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  • Victoria Arlen on Near-Death Experience (Again), Struggling In Plain Sight, & Why the View Is Worth It (LIVE @ The Press Room)

    Victoria Arlen on Near-Death Experience (Again), Struggling In Plain Sight, & Why the View Is Worth It (LIVE @ The Press Room)
    2026/10/19

    Victoria Arlen nearly died (again).

    Late last year, she experienced another setback in her physical health, causing her to (temporarily) give up on her book, spiral out of control, and return to the wheelchair she spent several of her teenage years in.

    But as always, Arlen persevered, and now she's ready to tell her story more loudly than ever before.

    In front of a live audience at The Press Room in downtown Portsmouth, the Exeter native, TV anchor, Dancing With the Stars alum, speaker, author, and nonprofit founder joins host Troy Farkas for a wide-ranging discussion about her tumultuous mental health journey, from her four years in a vegetative state, to surrounding herself with the wrong people, to physical health setbacks, and much more.

    The two also discuss how often the most successful people in the room are the ones we need to check on the most, why it's so important to draw boundaries with others to protect your mental health, why she almost never published her latest book, how her mother saved her life five years ago, and more.

    Plus, questions from the audience!

    To purchase Arlen's latest book, "The View Is Worth It," you can get it here.

    UPCOMING EVENTS:

    • Seacoast Stories Dinner Club CONCORD pres. by RC Conner: Wednesday, November 4 at 6:30 p.m. ⁠Book your seat at the table here.⁠
    • Seacoast Stories Dinner Club HAMPTON pres. by RC Conner on Wednesday, November 18 at 6:30 p.m. ⁠Book your seat at the table here.⁠


    SPONSORS:

    • ⁠SWTHZ Portsmouth: ⁠Lock in your founding membership today at Portsmouth's newest home for wellness.⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • Insights Group: Rye's go-to mental health therapy practice!


    Additional thanks to photographer Rachel Kimberly, videographer Kyle Michaud, and Director of Partnerships Lucy Donnally for making this evening possible.
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    1 時間 31 分
  • EXCLUSIVE: Ohana Kitchen Owners to Open NEW Restaurant in Portsmouth's West End! Plus, the Unexpected Story Behind Ohana!

    EXCLUSIVE: Ohana Kitchen Owners to Open NEW Restaurant in Portsmouth's West End! Plus, the Unexpected Story Behind Ohana!
    2026/10/12
    Ohana Kitchen is one of the most recognizable restaurant brands on the Seacoast. With locations in Portsmouth, Exeter, Kittery, and Dover, the fast-casual poke bowl joint is a fan favorite of many. And yet, despite the local chain's success, Ohana isn't enough for the husband-and-wife team of Jay and Stacy Krecklow.At least, not anymore.From the West End of Portsmouth, the Krecklows join host Troy Farkas to announce the breaking news surrounding their latest venture, giving all the exclusive tea about the motivation behind the new restaurant business, what differentiates it from Ohana, why now is the right time to go all in on the concept that's haunted them for a decade, and more.Plus, they tell the entire backstory of Ohana Kitchen, from Stacy's years of living in Maui while managing a Hawaii Flatbread location, to Jay's significant Portsmouth restaurant experience, and everything in between. Plus, a surprise at the very end of the episode!To learn more about Pearl Fish House, you can follow them on Instagram @pearlfishouse or visit their website pearlfishhouse.com.UPCOMING EVENTS:"Seacoast Stories LIVE feat. Victoria Arlen" at The Press Room on Tuesday, October 13! Pres. by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SWTHZ Portsmouth⁠⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get your tickets here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Seacoast Stories Dinner Club CONCORD pres. by RC Conner: Wednesday, November 4 at 6:30 p.m. Book your seat at the table here.Seacoast Stories Dinner Club HAMPTON pres. by RC Conner on Wednesday, November 18 at 6:30 p.m. Book your seat at the table here.SPONSORS:SWTHZ Portsmouth: Lock in your founding membership today at Portsmouth's newest home for wellness.⁠⁠RC Conner⁠:⁠⁠ The Seacoast's No. 1 home for kiln-dried firewood!⁠⁠⁠Budget Blinds of the Seacoas⁠t: Blinds, shades, and shutters reasonably priced, professionally installed, and done right the first time.SMALL BUSINESS PARTNERS:3 Bridges Yoga: 10% off 5-class packs, 10-class packs, and retail items purchased online with code SEACOASTSTORIES at the Seacoast's No. 1 yoga studio!Ohana Kitchen: Visit their locations in Portsmouth, Exeter, Dover, and Kittery!CHAPTERS:FOLLOW "Seacoast Stories" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube (00:00)Breaking Seacoast news! (02:22)Working in the restaurant business as a husband-and-wife pair (18:25)The joys of working in the restaurant business (23:37)Lock in your founding membership at ⁠SWTHZ Portsmouth (26:30)Tell stories around the fire with ⁠RC Conner⁠⁠⁠⁠ (27:46)
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    1 時間 10 分
  • BREAKING NEWS on the Future of Flight House Gym, & Jay Collins' Quest to Build the Nation's TOP Fitness Brand!

