Gone are an abundance of one hour photo stores around New York City replaced with the ease and convenience of digital photography and unlimited computer storage space. But some people are still printing pictures. A small shop on the Upper West Side of Manhattan called Pro Image Photo is harnessing people’s connection to physical memories in order to survive.

Tangible Moments

When peaceful protestors in South Bronx get kettled and assaulted by the NYPD, A neighborhood group decides to rally outside the police precinct every Sunday to hold the cops accountable. But...they have their own style.

An Art of Justice

The Riverdale POP-UP Market started as a way to help small businesses in the Bronx recover and grow despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Things have improved in the borough since last year, but there's still a long way to go. One bright spot has been the number of entrepreneurs that have started new businesses since then. Denny Jacob reports on how the market is attracting vendors from the Bronx and beyond. 
Photo: Attached in drive
Music credits: Aaron Tremper and Victor Guerrero 
Photo credit: Denny Jacob

The Bronx Welcomes a New Pop Up Market

LaTanya DeVaughn says, “Every neighborhood deserves a bookstore, even for just one day.” That’s why she created Bronx Bound Books, a bookstore on wheels. Reporter Hannah Fullmer follows DeVaughn as she uses her newly renovated bookmobile to serve her community—bringing books and better representation to her neighborhood.
 
Music credit: Clark Adomaitis
Reporting by Hannah Fullmer

Bronx Bound Books Hits the Road

Home Ed is an investigative podcast about homeschooling in America and the culture wars that are shaping it.

When a West Virginia state legislator introduced a bill that he thought could help protect kids at risk of abuse, he never dreamed there would be national backlash. But he unwittingly found himself up against a powerful advocacy group with interests far beyond his individual bill.

This episode will introduce you to that group—and why homeschooling is an instrument of their conservative political objectives. You’ll also hear from a formerly homeschooled student about how this group impacted her childhood and her life to this day.

Credits: This episode was produced and reported by Mary Steffenhagen. Alana Casanova-Burgess is the editor. Chad Bernard and Curtis Fox also provided engineering and editorial feedback. Cover art by Mary Steffenhagen.

Transcript available here.

Music: Checkered Blue, Tionesta, Throughput, Two Dollar Token by Blue Dot Sessions, Isolated, Thinking Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Archival footage (all found on YouTube and protected under Fair Use):

HSLDA: GHEC 2012: "An International Human Right" - Dr. Michael P. Farris and Renewing Focus on Biblical Worldview with HSLDA Online Academy

Arizona Families for Home Education: 2018 Homeschool Day at the Capitol - Michael Farris

Family Renewal LLC Podcast: Harvard Homeschool Summit -- Michael Donnelly HSLDA

Liberty Core News: Dr. Michael Farris and the Growth of the Homeschooling Movement

HOME ED

Max is a 4-year-old with double vision. Her parents are navigating treatment through the complications of Covid.

This piece was produced and edited by H Conley with help from Veralyn Williams and Amanda Aronczyk. Music is from Sugartree by Blue Dot Sessions.

Seeing Double

Can you learn to love the pigeon? Why would you want to? What might happen if you succeed?

Content Warning: brief use of strong language, discussion of dead and injured birds

Audio documentary written, reported, and produced by Zoe Grueskin.
Song credit: "Phases (Instrumental)" by HoliznaRAPS

The Pigeon Paradox

Irene DeBenedittis shares memories of her mother Nancy DeBenedittis also known as Mama.

Nancy DeBenedittis

At her home in Queens, NY, in April of 2023, Maria Del Rosario Duran described her first son, Alex Ramon Jimenez Duran, as the leader of the family. Alex was a Staff Sergeant for the U.S. Army who pursued a career in public service. On May 12th, 2007, Alex’s unit, the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) was captured by enemy forces in Jurf Sakhar, Iraq, after his unit was attacked. His body was recovered in Iraq on July 8, 2008, confirming his passing 14 months after the capture. 

In this audio fragment, Maria recalls her firstborn son's memory describing why a military career attracted him. “For Alex the most important thing is family,” his mother explained.

