hmTv at HMTC Podcasts

Send us a textThe Fog of War and Humanity Episode 54: A City in Crisis – Reflections from NYPD ESU Lt. Owen McCaffrey (Part 1) Guest: Retired Lieutenant Owen McCaffrey Host: Richard Acritelli Platform: hmTvIn this powerful and deeply personal episode of The Fog of War and Humanity, host Richard Acritelli sits down with retired NYPD Emergency Services Unit Lieutenant Owen McCaffrey for Part 1 of an extraordinary conversation. McCaffrey shares his journey from growing up in Brentwood, Long Island, to joining the NYPD and rising through the ranks to serve in one of the most elite and demanding units in law enforcement.With decades of frontline experience, Lt. McCaffrey reflects on the complex realities of policing in New York City’s housing projects during the height of the crack epidemic, the evolution of emergency services, and the defining moments of his career. He opens up about confronting terrorism firsthand—having played a critical role in stopping an attempted suicide bombing in Brooklyn—and offers a harrowing, firsthand account of racing into Manhattan on 9/11.This episode offers a rare window into the humanity behind the badge, the weight of trauma, and the courage it takes to serve in the face of unimaginable danger. Tune in to hear an unforgettable story of resilience, duty, and the enduring impact of service.Stay tuned for Part 2, where Lt. McCaffrey recounts his personal experiences during and after the collapse of the World Trade Center and the loss of his close friend, Sgt. Michael Curtin.Support the show

Send us a textHistory Repeats – Episode 52 Host: Liam Carballal Guest: Richard Acritelli Produced by: hmTvEpisode Title: Liberation and Reckoning: 80 Years After the Camps Were FreedDescription: In this powerful episode of History Repeats, host Liam Carballal sits down with historian and educator Richard Acritelli to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the liberation of the Nazi concentration camps. Through vivid historical insight and emotional storytelling, Acritelli shares what American soldiers witnessed as they uncovered the full horror of the Holocaust—many for the first time. From the haunting discoveries at Ohrdruf and Buchenwald to the deeply human connections between liberators and survivors, this episode explores how the truth came to light, how it changed the course of history, and why remembrance is more vital than ever.Featuring firsthand accounts, chilling quotes from Eisenhower and Patton, and the story of survivor Warner Reich and his liberator, this episode is a solemn reflection on humanity’s darkest hour—and a call to ensure it is never forgotten.Tags: Holocaust, WWII, Liberation, History, Education, Human Rights, Richard Acritelli, Liam Carballal, Concentration Camps, Eisenhower, Patton, Survivor Testimony, hmTv, Memory and LegacySupport the show

Send us a textPodcast Title: The Fog of War and Humanity Episode 50 – Part 1 Guest: Major Montgomery Granger Host: Richard Acritelli Platform: hmTvEpisode Description: In this powerful 50th episode of The Fog of War and Humanity, host Richard Acritelli sits down with retired Army Major and educator Montgomery “Monty” Granger for an unflinching, deeply personal conversation about duty, history, and the unexpected paths that shape a life of service.From his childhood in Southern California to his academic journey through Alabama and Columbia University, Granger shares the early influences that led him from the classroom to the battlefield. As a combat medic, a reservist, and later a senior officer, Granger reflects on how his passion for history, his experience in education, and his role as a husband and father all came into focus during the darkest days of 9/11.He recounts being called up on the day of the attacks, helping to establish detainee operations at Guantanamo Bay, and the emotional and moral weight of caring for enemy combatants while his newborn son and family waited at home.Part 1 of this two-part series offers rare insight into the intersection of war, humanity, and responsibility. It’s a story of leadership forged through adversity—and a life lived in service to both country and conscience.Tags: #Veterans #GuantanamoBay #911 #CombatMedic #MilitaryHistory #POWs #HumanRights #Army #FogOfWar #hmTv #MontgomeryGranger #EducationAndService #MilitaryPodcast #AmericanHeroesSupport the show

