Heroes of New York

Part 2 - Coalition for the Homeless

I take a trip around Manhattan on a cold January night with a group of volunteers at the Coalition for the Homeless. They distribute food to the people living on streets. I learn more about what drives these volunteers to help homeless people and they share with me what every homeless person actually needs. We discuss: 1) What drives the volunteers 2) Stories about the homeless 3) Misconceptions about the homeless 4) Message for the listeners   Listen to part 1 of this episode where I talk w...

Part 1 - Coalition for the Homeless

Homelessness is not new in NYC. However, with the loss of jobs in 2020 a lot more people are facing an impending crisis. That of eviction. If and when the eviction ban in NYC is lifted, more people are expected to turn out into the streets and in homeless shelters that are already overwhelmed. Single adults, families and children are equally impacted. I chat with Giselle Routhier, Policy Director at the Coalition for the Homeless,  the largest such agency in NYC on the work they do and what...

Helping the Homeless

There are many homeless people who call the streets of NYC their home. During the lockdown in 2020, where few people ventured out, the homeless were still on the streets begging for food.  In this episode, I talk to two wonderful individuals, KimMarco Salvo and Imad Khachan who have made helping the homeless, a part of their lives.  I took  a walk around Penn Station and Greenwich village, along with them to talk to the homeless people and understand their situation.  I also speak to Paola P...

Episode#9 Serving medically tailored meals to the sick

God's Love We Deliver has been delivering medically tailored meals to people who are ill and in need of food. Started by one woman in the 80s who saw the plight of an AIDS patient and decided to take action, GLWD has grown into an organization that now caters to anyone from any background who is ill and requires food. In this episode, I talk to 2 employees, Natasha Bunzl, Communications Associate and Dorella Walters, Senior Director at GLWD about the organization's mission, the work they did...

#8 David Kass - Beautifying NYC

David Kass, is a New Yorker on a mission to beautify the city. Seeing the how neglected the flower beds around 6th avenue was,  he started adopting flower beds around his neighborhood a few years back . He plants flowers and picks up trash all at his own expense. David shares his story and how he thinks you can help. David's Facebook page.

#8-Dylan Nunn - Sustainable living

In this episode, I chat with Dylan Nunn. Dylan is the Co-founder of Mettā Creative and is involved in organizing international events for environmental non-profits, to developing an ERC token, to hosting multi day retreats around regeneration. He also moved to the Morning View Food Forest in March of 2020. The land is the headquarters of The REED Center for Ecosystem Regeneration. Dylan talks about land stewardship and sustainable living. Through his organization, Metta Creative, Dylan and h...

Episode#7 Daisy Hampton - Bridging the digital divide

How can you bridge the digital divide? Ask Daisy Hampton, a 11 year old who has been addressing this question since New York Public schools went online at the height of the pandemic. When Daisy realized that not all kids in her class were able to attend online sessions because of their lack of access to technology she decided to take action. And that's how Including You was born. A non -profit peer -to - peer mentorship platform where children help other children. Through Including You, Da...

Episode#6 Pranitha Timothy - Being the voice for the voiceless

Pranitha Timothy is a social worker and the  co-founder of Justice and Hope, an India based organization established in 2013. She was diagnosed with brain tumor while pursuing her Masters in Social work about 2 decades ago. Following brain surgery she lost her voice for two years. That didn't dissuade her from working for the helpless and the voiceless.  Over the years, Pranitha  has worked with prisoners, met those on a life sentence, worked with their families, joined a team that pioneere...

The tempered radicalism of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the second woman appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States of America and a powerful advocate for gender equality.  In this episode, I explore RBG's style of advocacy and the way she brought about change from the way she dressed to the relationships she forged in her professional and personal life. 

Episode#4 - Abhijit Bhaduri - The future of the digital workplace

In a candid and fun conversation, Abhijit Bhaduri drops pearls of wisdom on handling the digital workplace.  From collaboration to creativity, we discuss a range of topics that relate to the work from anywhere culture.  Abhijit Bhaduri is an author, coach and a talent management expert. He is the author of Dreamers and Unicorns, a book about the post - COVID world of work. He is a personal branding coach and talent management advisor.  He was the Chief Learning officer of Wipro for seven ...

Part 2 - Richie and Nestor - Heroes to some really special kids

This is a story of kids from a public school in NYC that caters to students with special needs. During the summer of 2019, some of the students from the school came over to the Peter Cooper Village(PCV) - Stuyvesant Town(ST) residential complex to help the staff with their duties of cleaning the premises, as part of their summer training. The hope was that the training would help the kids build independence and confidence in their own abilities. However the results stunned everyone involved ...