Alex Ramon Jimenez Duran

Peter Magnani was an architect, city planner and deputy Queens borough president from 1986 to 2001. He was raised in Corona and then moved to Jackson Heights with his wife, Dorothy, whom he was married to for 55 years. Together they helped turn their apartment building into a tenant-sponsored cooperative in 1976, which is where his wife and daughter, Kirsten, live to this day. Peter spear-headed numerous projects that made an indelible impact on Queens residents. In this recording, Dorothy and Kirsten reminisce about their trips to Jones Beach and tender moments during the last year of his life.

Audio story and text by Amanda Kari McHugh. Photo courtesy of Kirstin Magnani. Music by Steve Rice Music and Sounds that Move.

Dorothy and Kirsten Magnani Remember their husband and father, Peter Magnani

To her East Elmhurst community, Marguerite Henderson was larger than life. Everyone looked up to her, as the big sister and mother figure at home and around the neighborhood. Marguerite’s nature as a caretaker translated over to her work with the First Baptist Church food pantry, assuring that families and homeless in the area were fed. 

Hassan Pore is one of Marguerite’s younger brothers, who speaks here about the life his sister lived and the interactions she had with those she cared deeply about.

Credits: Audio By Asar John, Photos by Hassan Pore, Music by freeSFX, “Carmel”

Marguerite Henderson Way

"Finding Home: Journeys of Belonging and Identity" is a heartfelt exploration of the concept of home and its meaning to different individuals. Sonia, the narrator, initiates a virtual family dinner table conversation to understand how her loved ones define home amidst the changes in their lives. Each family member shares their unique perspective. The story delves into their experiences, dreams, and challenges, highlighting the significance of creating a sense of home wherever life takes them. It concludes with Sonia contemplating her own role in redefining her concept of home.

Music by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

Finding Home: Journeys of Belonging and Identity

Michael McCarthy remembers his aunt Sister Mary Patrick McCarthy

Ortner Murray, who loved to be called by his childhood nickname Von, became a beloved member of the community in Corona, Queens. Originally from Trinidad & Tobago, he moved to the U.S. with his family in the 1960s.

In  the 1970s he opened a shoe repairing shop, which later became a store and a place for people who needed help navigating various systems in New York City and helped small business owners.

His daughter, Josette Murray says, he was full of life and adored his family, his community and Queens.

Credits:
Audio story and text by Mariam Kiparoidze
Photos of Ortner Von Murray provided by Josette Murray
Music by Stonefree (https://freesound.org/people/Jay_You/)

Josette Murray on Ortner Von Murray

As New York City continues to welcome migrants to the city, mutual aid groups are expanding networks they created in 2020 to respond to new needs within the city. Claire Kinnen connected with Sunnyside Woodside Mutual Aid member, Angela Callisaya, to learn more about how she is supporting the community by teaching an ESL class for new New Yorkers. Angela connects with both her Bolivian culture and love for Queens as she helps connect people and build community. We will also hear from the policy expert Sam Stanton and Make the Road’s Leslie Ariza.

Produced by Claire Kinnen
With editing by Veralyn Williams
Sound engineering by Amber Watson
Intro by Malik Brizan-Reed
Special thanks to Angela Callisaya

Being Human

How will adults conceived through the anonymous IVF industry reckon with the effective end of anonymity?

We Might Be Related

Recently, K-pop’s popularity in the US has skyrocketed. But, critics say the genre is guilty of cultural appropriation. But is that the truth?

By: Marissa Braswell

Music Credit: 

Crossed Path, a lo-fi instrumental hip hop track licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/609209/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
609209__kjartan_abel__crossed-path-a-lo-fi-instrumental-hip-hop-track-licensed-cc-by-sa-4

Simple Music Loop (Bass + Keys + Drums) by Jadis0x_ -- https://freesound.org/s/735157/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Photo by Marissa Braswell

Is K-Pop Just Stolen Black Culture?

From “Gangster” to “Drill”: Rap is Still Controversial

Stooping

Every day, pet owners around the country choose euthanasia to prevent prolonged suffering for their animal companions. But what happens when a person wants that same peace? In this episode, we explore what it’s like to live without the right to die. 

This episode deals with death and medical aid in dying. Please take care while listening.

Hosted, narrated, produced and reported by Shira Golden. Produced by Pamela Appea. Meg Cramer is the managing editor. Music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

What It's Like to Live Without the Right to Die

What’s it like to be free in New York City after decades in prison? 

