Advertise on podcast: CUNY TV's One to One

In this One to One interview, Professor Michael Thomas discusses his memoir The Broken King, exploring trauma, neurodivergence, race, family, identity, and how writing helped him find his place and connect with readers.

Sheryl McCarthy interviews Eddie Bautista on how environmental racism and historic policies have burdened Black and Latino NYC communities with pollution, health risks, and climate impacts, while highlighting advocacy, policy wins, and hope for change.

Sheryl McCarthy interviews Joy Bivins at the Schomburg Center, reflecting on its 100-year legacy, Arturo Schomburg’s vision, its role in preserving Black history and culture, and its enduring mission amid today’s political challenges.

OlaRonke Akinmowo shares how The Free Black Women’s Library grew from a stoop-based book swap into a Bed-Stuy community hub celebrating Black women writers, reflecting on its pandemic-era expansion and the joy of fostering connection and discovery.

In this episode of One to One, host Sheryl McCarthy speaks with Lauren Haynes, Head Curator and Vice President of Arts and Culture for the Trust for Governors Island. Haynes discusses the island’s transformation from a former military base into a vibrant hub for art, recreation, and education. She describes the island’s public art installations, performances, and artist residency programs that make art accessible to all visitors. The conversation also touches on new developments, such as expanded dining options, sustainability initiatives, and the upcoming climate research campus. Haynes emphasizes that arts, culture, and open space will remain central to the island’s mission as it continues to evolve.

Sheryl McCarthy talks with Dr. Deirdre Conlon about how U.S. immigration detention has become a profit-driven industry where private companies and local governments earn billions amid poor conditions, exploitation, and bipartisan political support.

Author David Felsen joins One to One to discuss his book on NYC monuments honoring Black Americans, exploring how representation has evolved and why these public symbols matter.

Sheryl McCarthy interviews filmmaker Sisa Bueno and advocate Darren Mack about the ongoing crisis at Rikers Island. Despite reforms, harsh conditions persist. Kalief Browder’s story drives the push to close Rikers and reform the justice system.

This special episode of One to One features a curated selection of two interviews with CUNY professors Paisley Currah and Red Washburn, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution and current state of transgender rights in the United States.

The following episode of One to One is a curated selection of standout moments from the 2024/2025 season.

CLAGS Director Matt Brim discusses LGBTQ advocacy, transgender rights, and the challenges the community faces, especially with recent harmful policies. He stresses the importance of integrity, coalition-building, and grassroots movements for resilience.

In her interview with André Aciman, Sheryl McCarthy explores his new book Room on the Sea, a trio of novellas centered on love in its many forms—missed, impulsive, obsessive, and mystical. Aciman reflects on his fascination with love, shaped by a lifetime of emotional longing, displacement, and a deep connection to the past. He emphasizes the pain and beauty of fleeting relationships, the loneliness that follows them, and the idea that obsession can reveal profound truths. Aciman finds more meaning in love’s failures than its successes, drawing inspiration from literature and the timeless, often melancholic nature of human connection.

Filmmakers Peter Yost & Michael Rohatyn discuss Drop Dead City, their doc on NYC’s 1975 fiscal crisis—marked by cuts, lost ideals & a near default. Despite federal resistance, a bailout came through taxes, unions & civic resolve.

In this One to One episode, NYC Sanitation’s Joshua Goodman discusses composting reforms, and shares efforts to build a cleaner, more sustainable city where trash is managed efficiently.

In this episode of One to One, author Lynn Ellsworth criticizes NYC’s shift to super-tall luxury towers, driven by powerful developers, weak regulation, and modernist design—undermining affordability, livability, and the city’s human-scale character.