Cozy Zone With Ben Weber

Ramy Eletreby is a cozy zone personified. He is a Southern California-based writer, a performer, an applied theater practitioner and my dear friend. On a recent visit to New York from L.A., Ramy and I grabbed breakfast at Qathra on Cortelyou Road in Brooklyn and talked radio, censorship, and gay vibes.  

Erica Reinsch is my co-worker, my work a cappella group co-founder, my friend, my neighbor, and a beacon of light. We have a magnificent time musing about sexy arts administration while munching on rice balls from the Arborio King in the back yard of Sycamore. Our cozy microphone set up attracts the attention of the…Read more EPISODE 26: Erica Reinsch at Sycamore

Courtney Boddie is one of my bosses and one of the bosses of the educational theater universe. She is an actor, educator, improvisor, master storyteller, and inspired lover. Courtney invited me to a spot she calls “The Arboretum” in southern Prospect Park where we chatted about car drama, the risk taking in art making, and…Read more EPISODE 25: Courtney Boddie in the Arboretum

I met Ariana when we were both just kids at a Summer theater camp based on the Northwestern University campus. Our paths continued to spiral around each other: we both went to NYU, we both practiced the comedic arts, we both feel things very deeply. A few weeks ago, I ran into Ariana on the street.…Read more EPISODE 24: Ariana Seigel in Bed

If you’ve ever received one of her personal emails, you’ll know that Erika Atkins is an Arts Administrator, Performer, Teaching Artist, and one who “Gets things done.” But Erika Atkins is far too intricate a being to be defined solely from her email signature sobriquets. To me, she is a colleague, a friend, and a…Read more EPISODE 23: Erika Atkins in Central Park

I’m inspired by the way Zachary Wager Scholl lives his life. He is a performer, dog walker, food aficionado, educator, and activist. From the brief time I’ve known Zach, I would assert that he is a present and generous friend, a thoughtful and communicative lover, and an enthusiastic and athletic adventurer. This is an excellent episode.…Read more EPISODE 22: Zachary Wager Scholl after Breakneck Ridge

Oh Jamie Roach. You are a charming man. Full of joy and generosity, love and light! You took me to the New York Insight Meditation Center, we got food at Bombay Sandwich Co. and cozied down on the High Line. It got super cozy! It rained! It stopped! You told me the most incredible story about…Read more EPISODE 21: Jamie Roach on the High Line

Every Sunday, I march down Rugby Road with bags full of frozen food scraps to deposit them in the local compost bins and give a goofy grin to the local compost girl. Lisa sits in the reading chair of her North Brooklyn loft as we discuss dreams, art, communal living, and (yes indeed) compost! Learn about enneagrams.…Read more EPISODE 20: Lisa in the Reading Chair

Max the Boy. Bather. Burner. Brother. Big Boner. Bay Area Native. Mechanical Engineer. Lover. Co-conspir-ART-or. Max, you’re moving to Australia. I’ll miss you so much. This cozy zone is a very precious gift. Thanks for the papes. I love you so much. Can’t wait to talk soon.

On Saturday June 6, 2015 I spent the day in one of my coziest zones: FIGMENT NYC on Governors Island. On Side B, I spread my cozy zone wings! I meet up with Ryan Ong, FIGMENT NYC greeter and producer of REVIVAL, an event that encompasses “Yoga, Dance, Sunshine, Art, Community.” Check it out here: http://revival.community/ I wander into Building…Read more EPISODE 18: FIGMENT NYC 2015 SIDE B – On the Wings of Peace

On Saturday mornings when I was little, I would snuggle with my dad on our couch and watch Ren & Stimpy cartoons. This was the cozy zone. There was no other place on earth where I felt as safe, warm, loved, and blissful. I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since. I had the pleasure of…Read more EPISODE 17: David Weber in the Cozy Zone

Joe Kapper is my dear boyhood friend. He is an improviser, an urban planner, and a sweet Jew-ban (Cuban and Jewish) only child. I visit him in Minneapolis and together we explore this lush twin city–full of lakes, and Ferris Wheels and Northern Spark, an all night interactive art festival. The next morning we chill…Read more EPISODE 16: Joe Kapper in his Northern Urban Outpost

On Saturday June 6, 2015 I spent the day in one of my coziest zones: FIGMENT NYC on Governors Island. On Side A, I find my cozy zone sea legs and talk to my first guests: Lily, mom and dad. Photo by Daniel Rose

Packed with her pooch on a papasan, Olivia Harris (director, theater maker, youth developer)  gets nice and cozy in her Clinton Hill living room. We gab about bodies, being new to New York City and precious, precious books! Sink into the cozy! Here’s an article from the Huffington Post regarding male genitalia statistics, FYI.

Humble, handsome, and sage-like, Max-Forman-Mullin is a pleasure to be around. He invited me over to cook me a delicious breakfast and chill in his Harlem apartment where he has been living for the past six years. Max gives me a dose of masculine energy that I crave, tempered with the insights of a socially-conscious…Read more EPISODE 13: Max Forman-Mullin at His Place

Howdy Cozy Zone Friends! I’m liking this hotness! As Brooklyn is heating up and making me sweat, I’m still feeling cozy. It was a treat to drink and eat at Bijan’s with Brisa Muñoz, a director, theater maker, applied theatre practitioner, and truly a wizard at making collaborative projects come to life. We get real.…Read more EPISODE 12: Brisa Muñoz at Bijan’s

This week, I’m thinking about my podcast influences Pete Holmes and Marc Maron. I’m learning to meditate using the app from Stop, Breathe, & Think. Sara Orr invites me over for wine and cheese in her living room in Brooklyn. We have a goofy, freewheeling, sweet and deep conversation that nourishes our friendship. Your enjoyment…Read more EPISODE 11: Sara Orr in Her Living Room

Hello to all of you out there in COZY ZONE land! Nicolette is going to Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health to complete her training as a yoga teacher! She needs your support. Snuggle up to our cozy moment at Third Root Community Health Center. Donate Now!

Janice is my co-worker, so I have the privilege of basking in her generous, charming countenance 40+ hours a week. She invited me to The Belfry, her favorite New York City bar to get nice and cozy.

The incomparable Shamilia McBean is a multi-talented performing artist and healer. She’s also a dear friend and a superb human being. Please enjoy this delightful conversation in her Brooklyn apartment as she prepares a delicious, soothing pot of tea. Visit Harriet’s Apothecary Visit Sacred Vibes