Step Right Up! A Story of Circus Legends, Resilience, and Six Minutes of Perfection
Release Date: 11/30/2024
The Debbie Nigro Show
Ever see something so fun and fabulous that you just need to know more? That’s exactly what happened when I spotted a bright red Moke pulling up at a swanky beach club in Delray Beach, Florida. Part golf cart, part beach cruiser, and 100% head-turner. Naturally, I did what any curious gal would do—I took a picture, went down a rabbit hole of info, and landed right at Moke America. Turns out, the Moke isn’t new—it’s iconic! Originally a British military vehicle (yes, parachuted out of airplanes), it’s now an all-electric, open-air, customizable dream ride....
info_outline 'Coquito' Magic from the $10M Cocktail Creator!The Debbie Nigro Show
Looking for the perfect holiday drink? Meet Coquito, Puerto Rico’s creamy, coconut-infused answer to eggnog—and the recipe comes straight from Nick Mautone, the mixology mastermind behind the $10 million Honey Deuce cocktail at the U.S. Open. When asked what makes the Coquito so special, Nick said, “You almost can’t screw it up. It’s rich, indulgent, and full of those sweet holiday spices that make everything feel festive.” Nick’s take on Coquito skips the evaporated milk for more coconut richness, blending coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, dark rum, and a dash of...
info_outline Behind the Magic of Drone Light Shows: With Pixis Drones’ Pres. Bernard OzarowskiThe Debbie Nigro Show
Have you ever looked up at the night sky and seen a dazzling display of synchronized drones creating art in mid-air? I stumbled upon this awe-inspiring technology while walking in my neighborhood park. What I thought was going to be an epic video of hovering drones ton my iPhone turned out to be a great shot… of my foot. But that didn’t stop me from diving into the world of drone light shows, thanks to my recent guest, Bernard Ozarowski, President of Pixis Drones. Bernard’s journey into the drone world is as fascinating as the shows themselves. “I was a white-collar criminal defense...
info_outline Step Right Up! A Story of Circus Legends, Resilience, and Six Minutes of PerfectionThe Debbie Nigro Show
Ever find yourself enchanted by the sparkle of a circus? Not just the outfits (which I’ve always admired)—but the incredible dedication behind the scenes? Well, today’s podcast is a must-listen as I delve into the fascinating world of the Circus Ring of Fame in Sarasota, Florida, with my brilliant guest, Bill Powell. Funny story: this whole conversation started because I stumbled upon an old photo of myself doing one of my first celebrity interviews—with a monkey from the Royal Hanneford Circus! (Yes, a monkey. It was as hilarious as you can imagine.) That quirky blast from the past...
info_outline Amazon E-Commerce Secrets with Neil Twa: How to Make Passive Income OnlineThe Debbie Nigro Show
Ever dreamed of making passive income online while you sleep? Might be time to turn that dream into reality! Recently on The Debbie Nigro Show, I had the pleasure of chatting with Neil Twa, a leading expert in Amazon e-commerce and the brains behind countless online business success stories. With over 45,000+ people soaking up his wisdom, Neil knows exactly how to help entrepreneurs navigate the fast-paced world of e-commerce. We talked about how to succeed on Amazon, including insider strategies and how the platform is evolving to compete with TikTok Shop, Shein, and Temu. If...
info_outline Unlike 'Billions' Brian Rathjen's Veteran Run Wall Street Firm 'Gives' vs 'Takes'The Debbie Nigro Show
Celebrating True Heroes: Brian Rathjen & Roberts and Ryan's Mission to Serve Veterans In honor of Veterans Day, I turned the spotlight on someone who embodies selfless service: Brian Rathjen of Roberts and Ryan, America’s first service-disabled veteran-owned broker-dealer. If there was a show about this Wall Street firm, it would be the opposite of the show “Billions”—highlighting generosity and patriotism instead of greed. Brian, a proud Navy veteran and the non-executive chairman of Roberts and Ryan, has made it his mission to give back. His firm has grown...
info_outline Meet Destiny Bella Kinsey: The 10-Year-Old Filmmaker Making Waves Against Bullying!The Debbie Nigro Show
Recently on The Debbie Nigro Show, we had a very special young guest: the fabulous Destiny Bella Kinsey, a talented 10-year-old from Yonkers, NY who is making a powerful impact with her anti-bullying video, “Rise and Stop Bullies”. Destiny may be one of the youngest stars we’ve ever featured, but her story and vision are as impactful as they come! Bullied herself in elementary school, Destiny took a difficult experience and turned it into a message of strength and hope for others. While no one was there to help her at first, once she was able to admit to her Mom what was troubling...