Reporters Lauren Rapp and Perry Gregory explore what it's like to create a new life in New York City after decades of incarceration. Older adults are a growing population in US prison systems. When these individuals get out, they have to deal with a whole new set of problems: understanding technology, finding housing, and navigating the city. 

In this episode, “What’s is Like” reporters visit the Marcus Garvey Supportive Housing apartment complex in Brooklyn, New York, where all the residents are older adults adjusting to a life of freedom.

Please be advised this episode mentions violent crime and adult language. 


Reported, produced, voiced, and edited by Lauren Rapp and Perry Gregory. Edited by Curtis Fox. Studio Recording and Audio Engineering by Chad Bernhard and Amber Watson. 
Featured music: “Lakkalia” and “Only Lara”— all by Blue Dot Sessions [https://www.sessions.blue/]
Graphic Design by Shira Golden Kresch

What’s it like to be free in New York City after decades in prison?

The first time Kathy Collins voted in person, she had to tell someone else who she was voting for. We take privacy for granted when it comes to voting, but for many disabled Americans, that hasn’t been the case. Join us for the lead up to election day 2024 as we talk to Kathy and Dr. Sharon McLennon Wier about what it’s like to vote without privacy in New York – and what activists are doing about it.

Credits: This show was written and produced by Sasha Linden Cohen and Cullen Fagan. It was edited by Meg Cramer, with thanks to Curtis Fox and Chad Bernhard for help with sound engineering. Thank you to Kathy Collins and Dr. Sharon McLennon Wier for sharing their stories, as well as Anna Humphrey and CIDNY for letting us come to work with them. Some of our music was composed by Sasha Linden Cohen, and the rest was sourced from Blue Dot Sessions. The host was Cullen Fagan.

What's it like to vote without privacy?

Brooklyn Community Board 17 confronts infighting as it jumps between the real world and a digital one.

Digital Democracy

In New York street vendors are part of the essence that characterizes the city. However, being a street vendor is risky. They can be ticketed and have their merchandise confiscated by the DSNY or  the NYPD. Most street vendors don’t have licenses or permits to sell because the city has not issued them since almost 10 years ago. In this episode we follow Macrina and Vicente, two street vendors from the Bronx. We hear from the councilwoman Pierina Sanchez, the necessity of the reform package to issue licenses and permits. Also, Shammier Settle, policy analyst from the Immigration Research Initiative, explains the relation between migration and street vending. 


A day in the life of a street vendor in NYC

We’re in the middle of what many are calling a “board game renaissance”. Thousands of new games are released each year while new board game cafes are opening up in cities across the country.  This comes at a time when the internet and social media has made us more connected – and more isolated – than ever.

What’s behind this rediscovery of tabletop games? And what does it say about our desire for human connection in an increasingly digital world?


Reported and produced by Jarrod Barry
Edited by Veralyn Williams
Additional editing support by Amanda Aronczyk
Music: “Curiosity” and “Quizitive” by Lee Rosevere

Bonding Over the Board

Why do South Bronx residents want to shut-down a 2,200-bed men’s shelter meant for displaced migrants?

The sudden opening of a migrant shelter is threatened by protesters who believe that a shelter of this magnitude does not belong in the South Bronx. I spoke to Bronx residents and a asylum seeker who lived in the shelter.

Credits: Reported, produced, narrated, and edited by Rebecca Raghunath. Script Editor: Veralyn Williams. Host intro voiced by Steve Kastenbaum. Voice of Eldo by Adrian O'Farrill. Spanish Translator: Aurora Martinez.

Featured music: "Universfield - Dramatic Piano and Strings" from Free Music Archive [https://freemusicarchive.org/home]

Thank you Eldo (pseudonym) for sharing your story! Special thanks to Alana Casanova-Burgess and Joseph Giler!

How a shelter meant for displaced migrants turned controversial in the South Bronx

For five years, Annie’s Ginger Elixir has been brewed and bottled in Brooklyn’s Navy Yard with glass bottles from China. But President Donald Trump’s sudden and unpredictable tariffs have made manufacturing a bottle of Annie’s much more expensive. To stay afloat, the owners of Annie’s have made a strategic business decision: Lay off employees and leave New York City.

