The Link

pod617 - The Boston Podcast Network

Three high school classmates who graduated Milton Academy in 1986 (plus a fourth if you include Producer Dave) reunite for a podcast that is one part reminiscing, two parts truth-seeking and a splash of serendipity. Join Farah Pandith, Diana Donovan and Meredith Zinner for The Link. As the Class of ‘86 nears middle age, we’ve witnessed a great deal of change in our lives—and experienced hardships and joys. We are old enough to have some perspective and perhaps even some insights. We’re interviewing our classmates—some of the most interesting people we know—to collectively reflect on where we started, how far we’ve come, and where we might be headed. You can email our producer David Yas at david@pod617.com.

  1. Michael Gitlitz: The Art of ‘Chickie’

    APR 6

    Michael Gitlitz: The Art of ‘Chickie’

    Diana, Farah, Meredith and Dave crack open the time capsule and pull out classmate Michael Gitlitz—art dealer, museum director, and living proof that those Milton art history classes weren’t just a GPA play. Michael takes us from dorm-room décor (read: questionable) to a globe-trotting, 25-year run in the high-end art world—Herschel & Adler, Marlborough Gallery, Paddle8—before landing as executive director of the Katonah Museum of Art. Now “retired” (sure, Michael), he’s still wheeling, dealing, collecting, and casually dropping knowledge on 17th–20th century art like it’s fantasy baseball stats. Along the way: – The exact moment Milton lit the art-history fuse – Why art dealers matter (and why academia might not scratch the same itch) – A return to the ‘80s that includes fashion crimes and social survival tactics – Teachers who mattered, crushes that didn’t, and the masks we all wore – And a refreshingly real look ahead to the 40th reunion—less posing, more honesty, and finally talking about mental health without whispering it like it’s contraband It’s part nostalgia, part career masterclass, part group therapy—with better stories and worse outfits. Time Codes (because we’re professionals… allegedly): 00:00 Welcome Back to The Link 01:33 Meet Michael Gitlitz (yes, that one) 04:05 How a Milton kid ends up in the global art game 05:29 Back to the Eighties Quiz (brace yourself) 09:56 Style Regrets: A Group Confession 14:47 The Milton Spark That Started It All 15:56 Gap Year = Life Upgrade 18:05 Why Art Dealers Actually Matter 19:53 Family Stories You Didn’t Expect 20:43 Art Dealing: How the Sausage Is Made 22:08 Classmates in the Arts (you’ll be surprised) 23:04 Milton Needs a Museum (seriously) 24:53 The Cost of Collecting (spoiler: not cheap) 26:14 Favorite Living Artist 27:12 Retirement… kinda 29:09 Teachers Who Changed Everything 34:53 Reunion Talk + Mental Health (finally, honestly) 37:22 Crushes, Masks, and Surviving High School 39:00 Rules, Discipline, and Sanctuary 42:45 Life After the Art World (is there such a thing?) 43:45 Advice to Our Younger, Dumber Selves 46:30 Wrap Up (we stuck the landing)

    47 min
  2. The Fabulous Nicole Holt on Narcolepsy, Seattle Island Life & Finding Your Way Back

    MAR 27

    The Fabulous Nicole Holt on Narcolepsy, Seattle Island Life & Finding Your Way Back

    The guest is Nicole Holt, now living on an island near Seattle. The show opens with 1980s rapid-fire memories (Talking Heads and Pink Floyd on a Walkman, shoulder pads, and hanging out in the “butt room”). Nicole shares that she has narcolepsy, describing how it affected her at Milton, the long path to diagnosis, and extreme REM onset confirmed by EEG, plus safety strategies like pulling over when driving and even briefly falling asleep while swimming laps. She recounts leaving Bennington on medical leave and later learning a parent withdrew her while claiming she failed out, as well as studying political philosophy at William & Mary as an unclassified student. Nicole discusses making horse-themed art, maintaining a studio, leasing and riding a highly trained horse, limited contact with Milton classmates, plans to attend reunion, and her child’s transition, estrangement, and later progress including unionizing at work.   Topics 00:42 Meet The Hosts 01:29 Introducing Nicole Holt 02:52 Walkman And Music 04:32 Favorite Classes 06:20 Campus Style And Hangouts 06:50 Butt Room Memories 09:00 Life In Seattle Island 09:28 Andrew And The Move 12:45 Careers And Law School Era 14:33 Narcolepsy Explained 19:36 Bennington And Withdrawal 21:52 Art And Studio Plans 23:51 Keeping In Touch 23:54 Missing Kristen Henley 25:30 10 Acre Memories 26:30 Quilling and Sleepovers 27:01 Reunion and Hermiting 27:58 Pandemic Parenting Saga 31:25 Art Research Adventures 33:57 Bennington Drama Stories 35:09 Milton Plays Throwback 36:17 Advice to Younger Self 39:31 Horses Again as Adult 40:36 Teeth Troubles and Dreams 42:11 Goodbyes and Wrap Up

