Advertise on podcast: Seacoast Stories

Victoria Arlen nearly died (again). Late last year, the Seacoast celebrity experienced another setback in her physical health, causing her to (temporarily) give up on her new book, spiral out of control, and return to the wheelchair she's spent years trying to stay out of. But as always, Arlen persevered, and now she's ready to tell her story more loudly than ever before. In front of a live audience at The Press Room in downtown Portsmouth, the Exeter native, TV anchor, Dancing With the Stars alum, speaker, author, and nonprofit founder joins host Troy Farkas for a wide-ranging discussion about her tumultuous mental health journey, covering topics like spending four years in a vegetative state, drawing boundaries to protect herself from the wrong people , physical health setbacks, and much more. The two also discuss how often the most successful people in the room are the ones we need to check on the most, why she almost never published her latest book, how to help someone who is struggling with mental health, and more. Plus, questions from the audience! To purchase Arlen's latest book, "The View Is Worth It," you can get it here. UPCOMING EVENTS: Seacoast Stories Dinner Club CONCORD pres. by RC Conner: Wednesday, November 4, at 6:30 p.m. ⁠Book your seat at the table here.⁠Seacoast Stories Dinner Club HAMPTON pres. by RC Conner on Wednesday, November 18, at 6:30 p.m. ⁠Book your seat at the table here.⁠ SPONSORS: ⁠SWTHZ Portsmouth: ⁠Lock in your founding membership today at Portsmouth's newest home for wellness.⁠⁠⁠⁠Insights Group: Rye's go-to mental health therapy practice! Additional thanks to photographer Rachel Kimberly, videographer Kyle Michaud, Director of Partnerships Lucy Donnally, and Paige Arlen for making this evening possible. CHAPTERS: SS on NH Chronicle (00:00)Love of the Seacoast (10:06)Why she's the best she's ever been (13:30)Learning to draw boundaries (16:05)The 2025 relapse that nearly killed her (21:40)Suicidal ideations five years ago (32:10)The painful process of writing her new book (40:09)The problem with being labeled a "survivor" (51:04)Tips & tricks to cope with mental health (56:10)Questions from the audience (01:05:50)

Ohana Kitchen is one of the most recognizable restaurant brands on the Seacoast. With locations in Portsmouth, Exeter, Kittery, and Dover, the fast-casual poke bowl joint is a fan favorite of many. And yet, despite the local chain's success, Ohana isn't enough for the husband-and-wife team of Jay and Stacy Krecklow. At least, not anymore. From the West End of Portsmouth, the Krecklows join host Troy Farkas to announce the breaking news surrounding their latest venture, giving all the exclusive tea about the motivation behind the new restaurant business, what differentiates it from Ohana, why now is the right time to go all in on the concept that's haunted them for a decade, and more. Plus, they tell the entire backstory of Ohana Kitchen, from Stacy's years of living in Maui while managing a Hawaii Flatbread location, to Jay's significant Portsmouth restaurant experience, and everything in between. Plus, a surprise at the very end of the episode! To learn more about Pearl Fish House, you can follow them on Instagram @pearlfishouse or visit their website pearlfishhouse.com. UPCOMING EVENTS: "Seacoast Stories LIVE feat. Victoria Arlen" at The Press Room on Tuesday, October 13! Pres. by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SWTHZ Portsmouth⁠⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get your tickets here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Seacoast Stories Dinner Club CONCORD pres. by RC Conner: Wednesday, November 4 at 6:30 p.m. Book your seat at the table here.Seacoast Stories Dinner Club HAMPTON pres. by RC Conner on Wednesday, November 18 at 6:30 p.m. Book your seat at the table here. SPONSORS: SWTHZ Portsmouth: Lock in your founding membership today at Portsmouth's newest home for wellness.⁠⁠RC Conner⁠:⁠⁠ The Seacoast's No. 1 home for kiln-dried firewood!⁠⁠⁠Budget Blinds of the Seacoas⁠t: Blinds, shades, and shutters reasonably priced, professionally installed, and done right the first time. SMALL BUSINESS PARTNERS: 3 Bridges Yoga: 10% off 5-class packs, 10-class packs, and retail items purchased online with code SEACOASTSTORIES at the Seacoast's No. 1 yoga studio!Ohana Kitchen: Visit their locations in Portsmouth, Exeter, Dover, and Kittery! CHAPTERS: FOLLOW "Seacoast Stories" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube (00:00)Breaking Seacoast news! (02:22)Working in the restaurant business as a husband-and-wife pair (18:25)The joys of working in the restaurant business (23:37)Lock in your founding membership at ⁠SWTHZ Portsmouth (26:30)Tell stories around the fire with ⁠RC Conner⁠⁠⁠⁠ (27:46)

