Your History Your Story

As many may know, the United States of America will be celebrating its 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. With that important date on the horizon, some will pause to think about the American Revolution and the great sacrifices made to gain our independence from Great Britain.

New Jersey, one of the original thirteen colonies, played a critical role during the Revolutionary War as many battles were fought there and George Washington spent more time there, than anywhere else.

In this episode of Your History Your Story, we will be speaking with author and website creator, Al Frazza. Al is a lifelong resident of New Jersey whose passion for history prompted him to take a seven and a half year journey to research, photograph and document nearly 650 historic Revolutionary War sites throughout his state. 

Al then used his research to create a comprehensive website called (RevolutionaryWarNewJersey.com), which provides historians, teachers and history buffs with a treasure trove of information.

Al, who authored the book, “State of Revolution, My Seven-and-a-Half-Year Journey Through Revolutionary War New Jersey”, will share his experiences of traveling to all of New Jersey’s twenty one counties to complete the research for his amazing website.

Photo(s): Courtesy of Al Frazza

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

Your History Your Story Social Links & website: https://linktr.ee/yhyspodcast

To purchase "State of Revolution" book, please use our Amazon associate link: https://amzn.to/3FwNraN

Al Frazza website: www.RevolutionaryWarNewJersey.com 

As children, brothers Robert and Vincent Gardino began to take an interest in historical people when their dad started bringing home autographs of famous patrons at the New York City restaurant where he worked as a waiter.

The two boys then took it upon themselves to expand their collection of autographs by using resources at the public library to obtain addresses of other notable people such as politicians, celebrities and sports figures. They wrote to these people and to their surprise, many responded and their collection grew.

This early interest in collecting autographs prompted the Gardino brothers as adults to connect with historical figures by searching for their final resting places, so they could pay their respects and connect with history.

In this episode of Your History Your Story, we will be speaking with Robert and Vincent Gardino about their recently released book, “Grave Trippers, History at our Feet” which documents the stories of noted historical personalities, along with some fun facts and specific directions to their final resting places so that others can be “grave trippers” too! 

Photo(s): Courtesy of Robert and Vincent Gardino

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

Your History Your Story Social Links: https://linktr.ee/yhyspodcast 

To purchase Grave Trippers, History at our Feet, please use our Amazon Associate link: https://amzn.to/3QMKrd9

Grave Tripper's website: www.gravetrippers.com

Halloween is almost here! It is time to put on our sweatshirts, admire the multi-colored leaves falling from the trees and spy the array of skeletons, orange lights and Jack-o-lanterns adorning our neighborhoods. It’s also the best time of year to settle in on a chilly evening with a glass of hot cider and a bowl of popcorn to watch a scary movie starring the classic horror movie icon, Vincent Price.

Vincent, who died in 1993 at the age of 82, was well known for his roles in horror films, yet his brilliant and successful six decade career also included classic movies of other genres and roles on stage, television and radio. Vincent was also known for doing voice over work which included Michael Jackson’s hit, Thriller. 

In this episode of Your History Your Story, we will be speaking with Vincent’s grandson, Jody Price. Jody will share stories about his grandfather’s life, acting career, his passion for art, art history and cooking. He will also share that in contrast to the many villainous characters his grandfather portrayed, he was a kind and compassionate man with a generous spirit.

Photo(s): Courtesy of Jody Price

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

Your History Your Story Social Media & Website: https://linktr.ee/yhyspodcast

YHYS Amazon Associate link to purchase the Vincent Price Collection (movies): https://amzn.to/3F3FM3M 

Jody Price music: nmbliss.bandcamp.com 

Jody Price email: [email protected] 

Incorporated in 1838, Brooklyn, New York’s Green-Wood Cemetery is the final resting place of almost 600,000 people! 

Designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006, Green-Wood contains stunning natural beauty and landscape design, unique architectural styles and a museum that displays artwork, maps and other interesting objects that belonged to some of the people interred at Green-Wood. Today the cemetery offers a variety of tours, concerts and other programs that provide a cultural and historical experience for its’ visitors. 

