Worth the Price of Admission

Reliability Over Flash: How Doug Payne Thinks, Trains, and Competes

In this episode of Worth the Price of Admission, I sit down with Olympian and multi‑hyphenate horseman Doug Payne for a candid, fast‑paced tour through his life in the tack and beyond. We trace his roots on a New Jersey farm, the mentors and tricky horses that shaped him, and the engineering mindset he’s carried from RIT to the judge’s box to the biggest arenas in the world. Doug opens up about the pressure of Olympic selection and competing in Tokyo under COVID protocols, the partnership and reliability required of elite event horses, and why he ultimately pivoted from three‑day eventing to show jumping to better serve his family, business, and long‑term goals. We also talk about building a program with his wife, Jessica, in North Carolina, raising two adventurous kids around a barn family, and balancing ambition with perspective. Doug shares stories from Pan Ams to Burghley near‑misses, mentorship from legends like Jimmy Wofford, flying relief missions after Hurricane Helene, and how diversified learning—from polo to piloting—keeps him sharp. It’s a masterclass in resilience, process, and partnership—with plenty of humor and heart. Learn more about Doug Payne: https://pe3s.com [https://pe3s.com] Show resources: * 'U.S. Equestrian (USEF)': https://www.usef.org [https://www.usef.org] * 'United States Pony Clubs (USPC)': https://www.ponyclub.org [https://www.ponyclub.org] * 'Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)': https://www.rit.edu [https://www.rit.edu] * 'Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC)': https://tryon.com [https://tryon.com] * 'Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Equestrian': https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/tokyo-2020 [https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/tokyo-2020] * 'Lima 2019 Pan American Games – Equestrian': https://www.panamsports.org/sports/equestrian/ [https://www.panamsports.org/sports/equestrian/] * 'Practical Horseman': https://practicalhorsemanmag.com [https://practicalhorsemanmag.com] * 'Duke University': https://duke.edu [https://duke.edu] * 'University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)': https://www.unc.edu [https://www.unc.edu] * 'Elon University': https://www.elon.edu [https://www.elon.edu]

Oye, Legacy! Tito Puente Jr. on Family, Clave, and Culture

In this episode, I sit down with bandleader and percussionist Tito Puente Jr. for a heartfelt, high-energy conversation about carrying the torch of his father, the Mambo King, while forging his own path.  From growing up in Spanish Harlem and falling for rock and metal, to learning clave on the road, honoring family, and choosing a more balanced life than the 300‑shows‑a‑year grind, Tito shares candid stories, lessons, and the joy of seeing new generations dance to timeless Afro‑Cuban rhythms.  We talk about the Palladium show in Times Square, the power of community in El Barrio, pivotal influences from Celia Cruz to Iron Maiden, and why education and humility are central to his mission.  Tito opens up about family, discipline, legacy, and his dream of a “metal mambo” project—plus the backstory of Oye Como Va and how one song can change everything. It’s a lively, deeply human look at rhythm, roots, and keeping culture alive. * Tito Puente Jr.: @TitoPuenteJr [https://titopuentejrtour.com/]  * Tito Puente (The Mambo King): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tito_Puente [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tito_Puente] * Palladium Times Square (venue): https://www.palladiumtimessquare.com [https://www.palladiumtimessquare.com] * Palladium Ballroom (historic New York venue): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palladium_Ballroom [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palladium_Ballroom] * Spanish Harlem (El Barrio): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Harlem [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Harlem] * The Bronx: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bronx [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bronx] * The Juilliard School: https://www.juilliard.edu [https://www.juilliard.edu] * New York Yankees: https://www.mlb.com/yankees [https://www.mlb.com/yankees] * Iron Maiden: https://www.ironmaiden.com [https://www.ironmaiden.com] * Mötley Crüe: https://www.motley.com [https://www.motley.com] * Def Leppard: https://www.defleppard.com [https://www.defleppard.com] * Slayer: https://www.slayer.net [https://www.slayer.net] * Carlos Santana: https://www.santana.com [https://www.santana.com] * Oye Como Va (song): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oye_Como_Va [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oye_Como_Va] * Celia Cruz: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celia_Cruz [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celia_Cruz] * Willie Colón: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Col%C3%B3n [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Col%C3%B3n] * Fania All-Stars: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fania_All-Stars [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fania_All-Stars] * Dizzy Gillespie: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dizzy_Gillespie [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dizzy_Gillespie] * Maynard Ferguson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maynard_Ferguson [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maynard_Ferguson] * Lionel Hampton: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Hampton [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Hampton] * Buddy Morrow: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_Morrow [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_Morrow] * Sam Ulano (drummer/teacher): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Ulano [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Ulano] * Five Towns College: https://www.ftc.edu [https://www.ftc.edu] * Concord (label/group): https://concord.com [https://concord.com] * National Museum of American History (Smithsonian): https://americanhistory.si.edu [https://americanhistory.si.edu] * Menudo (band): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menudo_(band) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menudo_(band)] * Eddie Torres (The Mambo King of Dance): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Torres [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Torres] * On Broadway (song): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Broadway [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Broadway] * The Mambo Kings (film): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mambo_Kings [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mambo_Kings] * The Simpsons (TV series): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons] * Sesame Street (TV series): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sesame_Street [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sesame_Street]

