Behind the Club One Curtain Call: Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future

FAN FAVORITE EPISODE: Storyteller and Prolific Writer Maxie McCoy

In this delightful episode of the Made of Savannah podcast, host Dee Daniels sits down with Maxie McCoy [https://www.maxiemccoy.co/about], an acclaimed writer and ghostwriter, to discuss her journey to Savannah, the inspirations behind her writing, and her most recent novel, 'Daisy.' Maxie shares her experiences of moving from San Francisco, discovering the warm and welcoming culture of Savannah, and how an article led her to uncover the fascinating life of Juliette Gordon Lowe. They discuss the depth of Juliette's challenges, the community she built, and how these elements inspired Maxie's writing. The conversation also delves deep into the emotional and arduous process of writing fiction, facing rejection from major publishing houses, and how Maxie found resilience and purpose by following her passion. She reflects on her love for Savannah's vibrant creative community and her dedication to helping other writers bring their stories to life through ghostwriting. The episode is filled with heartwarming anecdotes, creative insights, the importance of storytelling, and an inside look at Maxie's collaborative efforts in the literary world. This discussion is a blend of inspiration, humor, and practical advice for aspiring writers. Learn more about the voices and topics in this episode:  Meet Maxie [https://www.maxiemccoy.co/] Check out Maxie's BOOKS [https://www.maxiemccoy.co/books] Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media [https://www.deedanielsmedia.com/] The Made of Savannah podcast is a creative production of Corcoran Austin Hill Realty! [https://www.corcoran.com/corcoran-austin-hill-realty/21]

Savannah’s Secret to a Happy Heart: Front Porch Improv Co-Founder Bri Halverson

Host Dee Daniels records onstage at Front Porch Improv [https://www.frontporchimprov.com/] with co-founder, improviser, and instructor Bri Halverson [https://www.frontporchimprov.com/brianne-halverson-1], who reflects on building a permanent home after years of being nomadic and emphasizes gratitude for audiences and a “fountain” energy approach.   Bri outlines Front Porch’s offerings: weekly shows every Friday and Saturday, workshops and applied improv for organizations, adult and kids classes, camps, private shows, stand-up, and a free local show, plus the Savannah For Morons interactive trolley tour [https://www.trolleytours.com/savannah/morons-comedy-tour-tickets]. She details ACTS, Front Porch’s nonprofit arm [https://www.frontporchimprov.com/acts] partnered with Brightside Casa, delivering trauma-informed, evidence-based improv tools for under-resourced youth through an eight-week program focused on social-emotional regulation and role-play scenarios, funded partly by a City of Savannah grant and fundraising.   Bri also shares improv fundamentals, handling off-the-wall suggestions, scholarship efforts, casting and auditions, and a new Second Circle Club for neurodivergent men seeking social-skills practice and funding.   THANK YOU TO OUR SEASON 6 SPONSOR: ETHAN ALLEN SAVANNAH [https://www.ethanallen.com/en_US/store-details?StoreID=554]   LEARN MORE WITH THESE LINKS: CHECK OUT FRONT PORCH IMPROV [https://www.frontporchimprov.com/] FRONT PORCH IMPROV: SHOW INFORMATION [https://www.frontporchimprov.com/show-information] FRONT PORCH IMPROV: CLASSES [https://www.crowdwork.com/v/frontporchimprov/classes] SAVANNAH FOR MORONS TOUR INFO [https://www.trolleytours.com/savannah/morons-comedy-tour-tickets] LEARN MORE ABOUT FRONT PORCH IMPROV A.C.T.S. [https://www.frontporchimprov.com/acts] PROUDLY PRODUCED BY DEE DANIELS MEDIA [https://www.deedanielsmedia.com/]   HUGE THANKS to our PARTNER this season - Ethan Allen Savannah. [https://www.ethanallen.com/en_US/store-details?StoreID=554] Shop Ethan Allen's furniture store today in Savannah, GA, at 5525 Abercorn St., just 10 minutes from Savannah’s historic downtown. We offer a broad range of furniture and accessories, including quality living room furniture, dining room furniture, bedroom furniture and home décor. Create the look you'll love from classic to contemporary with free interior design help from our design pros. Call us at 912.629.9940. [https://www.ethanallen.com/en_US/store-details?StoreID=554]   The Made of Savannah podcast is a creative production of Corcoran Austin Hill Realty! [https://www.corcoran.com/corcoran-austin-hill-realty/21]   FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Welcome to Savannah 00:19 Meet Bri Halverson 01:14 Finding a Home Stage 03:03 Fountain Energy Culture 05:11 Everything Front Porch Offers 07:14 Savannah For Morons Tour 09:25 Sponsor Ethan Allen 13:08 ACTS Program Deep Dive 18:18 Comedy Calendar Expansion 20:48 Improv Styles and Training 22:55 How Improv Really Works 26:36 Handling Wild Suggestions 30:30 Punching Up in Comedy 31:26 Pop Culture and Diversity 33:28 Casting and Show Formats 36:15 Improv as Team Sport 40:05 Getting Started and Regulation 44:29 Second Circle Club Pitch 47:36 Space for Arts and Community 52:05 Viewpoints and Mullet Show 55:01 Wrap Up and Sponsor Outro

