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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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Miriam Raccah, CEO of Black 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Lauren Profeta 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 is an advisor to the History Museum of Mobile, which is working to memorialize the Clotilda survivors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.