Backyards of Key West Podcast with Mark Baratto

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with singer-songwriter Wade Bowen. We talk about how Wade got started in the business and his overall love for the music he sings. More About Musician Wade Bowen Wade Bowen is an American  Texas Country / Red Dirt  singer from Waco, Texas, United States. Bowen was a member of the band West 84 with friend Matt Miller until 2001 when the group became known as...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Soapmaker and connoisseur, Mariam Tvaliashvil. We talk about how Mariam got started in the business, which soaps are good for what, and how she is changing lives one dirty face at a time! More on KW Soaps KW Soaps started from a desire to provide our friends and family a quality, natural soap gift. We slowly started trying out formulas and processes unt...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Steve Alsobrook, the chief pilot and spokesperson for Skydive Key West. We talk about how the business was started, the first time Steve jumped out of a plane... and some celebrity gossip. More on Skydive Key West Rated one of the top ten places to skydive in the world. With tropical views, this is an experience you won't soon forget. After jumping from...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with local artists Jasmine Jones and Katlin Spain of the amazing Ocean Blues Studio. We talk about how each of them got started as individual artists, how they met, and how they formed Ocean Blues Studio; an amazing place where create and showcase their art, all in one place. More about Ocean Blues Studio Jasmine Jones Born and raised here in Key West, Jones...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with the GM Daylin, and the iconic Irish Kevin's Bar We talk about the origin of the bar and what they did to thrive during and after COVID times. More about Irish Kevin's Since July of 1998 Irish Kevin's Bar has been inviting guests to "come on in"! Singer, songwriter and entertainer 'Irish Kevin' had the vision to open his bar on Duval Street focused on li...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Tiffany Dunsmore, the Development Director in Key West. We talk about how the SPCA is doing post-COVID-19 and how you can help. Florida Keys SPCA Mission The Florida Keys SPCA is dedicated to promoting the humane treatment of all animals through compassionate care, adoption, education, population control and humane law enforcement. We are a completely i...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with local Key West artist, Abigail White. We talk about where she gets her inspiration and, why for heaven's sake, is she not more famous here in Key West! I'm a huge fan of her work and have been for years before I even moved to Key West. The way she turns houses and iconic spots like Sloppy Joes into conch shell paintings are AMAZING!! More on Abigail Whi...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Lost Boy creator and leader himself (no not Rufio) Matthew Atkinson. We learn how Matt made his way to St. John, how he became a shaper of wooden boats and boards, how he made his way to Key West, and how the origin of Lost Boy Creations came about. More on Lost Boy Creations Live like a Lost Boy Lost Boy:{lost boi} noun purveyor of dreams follower of t...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with returning guest, Paul Menta. Paul may be known for his Kiteboarding and his Rum ( Key West Legal Rum Distillery ), but we sit down to discuss his newest project, Shopmomandpop.com When COVID-19 hit, Paul saw how hard local businesses got hit, that he created a FREE listing for locally-owned independent businesses and services of Key West & the Florida K...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Scott Gerke, a Key West local that many of you know - or will know real soon. He created the Key West Full Moon Experience, has an event company, is a local DJ, took a stranger on the most epic Key West adventure - and suffers from anxiety. Like most of us out there, Scott may have looked like he had everything together from the outside. The great job,...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Beards and Brews owner, Eric to discuss how he got the idea, how longs he's been cutting hair, and how the island locals came together to support him and his new venture. More on Beards and Brews Barbershop & Bar Beards and Brews is the "Premier Barbershop Of The Florida Keys," offering craft beer and select draft beers while you wait*. With multi-gener...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Smuggler Jim (JD Martin) at his Whiskey tai sting room on 627 Eton Street. We talk about the family history behind the Smuggler and well... everything Whiskey :) More on Key West Trading Company "Purveyors of Fine Whiskies and Spirits" This is the philosophy that our founder JD Martin had in mind when he created the company.  "I wanted to bring my famil...

