hmTv at HMTC Podcasts

HMTC

hmTv is a podcast platform dedicated to exploring the humanity in all of us through impactful stories and discussions.   Executive Producer Bernie Furshpan has developed a state-of-the-art podcast studio within the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center, creating a dynamic platform for dialogue.  Holocaust survivor testimony, in their own words. hmTv is the podcast of the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County (HMTC) — 600+ episodes of survivor stories, upstander profiles, and honest conversations about antisemitism, bullying, and the courage to act. Across 30+ show series, survivors, educators, historians, and journalists explore the history of the Holocaust and its lessons for today. HMTC is a nonprofit that has served Long Island schools, educators, law enforcement, and communities for 25+ years — teaching the history of the Holocaust to promote resistance to prejudice and respect for every human being. This podcast brings that mission to anyone, anywhere. Follow to hear the stories that matter. Learn more at hmtcli.org · Glen Cove, NY · Instagram @hmtcli · Facebook @HMTCLI

  1. 1d ago

    Ep 658: Influential Origins with Alan Mindel and guest Chuck Lavine P3 on hmTv

    Send us Fan Mail When Chuck Lavine used the word “demagoguery” during his first campaign for the New York State Assembly, someone told him he had never heard the term before. Chuck’s reaction was immediate: that is dangerous. Democracy is most vulnerable when citizens cannot recognize lies, fearmongering, and political manipulation. In Part 3 of Influential Origins, host Alan Mindel concludes his conversation with New York State Assemblymember Charles D. “Chuck” Lavine. They examine money and influence in politics, AIPAC’s changing role, the responsibilities of interest groups, and the importance of distinguishing political support from political control. The discussion turns to America’s democratic experiment, immigration, civic education, and the urgent need to teach history honestly, even when the truth is uncomfortable. Alan shares how deeply his Holocaust-survivor father loved the country that gave him a new life, while Chuck reflects on students who increasingly fear expressing their opinions openly. Alan and Chuck also address the treatment of former Congressman Dan Goldman, the absence of Jewish representation on New York City’s judicial advisory committee, and the American principle that attorneys must not be condemned for representing unpopular clients. They warn that political desperation frequently produces demagoguery, exclusion, and selective standards. When asked what liberal Zionist Jewish Democrats should do when confronted by hostility within their own party, Chuck offers direct advice: stand up and fight for what is right. The conversation also explores gerrymandering, local political history, the IHRA working definition of antisemitism, and continuing efforts to pass the HOPE Act in New York. The series concludes with a call for civic courage, historical understanding, and active political participation. Democracy does not defend itself. It depends upon citizens who recognize demagoguery, reject antisemitism, support principled candidates, and remain committed to truth. Influential Origins on hmTv | Host: Alan Mindel | Guest: New York State Assemblymember Charles D. “Chuck” Lavine Executive Producer and Director: Bernie Furshpan A production of the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County 🌐 hmtcli.org 🎙 buzzsprout.com/2449781 ▶️ youtube.com/@hmTv-hmtc ─── CHAPTERS ─── 0:00 Opening 0:17 Welcome and Part 2 recap 0:52 Money, politics, and AIPAC 1:11 AIPAC, partisanship, and interest groups 2:27 Lobbyists, influence, and political decency 3:50 Demagoguery and why history matters 5:10 Civics, education, and democratic responsibility 5:47 The American experiment and coexistence 7:24 Immigration and American identity 7:58 A Holocaust survivor’s love for America 9:11 Students’ fear of speaking openly 9:51 Dan Goldman, Israel, and political targeting 11:47 Jewish representation on New York City’s judicial advisory committee 13:26 The mayor’s explanation and Jewish exclusion 14:16 The right to counsel and John Adams 15:57 Political desperation and dangerous rhetoric 17:09 Advice to liberal Jewish Democrats 18:30 Stand up and fight for what is right 19:08 Gerrymandering and democratic representation 19:43 Bayville redistricting and Theodore Roosevelt 20:49 An Election Day lesson and a JFK punchline 21:55 The IHRA working definition of antisemitism 22:54 The HOPE Act and codifying IHRA in New York 24:06 Legislative battles and persistence 24:41 Supporting candidates who reject antisemitism 25:59 Closing reflections 26:12 hmTv outro ────────────────── #InfluentialOrigins #ChuckLavine #Antisemitism #Demagoguery #AmericanDemocracy #IHRA #HOPEAct #JewishDemocrats #CivicEducation #Gerrymandering #PoliticalCourage #HMTC Support the show

