hmTv at HMTC Podcasts

Send us a textEp 256: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and guest Bob Chartuk (Part 2) on hmTv:Podcast Description: In part two of their conversation, host Richard Acritelli and journalist–historian Bob Chartuk explore Long Island’s pivotal role in the American Revolution. From William Floyd’s restored Mastic estate to Tangier Smith’s Manor of St. George, they trace the battles, raids, and sacrifices that shaped the nation’s early struggle for independence.Chartuk recounts the daring raid of Colonel Benjamin Talmadge and his dragoons, the burning of British hay at Coram, the first-ever Purple Heart awarded by George Washington, and the heroism of General Nathaniel Woodhull. Along the way, they connect the past to present-day Long Island landmarks, where musket holes, cemeteries, and preserved estates still tell the story of freedom hard-won.A deep dive into Revolutionary War history—told right where it happened.Support the show

Send us a textEp 254 – Influential Origins with Rory LancmanIn this episode of Influential Origins, host Alan Mindel sits down with public servant and advocate Rory Lancman for a powerful conversation about service, leadership, and the urgent fight against rising antisemitism.From his early years in the National Guard to a distinguished career in the New York State Assembly, City Council, and beyond, Rory reflects on how his experiences shaped his drive to serve. He shares candid insights into today’s challenges on college campuses, the dangers of the BDS movement, and why Jews are often the “canary in the coal mine” for threats to democracy and individual rights.Despite the troubling rise in hate, Rory highlights the extraordinary wave of Jewish activism and solidarity since October 8th—lawyers, leaders, and ordinary people stepping up to confront antisemitism and defend democratic values.This is an honest, timely, and inspiring conversation about resilience, responsibility, and the enduring importance of speaking out.Support the show

Send us a textIn this episode of History Repeats on hmTv, host Liam Carballal sits down with historian and educator Richard Acritelli to reflect on the 24th anniversary of September 11th. Together they trace Osama bin Laden’s path from the battlefields of Afghanistan to the rise of al-Qaeda, exploring the events that led to the deadliest attack on American soil. With personal stories from Long Island classrooms, firehouses, and military service, Liam and Rich connect global history to local memory—showing how 9/11 reshaped America, exposed vulnerabilities, and left lasting lessons for a new generation. Support the show

Send us a textEp 252 – Many Voices One Community with Gaitley Stevenson Mathews and guest Ranelle WolfIn this heartfelt episode, host Gaitley Stevenson Mathews welcomes artist, professor, and educator Ranelle Wolf for a deeply moving conversation about art, memory, and values. Ranelle shares how her grandmother’s stories of the Holocaust shaped her childhood and inspired her lifelong mission to teach and heal through creativity. Together, they reflect on the power of storytelling, the role of art in processing pain, the importance of interfaith understanding, and why universal values like compassion and respect are essential in today’s divided world.A powerful dialogue on authenticity, resilience, and the lessons we must carry forward to build a more humane future.Support the show

Send us a textEpisode 251 – Humanity in the Arts with Ranelle Wolf and Gaitley Stevenson MathewsIn this episode of Humanity in the Arts, host Ranelle Wolf welcomes actor, director, voice coach, and community engagement leader Gaitley Stevenson Mathews for a powerful conversation about art, authenticity, and the soul.Gaitley shares lessons from a career spanning theater, music, and community service—from performing on Barney & Friends to leading arts nonprofits and engaging audiences at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center. Together, they explore how breath connects to spirit, how creativity bridges divides across culture and history, and how social media can be reclaimed as a force for good.The episode features reflections on resilience, the transformative role of theater and music, and a live performance excerpt that captures the essence of art as soul-care. At its core, this is a conversation about authenticity—and how the arts can heal, inspire, and help us practice Tikkun Olam: healing the world.Support the show

