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Send us a textEp. 279: The Fog of War and Humanity Guest: Assistant Chief Michael V. Meyers, FDNY Host: Richard Acritelli Network: hmTvIn the powerful conclusion of this three-part conversation, Assistant Chief Michael V. Meyers of the FDNY returns to The Fog of War and Humanity with host Richard Acritelli for a deeply human reflection on the enduring legacy of 9/11 and a lifetime of service.Chief Meyers opens up about the memories that still surface decades later—the friends lost, the funerals attended, and the haunting moments at Ground Zero. He honors fallen colleagues like his college roommate Derell “Bronco” Pearce, whose name lives on at LIU’s football field, and discusses how the FDNY rebuilt itself in the aftermath of unimaginable loss.The episode moves from tragedy to resilience, exploring the department’s transformation since 9/11, the camaraderie of firefighters and military veterans, and the family legacy that spans more than a century of service. Meyers also shares the emotional realities behind the uniform—PTSD, healing, humor, and hope—and how today’s generation carries the torch of those who ran toward danger.A conversation that reminds us why “never forget” isn’t just a slogan—it’s a responsibility.🔥 Listen to Episode 279 of The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv—real stories of courage, loss, and the strength to keep serving.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 277: The Fog of War and Humanity with Assistant Chief Michael V. Meyers (Part 1) Hosted by Richard Acritelli on hmTvIn this compelling episode of The Fog of War and Humanity, host Richard Acritelli sits down with Assistant Chief Michael V. Meyers of the New York City Fire Department to explore a lifetime of courage, discipline, and service.From his roots in Levittown, growing up in a household shaped by military and firefighting tradition, to his early days navigating the crack-era streets of Brooklyn, Meyers reflects on the lessons that forged his leadership and character. With honesty and humor, he discusses the teamwork, danger, and purpose that define life in the FDNY—and the unbreakable brotherhood that binds those who run toward chaos when others run away.Listeners will gain an inside look at how sports, service, and sacrifice intersect in one man’s journey through three decades of New York’s most demanding profession.🎙️ A conversation about resilience, family, and the human spirit behind the badge.Listen now to Episode 277 of The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv — Part 1 of a powerful two-part series with Assistant Chief Michael V. Meyers.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 278: The Fog of War and Humanity Guest: Assistant Chief Michael V. Meyers, FDNY Host: Richard Acritelli Network: hmTvIn this gripping continuation of The Fog of War and Humanity, host Richard Acritelli speaks with Assistant Chief Michael V. Meyers of the New York City Fire Department—a veteran firefighter whose story spans from the streets of East New York to the devastation of Ground Zero.Chief Meyers recounts his early years battling fires in Brooklyn during the height of the 1990s drug epidemic, his transition to Rescue 4 in Queens, and the leadership lessons that shaped his decades of service. But it’s his firsthand account of September 11, 2001 that defines this powerful episode.From watching the attacks unfold with his infant daughter to racing into Manhattan and working amid the ruins of the World Trade Center, Meyers describes the chaos, courage, and heartbreak of that day with searing honesty. He shares the loss of friends, the uncertainty of searching for his own father and brothers—both also at the site—and the lasting toll of 9/11 on the FDNY family.A raw and moving conversation about duty, brotherhood, and humanity in the face of unimaginable tragedy—and a reminder that heroes don’t run from danger; they run toward it.🚒 Watch now on hmTv—real stories of courage, leadership, and the human spirit.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 275: The Fog of War and Humanity Guest: Colonel James C. Brennan, USMC (Ret.) Host: Richard Acritelli Network: hmTvIn this compelling third installment of The Fog of War and Humanity, host Richard Acritelli continues his in-depth conversation with Colonel James C. Brennan, USMC (Ret.), exploring a career that bridges the battlefield, the halls of Congress, and the heart of community service.From his post-9/11 work in Washington to his combat deployments in Iraq, Colonel Brennan reflects on leadership, resilience, and the evolution of warfare and diplomacy in the modern age. He shares how his team helped secure Iraq’s first national elections, how 9/11 changed his life’s trajectory, and how returning home meant learning to lead again—this time as a husband, father, and mentor to fellow veterans.Now serving as Deputy Director of the Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency, Brennan continues his mission—helping veterans navigate their benefits, find support, and rediscover purpose beyond the uniform.A conversation about service, transformation, and the enduring humanity found even in the fog of war.🎖️ Watch now on hmTv — real stories from those who served, and the lessons they carry home.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 276 – Legacy Chronicles: The Story of Survival and LoveHosted by Zachary Graulich | Guest: Evelyn Drieves | Produced by hmTv at HMTCIn this deeply moving episode of Legacy Chronicles, Evelyn Altenberg, the daughter of two Holocaust survivors, sits down with Zachary Graulich, Assistant Director of Education at HMTC, to share her parents’ extraordinary story of survival, love, and resilience.Born in Berlin and separated by war, Evelyn’s parents endured opposite fates—her father escaping to the Dominican Republic after securing a place aboard a cargo ship, and her mother enduring three years in nine concentration camps, including Auschwitz, where she was tattooed and forced into slave labor. Against all odds, they reunited six years later, married, and built a new life of joy, music, and family.Evelyn reflects on growing up in Washington Heights among Holocaust survivors, what it means to carry her parents’ legacy as a second-generation witness, and how she now shares their story with students across the country to ensure that the truth is never forgotten.A powerful conversation about memory, education, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.🎧 Listen on hmTv and hmtcli.org — because remembrance is the bridge between tragedy and hope.Support the show

