Real Talk NYC

Social media is changing how New Yorkers talk about housing, transit, development, and affordability. But can those online conversations actually influence public policy?

In this episode of Real Talk NYC, Nile Berry, creator of Urban Explained, joins REBNY’s Vice President of Digital, Jason Ryan, to explore the growing role of social media in shaping New York City’s political conversation.

They discuss how policymakers are adapting to a digital-first world, the challenges of explaining complex issues in short-form content, and whether online engagement reflects public opinion or distorts it.

Want to learn more about REBNY? Visit https://www.rebny.com/

Residential real estate has undergone enormous change over the past decade. Few leaders have navigated that change as candidly or as confidently as Bess Freedman.

In our latest episode of Real Talk Insiders, Bess reflects on her career thus far and what she’s learned about leadership, relationships, and staying true to your convictions.

Want to learn more about REBNY? Visit https://www.rebny.com/

Commercial real estate has gone through extraordinary change over the last half century. Few people have had a front-row seat to that evolution quite like John Santora.

In this episode of Real Talk Insiders, John shares the remarkable career journey that took him from building engineer at Cushman & Wakefield to CEO of WeWork.

Want to learn more about REBNY? Visit https://www.rebny.com/

New York City needs more housing, but are we building enough, and at the scale we need? REBNY Senior Data and Policy Researcher Henry Perez-Tlatenchi breaks down REBNY's latest New Building Construction Pipeline Report, what the shift toward smaller projects means, and what the data could signal for the city’s housing goals.

To read REBNY's New Building Construction Pipeline Report, visit https://www.rebny.com/reports/q2-2026-new-building-construction-pipeline-report/

Want to learn more about REBNY? Visit https://www.rebny.com/

New York City is having a moment.

The Knicks have won the championship. The World Cup is underway. And the country just marked its 250th Anniversary. Through it all, New York is at the center of the action.

But how does that energy turn into real economic impact?

In this episode, we’re joined by Melissa Pumphrey, Chief Economist at NYC Economic Development Corporation, to break down what this moment means for New York City’s economy, how businesses can make the most of it, and where real estate fits into the bigger picture.

Want to learn more about REBNY? Visit https://www.rebny.com/

New York City runs on the services, infrastructure, transit, and jobs that millions of New Yorkers rely on every day. But behind much of that is a source of support that often goes unseen: real estate.

REBNY’s new Invisible Engine report shows how real estate helps power the City’s financial health and everyday quality of life.

In this episode, Zach Steinberg, REBNY’s Executive Vice President for External Relations and Advocacy, breaks down why real estate is a foundation for economic stability.

Listen now to learn what really funds New York City, why real estate remains its “invisible engine,” and what is at risk if the City makes it harder to build, own, and invest.

*Note: This episode was recorded on May 5, 2026. New York City budget figures are subject to change.

Technology is rapidly transforming how we live, work, and build in New York City. But understanding what that change means takes people who can connect innovation with real human needs. That’s the work Nikki Greenberg has built her career around.

In our latest episode of Real Talk Insiders, Nikki shares her perspective as a globally recognized futurist and leading voice in PropTech. From founding Women in PropTech to her work with ULI and REBNY’s Technology Committee, she’s helping the industry think differently about what’s possible in a tech-enabled world.

Want to learn more about Nikki? Visit https://www.nikkigreenberg.com/

Want to learn more about REBNY? Visit https://www.rebny.com/

Local Law 97 is quickly becoming one of the biggest challenges facing New York City buildings — especially co-ops and condos.

Designed to cut carbon emissions, the law sets strict limits for large buildings, with steep penalties for those that don’t comply. It’s a major step toward the city’s climate goals, but for co-ops, the path forward is far from straightforward.

So what does compliance actually look like?

In this episode, we’re joined by Richard Yancey, CEO of the Building Energy Exchange, to break down what Local Law 97 means for co-ops and what comes next for buildings across New York City.

