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By 2035, the number in the people in the US over the age of 65 will outnumber the people under 18 for the first time history. As our population is rapidly aging, one of the greatest challenges of aging is being socially isolated. In HEALTHY TO 100: How Strong Social Ties Lead to Long Lives, longevity expert Ken Stern reveals the key components that globally contribute to longer, more enriching lives. Ken Stern is a nationally recognized expert on longevity and aging. He is the founder of the Longevity Project and hosts the popular “Century Lives” podcast from the Stanford Center on Longevity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NYC Pride, the organization most notable for producing The New York City Pride March in June, has a new executive director. Im Lynde talks about the significance of Pride for him, what’s in store for 2026, and how they’re responding to the significant challenges facing DEI projects and the LGBTQIA+ community.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christmas has arrived early at Catholic Charities in Paterson, NJ, with two recent ribbon-cuttings: A new location for Murray House, the longest running group home in the state for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and a new state-of-the-art drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, Straight and Narrow. Our guest is Scott Milliken, Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Perhaps 40% of the everyone in the world has headaches, but they’re remarkably under-studied and misunderstood. Tom Zeller Jr. is author of THE HEADACHE: The Science of a Most Confounding Affliction and a Search for Relief, a deeply reported journey into the world of headaches and an exploration of what it means to live with severe, unexplained, and recurrent head pain. Tom Zeller Jr. is co-founder and editor-in-chief of Undark, a nonprofit digital magazine exploring the intersection of science and society. Previously, he was a reporter and columnist at the New York Times, an editor at large for National Geographic and a Knight Science Journalism fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joining us to celebrate Hanukkah is writer and former New Yorker, Jean Meltzer - also known as - “The Queen of Jewish Romance.”, for her new book THE EIGHT HEARTBREAKS OF HANUKKAH. Jean is also announcing a groundbreaking first-ever 3-day event called Jewish Joy Con, celebrating the best in Jewish pop-culture, storytelling, and creativity, scheduled for next March in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Prior to becoming an author, JEAN MELTZER studied dramatic writing at NYU Tisch and built a successful career in television, earning multiple accolades including a National Daytime Emmy Award. She is the recipient of several writing honors, a Booklist Top Ten Romances for 2023, a starred review in Kirkus, a starred review in Booklist, and LibraryReads.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ready or not, AI has arrived. Rather than avoid it, how can we embrace it, and use it to our advantage? For the next few minutes, we talk about AI in the classroom, and how can it can help teachers amplify — not replace — human coaching. Carolyne Quintana is the new CEO of Teaching Matters and former Deputy Chancellor of Teaching and Learning at the NYC Department of Education. Teaching Matters works with schools to enrich professional learning for educators that is evidence-based, culturally responsive, and proven to increase teacher effectiveness.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Devorah Heitner’s book, GROWING UP IN PUBLIC: Coming of Age in a Digital World, is designed to help caregivers, educators, and kids navigate growing up in a world where nearly every moment of their lives can be shared and compared. Dr. Devorah Heitner’s writing on kids and technology has appeared in the New York Times, The Washington Post, Fast Company and others. She earned a PhD in Media/Technology and Society from Northwestern University.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New York State has one of the largest populations of adults over 60, and the older adult population is growing faster than any other group. AARP-NY State Director Beth Finkel returns to discuss accessing benefits, caregivers, and while it’s a year-round topic, during the holidays it’s especially important to talk about scams and fraud prevention for seniors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Fresh Air Fund is a New York City institution, a 150-year old nonprofit known for summer adventures for urban kids with their signature Volunteer Host Family programs and free sleep-away camps. Among their year-round programs is the College Connections Program for high schoolers which hosts workshops to help students with the college application process. Bentley Gordon is the Director of the College Connections Program.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EPIC Players, New York’s leading neuro-inclusive theater company, led by Founder and Executive Artistic Director Aubrie Therrien, presents the world premiere of the original play “BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism)”, by award winning playwright Dave Osmundsen, Dec 4 - 14 at Here Arts Center in Manhattan. Epic Players is a nonprofit, neuro-diverse theater company dedicated to creating professional performing arts opportunities and supportive social communities in the arts for Neurodivergent and Disabled artists.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While healthcare is top of mind for so many, we speak with a New York State organization focused on children’s health. Kayleigh Zaloga is the president and CEO of the New York State Coalition for Children's Behavioral Health, a statewide association of children's service providers. CCBH represents 50 provider agencies with 21,000 employees who serve nearly 200,000 children and families. We discuss the fight for access to behavioral health services, and the reality of mental health services for children in New York State.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

