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Episode 97 continues my wide-ranging conversation with Jen Stone about the multi-faceted approach that a truly innovative Global Event Designer can bring to any celebration.
At the 14:00 minute mark, Jen launches into a truly hilarious “stand-up-comedy-worthy” rant on the “virtual insanity” of negotiating the Loading Docks of midtown Manhattan’s most iconic, luxury hotels.
Together with episode 96, Jen paints an endearingly loving portrait of the life of a top-tier Event Designer that is both hysterical and delightfully enlightening. I’ve hope you’ve enjoyed this Master Class on Event Design as much as I have. Thanks so much for your generosity of time and wealth of wisdom.
As always, stay safe and stay strong.
-Doug
Chatting with the incomparable Canadian born, British-based, internationally renowned Wedding Planner, Bruce Russell, was undoubtedly one of the most delightful experiences I’ve had since starting this podcast. His distinctly urbane voice and charming demeanor felt like having cocktails with a cross between Hugh Grant, Benedict Cumberbatch and Justin Trudeau, rather than conducting a ZOOM interview.
Meet Leslie Price of In Any Event, a world-renowned event producer, highlighted in Harper’s Bazaar’s list of the “Top Wedding Planners in the World.”
From top-tier NYC event producer to Tech Founder, Jennifer Brisman has long proven herself to be a force of nature.
Episode 72 brings us to the spectacular ski resort town and wedding destination of Telluride, where you’ll meet the charming, funny, inventive and self-taught event producer, mountain girl and mom, Wendy Jacobs. The young woman who attended Miss Hall’s School for Girls and grew up as a Yankee fan and ski bum in New York in “a big party family,” Wendy shares the pleasures, mysteries and joys of Telluride where she is known for orchestrating beautiful events, most notably the Lauren and David Bush wedding, which Wendy credits with, among many other things, “changing the trajectory of her career.” A master of logistics, Wendy is quite well-known for bringing in the best creative teams. What’s more, she shares wonderful insights about Ralph Lauren, his working ranch and family, explains why a wedding is “all collaboration” and what really makes Telluride, Colorado so special…think: the mountains and the views. And, that’s just the beginning. Enjoy my incredible conversation with Wendy. You’ll love every moment!
For Episode 71, it was my great pleasure to meet the delightful and incredible Christina Matteucci, Executive Director (Destinations) and proud Number Two, of David Beahm Experiences. Christina shares so much…from flipping through bridal magazines as a young woman to her passions for musical theater and the pageantry, orchestration and set design of weddings. She discusses everything from the inherent challenges and complexities of doing a TED Talk to the power of glamour, why 2001 was such a pivotal, life-changing year to her dogged pursuit of David Beahm and the deeply meaningful relationship she and David have long shared. Find out more about how Christina empowers others, the epic partnership between an event planner and an event designer, the importance of holding clients’ hands, the “mysteries of the tent,” as well as “the trumpet and the vases,” and why she is, indeed, “the Number Two you wish you had.”
Meet Kaitlin Donaldson, an amazing, fiercely determined young woman, who, at the tender age of 25, has been learning and studying the art of event planning from the very best in the business.
Meet wise, sophisticated, and razor-sharp smart industry icon Ryan Hill, whose experiences on and off Broadway have all the makings of an extraordinary musical.
Meet Gina Esposito and Sheena Meekins, affectionately referred to as the “eenas.” Warm, sophisticated, funny and incredibly insightful, these extraordinarily accomplished photographers are “best friends first, roommates second and finally, business partners.” Together they are Anée Atelier.
My latest “Zoomland” podcast features the delightful and charming Marina Luri, the eponymous destination event planner of Marina Luri Events.
My latest podcast was a vibrant and enthusiastic Zoom conversation with Marc Weber, Chef, Founder and Owner of ONTHEMARC Events, headquartered in Stamford, CT. Our episode was a highly spirited one that covered everything from being a Fellow at the Culinary Institute of America to the impact of coronavirus on the hospitality industry to everything it took to grow a business out of his parents’ garage, the importance of teamwork to his new staffing app, and so much more.
For episode 60, I was joined by one of the most gregarious, open-hearted and passionate industry influencers I’ve ever met. As the Business Development Mgr at Party Rental Ltd., Jim McManus is often considered the face of the company, which was actually founded by Michael and Sunny Halperin back in 1972.
The recording of Episode 59 was a wonderfully uplifting Zoom adventure with the lovely, dynamic and deeply spiritual Andrea Freeman who came back to the podcast to explore a very timely subject and reveal an exciting and deeply meaningful part of herself. So, if you only know Andrea Freeman as a talented and successful event planner get ready for a treat…and meet Andrea Freeman, Mindful Business Coach.
Meet Joy Locke, the charming, expert and dynamic Marketing & Business Development Manager at ONTHEMARC Events, based in Stamford, CT. Our focus was to explore the intricate workings of off-premise catering, a subject we have not yet thoroughly covered on the podcast.