Episode#3 - Part 2 - Richie and Nestor - Heroes to some really special kids

This is a story of kids from a public school in NYC that caters to students with special needs. During the summer of 2019, some of the students from the school came over to the Peter Cooper Village(PCV) - Stuyvesant Town(ST) residential complex to help the staff with their duties of cleaning the premises, as part of their summer training. The hope was that the training would help the kids build independence and confidence in their own abilities. However the results stunned everyone involved ...

Richie and Nestor - Part 1 - The tale of two foremen and their team

During the biggest lockdown New York City has seen, an army of 160 people prepared for battle everyday. But their enemy was invisible, tinier than a millionth of an inch. Their battlefield? The Stuyvesant Town - Peter Cooper Village - a residential neighborhood  in Manhattan that spanned over 110 buildings, with over 11,000 apartments. These brave souls were the janitors, cleaners and other support staff that kept the premises clean and safe everyday. At a time when little was known about th...

Episode#2 - Richie and Nestor - Part 1 - The tale of two foremen and their team

During the biggest lockdown New York City has seen, an army of 160 people prepared for battle everyday. But their enemy was invisible, tinier than a millionth of an inch. Their battlefield? The Stuyvesant Town - Peter Cooper Village - a residential neighborhood  in Manhattan that spanned over 110 buildings, with over 11,000 apartments. These brave souls were the janitors, cleaners and other support staff that kept the premises clean and safe everyday. At a time when little was known about th...

Episode#2 - Richie and Nestor - Part 1 - The tale of two foremen and their team

During the biggest lockdown New York City has seen, an army of 160 people prepared for battle everyday. But their enemy was invisible, tinier than a millionth of an inch. Their battlefield? The Stuyvesant Town - Peter Cooper Village - a residential neighborhood  in Manhattan that spanned over 110 buildings, with over 11,000 apartments. These brave souls were the janitors, cleaners and other support staff that kept the premises clean and safe everyday. At a time when little was known about th...

Imad Khachan - Angels of New York

Imad Khachan runs the only remaining chess shop in New York City. Situated in Greenwich Village. A Palestinian refugee with no family of his own, Khachan has become “the father of everybody” to a community of chess enthusiasts, those curious to learn more about the game, and those whom Khachan describes as the city’s “invisible people.” Every day after he shuts shop, Imad walks around the city helping the homeless who call NY streets their home. He started a FaceBook page called "Angels of...

Episode#1 - Imad Khachan - Angels of New York

Imad Khachan runs the only remaining chess shop in New York City. Situated in Greenwich Village. A Palestinian refugee with no family of his own, Khachan has become “the father of everybody” to a community of chess enthusiasts, those curious to learn more about the game, and those whom Khachan describes as the city’s “invisible people.” Every day after he shuts shop, Imad walks around the city helping the homeless who call NY streets their home. He started a FaceBook page called "Angels of...

Episode#1 - Imad Khachan - Angels of New York

Imad Khachan runs the only remaining chess shop in New York City. Situated in Greenwich Village. A Palestinian refugee with no family of his own, Khachan has become “the father of everybody” to a community of chess enthusiasts, those curious to learn more about the game, and those whom Khachan describes as the city’s “invisible people.” Every day after he shuts shop, Imad walks around the city helping the homeless who call NY streets their home. He started a FaceBook page called "Angels of...

#20 - The man on the turf

On a lazy summer evening, a man collapses in a New York playground while playing with his two little kids. The kids think its pretend play. Only its not. In less than 30 minutes, the entire scene changes as police cars, fire trucks and ambulances line the road and over 20 people are working to revive the man. By the time he's rushed to hospital, its been an hour since his heart stopped. Heroes of New York, cover this true story of some brave and nameless heroes who tried their best to help a...

#19 Marian Hutchins - The Father's Heart Ministries - Spreading hope and cheer

The Father's Heart Ministries is located in the East Village, New York City. For the past 23 years, they have been running a soup kitchen and open food pantry serving the hungry and homeless. During the pandemic they have been a respite to many in this part of the city. In this episode, I speak with Marian Hutchins, the Executive Director of the Father's Heart Ministries. She shares her experiences from moving to New York and the East Village in the 80s when drugs and violence was the norm a...

#19 Marian Hutchins - The Father's Heart Ministries - Spreading hope and cheer

The Father's Heart Ministries is located in the East Village, New York City. For the past 23 years, they have been running a soup kitchen and open food pantry serving the hungry and homeless. During the pandemic they have been a respite to many in this part of the city. In this episode, I speak with Marian Hutchins, the Executive Director of the Father's Heart Ministries. She shares her experiences from moving to New York and the East Village in the 80s when drugs and violence was the norm a...