    BREAKING NEWS on the Future of Flight House Gym, & Jay Collins' Quest to Build the Nation's TOP Fitness Brand!
    2026/10/05
    Flight House Fitness is on a mission to revolutionize the fitness industry.And Jay Collins will not stop until that vision has come to life.Formerly the owner of MaxEdge Fitness, the 59-year-old Collins bet the house (literally) a few years ago when he built Flight House Gym in Rye, a massive facility combining group training classes and open gym space in ways the Seacoast had never seen before.Then, just three months ago, he launched Flight House into its next era when he opened an incredible 24,000 square foot facility in Charlestown, Mass., a gym that's attracting intense social media attention, celebrities, athletes and comparisons to the New England Patriots' own facilities.And after seeing the early success of Flight House in Charlestown, Collins is ready to bring that concept - which also features yoga and pilates classes and a recovery center - to the Seacoast, which he reveals for the very first time on today's show.From Flight House Gym in Charlestown, Collins joins host Troy Farkas for the third time to discuss the early success of the Charlestown location, what makes this gym one of the very best in the country, why he's already looking at bringing Flight House to other major U.S. cities, his growth as an entrepreneur, and how he's bringing the new-and-improved Flight House to the Seacoast.To get $50 off your own membership at Flight House Fitness, you can use the code "SEACOASTSTORIES" when checking out online.UPCOMING EVENTS:"Seacoast Stories LIVE feat. Victoria Arlen" at The Press Room on Tuesday, October 13! Pres. by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SWTHZ Portsmouth⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Get your tickets here.⁠⁠⁠⁠SPONSORS:⁠RC Conner:⁠⁠ The Seacoast's No. 1 home for kiln-dried firewood!⁠⁠Budget Blinds of the Seacoas⁠⁠t: Blinds, shades, and shutters reasonably priced, professionally installed, and done right the first time.SMALL BUSINESS PARTNERS:Get 10% off any service with hair loss practitioner Amber Moulton at Studioh in RyeEPISODE CHAPTERS:Come to "Seacoast Stories Live" on 10/13 (00:00)Why he opened Flight House Gym in Boston (02:40)Evolution as an entrepreneur (09:42)The new location's early success (14:30)How Flight House is "redefining" the fitness industry (17:11)Borrowing MILLIONS of dollars to build in Boston (21:20)What motivates him at 59 years old (26:17)Heat your home with firewood from RC Conner (31:50)Custom blinds, shades & shutters with Budget Blinds of the Seacoast (32:53)The future of Flight House on the Seacoast (34:10)The competitive Portsmouth fitness scene (45:50)Plans to bring Flight House nationwide (51:16)Reflecting on his crazy entrepreneurial ride (55:00)
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    1 時間 2 分
  • This Ogunquit Bar Started as a Gay Men’s Hangout. 40 Years Later, It's Everyone's "Happy Place"

