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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

Send us a textEp 245: The UN, Society, and Antisemitism On this episode of Antisemitism at the United Nations and in Society on hmTv, host Dr. Susanne Seperson speaks with activist Shabbos Kastenbaum about his fight against antisemitism on university campuses and beyond. From his groundbreaking lawsuit against Harvard to his testimony before Congress, Kastenbaum shares insights on accountability, the UN’s stance on Israel, the link between anti-Zionism and antisemitism, and the urgent need for both education and enforcement of the law. This is a candid conversation about identity, justice, and the future of the Jewish people. Support the show

Send us a textEp 244: Ordinary Heroes with Naomi Eisenberger On this episode of Ordinary Heroes on hmTv, host Bernie Furshpan sits down with Naomi Eisenberger, founder of the Good People Fund. For more than three decades, Naomi has championed small, often overlooked nonprofits—supporting visionaries who tackle hunger, homelessness, forced marriage, cancer treatment, and more with creativity and compassion.Naomi shares powerful stories, from Unchained At Last—helping women escape forced and child marriages—to The Lemonade Fund in Israel, providing financial lifelines to women battling cancer. With over $35 million raised and more than 250 programs supported in the U.S. and Israel, Naomi shows how ordinary people can create extraordinary impact.This is a conversation about resilience, humanity, and the power of good people working together to change the world.Support the show

Send us a textIn this heartfelt episode of Raised by Survivors on hmTv, host Bernie Furshpan reconnects with his longtime friend Dr. Leslie Dreifus to explore the powerful legacy of growing up as the child of Holocaust survivors. From Brooklyn childhood memories and synagogue life to stories of resilience, family values, and assimilation, Leslie shares his parents’ remarkable journey of survival—escaping Nazi Germany just before the war and starting anew in America.Leslie’s father, once a young refugee sweeping floors in a Brooklyn bakery, went on to serve heroically as one of the famed Ritchie Boys, providing critical intelligence that helped win WWII. Decades later, Leslie retraced his family’s roots in Germany, encountering both the scars of history and the gestures of reconciliation that continue today.This conversation weaves together memory, heritage, humor, and moral lessons—reminding us that resilience, education, and kindness are stronger than hate, and that every family story is part of our shared human story.Support the show

Send us a textEp 241: Ordinary Heroes with Bernie Furshpan and guest Samantha Sosnik on hmTvIn this powerful episode of Ordinary Heroes on hmTv, host Bernie Furshpan sits down with advocate and podcaster Samantha Sosnik, creator of Putting the Brakes on Bullying. Samantha shares her deeply personal journey as the mother of a daughter with Williams syndrome and the challenges of raising a child with special needs while navigating the realities of exclusion and bullying.From her daughter Avery’s resilience to her younger daughter Tatum’s extraordinary empathy, Samantha offers moving insights into what it means to be an upstander, how to confront bullying, and why fostering kindness and inclusion is critical for every community. Together, Bernie and Samantha draw powerful parallels between lived adversity and the strength it creates — reminding us that true heroes are those who choose courage, empathy, and action.Support the show

Send us a textEp 242: Unmasked, Unfiltered, Unapologetic with Bali Lerner and guest Sabrina Soffer on hmTvIn this powerful conversation, host Bali Lerner sits down with recent George Washington University graduate Sabrina Soffer, a rising voice in the fight against campus antisemitism and a key participant in the documentary Blind Spot. Sabrina shares her deeply personal story—her diverse Jewish roots, her leadership at GW, and her eye-opening experiences confronting hostility long before October 7th. From classroom bias to protests, to her unforgettable speech before 300,000 people at the March for Israel in Washington, D.C., Sabrina speaks unmasked, unfiltered, and unapologetic about identity, courage, and the responsibility to stand up.Support the show

Send us a textEp. 239: Ordinary Heroes with Wendy Tepper on hmTvIn this moving episode of Ordinary Heroes, host Bernie Furshpan sits down with Wendy Tepper of 3GNJ to explore the legacy of her grandfather, Holocaust survivor Oscar Cukierman, and her mission to carry his story forward. Wendy shares how her close bond with her grandfather shaped her life, how she discovered his survival through five concentration camps, and why she now works with 3G chapters nationwide to help other grandchildren of survivors become witnesses.Together, Bernie and Wendy reflect on resilience, memory, and the urgent responsibility of the third generation in a time of rising antisemitism. From classrooms in New Jersey to virtual talks across the country, Wendy’s work ensures that the voices of survivors live on—teaching tolerance, pride, and the power of testimony.Ordinary Heroes on hmTv highlights the extraordinary courage of ordinary people whose stories inspire action, empathy, and hope.Support the show