FAQ NYC

Just weeks into his new role, Zohran Mamdani navigates the complexities of governance. The team discusses his responses to pro-Hamas protests in Queens and fatal police shootings. They ponder his strategies for engaging with diverse voter groups, including skeptical Jewish communities. Critiques arise around his handling of press interactions and the influence of new media. There's a focus on Mamdani’s rapid policy shifts and the expectations he faces from a demanding public. Will he prove his sincerity amid growing scrutiny?

An iconic restaurant in Fulton Mall became an Arby's, before it was revived amid the pandemic. St. John Frizell, one of the stewards of Gage and Tollner joins Lit NYC hosts Amy Sohn and Harry Siegel to talk about the craft of the cocktail, the business of Brooklyn, the nature of the great good place, and much more. This episode was produced by Amy and Harry, and engineered by Noah Smith.

Zohran Mamdani, the newly elected mayor of New York City and former state assemblymember, discusses his transformative vision for the city. He shares how grassroots efforts led to securing $1.21 billion for universal childcare. Mamdani addresses the controversial ICE killing in Minneapolis, advocating for legal accountability. He also critiques the NYPD's gang database and emphasizes the need for reforms. His commitment to supporting Jewish New Yorkers through actions, not just words, highlights his focus on inclusivity and social justice.

Back when he was a longshot Democratic candidate, Zohran Mamdani said on this podcast that it would be his first interview as mayor — we're still here and with lots of questions to ask.   Hosts Christina Greer and Harry Siegel discuss that and much more, including his inspiring inauguration and how longtime Public Advocate Jumaane Williams is already finding his voice and stride as a partner to this mayor instead of a foil to Eric Adams. This episode was produced by Noah Smith.

As the mayor elect races to get ready for a big show and the big job, Eric Adams has been awfully busy in his final few days in office. Christina Greer and Harry Siegel discuss all that and much more — including then longshot Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani's public promise way back when to give our podcast his first interview as mayor. This episode was engineered by Noah Smith.

Keri Butler, President of the Municipal Art Society and expert in city planning, shares her insights on enhancing public spaces. She discusses William H. Whyte's influential film, highlighting key design principles like movable chairs and triangulation that foster interaction. Keri also critiques hostile architecture and emphasizes the need for community engagement in urban planning. With thoughts on revitalizing underused spaces and the balance of planning versus organic use, she paints a vision for livelier, more inclusive public realms.

Zohran Mamdani has promised to have 1 percent of the city budget go to the Parks Department — but so did Eric Adams, who never came close to delivering. Three experts and advocates discuss all that and more with host Katie Honan. Plus, Katie and Harry Siegel talk about all the latest developments from another wild week, and with just over a week to go before a new adminsitration takes power.

“In my quest to be more American than Americans, I wanted to know more than American music [and in 1972] I was staying with a great fiddle player and banjo player in North Carolina named Tommy Jarrell and he was puzzled, because a lot of the people who had come from up north to study with him were Jews and Italians — people for whom this was not their continuity. Tommy was a very inquisitive guy and at one point he asked me, ‘Hank, don't your people got none of your own music?’… That sent me scuttling back to Brooklyn to begin the same kind of research that I had done for hillbilly music.” Henry H. Sapoznik, the author of the Tourist’s Guide To Lost Yiddish New York City and a Grammy-nominated musician and producer, sits down with Lit Nyc hosts Harry Siegel and and Amy Sohn for a wide-ranging conversation about assimilation and adaptability, the difference between faux music and folk music, the overlaps between kosher, halal and Chinese foods, and much more. This episode was produced by Amy Sohn and Noah Smith, and engineered by Noah Smith.

The FAQ NYC hosts discuss terror fears here, a slow transition and a marathon listening session for Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani, a time capsule for outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, and much more — including a man dressed as a hamburger with some serious small business concerns.

As New Yorkers speculate about their new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, they anticipate how he'll transition from campaign messenger to city leader. Mamdani's pledge to end homeless encampment sweeps faces pushback from state officials. The hosts discuss the implications of his move to Gracie Mansion and reflect on the differences in tone between him and the outgoing administration. They explore key issues like education, transit priorities, and accessibility, all while navigating the tension of a still-developing transition team.