Brew's Cafe

As the UNC Tar Heels prepare to play in the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Game tonight, Tar Heel for life, Matt Doherty, joins me in the cafe and opens up about success-- winning the NCAA Championship with Michael Jordan, James Worthy, Coach Dean Smith and others; failure-- losing his job as UNC Head Coach after only two seasons; and rebounding-- learning from both success and failure to grow in life and in leadership. Matt and I talk in depth about the art and science of coaching, at both the NCAA D1 level and local little league. We cover the joys of winning it all in the Final Four, and the despair of losing it all when the ultimate dream job doesn't pan out, and the lessons we take from both. If you've ever coached on any level, led an organization or team in any way, or had or have a child who plays in organized sports, you're going to want to hear this podcast.

East Hampton seems like such a small town sometimes, but make no mistake: our police department is no small-time operation. Sixty-five full time offices serve the town and keep us safe, and that doesn't include Traffic Control Officers, administrative and backup staff. Behind it all, Police Chief Mike Sarlo works tirelessly to make sure it all runs smoothly. Mike joins us in the cafe and we dig in to some serious issues facing the town's department: staffing shortages, improving community relations, exploring alternative programs to enforcement that may help place more effective resources where they're most needed, without "defunding the police". Chief Sarlo also gives us a little glimpse into what it's like to approach a traffic stop, alone, late at night in a remote area, not knowing what to expect. And after is all said and done, what's the best part about being a cop, whether it's a rookie on the street, or the chief of department.

If you're looking for an opinion, Laura Euler's got one. In fact she has many. And she's not afraid to share them. Fortunately for us, they tend to be rather entertaining and are usually well-informed (that's my reluctant, backhanded way of saying "yeah, sometimes she's right). Currently the real estate blog writer for "Dirt", she's previously written "Behind the Hedges" and, in its snarky glory days "Curbedhamptons.com". Join us as she shares her unique view of the real estate landscape of the Hamptons, her most favorite Hamptons home ever (it's in Montauk!), and some of her favorite "Worst Listing Photo" memories. Plus, how she keeps ending up in Facebook jail!

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 is the last man standing of the "Ohio Invasion" that hit Amagansett in the early 00's. Beckoned east from Cleveland by Chef Tim Bando, Justin started at the now legendary Meeting House in its first year, spent a couple of years at Nick and Toni's and has been partner and chef de cuisine at Highway Restaurant for the past seven years. Justin brings his natural easygoing personality to the cafe and shares stories of his influences and growth as a chef,  his attitude toward special orders (go ahead, ask for gluten-free) and the challenges  of running a kitchen in the Hamptons. Justin also shares the benefits and advantages of being sober in an environment where alcohol and drug use have been ingrained in the culture for many generations.  

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. 

How does an accounting major from Queens become chef of the most glamorous, most iconic restaurant in the Hamptons? And not just one iconic restaurant, but five? And just how (un)glamorous is that job on  daily basis? Do you have any idea what 500 turkeys looks like? And why anyone would find them in possession of them? As the corporate chef of Honest Man Restaurant Group, Joe Realmuto has quite a few stories to tell, including how he got here. Please join me and Joe  as he recounts the story of his rise(?) from Ozone Park to East Hampton, and lots of crazy stories in between.

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.