:00) The Seacoast Seltzer (25:26) The brewing process (27:52) Stoneface's restaurant (33:57) Reflecting on 10 years of Stoneface Brewing (36:32) What's your mission? (40:04) The Final Final Question (43:20) Pete Beauregard is one of four co-founders of Stoneface Brewing, one of the Seacoast's most popular drinking destinations. Founded in Newington, N.H. in 2014, Stoneface is known best for its signature Stoneface IPA, which accounts for 75-85% of the brewery's production. Their latest creation, the Seacoast Seltzer , is now available in stores across the Seacoast. --For more information on upcoming events, product launches, and menu updates, visit StonefaceBrewing.com. --To support the telling of more awesome Seacoast Stories like this one, please FOLLOW this podcast on our Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify feeds. It helps more than you know. This podcast is hosted, written, researched, and produced by Spotify's Troy Farkas , who lives in downtown Portsmouth.
Mon, July 15, 2024
The Brush with Death that Catapulted Nowadays Flowers
Eventually, in the future, one day, someday. That's when Bridget and Robbie Jenkins decided they'd go all in on their dream business: Growing and distributing local flowers on the Seacoast. But, they made excuses. They couldn't find the time. They had other businesses to tend to. Yet, the inner voices pulling them toward their future remained. And as fate would have it, the universe gave the couple the push they needed. At that point, they couldn't ignore the voices any longer. In today's conversation from their (echo-y) farmhouse, Bridget and Robbie sit down with me to discuss: Bridget Jenkins' Seacoast Story (00:00) Bridget's intuitive eating counselor career (08:31) The beginning of Nowadays Flowers (15:10) The scary moment that changed everything (23:10) Reflecting on Nowadays Flowers' success (33:56) What's your mission? (48:58) The Final Final Question (50:56) Bridget and Robbie Jenkins are the co-founders of Nowadays Flowers , a micro flower farm seated on unceded Abenaki, Pennacook and Wabanaki Confederacy land in Dover, N.H. With the help of their beloved flower truck named Clover, Bridget and Robbie host educational workshops, design custom arrangements, and also deliver unique arrangements for weddings, bridal showers, and the event of your dreams. --For more information on how you can support Bridget and Robbie, visit NowadaysFlowers.com . --To support the telling of more incredible Seacoast Stories like this one, please FOLLOW this podcast on our Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify feeds. It helps more than you know. This podcast is hosted, written, researched, and produced by Spotify's Troy Farkas , who lives in downtown Portsmouth.
Mon, July 08, 2024
How an Accident, Addiction, and Cannabis Inspired Dr. Beewell Honey
*TRIGGER WARNING* This episode contains references to addiction. Listener discretion is advised. Steve Ivanoski wanted to help people. So he chose to pursue a career in pharmacy. Then, after spending years in the industry, he'd had enough. The peeks behind the curtain, coupled with his own personal battle with drug addiction, led him to leave behind everything he'd ever known in search of a better way to help people. With the hope of filling in the blind spots left by Western medicine, Steve forayed into entrepreneurship with Dr. Beewell, a Seacoast-based wellness company that combines the nutritional benefits of honey with the therapeutic benefits of cannabis to provide consumers with a holistic path to better health. In today's conversation from my home studio, Steve and I discuss: Steve Ivanoski's pharmacy education (00:00) Painkiller addiction (06:17) Using cannabis as medicine (15:50) Leaving the pharmacy industry (17:37) Steve's wellness company, Dr. Beewell (22:32) Simple advice for a healthy life (31:32) What's your mission? (33:55) The Final Final Question (35:26) Steve Ivanovski is the owner and founder of Dr. Beewell, a wellness company serving Mass., N.H., and Maine. Originally from Easton, Mass., Steve attended Northeastern University, where he worked hard to become a pharmacist like his brother. After leaving the industry behind a few years ago, he founded Dr. Beewell and also began the Dr. Beewell podcast. He currently lives in Dover, N.H. --For more information on where you can purchase delicious Dr. Beewell honey, visit Dr.Beewell.com. --To support the telling of more Seacoast Stories like this one, please FOLLOW this podcast on our Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify feeds. It helps more than you know. This podcast is hosted, written, researched, and produced by Spotify's Troy Farkas , who lives in downtown Portsmouth.
Mon, July 01, 2024
How Studio One Became the Seacoast's Top Indoor Cycling Studio
For the first 20+ years of her life, soccer was all that Katy Marshall knew. It was her entire identity. But when reality set in that she wouldn't play professionally, panic ensued. What was her purpose without sports, and where should she go to find it? Over the next few years, Katy asked herself these questions as she left the Seacoast in search of self-discovery. She eventually found the answers she craved, but she found them in the most unlikely of places. In her first podcast interview, Katy opens up about life before, during, and after the founding of Studio One, the Dover-based cycling studio that gives Katy everything she's searching for in this life. In today's conversation from the Studio One lobby, Katy and I discuss: Katy Marshall's Seacoast Story (00:00) How Katy lost her sense of self after school (05:30) Katy's path to becoming a spin instructor (14:00) Studio One's CRAZY origin story (17:35) Building culture and community at Studio One (37:38) What's your mission? (43:23) The Final Final Question (46:09) Katy Marshall is the owner and founder of Studio One Cycling, Dover's first indoor cycling studio. Originally from Eliot, ME, Katy played Division III college soccer, worked barista jobs in Seattle, and taught spin classes in Nashville and California before eventually returning to the Seacoast to start her business in late 2020. --To learn more about the various fitness classes Katy's studio offers, please visit StudioOneCycling.com . --To support the telling of more incredible Seacoast Stories like Katy's, please FOLLOW this podcast on our Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify feeds.