Flight House Fitness is on a mission to revolutionize the fitness industry. And Jay Collins will not stop until that vision has come to life. Formerly the owner of MaxEdge Fitness, the 59-year-old Collins bet the house (literally) a few years ago when he built Flight House Gym in Rye, a massive facility combining group training classes and open gym space in ways the Seacoast had never seen before. Then, just three months ago, he launched Flight House into its next era when he opened an incredible 24,000 square foot facility in Charlestown, Mass., a gym that's attracting intense social media attention, celebrities, athletes and comparisons to the New England Patriots' own facilities. And after seeing the early success of Flight House in Charlestown, Collins is ready to bring that concept - which also features yoga and pilates classes and a recovery center - to the Seacoast, which he reveals for the very first time on today's show. From Flight House Gym in Charlestown, Collins joins host Troy Farkas for the third time to discuss the early success of the Charlestown location, what makes this gym one of the very best in the country, why he's already looking at bringing Flight House to other major U.S. cities, his growth as an entrepreneur, and how he's bringing the new-and-improved Flight House to the Seacoast. To get $50 off your own membership at Flight House Fitness, you can use the code "SEACOASTSTORIES" when checking out online. UPCOMING EVENTS: "Seacoast Stories LIVE feat. Victoria Arlen" at The Press Room on Tuesday, October 13! Pres. by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SWTHZ Portsmouth⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Get your tickets here.⁠⁠⁠⁠ SPONSORS: ⁠RC Conner:⁠⁠ The Seacoast's No. 1 home for kiln-dried firewood!⁠⁠Budget Blinds of the Seacoas⁠⁠t: Blinds, shades, and shutters reasonably priced, professionally installed, and done right the first time. SMALL BUSINESS PARTNERS: Get 10% off any service with hair loss practitioner Amber Moulton at Studioh in Rye EPISODE CHAPTERS: Come to "Seacoast Stories Live" on 10/13 (00:00)Why he opened Flight House Gym in Boston (02:40)Evolution as an entrepreneur (09:42)The new location's early success (14:30)How Flight House is "redefining" the fitness industry (17:11)Borrowing MILLIONS of dollars to build in Boston (21:20)What motivates him at 59 years old (26:17)Heat your home with firewood from RC Conner (31:50)Custom blinds, shades & shutters with Budget Blinds of the Seacoast (32:53)The future of Flight House on the Seacoast (34:10)The competitive Portsmouth fitness scene (45:50)Plans to bring Flight House nationwide (51:16)Reflecting on his crazy entrepreneurial ride (55:00)

Ogunquit has become a "three-season" town in recent years. The Front Porch is a big reason why. Started in 1980 exclusively as a gay men's bar, The Front Porch has become an all-inclusive restaurant, piano bar, and attraction for the half a million people who descend upon the tiny seaside town every summer. From the famous upstairs bar, longtime bartender Petey Tomes and current owner Scotty Vogel join host Troy Farkas for a wide-ranging discussion about the history of the Porch, favorite stories from 45 years of the Porch, Ogunquit's quest to become attractive year-round, mind-blowing stats about the amount of espresso martinis they serve, how the restaurant is on the front lines of change in the industry, and more. To support the restaurant, you can follow them on Instagram @frontporchogt. SUPPORT SEACOAST STORIES: Follow Seacoast Stories on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get our new episodes every week.Join our FREE online community, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Local Thread⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, here UPCOMING EVENTS: Seacoast Stories Dinner Club pres. by ⁠⁠⁠SWTHZ Portsmouth⁠⁠⁠: We're back in Manchester, N.H., on Wednesday, October 7! ⁠⁠⁠⁠Book your seat at the table here.⁠⁠⁠⁠"Seacoast Stories LIVE feat. Victoria Arlen" at The Press Room on Tuesday, October 13! Pres. by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SWTHZ Portsmouth⁠. ⁠⁠⁠Get your tickets here.⁠⁠⁠ SPONSORS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Iron Cactus⁠:⁠⁠ Kingston, N.H.'s home for yoga, infrared saunas, reiki, healthy eating, community and more.⁠⁠SWTHZ: ⁠⁠Lock in your founding membership today at Portsmouth's newest home for wellness.⁠Budget Blinds of the Seacoas⁠t: Blinds, shades, and shutters reasonably priced, professionally installed, and done right the first time. CHAPTERS: Come to Seacoast Stories LIVE! on 10/13 (00:00)The evolution of The Front Porch & Ogunquit (02:40)The Porch's beginnings as a gay men's bar (11:44)The magic of the piano bar (15:35)Stories from 45 years of the Porch (20:23)Secure your SWTHZ Portsmouth⁠⁠⁠⁠ founding membership here (24:52)Custom blinds, shades and shutters with Budget Blinds of the Seacoast (25:56)Why Vogel purchased The Front Porch (27:10)How Ogunquit is building toward the future (31:52)How the restaurant is leading the charge for change in the industry (39:52)Visit The Iron Cactus in Kingston, N.H.! (43:15)The Front Porch's most popular drink order (44:30)How special it is to work at the Porch (52:20)

