Kafé & Kouvénta

Drake Behrakis has spent his life showing up. As president of Marwick Associates, chairman of the National Hellenic Society, an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and a fixture in some of the most important Greek-American institutions in the country, he is one of those people who doesn't just lend his name to things. He rolls up his sleeves.

In this conversation, Drake sits down with Eraklis Diamataris to talk about where it all began. His grandfather came over from the Peloponnese in the 1890s and worked the American railroads. His father George built Muro Pharmaceuticals from scratch, earned the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and gave back in ways that left the family name on some of the most significant Hellenic institutions in America, including the George D. and Margo Behrakis collection at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, one of the world's great collections of Greek, Roman and Byzantine art.

Drake talks honestly about his own path, from Gillette to his father's pharmaceutical company to building a commercial real estate portfolio in New England and beyond, and about what it took to learn patience in an industry that doesn't reward the impatient. He also gets real about the limits of saying yes to everything, the moment he realized he was on too many boards, and why knowing when to step back is its own kind of service.

And then there's the question that never goes away: how do you bring the next generation in without forcing them? Drake has three kids in their twenties who go to Greece every summer and stay connected to who they are, each in their own way. His answer is worth hearing.

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Eraklis Diamataris sits down with Michael Psaros, co-founder and managing partner of KPS Capital Partners, overseeing nearly $20 billion in assets and employing 55,000 people across 21 countries.

From his upbringing as the grandson of Greek immigrants in Weirton, West Virginia, a steel town that shaped his entire worldview, to becoming one of the most influential voices in American finance and the Greek American community, Michael shares the personal story behind his remarkable journey.

We explore how an investment banker saved his hometown through the largest employee buyout in history, why KPS does business with "philotimo," and what it means to be a fiduciary to both capital and the 50,000 families depending on those paychecks. Michael opens up about his deep commitment to Georgetown University, his role as Vice Chairman in completing the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at Ground Zero, and his service as an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

This isn't just a conversation about business. It's about faith, heritage, legacy, and what it means to give back. As Michael puts it, quoting St. John Chrysostom: "A rich man is not one who has much, but one who gives much away, for what he gives away remains his forever."

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In this episode of Kafé & Kouvénta, host Eraklis Diamataris sits down with Costantza Sbokou Constantakopoulou, co-owner and co-CEO of Phāea Resorts and Chairwoman of Endeavor Greece, for a wide-ranging conversation recorded in New York. Born in Crete, Costantza reflects on how “island DNA” shaped her confidence, ambition, and philosophy of hospitality, then shares the story behind returning to Greece after studying and working in the United States.

The discussion explores the mindset shift Greece has been navigating, why fear of failure can hold entrepreneurship back, and how Endeavor helps founders scale through mentoring, access to capital, and global networks. Costantza also talks about Greece’s push toward higher-quality, more sustainable tourism, the importance of making tourism more year-round to support decentralization beyond Athens, and what she hopes to contribute in her new role as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, including the broader fight against illicit trafficking of cultural heritage.

Watch the full episode on YouTube, or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

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In this episode of Kafé & Kouvénta, host Eraklis Diamataris sits down with John Catsimatidis Jr., President and COO of Red Apple Group, to talk about everything from supermarket aisles to nuclear power. John shares a candid look at the realities of running grocery chains in New York, the impact of crime and shoplifting, and how policy choices shape prices, small businesses and neighborhoods.

The conversation then moves to energy and national security, as John explains why he is investing in small modular nuclear reactors, what went wrong with projects like the Keystone XL pipeline, and why bringing pharmaceutical and critical manufacturing back to the United States is essential. They also dive into real estate, housing shortages, zoning, and the policies that can either unlock or strangle new development.

Along the way, John reflects on faith, family, his father’s immigrant story, and what the American dream means to a new generation of Greek Americans. He also talks about public service, political involvement from the private sector, and how he thinks about using his time and attention to create opportunity for others.

Kafé & Kouvénta is an Ethnikos Kirikas / The National Herald broadcast. Listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts, and watch full video episodes on YouTube.

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In this episode of Kafé & Kouvénta, host Eraklis Diamataris sits down with Greece’s Minister of Labor and Social Security, Niki Kerameus, for an in-depth look at ReBrain Greece, the Greek government’s initiative to bring skilled Greeks and members of the diaspora back home. They discuss how Greece reduced unemployment from crisis levels to a 17-year low, the country’s new growth trajectory, and the concrete incentives now available, including tax breaks, streamlined recognition for doctors trained abroad, and a more flexible framework for working pensioners.

The conversation also explores how to spread opportunity beyond Athens, the role of vocational and technical education, and what meaningful growth looks like for young people already living in Greece. Minister Kerameus shares what she hopes to achieve during her tenure and extends an invitation to the ReBrain Greece event in New York City on Sunday, December 7, at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square.

Listen to hear how Greece is trying to turn brain drain into brain gain, and why now may be the right moment to consider living and working in Greece.

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In the debut episode of Kafé & Kouvénta, host Eraklis Diamataris speaks with Andreas Dracopoulos, Co-President of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, about his journey from Athens to global philanthropy. They discuss ethics, leadership, and what it means to “stay human” in a world shaped by technology. Recognized by The National Herald for his dedication to Greek education, Dracopoulos reflects on responsibility, partnership, and the power of giving back.

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In this introductory episode, host Eraklis A. Diamataris, Co-Editor and Publisher of Ethnikos Kirikas / The National Herald, welcomes listeners to Kafé & Kouvénta, a new podcast devoted to genuine conversations that bridge the Hellenic world and beyond.

The name Kafé & Kouvénta reflects a simple truth: that understanding often begins with an honest exchange, maybe over a cup of coffee. In a fast-paced, digital world, this podcast offers space to slow down, listen, and reconnect with one another.

Each 30 to 40-minute episode features engaging guests from all walks of life—emerging voices, seasoned leaders, and people making a difference, all linked by their connection to Hellenism. Whether advancing culture, driving innovation, or strengthening community, each story adds to the modern Greek narrative.

Both audio and video versions will be available, with subtitles to ensure accessibility for all. Through these conversations, Kafé & Kouvénta revives something essential: the human connection that binds us.

Eraklis extends his gratitude to the Ethnikos Kirikas and The National Herald community for more than 110 years of support and invites you to continue the dialogue.

So, pour a coffee, settle in, and join the kouvénta.

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