To Ease Tariff Pain, A Small Local Business Leaves New York City

Afro-Honduran creator Sulma Arzu-Brown fights to make television history with The Amigo Family—a sitcom rooted in her Bronx upbringing that would be the first network series to center a visibly Black Latino household. The narrative spans her joyful Garifuna childhood on Honduras’s Caribbean coast, identity-shaping years in the 1980s Bronx, and her current hustle: securing actress-producer Tatyana Ali, recruiting Black-ish writer Keisha Ansley, crowd-funding $25,000, and staging a live pilot reading at Essence Film Festival. Alongside expert insights from scholar Tanya Hernandez and the resolve of child-actor-activist Nia Thompson, the piece exposes anti-Blackness that erases millions of Afro-Latinos from mainstream media and the tougher industry climate after post-2024 diversity rollbacks. Yet community solidarity, cultural pride, and Sulma’s vow to “bring a win back home” are driving a bold bid to redefine Latino representation on American TV.










Breaking barriers with The Amigo Family: Sulma Arzu-Brown’s fight for Black Latino visibility

The race to protect New York’s most vulnerable residents from flash floods is under a cloud of uncertainty, thanks to President Trump’s reversal of climate change policies. Coastal cities face growing risks thanks to climate change. Rising sea levels and extreme rain events contribute to dangerous conditions in many neighborhoods. Storm surge flooding from superstorm Sandy in 2012, and more recent flash floods in 2021 and 2023, were a preview of things to come. Extreme weather events are projected to get worse over time. The city has an ambitious list of infrastructure projects designed to protect its most vulnerable residents. The Trump administration put federal funding for those projects in doubt. Reporter Steve Kastenbaum has the story.

Credits:
Produced, hosted and reported by Steve Kastenbaum

Music: The One You Loved Is Gone, by Soularfair, courtesy Free Music Archive

A Flood, Deaths, and the Fight for Climate Justice in NYC

The Elevator Spectrum

COVID-19 has changed everything, from how we work to where we live. In this episode, reporter Erika Wheless looks at how one violin maker is adapting his centuries-old profession to suit the pandemic. And Reporter Valen Iricibar explains the updates to indoor dining and the COVID-19 surcharge. Later we hear from homeless folks who are speaking out after the city announced plans to relocate them after complaints from Upper West Side residents. 

Managing Editor: Jackie Harris
Host/Producer: Megan Burney
Associate Producer: Holly DeMuth
Reporting by Ashley Rodriguez, Valen Iricibar, Ali McPherson, and Erika Wheless. 
Engineer: Chad Bernhard
Guest: Rachel Holliday Smith

For more info on AudioFiles: www.audiofilespodcast.com

Making It Work: COVID's Impact on Violins, Bars, and NYC's Homeless Crisis

The internet is essential for students returning to school this semester, with the majority of learning happening remotely.  But without wifi access, New York students living in shelters are falling behind their peers. Reporter Megan Burney speaks with affected families and an advocate leading a campaign for free public wifi in shelters.

Music credits: Jason Shaw and audionautix.com
Photo credit: Megan Burney

No Wifi + No Service = No School

Episode 1:  Bobby’s Story
As a kid, Bobby Ehrenberg was popular, smart and athletic. He grew up in a nice home in the Long Island suburbs and was brimming with potential. But this seemingly idyllic childhood was not as perfect as it seemed and by his twenties, Bobby was in and out of prison and struggling with drug and alcohol—addictions that would eventually lead him to murder an innocent man in 1992. In this episode, Bobby tells us about his childhood and young adult years, trying to explain how a kid with so much potential could fall so far.

Credits:
Produced by Jackie Harris
Reported, written and narrated by Diane Bezucha
Additional reporting by Steve Vago
Edited by Karen Shakerdge
Music by: The Tides, Noir Et Blanc Vie, Godmode and Chad Crouch. 
Special Thank You to:
Lisa Armstrong and Tom Robbins
Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
Sullivan Correctional Facility
Bobby Ehrenberg and his friends Debbie Forte and Craig Haft

For transcript and more photos, go here: http://podcasts.nycitynewsservice.com/2020/12/01/clemency-project/

Clemency Episode 01: Bobby's Story

This account showcases work produced by students in the Audio Journalism Program at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York (CUNY).

Popular tracks by Newmark J-School Audio Journalism