Guys Behind The Glass

Republican candidate and entrepreneur Fernando Mateo shares his personal journey from high school dropout to successful businessman to illustrate that achievement is built through grit rather than handed out. He details how he overcame poverty and systemic obstacles by seeking out mentorship from experienced figures and maintaining an relentless, "hungry" work ethic that often required extreme fam...

Fernando Mateo and his guests criticize a proposal by Mayor Mandami to open city-run grocery stores in New York City. The conversation highlights the perceived absurdity of claiming a single Bronx location can serve millions, arguing instead that the government should support existing small businesses rather than using taxpayer dollars to compete against them. Mateo and leaders from the United Bod...

Susana Osorio and Sandra Hackz discussing the dramatic rise and decline of the Dykeman Street business corridor in Inwood. The conversation highlights how these women transformed a once-dangerous neighborhood into a thriving hub for upscale dining and outdoor cafes, only to face a modern crisis characterized by skyrocketing rents and restrictive urban planning. The primary conflict centers on a ci...

Fernando Mateo and Jake Novak critique Ivy League universities for amassing massive endowments while failing to improve the struggling public education systems in their surrounding communities. They argue that these elite institutions operate as tax-exempt entities and major landowners, yet they "game the system" by prioritizing status and endowment growth over genuine social responsibility. The s...

Fernando Mateo gives a critical look at the economic and educational failures currently affecting New York City’s local communities. The program begins by highlighting the struggles of small business owners on Dykeman Street, where high taxes, soaring rents, and restrictive urban plazas have turned a once-vibrant restaurant row into a "desert" for female entrepreneurs. Mateo and his guests advocat...

Fernando Mateo and guest Jake Novak critique the current political and social landscape of New York City, specifically targeting government inefficiency and the protection of criminals over victims. The duo expresses deep frustration with elected officials who allegedly prioritize anti-enforcement rhetoric and support for undocumented offenders over the safety of working-class residents and the in...

Fernando Mateo interviews Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso regarding his background and his run for the U.S. Congress. The dialogue highlights a sharp contrast between Reynoso’s belief in socialist principles and government assistance as a foundation for equity and Mateo’s staunch defense of individualism and the American dream. While Reynoso views his political success as a result of bo...

Fernando Matteo interviews former New York City Taxi and Limousine Commissioner David Do to reflect on his four-year tenure and the evolving state of the industry. The conversation centers on Do's efforts to provide financial relief for medallion owners through debt restructuring and his push for the Green Rides Initiative, which mandates a transition to electric vehicles for ride-share giants lik...

Fernando Mateo engages in separate dialogues with Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and former TLC Commissioner David Do. The discussions explore the friction between individual ambition and government support, highlighting Mateo’s belief in self-reliance versus Reynoso’s focus on the systemic necessity of socialist principles to bolster the middle class. In the second segment, the conver...

New York City Comptroller Mark Levine outlines his vision for the city’s financial future and explains his role as the Chief Financial Officer responsible for managing a $320 billion pension fund. Levine emphasizes his commitment to economic development and fiscal oversight, specifically through his power to audit city agencies and investigate wasteful spending. The conversation highlights a tensi...

Fernando Mateo speaks with leaders from the National Supermarket Association, an organization representing approximately one thousand independent grocers primarily owned by Dominican immigrants. The dialogue centers on a critique of a government proposal by Mayor Zohran Mandami to open a taxpayer-funded grocery store, which the guests argue is an inefficient use of resources compared to subsidizin...

Fernando Mateo first interviews representatives from the National Supermarkets Association, who argue that taxpayer-funded government competition and unchecked illegal street vending undermine the stability of independent, immigrant-owned grocery stores. The dialogue then shifts to an interview with City Comptroller Mark Levine, focusing on his role as the chief financial officer responsible for o...

Fernando Mateo explores the evolving landscape of modern business, focusing on the shift from traditional media to social media marketing and recent legislative changes affecting the hospitality industry. Mateo and guest Alex Betton Court discuss the risks of influencer fraud, warning business owners to investigate engagement metrics rather than relying on potentially fake follower counts purchase...

Fernando Mateo leads a discussion with restaurant owner Peter Kambitzis and tax expert Eddie Estrella regarding the federal elimination of taxes on tips. The conversation highlights how this policy, alongside the removal of taxes on overtime pay, aims to increase the spending power of the working class and help families manage the high cost of living. A central theme is the disconnect between fede...

Fernando Mateo explores the evolving landscape of modern business by focusing on the shift from traditional media to digital marketing and the legislative impacts on the service industry. The conversation begins with marketing specialist Alex Betancourt, who warns entrepreneurs about the risks of influencer fraud, specifically the prevalence of fake followers and engagement that can drain a compan...

Fernando Mateo critiques the current New York City administration for prioritizing political symbolism over the practical needs of the business community and public safety. Mateo facilitates a dialogue with former Corrections Commissioner Lewis Molina, who argues that the plan to replace Riker's Island with neighborhood jails is a fiscally irresponsible project driven by activists rather than effe...

Fernando Mateo speaks with Bronx supermarket owner Marvin Cruz to highlight the unsustainable challenges facing small businesses in New York City. The conversation centers on the rise of unregulated street vendors who sell produce and perishables directly outside established stores, creating a competitive disadvantage for tax-paying owners burdened by high overhead and strict health inspections. C...

Fernando Matteo and former corrections commissioner Louis Molina critique the current administration's handling of the New York City jail system, specifically focusing on the escalating costs and delays associated with closing Rikers Island. They argue that replacing the island with community-based jails is a waste of taxpayer billions and fails to address the underlying issue of managing a violen...

Today, Fernando Mateo discusses the socioeconomic challenges facing New York’s workforce. The first segment highlights the hardships of TSA agents during a government shutdown, emphasizing their struggle to pay basic bills while advocating for Title 5 status to achieve pay parity with other federal agencies. Mateo then shifts focus to the taxi and transportation industry, critiquing high fuel cost...

Fernando Mateo interviews union leaders representing TSA agents who endured an extended period of work without pay during a government shutdown. The discussion highlights the personal financial hardships faced by these essential security workers and emphasizes their continued dedication to national safety despite receiving near-minimum wages. The participants identify a systemic failure in how the...

Fernando Mateo discusses the economic and safety challenges currently facing New York City’s transportation industry. During an interview with Germaine Zayas of the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers, the conversation highlights how rising fuel costs and ride-share price surging are burdening both drivers and passengers. To provide relief, the participants advocate for non-emergency medical...

On the premiere of No Excuses with Fernando Mateo, Fernando is joined in studio by former New York City Mayor Eric Adams to talk about his life after the mayorship, New York politics, and much more. In the next hour, Fernando and Jake Novak discuss the breaking news of Curtis Sliwa's skit collaboration with Mayor Mamdani and what it should show New Yorkers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

Fernando Mateo is joined by former Mayor of New York City Eric Adams. They discuss the mayor's life after office, the state of New York politics and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices