Finding Fire Island

Latest Episodes:

Behind The Pine Walk Collection & Running The Hotel (w/ Nate Pinsley & Peter Kriss) Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

In this special one-on-one episode, executive producer Jess Rothschild sits down with Fire Island Pines residents Nate Pinsley and Peter Kriss, whose decade-long adventure reads like a Fire Island fever dream.

Topics:

🏨 Running the Hotel ("The Botel")
🎧 Discovering a forgotten treasure trove of original DJ cassette tapes (now known as The Pine Walk Collection)
✨ Sneaking CHER onto FI as a one-night-only houseguest
❄️ Living year-round in the Pines
🌕 Organizing the elusive Meat Rack Full Moon parties

⭐ Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for everything Finding Fire Island!

More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠findingfireisland.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Executive producer & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jess Rothschild⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Co-producer: The Pines Historical Society

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7. A Town Without Pity (feat. John Waters) Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

Season 2, Episode 7: Filmmaker John Waters reflects on Provincetown, Fire Island, and the art of being an outsider. We explore the legacy of Ice Palace DJ Roy Thode, whose death marked the end of an era in Cherry Grove. Plus, Nikki Lafountaine recalls growing up year-round in the Fire Island Pines— original wooden ferries, icy winters and school mornings.

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Featuring: John Waters, Susan Morabito, Robbie Leslie, Jay Jurden, Chris Lovito, Guy Smith, Ron Martin, Judson Morrow, Nikki Lafountaine

More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠findingfireisland.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Executive producer & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jess Rothschild⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Co-producer: The Pines Historical Society

Editing & Sound design: Caitlin Whyte

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6. Broadway on the Beach Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

Season 2, Episode 6: Featuring Broadway director Jerry Mitchell and Billy Porter, we explore how Fire Island transformed the AIDS crisis into action through The Morning Party, GMHC and ACT UP, the Fire Island Dance Festival, and the creation of Broadway Bares. Plus, the story of how Joan Rivers fell in love with Fire Island while performing a benefit for God's Love We Deliver.

⭐ Watch this episode on YouTube!

⭐ Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for everything Finding Fire Island!

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Featuring: Billy Porter, Jerry Mitchell, Bob "Rose" Levine, Jay Jurden, Chris Lovito, Ron Martin, Guy Smith, Rob Levy, Hal Hayes, Jovan Dansberry

More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠findingfireisland.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Executive producer & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jess Rothschild⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Co-producer: The Pines Historical Society

Editing & Sound design: Caitlin Whyte

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5. Pantry Girls & Firefighters Jul 09, 2026

Show notes

Season 2, Episode 5: Behind every summer is a community that keeps Fire Island alive. This episode explores the history of the beloved Pines Pantry through the eyes of its iconic Pantry Girls, alongside the volunteer firefighters of The Pines and Cherry Grove who protect the island from fires, hurricanes, beach erosion, and an uncertain future.

⭐ Watch this episode on YouTube!

⭐ Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for everything Finding Fire Island!

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Featuring: Jay Jurden, Julio Torres, Bob "Rose" Levine, Ben Rimalower, Cody Rigsby, Kyle Merker, Jordan Cohen, Judson Morrow, Virun Rampersad, Laurie & Eric Schrader, Nikki Lafontaine, Lorraine Gengo, Stephen Moss, Kai Davis, Grant Rutter

More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠findingfireisland.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Executive producer & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jess Rothschild⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Co-producer: The Pines Historical Society

Editing & Sound design: Caitlin Whyte

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Robin Byrd: Fire Island & Talk Show Queen | 1-on-1 Jul 01, 2026

Show notes

Bonus Episode! Finding Fire Island exec. producer & narrator Jess Rothschild sits down for an intimate one-on-one conversation with Manhattan cable TV pioneer and longtime Fire Island Pines resident Robin Byrd.

Topics— Discovering Cherry Grove and The Pines in the 1970s, her present day Tea Dances, the lasting impact of The Robin Byrd Show, her friendship with Sandra Bernhard, how her show helped pave the way for Sex and the City, Sarah Jessica Parker as an executive producer of the HBO documentary Bang My Box: The Robin Byrd Story, and more.

⭐ Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for everything ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠findingfireisland.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Featuring: Robin Byrd

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Executive producer & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jess Rothschild⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Co-producer: The Pines Historical Society

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4. DJs and the Dance Floor Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

Season 2, Episode 4: From the Sandpiper to the Pavilion, Fire Island Pines' dance floors became church. Featuring legendary DJs Robbie Leslie, Susan Morabito, and Lina Bradford, we follow the creation of Beach '79, the roots of the Pines Party, and today's "leave no trace" beach parties—where Joey with the Mustache is reviving the island's spontaneous, communal spirit.