Grace, Grit, and Pinstripes: The Elston Howard Story Through Cheryl’s Eyes

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with my longtime friend Cheryl Howard, daughter of New York Yankees legend Elston “Ellie” Howard—the first Black player on the Yankees, 1963 AL MVP, and later the American League’s first Black coach. Cheryl reflects on growing up in the Yankees family section surrounded by icons like Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, and Whitey Ford; the warmth of Old Yankee Stadium; and the deep brotherhood among players who stood together against discrimination.  Cheryl shares intimate memories of her dad’s grace, humility, love of cooking, inventing the on-deck “donut,” and his unfulfilled dream to manage in the majors. We talk about her mother Arlene’s elegance and quiet strength, the family’s joys and losses, and Cheryl’s own vibrant career in theater and music—from national anthems at postseason games to a Josephine Baker one-woman show. We also celebrate Elston’s induction into the New York State Baseball Hall of Fame and the enduring legacy of a trailblazer whose teammates treated him like family. Cheryl opens up about caretaking for her 90-year-old mom, cherished ties with fellow Yankees families (from Yogi and Carmen Berra to Roy White and Bill White), and memories of support from George Steinbrenner. She recalls Ellie’s service in the Korean War, the family’s stolen World Series rings (and the miraculous return of one), and the ghosts of the old Stadium that still inspire. It’s a moving portrait of resilience, love, and legacy—one that reminds us why every story truly is worth the price of admission.

Dr. Michael Baden: A Life in Forensic Pathology

In this episode, I sit down with world-renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden to revisit the winter night in 1989 when he helped my family uncover the truth about my husband, Billy Martin's, fatal accident.  From the injury patterns that indicated Billy was the passenger to the early use of DNA that matched hair in the windshield to the driver, Dr. Baden walks us through the science that brought closure and why careful, independent forensic work matters when stories conflict. We also explore Dr. Baden's life and career. From growing up a Yankees fan and training at NYU-Bellevue, to leading the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner and consulting for the New York State Police, to re-examining the JFK and MLK assassinations, testifying around the world, and writing about reform in forensic practice.  Along the way, he shares lessons from the autopsy room, concerns about junk science and excited delirium, and reflections on science in the COVID era.

Robby Robinson: From Small-Town Illinois to Conducting the London Symphony and 46 Years Behind Frankie Valli

What do Frankie Valli, the London Symphony Orchestra, Don Rickles, and Vanilla Fudge have in common? They have all shared a stage with Robby Robinson. In this episode, recorded in February 2024 at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, I sit down with the legendary Robby Robinson, Frankie Valli's longtime music director, conductor, and keyboardist (affectionately known as the "Fifth Season"). Robby takes us from small-town Litchfield, Illinois, to Los Angeles in the '70s, where a fateful jam session with Alphonse Mouzon jump-started a career that has spanned conducting the London Symphony at Royal Albert Hall, leading orchestras around the world, and sharing stages with icons from Buddy Greco to Don Rickles. What is it really like behind the scenes of Jersey Boys? Why does Robby call the Hammond B-3 the Harley-Davidson of instruments? And how did a pandemic pivot lead to launching his own record label? We talk Dodgers vs. Yankees, the power of melody, and the faith and family that ground him: his mother's early influence, his annual Jam for Jesus concert, and his collaboration with powerhouse vocalist Sara Niemietz on the anthemic track The Will to Win. From Grease to Jersey Boys, from Peppermint Twist with Joey Dee to sitting in with Vanilla Fudge, this is a joyful, behind-the-scenes tour of a life dedicated to music, purpose, and connecting generations. Learn more: * Robby Robinson: https://www.robbyrobinsonmusic.com/ [https://www.robbyrobinsonmusic.com/] * Robby's Records: https://robbysrecords.com/ [https://robbysrecords.com/] * Sara Niemietz: https://www.saraniemietz.com/ [https://www.saraniemietz.com/] * Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons: https://frankievallifourseasons.com/ [https://frankievallifourseasons.com/] * Jam for Jesus: https://www.robbyrobinsonmusic.com/jam-for-jesus.html [https://www.robbyrobinsonmusic.com/jam-for-jesus.html] Watch the full video interview and explore more episodes at https://worththepriceofadmission.com [https://worththepriceofadmission.com]