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For Veterans Day, our guest is journalist and activist Bob Woodruff. Since founding the Bob Woodruff Foundation in 2006 after he was injured by a roadside bomb while covering the war in Iraq, the foundation that bears his name raised over $160 million to support veterans and their families.  The 18th Annual Stand Up for Heroes is Veterans’ Day evening at Lincoln Center. For more, visit BobWoodruffFoundation.org.

15 million American adults have social anxiety—roughly 7% of the entire population. More than two-thirds of those adults showed their first symptoms during their childhood years. And yet, it often takes up to ten years to seek help. In her memoir, OUT OF MY SHELL, therapist Natasha Daniels brings her own social anxiety into the open, on her journey to find healing through self-acceptance. Natasha Daniels is an anxiety and OCD child therapist who has published six other books including How to Parent your Anxious Toddler, It’s Brave to Be Kind, and Crushing OCD Workbook for Kids.

A 2024 Goldman Sachs survey found that 77% of small businesses were concerned about their ability to access capital. In addition, in 2023, a majority of small business owners had to tap into their personal funds or use cash reserves to maintain operations. The Bronx Economic Development Corporation (BXEDC) is trying to alleviate some of those concerns for small business owners by offering low-interest loans, tailor made for small and mid-sized businesses operating in,or moving to, The Bronx. Our guests are Rob Walsh, President of The Bronx Economic Development Corporation, and Britney Moss, Founder of Cupcake Me!, a client of BXEDC. For more, visit BXEDC.org and cupcakemenyc.com.

As we near election day and early voting continues, we discuss the six ballot proposals for New York City voters with Eric Friedman, of NYC Votes, an initiative of the New York City Campaign Finance Board, the independent city agency that ensures local elections are fair, inclusive, and open. For more, including detailed info about each proposal, visit nycvotes.org.

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we're joined by Dr. Patrick Borgen, Chair, Surgery and Director of the Breast Cancer Program at Maimonides Medical Center.After working at Memorial Sloan Kettering, Dr. Borgen came to Maimonides to work with patients from under-resourced communities. Maimonides Health is Brooklyn’s largest healthcare system, serving over 320,000 patients each year through the system’s three hospitals, with 7,000+ employees, 1,800+ physicians, and more than 80 community-based practices and outpatient centers.  Patients with advanced breast cancer treated at Maimonides lived longer than the national average. For more, visit maimo.org.

At a time when it feels like you can visit anywhere in the world with a mouse click, the new book ATLAS OBSCURA: WILD LIFE finds a way to reinvigorate a sense of wonder about the natural world.  With hundreds of entries -- gorgeous images, first person interviews, and engaging details, ATLAS OBSCURA: WILD LIFE covers every continent—from the deepest fathoms of the ocean, and into the heart of our densest cities. Our guest is CARA GIAIMO, co-Author of Atlas Obscura, with JOSHUA FOER. A former staff writer at Atlas Obscura, Cara now covers our fellow species for the New York Times, The Plant, The Drift, and elsewhere. For more, visit atlasobscura.com.

John Capobianco is President of the Long Island Chrysanthemum Society, host of the 69th Annual Long Island Chrysanthemum Show Saturday, November 2 and Sunday, November 3 in Farmingdale, Long Island. John has a wealth of knowledge about mums and bonsai, as he’s also active with the Bonsai Society of Greater New York, and taught the art of bonsai at the New York Botanical Gardens for 20 years. For more, visit http://www.limums.org and bsgny.com.

Every fall, Hungerthon is annual radio tradition, organized by Why Hunger to educate listeners across the U.S. and raise critical funds to end hunger in America. WhyHunger’s Amplified concert kicks off  Hungerthon 2024 on Tuesday, October 15 at Irving Plaza. Our guest Jenique Jones, Executive Director of Why Hunger, talks about addressing the root causes of hunger and how to support the ongoing work for food justice. For more, visit WhyHunger.org.

November 2024 marks the 45th anniversary of the Iranian hostage crisis. And while the current hostage situation in the Middle East also continues, a new book about one of history's most harrowing hostage situations and rescue attempts could not be more timely. Our guest is Ben Macintyre, author of THE SIEGE, an unprecedented account of The Six-Day Hostage Crisis In London, in 1980, and the Daring Special-Forces Operation That Shocked the World.

Like other cities, New York City has a growing crisis of homelessness, and a systemic challenge of using housing vouchers to secure housing. Our guest is Laura Lazarus, co-founder of Anthos | Home, which works to make every step of the voucher process easier for both future tenants participating landlords. For more, visit anthoshome.org.

In his new book, SOMETHING IN THE WOODS LOVES YOU, Jarod K. Anderson explores the inherent ways nature can help fight mental illness. Jarod K. Anderson is a writer, poet, and creator of The CryptoNaturalist podcast - a scripted show about real adoration for fictional wildlife. He has built a large audience of social media followers and podcast listeners with his vibrant appreciations of nature. For more, visit jarodkanderson.com.

