Bare Wires

Born in Puerto Rico and raised in the South Bronx, Carlos Martinez grew up in an environment where the odds were stacked heavily against him. In a high school class of 250, he was one of only 50 students to walk across the stage at graduation—a stark reality that shaped his perspective on survival and success long before he arrived in Rockland County to attend Nyack College.​In this episode, we sit down with the Executive Director of Bridges to explore his journey from the front lines of social work in jails and foster homes to the helm of a major organization. Carlos discusses the challenges of stepping into a leadership role in his early thirties and the skepticism he faced while introducing a radical new approach: running a non-profit with the efficiency and data-driven mindset of a for-profit business.Connect With Bridges & Carlos MartinezBridges Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DhKZsoFKR/Bridges Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridges_rc?igsh=MTRhazJ2M2I2OW1pbQ==Bridges Website: https://www.bridgesrc.org/Carlos Martinez Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14aRBqRxBCJ/Connect With Bare Wires: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barewirespodcast?igsh=MXV2NHRleGFlNmJ6dA== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1H5ExPWo9y/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Barewirespodcast?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=a75e6bcf-4dc0-43fd-b0ea-70c80c7f4bd5Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@barewirespodcastApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bare-wires/id1850198906

Claim OnSite Energy offer here: https://tr.ee/MHLpWnIB95Welcome to Bare Wires, where we strip issues down to their raw truth and explore the systems shaping our lives.Today, we’re joined by Sabrina Charles Pierre — educator, advocate, and former Vice President of the Ramapo Central School District Board of Education — a proud native of Spring Valley, New York and a passionate champion for the East Ramapo community.In a district that has made national headlines for underfunding, inequality, and deep controversy, Sabrina has been on the front lines — fighting to empower students, rebuild trust, and create real opportunities for the next generation. From personal adversity to public leadership, her journey is a powerful reminder of what resilience and purpose can achieve. This conversation goes beyond one district. It’s about the state of public education in America — what’s broken, who it impacts, and what it will take to fix it. Let’s get into it.Connect with Sabrina Charles Pierre:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/still__irise/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Gp6NrU15q/Connect with Bare Wires Podcast:Linktree: linktr.ee/BarewirespodcastYoutube: https://youtube.com/@barewirespodcast?si=tnYAhc3ZB0IELUE5Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bare-wires/id1850198906Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barewirespodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1H5ExPWo9y/

Welcome to Bare Wires—where raw stories spark real connection. In this episode, we sit down with Rob Spampinato, a passionate musician and teacher shaped by a life steeped in sound. Raised in a family where music wasn’t just a hobby but a way of life, Rob carries forward a powerful belief: music can heal, guide, and transform. From learning under a touring musician father to inspiring over 150 students today, his journey is all about turning life’s challenges into something meaningful. This is a conversation about rhythm, resilience, and why picking up an instrument might just change everything.Connect with Rob Spampinato below:https://linktr.ee/robsshoolofmusicInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/robsschoolofmusicFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1CT8FTMEQS/

Paul Borghese is an actor, director, and producer with a career defined by grit, passion, and persistence. Born in the Bronx, where his family owned a popular clothing store, Paul later moved to Rockland County. He began his professional journey in the restaurant business before deciding to pursue his true passion—acting.Over time, Paul built a distinguished career in both acting and directing, working alongside renowned talents such as Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, and Robert De Niro. He also portrayed Yogi Berra in the critically acclaimed HBO film 61, directed by Billy Crystal.As a director and producer in the independent film industry, Paul has learned to navigate tight budgets while still creating high-quality, meaningful films.In this episode, “Built, Not Discovered,” Paul shares how success isn’t given—it’s earned. His story is a powerful reminder that with determination and hard work, you can create your own path.

Welcome to Bare Wires, where real stories spark real connection. Today, we sit down with Alays Aquino — a young man whose journey from the Dominican Republic to Rockland County NY is nothing short of inspiring.Alays opens up about the challenges of adapting to a new country, learning English, and finding his place in a community that would eventually embrace him. From cutting hair as a barber to working multiple jobs, he built his path step by step — even stepping into the intense world of policing NYC before finding his stride in Rockland.Now, he’s not just an officer — he’s a mentor, a role model, and a powerful voice on social media, reaching and uplifting young people in his community. This episode is about resilience, identity, and what it means to give back to the place that helped shape you.

