Lost in Jersey

Find out how much this 100-year-old organization does. We were surprise. Their mission statement is eliminating racism and empowering women.  We spoke with Helen Archontou, CEO of YWCA Northern New Jersey, who is building programs to do just that.

Don't sing that other song in your head, instead help us come up with a song for the YWCA! In this episode, you will learn about:

• YWCA's Mission and Programs: Helen elaborates on the YWCA's mission of "eliminating racism, empowering women," highlighting various programs such as childcare, senior wellness initiatives, and support for women re-entering the workforce.
• Challenges and Advocacy: We discuss the challenges moms face, the importance of voting based on your values, and the YWCA's advocacy and policy work for gender and racial equity. 
• Volunteering and Community Involvement: Helen encourages listeners to get involved with the YWCA, emphasizing the importance of community support and the many different ways individuals can contribute to the organization's mission.

YWCA Northern New Jersey

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Meet the impressive woman behind The Local Girl® media success, Jennifer Tripucka. Tune in and take away some valued tips listeners will be excited to learn about 3 key things:

1. Founder's Journey:  She shares her evolution from Hoboken Girl to expanding her online presence with various locations and sites in New Jersey.
2. Media Mogul Tips: Get insider tips on content creation, brand building, SEO, traffic growth, community building, and unique ways to monetize from Jennifer's course "Becoming the Local Girl."
3. Personal Stories: Hear about Jennifer's experiences with animal rescue, heart health, and her new idea, the Rainbow Bridge Project.

Listeners can expect an engaging and informative discussion that highlights Jennifer's journey, expertise, and commitment to empowering local businesses and communities in New Jersey.

The Local Girl
The Montclair Girl
Hoboken Girl
Jennifer Tripucka

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The top 100 books of the 21st Century! Wait, is that clickbait, New York Times? Why yes, yes it is, and we clicked on it. You say the words "100" and "century" and then we click and see it's all recent books and then realize - HOLD UP! They meant the BEST books since the ye old year of 2001?
Oh.
That's a bit anti-climactic.
But we're here for it. And we share what books from this list stayed with us long after we closed the back cover (or hit stop on the audiobook). Plus Rachel throws in a book that's not on the list. You know why? Because she can!
Are you one of the million fans of Elena Ferrante? Then go get Lies and Sorcery by Elsa Morante translated by Jenny McPhee.

New York Times Best Books of the 21st Century
New York Times Readers Best Books of the 21st Century

Some of the books mentioned are:
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari  

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Scott Moore has followed his curiosity and passion. From making a bold call to land an internship at MTV, to producing influential music documentaries at VH1, to an amazing career as a musician, Scott's journey is a magical mystery ride. His honest discussion about his family's history is heartwarming and inspiring. 

Join us to discover Scott's story and the depth and beauty of his life's journey in Jersey and that little city right near us (NYC).

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What if a simple clerical error could alter the course of your entire career? Listen to Natasha Mathias as she recounts her serendipitous journey from pediatric dentistry and fashion design. Natasha's story takes us from India, where she was mistakenly placed into dental school, to the United States, where she discovered her passion for pediatric dentistry at Rutgers. After years of running Sparkles Dentistry and making a real difference in children's lives, Natasha transitioned into the glamorous world of fashion, even designing gowns for the Tony Awards. Her path is a powerful example of embracing the unknown journey of fate.

Join us for a story that's as inspiring as it is insightful, filled with practical advice and heartwarming anecdotes.

Guest Shoutouts:
Jonathan's Ballons at the Light Closet

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Step back in time with us as we uncover the fascinating history of Montclair, New Jersey, through the expertise of Angelica Diggs, the executive director of the Montclair History Center. Our engaging conversation with Angelica unravels the township's journey from its early colonial days to its present-day diversity. You'll be captivated by tales of local landmarks, including the cemeteries on Church Street and the unique distinctions between Upper and Lower Montclair. Discover how the town’s early settlers and subsequent waves of migration have woven a rich and diverse cultural tapestry.

Explore the dramatic and often poignant moments that have shaped Montclair, including the chilling tales of untimely deaths at the Park Street home, and the resilient stories of African American families during the Great Migration. Angelica also shares the intriguing histories of key figures like Israel Crane and James Howe, whose contributions left lasting imprints on the community. We delve into the architectural landmarks that give Montclair its distinctive character and trace the roots of Upper Montclair's two zip codes to its early colonial origins.

