This week on The Interview with Leslie Heaney, we’re traveling back to the sandy shores of Long Island with Sarah Wetenhall, a life-long summer resident in and around East Hampton and the co-owner and CEO of The Hedges Inn in East Hampton and The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach.Back in 2016, Sarah and her husband Andrew, took over The Colony Hotel (an iconic hotel that had formerly been owned by her father-in-law) - blending the Colony’s timeless style with modern luxury, creating designer collaborations, resurrecting the celebrated Swifty’s restaurant, and curating experiences that keep guests coming back year after year.Now, the Wetenhalls have brought that same philosophy to The Hedges Inn in East Hampton, transforming the historic 13-room inn into a boutique luxury escape. From private beach setups and partnerships with Volvo for guest transportation to menus inspired by local farm stands, Sarah is redefining what “full-service” means in the Hamptons.In this episode, Sarah and I talk about everything from the renaissance of The Colony Hotel and now The Hedges under her and her husband’s ownership, to all of her favorite spots in and around East Hampton. Our conversation covers all of Sarah’s favorite restaurants, spots for families, places to shop, amazing events in the area in the summer and fall and all of the incredible outdoor activities available from visiting one of the most beautiful beaches in America - Main Beach in East Hampton - to getting paddle board lessons from an adorable instructor! Whether you’re dreaming of a late summer or early fall getaway to East Hampton, or learning more about this female business leader who has revitalized two iconic hotels, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss!Stream it now! And if you haven't already, be sure to follow us on Instagram @TheInterviewWithLeslieEPISODE SPONSORS: Go to cozyearth.com and use code “INTERVIEW” for 40% offbest-selling temperature-regulating sheets, apparel, and more.Tenmile Distillery is home to the award-winning Little Rest Whisky -- All Interview listeners will receive 10% off their order when they use code “THEINTERVIEW” at checkout.
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Aspen Awaits - feat. Alicia Adams
EPISODE SPONSORS: Cozy Earth: use code “INTERVIEW” for 40% offbest-selling temperature-regulating sheets, apparel, and more.Tenmile Distillery: All Interview listeners will receive 10% off their order when they use code “THEINTERVIEW” at checkout.Our next stop in the Summer Travel Series takes us to the Rockies for a deep dive into one of Colorado’s most glamorous and adventure-filled destinations: Aspen, CO.Joining me is my good friend, resident, entrepreneur, and founder of Alicia Adams Alpaca, Alicia Adams—whose luxurious alpaca pieces are just as warm and beautiful as she is.From sipping coffee at a café with “New York water” bagels to hiking breathtaking trails like American Lake and Smuggler, Alicia shares the best ways to experience Aspen year-round. Alicia reveals her favorite places to stay, from iconic spots like The Little Nell and Hotel Jerome to charming boutique hotels, and talks about the outdoor adventures that make Aspen so special, including paddle boarding on Stillwater, mountain biking, fly fishing, and the must-do Wednesday night rodeo in Snowmass.This episode covers Aspen’s incredible food and drink scene, from cozy breakfasts and sushi with a view to insider cocktail spots, along with the best places to shop, like cowboy boots and hats at Kemo Sabe or unique finds at Carl’s Pharmacy.Alicia even gives us a taste of Aspen’s cultural side, with music festivals, the Aspen Ideas Festival, and the peaceful John Denver Sanctuary.Whether you’re planning a summer escape or a winter ski trip, this episode is your backstage pass to experiencing Aspen like a local.And if you haven't already, be sure to follow us on Instagram @TheInterviewWithLeslie
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JAWS at 50 - feat. Wendy Benchley
It’s hard to believe this summer marks the 50th anniversary of Jaws—the film that launched the summer blockbuster, introduced a then-unknown Steven Spielberg, and forever changed the way we look at the ocean… and for some of us, even swimming pools!Beyond the suspense, the unforgettable score, and one of the best movie lines of all time—“You’re gonna need a bigger boat”—Jaws had some unintended side effects. It fueled a global fear of sharks, spiked shark tournaments, and contributed to decades of overfishing.Today, I’m so excited to welcome someone who’s been there since the beginning—Wendy Benchley, widow of Jaws author Peter Benchley. From the writing of the book to the movie’s smashing box-office success, Wendy had a front-row seat. She has since dedicated her life to shark advocacy and ocean conservation.Wendy is a world-renowned environmentalist, co-founder of the Peter Benchey Ocean