Local media has a bad reputation these days. Nora Happny McMorran wants to do something about it. The beloved former host of "Just Ask Nora," a social media series started in the late 2010s, Happny McMorran is now on a quest to turn Portsmouth City Lifestyle magazine into a local force for storytelling. A few months after acquiring the magazine, the longtime Portsmouth resident joins host Troy Farkas to discuss her decision, and how she plans on making the magazine a desirable read. Plus, the two talk about the origins of Just Ask Nora, her dad's career as THE go-to Portsmouth blacksmith, living in Norway during her 20s, meeting her now-husband at Carl's Meat Market, the strength of the Seacoast nonprofit scene, working for HAVEN, and more! To check out the digital version of the magazine, you can visit citylifestyle.com/portsmouth. SUPPORT SEACOAST STORIES: Follow Seacoast Stories on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get our new episodes every week.Join our FREE online community, ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Local Thread⁠⁠⁠⁠, here UPCOMING EVENTS: Seacoast Stories PUB CRAWL in Portsmouth! Join us on Saturday, September 26 for an afternoon of connection and FUN. ⁠Get your tickets here.⁠Seacoast Stories Dinner Club pres. by ⁠⁠SWTHZ Portsmouth⁠⁠: We're back in Manchester, N.H., on Wednesday, October 7! ⁠⁠⁠Book your seat at the table here.⁠⁠⁠"Seacoast Stories LIVE feat. Victoria Arlen" at The Press Room on Tuesday, October 13! Pres. by ⁠⁠⁠⁠SWTHZ Portsmouth. ⁠⁠Get your tickets here.⁠⁠ SPONSORS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Iron Cactus⁠:⁠ Kingston, N.H.'s home for yoga, infrared saunas, reiki, healthy eating, community and more.⁠SWTHZ: ⁠Lock in your founding membership today at Portsmouth's newest home for wellness.⁠RC Conner:⁠ The Seacoast's No. 1 home for kiln-dried firewood!Budget Blinds of the Seacoast: Blinds, shades, and shutters reasonably priced, professionally installed, and done right the first time. CHAPTERS: Growing up in Portsmouth (00:00)Living in Norway in her 20s (10:10)Working in Portland, Oregon (15:30)Supply your home with firewood from RC Conner (21:40)Get your mind, body, and spirit feeling better at SWTHZ in Portsmouth (22:50)Her popular social media series "Just Ask Nora" (23:55)2026 social media advice (33:05)Working at HAVEN & the Seacoast nonprofit scene (35:25)Visit The Iron Cactus, a magical Seacoast location (39:15Outfit your homes with professional blinds, shades & shutters (40:22)Her plans for taking Portsmouth City Lifestyle magazine to the next level (41:35)

We don't know how to talk about death. Longtime Seacoast resident Laura Cleminson wants to change that. At the Pre-Dead Social Club, Seacoast residents of all ages gather monthly for a "die-a-logue" at author talks, panel discussions, and Death Over Drinks, the club's signature event. Cleminson, who also delivered a TEDx Portsmouth talk in 2024, became fascinated with death a decade ago when her mother was diagnosed with cancer. She noticed she had no tools for helping her mother through that time, a realization that eventually led her to become a death doula and the founder of the Pre-Dead Social Club. From the West End of Portsmouth, Cleminson joins host Troy Farkas for a wide-ranging discussion about death - why we avoid it, her first experiences with it, how to better help our loved ones during that time, how the Pre-Dead Social Club has taken off in the last three years, and why it's welcomed nearly 1,200 people through its doors since then. To learn more about the Pre-Dead Social Club, visit predeadsocialclub.com. SUPPORT SEACOAST STORIES: Follow Seacoast Stories on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get our new episodes every week.Join our FREE online community, ⁠⁠⁠The Local Thread⁠⁠⁠, here UPCOMING EVENTS: Time 4 Joy hosted by I Got Bridged: Friday, September 18 at the Portsmouth Elks Lodge. Get your tickets here.Seacoast Stories PUB CRAWL in Portsmouth! Join us on Saturday, September 26 for an afternoon of connection and FUN. Get your tickets here.Seacoast Stories Dinner Club pres. by ⁠SWTHZ⁠: We're back in Manchester, N.H., on Wednesday, October 7! ⁠⁠Book your seat at the table here.⁠⁠"Seacoast Stories LIVE feat. Victoria Arlen" at The Press Room on Tuesday, October 13! Presented by SWTHZ. ⁠Get your tickets here.⁠ SPONSORS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Iron Cactus⁠: Kingston, N.H.'s home for yoga, infrared saunas, reiki, healthy eating, community and more.SWTHZ: Lock in your founding membership today at Portsmouth's newest home for wellness.RC Conner: The Seacoast's No. 1 home for kiln-dried firewood! CHAPTERS: SS pub crawl on 9/26! (00:00)Laura's first brushes with death (02:30)Why don't we discuss death? (08:52)How her mom's death changed everything (11:45)Warm your home with firewood from RC Conner (21:15)Visit The Iron Cactus in Kingston, N.H. (22:34)Taking an extreme interest in the end-of-life space (23:55)Starting the Pre-Dead Social Club (31:00)What happens at Death Over Drinks (38:05)Lock in a founding membership at SWTHZ in Portsmouth (42:25)Troy's experience with the Pre-Dead Social Club (43:27)Turning this club into a business (53:15)

