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Paperface returns for a silly episode in which we discuss The Odyssey, a baller bachelor party they just went to, giving speeches at weddings WITHOUT AI, Pape parenting updates, and much much more.Air Date 7/23/26DON'T FORGET TO WATCH FAGA'S NEW SPECIAL "BURN AFTER SAYING" ON THE HSR YOUTUBE PAGE!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxIHJU2LotUSupport Our Sponsors!Body Brain Coffee: https://bodybraincoffee.com/ - Grab A Bag of Body Brain Coffee with Promo Code HSR20 to get 20% off!YoKratom: https://yokratom.com/3rd Mic Harrington: https://3rdmicharrington.com/High Society Radio is 2 native New Yorkers who started from the bottom and didn't raise up much. That's not the point, if you enjoy a sideways view on technology, current events, or just an in depth analysis of action movies from 2006 this is the show for you.Chris Stanley is the on air producer for Bennington on Sirius XM.Chris Faga is a lifelong street urchin, a former head chef, county comitteman and supposed comedian. Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChrisFromBklynInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisfrombklynEngineer: DomExecutive Producer: JorgeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/themharrington/Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheMHarringtonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Tim Conway Jr Show Hour with Mark Thompson Hour 2 (7.27) Mark’s getting married in a few days and just returned from a special trip with the love of his life, Courtney, to England and her ancestral homeland of Croatia, where her family history stretches back 500 years. Courtney jumps on the phone to share highlights, including seeing her favorite artist Ludovico Einaudi perform for the 30th time and catching the London theater production “1536” about Henry VIII and the beheaded Anne Boleyn. Swedish pop-rock duo Roxette has canceled their entire US tour, blaming expenses and logistics — though soft ticket sales may have played a role. Mark recently caught a downtown LA band whose singer sounded exactly like Taylor Dayne — only to discover the whole group, including the vocalist, were men in drag performing under the name Transatlantic. In sadder news, iconic “You’re So Vain” singer Carly Simon, 83, is battling both cancer and Parkinson’s disease. The daughter of a Simon & Schuster founder and an activist mother grew up in the Bronx and has become increasingly reclusive as her health declined. And one year after Dolly Parton lost her husband of 60 years, Carl Dean, her brother Coy “Denver” Parton has died at 82. With 12 siblings in the Parton household, it’s no wonder Dolly never had kids of her own. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bronx-born singer George Lamond joins discuss his roots, musical evolution, and legacy as one of Freestyle and Salsa's biggest voices. He reveals how he hid his talent and dreams from his family until they heard his song playing on NYC radio. George reflects on growing up in the same neighborhood as Marc Anthony and La India, experiencing freestyle’s club scene at just 17, and developing his own sound and image. He also opens up about navigating major labels, the origins of his stage name, and the assumptions people made about his ethnicity and sexuality because of his polished “pretty boy” appearance. After “Bad of the Heart” skyrocketed in 1989, George crossed over into salsa, built a seven-album catalog, and today continues touring and earning from music created decades ago. Plus, he reveals his ultimate Freestyle Mount Rushmore. Stream and subscribe for more conversations celebrating Latino music, culture, and entertainment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 447: The Trade Deadline is quickly approaching, and it's time for teams to start making decisions on who is staying and who is going. Jared, Tyler, and Jay Hay break down the major pieces rumored to be on the move this trade deadline, including Tarik Skubal, Mason Miller, Jeremy Peña, and more. The guys discuss who should buy, who should sell, and what a realistic trade package for a player like Tarik Skubal would look like. The Blue Jays' puzzling season has the crew wondering whether the team that was one out away from the World Series last year should start moving pieces for the future. Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox are on the verge of tying and breaking their franchise record for wins in a row. Jared and Tyler reflect on the ride and share their feelings heading into a doubleheader. Jared learns about the grittiest player in baseball, and Max Fried's return to the Bronx mound leads the guys to discuss how the Yankees can shore up their roster for another postseason run. Tune in again on Friday for a loaded BID including Family Feud, Blowing This Guy's Horn, and more! 00:00:00 - Gregg Maddux Interview Out Now! 00:06:35 - Tarik Skubal Trade Buzz 00:21:09 - Mason Miller Trade Buzz 00:33:45 - Shea Bangeliers, Jeremy Peña, Reid Detmers? Who Do You Want At The Deadline? 00:43:45 - What Do The Blue Jays Do? 00:49:07 - Ruptured Testicles & Mound Incidents 00:52:10 - Red Sox Going For 15 Straight Wins 01:00:42 - Max Fried Returns 01:06:05 - Award-Winning Nugs 01:11:43 - Final Thoughts NEW BID MERCH IS HERE: https://www.baseballisdead.com Trade $25 for the chance to earn up to $500: - https://app.kalshi.com/1r91/BID Sign Up For Our Patreon for more Baseball Is Dead Content! https://www.patreon.com/cw/BaseballisDead Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/DEAD Buy A Ticket For Section 10 Night! September 8th, Fenway Park, Be There. https://redsox.com/section10 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Griffin Warner talks betting for Tuesday. Griffin Warner runs through a full board of Major League Baseball lines on the July 21st episode of What I Bet, part of the Straight Out of Vegas AM podcast feed, working game by game across a slate that stands as the only major action on the calendar with the World Cup finished and European soccer still weeks away. He opens by noting a strong recent run of picks, then works through a value spot on the Dodgers as a plus-money road underdog in Philadelphia against Zach Wheeler, a Twins-Guardians rematch in Cleveland following a five-home run outburst, a look at Bubba Chandler and the Pirates catching a diminished Yankees lineup in the Bronx, and a plan to keep fading a struggling Kevin Gausman in Toronto. He breaks down why the Orioles carry value in Boston against a Red Sox club working a starter back from injury, why the Padres are getting more plus-money than expected in Atlanta, and how a Brandon Sproat storyline shapes his lean in the Mets-Brewers total. He spends extended time explaining why he wants nothing to do with the San Francisco Giants' defense in Kansas City, along with looks at the Tigers, Marlins, White Sox, a massive total in Colorado, a first-five under in Anaheim, and continued concerns about the Seattle offense heading into a matchup with Cincinnati. Along the way he details a promo code offering listeners a discount on his season-long Major League Baseball coverage. The episode closes with his Best Bet of the show, a play on the Kansas City Royals built around fading the Giants entirely, capping a detailed, game-by-game walkthrough of everything moving on the baseball board that day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this powerful episode, we sit down with Kaylyn Vega — a Puerto Rican-Dominican mom from the Bronx, now raising her four-year-old autistic daughter in Florida alongside her Jamaican husband. Kaylyn opens up about spotting the early signs of autism, pushing back against family denial rooted in cultural stigma, navigating a resistant pediatrician, and ultimately becoming a fierce advocate for her daughter and other families on the same journey. Her story is raw, real, and deeply inspiring.In this episode, we discuss:0.00 Welcome & introducing Kaylyn — from the Bronx to Florida0:26 Kaylyn's background: Puerto Rican, Dominican & her daughter's Jamaican heritage1:18 Early signs she noticed — tippy-toeing, delayed milestones, limited verbal communication2:01 Who first said "autism"? Kaylyn did — and why she already knew2:40 Cultural pushback: "She'll grow out of it"4:26 Getting the diagnosis — pushback from the pediatrician AND the preschool10:02 Finding peace in the diagnosis and mourning the "planned" future14:01 How Kaylyn's daughter is thriving today — speech, swimming, meditation15:27 Running a "tight ship" when family babysits20:13 Navigating insurance & the out-of-pocket diagnosis — what moms need to know22:37 Going back to school: psychology major, health insurance, and RBT certification26:13 Kaylyn's vision: an autism wellness advocacy business27:56 Self-care, a supportive partner, and guided meditation with her daughter29:22 How to reach Kaylyn29:42 Advice for moms struggling with family and cultural barriers31:17 What makes Kaylyn a badass? Her voiceConnect with Kaylyn:Instagram: www.instagram.com/kayykulture._Email: kaylynvega58@gmail.comIf this episode resonated with you:-Follow the Autism for Badass Moms Podcast-Leave a review to help other autism moms find this community-Share this episode with a parent who may feel unseen or misunderstoodFollow Us:Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcastFacebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast
Uterine Fibroids affect millions of women (including our host, Shelley Wade), yet so many are left navigating painful symptoms and limited options in silence. In this episode of "The Goodness Factor with Shelley Wade" podcast, we sit down with Dr. Pierre Johnson, the expert known as "The Fibroid Slayer," to empower you to take back control of your reproductive health. Whether you've been diagnosed or are suffering from fibroid symptoms, this conversation is packed with actionable insights you won't want to miss.
Ben Maller talks about Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman should feel about the state of the Yankees after losing the series to the Dodgers, the Mets getting dinged for using AI for pitch calling, Bo Bichette giving a murky answer when asked about waiving his no-trade clause, Insta-Advice Line, and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The All Local for Monday, July 20th, 2026
This is the noon All Local for Monday, July 20, 2026
A few weeks after two structural columns buckled at a Midtown Manhattan high rise, WNYC and Gothamist reporter David Brand shares new details from hours spent reviewing hundreds of pages of building plans at the Department of Buildings. He explains what the plans called for, what the engineering firm says about whether required steel reinforcements were installed and what city officials are investigating now. Plus, WNYC and Gothamistreporter Arya Sundaram reflects on how the 2026 FIFA World Cup brought immigrant communities together at watch parties across New York City. Photo: New York City Department of Buildings -Got any questions, comments or story ideas? Send us a message at NYCNow@WNYC.org -Got any questions, comments or story ideas? Send us a message at NYCNow@WNYC.org Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
It is a privilege to welcome actor, stand-up comic, and LGBTQ+ activist Jason Stuart to the Jake's Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast. Born in the Bronx and raised in Los Angeles, Jason has built a reputation for bold, unexpected performances that blend humor, humanity, and fearless authenticity. A self-described insecure Jewish kid who found refuge in performance, he credits Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl with “saving his life”—a revelation that launched a lifelong pursuit of storytelling that challenges stereotypes and flips expectations. That instinct led to one of his most striking turns as a heterosexual Christian plantation owner in Nate Parker's The Birth of a Nation, a role that mirrored and reframed the prejudice he's fought his entire life. Most recently, he serves as actor, director, producer, and co-writer of the indie film REDLINING, a timely and provocative film examining systemic inequality and the personal cost of generational injustice. Anchored by a deeply human performance from Jason Stuart, the film also features Alexandra Paul in a striking turn that powerfully showcases her dramatic depth. Stuart brings nuance, empathy, and quiet power to a story that confronts America's unfinished business head-on. The film continues his commitment to socially conscious storytelling and adds another bold chapter to a career defined by fearless choices and cultural relevance.Jason Stuart has appeared in studio favorites including Kindergarten Cop and Vegas Vacation, and on hit series such as The Closer, My Wife & Kids, Goliath (opposite J.K. Simmons), and Judd Apatow's Love. Indie audiences know him from Oscar winner Sean Baker's Tangerine, Ira Sachs' Love Is Strange (with John Lithgow and Alfred Molina), and the Amazon comedy series Smothered, which he co-created and starred in alongside Mitch Hara. The series earned Jason Stuart the Indie Series Award for Best Actor in a Comedy and sparked a new wave of acclaim as a content creator with the motto: “We don't wait for permission to create.” A highly sought-after stand-up comedian, Jason Stuart tours nationally and released the comedy album I'm the Daddy and I Have Candy. He is also an in-demand speaker on diversity and inclusion and the author of the memoir Shut Up, I'm Talking! Offscreen, he serves as National Co-Chair of the SAG-AFTRA LGBTQ Committee, which he cofounded in 2004. Stuart has also recently completed the horror film Blackwood, the drama I Got Next, in which he plays a basketball coach mentoring a special-needs child, and the acclaimed indie drama Hank, which won Best LGBTQ Short at the Los Angeles International Film Festival and earned him a Best Actor nomination at the Glendale International Film Festival.On this episode of Jake's Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Jason Stuart spoke about the lessons that he learned from being on the sets of The Drew Carey Show, Everybody Hates Chris, Murder She Wrote, and My Wife & Kids; launching the SAG-AGTRA LGBTQ Committee in 2004; and previewed Redlining. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jake-s-take-with-jacob-elyachar--4112003/support.