My Bartender, My Friend: Cocktails & Savannah Culture with Ashley Simeone

Welcome to the Made of Savannah podcast with host Dee Daniels [https://www.deedanielsmedia.com/] as she sits down with bartender, beverage manager, and dear friend Ashley Simeone [https://www.luciapastabar.com/team-member/ashley-simeone/] to chat about her journey to and around Savannah.   Ashley talks about how she found fulfillment in restaurants and the city’s hospitality community. The two dive into Savannah’s creative, community-driven bar and restaurant culture, and discuss Ashley's time at Atlantic and Savoy Society.   She describes how The Grey helped transform Savannah into a food destination and how her Italian heritage influences her love of amari and aperitivos. Ashley shares her path to becoming beverage manager at Lucia Pasta Bar, highlights favorite dishes, and recommends local spots and neighborhoods, especially Starland’s rapid growth. She also explains Savannah's first Tool Library - the $5 membership tool-rental resource focused on sustainability and access.   THANK YOU TO OUR SEASON 6 SPONSOR: ETHAN ALLEN SAVANNAH [https://www.ethanallen.com/en_US/store-details?StoreID=554]   LEARN MORE WITH THESE LINKS: Meet Ashley Simeone [https://www.luciapastabar.com/team-member/ashley-simeone/] Check out the Savannah Tool Library at Film Biz Recycling [https://www.filmbizrecycling.org/tool-library] PROUDLY PRODUCED BY DEE DANIELS MEDIA [https://www.deedanielsmedia.com/]   HUGE THANKS to our PARTNER this season - Ethan Allen Savannah. [https://www.ethanallen.com/en_US/store-details?StoreID=554] Shop Ethan Allen's furniture store today in Savannah, GA, at 5525 Abercorn St., just 10 minutes from Savannah’s historic downtown. We offer a broad range of furniture and accessories, including quality living room furniture, dining room furniture, bedroom furniture and home décor. Create the look you'll love from classic to contemporary with free interior design help from our design pros. Call us at 912.629.9940. [https://www.ethanallen.com/en_US/store-details?StoreID=554]   The Made of Savannah podcast is a creative production of Corcoran Austin Hill Realty! [https://www.corcoran.com/corcoran-austin-hill-realty/21]   FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Podcast Welcome 01:38 How Ashley Got Here 03:11 Macon Versus Savannah 03:59 Savoy Bar Days 06:46 Savannah Food Boom 08:02 Italian Roots In Drinks 09:30 Running Lucia Bar 13:56 Favorite Menu Picks 15:50 Seafood Nostalgia 18:12 Tybee Oysters Talk 19:24 Tool Library Project 20:57 Membership And Rentals 21:26 Sustainability Mission 22:18 Tools That Build Confidence 22:40 Growing The Community 24:33 Space Saving For Students 25:03 Hawthorne And Local Popups 25:32 Favorite Savannah Bars 27:21 Starland District Boom 29:40 Events And New Openings 32:15 Savannah Love And Gratitude 32:38 Favorite Drinks To Make 34:00 Bartender Matchmaker 34:46 Closing Cheers

Inside the Court: Savannah Steel Players Que Morrison and Kharyssa Richardson on the Journey and Debut

