Bare Wires

In this episode of Bare Wires, we sit down with April Hernández-Castillo, actress, author, motivational speaker, and domestic violence advocate, best known for her role as Eva Benítez in the hit film Freedom Writers, alongside Hilary Swank.     Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, April shares her deeply personal journey, from growing up in the city to surviving domestic violence in a relations...

From immigrating from Cuba as a child to working in corporate America at Knight-Ridder and selling heavy equipment across Latin America, Dr. Manuel Martínez took an unconventional path to higher education.     After shifting into academia at age 33, earning four graduate degrees, and rising through university leadership, he was appointed in July 2024 as the first lay President of Dominican Univers...

Painter, musician, and restaurateur—Luis Miguel Rodrigues brings a deeply artistic soul to everything he creates.   After arriving in America from Portugal at age 24, Luis channeled his creative passions into both the canvas and the kitchen as the co-owner of Tarrytown’s Bistro 12.   Join us as we dive into his artistic journey, exploring how his talents across music, visual arts, and culinary des...

In this episode, we sit down with Irene Robles, Co-Founder of Wonder Girls—a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering middle school, high school, and college girls starting around age 12.   Irene shares the inspiring mission behind the program, which helps young women build confidence, uncover their strengths, navigate healthy relationships, and develop the real-world business and leadershi...

In this episode, we sit down with Rockland County businessman, entrepreneur, musician, and community advocate Tom Ossa to discuss his journey and his perspective on the future of Rockland County.   Tom developed his business acumen growing up around his family’s bike shop. In 2007, he launched his first business, Rockland Web Design, and later purchased the domain name RocklandNews.com for $4,300,...

At nine years old, a brain cancer diagnosis and life-saving surgery left Nicky Van Vooren with a permanent, invisible disability—erasing her dream of becoming a doctor.    After years of facing isolation and bullying, she found belonging through the Special Olympics, sparking a lifelong passion for advocacy.   ​Now President of the Welfare League in Rockland County, NY, Nicky dedicates her life to...

The hospitality industry is built on serving others—but who takes care of the people behind the scenes?   In this episode, we’re joined by Chris Follari, a lifelong hospitality professional whose journey spans every role in the restaurant world, from dishwasher and busboy to Executive Chef and Global Director of Culinary.   After navigating the intense pressures and burnout so common in the indust...

Claim OnSite Energy offer here: https://tr.ee/MHLpWnIB95   Welcome to Bare Wires.   Today, we're joined by Frank Voce—a police officer, founder of Reps For Responders, and someone who's turned his own recovery into a mission to save lives.   After facing anxiety, depression, and addiction himself, Frank discovered that asking for help isn't weakness—it's strength.   Now, he's helping first respond...

Claim OnSite Energy offer here: https://tr.ee/MHLpWnIB95   Today’s conversation is with Simon Saadon, whose life traces a remarkable path across continents, cultures, and the search for identity.​Born into a Jewish Moroccan family and raised in Israel during a period of intense instability, Simon left for America as a young man with little more than determination and the drive to build something l...

Today, we're joined by an extraordinary leader, survivor, and advocate. Maria Trusa's journey began as an immigrant from the Dominican Republic and evolved into a powerful mission of healing, empowerment, and transformation. As CEO of Formé Medical Center, she's working to reimagine what healthcare should look like in America. As the founder of Yo Digo No Más, she's helping survivors of child sexu...

What was it like to grow up during American segregation — and then spend a lifetime fighting to dismantle injustice? Today’s guest is more than a witness to history — she helped shape it. Dr. Frances Pratt lived through the Jim Crow South, broke barriers in healthcare as Nyack Hospital’s first African American Emergency Room head nurse, and spent decades leading the fight for justice and equality...

Before Homicide Detective​ Sean O’Leary​'s career ever truly began, ​he ​almost lost everything to alcohol. Faced with the possibility of throwing away his dream job, he made a life-changing decision that would shape the man—and detective—he would become.   Sean opens up about his path from “troublemaker” to building a distinguished legacy in homicide investigations. We talk about the turning poin...

Born in Puerto Rico and raised in the South Bronx, Carlos Martinez grew up in an environment where the odds were stacked heavily against him.    In a high school class of 250, he was one of only 50 students to walk across the stage at graduation—a stark reality that shaped his perspective on survival and success long before he arrived in Rockland County to attend Nyack College.   ​In this episode,...

