The New Yorkers Podcast

Exploring Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty - With Justin Southern

In this Episode, Kelly is joined by historian, Justin Southern!  Join them as Justin tells Kelly how he first became a tourguide. He talks about his time teaching English in Italy, responding to an ad to become a tourguide while living in Italy, and how he came to New York.  Kelly asks Justin about imigration before Ellis Island. Justin talks about the different ways that people emmegrated from their home countries before the US created a way, on the federal level, for people to immigrate to the United States. Justin talks about the creation of Ellis Island and the first ship that landed on the island. He talks about how many immagrants went through Ellis Island during its peak use. Then he talks about how many immigrants were turned away from staying in the US due to sickness, and puts into perspective how small a number that is. Kelly asks Justin what people did while they were on Ellis Island. Justin tells him how they had different wards of the hospital and the different patients they took at each. He tells us about how due to the previlance of disease, children had to be seperated from their families. He also talks about how nurses and doctors made huge advancements in health during this time period because they were able to study so many patients. Justin also gives somes stories about how nurses befriended their patients and stayed connected even after they made it back to the mainland.  Finaly, Kelly asks Justin about the Hard Hat Tour, Justin tells everyone what they can experience when they take the tour. He also gives some great tips for visiting Ellis Island and the stature of Liberty. He also tells everyone how they can take the hard hat tour.  Kelly also tells everyone about his experience taking the hard hat tour. He talks about what he saw on the tour as well as what it felt like to be in the space that so many immagrants went through.    But above all else; Justin Southern is a New Yorker.   Follow Justin Southern  @Southbysouthern   Follow Kelly Kopp's Social media @NewYorkCityKopp   Follow Jae's Social Media @Studiojae170

The Manhattan Borough President! -With Mark Levine

In this episode, Kelly is joined by Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine.  Join them as Mark tells Kelly and Jae about how he got his start in politics: His origin as a teacher, in the south Bronx, and how he saw a need in his community and filled it.  Kelly asks Mark about his journey to where he is now. What his early campaigns were like, the first races he ran, and what kept him in it even when he faced hardships.  Mark tells us about the job of the Manhattan Borough President: what his duties are, what he has power over, and what he has used his position to accomplish.  Mark then talks about his journey to become Comptroler of New York City. What that job means, what all it entails and how it exists in relationship to the Mayor.  Finally Mark talks about what he hopes to accomplish as the Comptroler of the city. He talks about affordablity, and financing ways to reach these goals. Mark also talks about how he would work with Zohran Mamdani, if he were to become Mayor of New York, and how their goals align for a more affordable New York.  But above all else; Mark Levine is a New Yorker.    Follow Mark Levine @MBPMarkLevine   Kelly's Social Media @NewYorkCityKopp   Jae's Social Media @Studiojae170

The New Yorkers Go Inside Broadway! -With Michael Presser

In this Episode, Kelly is joined by President and Founder Michael Presser!  Join them as Michael tells Kelly and Jae how he fell in love with theater. From a young age, his Aunts took him to see broadway stars as they developed shows in Philidalphia. He talks about how he knew that he wanted to move to New York to be a part of that because of those experiences.  Michael tells The New Yorkers that he is working on a new book! And he talks about the writing process and how it has brought up memories of his journey to where he is now. He also gives some advice to young people who are starting out in their careers.  Kelly asks Michael about Inside Broadway, What the organization does, how it got founded, and what kind of programs it runs. Michael talks about how it started from a simple task that he was asked to help out with. He tells us about the importance of art in young people's lives and how his organization's sole purpose is to be a vehicle for that.  Jae asks Michael about the trade ascpet of theater, and Michael talks about how theater is a vast field of job opportunities for people to go into. He talks about the different skills that are required to put on productions.  Kelly asks Michael about the Cats ticket program. Michael tells the story about how that was the thing that started inside broadway. He talks about how it has changed the lives of hundreds of kids, and how he hopes that it provides a ripple effect in that other kids and families will get to enjoy theater.  The New Yorkers talk about the future of theater: how the industry was affected by covid, how advertising strategies have evolved, how the media plays a part in theater, and how social media has effected the theater landscape.  But above all else; Michael Presser is a New Yorker.    Follow Inside Broadway @Inside_Broadway   Kelly's Social Media @NewYorkCityKopp   Jae's Social Media @Studiojae170

Exploring the City's Secrets through Open House New York! -With Kristin LaBuz

In this Episode, Kelly is Joined by Open House New York Executive Director Kristin LaBuz! Join them as Kristin tells us how she became an urban enthusiest, growing up in upstate New York. She talks about going to UPENN and studying Urban Planning. She tells us about some of the work that she's done improving communities on her way to working with Open House New York. Kelly asks Kristin about Open House New York Weekend. Kristin tells him about all of the different events and activities that are taking place October 17th-19th, 2025. Kristin tells us how Open House New York got started, and how it was an act of rebellion during a time where things were very closed off.  Kelly tells Kristin how much he loves doing the open house events, getting to see private residences, secret rooftops, and the under guts of the city. Kristin talks about raising a child in the city. How the world is her child's teacher and how everthing is amazing to a child. She tells a heartwarming story about how kind New Yorkers can be.  Jae asks about the scavenger hunts that Open House New York puts on and Krisitn talks about what go into those and when you can participate.  Kelly asks Kristin some rappid fire questions about her time with Open House New York. And finally, Kristin asks Kelly what he would want to see opened up.  But above all else; Kristin LaBuz is a New Yorker.   Follow Open House New York  @OpenHouseNewYork   Kelly's Social Media @NewYorkCityKopp

Creating Modern New York City! -With Madelyn Wils

In this Episode: Kelly is joined by Civic Leader, Madelyn Wils! She was on the Tribeca Community Board, Head of the Hudson River Park Trust, and is now overseeing the 400 Million Dollar Overhaul of 5th ave.  From Kelly asking where Madelyn was from, they learn that they lived on the same block in washington Heights! Madelyn tells Kelly about her time in Television: Working in advertisment sales to selling tv shows, to eventually running her own company and Producing her own shows. Madelyn also tells kelly about the discrimination that she faced and the sexism that was pervasive in the industry.  Kelly asks Madelyn about working with Charlie Rose and Larry King. Madelyn tells some funny stories about working behind the scenes on their shows.  Madelyn then tells us about how she got into becoming a civic leader. How she joined the community board, and how she was able to procure an empty lot owned by the city for the nearby school's playground.  Living in Tribeca in the late 90s and early 2000s, Kelly asks Madelyn about 911. Medelyn recounts her experience on that day, and tells us about how she was able to rally together her fellow community leaders to help everyone in need.  Madelyn tells us about her experience with standing up to Rudy Giuliani in the wake of the attacks and how she advocated for her community and brought them the help they deserved.  She then talks about how the next administration had been following her work and decided to hire her to work on developing the city. Madelyn talks about how she was able to set up the East River Ferry system, Rebuild Coney Island, start work on the east river park and settle a turf war at Essex Square.  Kelly then asks Madelyn about her new project. And Madelyn tells him about how she planned to retire after covid, but decided that she really loved working on the city. So when she got called to work on a project to rebuild 5th avenue; She couldn't say no.  Madelyn talks about the project and their plans for 5th avenue: Widening the sidewalks, adding more greenery and creating outdoor cafe space. She talks about wanting to create a beautiful scene that people want to spend time in.    But above all else; Madelyn Wils is a New Yorker.   Kelly's Social Media @NewYorkCityKopp   For updates on the 5th ave project, Follow @Fifthavenue  on instagram