Mon, June 24, 2024
Why FLOTE Brought the Cold Plunge Craze to the Seacoast
If you've scrolled through social media at any point in the last two years, chances are you've zoomed past clips of Stanford researcher and podcaster Dr. Andrew Huberman waxing poetic about the amazing health benefits of trends like the cold plunge, sauna, floating, red light therapy, and more. Well, the Seacoast was participating in the trend long before Dr. Huberman started going viral. In 2018, the floating/sauna/cold plunge craze hit the Seacoast when today's guest, Catherine Markovsky, co-founded FLOTE, a popular Seacoast spot that even Rogan and Huberman would fall in love with. In today's conversation from FLOTE in Hampton, Catherine and I discuss: Catherine Markovsky's Seacoast Story (00:00) Catherine Markovsky's background in Chinese medicine (04:10) The history of float therapy (09:48) Opening FLOTE in 2018 (12:22) The science behind sauna/cold plunge (19:15) Pushing back against floating + sauna/cold plunge (28:34) Catherine Markovsky's business idea for "social wellness" (34:28) Prioritizing your health (41:18) What's your mission? (43:46) Catherine Markovsky is the co-owner and co-founder of FLOTE, a float therapy + wellness "soul gym" with locations in Hampton and Portsmouth. After spending her formative years practicing Chinese medicine in California, Catherine moved to the Seacoast in the early 2000s to continue a career in acupuncture. In 2018, she opened FLOTE in Hampton. --To learn more about all the wellness options FLOTE has to offer, visit seacoastflote.com . --To support the telling of more incredible Seacoast Stories like Catherine's, please FOLLOW this podcast on our Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify feeds.
Tue, June 18, 2024
The Reality of Living with Type 1 Diabetes | BONUS
After spending 48 hours in the emergency room last summer , doctors diagnosed me with Type 1 diabetes at 27 years old, a rare case of an autoimmune disease that hinders the pancreas' ability to produce insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels as you go about your daily life. I've spent the last year learning my new body, but I still have so many questions about how to manage this relentless disease. Luckily, comedian Nick Callas (who performed in Portsmouth last month) is an expert on the subject because he's had it since he was six years old. And in today's bonus episode, he and I swap our diabetes stories, talk about how to manage it, and what YOU -- the non-diabetic -- can do to help make the diabetic in your life feel more at ease. According to the American Diabetes Association, 98,505 of New Hampshire residents have diabetes (8.7%). In Maine, it's 113,186 (10%). The total cost of managing diabetes in New Hampshire each year is $1.3B, and in Maine it's $1.4B. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention says 38.4M Americans are diabetic (11.6%). In Part Two of our conversation from his home office in New York City's Financial District, Nick and I get into: My Type 1 diabetes diagnosis in 2023 (00:00) Diabetes statistics in NH/Maine (05:17) Nick Callas on his T1 diabetes experience (06:52) How to manage diabetes (10:23) How you can help the diabetic in your life (26:26) Why Nick Callas is a T1 diabetes advocate (35:10) What is your mission? (37:05) Nick Callas is a New York City-based actor, rapper, and comedian. While playing at several prominent country clubs across the country, Nick has opened for comedy stars like Colin Jost, Dana Carvey, and Tracy Morgan. Currently on a comedy tour that's taking him to big cities like Austin, TX, and Chicago, Nick has also appeared in Portsmouth and Portland (ME), with plans to hit Auburn, ME, in July. His first comedy special, "Wolf Pup," premieres June 27 on the popular YouTube channel, 800 Pound Gorilla. --To watch Nick's comedy special on June 27, subscribe to the 800 Pound Gorilla YouTube channel so you get notified when it's live. And for more hilarious content from Nick, you can give him a follow on Instagram @MrNickCallas . --To support the telling of more incredible Seacoast Stories, please FOLLOW this podcast on our Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify feeds. ****Programming Note: This is a BONUS episode of the podcast. Standard episodes
Mon, June 17, 2024
NYC Comedian Nick Callas Talks Seacoast Comedy Scene and Navigating Politics | BONUS
Last month, Nick Callas performed at The Music Hall Lounge on a perfect Friday night in downtown Portsmouth. A friend and I attended the show, and we laughed out loud the entire time as Nick made jokes about Seacoast citizens with boats and the political climate in New England, among many other subjects. In Part One of our conversation from his home office in New York City's Financial District, Nick and I get into: Nick Callas' Seacoast Story (00:00) Thoughts on Portsmouth after performing there (03:10) Changes in the comedy industry (07:48) Nick Callas' comedy approach (10:38) Comedy and the heightened political climate (25:25) The making of "Wolf Pup" (32:06) Nick Callas is a New York City-based actor, rapper, and comedian. While playing at several prominent country clubs across the country, Nick has opened for comedy stars like Colin Jost, Dana Carvey, and Tracy Morgan. Currently on a comedy tour that's taking him to big cities like Austin, TX, and Chicago, Nick has also appeared in Portsmouth and Portland (ME), with plans to hit Auburn, ME, in July. His first comedy special, "Wolf Pup," premieres June 27 on the popular YouTube channel, 800 Pound Gorilla. --To watch Nick's comedy special on June 27, subscribe to the 800 Pound Gorilla YouTube channel so you get notified when it's live. And for more hilarious content from Nick, you can give him a follow on Instagram @MrNickCallas . --To support the telling of more incredible Seacoast Stories, please FOLLOW this podcast on our Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify feeds. ****Programming Note: This is a BONUS episode of the podcast. Standard episodes (like with Courtney Perkins and Maggie Sutherland ) will air every MONDAY. Moving forward, bonus episodes like today's will publish on occasional THURSDAYS as the opportunities present themselves.
