
Greetings From the Garden State
The Heart of Jersey Pride. A podcast about the people and places that shape New Jersey! Powered by the New Jersey Lottery. Hosted by Mike Ham
Episodes
227 episodes
Homegrown Red Bulls
This week on Greetings from the Garden State, powered by the New Jersey Lottery, we’re at the New York Red Bulls training facility in East Hanover talking with two Jersey-born standouts — Daniel Edelman (Warren) and Peter Str...
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Episode 186
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25:35
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The Resilience, Community, and Unyielding Spirit of Eric LeGrand: Replay
In this inspiring episode of "Greetings from the Garden State," host Mike Ham welcomes Eric LeGrand at LeGrand Coffee House in Woodbridge, New Jersey. Eric shares his remarkable journey, having overcome a paralyzing injury sustained during a co...
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Episode 185
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47:50

Live from the 17th Annual Jetty Coquina Jam July 20, 2025: Recap
This week’s episode brings you straight to the sand as Greetings From the Garden State hit the beach for a special live broadcast from the 17th Annual Jetty Coquina Jam in Brant Beach on Long Beach Island! 🌊☀️Hosted by Mi...
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Episode 184
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23:39

A Conversation with Governor Phil Murphy
Mike Ham sits down with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy inside the Choose New Jersey offices to talk about all things Garden State. From his international economic missions to bring jobs to NJ, to his deep love for Monmouth County...
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Episode 183
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29:18
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Brew at the Zoo Special Episode
Live from the Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, NJ — it’s the Radio Garden State Roadshow! On this special episode of Greetings From the Garden State, Mike Ham and Chris Vaglio broadcast for three hours from one of New Jersey’s ...
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Episode 182
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58:18

Live and Loud from Hop Sauce Festival 2025 – Beach Haven, NJ
Mike Ham brings the noise from the 10th annual Jetty Rock Foundation Hop Sauce Festival in Beach Haven, NJ! Broadcasting live from the Taylor Avenue waterfront, this episode captures the essence of one of the most beloved summer events a...
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Episode 181
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1:27:21

The Untold Story of Ellis Island’s South Side with Jim Dessicino of Save Ellis Island
In this milestone 180th episode of Greetings From the Garden State, host Mike Ham takes you deep into one of New Jersey’s most fascinating hidden gems: the South Side of Ellis Island. Joined by Jim Dessicino, Director at Save Ellis ...
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Episode 180
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1:02:34
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Tailgates, Tickets, and the Truth About the Event Biz
In this jam-packed episode, Mike sits down with Savvy Seats founder Tommy Gucciardo at Radio Garden State HQ to dive into the chaos, strategy, and heart behind one of the area's most ambitious ticketing and event brands. From ru...
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Episode 179
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49:34
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Family, Food, and Forever: Inside New Jersey’s Premier Wedding Destinations
This week, host Mike Ham heads to the stunning Park Château Estates & Gardens in East Brunswick to sit down with three legends of New Jersey hospitality — Barry Maurillo, Joe Maurillo, and Vito Cucci. These lif...
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Episode 178
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45:51
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Not Just a Team, a Movement: Gotham FC’s Vision with Yael Averbuch West
In this episode of Greetings from the Garden State, Mike heads to Whippany to sit down with Yael Averbuch West, General Manager and Head of Soccer Operations at NJ/NY Gotham FC. A proud Montclair native and former U.S. Women’s National...
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Episode 177
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30:22
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Arrive as Strangers, Leave as Family: The Story of Sushi by Sea
In this episode, we step behind the curtain at Sushi by Sea, a private omakase dinner experience hidden in plain sight in Ridgefield, NJ. Mike sits down with co-founder Jay Powles to talk about how a global business consultant from Sou...
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Episode 176
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40:12
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How an Oyster Truck Became Maplewood’s Hottest Restaurant
In this episode of Greetings from the Garden State, host Mike Ham sits down with Matthew Chappina, chef and founder of Perla Oyster Bar in Maplewood, New Jersey. What began as a mobile oyster truck has evolved into one of New Jersey’s ...
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Episode 175
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54:17
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Reality Suite: From Dirty Napkin Dreams to Rocking Stages Worldwide
On this episode of Greetings From the Garden State, powered by the New Jersey Lottery, Mike Ham heads to Angry Papa Entertainment in Wallington, NJ to sit down with the powerhouse rock band Reality Suite — Kimmii Heart, Brian Ki...
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Episode 174
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33:51
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What It Takes: Mikie Sherrill’s Story from Helicopters to the Statehouse
On this episode of Greetings from the Garden State, I sit down with Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill for an honest, wide-ranging conversation that covers everything from her time in the Navy to her decision to run for governor of New Jerse...
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Episode 173
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42:53
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New Jersey Lottery Million Dollar Replay 2025
We’re back in Atlantic City for one of the most electric events of the year—the Million Dollar Replay at the Golden Nugget, hosted by the New Jersey Lottery. In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of a day full of second chances...
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Episode 172
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36:51