The Limón Dance Company celebrates it’s 78th season appearing at the Joyce Theater, November 5-10. Our guest is Artistic Director Adante Puleio, for a chat about the historic programs Limón Dance Company will bring to the Joyce, and making modern dance relevant. Tickets are now on sale for performances at joyce.org. For more about the Limon Dance Company, visit Limon.nyc.

Making mistakes has always been a part of growing up, but how do parents help their kids navigate childhood and adolescence when social media has the potential to magnify those mistakes?  Our guest is public health expert Julianna Miner, author of Raising a Screen-Smart Kid: Embrace the Good and Avoid the Bad in the Digital Age. Julianna Miner is an adjunct professor of global and community health at George Mason University, creator of the popular parenting blog Rants from Mommyland.

While navigating the tricky path of inevitable life changes (job loss, relationships, grief, the future), it can be a struggle to find simple clarity. So how can you manage the chaos and find your authentic self in the middle of it all? Our guest is Susan Hensley, author, transformational coach & speaker, with a tool to help you tap into your own innate wisdom and creativity: Her new book is ART FOR YOUR SANITY:  How Art Journaling Can Help you Manage Chaos and Unleash Joy.  For more, visit susan-hensley.com.

For Hispanic Heritage Month, an introduction to LxNY: Latinx Arts Consortium of New York. Formed in 2020, LxNY is a collaborative peer network of over 40 Latinx-serving cultural organizations, dedicated to knowledge exchange, resource-sharing, and collective action towards systemic change. Our guests Andrea Gordillo of The Clemente Center and Charles Rice-Gonzalez, of BAAD! Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, are members who represent founding organizations of LxNY.  For more, visit theclementecenter.org, baadbronx.org, and lxnyarts.org.

Although few of us like to think about getting older, advance care planning (ACP) is an essential but often neglected aspect of healthcare. Making sure we’re prepared for the inevitable can be  tremendously helpful to both our health care providers and our families. Our guest is Dr. Fred Mirarchi, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer of MIDEO Health, a video advance care planning platform. For more, mideohealth.com.

Works & Process is a 40-year old non-profit, championing under-recognized performing artists cultures during their creative process, by providing funded residences, support and a platform for performances at venues including the Guggenheim Museum, Manhattan West, the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. Previewing the Fall 2024 season is Duke Dang, Works & Process Executive Director. For more, visit worksandprocess.org.

Polycystic Kidney Disease is a genetic condition you may not have heard of, but it affects over 600,000 people in the U.S. and is one of the leading causes of kidney failure. Our guest is Richard Kellner, who founded The PKD Outreach Foundation, after his wife passed away, and who has been working with over 100 families across the country and currently has 10 families who have had or are expecting PKD-free babies. For more, visit pkdo.org.

At New York City Charter Schools, while 90% of students are Black, LatinX or Asian, only 10% of these schools were founded or are led by people of color. How might leadership reflective of the student body make for a different learning experience?  Our guest is Rafiq Kalam Id-Din II, Esq., Founder & Managing Partner of Ember Charter Schools in Brooklyn.  For more, visit embercs.org.

HOW TO CALM YOUR MIND by Chris Bailey is full of tangible takeaways to overcome anxiety and live a fuller, more balanced life. Chris Bailey is an author and lecturer who explores the science behind living a deeper, more intentional life. He has written hundreds of articles on the subject for media including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, GQ, HuffPost, New Yorkmagazine, and Harvard Business Review.

Dr. Jocelynne Rainey is President and CEO of Brooklyn Org, making local philanthropy more accessible, democratic, and community driven. Each year, Brooklyn Org partners with area residents to invest more than $5 million in high-impact nonprofits advancing racial justice at every level across the borough. Our conversation tackles the racial disparity between leadership and the workforce in the human services sector. For more, visit Brooklyn.org.

Dr. Tovah Klein is a child psychologist and researcher who has spent the last three decades working with families of children and teens, with a recent focus on childhood trauma. Her new book is RAISING RESILIENCE:  HOW TO HELP OUR CHILDREN THRIVE IN TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY.

One of the premiere events in tennis, The US Open kicks off with FAN Week, August 18 to August 25.  It’s a singular event in sports, where grounds of The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center are entirely free and open to the public with activities for all ages. Our guest is USTA’s Nicole Kankam, Managing Director, Pro Tennis Marketing and Entertainment.  For more, visit USopen.org.

The coming school year will see even more demands on NYC teachers, with a looming cell phone ban to enforce, a potential universal dress code and a teacher shortage. Should prospective teachers take a detour into public service?  Our guest is Annie Kessler, Executive Director of City Year New York, an education based non-profit, recruiting and developing young Americorps members to become student success coaches. For more, visit cityyear.org.

