Sandra Hackz and Susana Osorio | 05-17-26

No Excuses with Fernando Mateo | 06-07-26

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 financial ruin of his business, La Marina, as a consequence of his political involvement. The source serves as both a personal memoir and a cautionary tale, warning listeners that while success attracts fair-weather allies, the "divisive business" of politics often results in personal attacks and professional sabotage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

No Excuses with Fernando Mateo | 05-31-26

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 family sacrifice. Central to his narrative are the influential allies who offered him opportunities, ranging from a furniture store owner who taught him product expertise to a legal advocate who saved his career from a false IRS investigation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

No Excuses with Fernando Mateo | 05-24-26

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 Bodegas of America and the National Supermarkets Association suggest that the Mayor is prioritizing political optics and ego over practical solutions like subsidies for established neighborhood stores. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Sandra Hackz and Susana Osorio | 05-17-26

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 city-mandated pedestrian plaza that the owners claim has decimated their visibility and customer access, leading to a staggering loss of revenue and staff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Jake Novak | 05-17-26

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 speakers propose that government officials should threaten their tax privileges unless these schools direct a portion of their wealth toward building and managing high-quality private or charter schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]