In this episode of Your History Your Story, we will be speaking with Green-Wood’s historian, Jeff Richman, author of “Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery - New York’s Buried Treasure”. Jeff will share fascinating stories about some of the cemetery’s most interesting, permanent “residents” and will also explain why a visit to Green-Wood is important not only to pay respect to the dead, but to enjoy Green-Wood’s peaceful, park-like setting and become immersed in its rich history.

Photo(s): Courtesy of Your History Your Story Podcast

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

Your History Your Story social media links: https://linktr.ee/yhyspodcast 

To purchase your copy of Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery, please use our Amazon affiliate link:  https://amzn.to/3VqWwHS

Green-Wood Cemetery website: www.green-wood.com 

October 29, 2022 marks the 10th anniversary of the day Superstorm Sandy came ashore in New Jersey. This epic storm, which was the greatest natural disaster in the history of the Jersey Shore brought with it high winds, heavy rain and a tidal surge causing loss of life, power outages and widespread destruction of property. One of the hardest hit areas along the coast was Long Beach Island in Ocean County.

In this episode of Your History Your Story, we will be speaking with Scott Mazzella, author of the national award winning book, “Surviving Sandy: Long Beach Island and the Greatest Storm of the Jersey Shore”. 

Scott, a New Jersey resident, educator, former reporter and passionate weather buff will tell us  about Superstorm Sandy from its’ early formation to its’ devastating landfall. He will also be sharing  stories about Long Beach Islanders who survived the storm and worked tirelessly together with volunteers from around the country, to rebuild and restore the Jersey Shore.

Photo(s): Courtesy of Scott Mazzella, YHYS Podcast and Carl Clark, Leslee Ganss - Down the Shore Publishing

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

Your History Your Story social media links: https://linktr.ee/yhyspodcast 

To purchase your copy of Surviving Sandy, please use our Amazon affiliate link: = https://amzn.to/3fo52GS 

In this episode of Your History Your Story, we will be speaking with Enrique “Ric” Prado, author of New York Times bestselling book “Black Ops, The Life of a Shadow Warrior”.

Ric, who was born to a middle class family in Cuba, was ten years old when his family sent him alone to the United States to save him from the abuses of Fidel Castro’s Marxist regime. Ric’s parents, whose property and business had been confiscated by that regime, would not be able to join their son in the US for eights long months, during which time Ric lived in a Colorado orphanage. Once reunited with his parents, he and his family quickly embraced the US as their new home, settling in Florida.

Ric will be sharing many exciting stories about his life and twenty four year career with the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency), where he operated in the shadows at various locations in the world during the Cold War Era and the Age of Terrorism. Ric eventually achieved the rank of CIA Counterterrorist Chief of Operations, the CIA equivalent of a two star general. This is Ric’s story of incredible dedication, patriotism and courage.

Photo(s) Courtesy of Ric Prado and YHYS Podcast

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

Your History Your Story links: https://linktr.ee/yhyspodcast 

Black Ops book on Amazon (our affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3CrXPPF 

Time Stamps

2:20 Ric's early years in Cuba, parent's coffee roasting business

6:00 Castro's regime moves in and family moves to Havana

11:20 Ric leaves Cuba with the Peter Pan program at age 10, memories of leaving parents at airport, Orphanage in Pueblo, CO, Reunited with parents after eight months.

19:00 Family settles in Florida, moving forward in the US, Ric's education and becoming citizens of the US.

23:45 High School days and getting in the "wrong crowd", hippie story & the American Flag

31:30 Paramedic / EMT / Fire and Rescue training, Applying to the CIA.

38:30 What does Black Ops mean?, Keeping his cover and assignments all over the world, Spy school.

47:00 Scary moments & staying alert, being aware of your surroundings.

51:00 Shift from communism to terrorism, Bin Laden task force, 9/11 and witnessing the planes hitting the WTC towers.

1h 7m End of Ric's career with the CIA, retirement and reflection. Why Ric wrote Black Ops, 139 stars on wall of fallen CIA agents.

