Brew's Cafe

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.

For the Executive Director (i.e.-CEO) of such a sophisticated institution as East Hampton's very own Guild Hall, one might not expect to start the session with talk of "salty balls" before segueing into an in depth analysis of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre". But Guild Hall is not like other arts institutions, and Andrea Grover is not your basic nonprofit CEO. Eventually the conversation finds its way to Guild Hall and all its wonders, including the just completed $30mm renovation/restoration as well as this weekend's coming standup show featuring The Daily Show's Dulcé Sloan. Naturally, we dig into what it takes to renovate a nearly 100 year old arts building in East Hampton, how it differs from any other arts institution in the country (probably the world, but we didn't go that far), as well as its history, its future and some delicious upcoming features this fall. No further mention of "salty balls".

Three generations of Ryans, lifeguards from East Hampton, share insights into lifeguarding's evolution, the town's Junior Lifeguard program success, and community support. They also discuss education, local issues, and past memories, showcasing the dedication needed to safeguard the East End beaches.

Get checked. And get checked again. And if you're not sure they checked correctly, have someone else check. Because the last thing you want to hear is that you have stage 4 cancer and they "missed it" on the mammogram, or whatever scan or screening they use. That's exactly what happened to Ty Wenzel. Ty was going about her highly interesting life as creator and editor, writer, chief cook and bottle washer at the wonderful new style magazine, "James Lane Post", when she got the awful news. So get checked. Fortunately, though it's become a big thing for her, Ty's story  doesn't begin or end with cancer. Writer, performer, editor, style maven and mother, Ty leads a busy life. She even has a book out, called "Behind Bars", which I swear I'll read before I have her on the show again. A former NYC bartender, Ty has many stories to tell, and I'm sure you'll enjoy hearing them as much as I did.

Fitness coach, yoga instructor, lifeguard, dad, Jimmy Minardi discusses beach safety measures, surveillance challenges, ocean rescues, mountain adventures, active lifestyles, male yoga teacher struggles, and community dynamics in an engaging and insightful podcast conversation.

Twenty-three years ago, before "Women Owned Business" was cool, before pre-owned vintage clothing was more valuable than new, Tisha Collette struck out in business. In a small shop on Jobs Lane in Southampton, she opened "Collette", a consignment shop featuring a curated collection of previously owned, designer fashion goods. Not long after, she opened another outpost. Then another. And soon, another. Today, mention the name "Collette" anywhere on the South Fork, or the upper east side for that matter, and the image of a gorgeous store selling gorgeous home goods and high fashion in any one of five locations comes immediately to mind. In fact, she has achieved the ultimate symbol of success: "Collette-ing" is now a verb, meaning to shop for previously owned treasures in The Hamptons. The Collette Empire now includes four stores in the Hamptons totaling over 30,000sf and another 5000sf on Madison Ave and 93st. And she's managed to achieve all of this without outside investors or partners, forging ever fearlessly ahead. Join us as she shares with us the challenges, rewards, and some secrets of her success.