Since 1977, Encore Community Services has served many thousands of older adults in Midtown and Manhattan’s West Side with food, fellowship and social connection. Now, Encore is at a critical moment as demand continues to rise and current public funding for their services isn’t enough. My guest is Marcus Jackson, Manager of Advocacy, Community, and Government Relations with Encore Community Services.

How do the things that happen to us and the choices we make when we are young impact us later in life? How do our parents, our friendships, and our careers define our lives and contribute to where we end up? My guest is author Andrea Simon with “DID YOU HAVE THE LIFE YOU WANTED”, an insightful tour of over 50 years of American cultural history as seen through the eyes of a Jewish feminist in New York City. Andrea Simon is the author of five award-winning books, including the historical novel ESFIR IS ALIVE and the memoir BASHERT: A Granddaughter’s Holocaust Quest.

The NYC Bird Alliance, (formerly NYC Audubon), is a non-profit organization protecting urban birds and strengthening biodiversity across New York City. Director of Advocacy and Engagement Saman Mahmood talks about bird counts, volunteer opportunities and free programs, and details some of the best sites for bird watching across the five boroughs.

It’s estimated that up to 80% of people will experience low back pain at some point during their lifetimes -- and winter conditions are a frequent trigger. My guest is Dr. Brian McHugh, a Long Island based board-certified neurosurgeon, for a conversation about common issues related to snow shoveling and falling on ice, proper shoveling technique, and avoiding injuries.

While transgender athletes only account for 1% of all sports participants, hundreds of bills banning trans athletes have been introduced by politicians in recent years, and the US Supreme Court is preparing to hear two cases on the issue. Ellie Roscher, writer, former coach, and co-author of the forthcoming book, FAIR GAME: Trans Athletes and the Future of Sports addresses the myths and fears behind trans athletes’ exclusion from organized sports with the latest data and research, and with interviews from 20 trans athletes.

From NY Times bestselling author Dr. Ian Smith, THE LAST 15: SAY GOODBYE TO THOSE MOST STUBBORN POUNDS breaks down how metabolism adapts, why quick fixes backfire, and offers a seven week strategy to finally overcome the hardest weight to lose. Dr. Ian Smith is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling books, SHRED: THE REVOLUTIONARY DIET, and SUPER SHRED: The Big Results Diet, BLAST THE SUGAR OUT, and numerous other books. Dr. Smith was appointed by President Obama to the prestigious President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition. He is currently the medical contributor and co-host of the nationally syndicated television show The Rachael Ray Show.

The affordable housing crisis in New York City is about more than the price of rent. How did we get here, what is happening in housing right now, and what are ways that nonprofit developers are trying to close the affordable housing gap? My guest is Michelle de la Uz, Executive Director of Fifth Avenue Committee, a Brooklyn-based development nonprofit, serving thousands of low- and moderate-income New Yorkers each year. Michelle De La Uz brings more than 25 years of public and community service experience and has held prominent civic leadership roles, including service on the New York City Planning Commission and appointment to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Community Advisory Group.

Across the country, Catholic schools are facing serious enrollment challenges—and many have closed—including seven New York City schools last year. How are surviving Catholic schools evolving, and even thriving, despite trends? Our guest is Livia Angiolillo, president of The Mary Louis Academy in Queens, a 90-year-old Catholic School that has strengthened enrollment, in part, by expanding access to all-girls education and appealing to families from a wide range of backgrounds.

Nearly 80 years after its founding, the internationally acclaimed Georgian National Ballet “Sukhishvili" made it’s Carnegie Hall debut in January with a one-night-only performance at Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage. With a return planned to our area this fall, our guest is the event’s producer, Salome Liluashvili-Parks, to discuss the landmark event and the Georgian Diaspora in NYC.