hmTv at HMTC Podcasts Ep 479: Ordinary Heroes with Bernie Furshpan and guest Adam Mazo on hmTv
Ep 479: Ordinary Heroes with Bernie Furshpan and guest Adam Mazo
In this episode of Ordinary Heroes on hmTv, host Bernie Furshpan speaks with filmmaker and educator Adam Mazo, co-founder of the Upstander Project, about the importance of standing up against injustice and the power of storytelling to inspire change.
Drawing from the lessons of the Holocaust and other historical injustices, Bernie and Adam explore the difference between bystanders and upstanders and why ordinary people have the ability and responsibility to act when they witness hate, bullying, or discrimination. Adam shares how the Upstander Project began, how documentary films such as Coexist and Dawnland illuminate hidden histories, and why film can be such a powerful tool for building empathy and awareness.
The conversation also reflects on the legacy of Holocaust survivors, the dangers of silence in the face of injustice, and practical ways educators, communities, and young people can cultivate courage, compassion, and responsibility.
At a time when the world often feels divided, this episode reminds us that even small acts of courage can make a meaningful difference. Becoming an upstander does not require extraordinary power. It simply requires the willingness to care for others and to speak up when something is not right.
Listen to this thoughtful and inspiring discussion about history, humanity, and the everyday choices that shape a more just and compassionate world.