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Ep 539: Ordinary Heroes

What if the most powerful lessons in life weren’t taught in a classroom—but behind a camera?

In this inspiring episode of Ordinary Heroes, Bernie Furshpan sits down with Rob Zahn, longtime director of one of the nation’s most historic high school television programs in Great Neck, New York. What began as a pioneering media initiative in the 1950s has become a launchpad for something far greater under Rob’s leadership: building confident, capable, and compassionate young people.

Rob shares how film and television production serve as a gateway—not just to careers, but to life skills that matter. From teamwork and leadership to communication, accountability, and resilience, students learn what it truly means to show up for one another. In a fast-paced, high-pressure environment where things don’t always go as planned, they discover how to adapt, solve problems, and “find a way.”

But beyond the technical skills, this conversation reveals something deeper: the power of mentorship, the importance of making every student feel valued, and the lasting impact one educator can have on thousands of lives.

Whether his students go on to careers in media, medicine, law, or beyond, they carry with them the confidence and character shaped in Rob’s studio.

This episode is a reminder that ordinary heroes don’t just teach—they transform.

🎧 Listen now and meet the educator who is quietly changing the world, one student at a time.

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Ep 539: Ordinary Heroes

What does it truly mean to show up for others when the world feels broken?

In this deeply moving episode of Ordinary Heroes, Bernie Furshpan sits down with Chavi Kahan—an everyday person doing extraordinary work. What began as a personal response to the events of October 7th has evolved into a relentless mission of compassion, action, and impact.

Chavi shares how generational trauma turned into purpose, and how she transformed heartbreak into hands-on support for those in need. Since October 7th, she has traveled to Israel over a dozen times to volunteer, leading five solidarity missions and working directly with displaced families, soldiers, and communities in crisis.

Her work doesn’t stop there. Chavi has built a growing advocacy network through a dedicated WhatsApp group focused on supporting Israel, combating antisemitism, and pushing back against anti-American propaganda. For the past two and a half years, she has devoted herself to fundraising and fulfilling specific, often overlooked needs—supporting IDF soldiers and reservists, their families, bereaved families, and those who might otherwise “fall through the cracks.”

From organizing aid to something as simple—and powerful—as arranging a handyman for an exhausted soldier’s home, Chavi reminds us that impact isn’t measured in scale, but in care.

This episode is a powerful reminder: you don’t need a title to be a hero. You just need to act.

Listen now and discover how small acts of humanity can change lives—and the person giving them.

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Ep 537: Unmasked Unfiltered Unapologetic

What does it really mean to serve, to sacrifice, and to stand up when it matters most?

In this powerful episode, Bali Lerner sits down with Ira Kohler—American-born lone soldier, IDF paratrooper, and author of Once a Paratrooper: The Story of a Lone Soldier in the Gaza War. Ira shares his deeply personal journey from Long Island to the front lines of Gaza, offering an unfiltered look at war, identity, and humanity.

Through raw and often surprising moments, Ira challenges the narratives surrounding IDF soldiers, revealing the human side of service—the fear, the humor, the exhaustion, and the unwavering sense of purpose. He speaks candidly about October 7th, the moral code of the IDF, and the emotional weight of fighting not just for a country, but for people he loves.

At the heart of this conversation is the story of his childhood friend, Omer Neutra, whose memory continues to inspire Ira’s mission and message.

This is more than a conversation—it’s a window into truth, resilience, and what it means to be an upstander in today’s world.

Listen now and experience a story that will stay with you long after it ends.

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Ep. 536 | The Israeli Bond on hmTv

In this compelling episode, Gal Swisa Cohen sits down with entrepreneur Omry Sitner for a conversation that moves from crisis to creation, and from identity to impact.

Omry shares his firsthand experience of October 7th in Israel and how, instead of launching a startup that day, he joined a grassroots effort using technology to help locate missing people. What followed was an unexpected journey—one that led him to co-found a premium tea brand rooted in culture, resilience, and pride.

From his work at monday.com to launching a bold new venture in New York, Omry reveals how entrepreneurship can be both a business and a mission. Together, they explore what it means to build something meaningful in a time of global tension, how to respond to hate with creativity, and why standing proudly in your identity matters more than ever.

This episode is about more than tea. It’s about turning adversity into opportunity, bridging cultures, and proving that light, when pursued with intention, has a way of spreading.

Listen in for a story that is as inspiring as it is timely.

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Ep 535: History Repeats (Part 2)

In this compelling continuation of History Repeats, host Liam Carballal welcomes back historian Richard Acritelli to explore one of the most pivotal turning points in global history.

From the dynamic leadership of Theodore Roosevelt to the seismic impact of the Russo-Japanese War, this episode dives into how a rising Japan shocked the world, how a declining Russia set the stage for revolution, and how global power began shifting in ways that still echo today. Roosevelt’s strategic brilliance takes center stage as he brokers peace while carefully maintaining a balance of power that would shape the 20th century.

The conversation also connects the dots between imperialism, the Boxer Rebellion, and the consequences of exploitation, offering a sharp reminder that when nations ignore fairness and dignity, history has a way of pushing back.

Insightful, fast-moving, and deeply relevant, this episode doesn’t just revisit the past. It challenges us to recognize the patterns unfolding in our present.

Because history doesn’t just repeat. It warns.

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Ep 334: History Repeats

History is not just something we study. It echoes, it warns, and sometimes, it repeats.

In this compelling episode of History Repeats, host Liam Carballal sits down with military historian Richard Acritelli for a wide-ranging conversation that bridges past and present with striking clarity.