Sermon for The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church and The Ev. Lutheran Church of Our Saviour, both in The Bronx, New York (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43).
SHOW OPEN. Danielle wants everyone to pump their brakes and explains why the weekend series in the Bronx with the Yankees and Dodgers is just another series in July
On this week's Neutralizing Workplace Racism, we confront a devastating surge of economic warfare, structural negligence, and physical violence targeting Black and non-white employees. As the summer heat intensifies, corporate entities and state actors are shifting liabilities directly onto the backs of non-white workers. We break down the explosive new legal filings and news reports that track the systematic destruction of safety and security on the clock: 1. The Kansas City FedEx Driver Slur Exposure: We dissect a viral Ring camera recording published by The Kansas City Defender showing a FedEx courier hurling a racial slur at a Black-owned business because they took too long to answer the door. We apply counter-racist logic to analyze how corporate delivery drivers function as hostile agents, bringing overt anti-Black vitriol directly to the doorsteps of attempted Black entrepreneurs. 2. The World Cup Productivity Distraction Narrative: We analyze mainstream media reports claiming that workers watching the World Cup during shift hours is causing a catastrophic drop in corporate productivity. We decode this framing through a counter-racist lens to expose how management uses performance tracking to justify increased surveillance and algorithmic discipline. 3. The Meta AI Layoff Lawsuit: We examine the landmark lawsuit against Meta over claims that corporate artificial intelligence algorithms disproportionately targeted non-white workers for mass layoffs. We deconstruct how major tech firms deploy automated systems as a legal shield to execute racial purges while evading civil rights accountability. 4. The SCOTUS TPS Ruling and Healthcare Collapse: We dissect the immediate fallout of the Supreme Court's ruling that leaves thousands of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders on the brink of losing their work permits. We unpack how stripping these legal protections will intentionally deepen staffing shortages in the healthcare sector, forcing remaining non-white workers into hyper-exploitative, understaffed conditions. 5. The Crenshaw Construction Fatality: We look at the structural negligence behind the tragic death of a construction worker killed after a heavy tractor rolled over at a transit job site on Crenshaw Boulevard. We expose how corporate contractors routinely cut corners on safety protocols in working-class neighborhoods, treating the physical bodies of non-white laborers as expendable overhead. 6. The East Harris County Utility Shaft Homicide Investigation: We break down the chilling investigation out of Texas where a 47-year-old worker died after a heated workplace altercation with a coworker ended with him being pushed down a 30-to-40-foot utility shaft. This tragedy serves as a grim validation of Gus's warnings regarding escalating peer-to-peer workplace friction. 7. The Murder of the Pizza Delivery Driver: We confront the horrific killing of a pizza delivery worker where a 14-year-old has been charged with murder, exposing the extreme physical dangers customer-facing gig-economy workers face on the front lines without any corporate protection or security infrastructure. 8. The NYPD 46th Precinct Accusations: We dissect the troubling corruption and systemic abuse allegations emerging from the 46th Precinct in the Bronx, analyzing how state law enforcement foot soldiers protect their internal ranks while executing targeted legal warfare against non-white communities. Between algorithmic terminations, municipal infrastructure hazards, and lethal physical altercations, survival remains your only valid metric of success. Your priority on the clock is no longer career advancement or external validation—it is deploying aggressive defensive strategies, maintaining absolute silence on personal matters, and keeping your daily footprint strictly limited to professional workplace coordination to survive your shift alive and in one piece. INVEST in The COWS – [http://paypal.me/TheCOWS](http://paypal.me/TheCOWS?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExYTRQZkY4b2hJb0R0T1hoSHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR60eWKSo-CTJpcKkLgk1UNbq-Y6_0VFewUmXP16BVLr0mV3LNWd2fXcbKd8Qw_aem_13ItX__DfQz8DbN-pOFkbQ) Cash App: [https://cash.app/$TheCOWS](https://cash.app/$TheCOWS?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExYTRQZkY4b2hJb0R0T1hoSHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4vY0Ek7y0SaCN8tb3GATgvlY6L93mUy5i70z6Doxh5XvLnAUHlqveGbh1j7A_aem_W5w_bnESyhwYFyeK-rdC8Q) #TheCOWS17Years #SurviveYourShift #SafetyFirst #TheCOWS17Years #CounterRacism #WorkplaceViolence
Fox 59's report on Brett Scrogham's murder: https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/judge-will-decide-if-14-year-old-charged-with-murder-in-downtown-indy-shooting-will-be-tried-as-adult/The New York Times's report on the murder of Jonathan Pettigrew: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/08/nyregion/bronx-bus-fatal-shooting.htmlBronx News 12's report on the murder of Jonathan Pettigrew: https://bronx.news12.com/2026/06/12/family-of-man-killed-on-bx36-bus-speaks-out-as-police-search-for-15-year-old-gunman/7eUHrmE5HwZhBUWujajNF0A GoFundMe for Jonathan Pettigrew's children: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-jonathan-pettigrews-childrenCNN's report on the death of Nolan Wells: https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/13/us/nolan-wells-death-mississippi-timelinePeople's report on the death of Nolan Wells: https://people.com/nolan-wells-death-investigations-raise-key-questions-what-to-know-12020349CNN's report on revelations about the suspicious deaths of Grand Duke Francesco I de' Medici and his wife, Bianca Cappello: https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/15/science/medici-family-mystery-dna-malariaCheck out our upcoming book events and get links to buy tickets here: https://murdersheetpodcast.com/eventsPre-order our book on Delphi here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/shadow-of-the-bridge-the-delphi-murders-and-the-dark-side-of-the-american-heartland-aine-cain/21866881?ean=9781639369232Or here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Shadow-of-the-Bridge/Aine-Cain/9781639369232Or here: https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Bridge-Murders-American-Heartland/dp/1639369236Join our Patreon here! https://www.patreon.com/c/murdersheetSupport The Murder Sheet by buying a t-shirt here: https://www.murdersheetshop.com/Check out more inclusive sizing and t-shirt and merchandising options here: https://themurdersheet.dashery.com/Send tips to murdersheet@gmail.com.The Murder Sheet is a production of Mystery Sheet LLC.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Summary Shaun Ossei-Owusu didn't go to law school to become a lawyer. After a PhD in African American Studies at Berkeley and a fellowship at the American Bar Foundation, he wanted the technical language of law so he could translate what he'd already been studying: how the legal system actually treats people, versus how it says it does. That instinct became his new book, "Law on Trial." In this conversation, Kathryn Rubino and Ossei-Owusu dig into what "thinking like a lawyer" costs, from law school curricula that leave out issues like civil asset forfeiture, to big law and government lawyering, where the pressure to win can crowd out the question of whether winning was the right outcome. They close with practical advice for lawyers trying to stay honest with themselves about the trade-offs they're making. Key Takeaways Legal training builds what Ossei-Owusu calls a "tragically necessary skill": separating law from moral and social context. It's useful, and it's also easy to overcorrect. Core law school subjects often skip the inequality issues baked into them. Property class rarely covers civil asset forfeiture, even though it's a bigger part of practice than most casebooks suggest. Big law economics can quietly work against legitimate discrimination claims, not just frivolous ones, because of who's paying the bill. City and county law departments face a similar tension: they enforce consumer and housing protections while also defending against civil rights claims brought under the same kinds of laws. Lawyers can protect their values by setting ethical red lines before financial pressure sets in, not after. Links and Resources Above the Law The Jabot Podcast Law on Trial: An Unlikely Insider Reckons with Our Legal System (W.W. Norton) Law on Trial on Amazon Keywords legal education, law school, thinking like a lawyer, legal ethics, big law, public interest law, civil asset forfeiture, law professor, legal academia, Shaun Ossei-Owusu, Law on Trial, University of Pennsylvania, legal profession, government lawyers, municipal law departments, law firm culture, first-generation lawyers, social justice law, Above the Law, The Jabot Podcast Episode Highlights [00:00:49 - 00:04:20] Ossei-Owusu explains his winding path from the Bronx to a PhD to law school. [00:04:56 - 00:06:51] Why mentoring future lawyers, including those headed to big law, matters to him. [00:06:51 - 00:08:35] The gap in law school literature that inspired Law on Trial. [00:10:46 - 00:13:19] What "thinking like a lawyer" really means, and its necessary trade-offs. [00:13:19 - 00:14:33] The civil asset forfeiture example most property classes skip. [00:15:50 - 00:17:35] How big law economics can quietly undermine legitimate discrimination claims. [00:17:35 - 00:19:16] The civil rights tension inside city and county law departments. [00:20:04 - 00:22:20] Practical advice for lawyers weighing big law against their values. [00:22:20 - 00:24:01] Why ethical red lines matter more than good intentions.
Welcome Back To So Shameless!This week our problem child Diamond joins us with renown host extraordinaire Young Prince to talk why Brooklyn and Bronx guys dont see eye to eye, how Tahoe and Diamond got into the Jay Z concert without tickets, and how we all felt about our experience at the historic Three day Jay-Z Yankee stadium weekend. Young Princes rise to fame and how to tell ppl that your rate is your rate.. ENJOY!!Socials:Young Prince@YoungPrince on Twitter and InstagramDiamond@DiamyTV on instagram@Diamy_TV on Twitter
This week on Hey Sis, Eat This, Courtney and Whitney welcome siblings Stefanie Beach and Bobby Peña Díaz to share stories about growing up in the Bronx, Italian family traditions, and childhood memories of their larger-than-life mom, Momma Donna. From Sunday red sauce and hallway protests, to daily 'mom jokes' and one story proving Momma Donna will stop at absolutely nothing to make sure her kids are alive. Stefanie and Bobby share the moments that made Momma Donna unforgettable, including dance parties in the living room, her unconditional love, and always being the mom their friends wished was theirs. Meet us on the stoop for some sauce and a side of goss! All Things Stefanie Beach Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/smbmediaconsulting/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SMBMediaConsulting/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/SMBMediaTeam LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/smb-media-consulting/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanieg/ About Hey Sis, Eat This Hey Sis, Eat This is hosted by Courtney Ashley & Whitney Wolder Follow us on social media @heysiseatthis Visit our Website for recipes and more heysiseatthis.com Contact us at hello@heysiseatthis.com
This is the All Local afternoon update for July 16, 2026.