iHeartRadio NY is once again teaming up with WhyHunger for Hungerthon. Hungerthon is an annual radio tradition, organized by Why Hunger to educate and raise funds to confront the root causes of hunger in America, and defend the right to nutritious food for all. You can take action, donate or bid on exclusive iHeartRadio auction items at Hungerthon.org now through Dec 9th. WhyHunger works with community-based organizations across the country that are tackling the systemic injustice at the root of hunger through creative, local solutions. Our guest is Denny Marsh, Executive Director of Neighbors Together, a Brooklyn based soup kitchen, social service and community advocacy center that Why Hunger has been proud to work alongside for over a decade.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

THE PERIOD BRAIN: THE NEW SCIENCE OF WHY WE PMS AND HOW TO FIX IT, by research psychologist, professor, leading advocate for women’s health Dr. Sarah E. Hill, answers questions about the hormonal changes that regulate women’s bodies, and what’s true and not true about PMS.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dance/NYC is a service organization for the dance industry promoting the appreciation, practice, and knowledge of dance in the NYC metropolitan area. Interim Executive Director Sara Roer details their new fund providing direct support to freelance dancers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about hospice and palliative care and celebrating the professionals and volunteers who provide this essential care. Our guest is Dr. Linda Valentino, Chief Nursing Officer at NY City-based Calvary Hospital. Calvary is the country’s only hospital dedicated to providing hospice and palliative care to adult patients with advanced cancer and other life-limiting illness.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Street Vendor Project, a program of the Urban Justice Center, advocates for New York City’s 20,000+ street vendors, championing the rights of vendors as small businesses to earn a living and contribute to the culture and life of New York City. SVP’s Managing Director Mohamed Attia talks about the organization’s initiative to improve air-quality for both vendors and residents, via The Street Vendor Electrification Project, with a goal of converting carts from gas-powered generators to rechargeable batteries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every year, thousands of women are sold into child marraiges. SONITA: My Fight Against Tyranny and My Escape to Freedom, by acclaimed rapper and activist Sonita, is a young woman’s first-hand account of growing up in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, being sold into marriage twice, and eventually escaping to the U.S. to graduate from Bard College and become a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University in England.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guest is Maria Mora of the Nassau County SPCA for a preview of the Humane Hero Awards on Thursday, November 6: A reception to raise funds and recognize supporters of Nassau County’s SPCA’s effort to rescue, care for, and place abused animals. To find out more and support their work, visit nassaucountyspca.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Metro Plus Health is a not-for-profit insurance plan based in NYC, serving over 700,000 New Yorkers at over 34,000 sites across the five boroughs. Roger Milliner, Chief Growth Officer at MetroPlus Health, talks about their role in the health insurance landscape, options during the Medicare open enrollment period and explains upcoming Medicare health care changes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just days away from election day on November 4, we’re joined by Tim Hunter, representing the NYC Campaign Finance Board, and the landmark NYC campaign finance program that provides public funds to candidates for city office.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fastest-growing brain disease in the world is almost entirely preventable. So why are cases of Parkinson’s Disease skyrocketing? In THE PARKINSON’S PLAN, leading neurologists Dr. Ray Dorsey and Dr. Michael Okun explore how chemicals — including those banned in dozens of countries but still used widely the in U.S. — are fueling a hidden Parkinson’s epidemic. Dr. Ray Dorsey is Director of The Center for the Brain and Environment at Atria Health and Research Institute in NYC, and Dr. Michael Okun is Director of the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at The University of Florida Health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the most iconic neighborhoods in New York is geting a glow up: The Village Alliance Business Improvement District (BID) has announced the launch of Project Green, a five-year, $2 million fundraising campaign to dramatically increase greenery across one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods, Greenwich Village. Our guest is Scott Hobbs, Executive Director of the Village Alliance, leading the organization’s first comprehensive streetscape initiative in over 20 years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Uptown Voices: An Uptown Story is a multi-media exhibition in development designed to document Harlem’s history through intimate large-format portraits and oral histories of residents who have lived in the community for 30 years or more. The brother and sister team behind the project, photographer Wil Pierce and curator Joyous Pierce, have launched an open call for nominations—inviting New Yorkers to put forward family, friends, or neighbors whose Harlem stories should be preserved.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While gig work is wide ranging and offers plenty of freedoms, being an independent worker often means no access to traditional employment protections or benefits, such as healthcare, retirement or paid leave. Rafael Espinal, Executive Director of Freelancers Union, visits to talk about the growing independent workforce and portable benefits. Freelancers Union is the largest organization representing independent workers in the U.S., with over 500,000 members nationwide. Membership is free and open to all U.S.-based freelancers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

