Join Led and Octavio on Uptown Voices as they sit down with Maria Lizardo, the dynamic executive director of NMIC. Since 1979, NMIC has been a beacon of hope, expanding from Uptown to The Bronx.

Maria's story is powerful. Hear her describe how her mother's immigrant tenacity, unwavering belief in education, and dedication to community service shaped a lifelong mission to help New Yorkers thrive. From overcoming an abusive past to factory work, Maria's mother instilled in her the profound value of both education and community service.

Don't miss this inspiring episode showcasing how this Uptown powerhouse empowers her community to discover their own strength amidst incredible obstacles!

In this episode of Uptown Voices, members of the Upper Manhattan Tenants Union join Led and Octavio, on the eve of Zohran Mamdani's historic primary win, to discuss their group's fight against what they see as some of the most infamous landlords in the city and what they say is class warfare against tenants.

Tenants say that landlords are purposely, and in a coordinated way, withholding capital needed to provide basic services and maintain their buildings to create an unlivable city as they seek to raise the price on rent stabilized apartments. Landlord groups, meanwhile, say that many rent stabilized buildings are on the brink of bankruptcy and that's why the maintenance for many is falling by the wayside.

Who will prevail in this class war?

Tune in for an eye-opening inside look at how tenants organizing to stand up to their landlords in Washington Heights and Inwood.

In this episode of Uptown Voices Led and Octavio are joined by David Hunt, co-owner of Coogan's to remember his friend and business partner, Peter Walsh. To know Peter Walsh was to love Peter Walsh. Since 1985, Coogan’s was a Washington Heights institution that welcomed one and all and Peter was the soul, spirit and beating heart of that place. Peter personified the very essence of Coogan’s. Peter Walsh passed away in April, but he will be fondly remembered by anyone fortunate enough to have met him.

Join us in this touching and surprisingly fun remembrance of Peter as David recounts some amazing stories about the bar that became a haven for Washington Heights: Coogan's, and the man who personified it: Peter Walsh.

In this episode Mino Lora, Artistic Director of The People's Theater Immigrant Cultural Center's Executive Artistic Director & Co-Founder, joins Led and Octavio in conversation about the upcoming state of the art performance space on 206th street in Inwood, opening in the Fall of 2026.

Mino is a powerhouse of the Upper Manhattan community. She's been helping build community here, welcome new immigrants and encourage the performing arts. The new space marks the next chapter for The People's Theater (formerly The People's Theater Project,) and it comes at precisely the right time. In its new building, the non-profit will continue achieving its goals of teaching community members, allowing immigrant stories to flourish and building a more just and equitable world through theater.

Franck de Las Mercedes joins Led and Octavio to discuss his latest project: You Are Here. He also takes us on his journey, from leaving Nicaragua with nothing and landing in Washington Heights as a kid in 1985, to becoming a world renowned artist - still based in his beloved Washington Heights.

In this episode Avi Garelick, of the Northern Manhattan Community Land Trust joins Octavio and Led to discuss how the NMCLT is helping tenants become owners of the buildings their landlords are neglecting.

In this debut episode Led and Octavio introduce their new podcast: Uptown Voices and then interview the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance (NoMAA) Director Niria Leyva-Gutierrez and Uptown Arts Stroll coordinator Martin Collins about their history of advocacy and collaboration with the Upper Manhattan arts community.