#18 - Sandith Thandasherry - Pioneering clean energy water transport

A  few weeks ago, the TIME magazine carried an issue solely dedicated to global warming.It said we have a few months to take decisive action. Given all that is going around due to pandemic, upcoming US elections people sometimes tend to forget about the larger than life crisis that’s looming over us. And so I am out looking for people who were continuously working  in the midst of this pandemic to address climate change. In this week’s episode I speak with Sandith Thandasherry, CEO and found...

#17 Nishant Pandey - Helping migrant workers during the pandemic

Feeding front line workers in NYC, Boston and the Bay area during the COVID-19 crisis Supporting small businesses and local kitchens in the US at the same time.  Working tirelessly to help millions of displaced migrant workers in India.  These are some of the things the team at American India Foundation(AIF), a nonprofit American organization involved in accelerating social and economic change in India are doing during this pandemic. Tune in to listen to Nishant Pandey, CEO of American ...

#16-Phara Policar - A volunteer and an advocate

This week I interview Phara Policar, an exceptional person who is a volunteer at New York Cares, a Lupus advocate and a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for foster children.  A little bit about New York Cares - They launched their relief effort in March with over 2,500 volunteers who have spent a combined 7,500 hours on 439 projects.    Their services include phone banking and food packing and distribution projects.   They conduct calls to seniors and other vulnerable citizens, to ...

#15-Special Episode - 3 lessons from Nelson Mandela

On Nelson Mandela's 102nd bday, Heroes of New York, remembers one of the greatest heroes of our times and how he endured a lockdown like no other in history. Listen to this 10 minutes special, where I take you through three key lessons from Nelson Mandela's time in prison. 00:02:07  Time bound goals 00:03:15  Power of positive habits 00:06:14  Forgive and let go To learn more about building habits that stick, listen to Joshua Spodek's interview on my show 

#14 Jonathan Angelilli, Fiona Stokes - Energy medicine for healthcare heroes

Fiona Stokes, Assistant Nurse Manager and healthcare hero, contracts the COVID herself after nursing several patients infected by the virus. This is the story of how Jonathan Angelilli, an energy medicine practitioner used Qingong - an ancient form of energy medicine - to heal Fiona and is helping many other healthcare workers in NYC for free. Jonathan is a hero to healthcare workers, like Fiona, who are working day and night to heal COVID patients while putting their own lives at risk. Jona...

#14 Jonathan Angelilli, Fiona Stokes - Energy medicine for healthcare heroes

Fiona Stokes, Assistant Nurse Manager and healthcare hero, contracts the COVID herself after nursing several patients infected by the virus. This is the story of how Jonathan Angelilli, an energy medicine practitioner used Qingong - an ancient form of energy medicine - to heal Fiona and is helping many other healthcare workers in NYC for free. Jonathan is a hero to healthcare workers, like Fiona, who are working day and night to heal COVID patients while putting their own lives at risk. Jona...

#13 Brandi Covington and Poonam Kumar- Feeding the frontline workers

Food can transcend boundaries. It can unite people irrespective of their background. And it can bring healing and nourishment to both who serve and who are served. This is the story of Brandi Covington - cofounder of Cooking With Corey and Poonam VK - cofounder and CEO of Saavor, who joined hands to serve meals to healthcare workers during the pandemic in NYC. In this episode, Brandi Covington - cofounder of Cooking with Corey - shares her struggles as an entrepreneur and small business ow...

#12 Yuri and Yule - The role of city architects in containing a pandemic

In this episode, I chat with Yuri Birchwood-Fuentes and Yule Lee - NYS architects - about the work they did in setting up COVID-19 testing centers throughout the city during the pandemic. They share the challenges they faced as a team to set up physical locations during the lockdown and the lessons it taught them.  Yuri Birchwood-Fuentes was born and raised in Manhattan. He holds degrees in Architecture from the Irwin S Chanin School of Architecture at the Cooper Union and Masters of Archit...

#11- The team that delivers food, ice cream and joy

This is the story of Stuytown's management team and how they rose to the challenge of providing food to those who needed it the most during the COVID-19 lockdown in NYC. In addition to running the Stuytown pantry - which has delivered over 300,000 lbs at the time of this recording in June 2020 - they also used the residential ice cream truck to deliver over 20, 000 cups of ice cream to health care workers in NYC.  Joining me on this show are, Robert Vazquez-director of lifestyle services an...