The All Local Afternoon Update for Thursday, July 16th, 2026
In this episode of the Woodpreneur Podcast, host Jennifer Alger sits down with Cathy Cohne, fifth generation at Melrose Lumber Co. in Austin, New York. The company was founded in 1922 by Cathy's great-great-grandfather, and when he passed away early, his wife, a Russian immigrant with no English, stepped in and kept the doors open during the Depression. That grit runs through the whole story. The family later operated Manhattan Lumber Company in the city before New York's Urban Renewal program purchased the location, and a fire in the 1960s forced a move from the Melrose section of the Bronx to where they are today. Cathy grew up in the business. If she wasn't in school, she was stocking shelves, helping customers, and making sure everything looked right. She went on to earn a business degree with a minor in marketing and later an MBA, always with the family business in the back of her mind. After COVID, she stepped fully into a leadership role alongside her dad, and the two manage the operation together with her mom handling the books. Melrose Lumber Co. is about 70 percent lumber and the rest hardware, essentially a miniature home center. They carry plywood, dimensional lumber, Douglas fir, pressure treated, cedar, PSLs, LVLs, and a full hardware selection. Cathy walks through the realities of sourcing from major suppliers, fielding quotes by phone and email, and competing with the big box stores on price while offering something they never will: real customer service and a personal touch. A big chunk of the conversation centers on marketing and staying current. Cathy launched an e-commerce website in October and has been working with a media company on SEO for about a decade. The data from those efforts is already shaping how she runs the physical store. When analytics showed that walking sticks were the number one search keyword, she stuffed the rack full and let foot traffic do the rest. She also talks about the early days of AI-generated quoting, her hesitation to give up control, and how ChatGPT started sending brand new customers through her door during an ice dam season. The conversation touches on COVID-era challenges, the shift from cedar everything to more economical Douglas fir as budgets tightened, fuel surcharges driving up order minimums, and the balancing act of inventory management when you refuse to run out but also refuse to overstock. Cathy's philosophy is simple: stay organized, stay efficient, and listen to what customers are actually asking for. Tune in, be inspired, and don't forget to follow the Woodpreneur Podcast. New episodes drop every Thursday morning wherever you consume your podcasts. Chapters 00:00 A Russian Immigrant Runs a Lumber Company in the 1930s 05:10 What Melrose Lumber Co. Carries and How They Source It 09:36 Launching the E-Commerce Store and Navigating AI 18:23 Lumber Trends, Cedar to Douglas Fir, and Economic Shifts 22:06 Education, Family, and Choosing the Business 27:55 Tariffs, Fuel Surcharges, and Adapting to Rising Costs The Woodpreneur Podcast brings stories of woodworkers, makers, and entrepreneurs turning their passion for wood into successful businesses - from inspiration to education to actionable advice. Hosted by Steve Larosiliere and Jennifer Alger For blog posts and updates: woodpreneur.com See how we helped woodworkers, furniture-makers, millwork and lumber businesses grow to the next level: woodpreneurnetwork.com Empowering woodpreneurs and building companies to grow and scale: buildergrowth.io Connect with us at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sawmillsnearme/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodpreneurnetwork/ Join Our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/woodpreneurnetwork Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@woodpreneurnetwork You can connect with Cathy at: www.melroselumber.com https://www.instagram.com/melroselumberco/
APEX Express is a weekly magazine-style radio show featuring the voices and stories of Asians and Pacific Islanders from all corners of our community. This Thursday APEX Express proudly presents “South Asians and The Labor Justice Movement.” This episode highlights Sandhya Jha, a pastor, founder and former Executive Director of the Oakland Peace Center, and racial, housing, and labor justice activist. In the first half of the episode, we discuss Sandhya's life, their path into organizing, and what they're up to now. The second half is dedicated to their recent project with the South Asian American Digital Archive's Archival Creators Fellowship Program. This episode was interviewed, produced, and edited by Swati Rayasam Follow @Sandhya Jha on Facebook and check out Sandhya's website https://sandhyajha.com/ APEX Express is a weekly magazine-style radio show featuring the voices and stories of Asians and Pacific Islanders from all corners of our community. The show is produced by a collective of media makers, deejays, and activists. Listen to the episode live on KPFA 94.1 in San Francisco, 89.3 in Berkeley, and online at KPFA.org. References throughout the Show and Links: Without Fear Consulting Interfaith Alliance Oakland Peace Center Book – Blueprint for a Revolution Book – The Selected Writings of Eqbal Ahmad Podcast – Bending Toward Justice: Avatar the Last Airbender for the Global Majority The Alliance of South Asians Taking Action – ASATA Bay Area Solidarity Summer South Asian American Digital Archive Archival Creators Fellowship Program Sandhya Jha's project, you can listen to all of the oral histories here. Solidarity Forever Online Exhibit Arab Resource and Organizing Center Block the Boat No Tech for Apartheid University of California Labor Center Equality Labs California Trade Justice Coalition NAFCON – National Alliance for Filipino Concerns Filipino Community Center Madhvi Trivedi Patak Transcript [00:00:00] Miata Tan: Hello and welcome! You are tuning in to APEX Express—a weekly radio show featuring the voices and stories of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. I'm your host, Miata Tan. Tonight we're revisiting an episode from our archives, first aired January 5th, 2023. We're bringing it back this week in honor of South Asian American Heritage Month. This one centers Sandhya Jha — a pastor, organizer, and founder of the Oakland Peace Center — in conversation with APEX producer Swati Rayasam. The first half traces Sandhya's path into organizing, from a labor campaign at Johns Hopkins to two decades of interfaith and racial justice work. The second half digs into Sandhya's project with the South Asian American Digital Archive, where she spent a year interviewing South Asian workers inside the labor movement — collecting stories that don't usually make it into the archive. Here's Swati Rayasam in conversation with Sandhya Jha. [00:01:00] Swati Rayasam: I'm really excited actually today to talk to Sandhya Jha, who is a really close friend of mine. Hi Sandhya. Hi there. Sandhya is, a Pastor is a consultant and has been working on this really amazing project with the South Asian American Digital Archive that will get into later in the episode. But yeah, Sandhya I'm just really excited to learn more about you and to hear more of your story and, let's just dive in. [00:01:26] Swati Rayasam: Absolutely. [00:01:27] Swati Rayasam: We should first talk a little bit about how we know each other, you have this long organizing background. I've been in the Bay Area for the past seven years and I would be totally lying if I said I have not historically been, or I'm not even currently an active fangirl of yours. You are literally a pastor. You are a movement worker, how did you get involved in organizing? [00:01:53] Sandhya Jha: Yeah. So I am the product of my parents who were generous, compassionate [00:02:00] people who thought about the world beyond themselves, but were never involved in organizing or activism or anything like that. I think for anybody who comes from immigrant backgrounds, it's hard to tell our stories without naming who we come from. Right. And so my father was Sunil Kumar Jha from the village of Tildanga in West Bengal. My mother, who is still alive is Jeanette Campbell Jha. She is from Glasgow. So I come from a mixed religion and mixed race home. My parents chose not to name me Sandhya Campbell Jha not to give me that kind of grounding, but I was called Sandhya Rani Jha, which is a lot to live up to, well, yes, Rani does mean Queen. But it was actually handed down to me, part of the reason they wanted that middle name was it was my aunt's name, Durga Rani Upadhyay and she was the one who really [00:03:00] brokered my mother's acceptance into the Indian family and I think that there was something about being accepted on the Indian side of the family and not for many, many years on the Scottish side. That caused my parents and particularly my mother to double down on making sure I knew who I came from and who I came from was my people in the village of Tildanga. [00:03:23] Sandhya Jha: I grew up in Akron, Ohio, so we immigrated to this country when I was a toddler, in the late 1970s, which was a complicated time for Asian immigrants to be in the Midwest because it was a time that the rust belt was rusting and there was a growing sense that we were the reason. But also I grew up alongside folks who were trying to figure out how to put food on the table. So I think that landscape shaped me in a lot of ways. And I also come from people who grew up in poor working communities. And[00:04:00] when I went off to college, there was an organizing campaign. The board of directors of the university had created a for-profit corporation with the exact same board. [00:04:15] Swati Rayasam: Oh wow. [00:04:16] Sandhya Jha: So that the universities could subcontract all of their catering, all of their custodial work to this… basically Shell corporation. [00:04:28] Swati Rayasam: Are we telling on the university? [00:04:29] Sandhya Jha: Mm, Yeah. Why not? It was Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and I think that's relevant because the tension between Black communities next to Johns Hopkins Medical School and the school itself were very real because this was part of a very long history of exploiting community members. So the workers were organizing, and you know, I had read about activism, I cared about it. I paid as much attention as I could for a high school student. But when I got to college, this organizing [00:05:00] campaign was going, and the workers were really clear, Hey, college kids who are excited about this, we do have a role for you. It's to fill the crowd. It's to cheer us on. It's to when we ask you communicate to the university that our well-being matters to you because they will listen to you in different ways. But the campaign centered the workers and was really clear with us about what our role was because we were the folks with all the privilege by getting to be there, right? We had tons of privilege and it was a really good lesson for me. I am so grateful. The first organizing campaign I was a part of was a labor campaign that understood what it meant to center the people who were the most impacted by injustice and I think that shaped the rest of my career. [00:05:46] Swati Rayasam: And that's so special too because I think for many people who come into organizing, and I will definitely cop to this myself, like coming up and organizing through high school and college level organizing. When you are a student, nobody ever [00:06:00] tells you that actually you are the least useful kind of organizer that exists. Right. You are in this incredibly enclaved community. Your oppressor, the university, all they have to do is wait for you to graduate institutional memory will not keep you. Yeah. Right. And I think that it is, it's this perfect storm of, you have actually sometimes cool ideas, sometimes very rudimentary ideas, but you also have this turnover issue and you have this sense of self import, which often comes with your teens, early twenties. Yep. As you're just figuring all of that out. So Yeah, self differentiation, right? It's a narcissistic phase in our development. . [00:06:46] Swati Rayasam: It absolutely is and I think that's so important, and I can't imagine how my life would be shaped if I didn't have to spend a lot of time unlearning the self import and narcissism that I had gained through student [00:07:00] organizing. [00:07:00] Sandhya Jha: Yeah. No, I am really, really grateful for it. [00:07:02] Sandhya Jha: My first job outta college was working for a member of Congress, which sounds super fancy and pretentious, but, a member of congress from Akron, Ohio. So put that all in perspective. His name, believe it or not, was Tom Sawyer. Oh, wow. What I loved about Tom was back in those days, he believed very strongly that 80% of legislation was nonpartisan and that was the part that he spent most of his time on. He would weigh in with his party, when they were dealing with that 20% pretty consistently. But he was more interested in the stuff that everybody could agree on and I remember for about 15 years after I worked for him, I looked back and found myself thinking that was so naive. How did he not understand where we were about to head with the divisions between the political parties? But at this point in my life, I realize the people I respect most in organizing work keep pointing out that the binary of [00:08:00] left and right actually doesn't serve us very well. One of my biggest heroes in the movement right now is the Reverend Dr. William Barber, [00:08:07] Swati Rayasam: Hometown hero of mine. Yes. [00:08:09] Sandhya Jha: Poor People's campaign from North Carolina. And he always talks about how it's not about right and left. It's about right and wrong. And it turns out that when we engage in organizing with the awareness that there are huge swaths of things that most of us are well served by, we can do better organizing. And that was actually how Tom was legislating. And at a certain point I realized that my deep passion was around racial justice, but the distinct experience I had in a multi religious household was an awareness of how religion was being used as a weapon. I had an obsession. Every paper in college I wrote was about the Christian coalition, this right wing, organizing body in the nineties. So a friend of mine [00:09:00] said, You know, there's an interfaith organization working against the Christian Coalition. And it was called the Interfaith Alliance. Her mom had been a superintendent in Washington state in eastern Washington and was a pretty conservative person by my standards. [00:09:18] Sandhya Jha: But, Dr. Chow believed in multiculturalism and believed in teaching evolution. And the Christian coalition had organized to push her out of her position as superintendent and the Interfaith Alliance of Washington State had supported her in that time. [00:09:38] Sandhya Jha: And so Liz said, you know, they've got a national chapter, a national office. And that's where I ended up, cutting my adult organizing teeth which was great because talk about learning lessons for our current moment where religion is being weaponized in ways that are anti-trans, that are anti-queer, that are anti-women, that [00:10:00] are anti reproductive rights, that are anti-immigrant and refugee. I am really grateful to have experienced the power of multi-faith organizing, around a lot of those same issues. So that was what I did in the early two thousands and then I went to seminary and public policy school, and then I ended up out here pastoring a congregation of 10 people in a building of 40,000 square feet. [00:10:29] Sandhya Jha: And long story short, that's how the Oakland Peace Center was born, was out of this dream of cultivating deeper collaboration among nonprofits who were dedicated to a shared cause. The Oakland Peace Center, which is a collective of 40 different nonprofits committed to dismantling the root causes of violence in our community. I was the founder of that organization and it was when I was pastoring First Christian Church of Oakland that I asked the handful of folks who were members of that church, what they wanted to [00:11:00] contribute to the community, and they said they wanted to contribute peace in the midst of violence. And for a dozen folks to have given birth to a space that in non pandemic years, saw over a hundred thousand people do things like the Lawyers for Black Lives Conference and to do Kingian non-violence training and to be a part of food and clothing distribution, to participate in all the very diverse ways that we can create peace is pretty impressive. [00:11:30] Sandhya Jha: