Tag Archives: “06880” podcast

“06880” Podcast: Andrew Wilk

Posted on April 7, 2025 | 2 comments

Andrew Wilk won 5 Emmys, as an executive producer and director of network television. He is also a stage director, writer, and symphony orchestra conductor.

He may be best known for his work with “Live From Lincoln Center,” producing programs with artists like Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell and Renée Fleming, and many more.

Other TV specials include “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s ‘Carousel'” (including Westporter Kelli O’Hara) and “Falsettos.” He has worked with Josh Groban, Billy Porter and many others, and was executive producer of Stephen Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd.”

Plus, Andrew has an entire second career as a music conductor.

The other day, we chatted on another important stage: the Westport Library’s Trefz Forum. Click below for our wide-ranging conversation, on the arts (in the world, and Westport), and much more.

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Posted in Arts, Media

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Podcast: Weston 1st Selectwoman Sam Nestor

Posted on March 24, 2025 | 4 comments

Today, “06880: The Podcast” becomes “06883.”

Sam Nestor — Weston’s 1st selectwoman — made the long drive south, to the Westport Library’s Verso Studios stage, to talk all about her town.

From sidewalks to schools, and her career path to the future, everyone in Weston and far beyond will enjoy this inside look into our neighbor to the north.

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Posted in Library, Media, Weston

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“06880” Podcast: Nancy Diamond

Posted on March 10, 2025 | 1 comment

Nancy Diamond’s first career was in finance.

Now she co-chairs the Westport Arts Advisory Committee. She also manages and produces theater and dance.

In Westport Nancy co-founded the very popular lunchtime theater series Play With Your Food, and was the founder and producer of the short film festival Short Cuts.

The other day, we chatted at the Westport Library. Our “06880” podcast ranged from her work in finance to the arts; the changes she’s seen in the Westport arts scene over 30 years, whether this really still is an “arts community,” and many related topics..

Click below, for an inside look into art, music, dance, and much more.

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Posted in Arts, Media

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“06880” Podcast: Matt Storch

Posted on February 24, 2025 | 3 comments

For over 30 years, Matt Storch has been one of this area’s best known, and most respected, chefs and restaurant owners.

Match in SoNo recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Match Burger Lobster is a Westport favorite for its classic New England menu, while Saugatuck Provisions next door — his newest project — is a whole-animal butcher shop and market.

Matt is also involved in the Copps Island Oyster Shacks, is a “Chopped” champion, and appeared on “Beat Bobby Flay.”

The other day he ducked out of the kitchen, for a chat on the “06880” podcast. Click below for our delicious conversation.

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Posted in Local business, Media, Restaurants, Saugatuck

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“06880” Podcast: Melissa Kane

Posted on February 10, 2025 | 1 comment

Melissa Kane is board chair of Connecticut Against Gun Violence.

It’s an important job — but typical of her long public service.

She’s co-chaired the Downtown Plan Implementation Committe. Beford that, she was a Representative Town Meeting member, and Westport’s 3rd selectwoman.

The other day, we chatted at the Westport Library for an “06880” podcast. Click below to hear more about Melissa’s work with CAGV, and her other efforts in Westport.

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Posted in Local politics, Media, Politics

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“06880” Podcast: Ayotunde Ayobello

Posted on December 30, 2024 | Comments Off on “06880” Podcast: Ayotunde Ayobello

Dr. Ayotunde Ayobello is a psychiatrist at Yale Child Study Center’s new Westport location.

He helps evaluate and treat anxiety, ADHD and executive functioning issues. His specialty is young athletes.

Dr. Ayo is well suited to that specialty. In addition to his medical and therapeutic training, he is a former high-level athlete himself. He knows what makes athletes succeed — and where they can stumble.

The other day, Dr. Ayo and I chatted, at the Westport Library. Our podcast covers his background in athletics, the issues he sees in young athlete, his work with parents as well as athletes, and trends in youth sports.

Click below, to learn more about this very timely subject.

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Posted in Library, Media

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“06880” Podcast: Pierrepont School

Posted on December 17, 2024 | Comments Off on “06880” Podcast: Pierrepont School

Pierrepont is one of Westport’s best-kept secrets.

The small (152 students) school has a student-teacher-ratio of 3:1.

It’s rated the #1 private K-12 school in Connecticut, according to Niche.

Yet despite being in the Mediterranean-style building on the corner of Sylvan Road and Post Road West since 2002 — Pierrepont School is hidden in plain sight.

The other day, interim co-heads Anna Alemani and Liam O’Rourke came to the Westport Library’s Verso Studios to talk about Pierrepont.

We chatted about the school’s founding, philosophy, students and staff, along with its presence in Westport, and what’s ahead.

It was a fascinating discussion, about an intriguing, important, yet virtually unknown Westport institution.

Click below to hear Pierrepont’s story.

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Posted in Education, Media

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“06880” Podcast: 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker

Posted on November 4, 2024 | 20 comments

It’s been 3 years since Jen Tooker was elected 1st Selectwoman.

Exactly 3/4 of the way through her term, now is a great time to welcome her back to “06880: The Podcast.”

Last week, she stopped by the Westport Library to chat. Our conversation ranged from the general (what’s surprised you about the job? what have you learned about the town? what are the challenges?) to the specifics: the capital plan (and how to pay for it), affordable housing (and where it will be built), and of course traffic (what can we do about it?).

Click below to hear the town’s top elected official talk about what’s on the top of her mind.

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Posted in Local politics, Media

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“06880” Podcast: Kitt Shapiro

Posted on September 9, 2024 | 6 comments

Kitt Shapiro is a longtime Westport resident. She has an eclectic background, including owning WEST — the women’s boutique on Post Road East — and writing a book about her mother, the legendary Eartha Kitt.

She also produced Eartha Kitt shows and projects around the world. And she honors her mother’s legacy by raising awareness of colon cancer, and women’s health issues.

The other day, Kitt stopped by for an “06880” podcast chat on the Westport Library stage. We talked about WEST, women-owned small businesses here, and Westport in general; growing up as Eartha Kitt’s daughter, and much more.

Click below to see:

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Posted in Entertainment, Local business, Media

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“06880” Podcast: Peter Propp & Cliff Sirlin (Startup Westport)

Posted on August 26, 2024 | 1 comment

In just 2 years, Startup Westport has gone from a concept, to a thriving, well-known and high-achieving entity.

Just like the ideas it hopes to spawn.

Startup Westport is the town’s public/private tech and innovation partnership. Its events, programs and online presence, draw entrepreneurs and investors together.

The other day, Peter Propp and Cliff Sirlin — 2 of the group’s founders — stopped by the Westport Library.

There — on the same stage where several of their presentations have drawn SRO crowds — we chatted about Startup Westport.

What makes Westport a tech and innovation hub? Who makes up that segment of our population, and what exactly are they doing? How is Startup Westport helping, and what’s ahead?

Click below for our wide-ranging discussion. You’ll see why Cliff and Peter — and so many others — are so excited about the future.

(Click here for information about Startup Westport’s next forum on September 24: “Sustainable Success: Start-up and Investor Perspectives on B Corp and Public Benefit Corporations.)

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Posted in Library, Media, technology

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