hmTv at HMTC Podcasts

Send us a textEpisode 306: Legacy Chronicles with Donna Rosenblum and Guest Jack HershIn this powerful episode of Legacy Chronicles: Honoring the Past and Shaping the Future on hmTv, host Donna Rosenblum, Director of Education at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center, sits down with Jack Hersh, author, speaker, and proud son of Holocaust survivor David Hersh.Jack shares the extraordinary true story of his father’s survival through Auschwitz, Mauthausen, and Gusen—how he escaped the Nazis twice, was hidden by a courageous Austrian family, and rebuilt his life with resilience, humor, and kindness. Together, Donna and Jack explore what it means to grow up as a second-generation survivor (“2G”), the impact of inherited memory, and how one man’s humanity endured even after the darkest of times.Jack also reflects on discovering hidden chapters of his father’s story, his decision to write Death March Escape, and how the lessons of courage and faith remain urgently relevant in the world today—especially in the face of rising antisemitism and global conflict.An unforgettable conversation about remembrance, resilience, and the responsibility to speak truth.🎧 Legacy Chronicles — where every story honors the past to shape a more compassionate future.Support the show

Send us a textPodcast Title: The UN, Society, and Antisemitism Episode 304 (Part 1) Host: Dr. Susanne Seperson Guest: J.D. Solomon Series: hmTvDescription: In this powerful episode of The UN, Society, and Antisemitism on hmTv, host Dr. Susanne Seperson sits down with author and historian J.D. Solomon to explore antisemitism in early 20th-century America — from the Leo Frank lynching in 1915 to the sensational Leopold and Loeb murder case of 1924, and the rise of Christian nationalism intertwined with the Ku Klux Klan movement.Solomon, a former journalist and lifelong student of history, shares his personal reflections on growing up Jewish in mid-century America and how subtle prejudice coexisted with systemic exclusion. Together, he and Dr. Seperson trace how antisemitism evolved from overt hate to institutional barriers — and how events like the Leo Frank case still reverberate today.The discussion sheds light on overlooked figures like Daisy Douglas Barr, the “Imperial Empress” of the Indiana Women’s Klan, whose story reveals the unsettling intersection of religion, politics, and bigotry in American history.Part 1 ends with a preview of the next episode, where the conversation will turn to Father Charles Coughlin, Henry Ford, and the powerful media voices that helped normalize antisemitism in the U.S.Keywords: antisemitism, American history, Leo Frank, Leopold and Loeb, Ku Klux Klan, Daisy Douglas Barr, Christian nationalism, Jewish experience, hmTv, Susanne Seperson, J.D. SolomonSupport the show

Send us a textCreative People – Episode 303: Building with Heart and VisionHost: Jolanta ZameckaGuest: Architect Stuart NarofskyProduced by: hmTv at the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance CenterIn this inspiring episode of Creative People, host Jolanta Zamecka sits down with acclaimed architect Stuart Narofsky to explore how architecture can shape not only spaces, but lives. From the creation of the Children’s Memorial Amphitheater at the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center—born from the vision of the late Bob Praver—to innovative, sustainable design projects across the globe, Narofsky shares stories that bridge art, memory, and humanity.Together, they reflect on the power of design to foster healing, community, and connection—from rebuilding homes in Malibu after the wildfires to crafting a remote lodge in Alaska. With warmth and wisdom, Narofsky reminds us that great architecture is not only about form and function—it’s about heart, history, and human relationships.A conversation about creativity, empathy, and legacy — and how thoughtful design can help build a better world.Support the show