    This Ogunquit Bar Started as a Gay Men’s Hangout. 40 Years Later, It's Everyone's "Happy Place"
    2026/09/28
    Ogunquit has become a "three-season" town in recent years.The Front Porch is a big reason why.Started in 1980 exclusively as a gay men's bar, The Front Porch has become an all-inclusive restaurant, piano bar, and attraction for the half a million people who descend upon the tiny seaside town every summer.From the famous upstairs bar, longtime bartender Petey Tomes and current owner Scotty Vogel join host Troy Farkas for a wide-ranging discussion about the history of the Porch, favorite stories from 45 years of the Porch, Ogunquit's quest to become attractive year-round, mind-blowing stats about the amount of espresso martinis they serve, how the restaurant is on the front lines of change in the industry, and more.To support the restaurant, you can follow them on Instagram @frontporchogt.SUPPORT SEACOAST STORIES:Follow Seacoast Stories on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get our new episodes every week.Join our FREE online community, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Local Thread⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, hereUPCOMING EVENTS:Seacoast Stories Dinner Club pres. by ⁠⁠⁠SWTHZ Portsmouth⁠⁠⁠: We're back in Manchester, N.H., on Wednesday, October 7! ⁠⁠⁠⁠Book your seat at the table here.⁠⁠⁠⁠"Seacoast Stories LIVE feat. Victoria Arlen" at The Press Room on Tuesday, October 13! Pres. by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SWTHZ Portsmouth⁠. ⁠⁠⁠Get your tickets here.⁠⁠⁠SPONSORS:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Iron Cactus⁠:⁠⁠ Kingston, N.H.'s home for yoga, infrared saunas, reiki, healthy eating, community and more.⁠⁠SWTHZ: ⁠⁠Lock in your founding membership today at Portsmouth's newest home for wellness.⁠Budget Blinds of the Seacoas⁠t: Blinds, shades, and shutters reasonably priced, professionally installed, and done right the first time.CHAPTERS:Come to Seacoast Stories LIVE! on 10/13 (00:00)The evolution of The Front Porch & Ogunquit (02:40)The Porch's beginnings as a gay men's bar (11:44)The magic of the piano bar (15:35)Stories from 45 years of the Porch (20:23)Secure your SWTHZ Portsmouth⁠⁠⁠⁠ founding membership here (24:52)Custom blinds, shades and shutters with Budget Blinds of the Seacoast (25:56)Why Vogel purchased The Front Porch (27:10)How Ogunquit is building toward the future (31:52)How the restaurant is leading the charge for change in the industry (39:52)Visit The Iron Cactus in Kingston, N.H.! (43:15)The Front Porch's most popular drink order (44:30)How special it is to work at the Porch (52:20)
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    58 分
  • Just Ask Nora! Beloved Seacoast Native on Buying Portsmouth City Lifestyle Magazine + Building a BIG Social Media Brand!

    Just Ask Nora! Beloved Seacoast Native on Buying Portsmouth City Lifestyle Magazine + Building a BIG Social Media Brand!
    2026/09/21
    Local media has a bad reputation these days.Nora Happny McMorran wants to do something about it. The beloved former host of "Just Ask Nora," a social media series started in the late 2010s, Happny McMorran is now on a quest to turn Portsmouth City Lifestyle magazine into a local force for storytelling.A few months after acquiring the magazine, the longtime Portsmouth resident joins host Troy Farkas to discuss her decision, and how she plans on making the magazine a desirable read.Plus, the two talk about the origins of Just Ask Nora, her dad's career as THE go-to Portsmouth blacksmith, living in Norway during her 20s, meeting her now-husband at Carl's Meat Market, the strength of the Seacoast nonprofit scene, working for HAVEN, and more!To check out the digital version of the magazine, you can visit citylifestyle.com/portsmouth.SUPPORT SEACOAST STORIES:Follow Seacoast Stories on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get our new episodes every week.Join our FREE online community, ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Local Thread⁠⁠⁠⁠, hereUPCOMING EVENTS:Seacoast Stories PUB CRAWL in Portsmouth! Join us on Saturday, September 26 for an afternoon of connection and FUN. ⁠Get your tickets here.⁠Seacoast Stories Dinner Club pres. by ⁠⁠SWTHZ Portsmouth⁠⁠: We're back in Manchester, N.H., on Wednesday, October 7! ⁠⁠⁠Book your seat at the table here.⁠⁠⁠"Seacoast Stories LIVE feat. Victoria Arlen" at The Press Room on Tuesday, October 13! Pres. by ⁠⁠⁠⁠SWTHZ Portsmouth. ⁠⁠Get your tickets here.⁠⁠SPONSORS:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Iron Cactus⁠:⁠ Kingston, N.H.'s home for yoga, infrared saunas, reiki, healthy eating, community and more.⁠SWTHZ: ⁠Lock in your founding membership today at Portsmouth's newest home for wellness.⁠RC Conner:⁠ The Seacoast's No. 1 home for kiln-dried firewood!Budget Blinds of the Seacoast: Blinds, shades, and shutters reasonably priced, professionally installed, and done right the first time.CHAPTERS:Growing up in Portsmouth (00:00)Living in Norway in her 20s (10:10)Working in Portland, Oregon (15:30)Supply your home with firewood from RC Conner (21:40)Get your mind, body, and spirit feeling better at SWTHZ in Portsmouth (22:50)Her popular social media series "Just Ask Nora" (23:55)2026 social media advice (33:05)Working at HAVEN & the Seacoast nonprofit scene (35:25)Visit The Iron Cactus, a magical Seacoast location (39:15Outfit your homes with professional blinds, shades & shutters (40:22)Her plans for taking Portsmouth City Lifestyle magazine to the next level (41:35)
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    51 分
  • Pre-Dead Social Club: The One Thing Every Human Has in Common (And NOBODY Wants to Discuss!)

