Princeton Podcast

In episode 75 of the Princeton Podcast, Mayor Mark Freda is joined by Evan Moorhead, the Executive Director of the Princeton Recreation Department.  As the department navigates its busiest summer season, Evan reflects on over 60 years of Princeton Recreation history, and what it means to be only the fourth director to steer the operation since its founding in 1964. Evan and Mark explore the evolut...

In episode74 of the Princeton Podcast, Mayor Mark Freda sat down with Julie Diana Hench, the Executive Director of the Princeton Ballet Society , for an in-depth discussion about the nonprofit organization's three distinct but unified parts: the American Repertory Ballet, the Princeton Ballet School, and their Access & Enrichment Program. Julie discusses the rich history and vital mission...

In episode 73 of the Princeton Podcast, Mayor Mark Freda talks with Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman about her life, her extensive career in public service, and her recent decision to retire. Bonnie Watson Coleman shares touching stories of growing up in Ewing Township, where her family's generosity and her grandfather's decency deeply shaped her character. She never planned to run for...

In episode 72 of the Princeton Podcast, Mayor Mark Freda sat down with Dana Caragine, President and CEO of the Princeton Federal Credit Union, for an engaging conversation about the organization's history and community-focused mission. Dana shared the inspiring story of the credit union's founding in 1972 by a diverse group of Princeton University administrators and professors determined t...

In this Episode 71, Mayor Mark Freda sat down with Jim Ferry , Princeton’s Animal Control Officer , for an illuminating conversation about the diverse wildlife and domestic animal concerns in our town. Jim explained that his primary objective is rabies control , a position created to manage this endemic zoonotic disease in New Jersey. He shared fascinating stories from his day-to-day work, includi...

Welcome to Episode 70 of the Princeton Podcast, sponsored by the Municipality of Princeton - encouraging civic participation and amplifying the voices that shape our community. In this episode, mayor Mark Freda sits down with Kevin Wilkes, Founder and Managing Partner at Princeton Design Guild. Kevin shares his experiences in local governance, including his tenure on the Borough Council from 2008...

Episode 69 - Show Notes Welcome to Episode 69 of the Princeton Podcast, sponsored by the Municipality of Princeton – encouraging civic participation and amplifying the voices that shape our community. In episode 69 of the Princeton Podcast, mayor Mark Freda is joined by Deanna Stockton, Princeton’s Deputy Administrator of Infrastructure and Operations, as well as our Municipal Engineer. Deanna exp...

In episode 68 of The Princeton Podcast, our podcast host, Princeton Mayor Mark Freda, welcomes New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy for a wide-ranging conversation about the Governor’s path into public service, his years in office, and the work that has defined his administration. Mark and Governor Murphy explore the Governor’s early motivations to run for office, tracing the story from his first conve...

In episode 67 of the Princeton Podcast, sponsored by the Municipality of Princeton, Mayor Mark Freda is joined by Princeton Municipal Councilperson Michelle Pirone Lambros for a conversation about the exciting transformation of Community Park South. Michelle shares the park’s deep history and its vital role in bringing Princeton residents together, especially those from the Witherspoon Jackson nei...

In Episode 66 of the Princeton Podcast, sponsored by the Municipality of Princeton, Mayor Mark Freda welcomes Helene Lanctuit, CEO of Share My Meals, a nonprofit dedicated to recovering surplus prepared meals and delivering them to communities in need across New Jersey. Founded in 2019, Share My Meals now recovers more than 20,000 meals each month, tackling both food insecurity and food waste. Hel...

In Episode 65 of the Princeton Podcast, sponsored by the Municipality of Princeton, Mayor Mark Freda is joined by Peter Gaines, the new Head of School at Princeton Friends School. With preschool through eighth grade now united on campus, Peter reflects on Princeton Friends School’s Quaker approach to learning and how their guiding values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and st...

In Episode 64 of the Princeton Podcast, Mayor Mark Freda is joined by Princeton Councilman David Cohen for an in-depth discussion about the municipality’s newly launched Vision Zero Initiative - an ambitious plan aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries in Princeton. Councilman Cohen outlines the core components of Vision Zero, including safer roadway design, public education,...

In Episode 63 of the Princeton Podcast, Mayor Mark Freda, welcomed Rhodalynn Jones, Princeton’s Director of Human Services and Affordable Housing. Rhodalyn shared insights into the growing challenges facing Princeton, including rising homelessness, food insecurity, and the need for more affordable housing. She described how her department coordinates essential services, youth programs, emergency h...

