Seacoast Stories

The Ogunquit Playhouse is not just some theater on the side of the road in Ogunquit, Maine.Every summer for the last 93 years, this "little white box" in one of New England's most eclectic cultural hubs has played home to world premieres of global theatrical sensations, many of which later make their way to the stages of Broadway and London's famed West End. The actors and actresses whom Ogunquit attracts have shelves filled with Tony Awards, ditto for the world-class behind-the-scenes crew members. And perhaps best of all, its $18M annual operating budget allows the Playhouse to pay above-average wages to talented artists in a field notorious for failing to provide a meaningful living.And now, as the Playhouse inches closer to its 100th season on the Seacoast, the not-for-profit entertainment venue has its eyes on the next century, and how the theater can adapt to survive an increasingly difficult artistic climate.From the historic main stage of The Ogunquit Playhouse, Technical Director Geof Dolan (20 years) and Executive Artistic Director Brad Kenney (21 years) sit down with ⁠host Troy Farkas⁠ to discuss the origins of the summer theater in America, how the Playhouse established itself as a world leader in theater, the caliber of talent they attract every summer, how they choose which shows to put on each year, what the Playhouse means to the Seacoast, the theater's ambitious plans for the next century, and more.For their full summer schedule, please visit OgunquitPlayhouse.org for more details.CHAPTERS:The decorated 93-year history of The Ogunquit Playhouse (00:00)Why Ogunquit Playhouse is an anomaly in the theater industry (16:00)Does the Seacoast understand just how world-class the Playhouse is? (21:48)SPONSOR: Avery Insurance (25:31)Selecting the shows (27:15)Who attends The Ogunquit Playhouse? (32:28)How The Ogunquit Playhouse attracts its performers (38:14)20 years of memories working at The Ogunquit Playhouse (49:46)The future of The Ogunquit Playhouse (57:54)SPONSORS:Avery Insurance: Protecting Portsmouth families since 1899. Learn more at ⁠⁠averyinsurance.net⁠⁠.UPCOMING EVENTS:Seacoast Singles (Ages 25-45): Ready to meet the love of your life, or know someone who is? We're bringing the Seacoast's No. 1 dating show to The Press Room THIS Saturday, June 27! Snag your tickets here.⁠Seacoast Stories Dinner Club: The club that's regularly attracting ~100 people heads to Newmarket, N.H. on Friday, July 17! ⁠⁠⁠Book your seat at the table here before they sell out.AFFILIATE LINKS:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠3 Bridges Yoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: NEW yoga students can unlock a stellar deal of $45 for unlimited classes at the Seacoast's top yoga studio for a month! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠3BridgesYoga.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, select the "Seacoast Stories" special, and type in promo code SEACOASTSTORIES to activate the deal.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Studio One⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Use the code COASTIE26 at checkout on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Studio One website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to unlock a 2-week trial of UNLIMITED spin, yoga, strength, pilates, and barre classes for a special price of $25 for "Seacoast Stories" listeners ONLY!

The world is burning down.At least, that's what the modern media landscape convinces you into thinking. But what if there were a different way to present the news? What if, instead of focusing on all the negative, we actually celebrated the thousands of milestones and mini-victories happening each and every day?Andy DeMeo asked himself that question two years ago. Then, he founded Granite Goodness - a podcast, newsletter, social media brand, and fast-growing media company dedicated to telling the good news that's happening across all of New England.His work with Granite Goodness garnered DeMeo the 2025 Stay Work Play Young Person of the Year award, the 2025 Catapult Seacoast 10 to Watch award, and NH Union Leader 40 Under 40 award. He travels across New Hampshire, hosting panels and leading talks where he shouts from the rooftops about just how good the world actually is, and why we should all be more optimistic about the state of things.In this Season 5 launch week bonus episode, DeMeo FINALLY joins host Troy Farkas - exactly two years after they launched their own platforms on THE SAME DAY - for a conversation about the ethos driving Granite Goodness, how DeMeo stumbled into the world of "progress journalism," some very positive recent stories in New Hampshire and Maine, and how he's managed to turn Granite Goodness from hobby into a full-time career.To join the Optimists Club, visit GraniteGoodness.com for details.CHAPTERS:Andy DeMeo's accomplished resume (00:00)Do Troy and Andy hate each other? (03:35)The tricky dance of turning a newsletter into a full-time job (10:24)SPONSORS: Avery Insurance & Budget Blinds of the Seacoast (27:30)Focusing on good news in a "broken" modern media landscape (29:51)WILD good news happening in N.H. and Maine (42:02)Reflecting on the growth and success of Granite Goodness (49:05)UPCOMING EVENTS:Seacoast Singles (Ages 25-45): Ready to meet the love of your life, or know someone who is? We're bringing the Seacoast's No. 1 dating show to The Press Room on Saturday, June 27. ⁠Snag your tickets here.⁠Seacoast Stories Dinner Club: The club that's regularly attracting ~100 people heads to Newmarket, N.H. on Friday, July 17! ⁠⁠⁠Book your seat at the table here.⁠⁠⁠SPONSORS:Avery Insurance: Protecting Portsmouth families since 1899. Learn more at ⁠averyinsurance.net⁠.Budget Blinds of the Seacoast: Keep the Seacoast sun out of your home! ⁠Get the deets here⁠.AFFILIATE LINKS:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠3 Bridges Yoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: NEW yoga students can unlock a stellar deal of $45 for unlimited classes at the Seacoast's top yoga studio for a month! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠3BridgesYoga.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, select the "Seacoast Stories" special, and type in promo code SEACOASTSTORIES to activate the deal.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Studio One⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Use the code COASTIE26 at checkout on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Studio One website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to unlock a 2-week trial of UNLIMITED spin, yoga, strength, pilates, and barre classes for a special price of $25 for "Seacoast Stories" listeners ONLY!

