Get Connected

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

As the the mental health crisis continues, City nonprofit ICL is launching the STEPS program to fill out their continuum of care and support people on their road to recovery. Our guest is Dr. Troy Boyle, LCSW, and Senior Vice President of Care Management for ICL. ICL helps New Yorkers with behavioral health challenges live healthy and fulfilling lives by providing comprehensive housing, health care, and recovery services. For more, visit iclinc.org.

Who among us hasn’t taken a diversity and/or discrimination course at work? The diversity, equity and inclusion industry—the DEI Industry—has been steadily growing over the last decade...and yet, who’s seen these courses make a lasting difference? Adia Harvey Wingfield's new book is GRAY AREAS:How the Way We Work Perpetuates Racism and What We Can Do to Fix It. Adia Harvey Wingfield is a leading sociologist and a celebrated author who researches racial and gender inequality in professional occupations.

When we think of contributing to a cause we care about…often, that means writing a check. The generosity of donors keeps non-profits alive. But behind the scenes, what’s the best use of those resources? Our guest is Sam Marks, CEO of FJC, a foundation offering donor advised funds to amplify the work and passion of donors and non-profifts. For more, visit FJC.org.

With ADHD and other diagnoses are on the rise, it’s more important than ever to make sure neurodivergent children feel supported and understood. Our guest is DR. SHARON SALINE, author of WHAT YOUR ADHD CHILD WISHES YOU KNEW: Working Together to Empower Kids for Success in School and Life. Dr. Sharon Saline is an award-winning author and licensed clinical psychologist with more than 30 years’ experience, and a top expert on ADHD, anxiety, learning differences and mental health challenges. For more, visit drsharonsaline.com.

Coping after Suicide. It’s a serious, heavy topic. If you’re someone that’s dealing with this in your life—whatever your age, whenever it happened—you also know it’s kind of always with you. Our guest is Joanne Harpel, a suicide and bereavement specialist who’s been there, and created the organization RETHINK THE CONVERSATION, and her practice Coping After Suicide, to turn her loss into action. With Creative Consultant Geoffrey Cantor, their film "Talking OutLoud" debuts on International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, November 18, 2023. For more, visit copingaftersuicide.com, and rethinktheconversation.org.

Cats might have a bad rap for being aloof, cool, and uncommunicative—but maybe that’s because we haven’t been paying close enough attention to see what they’re trying to say. Our guest is cat behavior scientist Dr. Sarah Brown, with her new book THE HIDDEN LANGUAGE OF CATS: How They Have Us At Meow. Sarah Brown gained her PhD on the social behavior of neutered domestic cats while working at the Anthrozoology Institute at the University of Southampton in the UK. She has worked as an independent cat behavior counselor, as a consultant for the cat-toy industry, and has conducted research for and worked with several UK animal charities, and is the author of several books.

Today, as fewer people are going to college, programs are being cut and private colleges are closing. Meanwhile, The Supreme Court banned race-based affirmative action in the admissions process. What does all this mean for the landscape of higher education? Our guest is Dr. Susan Burns, President of the College of Mount St. Vincent, the private, Catholic College based in the Bronx, and recognized on a national level for social mobility, and building an economically diverse student body. For more, visit mountsaintvincent.edu.

In a world that seems to go to crisis to crisis--whether political, or racial or environmental--everyone has a role to play. But when you feel compelled to stand up for what you care about, how do you do it? How do you focus? And how do you sustain yourself and keep going? Our guest is Omkari Williams, a political consultant and life coach for 30 years, with an emphasis on supporting activists who identify as introverted or highly sensitive. Her book is: MICRO ACTIVISM: How You Can Make A Difference In The World Without A Bullhorn.

The Hackensack River—one of the great waterways in America, straddling New York and New Jersey—is also one of the most challenged waterways in the country. Since 1997, Hackensack Riverkeeper, Led by Captain Bill Sheehan, has defended the river’s resources through awareness, education and advocacy. Our guests are Executive Director Captain Bill Sheehan and Outreach Coordinator Tyler Tierney. For more, visit hackensackriverkeeper.org.

These days, very few people graduate college without the help of parents. And very few of us get our first apartment without the help of parents or other family. Why would we expect newly independent, former foster children to be able to do the same, with less? Our guest is Alan Yu, the Executive Director of New Yorkers For Children, for a conversation on financial assistance and guidance for young adults aging out of the foster care system. For more, visit newyorkersforchildren.org.

