hmTv at HMTC Podcasts

Send us Fan MailEp 419: The Fog of War and Humanity (Part 1)In this episode of The Fog of War and Humanity, host Richard Acritelli sits down with historian Liam Carballal for a deep and thought-provoking conversation about American imperialism, foreign policy, and the long shadows of war.Beginning with the Spanish-American War, the discussion explores how media influence, political ambition, and national identity shaped the United States’ rise as a global power. From the explosion of the USS Maine and the era of yellow journalism to the leadership of Theodore Roosevelt and the strategic importance of naval power, the episode examines how narratives, fear, and opportunity can push nations toward conflict.The conversation also looks at the shift from “liberation” to occupation in the Philippines, the birth of modern American imperial policy, and how these early 20th-century decisions still echo in today’s geopolitical realities. Themes of power projection, military presence, and the moral costs of expansion connect past wars to present-day foreign policy debates.This is Part 1 of a two-part discussion that blends local history, global strategy, and human consequences — a reminder that behind every policy decision lies the enduring fog of war.Support the show

Send us Fan MailEp 417: Putting the Brakes on BullyingIn this powerful episode of Putting the Brakes on Bullying, host Samantha Sosnik sits down with Holocaust survivor, educator, and motivational speaker Sami Steigmann for a conversation that connects history, courage, and the urgent need for upstanders today.Sami shares how a life marked by persecution, displacement, and survival shaped his mission to turn pain into purpose. From speaking with second graders to confronting Holocaust denial, he explains why bullying always starts with words, why silence empowers harm, and why young people must be taught early to think critically and stand up for others.The episode explores the stages that led to the Holocaust, the danger of indoctrination, and the difference between being a bystander and an upstander. Sami offers practical guidance for students on how to respond safely to bullying, emphasizes the importance of truth, and reminds us that knowledge without action changes nothing.He also discusses a recent controversy over his school speaking engagements and how community support reaffirmed the importance of survivor voices in education.This episode is a call to courage, empathy, and responsibility. As Sami says, if you reach even one person, you’ve made a difference.Produced by the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County on hmTv.Support the show

Send us Fan MailEp 416 The Israeli BondWhat does it truly mean to be an Israeli emissary today?In this inspiring episode of The Israeli Bond on hmTv, host Gal Swisa Cohen sits down with Maya Braverman, a 23-year-old Israeli shlicha serving on Long Island. Maya shares her journey from Petah Tikva to leading the Israeli Scouts locally and working at the Friedberg JCC, where she helps bring Jewish and Israeli life into a diverse community.Through personal stories, Maya explains how being an emissary goes far beyond programs and events. It is about becoming the human face of Israel, answering real questions, building relationships, and creating meaningful connections between Israeli identity and Jewish life in the diaspora.The conversation explores youth leadership, cultural exchange, the power of dialogue, and the emotional responsibility carried by young emissaries who serve as bridges between communities.A heartfelt look at identity, connection, and the people-to-people bonds that strengthen the global Jewish story.Support the show

Send us Fan MailEp 415 The Israeli Bond: Israel Today (Mini-Series Launch)In this powerful and personal episode of The Israeli Bond on hmTv, host Gal Swisa Cohen launches a new mini-series, Israel Today, with a deeply meaningful first guest, her husband, Dagan Cohen, Senior Israeli Emissary from the Jewish Agency.Speaking not as officials but as Israelis shaped by military service, family life, and lived experience, Gal and Dagan explore the reality following the return of the last hostage from Gaza. With the hostage crisis over, the conversation turns to the urgent question facing Israel now: What comes next?They discuss buffer zones, border communities, military presence in Gaza, and the collapse of trust that now shapes Israeli security policy. The episode goes beyond headlines, examining the human side of national defense, including the growing burden on reservists, the strain on families, and the emotional cost carried by Israeli society.This premiere of Israel Today offers context, perspective, and an unfiltered look at the dilemmas Israelis are navigating in real time.A conversation about security, sacrifice, resilience, and the complex reality of Israel in 2026.Support the show

Send us Fan MailPodcast Description – Ordinary Heroes, Episode 413In this powerful episode of Ordinary Heroes, host Bernie Furshpan speaks with Adi Karni, an IDF combat soldier who shares his journey from a basketball-loving teen in Israel to the front lines of war. Adi reflects on faith, identity, and the life-changing decision to serve his country, as well as the deep personal cost of losing close friends in combat.The conversation explores the emotional realities soldiers carry long after the battlefield, including trauma, resilience, and the struggle to return to everyday life. Adi also speaks about his connection to the Holocaust legacy through his great-grandmother, and the promise he carries to protect future generations.This episode is a raw and human look at service, loss, unity, and the bonds that form in the most difficult circumstances.Support the show