For Episode 56, I wanted to take a deep-dive into some of the many aspects of what actually goes into the planning of a wedding — from the engagement to honeymoon — from a highly reliable source. And so, it was a true pleasure to revisit one of my all-time most favorite bridal couples, Kevin and Jackie Nelson Donovan, pictured here at their June 2019 wedding. Although Kevin only introduces Jackie during our conversation, it’s a very sweet moment, so much like this beautiful couple themselves. And then the lovely, articulate and very Zen bride, Jackie Nelson Donovan, takes over…sharing so much of her personal experiences as a bride, from her childhood dreams of being married at the American Yacht Club, which was so important to her family to the most positive and productive mindset you can have while wedding planning.
For Episode 55, I “virtually” sat down with the lovely Melisa Imberman, the founder and owner of “The Event of a Lifetime” in Chappaqua, New York.
Episode 42 brings me to the corner of 28th St. and Lexington Ave, the home of superstar Chef Gaurav Anand’s Bhatti Indian Grill. After treating me to an incredible and authentic north Indian feast and introducing me to his good friend, producer & celebrity, DJ Shadow Dubai, we sat down to record the podcast. Thank you, Chef Gaurav, for taking the time (you’ll hear the sound of a packed lunch crowd in the background!) out of your day to introduce me to the beauty and nuances of Indian cuisine and so much more.
Episode 39 features a fascinating conversation with Anna Costa, one half of the Santa Barbara-based husband-and-wife team of Michael and Anna Costa Photography.
Thanks to the expertise and generosity of the gracious and altogether lovely mitzvah guru Michelle Farber, of M. Studio Events, this episode further demystifies the complex and beautiful world of bar and bat mitzvahs with a follow-up podcast that takes us on a “deep dive” guided tour behind the scenes of the extraordinary celebrations Michelle and her husband Scott produce.
Sitting down with Leslie Mastin was a sheer delight. As one of Manhattan’s preeminent party planners, she comes to us via a somewhat different route from many of our other guests…by way of the hotel business and specifically, The Grand Hyatt, The New York Hilton, The Regent Wall Street, The Mark and The St. Regis. Until she opened own her own exciting company, she planned countless elegant and glamorous parties for New York’s elite. And with her trademark wit, warmth and wisdom, in this podcast, she shares her stories and incredible insights and inspiration with all of us.
Welcome to Episode 29 with the lovely and delightfully effervescent event planner Carolyn Bender, which we recorded in her beautiful home in Mt. Vernon, NY. The timing of our meeting was especially fortuitous because on the day we met, Carolyn was on the cusp of “dropping” the first installment of her brand new “lifestyle” blog, 
Yesterday’s podcast guest was Alex Knight, one of Manhattan’s finest young wedding photographers. We had first met on an impossibly warm June night at a trendy venue in Brooklyn last spring for a beautiful bride and groom’s wedding (one of my all-time favorite couples) when we each worked that event and it wasn’t until just now that our schedules allowed us the opportunity — in November’s sudden frost — to get to know each other better. But, it was well worth the wait; recording his episode was a terrific experience. What made it even more special was that our conversation gave us the opportunity to explore together…his originality, refreshing new ideas, and breakthrough new vision. His “Love Stories” are beautiful lifestyle moments captured in time — and just one part of his expansive signature style.
Today’s guest is Bill Spinner, Director of Catering at The Pierre Hotel. Iconic and timeless — as both a place to stay and/or dine or host or attend an event — The Pierre is one of the most gracious, luxurious, stylish and truly beautiful places in the city; it’s a New York landmark. Quite fittingly, and with extraordinary commitment and passion,
Enjoy,
For episode 22, we’re still celebrating the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry to American actress Meghan Markle….especially because I’m sitting down with the equally spectacular Kate Edmonds. I just can’t imagine a better guest with whom to dish about the incredible May 19th event.
Today, Andy is still going strong and the legacy continues with his gifted photographer son, Brian, embodying a new generation carrying the family tradition forward. Our conversation is a sparkling, sprawling family album that chronicles their exceptional craft and creativity and remarkable accomplishment. 
The other day, I got a chance to sit down with the extraordinary bassist, Gary Foote. As one of my all-time favorite and most successful Doug Winters Music Alumni, Gary had been part an integral part of Best Kept Secret, full-time, during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Jersey City was the setting for today’s podcast with psychotherapist Beth Renov, in which we kick off a monthly “diary” leading up to her November wedding and run the conversational gamut from Tinder to the sweet surprise of finding true love. I was crazy about Beth from the beginning; we bonded over having the same taste in music. Personally, this was one of the loveliest conversations I’ve ever had about love, romance and marriage. Beth’s incredible honesty, sensitivity, and sense of humor are among the most delightful aspects of our very warm talk in which she shares the joy she feels about finding and marrying her best friend.
I recently sat down with the delightful, legendary party planner, Kate Edmonds. Although we had never met before, we immediately fell into a comfortable conversational rhythm. When the podcast ended, Kate gave me the best compliment possible. 
