Brew's Cafe

Would you rather? Be riding down the straightaway at 100mph on a vintage British racing motorcycle and lose your brakes.... or wake up from 5 surgeries unable to move anything but one finger? Randy Hoffman, my guest this week, has done both. After speaking to him, he'd much rather lose the brakes on the straightaway. But he wasn't given a choice, and when he woke up from surgery over two years ago, his life would change in ways he'd never thought of. Join us as we relive the events that changed his life, how he has gradually, painfully, regained his ability to walk, ride a bike and soon, a vintage British racing motorcycle. Oh, and there was also the time he killed someone and then brought them back to life. Seriously. Check out the stories in this fascinating conversation with a living miracle.

Somewhere between Mexico and Cuba, sat down with the world's longest living country punk rocker, Jon Langford of The Mekons, Waco Brothers and Skull Orchard,  and our dear friend, Dave Herndon, communications director for the City of Santa Fe, NM and did a little reminiscing. We were aboard the Outlaw Country Cruise 6, an amazing 6 day adventure featuring, not only Jon's bands, but Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Rodney Crowell and Emmy Lou Harris. It was six days of fun and frolicking with unbelievable live music at all hours of the day and night, as well as food, drinks, sun and fun (none of us braved the hot tubs, but they were available). Join us as we retell some great times at Brew's-- which was a bit of a sleeper cell of the NYC alt-country music scene in the '90s-- as well as London and Leeds in the late '70s, Austin TX in the '00s and a few random tales of foolishness and fun from elsewhere.

Many ideas have been hatched at the Stephen Talkhouse bar at two in the morning. Not many of these have turned out to be good. Only one, however, transformed an organization with a $10,000 annual budget into $400 million operation benefitting tens of thousands of wounded American service veterans. Chris Carney joins me in the Cafe to tell the story of how the Soldier Ride, became part of The Wounded Warrior Foundation and has become one of the most successful veterans' benefit programs in history. Begun as a single, coast to coast fundraising event, Soldier Ride now operates in many states and helps provide life affirming, medical and rehabilitative benefits for American Heroes who've returned from battle with serious injuries. Chris gives us a clear, behind the scenes look at how it all came about, and recounts many of the stories that have happened along the way.

Justin Finney shares his journey as a chef in the Hamptons, from influences to running a kitchen. He discusses being sober in a culture rooted in alcohol and drugs. Topics include culinary inspirations, challenges, housing issues, sobriety, and summer preparations amidst the pandemic.

For the many, many people who miss seeing Alison Burke at the super popular, suddenly closed, Simply Sublime in East Hampton, this episode will go down like one of their famous "mangolicious" smoothies. Alison stops by the Cafe this week and shares her stories: the development of her unique "Alison Burke Yoga" practice, her philosophy toward meditation techniques (relax, you're doing it right!), the joys and stresses of owning a small business in East Hampton, what might be next in the evolution of Simply Sublime, and even a few salty tales from her days behind the bar at Cyril's. Whatever the topic, Alison engages her upbeat, positive attitude, sprinkled with her crisp and ironic yet good natured sense of humor. 

From rising in the culinary world to cooking 500 turkeys, the podcast features Joe Realmuto's journey. Stories include wild boar hunting, Hurricane Sandy relief, housing challenges, and a culinary career evolution. Dive into barbecue adventures in Texas, open-fire cooking by a Michelin star chef, and lavish wine trips in Argentina and Chile.

Wow. In this episode Walt Lindveld, Creative Director and face of the public of the super successful Montauk Beach House, opens up about his experience as the parent of a child with Down Syndrome. Most of us parents might think of the burden such a responsibility might add, but Walt assures us that the rewards far outweigh the demands. Walt also tells the story of how shared positivity and commitment toward a goal has helped bring about the creation of the new Montauk Skatepark. Of course we discuss the Montauk Beach House, from its not so welcome inception to its current toned down vibe. Please tune in to hear one of the most honest and open conversations I've had yet on the podcast.

Hemp. Cannabis. Marijuana. CBD. THC. Cannabinoids. Medical use. Recreational use. Legal. Illegal. The world of cannabis is an extremely complex place, but there's no one better to break it all down than our own local grower, producer, seller and advocate, David Falkowski. In this episode we cover all of the above, and David breaks down what each term means, how it applies to our lives. With legal "adult use" (formerly known as "recreational") coming soon to New York State. There are still more questions than answers. Fear not though, David clarifies it all in this episode. Stick around to the end to find out if your town "opted out" and will not allow legal dispensaries and on premise use lounges.

Judith Jordan is a licensed social worker specializing in the treatment of addiction and recovery for individuals and families. Judith speaks candidly about the role of therapy, 12 step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and other treatments to help people overcome addictions and find better mental health. 

Ok, so this one is a real estate podcast. Ed Bruehl is one of the smart ones-- the kind of real estate broker who quietly does a ton of business. Ed has a slightly different take on most aspects of the Hamptons Real Estate game. That's why he's been so successful. And it's also why he makes such a great guest for the podcast. Join us as we look at the market from what Ed refers to " a fresh perspective", and find out what's really happening in Hamptons Real Estate.