The Last Train Home with Sean Aiken

In this episode of the Swell Season Surf Podcast, we sit down with Rockaway’s own Sean Aiken—founder of Seany Pizza, creator of the upcoming Crown Square Pizza, and host of The Last Train Home podcast. While Sean may be best known these days for his Detroit-style pizza, his story stretches far beyond the kitchen. We talk about growing up in Rockaway, the neighborhood’s unique creative energy, and how the peninsula has evolved over the years. Sean reflects on life in Dayton Towers, memories of Rockaway Playland, and the influence of his family on everything from work ethic to music taste. We also dive into Sean’s journey through New York’s music and nightlife scenes—from learning to DJ at Jam Master Jay’s Scratch Academy to managing at Brooklyn Bowl—and how those experiences ultimately led him toward pizza, entrepreneurship, and a new sense of purpose.From apprenticeships at some of New York’s most respected pizza institutions to building a business of his own in Rockaway, Sean’s story is one of reinvention, persistence, and finding meaning through craft and community.This conversation touches on pizza, music, sobriety, creativity, neighborhood identity, and what it means to build something lasting at the edge of New York City.Grab a slice, crack a soda, and enjoy this conversation with Sean Aiken.Follow Sean on Instagram: @seanypizzaTo listen to Sean’s Podcast click the link here: The Last Train HomeThe Swell Season Surf Podcast is recorded by The NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Network. For more information, you can follow @swellseasonsurfradio on Instagram or go to our website: www.swellseasonsurf.com Music: Artist: The DriftersSong: Under the BoardwalkAlbum: Under the  Boardwalk00:00 Welcome to Rockaway02:41 Pizza Gifts and Plugs04:04 NYC Roots and Neighborhoods05:59 Accents and City Memory08:16 Rockaway Seasons and Family Life12:01 Growing Up Rough Rockaway15:38 Playland Memories17:16 Parents Jobs and Old NYC21:30 Loss and Health Fears22:30 Ocean Air Cats and Wild Dogs24:59 San Francisco Detour25:51 Rockaway Change and Future29:14 Boardwalk Rebuild Debate29:44 Rockaway Community Backbone30:40 City Neglect and Flooding Fixes31:47 Summer Crowds Reality Check32:46 Music Roots and Influences35:49 Brother Returns and Hip Hop Spark41:24 Concerts and DJ Beginnings45:47 Scratch Academy Deep Dive47:38 Beatmatching and DJ Respect50:18 Reggae Nights and Paying Dues56:23 From DJing to Managing57:56 Williamsburg DJ Scene58:35 Black Betty Breakthrough58:52 New Orleans After Katrina59:14 Leap of Faith Mindset01:00:41 From DJ to Tour Manager01:03:08 Van Tour Reality Check01:04:35 Opening Sets and Pride01:05:47 Brooklyn Bowl Training01:08:38 Ego Check and Feathers01:11:25 Humility and Consumerism01:15:40 POS Chaos and Bonding01:16:20 Meeting His Future Wife01:19:55 Sobriety and Partnership01:23:06 Pizza Craft and Standards01:26:04 Pizza Origins and NYC Icons01:27:10 Pizza Inspiration TV01:27:48 Lucali and Paulie Gee01:29:01 Vegan Pie Philosophy01:30:17 Apprentice Origins01:33:04 Starting Over Lessons01:36:19 Crown Pizza Vision01:41:14 Bromate Dough Debate01:43:04 Influencers and Taste01:48:23 Pizza Lightning Round01:52:38 Plugs and FarewellBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/swell-season-surf-radio--3483504/support.