The Family Room Podcast

My guest on this episode is Palana Belken. Palana is a musician and a manager at Teatotaller cafe in Somersworth. We talked about measures taken to watch Stranger Things during a 3-day power outage, recording music, working when you're sick, the importance of drummers, finding a place you feel at home, the experience of transitioning, and "being the machine"...among other things. Thanks for listening - enjoy!

My guest on this episode is Chris Chase, owner and operator of the new Noise Floor recording studio in Dover. Chris and I talked about taking apart his old studio and building the new one, being a difficult teenager, fortuitous advice of a patient teacher, embracing learning, being a Repo Man, and the truth about Smash Mouth...among other things. Thanks for listening - enjoy!

My guest on this episode, which was recorded several months ago, is Lee Frank, the Director of Development for New Heights - Adventures for Teens. Lee and I discussed our common heritage as ex-new yorkers, sons of teachers, and un-handy jews, as well as working in fundraising, bad job interviews, the chinatown bus, kvetching, and other Lee Franks...among other things.

Serena Galleshaw is a sustainable community advocate, a member of the Envision Berwick Committee, and former Director of Seacoast Local. We discussed fruit, food sourcing, living where you grew up, the conservation and redevelopment of Prime Tanning in Berwick, psychogeography, and Wonder Woman...among other things. Thanks for listening - enjoy!

Ilyssa Sherman is an active and outspoken volunteer leader for Planned Parenthood in New Hampshire. We discussed the quest for decent pizza in New Hampshire, kayaking in the drinking water, 9/11, anti-Boston prejudice, running for office, media bias, women's health, bird-dogging, and her relationship with Governor Chris Sununu...among other things. Thanks for listening - enjoy!

Eric Ott is a singer/songwriter and the man behind Hi-Fi Spin design and consulting. We discussed the making of his new album "Freeway UFOs," conflict and compromise in collaboration, anxiety attacks, being a military parent, reimagining higher education, working as a private eye and other odd jobs, pessimism vs. realism, the lack of empathy built into the American identity, and the apocalypse ... among other things. Thanks for listening - enjoy!

My guest on this episode is Nova Mullineaux, owner of Adelle's Coffeehouse in Dover, NH. We discussed ordering coffee in other countries, coming home to your cats, sitting on ant hills, balancing friendship and boss-ship, and Annie Potts, among other things. Thanks for listening -enjoy!

My guest on this episode is Lincoln Soldati. Lincoln is a retired attorney, the former mayor of Somersworth, and a sometime Uber driver, among other things. We discussed military service, mentorship, running for office, adjusting when life throws you curveballs, and Lincoln's recent participation in the resistance against the Dakota Access Pipeline in Standing Rock...among other things. Thanks for listening - enjoy!

My guest on episode 56 is Sajin Ka, head coffee roaster at White Heron Tea and Coffee, singer in the group Vesper and the choir Amare Cantare, and sometime model for photographer Michael Winters. Sajin and I discussed the disappointment of seeing Bon Iver live and the overall shitshow of the Boston Calling music festival, embracing but not bracing your tooth gap, growing up as a weird van gypsy, a serendipitous gas mask, magic showers ... and chicken shit bingo - among other things. Thanks for listening. Enjoy!

My guest on this episode is Mike Teixeira, the Board President of Art-Speak, and the founder of DECK. Mike and I discussed: embracing our future robot overlords; Portugal and the Portuguese immigrant community in New England; PechaKucha; the adventures of Batman in South Central LA; and the exciting new Art-Speak initiative "Street Canvas." Thanks for listening - enjoy!

Welcome back to the Family Room Podcast! My guest on this episode is multi-disciplinary artist and the secret mastermind behind the Good Luck Postcards project Kenley Darling. We discussed breathing, living with intention, getting what you deserve, home-schooling, the purpose of art, and secret identities...among other things. Thanks for listening - enjoy!

My guest on this episode is Joe Watts, the CEO of Star Island Corporation, which he has worked for since he was 16 years old. Joe and I discussed being a "Pelican" (or "Pel"), which is what we call the island's mostly college-aged Summer staff, finding communities that fit your personality, raising kids in the smartphone era, the risks and rewards of world travel and, of course, role playing games...among other things. Thanks for listening - enjoy!

Pam Raiford teaches philosophy, sociology, and world cultures at Oyster River High School. We discussed the evolution of teenage life in the past 20 years, growing up in the suburbs, and finding your happy place, among other things. Pam also shared some of the surprising silver linings of her recent cancer diagnosis, showing her unique, amazing ability to remain positive and grateful even at an extremely difficult time. She is the best. Thanks for listening - enjoy!

Jennifer Moore is the editor of the sustainable style blog RecoverGirl and the new fashion magazine Style Queue. Jennifer and Peter discussed intergenerational friendships, reality tv, long distance relationships, and made plans to go shopping together. Thanks for listening - enjoy!

Ashley Bliss joins Peter to discuss the intensity and reward of her work at Planned Parenthood, self care, the power of the moon, online dating, small town living, and AN EPIC LIGHTNING ROUND SWITCHEROO!

In part 2 of Peter's conversation with Chris Greiner, the founder and former Executive and Artistic Director of 3S Artspace, they continue their conversation about the current state of the Seacoast music scene, what's changed, what hasn't, and what's missing - as well as Chris' conception, launch, and recent departure from 3S. Thanks for listening - enjoy!

On this two-part episode, Peter welcomes Chris Greiner, the founder and former Executive and Artistic Director of 3S Artspace. In part 1, Peter and Chris discuss their parallel paths beginning on Long Island, going to colleges they didn't enjoy, starting adulthood in New York City, escaping to the Seacoast, working at The Music Hall and beyond. In part II, they will dive deeper into the current state of the Seacoast music scene, what's changed, what hasn't, and what's missing - as well as Chris' conception, launch, and recent departure from 3S. Thanks for listening - enjoy!

Peter welcomes Kirsten Hunter to the Family Room. Kirsten is the Director of Religious Education at South Church (Unitarian Universalist) in Portsmouth, NH. They discussed Kirsten's unusual upbringing, the cruelty of 5th grade girls, the merits and shortcomings of Unitarian Universalism (as we've experienced them), Bernie Sanders, and world travel...among other things. Thanks for listening! Enjoy!

Peter welcomes John Maclean - better known to many outside the Seacoast as "The Juan Maclean" of DFA records fame - to the Family Room. They discussed John's musical beginnings in the band Six Finger Satellite on Sub Pop Records, his struggles with addiction and depression, the decision to leave the music industry, and his triumphant return with the help of his friends. Buckle up for a long one! Enjoy.

Peter Squires chats with Crystal Paradis of Portsmouth, NH about coffee shops, statehood, unconventional religions, and lipstick (among other things).