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 Chapters (00:00:00) - New Yorkers: Episode 1(00:01:20) - In the Elevator With Madeline Wills(00:02:22) - Tamela Mann on Sexual Harassment(00:06:53) - In the Elevator With Hillary Clinton(00:07:15) - Jane Fonda on Working With Larry King and Charlie Rose(00:12:25) - Tribeca's metamorphosis(00:18:00) - "You're inspiring me to get out and do something!"(00:18:32) - Mandela on 9/11(00:24:53) - Tom Brokaw on 911(00:29:57) - Clinton on his time at the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation(00:35:52) - Fifth Avenue in New York(00:45:27) - Pedestrian lanes on Fifth Avenue(00:51:20) - The Old Spaghetti Street(00:53:17) - In the Elevator With Mayor Bloomberg(00:54:16) - Madeline on Building New York City Dance Schools(00:55:51) - The New Yorkers Podcast: Madeline Wills

In this episode, Kelly is joined by the founder of "NYC for Free", Rebeka Getty to discuss all of the free things that New York has to offer.  Kelly asks Rebeka how she got started on her content journey: What her origin story was, the challenges of getting a page going during covid, and how she finds the events she posts about.  Rebeka tells kelly about her favorite free events in the city, from shakesphere in the park, to gorgeous city views, to sponsored pop up events!  Rebeka talks about all of the free concerts that happen in the city. She remembers the time she saw Ed Sheeran perform live on the streets of SoHo, and tells everyone how she found out early about the Jonas Brothers Concert on the Ferry. Kelly tells her about the time that he saw Jimmy Fallon and Alanis Morissette perform live at a subway station.  Kelly asks Rebeka about content creation: What are some of the challenges she faces, if she works with a team of creators, and how does she deal with the hate that they get from people in the comments.  Finishing the show off, Kelly asks Rebeka some rapid fire questions about her opinions on classic NYC topics: Pizza or Bagel, Subway or walking, Favoirte park in the city.   But above all else; Rebeka Getty is a New Yorker.   Kelly Kopp's Social Media: @NewYorkCityKopp   Rebeka Getty's Social Media: NYC_ForFree Chapters (00:00:00) - New Yorkers: The Podcast(00:01:04) - Rebeka Getty on NYC for Free(00:01:49) - Rebeka's NYC for Free Instagram Story(00:03:31) - How Covid Pandemic Affected My Account(00:07:13) - Beyond Social Media, Do You Have a Plan for the Weekend?(00:08:00) - Do You Know You Are A Leo?(00:09:47) - Free NYC Experience You Didn't Know About(00:11:29) - Ed Sheeran Performs Unplanned Free Event(00:12:53) - Jay Goes Bonkers At The Jonas Brothers Concert(00:16:23) - "It's All Meant to Be..." In New York City(00:17:21) - How Do You Find New York City's Best Events?(00:18:16) - Have Free Events In NYC Popped Up?(00:19:37) - Free Things to Do in NYC(00:21:40) - Which Season Is the Best for Free Activities in NYC?(00:22:57) - The New Yorkers' Love of NYC(00:25:09) - hidden gem: community gardens in East Village(00:28:01) - NYC is a very expensive city, but so many free things(00:31:52) - How To Get Your Husband to Attend an Event(00:32:34) - How to Run NYC For Free(00:35:12) - Rebeka Getty on Working With New York City Institutions(00:36:18) - Subway Q&A(00:38:29) - Favorite NYC Neighborhoods(00:40:03) - What It Means to Be a New Yorker(00:40:59) - The New Yorkers Podcast: Episode 291

