The Bay Ridge Digest

James Scully
  • 5.0 (9)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE

A bi-weekly hyper-local Bay Ridge magazine-style podcast combining everything from culture, restaurant recommendations, history stories, current events, interviews, humor, and human interest.

  1. The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast - EP012: Right Where You Left Me

    5D AGO

    The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast - EP012: Right Where You Left Me

    In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 12 we recap Tastes of Third, hang out by Flagg Court, commune with the president of Fort Hamilton’s Alumni Association, find out what’s happening on 5th Avenue, and gear up for Pizza Wars.  Highlights: • Scenes from Jackie Robinson’s first game in 1947 • Growing Up in Analog Brooklyn with Joe Estrella • Some Tastes of Third Avenue Highlights with Saravá Bistro, Anthony’s Butcher & Deli, Latte Da, and Brooklyn Dipped • Bay Ridge 5th Avenue BID News with Executive Director Elizabeth Lovejoy • Growing up in Flagg Court with Christine Walters • An Upcoming Pizza Wars Promo with The Merchants of Third Avenue’s Chrisie Canny • The Fort Hamilton High School’s Upcoming Hall of Fame Ceremony with Alumni Association President Joe Estrella • April and Tax Day Jokes with Freddie Friday • Three Day Champion with Christine Walters The reading material used in today’s episode included articles from: • BayRidgeFlagCourt.com • The Bay Ridge Home Reporter • The Brooklyn Daily Eagle • Brownstoner.com • PastDaily.com Coming later this Spring, the next step in The Bay Ridge Digest: A weekly Monday morning roundup email, delivered straight to your inbox, featuring important upcoming Bay Ridge events, local classifieds, restaurant recs, human interest, and other important Bay Ridge happenings.  If you’re a business owner listening to this, I’ll be releasing the email wireframe and media kit in the coming weeks. It’ll show affordable sponsorship opportunity placements within this email. I’ll also be explaining how people can purchase classified ads within the newsletter. All other stories covered within will be free of charge.  Want to receive this? Sign up for this email in the form at BayRidgeDigest.com. Want to submit a story or important event you already know that will be happening in say, June or July? Do so with that same form or email me at BayRidgeDigest@gmail.com. For more info on how to submit a story lead, please go to BayRidgeDigest.com. You can also get in touch by emailing BayRidgeDigest@gmail.com. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayridgedigest/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bayridgedigest

    1h 24m

  2. MAR 30

    Coming This Spring: The Bay Ridge Digest Weekly Newsletter

    Hey everyone, James Scully here. One of my first post-college jobs was for a daily email newsletter called DailyCandy. Ladies of a certain age might remember it. DailyCandy sent you the daily fashion, food, and fun in your city. Created in 2000 by Dany Levy, it helped spawn UrbanDaddy, Thrilllist, and countless other email newsletters.  Why am I bringing this up? Later this spring, I’ll be launching the next step in The Bay Ridge Digest: A weekly Monday morning roundup email, delivered straight to your inbox, featuring important upcoming Bay Ridge events, local classifieds, restaurant recs, human interest, and other important Bay Ridge happenings.  If you’re a business owner listening to this, I’ll be releasing the email wireframe and media kit in the coming weeks showing affordable sponsorship opportunity placements within this email. I’ll also be explaining how people can purchase classified ads within the newsletter. All other stories covered within will be free of charge.  Want to receive this? Sign up for this email in the form at BayRidgeDigest.com. Want to submit a story or important event you already know that will be happening in say, June or July? Do so with that same form or email me, James Scully, at BayRidgeDigest@gmail.com. As always, if you have any questions, reach out to me at BayRidgeDigest@gmail.com or shoot me a DM @BayRidgeDigest on Instagram. Episode 12 of The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast will be out on April 9th.  Until then, I’ll catch you on the flip side.

