Jason Restivo was my GM at the Old Pink House in Savannah, Georgia — the guy who would disappear for five minutes and come back to a dining room with a bottle of wine on every single table. He was also the reason I got the job in the first place when someone else in management wasn't so sure.

Now he owns Sobremesa on 40th and Abercorn — a restaurant he built out of a wine bar that used to be a dentist's office, in a neighborhood that used to be a gas station, in a district that had absolutely nothing going on when he opened Atlantic back in 2016.

Spoiler: Starland is now the food mecca of Savannah.

We got into it all — how he left California real estate behind for a Victorian house in Savannah for $146K, what it was really like to run Atlantic with 40 staff before COVID shut it down, why he thinks mentorship is the whole point of the restaurant industry, how he got staff members out of debt and into their first homes, cell phones vs. fine dining, Bill Murray, Patricia Arquette, and his daughter heading out into the world at 17.

Plus — he dropped out of engineering school to be a busboy in a thousand-dollar suit and never looked back.

⏱ CHAPTERS:
00:00 Reconnecting After Years
02:57 The Evolution of Starland District
05:50 Opening Atlantic: A New Dining Experience
11:46 Transitioning to Sobre Mesa
14:54 Savannah's Restaurant Scene Growth
20:02 Nostalgic Memories in Savannah
20:25 Introduction to the Podcast Journey
23:09 Nostalgia and Memory in Wine
26:05 The Art of Service and Mentorship in Hospitality
27:37 The Importance of Mentorship in Hospitality
28:34 Transformative Experiences at the Pink House
29:33 Empowering Staff for Success
30:45 The Evolution of Interviews
32:08 Small Business and AI
38:14 Family and Parenting
43:56 Networking and Building Connections
49:57 Memorable Experiences and Celebrity Encounters

🎙️ 20-Year Timeout — reconnecting with people from the past, unscripted and unfiltered.

📲 Website: https://www.20yeartimeout.com

Send us Fan Mail

Subscribe for new episodes and honest conversations.

20 Year Timeout is a podcast where I reconnect with people I have not spoken to in over twenty years to see what time has done to our stories.

Listen & Watch Here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/7Aa3P0QSufFWzgbUSOtUTB

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/20-year-timeout/id1862794471

https://www.youtube.com/@richmarksthespot

Alan — aka LOA — and I used to close shifts together, order Ming House Chinese at midnight, and record tracks in my apartment with half-broken cords and mics peaking at zero. That was the Via era. Then life happened.

Now he's in Fort Lauderdale teaching Pilates and yoga at 6AM, training an 83-year-old client and a 12-year-old kid, freestyling with his daughter in the living room, and painting Basquiat-inspired portraits on five canvases in a month because a videographer gave him a deadline.

He's also got a mentor, a plan, and an easel in the background — and he still won't tell me what LOA stands for.

We got into it all: going plant-based, tearing his ACL in a bar fight and healing it through Bikram yoga, the environmental cost of AI, doom scrolling, Mac Miller, Nas's new stuff, building a treehouse, and what it means to finally invest in yourself.

Oh — and we made some music together back in the day. You'll hear about that too.

⏱ CHAPTERS:
00:00 Reconnecting Over Ming House & Old Times
05:33 Memories of Via & The Restaurant Years
11:04 Going Plant-Based (Mostly)
21:45 Tearing His ACL in a Bar Fight & Healing Through Yoga
27:25 Getting Flexible: The Bikram Journey
30:26 Teaching Pilates & Finding a New Lane
35:08 Still Rapping — Freestyling With His Daughter
40:32 Painting Basquiat, One Month Deadline
45:06 What Style Is He Building Toward?
51:26 Landing in Fort Lauderdale
58:46 Training Clients of All Ages
01:01:23 Investing in Yourself
01:06:30 Building Connections and Networking
01:14:53 Setting Goals for the Podcast
01:25:50 Rap Right Now — Nas, Nav, Mac Miller
01:30:07 What Does LOA Stand For?
01:34:03 The Environmental Cost of AI
01:37:34 Disconnecting from Tech
01:39:10 Collages, Magazines & Creative Therapy
01:41:11 Building a Treehouse, Living Through the Kids

🎙️ 20-Year Timeout — reconnecting with people from the past, unscripted and unfiltered.

📲 Website: https://www.20yeartimeout.com

Send us Fan Mail

Subscribe for new episodes and honest conversations.

20 Year Timeout is a podcast where I reconnect with people I have not spoken to in over twenty years to see what time has done to our stories.