In this episode, Kelly is joined by Jonathan Mahler! He is a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine, his sports journalism has been featured in the book “The Best American Sports Writing”, and he is the  author of two books: “Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bronx is Burning” as well as “The Challenge.” And his third book “The Gods of New York” is available now wherever you buy books! Join them, as Jonathan tells kelly a bit about where he's from, and his profession. Kelly asks about raising kids in New York City, and what age did he think is ok for kids to ride the subway.  Kelly asks Jonathan to give him a background of New York City leading up to the 1980s. Jonathan tells him what it was like to cover the 2016 presidential campaign, and how he was inspired to write this book.  Jonathan tells Kelly about some of the stories that were going on during the second half of the 1980s, and Kelly talks about how he remembers living through a lot of these headlines.  Kelly asks Jonathan what he thinks of the current Mayoral race in New York City. Jae tells a funny story of what floridians think of the race. And Jonathan recounts how he thinks that the events of his book have a direct effect on this current political climate.  Jonathan talks about his research process for the book, what archival he used, and the people he was able to interview. Jae and Kelly talk about how much they love the writing of the book: How personable it is, how funny it is, and how the passion for New York City is dripping off every page.  Kelly asks Jonathan to tell us about the title of the book: "The Gods of New York". Jonathan talks about where the title came from, how much he loves the title, but also why he was apprehensive to call it that. Finally, Kelly asks Jonathan some questions about his writing process, as well as some fun quick New York City questions that every New Yorker has an answer for.    But above all else; Jonathan Mahler is a New Yorker!   Kelly Kopp's Social Media: @NewYorkCityKopp   Jonathan Mahler's Social Media:   Chapters (00:00:00) - New Yorkers Podcast: Jonathan Mahler(00:01:39) - Meet Jonathan Livingston: Born and Raised in New York(00:04:46) - Jonathan Wolff on His New Book 'The Gods of New York(00:07:19) - New York's Rise and Fall(00:11:31) - In the Elevator With Andrew Cuomo(00:12:15) - The New York Mayor's War(00:14:41) - In the Elevator With Ed Koch(00:16:26) - How To Write A Detailing of the AIDS Era(00:19:01) - Interviewing Rudy Giuliani and Donald Trump(00:22:25) - In the Elevator With Bernard(00:22:52) - Bernie Getz: The Death Wish(00:27:02) - George Clooney on the NYC mayoral race(00:29:49) - Sen. Bernie Sanders on the Presidential Race(00:30:32) - How The City Went From Crisis to Rebirth(00:33:08) - In the Elevator With Jay(00:33:22) - What Made You Write 'This Is Worth Doing'(00:34:11) - What surprised you most during your research for The New York Story?(00:37:26) - Ed Koch's Last Term(00:40:27) - The Gods of New York(00:42:02) - "The End of New York" by Philip Pullman(00:43:06) - "The Book Review": A Fan Narrated(00:44:05) - 10 Quick-Fire Questions for '(00:46:21) - What It Means To Be A New Yorker

In this episode: Kelly is joined by Anthony Mangieri! He is a Chef, Businessman and Pizza Connoisseur. Join them, as Anthony tells us about how he got his start in the resturaunt industry in his late teens! Anthony talks about his first buisness baking bread, and how that grew into owning his own Pizzaria. From there, Anthony talks about wanting to move his buisness to New York, and how he gained the recognicion of top food critics.  Anthony talks about his craft, and how he goes about running his resturaunt. He describes his unique approach of personally hand crafting every pizza on his own. He talks about his passion for making dough and his interest in customer service.  Kelly asks Anthony what the Pandemic's effects were on his resturaunt and how he survived it. Anthony talks about the kindness of his community, and how he met his future wife during that difficult time.  Anthony talks about his wife Christina and their soon to be baby! He is blessed to feel fortunate to have a lot of great things in his life, and he talks about how he manages all of it.  Jae asks Anthony about his frozen pizza product: What it was like to create sometihing like that, what is the process like, and where people can buy it. Anthony talks about how he wanted to make the best frozen pizza that exhists. The pizza's are personally hand made in italy, with fresh italian ingredients, and Anthony prides himself on being able to give a great frozen food alternative to people who might need it.  Jae also asks about what are some of his other favorite pizza's and resturaunts in New York. Anthony has a few, but says that he is very self motivated, and strives to make the best product he can, and finds ways to innovate and improve every day.    But above all else; Anthony Mangieri is a New Yorker! You can Find Una Pizza Napoletana here: 175 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002 They are open Thursday-Saturday. Reservation is encouraged.    Kelly Kopp's Social Media @NewYorkCityKopp   Anthony Mangieri's Social Media  @anthony_w_mangieri @unapizzanapoletana     Chapters (00:00:00) - The New Yorkers: Anthony Mangieri(00:01:25) - Pizzeria Owner's Secret to Success(00:03:37) - Tom Bissell Started a Pizza Business in his 20s(00:07:27) - Started as a bread and pizza maker in New Jersey(00:11:11) - Pizza at Nobu(00:12:27) - The Pizza Guy's New York Restaurants(00:16:20) - Pizza Napolitan's first opening after the pandemic(00:18:31) - The Pizza Made With a Pandemic Girl(00:20:35) - Pizzeria Review: The Best Pizzeria in the World(00:24:20) - The Pizzas at Il Giorno(00:27:50) - Pizza Made Fresh, No Reheat(00:29:49) - Pizza Bar, No Reservations, Open 24 Hours(00:33:00) - Baby's First Mother's Open(00:34:04) - Anthony Bourdain Made a Pizza For Everyone to Buy(00:41:38) - Una Pizza's Neapolitan Pizza(00:48:31) - Pizza Producers on Working For Pizza(00:48:50) - What Could You Do With Your Life?(00:49:46) - Favorite Restaurants in the City(00:50:45) - Anthony Mangieri's Pizzeria(00:52:40) - What It Means to Be a New Yorker(00:54:25) - The New Yorkers: Episode 291

