Get Connected

Now in it’s 10th Year, The Changing Minds Young Filmmaker Festival hosted by the New York City mental health and advocacy non-profit Community Access, features short films that explore timely mental health themes, including anxiety, bipolar disorder and more. Our guests are Jordyn Rosenthal, the Director of Advocacy at Community Access, and Simone Thomas-Rowe, whose film “Before My Eyes” is one of ten being screened at the event on May 17 at Village East Cinema.  For more, visit mentalhealthfilmfest.nyc and communityaccess.org.

Every year The Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk, benefits the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, by raising awareness of suicide and depression, raising money for research and education, and providing assistance and a safe outlet for survivors of suicide. Our guest is Mike Lamma, EVP and COO of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, for details on the New York City Walk on June 21. For more, visit afsp.org.

North Shore Animal League America, the world’s largest and longest-running no-kill rescue and adoption organization, kicks off their Global Pet Adoptathon on May 1. More than 2000 shelter partners and rescue groups participate in the annual event, which helped adopt over 40,000 pets last year. Our guest is Mike Spiotta, Associate Director of Operations for NSALA. For more, including details on financial incentives for adopting in May, visit animalleague.org.

Our guest is Ann Toback, CEO of the Workers Circle, a leading Jewish organizing involved in democracy protection. Ann and members of the The Workers Circle have recently returned from Selma, Alabama for the 60th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday.  We’ll also talk about the organization’s historic past and ongoing fight for voting rights. For more, visit circle.org.   

April is Autism Awareness Month. And while we rightly celebrate diversity, we often shy away from discussing the unique challenges faced by families and those raising autistic children. Our guest is Julie Mower, executive director of The Phoenix Center, an accredited, not-for-profit school serving students with autism, multiple disabilities and intellectual disabilities in Nutley, NJ. For more, visit thephoenixcenternj.org.

Since April 1, the New York City Department of Sanitation has begun enforcing strict rules on separating food waste and yard waste from trash—issuing fines of up to $300 to property owners who don’t comply with the law. Our guest is Samantha Maldonado, a senior reporter for THE CITY, with an overview of composting guidelines for landlords and residents from her article How to Compost in NYC: A Guide. Samantha Maldonado is a senior reporter for THE CITY, where she covers climate, resiliency, housing and development at thecity.nyc.

We discuss congestion pricing, young activists and the impact of anti-climate mandates with John Opperman, Executive Director of Earth Day Initiative. Their Annual Earth Day Festival is a free, public event during a pivotal time for climate justice. For more about the event in Union Square on April 17, visit earthdayinitiative.org.

As immigration and LGBTQ+ rights take center stage in national debates, The People’s Theater, Latinx Playwrights Circle, and Boundless Theatre Company present the world premiere of "Domino Effect." Onstage at A.R.T. / New York Theaters through April 20, the play explores the triumphs, sacrifices, and resilience of immigrant and queer communities. Our guests are playwright Marco Antonio Rodriguez and cast member Shadi Ghaheri. For more about the play and tickets visit thepeoplestheater.org.

As spring arrives in NYC, the annual Greenest Block in Brooklyn Program is on! It’s Brooklyn’s friendliest competition, hosted by the Brooklyn Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The contest is free and open to all residential blocks, commercial blocks, and community gardens in Brooklyn. Our guest is Community Program Manger Jibreel Cooper. For more, visit bbg.org/community/greenestblock.

Amid the stresses of daily life and the uncertainty of the world around us, having a peaceful place to reflect and unwind can make all the difference. For participants in Project Renewal’s horticultural therapy program, that sanctuary is the rooftop garden at one of the nonprofit’s supportive housing sites, Bedford Green House. At heart of this healing space in the Bronx, is our guest Jonelle Green, Project Renewal’s horticultural therapist. For more, visit projectrenewal.org.

With the New York City Mayoral Primary on June 24, we’re joined by Tim Hunter, representing the NYC Campaign Finance Board. New York City’s landmark Campaign Finance Program provides public funds to candidates for city office via their matching funds program, empowering small donors and candidates of all backgrounds. For more, visit nyccfb.info.

Whether you are a novice when it comes to money or a confident investor, financial advisor Frank Buchholz offers a proven blueprint for sustainable wealth building through small, consistent actions in THE INVESTOR’S GOLDEN PLAYBOOK: 12 Rules for Achieving Real Wealth. Frank J. Buchholz is a retired senior vice president and financial advisor with over 40 years of experience. During his career at Merrill Lynch, he earned prestigious accolades like the Directors Circle and Circle of Excellence.

2025 year marks the 10th anniversary of MOVE | NYC |, a leading-edge arts and social justice organization, with a mission to cultivate greater diversity and equity in the dance field and beyond.  Our guests are MOVE | NYC | Co-Founders Chanel DaSilva and Nigel Campbell. For more, including their 10th anniversary performance calendar, visit movenyc.nyc.

COUNTING BACKWARDS is a legal thriller by Jacqueline Friedland following the timelines of two women—one in 1927 and the other in the present day—inspired by the true stories of medical abuse, and women’s struggles for their civil and reproductive rights. Jacqueline Friedland is the author of four other titles, including HE GETS THAT FROM ME and TROUBLE THE WATER. She graduated Magna cum Laude from both the University of Pennsylvania and NYU Law School before going on to briefly pursue commercial litigation.

While the national conversation around immigrants and immigrant rights is center stage, First Friends of New Jersey and New York has been working locally for decades with a network of volunteers to provide dignity, support and practical assistance to immigrants impacted by the immigration enforcement system. Our guest is Katy Sastry, Executive Director of First Friends of New Jersey & New York For more, visit firstfriendsnjny.org.

The UK’s most celebrated Hip-Hop dance theater company, Boy Blue, presents the U.S. premiere of Cycles at Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater, March 27, 28 & 29 at 7:30 pm. Now in the 24th year of their professional partnership, our guests are Co-Founders and Co-Artistic Directors of Boy Blue, Choreographer Kenrick Sandy, MBE, and Composer Michael Asante, MBE. For more, visit boyblue.co.uk and lincolncenter.org.

Located in the heart of Manhattan's historic Seaport District, the South Street Seaport Museum preserves and interprets the history of New York as a great port city. The exhibition Maritime City, in the Museum’s newly restored and renovated historic 1868 A.A. Thomson & Co. building at 213 Water Street, highlights how New York City, as we know it today, arose from the sea. Our guest is Museum President and CEO, Captain Jonathan Boulware.  For more, visit southstreetseaportmuseum.org.

Girl Scout Cookie season has arrived!  This beloved annual event is serious business for thousands of young women as they hone real world entrepreneurial skills. Our guests are Karen Lundgard, Interim CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater New York, and 12-year old Girl Scout Ashleigh F., the top cookie seller in Brooklyn for the 2024 season. For more, visit girlscoutsnyc.org.

The Bloomingdale School of Music, a non-profit music education institution on the Upper West Side, celebrates it’s 60th Anniversary!  Executive Director Erika Atkins leads this very special community of 800 musicians of all ages from their historical brownstone on West 108th street.  For more, visit bsmny.org.

Parenting in the first year can be a mix of joy, exhaustion, and confusion—but it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming! Vered Benhorin is a licensed creative arts therapist, music therapist, psychotherapist, and mom of three. Her book is WHAT DO I DO WITH MY BABY ALL DAY?!:  Simple Ways to Have the Best First Year Together.