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Ep. 596: It’s All About the Children with Carin & Sami
Guest: Miss Israel Melanie Shiraz, Part 2 | hmTv at HMTC

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, hosts Carin and Sami continue their discussion with Miss Israel Melanie Shiraz about identity, critical thinking, social media, antisemitism, and the challenges facing young people today.

Melanie speaks honestly about the dangers of receiving information without questioning it, especially in a world shaped by algorithms, AI, propaganda, and online narratives designed to influence emotions and beliefs. Drawing from her experience as a data scientist, advocate, and public voice for Israel, she encourages young people to think critically, ask deeper questions, and resist the pressure to accept oversimplified good-versus-bad narratives.

The conversation also explores the rise of anti-Zionism, the normalization of hateful language, and the importance of standing proudly in one’s identity. Melanie reminds listeners that strength comes from knowing who you are, staying grounded in your values, and refusing to shrink yourself to make others comfortable.

Despite the seriousness of the topics, the episode ends with a message of hope: there are still people choosing dialogue, coexistence, courage, and humanity. As Melanie says, a small candle can light up a very dark room — and young people can become that light. 

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Ep. 595: It’s All About the Children with Carin & Sami
Guest: Melanie Shiraz, Part 1 | hmTv at HMTC

In this powerful first part of It’s All About the Children, hosts Carin and Sami welcome Melanie Shiraz, data scientist, entrepreneur, advocate, and reigning Miss Israel, for an honest conversation about identity, resilience, leadership, and the responsibility young people have in shaping a better world.

Melanie shares how her Israeli identity, Jewish pride, and deep sense of community helped her stand strong through challenges, including campus hostility, public scrutiny, and the pressures of representing Israel on the world stage. Together, Carin, Sami, and Melanie explore the dangers of black-and-white thinking, the importance of teaching children to know who they are, and how culture, family, and community can give young people the strength to resist hate and social pressure.

The conversation also turns to social media, where Melanie offers insight from her background as a data scientist, warning about algorithms, propaganda, comparison, and the way online platforms can profit from anger and division. Sami adds a moving reflection on the power of words and images, reminding young people that words can inspire, but they can also wound in ways that cannot easily be taken back.

This episode is a thoughtful and timely discussion about pride, coexistence, critical thinking, and helping children become grounded, compassionate future leaders. 

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Ep. 594: The Fog of War and Humanity with Rich Acritelli and David DePinto, Part 3

In Part 3 of The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv, host Rich Acritelli concludes his conversation with David DePinto, Smithtown attorney, military history enthusiast, and creator of a detailed Omaha Beach D-Day diorama.

David and Rich explore the chaos of D-Day, the failure of many pre-invasion plans, the brutal German defenses of the Atlantic Wall, and the extraordinary courage it took for American soldiers to break through at Omaha Beach. David also discusses the process of building and expanding his museum-quality Normandy diorama, the role of modeling, research, and inspiration, and how historical displays can spark curiosity in younger generations.

The conversation also moves into the importance of preserving World War II memory, Holocaust education, local military museums, and the books, stories, and personal friendships that keep history alive. It is a thoughtful closing episode about sacrifice, creativity, remembrance, and why history must be placed directly into the hands of the next generation. 

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Ep. 593: The Fog of War and Humanity with Rich Acritelli and David DePinto, Part 2

In Part 2 of The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv, host Rich Acritelli continues his conversation with David DePinto, a Smithtown attorney, military history enthusiast, and creator of a detailed Omaha Beach D-Day diorama.

Recorded on June 6, the anniversary of D-Day, David shares what inspired him to build his Normandy display, including his lifelong interest in modeling, his family’s military legacy, and the powerful stories he heard from members of the Greatest Generation through his elder law practice. A major influence was Eugene Reichenthal, a Jewish veteran of the 101st Airborne who served on D-Day, in Operation Market Garden, and at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge.

Rich and David also discuss Eisenhower, Rommel, the Atlantic Wall, Omaha Beach, Saving Private Ryan, and the brutal realities faced by American troops as they came ashore on June 6, 1944. This episode is a vivid reflection on history, sacrifice, memory, and the importance of preserving the stories of those who lived through war. 

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Ep. 592: The Fog of War and Humanity with Rich Acritelli and David DePinto, Part 1

In Part 1 of The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv, host Rich Acritelli welcomes David DePinto, a Smithtown attorney with a deep personal connection to military history.

