Greetings From the Garden State

Send us Fan Mail Asbury Park Distilling is nestled in the bustling and revitalized downtown area of Asbury Park on Lake Avenue. For the last five years the distillery has been a staple of the community, not only in the tasting room but in other restaurants in the area. They're products have won awards at competitions around the country, including taking home the award of "Best Gin in the...

Send us Fan Mail Asbury Park is a legendary Jersey Shore destination, but the city has gone through extreme hardships throughout its life . Over the last several years though, Asbury Park has experienced a renaissance. Marrying its roots in music, artistry, and uniqueness with a new vision and life that creates an incredible experience every time you visit. Part of that renaissance is a restaurant...

Send us Fan Mail New Jersey is the diner capital of the world. Surprisingly though, we have not had a diner on the show so far! Well today we are fixing that and what a diner to start off with! The Jefferson Diner, located in Lake Hopatcong, is consistently recognized as one of the top diners in not only Morris & Sussex counties, but the entire state. Co-owners and brothers Jimmy & Nick Se...

Send us Fan Mail  Whether you are designing your space at home or designing a commercial space, it can be a good idea to enlist the services of a professional! Alexandria Como is exactly that, she's worked on many high-end residential projects around New Jersey, as well as some commercial projects.  Segment 1 Ali takes us through her background. Originally from New Jersey, she attended New Yo...

Send us Fan Mail Jersey Collective started eight years ago when Kerri Sullivan, a New Jersey librarian, decided to put together a collaborative Instagram account giving photographers and others around the Garden State a place to share their photos of New Jersey. Kerri is publishing a book, New Jersey Fan Club: Artists and Writers Celebrate the Garden State, which is set to release on June 17th, 20...

Send us Fan Mail South + Pine American Eatery is a staple of downtown Morristown and its reputation is a direct reflection of its Head Chef, Leia Gaccione. She's appeared on Iron Chef, Chopped, and will be on Bravo's 2022 season of Top Chef! They offer their guests a seasonal menu with the freshest local ingredients, but also have certain staples that have become fan favorites. Segment 1...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever tried herbal medicines? Have you used elderberry syrup before, or took a swig of some fire tonic and made your eyes water? Whether or not you have, it is certainly something to explore and Mayernik Kitchen in Pompton Plains takes the time to make sure you are educated on how their products can help so you can make the best decision for your health. The owners, Shanno...

Send us Fan Mail Nicole Teitler is not originally from New Jersey, but we're not going to hold it against her. Originally from Long Island, Nikki On the Daily, her personal brand, moved here just over a year ago (we would say that's a great move) and has fallen in love with the Hoboken and Jersey City communities. Segment 1 Nikki started Nikki On the Daily as a byline in her journalism c...

Send us Fan Mail First off, ladies, do you find yourself sometimes struggling to find the right fit? That can certainly be frustrating. Second, guys even if we wanted to buy something special for the woman in our lives, let's be real, we wouldn't even know where to get started. Have no fear though because Christine Dutcher at Sitting Pretty Intimates in Livingston is here to help! Segmen...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever had a gluten free pastry? Or done a juice cleanse? Well if you head to TasteBuddy and Short Hills, you can try them! Angie Segura & Alexa Clark opened up TasteBuddy in 2021 and have brought their new approach to food to their community! Segment 1 Angie & Alexa began working 6 years prior to starting TasteBuddy at a restaurant, went their separate ways, but al...

Send us Fan Mail Hey there, Mike Ham here host of the Greetings From the Garden State podcast. You know, New Jerseyan Anthony Bourdain once said "To know New Jersey is to love her." and I could not agree more. The Garden State has it all, a diverse culture, amazing food, pristine beaches, rolling farmland, and big cities. What truly makes it great though, are its people. If you’re from h...

Send us Fan Mail Morristown, NJ is a town rich in history. It was the winter encampment of General George Washington and his troops, as well as the home of notable figures in history such as Thomas Nast. Glenbrook Brewery pays homage to Morristown's history the only way they know how, with beer! Each craft beer produced by their award winning Head Brewer is carefully brewed with the finest in...

Send us Fan Mail Let's face it, at some point in our lives we have all read a comic book, watched a superhero movie, or played with an action figure and, whether we want to admit it or not, we loved it. There is something mystifying about disconnecting from the real world and getting lost in something you love. Whether you are a child or an adult, there is something everyone can enjoy and wha...