Claim OnSite Energy offer here: https://tr.ee/MHLpWnIB95   Welcome to Bare Wires, where we strip issues down to their raw truth and explore the systems shaping our lives.   Today, we’re joined by Sabrina Charles Pierre — educator, advocate, and former Vice President of the Ramapo Central School District Board of Education — a proud native of Spring Valley, New York and a passionate champion for th...

Welcome to Bare Wires—where raw stories spark real connection. In this episode, we sit down with Rob Spampinato, a passionate musician and teacher shaped by a life steeped in sound. Raised in a family where music wasn’t just a hobby but a way of life, Rob carries forward a powerful belief: music can heal, guide, and transform. From learning under a touring musician father to inspiring over 150 stu...

Paul Borghese is an actor, director, and producer with a career defined by grit, passion, and persistence. Born in the Bronx, where his family owned a popular clothing store, Paul later moved to Rockland County.  He began his professional journey in the restaurant business before deciding to pursue his true passion—acting. Over time, Paul built a distinguished career in both acting and directing,...

Welcome to Bare Wires, where real stories spark real connection.  Today, we sit down with Alays Aquino — a young man whose journey from the Dominican Republic to Rockland County NY is nothing short of inspiring.  Alays opens up about the challenges of adapting to a new country, learning English, and finding his place in a community that would eventually embrace him.  From cutting hair as a barber...

In this episode, we sit down with Congressman Mike Lawler, the Republican representative for New York’s 17th District.  We explore his journey from growing up in Rockland County to becoming a "straight-shooting" moderate leader in Washington.  Lawler discusses how his local roots in the Hudson Valley fuel his commitment to his constituents, even as he navigates the national spotlight.   ​Lawler’s...

In this episode, we hear from Andrew "Ace" Greenspan, a musician from Nyack, NY, whose life has been defined by a relentless drive to move forward.  Ace’s path hasn’t been easy—navigating life with autism while fighting a private battle with addiction.  For a long time, the weight of those struggles threatened to pull him under. But this isn't a story about staying down.  It’s about what happens w...

If you saw Josiah Dyer working at his father’s business in Charleston, Maine, you’d see a hardworking 20-year-old in his element.  But the moment he opens his mouth to sing, everything stops.  Josiah possesses a deep, powerful voice that seems far beyond his years—a voice that “doesn’t fit” his young age.  It’s exactly this contrast that leaves people in awe the first time they hear him.  From the...

Today, we’re heading to Newburgh, N​Y—one of the poorest cities in the state, a place marked by systemic poverty and unrelenting violence, and too often defined by what it lacks rather than what it holds. Our guest is Father Mark Connell, who leads San Miguel Academy, an independent, 100% scholarship-driven initiative working to break the cycle of poverty through education. San Miguel provides a s...

Welcome to Bare Wires—where we trace the signals that keep culture human. Today we’re talking with Ken Freedman, the longtime steward of WFMU, ​the oldest freeform radio station in the ​United States: 100% listener-supported, zero corporate sponsors, and DJs who play whatever the hell they want. For ​over 40 years, Ken has helped build not just a station, but a community—an oasis for ​e​ccentrics,...

Welcome to Bare Wires.  Today’s conversation is deeply rooted—literally.  Sheriff Lou Falco didn’t just grow up in Rockland County, he grew with it.  A lifelong resident who knows its history, its people, and its challenges, Sheriff Falco approaches his role with humility, accountability, and a deep respect for the public trust.  He doesn’t take the badge—or the voters—lightly.  From honoring Rock...

Today's guest has walked a path few dare to tread. George Hoehmann began his journey as a Catholic priest, dedicating his life to service, faith, and community.  But his calling didn’t stop there.  In 2015, George was elected Town Supervisor of Clarkstown NY, stepping into the political arena with the same purpose-driven mindset — but with very different tools.  Since taking office in 2016, he’s f...

This episode is nothing short of inspiring.  At just 13, Carlos “Coca” Bernard was diagnosed with leukemia.  After two grueling years of treatment, just when things seemed to be improving, he was hit with an even rarer diagnosis: aHUS—an ultra-rare autoimmune disease that affects fewer than 1,000 people in the U.S.  But what makes Carlos truly extraordinary isn’t just his resilience—it’s his heart...