The New Yorkers Podcast

New York City During the Revolutionary War! -With Peter Aigner

In this episode, Kelly is joined by NYC Historian Peter Aigner! He is the director of the Gotham Center for New York City History, and the co-founder of “Echos of Revolution: NYC,” A new immersive walking tour experience that uses geolocation to put you in the world of historic New York. Join them, as Peter talks to Kelly about the process of obtaining his PHD. Peter talks about why he decided to pursue higher education, and talks a bit about the history of the study of history and why it was important for him in his family. Peter talks about his family's chocolate shop and how it's been around for 100 years! He talks about the legacy of the shop and being a part of it while he was growing up.  Kelly and Peter talk about some important figures and time periods in NYC history. Peter talks about how we are currently in the second Gilded Age and makes comparisons to the first one. Peter talks about Daniel Patrick Moynihan and the book that he's writing about him: what his legacy was, how he was a scholar, as well as his influence on modern politics. They also talk a bit about the history of transportation in America and the significance of the Highway Act. Kelly asks Peter about Echoes of Revolution. Peter talks about the inspiration behind the project. He talks about how he got involved with Niantic and Ubisoft, bringing them together to revolutionize the tour business. Peter talks about how the app works and what people will get from using it. He talks about the process of designing the tours and how they wanted the experience to work, and how being in person enhances the experience for the users.  Kelly asks Peter about New York City during the time of the revolution. Peter talks about how many people lived in the city at the time, what percentage of them were revolutionaries, loyalists, or in between. Peter talks about what the city limits were at that time, and how New York was impacted by the battles, the invasion, and the fires. He talks about why New York was such an important city during the Revolutionary Era and how it was left out of the conversation nationally.  Finally, Kelly asks Peter some quickfire questions about his favorite historical spots, his favorite historical figures who came from New York City, and what NYC means to him in one word.  But above all else; Peter Aigner is a New Yorker! Kelly's Social Media @NewYorkCityKopp Peter's Social Media  @gothamcenternychistory Jae's Social Media @Studiojae170

Vietnamese Coffee in New York City! -With Kim Lee

In this episode; Kelly is joined by: Kim Lee! She is the owner and founder of Kawaii Coffee, and an immigrant from Vietnam.  Kim recently opened her coffee shop in the west village, which had been a dream of hers for a while. After attending business school and working in midtown at a nail salon, she decided her next step was to run her own business. Kelly asks Kim about moving from Vietnam to the United States. How the culture differs, what was hard to adjust to, what was more similar than you might think, and what it's like starting over in a completely new country. Kim talks about the coffee culture in Vietnam. She tells us how life is much slower there: people go to their favorite coffee shops at around 7 in the morning and wait two full hours for it to drip while they are there! She talks about how they use condensed milk as a sweetener, and the different reasons Vietnamese people go out for coffee. Kelly asks Kim what parts of that culture she hoped to bring with her to New York. Kelly asks Kim about Vietnamese culture in New York. They talk about the food, different events, and how Kim can contribute to that culture.  Finally, Kelly asks Kim some quick fire questions about coffee, culture, and where she likes to live. But above all else; Kim Lee is a New Yorker. Kelly's Social Media @NewYorkCityKopp Kim's Social Media  @Kawaiicafe203 You can find her shop here: 117 Christopher St, New York, NY 10014 Jae's Social Media @Studiojae170

New Yorkers Build This City! -With Jim Somoza

With me today, I have Jim Somoza! He is the Managing Director at Industry City.  Join them on this episode where they go back in time. Jim tells us what it was like growing up in New York in the 70s and 80s. He talks about how his dad moved to an apartment on the upper west side, overlooking central park. He tells us how he would spend his afternoons in the parks, and weekends in the west village with his best friend. He talks about going to the arcades in Times Square, as well as other games they made up to entertain themselves.  Jim then talks about his time as a Real Estate Lawyer. How when he started his practice, it was very difficult to find work. But after sticking with it, even through the crash of the late 90s, he was able to find work and also met people that would bring him to his next career shift in working on Chelsea Market. Kelly asks Jim about the history of Chelsea market: How it got started, what it was like to work there, and he tells us about its founders' vision and what he wanted Chelsea Market to be. Kelly also asks him about a famous sweet treat that was invented at Chelsea Market, and Jim tells us a little known fact about it.  Jim then talks about his time developing Industry City. He talks about how the proposal came to him. He tells us what Industry City used to be and how it used to function. He talks about how large it is in comparison to Chelsea Market and even the Empire State building. He then tells us what his strategy was in order to get not only retailers in the space, but also offices and patrons. Jim talks about the community aspect of Industry City, and what he hopes people will get from it when they come for a visit.  But above all else; Jim Somoza is a New Yorker. Kelly's Social Media @NewYorkCityKopp Jim's Social Media and Industry City @Jim_Somoza @IndustryCity Jae's Social Media @Studiojae170