#11- The team that delivers food, ice cream and joy

This is the story of Stuytown's management team and how they rose to the challenge of providing food to those who needed it the most during the COVID-19 lockdown in NYC. In addition to running the Stuytown pantry - which has delivered over 300,000 lbs at the time of this recording in June 2020 - they also used the residential ice cream truck to deliver over 20, 000 cups of ice cream to health care workers in NYC.  Joining me on this show are, Robert Vazquez-director of lifestyle services an...

#10 Part 2 - Haruna and Mark Borg - Setting boundaries in your relationships

Haruna Borg and Mark Borg are both couple therapists who understand very well the impact of the lockdown on our mental health. Personally, they have lost patients to the COVID, and they also saw couples virtually, even when they came down with the COVID, . And at the same they are parenting their two school going kids. The couple is no stranger to the fact that tempers tend to flare when you are living 24/7 with someone you love locked up in a tiny space that serves as home, office, play are...

#9 Manoj Dalmia - A race against time

Up, close and personal with Manoj Dalmia - pediatric and adult anesthesiologist from NYC. He is real, honest, passionate and unapologetically himself, but embraces his vulnerability as his dominant strength. In this episode, Manoj shares with us, some of his deepest and most touching experiences from treating COVID patients. I could not help but tear up. He has also meticulously chronicled his daily experiences at the hospital during the lockdown on his FaceBook page. You can read more on hi...

Part 2-Joshua Spodek - Doing meaningful things - A conversation on change

In this episode, Josh and I talk about change. There is only one way to fight climate change, pandemics and systemic racism. Through change. But to change anything, we need to first change ourselves. Changing our behaviors is how we can influence change in our society. But how hard is it? Tune in to hear Josh share his wisdom as he changed his lifestyle and continues to do so in a bid to save the environment. Listen to the 1st part of this talk on building Habits that Stick here. Joshua ...

#8 Part 2-Joshua Spodek - Doing meaningful things - A conversation on change

In this episode, Josh and I talk about change. There is only one way to fight climate change, pandemics and systemic racism. Through change. But to change anything, we need to first change ourselves. Changing our behaviors is how we can influence change in our society. But how hard is it? Tune in to hear Josh share his wisdom as he changed his lifestyle and continues to do so in a bid to save the environment. Listen to the 1st part of this talk on building Habits that Stick here. Joshua ...

#7 Milene Jardine : Chocolate for Healthcare workers

CHOCOLATE FOR HEALTHCARE HEROES To thank our healthcare heroes, Milène Jardine Chocolatier have been sending chocolate as a token of love, hope, and support. They have been working around the clock to bring normalcy and safety back to society. MJ Chocolates believe chocolate can bring a dose of happiness and peace to their stressful situations. To reach more heroes, they created a chocolate for healthcare workers gifting program. Website: https://milenejardine.com/ IG: @milene.jardine.choco...

Episode#7 Milene Jardine : Chocolate for Healthcare workers

CHOCOLATE FOR HEALTHCARE HEROES To thank our healthcare heroes, Milène Jardine Chocolatier have been sending chocolate as a token of love, hope, and support. They have been working around the clock to bring normalcy and safety back to society. MJ Chocolates believe chocolate can bring a dose of happiness and peace to their stressful situations. To reach more heroes, they created a chocolate for healthcare workers gifting program. Website: https://milenejardine.com/ IG: @milene.jardine.choco...

#6 Part 1 - Haruna and Mark Borg - Toxic Positivity and Conflict Management in relationships

Haruna Borg and Mark Borg are both couple therapists who understand very well the impact of the lockdown on our mental health. Personally, they have lost patients to the COVID, and they also saw couples virtually, even when they came down with the COVID, . And at the same they are parenting their two school going kids. The couple is no stranger to the fact that tempers tend to flare when you are living 24/7 with someone you love locked up in a tiny space that serves as home, office, play are...

#6 Part 1 - Managing your relationships during a lockdown - Toxic Positivity and Conflict Management

Haruna Borg and Mark Borg are both couple therapists who understand very well the impact of the lockdown on our mental health. Personally, they have lost patients to the COVID, and they also saw couples virtually, even when they came down with the COVID, . And at the same they are parenting their two school going kids. The couple is no stranger to the fact that tempers tend to flare when you are living 24/7 with someone you love locked up in a tiny space that serves as home, office, play are...