And a couple of years ago, I left the Oakland Peace Center because a colleague of mine said, Anybody can run a non-profit. We need you to do what you're actually good at, and what she meant by that was we need more people of color doing diversity, equity, and inclusion work that is actually grounded in power analysis. That isn't just how do we be nicer to each other in the workplace, but how do we recognize the ways that systems of white supremacy [00:12:00] unconsciously often shape the culture of our workplaces? And what do we do to dismantle that white supremacy culture so that we can be building nonprofits and institutions of higher education and faith organizations, and even corporations that are dedicated to our full liberation, our liberation, the lands liberation. [00:12:23] Swati Rayasam: I mean coming, especially from the place that you come in grassroots organizing and in faith based organizing, what is it actually to transition into this kind of consulting space around racial justice and really interface with a lot of people that I feel like as organizers, we don't really talk to? [00:12:42] Sandhya Jha: One of my favorite things about this shift in my work is I love getting to work with folks who don't think of themselves as organizers, who, it turns out are organizers, Right. I think we sometimes create a cult of here's what an organizer looks like, you [00:13:00] have to be a Martin Luther King or a Cesar Chavez and what I love is getting to work with moms and with teenagers and with folks who think of themselves as caring, compassionate, individuals, and when I go into an organization and work with their handful of folks who care about this issue, the DEI team, I get to teach them how to strategically organize. I get to teach them how do you create culture shift over time? I get to teach them how do you figure out who your allies are? How do you figure out how to move people who are neutral? It turns out that there are a lot more organizers out there than we realize if we don't create one definition of what an organizer needs to look like. [00:13:45] Swati Rayasam: I have been reading this political scholar Eqbal Ahmed, who really talks about the way the burden is on those of us who are deeply committed to movement work, narrow definition people, the burden is really on us to try and [00:14:00] create a liberatory future that feels both achievable. Mm-hmm. and safe for everybody. Because when people engage in mass struggle and in revolution, there are people who are a hundred percent willing to put their lives on the line. People who are willing to die for the cause. And we absolutely need those people. And there are many people along the spectrum who, if you can create a future that feels like it's within their grasp, they will come with you. [00:14:30] Sandhya Jha: Yep. I teach a lot of organizing classes and have gotten a chance to teach alongside my beloved colleague BK Woodson at Allen Temple Baptist Church, they have a leadership institute there. And one of the books we use is Blueprint for a Revolution by Srđa Popović. And I feel like I learned a lot as we read that book together and thought about how to apply it to the work we're doing in Oakland. They talked about how by engaging in nonviolent direct action, [00:15:00] they created space for elders to be a part of their work and youth to be a part of their work and families to be a part of their work. By making the movement playful. They gave people hope and gave people courage because dictators are terrified of being mocked. [00:15:17] Swati Rayasam: Yeah, exactly. And I think by being really restrictive or narrow about who we view as actually valuable organizers. And I think labor movements teach us this a lot, right? We really cut ourselves off at the knees on our ability to build a network or to be in touch with the general population, many of whom are more connected than we ever give them credit for. [00:15:41] Sandhya Jha: Yeah. Yep. it's part of why I love labor organizing. I talk with a lot of people who are disenchanted with organizing who ask me how I can have stayed involved for the past 25 years. And why I've been able to stay in it is cuz I'm organizing alongside workers and they have [00:16:00] full lives. And the work that they're doing in the movement is so that they can live their full lives. And there's something about having that perspective and recognizing the why all the time instead of getting lost in the weeds of the what. Is so important in this work. I think that has been a big theme of my organizing life is how do we build to the greatest common denominator? As my friend BK often says how do we build towards those shared values that often get erased when we are engaged in the right versus left debate. [00:16:39] Swati Rayasam: Yeah. I think that it is so important and I also think that it's really hard in this moment of what feels like constant trauma and re trauma. [00:16:51] Swati Rayasam: And to some extent especially when we're talking about the left right dichotomy there are real concerns [00:17:00] about safety. Yep. And there are real concerns about security and who you are in community with and who you can find even the smallest level of acceptance from to ensure that you won't have violence visited upon you. And I think that these conversations of united front organizing, Right. trying to bridge across difference mm-hmm. for a shared goal, for a shared liberatory future Yep. Are really important. And they feel kind of impossible to achieve right now. [00:17:31] Sandhya Jha: It's interesting cuz I think that in many ways that is true. There are a lot of conversations that I think people with privilege expect, people who are marginalized to engage in. And those expectations are unfair, what I found very frustrating was the number of people with a lot of privilege who would be like, Ugh, I just can't talk to those people. And I'm like, Then who's going to? Exactly. and so I do think that some of this is about being willing to have [00:18:00] hard conversations in the places where we have privilege and recognizing who's at actual risk and showing up in ways that are protective of who is at risk. But that doesn't mean walking away from people who aren't where we are. Right. Because the fact of the matter is everybody's on a journey. And I have watched at the same time some of the disposability culture in movements write off people without giving them any way to address harm, repair harm, and find a pathway back into community. [00:18:41] Swati Rayasam: Yeah. And I think that's why, at least I am feeling really hopeful about, what I've seen over the past couple of years, this really important track into transformative justice and restorative justice, to acknowledge that there is harm that has happened, there are harms that happen every day between people. [00:19:00] And also we are all on our own journey to unlearn the things that we have been taught either directly or indirectly by our upbringing, by our environment and that you cannot easily dispose of people and that people are able to come back into community. Now that comes with a very important caveat that like they recognize the harm. Mm-hmm. that. They have done or how they've been party to it, that they acknowledge that there is healing work that needs to be done both with the person that they harmed and also probably in internally. [00:19:35] Sandhya Jha: Well, and the community, folks who don't do RJ on a regular basis tend to skip the community aspect. Yeah. That there is actually repair that needs to be done with community and there's work community needs to do to figure out how to re-embrace reabsorb people who have done harm in ways that still protect the person who's been harmed. [00:19:55] Swati Rayasam: Exactly. In ways that do not erase the harm that has happened, but [00:20:00] acknowledge, contextualize it and say, Okay, we are patching this and we are working to move forward in step with each other. Absolutely. [00:20:09] Sandhya Jha: Can I just say that one of the other things that I think you and I have in common is a real passion for bringing joy back into the work of Justice I quote Fabiana Rodriguez a lot on this particular thing, because I was at an event she was doing eons ago, and she looked out at us and most of us were activists and she said, Listen, y ‘all you keep inviting people to a struggle. I'm on your side and I don't wanna join a struggle. I want to join a party. And that was like a call to arms for me when I heard her say that. I was like, Oh my gosh, you're right. We are so much more fun. Like, I've hung out with people who are anti-trans and anti queer and anti-immigrant and anti refugee. They are not fun people. No, no. We have all of the best parties. So I don't know why we don't [00:21:00] capitalize on that more. So I think the role of joy and justice is so important. And this is why I was so excited to have you on the podcast that I launched recently. [00:21:11] Sandhya Jha: Right. Bending Towards Justice Avatar the last Airbender for the Global Majority. [00:21:15] Swati Rayasam: So literally like bringing it together. Two of my favorite things right, is like TV shows, wholesome TV shows like Avatar, The Last Airbender that I deeply love and organizing. Yes. All the work that I love. And I think it's true You know, what is actually really the important work is to work to build toward a future that is desirable Yep. That people want to be a part of. Yeah. That people can see happen. Yeah. And I think that is a lot of the difficulty that I have seen in some organizing circles. We are so well versed in what we are against and all of the things that are bad that so many people have a really hard time seeing or visioning or communicating [00:22:00] what it is that we are fighting for. Yeah. Right. And it's not enough to say, I'm fighting for a world where we can all be safe. Right. Yeah. I'm not, I'm fighting for a world where we can all take long naps in the middle of the day if we'd like to do that. Right. Yeah. But like really building and visioning that future of like, in this world in which we are all safe, there will be harm that happens. How do we deal with that? Yeah. What do we do with that? How do we make sure that it is able to keep everybody safe and also able to account for the times in which it is not able to keep everybody safe. [00:22:38] Sandhya Jha: Visionary does not have to mean naive. And we need it to be visionary. And sometimes I forget to do the visionary stuff. I've got a colleague, Dave Bell, he's a farmer who is also an anti-racism trainer and we do a lot of work together. He's a white guy who lives in White Swan, Washington, on the reservation and I remember being at a training with him and I [00:23:00] was all fired up and I was so excited about the conversations we were having and the people were really ready to do the hard work and roll up their sleeves. And Dave says to them, I would like to not have to do this work. And I'm like, What is he talking about? This is amazing. We're doing such good work. And he says, I would like for us not to have to talk about racism all the time. I would rather be farming. I would rather be, taking care of the cows in my field. [00:23:26] Sandhya Jha: I would rather be talking about my pottery work that I'm doing badly but learning how to do, I would rather be doing anything than have this conversation. But I don't get to be on the farm with the wheat, with the cows, with my bad pottery until we figured out how to do this anti-racism work. And it was a really humbling moment for me because I also get into that like I'm an organizer, that's my identity space. And it was this reminder of Dave's doing this. So he gets to live in a world where he gets to hang out in the fields and he [00:24:00] gets to, love on the cows. There's something about being reminded that we're doing this so that eventually we don't have to do it. That I think is actually visionary in its own way and it's important. [00:24:12] Swati Rayasam: Moving into a little bit more of the grit of like why I asked you to be on the show today. I met you originally when I moved to the Bay Area when you were the executive director of the Oakland Peace Center because At that time I was doing organizing work with the Alliance of South Asians Taking Action, which is a 20 year old bay area based organization, that was really founded around the Laki Reddy Bali Reddy sex trafficking. Yep. Caste and labor exploitation case that happened in Berkeley in 1999. And I was just so thrilled to be around and have in community so many rad desis. And you also did work with ASATA, right. Historically and are actively doing work with us. [00:24:56] Sandhya Jha: Absolutely. One of the places I think I invested the most [00:25:00] energy in where we got to spend a lot of quality time in the kitchen was one of the projects, Bay Area Solidarity Summer, an organizing institute, camp, however you wanna refer to it. [00:25:10] Swati Rayasam: Political education, Summer camp. [00:25:12] Swati Rayasam: Yeah, exactly. For young South Asian Americans who are committed to activism. What I think was the most beautiful part of that program when I was involved in it, and it's still the case today, is for young South Asians who think that they're the only ones who care about justice issues, who haven't met other people, who are South Asian, and identify as justice seekers first to meet each other and realize that there are people just like them. Then to look around and realize that those of us who are usually 10, 15, 20 years older than them are also committed to the work and have been doing it for decades. And then for them to get exposed to the long history of radical visionary organizing and activism of South [00:26:00] Asians here in the US and also in the homelands of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and diasporic countries all over the world. [00:26:13] Sandhya Jha: There's something about realizing, Oh, you have contemporaries, oh, you have elders, oh, you have ancestors. Mm-hmm. Especially in the face of the model minority lie that so many of us have had imposed on us, this lie that all we are all we're supposed to be is cogs in this larger capitalist machine that are non disruptive, which is why we're allowed to survive. And if we are non disruptive enough, we might even be able to be comfortable. And to discover that there's more to our story than that is so exciting and I love, love, love being a part of that. [00:26:52] Swati Rayasam: Yeah. I think that is like fundamentally one of the most important kind of activities that [00:27:00] happens in the ASATA universe, I was a kid who also grew up thinking that there were no other South Asians like me, or there were no other folks who were interested in justice. I spent a lot of time doing, reproductive and queer justice in the south; I always think about what would it have meant if I came in, BASS for 18 to 24 year olds. Yep. what would it have meant if I had come in at a fresh 18 and been able to basically be apprised of the fact that I have this history Yeah. That it's not just me. And that actually, immigration and white supremacy and neo-colonial culture has created this project of assimilation that all of our parents have been in on, in a way to survive Yeah. And to be safe. And I tell my, I tell my mom that a lot because she's always a little surprised about the organizing work that I do. And I was just like, Your job was to survive. My job is to liberate. Yeah. [00:28:00] You know? Yeah. And I could not do that if you were not so focused on creating that environment for me. [00:28:07] Swati Rayasam: I love that. [00:28:07] Swati Rayasam: we'll drop in the show notes, but, BASS – Bay Area Solidarity Summer is solidaritysummer.org. So we'll put that in the show notes as well as ASATA, the Alliance of South Asians Taking Action is ASATA.org. And yeah, I think that is a really good segue into how we got involved in this amazing project. [00:28:31] Swati Rayasam: You're tuned in to APEX express at 94.1 KPFA and 89.3, KPFB in Berkeley. And online@kpfa.org. [00:28:43] Swati Rayasam: I think it was Fall 2021 that you and I were talking. Yep. And you were telling me that you were involved in this amazing archival fellowship project. Is run by the South Asian American Digital Archive and [00:29:00] that you were going to do your project about labor. Mm-hmm. and South Asians. Yep. And my immediate, incredibly naive response was, how many South Asians are there in labor? [00:29:12] Sandhya Jha: Exactly. And it's not naive. It's interesting cuz I think that this project actually emerged out of my favorite part of BASS, which was when the