FAQ NYC

Vital City founder Liz Glazer talks about her group's ambitious new memo on What To Do (and Not To Do) About Subway Safety — and why the answer isn't gun detection technology, surging officers into the system or more fare-evasion enforcement. Plus, Katie Honan and Harry Siegel gab about the mayoral fund-raising numbers and the state of the race — including Adrienne Adams not yet qualifying for matching funds, Eric Adams' invisible campaign and tired St. Patrick's Day "joke,", and what's wrong with Andrew Cuomo's effort to run an Albany-style campaign in New York City.

Jessica Ramos, a State Senator and mayoral candidate known for her advocacy on labor and mental health, discusses her vision for New York City. She plans to declare a mental health emergency on her first day in office, addressing the city's challenges in healthcare and housing. Ramos critiques the current administration, citing corruption and incompetence, and emphasizes the need for genuine public service. She also reflects on combating food insecurity, improving education post-pandemic, and fostering empathy-driven leadership for a better NYC.

In 1951, Frankie King of James Madison High was a Brooklyn legend, the youngest basketball player ever to make first-team all city before he withdrew from public life while remaining in and of the city — writing pornography for the mob to pay the rent, ambitious novels in his own voice and then a million-book-selling “cozy cat” series under the pen name Alice Nestleton. Writer Jay Neugeboren and his son, illustrator Eli Neugeboren, join LIT NYC host Harry Siegel to talk about their graphic novel, the graphic novel “Whatever Happened to Frankie King.,” how his family story connects with their own and much more in the latest episode of LIT NYC.

While Andrew Cuomo tops the early polls, Council Speaker Adrienne Adams is officially running for mayor and Mayor Eric Adams seems to be going through the motions. As New Yorkers try to make sense of the dizzying election shaping up here amid an unprecedented second Trump presidency that seems to be taking direct aim at the city and in its institutions, hosts Christina Greer, Katie Honan and Harry Siegel discuss all that and much more, including the “pro-Queens energy” that Katie saw at Speaker Adams’ “energetic and positive launch” this weekend and the conspicuous absence of endorsements for Mayor Adams.

Queens Assemblymember and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, a rising Democratic Socialist, passionately discusses making NYC more affordable for its working-class residents. He critiques current political approaches with a call for ‘less lecturing, more listening.’ Mamdani shares insights on unionizing campaign staff and takes aim at the failures of past leaders. Anecdotes about his journey from Uganda to NYC highlight the significance of representation. The conversation also lightens up with a fun lightning round, mixing humor with real talk about NYC culture.

There’s a direct line from the Transit Police beating Michael Stewart to death in front of horrified art students to Eric Adams being elected mayor — one that intersects with Madonna, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Spike Lee and Tucker Carlson. Journalist Elon Green, the author of The Man Nobody Killed: Life, Death, and Art in Michael Stewart's New York, the first book-length account of a crime that captivated the city and that no one was held responsible for as Mayor Ed Koch flatly called police brutality “a phony issue” rejoins the podcast to discusses all that, and much more, with Rachel Holiday Smith and Harry Siegel.

Sally Goldernberg, senior New York editor for Politico, talks with hosts Christina Greer and Harry Siegel about Andrew Cuomo (finally) entering the mayor's race this weekend with a sometimes grim, nearly 18-minute video announcement about how only he can save a city in crisis, followed by a closed-off and carefully choreographed campaign event.  They dig into why running in the city, which the former governor hadn't lived in for decades, presents different challenges than running statewide — starting with a ranked-choice primary that could boil the election down to Everyone Else vs. Andrew as he runs for the first time in a place where voters expect to see their candidates not only on their screens but in their neighborhoods, and much more.

Looking at the "different flavors of career politicians" running in the Democratic mayoral primary, "I didn't see anyone who could be independent of the machine that runs this city," said former hedge fund manager Whitney Tilson. So he entered the race himself "to try and bring my party back to the center." In a wide-ranging sit-down interview with FAQ NYC hosts Christina Greer, Katie Honan and Harry Siegel — the latest in the pod’s series of interviews with the candidates — Tilson explained why "it needs to be against the law for anyone to sleep in our public spaces," laid out his plans for a more efficient and accountable government, and argued that "our school system has a structural, systemic problem."

The hosts tackle the whirlwind of chaos engulfing City Hall, fueled by corruption allegations and an increasingly frustrated Mayor Adams. They discuss the uncertain mayoral race, with potential new challengers, including Andrew Cuomo. Tensions rise as key resignations shake the administration, while external pressures loom large. The conversation dives into the intricacies of political dynamics, community representation, and the ever-changing landscape of New York City governance amid a backdrop of intense scrutiny.

Michael Blake, a former assemblymember and mayoral candidate, shares his vision for a better New York City. He critiques the current leadership, arguing it's time for a change. Topics include his proposal for a guaranteed livable income, increased public school funding, and significant cuts to NYPD overtime. Blake emphasizes the need for humane criminal justice reform, particularly at Rikers, and advocates for community-centric approaches to addressing housing and mental health issues. His engaging insights paint a hopeful picture for the city's future.