Send us a textEpisode 302: Habits of a Whole Heart with Arnie Herz and Dr. Orly Calderon (Part 3)In this deeply moving third installment of Habits of a Whole Heart on hmTv, host Arnie Herz and psychologist Dr. Orly Calderon bring their powerful series on wholeness and healing to a heartfelt conclusion — exploring how post-traumatic growth, reframing, and community can transform pain into purpose.Dr. Calderon explains the difference between cognitive restructuring and post-traumatic growth, illustrating how both approaches empower us to reinterpret suffering and move from “Why did this happen to me?” to “For what purpose did this happen?” Together, she and Arnie share deeply personal stories of loss, illness, and recovery — from Orly’s journey through sudden bereavement to Arnie’s near-death experiences with heart failure and a brain bleed — showing how reframing and resilience can turn even life-threatening moments into sources of strength, empathy, and renewal.The episode expands from the personal to the communal, highlighting how acts of compassion — like Suzanne Herz feeding hospital staff and founding the Alisa Conet Fund — create ripples of hope and belonging that extend across faiths and cultures. Arnie and Orly close with a call for bridge-building: finding shared goals between divided groups as a way to heal both hearts and societies.Authentic, emotional, and profoundly uplifting, this episode reminds us that the goal isn’t to erase pain — it’s to make it productive and transformative.🎧 Listen now on hmTv as part of the Humanity Matters series.Support the show

Send us a textEpisode 300: Habits of a Whole Heart with Arnie Herz and Guest Dr. Orly Calderon (Part 1)In this milestone 300th episode of Habits of a Whole Heart on hmTv, host Arnie Herz sits down with Dr. Orly Calderon, Associate Professor of Psychology at Long Island University and Director of Assessment, for a deeply insightful conversation about the true meaning of wholeness and resilience.With warmth, humor, and candor, Dr. Calderon challenges the notion of being “whole” — explaining that real strength comes not from perfection, but from the ability to adapt, recover, and keep moving forward. Together, she and Arnie explore how resilience is cultivated over time, how supportive relationships and community can protect mental health, and why balance in parenting and self-care is essential for emotional growth.They also tackle today’s cultural and psychological challenges — from helicopter parenting to social media isolation, political polarization, and the growing need for empathy in a fear-driven world.Filled with wisdom and practical insight, this episode invites listeners to rethink what it means to live a whole-hearted life — one grounded in compassion, courage, and connection.🎧 Listen now on hmTv as part of the Humanity Matters series.Support the show

