hmTv at HMTC Podcasts

Send us a textEp. 350: Habits of a Whole Heart with Arnie Herz & Susan Crossman (Part 1)In this inspiring episode of Habits of a Whole Heart on hmTv, host Arnie Herz welcomes internationally best-selling author and writing coach Susan Crossman for a powerful conversation about creativity, healing, and the search for meaning.Susan shares her remarkable journey—from winning the Gold Award for Literature with Women Changing the World to discovering how writing becomes a spiritual and transformative act. Together, Arnie and Susan explore why self-expression matters, how creativity connects us to a higher purpose, and why writing a book can reveal the untold tapestry of our lives.With warmth, candor, and a bit of divine perspective, they dive into imposter syndrome, the creative “cages” we keep ourselves trapped in, the courage required to tell our stories, and the surprising ways writing can heal both the author and the world around them.This episode sets the stage for Part 2, where Susan will guide Arnie through live book-coaching questions and share eye-opening statistics about people who dream of writing but never begin.A heartfelt, thought-provoking conversation for writers, seekers, believers in purpose, and anyone longing to unlock their creative voice.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 349: Raised by SurvivorsGuest: Howard Meier Host: Bernie Furshpan | hmTv / HMTCIn this powerful episode of Raised by Survivors, Bernie Furshpan sits down with longtime HMTC leader Howard Meier to explore the quieter side of Holocaust legacy—the side carried not in history books, but in homes, accents, foods, silences, and the unspoken resilience of families rebuilding their lives in America.Howard shares deeply personal memories of growing up in a German-Jewish household on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, where German was the language of survival, the deli was the heart of the community, and the stories of the past lived between the lines. He reflects on parents who rarely spoke of their war-time trauma, an aunt who revealed the truth years later, and the impossible choices families had to make—Kindertransport separations, lost childhoods, scattered siblings, and the relentless decision to endure.Bernie and Howard also discuss the enduring mission of the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center, the urgency of combating rising antisemitism, and the hope they find in educating tens of thousands of young people every year. Together, they honor the strength of their parents’ generation and the responsibility to carry that legacy forward.A conversation filled with history, humanity, and hard-won wisdom—this episode is a reminder that resilience isn’t inherited by accident; it’s passed down with love, courage, and truth.Tune in to Raised by Survivors and be part of the story.Support the show

Send us a textThe Dana Download, Ep. 348 Guest: Julie Brill, Author of Hidden in Plain SightIn this powerful and eye-opening episode, host Dana Arschin sits down with author Julie Brill to explore a Holocaust story few people have ever heard — the near-total destruction of the Jewish community of Belgrade, Serbia, and the remarkable survival of Julie’s father as a young child hidden in plain sight.Julie’s memoir, Hidden in Plain Sight: A Family Memoir and the Untold Story of the Holocaust in Serbia, uncovers a chapter of history long overshadowed by the more widely known narratives of Poland, Germany, and Western Europe. Through meticulous research, newly uncovered archives, emotional journeys back to Serbia, and unexpected reunions with previously unknown family members, Julie brings to light a tragedy that claimed nearly an entire community — leaving behind almost no survivors to tell the tale.Dana and Julie discuss:The striking absence of Serbian Holocaust stories in mainstream educationJulie’s process of piecing together her father’s fragmented childhood memoriesThe brutal, early, and almost complete annihilation of Belgrade’s JewsThe emotional significance of returning to Serbia with her father and daughtersThe groundbreaking installation of the first Stolpersteine in BelgradeThe responsibility descendants feel to preserve and pass on these nearly lost historiesJulie’s work not only restores a missing piece of Holocaust memory but also illuminates how personal storytelling can rebuild connection, identity, and remembrance across generations.A gripping conversation, a rare history, and a reminder that when survivors are few, descendants must become the storytellers.