Listen & Watch Here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/7Aa3P0QSufFWzgbUSOtUTB

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/20-year-timeout/id1862794471

https://www.youtube.com/@richmarksthespot

I finally tracked down Mr. Craig Darrell — my 8th grade Religion teacher from Holy Name in Worcester, MA. We hadn't spoken since 2004. Turns out he's been living in Leavenworth, Kansas, working with special needs kids, and still remembers every single stunt I pulled in his class. Oh — and I still have the detention slip.

We talk about what it was really like teaching in the '90s vs. today, why he walked away from 22 years of teaching, playing semi-pro football for 17 seasons, working as a bouncer at Jillian's (where he caught me underage), painting ceramics to stay sane, and why the kindergartners he works with now are teaching HIM more than he ever expected.

This one got real. Mental health, family, distance from grandkids, and what it means to actually show up for people — Mr. Darrell never stopped teaching. He just changed his classroom.

⏱ CHAPTERS:
00:00 Reconnecting After Years
02:54 Choosing Holy Cross: A Journey of Discovery
06:12 Life Lessons from College Football
08:59 The Transition to Teaching
12:12 Challenges in Modern Education
15:05 The Evolution of Teaching Methods
17:59 Teaching Special Needs: A New Perspective
20:47 Life Skills and Real-World Applications
24:01 The Importance of Diverse Learning Experiences
28:00 Problem Solving and Adaptability
29:11 Exploring Career Paths and Personal Growth
30:07 The Impact of Sports on Life
31:59 Hobbies and Finding Relaxation
35:04 Mental Health and Life Challenges
37:03 The Importance of Community and Family
37:46 Navigating Technology and Childhood
39:56 Experiences as a Bouncer and Bartender
42:48 Reflections on Teaching and Mentorship
46:00 The Value of Family and Presence
48:47 Lessons from Children and Innocence
58:46 The Importance of Empathy in Education
01:01:09 Reflections on Growing Up and Community
01:06:30 Memories of Mischief and Learning
01:11:01 The Impact of Teachers on Students
01:15:11 Cherishing Memories and Life Lessons
01:21:31 Connecting Through Social Media

🎙️ 20-Year Timeout is a podcast about reconnecting with people from your past — unscripted, real, and always surprising. New episodes dropping regularly.

📲 Follow along:
Website: https://www.20yeartimeout.com

Send us Fan Mail

Subscribe for new episodes and honest conversations.

20 Year Timeout is a podcast where I reconnect with people I have not spoken to in over twenty years to see what time has done to our stories.

Listen & Watch Here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/7Aa3P0QSufFWzgbUSOtUTB

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/20-year-timeout/id1862794471

https://www.youtube.com/@richmarksthespot

In this episode, I sit down with DJ Manipulator for a real conversation about beat making, underground hip hop, Worcester music history, old school production gear, and the creative process behind making music that actually means something.

We talk about losing a full podcast episode to tech issues, the heartbreak of losing music files, discovering hip hop through classic albums, making beats on the SP 303 and SP 404, producing in Fruity Loops, and how DJ Manipulator built organic relationships that led to working with Skyzoo.

This episode also dives into Worcester hip hop, local scenes, vinyl culture, DJ sets, music industry lessons, live performance, and why creating music still matters when life gets busy.

If you are into hip hop production, boom bap, sampling, beat tapes, underground rap, vinyl digging, or creative conversations with artists, this one is for you.

Topics covered in this episode:
DJ Manipulator interview
Beat making and sampling
SP 303 and SP 404 workflow
Fruity Loops and early production days
Worcester hip hop scene
Skyzoo collaborations
Vinyl DJ sets and live performance
Underground hip hop influences
Creative process and artistic growth
Balancing music with work and life

Follow DJ Manipulator:
Instagram: @dustymanip
YouTube: DJ Manipulator
Website: djmanipulator.com