    2 min
  3. The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast - EP011: Through The Fog

    MAR 25

    The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast - EP011: Through The Fog

    In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 11 we grab a cup of coffee, go to pilates, eat a good slice, take a sound bath, head to a disco popup, and celebrate Ramadan.  Highlights: • The Flagg Court Playhouse rehearses “Dial M for Murder” in April of 1956  • Sara Barkouli with Samia Aljahmi on living in Bay Ridge and Celebrating this Ramadan • Chrisie Canny with a Pizza Wars Disco Popup Promo • The Inspiration behind Brooklyn Is The World with Connie Gibilaro Malone • K.T. The Alchemist and Kaitie Meisner of Transformational Tones on their journey to Bay Ridge • Spring Jokes with Freddie Friday • Tony Christiano of Nonno’s Pizza on their most popular offerings and funny requests • What am I doing here? • Shaki Usarova of Boutique Pilates on being inspired to, opening, and running the studio • Looking Ahead to April I asked in this episode: What were you doing in April of 2018? What have you done in moments when you felt lost to find your way forward? Whom did you rely on? I’d like to know, and if you wouldn’t mind the world knowing, please send your responses to me. I’ll read some of them in upcoming episodes of The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast. Submit them to me through the form at bayridgedigest.com.   The reading material used in today’s episode included: • Monitor: Take 2: By Dennis Hart  As well as articles from: • BayRidgeFlagCourt.com • The Bay Ridge Home Reporter • Brownstoner.com • The Los Angeles Times • The New York Daily News • The New York Times • PastDaily.com Script writing, Emceeing, editing, producing, mixing, directing. What are these? All things I do. In need of any of this and want to get in touch? Add me on Linkedin, reach me at James@TheWallBreakers.com, or go to TheWallBreakers.com to see what else I’ve been up to.  I’ve got tours coming up on March 27th, March 29th, April 12th, and April 18th. For tickets and more info on all my tours go to Linktr.ee/TheWallBreakers or follow either my @BayRidgeDigest or @TheWallBreakers instagram accounts.  If you’re interested in more info about advertising rates, or other various audio production capabilities, please go to TheWallBreakers.com or email me at James@TheWallBreakers.com. For more info on how to submit a story lead, please go to BayRidgeDigest.com. You can also get in touch by emailing BayRidgeDigest@gmail.com. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayridgedigest/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bayridgedigest

    1h 46m
  4. The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast - EP010: Signs of Spring

    MAR 11

    The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast - EP010: Signs of Spring

    In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 10 we welcome the first signs of Spring with a butterfly’s journey, holistic healing, throwing clay, delicious food, and a good bottle of wine.  Highlights: • Katie Coughlin, The Ovington Artist’s Colony, and Ovington Pottery • March Books and Events with Jess from The Bookmark Shoppe • Elias B. Dunn and an unexpectedly bad March 1888 rainstorm • Connie Gibilaro Malone on her new children’s book Brooklyn Is the World • March Wines and Favorite Wine Bottles with Catherine O’Rourke of Cellary • St. Patrick’s Day jokes from Freddie Friday with a PSA for the Itty Bitty Kitty Bay Ridge Cat Rescue • Dr. Marla Loughran on the Healthy Path Foundation and the upcoming 10 Annual Casino Night Gala • The Great Blizzard of 1888 in Bay Ridge and Fort Hamilton • News on the Merchants of Third Avenue’s upcoming Taste of Third Avenue with Chrisie Canny • The Worst Storm Anyone Has Witnessed • Radio Waves • Looking ahead to Ramadan celebrations, sound baths, and a disco popup The reading material used in today’s episode included: • “The Mighty Blizzard of 1888” — By Edward Oxford for American History Illustrated, March 1988 • Blast from the Past: A Pictorial History of Radio's First 75 Years — By B. Eric Rhoads • “The First Gentrifiers” — By Henry Stewart for BKLYNR Issue 38, November 6th, 2014 As well as articles from • AmericanHeritage.com • The Brooklyn Daily Times • The Brooklyn Eagle • The New York Herald • The New York Times • The Times Union Script writing, Emceeing, editing, producing, mixing, directing. What are these? All things I do. In need of any of this and want to get in touch? Add me on Linkedin, reach me at James@TheWallBreakers.com, or go to TheWallBreakers.com to see what else I’ve been up to.  I’ve got tours coming up this month, including one this Sunday March 15th and a special edition of Haunted Bay Ridge on Friday March 27th. For tickets and more info on all my tours please click on Linktr.ee/TheWallBreakers on either my @BayRidgeDigest or @TheWallBreakers instagram bios.  Subscribe to The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast everywhere you get your podcasts. To submit a story lead, please go to BayRidgeDigest.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayridgedigest/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bayridgedigest