Our discussion wouldn't be complete without addressing Montclair's more challenging past, such as the impact of 1930s redlining practices and the town’s ongoing fight against segregation through its magnet school system. Angelica highlights the vital preservation efforts undertaken by the Friends of the Howe House and other local historical organizations to ensure the stories of Montclair's past are remembered and celebrated. Join us for a thought-provoking journey through history with someone who brings passion and profound insight into every story. Don’t forget to follow the Montclair History Center’s YouTube channel for even more historical gems!

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We both agree Robert Downy Jr. jumped the shark in The Sympathizer. Learn why in this month's edition of what to watch and read. 

TV Show and Movie Reviews

• The Sympathizer loved the book but had mixed feelings about the show, particularly Robert Downey Jr. playing multiple roles.
• Unfrosted   Think Spaceballs so bad it's good. A light-hearted, self-aware movie about Pop-Tarts, recommended for a fun family watch.
• Hitman An enjoyable, light watch directed by Richard Linklater.
• Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial  Highly recommend. A very compelling documentary on Netflix about the Nuremberg trials, using historical footage and reenactments.
• Billy and Molly Loved it. A heartwarming National Geographic documentary about a homeless otter in Scotland.
• Hacks (Season 3) Starts slow but the new season continues to deliver.
• Ren Faire A new HBO show about a Renaissance festival in Texas, described as "nuts" and compared to Succession. Has more Twitter(X) hype than it deserves. 

Book Recommendations

• Funny Stories by Emily Henry - A light, entertaining rom-com about a woman whose perfect boyfriend leaves her before their wedding.
• A Travel Guide to the Middle Ages by Anthony Bale  - An engaging listen about medieval travel, covering various regions like India, Persia, and Constantinople.
• Empireworld by Sathnam Sanghera - A fascinating but downbeat book about the British Empire, narrated by someone with an upper-crust British accent.
• The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon - Historical fiction based on the diaries of a real midwife, Martha Ballard, set in 1789 Maine. The story involves a murder investigation and a rape trial.

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Join us today for quizzes and laughs. We took the New York Times, "Butterfly or Firefly: What's Your Friendship Style?" quiz and live to tell about it.  We also took a look at the comments section and were shocked at the intensity of the feedback!

Why do humans love taking tests to tell them about themselves? Partly because......it's fun!

Our conversation also gets serious for a bit when we turn to the impact of social media on emotional intelligence, the evolving social interactions of younger generations, and the importance of critical thinking in a world dominated by loud voices.

We encourage our listeners to take some quizzes adding a touch of non-toxic Cosmo-style fun to their lives.

QUIZZES
What type of best friend are you?
Brooklyn 99 Personality Quiz
Emotional Intelligence Quiz
How Strong are Your Relationships?
What Color Represents Your Personality?

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In this episode, we had the pleasure of interviewing Yana Collins Lehman, the CEO of Trevanna Post, a film post-production company based in New York City. Yana shared her fascinating journey from growing up in a small forest in Northern California to becoming a significant figure in the post-production industry.

We delved into the intricacies of post-production work, including the importance of tax credits, the role of post-production advisors and accountants, and the challenges of managing budgets for films. Yana also highlighted the significance of the New York and New Jersey tax credits in attracting film productions to these states.

Yana discussed her involvement with Montclair Film, where she serves on the board and chairs the education committee. She hinted at some exciting plans for the film festival in October.

On a personal note, Yana revealed her passion for triathlons and her experiences participating in events like the Ironman Lake Placid and the Escape from Alcatraz.

We thoroughly enjoyed our conversation with Yana and learned so much about the post-production industry and her inspiring journey.  So press play and enjoy!

Shout Outs
Café Giotto
Mercado
Fleet Feet

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Meet Stephen Winters a life-long Jerseyan and learn where to get the best pizza, ice cream, and "Taylor Ham" sandwich in New Jersey!
 
You do not want to miss this episode:
- Have you ever watched The Sopranos? Tune in to hear how Tony Soprano should have ordered the ice cream, not the onion rings. Stephen makes this famous ice cream at Holsten's.
- Do you order an Egg, Cheese, and Taylor Ham Sandwich? or an Egg, Cheese, and Pork Roll Sandwich? It'll let us know what part of Jersey you are from. And we let you know where to go for the most delicious one!
- Sign up for Stephen's Instagram The Pizza Hulk so you never miss a new pizza joint to go to!
- We talk best bar pies.....and what is a bar pie? Tune in!
- A Pizza style Air B&B? Yes, and not too far from here....we'll give you the details.

Shout Outs
Holsten's
Pascarella Bros
Vinnie's Pan Pizza
Star Tavern
Bivio Pizza
Squares and Fare
Jerseybites.com article with Best Spots from Stephen
Air B&B

ENJOY!

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