  2. 1d ago

    Ep 657: Influential Origins with Alan Mindel and guest Chuck Lavine P2 on hmTv

    Send us Fan Mail Influential Origins | Ep. 657: Chuck Lavine: Demagoguery, Antisemitism and Israel (Part 2) | HMTC Chuck Lavine’s grandmother survived a pogrom by hiding beneath a wagon filled with hay as friends were murdered. His other grandmother lost a younger brother who was killed in an antisemitic attack. Not one member of his European family survived the Nazi regime. In Part 2 of Influential Origins, host Alan Mindel continues his conversation with New York State Assemblymember Charles D. “Chuck” Lavine about demagoguery, democracy, antisemitism, Israel, and the disappearance of civility from American political debate. Chuck defines demagoguery as the use of lies, distortions, and fear to exploit people’s baser instincts. He and Alan examine how political extremes create permission for hatred, why many Americans have become afraid to speak openly, and how intimidation, ideological purity, and so-called “alternative facts” undermine democratic institutions. The conversation addresses the Democratic Socialists of America, the treatment of candidates who have visited Israel, the proposed Not on Our Dime legislation, and the selective scrutiny directed toward the Jewish state. Alan and Chuck distinguish legitimate criticism of Israeli policies from language that portrays Israel as uniquely evil or denies the Jewish people’s historical connection to the land. They also debate Iran, the risks of open-ended military conflict, Netanyahu’s proposed judicial changes, and the need for accountability surrounding October 7. Throughout the discussion, both emphasize that complicated political questions require facts, historical understanding, and honest debate rather than slogans. Grounded in his family’s experiences with pogroms, antisemitic violence, and the Holocaust, Chuck argues that Jewish Americans must remain strong, united, and willing to defend their rights through democratic institutions. His message is clear: disagreement is essential to democracy, but reducing a complex conflict to a story with one entirely innocent side and one entirely evil side is demagoguery. Influential Origins on hmTv | Host: Alan Mindel | Guest: New York State Assemblymember Charles D. “Chuck” Lavine Executive Producer and Director: Bernie Furshpan A production of the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County 🌐 hmtcli.org 🎙 buzzsprout.com/2449781 ▶️ youtube.com/@hmTv-hmtc ─── CHAPTERS ─── 0:00 Opening 0:18 Welcome and defining political demagoguery 1:58 The DSA, Israel, and political reaction 3:31 How political extremes create permission for hatred 3:53 Debate, consensus, and American democracy 5:34 Jewish students and the refusal to engage 6:43 Dangerous times and the fear of speaking openly 7:25 Political intimidation, truth, and public discourse 9:51 Growing intolerance within political parties 11:11 Jewish leadership and rising antisemitism 11:55 Childhood antisemitism and a grandmother’s advice 13:08 Criticizing Israeli policy while defending Israel 14:04 Jewish strength, Israeli security, and Iran 17:29 Extremism and fears of an open-ended war 19:00 Israel’s judiciary and accountability after October 7 20:02 The Not on Our Dime legislation 22:23 State governance, foreign policy, and political messaging 23:16 Selective scrutiny and inflammatory labels 25:05 Diversity and democracy within Israel 25:50 Holocaust history and the meaning of genocide 26:49 Family experiences with pogroms and Holocaust loss 27:55 Defending Jewish rights through American democracy 28:48 Israel’s diverse population and complicated history 29:15 Closing and Part 3 preview 29:27 hmTv outro ────────────────── #InfluentialOrigins #ChuckLavine #CharlesLavine #Antisemitism #Israel #Demagoguery #AmericanDemocracy #JewishHistory #PoliticalExtremism #HolocaustHistory #NewYorkStateAssembly #HMTC Support the show

  3. 1d ago

    Ep 656: Influential Origins with Alan Mindel and guest Chuck Lavine P1 on hmTv

    Send us Fan Mail Influential Origins | Ep. 656: Chuck Lavine: Civil Rights and Rising Antisemitism (Part 1) | HMTC Growing up as one of the few Jewish children in small Midwestern communities taught Charles D. “Chuck” Lavine how to understand people, recognize danger, and navigate unfamiliar environments. Those early lessons would later become invaluable in the courtroom and the political arena. In Part 1 of Influential Origins, host Alan Mindel speaks with the New York State assemblymember and chair of the Judiciary Committee about his journey from Wisconsin and Michigan to New York Law School, criminal defense practice, local government, and the State Assembly. Chuck recalls watching police dogs attack children during the civil rights movement and losing people from neighboring communities during the Vietnam War. Those experiences inspired him to become a lawyer and help build a fairer society. As a young public defender, he learned that the attorney’s responsibility is not to judge a client but to protect the integrity of the justice system. The conversation also explores Jewish immigration, marriage equality, civil rights, American democracy, and the value of vigorous debate. Chuck connects Jewish traditions of questioning and argument with the American commitment to examining competing ideas and seeking consensus. Alan and Chuck then confront the dramatic rise of antisemitism, the return of accusations questioning Jewish loyalty, and growing political divisions surrounding Israel. Chuck describes Jewish communities as “the canaries in the coal mine,” often recognizing early warning signs before hatred expands toward other groups. The episode concludes with a candid discussion of criticism of Israel, the Democratic Socialists of America, the meaning many Jews associate with “From the river to the sea,” and the challenge political parties face when disagreement crosses into hostility. Part 2 will examine how both major parties respond when extremists gain influence within their ranks. Influential Origins on hmTv | Host: Alan Mindel | Guest: New York State Assemblymember Charles D. “Chuck” Lavine Executive Producer and Director: Bernie Furshpan A production of the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County 🌐 hmtcli.org 🎙 buzzsprout.com/2449781 ▶️ youtube.com/@hmTv-hmtc ─── CHAPTERS ─── 0:00 Opening 0:18 Welcome and guest introduction 0:30 Growing up in Wisconsin and Michigan 1:20 Jewish identity in the Upper Midwest 2:43 Vietnam and the civil rights movement 3:52 From Wisconsin to New York City 4:34 Choosing a career in criminal law 5:52 Lessons from working as a public defender 6:54 From practicing laws to writing them 7:54 Democratic politics and civil-rights progress 9:02 Constitutional responsibility and American democracy 9:40 Jewish refugees and the promise of America 10:35 Marriage equality and a pluralistic society 11:24 Rising antisemitism in New York 13:46 Visible hatred and political extremism 16:18 Jews as the canaries in the coal mine 17:07 Torah, truth, and a tradition of argument 18:29 Debate and consensus in American democracy 20:08 Jewish Democrats and political belonging 21:38 Israel, dissent, and democratic criticism 22:58 The DSA, Israel, and troubling political slogans 24:54 The challenge facing both political parties 25:26 Closing and Part 2 preview ────────────────── #InfluentialOrigins #ChuckLavine #CharlesLavine #NewYorkStateAssembly #CivilRights #Antisemitism #JewishIdentity #AmericanDemocracy #CriminalJustice #MarriageEquality #PublicService #HMTC Support the show

  4. 1d ago

    Ep 655: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and guest Keith Godwin P3 on hmTv