On Saturday, September 14th is BIKE HSS, hosted by Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), the top-ranked orthopedic hospital in the nation. BIKE HSS a one-day cycling ride in and around Westchester County to support better mobility. We get ready for the ride with Dr. Joel Press, Physiatrist-in-Chief at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City and Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. For more, visit HSS.edu

In PARENTING AT YOUR CHILD’S PACE:  A parenting guide backed by science and rooted in holistic health practices, by Dr. Joel Warsh, offers practical answers to modern health questions, using a blend of Western and holistic medicine. Dr. Joel Warsh (a.k.a. Dr. Gator), is an award-winning integrative and holistic pediatrician in Los Angeles, CA. For more, visit parentingatyourchildspace.com.

NYC’s Battery Dance performs on the world’s stages and builds bridges through international cultural exchange programs—to date, in over 70 countries. In summer, Battery Dance plays host to dancers and companies throughout the world via the Battery Dance Festival. The free, outdoor festival is August 11-17 at Rockefeller Park, Battery Park City, NYC at 7PM ET. Our guest is founder and Artistic Director of Battery Dance, Jonathan Hollander. For more, visit BatteryDance.org.

As climate change tops the list of public health concerns, we’ll take a look at how extreme changes in temperature affect our mental health and behavior. Our guest is Dr. Joseph Galasso, Clinical Psychologist and Chief Executive Officer at Baker Street Behavioral Health. Baker Street Behavioral Health offers psychology, sport psychology, neuropsychology and psychiatry for children, adolescents, adults and families in New Jersey, and telehealth and online sessions to patients in more than 35 states. For more, visit bakerstreetpsych.com.

The FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence, founded by Glenn and Amanda Fuhrman, recognizes and celebrates extraordinary New York City public school teachers who inspire learning through creativity, passion, and commitment. Our guests are 2024 Manhattan Grand Prize WinnerDr. Gifty Asamani, from The High School for Math, Science and Engineering, and Queens Grand Prize Winner Aaron Lober, from Halsey Middle School 157. For more details, including 2025 application information, visit flagaward.org.

Journalist Johann Hari takes a deep dive into Ozempic and other weight-loss drugs in new book MAGIC PILL: The Extraordinary Benefits and Disturbing Risks of the New Weight Loss Drugs. Johann Hari is the author of three New York Times best-selling books: Chasing The Scream, Lost Connections, and Stolen Focus. His TED talks have been viewed more than 90 million times.

Lynnae Brown and Toshia Parks represent non-profit Community Access' preeminent job training program, Howie The Harp. Named for its late founder, Howie, the program trains New Yorkers with a history of mental health concerns for jobs as "peers" in the human services sector, working with others who are experiencing similar mental health needs.  For more, visit communityaccess.org.

79 years ago the first nuclear weapon was detonated in Los Alamos, New Mexico, in a test that ushered in the age of nuclear warfare. Since then, the US has been closer to nuclear war many more times than most Americans would guess. Should nucelar war come to pass…what would happen? Is there such a thing as being prepared? Annie Jacobsen’s new book is Nuclear War: A Scenario.  Jacobsen is the author of the Pulitzer Prize Finalist in History THE PENTAGON'S BRAIN, the New York Times bestsellers AREA 51, OPERATION PAPERCLIP, and other books.

The Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, a National Historic Landmark, is not only one of the world’s most beautiful cemeteries, it is renowned for arts and cultural programs. Our guest is composer and pianist Adam Tender, The Green-Wood Cemetery’s Artist-in-Residence, presenting Exit Strategy, an installation that explores the ephemerality of our own lives and the physical belongings we leave behind. For more, visit green-wood.com and adamtendler.com.

Women’s hormonal problems have sky-rocketed in the past 3 decades. At present 80% of women will struggle with some form of hormonal problem in their lifetime. Not only that - our daughters are entering puberty earlier than ever. Dr. Aviva Romm is a Yale trained physician with a specialty in women’s health and obstetrics, a midwife, and herbalist. Her book is HORMONE INTELLIGENCE: The Complete Guide to Calming Hormone Chaos and Restoring Your Body’s Natural Blueprint for Wellbeing.

Lincoln Center’s "Summer For The City" Series continues through August 10th, including over 200 free and choose-what-you-pay events. Shanta Thanke, Executive Vice President and Chief Artistic Officer of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, highlights performances during India Week, July 10-14. For more, visit LincolnCenter.org.

Frank Sztuk is Senior Vice President of Investigative services at Delta Group, and Chair of the Public Outreach Committee for the New York Alliance Against Insurance Fraud. We chat about types of crimes on the rise, and ways to identify and protect ourselves from insurance fraud at home, on the road, and elsewhere. For more, visit Fraudny.com.

The New York City area is home to thousands of professional dancers on working Broadway, as company members, as teachers, and as freelance performers. What are dance careers like in NYC, right now? Our guest is Candace Thompson-Zachery, Co-Executive Director of Dance/NYC, an advocacy group for dancers, with details from their NYC Dance Industry Census, and their campaign to address industry challenges. For more, visit dance.nyc.