    44 min
  3. Sylvia (Castillo) Slack on Milton, Counseling, and Aikido Life in Oregon

    MAR 16

    Sylvia (Castillo) Slack on Milton, Counseling, and Aikido Life in Oregon

    Hosts of The Link—Milton Academy Class of 1986—welcome guest Sylvia Slack (formerly Sylvia Castillo) from outside Portland, Oregon, joined by her dog Keto. After an ’80s-themed “Dare to Be True” icebreaker, Sylvia shares what she loved about Milton: the people, being away from home, and feeling accepted. She explains being recruited from San Antonio through A Better Chance, receiving scholarship travel, and choosing Williams College, where she majored in psychology inspired by Mrs. Griffin. Sylvia describes a 20-year career in Communities in Schools counseling at-risk students and later training staff, retiring in 2010 when moving to Oregon. She and her retired deputy U.S. marshal husband maintain a wooded acreage, build ongoing projects, and hunt deer and elk. She discusses Aikido’s conflict-resolution philosophy, travel through a dojo network, and reflects that time goes fast and should be fully appreciated.   Topics 01:31 Meet Sylvia and Keto 03:08 Dare to Be True  07:40 Milton Memories and Favorites 10:02 Life in Oregon Woods 14:39 Deck Projects and Visitors 16:34 How Sylvia Found Milton 19:06 Choosing Door Number Two 21:09 Family of Eight Support 22:09 Williams and Psychology Path 23:36 Counseling At Risk Students 25:15 From Counselor to Trainer 27:33 Retiring to Portland Life 28:24 Aikido Philosophy and Practice 33:03 Reunions and Big Question 35:24 Advice to Younger Self 37:03 Reconnect and Farewell

    39 min
  4. Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper

    12/23/2021

    Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper

    The Link wraps up Season 2 with a great visit with Derrick Cooper. Hear about his life as a pharmacist - and a grandpa! Coops also recalls his Milton role models and tells the tale of why he did a handstand during a wrestling weigh-in.

    39 min
  5. Caitlin’s Adventures in the Arts

    12/15/2021

    Caitlin’s Adventures in the Arts

    Caitlin Bermingham has been working at the Whitney Museum of Art for the past 14 years in preparations and exhibitions. She is currently the head preparator, dealing with logistics and packing of exhibitions that go all over the world.Learn about her career in art, her own work and her stint as a bass player in the punk rock band Cheesecake!Please support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/thelinkpodcast Email producer Dave with feedback: david@pod617.com Get your own podcast at www.pod617.com/contact

    43 min
  6. Going Deep With Mik Aoki

    12/08/2021

    Going Deep With Mik Aoki

    Mik Aoki was a standout baseball player at Milton Academy, but who knew he was on the way to a lifetime in baseball? Hear his tales as a college baseball coach and memories of MA. Please support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/thelinkpodcast Email producer Dave with feedback: david@pod617.com Get your own podcast at www.pod617.com/contact

    34 min
  7. John Marshall’s Plan

    12/01/2021

    John Marshall’s Plan

    John Marshall is a professor at the Georgia State College of Law where his expertise is private, nonprofit and government interventions to promote long-term urban recovery from crisis and disasters. But he's still good old "Marsh" and he joins the show to talk about both his current studies and remembrances from MA. Get in touch with John here: https://law.gsu.edu/profile/john-travis-marshall/ Please support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/thelinkpodcast Email producer Dave with feedback: david@pod617.com Get your own podcast at www.pod617.com/contact

    54 min
  8. A True Classic: Roger Travis

    11/23/2021

    A True Classic: Roger Travis

    Roger Travis an associate professor of classics at the University of Connecticut. He joins the show to talk about his love of learning; how he turned video games into a career; and what advice he would give to his "Milton self" in 1986.Please support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/thelinkpodcast Email producer Dave with feedback: david@pod617.com Get your own podcast at www.pod617.com/contact

    53 min
See All (18)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Three high school classmates who graduated Milton Academy in 1986 (plus a fourth if you include Producer Dave) reunite for a podcast that is one part reminiscing, two parts truth-seeking and a splash of serendipity. Join Farah Pandith, Diana Donovan and Meredith Zinner for The Link. As the Class of ‘86 nears middle age, we’ve witnessed a great deal of change in our lives—and experienced hardships and joys. We are old enough to have some perspective and perhaps even some insights. We’re interviewing our classmates—some of the most interesting people we know—to collectively reflect on where we started, how far we’ve come, and where we might be headed. You can email our producer David Yas at david@pod617.com.

Information

  • Creator
    pod617 - The Boston Podcast Network
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2021 pod617 - The Boston Podcast Network, All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Link