    Send us Fan Mail The Fog of War and Humanity | Ep. 655: Keith Godwin: Recovery Through Laughter (Part 3) | HMTC Keith Godwin was not expected to survive after his car overturned and caught fire in 2000. He lost several fingers, battled depression, and continued struggling with alcohol and drugs. Four years later, he entered recovery and began rebuilding his life one decision at a time. In Part 3 of The Fog of War and Humanity, host Richard Acritelli concludes his conversation with United States Marine Corps veteran Keith Godwin. Keith reflects on more than 22 years of sobriety and the life-changing support he received from the Department of Veterans Affairs, including treatment, education, vocational rehabilitation, and a prosthetic hand. After returning to school, Keith became a counselor and spent two decades helping veterans confront addiction, trauma, and personal struggles. He describes the powerful bond created when veterans share not only their pain, but also laughter, friendship, and hope. The conversation also explores Keith’s career in comedy, from opening for Gilbert Gottfried and working with comedians Rich Vos and Tim Dillon to co-founding Comedy to Go. Through shows supporting veterans, first responders, recovery groups, and charitable causes, Keith discovered that laughter could become both a bridge and a form of healing. Keith’s message to his son, fellow veterans, and anyone struggling with the past is simple: acknowledge your mistakes, accept responsibility, and do the next right thing. His journey proves that recovery is possible, laughter can restore quality of life, and surviving can become truly living. The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv | Host: Richard Acritelli | Guest: Keith Godwin Executive Producer and Director: Bernie Furshpan A production of the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County 🌐 hmtcli.org 🎙 buzzsprout.com/2449781 ▶️ youtube.com/@hmTv-hmtc ─── CHAPTERS ─── 0:00 Introduction 0:19 Welcome and Part 2 recap 0:40 Living instead of merely existing 1:08 The fiery car crash that nearly took Keith’s life 1:54 Helping veterans through shared experience 2:39 More than 22 years clean and sober 2:50 How the VA helped Keith rebuild his life 3:25 Returning to the Northport VA 3:53 Humor therapy and veteran camaraderie 4:51 Finding confidence through comedy 5:08 Creating Comedy to Go 5:55 Performing with Rich Vos and Tim Dillon 6:39 The intelligence behind great comedy 7:14 Long Island’s legendary comedians 8:28 Connecting with veterans through shared humor 9:30 Opening for Gilbert Gottfried 10:07 Turning personal struggles into comedy 10:42 The healing power of laughter 11:05 Military comedy and Robin Williams 12:13 Producing comedy and helping others 13:22 Teaching his son to do the next right thing 14:02 How laughter transformed Keith’s life 14:28 Closing reflections 15:11 hmTv outro ────────────────── #FogOfWarAndHumanity #KeithGodwin #USMarineCorps #MarineVeteran #AddictionRecovery #VeteranRecovery #HumorTherapy #ComedyHeals #DoTheNextRightThing #VeteranSupport #Sobriety #HMTC Support the show

  5. 1d ago

    Ep 654: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and guest Keith Godwin P2 on hmTv