Resources discussed in the episode:

• BE-Ex's Cutting Carbon in Co-ops & Condos project
• BE-Ex's Climate Mobilization Act Series
• BE-Ex's Building Performance Partnership Webinar
• NYC Accelerator
• New York City Energy Efficiency Corporation
• Council of New York Cooperatives & Condominiums

Want to learn more about REBNY? Visit https://www.rebny.com/

Creating access to opportunity in New York City takes more than policy — it takes people willing to meet students where they are and help them move forward. That’s the work Dr. Suzanne Jones has dedicated her career to.

In our latest episode of Real Talk Insiders, Dr. Jones shares how she’s expanding inclusion, accessibility, and career readiness. Through programs like the Summer Youth Employment Program and partnerships with REBNY, her work helps students build confidence, navigate academic and professional paths, and access opportunities in the real estate industry that have traditionally been harder to reach.

In recognition of Neurodiversity Awareness Month, this conversation explores what real support looks like and how we can create opportunity across the industry for every kind of learner.

Want to learn more about REBNY? Visit www.rebny.com.

Sidewalk sheds are everywhere in New York City — lining blocks, darkening storefronts, and often staying up for years.

Originally designed to protect pedestrians from falling debris, many of these structures stem from Local Law 11, the city’s facade inspection requirement for taller buildings. The law was created to improve safety, but critics say it has also led to thousands of long-term sheds and costly, complex repairs.

So how did we get here? Are sidewalk sheds actually making the city safer? And is there a better way?

In this episode, we’re joined by Ahmed Tigani, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Buildings, to break down how the system works today and what potential reforms could mean for the future of New York City’s streets.

To learn more about Local Law 11 and read the report, visit https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/safety/facade-local-law.page

Want to learn more about REBNY? Visit http://rebny.com

New York City is already one of the most expensive places in the country to live — and to do business.

It has some of the highest taxes in the nation and one of the highest levels of government spending. Now, just weeks into his term, Mayor Mamdani has announced a $12 billion budget gap and renewed calls to raise taxes on wealthy individuals and corporations.

Supporters say higher taxes are needed to protect essential services. Critics warn they could drive away jobs and investment. So what do the numbers actually show?

In this episode, we’re joined by Andrew Rein, President of the Citizens Budget Commission, to break down where the City’s finances stand and what raising taxes could mean for New York’s future.

To learn more about the Citizens Budget Commission and read their reports, visit http://cbcny.org

Want to learn more about REBNY? Visit rebny.com

One year ago, New York City launched congestion pricing: one of the most ambitious and controversial transportation policies in its history.

Supporters said it would reduce traffic, speed up buses, improve air quality, and fund critical transit upgrades. Critics warned of economic fallout, traffic spillover, and unfair impacts. Now, a year in, we have data.

In this episode, we’re joined by John McCarthy, Chief of Policy and External Relations at the MTA, to walk through what congestion pricing has changed, what’s still being evaluated, and what the future of the program could look like for New York City.

Learn more about congestion pricing at https://congestionreliefzone.mta.info/

See the MTA's first evaluation report at https://www.mta.info/document/195631

Want to learn more about REBNY? Visit https://www.rebny.com

Since its founding in 1896, the Real Estate Board of New York has played a pivotal role in shaping the city through cycles of growth, challenge, and reinvention. Many of today’s policies and planning decisions can be traced back to that long history of advocacy.

In this episode, we’re joined by Steven Spinola, REBNY’s longest-serving President, and Jim Whelan, REBNY’s current President, to reflect on the organization’s most defining moments and what they reveal about the future of New York City.

To learn more about REBNY, visit rebny.com.

Every day, more than two million packages move through New York City. And behind each delivery is a complex system of trucks, warehouses, and last-minute logistics most of us never see. As we head into the holiday season, that system is under even more strain.

