Inside the Mani

Mat and producer Jeff chat with singer-waiter Giannis "Johny" Diskos, a two-time Voice of Greece contestant working summers at Patriko in Stoupa. Johny discusses his Mani roots, musical training, flawless English singing accent, and the surprising truths behind reality TV production. He shares plans for an eclectic debut release and closes the episode with a live performance of his original song,...

Mat interviews his 88-year-old mother Glenda, a lifelong Hellenophile and classics teacher who stumbled upon Stoupa in 1986 and never looked back. From earthquake-hit Kalamata to a permanent stone house in the Mani, Glenda shares 40 years of memories, beloved local friendships, and an unwavering belief that this corner of Greece is simply the finest place on earth to live.

Mat talks to Aris Christeas, owner of Vesuvius Taverna in Agios Nikolaos, about his journey from Toronto at age five to the Mani. Following in his father's entrepreneurial spirit, Aris shares his life as a DJ, club owner of the legendary Diogenes, his love of the sea and how he ultimately took over the family taverna.

In this episode Mat sits down with his longtime friend Alison Schofield, who first arrived in Stoupa in 1993 as a 21-year-old holiday rep after unexpectedly being reassigned from Lesbos. Alison paints a rich picture of a quieter, undiscovered Stoupa, the tight-knit community and reminisces about the now-gone hot spots of the time.

In this episode, Matt sits down with Bjarne - the Norwegian founder of the Kardamyli International Jazz Festival — now in its remarkable 12th year. Recorded at Lisa's Bistro, just a stone's throw from the festival office on Kardamyli's main high street.

An introduction to the Inside the Mani podcast crew, presenter Mat the and producer Jeff. Mat explains the backstory of his print publication — an annual magazine and guidebook he ran for 15 years, and its digital 'rebirth as a podcast and a new website. They discuss their 'origin stories' and vision for the podcast - moving beyond typical travel-guide content to capture in-depth personal stories...