Free Daily Podcast Summary
by Anne Kokoskie
Classic & Curious is a lifestyle podcast for those who value timeless style and the art of living a considered life. Hosted by Anne Kokoskie, the show introduces you to those that inspire thoughtful living. Through thoughtful conversations with artisans, designers, brands and creative thinkers, we dive into the details that elevate the everyday. Home & Craftsmanship: From interior design to the makers behind the objects we cherish. Travel & Exploration: Discovering historic destinations and boutique travel experiences. Entertaining & Hospitality: The art of hosting, tablescaping, and the well-lived kitchen.
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
As summer draws to a close and we reflect on America’s 250th anniversary, Americana is having a moment—and no one has defined it more beautifully or enduringly than Ralph Lauren.My guest today, interior designer Javier Burkle, knows that world firsthand. After working with Ralph Lauren, he founded the Dallas-based firm Burkle Creative. A two-time featured designer at the prestigious Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas, Javier has also been recognized by Architectural Digest, Veranda, ELLE Decor, Vogue and Homeworthy. His interiors are timeless, collected and deeply personal.After working with Ralph Lauren, he founded the Dallas-based firm Burkle Creative, known for interiors that feel timeless, collected and deeply personal.Together, we explore what gives Ralph Lauren style its unmistakable feeling—not one particular period or palette, but the layering of old and new, polished and timeworn, personal history and beautiful craftsmanship.Javier shares how we can bring that sensibility into our own homes through inherited pieces, patina, unexpected modern touches, lighting and fabric. And because this style is as much about living as decorating, we also talk about gracious hospitality and creating a welcoming home bar.This is a conversation about bringing layered American style to life—and making it distinctively your own.Connect with Javier Burkle @burkle creative and burklecreative.comConnect with Anne: @classicandcuriouslife, classicandcurious.com and on Substack: Curiosities by Anne Kokoskie{chapters}}
What makes a Nancy Meyers interior feel so timeless—and how can we bring that same warmth into our own homes?Annie Meyers-Shyer, the creator and discerning eye behind This Oak House, joins Classic & Curious for a conversation about it all began, her new book and upcoming collaborations. The daughter of acclaimed filmmaker Nancy Meyers, Annie grew up on film sets where beautifully layered interiors became an essential part of the storytelling.Drawing on that influence—and her own fashion career at Harper’s Bazaar and Chanel—Annie shares how she developed an aesthetic that feels both classic and deeply personal. She shares with us Listen for an inspiring look at decorating with character, designing rooms for real life and creating a home with a story uniquely its own.Connect with Annie: @thisoakhouse, this-oak-house.com Connect with Anne: @classicandcuriouslife, classicandcurious.com and on Substack: Curiosities by Anne Kokoskie
What if quiet luxury has less to do with what you own—and everything to do with how you make people feel?In this episode, Anne welcomes interior designer Benjamin Deaton, founder and principal of Benjamin Deaton Interior Design and Benjamin Deaton Home, for a thoughtful and delightfully practical conversation about timeless interiors, effortless entertaining, personal style, and the true meaning of quiet luxury.With projects spanning New York, Palm Beach, California, Kentucky, and beyond—including the historic Far Niente Winery in Napa Valley—Benjamin shares how he built his interior design firm by trusting his instincts, tuning out the noise, and staying true to his creative vision.Together, Anne and Benjamin explore how to create a home that feels collected, quiet and eager to be discovered. They also share their secrets for effortless entertaining—from family-style dinners and silver bowls filled with unexpected nibbles to the enduring appeal of pigs in a blanket.Plus, Benjamin reveals his quiet-luxury essentials, the value of buying pieces with a story, why Ralph Lauren’s timeless point of view continues to resonate, and the hotel he returns to again and again.A warm, inspiring conversation about interior design, entertaining at home, personal style, and creating a considered life—one intentional detail at a time.You can follow Benjamin Deaton @benjamindeatoninteriors and benjamindeatoninteriors.comConnect with Anne: @classicandcuriouslife, classicandcurious.com and on Substack: Curiosities by Anne Kokoskie