Episode#6 - Part 1 - Managing your relationships during a lockdown - Toxic Positivity and Conflict Management

Haruna Borg and Mark Borg are both couple therapists who understand very well the impact of the lockdown on our mental health. Personally, they have lost patients to the COVID, and they also saw couples virtually, even when they came down with the COVID, . And at the same they are parenting their two school going kids. The couple is no stranger to the fact that tempers tend to flare when you are living 24/7 with someone you love locked up in a tiny space that serves as home, office, play are...

Special Episode - Joshua Spodek - Habits that Stick

“Prison life is about routine: each day like the one before; each week like the one before it, so that the months and years blend into each other.” Nelson Mandela about the 27 years he spent in prison. Mandela believed a lifetime’s habit of exercise helped him to survive prison, ready for the challenges that lay ahead.  In this episode, I chat with Joshua Spodek, published expert and coach of starting habits that last, about building daily habits that stick. Josh explains how he does it , t...

#5 Joshua Spodek - Habits that Stick

“Prison life is about routine: each day like the one before; each week like the one before it, so that the months and years blend into each other.” Nelson Mandela about the 27 years he spent in prison. Mandela believed a lifetime’s habit of exercise helped him to survive prison, ready for the challenges that lay ahead.  In this episode, I chat with Joshua Spodek, published expert and coach of starting habits that last, about building daily habits that stick. Josh explains how he does it , t...

Episode#4 - Rochelle Rice - Building pockets of certainty

Well known public speaker , Rochelle Rice, talks about the importance of building pockets of certainty in our daily lives to help stabilize and build a sense of normalcy during these unusually turbulent times.  Rochelle Rice, is the first woman in the world to hold both the Certified Speaking Professional(CSP) designation from National Speakers Association and Accredited Speaker(AS) designation from Toastmasters International. She is passionate about health and wellness and has been conduct...

#4 Rochelle Rice - Building pockets of certainty

Well known public speaker , Rochelle Rice, talks about the importance of building pockets of certainty in our daily lives to help stabilize and build a sense of normalcy during these unusually turbulent times.  Rochelle Rice, is the first woman in the world to hold both the Certified Speaking Professional(CSP) designation from National Speakers Association and Accredited Speaker(AS) designation from Toastmasters International. She is passionate about health and wellness and has been conduct...

Episode#0 - The making of Heroes of New York

Episode#3 Luisa Montalvo - Every dog we rescue has a story

She has transported and rescued over 1000 dogs till date. At the age of 60, she rose to prominence as the runner up of the World Championship of Public Speaking 2019, beating over 30,000 contestants from 143 countries. Our guest for this episode is Luisa Montalvo, resident of South Texas who is rescuing stray dogs from certain death and transporting them to New York where each and every one of them is adopted by foster families who are grateful for her service. In this episode Luisa open...

#3 Luisa Montalvo - Every dog we rescue has a story

She has transported and rescued over 1000 dogs till date. At the age of 60, she rose to prominence as the runner up of the World Championship of Public Speaking 2019, beating over 30,000 contestants from 143 countries. Our guest for this episode is Luisa Montalvo, resident of South Texas who is rescuing stray dogs from certain death and transporting them to New York where each and every one of them is adopted by foster families who are grateful for her service. In this episode Luisa open...

Luisa Montalvo - Every dog we rescue has a story

She has transported and rescued over 1000 dogs till date. At the age of 60, she rose to prominence as the runner up of the World Championship of Public Speaking 2019, beating over 30,000 contestants from 143 countries. Our guest for this episode is Luisa Montalvo, resident of South Texas who is rescuing stray dogs from certain death and transporting them to New York where each and every one of them is adopted by foster families who are grateful for her service. In this episode Luisa open...

#2 Sarita Ekya - Serving healthcare workers as we adjust our business to this new way of working

She is a mom, wife, businesswoman and an improv artist. Sarita and her husband Caesar Ekya sold everything they had in 2005 to start S'MAC - a popular East Village restaurant that sells Mac N Cheese. When New York went into lockdown in March this year, small businesses like theirs were hit and it forced them to make some tough decisions. Under immense pressure, the Ekyas revamped their business model, introduced an entirely new product line, started serving health care workers and even rehir...

Sarita Ekya - Revamping our restaurant's business model in the crisis

She is a mom, wife, businesswoman and an improv artist. Sarita and her husband Caesar Ekya sold everything they had in 2005 to start S'MAC - a popular East Village restaurant that sells Mac N Cheese. When New York went into lockdown in March this year, small businesses like theirs were hit and it forced them to make some tough decisions. Under immense pressure, the Ekyas revamped their business model, introduced an entirely new product line, started serving health care workers and even rehir...