Between the Levees

Joining me from Paducah, Kentucky, Miguel Spinola shares his incredible story. Born in Madeira off the coast of Portugal, he grew up near the water and was well acquainted with the local maritime industry there. At the ripe old age of 6, he moved with his family to London, England where his life would change for the better and for the worse. He eventually made his way overseas to the finest city on the planet, hot and humid just outside the Louis Armstrong International Airport, and soon found himself in shipyards renovating towboats. If not for carpentry and online video games, this story would have been very different. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Miguel Spinola's full length episode debuts Saturday, 10/5 @ 06:00. In this clip, we cover a question I missed in our main interview, and he comments a bit on the experience interviewing with me here on the show.

Recorded on July 14, semi-retired Steam Engineer Mark Veum joins me to share memories of some previous podcast guests who'd made up a cast of characters that converged aboard the storied AMERICAN QUEEN.

Recorded on June 23, another New Yorker joins me on the show whose father was a longshoreman on Staten Island. Frank Rivera found himself in boot camp for his 18th birthday looking to become a United States Marine, two decades later he'd become Watchman and Riverlorian on the AMERICAN QUEEN, and is now driving delivery trucks in his semi-retirement.

Charlie and I wrap up a few more questions from last week's episode. He shares some additional insights on his experiences a few years back that led him to his current place in life, how the "good old days" weren't necessarily all that good, and he tells me about Captain Brian Hamilton and the great memories he has of working with him and paying him a visit some years ago.

Captain Brian: if you're out there and want to get on the show, please get in touch with me at [email protected]

Recorded on June 9, Mr. John Fox joins me on the show to talk through his time in the industry from washing barges for SCNO Barge Line to dispatching liquids for ACBL and beyond. His 45 years mostly in shoreside roles has developed in him an appreciation and respect for the industry that supports our way of life, and the people out there on the water that make it all happen.

Charlie joins me again to update us on his life and an array of developing opportunities. He covers, among other things, his physical and mental health, religion, morality, wants and goals, as well as the Veterans Administration and the potential for detox, rehabilitation, and recovery.

Recorded on June 14, Captain David Dorrell joins me on the show to talk through a storied career in the maritime industry from chemical tows to international shipping. His career began in 1973 with Houston Barge Line and proceeded over the years to see time with Higman, Blessey, Southern, Martin, Crowley, and Florida Marine Transporters. He shares stories from the decades spent out there on the water and through a career that has, hopefully, not yet stood its last watch.

Charlie joins me once again to get caught up on his life as of late. We begin with a discussion about this podcast, and then he talks about his mother, his health, and the trials and tribulations he's endured while looking for (and finding) some help over the last few months.

Captain William Wright joins me on the show to talk through the usual questions. He's been with Blessey since 2008 and isn't looking back. He discusses his journey to the industry, time on deck, then as a tankerman, and finally in the wheelhouse.