

hmTv at HMTC Podcasts
HMTC
hmTv is a podcast platform dedicated to exploring the humanity in all of us through impactful stories and discussions. Executive Producer Bernie Furshpan has developed a state-of-the-art podcast studio within the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center, creating a dynamic platform for dialogue. Hosting more than 20 series and their respective hosts, the studio explores a wide range of subjects—from Holocaust and tolerance education to pressing contemporary issues and matters of humanity.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 25, 2025 • 27min
Ep 300: Habits of a Whole Heart with Arnie Herz and guest Orly Calderon P1 on hmTv
Send us a textEpisode 300: Habits of a Whole Heart with Arnie Herz and Guest Dr. Orly Calderon (Part 1)In this milestone 300th episode of Habits of a Whole Heart on hmTv, host Arnie Herz sits down with Dr. Orly Calderon, Associate Professor of Psychology at Long Island University and Director of Assessment, for a deeply insightful conversation about the true meaning of wholeness and resilience.With warmth, humor, and candor, Dr. Calderon challenges the notion of being “whole” — explaining that real strength comes not from perfection, but from the ability to adapt, recover, and keep moving forward. Together, she and Arnie explore how resilience is cultivated over time, how supportive relationships and community can protect mental health, and why balance in parenting and self-care is essential for emotional growth.They also tackle today’s cultural and psychological challenges — from helicopter parenting to social media isolation, political polarization, and the growing need for empathy in a fear-driven world.Filled with wisdom and practical insight, this episode invites listeners to rethink what it means to live a whole-hearted life — one grounded in compassion, courage, and connection.🎧 Listen now on hmTv as part of the Humanity Matters series.Support the show

Oct 25, 2025 • 28min
Ep 301: Habits of a Whole Heart with Arnie Herz and guest Orly Calderon P2 on hmTv
Send us a textEpisode 301: Habits of a Whole Heart with Arnie Herz and Dr. Orly Calderon (Part 2)In Part 2 of Habits of a Whole Heart on hmTv, host Arnie Herz continues his profound conversation with Dr. Orly Calderon, Associate Professor of Psychology at Long Island University and Director of Assessment. Together, they explore the psychological and spiritual dimensions of self-awareness, emotional resilience, and the power of choice.Dr. Calderon explains how our subconscious filters — or “schemas,” as defined by Aaron Beck — shape the way we perceive the world, often trapping us in cycles of fear, bias, and fixed thinking. Through open dialogue, she and Arnie discuss how to pause, reframe, and reorient our thoughts to cultivate healthier emotional responses and more compassionate human connections.The conversation flows seamlessly from cognitive behavioral therapy to biblical wisdom, touching on Noah’s story, Holocaust survival, Nelson Mandela’s resilience, and even pathways toward peace in divided societies.This episode reminds us that while we can’t always control our circumstances, we can always choose how to respond — and that awareness, empathy, and hope are the true habits of a whole heart.🎧 Listen now on hmTv as part of the Humanity Matters series.Support the show

Oct 23, 2025 • 37min
Ep 299: The Dana Download with Dana Arschin and guest Saul Rubinek on hmTv
Send us a textEp. 299: “The Dana Download” on hmTv Host: Dana Arschin Guest: Saul Rubinek – Actor, Director, Playwright, and AuthorIn this remarkable episode of The Dana Download on hmTv, Dana Arschin welcomes the legendary Saul Rubinek, whose career spans over four decades in film, television, and theater. Born in a displaced persons camp after World War II, Rubinek’s story is as dramatic as the roles he’s portrayed—from Unforgiven to Frasier, Hunters, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.Rubinek discusses his newest one-man show, “Playing Shylock,” premiering at the Polonsky Shakespeare Center in Brooklyn, a powerful and provocative exploration of identity, antisemitism, and Shakespeare’s most controversial character. He also shares insights into his deeply personal new book, “All in the Telling: A Somewhat True Story,” a witty, moving journey through family secrets, Holocaust memory, and self-discovery.In one of the most emotional and candid conversations of the series, Saul reflects on growing up as the child of Holocaust survivors, the legacy of Yiddish theater, and the lifelong moment that turned a troubled seven-year-old into an artist devoted to truth and storytelling.🎧 The Dana Download — where meaningful stories meet remarkable lives.Support the show