Chapters
00:00 Tech troubles and losing a full episode
03:18 How Rich and DJ Manipulator connected
05:10 Kind of Dusty and the early crew days
07:24 MySpace era and discovering local hip hop
10:44 Worcester roots and early music journey
12:43 From New York to Marlborough and falling in love with hip hop
19:04 First machine: SP 303 and sampling records
22:47 Underground radio, Boston hip hop, and 88.9
25:50 First beat tapes, SoundClick, and early production
30:21 Fruity Loops, Cool Edit Pro, and learning to mix
32:04 Working with Skyzoo and building real relationships
36:02 DJing live shows and how performance sets work
37:17 The most complicated gear in the setup
38:36 SP 404 workflow and making beats off screen
40:46 School, music, and the lack of soul in arts education
44:11 Why making music feels therapeutic
45:43 Worcester artists, Terminology, and local scenes
47:56 Vinyl sets, Central On Air, and digging for records
49:47 Balancing IT work with a life in music
50:35 Opening for Joyner Lucas, Method Man, and Redman
55:43 New project release plans and music business talk
57:23 Publishing, distribution, and protecting your beats
58:56 Could Rich make a rap album at 40?
01:01:12 Creativity, life, and making time for art
01:04:14 The future of DJ Manipulator
01:10:31 Where to follow DJ Manipulator

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, like, and drop a comment with your favorite part of the conversation.
What piece of music gear changed your creative life?

#DJManipulator #BeatMaking #HipHopProduction #SP404 #SP303 #Skyzoo #WorcesterHipHop #BoomBap #MusicProduction #UndergroundHipHop #VinylDJ #ProducerInterview #CreativeProcess #RichMarksTheSpot #Podcast

Send a text

Subscribe for new episodes and honest conversations.

20 Year Timeout is a podcast where I reconnect with people I have not spoken to in over twenty years to see what time has done to our stories.

Listen & Watch Here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/7Aa3P0QSufFWzgbUSOtUTB

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/20-year-timeout/id1862794471

https://www.youtube.com/@richmarksthespot

We suffered a major tech glitch and lost over an hour of our podcast! But don't worry, we managed to salvage the final, most chaotic 16 minutes for your listening (and viewing) pleasure. Join us as we dive back into the conversation right where we left off, discussing everything from West Virginia to who knows what else was lost to the digital ether.

We appreciate you sticking with us through the tech troubles! Let us know in the comments if you've ever had a similar recording disaster.

#PodcastFails #LostFootage #PodcastStories #TechGlitch #20YearTimeout

Send a text

Subscribe for new episodes and honest conversations.

20 Year Timeout is a podcast where I reconnect with people I have not spoken to in over twenty years to see what time has done to our stories.

Listen & Watch Here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/7Aa3P0QSufFWzgbUSOtUTB

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/20-year-timeout/id1862794471

https://www.youtube.com/@richmarksthespot

Zac McKnight went from a party lifestyle in Massachusetts to spiritual transformation in Maui. In Episode 7 of 20-Year Timeout, we reconnect after decades apart to talk about purpose, masculinity, tantra, emotional healing, and serving the unsheltered.

Zac shares his personal awakening, including:

• Moving to Maui and the cultural dynamics of island life
• Feeding the unsheltered community and finding meaning through service
• The evolution of his health journey through fruit and juice cleanses
• His exploration of sexual energy and the creation of the Masterpiece Method
• How men can connect to presence, purpose, and partnership

We discuss masculinity, emotional regulation, nervous system health, community, and the power of living authentically. This episode is deep, surprising, and powerful.

🧠 "Suppressing sexual energy can lead to emotional chaos."
🍎 "Fruit has changed my life."
❤️ "Service brings real fulfillment."

👇 Watch, comment, and subscribe for more real conversations about life, growth, and unpausing the past.

📚 Relevant Subjects

• Spiritual transformation
• Emotional intelligence for men
• Healthy masculinity and sexual energy
• Community service and life purpose
• Healing through diet and presence
• Life in Hawaii and cultural dynamics
• Mental health and creative expression

🧭 Chapters

00:00 – Introduction and Background
03:03 – Zac’s Journey to Maui and Awakening
05:55 – Service to the Unsheltered Community
09:08 – Cultural Insights and Acceptance in Maui
12:07 – Challenges and Growth in Maui
15:09 – COVID-19 Impact and Community Support
18:00 – Personal Transformation and Spiritual Practices
20:57 – Exploring Sexual Energy and Tantra
23:57 – The Masterpiece Method and Teaching Men
30:07 – The Promise Land for Clients
35:50 – Conclusion and Future Aspirations
47:43 – Building a Foundation Before Partnership
50:15 – The Role of Sexual Energy in Masculinity
52:08 – Diet and Health: A Journey of Transformation
54:25 – The Challenges of Dietary Changes
56:56 – Emotional Awareness and the Importance of Presence
01:01:17 – Finding Purpose Through Service
01:09:18 – The Journey of Self-Discovery and Healing
01:15:32 – Manifesting a Life of Abundance
01:21:25 – Creating Community and Connection

#20YearTimeout #ZacMcKnight #Masculinity #TantraHealing #MauiLife #SpiritualAwakening #FruitHealing #EmotionalGrowth #RichMarksTheSpot #SelfDiscovery #MensHealth #TheMasterpieceMethod #UnpauseThePast #PodcastReunion

Send a text

Subscribe for new episodes and honest conversations.

