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While healthcare is top of mind for so many, we speak with a New York State organization focused on children’s health. Kayleigh Zaloga is the president and CEO of the New York State Coalition for Children's Behavioral Health, a statewide association of children's service providers. CCBH represents 50 provider agencies with 21,000 employees who serve nearly 200,000 children and families. We discuss the fight for access to behavioral health services, and the reality of mental health services for children in New York State.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

iHeartRadio NY is once again teaming up with WhyHunger for Hungerthon. Hungerthon is an annual radio tradition, organized by Why Hunger to educate and raise funds to confront the root causes of hunger in America, and defend the right to nutritious food for all. You can take action, donate or bid on exclusive iHeartRadio auction items at Hungerthon.org now through Dec 9th. WhyHunger works with community-based organizations across the country that are tackling the systemic injustice at the root of hunger through creative, local solutions. Our guest is Denny Marsh, Executive Director of Neighbors Together, a Brooklyn based soup kitchen, social service and community advocacy center that Why Hunger has been proud to work alongside for over a decade.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

THE PERIOD BRAIN:  THE NEW SCIENCE OF WHY WE PMS AND HOW TO FIX IT, by research psychologist, professor, leading advocate for women’s health Dr. Sarah E. Hill, answers questions about the hormonal changes that regulate women’s bodies, and what’s true and not true about PMS.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dance/NYC is a service organization for the dance industry promoting the appreciation, practice, and knowledge of dance in the NYC metropolitan area. Interim Executive Director Sara Roer details their new fund providing direct support to freelance dancers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about hospice and palliative care and celebrating the professionals and volunteers who provide this essential care. Our guest is Dr. Linda Valentino, Chief Nursing Officer at NY City-based Calvary Hospital. Calvary is the country’s only hospital dedicated to providing hospice and palliative care to adult patients with advanced cancer and other life-limiting illness.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Street Vendor Project, a program of the Urban Justice Center, advocates for New York City’s 20,000+ street vendors, championing the rights of vendors as small businesses to earn a living and contribute to the culture and life of New York City. SVP’s Managing Director Mohamed Attia talks about the organization’s initiative to improve air-quality for both vendors and residents, via The Street Vendor Electrification Project, with a goal of converting carts from gas-powered generators to rechargeable batteries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every year, thousands of women are sold into child marraiges. SONITA: My Fight Against Tyranny and My Escape to Freedom, by acclaimed rapper and activist Sonita, is a young woman’s first-hand account of growing up in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, being sold into marriage twice, and eventually escaping to the U.S. to graduate from Bard College and become a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University in England.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guest is Maria Mora of the Nassau County SPCA for a preview of the Humane Hero Awards on Thursday, November 6:  A reception to raise funds and recognize supporters of Nassau County’s SPCA’s effort to rescue, care for, and place abused animals. To find out more and support their work, visit nassaucountyspca.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Metro Plus Health is a not-for-profit insurance plan based in NYC, serving over 700,000 New Yorkers at over 34,000 sites across the five boroughs. Roger Milliner, Chief Growth Officer at MetroPlus Health, talks about their role in the health insurance landscape, options during the Medicare open enrollment period and explains upcoming Medicare health care changes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just days away from election day on November 4, we’re joined by Tim Hunter, representing the NYC Campaign Finance Board, and the landmark NYC campaign finance program that provides public funds to candidates for city office.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fastest-growing brain disease in the world is almost entirely preventable. So why are cases of Parkinson’s Disease skyrocketing?  In THE PARKINSON’S PLAN, leading neurologists Dr. Ray Dorsey and Dr. Michael Okun explore how chemicals — including those banned in dozens of countries but still used widely the in U.S. — are fueling a hidden Parkinson’s epidemic.  Dr. Ray Dorsey is Director of The Center for the Brain and Environment at Atria Health and Research Institute in NYC, and Dr. Michael Okun is Director of the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at The University of Florida Health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the most iconic neighborhoods in New York is geting a glow up:  The Village Alliance Business Improvement District (BID) has announced the launch of Project Green, a five-year, $2 million fundraising campaign to dramatically increase greenery across one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods, Greenwich Village. Our guest is Scott Hobbs, Executive Director of the Village Alliance, leading the organization’s first comprehensive streetscape initiative in over 20 years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Uptown Voices: An Uptown Story is a multi-media exhibition in development designed to document Harlem’s history through intimate large-format portraits and oral histories of residents who have lived in the community for 30 years or more. The brother and sister team behind the project, photographer Wil Pierce and curator Joyous Pierce, have launched an open call for nominations—inviting New Yorkers to put forward family, friends, or neighbors whose Harlem stories should be preserved.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While gig work is wide ranging and offers plenty of freedoms, being an independent worker often means no access to traditional employment protections or benefits, such as healthcare, retirement or paid leave. Rafael Espinal, Executive Director of Freelancers Union, visits to talk about the growing independent workforce and portable benefits. Freelancers Union is the largest organization representing independent workers in the U.S., with over 500,000 members nationwide. Membership is free and open to all U.S.-based freelancers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

POISONING THE WELL: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America takes a look at the toxic chemicals PFAS, and how they’ve become permanently embedded in our soil, our water, and our bodies. Authors Sharon Udasin and Rachel Frazin discuss the controversy and consequences. Sharon Udasin is a staff reporter for The Hill, covering Western climate and policy. She was the recipient of a 2022 SEAL Environmental Journalism Award, and spent nearly a decade in Israel, reporting on environment, energy, and agriculture for The Jerusalem Post. Rachel Frazin covers energy and environment policy for The Hill. Her work has also appeared in the Chicago Sun-Times, The Daily Beast, the Tampa Bay Times, and elsewhere.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Limón Dance Company launches their celebration of the company’s first 80 years with a program at The Joyce Theater honoring eight decades of revolutionary modern dance, from October 14-19, 2025. Our guest is Artistic Director Dante Puleio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Find Your Light Foundation is dedicated to ensuring every student has the chance to experience a quality arts education. To date, the organization founded Tony®, EMMY®, and five-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated singer, songwriter, actor, and philanthropist Josh Groban has funded nearly 200 programs, in 33 states. With support for the arts needed more than ever, Josh Groban hosts the 2nd Annual Find Your Light Benefit Concert for Arts Education, October 8th at Jazz at Lincoln Center.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ronald E. Richter brings an unparalleled perspective to child welfare. With a career that spans over 35 years as a legal aid attorney, family court judge, former commissioner of New York City’s Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), and as CEO of JCCA, a 200-year-old nonprofit that supports more than 17,000 children and families across New York each year, Ron has seen the system from every angle. After serving the last ten years as CEO, Ron Richter will step down from his role at JCCA in October. We’ll discuss what’s working in child welfare, where we’re still falling short, and stories that have stayed with him.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most Americans would agree that our transportation infrastructure—from highways, to roads and bus and train lines—needs an upgrade. As governments plan for rebuilding and repairing, our guest takes a historic look at how much of our existing infrastructure was built to reinforce economic and racial divisions. Deborah Archer is an eminent legal scholar, the president of the ACLU, and author of DIVIDING LINES: How Transportation Infrastructure Reinforces Racial Inequality.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Approaching it’s first anniversary, The Bronx Music Hall is the first independent music performance venue in the borough in more than 50 years, and the new home of WHEDco’s Bronx Music Heritage Center. Co-Artistic Directors Elena Martínez and multi-Grammy nominated percussionist Bobby Sanabria talk about their mission to celebrate Bronx artists past and present.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.