Send us a textPodcast Title: The Fog of War and Humanity Episode 273: Col. James C. Brennan, USMC (Ret.) – Part 1 Hosted by: Richard Acritelli Produced by: hmTvDescription: In this powerful first installment of a two-part conversation, historian and host Richard Acritelli sits down with Colonel James C. Brennan, USMC (Ret.) to explore a lifetime shaped by service, discipline, and leadership.From his roots in Brooklyn and Long Island to commanding Marines around the world, Colonel Brennan shares how faith, family, and education forged his path to the U.S. Marine Corps. He reflects on his grandfather’s World War II service—from North Africa to Anzio—and how that legacy inspired his own journey through Parris Island, officer training, and a distinguished military career that spanned continents and decades.The discussion moves beyond tactics and titles, delving into the deeper human side of military life—the lessons of integrity, adaptability, and responsibility that define true leadership both in and out of uniform.A story of courage, continuity, and character, The Fog of War and Humanity reminds us that behind every uniform is a human being molded by history, duty, and heart.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 274 – The Fog of War and Humanity: Col. James C. Brennan, USMC (Ret.), Part 2Hosted by Richard Acritelli | Presented on hmTvIn this compelling continuation of The Fog of War and Humanity, host Richard Acritelli sits down with Colonel James C. Brennan, USMC (Ret.) to trace his early military career and his firsthand experiences during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.From his first deployment with the 10th Marines to the chaotic landscapes of northern Iraq and Kurdistan, Brennan reflects on the end of the Cold War, the evolution of America’s military identity, and the moral complexities of post-war stability operations. He describes the haunting aftermath of Saddam Hussein’s atrocities, the mined wheat fields left to starve civilians, and the delicate balance of diplomacy and discipline that defined U.S. presence in the region.The conversation also moves into Brennan’s later years—his time in Washington, D.C., his role shaping manpower and reserve policy, and his reflections on leadership, service, and the human cost of global conflict.It’s a vivid, thoughtful journey through the corridors of power and the deserts of war—an episode that underscores both the price of freedom and the resilience of humanity.🎧 Listen to learn how history, honor, and humility intersect in the fog of war—and what it means to lead with conscience.Support the show

Send us a textRaised by Survivors – Episode 272 Guest: Livia Horovitz Host: Bernie Furshpan *Produced by hmTv at the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau CountyIn this profoundly moving episode of Raised by Survivors, host Bernie Furshpan sits down with Livia Horovitz, a Hungarian-born Holocaust survivor whose story of endurance, faith, and courage reminds us what it truly means to persevere.At just six years old, Livia was imprisoned in Austria’s Camp 12, where hunger, loss, and cruelty surrounded her every day. Yet through it all, she held onto hope — and her identity. From the horrors of Strasshof to her family’s survival and eventual journey to America, Livia shares vivid memories of love before the war, unthinkable suffering during it, and the strength to rebuild afterward.Now in her late eighties, Livia’s voice carries a timeless message: Never be ashamed of who you are. Keep your faith, your values, and your humanity.This conversation is not just a window into history — it’s a mirror reflecting our own responsibility to stand against hate, honor memory, and protect each other’s dignity.Key themes:Childhood in Hungary before the warLife in Austria’s Camp 12 and survival through starvationReuniting with family after liberationEscaping postwar Hungary and building a new life in QueensThe power of faith, identity, and moral courage“We must remember — because when we forget, history repeats itself.” Watch or listen to Episode 272: Raised by Survivors with Livia Horovitz on hmTv — where humanity matters most.Support the show

Send us a textEp 271: Legacy Chronicles with Zachary Graulich and guest Debbie CohnIn this moving episode of Legacy Chronicles on hmTv, host Zachary Graulich, Assistant Director of Education at HMTC, sits down with Debbie Cohn, a second-generation Holocaust survivor who has dedicated over 20 years to Holocaust education.Debbie shares the remarkable and heartbreaking survival stories of her parents—her father, arrested during Kristallnacht and later a U.S. Army veteran, and her mother, sent alone on a train to Holland at age 13, never to see her parents again. Debbie reflects on how their courage and resilience shaped her own path and how she continues to honor them by carrying their legacy forward.Through personal stories, artifacts like her mother’s ice skates, and letters from students, Debbie illustrates the power of testimony to connect past and present. She also speaks to the responsibility of standing up against hate and bullying today, ensuring that the lessons of the Holocaust are never forgotten.This episode is a heartfelt reminder of why memory matters—and how one family’s story can inspire generations to act with courage and compassion.Support the show

Send us a textIn this compelling episode of Antisemitism and the United Nations and in Society on hmTv, host Dr. Susanne Blyberg Seperson is joined by Dr. Barron H. Lerner—physician, historian, bioethicist, and author of The Good Doctor: A Father, a Son, and the Evolution of Medical Ethics. Together with co-host Dr. Bernie Furshpan, they dive into the moral crossroads where medicine, history, and society intersect.Dr. Lerner reflects on his upbringing in a family of physicians, his dual path in medicine and history, and the ethical lessons drawn from both Nazi medical crimes and America’s infamous Tuskegee syphilis study. The conversation explores the dangers of professional allegiance to the state over human dignity, the evolution from medical paternalism to patient autonomy, and the enduring challenge of balancing expertise with compassion.The episode also confronts the troubling rise of antisemitism in academia and society, highlighting why history must remain a vital guide for today’s ethical choices.This is a thought-provoking and deeply relevant discussion about medicine, morality, and the responsibility to remember—reminding us that the past holds urgent lessons for our future.Support the show