Hi, I'm Sylvie,

host of the True Vineyard Color Podcast

Every morning, as I walk the beaches of Martha's Vineyard with my dog Tati, I'm reminded of the magical pull that brought me here from Germany in 1986 - what was meant to be one summer has turned into a 35-year love story with the island and its people.

My Story

I arrived on Martha's Vineyard from Germany at 18 years old with a backpack and a three-month plan. In my first year I lived in a school bus in Chilmark, working as an AuPair.  Little did I know I would find a community that would reshape my entire life's journey. The island people showed me a world of possibility and love, and my summer adventure turned  into a lifetime of belonging.

For 27 years, I built my business, SylvieBags, creating handmade vintage fabric accessories that captured the Vineyard's spirit. But throughout those years, I was also collecting something else, more precious than fabric - I was gathering stories.

Stories of transformation, resilience, and the unique magic that draws people to this island and transforms them forever.

Today, as an entrepreneur, foodie, world traveler, wife, mom and grandma, I've learned that the most beautiful creations come from authentic connections. Just like my sunrise beach walks with Tati serve as my daily medicine, my conversations with fellow islanders are my inspiration .

Why I Created This Podcast

 I am in awe of the many incredible individuals I continue to meet and who inspire my journey on Martha's Vineyard. Through my podcast I want to introduce you to some of them by sharing our authentic conversations.

Their stories reflect resilience, creativity and persistence as they carve out their own unique niches on the island. Their missions are compelling, their work inspiring and their contributions help make the island a better place to live on.

 Martha's Vineyard is so much more than a summer destination - it's an extraordinary place filled with untold stories. Every person who calls the island home brings their own unique perspective, whether they are here to raise a family, to work, make art,  teach, heal, or contribute in their own special way. The podcast is an opportunity to get to know one another better and to deepen our appreciation for the vibrant community we share.

I believe in the power of stories to heal, inspire, and transform.

 Through the True Vineyard Color Podcast, I'm handing the microphone over to our eclectic and diverse community members, uncovering the heart and soul of island life -something that  tourists rarely get to see. Each conversation is an invitation to discover the Vineyard's natural healing powers and the remarkable individuals who make the island place extraordinary.

When I'm not collecting stories, you'll often find me experimenting with vegetarian soup recipes, walking along the beach, playing with fabrics and yarn, or spending time at my West Tisbury home with my family and dog and cat.

Because at the end of the day, it's these simple island moments and meaningful connections that make Vineyard life magical.