Send us a textEpisode 250 – Humanity in the Arts with Ranelle Wolf and Bernie FurshpanIn this milestone episode of Humanity in the Arts, host Ranelle Wolf sits down with educator, producer, and visionary Dr. Bernie Furshpan, founder of Humanity Matters. Together, they explore how art can heal the soul and repair a fractured world—through story, film, music, and community.Bernie shares the inspiration behind the documentary The Weight of Memory: I Am Bernie Furshpan, his urgent mission to reach young people with lessons of tolerance, and his upcoming concert in Israel supporting the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. The conversation spans soul-care, the power of film, the science of our shared ancestry, and his anthem “15th to 50th,” a reminder that nearly everyone you meet is family.This episode is a heartfelt call to reboot humanity through art, empathy, and kinship.Support the show

Send us a textEp 249 – Kinder People. Kindest People with Peter Suchmann and guest Bernie FurshpanIn this heartfelt episode of Kinder People. Kindest People on hmTv, host Peter Suchmann welcomes Bernie Furshpan—educator, marketer, and visionary behind The Weight of Memory: I Am Bernie Furshpan. Together, they explore the urgency of Holocaust storytelling, the lessons of history, and Bernie’s creative mission to inspire empathy through film, music, and education.From the moving documentary about his father’s survival to his groundbreaking music video 15th to 50th, Bernie shares how science, storytelling, and song all point to one truth: we are family, cousins across the globe. The conversation touches on travel, teaching, the power of kindness, and the need to reboot our perspective of humanity in a fractured world.This episode is a powerful reminder that humanity matters, that kindness can be revolutionary, and that the simplest truth—“we are all related”—may hold the key to healing.Support the show

Send us a textEp 248 – Legacy Chronicles with Herb FriendIn this deeply moving episode of Legacy Chronicles on hmTv, host Zachary Graulich sits down with Herb Friend, a second-generation Holocaust survivor, to share his family’s extraordinary story of survival, courage, and legacy. From his mother’s daring act of pulling her own mother off a gas chamber line in Auschwitz, to his father’s journey as a Soviet tank commander liberating camps, Herb recounts the miraculous series of events that led to his very existence.The conversation explores the silence that marked his childhood, the weight of intergenerational trauma, and how he transformed that burden into a mission of education. Herb discusses his work in schools, the creation of the “Never Again Committee,” and the powerful initiative of dedicating Holocaust books to murdered children—each with a name, birthplace, and story.Now, with the third and fourth generations of his family stepping up to preserve and share this history, Herb reflects on the blessings of legacy and the sacred responsibility of memory. This episode is not only a testament to survival against impossible odds but also a reminder of the power of storytelling to shape future generations.Support the show

Send us a textEp 247: Raised by Survivors with Dr. Mark Furshpan In this deeply personal episode, host Bernie Furshpan sits down with his twin brother, Dr. Mark Furshpan, to explore the legacy of being raised by Holocaust survivors. Together, they unpack the concept of intergenerational trauma—how the pain, resilience, and survival of one generation shape the lives of those who follow.Mark shares insights from his groundbreaking dissertation on second-generation survivors, reflecting on how trauma can be transmitted not just through genetics, but through family dynamics, stories, silence, and resilience. The conversation touches on their parents’ struggles and triumphs, the weight carried by grandchildren today, and the values of courage, empathy, and determination that were passed down.This moving dialogue offers listeners a rare window into the personal and professional journey of two brothers bound by history, legacy, and love. It is a testament to survival, storytelling, and the responsibility to fight intolerance in today’s world.Support the show

Send us a textEpisode 246 – Ordinary Heroes: Bill MirroIn this deeply moving episode of Ordinary Heroes, host Bernie Furshpan sits down with retired FDNY firefighter and 9/11 responder Bill Mirro. With raw honesty, Bill recounts the path that led him into the fire service, the bonds of the brotherhood he discovered, and the harrowing morning of September 11, 2001.From racing downtown to find his son, to standing at the command post with FDNY leadership, to surviving the collapse of both towers, Bill shares searing memories of chaos, courage, loss, and survival. His story captures not only the unimaginable reality of that day but also the resilience and humanity that emerged from it.This episode is a powerful reminder of sacrifice, service, and why we must never forget.Support the show