Tag Archives: “06880: The Podcast”

“06880” Podcast: Kelli O’Hara

Posted on June 2, 2025 | 2 comments

Kelli O’Hara needs no introduction.

But I’ll introduce her anyway.

She’s been nominated for 8 Tony Awards, and won “Best Actress in a Musical,” for “The King and I.”

She’s starred on Broadway in “The Light in the Piazza,” “Pajama Game,” “South Pacific,” “The Bridges of Madison County,” “Kiss Me, Kate” and “Days of Wine and Roses.” She’s also been featured in a number of operas.

We are proud to call Kelli our neighbor.

The other day, she joined me on the Westport Library stage, for “06880: The Podcast.”

We chatted about her route from Oklahoma to Broadway, and then to Westport; her musical career; her family (including husband Greg Naughton, a musician; father-in-law actor Jim Naughton, and her 2 very talented kids); our arts community (incuding her relationships with the Westport Country Playhouse and Staples Players), and (of course) her favorite local hangouts.

Click here or below, for a fascinating half hour with a true star.

2 Comments

Posted in Arts, Entertainment, Media

Tagged ,

“06880” Podcast: Jeremy Schaap

Posted on May 5, 2025 | 1 comment

Jeremy Schaap is one of ESPN’s longest tenured and most respected journalists.

He began with the network in 1994 — just 6 years after graduating from Staples High School. He hosts “e60,” “Outside the Lines,” “The Sports Reporters” and other shows.

Jeremy has covered the Olympics, World Cup, Tour de France, World Series, Super Bowl, US OPen golf and tennis, men’s and women’s Final Fours, New York Marathon, Daytona 500, NBA finals, Kentucky Derby, and … chess boxing.

Among his awards: 14 Emmys, a Peabody, 2 Edward R. Murrows, and ESPN’s first-ever Robert F. Kennedy Award for human rights and justice reporting. He earned that for revealing the conditions of migrant laborers in Qatar before the 2022 World Cup.

I could go on and on. But I won’t.

Instead, click below to see our very revealing chat on “06880: The Podcast.” Like Jeremy Schaap, it’s a winner.

1 Comment

Posted in Media, Sports, Staples HS

Tagged , ,

“06880” Podcast: Keith Wilberg

Posted on January 27, 2025 | Comments Off on “06880” Podcast: Keith Wilberg

Keith Wilberg is Westport’s town engineer. He’s responsible for planning, directing, supervising and coordinating all the engineering, construction and maintenance of activities across all town departments.

And much more.

It’s a fascinating — yet little-appreciated — job. To know more, I invited Keith to the Westport Library, for our “06880” podcast.

I learned a ton. So will you, when you click below.

Comments Off on “06880” Podcast: Keith Wilberg

Posted in Local politics, Media

Tagged , , ,

“06880” Podcast: Mark Shanahan

Posted on October 7, 2024 | 1 comment

Mark Shanahan has one of the best gigs in Westport: artistic director of the Westport Country Playhouse.

His broad theatrical background includes writing and directing, on stages around the country, and in radio studios.

As an actor Mark appeared on and off-Broadway, and at famous regional theaters — including our own Playhouse.

Just as importantly, as anyone who has seen a show, concert, talk, “Pinkalicious,” or any other event at the Playhouse since Mark took over, knows: He brings a real sense of joy to the historic theater.

He welcomes audiences as enthusiastically and personally as if he’s hosting a barbecue in his own back yard. Audiences respond with equal zeal.

Today, we welcome Mark Shanahan to another stage: the Westport Library’s, for the “06880” podcast. Click below, for our wide-ranging and fascinating chat.

1 Comment

Posted in Arts, Media, Westport Country Playhouse

Tagged ,

Podcast: Phil Delgado

Posted on January 8, 2024 | 5 comments

Phil Delgado is quartermaster of VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399.

In just a few years, he’s revitalized the 100-plus-year-old organization. Once a little-noticed club — despite its location at one of Westport’s most well-trafficked intersections — the VFW is now a major part of our civic life.

The VFW hosts world-class jazz, every Thursday, and folk music once a month. It’s the go-to spot for (inexpensive) celebrations like reunions and bridal showers, and meetings for groups like Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service and the League of Women Voters. Every month, there’s a Red Cross blood drive.

There’s a full bar and meal service — plus of course the usual VFW services for veterans, from the Korean War to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The other day on the Westport Library stage, Phil talked about all those activities, and his unlikely path to leading them. Click below for our very intriguing conversation.