In this episode: Kelly is joined by Richard Hayden! Richard is the Senior Director of Horticulture at the High Line. Join them, as Richard teaches us about the profession of gardening. He tells us about how he got into horticulture, and what it does for him. He talks about his staff and how dedicated they are to maintaining the wonderful vision of the High Line. Kelly asks Richard how the High Line got started, and Richard tells Kelly the amazing redemption story that the highline overtook: From Death ave to one of the most visited parks in the world.  Richard tells us about some of the plants that live on the High Line. He talks about the gardening philosophy that they take when deciding what the areas should look like.  And finally, Kelly asks Richard some fun questions about the High Line: if he's named any of the plants, which area is his favorite, what his favorite view is, and... what berry birds get drunk on?    But above all else; Richard Hayden is a New Yorker!   Kelly Kopp's Social Media @NewYorkCityKopp   Richard Hayden's Social Media @NatureGardener Chapters (00:00:00) - This New Yorker Has One of the Most Ordinary Jobs in NYC(00:02:53) - The High Line: Richard Pryor on the Garden(00:06:00) - What Inspires You in the Morning?(00:07:24) - The High Line's Secret to Gardening(00:09:32) - What is the maintenance of the High Line Garden?(00:11:33) - The High Line: A Story of Redemption(00:17:32) - The High Line: A Tour of the Garden(00:20:46) - Favorite plants on the High Line(00:23:52) - How Do You Get to Chelsea Market From the High Line?(00:24:14) - Favorite Area on the High Line(00:28:18) - A Little Piece of My Childhood Life(00:28:33) - An Interview with Richard Reeves at the High Line(00:31:02) - Trees with interesting histories(00:34:03) - The High Line: Artists on the(00:37:45) - How the High Line Gardens Get By(00:40:07) - The High Line: Nature in the City(00:44:48) - Visit the High Line: New York City(00:46:11) - "A plant isn't worth growing unless it looks good dead"(00:46:56) - Richard, do you secretly name any of the plants?(00:48:17) - Favorite Views from the High Line(00:49:20) - Richard on What Does Nature Mean to Him?(00:50:09) - What It Means to Be A New Yorker(00:51:51) - Richard On The High Line