Send us a textEpisode 301: Habits of a Whole Heart with Arnie Herz and Dr. Orly Calderon (Part 2)In Part 2 of Habits of a Whole Heart on hmTv, host Arnie Herz continues his profound conversation with Dr. Orly Calderon, Associate Professor of Psychology at Long Island University and Director of Assessment. Together, they explore the psychological and spiritual dimensions of self-awareness, emotional resilience, and the power of choice.Dr. Calderon explains how our subconscious filters — or “schemas,” as defined by Aaron Beck — shape the way we perceive the world, often trapping us in cycles of fear, bias, and fixed thinking. Through open dialogue, she and Arnie discuss how to pause, reframe, and reorient our thoughts to cultivate healthier emotional responses and more compassionate human connections.The conversation flows seamlessly from cognitive behavioral therapy to biblical wisdom, touching on Noah’s story, Holocaust survival, Nelson Mandela’s resilience, and even pathways toward peace in divided societies.This episode reminds us that while we can’t always control our circumstances, we can always choose how to respond — and that awareness, empathy, and hope are the true habits of a whole heart.🎧 Listen now on hmTv as part of the Humanity Matters series.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 297: “Ordinary Heroes” on hmTv Hosted by: Bernie Furshpan & Jolanta Zamecka Guest: Paweł Sawicki, Deputy Spokesperson, Auschwitz-Birkenau MuseumIn this deeply moving episode of Ordinary Heroes on hmTv, hosts Bernie Furshpan and Jolanta Zamecka are joined live from Poland by Paweł Sawicki, Deputy Spokesperson of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum. Speaking directly from the historic site itself, Paweł offers a rare, first-hand perspective on preserving the world’s most powerful symbol of remembrance.Together, they explore the origins of Auschwitz, its transformation from a single camp into a vast system of concentration and extermination camps, and the importance of preserving its authenticity for future generations. Paweł discusses the complexities of forced labor, the enduring fight against Holocaust denial, and the human responsibility to stand up against hatred in all its forms.The conversation transcends history—it’s a call to conscience. Through Paweł’s insight and passion, this episode reminds listeners that remembrance is not only about the past; it’s about shaping a more humane and united future.🎧 Ordinary Heroes—stories of courage, memory, and moral responsibility—only on hmTv.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 299: “The Dana Download” on hmTv Host: Dana Arschin Guest: Saul Rubinek – Actor, Director, Playwright, and AuthorIn this remarkable episode of The Dana Download on hmTv, Dana Arschin welcomes the legendary Saul Rubinek, whose career spans over four decades in film, television, and theater. Born in a displaced persons camp after World War II, Rubinek’s story is as dramatic as the roles he’s portrayed—from Unforgiven to Frasier, Hunters, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.Rubinek discusses his newest one-man show, “Playing Shylock,” premiering at the Polonsky Shakespeare Center in Brooklyn, a powerful and provocative exploration of identity, antisemitism, and Shakespeare’s most controversial character. He also shares insights into his deeply personal new book, “All in the Telling: A Somewhat True Story,” a witty, moving journey through family secrets, Holocaust memory, and self-discovery.In one of the most emotional and candid conversations of the series, Saul reflects on growing up as the child of Holocaust survivors, the legacy of Yiddish theater, and the lifelong moment that turned a troubled seven-year-old into an artist devoted to truth and storytelling.🎧 The Dana Download — where meaningful stories meet remarkable lives.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 298: “Putting the Brakes on Bullying” on hmTv Host: Samantha Sosnik Guest: Marty Lyons, NFL Legend & Founder, The Marty Lyons FoundationIn this powerful and heartfelt episode of Putting the Brakes on Bullying on hmTv, Samantha Sosnik sits down with Marty Lyons — former New York Jet, NFL Man of the Year, and founder of the Marty Lyons Foundation, which has granted life-changing wishes for over 8,700 terminally ill children across the country.Lyons shares his remarkable journey from gridiron glory to a lifetime of service, revealing how personal tragedy led him to dedicate his life to compassion and community. Together, Samantha and Marty explore how kindness, empathy, and leadership can counteract the culture of bullying that continues to affect so many young people today.Through candid stories—from high school regrets to lessons from children battling illness—Marty reminds listeners that the smallest act of kindness can have a lifelong impact.This episode is more than a conversation about bullying—it’s a masterclass in humanity, resilience, and the enduring power of doing good.🎧 Putting the Brakes on Bullying — real stories, real courage, real change. Only on hmTv.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 296: The Einstein of Sex: Magnus Hirschfeld’s Legacy of Tolerance Host: Donna Rosenblum | Guest: Daniel Brook | Produced by hmTv – The Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance CenterIn this captivating episode of Legacy Chronicles, host Donna Rosenblum sits down with author and journalist Daniel Brook to discuss his groundbreaking book, The Einstein of Sex: Magnus Hirschfeld and the Invention of the Modern Sexual World.Together, they explore the remarkable story of Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld — a German Jewish physician, psychiatrist, and pioneering advocate for LGBTQ+ rights whose revolutionary Institute for Sexual Science in 1920s Berlin was a beacon of progress long before its time. Brook traces Hirschfeld’s courage in the face of persecution, his scientific innovations, and his visionary belief that humanity exists on a seamless continuum — where identity, gender, and race are more connected than divided.From Berlin’s early queer rights movement to the tragic Nazi book burnings that destroyed Hirschfeld’s life’s work, this episode uncovers a hidden chapter of history with powerful lessons for today.A profound discussion about courage, compassion, and the enduring fight for equality — reminding us that tolerance isn’t modern; it’s timeless.Support the show