Two stories in one podcast?! In this special Labor Day episode, host Troy Farkas hears the stories of two beloved Seacoast businesses. In Part One, Farkas travels to Somerworth, N.H. for a conversation with the co-founders of Popzup Popcorn, Marty and Julie Lapham. From their factory's floor, the husband-and-wife team talk about how they got started 10 years ago, the painstaking lengths they've taken to get organic & non-GMO labels, the pivotal moments that launched their company into the next stratosphere, the importance of keeping it a family business, and more. In Part Two, the show heads to Kittery Point, M.E. to talk to the longtime owner of the legendary Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier, Ron Spinney. Alongside manager Cam Barrett, Spinney tells stories from Chauncey Creek's 70 years in operation - a seaside joint known for serving steaming hot lobsters, its BYOB policy, and a callback to a simpler time. SUPPORT SEACOAST STORIES: Follow Seacoast Stories on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get our new episodes every week.Join our FREE online community, ⁠⁠The Local Thread⁠⁠, here UPCOMING EVENTS: Seacoast Stories Dinner Club pres. by SWTHZ: We're back in Manchester, N.H., on Wednesday, October 7! ⁠Book your seat at the table here.⁠"Seacoast Stories LIVE feat. Victoria Arlen" at The Press Room on Tuesday, October 13! Presented by SWTHZ. Get your tickets here. SPONSORS: ⁠⁠⁠The Iron Cactus: Kingston, N.H.'s home for yoga, infrared saunas, red light therapy, reiki, sound healing, healthy eating, and more.⁠Budget Blinds of the Seacoast⁠⁠: Custom blinds, shades, and shutters! Reasonably priced and done right the first time. CHAPTERS: Seacoast Stories LIVE on 10/13 (00:00)The health-conscious ethos of Popzup Popcorn (02:10)The insane growth trajectory of Popzup (08:20)Reflecting on Popzup's success (18:40)BTS of Popzup's massive production process (20:22)Introducing The Iron Cactus (27:00)Custom blinds, shades & shutters at Budget Blinds of the Seacoast (28:20)How Chauncey Creek started 70 years ago (29:45)Why Spinney bought the business in the 80s (33:20)What makes Chauncey Creek special (34:54)Inside the lobster-eating experience (45:32)Looking ahead to the future (51:54)

A cowboy in York, Maine? 🤠 Yes, it's true. For nearly two decades, Kenny Churchill was one of the very best bull riders in the world, competing on stages big and small across the country, including at Madison Square Garden in front of President Ronald Reagan. Now, the Boston native resides in York alongside his wife of 30+ years. Together, they own Churchill Barn and Weddings, a stunning events venue located on their private property, which houses a fully restored barn that was originally built in the 1700s! From inside the barn, Churchill joins host Troy Farkas for a wide-ranging discussion about his legendary career, including what drove him to bull riding, the very serious injury risks it poses, and how the sport nearly cost him everything. To learn more about Churchill Barn and an event you could host there, please visit ChurchillBarnWeddings.com. SUPPORT SEACOAST STORIES: Follow Seacoast Stories on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get our new episodes every week.Join our FREE online community, ⁠The Local Thread⁠, hereSEACOAST SENIORS: Contact [email protected]. UPCOMING EVENTS: Seacoast Stories Dinner Club pres. by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Partners Bank⁠⁠⁠⁠: We return to Kittery, Maine, on Wednesday, September 16! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book your seat at the table here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Seacoast Stories Dinner Club pres. by SWTHZ: We're back in Manchester, N.H., on Wednesday, October 7! Book your seat at the table here. SPONSORS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Degree Wellness Seacoast⁠⁠⁠⁠: A new all-on-one recovery center is coming to North Hampton, N.H! Learn more & lock in a discounted (FOR LIFE) founding membership ⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠⁠ CHAPTERS: Opening trailer (00:00)Troy's new side business, Seacoast Seniors (01:33)The first time learning about Kenny Churchill (02:58)What is bull riding/rodeo? (04:56)Growing up as a bull rider in Boston (07:35)His relentless study of bull riding (10:52)The very serious risks involved in bull riding (14:30)Daily life as a pro bull rider (22:56)How rodeo athletes make money (26:32)Performing at Madison Square Garden (31:22)Secure your Degree Wellness founding membership today (33:47)The near-death experience that led him to retire (35:30)Moving to the Seacoast (48:00)The WILD history behind Churchill Barn (50:00)Why they started hosting weddings at the barn (53:30)What a wedding there is like (56:28)Love advice for Troy (01:01:28)

