Summer Youth Podcast Academy

With all the incredible food New York City has to offer, how do you make a name for yourself as a chef and restaurant owner? Since moving from Italy to New York City in 2012, chef Silvia Barban has distinguished herself as an ambassador of Italian cuisine, serving fresh pastas at three popular restaurants in Brooklyn: LaRina Pastificio & Vino, Briscola Trattoria and Tortelli. She’s even compet...

In each of chef Wesly Jean Simon’s dishes is a promise he made to his mother when he was a teenager in Haiti. Before allowing him to move to the United States, she required that he learn how to cook. And what did he make to prove himself? An entire Easter dinner. Today, Simon is the proud owner of Djon Djon in Prospect Lefferts Gardens, where he mixes local Brooklyn energy with traditional Haitian...

Ordering a coffee is the kind of mundane activity that doesn’t typically leave much of an impression. At cafe chain Daily Provisions in downtown Manhattan, barista Iphigene "Iphy" Murphy strives to overturn these expectations and positively impact each of her customers. Whether she’s concocting an off-menu hot chocolate for one of her regulars or putting extra effort into a latte for someone havin...

After becoming involved with the criminal justice system as a youth, Fred Sarabia found work as a dishwasher. He fell in love with the kitchen and discovered Drive Change, a nonprofit organization that provides hospitality training, professional development and mentorship to court-involved New Yorkers. Working his way up to a culinary assistant, Fred shares the lessons he's learned along the way a...

Located in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen, Sacco Pizza has been a fixture in the neighborhood since the 1960s. Boasting classic New York slices and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, this family-owned pizzeria is a favorite of locals and tourists alike. In this episode, Pete Cerasuolo shares how he grew up in the business until eventually taking the reins from his father and uncle. Through various ups and...

Neighborhood diners have always been about more than just food. They’re about familiarity and community. But in a city that’s always changing, who keeps these institutions alive? Ben Gross grew up visiting the beloved Brooklyn Heights diner, Happy Days. When the restaurant closed in 2022, Ben and his friends decided to purchase it and build their own neighborhood gathering place: Montague Diner. S...

Melissa Groneveldt launched her cookie business in 2020, inspired by the question: “What if people on a keto diet didn’t have to miss out on great desserts?” In the years since, she’s developed a loyal following by baking gluten- and sugar-free treats that delight even the biggest skeptics, selling over 75,000 cookies. By naming the business “Monshe” in honor of her mother, Melissa celebrates her...

New Yorkers’ tastes are constantly changing—much like the city’s temperamental weather. Shops go out of business or age out of popularity. Twist It Top It rises above it all. In this episode, the popular Howard Beach dessert shop’s owner, John Gurino, keeps it real, sharing how he implemented changes to both the menu and social media marketing to keep the shop fresh and exciting. Venice Tineo is a...

In her restaurant’s 20 years in business, Cheryl Smith has experienced every trial within the food industry. Yet from a worldwide pandemic to neighborhood gentrification and so much more, one word defines Cheryl as consistently as her food: perseverance. This story follows Cheryl through her first forays into cooking, her introduction to the food industry, and the eventual opening of her restauran...

Professor Edward Miller has spent nearly three decades teaching film and media at the College of Staten Island, helping students launch their careers in New York’s film and television industry. A Brooklyn native, he studied literature and film at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and earned his doctorate from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts before finding a lasting home at the...

The work of teaching goes far beyond the lesson plan. It is a daily act of care, patience and persistence. In this episode, English teacher Molly Sherman of Harvest Collegiate High School shares what it means to show up for students not just in the classroom but in life. The story explores the unseen side of education: the emotional weight teachers carry, the relationships that sustain them and th...

Most people run from danger. Braulio Roman runs toward it. In this episode, we visit FDNY Engine 318/Ladder 166 in Coney Island to meet Braulio, a firefighter whose path to public service began with a simple act of kindness. Years before joining the FDNY, a firefighter helped him unlock his car when he was a struggling 17-year-old father trying to get to work. That moment changed how he saw the wo...

