Behind the Scenes of Seaside: A Conversation with Robert Davis and Dhiru Thadani
Release Date: 03/21/2023
SPECIAL EPISODE: The Artists Behind the 2024-2025 Rosemary Beach Sculpture Exhibition
SOWAL House
In this episode Dave King sits down with three world-class sculptors whose works have been selected for the prestigious 2024-2025 Rosemary Beach Sculpture Exhibition. Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the creative processes of Luke Achterberg, Steve Buduo, and Earl Dismuke as they discuss their unique sculptures, inspirations, and the challenges of creating large-scale outdoor art. Key Highlights: Luke Achterberg talks about his vibrant, eye-catching sculpture Idyll, which features bold orange and blue colors and draws inspiration from automotive culture and graffiti. His piece, soon...
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Sudoku Sam aka Charles Lantz
SOWAL House
In this enlightening podcast episode, Dave welcomes guest Charles Lantz, also known as Sudoku Sam, a world-class sudoku ninja and published author to share his profound journey into the world of Sudoku. Our conversation covers Charles's beginnings with Sudoku during a vacation, his background in zoology and pharmacology, and the development of his unique solving method, 'Modus Fortis.' Listeners will gain insights into the artistic philosophy and logic behind Sudoku, including concepts like the 'pairing principle,' empirical falsification, and logical frameworks such as Modus Ponens. Charles...
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Amavida Coffee's Dan Bailey
SOWAL House
In this episode, we explore the transformative journey and impact of Amavida Coffee, a company that goes beyond serving great coffee to building meaningful communities. Dan Bailey, the founder, shares insights into Amavida's origins, its commitment to fair trade and organic practices, and the socio-economic challenges faced by coffee and cacao farmers globally. Our discussion delves into the history and mission of Amavida, the importance of B Corp certification, and the role of small independent coffee growers. We also highlight the cultural significance of coffee rituals, the transition from...
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Florida Foundation for Correctional Excellence
SOWAL House
In this powerful and deeply moving episode, Dave and co-host Jessica Anderson were joined by two of the most inspirational people we’ve met here in South Walton, Erica Spivey and Noelle Manesco from the Florida Foundation for Correctional Excellence (FFCE). We kicked off the conversation by reflecting on our visit to the Walton County Correctional Facility, where Jess and I attended a book club session with inmates. This visit was a transformative experience for both of us, offering a glimpse into the lives of these men who are working hard to change their paths and positively impact...
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Artist Wes Hinds
SOWAL House
In this electrifying episode, Dave finally got the chance to sit down with the elusive and incredibly talented graffiti artist, Wes Hinds. Wes has been a significant figure in the local art scene, known for his vibrant and thought-provoking graffiti art. Our conversation kicked off with a deep dive into Wes’s artistic journey, beginning with his early influences from his grandmother and mother, both of whom nurtured his creative spirit from a young age. Wes shared his experiences growing up in Memphis, Tennessee, where he first picked up a can of spray paint at the age of 13. His rebellious...
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Artist Bradley Copeland
SOWAL House
In this deeply personal and inspiring episode, Dave had the privilege of sitting down with the incredibly talented painter Bradley Copeland. Our conversation began with a funny reflection on how long it took to finally get her on the podcast, but the wait was undeniably worth it. In this episode, Bradley opens up about her journey as an artist, her struggles with mental health, and the profound impact art has had on her life. Bradley shared her passion for painting, describing how she would love to spend all her time immersed in her craft, surrounded by friends who come to visit her...
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Artist / Gallerist Maxine Orange
SOWAL House
In this engaging episode, Dave had the immense pleasure of sitting down with the talented Maxine Orange, a beloved artist and curator from Fort Walton Beach. Our conversation covered Maxine's inspiring journey from her beginnings in Montgomery, Alabama, to her vibrant presence in the art scene along the Emerald Coast. We delved into the unique challenges and triumphs that shaped her path, including her initial foray into graphic design at the University of Alabama, her transformative experiences in New York and California, and her eventual return to the South. Maxine shared her fascinating...
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Artist / Gallerist Francisco Adaro
SOWAL House
In this episode, Dave had the pleasure of chatting with Brooke and Francisco Adaro, the creative forces behind Adaro Art Gallery, and their gallerist, Nicole Upchurch. We explored their fascinating journey from Buenos Aires to South Walton, their unique artistic style, and their vibrant gallery that brings a touch of whimsy and deep personal storytelling to the local art scene. Brooke, originally from South Walton, shared her story of traveling to Argentina as a young wine expert and discovering Francisco’s artwork. Francisco, an artist known for his whimsical and deeply personal paintings,...
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SPECIAL EPISODE: Nancy Hasty as "Jackie Cochran"
SOWAL House
In this truly unique and extraordinary episode, we welcomed the spirit of the legendary aviator Jackie Cochran, brought to life by award-winning playwright and actress Nancy Hasty. My co-host, Jessica Anderson, and I embarked on an unprecedented journey as we interviewed Nancy in character as Jackie Cochran, offering listeners an intimate glimpse into the life of this remarkable woman. Our conversation began with Jackie sharing her early life in the poverty-stricken panhandle of Florida. She painted a vivid picture of her challenging childhood, filled with hardships that fueled her ambition to...
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Actress / Playwright Nancy Hasty
SOWAL House
In this captivating episode, Dave and co-host Jessica Anderson had the honor of sitting down with the award-winning playwright, producer, and actress Nancy Hasty, and her acclaimed husband, Ray Halsnick. We were thrilled to delve into the incredible journey of Nancy's acclaimed play, "The Flight of Jackie Cochran." Our conversation began with the fascinating origin story of how Nancy was introduced to SOWAL House, thanks to our mutual friend Reynolds Henderson. Reynolds had been researching the remarkable aviator Jackie Cochran for years and felt compelled to share her story. This led to the...
info_outlineThis is a special collaborative episode with the Seaside Institute. Christy Milliken co-hosts this episode featuring Seaside, Florida Founder, Robert Davis and Archictect and Urbanist, Dhiru Thadani. This conversation is available on both the SOWAL House and Seaside Institute podcasts.
We cover some of the origin story of Robert Davis, the Seaside vision, and the evolution of both Rosemary Beach and Alys Beach.
We talk about the community of Seaside, FL and how it was shaped by visionary Robert Davis.
Robert has always been skillful at surrounding himself with people he is inspired by and has a heart for inspiring others. Davis has a history of looking for ways to curate people to make up the community he would like to live in. While the development of Seaside has been covered in depth, most miss that one of Robert's talents is simply seeking out passioniate and talented people like Dave Rauschkolb for Bud & Alley's, Charlie Modica and family for Modica Market, and Bob & Linda White of Sundog Books. While he is prolific in town development, he also understands that the heart of a community are the people who occupy it.
Architect and Urbanist, Dhiru Thadani shares earllier memories of this 80-Acre town with big impact and explains the evolution of New Urbanism. Dhiru is the author of two books that archive many of the muses, ideas, and influences of Seaside. In his book Visions of Seaside, he chronicals the thirty-year history of the evolution and development of Seaside, Florida, its global influence on town planning and the resurgence of place-making in the built environment. In 2021, Thadani's second book titled Reflections on Seaside is the most comprehensive book on the history and development of the nation's first and most influential New Urbanist town that he simply dedicates "to all who strive to lift the human spirit through beauty".