Nat's Sidewalk Stories

In this powerful conversation, Jersey City photographer Duquann Sweeney shares his philosophy that photography is fundamentally an act of care. From his Bergen Lafayette neighborhood, Duquann has spent years documenting the dignity, joy, and everyday beauty of his community through striking black and white portraits. We explore his recent work honored by the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy, the Royal Men Foundation he founded, and his collaboration on the WE'RE HERE Project documenting hidden histories. Duquann challenges us to hold onto three essential elements: history, love, and imagination.find shownotes at natkalbach.com/podcast

Andrea McKenna's studio journey spans from a century-old garage on a Jersey City dead-end street to her aunt's former bedroom in Fort Lee. In this conversation, we explore how personal loss transformed her artistic practice, the evolution of Jersey City's art community, and what it means to hold space for other artists while navigating your own creative path. Andrea shares the story of the Raven Gallery, her seven years as gallery director at Art House Productions, and her collaborative performance piece "Arboreal Soul" with choreographer Megan Woods; a meditation on grief through movement and visual art. find shownotes at natkalbach.com/podcast

I kick off Season 2 with Rimli Roy, founder and artistic director of Surati Studio, whose journey from IT programmer to cultural institution builder embodies the best of Jersey City's immigrant experience. From her first Halloween in America to creating festivals that unite thousands, Rimli shares how cultural work happens organically,through one person's willingness to share what they love, combined with a community ready to support that sharing.check out the Show notes on natkalbach.com/podcast

In this special season finale, Nat sits down with her dear friend Chelsea Castro, Vice President of the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy, for what starts as playful banter between two "separated at birth" preservation enthusiasts who find profound meaning in skeleton keys tucked in leather satchels and vintage clothing hidden in walls. But as their wandering conversation unfolds, something deeper emerges: a surprising web of connections threading through Season 1 that reveals how every guest - from jazz host Ted Chubb to ceramic artist Jin Jung to storytelling consultant Thaler Pekar - shares unexpected geographic, thematic, and philosophical overlaps. It's a conversation about the silly and the profound, ultimately discovering how curiosity, community care, and the simple act of showing up creates the fabric of neighborhood life.Shownotes at https://natkalbach.substack.com/podcast

In this episode of Nat's Sidewalk Stories, I explore the intersection of poetry and native plants with Ann Wallace, Jersey City's former poet laureate, and Kim Correro, a passionate advocate for native plants. Together, they host The Wild Story podcast, connecting ecological awareness with artistic expression. We discuss finding nature in urban landscapes, how slowing down leads to remarkable discoveries, and why both poetry and native gardening offer paths to hope in challenging times. For the full shownotes and photos and more information etc. check out https://natkalbach.substack.com/Meet the Guests Ann Wallace is a poet, professor of English at New Jersey City University, and Jersey City's 2023-2024 poet laureate. Her most recent book, "These Days of Grace and Silence, A Chronicle of Covid Long Haul," documents her experience with Long Covid through poetry. Ann is the co-host of The Wild Story podcast and a dedicated gardener. Instagram: @annwallace409Website: annwallacepoet.com Kim Correro is the volunteer program director for the Native Plant Society of New Jersey and a professional publicist with 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry. A passionate advocate for biodiversity, Kim leads various restoration projects throughout Jersey City and co-hosts The Wild Story podcast. Instagram: @kimcorrero

About This EpisodeWe explore how a century-old religious statue workshop transformed into one of Jersey City's most intimate jazz venues while maintaining its creative spirit. Ted Chubb shares how The Statuary brings world-class musicians and neighbors together in a unique home setting.Meet Ted ChubbTed Chubb is a trumpeter, educator, and co-owner of The Statuary with his wife Rachel. A Jersey City resident for 17 years, Ted teaches at Princeton University and has performed with jazz luminaries across the globe. His passion for making jazz accessible led him to transform their historic Heights home into a venue where audiences and musicians connect without barriers.more info, show notes, links and pictures at https://natkalbach.substack.com/

About This EpisodeIn this conversation, we explore the creative journey of Jersey City native Irene Christodoulakis, whose work spans from grassroots art initiatives to major HBO productions, and how deep roots in a place can inspire authentic storytelling.Meet Irene ChristodoulakisIrene is a screenwriter, gallery assistant at Art House Gallery, and film industry professional who grew up in Greenville, Jersey City. Her award-winning screenplay about underground women's boxing set in 1930s Jersey City reflects her interest in telling stories of people who attempted to be trailblazers but didn't succeed, drawing inspiration from historical context while setting stories in familiar places, while her work on sets of shows like The Penguin and The Gilded Age showcases her success in the broader creative world.For shownotes, videos and photos connected to the conversation and more information please visit https://natkalbach.substack.com/