POISONING THE WELL: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America takes a look at the toxic chemicals PFAS, and how they’ve become permanently embedded in our soil, our water, and our bodies. Authors Sharon Udasin and Rachel Frazin discuss the controversy and consequences. Sharon Udasin is a staff reporter for The Hill, covering Western climate and policy. She was the recipient of a 2022 SEAL Environmental Journalism Award, and spent nearly a decade in Israel, reporting on environment, energy, and agriculture for The Jerusalem Post. Rachel Frazin covers energy and environment policy for The Hill. Her work has also appeared in the Chicago Sun-Times, The Daily Beast, the Tampa Bay Times, and elsewhere.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Limón Dance Company launches their celebration of the company’s first 80 years with a program at The Joyce Theater honoring eight decades of revolutionary modern dance, from October 14-19, 2025. Our guest is Artistic Director Dante Puleio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Find Your Light Foundation is dedicated to ensuring every student has the chance to experience a quality arts education. To date, the organization founded Tony®, EMMY®, and five-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated singer, songwriter, actor, and philanthropist Josh Groban has funded nearly 200 programs, in 33 states. With support for the arts needed more than ever, Josh Groban hosts the 2nd Annual Find Your Light Benefit Concert for Arts Education, October 8th at Jazz at Lincoln Center.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ronald E. Richter brings an unparalleled perspective to child welfare. With a career that spans over 35 years as a legal aid attorney, family court judge, former commissioner of New York City’s Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), and as CEO of JCCA, a 200-year-old nonprofit that supports more than 17,000 children and families across New York each year, Ron has seen the system from every angle. After serving the last ten years as CEO, Ron Richter will step down from his role at JCCA in October. We’ll discuss what’s working in child welfare, where we’re still falling short, and stories that have stayed with him.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most Americans would agree that our transportation infrastructure—from highways, to roads and bus and train lines—needs an upgrade. As governments plan for rebuilding and repairing, our guest takes a historic look at how much of our existing infrastructure was built to reinforce economic and racial divisions. Deborah Archer is an eminent legal scholar, the president of the ACLU, and author of DIVIDING LINES: How Transportation Infrastructure Reinforces Racial Inequality.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Approaching it’s first anniversary, The Bronx Music Hall is the first independent music performance venue in the borough in more than 50 years, and the new home of WHEDco’s Bronx Music Heritage Center. Co-Artistic Directors Elena Martínez and multi-Grammy nominated percussionist Bobby Sanabria talk about their mission to celebrate Bronx artists past and present.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New York State has one of the largest populations of adults over 60, and the older adult population is growing faster than any other group. For the first time, New York State has proposed a Master Plan for Aging, as a roadmap to address a range of issues and challenges for older New Yorkers. For details, our guest is Jeremy Kaplan, the Executive Director of Encore Community Services, a 2024 Nonprofit Trailblazer, and a vocal advocate for older adults and the care workforce that supports them.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For most people, it’s hard to imagine life without access to a computer or broadband. And yet, according new a study by The Center For An Urban Future, tens of thousands of Bronx residents remain cut off from these basic tools for work, school, and everyday connectivity. Jonathan Bowles from the Center for an Urban Future talks about tackling the digital divide in the Bronx.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While never ending policy debates about the mental health and homelessness crisis in the Subway persist, our guest is on the front lines every day with solutions that work. Melissa O’Brien is Medical Director of Psychiatric Services at Project Renewal, one of New York City’s largest providers of comprehensive health services to homeless individuals. We’ll talk about what she sees on the ground and what gets in the way of getting people the help they need.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New York City based Indo-American Arts Council is a not-for-profit organization passionately dedicated to promoting, showcasing and building an awareness of arts and artists of Asian Indian heritage. From September 18-21 in Manhattan, IAAC presents the Erasing Borders Dance Festival, featuring classical dance from India. Our guest is Deepsikha Chatterjee, Festival Director.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every year around the country, many thousands join the fight to end breast cancer, fund research, and support survivors through the Susan G. Komen Walks & Races. Sunday, September 7, Susan G. Komen celebrates the 35th year of Race for the Cure in New York City! For more on the event and the advancements made possible through decades of work and support, our guest is Stacie Spitzkoff, Executive Director of Susan G. Komen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the National Endowment for the Arts and public arts funding is threatened, our guests are Emmy nominated actor Tim Daly, President of The Creative Coalition, and author and producer Robin Bronk, the organization’s CEO, on the urgent fight to protect the NEA and how arts funding benefits communities across the across the country. Founded in 1989 by entertainment professionals committed to meaningful civic engagement, The Creative Coalition champions federal arts funding, free speech, and education.