On this episode of Learning to Fly, host Bruce Mittman sits down with legendary restaurateur and executive chef Luciano Canova, who has spent over six decades building a celebrated Italian culinary legacy in New England.

Luciano shares his incredible journey from growing up on a humble farm outside Rome after World War II—where surviving on farm-grown ingredients sparked his lifelong passion for food—to graduating with honors from culinary school in Naples at just 16 years old. He reflects on his early years honing his craft across European fine-dining kitchens, working on international cruise ships, and overcoming language barriers and harsh conditions in his relentless pursuit of culinary mastery.

Bruce and Luciano discuss his arrival in the United States, his early restaurant ventures on Cape Cod and near the University of Oklahoma, and his return to New England in 1991 to open his flagship venue, Luciano’s Restaurant in Wrentham, Massachusetts. Luciano details the operating philosophy that brought him national acclaim and gold and silver spoon awards: maintaining uncompromising quality, bringing authentic traditional techniques to the plate, and treating every guest who walks through his doors like family. He also shares how he expanded his empire into the multi-location Torre Restaurant Group across Massachusetts and Rhode Island by empowering his long-term employees to become partners.

Offering an inspiring look at resilience, hard work, and the true meaning of hospitality, Luciano reflects on what it takes to rise from poverty to the top of the restaurant industry while staying grounded in love for family and community. It’s a heartfelt, flavor-packed conversation with one of New England's most respected culinary figures.

On this episode of Learning to Fly, host Bruce Mittman sits down with legendary journalist Maria Stephanos, a trusted pillar of Boston news for over 30 years and current co-anchor of WCVB’s NewsCenter 5.

Maria shares how her spark for storytelling was ignited as a child watching her parents’ reaction to the news of Elvis Presley's death, driving her to pursue journalism at Emerson College. She remembers her early days in radio at WJAR and local stations, her 10 years working at Cheers to put herself through school, and her 18-year career as a reporter and anchor at WFXT TV (Fox 25) during its peak rise in Boston media.

Bruce and Maria discuss the responsibility that comes with reporting the news, the importance of empathy behind the anchor desk, and the lessons Maria learned from early failures and challenges along the way. She also reflects on balancing a demanding career with family life and how her Greek heritage and close-knit family have kept her grounded throughout her time in the spotlight.

Offering a firsthand look at the evolution of local broadcasting and the journey behind one of New England’s most recognizable news personalities, Maria explains how staying true to yourself can be one of the most important keys to lasting success. It’s an intimate, heartfelt conversation that puts Maria in the guest chair for once, allowing her journey to become this week’s headline.

On this episode of Learning to Fly, host Bruce Mittman sits down with Charlie Moore—the high-energy, Emmy Award-winning host of Charlie Moore No Offense. Known to millions as "The Mad Fisherman," Charlie has been a dominant force in outdoor television and sports media for over three decades.

Charlie shares how his journey began as a young entertainer working the crowds at the Winthrop Marina on his father’s boat, eventually transforming a failed outdoor retail business in Beverly into a media empire. He reflects on his early days at NESN, where he relentlessly harassed executives for six months until they gave him a segment on the show Front Row—a move that eventually led to his own half-hour special and a decade-long run on ESPN with Beat Charlie Moore.

Charlie and Bruce dive into the grit required to build a syndicated brand, Charlie’s refusal to sell his "IP" to Hollywood giants, and his transition into the spirits industry with successful lines like Mr. Pickles Gin and Puncher’s Chance Bourbon. He offers a firsthand look at the evolution of outdoor lifestyle programming and his mindset as an entrepreneur who refused to take "no" for an answer.

Preserving his legacy through his own app and global syndication, Charlie discusses the importance of staying true to one's roots while constantly reinventing the brand. It is a rare glimpse into the life of a man who turned a passion for fishing and comedy into a household name.

On this episode of Learning to Fly, host Bruce Mittman sits down with David Bieber—a legendary figure in Boston’s media and music scene for over 50 years.

David shares how his journey began as a college reporter for Billboard magazine, leading to a dynamic career in media after graduation. He reflects on his time at the helm of iconic Boston radio stations WBCN and WFNX during their peak in the 1980s, and discusses his collaboration with Boston Phoenix owner Stephen Mindich—offering a firsthand look at the evolution of Boston’s alternative culture and journalism.