In this episode, Colin Egan shares the remarkable 30-year journey of saving Jersey City's historic Loew's Jersey Theatre from demolition. Built as one of five Wonder Theatres in 1929, this grand movie palace was slated for demolition in 1987 until Colin and a dedicated group of volunteers stepped in. From chopping ice on the roof to rebuilding the grand pipe organ piece by piece, Colin reveals how persistence and thousands of volunteer hours transformed an abandoned building into a beloved cultural center that is now undergoing major restoration. Discover how preservation isn't just about saving architectural treasures, but about protecting the democratic spirit of spaces built for everyone to enjoy beauty and art. For show notes, photos, and additional articles related to this episode, visit Nat's Sidewalk Stories on Substack https://natkalbach.substack.com/podcast

Meet Thaler Pekar Thaler Pekar is the founder of Thaler Pekar & Partners, a consultancy celebrating its 20th anniversary helping organizations build cultures of excellent communication. Her work spans executive coaching, institutional story collections, oral histories, and high-end content creation. As both a Hoboken resident of nearly four decades and a former Jersey City professional who worked in McGinley Square for 10 years, Thaler brings a unique perspective on how stories shape our connections to place. Connect with Thaler Pekar: Website: thalerpekar.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@ThalerPekarPartnersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thaler-pekar-partners/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThalerPekar Key Insights Stories are containers for information that hold facts, values, and emotions simultaneously, allowing us to express things we couldn't say in other waysValues like "integrity" or "community" are subjective - stories demonstrate what these values look like in actionPeople are drawn to solutions, not problems - showing stories of solutions in action is more effective than focusing on what's wrongThe "Narrative Garden®" approach examines which stories are being told, which are missing, and which need more room to growStories at the borders and edges of organizations or communities often contain the most innovation and untapped potentialUniversal across cultures: everyone has stories to tell, and everyone wants to be genuinely heardHistoric preservation isn't just about individual buildings, but about preserving streetscapes, neighborhood character, and the aesthetics of communityBuildings uniquely "bring the past into the present so we can hold both at the same time"More details, visual documentation, full transcript and related resources on my substack. Explore Further In next week's Substack article, I'll be sharing my own story map of Jersey City, featuring paintings of the locations that have shaped my personal connection to this community. I'll explore how finding these meaningful places helps us build deeper relationships with the cities we call home. Coming Up Next Join us for the next episode when I'll be speaking with Colin Egan of the Friends of the Loew's Theater about saving and revitalizing one of Jersey City's most magnificent historic buildings. Connect with Nat Website: natkalbach.comSubstack: Nat's Sidewalk Stories SubstackInstagram: @natkalbachEmail: podcast@natkalbach.com Music: Our theme music is "How You Amaze Me," composed by Jim Kalbach and performed by Jim Kalbach, Bryan Beninghove, Charlie Siegler, and Pat Van Dyke. Support the Show: Subscribe to the podcast and sign up for Nat's Substack to receive additional stories and visuals that complement each conversation. Share Your Story: What sidewalk stories have you discovered in your neighborhood? Share them with Nat through email or social media. Nat's Sidewalk Stories explores the intersection of place, community, and storytelling through conversations with practitioners, community leaders, and local changemakers. New episodes release on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month through August, with a break in September before Season 2 begins in October.