What makes a wedding truly meaningful—and how do you plan one without losing sight of why you are getting married?Lizzie Post, great-great-granddaughter of Emily Post and co-president of the Emily Post Institute, returns to Classic & Curious for a warm, insightful conversation about modern wedding etiquette, meaningful celebrations, and the traditions today’s couples are choosing to keep—or make entirely their own.An accomplished author, speaker, and nationally recognized etiquette expert, Lizzie has shared her thoughtful, modern perspective on the Today show, NBC Nightly News, Fox & Friends, and countless other nationally syndicated programs. She is also co-host of the weekly Awesome Etiquette podcast, where she helps listeners navigate contemporary life with consideration, respect, and honesty.In this episode, Lizzie introduces Emily Post Wedding Stories, her joyful new podcast featuring real couples reflecting on the planning decisions, unexpected mishaps, heartfelt moments, and lessons that shaped their wedding days. She also offers a first look at the completely reimagined Emily Post’s Wedding Etiquette, arriving in February 2027.At the heart of the conversation is one beautifully simple piece of advice: “Do what will make you feel married.” Lizzie shares practical guidance for navigating wedding budgets, family expectations, guest lists, inclusivity, changing traditions, and the pressure to create a “perfect” day. Her wisdom is refreshingly grounded: avoid unnecessary debt, take breaks from planning, consider how the experience affects those around you, and never underestimate the importance of gratitude.Whether you are planning a wedding, helping someone you love prepare for theirs, or simply fascinated by how our traditions continue to evolve, this episode is a thoughtful reminder that etiquette is not about rigid rules. It is about how we make one another feel.Listen for modern wedding-planning advice, timeless Emily Post wisdom, and a celebration of weddings filled with meaning rather than perfection. For more, visit emilypost.com or emilypost.substack.com.Connect with Anne: @classicandcuriouslife, classicandcurious.com and on Substack: Curiosities by Anne Kokoskie
In this episode of Classic & Curious, Anne welcomes celebrated interior designer and author Eric Ross, founder and principal of Eric Ross Interiors, for a thoughtful conversation about the enduring appeal of traditional design—and how to make it feel relevant, personal and entirely at home today.Eric shares why familiarity lies at the heart of timeless interiors, how collections bring soul and curiosity to a room, and why a beautifully designed home should reveal itself gradually rather than all at once. Drawing from nearly three decades in the industry, he also offers practical guidance for decorating with greater confidence: establish a clear story for your home, resist the urge to incorporate every beautiful idea, experience furniture and materials in person, and give yourself the freedom to bring pieces home, experiment and edit.The conversation also explores Eric’s Southern roots, the designers who shaped his eye, the responsibility of guiding a client and the advice that continues to steady him: “Everything we do is fixable.” Plus, Eric shares a textile house he admires and the mountain retreat where he finds a rare sense of contentment.A warm and inspiring conversation about creating rooms with elegance, ease and enough intrigue to leave us wondering what awaits around the next corner.Eric’s work has been featured in House Beautiful, Southern Home, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, and FLOWER Magazine. He is the author of two design books, including his latest, Embracing Southern Homes.You can follow Eric on Instragram @ericrossinteriors and web at ericrossinteriors.comConnect with Anne: @classicandcuriouslife, classicandcurious.com and on Substack: Curiosities by Anne Kokoskie
In this episode of Classic & Curious, Anne Kokoskie sits down with Rosemary Hallgarten, founder of one of the world’s most admired luxury textile houses. A British-born, award-winning textile designer and second-generation craftsperson, Rosemary pioneered the use of alpaca in luxury rugs and fabrics, building an internationally recognized brand known for its extraordinary texture and modern artisanal sensibility.Rosemary shares the story behind her artisan-made rugs, fabrics, throws, and accessories—and her belief that true luxury lies in how thoughtfully and beautifully something is made. Their conversation explores sustainable design, natural fibers, traditional craftsmanship, responsible production, and the importance of creating timeless pieces with soul, purpose, and longevity.For anyone interested in creating a more beautiful and considered home, Rosemary offers an inspiring perspective on choosing fewer, better things—and understanding the human hands, natural materials, and enduring craftsmanship behind them.You can find Rosemary on Instagram @rosemaryhallgarten and on RosemaryHallgarten.comConnect with Anne: @classicandcuriouslife, classicandcurious.com and on Substack: Curiosities by Anne Kokoskie
