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/

Or anywhere you buy books.

Jae's Social Media

@Studiojae170

• (00:00:00) - Meet The New Yorkers
• (00:01:39) - Philanthropist Andrew Levalle
• (00:11:53) - Bookmark: The Life of Philip Strauss
• (00:14:36) - How long did it take to write the book?
• (00:17:58) - A Jewish Philanthropist: Nathan Strauss
• (00:24:25) - The Life of Philip and Isidore Macy
• (00:30:43) - Andy Strauss Once Said He Hoped to Give Away His Entire
• (00:32:46) - Nathan Strauss and the Birth of Zionism
• (00:46:11) - The story of Isidore and Ida Strauss
• (00:46:26) - Tim Ferriss on Richard Strauss
• (00:49:42) - What Moment in Richard Strauss' Life Stuck With You Most?
• (00:55:11) - Andrew Fisher on Being a New Yorker
• (00:57:03) - The New Yorkers: Farewell Train

In this week's episode, Kelly is joined by community builder Maryam Banikarim! She was the former Chief Marketing Officer of many global organizations, She is the Co-Founder of Longest Table, and Host of the podcast “The Messy Parts”.

Kelly asks Maryam about coming to The United States from Iran. Maryam talks about her experience living in Iran and in California. She talks about her first trip to the East Coast and how she got into Barnard off the wait list.

Maryam talks about life in NYC in the 80s. She tells us about a fateful encounter she had on the subway, fast talking her way into night clubs, and joining Chippendales!

Kelly asks her about her experience doing a TedTalk. Maryam tells us how she got the opportunity to do the talk, what her process was in coming up with topics for it, and how she was able to practice and perfect her performance.

Maryam then talks about putting together The Longest Table. She discusses challenges that she faced when putting on the first event. She talks about how the obstacles become obstacle courses in how she navigates regection and keeps it from letting it affect her.

She then talks about New York Next and how during covid, she and a group of concerned New Yorkers got together to put together an incredible video to help support artists during that dark time.

Kelly asks Maryam about the formation of "The Messy Parts". The two talk about their experience being podcast hosts, and the unique challenges that face them. They discuss the creation of Maryam's show: From inspiration to early planning and to how it is now.

Finally, Maryam tells the audience about her wedding anniversary, as it is the same day that they recorded the podcast. Maryam met her husband on the Subway! And she recounts her classic New York Story for us.

But above all else; Maryam Banikarim is a New Yorker.

Kelly's Social Media

@NewYorkCityKopp

Maryam's Social Media

@mbanikarim

@LongestTableCommunity

@TheMessyPartsPodcast

Jae's Social Media

@Studiojae170

• (00:00:00) - New Yorkers
• (00:00:59) - Meet New Yorker Miriam Banakaram
• (00:01:39) - Winter in New York
• (00:02:22) - How To Ride the Subway As A Woman
• (00:03:05) - I Was Invited To Iftars By A Muslim Influencer
• (00:07:25) - In the Elevator With My Parents in Iran
• (00:08:54) - Coming to Barnard College at 16
• (00:12:51) - "I Tried Chippendales"
• (00:13:28) - You Had To Give a TED Talk
• (00:16:53) - Covid: The Long Table
• (00:21:48) - Neighbors' meals for the homeless
• (00:25:58) - The Longest Table in New York
• (00:27:49) - A Taste of the Longest Table
• (00:30:15) - The We Love New York City Campaign
• (00:34:31) - I Love NY: The Campaign
• (00:38:14) - The New Yorkers Sing During the Great Recession
• (00:39:09) - The Messy Parts: Miriam on Her Podcast
• (00:43:35) - Jay Leno on Being On The Podcast
• (00:47:11) - The Bar Manager Has a Message For Regulars
• (00:49:03) - I Met My Husband On The Subway
• (00:50:02) - How We Met : On The Subway
• (00:52:14) - What Keeps You Inspired In NYC?
• (00:54:06) - The New Yorkers of We Love NYC
• (00:56:25) - Meet New Yorker Miriam Banakaram
• (00:57:31) - New Yorkers Podcast: The New Yorkers

Due to the hustle and bustle of city life, the New Yorkers have to take a leave of absence this week. Please enjoy this episode we did back in September with the brilliant Madelyn Wils. And tune in next time for a brand new episode!

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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

Jae's Social Media

@Studiojae170

• (00:00:00) - New Yorkers: A Podcast for New Yorkers
• (00:01:11) - In the Elevator With Madeline Wills
• (00:02:13) - Tammy Gibbon on Sexual Assault
• (00:06:46) - Jane Fonda on Becoming a TV Producers
• (00:10:13) - Charlie Rose on Working With Larry King
• (00:12:16) - Philip Feuerstein on Tribeca
• (00:17:52) - "Your drive is inspiring me!"
• (00:18:23) - Community Board Chair on 9/11
• (00:24:44) - Meryl Streep on the 911 Incident
• (00:29:23) - The New York Economic Development Corp
• (00:35:51) - Fifth Avenue: New York's greatest street
• (00:44:42) - Pedestrian lanes on Fifth Avenue
• (00:51:35) - The need to update Harlem's infrastructure
• (00:53:08) - In the Elevator With Mayor Bloomberg
• (00:54:08) - Madeline on Building the New York City Dance Studio
• (00:55:42) - The New Yorkers: Madeline Wills