In this episode: Kelly is joined by New Yorker Chris Beck! Chris is good friends with Kelly, and they bring the chemistry and laughs to prove it!  Join them as they answer questions that New Yorkers have the most passionate answers for.  Kelly and Chris talk about the small moments they have where they feel like they belong in the city. They talk about their favorite times of year in the city as New Yorkers and what they look forward to as the seasons change.  Kelly asks Chris and Jae what their most irrational fears are living in the city. Chris, Jae and Kelly all give a wide variety of fears and have a laugh at some of them. Chris and Kelly talk about what some things they see in NY that some people might think is out of this world but real New Yorkers wouldn't even bat an eye at.  Chris gives his take on community in the city. How people can feel lonely, but also how you can grow community and build your own small world.    But above all else; Chris Beck is a New Yorker!   Kelly Kopp's Social Media @NewYorkCityKopp   Chris Beck's Social Media @ChrisBeckUSA   Chapters (00:00:00) - New Yorkers Podcast(00:02:11) - Chris on Living in Los Angeles(00:03:11) - The Potty Cast(00:05:15) - Chris on The Elevator(00:05:53) - Things New Yorkers Do That Tourists Don't Do(00:08:33) - Train passengers on the subway(00:11:03) - How To Ditch The Tourist In NYC(00:13:30) - What's The Most New York Thing You've Ever Seen?(00:16:27) - What New Yorkers Do About Homeless People(00:18:06) - We're All In This Together(00:18:20) - What's the Smallest NYC Moment?(00:21:09) - The Secret to Dating in NYC(00:21:32) - Meet The Real New York City Detective(00:23:27) - 3 New York City Places That Feel Like They're On A Movie(00:25:41) - People Try New York City(00:26:54) - Dancing in Times Square On New Year's(00:29:11) - The Empire State Building(00:29:58) - Top of the Rock(00:32:29) - What Makes Me Fall In Love With New York City(00:33:49) - People Fall In Love With Central Park(00:36:42) - People Talk About Medical Marijuana In NYC(00:38:17) - What's Your Favorite Smell In New York?(00:39:44) - What's Your Most irrational New York City Fear?(00:41:02) - What's Your Fear Of Elevators?(00:43:56) - Real New Yorkers Talk About Their Most irrational Fear(00:46:36) - Happy 60th Anniversary Ed and Betty Cop!(00:49:15) - New Yorkers Talk About The City(00:51:34) - A New York Subway Drama(00:54:08) - What It Means To Be A New Yorker

In this episode, Kelly is joined by podcaster, motivational speaker and survivor: Chris Felder.  Kelly asks Chris about himself, where he's from, and what he does. Chris tells us about his story. What lead up to him having his sight taken away from him, How he learned to navigate the world around him, and how his family and friends learned to accomodate him the way that he wanted to be accomodated.  Chris talks about New York, and his love for the city. How he navigates it, and how much he misses it when he travels. He also talks about the differences between New Yorkers and the people he encounters elsewhere.  Kelly asks Chris some questions about his podcast and motivational speaking. Chris tells kelly how Wolf helped him to improve his work and grow his platform. Chris talks about how he is helping people around the world in ways that he never thought that he could.    But above all else; Chris Felder is a New Yorker.   Kelly Kopp's Social Media @NewYorkCityKopp   Chris Felder's Social Media @blindbutnowiseenyc @official_Blindsteppa Chapters (00:00:00) - New Yorkers: Chris Felder(00:01:40) - Blind and Visually Impaired Man on TV(00:03:03) - Celebrity Recalls Childhood(00:04:14) - Blind Man Gets Shot in the Head(00:08:04) - How I got shot in the face(00:10:28) - An Emt. Gets Shot Three Times(00:12:57) - How I Learned To Walk On My Head(00:16:20) - Blind man on the road to recovery(00:20:08) - How I Learned To Wash My Own Hair(00:22:54) - Blind People Understand The Reality Of Being Blind(00:25:39) - What They Didn't Tell You About Fourth Of July(00:26:35) - Wolf on Walking Alone For The First Time(00:27:51) - Blind People Get On the Subway(00:30:26) - Blind People Walk The Streets Of NYC(00:33:24) - Blind People Talk About Their Life(00:36:56) - Blind People in the World(00:38:32) - What do you miss seeing in New York?(00:40:15) - Married New Yorker on Life in NYC(00:42:54) - Blind Brooklyn Man Uses a GPS to Get Lost(00:45:10) - Blind People Fly Planes For The First Time(00:46:13) - Miami vs New York: How Both Cities Compare(00:48:37) - What smells will you miss most in the afterlife?(00:49:15) - Blind Stepper's Advice For Others(00:53:20) - Blind People Use LinkedIn for Social Media(00:55:28) - Wolf Blitzer on Becoming Blind(00:56:45) - EMT Brandon On His Journey Back To Happy Life(01:00:09) - Blind People Talk On-Air(01:02:58) - Blind Stepper Gets Clothes Ready For Work(01:05:06) - Living Life With A Blind Dad(01:07:53) - Isaiah Thomas on Inspiring People(01:09:33) - What It Means To Be A New Yorker