In the summer of 1960, nineteen year old Sandy Greenberg, the son of a Buffalo, NY junk dealer, was home on break between his sophomore and junior years at Columbia University. Sandy, who loved sports, also loved learning and was very excited about his future and the possibilities that lay ahead. However, while pitching in a baseball game that summer, Sandy’s vision suddenly became cloudy, requiring him to leave the game after almost hitting a batter. Sandy did not know it then, but eye disease and a misdiagnosis would soon lead to complete blindness.

In this episode of Your History Your Story, we will be speaking with author, entrepreneur, investor and inventor, Sandy Greenberg. Sandy will talk about his book, “Hello Darkness, My Old Friend”, which tells his story of how he went from despair to a life of hope, love and gratitude. Sandy will share stories about special people in his life who helped him and believed in him, especially his wife Sue and his college roommate and dear friend, Art Garfunkel, who he affectionately calls “Arthur”.

Sandy and his wife, Sue are founders of End Blindness, “a prize created to advance ground breaking, scientific and medical research to end blindness permanently and for everyone”.

Photo(s): Courtesy of Sandy Greenberg

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

YHYS Podcast Links: https://linktr.ee/yhyspodcast 

To purchase, "Hello Darkness, My Old Friend" please use our Amazon Associate link here: https://amzn.to/3eZ4C9Y 

It may come as a shock to many, that for every 106 people in New York City, 1 is homeless. Thankfully, The Bowery Mission which has been in existence since the 1870’s  continues to serve the hungry and homeless in New York, providing critical services to meet their needs and help transform their lives.

In the year, 2021, in the midst of the Covid 19 pandemic, The Bowery Mission provided 255,000 meals, 54,000 nights of shelter, 30,000 emergency showers and 20,000 articles of clothing to New Yorkers experiencing homelessness, hunger and other crises.

In this episode of Your History Your Story, we will be speaking with James Winans, President and CEO of The Bowery Mission. James will tell the powerful story of The Bowery Mission and the work it has been doing for over 150 years to remain a place where help and hope is delivered and trust is built.

Photo(s): Courtesy of The Bowery Mission and Your History Your Story Podcast

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

YHYS Podcast Links: https://linktr.ee/yhyspodcast

The Bowery Mission website: https://www.bowery.org 

The Bowery - Time Stamps

2:45 Stats on homelessness in NYC, Mission of The Bowery Mission, Red Doors @ 227 Bowery

8:30 Graduates of the Bowery programs / alumni gatherings

11:30 Life on the streets vs feeling safe at The Bowery Mission, reasons for homelessness

16:00 Helping w/ resumes, interviewing skills, spiritual focus. Chapel operating since 1909

17:45 James Winans story and Bowery Mission supporters

23:00 The pandemic begins, Bowery Mission stays open feeding 2x's the amount of people than usual.

34:15 History of The Bowery Mission, persevering through the years, Locations of The Bowery Mission sites and Mont Lawn Camp for kids

45:40 Biggest challenges today for The Bowery Mission and partnering with The Bowery Mission

48:30 Reported asks guest about the Corona Virus story  

How can YOU brighten someone else’s day? It may be a thoughtful gesture, a kind word or simply sharing a smile. 

Our guest on this episode of Your History Your Story is Michael Ray, founder of Smile Project Louisville, an organization created to affect attitude and behaviors through smiling and small random acts of kindness. 

Over the years Michael’s life had been affected by some tragic and difficult times such as the death of a child, job insecurity, divorce and the challenges of parenting a special needs daughter. One day in 2018 while Michael was feeling particularly down about the possibility of losing his job, he went to a Wendy’s drive through to get some lunch. While giving his order, he encountered an employee whose smile and kind demeanor lifted his spirits greatly. That moment, coupled with the joy he had always felt from the smiles of his precious, non-verbal daughter, changed the course of Michael’s life. 

Since its’ founding, Smile Project Louisville has gained momentum. Today, you can find pictures and videos of Michael’s acts of kindness toward total strangers on social media. He has followers from all over the world and has also ventured into public speaking with the hope of touching more and more lives with smiles and love.

Photo(s): Courtesy of Michael Ray

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

https://linktr.ee/yhyspodcast 

[email protected] 

[email protected] 

http://smileprojectlouisville.com