Mon, June 17, 2024
The Seacoast Bucket List with @SeacoastLately
If you've scrolled by a drop-dead gorgeous Seacoast sunset on Instagram, chances are it was posted to @SeacoastLately, the region's go-to guide for celebrating the beauty, culture, and happenings of the Seacoast. An Instagram account with 38,000 followers, @SeacoastLately is the ultimate guide for how to best spend your time, money, and energy while taking in all the magic the Seacoast has to offer. Who is the mystery person running this account, and what's the story behind it, you ask? In today's conversation from my home studio in Portsmouth, the Seacoast's biggest fan discusses: Maggie Sutherland's Seacoast Story (00:00) Founding Seacoast Lately nine years ago (07:58) The ideal summer Seacoast day (20:38) Recs for coffee, dinner, date night, and enjoying the outdoors on the Seacoast (23:24) How Seacoast Lately can help you grow your business (29:58) Seacoast Lately's business model (36:06) What's your mission? (37:10) The dark side of social media (38:42) Maggie Sutherland is the founder and owner of Seacoast Lately. A product of New Castle, Sutherland spends her days telling her large audience about the people, places, and things that make the Seacoast an American hidden gem. Founded nine years ago when Sutherland returned to the Seacoast following a stint living and working in New York City, operating Seacoast Lately is Sutherland's dream job, a role she earns a full-time living from. --To learn more about all the beauty the Seacoast has to offer, follow @SeacoastLately on Instagram and sign up for their FREE newsletter here. --To support the telling of more incredible Seacoast Stories, please FOLLOW this podcast on our Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify feeds.
Mon, June 17, 2024
Celebrating Prescott Park Arts Festival's 50th Birthday
Every summer, hundreds of thousands of people flock to the Seacoast to take in Portsmouth's most beloved artistic tradition: The Prescott Park Arts Festival. Across 10 jam-packed weeks, the Festival hosts incredible weekly FREE concerts from big-name acts, a musical, and more in a breathtaking historical venue seated along the Piscataqua River. And this summer, the Festival celebrates its 50th anniversary, meaning 2024 will mark one of the most memorable Seacoast summers to date. The orchestrator of all this musical magic is the guest on the debut episode of "Seacoast Stories." In today's conversation from her office in Prescott Park, Perkins discusses: Courtney Perkins' Seacoast Story (00:00) Prescott Park's unique business model (06:54) The rich history of Prescott Park Arts Festival (11:22) The behind-the-scenes planning of Prescott Park Arts Festival (20:00) Plans for "Legally Blonde" this summer (30:20) What's your mission? (39:32) The state of the performing arts industry (40:36) Courtney Perkins is the Executive Director of the Prescott Park Arts Festival. After spending 13 years working behind-the-scenes for a prestigious orchestra in Chicago, Perkins took this job in Portsmouth four years ago, just as the COVID-19 pandemic began to wreak havoc on the live entertainment industry. --For more information on Prescott Park's summer calendar, as well as how you can help support the park and its mission, please visit PrescottPark.org. --To support the telling of more incredible Seacoast Stories, please FOLLOW this podcast on our Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify feeds.
Trailer · Wed, June 05, 2024
Introducing SEACOAST STORIES
Host Troy Farkas , a resident of Portsmouth, NH, talks about "Seacoast Stories," a new podcast about the people, places, and businesses that comprise New England's Seacoast region. In this trailer episode, Troy lays out why he's created this podcast, and what you can expect every Monday on the program. Visit Treeline Outfitters on Friday, June 14 for the official podcast launch party! Get your ticket for FREE here . Plus, free pizza and free beer! To stay up-to-date on the show, you can follow @seacoaststoriespodcast on Instagram.
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