What does it mean to honor someone’s legacy while finding the confidence to create your own?In this deeply moving episode of Classic & Curious, Anne Kokoskie welcomes Dana Ferraro, Principal of Molly Patton Design, for a conversation that extends far beyond beautiful interiors. Following the passing of her dear friend and business partner, Molly Patton, Dana made the extraordinary decision to continue the firm’s work under Molly’s name—a remarkable act of friendship, stewardship, and unwavering devotion.Together, Anne and Dana reflect on the power of creative partnership, overcoming self-doubt, preserving a beloved brand, and building a boutique design practice rooted in the belief that doing the right thing, combined with thoughtful creativity, always endures. Dana shares the deeply personal story behind Molly Patton Design, the lessons she learned from Molly’s life, and how honoring another person’s vision ultimately helped her discover her own.This is an episode about legacy, courage, loyalty, and the quiet strength required to carry something meaningful forward. Whether you’re a creative, entrepreneur, or simply someone who believes in the lasting impact of genuine relationships, Dana’s story is a beautiful reminder that the most enduring work begins with the people who inspire us.In this episode you’ll hear:The heartfelt story behind the founding and continuation of Molly Patton Design.How friendship became the foundation of an enduring creative legacy.Dana’s journey from self-doubt to confident leadership.Why staying intentionally boutique has become the firm’s greatest strength.The values of craftsmanship, trust, and thoughtful design that continue to define every project.Follow Molly Patton Design on Instagram: @mollypattondesign and find her at mollypattondesign.comConnect with Anne: @classicandcuriouslife, classicandcurious.com and on Substack: Curiosities by Anne Kokoskie
In this episode of Classic & Curious, Anne sits down with celebrated event designer David M. Handy for a conversation on the art of entertaining, timeless design, and creating meaningful moments that linger long after the last guest leaves.From the founding of Handy & Dallaire Events to the thoughtful curation behind The Event Rental Co., David shares how he and his husband, Donald, built a brand rooted in originality, collaboration, and impeccable hospitality. Together, they explore what it means to create an experience—not just an event.Listeners will walk away with David’s signature entertaining wisdom, from curating the perfect guest list and layering a tabletop with vintage finds and luxury pieces, to crafting playlists that move with the rhythm of the evening and sending guests home with thoughtful parting gifts. Along the way, David reflects on the power of taking chances, why timelessness always wins over trends, and the enduring influence of icons like Ralph Lauren.This episode is an invitation into a world where entertaining is both art and ritual—and where the most memorable gatherings are built on beauty, intention, and connection.Connect with Handy & Dallaire Evnets on IG @handydallaireevents and explore Handy & Dallaire Events at handydallaireevents.comConnect with Anne: @classicandcuriouslife, classicandcurious.com and on Substack: Curiosities by Anne Kokoskie
Classic & Curious is a lifestyle podcast for those who value timeless style and the art of living a considered life. Hosted by Anne Kokoskie, the show introduces you to those that inspire thoughtful living. Through thoughtful conversations with artisans, designers, brands and creative thinkers, we dive into the details that elevate the everyday. Home & Craftsmanship: From interior design to the makers behind the objects we cherish. Travel & Exploration: Discovering historic destinations and boutique travel experiences. Entertaining & Hospitality: The art of hosting, tablescaping, and the well-lived kitchen.
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Get key takeaways from Classic & Curious in a 5-minute read.
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Classic & Curious as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Anne Kokoskie.
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
Classic & Curious publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
Classic & Curious covers topics including Leisure, Arts, Design, Garden, Home & Garden. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.