Sometimes a Simple Act of Kindness Is the Miracle Someone Needs to Move Forward
The Debbie Nigro Show
On this week’s Keeping the “Live” in Alive segment of The Debbie Nigro Show, I was joined by my longtime gal pal (though we’ve never actually met in person!) Linda Arroz, who’s on an inspiring new mission in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Linda is helping raise funds for a short social impact film called Awakening Georgie — a powerful narrative about the hidden struggles of traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors and the miracles that can come from compassion. “Thirty percent of injury-related deaths in the U.S. are caused by a traumatic brain injury. That’s a lot. We need to...
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Ozempic Teeth? My Dentist Weighs In On This Surprising Side Effect
The Debbie Nigro Show
On The Debbie Nigro Show, I like to dig into stories that make you go, “Wait, what?!” This week’s head-turner: “Ozempic Teeth.” Yep, that’s the headline making waves, and I knew I had to call in my go-to expert, Dr. John Castanaro of Castanaro Dental in Yonkers, NY, to help get to ‘the tooth of the matter’. What Are “Ozempic Teeth”? GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have taken the world by storm for their weight-loss benefits. But dentists are warning about side effects showing up in the mouth. According to Dr. Castanaro: “It’s not the drug...
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Montaukila Tequila —a Textbook Case of Entrepreneurial Grit!
The Debbie Nigro Show
On The Debbie Nigro Show, I had the pleasure of spotlighting Simon Cascante, founder of Montaukila Tequila. Boy oh boy his story sure is a shining example of one of my favorite sayings - “Risk It! or Regret It!" Simon skipped college, started bussing tables at the Lobster Roll in East Hampton, and took the long road to launching his own spirit’s brand. No investors. No celebrity endorsements. Just grit, Google, and a dream. That persistence led him to cold-call nearly a dozen distilleries in Mexico until one finally said yes—thanks to a VP who had once vacationed in...
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Riptide Wisdom from the “James Bond of Lifeguards”
The Debbie Nigro Show
Happy summer, friends! You know I love the beach, but nothing freaks me out more than riptides. With Hurricane Erin stirring up the East Coast, I called in my go-to water safety guy — Wyatt Werneth, spokesperson for the American Lifeguard Association. I call him the James Bond of lifeguards … because, well, he is. Wyatt literally jumped off the beach in Cocoa Beach, Florida to join me on the show. His first tip? “Everywhere there’s a dip, there’s a rip.” Translation: If the water keeps rushing in and your blanket, toys, and beach bag get soaked while...
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Never Underestimate the Lasting Power of “Good Energy”
The Debbie Nigro Show
Good energy is like a secret superpower. You can’t see it—but you feel it. It uplifts, comforts, and lingers long after the moment has passed. I’ve been told I carry that kind of energy—and if you do too, you know it’s not something you turn on, it’s just who you are. But here’s the best part: when two people with good energy meet along life’s path, something special happens. It’s like the universe nods and says… 'Yep, this connection matters.' That’s the vibe of today’s post and podcast. I’d like you to meet Marcus John. He is ‘good energy’. He and I go...
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Inside America’s First 'In-Hotel' Luxury Movie Theater at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich
The Debbie Nigro Show
Luxury, Innovation, and Popcorn? Yes, Please. On this Trending Tuesday episode of The Debbie Nigro Show, I’m spilling the popcorn on a jaw-dropping new addition to one of my longtime favorite iconic hotels, the Hyatt Regency in Greenwich, Connecticut. Shawn Nayyar, the hotel’s new General Manager, joined me in studio to talk about the Townsend Cinema, a first-of-its-kind 40-seat luxury movie theater built right inside the hotel—a concept developed by Monoplex and Trinity Investments, now brought to life at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich. "We’re the first in the country to have...
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Rock Your Dreams: Inside David Fishof’s Legendary Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp
The Debbie Nigro Show
Ever dreamed of jamming with rock legends like Ringo Starr, Gene Simmons, or Alice Cooper? David Fishof — legendary music producer, sports agent, and founder of Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp has been making those dreams come true for 25 years and counting. On this episode of The Debbie Nigro Show, it was an absolute blast welcoming David to share his wild ride from managing NFL stars to organizing epic jam sessions for everyday rockers. (And yes, he created Ringo’s All-Starr Band!) “It’s my fantasy to change people’s lives through the power of music,” David said. And wow, he...