Send us Fan Mail What if I told you at Tamerlaine Sanctuary you can hug Cashew and Oats, two dairy cows, along with their 250 friends. This 336-acre sanctuary for abused, neglected, and abandoned farm animals who come from awful situations to live their best life is an amazing place and was one of our favorite episodes to record.  Segment 1 Peter Nussbaum, one of the founders of Tamerlaine Sanctua...

Send us Fan Mail Did you know that about 68% of Americans use the same password across accounts? Let's be real you're probably one of them. Rich Delaney of Delaney Computer Services (DCS) is here to tell you why that is DEFINITELY not a good idea. Segment 1 Rich tells us how his business started. Sitting at his kitchen table in the 1990s building computers from scratch and selling them t...

Send us Fan Mail Forested mountains, clear freshwater streams and breathtaking, panoramic views from Sunrise Mountain await you in Stokes State Forest. People outside of New Jersey rarely think of these amazing spots when the Garden State comes to mind, but if you get the chance to go you should take it. Even with a low of 27 degrees Mike and some friends from work spent the night in Stokes State...

Send us Fan Mail What do you like to drink? Do you know anything about pairing Japanese food with sake? Or what cabernet to bring to a steakhouse? If not, that's fine because Amrish Vakil and his team at Main Street Wine Cellar in Madison, NJ take care of all that for you! Segment 1 Amrish discusses his background in different areas of retail before getting the opportunity to open Main Street...

Send us Fan Mail Where do you do your grocery shopping? Odds are wherever you go you are purchasing your products in a lot of single-use plastics. While that may be great for convenience, we all know it's not the best for the environment. Dry Goods Refillery in Montclair, NJ is the first plastic-free grocery store in the state of New Jersey and its owner, Rachel Garcia, is giving you a new wa...

Send us Fan Mail CrossFit can seem intimidating even to an experienced exerciser. Karianne Anthes, the owner of Motown Fitness in Morristown, NJ, seeks to break that stigma in this episode. Segment 1 Karianne and Mike discuss her background in fitness, finding CrossFit, and eventually opening up one of the first CrossFit gyms in New Jersey. Karianne and her team of coaches have built a strong comm...

Send us Fan Mail Grab a glass of wine, a hammer, and a power drill as we head to Livingston, NJ to visit Board & Brush. Don't worry, they provide the tools and materials, you just bring your own beverage of choice as you select one of over 400 projects owner Julie Schachter and her team has to offer.  Segment 1 Julie discusses her background, how she's always been "Miss Fix-It&q...

Send us Fan Mail New Jersey has it all. Whether you love the Jersey Shore, Hoboken, or Atlantic City, whether you're from North Jersey, South Jersey or the ever-elusive Central Jersey, we dig deeper into your communities to talk to some of the best people you will meet who run small businesses, restaurants, non-profits, and more! While we obviously discuss what they do, we also learn why they...

Send us Fan Mail When you think of BBQ odds are New Jersey does not come to mind. You're probably thinking Texas, Kansas City, South Carolina, or another mecca of BBQ. However, sitting in Madison, NJ is Daddy Matty's BBQ home to what owner Matt James describes as "Colorado-Style Mexican" BBQ. Come for the brisket, pulled pork or other specialties Matt has coming out of the smok...

Send us Fan Mail The pizza in New Jersey is the best in the country, quite possibly the world. However, which pizza place is the best is always a point of contention depending on who you ask. Brooklyn Square Pizza consistently ranks as one of the best pizza joints in the Garden State and its owner, Peter Grippo, has some deep roots in the pizza world. Segment 1 Peter "Pizza" discusses hi...

Send us Fan Mail Mike Ham travels to the Palace Theater in Netcong, NJ to talk with the Founder of The Growing Stage - The Children's Theater of New Jersey, Stephen Fredericks. Mike and Steve discuss the history of both The Growing Stage and the Palace Theater, educational programs the nonprofit provides, its connection to the community and more! About The Growing Stage The rich history of Th...

Send us Fan Mail Mike Ham travels to Madison, NJ to visit with Tushar Patel, owner of Harvest Bistro. The two discuss the history of the business which has been open in the same location for 25 years, navigating the challenges of the last two years, Harvest Bistro's involvement in the community and more! About Harvest Bistro Harvest Bistro, a high-quality restaurant, and caterer in beautiful...