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After much debate and delay, NY City Public Schools begin a ban on personal internet enabled devices as of the 2025-26 school year. With the bell-to-bell ban, students will not have access to cell phones, personal tablets or smart watches during the school day. What should parents, teachers, and most importantly, students expect? Our guest is Dr. Curtis Palmore, CEO of United Charter High Schools, who has implemented bell-to-bell cell phone bans at every school he’s led over the past decade, including the seven high schools in his network, as of 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alison Manning, Co-Executive Director of Harkness Dance Center and Director of Harkness School of Dance, returns for a preview of Harkness Mainstage Series at 92NY, “Women’s Move The World”, featuring ten different offerings from women choreographers from September 13 through May 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NOT MY TYPE: One Woman Vs. A President, by celebrated writer E. Jean Carroll—who successfully stood up to Donald Trump in court twice and won twice— is a candid and uniquely personal account of the defamation and sexual assault trials that captured the nation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New York State has officially renewed two programs that offer businesses funding to relocate to The Bronx. Rob Walsh, President, Bronx Economic Development Corporation, talks about the potentially game changing policies of The Relocation and Commercial Expansion Program (RACE) and The Relocation and Employment Assistance Program (REAP).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In times of rising chronic diseases, and challenges, costs and threats to health care, Plant Powered Metro NY, a leading nutrition and health-focused nonprofit in New York, offers a powerful solution to treating and preventing chronic diseases. Our guest is Lianna Levine Reisner, President and Network Director, to talk about plant-powered diets as an evidence-based approach to well-being, and their Jumpstart Program, based on a whole food, plant based diet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US Open kicks off next Monday with Fan Week! From Monday, August 18 through Saturday, August 23, the grounds of The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens are entirely free and open to the public with activities for everyone. Our guest is Nicole Kankam, Managing Director, with details on this year’s events and tips for the best experience.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we talk about taking care of our mental health, we don’t often talk about the people who take care of us. What are the unique mental health challenges for first responders and how might their treatment and approach be different? Our guest is Dr. Brendan Guarino, clinical psychologist at Baker Street Behavioral Health, specializing in treatment for athletes and first responders.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Battery Dance Festival is New York City’s longest-running free public dance festival. Now in it’s 44th year, the Festival draws a combined audience of over 12,000 in-person and over 35,000 virtual viewers. For a backstage preview of this year’s festival, August 9-16 in Battery Park City, our guest is Battery Dance founder and artistic director Jonathan Hollander.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Affordable housing is hard to find. We talk about it at every level of income. But what is the affordable housing crisis like for working people at the low income end of the spectrum, for whom even an average monthly rent is out of reach? Our guest is Brian Goldstone, author of THERE IS NO PLACE FOR US: Working and Homeless in America. Brian Goldstone is a journalist whose long form reporting and essays have appeared in The New York Times, Harper’s Magazine, The New Republic, The California Sunday Magazine, and others. He has a doctorate in anthropology from Duke University and was a Mellon Research Fellow at Columbia University. In 2021, he was a National Fellow at New America. He lives in Atlanta with his family.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kofago Dance Ensemble, a premier African Diasporic dance ensemble based in New York, is training dancers this summer to perform across the state, as a means to build the next generation of dancers and cultural ambassadors. The company founded by our guest, Kevin McEwen, is also hosting the The Culture Rising Dance Conference, August 22-23rd at Lehman College, free to Bronx residents.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to studies, people tend to be happier, healthier, and more successful when they have a balance of the “Big Five” personality traits: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. But can we change our personalities to suit? Olga Khazan is an award-winning journalist and staff writer at The Atlantic covering science, health, and psychology. In her book ME, BUT BETTER: The Science and Promise of Personality Change, she reveals the science behind lasting personality change, and how anyone, at any age, can seize the reigns of their destiny.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year's National Assessment of Educational Progress shows only 31% of New York's fourth graders are reading at grade level. It's a dismal number mirrored in many states—and one that drops significantly for students from economically disadvantaged communities. In response, New York City’s Public Schools and other districts have increasingly embraced "The science of reading” instruction model—in part, a throwback to earlier decades of teaching. Our guest is Dr. Katie Pace Miles co-founder of CUNY Reading Corps and The NYC nonprofit The Reading Institute providing teacher training and resources.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Founded by Glenn and Amanda Fuhrman, The Flag Award For Teaching Excellence recognizes and celebrates extraordinary New York City public school teachers who inspire learning through creativity, passion, and commitment. Our guests are 2025 Flag Award Winners Alhassan Susso, a Social Studies teacher from International Community High School in The Bronx, and Emily Chandler a special education teacher at District 75 school, PS 371K Lillian Rashkis in Brooklyn. For more on this year’s winners and applications for 2026, visit flagaward.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month. Guns are the leading cause of death in the United States for people ages 1 through 17. Dr. Katherine Hoops talks more about the dangers and what you can do to promote gun safety, even if you don’t own a firearm. For more, visit The Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.