⭐ Watch this episode on YouTube!

⭐ Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠⁠⁠ for everything Finding Fire Island!

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Featuring: Billy Porter, Julio Torres, Lina Bradford, Robbie Leslie, Susan Morabito, Chris Lovito, Virun Rampersad, Bob Howard, Ron Martin, Guy Smith, Joey with the Mustache, Cody Rigsby, Grant Rutter and Mike Balaban

More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠findingfireisland.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Executive producer & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Jess Rothschild⁠⁠⁠⁠

Co-producer: The Pines Historical Society

Editing & Sound design: Caitlin Whyte

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3. Sex Before the Internet Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

Season 2, Episode 3: As the post-Stonewall liberation movement transforms gay life, Tea at the Blue Whale becomes a Fire Island institution. Plus, the art of cruising—from the Meat Rack and the hanky code to the Pines Phone Book, personal ads, and 900 lines.

⭐ Watch this episode on YouTube!

⭐ Follow ⁠⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠⁠ for everything Finding Fire Island!

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Featuring: Billy Porter, Lina Bradford, Julio Torres, Robbie Leslie, Kyle Merker, Chris Lovito, Judson Morrow, Ben Rimalower, Grant Rutter, Hal Hayes, Bob Howard, Mike Balaban, Doug Harris

More: ⁠⁠⁠findingfireisland.com⁠⁠⁠

_____

Executive producer & Host: ⁠⁠⁠Jess Rothschild⁠⁠⁠

Co-producer: The Pines Historical Society

Editing & Sound design: Caitlin Whyte

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2. Heated Rivalries Jun 11, 2026

Show notes

Season 2, Episode 2: Original Pines entrepreneurs Peggy Fears and John Whyte set the stage for competition with Cherry Grove. Plus, architect Horace Gifford's porn-lodge aesthetic, Calvin Klein's Fire Island legacy, and Reflections—a glass palace frozen in 1980s desire.

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Featuring: Lorraine Gengo, Bob “Rose” Levine, Christopher Rawlins, Chris Lovito, Ron Martin, Kyle Merker, Virun Rampersad, Bob Howard, Amber Martin

More: ⁠⁠findingfireisland.com⁠⁠

_____

Executive producer & Host: ⁠⁠Jess Rothschild⁠⁠

Co-producer: The Pines Historical Society

Editing & Sound design: Caitlin Whyte

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1. Choose Your Own Adventure Jun 11, 2026

Show notes

Season 2, Episode 1: Through the lens of share-house culture, first arrivals and longtime residents reveal the rituals that shape Fire Island life. Featuring perspectives from Indian and Black residents, plus, The Doll Invasion — the annual trans takeover festival.

⭐ Watch this episode on YouTube!

⭐ Follow ⁠@jessxnyc⁠ for everything Finding Fire Island!

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Featuring: Chris Lovito, Bob Howard, Jay Jurden, Kyle Merker, Hal Hayes, Ben Rimalower, Grant Rutter, Julio Torres, Mike Balaban, Ron Martin, Judson Morrow, Virun Rampersad, Fran Tirado & Cody Rigsby

More: ⁠findingfireisland.com⁠

_____

Executive producer & Host: ⁠Jess Rothschild⁠

Co-producer: The Pines Historical Society

Editing & Sound design: Caitlin Whyte

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finding Fire Island Season 2 premieres June 11! Jun 08, 2026

Show notes

Finding Fire Island returns for Season 2 on June 11, with two episodes premiering on launch day!

This season features interviews with BILLY PORTER, JOHN WATERS, JULIO TORRES, DJ LINA BRADFORD, Broadway Bares creator JERRY MITCHELL, Fire Island icon BOB "ROSE" LEVINE, and dozens of longtime Pines residents whose stories bring Fire Island's hidden history to life.

Through 8 brand new episodes, we uncover the historic rivalry between Cherry Grove and The Pines, trace the evolution of Tea Dance, the art of cruising before apps, explore how DJs shaped NYC and Pines nightlife, and meet the Pantry Girls and queer firefighters who keep the island running.

** Watch all episodes on YouTube **

⭐ findingfireisland.com

⭐ Executive Producer & Host: Jess Rothschild

⭐ Editing & Sound design: Caitlin Whyte

⭐ Co-producer: The Pines Historical Society

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