Send us Fan MailEp 414: Unmasked. Unfiltered. Unapologetic.In this powerful episode, host Bali Lerner sits down with activists Michelle Ahdoot of NGO Hatred and international singer and advocate Ghazal Mizrahi for an urgent conversation about influence, misinformation, and moral responsibility in the digital age.The discussion explores how social media platforms can amplify harmful narratives, the real world impact of propaganda, and why silence in the face of extremism carries consequences. Drawing connections between antisemitism, global democratic struggles, and the fight for human rights in Iran, the guests share personal stories as first generation Iranian Americans and outline how everyday individuals can take meaningful action.This episode challenges listeners to recognize that hate never exists in isolation and that standing up for truth, accountability, and democratic values is a shared responsibility.Support the show

Send us Fan MailEp 412: The Butterfly EffectDo the things we don’t do matter just as much as the things we do?In this thought-provoking episode of The Butterfly Effect on hmTv, hosts Gilad Avrahami and Bernie Furshpan explore the powerful idea that inaction is never neutral. From everyday choices to moments of moral consequence, they unpack how small decisions, even the ones we barely notice, ripple outward in ways we cannot always predict.The conversation moves from personal habits and family debates to big questions about responsibility, intent versus impact, activism versus “slacktivism,” and the role of education in shaping a more aware and compassionate society. Using real-life examples, history, and the mission of the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center, Gilad and Bernie examine why being a bystander is still a choice, why upstanders matter, and how even one person can be the tipping point in creating change.This episode is a reminder that democracy, justice, and human dignity are sustained not only by bold actions, but by the daily decisions we make to engage, speak up, and show up.Because sometimes the biggest impact comes from the moment you decide not to stay still.Support the show

Send us Fan MailPodcast Description – Ep 411: Ordinary Heroes with Bernie Furshpan & Dr. Dan HoltzmanWhat happens when education, music, and moral responsibility meet on a global stage?In this powerful episode of Ordinary Heroes, host Bernie Furshpan sits down with Dr. Dan Holtzman, Assistant Superintendent of the Great Neck Public Schools, to reflect on their life-changing experience at the Day of Hope event at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance.Together, they explore how the arts are more than performance. They are a force for unity, healing, and shared human responsibility. Dr. Holtzman shares insights from leading a student roundtable alongside journalist and performer Kelly Wright, where young musicians spoke about their belief that artists carry a responsibility to make an impact beyond the stage.The conversation moves from Jerusalem to Long Island, as Dr. Holtzman describes how the experience sparked an educational epiphany. He explains how diversity, vulnerability, storytelling, and the performing arts can transform school communities into models of empathy and belonging. From “Unity Day” initiatives to the idea of bringing global leaders together through the arts, this episode asks a bold question: If we can agree on what is beautiful together, what else could we agree on?This is an episode about leadership, courage, education, and the quiet heroes who build bridges every day.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn Episode 409 of Habits of a Whole Heart on hmTv, host Arnie Herz sits down with Wendy Shulman, founder and owner of the Roslyn Salt Cave, for a heartfelt conversation about healing, purpose, and the power of stillness. Wendy shares how a serious car accident in Los Angeles became an unexpected turning point, launching a decades-long journey through wellness modalities around the world and deepening her trust in intuition as real inner guidance.Together, Arnie and Wendy explore what “healing” truly means, why certain spaces can help us reconnect to our calmer, deeper selves, and how salt therapy supports respiratory and emotional wellbeing. Wendy also explains what a salt cave is, how the Roslyn Salt Cave was built with Himalayan salt, and why this carefully designed environment helps people feel grounded, restored, and even hopeful.This is Part 1 of their conversation, setting the stage for a deeper dive in Part 2.Listen on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn Episode 410 of Habits of a Whole Heart on hmTv, host Arnie Herz continues his powerful conversation with Wendy Shulman, founder of the Roslyn Salt Cave, exploring how life’s most difficult moments can become gateways to purpose, growth, and transformation.Wendy reflects on her belief in a “soul contract,” the role of vision and dreams in shaping reality, and how daily habits like gratitude, intention, and mindful morning and nighttime rituals can literally rewire our lives. She shares how manifestation, mindset, and aligning with a deeper calling helped her bring a decades-long vision into reality.Arnie opens up about his own extraordinary healing journey, from heart failure at age 20 to open-heart surgery and surviving a life-threatening brain hemorrhage. He describes how those near-death experiences deepened his sense of purpose and led to a renewed commitment to bring light and upliftment into the world.Together, they connect spirituality with practical action, showing how small, consistent habits build a “whole heart,” and how gratitude, awareness, and personal agency help us move from fear to empowerment.This is a deeply inspiring episode about resilience, destiny, and the everyday practices that help us live with greater meaning.Listen on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.Support the show