Mario LaPosta had a dream (literally). Following a nightmare about a kitchen incident, paired with his deep Italian roots and love of family meals at a long dinner table, LaPosta knew a future in the kitchen awaited him. Eventually, the Connecticut native moved to Italy so he could learn the ins and outs of the Neapolitan pizza-making process. Then, after returning to the States, he started running the pizza programs at a chain of restaurants outside of New York City, and then later, in Boston. On today's episode, Mario LaPosta of Mamma Luca joins host Troy Farkas to discuss his long, winding road to Mamma Luca - from the real deal kitchens of Rome to the cobblestone streets of Portsmouth. Additionally, the guys talk about what NOT to do when opening a restaurant, why the restaurant business is notoriously difficult to survive in, the compromise you have to make when opening an authentic Italian restaurant in America, and more. To check out Mamma Luca, pay them a visit at 111 State St. in downtown Portsmouth. SUPPORT SEACOAST STORIES: Follow Seacoast Stories on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get our new episodes every week.Join our FREE online community, The Local Thread, here. UPCOMING EVENTS: Seacoast Stories Dinner Club: We're in Newburyport, Mass., on Wednesday, September 2. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book your seat at the table here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Seacoast Stories Dinner Club pres. by ⁠⁠⁠Partners Bank⁠⁠⁠: We return to Kittery, Maine, on Wednesday, September 16! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book your seat at the table here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SPONSORS: ⁠⁠⁠Degree Wellness Seacoast⁠⁠⁠: A new all-on-one recovery center is coming to North Hampton, N.H! Learn more & lock in a discounted (FOR LIFE) founding membership ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠⁠Budget Blinds of the Seacoast⁠: Custom blinds, shades, and shutters! Reasonably priced and done right the first time. CHAPTERS: Introducing The Local Thread (00:00)Compromises in opening Mamma Luca (04:22)Why he wanted to become a chef (06:02)Moving to Italy to learn the art of pizza-making (10:30)What we misunderstand about making pizza (17:02)Working at Italian restaurants outside of NYC (18:20)Secure your founding membership at Degree Wellness Seacoast today! (22:18)Local blinds, shades & shutters at Budget Blinds of the Seacoast (23:55)Working in the Boston restaurant scene (25:16)Opening da LaPosta in Newton, Mass. (30:10)Why so many restaurants fail (37:10)Moving to New Hampshire (38:35)Finding a location for Mamma Luca (41:55)What he wanted Mamma Luca to be when he opened it (43:56)Becoming Portsmouth's go-to pizza location (46:36)Mamma Luca's expansive bar program (49:55)Favorite Mamma Luca menu item (52:20)The financials of owning a downtown Portsmouth restaurant (55:20)

The future of New Hampshire is at stake. Luckily, brilliant young minds are on the case for building a better New Hampshire. In a rare roundtable discussion, popular past guests Corinne Benfield (Stay Work Play) and Andrew Samonas (Samonas Realty) join host Troy Farkas to discuss a number of topics, including the recent Portsmouth parking controversy and its effect on the local workforce, why a shortage of affordable childcare is causing big problems for families across the state, Gen Z's experience of navigating the workforce in the age of artificial intelligence, and how, weeks after a $16 million home sale in Hampton, the Seacoast's leaders are thinking about tackling the ongoing housing crisis. For more from Corinne's organization, you can follow Stay Work Play on Instagram @stayworkplay. To learn more about working with Samonas Realty, visit SamonasGroup.com. SUPPORT SEACOAST STORIES: Follow Seacoast Stories on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get our new episodes every week.⁠Visit the NEW ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SeacoastStories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for our newsletter & LIMITED-TIME ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠summer merch drop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! UPCOMING EVENTS: Seacoast Stories Dinner Club: We're in Newburyport, Mass., on Wednesday, September 3. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book your seat at the table here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Seacoast Stories Dinner Club pres. by ⁠⁠Partners Bank⁠⁠: We return to Kittery, Maine, on Wednesday, September 16! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book your seat at the table here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SPONSORS: ⁠⁠Degree Wellness Seacoast⁠⁠: A new all-on-one recovery center is coming to North Hampton, N.H! Learn more & lock in a discounted (FOR LIFE) founding membership ⁠⁠here.⁠⁠Budget Blinds of the Seacoast: Custom blinds, shades, and shutters! Reasonably priced and done right the first time. CHAPTERS: Come to Seacoast Stories Dinner Club (00:00)Portsmouth parking controversy latest (00:40)Why residents pushed back against recent parking measures (06:15)Portsmouth parking hack for residents (08:45)A BIG WIN recently for addressing the childcare shortage in N.H. (09:36)How companies can help with childcare (14:25)N.H.'s "ass-backwards" way of addressing issues (18:00)Secure your founding membership at Degree Wellness Seacoast TODAY (25:27)How Gen Z is navigating the workplace (27:05)How N.H. can fight its "brand identity crisis" (32:00)Why N.H. is such an attractive state to live in (35:05)Get custom blinds made for your dream Seacoast home with Budget Blinds (46:40)Recent record home sales on the Seacoast (48:00)Three methods for addressing the Seacoast housing crisis (50:00)Why we're optimistic about New Hampshire's future (55:00)Why Seacoast Stories Dinner Club is so special (58:50)Stay Work's Plays upcoming events (01:00:30)

