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The New Yorkers Podcast

The New Yorkers Podcast

Written by: A New York City Podcast By Kelly Kopp With Executive Producer Jae Watson
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Welcome to New York City! Join me, New York City Kopp, as I introduce you to the wonderful world of New York City. I will tell you the best places to go, help you navigate the city, plus bring on New Yorkers to tell you their New York Stories. Jae Watson, Executive Producer, and New Yorker, will also join me on the podcast episodes sharing his experiences in the City. New episodes are out every other Sunday.© 2025 The New Yorkers Podcast Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • *Re-Air* Creating Modern New York -With Madelyn Wils
    Mar 1 2026

    Due to the hustle and bustle of city life, the New Yorkers have to take a leave of absence this week. Please enjoy this episode we did back in September with the brilliant Madelyn Wils. And tune in next time for a brand new episode!

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    In this Episode: Kelly is joined by Civic Leader, Madelyn Wils! She was on the Tribeca Community Board, Head of the Hudson River Park Trust, and is now overseeing the 400 Million Dollar Overhaul of 5th ave.

    From Kelly asking where Madelyn was from, they learn that they lived on the same block in washington Heights!

    Madelyn tells Kelly about her time in Television: Working in advertisment sales to selling tv shows, to eventually running her own company and Producing her own shows. Madelyn also tells kelly about the discrimination that she faced and the sexism that was pervasive in the industry.

    Kelly asks Madelyn about working with Charlie Rose and Larry King. Madelyn tells some funny stories about working behind the scenes on their shows.

    Madelyn then tells us about how she got into becoming a civic leader. How she joined the community board, and how she was able to procure an empty lot owned by the city for the nearby school's playground.

    Living in Tribeca in the late 90s and early 2000s, Kelly asks Madelyn about 911. Medelyn recounts her experience on that day, and tells us about how she was able to rally together her fellow community leaders to help everyone in need.

    Madelyn tells us about her experience with standing up to Rudy Giuliani in the wake of the attacks and how she advocated for her community and brought them the help they deserved.

    She then talks about how the next administration had been following her work and decided to hire her to work on developing the city. Madelyn talks about how she was able to set up the East River Ferry system, Rebuild Coney Island, start work on the east river park and settle a turf war at Essex Square.

    Kelly then asks Madelyn about her new project. And Madelyn tells him about how she planned to retire after covid, but decided that she really loved working on the city. So when she got called to work on a project to rebuild 5th avenue; She couldn't say no.

    Madelyn talks about the project and their plans for 5th avenue: Widening the sidewalks, adding more greenery and creating outdoor cafe space. She talks about wanting to create a beautiful scene that people want to spend time in.

    But above all else; Madelyn Wils is a New Yorker.

    Kelly's Social Media

    @NewYorkCityKopp

    For updates on the 5th ave project, Follow

    @Fifthavenue

    on instagram

    Jae's Social Media

    @Studiojae170

    Chapters
    • (00:00:00) - New Yorkers: A Podcast for New Yorkers
    • (00:01:11) - In the Elevator With Madeline Wills
    • (00:02:13) - Tammy Gibbon on Sexual Assault
    • (00:06:46) - Jane Fonda on Becoming a TV Producers
    • (00:10:13) - Charlie Rose on Working With Larry King
    • (00:12:16) - Philip Feuerstein on Tribeca
    • (00:17:52) - "Your drive is inspiring me!"
    • (00:18:23) - Community Board Chair on 9/11
    • (00:24:44) - Meryl Streep on the 911 Incident
    • (00:29:23) - The New York Economic Development Corp
    • (00:35:51) - Fifth Avenue: New York's greatest street
    • (00:44:42) - Pedestrian lanes on Fifth Avenue
    • (00:51:35) - The need to update Harlem's infrastructure
    • (00:53:08) - In the Elevator With Mayor Bloomberg
    • (00:54:08) - Madeline on Building the New York City Dance Studio
    • (00:55:42) - The New Yorkers: Madeline Wills
    Show More Show Less
    58 mins
  • A Practical New Yorker as an Impractical Guest! -With James "Murr" Murray
    Feb 15 2026

    In this episode, Kelly is joined by James "Murr" Murray From the hit TV show "Impractical Jokers"! He is also an executive TV and Film producer as the President of Impractical productions. He is a best selling author of 9 published titles and tours the world telling jokes to sold out arenas.

    Kelly starts off the show by asking Murr where he was born and what it was like growing up on Staten Island. Murr talks about coming back home after late nights in the city and funny stories on the Staten Island Rapid Transit. He talks about moving to Bay Ridge and going to Catholic school where he met his best friends.

    Murr then talks about how the show "Impractical Jokers" started. He tells Kelly about his initial pitch for the show and how the company loved it. Kelly talks about the stats from the start of the show and how well it captured audiences all over America.

    Murr talks about filming the show in the city and how quickly he and his group shot up through the comedy space. He tells the story of performing at his sold out show at Madison Square Garden.

    Kelly asks Murr about a few of the punishments and improv skits that he has done on the show. Murr goes behind the scenes and talks about "The greatest Punishemnt Ever" That he has orchestrated on the show. He talks about how it was 5 years in the making, and all of the work and preperation that he had to do in order to pull it off. Murr also talks about some of his other favorite skits from the show.

    Kelly talks about some of the other aspects of the show. They talk about filming during covid, how they go about getting people to go along with their antics, and if they have ever broken character or said that they werent going to do something.