young adults would ask what their opportunities were in the world of justice. And I would say, you know, there's a place for us in labor justice. It had never crossed most of their minds. Right. We don't think of ourselves as having a role especially in formalized unions. And so SAADA, the South Asian American Digital Archives has an archival fellows project. And the whole purpose of it is to diversify their archives and collect the stories that are usually overlooked in the telling of South Asian American stories. [00:29:56] Sandhya Jha: And they have done a great job over the years of collecting the [00:30:00] stories of informal organizing, like the Punjabi Taxi Drivers campaign, the Bangladeshi Nail Workers Campaign. Those were informal labor organizing campaigns. That have been really well archived and they're amazing stories. I wanted to make sure that the next generation of South Asian activists knew about the South Asians who were actually part of the formal organized labor movement. [00:30:30] Sandhya Jha: And so I spent this past year interviewing, maybe a half a dozen or so South Asian American workers. Generally, not always, but mostly what would be classified as low wage workers who found a pathway into formal organizing bodies, unite here or the building trades or any number of the formal unions that keep [00:31:00] the labor movement alive across the country today. And I'm really proud of the fact that we do have South Asian workers who have moved up the ranks to be official organizers or to be at negotiating tables. And so that's part of the story I thought it was worth us telling. [00:31:19] Swati Rayasam: And I am, I'm so excited that we get to dive deeper into this project and I really love your framing too, around the three large bins that you have, solidarity, spirit and struggle. [00:31:34] Swati Rayasam: Right? Yeah. Yeah. [00:31:35] Sandhya Jha: I started out with certain assumptions about what I was going to learn, partly because I've been doing labor solidarity work for 25 years at this point. I really thought I knew what I was gonna hear. And what I discovered was there were these consistent themes across, the interviews. that there were these notions of, Oh, what's meaningful to me is [00:32:00] getting to organize across cultures, getting to organize with people who, on the surface and even deep down are very different than me, but we share this vision of what our lives can be. And so that solidarity message I found really powerful. Also, and admittedly because I come out of a spiritual background, was probably looking for it. I was really struck by how many of the interviews ended up talking about the role of spirituality and shaping people's values. And in a couple of instances, organizers said, what my religion taught me was that religion needs to be challenged. And building up that muscle was what helped me challenge systems of injustice in other places. But others said that their journey with their faith tradition was what guided them into the work of labor organizing. [00:32:52] Sandhya Jha: And then that third bucket of struggle, I think is the lived experience of how [00:33:00] hard it is to take on oppressive systems of capitalism, how hard it is to take on decks that are stacked against us and what it means to have somewhere to turn in the midst of those struggles. I will say there were also a couple of lessons I was surprised by because my South Asian identity is so central to my organizing work, I was expecting to collect stories of people who were proud South Asians, who were also proud to be involved in the labor movement. And I assumed that they would see connections between those things because I certainly do. But what I discovered is for the most part, they were like, Yeah, I'm South Asian. I'm not saying that doesn't matter, but it's not super relevant to my organizing work. My organizing work is about [00:34:00] our cross-cultural solidarity. And that was something I hadn't been expecting that emerged as I did those interviews. Interesting. And I'm really grateful that the South Asian American Digital Archives likes telling all of the stories because I think I promised them that what they were going to get was, we're proud to be South Asian organizers. And what I got was, yeah, we're South Asian, we're proud to be organizers. And the that SAADA is like, yeah, that's part of our story too. [00:34:28] Swati Rayasam: Yeah. And I think that's, that I think is incredibly important. We have this really, amazing series of audio clips from your SAADA interviews that really represent a lot of the themes that you were highlighting about solidarity, spirit, and struggle. And I'm just really excited to play them as we talk through these larger themes in your larger project and the experience of South Asian labor organizers. [00:34:55] Swati Rayasam: This clip is from somebody that you and I both know, which [00:35:00] is Prem Pariyar. I was so thrilled that Prem was a part of your project. I think Prem is an incredible organizer, so yeah tell our listeners a little bit about Prem. Prem [00:35:09] Sandhya Jha: It was pretty exciting to get to work with him you know, he moved here from Nepal and in Nepal he had been a Dalit activist and he came to the United States and had this notion that in the United States there is no caste and he was disabused of that notion very quickly as a restaurant worker dealing with anti Nepali bias in Indian restaurants, dealing with caste bias in Nepali restaurants, well dealing with Caste bias in all the restaurants. [00:35:35] Swati Rayasam: Hey, everyone, Narrator Swati here, I just wanted to put in an explanatory comma, a la W Kamau Bell and Hari Kondabolu to talk about some terms you just heard. Sandhya referenced that Prem was a Dalit activist and also talked about Caste bias. For those of you who don't know, Caste is a violent system of oppression and exclusion, which governs social status in many south Asian countries, although it is [00:36:00] most commonly associated with India. It works on an axis of purity and pollution, and it's hereditary. At the top of the caste system are Brahmins, by the way Sandhya and I are both Brahmin, and not even at the bottom, but completely outside of the system are Dalits who were previously referred to by the slur untouchable and Adivasis who are indigenous to South Asia. [00:36:25] Swati Rayasam: Despite being “illegal” Caste bias, Caste Oppression, Caste apartheid, are still prevalent, both in South Asia and as Sandhya references, in the United States. It manifests in many ways that people experience racial injustice, via socioeconomic inequality, systemic and interpersonal violence, occupation, and through the determination of marriage and other relationships. You can learn more at EqualityLabs.org and APEX currently has a show in the works that delves into this more deeply. Now. Back to Sandhya [00:36:58] Sandhya Jha: What is [00:37:00] delightful to me is Prem went on to get an MSW and is building out amazing mental health resources for Dalit communities for the Nepali community. Seeking to build out a program where there are more and more people in Nepal who are trained with MSW skills. [00:37:21] Sandhya Jha: I met with one of his professors from CSU East Bay where he got his degree and she said, You know, that the entire Cal State system is adding caste to its anti-discrimination policies thanks to the work he started at CSU East Bay. And it was really beautiful to hear that because the focus of my conversations with him were more around how his experiences in the restaurants led him into the solidarity work with nail salon workers. [00:37:53] Swati Rayasam: To just, kick back to the caste abolition work that Prem has been doing, that caste abolition work [00:38:00] at CSU East Bay has been such critical work in these ongoing conversations around caste that have been in the South Asian community primarily, but have been percolating elsewhere. [00:38:13] Swati Rayasam: You know, the state of California filed a lawsuit against Cisco systems Yep. For caste discrimination in their workplace and there have been all these conversations around caste and tech work and interplay that with the no tech for apartheid work. Right. That has been happening in Palestinian liberation circles. Yeah. And really building that solidarity movement. So I think that Prem is an absolute powerhouse Yeah. In that regard. But yeah, let's listen to this clip. [00:38:42] Prem: During that time, I got connected with other community organizer, like workers group. I got connected and so I was connected with nail salon workers, who were exploited at their workplace and with them, [00:39:00] I got to go to the capital in Sacramento. And so I thought I need to advocate for the restaurant workers. that was my first experience, like working with other workers and with the assembly members and like other other policy makers I shared what is happening what kinds of discrimination happening at the workplace. So I advocated for the restaurant workers at that time. I shared my stories and I supported the rights of nail salon workers. I was there to support them and they supported me as well, and it was wonderful. And finally that advocacy worked. And the bill was drafted and it was passed finally. And so it was huge achievement at that time. [00:39:49] Swati Rayasam: I love that. I think that is such a perfect story of when you win, we all win. [00:39:56] Sandhya Jha: And what I also love about it is he goes on [00:40:00] to talk about how he has remained in relationship with those nail salon workers. That they show up for each other, that they take each other food, that they show up to each other's baby showers and birthday parties, and there's this sense of community that emerges out of this shared struggle. And so that's a cross-cultural campaign. They were mostly Vietnamese. There were some Bangladeshi nail salon workers, but it was mostly people from a different culture than his. [00:40:27] Sandhya Jha: But somebody at the Asian Health Services program that he was at, saw his gifts, saw his passion, and he really responded to that in exactly, the most powerful way. I can imagine. [00:40:38] Swati Rayasam: And I think one of the nice things as well about that is that person at Asian Health Services connected Prem in and the Nail Salon Worker group, California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative, Prem came from Nepal, I'm not sure, but the extent to which his organizing background and how comfortable he was in the US organizing space around labor [00:41:00] issues was probably significantly less that worker group took it upon themselves when they saw Prem come in to say, Oh, you are advocating on behalf of restaurant workers. Great. Why don't you join us? Let's help support and so the nail salon workers saw Prem, saw solidarity with Prem and said, It is our responsibility mm-hmm to bring you into this space to connect you in and to move in, struggle together. Yeah. Toward our shared goals of safety, of health, of rights. Yep. [00:41:35] Sandhya Jha: Exactly. [00:41:36] Swati Rayasam: So, we have this clip from Daljit, tell me a little bit about Daljit. Daljit [00:41:42] Sandhya Jha: Yeah. Daljit was an attorney who now reads tarot for people because she needed a break from the toxicity of that career and how it was taking her away from her family. Daljit is a deeply spiritual person and, [00:42:00] as I mentioned before, this theme of spirit showed up in some really beautiful ways in some of the interviews. I loved the way she understood her Sikh tradition as foundationally being connected with the land and foundationally connected with the people who work the land. [00:42:15] Daljit: Agriculture is our culture and the religion that I was born into, Siki, the founder of that faith was a farmer. And so a lot of the scripture, the analogies, the metaphors, the poetry, the music, the songs, the boon, the traditional folk songs, that can be taunting and teasing banter, all that stuff the land is the framework for that. And my most favorite line from the Guru Granth Sahib, our holy book, is, [speaks Punjabi] and that basically means that, the waters our guru, the airs our father, but our mother is Earth. And that's the greatest of all , and that's adherence to ecosystem. That's the [00:43:00] indigenous Cosmo vision that should be paramount. And that's what I try to teach my children. And so I think that's what I was taught as a kid without necessarily being able to pinpoint it, but it was just infused throughout our songs, our music, our food, the Harvest, there's two times a year that our celebrations, whether it Baisakhi or Lohri. It's so connected to the harvest and what is coming out of the soil or not. And you're connected to the cycles of nature. [00:43:28] Swati Rayasam: The connection between nature land, spirituality the way that it shows up in so many faith backgrounds and so many faith organizers, I think is really, really beautiful. [00:43:41] Sandhya Jha: And I love that Daljit Kaursoni who was raised in this tradition, has found her way to Buddhism and is raising her kids with those connections, but without ever losing this grounding in the liberation of the land, the liberation of the [00:44:00] people. [00:44:00] Sandhya Jha: And for that to be a key element of her spirituality, even as her spirituality evolves, I think it's pretty powerful. Tafadar [00:44:08] Sandhya Jha: One of the other people I got to interview ,Tafadar, he's a Bangladeshi American in the building trades and is a deeply committed Marxist. For me, this was a particularly exciting interview because I'm Bengali, so from West Bengal, before partition, Bangladesh and what's now West Bengal, were one state. And so it was fun to get to talk with him and to say, Hey, this is our legacy as Bengalis is radical worker organizing. [00:44:40] Sandhya Jha: And I remember saying to him, Some people in the building trades are not super excited to be working with brown people. And some people in the building trades are a little biased against women. And as a very, very progressive South Asian? How do you navigate that [00:45:00] space? [00:45:00] Sandhya Jha: And he said, Here's the thing is, yeah, I organize alongside some moderate to conservative white folks from New Jersey and he said, but in the building trades, if that moderate to conservative white guy from New Jersey decides he doesn't like my feminist politics, or he doesn't like my brown skin, if he decides that's a reason not to train me, he might die. And it was really interesting because even though I've been doing labor justice work for a long time, it was one of those moments I was like, Oh, right. Your work is very dangerous and you all have to rely on each other whether you like each other or not. That is the magic of organizing that no one ever talks about. This is why we can do cross class, cross-cultural work because literally you have to trust each other with your lives. Right. That was a really clarifying moment for me. And it was one of those interesting moments where I was like, [00:46:00] Solidarity is not a romantic thing. Uh, it is very much a matter of life and death. [00:46:05] Sandhya Jha: And I think that is really important and that exact thing that you brought up, you don't even have to necessarily trust somebody. Right. But you do need them. Yep. Right. And like that really clear understanding that like your fates are intertwined and it is truly in everybody's best interest. If you are trained well, irrespective of whether or not at lunch, I'm interested in sitting anywhere near you. I think that's really great. [00:46:32] Sandhya Jha: One of the things that was really exciting about talking with Tafadar was the reminder that labor organizing and formal union organizing at its best can be in solidarity with other movements really worker justice and housing justice and racial justice are inseparable, on some level. And so, one of the most inspiring stories I got to hear across all of these interviews [00:47:00] was a campaign that brought together folks across the anti- gentrification, the immigrant rights, and the labor justice movement. [00:47:14] Tafadar: It's ironic, building affordable housing with deadly exploitation. And, um, to do this, the de blassio administration, they embark on massive major rezonings of poor areas to relax the local zoning laws to be able to bring in these developments. And a couple of years ago, my, my union in local 79's. Took a very sharp turn towards a community organizing approach because labor can't win on our own, and that's the perspective that all of labor should adopt. In order to fight against the sweatshops