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Send us Fan MailEp. 378 — The Fog of War and Humanity: Sgt. Joseph A. Cognitore (Part 2)In Part 2 of this conversation, host Richard Acritelli continues his discussion with Vietnam veteran Sgt. Joseph Cognitore — beginning with Joe’s arrival in South Vietnam and his abrupt initiation into the realities of combat life.Joe describes landing at Cam Ranh Bay, being shipped to the Central Highlands, and realizing — almost instantly — that everything familiar was gone. From helicopter insertions and the shock of jungle warfare, to digging foxholes at night, setting trip flares, and learning when “book training” suddenly meant survival, Joe offers an honest look at how quickly a young soldier had to grow up.He also speaks candidly about tunnels, close calls, the strain on younger soldiers, artillery support, and the mental burdens carried long after the war — including the quiet resilience required to lead others through fear.Part history, part testimony, and deeply human — this episode reminds us that behind every headline is a person trying to endure, protect others, and somehow come home.Support the show

Send us Fan MailEp. 377 — The Fog of War and Humanity: Sgt. Joseph A. Cognitore (Part 1)In this episode, Richard Acritelli sits down with Sgt. Joseph A. Cognitore — drafted out of college at the height of the Vietnam War — to talk about the moment everything in his life turned upside down.Joe shares the difficult decision to serve, the quiet influence of his World War II–era father and uncles, and what it was like to step into basic training knowing exactly where he was headed. From the grueling days at Fort Gordon, Fort Polk, and NCO school at Fort Benning, to the discipline, teamwork, and survival mindset drilled into every soldier, Joe reveals how training prepared him — and how being “in the field” nearly all the time reshaped his understanding of fear, leadership, and responsibility.Honest, grounded, and deeply human, this conversation reminds us that behind every uniform is a life interrupted — and a story that continues long after the war ends.Support the show

Send us Fan MailEp. 376 — The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli & Montgomery “Monty” Granger (Part 3)Podcast DescriptionIn Part 3 of this gripping series, Montgomery “Monty” Granger takes us beyond Guantanamo and into the combat zones of Iraq and Afghanistan — where chaos, morality, and duty collide every single day.Hosted by Richard Acritelli, this conversation looks unflinchingly at what it means to serve in war while refusing to surrender your humanity. Monty reflects on detainee care in active combat environments, the moral tension of saving lives that might later threaten American soldiers, and the impossible pressure placed on the men and women in uniform.He reminds us that behind every policy decision are real people — medics, chaplains, MPs, nurses — doing the right thing when no one is watching.Topics explored include:detainee operations beyond Guantanamolife-and-death decision-making in combat zonesthe emotional burden soldiers quietly carrywhy professionalism and compassion matter — even in warlessons leaders and civilians must not ignoreThis episode doesn’t sensationalize. It humanizes — and it asks us to think honestly about the cost of conflict, the weight of responsibility, and the character needed to walk through the fog and not lose yourself along the way.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Montgomery “Monty” Granger pulls back the curtain on life inside Guantanamo Bay following 9/11 — where ethics, fear, compassion, and national security collided in real time.Hosted by Richard Acritelli, this episode explores what it meant to care for detainees considered “unlawful combatants,” why the military chose to operate within the spirit of the Geneva Convention, and how soldiers were forced to rewrite the rulebook while the world was watching.Monty shares candid stories — addiction, mental illness, medical crises, and the moral tightrope walked by those entrusted with both safety and humanity. He reflects on what happens when detainees are released, why some return to violence, and how politics complicated justice.This is not a sensational story — it’s a human one. And it challenges us to ask:What does “doing the right thing” look like in wartime?How do we balance security and mercy?What happens when policy and reality collide?A conversation that doesn’t flinch — but still believes we can learn, evolve, and do better.Support the show

Send us Fan MailEp. 374 — The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli & Montgomery “Monty” Granger (Part 1)Forward-looking, honest, and grounded — without glossing over the hard parts.Podcast DescriptionIn Part 1 of this three-part conversation, Montgomery “Monty” Granger takes us back to the weeks and months after September 11, when the U.S. military was suddenly thrust into unfamiliar moral and operational territory.Hosted by Richard Acritelli, this episode traces Monty’s path from combat medic and educator to Medical Service Corps officer — and ultimately to Guantanamo Bay, where he helped stand up detainee operations during the early War on Terror.Along the way, Monty opens up about:traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the lasting wounds veterans carrythe realities — and frustrations — of the VA systemwhat “humane treatment” actually looked like at Gitmothe pressure of writing procedures in real time while the world watchedthe responsibility of leadership when ethics and security collideThis isn’t a headline-driven retelling — it’s a human conversation about duty, compassion, mistakes, and lessons learned. And yes, it reminds us that even in the fog of war, character still matters.Part 2 picks up where this leaves off — and the story only gets more intense.Support the show