Unless you are the child of a celebrity, your kid is likely already more famous than you—internet famous. Bits of their lives are posted online every day…and kids today grow up with far less privacy and control over their public image. Parents are also tracking and following and, also, judging— their kid’s world via their devices, in a way that didn’t exist for their parents. Dr. Devorah Heitner’s new book is GROWING UP IN PUBLIC: Coming of Age in a Digital World, where she shares research-backed advice about caregiving in the digital age. Dr. Devorah Heitner’s writing on kids and technology has appeared in the New York Times, The Washington Post, Fast Company and others.

In a city known as a haven for art and artists, The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music stands out as an institution offering hands-on musical experiences in neighborhoods traditionally under-served by New York City Cultural Institutions. Our guest is Chad Cooper, Executive Director of the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. At the helm of their hundreds of events every year, the Conservatory’s legendary House Party is coming for one night only, Thursday, November 9. For more, visit BKCM.org.

Amid all of the recent strikes, protests, and the ongoing fight for dignity inside and outside of the workplace, our guest is Harvard sociologist and dignity expert Michèle Lamont, author of SEEING OTHERS: How Recognition Works and How It Can Heal a Divided World. Michèle Lamont is a Professor of Sociology and of African and African American Studies at Harvard University, where she is also the Robert I. Goldman Professor of European studies. For more, visit MicheleLamont.org.

We're happy to welcome back Doug Wirth, President and CEO of Amida Care, which celebrates it’s 20th year as New York’s largest Medicaid Special Needs Health Plan, providing comprehensive care to New Yorkers affected by HIV. As New York’s larges Medicaid Special Needs Health Plan, Amida Care serves over 9,000 New Yorkers affected by HIV. For more, visit amidacareny.org.

THE KNOWLEDGE GAP: The Hidden Cause of America's Broken Education System and How to Fix It, by Natalie Wexler, is a deep dive into the root cause of America’s education crisis. Natalie Wexler’s articles and essays on education and other topics have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes,and elsewhere.

Visions and Pathways, a nonprofit based in Bridgewater, NJ, has provided housing, education, and counseling for many of NJ’s homeless kids and kids aging out of foster care for over 50 years. Our guest is CEO David Walker, as they raise funds for their new residential center, Bridge House II. For more, visit visionsandpathways.org and streetsmartoutreachorg.

Entrepreneur, researcher, and advocate Maxine Bédat's new book is UNRAVELED: The Life and Death of a Garment. Her research is a groundbreaking chronicle of the birth--and death--of a pair of jeans, that exposes the fractures in our global supply chains, and our relationships to each other, ourselves, and the planet. Maxine Bédat is the founder and director of New Standard Institute, a think-and-do tank dedicated to turning industry into a force for good. She is a former lawyer and the cofounder of ethical fashion brand Zady.

Board certified health and Nutrition Coach Daryn Mayer decodes the NYC Public School menus to find the healthiest choices and best kid-friendly snacks. Daryn Mayer is a Board Certified Health and Nutrition Coach, and owner of New York based Daryn Mayer Wellness. DarynMayerWellness.com

There’s no question today’s students face unprecedented pressure to succeed. But how do we teach our kids to strive towards excellence without crushing them? Our guest is award-winning reporter Jennifer Breheny Wallace, for her new book NEVER ENOUGH: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic—And What We Can Do About It. Jennifer Breheny Wallace is an award-winning journalist and social commentator covering parenting and lifestyle trends for the last decade. Her website is jenniferbwallace.com

The Entrepreneur Space is a food & business incubator in Long Island City that has been helping people build and develop their new businesses for over 20 years. Managing Consultant of Entrepreneur Space, Katherine Gregory, talks about trends in today's emerging small businesses. For more, visit entrepreneurspace.org.