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 347 – Influential Origins Alan Mindel with Guest: Abraham Hamra (Part 3)**In the powerful conclusion of this three-part conversation, Alan Mindel and Abraham Hamra dive headfirst into one of the most urgent debates facing the Jewish world today: identity, memory, and the dangerous cost of forgetting who we are.With honesty, humor, and a shared willingness to challenge assumptions, Alan and Abraham trace the divergent histories of Ashkenazi and Mizrahi Jews — from assimilation in Europe to oppression in the Middle East — and reveal how these experiences shape today’s battles over Zionism, pride, antisemitism, and the modern American Jewish landscape.They tackle generational complacency, the pitfalls of privilege, the rewriting of Jewish values, campus culture, DEI ideology, the erasure of Mizrahi trauma, and the critical need to teach our kids all sides of Jewish history. Most of all, they make the case that the Jewish people — from Poland to Syria to Iran to Ethiopia — are one family with one shared destiny.This is an unfiltered, heartfelt, and deeply human conversation about standing tall as Jews, fighting for others without losing yourself, and reclaiming the pride and unity that have sustained our people for millennia.A gripping finale you won’t forget.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 345: Influential Origins with Abraham HamraIn this gripping episode of Influential Origins, host Alan Mindel speaks with Abraham Hamra, an immigration attorney whose remarkable life story begins in one of the oldest Jewish communities on earth: Syria’s ancient Jewish quarter of Damascus.Abraham takes listeners on an unforgettable journey through the hidden history of Syrian Jews — from centuries under dhimmi rule to the overnight transformation following Israel’s creation in 1948. He recounts chilling family stories rarely discussed publicly: midnight raids, discriminatory laws, forced immobility, violent persecution, families torn apart by sealed borders, and the devastating murder of the “Four Sisters,” a tragedy that still haunts the community.With clarity and courage, Abraham describes life under the Assad regime, the dangers posed by neighboring Palestinian refugee camps, and the daily indignities and threats Jews faced simply for existing. He shares personal memories as well — a childhood attack that left a permanent scar, watching relatives vanish overnight as half the community escaped, and his own eventual flight from Syria at age eight.Now an accomplished immigration lawyer in the United States, Abraham reflects on how persecution shaped his identity, his pursuit of justice, and his passion for helping others rebuild their lives. His story is a living reminder of why Jewish refugees needed Israel, why history must be told truthfully, and why resilience can change the course of a life.This is an eye-opening, emotional, and essential conversation — the first chapter of an extraordinary story that continues in the next episode.A must-listen for anyone interested in Middle Eastern history, Jewish identity, human rights, and the journeys that shape powerful voices.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 346: Influential OriginsHost: Alan Mindel Guest: Abraham Hamra hmTvIn this gripping second installment of Alan Mindel’s conversation with attorney and activist Abraham Hamra, the discussion shifts from Abraham’s family’s traumatic escape from Syria to the life he built in America—and the moment he felt compelled to step into the fight against rising antisemitism.Abraham speaks candidly about struggling to begin his legal career, choosing to launch his own law firm, and the pivotal day he heard about the brutal antisemitic attack on Joey Borgen in Times Square. What followed—public pressure campaigns, meetings with federal officials, and ultimately securing real prison time for the attackers—marked the beginning of Abraham’s evolution into a national voice for Jewish safety and human rights.Alan and Abraham unpack the disturbing normalization of hate, the shocking reaction to October 7th, and the modern information war shaping public opinion. Together they navigate hard truths about misinformation, the collapse of journalistic standards, the manipulation of vulnerable communities, and the repeating patterns of history that Jews recognize all too well.Through it all, Abraham’s message stands firm: confront lies, humanize the misled, lead with evidence—and refuse to surrender your home or your future to hate.A powerful, unfiltered conversation about justice, truth, resilience, and the responsibility we all share to speak up before history repeats itself.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 343: The Fog of War and Humanity with Sean Duclay & Angel FloresIn this uplifting and eye-opening episode, host Rich Acritelli brings together Sean Duclay, co-founder of SailAhead, and Angel Flores, a Marine veteran whose life was changed by the program’s unexpected power.Angel recounts how a simple invitation from a fellow Marine led him onto a 70-foot racing sloop—and into a renewed sense of brotherhood he thought he’d lost after injury, isolation, and the challenges of post-service life. Sean shares how SailAhead connects veterans with the water, teamwork, and purpose, restoring confidence in ways traditional therapy often struggles to reach.Together, they explore the psychology of trust, the intensity of sailing as a shared mission, and the deep camaraderie that forms between veterans and volunteers on the open water. They also discuss the future of SailAhead, the need for broader support, and the importance of remembering and honoring veterans across every community.This conversation is raw, honest, and ultimately hopeful—a compelling look at how one young leader and one Marine found common ground, healing, and a mission worth fighting for.A must-listen for anyone who cares about veterans, mental health, or the unexpected ways humanity can show up when people step forward.