On the Made of Savannah podcast, host Dee Daniels [https://www.deedanielsmedia.com/] records May 1 near Enmarket Arena during Savannah Steel [https://steelupshot.com/] practice and interviews players Que Morrison (Riverdale/McEachern HS, UGA alum) and Kharyssa Richardson (Douglasville; SEC stops at Auburn, Ole Miss, and Mississippi State).   They discuss joining the new women’s pro team - THE SAVANNAH STEEL, the May 22 first home game at Enmarket Arena, and how the team is building an identity around fast pace, strong two-way play, and defensive adjustments.   Morrison reflects on competitiveness, overseas play, injuries, and being pushed to expand her three-point game; Richardson shares how gymnastics influenced her footwork and how her career blossomed at Mississippi State. Both emphasize Coach Brown’s energy and care, excitement to play professionally in Georgia with family present, and hopes to inspire kids and fans.   THANK YOU TO OUR SEASON 6 SPONSOR: ETHAN ALLEN SAVANNAH [https://www.ethanallen.com/en_US/store-details?StoreID=554]   LEARN MORE WITH THESE LINKS: Meet your team, Savannah - SAVANNAH STEEL [https://steelupshot.com/] Savannah Steel Team Roster [https://upshotleague.com/teams/savannah-steel/] PROUDLY PRODUCED BY DEE DANIELS MEDIA [https://www.deedanielsmedia.com/]   HUGE THANKS to our PARTNER this season - Ethan Allen Savannah. [https://www.ethanallen.com/en_US/store-details?StoreID=554] Shop Ethan Allen's furniture store today in Savannah, GA, at 5525 Abercorn St., just 10 minutes from Savannah’s historic downtown. We offer a broad range of furniture and accessories, including quality living room furniture, dining room furniture, bedroom furniture and home décor. Create the look you'll love from classic to contemporary with free interior design help from our design pros. Call us at 912.629.9940. [https://www.ethanallen.com/en_US/store-details?StoreID=554]   The Made of Savannah podcast is a creative production of Corcoran Austin Hill Realty! [https://www.corcoran.com/corcoran-austin-hill-realty/21]   FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Welcome to Savannah 00:31 Steel Practice Setup 01:14 Meet the Players 02:57 Q Morrison Origins 04:29 Competitive Mindset 05:08 Overseas Basketball Life 06:05 Kharyssa Starts Hooping 07:53 Gymnastics to Basketball 08:26 SEC Transfer Journey 09:41 Coaches Who Shaped Them 12:55 Coach Brown Connection 14:30 Ethan Allen Sponsor Break 17:26 Beyonce Sing Off 19:29 Team Identity Blueprint 20:46 Fans Vibes And Warmups 21:28 Practice Competition Talk 22:09 What Steel Means 23:22 Growing Womens Hoops 24:27 Message To Young Players 26:19 Fan Catchphrases 27:02 Closing And Outro 27:45 Podcast And Realty Ad

Finding Place & Artistic Legacy: Parker Stewart's Savannah Exhibition Alongside Jack Leigh

Host Dee Daniels sits down at Savannah’s Ethan Allen showroom with photographer and printer Parker Stewart, [https://www.parkerstewartphotography.com/] a North Carolina native based in Savannah, ahead of the May 7 opening reception for “Jack Leigh and Parker Stewart: In Place” at Laney Contemporary (May 1–Aug 1). [https://www.laneycontemporary.com/exhibitions/jackleighparkerstewart]   Stewart discusses Jack Leigh’s Savannah legacy, including the commissioned “Bird Girl” cover for Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and explains how Leigh’s long-term documentation of the Lowcountry influences his own “photographing place” approach. Stewart shares his path from SCAD to running a Savannah printing studio, printing for major exhibitions and the Jack Leigh Estate since 2018, including the detailed proofing and matching process from film negatives.   They preview the two-floor, interwoven curation, highlight serendipitous paired images, and Stewart offers advice to keep making work and engage Savannah’s creative community.   THANK YOU TO OUR SEASON 6 SPONSOR: ETHAN ALLEN SAVANNAH [https://www.ethanallen.com/en_US/store-details?StoreID=554]   LEARN MORE WITH THESE LINKS: Jack Leigh & Parker Stewart: In Place [https://www.laneycontemporary.com/exhibitions/jackleighparkerstewart] PROUDLY PRODUCED BY DEE DANIELS MEDIA [https://www.deedanielsmedia.com/]   HUGE THANKS to our PARTNER this season - Ethan Allen Savannah. [https://www.ethanallen.com/en_US/store-details?StoreID=554] Shop Ethan Allen's furniture store today in Savannah, GA, at 5525 Abercorn St., just 10 minutes from Savannah’s historic downtown. We offer a broad range of furniture and accessories, including quality living room furniture, dining room furniture, bedroom furniture and home décor. Create the look you'll love from classic to contemporary with free interior design help from our design pros. Call us at 912.629.9940. [https://www.ethanallen.com/en_US/store-details?StoreID=554]   The Made of Savannah podcast is a creative production of Corcoran Austin Hill Realty! [https://www.corcoran.com/corcoran-austin-hill-realty/21]   FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:39 Exhibition Announcement 01:49 Jack Leigh Legacy 03:23 Bird Girl Backstory 04:43 Photographing Place 06:04 North Carolina Roots 07:37 SCAD and Savannah 10:22 Slow Looking Process 11:42 Printing Studio Origins 14:56 Curating and Printing Workflow 17:49 Film vs Digital Craft 22:34 Inside the In Place Show 26:11 Serendipity and Shrimp Docks 29:14 Meditative Coastal Landscapes 33:41 Advice for Photographers 36:13 Favorite Pelicans Photo 38:43 Show Details and Wrap Up