in our industry. We united with a lot of community organizations in the South Bronx. [00:47:53] Tafadar: We formed the South Bronx, Safe Southern Boulevard Coalition. And along with these groups, we [00:48:00] protested and did a whole lot of activism, lobbying, community organizing to stop the rezoning of Southern Boulevard, which is a massive stretch in the South Bronx, while the De Blassio administration had succeeded in another part of the Bronx where there's like massive displacement still underway right now. And we were determined to stop it there. And it was a beautiful thing that we can unite because on our end as labor, we had to prevent all these trash companies from coming in and exploiting workers. And we were working with these tenants who are afraid of being displaced. And people generally, we do need revitalization of our neighborhoods. We do need investment. We do need things to be changed and made better. For us. If it's not for us, if it's done without us, then eventually we're not even gonna be here anymore. So we had that alliance going on and not only did we manage to stop that rezoning, we also educated the local city councilman on why his position was wrong and supporting the rezoning. And he eventually completely flipped this [00:49:00] position. And now chairs the land use committee of the city council from the perspective that we educated him on, which it's just been a very interesting dynamic. But, there's a lot of rezoning battles all over the city that's like the main front of anti gentrification struggles. And I've been watching those kinds of campaigns go on since I began organizing about 15, 16. I've seen very different approaches to them, but I've never seen any model really work until that one kicked in where Labor and the community came together. So that was one of my favorite campaigns because of that lesson that we were able to concretely put into practice and set as an example for not only for community movements all over New York City, but also for Labor. [00:49:43] Sandhya Jha: I think this hit me in particular because I've done so much work around antis displacement in Oakland, and my experience has been. [00:49:53] Sandhya Jha: That while for most of us on the ground, the connection between housing justice and labor justice is really clear. When you [00:50:00] start getting into the technical policy issues and the funding issues, the folks who are running labor and housing justice or affordable housing, struggle to find ways to collaborate. And it's been one of my consistent heartbreaks for at least a decade at this point because I work at the intersection of those things and sometimes I despair of us being able to find ways to move forward together. And so to hear a story like this one and to be reminded at core, those justice issues can and must be we already knew, must be, but actually can function together to build a better community. That was actually really life giving for me to hear. [00:50:45] Swati Rayasam: Yeah. I a hundred percent agree. And I think the point that Tafadar as well brings in the clip of just saying we knew that we could do this, but we knew we couldn't do this without community organizing. Right? Yeah. That labor couldn't do this alone. Yeah. [00:51:00] And I think that is a lot of what, when we talk about solidarity politics, it's not just a backdoor way of inclusion for inclusion's sake, we have to all do this. Actually, it is integral that all of us are involved in any of these campaigns because it impacts all of us. And because we are not going to win with only a single constituency and in the very same way that, Tafadar was identifying that labor couldn't do that alone. in community organizing spaces that you and I have been in mm-hmm. , like we are constantly talking about how we cannot do any of this without labor. Yep. And I think a beautiful example of that is the Block the Boat campaign yeah that the Arab Resource Organizing Center, started back in 2014 and then again during 2021 to block the Zim ship from the port of Oakland. And like this community organization [00:52:00] AROC could not do that without working with the longshoreman to collaborate with the port workers. And I think that when we see the marriage of community organizing and labor organizing, that is when we get the power of grassroots organizing. [00:52:16] Sandhya Jha: Something I wanna mention about the SAADA Fellowship that I was really grateful for: two things. First off, they did a really good job of making sure we got trained in grassroots oral history. So they took really seriously what it meant for this to be justice work. And they made sure we had exposure to methodology that was gonna lift up and honor and foster the voices of people whose stories don't get heard often enough. And that was a really big deal to me. The other thing is they made sure that we had an advisory board, people who are in this [00:53:00] work who could help us, figure out who to talk with, who could help us build out an event strategy. And you helped me build out my advisory committee. Anibel Ferris-Comelo who is with the University of California Labor Center, [00:53:14] Swati Rayasam: Prem Pariyar, a Nepali Dalit restaurant worker, organizer pushing for Caste as a protected category with Equality Labs, a Dalit feminist organization, and a social worker supporting the mental health needs of his and many other South Asian communities in Alameda county. [00:53:31] Swati Rayasam: Will Jamil Wiltchko with the California Trade Justice Coalition, Terry Valen who I did a lot of organizing with at the beginning of the pandemic, around the struggles that seafarers were facing with the onset of COVID-19. And he's the organizational director of the Filipino Community Center in San Francisco. The president of NAFCON which is the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns and just an all in all amazing organizer [00:53:57] Sandhya Jha: the last thing I wanna mention [00:54:00] is SAADA also helped me set up a digital exhibit with Art by Madhvi Trivedi Patak and I wanted to give them a shoutout because they're an incredible artist, but also they grew up in a working class family and didn't get exposed to what it looks like to do labor justice. And so as they developed the artwork to go with the digital exhibit, they got to experience the possibilities of labor solidarity that they hadn't gotten to experience as a child. And so I really loved that Madhvi was a part of this project as well [00:54:38] Swati Rayasam: All of the clips that you shared really identifying, again, these like huge fundamental pillars of solidarity and spirit and struggle. these clips were amazing. They are so rich and so layered with all of these people's varying and different experiences. Really showing in [00:55:00] all of these different walks of life at all of these ages with all of these experiences, that all of these people have this unified and shared identity in struggle, in spirit, and in solidarity for liberation. [00:55:14] Sandhya Jha: And one of the things that I think is worth celebrating is whether they see it as part of their South Asian identity or not. People who do identify as South Asian now have this resource that says there's a home for you in the labor movement. Yes, there are. There is a value to your voice. There is a value to your wisdom, there's a value to your experience in the labor movement. [00:55:36] Swati Rayasam: I think it's a beautiful project. Sandhya, I think it has been an amazing amount of work I've watched you do over the past year. These stories are so wonderful. I really encourage people to check it out. Where can they find your project? [00:55:49] Sandhya Jha: The website's www.saada.org/acfp [00:56:00] /exhibit/solidarity-forever. We'll put that in the notes. We'll definitely put that in the show notes. [00:56:05] Swati Rayasam: I just wanna make sure that we replug your podcast Bending Toward Justice Avatar, The Last Air Bender for the Global Majority and you can find that at tinyurl.com slash ATLA podcast, Capital P (tinyurl.com/ATLAPodcast). And then the last thing that I also wanna make sure that we plug is Without Fear Consulting. [00:56:27] Sandhya Jha: I love working with folks who know that their organization could be a little more liberative, and are, just not quite sure where to start. I love working with a team of folks who want to be about the work of incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion into the DNA of their organization and I love setting them up so that they can keep doing that long after I'm working with them. So please do find me withoutfearconsulting.com. If you're interested in that. [00:56:58] Swati Rayasam: Amazing. Sandhya [00:57:00] Jha, Pastor, Racial Justice consultant, podcast host, archivist, singer songwriter, amazing cook. You can do it all. I think you deserve a nap. it has been amazing talking to you. I am so glad to be able to hear about your project and also to hear a lot more about your life. [00:57:23] Sandhya Jha: Yay. Thank you so much. [00:57:25] Miata Tan: That was Swati Rayasam in conversation with Sandhya Jha. As Swati mentioned, you can learn more about her work in the show notes at kpfa.org/program/apex-express. Speaking of Swati — she's currently working on an episode marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11, out in early September. It'll cover the work of the South Asian Coalition, a national network of organizations working together on South Asian American movement building. Keep an eye out for that one. This episode originally aired January 5th, 2023 — we're re-airing it this week in honor of South Asian American Heritage Month. This is APEX Express on 94.1 KPFA, airing every Thursday evening at 7pm. Thank you for tuning in tonight. APEX Express is a proud member of Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality. A network focused on long-term movement building, capacity infrastructure, and leadership support for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders committed to social justice. Learn more at AACRE.org This program produced by Ayame Keane-Lee, Anuj Vaidya, Isabel Li, Jalena Keane-Lee, Miko Lee, Miata Tan, Preeti Mangala Shekar and Swati Rayasam. Tonight's episode was produced by Swati Rayasam. Get some rest y'all. The post APEX Express – 7.16.26 – South Asians and The Labor Justice Movement appeared first on KPFA.
A Bronx woman with a difficult upbringing decides to figure out where she came from. Her journey leads her to a grandfather whose work is admired by millions.
Rossana Rosado, a commissioner of the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), CUNY trustee, former New York Secretary of State, former editor, CEO and publisher of El Diario-La Prensa, and the author of memoir Bronx Attitude (Elite Voices/Halo, 2026), talks about her life and work. Photo: Aerial photo of the University Heights Bridge in the Bronx, New York, linking the Bronx with Harlem over the Hudson River. There is a view of lower Manhattan far in the distance on a beautiful clear sunny day. Via Getty Images. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Leading a 25-school network to a 96% graduation rate and 91% staff retention — with zero tenure protection — takes more than good policy. It takes a leader who has lived the exact inequity his schools now solve for. Pablo Villavicencio grew up in East LA, where his own neighborhood school graduated less than half its students, and only got a real shot at a quality education because his parents falsified an address to send him to a school 30 miles away. He carried that lesson through Teach For America, a school closure in Harlem, and five years as a founding high school principal in the Bronx before landing back in the exact Los Angeles community he grew up in — this time as CEO of Alliance College-Ready Public Schools. Find Alliance's work at laalliance.org. Teacher retention is the number every superintendent claims to be working on and almost none can move. Pablo Villavicencio's network sits at 91% retention across every employee group, without tenure, while running 25 schools and a 96% graduation rate in some of LA's highest-poverty neighborhoods — and in this episode, he breaks down exactly how belief, not policy, got him there. ✍️ What You'll Learn Why "all kids can learn" has to function as infrastructure, not a mission statement, before it changes anything How to build a wraparound services model that pairs academic teacher teams with therapists and social workers What actually drives teacher retention without tenure protection How to keep 25 schools aligned to one vision without creating a siloed bureaucracy Why redefining "college ready" to include community advocacy and wellness changed Alliance's outcomes
With Ali away, Damien gets In The Conversation about Bilal in Brooklyn, Hov's Bronx takeover, and World Cup woes. Twitter.com/dlemoncomedy // Twitter.com/mrmuhammad Keep up with the conversation on Facebook: Facebook.com/InTheConversation Keep up with the conversation on Instagram www.instagram.com/intheconversation Catch Damien LIVE on tour in a city near you: www.damienlemon.com/shows
In 2024, comedian Nora Fried started a monthly book club for women incarcerated at Rikers Island. What began with nine women and a copy of Tara Westover's "Educated" has grown into a nonprofit called Rosebuds Reading Collective, with actress and author Julia Fox now leading a monthly creative writing workshop inside the jail. Nora joins Janae to talk about how it all came together. Photo: Rosebuds Reading Collective Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Stepping up to fill the host chair is hilarious stand-up comedian, podcaster, and military veteran KP Burke.In this episode, KP breaks down the absolute graphic reality of his recent permanent male fertility procedure (vasectomy). From the intense physical recovery milestones to the medical realities of post-op life, the guys take a deep dive into men's health and look at the surprising everyday environmental factors that are quietly lowering fertility rates globally.The crew also gears up for football season with a massive New York Giants upcoming season preview, breaks down New Jersey elitism, and uncovers some shocking 90s television trivia about Saved by the Bell star Mark-Paul Gosselaar. Plus, Stanley details his own legendary "Mickey Mouse Club" style knee surgery, KP shares wild deployment stories from his time in the U.S. Marine Corps, and both guys share their deeply personal, firsthand memories of being in New York during the events of 9/11.Drop a comment below: Are the Giants completely cooked this season? Smash that subscribe button and hit the notification bell for more unhinged NYC comedy from GaS Digital Network!Air Date 7/9/26DON'T FORGET TO WATCH FAGA'S NEW SPECIAL "BURN AFTER SAYING" ON THE HSR YOUTUBE PAGE!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxIHJU2LotUSupport Our Sponsors!Body Brain Coffee: https://bodybraincoffee.com/ - Grab A Bag of Body Brain Coffee with Promo Code HSR20 to get 20% off!YoKratom: https://yokratom.com/3rd Mic Harrington: https://3rdmicharrington.com/High Society Radio is 2 native New Yorkers who started from the bottom and didn't raise up much. That's not the point, if you enjoy a sideways view on technology, current events, or just an in depth analysis of action movies from 2006 this is the show for you.Chris Stanley is the on air producer for Bennington on Sirius XM.Chris Faga is a lifelong street urchin, a former head chef, county comitteman and supposed comedian. Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChrisFromBklynInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisfrombklynEngineer: DomExecutive Producer: JorgeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/themharrington/Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheMHarringtonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
En este episodio de La Semana de los Bombarderos, analizamos la gran noticia de que Ben Rice y Cody Bellinger fueron elegidos como titulares del Juego de Estrellas de la Liga Americana, además de la participación de Rice en el esperado Home Run Derby. También repasamos todo lo ocurrido con los Yankees durante la última semana, evaluamos el rendimiento del equipo, debatimos qué necesita el club para fortalecer su plantilla de cara a la segunda mitad de la temporada y analizamos los posibles movimientos antes de la fecha límite de cambios. ¡Todo el análisis y el debate del Bronx en español! #Yankees #BenRice #CodyBellingerConviértete en un supporter de este podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/con-las-bases-llenas-podcast-de-beisbol--2742086/support.
