Backyards of Key West Podcast with Mark Baratto

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Billy Kearins of Coast Projects. This is our second time sitting down for an interview, the first was about his iconic local brand found HERE . In this interview, we talk about Billy's music and arts festival know as the COAST is Clear, happening on December 4th. We talk about how he came up with the idea and how he is keeping Key West a boutique music...

In today's episode, Mark Baratto sits down with professional hairstylist and makeup artist, Julie Hill. We talk about how she got started and how she shifted all her products to eco friendly and organic while still keeping your look fabulous. I was hoping all of this hair talk would help with some hair growth on my bald dome, but needless to say, I'm still hairless 😎. More on Julie Hill Website:...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down the creator of Key West MONOPOLY, Casey Arnold. We talk about how a road trip during COVID gave him the inspiration to create Key West's first ever MONOPOLY game. From working with Hasbro to get the license agreement to creating all the unique spots on the board, to developing all of the pieces, Casey has been on a 12 month whirlwind adventure! The launch of...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with two amazing singer-songwriters; Kylie Sackley and Anthony Smith. This was a favorite episode for me because I was able to get different perspectives from both of these artists since they don't sing together and are in two separate bands. I hope you enjoy it!! More on Kylie Sackley Instagram:   https://instagram.com/kyliesackley Facebook: https://www.fac...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Chris Massicotte and Jamie Mattingly, the co-founders of Duval Street Media. We talk about how they met, why they started the business, and how they are helping local businesses grow. More on Duval Street Media It all started when… We met the way most people in Key West meet; in a bar. Chris had been in town for only a few weeks when he struck up a conv...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with singer-songwriter Shelly Fairchild. We talk about how her career began, how leaving her label for another was the best thing for her career, how being true to yourself is the only way to be... and of course, Dolly Parton. More on Shelly Shelly Fairchild isn't new to the industry – but she's far from old news. A staple in the Nashville music community, F...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Co-Owner of Key West Finest, Amber DeBevec. We talk about her business, how it got started, and how her company is here to help you plan your activities, answer all of your questions and even help you with local real estate. More about Key West Finest Planning a trip to Key West can be very overwhelming! Luckily we are one of Key West's BEST Concierge S...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Singer-Songwriter Kyle Coulahan. We talk about how he decided to leave the game of football as an NFL hopeful, to pursue his real dream as a Singer-Songwriter. Kyle spoke about the mentor that helped get him on his way, in a way that you can tell he missed having him around. Our interview went a little short because Kyle didn't want to miss his friend A...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Maya and Vasil, the owners and operators of The Koffie House. We talk about how they got started, all their healthy options, their snazzy location, and of course, Vasil's music. More on The Koffie House Website: https://koffiehouse.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekoffiehouse Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thekoffiehouse Address: 602 Gree...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with owner and GM John Hadfield, of local water sports store, Sea Key West. We talk about how he got started in the water sports business, how he navigated COVID, and how his business is thriving with the help of local support. More on Sea Key West Website: https://www.seakeywestlocal.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seakeywest Facebook: https://www....

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with concierge expert and podcast host, Kelly Hopkins. We talk about her love for Key West, how she makes all of her clients dreams come true on their Key West vacation and her successful podcast, The Local Side of Key West . More on Kelly Hopkins Website: https://theconciergegirl.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelly_keys_930 Facebook: https://www....

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with graphic designer and artist, Kristyn LaMoia. We talk about her love for graphics and design, how she got started as a designer, and her transition into becoming an artist... and TikTok star (inside joke). More on Kristyn LaMoia South Florida born artist, Kristyn LaMoia, has been honing her artistic skills since she could hold a crayon. Growing up, as a...

In this exclusive interview, Mark Baratto sits down with Rapper and Singer of the Dirty Heads, Jared Watson (aka Dirty J). This interview happened 30 minutes before the band went on stage for the beginning of their national tour, down here at the Key West Amphitheater . It may have been short, but for those fans out there, we touched on the bands origin story and their beginnings. This episode is...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with two of the most well-known songwriters in Nashville; Craig Wisman and Lee Thomas Miller. If you are an aspiring songwriter or musician, this episode is filled with so much wisdom, that it's a can't miss. We discuss their writing process and how they pump out over 100 songs per year... year after year. Between them, they have 33 # 1 songs, winning a numb...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Real Estate Broker Associate Krystal Thomas. We talk about everything from the state of the market in Key West, home buying ranging from under $500K to $1.5M+, the different neighborhoods, rental prices, how to rent out your home, and codes to look out for. If you are thinking about purchasing real estate in Key West, this is the episode for you! More a...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Stephen Kitsakos, Opera creator, stage director and Artist Advisory Council for The Studios of Key West . We talk about his career in NYC and how he made it down to Key West. More on Stephen Kitsakos STEPHEN KITSAKOS is an opera librettist and stage director. With the American composer, Sheila Silver, he wrote  libretti  for  The Wooden Sword , winner o...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter James T. Slater to talk about how he got started, and where he is headed in his amazing career. More on James T. Slater James is a two time, grammy nominated, piano-playing, bilingual singer-songwriter of Bolivian American descent signed to BMG Music Publishing/Nashville with songs recorded by everyone from Carrie Unde...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with singer-songwriter Cliff Cody. We talk about how he went from bouncer to songwriter to give it a shot in Nashville.  With nothing lucrative insight and family life calling, Cliff gave up music and moved to his wife's hometown in Ohio.   After many nights staring at his guitar sitting in the corner, Cliff picked up that 6 string again to give it one more...

In this episode of the show, Mark Baratto sits down with Jenny Lorenz and Emily Nixon, the women behind the Local Life Media agency. We talk about how they got started and how they are helping local Key West businesses go from the unknown to socially outgoing ;) More on The Local Life Media KW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_local_life_kw/

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Key West local musician Jason Lamson. We talk about how he got started in the business, where he is at in his career, where he plays regularly, and where he is headed. More on Jason Lamson Soul-filling, southern vocalist fusing island style, down-home soul, and a touch of funky personality to create a unique sound filling the streets of Key West. Instag...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with coffee connoisseur and barista Kaia, in the Backyards of Key West Gallery . We talk about how she got into coffee, why she does everything by hand with no electricity, and why she only uses the best natural ingredients to get the best coffee. More on Kaia's Coffee Cart Love for coffee and sustainability brought this amazing idea together. All off-grid c...

In this episode of the show, Mark Baratto sits down with comedian Esther Ku. We talk about how she got into comedy, where she sharpened her craft and her up-and-coming show at Comedy Key West . More on Esther Ku Esther Ku is a Korean-American stand-up comedian born and raised in Chicago. She honed her act at many of New York City's comedy clubs such as Caroline's, Stand-Up NY, and Broadway.  Ku ma...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Shay Spence, the traveling food editor for people magazine. We talk about how he got this dream job, how he went viral on TikTok, why he moved to Key West, and his future podcast 😎. More on Shay Spence People Magazine: https://people.com/author/shay-spence/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theshayspence Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theshayspence...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with the musically talented husband and wife dynamic duo, Cole Michael Porter and Kendra Porter. We talk about how they got started in the business, how they met, and how they are able to separate music and their career from everyday life. More on the Porter Union Band Porter Union, led by husband and wife, Cole Michael Porter and Kendra Porter, is the resul...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Laurent, one of the owners of Le Creperie. We talked about how he got started in the restaurant business, how he made it to Key West, and all of the amazing French specialties served daily. More on La Creperie French Cafe Just logged back into Yelp, realizing I forgot to finish this review. I spent two and a half months there earlier this spring from Ma...