Originally created to highlight the vibrant people and places that make Key West magical, the Backyards of Key West Podcast has grown into something more.
Today, it’s a home for creative conversations with artists, gallery owners and studio founders —not just from Key West, but from across the country and around the world. Each episode explores the real stories behind creative lives and thriving businesses, whether you're curious about island life or building your own artistic path.
🎧 Listen below or on your favorite podcast app.
🎨 Want to grow your art business? Join The Artist Growth Collective—free tools, expert guidance, and a community built for creative entrepreneurs.
In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Hillary to talk about how she became a stylist, how she made her way down to Key West, and why she decided to open her own Beauty Lounge right in the middle of the Covid-19 crisis.
This episode is loaded with inspiration and is worth listening to (whether you are into hair or not :).
In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Analise Andrews, the owner of Key West Food Tours.
We talk about how she was raised in her Cuban grandmother’s Key West kitchen and how Analise Smith pursued a career in the food industry by starting Key West Food Tours in 2014.
Combining a love for food with her hometown of Key West, Analise created a 3-hour, highly entertaining narrative weaving the island’s history on a tasting walking tour, visiting five local mom-and-pop restaurants.
Today, Key West Food Tours offers its signature Southernmost Food Tasting & Cultural Walking Tour, Seafood Lover’s Walking Tour, and the Key West Craft Cocktail Crawl, consistently receiving #1 in TripAdvisor’s Food and Drink category for Key West, as well as TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence.
In this episode Mark Baratto sits down with Ben Teague of Ben Teague Design.
We talk about how Ben took a leap of faith and went from working in a bank to doing what he loves.
This episode has a ton of gems for those of you out there looking to escape the corporate world to work in a business you love to do.
In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Jess Forsythe and Mike Kenna of Kenna Construction.
We talk about how Mike got into the business, how he went from a classically trained chef to an expert contractor. We also learn how Jess acts as the glue to keep everything together and is the businesswoman that keeps the ship moving in the right direction.
In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Grant Portier, the owner and chef of Poké In the Rear, an Asian-themed restaurant in its open-air backside bar in the famed Aquaplex.
We talk about where he came up with the idea for the restaurant, and how he is taking a grassroots word of mouth approach to marketing.
In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Johnna, one of the owners of Cruisin' Tikis, and Captain Ryan.
Johnna tells her story of going from the retired life to the Tiki life while actually on one of their famed Tikis.
In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with artists Marianne van den Broek to talk about her amazing sand sculptures found around town in Key West.
We talk about how Marianne began her journey as a sand sculptor, and how she turned a "summer job" into a passion project with a full-time residence at Casa Marina, A Waldorf Astoria Resort.
In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Nance Frank, the director of the Gallery on Greene.
This is perfect for all you Key West history buffs out there. We dive deep into the history of Key West homes, the people and the art.
We recorded this episode in the fall, before COVID-19 lockdown happened. I am pleased to say that The Gallery on Green is fully operational and taking visitors on a daily basis.
In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with the owner of Salt Island Provisions, Laura Richardson.
We talk about the origin story or Salt Island Provisions, how this island favorite is a hub for everything local; from salt to wine to honey to art.
This spot is a MUST for every tourist and local alike!
In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Chief TuTu wearer, Jenn Stefanacci.
We talk about how this Jersey girl made her way down to the Conch Republic and how she created her cult-classic bar, 22&Co.
This was one of my favorite episodes I did, not only because of how cool 22&Co is but how cool Jenn is... bringing that NJ flavor all the way south.
Yachts & Sailing Academy.
We talk about how he made the shift from working in Chicago to running a full-time business in Key West and what happened to his business when the Corona Virus struck.
In this episode, Mark Baratto sings down with musician Joal Rush to talk about his musical origin story (more than 20 years ago), the time he puts into his music, and where he is headed.
We recorded this podcast for the Songwriters Podcast many months before the COVID-19 lockdown.
In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with the co-owner of The Green Pineapple at the Perry Hotel, Rebecca Schwab-Talpas.
We talk about her career start in retail, why she decided to open up the shop at the Perry, her yoga teachings, and her cookbook club :).
In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with local artist Jasmine Jones.
We talk about how she got started and how she is making a life for herself as an extremely talented artist.
This interview was recorded before the March 2020 shutdown, so Jasmine's classes are on hold for right now, but all her amazing art is for sale!
In this part 2 episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Jenny Lorenz, the Director of Marketing at The Perry Hotel Key West.
We go behind the curtain in this interview, to get a first-hand experience of what all hotels had to go through during the pandemic, all the steps The Perry is taking to put their customers first, and how they continue to make changes for future growth.
In this episode of the podcast, Mark Baratto sits down with the Kiteboarder, Chef, and owner/creator of the Key West First Legal Rum Distillery, Paul Menta.
We talk about how Paul took a number of chances when creating his rum distillery and how his "failures" help him find success.
In a post-COVID-19 world, Paul saw how hand sanitizer was hard to come by, so made his own product mixing 140 proof alcohol with aloe and transmission gel, used in ultrasounds.
Menta gave away the 3-oz bottles around town to service workers, retailers, mail carriers, and anyone else hard at work in Key West during high season for tourists.
In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Square Grouper creator and owner Lynn Bell.
We talk about how they got started, their expanding location plan, and how they are navigating the restaurant business in a new COVID-19 environment.
In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with owners and mother-daughter powerhouse, Jasmine and Morgan.
We talk about how they got into the business, how they work together in a family business, and how their passion for the environment, spills into everything magical they do!
*A little note that this episode was recorded before COVID hit, but they are still open and living the dream!
In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with owners Matt & Katie Wills of The Spice & Tea Exchange of Key West.
This episode was recorded in December of 2019 and I wanted to wait for them to be back open after the COVID shut down.
We talk about how they took a leap of faith to start a brand new business in Key West, how they work their family dynamic, and how a "little rub goes a long way 😎."
Selfiemost Point