On this episode of the podcast, Mark Baratto sits down with chef and food truck owner of The Jerk Caribbean food, Deon. We talked about how Deon got into the cooking game, how his culinary education mixed with family recipes, created some of the best Caribbean food on island. I should know... I had to get some after the interview! More on The Jerk We specialize in flavorful Caribbean Cuisine, only...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Shots and Giggles owners Steve Kibbe and Hannia Rivera. We talk about how they got into the bar business and why they decided to open this local favorite. More on Shots and Giggles Shots and Giggles is located on the corner of Ann and Greene Street next door to Tattoos & Scars Saloon.  A local's favorite known for its intimate setting.  S&G features ove...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Singer, songwriter, and all-around cool guy, Arlis Albritton. We talked about his journey and how he got started in music (hint, it was the mailroom), navigating the Nashville writing scene, and how he is expanding his talent into the festival arena, with the St. Augustine Songwriters Festival:   http://staugustinesongwritersfestival.com More on Arlis A...

In this episode of the Podcast, Mark Baratto sits down with artists Helen and Ben Harrison to talk about their gallery on White Street, but in a surprise turn of events, ended up talking about their life at sea. I think the below quote sums it up - enjoy! "In the 1970s my husband, Ben, and I spent four years building a thirty-eight foot sailboat in Costa Rica, a massive project for two gringos in...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Head Mermaid, Kristi Ann to talk about how she got the idea for the festival, and how she applied her savvy retail skills into her creation. Save the date: July 1st - 5th 2021 More on the Mermaid Festival The Key West Mermaid Festival is founded by a Key West native mermaid. She, along with her crew and pod, invite you to step back in time to an island...

In this episode, Mark Baratto interviews Kathy Stamper and Scott Schofield to talk about the Key West Express, which takes residents and visitors to and from Key West, Fort Meyers and the Marco Island area. More on the Key West Express Key West Express to Paradise - Chill Out, Relax, Enjoy, Explore Our jet-powered catamarans deliver you to the Southernmost Point of the United States, a Vacation Sp...

In this guest episode, Alia Moore interviews Mark Baratto on the Blame it on Buffett Podcast. This is an exclusive "role reversal" where Alia has me on as a guest on her podcast. If you ever wanted to know who the guy was behind the Backyards of Key West podcast, this is your chance! More on the Blame it on Buffett Podcast A podcast about Jimmy Buffett, Parrot Heads, Trop Rock, and all things esca...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with the artists and creators of Sacred Space: Lucy Hawk, Barbara Sage, Emily Shipman and Cristina Velardi. We talk about how this group of powerhouse ladies found each other, how they support each other, and how Sacred Space was formed. More on Sacred Space Sacred Space is an artist collective representing 9 local female creatives. Instagram: https://www.in...

In the episode, Mark Baratto sits down with travel blogger Michele O'Connor to talk about how she started her blogging business and how she grew her website into a full-time business. More on FunInKeyWest.com Who are we and what do we know about Key West? We are avid travelers.  Road trip is our middle name.  Any chance we get, we are on the open road.  We even have jobs that have us traveling aro...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Carol Hill, the owner of the Yankee Freedom III Ferry to the Dry Tortugas. This episode was recorded at the beginning of 2020 and Carol has a little cold, but don't worry, it wasn't COVID-19 :) We talk about how Carol got into the business, all the hoops she needed to jump through to be the exclusive free to the Dry Tortugas, and how having a positive a...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Tom Carbone, the owner of Carbone's Custom Firearms. We discuss how Tom got into the business and his passion for bringing firearm safety and understanding to the Florida Keys. Whether you are a gun lover or not, this is a great episode to get the understand from someone who has been in the business for decades. More on Carbone's Custom Firearms The Flo...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Key West City Manager Greg Veliz (before the Covid-19 pandemic). We talked about Greg's journey from Conch to elected official, and all the bumps in-between. I love and admire Greg's tenacity and hope this episode teaches you that anything can happen with the right attitude. More on Greg Veliz The City Manager's Department provides executive leadership...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Hillary to talk about how she became a stylist, how she made her way down to Key West, and why she decided to open her own Beauty Lounge right in the middle of the Covid-19 crisis. This episode is loaded with inspiration and is worth listening to (whether you are into hair or not :). More on Cayo Beauty Lounge by Hillary Our mission is to inspire the co...