In this episode, we’re joined by Zach McHugh of Sitex Group, a leader in industrial and logistics real estate that keeps New York’s supply chain moving. We explore how the city is tackling this issue and why some of the proposed solutions may exacerbate the very congestion and safety issues they are meant to solve.

Want to learn more about REBNY? Visit http://www.rebny.com

Five major ballot proposals could reshape how New York City plans, builds, and governs itself. Supporters say they’ll cut red tape, accelerate housing production, and modernize city government. Critics argue they’ll weaken community input and centralize decision-making in City Hall.

In this episode, we’re joined by Basha Gerhards, Executive Vice President of Public Policy at REBNY, to unpack how these proposals came about, what they could mean for housing and development, and why they’re sparking debate across the city.

We explore how these charter revisions could alter the balance of power between the Mayor and City Council, change the pace of development, and impact how everyday New Yorkers engage in local democracy.

Election Day is November 4th. Find out where and how to vote at http://vote.nyc — and don’t forget to flip your ballot to weigh in on the charter revisions.

Want to learn more about REBNY? Visit http://www.rebny.com

New York’s rent-stabilized housing system covers nearly a third of the city’s apartments and shelters more than 2 million New Yorkers. But rising costs, outdated regulations, and political battles are pushing this system to the brink.

In this episode, we’re joined by Matt Engel, President of Langsam Property Services, to break down what’s really happening behind the scenes.

We explore how 2019 reforms, skyrocketing insurance costs, and proposals for multi-year rent freezes are reshaping the city’s housing landscape, and what’s at stake for both tenants and owners if the system isn’t fixed.

Want to learn more about REBNY? Visit http://www.rebny.com

Why are so many new buildings in New York City topping out at exactly 99 apartments?

In this bonus episode, we’re bringing you quick insights as REBNY Senior Data and Policy Researcher Henry Perez-Tlatenchi explains the surprising reason behind this trend and what it means for the future of development across the city.

To learn more, read Bloomberg’s full article at http://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-09/nyc-apartment-construction-wage-requirement-leads-to-99-unit-buildings

Want to learn more about REBNY? Visit http://www.rebny.com

New York is getting hotter, wetter, and less predictable. For decades, the city was defined by a continental climate, with cold winters and hot summers. But according to the latest U.S. National Climate Assessment, New York has officially shifted to a subtropical climate, marked by more extreme heat, milder winters, and heavier rainfall.

In this episode we’re joined by Rohit Aggarwala, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection and the City’s Chief Climate Officer, to unpack what’s behind this transformation.

We explore how much of the shift is driven by global climate change and how rising temperatures are reshaping everything from public health and infrastructure to energy use and urban planning.

Want to learn more about REBNY? Visit www.rebny.com

Have you ever wondered who’s been shaping New York City into one of the world’s leading tech hubs?

In this episode of Real Talk Insiders, Julie Samuels, Founder of Tech:NYC, shares her journey from lawyer to civic tech leader and how she built a career at the intersection of technology, policy, and urban life. Under her leadership, Tech:NYC has become a vital bridge between technology companies and policymakers, helping drive innovation that benefits all New Yorkers. Hear Julie’s insights on the future of the city’s tech sector, her career path, and why advocacy matters now more than ever.

Want to learn more about Tech:NYC? Visit https://technyc.org

Want to learn more about REBNY? Visit https://www.rebny.com/

New York City runs on infrastructure, but some of its most vital systems have long struggled to meet modern demands. In this episode, we're joined by Rick Cotton, Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, to explore two of the most ambitious transit projects in the country: the $19 billion transformation of JFK Airport and the long-overdue redevelopment of the Midtown Bus Terminal.

Together, these projects aim to reshape how over 80 million people move through the city each year. We discuss the challenges of building while staying operational, how lessons from LaGuardia are influencing the approach, and what it means to make long-term investments in the infrastructure New Yorkers use every day.

Want to learn more about REBNY? Visit www.rebny.com