Worth the Price of Admission

In this episode, I sit down with bandleader and percussionist Tito Puente Jr. for a heartfelt, high-energy conversation about carrying the torch of his father, the Mambo King, while forging his own path. From growing up in Spanish Harlem and falling for rock and metal, to learning clave on the road, honoring family, and choosing a more balanced life than the 300‑shows‑a‑year grind, Tito shares candid stories, lessons, and the joy of seeing new generations dance to timeless Afro‑Cuban rhythms. We talk about the Palladium show in Times Square, the power of community in El Barrio, pivotal influences from Celia Cruz to Iron Maiden, and why education and humility are central to his mission. Tito opens up about family, discipline, legacy, and his dream of a “metal mambo” project—plus the backstory of Oye Como Va and how one song can change everything. It’s a lively, deeply human look at rhythm, roots, and keeping culture alive.Tito Puente Jr.: @TitoPuenteJr Tito Puente (The Mambo King): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tito_PuentePalladium Times Square (venue): https://www.palladiumtimessquare.comPalladium Ballroom (historic New York venue): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palladium_BallroomSpanish Harlem (El Barrio): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_HarlemThe Bronx: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_BronxThe Juilliard School: https://www.juilliard.eduNew York Yankees: https://www.mlb.com/yankeesIron Maiden: https://www.ironmaiden.comMötley Crüe: https://www.motley.comDef Leppard: https://www.defleppard.comSlayer: https://www.slayer.netCarlos Santana: https://www.santana.comOye Como Va (song): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oye_Como_VaCelia Cruz: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celia_CruzWillie Colón: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Col%C3%B3nFania All-Stars: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fania_All-StarsDizzy Gillespie: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dizzy_GillespieMaynard Ferguson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maynard_FergusonLionel Hampton: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_HamptonBuddy Morrow: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_MorrowSam Ulano (drummer/teacher): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_UlanoFive Towns College: https://www.ftc.eduConcord (label/group): https://concord.comNational Museum of American History (Smithsonian): https://americanhistory.si.eduMenudo (band): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menudo_(band)Eddie Torres (The Mambo King of Dance): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_TorresOn Broadway (song): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_BroadwayThe Mambo Kings (film): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mambo_KingsThe Simpsons (TV series): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_SimpsonsSesame Street (TV series): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sesame_Street

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with my longtime friend Cheryl Howard, daughter of New York Yankees legend Elston “Ellie” Howard—the first Black player on the Yankees, 1963 AL MVP, and later the American League’s first Black coach. Cheryl reflects on growing up in the Yankees family section surrounded by icons like Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, and Whitey Ford; the warmth of Old Yankee Stadium; and the deep brotherhood among players who stood together against discrimination. Cheryl shares intimate memories of her dad’s grace, humility, love of cooking, inventing the on-deck “donut,” and his unfulfilled dream to manage in the majors. We talk about her mother Arlene’s elegance and quiet strength, the family’s joys and losses, and Cheryl’s own vibrant career in theater and music—from national anthems at postseason games to a Josephine Baker one-woman show. We also celebrate Elston’s induction into the New York State Baseball Hall of Fame and the enduring legacy of a trailblazer whose teammates treated him like family.Cheryl opens up about caretaking for her 90-year-old mom, cherished ties with fellow Yankees families (from Yogi and Carmen Berra to Roy White and Bill White), and memories of support from George Steinbrenner. She recalls Ellie’s service in the Korean War, the family’s stolen World Series rings (and the miraculous return of one), and the ghosts of the old Stadium that still inspire. It’s a moving portrait of resilience, love, and legacy—one that reminds us why every story truly is worth the price of admission.

In this episode, I sit down with world-renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden to revisit the winter night in 1989 when he helped my family uncover the truth about my husband, Billy Martin's, fatal accident. From the injury patterns that indicated Billy was the passenger to the early use of DNA that matched hair in the windshield to the driver, Dr. Baden walks us through the science that brought closure and why careful, independent forensic work matters when stories conflict.We also explore Dr. Baden's life and career. From growing up a Yankees fan and training at NYU-Bellevue, to leading the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner and consulting for the New York State Police, to re-examining the JFK and MLK assassinations, testifying around the world, and writing about reform in forensic practice. Along the way, he shares lessons from the autopsy room, concerns about junk science and excited delirium, and reflections on science in the COVID era.

What do Frankie Valli, the London Symphony Orchestra, Don Rickles, and Vanilla Fudge have in common? They have all shared a stage with Robby Robinson.In this episode, recorded in February 2024 at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, I sit down with the legendary Robby Robinson, Frankie Valli's longtime music director, conductor, and keyboardist (affectionately known as the "Fifth Season"). Robby takes us from small-town Litchfield, Illinois, to Los Angeles in the '70s, where a fateful jam session with Alphonse Mouzon jump-started a career that has spanned conducting the London Symphony at Royal Albert Hall, leading orchestras around the world, and sharing stages with icons from Buddy Greco to Don Rickles.What is it really like behind the scenes of Jersey Boys? Why does Robby call the Hammond B-3 the Harley-Davidson of instruments? And how did a pandemic pivot lead to launching his own record label?We talk Dodgers vs. Yankees, the power of melody, and the faith and family that ground him: his mother's early influence, his annual Jam for Jesus concert, and his collaboration with powerhouse vocalist Sara Niemietz on the anthemic track The Will to Win. From Grease to Jersey Boys, from Peppermint Twist with Joey Dee to sitting in with Vanilla Fudge, this is a joyful, behind-the-scenes tour of a life dedicated to music, purpose, and connecting generations.Learn more:Robby Robinson: https://www.robbyrobinsonmusic.com/Robby's Records: https://robbysrecords.com/Sara Niemietz: https://www.saraniemietz.com/Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons: https://frankievallifourseasons.com/Jam for Jesus: https://www.robbyrobinsonmusic.com/jam-for-jesus.htmlWatch the full video interview and explore more episodes at https://worththepriceofadmission.com

Gerry "Gentleman" Cooney was the number one-ranked heavyweight in the world when he faced Larry Holmes for the title in 1982. In this conversation, he opens up about growing up in a turbulent home, finding purpose through boxing, and the self-sabotage that shadowed his rise. He relives the 54-second Ken Norton knockout and the epic night with Holmes, sharing what he saw in opponents' eyes and how great fighters make adjustments. We also talk about mentoring kids, rebuilding trust, and how sobriety, family, and service anchor his life today.Book: "Gentleman Gerry: A Contender in the Ring, a Champion in Recovery"https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/gentleman-gerry-9781538155349/"At The Fights" with Randy Gordon & Gerry Cooney on SiriusXM https://www.siriusxm.comDiscover more conversations at worththepriceofadmission.com

Every story reminds us that a meaningful life is worth preserving. Worth the Price of Admission brings documentary-style conversations to audio, letting you listen anywhere, while walking, driving, or taking a quiet moment for yourself. Gentle reminders of hope, courage, and human connection. Watch full videos at worththepriceofadmission.comIn this brief introduction, I explain why we're turning our earlier documentary conversations into audio: so you can listen to these stories wherever you are—on a walk, during your commute, or whenever you need a voice of perspective and comfort.Behind every achievement and legacy are quiet moments of kindness, courage, and connection, and this show captures those moments so you can find pieces of your own story in them.These episodes are not nostalgia; they are reminders that hope, resilience, and human connection are still alive. Follow the podcast on your favorite player, and if you want to watch the full-length videos, visit our home for new and archived conversations.'Worth the Price of Admission' Official Site: https://worththepriceofadmission.com/