The pilot episode of Becoming the CEO Podcast Season 5 sets the tone for a powerful new season centered on Power, Proximity, and Positioning—the three pillars that define how modern leaders build influence and step fully into their authority.This episode features Chec, a Master Barber from the Bronx who has redefined his trajectory by stepping beyond familiar environments and into elevated, high-level spaces. His journey is a testament to the power of intentional positioning and the courage it takes to grow in rooms that challenge you.Hosted by Sabriena C, the conversation goes beyond surface-level success to unpack the real strategy behind Chec's evolution—from local talent to building a brand within luxury markets. Listeners gain insight into how proximity to new environments, strategic networking, and embracing discomfort can unlock next-level opportunities.This is more than a podcast—it's a call to step into the CEO role of your life with clarity, confidence, and purpose.Tap in and be part of the conversation. Watch and listen to Becoming the CEO Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon, and Apple Podcasts. Follow @BecomingTheCEONetwork on Instagram for exclusive clips, behind-the-scenes moments, and weekly drops. Subscribe, share, and join a growing community of leaders stepping boldly into their CEO era. Join our network by emailing becomingtheceopodcast@gmail.com
Whitney Whiting-GonzalezInterim Director of Partner ProgramsBlack educators provide the validation, care, and guidance that many students cannot find anywhere else. In this episode, Whitney Whiting-Gonzalez shares her journey from aspiring Wall Street professional to educator and mentor advocate. A proud Bronx native, Whitney reflects on how witnessing the realities of the financial industry inspired her to pivot from economics toward education, where she began teaching financial literacy to Black and Brown students. She discusses the importance of representation, the challenges Black educators face in having their expertise recognized, and why creating opportunities for students remains at the center of her work.I want my legacy to be that I opened doors for others. Whitney offers a candid perspective on the systemic barriers impacting Black students, from inequitable resources to broader issues of access and opportunity. She shares the joy of watching students gain confidence through financial literacy and the pride of seeing them apply that knowledge in their own lives and families. Grounded in mentorship, community, and service, Whitney's story is a powerful reminder that education is not only about information—it is about empowerment, advocacy, and ensuring the next generation has the access and tools to thrive.
The rare quiet stretch of the sports calendar leaves plenty of room for Yankees fans to dream big. With injuries creating uncertainty around the lineup, callers propose bold moves that could reshape the team for the postseason. The conversation covers a massive Mike Trout gamble, possible deals for Joe Ryan and Luis Arraez, and whether moving Jazz Chisholm would be a major mistake. The crew also spotlights fast rising Yankees relief prospect Ben Grable, debates what makes a player the greatest to wear a jersey number, and shares a few unforgettable caller moments.
In counties along New York's Southern Tier, the number of homeless people nearly tripled between 2019 and 2025. But without all the sidewalks, subways, and shelters of a big city, it's more difficult for street outreach workers to find and help homeless people. WNYC's Jimmy Vielkind talks with us about how the state's street outreach program has adapted to rural communities. Photo: Jimmy Vielkind -Got any questions, comments or story ideas? Send us a message at NYCNow@WNYC.org Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Randy Jones was a left-handed sinkerball pitcher who became one of the most unlikely stars of 1970s baseball, spending the bulk of his career with the San Diego Padres after being drafted in 1972. Undersized and lacking overpowering stuff, he relied on pinpoint control and a heavy sinking fastball to induce ground balls, leading the NL in wins and ERA in 1975 before an even better 1976, when he went 22-14 with a 2.74 ERA and an NL-record-tying 25 complete games to win the Cy Young Award. That July, he graced the cover of Sports Illustrated under the headline "San Diego's Confounding Randy Jones — Threat to Win 30," a nod to his 16-3 record at the All-Star break, a mark no pitcher has matched since. Elbow trouble eventually diminished his effectiveness, and he finished his career with 100 wins after a trade to the Mets in 1981, but he remained a fixture in San Diego as a broadcaster and ballpark personality, remembered as one of the most beloved Padres in franchise history. Ted Leitner, affectionately known as "Uncle Teddy," served as the radio play-by-play voice of the Padres for 41 seasons from 1980 to 2020, becoming one of the most recognizable figures in San Diego sports — as one local comedian joked, "there are only two kinds of people in San Diego: you either hate Ted Leitner, or you are Ted Leitner." A Bronx native, he paired his baseball duties with a long run as a KFMB-TV sports anchor and as the radio voice of San Diego State football and basketball, while also calling games for the Chargers and Clippers. He's best remembered for his decades-long partnership with fellow Hall of Fame broadcaster Jerry Coleman, together narrating the Padres' pennant runs in 1984 and 1998 and the careers of franchise icons like Tony Gwynn and Trevor Hoffman — a bond Leitner never fully recovered from losing after Coleman's death in 2014. His relationship with Randy Jones ran nearly as deep, dating back almost 50 years to when he covered Jones as the Padres' first true star during his playing days; the two later reconnected as club ambassadors together, with Leitner calling Jones "Mr. Everyman." After stepping away from the booth in 2021, Leitner was inducted into the Padres Hall of Fame in July 2022, cementing his legacy as the connective thread across generations of Padres history. Joining us on Past Our Prime, "Uncle Teddy" Leitner holds court — and folks, holding court is basically his day job. He tells us Randy Jones might've been the most likeable human to ever throw a baseball, a guy so charming he could talk Steve Carlton, Willie McCovey, and other future Hall of Famers into showing up on their pregame show for a soft-tossing lefty who, in his own words, "couldn't break a pane of glass." Case in point: Mike Schmidt once told Jones he should be embarrassed to pitch with stuff that slow — right before Jones went out and shut out the Phillies. Twice. Nothing quite like getting owned by a guy throwing batting practice. Leitner and Jones later became Padres ambassadors together, and Ted doesn't hide how hard it's hit him to lose his old pal — right on the heels of losing another lifelong friend, the legendary Jerry Coleman. And Coleman, it turns out, came with a Hall of Fame connection of his own: a friendship with Ted Williams so tight that Leitner practically got Splendid-Splintered by association with "the greatest hitter who ever lived." There are laughs, there are tears, and there's Ted being Ted for a full hour. It's a Ted Talk, literally, on Past Our Prime — and trust us, you don't want to miss this one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Send us Fan MailThis week on In The Field Radio, Erin Boogie and Rapz break down another week in hip-hop news, music releases, and viral moments.The conversation kicks off with Fenix Flexin's latest visual for "Rubberz," then dives into the debut of Tyga's new alter ego, $tarface. Inspired by classic '80s pop culture, the duo debates whether this is becoming hip-hop's newest trend.Release Roundup turns into more of a rapid-fire segment featuring fresh music from Nipsey Hussle & Bino Rideaux, Larry June, and Ken Carson. Some new heat for you to add to your playlist.The headlines don't stop there. Lil Tjay stepped into the streaming world and found himself getting slapped by streamer Jack Doherty. Big Tigger steps away from his Atlanta radio show following domestic abuse allegations, while Maino shocked fans by admitting he wears a professionally installed hairpiece. Boogie wonders why anyone would voluntarily reveal that.Jay-Z continues to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Reasonable Doubt with a Bronx pop-up experience, and the discussion turns to Dame Dash, who continues taking public shots in hopes of getting a response from his former business partner.To wrap things up, it's time for another edition of Unfiltered & Unqualified. This week's listener questions tackle two very different issues. One listener struggles with body image and self-confidence, while another discovers hurtful comments her boyfriend made about her after logging into his ChatGPT account. Rapz and Boogie share their completely unfiltered (and definitely unqualified) opinions on both situations.If you love hip-hop culture, music news, trending topics, relationship discussions, and unfiltered commentary, this episode has everything you need.
Explore places of people with needs to find more meaning, money, and momentum:“Leaders leave thinking they're on the same page.”“You can't pull out the nuances over the phone.”“Get out there, see the reality.”The table, cat, kitchen, route, and agent may know what AI misses...See BoldEncounters.TVTable Turners SeriesIn Table Turners, Mark invites former guests to reverse roles and interview him on subjects he has spent a career studying, testing, and teaching. In this series, Angela Finlay presses Mark on Bold Immersion: getting close enough to clients, users, employees, patients, workflows, and actual places to see what meetings, reports, AI, dashboards, and assumptions often miss.Opening SummaryFormer guest Angela Finlay reverses roles and interviews Mark about Bold Immersion, the practice he names as the strongest predictor of better client outcomes, stronger financial impact, and deeper passion at work. Angela begins with Harvard Business Review's “false alignment” problem: leaders meet, discuss Artificial Intelligence, strategy, and customer needs, then leave seeing different parts of the elephant.Core ValueBold Immersion means entering the real world of the person you serve before you decide what to build, sell, fix, lead, or automate. Mark connects it to customer journey mapping, in-home observation, ride-alongs, product ethnography, contextual inquiry, Voice of the Customer, workflow observation, Human-Centered Design, Design Thinking, Lean improvement, product development, field marketing, and customer experience. The deeper move is simple: replace secondhand confidence with firsthand reality.Inside This Episode• Why false alignment can be more dangerous than visible disagreement.• How Chad Wells used Medicare customer journey mapping and ride-alongs at UnitedHealth Group.• Why camera crews, kitchens, old books, artifacts, and a cat revealed hidden customer context.• How Queens and Bronx sales-agent ride-alongs changed what marketing needed to build.• Why Bold Immersion belongs in ordinary workflows, not only innovation, UX, Lean, or product roles.Go Deeper — Premium Action PlanThis four-part Table Turners series culminates in Mark's Premium Action Plan. Begin this week by selecting one customer, employee, user, patient, beneficiary, prospect, agent, partner, or internal customer whose reality you have only experienced secondhand. Decide whether your next move requires a ride-along, contextual interview, workflow observation, site visit, customer journey review, or field conversation before your next important decision.Listen + Connecthttps://www.BoldEncounters.TVAngela Finlayhttps://www.windwardhcm.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ablumfinlay/Chad Wellshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-j-wells/Mark S. Cookhttps://www.WindfallPartners.comMoments To Revisit• Angela's elephant-vantage warning about AI, meetings, and false alignment.• Chad Wells describing hundreds, maybe thousands, of in-home Medicare appointments.• The dining-room customer who could not be understood through a phone call.• The female sales agent entering places that changed the marketer following her.• The UnitedHealthcare sales kit born from seeing agents and customers in motion.What Now?Watch Part 1, then continue the Table Turners Bold Immersion series at:https://www.BoldEncounters.TVThank YouChad Wells, customer journey mapping and ride-alongs at UnitedHealth GroupCalvin Cook—Caljo, original music, @Caljo MusicSach Arias, Post Production, aliyahmpena@gmail.comAliyah Peña, Post Production, aliyahmpena@gmail.comSkyler Maudsley, Video Editing, skylermaudsley@gmail.comRosalie McGinn, Social Media, rosalie.mcginn1@gmail.com
When one door closes, another one opens... Savage announces that this Sunday will be his final Newsmax TV show after a year and a half, explaining that he wants to dedicate more time to the Healing Wheel Society (healingwheel.org) and focus on spiritual matters. He shares that he will continue producing podcasts and broadcasting live on X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Rumble, and Libsyn, while making occasional guest appearances on Newsmax, including Fridays on Rob Schmitt's program. Reflecting on endings, his childhood in Manhattan and the Bronx, and the importance of strong alliances, Savage also warns that the United States is entering a dangerous political period. He argues against communism and gun confiscation, citing historical examples, and discusses themes from his book "God, Faith, and Reason." He then veers into the political arena, discussing security concerns surrounding the Qatari airplane gifted to President Trump. He concludes with sharing his experience filming a scene in the film "The Last Firefighter" and his possible future in acting.