    1h 31m

  5. FEB 26

    Upcoming Tours and Events for March and April 2026

    Hey everyone!, How about this balmy and calm winter we’ve been having huh!? I’ve been chomping at the bit to lead some Bay Ridge walking tours and have put some on the schedule for March and April. See the tours below. Click on the dates for more info and tickets. Murder, Mayhem, Money and History in Old South Bay Ridge • Sunday 3/15/2026 at 1PM • Sunday 4/12/2026 at 1PM A special version of Haunted Bay Ridge! • Friday 3/27/2026 at 6PM Murder, Mayhem, Money and History in Old North Bay Ridge • Sunday 3/29/2026 at 1PM • Saturday 4/18/2026 at 1PM You can also find more information by following @TheWallBreakers or @BayRidgeDigest on Instagram and going to Linktr.ee/TheWallBreakers in the bio.  If you're in Bay Ridge this Sunday March 1st, head over to Delias Lounge at 9224 3rd Avenue for Irish Day, starting at 1PM. There will be a collaboration with Chef Michele Moran on a special Irish food menu featuring things like fish and chips, corned beef, shepherd's pie, a Gaelic burger and more. At 3PM The Black Swans will be performing traditional Irish music. For more info go to DeliasLounge.com or follow @DeliasLounge on Instagram.

    2 min
  6. The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast - EP009: The Best In The City

    FEB 18

    The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast - EP009: The Best In The City

    In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 9 we pick up our chats with some of Bay Ridge’s best hospitality, social, and restaurant professionals.  Highlights: • At the Shore Road Casino in 1938 • Sal and Daymein Forte of The HoM Store on working together, surviving COVID, and bouncing back • Catherine O’Rouke of Cellary with February events and offerings • The Death of Nino Colombo at 9269 Shore Road • Karen Tadross of Bay Ridge Cares on her love for our National Parks • President’s Week jokes from Freddie Friday with a PSA for the Itty Bitty Kitty Bay Ridge Cat Rescue • John Calascione of High Wire Distilling on Jimmy Red Bourbon, bonded whiskey, and High Wire’s growth • Lunch at Reichert’s Tea Room on 86th and 5th in 1938 • Dave Kovalchick of Matka Wodka on how Matka helps refugees, Blue Team International, and tracing his family roots • Jan Rideout on moving back to Bay Ridge • O’Sullivan’s Bar and Grill with Orson Welles and Agnes Moorehead The reading material used in today’s episode included: • Network Radio Ratings, 1932-53 — by Jim Ramsburg As well as articles from: • The Brooklyn Daily Eagle Script writing, Emceeing, editing, producing, mixing, directing. What are these? All things I do. In need of any of this and want to get in touch? Add me on Linkedin, reach me at James@TheWallBreakers.com, or go to TheWallBreakers.com to see what else I’ve been up to.  A special thank you to Henry Stewart. For more info on the Nino Columbo and Christina Oliveri homicide, please search for Henry’s article, “True Crime Bay Ridge: A Mafia Murder on Shore Road.” If you’re interested in learning more about Orson Welles’ life and career during the 1930s, please search for “Breaking Walls Episode 79: The Boy Wonder—Orson Welles' Early Career.”  This particular homicide is a stop on my Murder, Mayhem, Money, and History in Old Bay Ridge Tour. I’ll be running two different versions of this tour on Sunday March 22nd and Sunday March 29th. For tix and more info, please go to Linktr.ee/TheWallBreakers.     Subscribe to The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast everywhere you get your podcasts. To submit a story lead, please go to BayRidgeDigest.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayridgedigest/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bayridgedigest

    1h 13m
  7. The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast - EP008: Out Of Our Shell

    FEB 4

    The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast - EP008: Out Of Our Shell