At just 16, Payalm Zamanie escaped religious persecution in Iran by crossing 1500 miles of desert, with a dream of becoming an entrepreneur in the U.S. Just ten years after he arrived, he was the founder of a record-breaking, billion-dollar IPO. Payam recounts his incredible story of survival, faith, optimism and grit in his book CROSSING THE DESERT: The Power of Embracing Life's Difficult Journeys. Payam Zamani is a serial entrepreneur, internet pioneer, angel investor and the founder of One Planet Group.

In 2024 there are a record number of jobs in New York City, and entrepreneurship is vibrant – 1 in 7 businesses were started in the past year, a rate four times higher than the 2019 average. In the fall of 2020,the five borough-wide chambers of commerce launched the Small Business Resource Network (SBRN) – a comprehensive approach to small business resiliency, offering free, personalized guidance and support to help businesses grow and thrive. Our guest is Tom Grech, President and CEO, Queens Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the Small Business Resource Network. 
For more visit nycsmallbusinessresourcenetwork.org.

Imagine the journey to becoming a mother without a partner. Our guest made the choice to take fertility into her own hands, and tells her story, while reporting on the fertility industry, for her memoir INCONCEIVABLE: Super Sperm Donors, Off-the-Grid Insemination & Unconventional Family Planning. Valerie Bauman is an award-winning journalist with two decades of experience. She is an investigative reporter at Newsweek. Previously, she was a senior investigative reporter and senior legal reporter at Bloomberg Law, where she covered pharmaceutical litigation.

The non-profit El Sistema USA works to ensure very child has access to high-quality music education that celebrates their voice and potential, by supporting a national network of organizations and educators. Our guest is Elizabeth Moulthrop, Executive Director of El Sistema USA. For more, visit elsistemausa.org.

For over 50 years, the legendary NYC Pride March has been a symbol of the LGBTQIA+ presence in our community. Heritage of Pride is the non profit organization that plans and produces New York City's official Pride events each year. For a backstage pass to this year's events, we're joined by Samantha Johnson, Associate Director of Entertainment and Events for Heritage of Pride. For more, visit nycpride.org.

Social workers are real life superheroes who can help people navigate mental health challenges and trauma. Budy Garcia-Whitfield is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at JCCA, one of the great NYC organizations helping young people every day, particularly those in underserved communities and foster care.  For more, visit JCCANY.ORG.

Anxiety and OCD therapist Natasha Daniels joins us with a new workbook just in time for summer break! CRUSHING OCD WORKBOOK FOR KIDS: 50 Fun Activities to Overcome OCD with CBT and Exposures. Natasha Daniels is an anxiety and OCD child therapist and has published five other books including How to Parent your Anxious Toddler and It’s Brave to Be Kind. For more, visit ATparentingsurvival.com.

The Fresh Air Fund is a New York City institution, providing summer adventures for urban kids, through a number of programs, including free sleep- away camps, and their signature Volunteer Host Family Program. Right now is the season to sign up!  Fresh Air Fund’s CEO Lisa Gitelson has details for campers, counselors and host families. For more, visit freshair.org.

Jodi Wellman, Founder of Four Thousand Mondays, a UPenn positive psychologist, and an executive coach, is author of the new book YOU ONLY DIE ONCE: How to Make It to the End with No Regrets. Jodi Wellman is a former corporate executive turned executive coach. She has a Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, where she is an instructor in the Master’s program and a trainer in the world-renowned Penn Resilience Program.

Samaritan Daytop Village, the largest provider of support services for veterans in New York,  provides shelter, mental health, and substance use recovery services.  Assistant Vice President for Residential Treatment and former U.S. Air Force member Deirdre Rice-Reese explains some of the challenges veterans face after their service.  For more, visit samaritanvillage.org.

For more than 35 years, Farm Aid, with the support of the artists who contribute their performances each year, has raised more than $70 million to support programs that help farmers thrive. Farmer Services Network Manager Alexandria Ward to talks about their potentially life-saving health initiative aimed at helping ALL farmers in distress. FARM AID’s MENTAL HEALTH HOTLINE is 1-800-FARM-AID.  Find out more at farmaid.org

Miriam Raccah, CEO ofBlack Latinx Asian Charter Collaborative (BLACC), explains the benefits and importance of recruiting, training, supporting, and retaining more educators and school leaders of color. BLACC is a nonprofit that serves 24 community-based public charter schools representing more than 14,000 students across New York. For more, visit blaccschools.org.

PetcoLove, a lifesaving non-profit bringing pets and people together, hosts the 25th Anniversary Petco Love Birthday Party & Pet Adoption Event in Union Square, on Sunday, June 2nd from 11am-4pm. President of Petco Love, Susanne Kogut, talks about how new pet recognition technology has already helped them reunite over 46,000 pets and with their owners. For more, visit petcolove.org.

Since 1985, the N.Y. Police and Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund—also known as Answer The Call—has provided support to the families of New York City’s fallen NYPD, FDNY, and PAPD members. LaurenProfeta is the Executive Director of the N.Y. Police and Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund/Answer The Call, and Caitlin Leavey, the daughter of FDNY Lt. Joseph Leavey, who heroically made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty on September 11, 2001. For more, visit answerthecall.org.