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Creating the Future of Live Theater—Together: Inside the iStage Movement
The Debbie Nigro Show
Live Theater Is Having a Wonderful Resurgence - Wait Till You Hear About Its Next Act! On a recent episode of The Debbie Nigro Show, I caught up with longtime pal, producer and innovator Paul Lambert about an exciting new chapter in entertainment: iStage. What makes iStage so unique? It’s the first community-first approach to building musicals—blending digital engagement with the magic of live performance. Instead of starting with a script and hoping people show up, iStage builds a community around a topic first, then creates a...
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“The Future of Entrepreneurship Is Female, 50+, and AI-Powered”
The Debbie Nigro Show
Kathy McShane is Empowering Women Entrepreneurs 50+ to Embrace the Future On a recent episode of The Debbie Nigro Show, I was thrilled to welcome back longtime friend and unstoppable force in women’s entrepreneurship, Kathy McShane. Kathy is the founder of Ladies Launch with AI, a three-time business founder, and the former head of the U.S. SBA Office of Women’s Business Ownership. These days, she’s on a mission to help women—especially over 50—leverage AI to start and scale businesses faster, smarter, and with more confidence. “AI doesn’t have emotions,” Kathy...
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Ever heard of Shareapy? It's like therapy but with people going through the same thing
The Debbie Nigro Show
As heard on The Debbie Nigro Show Sometimes it really helps to just talk to other caring people about whatever you’re going through. Now there’s a place where you can. I had a talk with Scott Kelsey, the incredibly resilient Founder & CEO of Shareapy—about his groundbreaking wellness platform born from personal tragedy and built to foster connection, healing, and personal growth. After a life-altering fall down a staircase left him with a traumatic brain injury, Scott found himself forced to hit pause—and reflect. "I had to isolate, be in a dark room, and let my brain...
info_outlineLooking 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 warm spices.
Shake it up in a cocktail shaker, serve it chilled, and garnish with nutmeg or a cinnamon stick for the perfect holiday toast. Whether you sip it in a martini glass or over ice, it’s a little taste of the tropics with a festive twist.
This recipe is easy-peasy, even for the directionally challenged (yes, I’ve been known to rescue instructions from the trash one too many times). So grab a shaker, channel your inner Tom Cruise, and toast to the holiday season!
Here’s Nick Mautone’s Holiday Coquito Recipe!
Holiday Coquito By Nick Mautone
Coquito is an eggnog-like alcoholic beverage, but without eggs! A traditional Puerto Rican holiday drink it is creamy, decadent and filled with sweet spices like cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, allspice and ginger. The key ingredients are coconut milk or cream of coconut and condensed milk. Many home recipes include evaporated milk, I skip that in favor of more coconut milk and its exotic flavor. If you want to go completely dairy free (I often do!) there is sweetened condensed coconut milk available online and in specialty markets, or use coconut cream instead of condensed milk – just be sure to mix it well.
2 oz coconut milk
1 ½ oz Dark rum
1 oz sweetened condensed milk
Generous Dash of apple or pumpkin pie spice or your favorite blend of sweet spices like cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, allspice and ginger
Garnish: Grated Nutmeg and/or Cinnamon Sticks and/or Coconut
Glassware: Shot Glass, Martini up or Rocks glass over ice
Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously, strain into preferred glass or rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish
Pro tip 1
Adding a dash of another brown spirit such as bourbon, brandy or a sweet sherry will add a real depth of flavor and complexity.
Pro tip 2
Multiply this recipe by 10 or more and stash in the fridge. It will last a week or so, ready for all your holiday entertainment.
Pro tip 3
Add a tablespoon of pumpkin purée to the recipe for a very decadent pumpkin pie “nog”
Pro tip 4
Add a tablespoon of apple butter to the recipe for a very decadent apple pie “nog”
Pro tip 5
Add a ½ ounce of peppermint schnapps or white crème de menthe to the original recipe for a very decadent peppermint bark like version.
Enjoy this podcast of my warm conversation with childhood neighbor and cocktail star Nick Mautone live on The Debbie Nigro Show.