    Pre-Dead Social Club: The One Thing Every Human Has in Common (And NOBODY Wants to Discuss!)
    2026/09/14
    We don't know how to talk about death.Longtime Seacoast resident Laura Cleminson wants to change that.At the Pre-Dead Social Club, Seacoast residents of all ages gather monthly for a "die-a-logue" at author talks, panel discussions, and Death Over Drinks, the club's signature event.Cleminson, who also delivered a TEDx Portsmouth talk in 2024, became fascinated with death a decade ago when her mother was diagnosed with cancer. She noticed she had no tools for helping her mother through that time, a realization that eventually led her to become a death doula and the founder of the Pre-Dead Social Club.From the West End of Portsmouth, Cleminson joins host Troy Farkas for a wide-ranging discussion about death - why we avoid it, her first experiences with it, how to better help our loved ones during that time, how the Pre-Dead Social Club has taken off in the last three years, and why it's welcomed nearly 1,200 people through its doors since then.To learn more about the Pre-Dead Social Club, visit predeadsocialclub.com.SUPPORT SEACOAST STORIES:Follow Seacoast Stories on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get our new episodes every week.Join our FREE online community, ⁠⁠⁠The Local Thread⁠⁠⁠, hereUPCOMING EVENTS:Time 4 Joy hosted by I Got Bridged: Friday, September 18 at the Portsmouth Elks Lodge. Get your tickets here.Seacoast Stories PUB CRAWL in Portsmouth! Join us on Saturday, September 26 for an afternoon of connection and FUN. Get your tickets here.Seacoast Stories Dinner Club pres. by ⁠SWTHZ⁠: We're back in Manchester, N.H., on Wednesday, October 7! ⁠⁠Book your seat at the table here.⁠⁠"Seacoast Stories LIVE feat. Victoria Arlen" at The Press Room on Tuesday, October 13! Presented by SWTHZ. ⁠Get your tickets here.⁠SPONSORS:⁠⁠⁠⁠The Iron Cactus⁠: Kingston, N.H.'s home for yoga, infrared saunas, reiki, healthy eating, community and more.SWTHZ: Lock in your founding membership today at Portsmouth's newest home for wellness.RC Conner: The Seacoast's No. 1 home for kiln-dried firewood!CHAPTERS:SS pub crawl on 9/26! (00:00)Laura's first brushes with death (02:30)Why don't we discuss death? (08:52)How her mom's death changed everything (11:45)Warm your home with firewood from RC Conner (21:15)Visit The Iron Cactus in Kingston, N.H. (22:34)Taking an extreme interest in the end-of-life space (23:55)Starting the Pre-Dead Social Club (31:00)What happens at Death Over Drinks (38:05)Lock in a founding membership at SWTHZ in Portsmouth (42:25)Troy's experience with the Pre-Dead Social Club (43:27)Turning this club into a business (53:15)
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    1 時間 1 分
  • Inside Two BELOVED (and Wildly Successful) Seacoast Businesses: Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier + Popzup Popcorn!