Stroke is the fifth most common cause of death in America and the leading cause of adult disability.  But, with quick action and appropriate treatment, patients can not only survive a stroke, they can live full, independent lives after the disease. For Survive Stroke Week, an annual effort to educate Americans about stroke symptoms and lifesaving treatment options, our guest is Dr. Violiza Inoa of Semmes-Murphey Clinic in Memphis. Dr. Violiza Inoa is a board-certified neurologist with a focus on vascular neurology and neurointervention, and Chair for the Women in Neurointervention Committee at the Society of Neurointerventional Surgery (SNIS).  For more, visit getaheadofstroke.org.

How does music help people with dementia connect and find calm, and what role can it play in dementia care? Our guest is Dr. Kendra Ray, a renowned dementia expert and the Dementia Program Director of the not-for-profit MJHS Menorah Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care in Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn. MJHS is the last not-for-profit Jewish nursing home, providing short-term, subacute rehabilitation and long-term nursing care. For more, visit mjhs.org.

"Just wait until they’re teenagers!" That's the warning we’ve likely said or heard about the challenge of dealing with adolescents. But what if it doesn’t have to be that way? Our guest is child development expert Ellen Galinsky, with her new book THE BREAKTHROUGH YEARS:  A New Scientific Framework for Raising Thriving Teens. In her role as President of Families and Work Institute, she challenges assumptions about the teenage years, offering new ways for parents and others to better understand and interact with adolescents in ways that help them thrive.

Non-profits designed to assist the elderly offer myriad essential services, including access to food, healthcare and companionship. However, workers in the field earn wages—set by contracts with the city and state—that often place them below the poverty line. Despite calls from advocates for a significant cost of living adjustment, responses have been largely ignored.  Our guest is Jeremy Kaplan, Executive Director of Encore Community Services, one of the largest aging services providers in New York City.  For more, visit encorenyc.org

The stock market has hit record highs, but we’re also in a period of high interest rates and high inflation. What does that mean for your money? How and where do you invest in a volatile economy?  Our guest is stock market and asset management expert, Ed Long, Managing Principle of Avity, an investment management firm in Greenwich CT with over $1.5 billion in assets under management. With over a quarter of a century in managing both equities and bonds, Ed Long has also worked for U.S. Trust in Palm Beach, Florida, Lazard Asset Management in New York City, and Merrill Lynch Asset Management Group.

Green City Force is an AmeriCorps program that prepares young adults who reside in New York City Housing (NYCHA), or low-income housing in NYC for careers through Green Service.  Our guest is Executive Director Tonya Gayle, who has spent her career in non-profit organizations focused on economic justice for young people of color.  For more, visit GreenCityForce.Org.

Now that flood, drought, fire, storm and pandemic are no longer rare but expected, how are we adapting to our new reality? Is there hope for future generations? In time for Earth Day, our guest is CNN Chief Climate Correspondent Bill Weir, author of the new book LIFE AS WE KNOW IT (CAN BE): Stories of People, Climate, and Hope in a Changing World.

Ballet Hispánico is the largest Latine/x Hispanic cultural organization in the United States and one of America’s Cultural Treasures. We are pleased to welcome Artistic Director & CEO Eduardo Vilaro back to the show, ahead of their New York City Center Season, April 25-28, and their 2024 Gala. For more details, visit BalletHispanico.org.

Like so many other ethnic traditions and faiths, Jewish life is often centered around the table, where family and friends come together to celebrate rituals, memories and tastes of home. Our guest is Naama Shefi, founder of the non-profit Jewish Food Society, who with co-writer Devra Ferst, is the author of THE JEWISH HOLIDAY TABLE, A World of Recipes, Traditions and Stories to Celebrate All Year Long.

New York City's 30 and 60-day shelter limits may be at risk thanks to a proposed bill in Albany. Though no matter what happens, the city's homeless need a clear pathway to permanent housing. Our guest is Scott Short, CEO of RiseBoro Community Partnership, one of the largest nonprofit developers and providers of affordable housing in New York City, discussing the the city's shelter system, and what would be a coherent "exit strategy" to move people in need to permanent housing. For more, visit riseboro.org.

As we approach Earth Day 2024 on April 22, our guest is John Opperman, Executive Director of Earth Day Initiative, host the annual Earth Day Festival in Union Square, on Sunday April 14th. For details on vendors and activities at this free event, resources for climate action, tax credits and rebates, visit dayinitiative.org.

In anticipation of the total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, our guest is Rori Baldari of the Amateur Astronomers Association, co-hosting a watch event at The Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. The Amateur Astronomers Association is a volunteer run non-profit that promotes the study and public awareness of the cosmos through observing, education, outreach, astrophotography, and more. For more visit aaa.org, and green-wood.com.

