Brew's Cafe

For our 100th episode we have a very special guest. If you don't know Brian Cosgrove by name, chances are very good you'll recognize his voice. As a long time on air personality and DJ for local radio stations, his sound, his musical style and his personality are a fixture on east end airwaves. How did he get started in radio? How does he select his playlist? What's great about public radio? All of these questions get answered in this episode. But as usual with my best guests, we veer sharply off course and cover all sorts of fascinating topics from The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to surge pricing on concert tickets to the most recent trends in country music. Brian is a natural conversationalist and storyteller, and he and I can chat for hours. So while I definitely expect to have him back on the show, don't miss this very special episode with this very special guest.

If the best things in life come with some difficulty, this should be an amazing episode!! As most listeners know, I do everything myself: scheduling guests and locations, setting up the recording equipment, recording, editing, publishing, promoting... Everything. Which, while economical, sometimes leads to difficulty. This episode is the second recording, since the audio in the first attempt was so poor. Unfortunately, I mistakenly published the first recording, and if you listened to any of it, was awful. The content was fabulous but the sound quality was abysmal. So here she is, Dawn Watson, the Hamptons Party Girl, though not really a partier, and rising star real estate agent, though we barely touch on the topic. But a conversation with Dawn is an utter delight, and if anything good came of having had to record this twice, it's that I got to spend another hour chatting with Dawn about her experience in the magazine publishing world, how she became the Party Girl, her views on life in the Hamptons as we know it and lots of other topics. So please, enjoy this episode. It got here the hard way.

For many, the mother daughter relationship is fraught with all kinds of difficulty and dysfunction. But sometimes when it works, it really works. For Jessica Ambrose and Mansell Beverage (nee Ambrose), it works so well, that they've decided to turn it into a podcast. "Let Me Ask My Mom" will debut very soon on popular platforms, and you'll get to hear some of the many ways in which these two depend so firmly on one another. As you'll hear on this episode, though, the relationship was borne out of difficulty-- as an 11 year old, Mansell was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that required immediate and aggressive treatment, as well as a long series of reconstructive surgeries that lasted for years. Many of those years were spent in the car, just the two of them, on the way to or from one of those procedures. It has formed an unshakeable bond that Jessica and Mansell can't wait to share with the podcast world.

Bob Sullivan, a school bus driver from East Hampton and former corporate advertising executive, shares his gripping tale of surviving a terrifying home invasion. He discusses his unconventional career journey—from the fast-paced fashion industry to the calm of the bus route—before diving into the chaos of that fateful night. Bob reveals how the trauma led to struggles with addiction and his inspiring path to recovery. Through anecdotes about art, community, and resilience, Bob's story exemplifies courage and transformation.

Corey Senese, co-owner of Corey's Wave, is a passionate surfer dedicated to sharing his love for the sport. In this engaging conversation, Corey discusses the evolution of surf instruction and the thrill of teaching beginners. He delves into the balance of fear and courage while tackling larger waves and shares memorable surfing adventures in California and Mexico. Corey also emphasizes the sentimental value of surfboards and the vital role of community in enhancing the surfing experience. Perfect for surf enthusiasts and curious listeners alike!

In this engaging conversation, chef Damien O'Donnell, partner at Bostwick's on the Harbor, shares his undeniable passion for the restaurant industry. He describes the exhilarating sense of achievement that comes from a night 'on the line.' O'Donnell reflects on the camaraderie and unforgettable experiences, like meeting his future wife in a bustling kitchen. He also candidly discusses the chaotic yet rewarding realities of culinary life, from inspiring mentors to the intricate art of cooking the perfect burger, showcasing the beauty in this demanding profession.

I had no idea what to expect when my guest for this episode met me at the studio to record. Tim Frazier is the Executive Director of the Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Development Center in East Hampton. That's quite a mouthful for what we used to call "Nursery School" (which I famously dropped out of, but that's another story). But that's because this is far more than glue sticks and nap time. The Eleanor Whitmore Center is a vital resource for families of small children in and around East Hampton, as it provides not only child care, but important skill development at a vital time in a young learner's life. Tim is also a former middle school principal in the Southampton Public Schools, as well as a former teacher, and this is where the conversation really gets going. Middle school sucks-- no other way to put it-- and keeping these kids focused, learning, even just interested, is a challenge that Tim has always taken very seriously. So please join us as we discuss all that we love and hate about public middle school, and why "nursery school" is so important to a person's success in life.

It's one thing to watch tv and see the footage of whatever most recent disaster is in the news cycle. Jim Cantore has left whatever hurricane zone he'd flown into, on to the next one; the news crews have hit the scene looking for drama to send to their producers; we see a couple of reports and think "how awful". And then the sports reporter comes on to tell us what happened in the game. On the ground, the reporters leave, chasing the next disaster story. But on the ground, these natural disasters change peoples' lives in ways the tv news shows never bother to truly show: lives and love ones are lost, homes, businesses and entire communities disappear in an instant, and those still standing are left to clean up the mess. And then something amazing happens: before the big organizations come in, before the government responds, individuals start pouring in to help the people rebuild. Individuals like Levi Bennett, a real estate agent from an area nearby, who loaded up his truck with whatever he thought people might need-- water, tools, supplies and the like-- and drove until he couldn't drive any more. And then he got to work. And then another amazing thing happens: these peoples' lives, the lives of those who come to help, are also forever changed. Levi was generous enough of his time and energy to spend days helping people sort through the mess that Hurricane Helene left in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina. And he was generous enough to share his story with us, the story of how this area of the world was forever changed, and how he was forever changed as well.

Returning guest Erik Schwab, a passionate middle school earth science teacher, surfer, and photographer, dives into the wonders of natural phenomena. He shares his insights on beach erosion and the fascinating dynamics of coastal geography. Erik recounts thrilling personal experiences during recent earthquakes and a mesmerizing total solar eclipse. The discussion also tackles the impact of climate change and human infrastructure on environmental resilience, along with the unique weather quirks of Montauk. A must-listen for nature lovers!

In this engaging conversation, Pete Cestaro, a youth baseball coach turned NYC stand-up comedian, shares his journey from baseball fields to comedy clubs. He discusses the challenges of coaching during the pandemic and how the resilience learned in sports translates to comedy. Pete also touches on the art of crafting jokes, balancing life events like marriage with humor, and the vibrant atmosphere of his comedy shows at Fairway Restaurant. With anecdotes from his travels and insight into the world of improv, this chat is both heartfelt and hilarious.