David and Bruce also dive into David’s extraordinary pop culture archive, amassed over five decades and spanning more than one million pieces of memorabilia. He shares how the collection came together and explains that, while it isn’t open to the general public, he offers private tours by special arrangement—an opportunity for a rare glimpse into an unparalleled collection of music and media history.

On this episode of Learning to Fly, host Bruce Mittman sits down with acclaimed Massachusetts painter Thomas R. Dunlay, one of the few artists keeping the New England traditional painting style alive. Tom shares his journey from early inspiration under his father to pursuing art at MassArt—and why he left after 18 months in search of a more disciplined, classical approach.

Bruce and Tom explore his rigorous training under R.H. Ives Gammell and Roger Douglas Hunter, exploring the “boot camp” methods that honed his craft, including the precise sight-size technique. They discuss how Tom established a career capturing the light and beauty of New England landscapes with iconic works like Winter Snowfall, while mastering both art and business. Tom emphasizes the importance of teaching the next generation, a mission he fulfills through the Thomas R. Dunlay Teaching Studio.

The conversation dives into the beauty of nature, the discipline behind traditional craft, and the dedication required to preserve a nearly lost art form—offering insights for artists, creatives, and anyone striving for mastery in their field.

In this episode of Learning to Fly, host Bruce Mittman sits down with Casey Soward, President & CEO of the Boch Center—home to the historic Wang and Shubert Theatres. Casey shares his journey from a music-obsessed kid on Cape Cod to leading one of Boston’s most influential performing arts institutions, detailing the unconventional path that led him from performing on stage to running it.

They discuss Casey’s early career as a musician and audio engineer, his pivotal role revitalizing the century-old Cabot Theatre, and how those experiences prepared him to balance the preservation of historic venues with their operational demands. The conversation explores the challenges of maintaining cultural landmarks while keeping them financially viable in an ever-changing arts landscape.

Beyond performances, Casey highlights the Boch Center’s deeper mission in arts education and youth development, emphasizing the power of the arts to create opportunity and lasting impact. He also speaks about the organization's investment in the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame and its goal of elevating Boston’s status as a music capital. Together, they discuss the importance of leadership, resilience, and authenticity in Casey’s current role—and what it takes to succeed under the weight of both history and expectation.

In this episode of Learning to Fly, host Bruce Mittman sits down with Rob Collings, CEO and chief pilot of the Collings Foundation and president of the American Heritage Museum in Hudson, MA. Rob shares the remarkable story of how his family’s foundation grew from a small antique car collection into one of the nation’s premier living heritage organizations, dedicated to preserving and showcasing America’s military and aviation history. From restoring the legendary B-24 Liberator and launching the Wings of Freedom Tour to acquiring more than 200 tanks from famed collector Jacques Littlefield and building the immersive American Heritage Museum, Rob reflects on the passion, perseverance, and purpose he finds preserving these powerful stories. Together, they explore how the museum brings history to life—from World War I trenches to modern-day conflicts—while honoring veterans and reminding visitors of the human cost and technological triumphs that have shaped both our nation and the world.

On the latest episode of Learning to Fly, host Bruce Mittman chats with Paul Barclay, co-founder of Boston’s iconic Comedy Connection. The club helped launch the careers of comedy heavyweights like Steven Wright, Paula Poundstone, Bobcat Goldthwait, Joe Rogan, and Rosie O’Donnell (just to name a few).

Bruce and Paul share anecdotes from this legendary club as well as Paul’s other successes– like opening the infamous, South Beach-inspired billiards club and bar, The Rack, in Boston. Paul describes how savvy marketing, outrageous events, and creative PR turned The Rack into a celebrity hotspot, hosting big names like Tom Brady and Nomar Garciaparra. He also details other ventures, including running Seven Central Tavern in Manchester-by-the-Sea, serving as a Selectman, operating a farm with over 175 rescued animals, and eventually moving to coastal Maine to run a B&B.

When asked how he managed to accomplish it all, Barclay credits mentors, the press, and his staff for his success. For those looking to mirror his storied career, he recommends focusing on teamwork, trusting your instincts, and knowing when to step away from a venture that no longer feels right.