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Indy Audio
Author: The Indypendent
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The Indypendent News Hour airs Tuesdays 5–6 p.m. on WBAI-99.5 FM. Check out our archives to listen to past interviews with movement organizers, authors, elected officials and others fighting for justice in New York City and beyond.
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In our first segment, we spoke with two two tenant-organizers from the Union of Pinnacle Tenants about the Day 1 executive order Mamdani signed that commits the city to intervening on behalf of thousands of rent-stabilized tenants who live in 93 buildings controlled by bankrupt slumlord Pinnacle that are at risk of being auctioned off to another predatory landlord.
In Mayor Zohran Mamdani's first week in office, he has made several bold moves to throw the full power of city government behind tenants while stimulating the production of more new housing.
In our first segment, we spoke with two two tenant-organizers from the Union of Pinnacle Tenants about the Day 1 executive order Mamdani signed that commits the city to intervening on behalf of thousands of rent-stabilized tenants who live in 93 buildings controlled by bankrupt slumlord Pinnacle that are at risk of being auctioned off to another predatory landlord.
In our second segment, we spoke with veteran NYC journalist Steven Wishnia about some of Mamdani's other moves: appointing socialist tenant organizer Cea Weaver to head the Mayor's Office of Tenant Protection and plans for "rental rip-off" public hearings across the five boroughs.
In the final part of the show, we took listener call-ins.
We speak to Union of Pinnacle Tenants members, Josie and Zara on organizing and Mayor Mamdani’s Day 1 pledge to intervene on behalf of thousands of rent-stabilized tenants who live in 93 buildings controlled by bankrupt slumlord Pinnacle that are at risk of being auctioned off to another predatory landlord.
Veteran housing journalist Steven Wishnia, educates us on what he believes it will take to build truly affordable housing, why he believes social housing is the way to go; his take on Mamdani’s executive orders and rental rip-off hearing.
We take listener call ins and hear about their experiences as tenants and their opinions on Mamdani’s moves and what they hope for more support with.
In our first segment we talk to author Ted Hamm on his new Indypendent article titled,‘Five Things Zohran Mamdani Can Do at Very Little Cost To Help Deliver a Successful Administration’. We discuss the recommendations Ted makes on how they could make Mamdani even more successful as mayor. We talk about how Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration and what we can hope for in this new era.
In our second segment, we dig into the Indypendent News Hour archives to show you clips from 2022 and 2020 interviews the Indypendent did with Zohran Mamdani when he was still an eager assembly member. We discuss the free bus pilot program Zohran spearheaded and what this shows us about the campaign promise of fast and free buses. We also listen to Mamdani’s experience of working in Albany as a democratic socialist. An end of year reflection on the journey Mamdani has taken from assembly member to mayor and the consistent commitment to stay true to his principles and community along the way.
Indypendent Author Ted Hamm, has a new article out titled,‘Five Things Zohran Mamdani Can Do at Very Little Cost To Help Deliver a Successful Administration’. We discuss the recommendations Ted makes on how they could make Mamdani even more successful as mayor. We talk about how Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration and what we can hope for in this new era.
We dig into the Indypendent News Hour archives to show you clips from 2022 and 2020 interviews the Indypendent did with Zohran Mamdani when he was still an eager assembly member. We discuss the free bus pilot program Zohran spearheaded and what this shows us about the campaign promise of fast and free buses. We also listen to Mamdani’s experience of working in Albany as a democratic socialist. Before the Inauguration feels like a good place to reflect on the journey Mamdani has taken from assembly member to mayor and the consistent commitment to stay true to his principles and community along the way.
We spent the hour talking with radical playwright, author and activist Karen Malpede whose new memoir provides a fearless, unsparing account of her life: her many erotic adventures, her long running political activism from the 1960s to the present, the historic figures she befriended (and sometimes slept with), the agony of watching many of those closest to her wither away from cancer and the hard-earned wisdom she has gained across her life’s journey. The title of her memoir is Last Radiance: Radical Lives, Bright Deaths available everywhere books are sold. You can check out a review on indypendent.org.
In the first segment of the interview, Karen Malpede chronicles her early life for us, tells us what compelled her to write the memoir and why she chose theatre as as a medium for her life’s work, and activism. You can purchase her memoir Last Radiance, everywhere books are sold and check out the review on indypendent.org.
In the second segment of the interview, Karen Malpede talks about her radical plays, the underground fringes of the theatre world, and why the truths she told led to her productions being shut down. She talks about the wonderful people she worked with and the influence of her late-husband George on her life and work. You can purchase her memoir Last Radiance, everywhere books are sold and check out the review on indypendent.org.
In the final segment of the interview, Karen Malpede gives us little anecdotes from her erotic life and the joy that has permeated through her life. We talk about how deep grief is a reflection of how deep the love is and end on a high note! You can purchase her memoir Last Radiance, everywhere books are sold and check out the review on indypendent.org.
In our first segment, we speak with socialist assembly member Emily Gallagher about fighting white collar crime, along with her input on the SOLAR UP NOW NEW YORK ACT to give New Yorkers access to renewable power and thereby, lower utility costs.
In our second segment we reflect on Rob Rheiner’s death, the legacy of the radical television show, It’s All in The Family and the importance of independent media as we continue to raise funds for WBAI.
In our third segment we speak to political writer and activist Cole Sandick about why he believes a growing number of Social Media policies, seem to positively protect the youth on the surface, lead to more surveillance in practice.
Emily Gallaghar, Assembly member representative for Greenpoint was elected in 2020. She educates us about the SOLAR UP NOW NEW YORK ACT, legislation if passed will help New Yorkers lower utility costs by having access to plug-in solar designed for apartments. We also chat about new legislation that protects New Yorkers from bad corporate actors and landlords, ensuring more transparency. When we call our representatives in favor of bills that protect our rights, they have a higher chance of getting passed, so tune in, learn with us and make those calls!
We reflect on the popular 80’s show, It’s All in The Family in the wake of Rob Rheiner, beloved lead actor’s tragic murder, how the show was radical for its time and still remains relevant today and why its controversial themes wouldn’t necessarily make it on programming today. Just another reason to support independent radio.
Activist and writer, Cole Sandick talks about how there’s increasingly popular legislation to limit teenagers’ access to social media platforms and why he believes that while this sounds promising on the surface, in practice, it's leading to more government surveillance, privacy infringement and fails to keep young people off the internet.
In our first segment, we talk to organizers of March for Mumia on marching for better conditions for the incarcerated elderly and freedom for Mumia, a former Black Panther. In our second segment, we talk about media monopolies forming with Warner Brothers being bought out and predictive markets. In our third segment, we talk to Reverend Billy and Savitri D. from the Church of Stop Shopping Choir on their new show, AI and returning to our humanity.
Steve Bernhaut, Johanna Ramen and Joe Piette, talk to us about why they're marching for Mumia, a radio journalist and former Black Panther who was incarcerated for shooting a police officer in the 80s. We discuss the lack of healthcare for the incarcerated elderly, and the response they've received.
We discuss how the Netflix vs. Paramount, Warner Brothers merger will lead to media monopolies, their motives behind acquiring Warner Brothers. We learn about Kalshi, a predictive marketing app that wants to monetize "differences in cultural opinion", and their partnership with CNN.
We talk to Reverend Billy and Savitri D. about their new holiday show, AI and the importance of returning to our humanity and sing. "Are You Strange Enough to Change Enough?" they urge us to ask.



