The Brooklyn Works Project: Recent Episodes
Jim Winters
Host, Jim Winters, has been satisfying his curiosity about the professionals he meets by simply asking them the questions nobody else does and now, he brings that to you. On "The Brooklyn Works Project", Jim invites a guest from the Brooklyn workforce onto every episode to share their stories and bring a whole new perspective on what it means to work in Brooklyn, NY. Jim Winters has been a real estate broker in New York City for 15 years and has rubbed elbows with all kinds of Brooklyn professionals. In the process he has learned from them, been amazed by their journeys and inspired to share their stories with the public. Find more on Jim at jimwinters.nyc.
BWP #6: On this episode of the Brooklyn Works Project, we have a thought-provoking conversation with Joan Marans Dim, author of Lady Liberty: An Illustrated History of America's Most Storied Woman, about the cyclic parallels of immigration in America, the link between bridge development and the growth of New York City, and the key to being a successful writer. We dive into all of this and more with Joan, a writer born and raised in NYC who has worn many hats over her 30-year career including essayist, novelist, historian, ghostwriter and public relations strategist. Joan’s latest book is a history exploring the intricacies surrounding the Statue of Liberty called Lady Liberty: An Illustrated History of America's Most Storied Woman. Available online at BarnesandNoble.com.
BWP #5: Well known and well loved, local mom+pop cafes are a signature part of Brooklyn communities. On this episode of the Brooklyn Works Project, we peek behind the curtain of Crown Heights cafe, Lula Bagel, with manager and barista, Lizzie DeHuff. Lizzie is a sunny, New Jersey native turned Brooklynite who knows first hand how rewarding, and how draining, it is to serve cups of coffee all day (to put it simply). Listen in to hear how Lizzie found herself loving the industry her father warned her to stay far away from and all the nitty gritty details of working as a barista in Brooklyn.
BWP #4: For the past 30 years, Ron Springer has been an instrumental part of the bus network that brings over 2 million people daily from Point A to Point B in NYC. Born and raised in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, Ron first applied for a job with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority when he was just 19 years old and since then, has found his purpose as a Brooklyn bus operator getting nurses to hospitals and kids to school safely. On this episode of the Brooklyn Works Project, we discuss Ron’s journey as an MTA employee, what it’s like to work 12 hour shifts 5 days a week and how the Brooklyn roads have (or haven't) changed over the last 30 years.
3: On this episode of the BWP, I spend the morning talking with Sal Vigilante, owner of family business Vigilante Plumbing in Brooklyn, NY. Established in 1927 by Sal’s grandfather who “walked to work uphill both ways,” Sal has seen Vigilante Plumbing come a long way from where it began. Sal shares his journey from growing up in a very different Park Slope in the 70s, to dreaming of a life in professional photography, to running the family business, which has evolved into an outstanding service-oriented firm. Listen in to hear about plumbing in the city of red tape and why your boiler might be 5 times too big for your home. Vigilante Plumbing’s website is https://www.bestbrooklynplumber.com/.
BWP #2: Artist and professor, Ali Osborn, joins us in the podcast studio to give an insider look at how he makes art using a 2,000 pound lithograph printer in Brooklyn, NY. We touch on the history and mechanics of the lithograph, how he uses rules to weld his craft, his journey as an artist in the city, and the ambiguity of teaching graphic design to college students. Ali’s work is on display from 10/10 - 10/31 in the Dead Ringer exhibition at 88 East Broadway, NY open every weekend from 12 - 6PM. For more information on the exhibition visit https://www.facebook.com/events/524952854955421/ and for more about Ali, visit https://www.aliosborn.com/.
BWP #1: Gregg Resnick joins us in the BWP podcast studio to share his unique story as the owner of Allied Arborcraft, a general contractor operating in Brooklyn, NY. We talk about what his daily life is like navigating the ins and outs of a contracting company, how he got to where he is and where he is going in the future. Listen in to hear Gregg's take on New York City contracting and how many elevator trips it takes to renovate a 27th floor condo unit. Allied Arborcraft's website is https://www.aacny.com/.