FAQ NYC

Eric Goldwyn, an author of the new A Better Billion report from the Marron Institute of Urban Management at New York University, joins Lit NYC to explain its modest proposal to remap the city with 12 new projects, 64 new subways stations and 41 new miles of rail — all for about the same cost as making buses free.

Brian Stettin, who spent the Adams years as the senior advisor on the severely mentally ill for the office of the mayor before the Mamdani administration eliminated that position, joins the podcast for a wide-ranging exit interview. Plus, the hosts discuss Mamdani’s mounting early missteps, the bad-faith critics pouncing on them, and much more.

Coalition for the Homeless Executive Director Dave Giffen joins the pod to discuss the Mamdani administration’s efforts to bring unhoused people in from the vicious cold. Giffen talks about why he's seen the same problems repeat again and again under seven different mayors, and what it would take to actually change that dynamic and help put his group out of business.

A new mayor navigates a rocky first month amid a claimed $12B budget shortfall and high-stakes commissioner appointments. Heated discussion about representation at top levels and whether deputy roles hold real power. The city battles a harsh cold snap, lingering snow, and rising outdoor deaths. Alarm over AI-driven fake photos and political disinformation reshaping the conversation.

The new mayor appeared to clear the bar with the city’s response to the first big snow on his watch. Meanwhile, his predecessor’s people were in the news again as Adams’ former chief of staff is reportedly the subject of a federal grand jury while his favorite deputy mayor for public safety is taking a new job working for ICE in Long Island. Hosts Christina Greer, Katie Honan and Harry Siegel discuss all that and much more including what the ICE killings in Minneapolis mean for New York, and how Italian-Irish tensions in the Catholic church helped create a Sabrina Carpenter-Eric Adams crossover episode. Noah Smith engineered this episode.

Arthur Tress, whose newly published photographs of gay men in Central Park’s Ramble in 1968 and 1969 are the earliest shots of outdoor cruising in a natural setting, joins Harry Siegel and Alex Krales on Lit NYC to discuss his work in a New York City where homosexuality was still a taboo and a crime, why he’s publishing it now, and much more. This episode was engineered by Noah Smith, and produced by Harry, Alex and Amy Sohn.

Eric Adams is still in the spotlight, marketing an NYC cryptocoin despite stepping down as mayor. The hosts dive into the token's troubling 80% drop and its connection to past scandals. They also discuss Zohran Mamdani's political maneuvers, including a clash with Nydia Velázquez. Amidst this, skepticism about crypto's reliability is examined, alongside a spicy airport heckler incident involving Adams. The dynamic between Mamdani's grassroots approach and Adams' hands-off style offers a fascinating political contrast as tensions simmer.

Just weeks into his new role, Zohran Mamdani navigates the complexities of governance. The team discusses his responses to pro-Hamas protests in Queens and fatal police shootings. They ponder his strategies for engaging with diverse voter groups, including skeptical Jewish communities. Critiques arise around his handling of press interactions and the influence of new media. There's a focus on Mamdani’s rapid policy shifts and the expectations he faces from a demanding public. Will he prove his sincerity amid growing scrutiny?

An iconic restaurant in Fulton Mall became an Arby's, before it was revived amid the pandemic. St. John Frizell, one of the stewards of Gage and Tollner joins Lit NYC hosts Amy Sohn and Harry Siegel to talk about the craft of the cocktail, the business of Brooklyn, the nature of the great good place, and much more. This episode was produced by Amy and Harry, and engineered by Noah Smith.

Zohran Mamdani, the newly elected mayor of New York City and former state assemblymember, discusses his transformative vision for the city. He shares how grassroots efforts led to securing $1.21 billion for universal childcare. Mamdani addresses the controversial ICE killing in Minneapolis, advocating for legal accountability. He also critiques the NYPD's gang database and emphasizes the need for reforms. His commitment to supporting Jewish New Yorkers through actions, not just words, highlights his focus on inclusivity and social justice.