Rephonic
Artwork for Finding Fire Island
Fire Island
Cherry Grove
Fire Island Pines
The Pines
Pines Pantry
Tea Dance
Broadway Bares
New York City
Share Houses
Gay Community
Miami, United States
HIV/AIDS

“Finding Fire Island” is a docu series which brings to life how Cherry Grove and The Fire Island Pines became a modern day queer mecca for artists and the New York City theater community. Go behind the curtain of the mystique, legends and lore of Fire Island with folks who experienced their evolution from the 1950s to today. Starring: Joel Kim Booster, Margaret Cho, Matt Rogers, Billy Porter, Jul... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes18Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Finding Fire Island

Latest Episodes

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 Broad... more

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 Che... more

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 T... more

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 t... more

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Recent Guests

Jerry Mitchell
Director/Choreographer involved in Broadway Bares and Pine's productions
Broadway Bares / Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS
Episode: 6. Broadway on the Beach
Laurie Schrader
Former Pantry owner, longtime Pines resident
The Pines Pantry
Episode: 5. Pantry Girls & Firefighters
Nikki Lafontaine
Original Pantry Girl, early employee and owner
Pines Pantry
Episode: 5. Pantry Girls & Firefighters
Jordan Cohen
Pines Fire Chief
Pines Fire Department
Episode: 5. Pantry Girls & Firefighters
Myron Tucker
Broadway producer, co-founder of Pines Pantry
The Pines Pantry
Episode: 5. Pantry Girls & Firefighters
Chris Lovito
DJ and nightlife figure on Fire Island
The Pines Blue Whale
Episode: 3. Sex Before the Internet
Kyle Merker
Pines firefighter, guest on episode recalling Tea
The Pines, Fire Island
Episode: 3. Sex Before the Internet
Robbie Leslie
DJ who started on Fire Island, later Studio 54
Nightlife/Disco
Episode: 3. Sex Before the Internet
Billy Porter
Emmy and Tony winner, guest sharing experiences
Broadway/Entertainment
Episode: 3. Sex Before the Internet

Host

Jessi Rothschild
Host and narrator focused on Fire Island history and community narratives; frequent collaborator with local cultural institutions.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 237 ratings
  • Definitive piece on Fire Island

    Perfect casting, production and sound design!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Happy go 🍀
    United Statesa year ago
  • Thank you thank you

    Obsessed

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sawarmack~
    United Statesa year ago
  • 5 stars

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Every single episode is filled with a brilliant cast of characters and deeply researched information. Entertaining and fabulously produced. Cannot wait for jess’s future projects! 💕

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dominick Blaski
    United States2 years ago
  • Repeat listens!

    Listening to this for the 3rd time and appreciate it more with each listen. Comfort for my soul as I await next summer in Cherry Grove 🍒 thank you for this gorgeous body of work

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JustChachi_
    United States2 years ago
  • ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

    Sent this to my entire share house group chat!! We are obsessed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ckcke
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The series blends memory with activism, offering insightful context for ongoing conversations about inclusivity.
Top-tier production values and stellar casting continually impress.
A must-listen for anyone interested in queer history and Fire Island culture.
Bright, immersive storytelling that doubles as a historical archive.

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Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics RadioFreakonomics Radio + Stitcher
The Why Files: Operation Podcast
The Why Files: Operation PodcastThe Why Files: Operation Podcast
Behind the Bastards
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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Robin Byrd: Fire Island & Talk Show Queen | 1-on-1
Q: What was the origin of your connection to Fire Island and how did it shape your later work?
Fire Island offered no cars, fresh air, and a sense of freedom that fed my creativity and allowed me to explore performance, sexuality, and community in ways that urban venues couldn't, fueling the evolution of my show and my life there.
Robin Byrd: Fire Island & Talk Show Queen | 1-on-1
Q: How did you start hosting tea dances and what kept you going for so long?
I started fourteen years ago on the Pavilion Deck, hosting Fridays and Saturdays, and kept the energy high by greeting everyone as the ferry arrived, turning the weekends into a celebratory tradition that evolved with the venues and the community.
3. Sex Before the Internet
Q: So how many summers did you work there?
I worked one summer, was exhausted by the end, but it was a peak experience that taught me the scale of the Pines' hospitality and the intensity of the social calendar.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Finding Fire Island

What is Finding Fire Island about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A richly produced history podcast that centers Fire Island's queer nightlife, arts, and community evolution from mid-20th century subcultures to today. Across episodes, listeners encounter intimate reminiscences from DJs, club workers, theater figures, and local residents, weaving together how venues, activism, and cross-cultural exchange shaped a distinctive LGBTQ+ cultural ecosystem. The show stands out for its archival storytelling, star-studded guest mix, and a thoughtful lens on inclusion, safety, and community memory, making it a compelling listen for those interested in history, nightlife, and LGBTQ+ heritage.

Noteworthy strengths include high production quality, deep historical context, and a broad roster of voices—from OG Pines fi... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Finding Fire Island?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Finding Fire Island:

1. Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
2. Keep It!
3. That's A Gay Ass Podcast
4. Attitudes!
5. Good Morning, Sodomites!

How many episodes of Finding Fire Island are there?

Finding Fire Island launched 3 years ago and published 18 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Finding Fire Island?

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What guests have appeared on Finding Fire Island?

Recent guests on Finding Fire Island include:

1. Jerry Mitchell
2. Laurie Schrader
3. Nikki Lafontaine
4. Jordan Cohen
5. Myron Tucker
6. Chris Lovito
7. Kyle Merker
8. Robbie Leslie

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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