Alcohol plays a big part in our host’s history, so we of course need to celebrate Repeal Day on December 5. Joining us today is Dandy Dillinger, the co-host of the Repeal Society. She is a baker and burlesque star, and for four years has helped host the annual party to mark when booze was legal again after the disaster of Prohibition. She is a dancer, model, and pastry chef. Dandy is also Miss Art Continue Reading →
The show this week has a guest with stories about growing up where Marilyn Monroe and Liz Taylor dropped into his life as the son of famous writer parents. Today Steve Zolotow is more known for his poker tournament appearances and sage wisdom on everything from bridge, chess, pool, and poker. He regales us with tales about playing cards at the legendary Mayfair Club, at Larry Flynt’s house, and among card cheats. We never know Continue Reading →
We have an excellent show with East Village composer-singer Julian Fleisher, who also gave us a new song he produced to include on the show. It is “Nothing Rhymes With Christmas” that he wrote and is performed by the great Ana Gasteyer. It’s included to hear in its entirety courtesy of them on the show! Julian wears a lot of hats, but he likes being on the stage the most. In this episode, we chat Continue Reading →
After a break of a few months, we are back with a new season of shows. Joanna and Kevin catch up on what has been happening during the break. Joanna played in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, and gave a talk about poker to a crowd at the Algonquin Hotel. Kevin promoted his newest book 111 Places In The Bronx That You Must Not Miss. Plus had a trip to meet some Continue Reading →
The show moves to The Bronx for a special episode tied to the launch of 111 Places in the Bronx That You Must Not Miss. We recorded the show in Bronx Native, the store run by Amaurys Grullon and his sister, Roselyn, that is wildly popular in the borough. Amaurys tells how they launched the brand just a few years ago because there was a dearth in any merchandise that promoted the Bronx, or spoke Continue Reading →
Sitting in the window seat on Avenue A and East 9th Street, we record a live show before the big 25th anniversary party at Doc Holliday’s. While there is just a little bit of reminiscing–by Joanna Holliday who has worked here the entire stretch since 1994–the party gives us the chance to briefly meet quite a cast of regulars and bring them on the show. It’s a really great mix of the kind of folks Continue Reading →
We are back in the studio at The Lambs with contemporary painter Sonya Sklaroff. It is a good show for a few reasons: Not only is it Joanna’s birthday, but she went to elementary school with Sonya, and they haven’t seen each other in years. It’s a great conversation about art and painting, and how Sonya went from wage slave working at Saks, to successful painter for more than 27 years. Bonus is Sonya put Continue Reading →
What if you’re in a hotel and the ice bucket is too small? How do you get a book deal? These and more questions are answered as we tackle a lot of fun topics, in the wake of our winning the Apple Award from the Guides Association for New York City. Kevin gets asked how to get a book to market. Jo kicks around ideas for podcast conventions and trade shows to attend. We want Continue Reading →
We help Kevin Walsh celebrate 20 years of running his award-winning site Forgotten New York. Kevin has been documenting the changing and forgotten bits of the five boroughs with meticulous block-by-block dedication for two decades. In Episode 28 find out how a kid from Bay Ridge obsessed over street lamps and turned his hobby into a life-long passion and popular website. He is also an author of a book based on the site. We find Continue Reading →
If you’re a fan of the unknown and hidden features of New York City, then you probably already are a fan of Untapped Cities. We are thrilled to welcome founder Michelle Young and CEO Augustin Pasquet to the Big Show. This month is the site’s 10th anniversary, and they have a lot to be proud of in their decade of exploring the hidden parts of the city. They also offer tours of hard-to-see spots, such Continue Reading →