Last week, Nick Zappola, the builder behind Zappola Construction, launched a new podcast called “Beyond the Blueprint: Building the Hamptons,” where he speaks with architects, metalworkers, gardeners, partners in his restaurant businesses, and others.
“The series will take listeners past the finished build to explore the architecture, design, and landscaping that define the East End of Long Island, along with conversations with local business owners and community members who help shape the character of the Hamptons,” read a press release.
Mr. Zappola has a tough-guy exterior, but he’s a gifted conversationalist and the medium comes across as a natural fit. The podcasts are unscripted and friendly in tone. The first, featuring Zach Clanahan, a local architect who has worked with Mr. Zappola for 30 years, sounds simply like two old friends talking shop.
“As a framer, my expertise is in framing, I could always depend on his plans to work,” Mr. Zappola said of Mr. Clanahan during the episode.
“Now, I love to complain, because you love to put in so much steel.”
“I do,” said Mr. Clanahan.
“And you are the master of the bent beam.”
“I am.”
“I always look for bent beams when I get your plans.”
“And you’re not the only contractor who complains about that,” Mr. Clanahan said.
So they can be a bit wonky for the uninitiated. Later in the podcast, however, there was this tidbit about Mr. Clanahan’s time spent building in Hawaii.
“How does the construction in Hawaii differ from here in the Hamptons?” asked Mr. Zappola.
“Oh, it’s all ACQ [treated wood],” Mr. Clanahan answered. “All the framing is treated, because the termites will destroy it in a year.”
Mr. Zappola, who owns Zappola Construction on Main Street in Sag Harbor, has been building on the South Fork for over 40 years and specializes in high-end residential and commercial construction, historical landmark restorations, and home renovations.
“I started my framing business when I was 22, and I’m going to be 63 on Monday,” he said this week. “I’m doing this just for fun. To inform people and just tie into the contacts I know and chat with them and see what they think. I’m not trying to monetize; I’m just chatting people up. I’ve been around a long time. I have experience, perspective, I’m a good guy, and I’m a lot of fun at parties.”
The first episode (there are six), with Mr. Clanahan as guest, aired on July 31 and is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.