This year’s New York City budget was marked by a lack of funding and cuts across the board. At the same time, New York State is losing out on an estimated $4.4 billion in economic stimulus because residents aren’t enrolled in benefits they qualify for. Our guest is Beth Finkel, State Director of AARP New York,with a plan to make it easier to search for those over 50 to find and apply for public benefits. For more, local.aarp.org/new-york-ny/

Current events find us talking more and more about the experiences of women and young girls, but what about the experiences of our sons and young men? How can we ensure that our sons are well-prepared and well-launched to manhood? How to Raise a Boy: The Power of Connection to Raise Good Men, by Dr. Michael Reichert, focuses on this question as a foundation to what we are missing when it comes to raising our sons.

Every year, The US Open is an epic sports event in sports, tennis and Queens. Kicking off the tournament, this Tuesday, August 22 to Sunday, August 27 is US Open Fan Week! The USTA’s Nicole Kankam, Managing Director, Pro Tennis Marketing and Entertainment, has details on the free events for all The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. For more, visit USopen.org.

Our guest is Madeleine Kleven of FOOD ANIMAL CONCERNS TRUST (FACT), for a conversation about the use and consequences of antibiotics in the food we eat, protecting ourselves, and supporting humane farming. Before joining FACT, Madeleine worked in a laboratory setting, researching infectious organisms and their impacts on public health. She completed her graduate degree in public health at UC Berkeley with an emphasis in infectious diseases and vaccinology.
For more, visit foodanimalconcernstrust.org.

Merle Saferstein has worked closely with hundreds of Holocaust survivors, helping them to write and pass along their personal thoughts and histories. Now she’s helping others share their lifetime stories with legacy journaling, through her book LIVING AND LEAVING MY LEGACY, VOL II.

As one of America’s leading cultural ambassadors, NYC based Battery Dance connects the world through dance by building 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. Our guest is founder and Artistic Director of Battery Dance, Jonathan Hollander. For more, visit Batterydance.org.

Given the number of boarded up retail spaces across New York City, it may not be a surprise that retail jobs are down—there are fewer of most the accessible jobs. What does that mean for the City? Are those jobs coming back, and what needs to happen to insure that New Yorkers are prepared for the jobs the economy is creating? Our guest is Jonathan Bowles is the Executive Director of The Center for an Urban Future, a think tank that serves as a catalyst for smart and sustainable policies to reduce inequality, increase economic mobility, and grow the economy in New York City. For more, visit nycfuture.org.

In THE CONFIDENCE MAP: Charting a Path from Chaos to Clarity, behavioral economics pioneer Peter Atwater explores the hidden role of confidence in the choices we make and why events described as being unprecedented are often entirely predictable if we know what to look for. Peter Atwater is an Adjunct Professor of Economics at William and Mary, and President of Financial Insyghts, a consulting firm that advises on how social mood affects decision making, the economy, and the markets.

Christian Madsbjerg new book is LOOK: How to Pay Attention in a Distracted World,an exploration of how we pay attention, why it matters, and how we get it back. Christian Madsbjerg is cofounder of the consulting firm ReD Associates. He writes, speaks, and teaches widely on the practical application of the human sciences.

One of the great NYC fundraisers returns on September 10th: Wine on Wheels at City Winery. It’s an event founded by NYC based restauranteur and sommelier Yannick Benjamin, bringing together people to drink wine, socialize and raise funds to empower people with disabilities. For tickets and more, visit wineonwheels.org

New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Ackerman’s new book is WHAT AN OWL KNOWS: The New Science of the World's Most Enigmatic Birds, a scientific investigation into owls and why they exert such a hold on human imagination. Jennifer Ackerman has been writing about science and nature for more than three decades. Her previous books include, The Bird Way: A New Look at How Birds Talk, Work, Play, Parent, and Think and The Genius of Birds.

Vanessa Bracetty-Ormsby is Founder & Executive Director of Expecting Relief: A Brooklyn based organization built to create community based solutions address to poverty, hunger and miseducation via food, diaper, literacy relief and more. For more, visit expectingrelief.org.

Dr. Catherine Pearlman's book is IGNORE IT!: How Selectively Looking the Other Way Can Decrease Behavioral Problems and Increase Parenting Satisfaction. Dr. Pearlman's private practice helps families resolve everyday problems related to discipline, sleep, and sibling rivalry, among other issues. More at thefamilycoach.com.

