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: https://www.instagram.com/seanypizza/ To listen to Sean’s Podcast click the link here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-last-train-home/id1871442285 The 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 https://www.instagram.com/swellseasonsurfradio/ on Instagram or go to our website: https://www.swellseasonsurf.com/  Music:  Artist: The Drifters Song: Under the Boardwalk Album: Under the  Boardwalk 00:00 Welcome to Rockaway 02:41 Pizza Gifts and Plugs 04:04 NYC Roots and Neighborhoods 05:59 Accents and City Memory 08:16 Rockaway Seasons and Family Life 12:01 Growing Up Rough Rockaway 15:38 Playland Memories 17:16 Parents Jobs and Old NYC 21:30 Loss and Health Fears 22:30 Ocean Air Cats and Wild Dogs 24:59 San Francisco Detour 25:51 Rockaway Change and Future 29:14 Boardwalk Rebuild Debate 29:44 Rockaway Community Backbone 30:40 City Neglect and Flooding Fixes 31:47 Summer Crowds Reality Check 32:46 Music Roots and Influences 35:49 Brother Returns and Hip Hop Spark 41:24 Concerts and DJ Beginnings 45:47 Scratch Academy Deep Dive 47:38 Beatmatching and DJ Respect 50:18 Reggae Nights and Paying Dues 56:23 From DJing to Managing 57:56 Williamsburg DJ Scene 58:35 Black Betty Breakthrough 58:52 New Orleans After Katrina 59:14 Leap of Faith Mindset 01:00:41 From DJ to Tour Manager 01:03:08 Van Tour Reality Check 01:04:35 Opening Sets and Pride 01:05:47 Brooklyn Bowl Training 01:08:38 Ego Check and Feathers 01:11:25 Humility and Consumerism 01:15:40 POS Chaos and Bonding 01:16:20 Meeting His Future Wife 01:19:55 Sobriety and Partnership 01:23:06 Pizza Craft and Standards 01:26:04 Pizza Origins and NYC Icons 01:27:10 Pizza Inspiration TV 01:27:48 Lucali and Paulie Gee 01:29:01 Vegan Pie Philosophy 01:30:17 Apprentice Origins 01:33:04 Starting Over Lessons 01:36:19 Crown Pizza Vision 01:41:14 Bromate Dough Debate 01:43:04 Influencers and Taste 01:48:23 Pizza Lightning Round 01:52:38 Plugs and Farewell