EVENT PROTOCOL & FAQs
The Seacoast Stories podcast tells compelling stories about the unique people, businesses, and newsmakers of New Hampshire and Maine.
Hosted by podcast veteran Troy Farkas (ESPN, Spotify), this weekly interview show highlights local businesses, tackles the region's issues, and explores what makes the Seacoast an American hidden gem. Started in June 2024, this fast-growing show has featured conversations with LANEY & LU's Jennifer Desrosiers, Nubble Lighthouse Keeper Matt Rosenberg, Flamingos Coffee Bar owner Mackenzie Logan, Studio One's Katy Marshall, and many more.
In this live edition, Troy will speak to two popular returning guests, Jay Collins (Flight House Gym, Rye N.H.) and Alyssa Pine (Live Freely Market, Hampton, N.H.). And in the headlining conversation, he'll talk to "Seacoast Stories" débutée Joanna Kelley, the assistant mayor of Portsmouth and owner of Cup of Joe Cafe and Bar in downtown Portsmouth. Plus, in a rousing game of Seacoast Trivia, WOKQ's Kira Lew of "Kira and Logan in the Morning," will co-host. Prizes from some of your favorite Seacoast businesses will get awarded to winners.
Come celebrate one year of "Seacoast Stories" with this must-see event in one of the Seacoast's premier performance venues.
ABOUT JAY COLLINS
After spending 11 years building MaxEdge Fitness Training into one of the most popular gyms on the Seacoast, Jay invested his life savings in 2022 into Flight House Gym in Rye, N.H., a one-of-a-kind workout facility that houses $750,000 worth of state-of-the-art equipment. Combining its tried-and-true group fitness classes with the open gym concept, Flight House has emerged as one of the most unique gyms in the United States. And the operation is just getting started, recently announcing plans to open locations in Bedford, N.H., and Charlestown, Mass.
ABOUT ALYSSA PINE
The creator of the very popular Live Freely Market in Hampton, N.H., Alyssa is an entrepreneurial force on the Seacoast. After spending her teenage years working at The Community Oven pizza restaurant in Hampton, Alyssa helped her father, Shane Pine, open several beloved Seacoast dining establishments, including Shane's Texas Pit, Susie's Sweets, Backyard Burgers and Wings, and The Side Bar. Also a muralist whose work is featured in over 75 establishments in New England, Alyssa started the Live Freely brand in 2022 to encourage people to live freely from hate, anxiety and self-doubt. In the winter of 2024, she opened the Live Freely Market, which features more than 35 local vendors of all kinds every week.
ABOUT JOANNA KELLEY
The assistant mayor of Portsmouth, N.H., Jo is the first Black person to get elected to Portsmouth City Council and also is the first Black assistant mayor in New Hampshire history. In addition, she is the owner of Cup of Joe Cafe & Bar in downtown Portsmouth.
A lifelong New Hampshirite, Jo is determined to make sure everyone has access to a fair future. Jo's passion for nonprofit and advocacy work is demonstrated through her service as a board member for organizations such as Seacoast African American Culture Center, Strawbery Banke Museum, and 603 Forward Foundation. She also is the proud founder and president of the annual New England BIPOC Cultural Festival.
ABOUT TROY FARKAS
Troy, 29, is one of the most coveted producers in the podcasting industry. Formerly of ESPN, where he worked hand-in-hand with some of the top sports journalists in the world, he now produces hit podcasts at Spotify, the world leader in audio streaming. A former nomad who has lived in Connecticut, Boston, Denver, Honolulu, London and Glasgow, Troy started “Seacoast Stories” in June 2024 when it became clear to him that he belonged on the Seacoast.
Now he’s committed to fostering community and connection by telling the inspiring stories of the Seacoast through this podcast, which quickly has garnered a broad audience in the area.