    In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 8 we bop around Bay Ridge sipping drinks, sampling food, and talking with some of our neighborhood’s best hospitality, social, and restaurant professionals.  Highlights: • Wing Wars 2026 Recap with Chrisie Canny and Chris Guttadaro • Ronny Jaramillo of Bar Chuzo on his family, Ecuador and NYC, Bar Crudo, Chuzo Culture, and opening up Bar Chuzo • Crime Prevention Week in 1951 • Jan Rideout on losing her home in Hurricane Katrina and opening up the JLaurie Shoe Boutique • Dave Kovalchick of Matka Wodka on growing up in Pennsylvania, Helping Refugees in Ukraine, and working for Matka Wodka • James Vavas, President of The Merchants of Third Avenue, on Scouting America and why he got involved in the insurance business • Carmine Persico and a Gowanus Canal rub out in 1951 • Jordan Gass-Pooré on her mentor, being an entertainment journalist, and her favorite Gowanus Canal chemicals • Tom Perone of The Corner and Brooklyn Roots on meeting his wife, the heartbeat of a restaurant, the story behind Brooklyn Roots, and how The Corner is hitting its stride • Ron Kavral of Latte Da Cafes on opening the cafe with Joe, why their coffee is so fresh, the upcoming grand opening, and seasonal specialties • Valentines Day jokes from Freddie Friday with a PSA for the Itty Bitty Kitty Bay Ridge Cat Rescue • Sal and Daymein Forte of The HoM Store on meeting, how the shop has evolved, sourcing goods, and staying ahead of the curve • Catherine O’Rouke of Cellary with seasonal offerings • John Calascione of High Wire Distilling on growing up in South Slope, hanging out in Bay Ridge, getting in the wine and spirits industry, and working for Fresh Direct • Steve Bove’s autopsy report from The Leif Erikson Tavern in 1951 The reading material used in today’s episode included: • Network Radio Ratings, 1932-53 — by Jim Ramsburg As well as articles from: • The Brooklyn Eagle Script writing, Emceeing, editing, producing, mixing, directing. What are these? All things I do. In need of any of this and want to get in touch? Add me on Linkedin, reach me at James@TheWallBreakers.com, or go to TheWallBreakers.com to see what else I’ve been up to.  And be on the look out for walking tours I’m leading. I’m launching a new one in Gowanus, and will be bringing back my Bay Ridge tours as the weather warms. For tickets and more info, please go to Linktr.ee/TheWallBreakers. You can also find ticket links through @thewallbreakers on Instagram or the tours and events tab at TheWallBreakers.com. Subscribe to The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast everywhere you get your podcasts. To submit a story lead, please go to BayRidgeDigest.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayridgedigest/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bayridgedigest

    2h 22m
  8. The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast - EP007: Spanning The Narrows

    JAN 21

    The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast - EP007: Spanning The Narrows

    In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 7 we pick up our chats with some of the influential women of Bay Ridge, and go back in time to highlight the beginning of the destruction of Bay Ridge for the construction of the Verrazzano Bridge.  Highlights: • New Year’s Day 1959: The Narrows Bridge Approach is Approved • Jan Rideout in Dallas and Mississippi • Bay Ridge Homes to Be Destroyed: Progress or Tyranny? • Jordan Gass-Pooré on The Gowanus Canal • Catherine O’Rourke of Cellary on Opening up the Shop • January Jokes from Freddie Friday • Erica Stavrou of Owl’s Head Yoga on Opening up the Shop and Beyond • The Fight to Call the Narrows Bridge the Verrazano Bridge • Michelle Perricone of Anthony’s Butcher & Deli on Growing as a Business Owner and January Offerings • The End of January 1959 • Sal and Daymein Forte on Who is the Better Dancer • Looking Ahead to Bay Ridge’s Food and Drink The reading material used in today’s episode included articles from:  • The New York Daily News • The New York Times Be on the lookout for walking tours I’m leading. Jordan Gass-Pooré and I are launching a new tour of Gowanus called “Gowanus: From Revolutionary Battlefront to Toxic Wonderland" on Sunday February 8th, and Sunday February 22nd. Both tours will be at 1PM. For tickets and more info, please go to Linktr.ee/TheWallBreakers. You can also find ticket links through @thewallbreakers on Instagram or the tours and events tab at TheWallBreakers.com.   Subscribe to The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast everywhere you get your podcasts. To submit a story lead, please go to BayRidgeDigest.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bayridgedigest/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bayridgedigest

    1h 25m
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5
out of 5
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About

A bi-weekly hyper-local Bay Ridge magazine-style podcast combining everything from culture, restaurant recommendations, history stories, current events, interviews, humor, and human interest.

Information

  • Creator
    James Scully
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Bay Ridge Digest
  • Show Website
    The Bay Ridge Digest

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