Do you think you might have a book in you? What is the story you want to tell, and how do you tell it? Our guest is Philip Cioffari, who’s spent decades teaching writing as a professor--currently at William Paterson University with a PhD from NYU--and fiction teacher for Gotham Writers in New York City. He’s written six well-received, character-driven novels and short story collections including his latest: NIGHT & ITS LONGINGS.

When a family member is ill, and entire family can be in need of care. Our guest is Stephanie Mastropaolo, LMSW and Director of Calvary Hospital’s Family Care Center. Calvary is New York’s palliative, end-of-life and hospice specialist, caring for up to 6000 patients a year, plus their families.  As a non-profit based in the Bronx, Calvary operates through most of New York City as well as Nassau, Westchester, and Rockland with in-home hospice. Calvary Hospital is the only fully accredited acute care specialty hospital in the U.S. exclusively providing palliative care for adult patients with advanced cancer and other life-limiting illnesses. More at Calvaryhospital.org

Writer, cultural influencer and former professor Lyn Slater tracks her story of becoming famous at 59, and then turning her back on a public life at 70. Lyn Slater has been featured by the TODAY Show, Cosmopolitan, W Magazine, and The Cut.

Construction, utilities and maintenance. Chance are, when you picture the worker, you picture a man. The organization Non-Traditional Employment for Women has been training and placing women in trade careers since 1978. Our guest is the Leah Rambo, President of NEW, the first woman of color and tradeswoman to serve in the role—bringing 35 years of experience in the labor movement, with a focus on equity and inclusion in the construction workforce. For more, visit new-nyc.org.

What are normal curves in the spine, and what does a diagnosis of scoliosis signify? We talk about spine issues and treatment options for a child or teen diagnosed with an abnormal curvature of the spine, with Dr. Dr. Nicholas Post of New York Spine Institute.  Dr. Nicholas Post is a board-certified neurosurgeon, in practice for 17 years.  Dr. Post is also a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at NYU Langone Medical Center and NY Presbyterian in Lower Manhattan.  For more, visit NYSpine.com.

As New Yorkers follow current events in Israel and Palestine, what are the rights for New Yorkers who want to express their opinion?  What are the best ways to contribute and find common ground in our own city?  Our guest is Sahar Alsahlani, representing CAIR-NY, the Council on American-Islamic Relations. CAIR is America’s premiere Muslim Civil Rights group, working for more than 25 years to defend the constitution. The New York Chapter is one of the busiest of CAIR’s 35 nationwide affiliates, defending, representing and educating nearly on million Muslims in the area. For more, visit CAIR-NY.org.

SLEEPLESS: Unleashing the Subversive Power of the Night Self, by Annabel Abbs-Streets, is a blend of memoir, science and history that traces women's relationship with the darkness, grief, insomnia and creative opportunities waiting in wakefulness. Annabel Abbs-Streets is a writer of highly researched, award-winning fiction as well as both narrative and practical non-fiction.

As New York City's homelessness crisis persists, the non-profit Institute for Community Living has launched a first-of-its-kind program to provide a new path to permanent housing for people with histories of homelessness. Our guest is Jose Cotto, Senior Vice President of Residential Treatment at ICL, to discuss "Changing Spaces.” ICL helps New Yorkers with behavioral health challenges live healthy and fulfilling lives by providing comprehensive housing, healthcare, and recovery services, serving more than 12,000 people every year in 128 programs across the five boroughs. For more, visit iclinc.org.

Elisa Rossi's new cookbook is HAPPY SKIN KITCHEN: Over 100 Plant-Based Recipes to Nourish Your Skin from the Inside Out. The book is a delicious guide to caring for your skin from within. Backed by the latest science-based research, recipe developer Elise Rossi delivers a collection of soulful soups and stews, fermented foods, bountiful breakfasts, satisfying salads, sweets and snacks. For more, visit happyskinkitchen.com.

The Food and Drug Administration Advisory Panel has recently concluded that the decongestant phenylephrine, contained in many over-the-counter cold remedies for decades, is ineffective when taken orally. So, what is an effective over-the-counter option to fight seasonal flu, RSV, or Covid-19? We also asked our guest, Su Robotti, about the FDA drug approval process. Su Robotti is the Consumer Representative on the FDA Drug Risk and Advisory Council, and founder of MedShadow Foundation, the independent non-profit health news journalism site. For more, visit MedShadow.org.

Our guest is New York City’s recently appointed Director of Rodent Mitigation,Kathleen Corradi. Her work on reducing the City's rat population is a blend of biology, ecology, and psychology aimed at improving the quality of life for New Yorkers. Find out more about rats, including prevention best-practices and free training at nyc.gov/rats.

For Black History Month, a look into American History, with author and historian Dr. Hannah Durkin. Her epic book is THE SURVIVORS OF THE CLOTILDA: The Lost Stories of the Last Captives of the American Slave Trade. Dr. Durkin is a historian specializing in transatlantic slavery and African diasporic art and culture, and isan advisor to the History Museum of Mobile, which is working to memorialize the Clotilda survivors.