Oct 23, 2025 • 26min
Ep 298: Putting the Brakes on Bullying with Samantha Sosnik and guest Marty Lyons on hmTv
Send us a textEp. 298: “Putting the Brakes on Bullying” on hmTv Host: Samantha Sosnik Guest: Marty Lyons, NFL Legend & Founder, The Marty Lyons FoundationIn this powerful and heartfelt episode of Putting the Brakes on Bullying on hmTv, Samantha Sosnik sits down with Marty Lyons — former New York Jet, NFL Man of the Year, and founder of the Marty Lyons Foundation, which has granted life-changing wishes for over 8,700 terminally ill children across the country.Lyons shares his remarkable journey from gridiron glory to a lifetime of service, revealing how personal tragedy led him to dedicate his life to compassion and community. Together, Samantha and Marty explore how kindness, empathy, and leadership can counteract the culture of bullying that continues to affect so many young people today.Through candid stories—from high school regrets to lessons from children battling illness—Marty reminds listeners that the smallest act of kindness can have a lifelong impact.This episode is more than a conversation about bullying—it’s a masterclass in humanity, resilience, and the enduring power of doing good.🎧 Putting the Brakes on Bullying — real stories, real courage, real change. Only on hmTv.Support the show

Oct 23, 2025 • 29min
Ep 297: Ordinary Heroes with Bernie Furshpan & Jolanta Zamecka and guest Pawel Sawicki on hmTv
Send us a textEp. 297: “Ordinary Heroes” on hmTv Hosted by: Bernie Furshpan & Jolanta Zamecka Guest: Paweł Sawicki, Deputy Spokesperson, Auschwitz-Birkenau MuseumIn this deeply moving episode of Ordinary Heroes on hmTv, hosts Bernie Furshpan and Jolanta Zamecka are joined live from Poland by Paweł Sawicki, Deputy Spokesperson of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum. Speaking directly from the historic site itself, Paweł offers a rare, first-hand perspective on preserving the world’s most powerful symbol of remembrance.Together, they explore the origins of Auschwitz, its transformation from a single camp into a vast system of concentration and extermination camps, and the importance of preserving its authenticity for future generations. Paweł discusses the complexities of forced labor, the enduring fight against Holocaust denial, and the human responsibility to stand up against hatred in all its forms.The conversation transcends history—it’s a call to conscience. Through Paweł’s insight and passion, this episode reminds listeners that remembrance is not only about the past; it’s about shaping a more humane and united future.🎧 Ordinary Heroes—stories of courage, memory, and moral responsibility—only on hmTv.Support the show

Oct 22, 2025 • 27min
Ep 296: Legacy Chronicles with Donna Rosenblum and guest Daniel Brook on hmTv
Send us a textEp. 296: The Einstein of Sex: Magnus Hirschfeld’s Legacy of Tolerance Host: Donna Rosenblum | Guest: Daniel Brook | Produced by hmTv – The Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance CenterIn this captivating episode of Legacy Chronicles, host Donna Rosenblum sits down with author and journalist Daniel Brook to discuss his groundbreaking book, The Einstein of Sex: Magnus Hirschfeld and the Invention of the Modern Sexual World.Together, they explore the remarkable story of Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld — a German Jewish physician, psychiatrist, and pioneering advocate for LGBTQ+ rights whose revolutionary Institute for Sexual Science in 1920s Berlin was a beacon of progress long before its time. Brook traces Hirschfeld’s courage in the face of persecution, his scientific innovations, and his visionary belief that humanity exists on a seamless continuum — where identity, gender, and race are more connected than divided.From Berlin’s early queer rights movement to the tragic Nazi book burnings that destroyed Hirschfeld’s life’s work, this episode uncovers a hidden chapter of history with powerful lessons for today.A profound discussion about courage, compassion, and the enduring fight for equality — reminding us that tolerance isn’t modern; it’s timeless.Support the show

Oct 22, 2025 • 26min
Ep 295: Resistance and Resilience with Mireille Taub and guest Dov Forman on hmTv
Send us a textEp. 295: Resistance and Resilience Host: Mireille Taub | Guest: Dov Forman | Produced by hmTv – The Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance CenterIn this deeply moving episode of Resistance and Resilience, host Mireille Taub sits down with Dov Forman, author, Holocaust educator, and great-grandson of Lily Ebert, the extraordinary survivor whose story and promise to “tell the world” have inspired millions across the globe.Together, they explore Lily’s unwavering spirit—her survival through Auschwitz, her vow to educate future generations, and her powerful message that “love is stronger than hate.” Dov shares how his great-grandmother’s story reached over a billion people through social media, proving that memory and truth can thrive in the digital age.From acts of defiance in the camps to acts of compassion after liberation, this conversation reveals how storytelling, remembrance, and education remain the greatest tools of resistance.A testament to hope, courage, and the enduring power of one voice—this episode reminds us that even in humanity’s darkest hours, the light of resilience can still lead the way.Support the show

