Guys Behind The Glass

On today's episode, Fernando Mateo explores themes of public safety and judicial integrity, criticizing the current leadership’s handling of rising crime and the proposed closure of Riker’s Island. Through an interview with retired Warden Howard Robertson, the source emphasizes the importance of vocational training and mutual respect as tools for true rehabilitation over mass incarceration or syst...

Fernando Mateo hosts retired warden Howard Robertson to discuss the deepening crisis at Riker’s Island and the broader philosophy of rehabilitation over incarceration. Mateo opens the program by praising a Supreme Court decision regarding biological sex in sports, arguing that physical differences between men and women make trans-inclusive competition a matter of common sense and safety. The conve...

Fernando reflects on his week filling in on Sid & Friends alongside John Catsimatidis, Jake Novak, Judge Richard Weinberg, and George Venizelos, while thanking the WABC team for keeping the energy alive until Sid Rosenberg’s return. Fernando then turns to New York politics, sounding off on Zohran Mamdani’s political rise, the socialist movement gaining ground, low voter turnout, and what he calls...

Fernando Mateo delivers a scathing critique of a rival media personality, later identified as Curtis Sliwa, whom he labels the king of the haters and the losers. Mateo structures his program around several audio clips of his adversary to illustrate what he views as a pattern of destructive negativity and a lack of respect for hard work and success. He specifically defends high-profile figures like...

Fernando Mateo has a panel discussion regarding the tragic murder of Austin Metcalf, a white teenager stabbed by a black peer, Karmelo Anthony, during a track meet. Mateo and his diverse guests—representing black, white, and Hispanic perspectives—collectively argue that the case is a matter of right versus wrong rather than a racial conflict. They criticize the exploitation of race-baiting and the...

Businessman and former mayoral candidate Fernando Mateo reflects on his decades of community activism, detailing the rise and fall of high-profile initiatives like the "MIT" vocational program at Rikers Island and the "Toys for Guns" amnesty movement. Mateo weaves a narrative of professional success and political betrayal, specifically accusing former city and state leaders of orchestrating the fi...

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...