5 Comments

Posted in Media, Organizations

Tagged , ,

“06880” Podcast: Tommy Greenwald

Posted on May 1, 2023 | 4 comments

It was a special treat the other day to welcome Tommy Greenwald to “06880: The Podcast.”

Tommy is a nationally known young adult author. He’s written the Crimebiters and Charlie Joe Jackson series — the latter aimed at kids who hate to read — as well as an impressive group of sports books.

Tommy tackles serious subjects like football injuries, and the pressures on young athletes. But he never loses sight of the fact that sports are (well, they should be) fun.

Tommy knows Westport. (He better: He grew up here.)

He knows sports. (Ditto: He captained the 1978 Staples High School state champion soccer team. And his 3 sons participated in soccer, football and lacrosse.)

He knows his audience.

And he’s one of the most genuinely funny human beings in town.

Click below to hear Tommy’s take on youth sports, Westport, and whatever else flew on our radar at the Westport Library.

4 Comments

Posted in Children, Media, Sports

Tagged ,

“06880” Podcast: Tom Scarice

Posted on January 10, 2023 | Comments Off on “06880” Podcast: Tom Scarice

One of the “06880” podcast’s favorite guests is Tom Scarice.

Westport’s superintendent of schools is honest, direct, articulate and informative. He speaks in complete paragraphs, uses relatable analogies, understands this town — and clearly loves his job.

Midway through his third year at the helm, he dropped by the Westport Library’s Verso Studios recently.

We spoke about our schools’ climate and culture; COVID, and its after-effects; his goals, and how to measure them; the growing school population, and its impacts; redistricting, and the overwhelming pressures students feel today.

Click below for the latest “06880” podcast. You’ll learn a lot!

Comments Off on “06880” Podcast: Tom Scarice

Posted in Education, Library, Media

Tagged ,

“06880” Podcast: Vasili Tziolis

Posted on November 28, 2022 | 4 comments

“06880: The Podcast” has featured plenty of powerful Westporters.

Sure, the 1st selectwoman, superintendent of schools and police chief are important. But without Vasili Tziolis, Westport might grind to a halt.

He’s the general manager of the Sherwood Diner. Actually, just say “the diner” — everyone knows what you mean.

And everyone — town workers, lawyers, Staples students, families with young kids, retirees — goes there. Often.

(You can even go during hurricanes and blizzards. No matter what, they’re open.)

What makes the diner go? What’s its back story? How did it survive COVID? What’s ahead? And does the menu ever change?

The other day, Vasili sat down with me at the Westport Library, for an “06880” podcast. He served up quite an interview. Click below to listen.

(“06880: The Podcast” is one more feature from your hyper-local blog. Please click here to support our work.)

4 Comments

Posted in Media, Restaurants

Tagged , ,

“06880” Podcast: Jay Norris

Posted on August 22, 2022 | 3 comments

I’ve welcomed a few dozen extremely interesting guests to “06880: The Podcast.” But there’s never been one with quite the background of Jay Norris.

He’s helped market the careers of Notorious BIG, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Pink, Toni Braxton, Alicia Keys and many others.

He’s an innovative business leader. He knows tech, media, retail and real estate.

Jay brings people together. He builds inclusive communities. In his 6 years in Westport, he’s made a mark here. And — in new positions, like Westport Library board member and co-founder of Westport10, for Black families — he’ll make this an even better, more exciting and more inclusive town.

Click below for our fascinating half hour chat.

(“06880” is supported solely by readers. Please click here to kick in!)

3 Comments

Posted in Entertainment, Library, Media

Tagged , ,

“06880” Podcast: Liz Milwe

Posted on August 8, 2022 | 4 comments

Westport began as a farming community. We’ve moved from onions to everything under the sun.

Along the way we added manufacturing, then arts, marketing and hedge funds.

But we always go back to our roots.

The other day, I sat at the Westport Library with Liz Milwe. A native Westporter and active volunteer who served on the RTM for over 10 years, she’s best known now for her work as co-chair of Wakeman Town Farm.

We talked about WTF’s growth over the past decade; its role in Westport; our town’s commitment to sustainability, and much more.

Click here, for a very informative half hour.

Screen shot of Liz Milwe, on “06880: The Podcast.”

(Like Wakeman Town Farm, “06880” relies on community support. Please click here to contribute to this blog; click here to help WTF.)

4 Comments

Posted in Environment, Local politics, Media

Tagged , ,