Beyond the Covers: How Hickory is Rewriting the NJ Music Scene
In this week’s episode of Greetings From the Garden State, host Mike Ham is joined by the full lineup of Hickory, a rising New Jersey folk-rock band that’s quickly carving out a name for themselves across the state and beyond. W...
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Episode 171
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26:11
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Sandwiches That Hit Different: Inside Dutch’s Sandwich Shop in Montclair
This week, Mike heads to Church Street in Montclair to sit down with Amir Kamal, the man behind Dutch’s Sandwich Shop — one of the most talked-about sandwich spots in New Jersey. What started as a late-night idea and a tribute to Amir’s dog, Du...
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Episode 170
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54:49
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Jackpots, Pork Roll & Jersey Pride with Jim Carey of the NJ Lottery
On this episode of Greetings from the Garden State, host Mike Ham takes the show on the road to the New Jersey Lottery headquarters for a deep-dive conversation with Executive Director Jim Carey. Powered by the New Jersey Lottery, this...
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Episode 169
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34:43
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Special Forum: NJ Gubernatorial Candidates Talk Business, Equity & The Future
In this special edition of Greetings From the Garden State, host Mike Ham broadcasts live from NJIT for a groundbreaking gubernatorial candidate forum presented by the New Jersey Diverse Business Advisory Council. Seven of the n...
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Episode 168
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2:15:58
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Spreading Love & Good Vibes with Patty C
In this episode of Greetings From the Garden State, we sit down with New Jersey singer-songwriter Patty C to talk about his music journey, collaborations, and latest projects. Broadcasting from the home studio at Radio Garden State HQ,...
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Episode 167
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33:59
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New Jersey Hall of Fame: The Legends, the Legacy & the Future
Recorded at the New Jersey Hall of Fame at American Dream, East Rutherford, NJHost: Mike Ham, Greetings from the Garden State Guests: Steve Edwards & Bryan Blaney, New Jersey Hall of FameEp...
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Episode 166
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47:06
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Building The Wishbones: How Emerson Woolf is Taking Over NJ’s Indie Scene
In this episode of Greetings from the Garden State, powered by the New Jersey Lottery, host Mike Ham sits down with Emerson Woolf, the frontwoman of Emerson Woolf and the Wishbones. Broadcasting from Radio Gar...
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Episode 165
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38:37
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Love Could: Fair Panic's Tory Anne Daines on Loss, Love, and Lyrics
In this engaging episode of Greetings from the Garden State, host Mike Ham welcomes Tory Anne Daines of Fair Panic (with a special guest appearance by Duck the dog!) to discuss the band’s evolution, new EP release, and upcoming live sh...
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Episode 164
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55:04
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Celebrating 10 Years of Cowan’s Public with Skopos Hospitality
In this episode of Greetings from the Garden State, host Mike Ham sits down with Dean Maroulakos, co-founder of Skopos Hospitality, at Cowan’s Public in Nutley, NJ. Dean shares the journey of launching and expanding a hospitality empir...
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Episode 163
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38:25
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Celebrating Excellence: NJ Youth Soccer Awards Banquet presented by RWJBarnabas Health
In this episode of Greetings from the Garden State, we cover the NJ Youth Soccer Awards Banquet presented by RWJBarnabas Health in Edison, NJ. Host Mike Ham interviews award-winning players, legendary figures...
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Episode 162
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55:47
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