The All Local Afternoon Update for Friday, July 10th, 2026
On this week’s edition of Inside the (Rob) Parker, Rob discusses Kansas City Royals' OF Tyler Tolbert's impressive streak of 12 straight plate appearances with a hit, the drama involving Anthony Volpe and the New York Yankees, and St Louis Cardinals OF Jordan Walker agreeing to participate in the Home Run Derby. Plus, San Diego Padres OF Samad Taylor swings by, as does NBC Los Angeles sports anchor Olivia Garvey. Finally, we drop Rob's latest appearance on MLB Network and the latest edition of Pocket Protector Central with analytics maven Anthony Masterson, and reveal the fourteenth installment of Rob’s Memory Lane series. Subscribe and download all of the latest Inside the Parker podcasts and follow Rob on Twitter!! #OddCoupleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Actor Berto Colón joins Gracias, Come Again for aconversation about family, perseverance, and building a career in Hollywood. Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico and raised in The Bronx, Berto reflects on his island roots, his love of the beach and surfing, his father's influence, and how those experiences continue to shape the man he is today. We dive into his standout roles as Cesar in Orange Is the New Black, Lorenzo Tejada in Power Book II: Ghost, and Solomon Vega in The Night Agent. He also shares what's ahead with his role in the Yellowstone spinoff Dutton Ranch and his upcoming in American Horror Story. Berto opens up about his passion for fitness, being a devoted husband and girl dad, and how a football injury ended his dream of playing professionally, ultimately leading him to discover acting. Most importantly, he discusses his work as a board member of the Cristian Rivera Foundation, highlighting its mission to fund pediatric cancer research and the upcoming events where supporters can make a difference in the lives of children and their families. This is a heartfelt conversation about resilience, purpose, Latino representation in Hollywood, and using success to create lasting impact.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#ChrisDistefano #StandUp #comedy WWE Superstar Damian Priest joins Chrissy Chaos live from the trunk outside Yankee Stadium for one of the wildest episodes yet. Chris and Damian talk about making it later in life, growing up in the Bronx, life inside WWE, Madison Square Garden, dealing with fans, staying healthy on the road, wrestling injuries, hair extensions, tattoos, and why success doesn't always happen on your own timeline. Plus, Chrissy opens up about marriage, parenting, coaching his daughter's basketball team, regrets, chasing happiness, and why this podcast keeps getting more chaotic every week. Subscribe for new episodes every week. Chapters 00:00 Wrestling fan interrupts before the show 01:12 Waiting for Damian Priest outside Yankee Stadium 03:12 Why Chrissy loves filming in the streets 04:10 Feeling stuck despite career success 08:52 Regrets, fitness & life after having kids 12:01 Marriage, money & World Cup tickets 15:21 Guests who have left Chrissy on read 16:30 Why Chrissy keeps making this podcast 18:25 Coaching his daughter's basketball team 24:18 Family dynamics & marriage stories 25:25 BlueChew Ad 26:40 Damian Priest joins the podcast 29:20 Making it later in life 30:36 Damian's incredible voice & WWE presence 31:24 Why he's never late 32:22 Retirement plans & staying healthy 34:21 Growing up in the Bronx 35:17 Vegas, WWE schedule & commitment 36:55 Wrestling fan interrupts the interview 39:13 Wrestling Madison Square Garden 42:20 Dealing with obsessed fans 44:47 Hair extensions, tattoos & wrestling life 45:49 Meeting wrestling legends 46:44 The sacrifices behind WWE success 47:52 Another fan interruption 49:00 Life on the road UNCUT WILD CONTENT GO HERE
Connor Green serves up a Cinco de Luncho ranking of the NFL's most memorable fan traditions, from the Packers chant and the Bills shout song to the Terrible Towel and the unmistakable Jets chant. Evan then turns back to baseball and examines whether the Yankees' annual summer collapse is really normal for a good team. The numbers suggest these prolonged slumps are unusually common in the Bronx, leading to a larger debate about Aaron Judge, roster construction, and why a bold trade for Tarik Skubal could be the answer.
It's the USA America Festival 250th episode celebration! In this milestone holiday, the guys dive into the chaos of the modern world vs. the 1976 bicentennial, why finance bros are packing up and leaving NYC proper, and the explosive political beef between Barstool Sports' Dave Portnoy and NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.We also break down the massive mainstream boom of prediction markets, highlighting Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour's bold claim that event betting is a better alternative to internet "brainrot." Plus, we look at the rise of YouTube golf influencers like Grant Horvat, unpack a hilarious Bronx Johnny update, debate the legality of sports betting across the US, and cap things off with an epic story about Stanley, Paperface, and a group Fogo de Chão dinner gone completely off the rails before a bride and her aunts crash a bachelor party.Air Date 7/2/26DON'T FORGET TO WATCH FAGA'S NEW SPECIAL "BURN AFTER SAYING" ON THE HSR YOUTUBE PAGE!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxIHJU2LotUSupport Our Sponsors!Body Brain Coffee: https://bodybraincoffee.com/ - Grab A Bag of Body Brain Coffee with Promo Code HSR20 to get 20% off!YoKratom: https://yokratom.com/ Home of the $60 kilo, no promo code necessary!High Society Radio is 2 native New Yorkers who started from the bottom and didn't raise up much. That's not the point, if you enjoy a sideways view on technology, current events, or just an in depth analysis of action movies from 2006 this is the show for you.Chris Stanley is the on air producer for Bennington on Sirius XM.Chris Faga is a lifelong street urchin, a former head chef, county comitteman and supposed comedian. Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChrisFromBklynInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisfrombklynEngineer: DomExecutive Producer: JorgeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/themharrington/Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheMHarringtonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#329 In this episode, Mark Rodriguez shares his compelling journey from military service to entrepreneurial success, emphasizing the importance of mindset, leadership, and resilience in overcoming life's challenges. Tune in for real-life stories that inspire growth both personally and professionally. Key Topics Mark's background: from Bronx projects to Marine Corps to fitness and business leadership The importance of cultures and setting standards in organizational success The "figure it the F out" (fitfo) mindset for overcoming obstacles Balancing family, personal growth, and professional goals The role of mentorship, accountability, and leading by example The power of clear vision and goal-setting in leadership Practical leadership techniques: communication, discipline, and respect Strategies for maintaining motivation and continuous learning How to handle setbacks, conflicts, and culture shifts effectively The significance of authenticity and genuine care in leadership Connect with Marc Instagram Website Connect with Billy Instagram Website
Evan Roberts and Tiki Barber dive into the growing frustration around the Yankees, Aaron Boone's future, and whether his legacy in the Bronx will be defined more by regular season success or postseason disappointment. The conversation centers on sloppy defense, June swoons, lineup concerns, and the feeling that the Yankees may eventually need a very different voice in the dugout. They also debate the controversial red card decision involving Flo Balogun, VAR procedure, and why soccer's lack of transparency can drive American sports fans crazy. Plus, callers weigh in on World Cup officiating, stoppage time confusion, Giancarlo Stanton's absence, Anthony Volpe's struggles, Jazz Chisholm's disappointing season, and whether the Yankees are missing urgency as much as production.
Anthony Zenhauser, Josie Marcellino and Travis Przybylski join Zac Amico and discuss the man getting trampled at a Bronx rodeo, the trashiest pet, the Mexican vigilante, The American Bible Challenge, being inspired to lose weight, commuting to MetLife during the World Cup and so much more! Air Date: 06/29/26Support our sponsors!BodyBrainCoffee.com - Use promo code: ZOO15 to get 15% off!YoKratom.com - Check out Yo Kratom (the home of the $60 kilo) for all your kratom needs!Zac Amico's Morning Zoo plug music can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMgQJEcVToY&list=PLzjkiYUjXuevVG0fTOX4GCTzbU0ooHQ-O&ab_channel=BulbyTo advertise your product or service on GaS Digital podcasts please go to TheADSide.com and click on "Advertisers" for more information!Submit your artwork via postal mail to:GaS Digital Networkc/o Zac's Morning Zoo151 1st Ave, #311New York, NY 10003You can sign up at GaSDigital.com with promo code: ZOO for a discount of $1.50 on your subscription and access to every Zac Amico's Morning Zoo show ever recorded! On top of that you'll also have the same access to ALL the shows that GaS Digital Network has to offer!Follow the whole show on social media!Anthony ZenhauserTwitter: https://twitter.com/thezencomicInstagram: https://instagram.com/thezencomicJosie MarcellinoInstagram: https://instagram.com/JosieMarcellinoYouTube: youtube.com/josiemarcellinoTravis PrzybylskiInstagram: https://instagram.com/youngrosaseaZac AmicoTwitter: https://twitter.com/ZASpookShowInstagram: https://instagram.com/zacisnotfunnyDates: https://punchup.live/ZacAmicoSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Dave Rubin of "The Rubin Report" talks about Sheridan Gorman's mother, Jessica Gorman, pleading with Democrats in a congressional hearing to listen to the parents of children who were killed by illegal immigrants, only to be told by Pramila Jayapal that Congress doesn't have time to devote to hearings on this topic; CNN's Kaitlan Collins being shocked by Pramila Jayapal's defense of newly discovered tweets by Democratic Socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier, where she praised Vladimir Lenin and communism; newly elected Democratic Socialist Melat Kiros caught on camera blaming the United States for the 9/11 attacks; a U.S. military veteran shocking a Fox News host with the real reason that young people are going to choose to support socialism; Google CEO Sergey Brin responding to Zohran Mamdani's NYC rent freeze by dumping his entire stake in a NYC real estate fund as Ben Shapiro politely reminded Mamdani of the Bronx fires of the 1970s, when landlords simply used arson to destroy properties made worthless by New York City's rent regulations; a full-fledged screaming match between CNN's Abby Phillip and Lydia Moynihan over Phillip's denial of the scary statistics of Chinese birth tourism as a way to exploit the United States' birthright citizenship laws; and much more. Dave also hosts a special "ask me anything" question-and-answer session on a wide range of topics, answering questions from the Rubin Report Locals community. Today's Sponsors: Chapter - Optimize the one piece of your health most people never audit: the Medicare coverage that pays for all of it. For free and unbiased Medicare help: Dial (332) 867-0207 or Go to: https://askchapter.org/rubin Relief Factor - Relief Factor is an alternative to help your body's natural inflammatory response so you can keep doing the things you love. Try Relief Factor's 3-Week QuickStart—just $17.76. Go to: https://www.relieffactor.com or call 800-4-RELIEF. Angel Studios - Choose entertainment that is focused on stories about perseverance and real human experiences. If you go premium, you'll get 2 free tickets to see Young Washington in theaters this Independence Day, and be part of making this film the #1 movie in America for our nation's 250th birthday. Go to: http://Angel.com/rubin