Recorded on D-Day, June 6, this episode begins with David’s Long Island upbringing in North Bellmore and North Babylon, his family’s remarkable military legacy, and the stories that shaped his lifelong interest in World War II history. David shares memories of his Civil War ancestor and Medal of Honor recipient Horatio Nelson Young, his uncle’s service at Pearl Harbor and across the Pacific, and how growing up around veterans influenced his passion for history.

The conversation also explores David’s personal journey from a blue-collar childhood and night school to becoming a successful attorney, highlighting perseverance, work ethic, humility, and the importance of remembering the generations who served. 

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Ep. 591: The Fog of War and Humanity with Rich Acritelli and Montgomery “Monty” Granger, Part 3

In Part 3 of The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv, host Rich Acritelli concludes his powerful conversation with Montgomery “Monty” Granger, former U.S. Army officer, author, educator, and veteran of detainee operations during the War on Terror.

Monty reflects on the highly specialized world of military detention, the importance of humanity in wartime, and the moral injuries many veterans carry long after deployment. He shares deeply personal experiences from Iraq, discusses PTSD, veteran suicide, family sacrifice, and the role his wife and children played throughout his service.

The episode also connects Monty’s story to broader military history, including D-Day, Saving Private Ryan, and the sacrifices made by generations of service members. It is a candid and emotional conversation about war, memory, duty, trauma, and the human cost behind military service. 

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Ep. 590: The Fog of War and Humanity with Rich Acritelli and Montgomery “Monty” Granger, Part 2

In Part 2 of The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv, host Rich Acritelli continues his powerful conversation with Montgomery “Monty” Granger, former U.S. Army officer, author, and educator.

Monty shares firsthand insight into detainee operations during the War on Terror, including his time at Guantanamo Bay and later at Abu Ghraib in Iraq. He discusses the dangers faced by military police, the realities of contraband, hunger and thirst strikes, medical responsibilities, and the strict procedures required to protect both guards and detainees.

This episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at military detention operations, the Geneva Conventions, media narratives, and the difficult human and moral challenges that exist within the fog of war. 

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Ep. 589: The Fog of War and Humanity with Rich Acritelli and Montgomery “Monty” Granger, Part 1

In this episode of The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv, host Rich Acritelli welcomes back Montgomery “Monty” Granger, former U.S. Army officer, author, educator, and expert in detainee operations during the War on Terror.

Monty shares his firsthand experience with enemy prisoner of war operations, the Geneva Conventions, Guantanamo Bay, and the complex responsibilities of caring for and securing detainees after 9/11. Rich and Monty also reflect on the legacy of the Gulf War, the impact of 9/11 on Long Island communities, and the importance of preserving military history for younger generations.

This powerful conversation explores the difficult realities behind modern warfare, military responsibility, and the human obligations that remain even in the fog of war.

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Podcast Description — Legacy Chronicles, Ep. 588

In this episode of Legacy Chronicles on hmTv, host Zachary Graulich sits down with Dr. Jonathan Hammel, physician, novelist, and author of The Jewish Hospital. Dr. Hammel shares the remarkable story behind his historical fiction novel, inspired by his grandmother Gerda Haas, a nurse in Berlin’s Jewish Hospital during World War II.

Through family testimony, USC Shoah Foundation interviews, and years of research, Dr. Hammel uncovered powerful details about his grandmother’s experiences, the ethical dilemmas faced by Jewish doctors and nurses under Nazi rule, and the extraordinary humanity shown in a place caught between healing, confinement, and deportation.

The conversation explores Holocaust memory, family legacy, bioethics, medical responsibility, and the importance of carrying survivor stories forward for future generations. Dr. Hammel also reflects on how writing the book deepened his understanding of decision-making under pressure and how lessons from the Holocaust continue to speak to medicine, education, and humanity today. 

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In this episode of Ordinary Heroes, host Bernie Furshpan welcomes Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena for a meaningful conversation about public service, community leadership, and the everyday work of improving lives.

Supervisor DeSena shares her journey from attorney and volunteer to elected leader, reflecting on how saying “yes” to service opened the door to helping families, seniors, young people, small businesses, and diverse communities across North Hempstead. She discusses the importance of presence, transparency, responsible government, quality of life, senior support, parks, public health programs, infrastructure improvements, and cultural connection.

Together, Bernie and Supervisor DeSena explore the role of education in preventing hate, the importance of Holocaust remembrance, the danger of distorted history, and the need to build bridges across faiths, cultures, and neighborhoods. Their conversation also touches on October 7th, antisemitism, youth isolation, social media, volunteering, and the power of the arts and music to bring people together.

At its heart, this episode is about leadership rooted in service, empathy, and hope. Supervisor DeSena reminds us that government can be noble when it stays close to people, listens carefully, and works every day to make communities stronger.

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