Send us Fan MailThe Israeli Bond Ep. 373 (Part 2)In this follow-up conversation, host Gal Swisa Cohen welcomes back Beata Schulman to explore the complicated — and surprisingly hopeful — relationship between Israel and Poland.Together, they dig into:why Poland has become one of the safest destinations in Europe for Israelis and Jewshow “Holocaust tourism” shaped perceptions — and how those trips are changingPoland’s ongoing effort to confront its own history, honestly and openlymoments of powerful inclusion — like Hanukkah celebrations at the presidential palacewhere antisemitism shows up today… and what still needs workpractical ways nations move forward: conversation, travel, business, and real human connectionBeata also opens up about life with a layered identity — Polish, Jewish, American — and how she’s raising her children to carry all of it with pride and awareness.It’s thoughtful, candid, and ultimately hopeful — proof that even when history feels heavy, people can still choose understanding over division. (And yes… Polish soup in a bread bowl makes a cameo. Of course it does.)Subscribe, share, and stay tuned for more meaningful conversations on hmTv’s The Israeli Bond.Support the show

Send us Fan MailEp 372 | The Israeli Bond (Part 1)In this episode, Gal Swisa Cohen sits down with Dr. Beata Schulman to explore a childhood shaped by silence, survival, and rediscovery.Growing up in post-war Poland behind the Iron Curtain, Beata had no idea she was Jewish. Her family had hidden their identity for safety — like so many others who survived the Holocaust and chose anonymity over risk. One unexpected revelation at age 12 set her on a path that would change everything: understanding her roots, reclaiming identity, and ultimately devoting her life to Holocaust education, memory, and Jewish community.With insight, candor, and courage, Beata reflects on:What it meant to grow up Polish… and secretly JewishWhy so many families buried their history for decadesThe moment she finally said, “I’m Jewish” — out loudHow rediscovering identity reshaped her education, career, and purposePart history. Part personal journey. Part wake-up call.Stay tuned — in Part 2, we dig deeper into antisemitism in Poland, past and present, and the responsibility of memory today.If this conversation moves you, share it — because stories like this don’t just explain the past. They help us build a wiser future.Support the show

Send us Fan MailEp. 371Legacy Chronicles | hmTv Host: Zachary Graulich Guest: Dr. Susanne Bleiberg SepersonIn this powerful episode of Legacy Chronicles, host Zachary Graulich sits down with Dr. Susanne Bleiberg Seperson, a second-generation Holocaust survivor, scholar, and global advocate, to explore how memory becomes mission and legacy becomes action.Dr. Seperson reflects on her parents’ survival during the Holocaust, including her mother’s imprisonment in Auschwitz and her later role as a beloved educator at the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center. She shares how growing up surrounded by absence, resilience, and an unwavering belief in education shaped her life’s work.The conversation traces Dr. Seperson’s journey from academia to international advocacy, including her groundbreaking course on the Sociology of the Holocaust and her leadership at the United Nations combating antisemitism and promoting peace. Together, they examine why Holocaust education remains urgently relevant today, how historical truth is challenged and distorted, and why hope, perseverance, and moral responsibility must guide future generations.This episode is a moving testament to the power of education, the importance of intergenerational storytelling, and the enduring responsibility to protect truth and humanity in an increasingly complex world.Legacy Chronicles is produced by the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center and streamed on hmTv.Support the show

Send us Fan MailEp 370: The Israeli Bond — David Black (Part 3)In the final installment of this three-part series on The Israeli Bond, host Gal Swisa Cohen sits down once more with David Black for an unflinching conversation about the realities facing Jewish communities in the aftermath of October 7.David reflects on the immediate global response to the attacks, the surge of antisemitism across the diaspora, and the growing crisis of misinformation and narrative warfare surrounding Israel. Drawing on his decades of leadership in the Jewish communal world, he speaks candidly about institutional responsibility, moral clarity, and the consequences of losing the information war.The episode also explores David’s widely shared letter “We Accuse,” the role of the “silent majority,” and what individuals can do—practically and effectively—to push back against hate, distortion, and fear. The conversation concludes with a powerful reflection on Jewish peoplehood, Israel’s central role in the future of the Jewish world, and the necessity of connection, education, and resolve.This episode is not just a conversation—it’s a call to awareness, responsibility, and action.Support the show

Send us Fan MailEp 369: The Israeli Bond — David Black (Part 2)In Part Two of this powerful conversation on The Israeli Bond, host Gal Swisa Cohen continues her in-depth discussion with David Black, former Executive Director of the C. Jacobson JCC and founder of the Randy Wobo-Melinsky Center for Israel on Long Island.David shares the thinking, instincts, and partnerships that led to the creation of one of the most influential Israel engagement models in North America. He explores the concept of Jewish peoplehood, the importance of authenticity in connecting American Jews with Israelis, and why Israel belongs at the heart of a Jewish Community Center.The conversation also traces the organic growth of the Center for Israel—from a single Israeli emissary to a region-wide hub that bridges synagogues, organizations, and generations. David further reflects on the formation of the Jewish Coalition on Long Island and why collaboration, not siloed leadership, is essential in today’s complex Jewish landscape.This episode offers insight, honesty, and a behind-the-scenes look at how listening, trust, and community-building can turn vision into lasting impact.🎧 Stay tuned for Part Three, where the conversation turns to the current challenges facing Jewish communities in America today.Support the show