hmTv at HMTC Podcasts

Send us a text In Episode 185 of History Repeats, Liam Carballal and Richard Acritelli trace Ukraine’s modern saga—from Stalin’s Holodomor and Khrushchev’s Crimea handoff to today’s brutal stalemate with Russia. They unpack how century‑old border tactics fuel the current conflict, explore the rise of drone warfare, and assess the West’s response as NATO pushes east. It’s a sharp‑eyed, witty deep dive into how past power plays set the stage for tomorrow’s security map—because if history teaches us anything, it’s that old lessons are the ones we keep repeating. Support the show

Send us a textIn Episode 184 of Life Talks, It’s Different Walks, Fred Nielsen tackles hustle with recent Stony Brook computer‑engineering grad Christopher Nielsen—whose college résumé looked more like a triathlon: punishing calc classes, back‑to‑back internships, and a 29‑hour campus job. Fueled by Boy Scout grit and a fear‑driven compass, Christopher shaved his three‑mile run from 30 to 21 minutes and is now bound for Marine Corps Officer Candidates School. If you think your to‑do list is long, wait ’til you hear how he turns discomfort into career superpowers. No sugar‑coating—just a forward‑thinking kick in the pants to set your own goals and chase what truly counts.Support the show

Send us a text In Episode 183 of The Dana Download, Dana Arschin sits down with award‑winning author Susan McClelland and illustrator Zena Frey to uncover the extraordinary true story behind Susan’s upcoming book Honor—a tale of a Jewish family’s two‑year hiding on a Ukrainian farm—and the artistic journey that sprang from it. Susan shares how on‑the‑ground research in Ukraine and archived family letters breathed life into the narrative, while Zena reveals how reading her father’s story transformed her relationship with art, memory, and resilience. From five‑minute charcoal sketches of Debra Messing to the power of survivor testimonies, this episode blends history, creativity, and heart. Tune in for honest conversation, a few laughs, and why keeping these stories alive is more urgent than ever. Support the show

Send us a textAt 99 and 96 respectively, Meir and Doris Yusupovix have outlived the ghettos of Papaniki and Łódź, the death march to Mauthausen—and even a brief imprisonment fighting for Israel’s independence. On Episode 182 of Legacy Chronicles: Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future, host Donna Rosenblum sits down with their daughter, second‑generation survivor Ronit Kessler, to talk family secrets, hidden tattoos, and the moment Meir was finally called to the Torah at his granddaughter’s Bat Mitzvah. From liberated birth certificates to repurposed toilet‑paper rolls, Ronit shows how her parents’ resilience has become her life’s mission—and how passing that torch can light the way for us all.Support the show

Send us a textAt 95 years young, lifelong New Yorker Harriet Roslow has lived through eras without TV, smartphones, or safe‐walking apps—and she’s here to tell us why kindness was the secret sauce back then and how we can reclaim it today. In this no‑sugar‑coated conversation, Harriet recalls stutter‑breaking tap‑dance lessons, first‑grade teachers who insisted “this is a right‑handed world,” and solo train rides into Manhattan at age eleven. Host Samantha Sosnik and Harriet unpack how over‑parenting, social media cliques, and fear have made today’s childhood tougher—and how a little old‐fashioned neighborliness can still put the brakes on bullying. Tune in for straight talk, a few laughs, and timeless wisdom on raising kinder communities. Support the show

Send us a textWhen special‑education veteran Joanne Savastano joined forces with host Samantha Sosnik, sparks flew—in a good way! In this heartfelt episode of Putting the Brakes on Bullying, Joanne draws on over 40 years of classroom wisdom to show how small acts of inclusion can spark big changes. From her pioneering “Buddy Club” that transformed playground dynamics to real‑world stories of parents, teachers, and even neighbors overcoming their fears, Joanne reveals the no‑nonsense tools we all need to build compassionate communities. Samantha and Joanne also dig into the power of empathy—why giving of yourself might just be the best defense against cruelty. Tune in for straight‑talking insights, a few laughs, and an inspiring blueprint for making every school (and neighborhood) a place where every kid feels safe, seen, and celebrated.Support the show

Send us a textJoin Donna Rosenblum for Episode 179 of Legacy Chronicles, where two Hewlett teens—Romy Fruman and Harley Moritz—reimagine remembrance with their Kindertransport clothespin project. Discover how interviewing survivor Manfred Corman led them to collect 10,000 decorated pins as a powerful art installation and classroom activity, launch a dedicated website, and inspire local assemblies. They’ll share their playbook for turning history into hands‑on learning, preview HMTC’s new fifth‑ and sixth‑grade curriculum packet, and invite you to their September 14 reception unveiling the Kindertransport bench. It’s proof that when young people lead, memory becomes momentum—and you can help carry it forward. Support the show

Send us a textJoin Arnie Herz for Episode 178 of Habits of a Whole Heart, as Holocaust educator and activist Bernie Furshpan returns to share the story behind his powerful documentary, The Weight of Memory: I Am Bernie Furshpan. Dive into his father’s astonishing survival in a Polish forest, the urgent mission to teach young people that hate is a choice—and how building your “kindness muscle” one daily act at a time can change the world (and your own heart). Plus, Bernie opens up about a near‑death brain bleed that taught him the true weight of gratitude—proof that sometimes life’s toughest moments are the best workout for the soul. Support the show

Send us a textIn this episode of Ordinary Heroes, Dr. Bernie Furshpan sits down with longtime friend and financial visionary Peter Klein, the driving force behind the Claire Freedlander Family Foundation. Together they unpack how grants can be treated as strategic investments rather than simple donations, explore the million‑dollar launch of HMTC’s Institute for Tolerance Training, and celebrate the impact of their Upstander Award—where high schoolers become modern-day heroes in lunchroom showdowns. Peter also shares insider tips on building a multigenerational “family mission statement” for lasting legacy gifts, weighs in on the future of philanthropy (spoiler: America’s generosity streak isn’t going anywhere), and offers a candid look at what keeps him up at night—from sticky inflation to the stubborn persistence of hate. Tune in for practical wisdom, uplifting stories, and a no‑nonsense roadmap for doing good that actually moves the needle. Support the show

Send us a textIn this week’s episode, Arnie Herz sits down with producer‑activist Peter Samuelson—author of Finding Happy and founder of the First Star foster‑care mentorship program—to reveal the no‑BS habits that power his wholehearted life. Learn how a 5 a.m. writing ritual, an hour of student email “office hours,” and a $200 pay‑it‑forward challenge transform empathy into action. Discover why bite‑sized chapters and reflection prompts hooked Gen Z readers (no TikTok attention span required), the life‑changing benefits of a weekly digital Sabbath, and the one habit Peter would gift every young person: “Serve first.”Tune in for straight‑talk wisdom, clever laughs, and a practical roadmap to living with purpose, resilience, and genuine joy.Support the show