    Inside Two BELOVED (and Wildly Successful) Seacoast Businesses: Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier + Popzup Popcorn!
    2026/09/07
    Two stories in one podcast?!In this special Labor Day episode, host Troy Farkas hears the stories of two beloved Seacoast businesses.In Part One, Farkas travels to Somerworth, N.H. for a conversation with the co-founders of Popzup Popcorn, Marty and Julie Lapham. From their factory's floor, the husband-and-wife team talk about how they got started 10 years ago, the painstaking lengths they've taken to get organic & non-GMO labels, the pivotal moments that launched their company into the next stratosphere, the importance of keeping it a family business, and more.In Part Two, the show heads to Kittery Point, M.E. to talk to the longtime owner of the legendary Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier, Ron Spinney. Alongside manager Cam Barrett, Spinney tells stories from Chauncey Creek's 70 years in operation - a seaside joint known for serving steaming hot lobsters, its BYOB policy, and a callback to a simpler time.SUPPORT SEACOAST STORIES:Follow Seacoast Stories on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get our new episodes every week.Join our FREE online community, ⁠⁠The Local Thread⁠⁠, hereUPCOMING EVENTS:Seacoast Stories Dinner Club pres. by SWTHZ: We're back in Manchester, N.H., on Wednesday, October 7! ⁠Book your seat at the table here.⁠"Seacoast Stories LIVE feat. Victoria Arlen" at The Press Room on Tuesday, October 13! Presented by SWTHZ. Get your tickets here.SPONSORS:⁠⁠⁠The Iron Cactus: Kingston, N.H.'s home for yoga, infrared saunas, red light therapy, reiki, sound healing, healthy eating, and more.⁠Budget Blinds of the Seacoast⁠⁠: Custom blinds, shades, and shutters! Reasonably priced and done right the first time.CHAPTERS:Seacoast Stories LIVE on 10/13 (00:00)The health-conscious ethos of Popzup Popcorn (02:10)The insane growth trajectory of Popzup (08:20)Reflecting on Popzup's success (18:40)BTS of Popzup's massive production process (20:22)Introducing The Iron Cactus (27:00)Custom blinds, shades & shutters at Budget Blinds of the Seacoast (28:20)How Chauncey Creek started 70 years ago (29:45)Why Spinney bought the business in the 80s (33:20)What makes Chauncey Creek special (34:54)Inside the lobster-eating experience (45:32)Looking ahead to the future (51:54)
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    55 分
  • "I Put My Life on the Line!" World Champion BULL RIDER on Dangerous Career + Owning a Top Seacoast Venue!

    "I Put My Life on the Line!" World Champion BULL RIDER on Dangerous Career + Owning a Top Seacoast Venue!
    2026/08/31
    A cowboy in York, Maine? 🤠Yes, it's true.For nearly two decades, Kenny Churchill was one of the very best bull riders in the world, competing on stages big and small across the country, including at Madison Square Garden in front of President Ronald Reagan.Now, the Boston native resides in York alongside his wife of 30+ years. Together, they own Churchill Barn and Weddings, a stunning events venue located on their private property, which houses a fully restored barn that was originally built in the 1700s!From inside the barn, Churchill joins host Troy Farkas for a wide-ranging discussion about his legendary career, including what drove him to bull riding, the very serious injury risks it poses, and how the sport nearly cost him everything.To learn more about Churchill Barn and an event you could host there, please visit ChurchillBarnWeddings.com.SUPPORT SEACOAST STORIES:Follow Seacoast Stories on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get our new episodes every week.Join our FREE online community, ⁠The Local Thread⁠, hereSEACOAST SENIORS: Contact hello@seacoaststories.com.UPCOMING EVENTS:Seacoast Stories Dinner Club pres. by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Partners Bank⁠⁠⁠⁠: We return to Kittery, Maine, on Wednesday, September 16! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book your seat at the table here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Seacoast Stories Dinner Club pres. by SWTHZ: We're back in Manchester, N.H., on Wednesday, October 7! Book your seat at the table here.SPONSORS:⁠⁠⁠⁠Degree Wellness Seacoast⁠⁠⁠⁠: A new all-on-one recovery center is coming to North Hampton, N.H! Learn more & lock in a discounted (FOR LIFE) founding membership ⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠⁠CHAPTERS:Opening trailer (00:00)Troy's new side business, Seacoast Seniors (01:33)The first time learning about Kenny Churchill (02:58)What is bull riding/rodeo? (04:56)Growing up as a bull rider in Boston (07:35)His relentless study of bull riding (10:52)The very serious risks involved in bull riding (14:30)Daily life as a pro bull rider (22:56)How rodeo athletes make money (26:32)Performing at Madison Square Garden (31:22)Secure your Degree Wellness founding membership today (33:47)The near-death experience that led him to retire (35:30)Moving to the Seacoast (48:00)The WILD history behind Churchill Barn (50:00)Why they started hosting weddings at the barn (53:30)What a wedding there is like (56:28)Love advice for Troy (01:01:28)
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    1 時間 7 分