Richard begins by sharing exciting developments around his expanding military history museum in Rocky Point, a growing space dedicated to preserving artifacts and stories from World War II and beyond. But the conversation quickly deepens into the human realities of war, from Holocaust survivors and aging veterans to the psychological toll carried by figures like Jimmy Stewart.

The discussion then shifts to lesser-known but powerful wartime stories, including American POWs in Nazi labor camps and the moral complexities faced by soldiers navigating identity, survival, and loyalty under unimaginable conditions.

In the second half, the lens turns sharply to today’s geopolitical tensions. Richard and Liam unpack the ongoing conflict with Iran, the global stakes surrounding nuclear capability, and the fragile balance of power in the Middle East. Referencing decades of U.S. foreign policy from Ronald Reagan to Donald Trump, they explore whether diplomacy, deterrence, or force will ultimately shape the outcome.

It’s a conversation that doesn’t flinch. From the horrors of the past to the uncertainties of the present, this episode reminds us why understanding history isn’t optional. It’s essential.

Because when we ignore the lessons… history doesn’t just repeat. It escalates.

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Ep 533: Putting the Brakes on Bullying

What does bullying look like beyond the schoolyard? In this powerful and deeply human episode, host Samantha Sosnik is joined by co-host Bernie Furshpan and special guests Rachel and Jeff Miller, a remarkable couple whose lives are dedicated to helping others in ways most people never imagine.

From performing life-changing surgeries in Haiti to navigating dangerous conditions controlled by gangs, Rachel and Jeff share firsthand experiences that redefine what it means to stand up for others. They draw a striking connection between global injustice and everyday bullying, showing how power, when misused, can impact lives on every level.

The conversation takes an emotional turn as they recount extraordinary acts of compassion, including helping a terminally ill patient return to her home country to fulfill her final wish. Their stories are raw, inspiring, and a reminder that kindness does not require perfection—just action.

You’ll also hear about Rachel’s new initiative, Caring Pathways, designed to guide patients through the overwhelming healthcare system with clarity and compassion.

This episode is a powerful call to move from bystander to upstander—whether in your community or across the world. Because sometimes, putting the brakes on bullying starts with one simple act of humanity.

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Ep 532 – Ordinary Heroes with Bernie Furshpan and guest Alan Govenar | hmTv

What does it mean to give voice to the voiceless—and who gets to tell the story?

In this powerful episode of Ordinary Heroes, host Bernie Furshpan sits down with acclaimed writer, filmmaker, and founder of Documentary Arts, Alan Govenar. Together, they explore the profound role storytelling plays in preserving cultural memory, confronting injustice, and shaping a more equitable future.

From documenting overlooked African American photographers in Texas to telling the deeper story behind the tragedy in Jasper, Texas, Govenar shares how his life’s work has centered on amplifying communities too often left out of history. This is not just a conversation about art—it’s about responsibility, truth, and the courage to challenge dominant narratives.

You’ll hear how storytelling can become a force for healing, how ordinary individuals reclaim their identities through history, and why activism and artistry are not separate paths—but one and the same.

This episode is a compelling reminder that real change often begins with listening—and that ordinary people, when empowered, can create extraordinary impact.

Key Themes:
Storytelling and cultural preservation
Art as activism
Racial justice and historical truth
Community resilience and healing
The power of ordinary heroes

Tune in and discover how stories can change not just how we see the past—but how we shape the future.

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Ep 531: Disrupting Hate

In this timely and thought-provoking episode of Disrupting Hate on hmTv, host Kenneth Schachter sits down with Rabbi Susie Moskowitz, senior rabbi of Temple Beth Torah in Melville, New York, for a meaningful conversation about identity, resilience, and confronting hate in today’s world.

Recorded on the eve of Yom HaShoah, the discussion explores the rising tide of antisemitism and the urgent need for both internal strength and outward connection. Rabbi Moskowitz shares how building interfaith relationships, fostering understanding, and embracing “proximity” can help break down barriers and reduce hate.

The episode also delves into the importance of cultivating strong Jewish identity, guiding the next generation with confidence and pride, and navigating the delicate balance between visibility and safety in an increasingly complex environment.

Blending spiritual insight with real-world experience, Rabbi Moskowitz offers a hopeful yet honest perspective on the challenges ahead and the enduring strength of community.

This is not just a conversation about hate. It’s about how we respond to it.

Listen, reflect, and be part of the change.

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Ep 530: The Israeli Bond (Part 2)

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation on The Israeli Bond on hmTv, host Gal Swisa Cohen continues her discussion with Hedva Montias, exploring how Israel honors and supports Holocaust survivors today and what that reveals about the heart of Israeli society.

Building on the deeply personal story shared in Part 1, this episode shifts to Hedva’s leadership as former CEO of Le Manam, a groundbreaking nonprofit providing medical care and human connection to Holocaust survivors across Israel. Through this lens, the conversation uncovers the differences between how Israel and the United States recognize survivors, the evolving definition of who is considered a survivor, and the moral responsibility that drives support systems in Israel.

Hedva shares powerful insights into dignity, independence, and the emotional needs of aging survivors, while highlighting how compassion, accessibility, and human connection are just as vital as medical care. The episode also touches on how this mission expanded in moments of crisis, reflecting the resilience and unity within Israeli society.

This is more than a conversation about care. It’s a reflection on responsibility, identity, and what it truly means to stand by those who endured history’s darkest chapter.

A meaningful continuation of Part 1, connecting legacy to action.

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