Princeton Podcast

In episode 38 of the Princeton Podcast host, our host, Mayor Mark Freda, welcomed Mimi Omiecinski, the Owner of Princeton Tour Company, offering Princeton residents and visitors historic walking tours, bus tours, ghost hunts, team building experiences, re-enactments, and more.

In addition to discussing her background and the development of Princeton Tour Company over the past 16 years, Mimi also described falling in love with Princeton and writing her book, Good Night Princeton.

In episode 37 of the Princeton Podcast, our host, Mayor Mark Freda, welcomed David Fox, the Executive Director of Arm In Arm.

Formerly known as The Crisis Ministry, this non-profit organization was founded in 1980 by leaders of Nassau Presbyterian Church and Trinity Church here in Princeton to help community members who were struggling financially. Now, for the past 4 decades, Mercer County families have turned to Arm In Arm for essential resources including food, housing assistance, and financial support. 

In addition to discussing Arm in Arm’s evolving role in helping to provide food and housing for those in need, David described the significance of combining work experience with daily training and job search activities.

In Episode 36 of the Princeton Podcast, our host, Mayor Mark Freda, welcomed Sarah Rasmussen, the new Artistic Director of the McCarter Theatre Center.

In addition to discussing her role as the Artistic Director of McCarter Theatre, Sarah described McCarter’s Theatre Series of original productions, including 'Blues For An Alabama Sky', McCarter’s current production written by Pearl Cleage and directed by McCarter's Associate Artistic Director, Nicole A. Watson.

Sarah also detailed McCarter’s Presented Series, a innovative mix of performances and cultural attractions including the upcoming performance of Eddie Palmieri and his Salsa Orchestra, McCarter’s Jazz in June series presenting 6 events over 3 weekends including Samara Joy, the 2023 Grammy award winning Best New Artist, as well as the return of the McCarter Theatre Dance Series and Classical Music performances.

Mark and Sarah also touched on McCarter Theatre Center’s Educational and Community Engagement programs including camps and classes for both children and adults.

In Episode 35 of the Princeton Podcast, our host, Mayor Mark Freda, welcomed Jill Barry, Executive Director of Morven Museum and Garden.

In addition to discussing Morven’s role in the history of our nation, as well as Princeton for the past 250 years, Jill described Morven museum’s permanent collection suite of galleries that tells the story of everyone that lived and worked on this National Historic Site, including Richard Stockton a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Robert Wood Johnson, Jr. and five New Jersey Governors as well as the women, children, three generations of enslaved people, immigrant servants, and later, employees.

Mark and Jill also discussed Morven’s new Stockton Education Center, with its expanded programming, improved gardens, and Moven’s upcoming signature events.

In episode 34 of the Princeton Podcast our host, Mayor Mark Freda, welcomed Jon Bucchere, Princeton Police Chief.

In addition to discussing Chief Bucchere’s lifelong involvement with the Princeton community, Mark and Jon discussed the evolution of policing here in Princeton from Jon’s 24-year history as a member of the Princeton Police Department. A lot has changed to keep Princeton at the forefront of modern police practices.

The Princeton Podcast is produced by the Podcast Production Team at HG Media, providing audio and video production services here in Princeton since 1999. 

If you enjoy the Princeton Podcast please share it with your friends and subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever you listen to podcasts.

In episode 33 of the Princeton Podcast, our host, Mayor Mark Freda, welcomed Leighton Newlin, Princeton Councilman.

In addition to discussing Leighton’s assignments on the council’s Affordable Housing Board, Corner House Board, Historic Preservation Committee, and Princeton’s Housing Authority Board, Mark and Leighton discussed their lifelong experience and observations of the challenges and opportunities of Princeton’s economic growth and evolving diversity.

In episode 32 of the Princeton Podcast our host, Mayor Mark Freda, sat down with James Steward, the Director of the Princeton University Art Museum.

James Steward joined the Princeton University Art Museum as its director in April 2009 and since that time has expanded the Museum’s program of exhibitions and educational activities as well as its open hours and outreach efforts on campus and throughout the Princeton community. 

James is currently in the midst of leading a major Princeton Art Museum expansion that will double the museum’s exhibition space within a new building that will be home to the museum’s collection of over 100,000 works of art and its more than 200,000 visitors each year.

The Princeton Podcast is produced by the Podcast Production Team at HG Media, providing audio and video production services here in Princeton since 1999.

In episode 31 of the Princeton Podcast, our host, Mayor Mark Freda, caught up with Mathew Stiff, Chief of the Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad.

In addition to discussing Matt’s background and 15-year experience with the squad, Mark and Matt discussed the history of the Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad from its beginnings back in 1939. Matt described the squads’ new facility, its skilled staff, its coordinated relations with our fire and police departments, and its extensive capabilities to provide aid to our community in critical times of medical emergencies and physical rescues.

In episode 30 of the Princeton Podcast, our host, Mayor Mark Freda, sat down with Princeton Councilman David Cohen.

In addition to discussing David’s background and his assignments on a variety council committees, Mark and David touched on the recently revised set of permit parking regulations, as well as many other challenges and rewards David experienced during his past five years as a Princeton Councilman.

The Princeton Podcast is produced as a community service by HG Media, providing audio, video, and website design services here in Princeton since 1999. 

If you enjoy the Princeton Podcast please share it with your friends and subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever you listen to podcasts.

In Episode 29 of the Princeton Podcast, Mayor Mark Freda caught up with Dr. Aly Cohen, Integrative Rheumatologist, Author, Speaker, Community Educator, Podcaster, and founder of The Smart Human - an organization designed to inform the public about environmental health concerns and practical solutions to help minimize chemical exposures.

Aly discussed her educational background, as well as her collaboration with Princeton school teachers to help their teenage students learn about the wide variety of unregulated chemicals found in the many personal hygiene products they use - an experience that helped inspire Aly to found The Smart Human organization.

Mark and Aly also discussed the book Aly co-authored with Frederick vom Saal entitled, Non-Toxic: Guide to Living Healthy in a Chemical World - that examines how to reduce our chemical and radiation exposures by recognizing potential threats and paying attention to what we eat, drink, breathe, and put onto our skin.