About This Episode Musician, writer, and cultural historian Tris McCall shares three decades of observing Jersey City's evolving arts landscape. From documenting lost creative spaces to mapping emotional geographies through characters and songs, Tris offers a unique perspective on how place shapes our creative expressions. Meet Tris McCall Tris McCall has been a fixture in Hudson County's creative scene since 1992. A musician who has performed on virtually every North Jersey stage, Tris has also written for numerous publications, authored fiction exploring place-based themes, and currently serves as an art critic documenting Jersey City's visual arts community. His work received recognition from the Andy Warhol Arts Writers Grant, supporting his continued art criticism through his website Eye Level. Connect with Tris McCall: Website: https://www.eye-level.net/Eye Level on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eyelevel.jc/Tris McCall on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trismccall_nj/Tris on NJArts.net: https://www.njarts.net/author/tmccall/Jersey City Times articles: jerseycitytimes.com/author/tris-mccallBandcamp: https://trismccall.bandcamp.com/ Key Insights Tris's characters often encourage us to "slow down and look carefully at the world around us," an ethos that extends through his songs, fiction, and art criticismThe loss of 111 First Street (demolished in 2007) left a lasting impact on Jersey City's arts scene, though its influence continues through spaces like Deep Space Gallery and The Drawing RoomsJersey City artists often explore environmental themes through adaptive reuse and show a unique relationship between people and place—with figures in artwork often "melding into the landscape"Bergen Lafayette has undergone the most dramatic transformation during Tris's time in Jersey City, from a neighborhood he was warned against visiting to a vibrant community with galleries and music venuesPM Dawn, influential 90s hip-hop pioneers from Jersey City, deserve greater recognition as cultural contributors to the city's musical heritageThe challenge of integrating vertical tower communities into Jersey City's horizontal street life represents a key tension in the city's developmentFor visual documentation, related resources and and more information including the transcript visit natkalbach.com/podcast Connect with NatWebsite: natkalbach.comSubstack: [Substack URL]Instagram: @natkalbachEmail: podcast@natkalbach.comMusic: Our theme music is "How You Amaze Me," composed by Jim Kalbach and performed by Jim Kalbach, Bryan Beninghove, Charlie Siegler, and Pat Van Dyke.Support the Show: Subscribe to the podcast and sign up for Nat's Substack to receive additional stories and visuals that complement each conversation.Share Your Story: What sidewalk stories have you discovered in your neighborhood? Share them with Nat through email or social media.Nat's Sidewalk Stories explores the intersection of place, community, and storytelling through conversations with practitioners, community leaders, and local changemakers. New episodes release on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month through August, with a break in September before Season 2 begins in October.

Meet Jin Jung Jin Jung is a visual artist, educator at NJCU, and creator of the WERE HERE project. Born in Seoul, Korea and having moved to the US at age 11, Jin uses public art to explore community history and create connections to place. Her handmade ceramic markers throughout Jersey City honor forgotten histories while creating what she calls "shelters for stories that might otherwise fade away." Connect with Jin Jung: Instagram: @constructed_ephemeraWebsite: jinjung.comWERE HERE Instagram: @wereherejcWERE HERE Website: https://www.wereherejc.info/home Key Insights Jin began the WERE HERE project with photographer Duquann Sweeney to commemorate forgotten figures in Jersey City historyThe handmade ceramic plaques serve as temporary markers that invite official recognition of these important storiesAs an immigrant, Jin uses art and historical research to build her own relationship with Jersey CityThe WERE HERE plaques honor figures including Cliff Joseph (founder of the Black Emergency Cultural Coalition), Betty Shabazz (Malcolm X's widow who studied at NJCU), and the site of the African Burial GroundThe project's title intentionally functions as both "we are here" and "were here," connecting past and presentCommunity reactions have been largely positive, with residents often helping maintain the markersJin views the changing city as inevitable but believes understanding its history helps us better understand who we are and our responsibilities as residentsmore resources and visual documentation as well as articles on my Substack Explore Further Visit my Substack for the show notes with photos and an upcoming article that dives even deeper in the markers and what they mean for the community. Coming Up Next Join me for a conversation with Jersey City music legend and cultural chronicler Tris McCall as we explore how songwriting, journalism, and deep local knowledge combine to document a city's changing identity. Tris brings unique insights into Jersey City's cultural landscape through his decades of artistic and journalistic work. Connect with Nat Website: natkalbach.comSubstack: https://natkalbach.substack.com/Instagram: @natkalbachEmail: podcast@natkalbach.com Music: Our theme music is "How You Amaze Me," composed by Jim Kalbach and performed by Jim Kalbach, Bryan Beninghove, Charlie Siegler, and Pat Van Dyke. Support the Show: Subscribe to the podcast and sign up for Nat's Substack to receive additional stories and visuals that complement each conversation. Share Your Story: What sidewalk stories have you discovered in your neighborhood? Share them with Nat through email or social media. Nat's Sidewalk Stories explores the intersection of place, community, and storytelling through conversations with practitioners, community leaders, and local changemakers. New episodes release on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month through August, with a break in September before Season 2 begins in October.