    Send us Fan Mail The Fog of War and Humanity | Ep. 654: Keith Godwin: A Marine Battles Addiction (Part 2) | HMTC Marine Corps leaders did not always know whether Keith Godwin would return from liberty. Yet in the field, he was a skilled and dependable Marine. When senior communications personnel became unavailable during an exercise in Korea, Keith organized the unit’s entire communications operation. A colonel later called it the best setup he had seen. In Part 2 of The Fog of War and Humanity, host Richard Acritelli continues his conversation with United States Marine Corps veteran Keith Godwin. Keith speaks candidly about using alcohol to socialize, becoming a functioning alcoholic, entering a military treatment program, and eventually progressing to harder drugs. Despite his addiction, Keith took tremendous pride in his work as a field radio operator. He explains how Marines established secure communications, used encryption equipment, and trained alongside South Korean forces during the Cold War. He also shares stories from Camp Pendleton, Okinawa, the Philippines, Cherry Point, and a nighttime security incident involving an M60 machine gun loaded with blanks. The conversation explores the military as a cultural melting pot, the lingering impact of World War II on Okinawa, the contrast between North and South Korea, and the lasting camaraderie among veterans. Keith reflects on visiting the National Museum of the Marine Corps with his son and the bond he shares with the Leathernecks motorcycle club. Keith never experienced combat, but his service remained a defining part of his life. His story reminds us that military history belongs not only to those who fought in war. Every veteran served something larger than themselves, and every veteran has a story worth hearing. The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv | Host: Richard Acritelli | Guest: Keith Godwin Executive Producer and Director: Bernie Furshpan A production of the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County 🌐 hmtcli.org 🎙 buzzsprout.com/2449781 ▶️ youtube.com/@hmTv-hmtc ─── CHAPTERS ─── 0:00 Introduction 0:19 Welcome and Part 1 recap 1:01 Camp Pendleton and finding trouble 1:23 The military as a cultural melting pot 3:17 Using alcohol to socialize 3:45 Heavy drinking and harder drugs 5:03 Entering a military treatment program 5:28 A functioning alcoholic and capable Marine 5:52 Leading communications during a field exercise 7:10 Pride in performing under pressure 7:32 Rebuilding the American military 9:02 Veteran camaraderie and the Leathernecks 9:47 Visiting the National Museum of the Marine Corps 10:32 The lifelong pride of becoming a Marine 11:45 Serving as a field radio operator 12:42 Size, fights, and being challenged 13:33 Okinawa’s history and tensions with American forces 15:06 The continuing danger of nuclear weapons 15:24 Missing Okinawa’s history for its nightlife 16:32 Rest and recreation in the Philippines 17:21 Returning to America as the Cold War ended 18:37 Field exercises, MREs, and camaraderie 19:55 Training with South Korean forces 20:41 A nighttime security incident with an M60 22:44 Working alongside South Korean troops 23:25 The contrast between North and South Korea 24:25 Every veteran has a military story 24:39 Closing and Part 3 preview 25:05 hmTv outro ────────────────── #FogOfWarAndHumanity #KeithGodwin #USMarineCorps #MarineVeteran #AddictionRecovery #MilitaryService #Okinawa #SouthKorea #FieldRadioOperator #VeteransStories #MilitaryHistory #HMTC Support the show

  6. 1d ago

    Ep 653: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and guest Keith Godwin P1 on hmTv

    Send us Fan Mail The Fog of War and Humanity | Ep. 653: Keith Godwin: From Troubled Teen to U.S. Marine (Part 1) | HMTC An arrest nearly ended Keith Godwin’s military future before it began. Drawn to drugs, alcohol, fights, and chaos as a teenager, Keith was the person other parents warned their children to avoid. He was not heartless, but he was always searching for trouble. In Part 1 of The Fog of War and Humanity, host Richard Acritelli speaks with United States Marine Corps veteran Keith Godwin about growing up in Uniondale and Levittown, barely graduating from high school, and becoming the only one among several friends to follow through on their plan to enter the Marines. Keith recalls how his recruiter supported him in court, helping preserve his opportunity to enlist. After accepting an open contract, he became a field radio operator and served with units at Cherry Point, Okinawa, and Korea. At Parris Island, his belligerent attitude and resistance to authority nearly caused him to be removed from his platoon. One senior drill instructor saw potential in him and gave him another chance. The conversation also explores military drinking culture, Keith’s escalating problems with alcohol and drugs, and the reckless fights that followed him overseas. Beneath the humor and unfiltered stories is a deeper transformation. The young man who once resisted discipline eventually became profoundly proud of earning the title of Marine. Keith later received life-changing support from the Department of Veterans Affairs, returned to school, became a therapist, and began using his experiences to help veterans and others struggling with addiction. Part 1 lays the foundation for his continuing journey from chaos to recovery and service. The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv | Host: Richard Acritelli | Guest: Keith Godwin Executive Producer and Director: Bernie Furshpan A production of the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County 🌐 hmtcli.org 🎙 buzzsprout.com/2449781 ▶️ youtube.com/@hmTv-hmtc ─── CHAPTERS ─── 0:00 Introduction 0:19 Welcome and guest introduction 1:03 Growing up in Uniondale and Levittown 2:11 Family struggles and childhood independence 3:06 High school, drugs, and three circles of friends 4:03 Discovering photography and athletics 5:20 Ronald Reagan visits Parris Island 5:50 Meeting Presidents Reagan and Clinton 8:54 Remembering more than one mistake 10:06 Barely graduating from high school 11:12 An arrest threatens Keith’s military future 12:42 Searching for trouble and chaos 13:49 Determined to become a Marine 15:04 Accepting an open contract 15:23 Becoming a field radio operator 16:12 Discipline and trouble at Parris Island 17:34 The permanent digging crew 18:16 A drill instructor offers another chance 18:48 The pride of becoming a Marine 19:38 How the VA helped save Keith’s life 20:18 Alcohol, drugs, and military culture 21:55 Addiction as a coping mechanism 22:41 Fighting in Okinawa 23:51 Overseas service and more legal trouble 24:45 Closing and Part 2 preview 25:15 hmTv outro ────────────────── #FogOfWarAndHumanity #KeithGodwin #USMarineCorps #MarineVeteran #Veterans #MilitaryService #ParrisIsland #Okinawa #AddictionRecovery #VeteranSupport #MilitaryLife #HMTC Support the show