In this episode, we sit down with Congressman Mike Lawler, the Republican representative for New York’s 17th District. We explore his journey from growing up in Rockland County to becoming a "straight-shooting" moderate leader in Washington. Lawler discusses how his local roots in the Hudson Valley fuel his commitment to his constituents, even as he navigates the national spotlight.​ Lawler’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. After a high-stakes victory over the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the 39-year-old lawmaker quickly secured influential roles on the House Committee on Financial Services and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, where he chairs the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa. We discuss how he balances these heavy-hitting global responsibilities with being a regular, bipartisan voice on major networks like Fox News and CNN.​ We also dive into a landmark victory for the Hudson Valley: Lawler’s successful work with the Trump administration on the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act. He breaks down how he fought to quadruple the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap to $40,000, delivering on a key promise to provide long-term tax relief for families in high-cost districts. Join us for an engaging look at a leader navigating the highest levels of government while remaining deeply rooted in his hometown.

In this episode, we hear from Andrew "Ace" Greenspan, a musician from Nyack, NY, whose life has been defined by a relentless drive to move forward. Ace’s path hasn’t been easy—navigating life with autism while fighting a private battle with addiction. For a long time, the weight of those struggles threatened to pull him under.But this isn't a story about staying down. It’s about what happens when a person finds the one thing they were truly meant to do. For Ace, that was music. It became more than just a creative outlet; it became the bridge that led him out of his darkest chapters and into a life of purpose.https://andrewace.irmbooking.com/home

If you saw Josiah Dyer working at his father’s business in Charleston, Maine, you’d see a hardworking 20-year-old in his element. But the moment he opens his mouth to sing, everything stops.Josiah possesses a deep, powerful voice that seems far beyond his years—a voice that “doesn’t fit” his young age. It’s exactly this contrast that leaves people in awe the first time they hear him.From the quiet woods of Maine to the high-pressure stage of American Idol and the award podiums of Nashville, Josiah is proving that soul isn’t about age—it’s about heart.https://www.josiahdyer.com/

Welcome to Bare Wires—where we talk with people powering change.Today, we’re heading to Newburgh, N​Y—one of the poorest cities in the state, a place marked by systemic poverty and unrelenting violence, and too often defined by what it lacks rather than what it holds.Our guest is Father Mark Connell, who leads San Miguel Academy, an independent, 100% scholarship-driven initiative working to break the cycle of poverty through education. San Miguel provides a safe, structured, and positive learning environment where students receive a high-quality education—and the long-term support needed to change the trajectory of their lives. This isn’t just a story about education—it’s about presence, persistence, and what it means to show up when it matters most. This is Bare Wires. And this is Father Mark Connell.

Welcome to Bare Wires—where we trace the signals that keep culture human. Today we’re talking with Ken Freedman, the longtime steward of WFMU, ​the oldest freeform radio station in the ​United States: 100% listener-supported, zero corporate sponsors, and DJs who play whatever the hell they want. For ​over 40 years, Ken has helped build not just a station, but a community—an oasis for ​e​ccentrics, artists, and curious minds chasing ​frequencies ​beyond the norm. We’ll dig into how he found his way into radio, what shaped his restless creativity, and why—now more than ever—live human DJs matter in a world run by algorithms.​Don't forget to hit "Subscribe" and find us on other platforms at www.barewirespodcast.com 

Welcome to Bare Wires. Today’s conversation is deeply rooted—literally. Sheriff Lou Falco didn’t just grow up in Rockland County, he grew with it. A lifelong resident who knows its history, its people, and its challenges, Sheriff Falco approaches his role with humility, accountability, and a deep respect for the public trust. He doesn’t take the badge—or the voters—lightly. From honoring Rockland’s past to building its future, this is a conversation about service, responsibility, and what it really means to protect the place you call home.Don't forget to hit "Subscribe" and link to us at www.barewirespodcast.com