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 344: The Israeli Bond with Ben GolanIn this inspiring episode of The Israeli Bond, host Gal Swisa Cohen sits down with Ben Golan, a Shinshin (year-of-service emissary) from Haifa spending his gap year strengthening Jewish identity and Israel–diaspora connections on Long Island.Ben shares the remarkable tapestry of his family history—from a great-grandfather who fled Germany after hearing one of Hitler’s early speeches, to a mother who immigrated alone from the Soviet Union at 17 in search of a future in Israel. Growing up in the mixed city of Haifa, Ben offers a refreshing firsthand look at true coexistence—Arab and Jewish neighbors living, studying, and sharing daily life side by side.Listeners also get a fascinating glimpse into Ben’s unique teenage journey: his years in Chug Sayarut, a nature-oriented youth movement where he learned independence through wilderness treks; his acceptance into one of Israel’s few gifted-education tracks; and his early academic achievements, including research at the Technion, presenting at international conferences, and earning a first-year university scholarship.Yet despite extraordinary academic opportunities, Ben chose something deeper—pausing it all to devote a year of service to the Jewish community and then begin his mandatory military service. His maturity, humility, and love for Israel shine through every moment of this conversation.This episode is a rich and heartfelt look at Israeli life, identity, family, and purpose—told through the eyes of a young leader already shaping the future of the Jewish people.A beautiful listen for anyone curious about Israeli society, youth culture, and the bonds that connect Israel and the diaspora.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 342: The Fog of War and Humanity with Sean DuclayIn this compelling episode, host Richard Acritelli sits down with Sean Duclay, co-founder of SailAhead, a Long Island–based nonprofit using the power of the ocean to support veterans struggling with PTSD and the invisible wounds of war.Sean shares the remarkable story of how he and his brother launched SailAhead as teenagers—moved by the staggering statistic of 22 veteran suicides per day—and how their love of sailing grew into a life-saving mission. From taking Vietnam veterans onto the water in the winter to building partnerships with yacht clubs and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, SailAhead has now brought over 5,000 veterans to the open water for relief, connection, and renewed purpose.Throughout the conversation, Sean dives into his family’s deep military and sailing heritage, his emotional encounters with veterans whose lives were transformed, and the powerful sense of teamwork and trust that sailing naturally rebuilds.This episode offers a rare look at healing through nature, community, and courage—reminding us that sometimes the most profound therapy happens without ever calling it “therapy.”A must-listen for anyone interested in veteran support, mental health, or the innovative ways ordinary people step up to change lives.Next episode: Sean returns with veteran Angel Flores for a deeper look into their shared mission.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 341: The Fog of War and Humanity with Angel Flores (Part 2)In this deeply revealing continuation of Angel Flores’ story, host Richard Acritelli guides listeners into the emotional terrain that follows a Marine long after the battlefield goes quiet.In Part 2, Angel reflects on the lasting impact of his deployment to Iraq—the brotherhood that sustains him, the silence many veterans carry, and the often invisible battles that follow them home. He opens up about returning from war, the struggle to drive without reliving the desert, and the unexpected healing found in helping other service members as they deploy and return.Angel also speaks candidly about veteran mental health, the stigma around seeking help, and the heartbreaking reality of losing fellow Marines to suicide. His honesty cuts through the noise and sheds light on why community, conversation, and compassion remain critical lifelines for those who served.This is an unfiltered look at life after war—raw, real, and profoundly human. A must-listen for anyone who wants to understand the cost of service and the strength it takes to keep moving forward.Part 3 will continue the conversation.Support the show