  7. 1d ago

    Ep 652: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and guest Mark Drexler P3 on hmTv

    Send us Fan Mail The Fog of War and Humanity | Ep. 652: Mark Drexler: D-Day at Omaha Beach (Part 3) | HMTC Leon Drexler had trained for months to become a Sherman tank gunner. Yet as his unit approached Omaha Beach, his knees shook with fear. Surrounded by explosions and chaos, he climbed into his tank and began firing shell after shell, sometimes without knowing precisely where or what he was firing at. In Part 3 of The Fog of War and Humanity, host Richard Acritelli continues his conversation with educator and military historian Mark Drexler about his father’s World War II service. Mark recounts the final preparations for Operation Overlord, the weather delay that changed history, the Allied deception campaign centered on General George Patton, and the rough Channel crossing that left soldiers violently seasick. The conversation examines the disastrous loss of amphibious Sherman tanks from the 741st Tank Battalion and the urgent deployment of additional armored support from Leon’s 745th Tank Battalion. At Easy Red, German artillery and machine-gun positions remained operational, American infantrymen were pinned down, and the dead and wounded covered the beach. As Leon’s tank moved forward, the crew provided covering fire while carefully trying to avoid wounded American soldiers. Mark’s research and his father’s memories reveal the terror, confusion, courage, and split-second decisions behind one of the most consequential military operations in history. The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv | Host: Richard Acritelli | Guest: Mark Drexler Executive Producer and Director: Bernie Furshpan A production of the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County 🌐 hmtcli.org 🎙 buzzsprout.com/2449781 ▶️ youtube.com/@hmTv-hmtc ─── CHAPTERS ─── 0:00 Introduction 0:19 Welcome and Part 2 recap 0:57 Leon Drexler’s voyage and training in England 2:07 Invasion secrecy and the buildup to Normandy 4:33 The mindset of a young World War II soldier 6:13 Loading the tanks and the weather delay 8:20 Patton’s phantom army and the Allied deception 9:48 Omaha Beach, Easy Red, and failed bombardments 11:30 The desperate battle to escape the beach 12:18 Amphibious Sherman tanks and Eisenhower’s decision 13:19 The 745th Tank Battalion approaches Omaha 14:29 German defenses and the loss of armored support 16:05 Delayed German armored reserves 16:41 The 745th Tank Battalion enters the fighting 17:53 Leon’s fear and first combat experience 18:50 The dead and wounded along Omaha Beach 19:50 Tanks provide cover for the infantry 21:04 Establishing a foothold and advancing inland 22:40 Leon’s journey continues beyond Normandy 23:17 Liberating Europe and confronting Nazi crimes 23:32 Closing reflections 24:12 hmTv outro ────────────────── #FogOfWarAndHumanity #MarkDrexler #LeonDrexler #DDay #OmahaBeach #EasyRed #ShermanTank #745thTankBattalion #FirstInfantryDivision #WorldWarII #MilitaryHistory #HMTC Support the show

  8. 1d ago

    Ep 651: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and guest Mark Drexler P2 on hmTv