Welcome back to Bare Wires, where we strip ideas down to what really moves them.In today’s episode, “Shipping Dreams Across Continents,” we sit down with Jeffrey Nyarko—a 19-year-old entrepreneur, NYU admit, and the son of Ghanaian immigrants whose family runs a shipping company out of the Bronx. From his family’s business to top mentorship programs and scholarships, Jeffrey's roots power his global vision as he prepares to travel back to Ghana with the United Nations and the Africa Prosperity Network, sharing how he’s building a future that connects local resolve with global impact.Jeffrey on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@jeffrey_nyarko

Today, we’re joined by Richard Gore — a Brooklyn-born entrepreneur whose career reads like a masterclass in versatility and innovation. From placing products in major motion pictures to promoting massive rock concerts and producing live shows with the Food Network and world-famous chefs, Richard has truly done it all. Over the years, he’s collaborated with legendary names like Miles Davis, Oliver Stone, and Guy Fieri, always staying ahead of the curve in an ever-changing entertainment and media landscape. Now, Richard is channeling that wealth of experience into giving back — helping to train and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs through Rockland Works, a nonprofit in Rockland County, New York, dedicated to empowering jobseekers and connecting them with real opportunities in business. Richard, welcome to Bare Wires — it’s great to have you here.

Welcome back to Bare Wires. Today, we’re sitting down with Manuel Santana — a young clothing designer, videographer, and entrepreneur whose journey bridges both New York and the Dominican Republic.Born in New York and raised between two worlds, Manuel’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and reinvention. From a few youthful run-ins with the law to building a lifestyle brand that’s redefining what it means to be a New Yorker, he’s turned his experiences into art and ambition.As a creative force behind “New York Is A Nationality”, Manuel and his team are capturing the essence of the Empire State — unity, authenticity, and style — and transforming it into a movement. Their startup brand, founded in Rockland County, has quickly become a streetwear staple, connecting communities and inspiring self-expression through every piece.So let’s get into it — the hustle, the vision, and the story behind New York Is A Nationality with Manuel Santana.https://nyisanationality.comhttps://www.instagram.com/newyorkisanationality/

Today's guest has walked a path few dare to tread. George Hoehmann began his journey as a Catholic priest, dedicating his life to service, faith, and community. But his calling didn’t stop there. In 2015, George was elected Town Supervisor of Clarkstown​ NY, stepping into the political arena with the same purpose-driven mindset — but with very different tools. Since taking office in 2016, he’s focused on cutting government spending, reducing debt, and launching forward-thinking initiatives from solar energy fields to life-saving community programs. In this episode, we dive into the contrast between spiritual leadership and public governance, explore what it means to truly serve — whether through sacraments or streetlights — and find out what led George to trade the collar for a campaign.This is a conversation about transformation, leadership, and the many forms public service can take. Let’s get into it.

This episode is nothing short of inspiring. At just 13, Carlos “Coca” Bernard was diagnosed with leukemia. After two grueling years of treatment, just when things seemed to be improving, he was hit with an even rarer diagnosis: aHUS—an ultra-rare autoimmune disease that affects fewer than 1,000 people in the U.S.But what makes Carlos truly extraordinary isn’t just his resilience—it’s his heart. When Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley offered him a wish, he didn’t ask for something for himself. Instead, he chose to give back, launching the Coca Strong 5K/10K to raise awareness and support for others with rare diseases.This conversation is powerful, emotional, and filled with hope. A must-listen that reminds us of the strength of the human spirit—and the difference one person can make.www.instagram.com/coca.strong/

In this gripping episode, we had the honor of welcoming a special guest ​Pedro Santana — the brilliant author behind Broken Crystals, a powerful, loosely autobiographical novel that delves into the life of Yoel. The conversation was raw, insightful, and thought-provoking, much like the book itself.Yoel's journey — marked by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, existential musings, and collisions with society — mirrors the author’s own struggles and revelations. As we unpacked the story’s layers, our guest spoke candidly about the real-life circumstances that inspired the narrative, offering listeners a rare glimpse into the emotional and psychological depth behind each chapter.Whether you're a fan of literature, personal transformation, or just love stories that challenge the way you think, this episode is a must-listen. Expect to question your own beliefs — and maybe even your path — by the time it's over.https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Crystals-Pedro-Santana/dp/B09JJ9GGXD

We​ couldn't be more excited to kick off Bare Wires Podcast with a moving and inspirational ​conversation with Corey Wray. Corey's story truly illustrates a determination and motivation we all seek to pursue.