Lauren Atwood entered the world against all odds. Thirty-three years ago, the lifelong Seacoast native was born three months early as the product of an abusive relationship between her mother and biological father. In the ensuing years, Atwood bounced around from home to home, watched her mother bring home man after man, and became estranged from her real father, all while trying to live a normal life. But Atwood refused to become a statistic. After meeting her now-husband Chris in high school, Atwood paid her way through UNH, worked in marketing at Timberland, and started a successful blog that paved the way for Otter Creek Homes, the Seacoast's go-to construction & interior design company. From her office in North Hampton, N.H., Atwood joins host Troy Farkas for a wide-ranging conversation about the harrowing details surrounding her miraculous birth, why she was a "pawn in the game" between her mother and father, overcoming childhood trauma to build the business of her dreams, what sets Otter Creek Homes apart from other firms in the field, and the phone call she received last year that, for the first time in her life, made her feel free. If you or someone you know is fighting domestic and sexual violence here on the Seacoast, please find support with HAVEN. SUPPORT SEACOAST STORIES: ⁠Visit the NEW ⁠⁠⁠⁠SeacoastStories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ for our newsletter & LIMITED-TIME ⁠⁠⁠⁠summer merch drop⁠⁠⁠⁠!Follow Seacoast Stories on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get our new episodes every week. UPCOMING EVENTS: Seacoast Stories Dinner Club pres. by Partners Bank: Our largest Dinner Club yet visits Portsmouth on Wednesday, August 19! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book your seat at the table here.⁠⁠⁠⁠Seacoast Stories Dinner Club: We're in Newburyport, Mass., on Wednesday, September 3. Book your seat at the link above. SPONSOR: ⁠Degree Wellness Seacoast⁠: A new all-on-one recovery center is coming to North Hampton, N.H! Learn more & lock in a discounted (FOR LIFE) founding membership ⁠here.⁠ CHAPTERS: Lauren Atwood intro (00:00)Unbelievable story of when she was born (04:06)Her parents' abusive relationship (07:05)Being a medical miracle (10:00)Living in fear of her father (11:12)Tumultuous relationship with her mother (17:35)Legally separating from her father (23:52)The life-changing phone call she recently received (28:50)How she overcame her childhood (33:27)Her work with HAVEN (37:00)SPONSOR: Degree Wellness Seacoast. Secure your founding membership here Studying at UNH & working at Timberland (41:20)The fixer-upper home that inspired Otter Creek (45:45)What makes Otter Creek Homes different (47:10)How Otter Creek Homes took off (52:54)The BTS of working with Otter Creek Homes (55:52)What makes this work so fulfilling (58:55)Reflecting on her remarkable life story (01:00:30)Pushback against Otter Creek Homes? (01:03:50)Her relationship with her mother today (01:05:57)