    Send us Fan Mail The Fog of War and Humanity | Ep. 651: Mark Drexler: Preparing for D-Day (Part 2) | HMTC Before Leon Drexler ever fired the cannon of a Sherman tank in combat, he crossed an Atlantic patrolled by German submarines and arrived in England as Allied forces prepared for the largest amphibious invasion in history. In Part 2 of The Fog of War and Humanity, host Richard Acritelli continues his conversation with educator and military historian Mark Drexler about his father’s World War II service. Mark explains how Germany’s blitzkrieg victories created an image of an unbeatable military while the United States raced to transform its small, unprepared army into a global fighting force. The conversation follows Leon from Fort Hood to England, where millions of personnel and enormous amounts of equipment were assembled for Operation Overlord. Mark and Richard discuss the dangerous live-fire exercises that killed hundreds of American servicemen, the leadership of George Marshall and Dwight Eisenhower, and the monumental challenge of organizing the Normandy invasion. Mark also shares the wartime experiences of Leon’s two brothers, including a devastating grenade-training accident that nearly cost his uncle an arm. Their mother displayed a service flag with three blue stars, one for each son serving during the war. From a Brooklyn diamond cutter to a Sherman tank gunner, Leon represented the citizen-soldiers who left ordinary lives to confront Nazi Germany. A family photograph of a young Jewish soldier leading German prisoners captures the reversal of Nazi propaganda and the humanity behind the history. The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv | Host: Richard Acritelli | Guest: Mark Drexler Executive Producer and Director: Bernie Furshpan A production of the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County 🌐 hmtcli.org 🎙 buzzsprout.com/2449781 ▶️ youtube.com/@hmTv-hmtc ─── CHAPTERS ─── 0:00 Introduction 0:19 Welcome and Part 1 recap 1:03 America’s unprepared military and Germany’s blitzkrieg 4:36 Isolationism and the America First movement 5:25 Leon’s journey from Fort Hood to Europe 6:27 The 745th Tank Battalion and Alpha Company 7:29 Crossing the submarine-patrolled Atlantic 7:58 England becomes the staging ground for D-Day 8:35 Deadly training exercises before Normandy 10:55 Eisenhower, Marshall, and Allied leadership 14:14 Leon’s experiences in wartime England 16:28 Three Drexler brothers enter military service 17:33 A devastating grenade-training accident 18:58 Three blue stars in a Brooklyn window 20:10 Sixteen million Americans answer the call 20:47 The 745th Tank Battalion and the Big Red One 22:25 From diamond cutter to Sherman tank gunner 23:48 A Jewish soldier leads German prisoners 24:56 African American soldiers and segregated service 25:28 Closing and Part 3 preview 25:54 hmTv outro ────────────────── #FogOfWarAndHumanity #MarkDrexler #LeonDrexler #DDay #OperationOverlord #ShermanTank #745thTankBattalion #WorldWarII #CitizenSoldiers #JewishVeterans #MilitaryHistory #HMTC Support the show

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About

hmTv is a podcast platform dedicated to exploring the humanity in all of us through impactful stories and discussions.   Executive Producer Bernie Furshpan has developed a state-of-the-art podcast studio within the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center, creating a dynamic platform for dialogue.  Holocaust survivor testimony, in their own words. hmTv is the podcast of the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County (HMTC) — 600+ episodes of survivor stories, upstander profiles, and honest conversations about antisemitism, bullying, and the courage to act. Across 30+ show series, survivors, educators, historians, and journalists explore the history of the Holocaust and its lessons for today. HMTC is a nonprofit that has served Long Island schools, educators, law enforcement, and communities for 25+ years — teaching the history of the Holocaust to promote resistance to prejudice and respect for every human being. This podcast brings that mission to anyone, anywhere. Follow to hear the stories that matter. Learn more at hmtcli.org · Glen Cove, NY · Instagram @hmtcli · Facebook @HMTCLI

Information

  • Creator
    HMTC
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    656
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 © 2025 hmTv at HMTC Podcasts
  • Show Website
    hmTv at HMTC Podcasts