Every building in New York City, from the tallest skyscraper to the smallest storefront, is shaped by zoning laws, the rules that determine what can be built, where, and how land is used. In this episode, Christian Chand interviews Talia Clarick, a zoning urban designer at the New York City Department of City Planning, about how those laws influence daily life. Clarick discusses her work on the Ci...

What does a paraprofessional really do — and why are they so essential to the classroom? In this episode, Rayleen Laloi explores the role through the story of her mother, Colleen Chance, who works one-on-one with students at P.S. 770 in Brooklyn. From the postwar roots of the job to its impact today, Rayleen uncovers how paras have become a cornerstone of inclusive education in New York City. Thro...

For many people, the yellow taxi is synonymous with New York City itself. However, behind every cab is a system that keeps the wheels turning. In this episode, Jasper Mallorca sits down with Simeon Mesina, a lawyer in the Taxi and Limousine Commission’s prosecution unit who handles cases involving drivers accused of violating TLC rules. He talks about delivering hard news, navigating frustration,...

When you think of who keeps New York City moving, you might picture the MTA, sanitation workers or social services, but what about the caregivers? In this episode, Halimatou Kanteh interviews her mother, Ndey Demba, a home health aide in New York City. In her role, she helps people — often seniors or those who are sick or disabled — with basic daily tasks at home. Ndey Demba shares the realities o...

Many people rush through New York City’s streets without a second thought, but some see them as opportunities to bring people together. This episode follows Luke Szabados, a project manager at the New York City Department of Transportation’s Transit Development Unit, who designs streets that help people move safely, connect with their surroundings and feel part of their communities. From his car-d...

In this episode, Dr. Kathyanne Davis, a Black social worker with the New York City Department of Education, shares the experiences that led her into the field and the passion that grounds her work. She speaks candidly about the challenges she has faced, the resilience it takes to thrive, and what it means to serve as both an advocate and a professional. Her story highlights perseverance, represent...

Brice Bowman’s life has been anything but ordinary. From a childhood of constant moves to years of traveling across Europe and India, he carried a passion for adventure and learning into his work as the mailroom and operations manager at Teach For America’s New York office. In this episode, he shares how those experiences inspired his career in public service and how his journey continues to shape...

Many high school track teams boast long histories of championship titles, top-tier equipment and state-of-the-art facilities. West End Secondary has none of that — only a devoted coach and a tight-knit community. Together, coach Robert Dice and his students have built a track program that is now challenging much larger schools. This episode follows their rise from underdogs to Public Schools Athle...

Follow Dawn Lee’s path from hospital administrator to community doula supporting families in neighborhoods identified by the city’s Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity. She gives back through doula services that nurture clients’ mental, emotional and physical well-being. In a conversation with her daughter, Zoë, Lee reflects on working in an often-unrecognized role and the deep emotional toll...

In this episode, explore the incredible story of Wilfredo de La Mota, or “Frank.” He is a Dominican barber at "The Best Barbers," a barbershop located in the Bronx. Frank has been cutting hair for over 35 years and shares his journey from a rural area in the Dominican Republic, to owning a barbershop in the Bronx, which became a pillar of his community. He discusses overcoming challenges such as i...

In a borough where fast food outnumbers healthy options, Felicia Forbes is making a difference with Freckle’s Juice. Hear about Felicia Forbes’s journey, from her humble beginnings selling juices from her Bronx apartment to operating a thriving juice bar chain. Despite facing significant challenges, including rising produce costs, she remains committed to improving health in her community. This ep...

Em Eason is the director of Skilled Craft Programs at The Beam Center, a nonprofit organization that empowers young people to explore their creativity and develop hands-on skills through collaborative projects in making and learning using tools like drills, welding torches, circuitry, sewing machines, and more. Em reflects on their journey from a small town in Colorado to leading exciting youth wo...

David Sisko is a leading music producer and owner of Min Max Studios in NYC. Hear about Sisko’s journey from synthesizer enthusiast to a pivotal figure in New York’s music scene. He shares insights into what makes his studio unique and how it connects diverse musical communities. Learn about the creativity and dedication that fuel his success in the industry. Avery Tapper is a junior at Eagle Acad...