She built a global fitness brand without investors, business degree, or plans for becoming an entrepreneur. When Eliza Shirazi graduated from UMass, she thought she'd spend her career working in public health. Fitness classes were simply a side hustle—a way to make a little extra money after work. Over the next decade, that side hustle became Kick It by Eliza, a kickboxing-inspired worldwide fitness community that has transformed thousands of lives through live events, instructor certifications, social media content to her 25,000 Instagram followers, online memberships, and partnerships/appearances with brands like New Balance, NBC's "The Today Show," POPSUGAR, and more. But as is often the case, things don't always appear as they seem. In this conversation with host Troy Farkas, Portsmouth's Shirazi opens up about the rejection that's shaped her, the sponsorship deal she lost just when everything seemed to be working, the imposter syndrome she felt training in the boxing ring with George Foreman's son, the nerves she felt before making the biggest media appearances of her life, and the terrifying uncertainty of watching the pandemic threaten everything she'd spent years building. This episode, which is presented by Degree Wellness Seacoast, is about much more than fitness. It's about betting on yourself before anyone else does, learning to separate your own dreams from everyone else's expectations, embracing rejection as a competitive advantage, and discovering that the biggest opportunities often arrive disguised as your worst setbacks. In this episode, you'll learn: Why losing her biggest sponsorship became the catalyst for her greatest growthHow George Foreman's son helped her overcome imposter syndromeThe surprising business lesson behind building a fiercely loyal communityHow one YouTube workout unexpectedly changed the trajectory of her careerWhat the pandemic taught her about resilience and reinventionThe simple goal-setting framework she uses to stay motivated during overwhelming seasonsWhy rejection is one of the most valuable assets an entrepreneur can haveTroubling health trends and why she refuses to lean into them SUPPORT SEACOAST STORIES: ⁠Visit the NEW ⁠⁠⁠SeacoastStories.com⁠⁠⁠ for our newsletter & LIMITED-TIME ⁠⁠⁠summer merch drop⁠⁠⁠!Follow Seacoast Stories on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get our new episodes every week. UPCOMING EVENTS: Seacoast Stories Dinner Club: The club that's regularly attracting ~100 people heads to Amesbury, Mass. on Wednesday, August 5, and back to Portsmouth on Wednesday, August 19! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book your seat at the table here.⁠⁠⁠ SPONSORS: Degree Wellness Seacoast: A new all-on-one recovery center is coming to North Hampton, N.H! Learn more about becoming a founding member here.⁠Budget Blinds of the Seacoast!⁠ Custom blinds, shades, and shutters reasonably priced and professionally installed. CHAPTERS: Introducing Eliza Shirazi (00:00)Working in public health (04:56)Instructing as a side hustle (06:15)Pursuing fitness full-time (09:16)Training boxing w/ George Foreman's son (10:25)Signing a deal with New Balance (13:40)The evolution of Kick It By Eliza (21:55)Asking New Balance for more money (26:10)The POPSUGAR video that blew her up (28:35)Full details on the Degree Wellness Seacoast founding membership (34:10)Check out Budget Blinds of the Seacoast to make your home more private (35:30)Changing her business during the pandemic (36:38)Navigating online criticism (41:35)The explosion of her virtual business (44:10)Appearing on The TODAY Show (47:12)Moving to Portsmouth in 2021 (52:20)The many revenue streams of her business (57:22)Advice for entrepreneurs in the early stages (01:01:18)Troubling health-and-wellness trends (01:03:10)

How does a tiny, hidden cocktail bar with no sign, no advertising, and (almost) no rules become one of the most beloved institutions in a city's history? Cresta Smith, the co-founder of the legendary bar The Red Door, joins host Troy Farkas this week to discuss the iconic Portsmouth speakeasy that shaped an entire generation of nightlife (and espresso martini lovers) on the Seacoast. From opening night in 2003 to her departure in 2014 and the bar's closure in 2017, Smith reveals the untold story of building a business entirely on instinct and word of mouth. She shares how a chance conversation with restaurateur Jay McSharry changed her life, why she refused to put a sign on the building, the secret behind their famous espresso martinis, and how The Red Door became the place everyone ended their night. But beneath the success was another story. The pressure of running one of Portsmouth's busiest bars... the mental toll of always being "on"... the temptations that came with success... and the unlikely companion that ultimately saved her. This isn't just the story of a bar. It's about ambition, identity, addiction to momentum, knowing when to let go, and why the places we remember most are often impossible to recreate. IN THIS EPISODE: Why The Red Door never needed a sign or advertisingThe business philosophy that's made Jay McSharry so successfulHow Portsmouth transformed into a nationally recognized food destinationThe secret behind The Red Door's legendary espresso martinisBuilding a cult following before social media existedThe hidden cost of success and burnoutThe dog that changed Cresta's life foreverWhy some places become legends—and why they can never truly come back CHAPTERS: (00:00) Portsmouth's Foodie Boom (01:02) Jumpin Jays Changes Game (02:06) Jay McSherry Playbook (08:48) The Red Door Origins (11:52) Designing Speakeasy Vibe (14:35) No Signs, No Advertising (18:12) Getting Through Loopholes (28:55) Big Musical Acts Who Performed There (32:00) The Physical & Mental Toll of The Red Door (34:20) The Dog Who Saved Her (36:45) SPONSORS: Budget Blinds + JOBTALK LLC (39:40) The Red Door's Famous Espresso Martinis (44:20) Leaving For New York City (50:00) How Portsmouth Has Changed SUPPORT SEACOAST STORIES: ⁠Visit the NEW ⁠⁠SeacoastStories.com⁠⁠ for our newsletter & LIMITED-TIME ⁠⁠summer merch drop⁠⁠!Follow Seacoast Stories on ⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠ or on ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠ to get our new episodes every week. UPCOMING EVENTS: Seacoast Stories Dinner Club: The club that's regularly attracting ~100 people heads to Amesbury, Mass. on Wednesday, August 5, and back to Portsmouth on Wednesday, August 19! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book your seat at the table here.⁠⁠ SPONSORS: Budget Blinds of the Seacoast! Custom blinds, shades, and shutters reasonably priced and professionally installed.⁠JOBTALK LLC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Get 50% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JOBTALK Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ courses with the code "SEACOASTSTORIES50" for the rest of 2026!

