In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Lost Boy creator and leader himself (no not Rufio) Matthew Atkinson.

We learn how Matt made his way to St. John, how he became a shaper of wooden boats and boards, how he made his way to Key West, and how the origin of Lost Boy Creations came about.

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with returning guest, Paul Menta. Paul may be known for his Kiteboarding and his Rum (Key West Legal Rum Distillery), but we sit down to discuss his newest project, Shopmomandpop.com

When COVID-19 hit, Paul saw how hard local businesses got hit, that he created a FREE listing for locally-owned independent businesses and services of Key West & the Florida Keys.

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Scott Gerke, a Key West local that many of you know - or will know real soon.

He created the Key West Full Moon Experience, has an event company, is a local DJ, took a stranger on the most epic Key West adventure - and suffers from anxiety.

Like most of us out there, Scott may have looked like he had everything together from the outside. The great job, great apartment, the girl, the height (he is super tall), and living the island life... until he suffered from his first panic attack.

We go in so many directions during this episode, but most importantly, want people out there that are suffering from some sort of mental health issue - YOU are not alone.

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Smuggler Jim (JD Martin) at his Whiskey tai sting room on 627 Eton Street.

We talk about the family history behind the Smuggler and well... everything Whiskey :)

On this episode of the podcast, Mark Baratto sits down with chef and food truck owner of The Jerk Caribbean food, Deon.

We talked about how Deon got into the cooking game, how his culinary education mixed with family recipes, created some of the best Caribbean food on island. I should know... I had to get some after the interview!

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Shots and Giggles owners Steve Kibbe and Hannia Rivera. We talk about how they got into the bar business and why they decided to open this local favorite.

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Singer, songwriter, and all-around cool guy, Arlis Albritton.

We talked about his journey and how he got started in music (hint, it was the mailroom), navigating the Nashville writing scene, and how he is expanding his talent into the festival arena, with the St. Augustine Songwriters Festival:  http://staugustinesongwritersfestival.com

In this episode of the Podcast, Mark Baratto sits down with artists Helen and Ben Harrison to talk about their gallery on White Street, but in a surprise turn of events, ended up talking about their life at sea. I think the below quote sums it up - enjoy!

"In the 1970s my husband, Ben, and I spent four years building a thirty-eight foot sailboat in Costa Rica, a massive project for two gringos in a foreign country. Starting with a bare hull, we designed and constructed this giant sculptural object of functional art using self-taught traditional wood techniques that set the stage for my present work. While traveling and living aboard, which we did for 11 years, I began my transition from boatwork to sculpture."

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Head Mermaid, Kristi Ann to talk about how she got the idea for the festival, and how she applied her savvy retail skills into her creation.

Save the date: July 1st - 5th 2021

In this guest episode, Alia Moore interviews Mark Baratto on the Blame it on Buffett Podcast.

This is an exclusive "role reversal" where Alia has me on as a guest on her podcast. If you ever wanted to know who the guy was behind the Backyards of Key West podcast, this is your chance!

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with the artists and creators of Sacred Space: Lucy Hawk, Barbara Sage, Emily Shipman and Cristina Velardi.

We talk about how this group of powerhouse ladies found each other, how they support each other, and how Sacred Space was formed.

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Carol Hill, the owner of the Yankee Freedom III Ferry to the Dry Tortugas.

This episode was recorded at the beginning of 2020 and Carol has a little cold, but don't worry, it wasn't COVID-19 :)

We talk about how Carol got into the business, all the hoops she needed to jump through to be the exclusive free to the Dry Tortugas, and how having a positive attitude always wins out.

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Tom Carbone, the owner of Carbone's Custom Firearms.

We discuss how Tom got into the business and his passion for bringing firearm safety and understanding to the Florida Keys.

Whether you are a gun lover or not, this is a great episode to get the understand from someone who has been in the business for decades.

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Key West City Manager Greg Veliz (before the Covid-19 pandemic).

We talked about Greg's journey from Conch to elected official, and all the bumps in-between.

I love and admire Greg's tenacity and hope this episode teaches you that anything can happen with the right attitude.

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.