According to the American Library Association, in the last year more than 1900 books were targeted for banning. Most of the the books challenged are written about, or by, LGBTQ+ topics or people of color. Our guest is Jennie Pu, Director at Hoboken Public Library, which became the first book sanctuary in New Jersey. Jennie Pu is also co-chair of the NJ Library Association Public Policy Committee, and works with the national American Library Association’s Policy Corps Unite Against Book Bans. For more, visit HobokenLibrary.org and UniteAgainstBookBans.org.

Cecilia Gentili, activist, actress and founder of Transgender Equity Consulting, passed away recently at the age of 52. I had the pleasure of speaking with her in 2021 about her work developing LGBTQ+ affirming services, her love of community, and finding equity for Trans people in the workplace and beyond. For more, visit transequityconsulting.com.

TADA!, co-founded in 1984 Nina Trevens, is a unique, award winning NYC non-profit theater, producing original musicals by and for young kids and teens. Nina Trevens and Director of Education Katy Knowles talk about their upcoming shows and getting kids prepared to perform. Based in Chelsea, Tada Theater is online at tadatheater.com.

OF GREED & GLORY: IN PURSUIT OF FREEDOM FOR ALL is an an argument against the systemic abuse of justice as a weapon of oppression, by Deborah G. Plant, drawing on parallels between her brother’s incarceration and years of thorough research dating all the way back to the creation of our US Constitution. DEBORAH G. PLANT is an African American and Africana Studies Independent Scholar, Writer, and Literary Critic specializing in the life and works of Zora Neale Hurston. She is editor of the New York Times bestseller Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” by Zora Neale Hurston and the author of Alice Walker: A Woman for Our Times, a philosophical biography.

January is National Mentoring Month. At The Children’s Village, a beacon of hope for young adults throughout New York City who have navigated the challenges of foster care, overcome substance abuse, and/or emerged from incarceration, is a group of inspirational individuals is making a significant impact. These are credible messengers who have triumphed over similar life struggles and are dedicating themselves to mentoring others facing similar obstacles. Our guest is Carl Johnson, Division Director of Transformative Mentoring Initiatives at the The Children’s Village, for a thoughtful conversation about these life-saving connections. For more, visit Children’s Village.org.

Ramit Sethi's book, I WILL TEACH YOU TO BE RICH: The Journal, promises no complicated math, in an easy-to-read book meant to help us understand our money behavior and create our own vision of a Rich Life. Ramit Sethi began his website, iwillteachyoutoberich.com, in 2004 as a Standford undergraduate, and hosts over a million readers per month on his blog, newsletter, podcasts and social media.

Of all the area organizations that work with kids, perhaps the Police Athletic League is most tied to the fabric of New York City. The non-profit has served kids for over 100 years as a recreational, cultural, educational and social outlet—connecting kids and cops on a one-on-one basis, building bonds and mutual respect. Our guest is Carlos Velazquez, PAL Executive Director. For more, visit palnyc.org.

Nearly half of American adults have a family member or close friend who is or has been addicted to drugs. Despite how widespread it is, addiction is one of the most misunderstood medical conditions of our lifetime. In her new book: UN-ADDICTION: Six Mind-Changing Covnersations That Could Save A Life, Dr. Nzinga Harrison challenges the myth that addiction is a simple choice. Dr. Nzinga Harrison is a board-certified physician with specialties in psychiatry and addiction medicine. She is also CMO and co-founder of Eleanor Health, an innovative mental health and addiction treatment company. She holds an adjunct faculty appointment at the Morehouse School of Medicine and is the Vice-Chair of the Practice Management and Regulatory Affairs Committee.

Beginning with the 2023-24 school year, New York City Public Schools launched NYC Reads, an initiative to help all students become strong readers. Our guest is Lynette Gustaferro, CEO of Teaching Matters, a partner organization helping the NYC Department of Education reach it’s goals. She explains how NYC Reads returns to an prior model of reading instruction that many of us grew up with. For more, visit teachingmatters.org.

As much as you might think it’s just a craving – Sugar is an addiction! The new book SUGARLESS, by Dr. Nicole Avena, includes a 7-step plan to uncover hidden sugars, curb your cravings and conquer your addiction. Dr. Nicole Avena is a pioneering research neuroscientist and expert in the fields of nutrition, diet and addiction. She’s the author of several books on nutrition and early development, including WHAT TO EAT WHEN YOU'RE PREGNANT.

Works & Process at the Guggenheim presents the Underground Uptown Dance Festival, a festival of commissioned street and social dances taking place in the subterranean Frank Lloyd Wright-designed theater at the Guggenheim from January 10-16, 2024 and at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall on January 12. Our guest is Duke Dang, Works & Process Executive Director. For tickets and more, visit www.worksandprocess.org

Our guest is trauma psychologist Dr. Mariel Buqué, with her new book, BREAK THE CYCLE: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma. Dr. Buqué is a Columbia University trained psychologist and practitioner of holistic healing, whose approach is rooted in scientific research and holistic practices. She also draws on her own experiences with intergenerational trauma and explores her own healing.