Send us a textEp 51: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and Guest Montgomery Granger (Part 2) Presented by hmTv at the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance CenterIn this powerful continuation of Episode 50, host Richard Acritelli sits down with Army Major (Ret.) Montgomery Granger for a candid and deeply personal conversation about the realities of war, service, and the enduring human impact of Guantanamo Bay and Iraq.Major Granger reflects on his time at Camp X-Ray and Camp Delta, revealing the day-to-day operations of caring for detainees, the moral complexities of post-9/11 service, and the challenges of maintaining humanity amid chaos. He shares emotional stories of family sacrifice, media misinformation, cultural clashes, and his return home to a changed world.Granger also opens up about life after service—his struggles with the VA, veteran suicide, and his advocacy work for better mental health resources. With honesty, humility, and honor, he brings a rare and nuanced perspective to one of the most controversial and critical chapters in American military history.This is not just a story of war—it’s a story of responsibility, resilience, and the human cost of service.Featuring excerpts from Granger’s book, “Saving Grace at Guantanamo Bay” and his short documentary “Heroes of Gitmo.”Tags: Guantanamo Bay, Veteran Stories, Iraq War, Camp X-Ray, Camp Delta, PTSD, Military Service, 9/11, U.S. Army, POWs, Veterans Advocacy, Mental Health, Human Rights, hmTv, Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance CenterSupport the show

Send us a textRaised by Survivors – Episode 49: Legacies of Strength and Laughter Hosts: Bernie Furshpan & Alan Mindel Platform: hmTv | Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance CenterDescription: In this powerful and deeply personal third installment of Raised by Survivors, Bernie Furshpan and Alan Mindel share stories of resilience, humor, and fierce family devotion passed down from their Holocaust survivor parents. From surviving in the forests of Eastern Europe to building successful lives in America, their parents instilled values of hard work, loyalty, and the sacred importance of family.The conversation touches on childhood lessons, cultural identity, comedic inspiration, and the struggles—and joys—of growing up as a second-generation survivor (2G). Whether it’s a story about a father flipping a gun on a mobster or a mother defending her husband’s word like a lioness, this episode is both emotionally rich and surprisingly funny.Bernie and Alan explore how survivor strength shaped their careers, relationships, and perspectives—and what it means to carry that legacy into the next generation.Tags: Holocaust Survivor Stories, Jewish Heritage, 2G, Humor and Resilience, Family Legacy, Inspirational, Holocaust Education, Raised by Survivors, Human Spirit, Generational Trauma, Comedy and History, Jewish Identity, Second Generation, hmTv, Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance CenterSupport the show

Send us a textEpisode 48: Raised by Survivors (Part 2) with Bernie Furshpan and Alan Mindel on hmTvIn this heartfelt and deeply personal episode of Raised by Survivors, co-hosts Bernie Furshpan and Alan Mindel continue their conversation about what it truly means to be raised by Holocaust survivors. Through powerful storytelling and vivid memories, they explore how love, resilience, and cultural tradition shaped their upbringing.From seltzer bottles and gefilte fish to surviving trauma and finding humor, Bernie and Alan reflect on the unique dynamics of growing up in households defined by loss—but also by extraordinary strength and hope. They discuss the emotional weight their parents carried, the unspoken stories passed down in whispers and car rides, and the indelible mark left by families who rebuilt their lives in America with determination and gratitude.This episode is a moving tribute to the 2G (second generation) experience—blending warmth, laughter, sorrow, and legacy. It reminds us that behind every survivor was a family they fiercely loved and a future they fought to secure.Support the show