info_outline What To Do When Your 'Birds of a Feather' Crew Have Different Political ViewsThe Debbie Nigro Show
It’s Election Day, and wow, are emotions running high! If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably noticed that even the closest "birds of a feather" don’t always see eye-to-eye when it comes to politics. Today on The Debbie Nigro Show, I shared some thoughts on how to keep the peace with friends and family who might be voting differently. From tips on having respectful conversations to a reminder that it’s our differences that make life interesting, I talked about ways to stay connected—even if you’re not all on the same political page. As I always say, “nothing new for...
info_outline Is TGI Fridays Running Out of Fridays? The Scoop on Their Surprising Chapter 11 FilingThe Debbie Nigro Show
With its roots as one of the first singles bars in Manhattan, TGI Fridays was the place to be back in the day, known for training Tom Cruise for his bartending role in Cocktail and introducing the world to Happy Hour! Now TGI Fridays, the once-vibrant go to restaurant chain has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. I did notice that a few of my local TGI Fridays had gone missing and knew something was up, but not all of them. Sure hard to miss that iconic logo in a drive by. And sure hard to forget how much good commotion went on at those happy hours back in the day. If you don't know the whole...
info_outline Help! I’m Drowning in Photos: How Visual Story Media Rescues Your Memories (and Sanity)The Debbie Nigro Show
Is your life cluttered with mountains of family photos, both digital and physical, that you've been meaning to organize but can’t find the time or know where to start? Meet Kimberly Melton, founder of Visual Story Media and a rising star in the world of photo organizing. Recently featured on The Debbie Nigro Show, Kimberly shared her passion for helping people bring order to their chaotic photo collections. Who Is Kimberly Melton? Kimberly, based in Charlotte, NC, has a background in marketing and project management. In 2020, she discovered the art of photo management and...
info_outlineEver find yourself enchanted by the sparkle of a circus? Not just the outfits (which I’ve always admired)—but the incredible dedication behind the scenes? Well, today’s podcast is a must-listen as I delve into the fascinating world of the Circus Ring of Fame in Sarasota, Florida, with my brilliant guest, Bill Powell.
Funny story: this whole conversation started because I stumbled upon an old photo of myself doing one of my first celebrity interviews—with a monkey from the Royal Hanneford Circus! (Yes, a monkey. It was as hilarious as you can imagine.) That quirky blast from the past sent me spiraling down an acrobatic rabbit hole of circus research, and, wow, did I uncover some incredible stuff!
Bill, who’s the Chairman and CEO of the Circus Ring of Fame Foundation and a circus industry veteran, joined me to share insights into Sarasota’s vibrant circus history and the resilience of this amazing community. Sarasota, as it turns out, isn’t just another sunny Florida spot—it’s the Circus Capital of America, a place where legends have performed and lived since the Ringling Brothers made it their winter home.
Bill’s expertise runs deep. Before leading the Circus Ring of Fame Foundation, he built an impressive career at Feld Entertainment, the company behind iconic productions like Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice, and Monster Jam. His background gave him a unique understanding of the art, business, and enduring legacy of the circus world.
But not everything has been bright lights and applause. The Circus Ring of Fame was recently devastated by hurricanes that tore through the area, leaving their iconic home in St. Armand’s Circle Park in need of major repairs. The damage was so extensive that the much-anticipated 2025 Circus Ring of Fame Global Awards Show has sadly been postponed to 2026. Bill shared how this setback has fueled the community’s determination to rebuild. As he put it, “This isn’t our first rodeo hurricane.”
Despite the challenges, the Circus Ring of Fame under Bill’s leadership is finding innovative ways to keep its magic alive. They’ve incorporated QR codes into their legendary plaques, so visitors can scan and dive into the incredible stories, photos, and videos of circus legends who’ve shaped the art form.
Bill also gave me an insider's view of what makes circus performers so special. He described the circus world as a place where people dedicate their entire lives to creating “six minutes of perfection.” Think about that! From trapeze acts to being shot out of cannons, these performers are the ultimate pros, bringing joy to audiences through unmatched artistry and effort.
If you’re ever in Sarasota, visiting the Circus Ring of Fame should be on your list—especially once the community’s hard work restores it to its former glory. In the meantime, you can support their mission and learn more about these incredible artists.
Listen to the full episode of The Debbie Nigro Show and get inspired by the magic of circus legends.