Cure is a top-rated restaurant serving upscale comfort food in downtown Portmsouth, N.H., and now the visionary behind one of the Seacoast's most beloved establishments is setting her sights on something even bigger and better.Julie Cutting-Kelley is the owner and executive chef at Cure. A lifelong Seacoast native, she's also the co-owner of Emerald Elevation (a chef-inspired cannabis company), mother of two, Lighthouse Credit Union board member, and the owner and executive chef of a new Portsmouth restaurant, a modern steakhouse entitled Char.In the Season 5 premiere of "Seacoast Stories," Cutting-Kelley sits down with host Troy Farkas to spill the beans on Char, what it will look and feel like, the menu, expected open date, and why she feels Portsmouth is missing a place like this.Plus, she takes us behind-the-scenes of building Cure, her multiple appearances on the Food Network, and more.To learn more about Char, you can follow their new instagram page @charportsmouth.CHAPTERS:Julie Cutting-Kelley's background (00:00)All of the details for Char! (11:10)SPONSORS: Avery Insurance + Budget Blinds of the Seacoast (29:05)Working in the Seacoast restaurant scene prior to opening Cure (31:18)Appearing on Food Network's "Cutthroat Kitchen" (37:18)How Cure has become a beloved Portsmouth restaurant for over a decade (41:12)Emerald Elevation, her business venture with her chef husband (55:41)UPCOMING EVENTS:Seacoast Singles (Ages 25-45): Ready to meet the love of your life, or know someone who is? We're bringing the Seacoast's No. 1 dating show to The Press Room on Saturday, June 27. Snag your tickets here.Seacoast Stories Dinner Club: The club that's regularly attracting ~100 people heads to Newmarket, N.H. on Friday, July 17! ⁠⁠Book your seat at the table here.⁠⁠SPONSORS:Avery Insurance: Protecting Portsmouth families since 1899. Learn more at averyinsurance.net.Budget Blinds of the Seacoast: Keep the Seacoast sun out of your home! Get the deets here.AFFILIATE LINKS:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠3 Bridges Yoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: NEW yoga students can unlock a stellar deal of $45 for unlimited classes at the Seacoast's top yoga studio for a month! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠3BridgesYoga.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, select the "Seacoast Stories" special, and type in promo code SEACOASTSTORIES to activate the deal.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Studio One⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Use the code COASTIE26 at checkout on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Studio One website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to unlock a 2-week trial of UNLIMITED spin, yoga, strength, pilates, and barre classes for a special price of $25 for "Seacoast Stories" listeners ONLY!

Host Troy Farkas quickly takes you inside the past, present, and future of the 21st century media organization that's taking over New Hampshire and Maine.To stay up-to-date on all of our podcasts, events, and newsletters, you can follow along here ⬇️Follow the "Seacoast Stories" podcast on SpotifyFollow the "Seacoast Stories" podcast on Apple PodcastsFollow the "Seacoast Stories" podcast on YouTubeSubscribe to the "Seacoast Stories" newsletter on SubstackVisit SeacoastStories.com to learn more about our signature eventsABOUT THE HOST:Troy Farkas spent seven years producing high-performing podcasts for major media organizations like ESPN, The Ringer/Spotify, HBO, and more. After moving to the Seacoast in 2023, he fell in love with the area and it's inspiring people. He started this show to learn more about these people, and to bring the Seacoast closer together one podcast at a time.

In the final week off before the launch of Season 5, we replay one of the very first episodes of the "Seacoast Stories" podcast.Nick Callas is a New York City-based comedian who has toured with famous comedians Bryan Callen and Chris D'elia. With over 56,000 followers on Instagram, the star of the "Wolf Pup" comedy special joins host Troy Farkas to look back on Callas' 2024 performance at The Music Hall Lounge in Portsmouth. Plus, the two type 1 diabetics discuss Callas' approach to comedy, the art of adapting on the fly, how to joke about politics in a polarized world, and more.For more from Callas, you can catch him live THIS THURSDAY (June 11, 2026) at The Comedy Studio in Cambridge, Mass. Tickets here.UPCOMING EVENTS:Seacoast Stories Dinner Club: June 17 in Hampton, N.H. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Seacoast Singles (25-45) at The Press Room! On Saturday, June 27, 16 brave singles will stand on stage in a room full of single folks. It's hilarious, wholesome, and (single or not) we'd love to see you there. Buy your ticket here.Seacoast Stories Dinner Club: July 17 in Newmarket, N.H. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SPONSORS:⁠Visit Budget Blinds of the Seacoast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for local windows, shades, & creating your cozy Seacoast dream home!AFFILIATE LINKS:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠3 Bridges Yoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: NEW yoga students can unlock a stellar deal of $45 for unlimited classes at the Seacoast's top yoga studio for a month! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠3BridgesYoga.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, select the "Seacoast Stories" special, and type in promo code SEACOASTSTORIES to activate the deal.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Studio One⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Use the code COASTIE26 at checkout on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Studio One website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to unlock a 2-week trial of UNLIMITED spin, yoga, strength, pilates, and barre classes for a special price of $25 for "Seacoast Stories" listeners ONLY!