Send us a textEpisode 47: Raised by Survivors (Part 1) | hmTvIn the powerful debut episode of Raised by Survivors, co-hosts Bernie Furshpan and Alan Mindel open up about what it was like growing up as children of Holocaust survivors. Through deeply personal stories, they reflect on the resilience, trauma, and strength of their parents—ordinary people who endured extraordinary horrors and went on to build lives in America. From hiding in forests and surviving death marches to building livelihoods with unmatched determination, their parents’ experiences shaped every aspect of their upbringing. This episode lays the foundation for a heartfelt series that explores identity, legacy, and the lasting imprint of survival on future generations.Support the show

Send us a textEpisode 46: Disrupting Hate with Marc MorialHosted by Ken Schachter with co-host Bernie FurshpanPodcast Series: Disrupting Hate on hmTvIn this powerful episode of Disrupting Hate, Ken Schachter and Bernie Furshpan sit down with Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League and former Mayor of New Orleans, for a thought-provoking conversation on hate, history, and hope for a more equitable future.Marc unpacks the findings of the 2024 Equality Index of Black America, revealing persistent disparities in economics, education, and healthcare. He discusses why access to wealth, affordable healthcare, quality education, and a living wage are essential for closing the racial equity gap—not just for Black Americans, but for millions of struggling Americans across the country.The conversation explores the normalization of hate on social media, the denial of historic atrocities like the Holocaust and slavery, and the critical importance of civic education. Marc also reflects on his time as mayor, the enduring alliance between Black and Jewish communities, and the continuing relevance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream in 2025.This is a must-listen episode for anyone passionate about justice, equity, and building a truly inclusive America.Listen now, subscribe, and share.Join the movement to disrupt hate—one conversation at a time.Support the show

Send us a textEpisode 45 – Kinder People. Kindest People. Guest: Arielle Rivera Korman Host: Peter Suchmann | hmTvIn this deeply moving episode of Kinder People. Kindest People., host Peter Suchmann welcomes Arielle Rivera Korman—musician, rabbinical student, co-founder of Ammud: The Jews of Color Torah Academy, and storyteller with a soul deeply connected to her roots.Arielle shares the extraordinary story of inheriting a cherished violin that survived the Blitz during World War II—once owned and lovingly restored by Peter's father, a Kindertransport survivor. Through this instrument, Arielle found not just music, but connection, memory, and healing.Together, Peter and Arielle reflect on themes of basheret (meant-to-be connections), the legacy of Holocaust survivors, the emotional resonance of Jewish healing music, and the power of gratitude in a complex world. Arielle also discusses her work in inclusive Jewish education, her passion for ritual and melody, and her collaboration with musician Alli Halpert on the beautiful and soul-soothing song Loosen.The episode concludes with a special live performance—Arielle playing Peter’s father’s violin for the very first time.Tune in for an unforgettable conversation filled with love, music, memory, and hope.Music is love. Subscribe, share, and stay connected with hmTv.Support the show

Send us a textOrdinary Heroes | Episode 44: Ben Carasso – A Young Voice for Truth and PeaceIn this powerful and deeply moving episode of Ordinary Heroes on hmTv, host Dr. Bernie Furshpan welcomes an extraordinary guest: 9-year-old Israeli advocate Ben Carasso. Despite his age, Ben has emerged as a global voice for truth, resilience, and peace in the aftermath of the October 7th attacks on Israel.Traveling the world on his fifth advocacy tour, Ben shares what motivates him to speak out—from personal loss and heartbreaking funerals to the spread of misinformation and rising antisemitism. With wisdom beyond his years, he reflects on the importance of unity, standing up for what is right, and how children like him are stepping up to make a difference.Ben also discusses his viral social media presence, the support he receives from his family and friends, and his heartfelt hopes for a peaceful future between Jews, Muslims, Christians, and all people. He even brings a special children’s book from Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, symbolizing his dream of freedom for those still in captivity.This episode is a testament to courage, compassion, and the unwavering belief that even one voice—no matter how young—can impact the world.🎧 Tune in to hear the inspiring story of Ben Carasso, a true Ordinary Hero.Support the show