Episodes

  • 3. Sex Before the Internet

    3. Sex Before the Internet
    Jun 18 2026
    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! _____ 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    42 mins
  • 2. Heated Rivalries

    2. Heated Rivalries
    Jun 11 2026
    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. ⭐ Follow ⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠ for everything Finding Fire Island! _____ 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • 1. Choose Your Own Adventure

    1. Choose Your Own Adventure
    Jun 11 2026
    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! _____ 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
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    46 mins
  • Finding Fire Island Season 2 premieres June 11!

    Finding Fire Island Season 2 premieres June 11!
    Jun 8 2026
    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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 min
  • 9. BONUS - PROVINCETOWN

    9. BONUS - PROVINCETOWN
    Aug 24 2023
    Bonus episode for Season One! We discuss the “Black Out” weekend, more Provincetown vs. Fire Island, behind the scenes of the Fire Island movie and more anecdotes from our cast of characters. Follow @jessxnyc on IG for everything Finding Fire Island! _____ This episode features: Margaret Cho, Joel Kim Booster, Matt Rogers, Michael Musto, DJ Lina Bradford, Paul Rudnick, Ben Rimalower, Brian Moylan, Tomik Dash, Victor Jeffreys, Christopher Rawlins and Daniel Nardicio More: findingfireisland.com _____ Executive producer & Host: Jess Rothschild Editing & Sound design: Caitlin Whyte Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    29 mins
  • 8. WINTER

    8. WINTER
    Aug 17 2023
    “Another Winter in a Summer Town” - Grey Gardens We hear stories of fires and hurricanes on Fire Island which often threaten to destroy it. Plus — Halloween, Christmas and New Year’s and how to survive winter on the island with several year-rounders. Follow @jessxnyc on IG for everything Finding Fire Island! ______ This episode features: Bob “Rose” Levine, Paul Rudnick, Ben Rimalower, Parker Sargent, Boudoir LeFleur, Mike Fisher, Julia Sanderson, Phil Chan, Karin Adir, Randy Lauwasser and DJ Lina Bradford More: findingfireisland.com ______ Executive producer & Host: Jess Rothschild Editing & Sound design: Caitlin Whyte Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    39 mins
  • 7. MEN DIE & WOMEN BUY

    7. MEN DIE & WOMEN BUY
    Aug 10 2023
    We trace the rise of the HIV/AIDS crisis alongside women having more earning power and buying homes in Cherry Grove. Plus, we explore the emotion around The Meatrack and Fire Island’s response to the crisis with The Morning Party. Follow @jessxnyc on IG for everything Finding Fire Island! _____ This episode features: Margaret Cho, Paul Rudnick, Bob “Rose” Levine, “Panzi,” Parker Sargent, Ben Rimalower, Pixie Aventura, Diane Romano, Randy Lauwasser, Christopher Rawlins and Bobby Bonnano More: findingfireisland.com _____ Executive producer & Host: Jess Rothschild Editing & Sound design: Caitlin Whyte Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • 6. LEGENDS & LORE

    6. LEGENDS & LORE
    Aug 3 2023
    We illuminate tales of Liza Minnelli, Carol Channing, Andy Warhol, Jerry Herman, Calvin Klein, Robert Mapplethorpe, Truman Capote, Andy Cohen, Sarah Jessica Parker and Madonna on Fire Island. Plus, the filming of “The Normal Heart” and cultural treasure troves discovered in Pines homes. Follow @jessxnyc on IG for everything Finding Fire Island! More: findingfireisland.com ______ This episode features: Matt Rogers, Bob “Rose” Levine, Paul Rudnick, “Panzi,” Daniel Nardicio, John Dempsey, Parker Sargent, Bobby Bonnano, Karin Adir, Christopher Rawlins and Ben Rimalower ______ Executive producer & Host: Jess Rothschild Editing & Sound design: Caitlin Whyte Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    44 mins