Thriller NYC! -With Zombie Papas: Jorge and Todd

In this episode, Kelly is joined by Zombie Papas Jorge and Todd, the organizers of Thriller NYC!  Join them as they introduce themselves. Jorge tells us how he came to New York, and what it was like moving here. Todd on the otherhand, talks about being third generation from Brooklyn. They tell us about how they met, as well as their costume wedding. They talk about how they found Thriller NYC and how long they've been involved with it.  Jorge talks about the founding of thriller in the west village Halloween parade. He talks about the first time it was done and what it was like when it first started. He talks about how he initially joined another thriller group because Thriller NYC was full. Todd talks about how Jorge invited him to join thriller one year, but not in the way that he had wanted to.  Kelly asks about the process of putting together something so massive. Todd talks about the process of how people get tickets and join the group. He goes over what the rehearsals look like as well as what the time table is like to put on something like that. They both talk about what people are getting out of their ticket. They talk about how it is important for them to form a safe community, and they emphasise moving your body in community, and the healing power that it can have. Jorge and Todd thank Kelly for his viral video of the performance, and they talk about how that helped them get put back on the map and continue post Covid. They also talk about what it feels like to put together this massive project every year, and the cultural impact that it has on the world. They talk about their trip to South Africa and how Thriller even has an impact there.  Finally, Kelly asks them some quick fire questions about the dance, the halloween parade, the costumes, and where to eat after.  But, above all else; Jorge and Todd are New Yorkers.  Kelly's Social Media @NewYorkCityKopp Join Thriller NYC! https://www.thrillernyc.com/ [https://andrewfisherwriter.com/] @Thrillernyc Donate to the village Halloween parade! https://halloween-nyc.com/donate/ [https://halloween-nyc.com/donate/]  Jae's Social Media @Studiojae170

New Yorkers are Humanitarians - With Andy Fisher

In this episode, Kelly is joined by author Andy Fisher! He is the retired founding executive director of the Lavelle Fund for the Blind. He has 35 years of experience in New York City charitable foundations, and is a winner of the Helen Keller International’s Humanitarian Award. Inspired by the humanitarian efforts of the past, he has written his first book about an unsung New Yorker: Nathan Straus. Kelly asks Andy about his growing up, and work. Andy tells Kelly what lead him to New York and to what his passion ended up becoming. Andy talks about retirement and how he was inspired to write a book about Nathan Straus. Andy talks about the writing process. He thanks the publishers, and the fellow scholars that helped him finish the book. He talked about how he came upon Straus, and why he thought it was important to tell his story.  Kelly asks Andy about Nathan Straus: Where he was born, what his family life was like, when he moved to New York, and how he made his fortune. Andy talks about how he immegrated from Europe in the early 1800s and what that was like. He told Kelly about how the Civil War ruined his family's buisness. He talks about how his family moved to New York and was able to secure some retail spacy in the well known Macy's!  Kelly asks Andy about his humanitarian efforts. Andy tells Kelly about how he was a champion of milk pasteurization at a time when the whole world was against it. Andy explained how Straus saved countless lives by ensuring that everyone had access to the information about pasteurization and pasteurized milk to drink.  Andy then talks about his efforts to help people abroad, and talks about his humanitarian efforts in the middle east, as well as how he helped Jewish people, as well as Palestinians.  Kelly asks Andy about Nathan's Brother and the Titanic: he tells the story of the families fatefull travel.  Finally Kelly asks Andy about how Nathan had said that he wanated to give away all of his money. Andy talks about Nathan's father's philosophy growing up and how that effected him. He talks about the different ways in which he helped the homeless, and helped the community during financial hardships and how even in his most succesfull moment in life, he was humble and knew his limits.  But above all else; Nathan Straus and Andy Fisher are New yorkers!  Kelly's Social Media @NewYorkCityKopp Buy Andy's Book! https://andrewfisherwriter.com/ [https://andrewfisherwriter.com/] Or anywhere you buy books. Jae's Social Media @Studiojae170