In episode 62 of the Princeton Podcast, our host, Mayor Mark Freda, welcomed Kim Clauss, Principal at St. Paul School. During their conversation, Kim shared the rich 137-year history of St. Paul School, its deep-rooted Catholic values, and its welcoming community spirit. She described the school’s evolution and how the role of the Sisters of Mercy has changed over time. Kim also discussed the scho...

In episode 61 of The Princeton Podcast , our podcast host, mayor Mark Freda, welcomes Derek Bridger, Princeton Zoning Officer to discuss the important and timely topic of Accessory Dwelling Units, or ADUs.  Mark and Derek explore how ADUs offer new housing options in Princeton, supporting affordability, aging in place, and the "missing middle" in our fully developed housing market. Derek d...

In Episode 60 of The Princeton Podcast , Mayor Mark Freda speaks with Kelley Nicholson-Flynn, Head of School at Princeton Day School.  During their interview, Kelley describes her path from science research to education, with leadership roles at Lawrenceville School and Riverdale Country School shaping her approach. She shares her enthusiasm for Princeton Day School’s mission, its focus on intelle...

In Episode 59 of The Princeton Podcast , our podcast host, mayor Mark Freda welcomed Brian McDonald, Princeton’s recently elected town councilman. Brian has been deeply involved in Princeton for years—most recently serving on the school board, as well as coaching in the Princeton Little League, and sitting on the boards of organizations including Sustainable Princeton and the Watershed Institute....

In Episode 58 of the Princeton Podcast, Mayor Mark Freda welcomed Adam Kooker, our new Princeton Fire Department Chief. Adam talked about his transition into the role, his leadership philosophy, and how the department blends volunteer and career firefighters to provide seamless emergency response services. He discussed the process of becoming a volunteer firefighter, from initial applications and...

In Episode 57 of the Princeton Podcast, our Princeton Podcast host, Mayor Mark Freda, welcomed Mitch Henderson, Princeton University Men’s Basketball Coach. Mitch discussed his journey from a Princeton University student-athlete to the head coach of the Princeton University men’s basketball team. Graduating in 1998 and becoming head coach in 2011, Mitch recounted thrilling NCAA tournament experien...

In Episode 56 of the Princeton Podcast, our Princeton Podcast host, Mayor Mark Freda, welcomed Lori Rabon, Palmer Square & Nassau Inn Vice President. Lori and Mark discuss the Nassau Inn's recognition as a Historic Hotel of America, highlighting its preservation of traditional architecture and its significant history dating back to 1756. Lori elaborates on her role as Palmer Square Managem...

In Episode 55 of the Princeton Podcast, our Princeton Podcast host, Mayor Mark Freda, welcomed Richard Rein, Editor of TAPinto Princeton and a lifelong Princeton area newspaper journalist. In their conversation, Rich shared the origins of his journalism career, reflecting on his early inspiration and passion for storytelling. He discussed his experiences at the Daily Princetonian and Time magazine...

In episode 54 of the Princeton Podcast, our Princeton Podcast host, Mayor Mark Freda, welcomed Lawrence Patton, Head of School at the Princeton Charter School . In their conversation, Larry provided an in-depth overview of charter schools, contrasting them with traditional public schools. He detailed the school's operations, including funding, governance, and enrollment processes. Larry descri...

In episode 53 of the Princeton Podcast, our Princeton Podcast host, Mayor Mark Freda, welcomed Dr. Kathie Foster, Acting Superintendent of Princeton Public Schools. In their conversation, Kathy shared her deep passion for education, highlighting her commitment to student-centered values and the importance of community involvement. She discussed her background in various educational roles, emphasiz...

In episode 52 of the Princeton Podcast, our podcast host, Mayor Mark Freda, welcomed Rebecca Flemer, Co-Chairman of the Marquand Park Foundation. Marquand Park is a 17-acre municipal park in Princeton known for its historical significance and diverse tree collection. Becca detailed the park's history, starting from the land's original ownership by William Penn and its subsequent transfer t...

In Episode 51 of the Princeton Podcast, our Princeton Podcast host, Mayor Mark Freda, welcomed Andrew Siegel, Hamilton Jewelers fourth generation COO. Andrew described his family’s four-generation history of Hamilton Jewelers from its first store established in Trenton in 1912 to its current five stores, three of which are here in downtown Princeton.   Andrew discussed his lifelong involvement wit...