New York City has officially gone all-in on composting. As of this year, all residential buildings are required to separate food waste—and for the first time, fines are being issued for those who don’t. It’s a sweeping policy change that raises a fundamental question: how do you get millions of fast-moving New Yorkers to actually change their habits?

Catesby Perrin, Chief Business Officer at Mill, joins us to unpack the new rules and what they mean for residents, property owners, and the planet. Mill’s high-tech kitchen bin offers one innovative solution: it turns food scraps into reusable material, without the smell or mess.

We break down why composting matters, how the system works in NYC, and whether tools like Mill can help residents comply with the law—while also making a real dent in climate impact and waste.

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

Want to try Mill? Get $75 off a bin for your home or workplace with code REALTALK at mill.com/realtalk

Every few years, New Yorkers have the chance to shape the future of their city through local elections, but most don’t. In the 2023 primary, just 7% of registered voters turned out, leaving major decisions in the hands of a small, highly motivated group.

Sally Goldenberg, Senior New York Editor at Politico, joins us to break down what’s at stake in this June’s Democratic primary. From the power of the mayor’s office to City Council dynamics, we explore why local races matter more than many people realize.

We also dig into the key issues — like housing, public safety, education, and transit — that hang in the balance, and how voters can navigate a crowded field to make informed choices.

Check your voter registration status: https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/

Find your polling site: https://findmypollsite.vote.nyc/

Read about the candidates on Politico: https://www.politico.com/news/new-york

Take the "Meet Your Mayor" Quiz: https://projects.thecity.nyc/meet-your-mayor-2025-election-quiz-candidates/

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

Tech is now the fastest-growing industry in New York City, and artificial intelligence is playing a major role in that rise. As AI becomes more embedded in daily life, city and state lawmakers are beginning to draft the rules that will govern how it’s used.

Alex Spyropoulos, Director of Government Relations at Tech:NYC, joins us to unpack the latest AI legislation being discussed in New York. From data privacy and algorithmic bias to transparency and job impacts, we explore how New York is trying to strike a balance between innovation and accountability.

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

In recognition of National Fair Housing Month, we’re taking a closer look at the fight for housing equity and what still stands in the way.

April DeSimone, founder of Publis, joins us to explore how the design of our cities impacts justice and opportunity. From her upbringing in the Bronx to her work at the intersection of policy and the built environment, April unpacks how systemic inequality is shaped and how we can begin to repair it.

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

Sixty years after the NYC Landmarks Law was passed, we’re taking a closer look at how landmark status is decided – and why it matters.

Meenakshi Srinivasan, former Chair and Commissioner of the Landmarks Preservation Commission, joins us to explain how buildings earn protection, who makes the call, and how preservation fits into a city that’s always changing. From iconic facades to hidden gems, we explore what it really means to preserve New York’s past for its future.

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

Midtown South is one of New York City’s most transit-rich and centrally located neighborhoods, yet few people call it home. That’s because outdated zoning laws – some dating back more than half a century – have long prohibited new housing in the area.

In this episode we talk with Edith Hsu-Chen, Executive Director of the New York City Department of City Planning, to discuss the Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan (MSMX) – a proposal to transform 42 blocks of Midtown South into a vibrant, 24/7 neighborhood where people can live, work, and thrive.

To learn more about MSMX, visit https://www.midtownsouthplan.nyc/

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

New York City has an ambitious goal: reaching carbon zero by 2050. But with nearly 70% of the city’s emissions coming from buildings, meeting that goal requires transformative action—and fast.

That’s where Local Law 97 comes in. Passed in 2019, LL97 imposes strict energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emission limits on most buildings over 25,000 square feet. Supporters see it as a critical step toward the city’s climate goals, but the law has sparked questions about feasibility, fairness, and enforcement, as well as pushback from property owners.

In this episode we’re joined by JP Flaherty, who leads sustainability strategy at Tishman Speyer. JP will help us unpack what Local Law 97 means for the future of New York City and whether it can deliver on the promise of a carbon-zero future.

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

In December, the New York City Council approved a plan called City of Yes—a sweeping set of reforms designed to modernize the city's zoning laws. In this episode, REBNY’s Senior Vice President of Planning Basha Gerhards helps us unpack what City of Yes means for New York's future.

For more information about City of Yes, visit https://www.nyc.gov/site/planning/plans/city-of-yes/city-of-yes-overview.page

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