The Alley Pond Environmental Center is on the shore of Little Neck Bay in Queens. 635 acres of forests, meadows, ponds, and fresh and saltwater marshes are home to more than 300 species of birds and other wildlife. And now with a new state-of-the-art facility recently opened to the public, Executive Director Irene Scheid unveils all that’s new at Alley Pond Park. For more, visit AlleyPond.org.

For THE YEAR OF THE PUPPY: How Dogs Become Themselves, Alexandra Horowitz, Head of the Dog Cognition Lab at Barnard College, follows a puppy from birth through her first year of life.

60 years after the passage of the federal equal pay act, how big is the wage gap between men and women in New York City? Our guest is Sharon Sewell-Fairman, President & CEO of Women Creating Change. WCC, with the Center for New York City Affairs at the New School, have released the sobering report "Closing the Gender Pay Gap: Why Pay Equity Has Stalled in New York City and the Urgent Need for Action". For more, visit wccnyc.org

Our guest is Tenaya Darlington, a Philadelphia-based cheese expert, journalist, and educator who has been blogging about cheese for a decade under the name Madame Fromage, celebrates all things curd in Madame Fromage's Adventures in Cheese:How to Explore It, Pair It, and Love It, from the Creamiest Bries to the Funkiest Blues,a charming, witty, and very readable illustrated primer.

The recently announced budget cuts to New York City services announced by Mayor Eric Adams are impacting all city agencies—from police to libraries to schools. Our guest is Quamid Francis, Executive Director of City Year New York, to talk about how the budget cuts put Community Schools in jeopardy. City Year New York is a trailblazing, youth-powered organization with a dual mission: expanding educational equity for students furthest from opportunity and developing diverse leaders through national service. For more, visit cityyear.org.

If you’re having a little trouble imagining the future world our kids will be living in…you’re not alone. In the a time with perhaps the most rapid changes in all of human history, how do we equip our kids to be ready to roll? Our guest is Mental Health Expert Dr. Heather Tedesco, co-author of RAISING A KID WHO CAN: Simple Strategies to Build a Lifetime of Adaptability and Emotional Strength. With her co-authors Catherine McCarthy and Jennifer Weaver, they offer 10 essential principles for raising emotionally strong and resilient children.

City Parks Foundation (CPF) is the only independent, nonprofit organization offering park programs in the 5 boroughs of New York City—including Summer Stage, free public arts, sports in the parks, and hands on educational programs for kids. We’re joined by Luis Gonzalez, Associate Director of Environmental Education for “Seeds to Trees” & “Coastal Classroom” at City Parks Foundation. For more, visit Cityparksfoundation.org.

From December 7-9, Limón Dance Company will present Women's Stories at New York Live Arts, dedicated to former Limón dancer, the late Jennifer Muller. A program that centers the female perspective, Women's Stories highlights the women who shaped the company's canon. Our guests are Israeli artist Hilla Ben Ari, and Limon Dance Company’s Artistic Director Dante Puleio. For more, visit Limon.nyc.

iHeart Media and 106.7 Lite-FM are proud to once again join Hungerthon! A radio tradition since 1975 organized by Why Hunger, Hungerthon educates listeners about hunger, and raises critical funds to feed our neighbors. Our guest is Jenique Jones, Executive Director of Why Hunger, to talk about the amazing items up for sale and auction—live at hungerthon.org/iheart--and the ongoing work for food justice. You can make your donation, purchase or bid on an item for auction at hungerthon.org/iheart right now!

Rooted in Washington Heights and Inwood, People's Theatre Project (PTP) makes theatre with and for immigrant communities to build a more just and equitable world. Now in its 15th anniversary season, PTP is Manhattan’s largest performing arts organization north of Harlem—and also just celebrated a ceremonial groundbreaking for its first and future home, The People’s Theatre: Centro Cultural Inmigrante. Our guest is Mino Lora, Founder and Executive Artistic Director, People’s Theatre Project. For more, visit peopletheatreproject.org.

In the gap between arriving in New York and finding a permanent living situation and gainful employment, migrant families are dealing with huge stressors—including the possibility of separation from their children. Dr. Jeremy Kohoman is President and CEO of the Children’s Village, working to support families through this difficult transitory phase. Founded in 1851, The Children’s Village works with the most vulnerable children and families in the New York metropolitan area. All its programs are designed to keep children safe and families together, and they have a 90%+ success rate. For more, visit childrensvillage.org.

Unfortunately, an estimated six million children in the United States will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18 - that’s about one in 12 children. THE GRIEF ROCK, a new children’s book by therapist Natasha Daniels, takes an honest look at the experience of grief to help open the conversation on difficult feelings and support children as they grieve. Child Therapist Natasha Danielshosts the AT Parenting Survival Podcast and has a Youtube channel, Ask the Child Therapist. You can find her work at www.ATparentingsurvival.com