hmTv at HMTC Podcasts

Send us Fan MailEp 282: “Putting the Brakes on Bullying” with Samantha Sosnik and guest Lauri ReganIn this powerful and deeply relevant episode of Putting the Brakes on Bullying on hmTv, host Samantha Sosnik sits down with Lauri Regan, Vice President and Treasurer of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East, for an unflinching conversation about bullying, antisemitism, and the erosion of moral clarity in education.Together, they explore how antisemitic narratives have crept into K–12 classrooms, universities, and even teacher training programs — shaping how young people think about Israel, identity, and truth itself. Lauri shares personal stories, national case studies, and actionable ways parents, educators, and communities can stand up against bias, misinformation, and intimidation in schools.This episode also reflects on the emotional day when twenty hostages returned to Israel, offering a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit amid hatred and division.➡️ Key Topics:The rise of antisemitic bullying in K–12 and higher educationThe influence of biased curricula and radicalized teachersHow parents and communities can push back through advocacy, legal action, and truth-based educationThe connection between classroom indoctrination and global antisemitic movementsThe moral and emotional impact of October 7th and its aftermathA vital conversation for anyone who believes that education should enlighten, not divide.Support the show

Send us Fan MailEp. 281: History Repeats Guest: Richard Acritelli Host: Liam Carballal Network: hmTvIn this cinematic edition of History Repeats, host Liam Carballal and historian Richard Acritelli trade battlefields for box offices as they explore how Hollywood brings history to life—and sometimes bends it.From the Civil War heroism of Glory to the Depression-era grit of Road to Perdition, the tactical brilliance of Patton, the nuclear tension of Thirteen Days, and the unforgettable realism of Saving Private Ryan, the duo dives into what these films got right, what they exaggerated, and why their stories still matter.Acritelli and Carballal connect each film to its real historical roots—examining leadership, morality, race, courage, and the fine line between cinematic storytelling and factual truth. With passion, humor, and sharp insight, they remind listeners that history doesn’t just repeat—it also replays on screen.🎬 Join Liam and Richard for Episode 281 of “History Repeats” on hmTv—where film meets fact, and the past still has a few scenes left to shoot.Support the show

Send us Fan MailEp. 279: The Fog of War and Humanity Guest: Assistant Chief Michael V. Meyers, FDNY Host: Richard Acritelli Network: hmTvIn the powerful conclusion of this three-part conversation, Assistant Chief Michael V. Meyers of the FDNY returns to The Fog of War and Humanity with host Richard Acritelli for a deeply human reflection on the enduring legacy of 9/11 and a lifetime of service.Chief Meyers opens up about the memories that still surface decades later—the friends lost, the funerals attended, and the haunting moments at Ground Zero. He honors fallen colleagues like his college roommate Derell “Bronco” Pearce, whose name lives on at LIU’s football field, and discusses how the FDNY rebuilt itself in the aftermath of unimaginable loss.The episode moves from tragedy to resilience, exploring the department’s transformation since 9/11, the camaraderie of firefighters and military veterans, and the family legacy that spans more than a century of service. Meyers also shares the emotional realities behind the uniform—PTSD, healing, humor, and hope—and how today’s generation carries the torch of those who ran toward danger.A conversation that reminds us why “never forget” isn’t just a slogan—it’s a responsibility.🔥 Listen to Episode 279 of The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv—real stories of courage, loss, and the strength to keep serving.Support the show

Send us Fan MailEp. 280: History Repeats Guest: Richard Acritelli Host: Liam Carballal Network: hmTvIn this thought-provoking episode of History Repeats, host Liam Carballal sits down once again with historian and educator Richard Acritelli to explore the global implications of the ongoing war in Ukraine — and how the past continues to echo through today’s headlines.Now entering its fourth year, the war has become a grim study in power, propaganda, and persistence. Acritelli and Carballal unpack Vladimir Putin’s political strategy, the resilience of Ukraine’s military, and how modern drone warfare has reshaped the battlefield. They connect these current events to history’s familiar lessons — from the collapse of empires to revolutions that began when leaders lost touch with their people.Drawing parallels to the Russian Revolution, World War II, and the Cold War, the conversation digs deep into how authoritarian regimes sustain themselves—and how they ultimately crumble. Acritelli also reflects on the West’s role, the growing unity of NATO, and why strength—not appeasement—remains the only language despots understand.A timely, riveting discussion on leadership, lessons from the past, and the dangerous repetition of history when humanity forgets.Support the show

Send us Fan MailEp. 278: The Fog of War and Humanity Guest: Assistant Chief Michael V. Meyers, FDNY Host: Richard Acritelli Network: hmTvIn this gripping continuation of The Fog of War and Humanity, host Richard Acritelli speaks with Assistant Chief Michael V. Meyers of the New York City Fire Department—a veteran firefighter whose story spans from the streets of East New York to the devastation of Ground Zero.Chief Meyers recounts his early years battling fires in Brooklyn during the height of the 1990s drug epidemic, his transition to Rescue 4 in Queens, and the leadership lessons that shaped his decades of service. But it’s his firsthand account of September 11, 2001 that defines this powerful episode.From watching the attacks unfold with his infant daughter to racing into Manhattan and working amid the ruins of the World Trade Center, Meyers describes the chaos, courage, and heartbreak of that day with searing honesty. He shares the loss of friends, the uncertainty of searching for his own father and brothers—both also at the site—and the lasting toll of 9/11 on the FDNY family.A raw and moving conversation about duty, brotherhood, and humanity in the face of unimaginable tragedy—and a reminder that heroes don’t run from danger; they run toward it.🚒 Watch now on hmTv—real stories of courage, leadership, and the human spirit.Support the show