20 Year Timeout is a podcast where I reconnect with people I have not spoken to in over twenty years to see what time has done to our stories.

Listen & Watch Here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/7Aa3P0QSufFWzgbUSOtUTB

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/20-year-timeout/id1862794471

https://www.youtube.com/@richmarksthespot

"I moved to Colorado in 2021 seeking a change..."

In Episode 6 of 20-Year Timeout, I reconnect with Casey Tobin, a longtime friend who left behind his East Coast life for a fresh start in Denver, Colorado.

Casey shares his story of personal growth — from leaving a banking job in Worcester, MA, to finding fulfillment in the trades, snowboarding down Colorado slopes, and exploring hobbies like disc golf and content creation.

We talk about:
✔️ Why he left corporate America
✔️ How snowboarding helped him reset
✔️ What HVAC and entrepreneurship offer him
✔️ The ups and downs of dating in a digital world
✔️ The psychological value of hobbies
✔️ Social media's impact on real connection
✔️ Creative project ideas and social experiments
✔️ Reflections on life, family, and mindset

🎧 Watch this if you're:
‣ Feeling stuck in your career
‣ Wondering what life would be like after a major move
‣ Curious how friendships evolve after 20+ years
‣ Balancing career, hobbies, and mental health
‣ Dreaming of Colorado life

📍 Filmed between West Broofield, MA & Denver, CO
🔔 New episodes drop regularly — hit subscribe and press unpause on the past.

🎙️ 20-Year Timeout is a podcast where I reconnect with people I haven’t spoken to in 20 years (or more).

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Life Changes and New Beginnings
06:10 Career Transitions and Personal Growth
11:54 Hobbies and Lifestyle in Denver
18:02 Future Aspirations and Business Ventures
25:18 Creating Meaningful Connections Through Content
33:04 Using Social Media for Positivity and Creativity
40:07 Exploring Hobbies and Personal Growth
46:42 Navigating Relationships and Life Choices

🔍 Relevant Topics Section:
‣ How to navigate major life changes
‣ Career switch from banking to trades
‣ Mental health benefits of hobbies
‣ Making friends in a new city
‣ Social media's effect on relationships
‣ Colorado lifestyle and outdoor hobbies
‣ The power of reconnection after 20 years
‣ Podcast episodes about personal growth

Send us a text

Subscribe for new episodes and honest conversations.

20 Year Timeout is a podcast where I reconnect with people I have not spoken to in over twenty years to see what time has done to our stories.

Listen & Watch Here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/7Aa3P0QSufFWzgbUSOtUTB

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/20-year-timeout/id1862794471

https://www.youtube.com/@richmarksthespot

In this episode of 20 Year Timeout, I reconnect with Anthony Fuller, an athlete, risk analyst, musician, and the son of a jazz legend whose life and friendships shaped generations of music.

Anthony and I had not truly connected since high school. In this real time reunion, the conversation moves freely across memory, identity, creativity, and personal growth. We talk about growing up in Worcester, elite sports, music legacy, financial careers, fatherhood, generational trauma, and the questions that shape who we become over time.

Anthony shares remarkable stories about his father’s athletic discipline, life on the jazz circuit, and growing up in a multigenerational, multicultural household influenced by some of the greatest musicians of all time. From football and academics to risk management, mentorship, and creative healing through music, this conversation is thoughtful, wide ranging, and deeply human.

This episode captures what 20 Year Timeout is all about: rediscovering people from the past and learning who they are now.

Topics include

• Growing up in Worcester and early identity
• Being raised by a jazz musician
• Sports, discipline, and confidence
• Creativity, music, and performance
• Risk management and financial careers
• Mentorship, education, and fatherhood
• Curiosity, trauma, and personal reinvention

Send us a text

Subscribe for new episodes and honest conversations.

20 Year Timeout is a podcast where I reconnect with people I have not spoken to in over twenty years to see what time has done to our stories.

Listen & Watch Here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/7Aa3P0QSufFWzgbUSOtUTB

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/20-year-timeout/id1862794471

https://www.youtube.com/@richmarksthespot