Afleveringen
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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 InstagramMENTIONED LINKS:
Beer: The Seacoast Stories IPA at Loaded Question Brewing Live podcast: Seacoast Stories Live at The Press Room on 1/9/25 Podcast: The Found Generation with Troy Farkas Book: Surrender: A Guide to Living Your Best Life in Your Twenties -
*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 Troy Farkas. FOLLOW the show on Apple or Spotify to make sure you never miss an episode.
MENTIONED LINKS:
Power and Progress book -
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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*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 Spotify to make sure you never miss an episode.
MENTIONED LINKS:
The 2023 State of Social Media Conversation The 2022 State of Social Media Conversation The 2021 State of Social Media Conversation -
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:
The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss The Tim Ferriss Show The All-In Podcast Who is Bryan Johnson? The Uber-Waymo drama -
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 :)
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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.
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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, click here.
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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.
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*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.
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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.
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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 "Foretold," which centers on Jezmina's co-author Paulina Stevens -
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 Concerns with Vernon Family Farm,” Seacoastonline/Portsmouth Herald, Letter to the Editor "Newfields Neighbors Sue Town, Vernon Family Farm" New Hampshire Union Leader “Newfields Family Farm and Town Sued by Neighbors Over Agritourism Events,” New Hampshire Public Radio "Neighbors Clash Over Vernon Family Farm Agritourism Events in Newfields" The Portsmouth Herald -
*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 Watch" award, which honors hard-working young professionals on the Seacoast, please do so here.
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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.
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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 Troy Farkas, who lives in downtown Portsmouth.
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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 your hard-earned money into the real estate market.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 [email protected] 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.
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