Send us Fan MailEp. 277: The Fog of War and Humanity with Assistant Chief Michael V. Meyers (Part 1) Hosted by Richard Acritelli on hmTvIn this compelling episode of The Fog of War and Humanity, host Richard Acritelli sits down with Assistant Chief Michael V. Meyers of the New York City Fire Department to explore a lifetime of courage, discipline, and service.From his roots in Levittown, growing up in a household shaped by military and firefighting tradition, to his early days navigating the crack-era streets of Brooklyn, Meyers reflects on the lessons that forged his leadership and character. With honesty and humor, he discusses the teamwork, danger, and purpose that define life in the FDNY—and the unbreakable brotherhood that binds those who run toward chaos when others run away.Listeners will gain an inside look at how sports, service, and sacrifice intersect in one man’s journey through three decades of New York’s most demanding profession.🎙️ A conversation about resilience, family, and the human spirit behind the badge.Listen now to Episode 277 of The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv — Part 1 of a powerful two-part series with Assistant Chief Michael V. Meyers.Support the show

Send us Fan MailEp. 275: The Fog of War and Humanity Guest: Colonel James C. Brennan, USMC (Ret.) Host: Richard Acritelli Network: hmTvIn this compelling third installment of The Fog of War and Humanity, host Richard Acritelli continues his in-depth conversation with Colonel James C. Brennan, USMC (Ret.), exploring a career that bridges the battlefield, the halls of Congress, and the heart of community service.From his post-9/11 work in Washington to his combat deployments in Iraq, Colonel Brennan reflects on leadership, resilience, and the evolution of warfare and diplomacy in the modern age. He shares how his team helped secure Iraq’s first national elections, how 9/11 changed his life’s trajectory, and how returning home meant learning to lead again—this time as a husband, father, and mentor to fellow veterans.Now serving as Deputy Director of the Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency, Brennan continues his mission—helping veterans navigate their benefits, find support, and rediscover purpose beyond the uniform.A conversation about service, transformation, and the enduring humanity found even in the fog of war.🎖️ Watch now on hmTv — real stories from those who served, and the lessons they carry home.Support the show

Send us Fan MailEp. 276 – Legacy Chronicles: The Story of Survival and LoveHosted by Zachary Graulich | Guest: Evelyn Drieves | Produced by hmTv at HMTCIn this deeply moving episode of Legacy Chronicles, Evelyn Altenberg, the daughter of two Holocaust survivors, sits down with Zachary Graulich, Assistant Director of Education at HMTC, to share her parents’ extraordinary story of survival, love, and resilience.Born in Berlin and separated by war, Evelyn’s parents endured opposite fates—her father escaping to the Dominican Republic after securing a place aboard a cargo ship, and her mother enduring three years in nine concentration camps, including Auschwitz, where she was tattooed and forced into slave labor. Against all odds, they reunited six years later, married, and built a new life of joy, music, and family.Evelyn reflects on growing up in Washington Heights among Holocaust survivors, what it means to carry her parents’ legacy as a second-generation witness, and how she now shares their story with students across the country to ensure that the truth is never forgotten.A powerful conversation about memory, education, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.🎧 Listen on hmTv and hmtcli.org — because remembrance is the bridge between tragedy and hope.Support the show

Send us Fan MailPodcast Title: The Fog of War and Humanity Episode 273: Col. James C. Brennan, USMC (Ret.) – Part 1 Hosted by: Richard Acritelli Produced by: hmTvDescription: In this powerful first installment of a two-part conversation, historian and host Richard Acritelli sits down with Colonel James C. Brennan, USMC (Ret.) to explore a lifetime shaped by service, discipline, and leadership.From his roots in Brooklyn and Long Island to commanding Marines around the world, Colonel Brennan shares how faith, family, and education forged his path to the U.S. Marine Corps. He reflects on his grandfather’s World War II service—from North Africa to Anzio—and how that legacy inspired his own journey through Parris Island, officer training, and a distinguished military career that spanned continents and decades.The discussion moves beyond tactics and titles, delving into the deeper human side of military life—the lessons of integrity, adaptability, and responsibility that define true leadership both in and out of uniform.A story of courage, continuity, and character, The Fog of War and Humanity reminds us that behind every uniform is a human being molded by history, duty, and heart.Support the show

Send us Fan MailEp. 274 – The Fog of War and Humanity: Col. James C. Brennan, USMC (Ret.), Part 2Hosted by Richard Acritelli | Presented on hmTvIn this compelling continuation of The Fog of War and Humanity, host Richard Acritelli sits down with Colonel James C. Brennan, USMC (Ret.) to trace his early military career and his firsthand experiences during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.From his first deployment with the 10th Marines to the chaotic landscapes of northern Iraq and Kurdistan, Brennan reflects on the end of the Cold War, the evolution of America’s military identity, and the moral complexities of post-war stability operations. He describes the haunting aftermath of Saddam Hussein’s atrocities, the mined wheat fields left to starve civilians, and the delicate balance of diplomacy and discipline that defined U.S. presence in the region.The conversation also moves into Brennan’s later years—his time in Washington, D.C., his role shaping manpower and reserve policy, and his reflections on leadership, service, and the human cost of global conflict.It’s a vivid, thoughtful journey through the corridors of power and the deserts of war—an episode that underscores both the price of freedom and the resilience of humanity.🎧 Listen to learn how history, honor, and humility intersect in the fog of war—and what it means to lead with conscience.Support the show