Laura Fox needed a change. Late last year, at our 3S Artspace live podcast, the Foxglove lead singer and Maine Fox Marketing founder announced that she'd booked a one-way trip to Mexico, with no plans for anything besides returning just in time to record her first in-studio album in May. Seven months later, in another edition of "The Follow-Up" where we speak to popular past guests, Fox joins host Troy Farkas to reveal what she learned about herself from the three-month trip to Mexico. Plus, Fox previews Foxglove's upcoming performance at Prescott Park, and she takes us inside the recording process for upcoming first album, Maybe A Daydream. She also SOUNDS OFF on musicians using AI in the songwriting process, and the Seacoast lifer also explains why locals are so critical of newbies who move to the Seacoast. To learn more about Fox's upcoming performances, visit LauraFoxMusic.com. CHAPTERS: Recapping her Mexico trip & lessons learned (00:00)Achieving a lifelong musical dream (14:38)Inside the process of recording her first album (19:42)SPONSOR: Investment advisor David Higgins (27:40)The tricky part of writing songs about past relationships (29:37)Why it's "unethical" to use AI for songwriting (36:20)Will the AI train ever slow down? (46:15)SPONSOR: JOBTALK LLC (53:08)Why Seacoast locals are hesitant to accept newcomers (54:45) SUPPORT SEACOAST STORIES: ⁠Visit the NEW ⁠SeacoastStories.com⁠ for our newsletter & LIMITED-TIME ⁠summer merch drop⁠!Follow Seacoast Stories on ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ or on ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ to get our new episodes every week UPCOMING EVENTS: Seacoast Stories Dinner Club: The club that's regularly attracting ~100 people heads to Amesbury, Mass. on Wednesday, August 5, and back to Portsmouth on Wednesday, August 19! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book your seat at the table here.⁠ SPONSORS: David Higgins: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To get started on a path toward better financial investment, email our friend David Higgins ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! He's a Portsmouth legend, and you won't regret it.JOBTALK LLC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Get 50% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JOBTALK Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ courses with the code "SEACOASTSTORIES50" for the rest of 2026! Investment and insurance products are Not Insured by the FDIC or Any Federal Government Agency, Not a Deposit or Other Obligation of, or Guaranteed by, the Bank or Any Bank Affiliate, Subject to Investment Risks, Including Possible Loss of the Principal Amount Invested. Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Clearing Services (WFCS), LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. WFCS uses the trade name Wells Fargo Advisors. 1 North Jefferson, St. Louis, MO 63103.

Dr. Mychal Beebee is one of the most decorated chiropractors in the industry, and patients from all over the country flock to Portsmouth's Arete Chiropractic to seek treatment from her and her team on upper cervical issues. Among her many accolades, Dr. Beebee currently serves as the Vice President of the Council on Upper Cervical Care (CUCC). She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Blair Upper Cervical Society as the director of research. But underneath all the success, Dr. Beebee has quietly been fighting battles that very few people know about. From her office in Portsmouth, Dr.Beebee joins host Troy Farkas for a wide-ranging discussion about what brought her to the field two decades ago, what makes Arete one of the most sought-after practices in the country, and why Americans have lost the plot when it comes to maintaining proper spinal health. Plus, she takes us inside her very personal and emotional story of infertility, and the excruciating toll it's taken on her family physically, emotionally, and financially. To book your next chiropractic visit, you can learn more at AreteChiro.com. CHAPTERS: How Dr. Beebee found chiropractics (00:00)The changing perception of chiropractic care (18:20)Dr. Beebee's old "work hard party hard mentality (24:25)SPONSOR: JOBTALK LLC (32:40)Dr. Beebee's emotional infertility journey (34:20)Why people from all over seek out Arete (58:07)Wellness tips & navigating low back pain (01:02:17) UPCOMING EVENTS: Seacoast Stories Dinner Club: The club that's regularly attracting ~100 people heads to Amesbury, Mass. on Wednesday, August 5, and back to Portsmouth on Wednesday, August 19! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book your seat at the table here. SUPPORT SEACOAST STORIES: ⁠Subscribe to Seacoast Stories for free on YouTube⁠ for weekly videosFollow Seacoast Stories on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify to get our new episodes every weekSubscribe to ⁠Seacoast Stories for free on ⁠Substack⁠⁠ for weekly newsletters and breaking Seacoast news SPONSORS: ⁠⁠JOBTALK LLC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Get 50% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JOBTALK Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ courses with the code "SEACOASTSTORIES50" for the rest of 2026!