Harsh Truths with Norman Seabrook

On this episode, Norm breaks down New York City’s budget, warning that so-called balanced budgets are often built on the backs of blue-collar and municipal workers. He sounds off on PEGs, agency cuts, pattern bargaining, contract negotiations, Tier 6 pensions, correction officer staffing, Medicaid, pension freezes, and the long-term costs that could hit police, fire, sanitation, correction, teache...

On this episode, Norman follows up on his conversation with Bruce Blakeman and digs deeper into what he says is at stake for New York’s blue-collar and municipal workers. He sounds off on pension tiers, contract negotiations, pattern bargaining, sick time, congestion pricing, subway violence, public safety, sales taxes, housing, and the failures of Albany leadership. Norm argues that police, fire,...

On this episode, Norman sits down with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of New York State. Blakeman discusses rising taxes, utility costs, public safety concerns, and policy failures he says are driving residents and businesses out of the state. He also lays out his approach to lowering costs, strengthening law enforcement, supporting working fam...

On this episode, Norm calls out New York City and New York State elected officials for failing to address the issues hurting everyday New Yorkers. From crime in the streets and dirty neighborhoods to liquor stores on every corner, Albany’s lack of term limits, and politicians focusing on everything except their own city, Norm says it is time for real accountability. He argues that leaders must sto...

On this episode, Norm breaks down a disturbing NYPD arrest caught on video and the serious questions it raises about use of force, supervision, and accountability. Paul Townsend joins the conversation to analyze the Timothy Brown case, where a mistaken identity arrest escalated into what appears to be excessive force. They walk through what went wrong, how situations like this are supposed to be h...

On this episode, Norm sits down with Sarena Townsend to break down the current state of New York City’s correction system and the real issues impacting officers on the ground. They dive into Rikers Island conditions, officer discipline cases, and how internal investigations are being handled, along with the challenges many correction officers face when navigating the system. Sarena shares her pers...

On this episode, Norman sits down with Raul Rivera to break down the real issues facing New York City. From his frontline advocacy for Taxi and Limousine Commission drivers to his concerns about city leadership, Rivera speaks openly about policies, accountability, and the struggles impacting everyday New Yorkers. This unfiltered conversation dives into driver rights, political decisions, and the b...

On this episode, Norman sounds the alarm on a city spiraling out of control. From skyrocketing living costs to failed leadership and broken promises, New Yorkers are feeling the pressure like never before. Norman is joined by former NYPD commanding officer Corey Pegues to break down what’s really happening on the streets. They dive into the growing disconnect between communities and police, the da...

On this episode, Norman sits down with retired Attica correction officer and union leader Rick Harcrow for a blunt conversation about the growing crisis inside New York’s correctional system. They discuss the strike by correction officers, the firing of thousands of officers, the use of the National Guard inside prisons, dangerous staffing shortages, forced overtime, inmate violence, and what they...

On this episode, Norm Seabrook takes a deep dive into New York City’s controversial plan to close Rikers Island and replace it with four borough-based jails that could cost taxpayers as much as $16 billion or more. Joined by longtime corrections official Mike Caruso, Norm examines the real costs, the policy decisions behind the plan, and whether rebuilding and reforming Rikers might be a more prac...

On this episode, Norm breaks down the growing crisis inside New York City’s jail system and the ongoing debate over closing Rikers Island. Drawing from his firsthand experience working on the island and serving as a correction officers union leader, Norm discusses the violence, mismanagement, and leadership failures that have plagued the facility for years. He questions the city’s plan to spend bi...

Harsh Truths with Norman Seabrook is where real conversations begin. In this trailer episode, Norman Seabrook sets the tone for a bold, no-nonsense discussion about the issues affecting families across New York City and New York State. From education and policing to housing, public policy, and the rising cost of living, nothing is off limits. This weekly podcast cuts through partisan talking point...