Former NYC Schools Chancellor Dr. Meisha Porter is now the Inaugural President and CEO of The Bronx Community Foundation, an organization which supports and invests in community non-profits to eradicate inequity and build sustainable futures for all Bronxites. Dr. Porter talks about their approach, and recent grants and partnerships supporting migrants, cannabis education and the borough’s first legal dispensary. For more, visit thebronx.org

As Americans, we are defined by our jobs. But what if our jobs were just part of our lives, and our identities came from something far more personal? Simone Stolzoff’s new book is THE GOOD ENOUGH JOB: Reclaiming Life from Work. It's a look at why work has become central to our identities, and how to separate our self-worth from our output. Simone Stolzoff is an independent journalist and consultant. He works with leaders—from the Surgeon General of the United States to the Chief Talent Officer at Google—on how to make the workplace more human-centered.

According to the New York Economic Development Corporation, while Manhattan has lost about 2,300 small businesses in the last decade, the other four boroughs have been gaining. To drill down on business in the Bronx, and resources for small business owners, our guest is Rob Walsh, President of Bronx Economic Development Corporation. For more, visit BxEDC.org.

If you are one of those people who thinks you might have a book in you…or maybe have even written one…well, what happens next? How do you get it published? Rea Frey is a multi-published, award-winning bestselling author, and founder of Writeway, a process and podcast to help other writers get published, at writewayco.com.

The New York City Primary election is Tuesday, June 27, 2023. Like most off-cycle election years, voter turnout will likely be low. What is on the ballot this year, and what needs to be done to increase voter turnout? Our guests are Betsy Gothbaum, Executive Director of the non-profit good government group Citizens Union and former NYC Public Advocate, and and Ben Weinberg, Citizens Union Director of Public Policy. For more, visit citizensunion.org.

For Pride Month, we’re joined by Jason Marx, a partner in the Trusts and Estate practice at Mandelbaum Barrett in Roseland, NJ, for a conversation about the unique challenges of estate planning for same sex couples. For more, mblawfirm.com.

For over 50 years, the legendary NYC Pride March has been a symbol of the LGBTQ+ presence in our community. Our guest is Dan Dimant of Heritage of Pride, the non profit organization that plans and produces New York City's official Pride events each year--including this year’s Pride March on June 25th. For more, visit NYCPride.org.

Right now 70% of Americans say they are unhappy with what they do for a living. Feel familiar? At the present moment, a million Americans a week quit their job—that’s a third of the workforce. Another third questions how, where and when they work. Our guest is Bruce Feiler, author of THE SEARCH: Finding Meaningful Work in a Post-Career World. Bruce Feiler is the author of seven New York Times bestsellers, including Life is in the Transitions, The Secrets of Happy Families, and The Council of Dads.

For the 100th Anniversary of Star Lake Camp, the Salvation Army’s summer camp in Bloomingdale, NJ, they’re launching a program for children of the incarcerated. Our guest is Major Antonio Rosamilia, a former camper and now Co-Camp Director! For more information on Star Lake Camp and applications for campers and staff, visit starlake.camp.

For some people, there is no planning when it comes to having a family. However, Tasha Van Howe’s was very different. Her memoir is MISS ME, ALWAYS, a story she shares for anyone who’s ever experienced the loss of a child, struggled with infertility or adoption challenges—she’s faced them all.

A charter school focused on the future is coming soon to Brooklyn’s historic Floyd Bennett Field: Launch Expeditionary Learning Charter School will explore green jobs, solutions to climate change, food injustice, and systemic racism. Executive Director Geoffrey Roehm is our guest. For more, visit launchschool.org.

Christine Yu is an award-winning journalist focused on the intersection of sports science and women athletes. In her reporting forOutside, The Washington Post, Runner’s World and others, she realized that even as women excel in sports, we know little about female physiology and sports performance. Her new book is UP TO SPEED:The Groundbreaking Science of Women Athletes.

Ballet Hispánico, the nation’s largest Latinx cultural organization and one of America’s Cultural Treasures, returns to New York City Center, June 1-3. Artistic Director & CEO Eduardo Vilaro visits for for a preview of their performances, including two world premieres. For more, visit BalletHispanico.org, and for tickets visit nycitycenter.org

The New York Alliance Against Insurance Fraud estimates that business fraud costs every state resident approximately $900 per year. The NYAAIF’s Frank Sztuk discusses at the impact of insurance fraud, and red flags for both employers and employees. For more, visit fraudny.com.