Oct 22, 2025 • 32min
Ep 294 The UN, Society, and Antisemitism with Susanne Seperson and guest Thane Rosenbaum P2 on hmTv
Send us a textEp. 294 – The UN, Society, and Antisemitism (Part 2)Host: Dr. Susanne Seperson Guest: Professor Thane Rosenbaum Produced by: hmTv – The Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance CenterSUSANNE SEPERSON: Welcome back to part two of our podcast with Professor Thane Rosenbaum. For those of you just joining us, this is now our 11th episode of Antisemitism and the United Nations and in Society on hmTv.Professor Rosenbaum is a professor of law, an analyst of Middle East issues, a novelist, film producer, and commentator, published in leading outlets such as The New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal. He is also the legal analyst for CBS News Radio. We’re honored to have him join us again.Last time, you spoke about the need for Jewish students to strengthen their education and identity. I’d add that this applies beyond Jewish students—social psychology studies like those of Zimbardo and Milgram show that anyone who takes the unpopular moral position risks being ostracized. The desire to be at the “cool kids’ table,” as you called it, isn’t limited to Jewish students—it’s human nature.All over the world, I see faculty and professionals putting their heads down, saying, “I don’t want to get involved.”THANE ROSENBAUM: That’s exactly right, Susanne. And it reminds me of a story about Jackie Robinson, the first African American to break baseball’s color barrier. Robinson was a lifelong Zionist and friend of the Jewish community—his family lived in a Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn.When Robinson was relentlessly called racial slurs from the stands, he promised his team owner he wouldn’t respond. One day, when the abuse got unbearable, Pee Wee Reese, his white teammate from Kentucky, walked across the field and simply put his arm around Jackie Robinson. Robinson asked, “What are you doing?” and Reese said, “Nothing—just looking at the field.” But what he meant was, “This is my guy. You’ve got a problem with him, you’ve got a problem with me.”When I was at NYU, I didn’t see any Pee Wee Reeses. Nobody—Jewish or Gentile—came and put their arm around me. Even the Jewish trustees stayed silent. It was more important to them to sit at the “cool kids’ table.” That’s moral cowardice.SUSANNE SEPERSON: That’s a powerful story, and a fitting metaphor for moral courage. Let’s turn to your books—starting with Saving Free Speech from Itself. We live in an age of political correctness and fear of offense. After tragedies like the Charlie Hebdo attack, where cartoonists were murdered for satire, do you believe there should be limits on free speech?THANE ROSENBAUM: In the book, I argue that there’s a difference between offensive, insulting, and harmful speech. In a free society, you have to tolerate being offended—that’s part of civic life. The problem is when offense turns into harm—when speech deprives someone of their dignity or ability to function as a citizen.For example, shouting racial or antisemitic slurs in public isn’t “free expression”—it’s intimidation. The same applies to “Globalize the Intifada” or “From the River to the Sea.” Those are not political statements—they are calls to violence. The First Amendment doesn’t protect threats, incitement, or intimidation.I’m also against Nazis marching in towns full of Holocaust survivors. The Supreme Court once ruled that legal, but I disagree—it’s cruelty masquerading as liberty.Freedom of speech isn’t a suicide pact. It should never prSupport the show

Oct 22, 2025 • 29min
Ep 293 The UN, Society, and Antisemitism with Susanne Seperson and guest Thane Rosenbaum P1 on hmTv
Send us a textEp. 293: The UN, Society, and Antisemitism (Pt. 1) Host: Dr. Susanne Seperson Guest: Professor Thane Rosenbaum Produced by: hmTv – The Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance CenterIn this hard-hitting first installment of The UN, Society, and Antisemitism, Dr. Susanne Seperson sits down with acclaimed author, legal scholar, and commentator Professor Thane Rosenbaum for an unflinching conversation about the growing normalization of antisemitism in academia, politics, and the media.Rosenbaum shares his deeply personal journey as the son of Holocaust survivors, tracing how his family’s silence shaped his lifelong pursuit of moral justice and truth. He exposes the ideological pressures within universities, the moral cowardice that silences Jewish voices, and the misuse of terms like “genocide” against Israel. Together, he and Dr. Seperson unpack how historical amnesia, distorted human-rights rhetoric, and cultural hypocrisy fuel today’s hatred—and what Jewish students, educators, and allies must do to confront it.This episode offers insight, outrage, and hope in equal measure—a powerful reminder that truth still matters and silence is not an option.🎧 Listen now on hmTv to join the conversation.Support the show

Oct 20, 2025 • 27min
Ep 292: History Repeats with Liam Carballal and guest Rich Acritelli on hmTv
Send us a textEp. 292: History Repeats with Liam Carballal and Richard Acritelli (Part 2: History vs. Hollywood)In this compelling second installment of History vs. Hollywood, host Liam Carballal and historian Richard Acritelli take a closer look at how war and social justice are portrayed on screen. From the gritty realism of We Were Soldiers to the moral reckoning of Mississippi Burning and the unity of Remember the Titans, they explore where Hollywood gets it right — and where it dramatizes history to move hearts.Acritelli shares firsthand insights from Vietnam veterans, including Dr. Frank Lunati’s haunting field stories, and connects America’s struggles abroad to its fight for equality at home. Together, they remind us that film can be both a mirror and a teacher — showing how courage, prejudice, and progress repeat through generations.🎙️ Produced by hmTv at the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center.Support the show