    Finally Kelly asks Murr some quick fire questions about New York, and Murr gives us a subway take, his favorite pizza, and his 5:30am bodega order.

    But above all else; James "Murr" Murray is a New Yorker.

    Kelly Kopp's Social Media:
    @NewYorkCityKopp

    Murr's Social Media:

    @TheRealMurr

    Jae's Social Media

    @Studiojae170

    Get Your Tickets to his show at "Murrlive.com"!

    Chapters
    • (00:00:00) - James Murray on New Yorkers
    • (00:02:58) - How I Broke My Lease In Jersey
    • (00:03:36) - How Much Time Did COVID Take Off From 'Jokers'
    • (00:04:02) - Jay on His Secret Life
    • (00:06:59) - Joker on His Own Show
    • (00:09:13) - How to get from Staten Island to Jersey
    • (00:12:43) - Members of Pacific Southern Train Club Collectible Box Cars
    • (00:14:30) - The Cast of Impractical Jokers on Success
    • (00:17:45) - Impractical Jokers on The Impossible Pranksters
    • (00:20:21) - The Greatest Punishment Of All Time
    • (00:24:05) - Punishment For The Thief
    • (00:25:37) - Rob Riggles On His Nude Challenge
    • (00:29:01) - The Impractical Jokers on the Weather
    • (00:31:30) - The Final Days of Impractical Jokers Live
    • (00:33:42) - Throw a Full Glass of Water On My Grandmother's Face
    • (00:36:15) - Jokers: How To Get A Job
    • (00:39:10) - Darren Brown: The Power of Belief
    • (00:42:33) - Spider Man Free-Climbed On A Train
    • (00:45:03) - DMV Driver's License Photo
    • (00:45:48) - 10 Questions For NYC People
    • (00:46:55) - What It Means to Be a New Yorker
    • (00:48:13) - The New Yorkers: Thank You!
    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
  • *Winter Re-Air* "The Gods of New York" On the New Yorkers Podcast! - With Jonathan Mahler
    Feb 1 2026

    Join us for the last highlight of Season 2! The New Yorkers Podcast will be back for Season 3 in two weeks! Until then, please enjoy this episode on the tantalizing tale of New York City in the 1980s from the brilliant Jonathan Mahler.

    *******************************

    In this episode, Kelly is joined by Jonathan Mahler! He is a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine, his sports journalism has been featured in the book “The Best American Sports Writing”, and he is the author of two books: “Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bronx is Burning” as well as “The Challenge.” And his third book “The Gods of New York” is available now wherever you buy books!

    Join them, as Jonathan tells Kelly a bit about where he's from, and his profession. Kelly asks about raising kids in New York City, and what age did he think is ok for kids to ride the subway.

    Kelly asks Jonathan to give him a background of New York City leading up to the 1980s. Jonathan tells him what it was like to cover the 2016 presidential campaign, and how he was inspired to write this book.

    Jonathan tells Kelly about some of the stories that were going on during the second half of the 1980s, and Kelly talks about how he remembers living through a lot of these headlines.

    Kelly asks Jonathan what he thinks of the current Mayoral race in New York City. Jae tells a funny story of what floridians think of the race. And Jonathan recounts how he thinks that the events of his book have a direct effect on this current political climate.

    Jonathan talks about his research process for the book, what archival he used, and the people he was able to interview. Jae and Kelly talk about how much they love the writing of the book: How personable it is, how funny it is, and how the passion for New York City is dripping off every page.

    Kelly asks Jonathan to tell us about the title of the book: "The Gods of New York". Jonathan talks about where the title came from, how much he loves the title, but also why he was apprehensive to call it that.

    Finally, Kelly asks Jonathan some questions about his writing process, as well as some fun quick New York City questions that every New Yorker has an answer for.

    But above all else; Jonathan Mahler is a New Yorker!

    Kelly Kopp's Social Media:

    @NewYorkCityKopp

    Jonathan Mahler's Social Media:

    @Jonathan.Mahler

    Jae's Social Media:
    @Studiojae170

    Chapters
    • (00:00:00) - New Yorkers: The Gods of New York
    • (00:01:30) - Meet Jonathan Harris: Born and Raised in NYC
    • (00:04:37) - Jonathan Wolff on His New Book 'The Gods of New York
    • (00:07:10) - New York's Story of Rebirth
    • (00:11:22) - In the Elevator With Michael Moore
    • (00:12:06) - The New York Mayor: 1986-1990
    • (00:14:32) - The Making of New York Mayor Ed Koch
    • (00:16:17) - How To Write A Detailing of the AIDS Era
    • (00:18:52) - In the Elevator With Spike Lee
    • (00:22:16) - In the Elevator With Bernard
    • (00:22:43) - Bernie Getz: A New York Hero (
    • (00:27:06) - The Guardian Angels on the NYC mayoral race
    • (00:29:49) - The Money Spent to Stop Trump
    • (00:30:23) - How The City Went From Bad to Worse
    • (00:32:59) - A Day in the Life of Jay
    • (00:33:13) - What Made You Write 'This Is Worth Doing'
    • (00:34:02) - What surprised you most during your research for The New York Story?
    • (00:37:17) - Ed Koch's Last Year as Mayor
    • (00:40:17) - The Gods of New York
    • (00:41:53) - "The End of New York" by Philip Roth
    • (00:42:57) - Readers Talk About 'The Book'
    • (00:43:56) - 10 Quick Fire Questions for '
    • (00:46:12) - What It Means To Be A New Yorker
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
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