In this episode, Nat speaks with preservation expert Kelly Carroll about the power of community-driven historic preservation. Kelly shares how neighborhoods across New York City have successfully advocated for their historic districts and why even unsuccessful preservation campaigns can strengthen community bonds and build civic engagement. Kelly Carroll is a preservationist whose career has focused on empowering communities to protect their historic resources. A Buffalo native with a deep appreciation for industrial heritage, Kelly has worked with diverse neighborhoods across New York City through preservation advocacy and education. She currently serves at the Atlantic Avenue Business Improvement District in Brooklyn, where she champions legacy businesses and historic storefronts while balancing preservation with progress. Key Insights True preservation comes from the ground up – from residents who want to protect their neighborhoods, not from top-down government mandatesCommunities of color have been at the forefront of preservation efforts in Brooklyn, seeking self-determination for their neighborhoodsHistoric neighborhoods provide what many people want today: human scale, mature trees, walkable streets, and community connectionEven unsuccessful preservation campaigns create lasting community connections and teach people about civic engagementLegacy businesses are crucial to neighborhood identity and deserve recognition through programs like the NY State Historic Business Preservation RegistrySuccessful preservation examples include the Crown Heights North Historic Districts and East 25th Street in East FlatbushThe Waldorf Astoria's interior landmark designation shows how public engagement can influence preservation outcomes Connections to Jersey City Kelly draws parallels between Jersey City and Brooklyn through their: Industrial waterfront historyImmigration patternsMom-and-pop businessesHistoric infrastructureReligious and ethnic institutionsAbandoned railroad infrastructureHand-painted street signs and other "hidden treasures" Related Resources Historic Districts Council (NYC): historicdistricts.orgCrown Heights North Association: crownheightsnorth.orgPreserving East New York: preservingeastnewyork.orgNY State Historic Business Preservation Registry: parks.ny.gov/historic-preservation/business-registryAtlantic Avenue BID: atlanticavebid.org Explore Further On my Substack, I'll be sharing articles on "Jersey City's Historic Businesses" and "Hidden Art Deco Treasures of Jersey City" inspired by my conversation with Kelly. I've already begun exploring this theme through a painting of a local historic storefront, connecting our conversation about preservation to the visual documentation of Jersey City's commercial heritage. Coming Up Next Join me for a conversation with artist and activist Jin Jung, whose ceramic plaques throughout Jersey City honor forgotten histories and tell powerful stories of people and places that shaped our community. Music: Our theme music is "How You Amaze Me," composed by Jim Kalbach and performed by Jim Kalbach, Bryan Beninghove, Charlie Siegler, and Pat Van Dyke.

Join me for a conversation with my neighbor and friend Charlene Burke, whose dedication to Jersey City spans decades. Charlene has been a familiar face at public hearings and a driving force behind the West Bergen-East Lincoln Park Historic District. In our conversation, Charlene shares: How her work publishing a magazine about New Jersey history sparked a deeper appreciation for preservationThe story behind establishing our neighborhood's historic district designation in 2015Practical advice for anyone nervous about speaking up at public meetingsWhy persistence matters in community advocacyHer perspective on balancing historic preservation with neighborhood growthThe unexpected connections between her own historic home and her grandfather's Jersey City story What I love about Charlene is her practical wisdom about speaking up and showing up—something that changed how I approach my own civic engagement. Her reminder that "one person can make a difference" offers an empowering message for anyone looking to get involved in their community. For full show notes, transcript, and visual documentation of places mentioned in this episode, visit: https://natkalbach.substack.com Connect with me: Website: natkalbach.comInstagram: @natkalbachEmail: podcast@natkalbach.com Our theme music is "How You Amaze Me," composed by Jim Kalbach and performed by Jim Kalbach, Bryan Beninghove, Charlie Siegler, and Pat Van Dyke.

Welcome to Nat's Sidewalk Stories, a podcast exploring the hidden histories and vibrant communities beneath our feet. In this introductory episode, I share how my journey as an artist documenting Jersey City's architecture evolved into a deeper exploration of place-based storytelling. I'll take you through my discovery of Dr. Edwina Drake Frech, who once lived in my house and established Jersey City's first pure milk dispensary in the early 1900s, saving countless infant lives. This connection to the past inspired my current book project, "If These Walls Could Talk," where my house narrates generations of Jersey City history. In upcoming episodes, you'll meet remarkable people like Charlene Burke, who taught me that speaking up at public meetings can make a real difference; Jin Jung, whose ceramic plaques throughout Jersey City honor forgotten histories; and Kelly Carroll, whose perspective on community-based preservation inspired me to document the storefronts that have served our neighborhoods for generations. Join me on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month as we explore the stories that make our neighborhoods unique, with a focus on Jersey City but also featuring perspectives from other cities that help us see our own community with fresh eyes. For Full show notes, transcript, and visual documentation of places mentioned in this episode visit hereConnect with me: Website: natkalbach.comInstagram: @natkalbachEmail: podcast@natkalbach.com Our theme music is "How You Amaze Me," composed by Jim Kalbach and performed by Jim Kalbach, Bryan Beninghove, Charlie Siegler, and Pat Van Dyke.