My Life As

09/08/2025

I met Ricky Vitanovic as my kids progressed through their theater journey. I had no experience in this realm, but immediately recognized Ricky as the rare, creative genius. And here he is, working right here in our Talbot County Public Schools!
With degrees in:
-Maryland 7-12 Theatre Teaching Certificate
-BA Acting
-BA Directing
-MA Theatre Production
-MFA Theatre Arts, Emphasis: Directing
he is certainly the most educated theatre guru in our area. But just a quick conversation with him reveals a thoughtful, creative mind. Listen to our interview now!

High school theater director Ricky Vitanovic shares with Jen Wagner how the stage builds confidence, creativity, and community.

03/24/2025

Len Foxwell has moved throughout Maryland politics for the last 30+ years. He’s advocated for small businesses, thoughtfully listened to folks from every nook and cranny of the state, and has never backed away from a good fight.
Something that not a lot of peeps realize is that he is a local to the Shore! His roots are deep and he has a love of his home that comes straight from his heart.

Listen to my interview with him on My Life As a Political Operative

https://on.soundcloud.com/xs9CctLqVprW9oxf9

03/22/2025

Jenn McCrea is a real one. She’s a fearless restaurateur and a lover of this community. She opened her first restaurant in the competitive town of St Michaels when she was in her early twenties. 30 years later, it’s still considered one of the best that’s existed there.

Since then she’s created restaurants in Easton that draw locals and visitors alike. Her latest, The Ivy is the true center of town. Her food is simple, real and some of the best you’ll find anywhere. She quietly supports various non profits and groups in the area by selflessly giving. And her sense of humor and wit is razor sharp.

Listen to my interview with her and make it a point to join the rest of the town at The Ivy for lunch soon.

https://on.soundcloud.com/iCLG6dPWsTATa1Pw5

03/20/2025

Lots of people say they grew up in the family business but those words are literal in the case of Erin Spurry.
She’s taken the reigns at Chesapeake Landing Restaurant & Catering and has grown the business, realized long time plans and continually gives back to the community that adores her.
Listen to my interview with this sweet powerhouse!

https://on.soundcloud.com/wHxcHcic18rmysmc9

03/13/2025

I’ve been following Laurie Forster’s career since I started mine. She’s super local to Easton, and it is easy to forget, as you bump into her around town, that she is one of America’s leading wine experts. Not only that, she’s an author, podcaster and literal comedian. I look up to her for so many reasons: she’s fearless, follows her instinct and jumps into new ventures with passion and heart.
I loved sitting down with her and hearing how she got started. Listen to my interview with her now!

https://on.soundcloud.com/WxWQ8xhSWF7NcYU86

03/11/2025

I first met Tom Yates in 2006. It was at a cocktail party before my first ever art show. I still to this day get sick to my stomach before showing my work, but back then I was a mess. I knew of his work and was intimidated by meeting him, and he immediately made me laugh and put me at ease. We’ve worked together ever since.
Tom is a wood sculptor, and one of the best. He has a gift for finding the soul of a piece, and releasing its image through cuts with sharp blades. His work is everywhere all over the Shore (and beyond!). He creates faces, creatures and moons that touch some ancient part of us. And his sharp wit and sense of humor make him an irresistible interview for me!
Click on the link to hear My Life As a Sculptor

https://on.soundcloud.com/mT13m4Q1e7FemH1EA

01/19/2025

My Life As returns in 2025 with more interesting conversations with interesting people!

I met Laura Era in 2009 and quickly struck up a friendship and coerced her into mentoring me. Her Troika Gallery was the first fine art gallery in Easton (opening in 1997) and quickly became recognized for the quality of art and artists. It’s worth mentioning that South Street and Grafton Gallery followed and these three galleries became the core of the art scene in Easton.
Laura’s journey to become the nationally recognized fine artist that she is today began as a child, whose mother was an artist. As a young wife and mother, she worked on the water with her husband Richard. When she fully turned her attention to art, she ended up creating an incredible career for herself and opened the door of opportunity for art in Easton.
Listen as she tells her story with humor and insight!

We’ll start today’s show with an episode of My Life as with Laura Era owner of Troika Gallery

12/20/2024

I met Kim Hannon of the Ophiuroidea the O wayyy back when she first opened her store in St Michaels. She was persuing her dreams and I instantly vibed with her. Throughout the years I watched her lead the Business Association, make smart choices, and grow her business while lifting up those around her. Her Eastern Shore Sea Glass and Coastal Arts Festival is a master class in running and growing events. And she makes all of the work around her fun. Our conversation is as much about the evolution of the town as it is a discussion of her projects. Listen now!

https://on.soundcloud.com/xMrfwxRhnZAPVYJVA

12/18/2024

Christopher Oglesby is the Owner and CEO of Rellic Media LLC and a huge inspiration to me. His own story is fascinating, and he now tells the stories of others. His podcast is a place where you can find real, authentic discussions.
Listen to our conversation and meet this interesting fella!

https://on.soundcloud.com/FHcbYLtzjHDoy68q9

12/02/2024

How did this even come about? Why am I doing this?

It started with a lunch with Val Cavalheri as we discussed an upcoming interview she was going to do with me.
We were past the “business” part of our meeting, and were just chit chatting when I revealed that I had been studying podcasts and had a whole host of ideas for shows to produce. By the end of the conversation, My Life As was born as a concept. I should add that Val is an incredible mentor and a patient, patient teacher. If you’ve ever tried to teach me anything, you know that I am a dense, stubborn learner.
My goal with these segments is to reveal pieces of each person that contribute to their success that may not be well known, but are integral to who that person is and how they approach their work. Part of this interest stems from having been interviewed many times but not being asked or discussing the background which brought me to this point. To me, that process is interesting and deserves to have the story told.
Here’s Val’s interview with me. Give it a listen!

We will hear again from renowned mosaic artist Jen Wagner, as she discusses her creative process and her new segment on this show called "My Life As"