Awards, board member of WildAid, and a Co-Executive Producer of Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story – a brand-new documentary diving into the film’s legacy.Wendy and I talk about the powerful legacy of Jaws - not only as a film - but more importantly as a vehicle that has shown light on sharks and why they are such a critical part of our ocean’s ecosystem - one that must be advocated for and protected. Thanks in large part to her work, shark fin soup consumption in China is down an estimated 70–80%. The United Nations is now considering a resolution to protect marine life from overfishing on the high seas.Wendy is brilliant, passionate, and a true force for change. Whether you’re a Jaws fan or simply care about the future of our oceans, this is a conversation—and a documentary—you won’t want to miss.And if you haven't already, be sure to follow us on Instagram @TheInterviewWithLeslie
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Journey to Jackson Hole - feat. Lela Rose
EPISODE SPONSORS: Corroon: Beautiful things for the well- traveled - Interview listeners get 20% off with the code "theinterview"Tenmile Distillery: Award-winning whisky - Interview listeners get 10% off with the code "THEINTERVIEW"Our Summer Travel Series continues this week with a stop in one of the most beautiful places in the country: Jackson Hole, Wyoming. And who better to guide us through it than Lela Rose — the iconic American fashion designer who somehow makes fly fishing, glamping, and entertaining look impossibly chic. In this conversation, Lela shares how she got started in the fashion world and how her creative life has evolved to include the Lela Rose Ranch, an old log cabin-turned-boutique in Wilson, WY, and two books on entertaining: Prêt-a-Party and Fresh Air Affairs. We talk about what to pack for a trip to Jackson, where to stay, her favorite local hikes, the best place to dine outdoors, and who to call if you want to try your hand at fly fishing. (She even sleeps outside every night in her own glamping tent — #goals.) Lela is a living, breathing reminder that creativity has no limits. Her love of vintage Western wear, her eye for beautiful design, and her zest for outdoor living all come together to paint a vivid picture of what life can look like when you blend style with nature. She’s a modern-day superwoman with an infectious spirit, and by the end of our talk, I was ready to book a flight and show up on her porch. This is truly one of the most joyful and inspiring episodes yet — I hope you’ll come along for the ride.Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a conversation. And if you haven't already, be sure to follow us on Instagram @TheInterviewWithLeslie
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Exploring the Hamptons - feat. Joey Wölffer
EPISODE SPONSOR: Tenmile Distillery: Use code "THEINTERVIEW" for 10% off all orders This week on The Interview, we continue our Summer Travel Series with a sun-soaked stop in the Hamptons—home to ocean breezes, classic Americana, and the ever-iconic Wölffer Estate Vineyard.I’m joined by the remarkable Joey Wölffer—entrepreneur, designer, equestrian, Co-Owner and Chief Brand Officer of Wölffer Estate. Together with her brother Marc, husband Max Rohn, and winemaker Roman Roth, Joey took over the family business in 2013, launching the now-famous Summer in a Bottle Rosé—a Hamptons essential that sells out each year and has become the fastest-growing rosé in NYC.In this episode, Joey shares what makes this corner of the world so magical—from sunset cocktails at the vineyard to her favorite restaurants, stores and beaches. We also talk about the amazing wines and work of Wölffer Estate Vineyard, meeting her husband on the train out to the Hamptons, balancing motherhood with all else that she does, and all of the wonderful and special things about this area of the world where she grew up spending her summers. Joey is self-deprecating, funny and smart - her love and knowledge of this part of the world shines through every part of our conversation.Whether you’re planning a trip to the Hamptons or just daydreaming of drinks at her vineyard or perfect beach sunsets, you’ll want to hit play on this episode.Stream the episode now wherever you get your podcasts—and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a conversation. And if you haven't already, be sure to follow us on Instagram @TheInterviewWithLeslie
The Interview with Leslie Heaney is a podcast that features interviews with experts and thought leaders in everything from fashion and the arts to policy, the law, business, medicine and science. If a topic is relevant and compelling, it is covered on The Interview.
Host Leslie Heaney is excited to share these compelling stories with you. You’ll leave feeling inspired, having learnt something new, and having shared a few laughs along the way.
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