Due to the hustle and bustle of city life, and in honor of Father's Day coming up later this month, we are re-airing one of our favorite episodes from this year. Please enjoy this conversation that I was able to have with Jae's dad a few months ago. Share with us in the comments your favorite story or memory that you have with your dad. We will be back in two weeks with new episodes of The New Yorkers Podcast. So look forward to those conversations.   ***********************************************   In this episode, Kelly is joined by Jae's Dad: Huston Watson Sr. He is a business owner, computer engineer, DJ and a Veteran.    Huston talks a bit about where he was born, and how his family came to love Brooklyn. He talks about growing up in a dangerous neighborhood, the friends he made and how he got through it.  He then talks about going into the Air Force, becoming a DJ and meeting his wife.  Kelly also asks Huston about his family, and Huston reflects on what it means for him to be able to become a father and how special that is for him. Huston then talks about his time working for Merrill Lynch, how he got the job initially, moving up the corporate later and the different jobs he's done for the company. Finally, Huston recounts his experience on 9/11. He talks about experiencing the first plane hit, helping escort people to safety, as well as the effects that it's had on his life.    But above all else; Huston S. Watson Sr. is a New Yorker.    Kelly Kopp's Social Media: @NewYorkCityKopp Chapters (00:00:00) - New Yorkers(00:01:28) - Houston Junior on His Nickname(00:02:29) - Jay from Brooklyn on Life(00:07:46) - Veteran on His Time in the Army(00:11:46) - Marine DJ on Temporary Duty(00:16:58) - Fool With a Gun(00:17:37) - How I Met My Wife(00:21:47) - Kelly on Her Love for Her Husband(00:26:19) - Jay Leno on Being a Parent(00:28:57) - How My Job at Merrill Lynch Came About(00:33:54) - Walking to work on September 11, 2001(00:38:15) - Survivors of the World Trade Center(00:42:33) - Witnesses on the World Trade Center(00:44:34) - Were You Scared of 9/11?(00:49:36) - Local reacts to the 911 memorial(00:50:57) - Were you drunk in the Warped Zone?(00:51:45) - Has it changed your perspective on life?(00:54:19) - What It Means To Be A New Yorker(00:55:39) - The New Yorkers Podcast: Episode 291

In this episode, Kelly is joined by sound engineer Wolf Taylor! The duo will answer your questions about New York City. Learn what the quietest neighborhoods are of Manhattan. Kelly and Wolf talk about the different kinds of quiet in New York City. Kelly and Wolf talk about where the best places are to see the Cherry Blossoms! The different types of trees, and what the best times are to see them. Wolf talks about healthcare in the city, and his experiences with free healthcare Learn where to find information on which subway stations have elevators, and how to know if they are opperational. While talking about the Subway, Kelly and Wolf talk about the end of the era of the metro card. Kelly gives his advice on what you should do to keep one of these soon to be collectors items. Kelly talks about getting your ESTA. learn what you need to be able to come to the states. Wolf gives up another one of his hidden gems in brooklyn as they talk about some of the little known places of the city. And Kelly tells you where you can go to see wild parots in brooklyn! The show turns into the Piercast for a while as Kelly and Wolf talk about their favorite piers of the city, and the different activities you can do at them. Finally, they talk about some of the culture of New York City in vendors liciences, if you need one, and how much they cost. As well as Taxi's where they went and why they arent as prominent anymore.   But above all else, Wolf Taylor is a New Yorker!   Wolf Taylor's Social media @_Wolftaylor   Kelly Kopp's Social media @NewYorkCityKopp  

In this episode, Kelly is joined by sound engineer Wolf Taylor! The duo will answer your questions about New York City. Learn what the most affordable neighborhoods are in each burrow. And the most saught after houshold appliances that may or may not come with them. Wolf and Kelly talk about how much rent is in the city, where it is cheaperst and what you can expect if you are looking for cheap rent. A listener asks about live music, and Wolf gives great advice to go into the subways! there are always musicians brighting up peoples days during their travels. Kelly has some great suggestions for venues to visit. Wolf gives Kelly all the information he needs for where to get the best cup of coffee in the city. He even gives up his favorite spot in the world for coffee, and listeners won't want to miss this. Finally, they talk about all of the largest parks in  the city! the top 5 biggest parks will suprise you!   But above all else, Wolf Taylor is a New Yorker!   Wolf Taylor's Social media @_Wolftaylor   Kelly Kopp's Social media @NewYorkCityKopp