New York City. 8 million people. 8 million stories. And I want to hear them all.
I’m Mike Marza. Every weeknight on WABC-TV Channel 7 Eyewitness News in New York I bring you the news at 5 and 11 p.m. Now I want to take you behind the headlines and past your social media feeds.
Who are these characters that flavor the greatest city in the world? From poets to politicians, celebrities to restaurateurs, influencers to interesting newsmakers, I’ll be hosting candid conversations about how they got started and what makes them tick. What is their advice for all of us as we try to make a mark in this crazy world?
To play off Frank Sinatra’s tune, if you can make it here you can make it anywhere… so it’s up to you and ME to find out how. I’d love for you to join us on this journey.
Subscribe now and never miss an episode!
'Mariann from Brooklyn' on fame, fear, and her love of Howard Stern
“If You Can Make It Here with Mike Marza” uncovers what it really takes to “make it” in New York. From turning setbacks into comebacks to navigating unexpected opportunities, every story reveals something powerful.In this episode, Mike sits down with Mariann from Brooklyn, the unmistakable voice beloved by fans of “The Howard Stern Show” for more than 25 years.
But this time, she's not just a fan favorite, she’s now featured in the critically acclaimed, Golden Globe–winning and Oscar-nominated film “Marty Supreme,” directed by Josh Safdie and starring Timothée Chalamet.Mariann shares how a director who loved Howard’s show discovered her through her voice, how she almost missed the casting message because she thought it was fake.
She tells the story of how she ended up on set acting opposite Timothée Chalamet, complete with New York attitude, unexpected nerves, and even a dramatic fainting incident.She opens up about her life as a lifelong New Yorker, her decades‑long connection to Howard Stern, her emotional 9/11 loss, and the community, friendship, and loyalty she’s built with Stern fans over the years.
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21 Jan 2026
Ryan Serhant on World Domination, Fatherhood & NYC Hustle
This week, Mike Marza sits down with Ryan Serhant, CEO, entrepreneur, author, father, and the force behind one of the fastest-growing real estate firms in the world, SERHANT.
In this episode, we cover:
• CEO vs. fatherhood — and why being a dad is the hardest job 00:00
• Ryan’s early days in NYC, including acting and being killed off a soap opera 2:30
• Why “big decisions” are really just micro decisions over time 6:33
• How rejection shaped his mindset and career pivots 10:00
• His powerful “30-day calendar” method for handling disappointment 11:00
• The wild story of becoming a top hand model (yes, really) 13:30
• The brutal, relentless truth about real estate 15:36
• Joining Million Dollar Listing and building SERHANT during a pandemic 19:53
•The success of Netflix’s Owning Manhattan (now in Season 2) 25:20
• Why doing the opposite of what feels “safe” can pay off 27:59
• Ryan’s take on NYC luxury real estate — and why luxury never disappears 32:00
• The company “animal” philosophy 🐺 (2026 = Year of the Wolf) 38:01
• What’s next? “World domination.” 39:06
• A father’s role in building confidence in his daughter 40:22
• Networking advice that actually works: meet 15 new people a day 43:43
• The two C’s that matter most: Compliments & Connection 44:59
Ryan’s advice for making it in NYC (and anywhere):
• Meet people constantly
• Follow up forever
• Ask great questions
• Make others feel seen
This episode is about drive, reinvention, parenting, failure, fearlessness, and what it really takes to make it here.
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14 Jan 2026
George 'The Messiah' Papoutsis: From cab driver to viral streetballer | EP 2
In this episode of "If You Can Make It Here with Mike Marza," we get to know a real powerhouse on the basketball court and in life, George "The Messiah" Papoutsis.
He's well known for his streetball videos at the West Fourth Street Courts in Greenwich Village.
But, Papoutsis shares with Marza the grit and grind that it took throughout his life to get where he is today. He drove a cab and even painted bridges before taking up basketball. In fact, he said that he gave up the sport for a bit because he was scared to lose his position in the union if he were to get injured playing the game he loves.
In this, Papoutsis shares:
- What led him to pick up basketball up again
- How playing with Shaq was one of the highlights of his time on the court
- What it is like being recognized for his amazing skills and why people sometimes underestimate him
- What he did to overcome his accounts getting hacked
- How he has turned a major loss in his life to push him to succeed
- His favorite things about New York City
Papoutsis' said that his journey proves that if you can make it here, in New York, you can make it anywhere. Listen to find out how his process might apply to your own.
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7 Jan 2026
Mike Muse on politics, pop culture, and driving real change | EP 01
There are 8 million people in New York City. That's 8 million stories, and this is one of them.
In the premiere episode of the WABC-TV podcast "If You Can Make It Here with Mike Marza," we sit down with a true change-maker: Mike Muse - a former record label co-founder turned media entrepreneur, political expert, and tech innovator.
Muse has built a career at the intersection of politics and pop culture, using his platform to spark conversations that lead to real social change. From co-hosting "Sway in the Morning" to hosting his own award-winning SiriusXM show, "The Mike Muse Show," and now serving as an ABC News contributor, Muse has become a trusted voice on how policy impacts our everyday lives.
In this candid conversation, Muse shares:
How he went from industrial engineer to media mogul
How he got Starbucks to sponsor his first release party, and other ways it was different from the rest
Behind-the-scenes stories of working with changemakers and celebrities
His experience raising over $1 million for President Obama and serving on national committees
Why he thinks some people aren't interested in politics, and how he changes their mind
Why there's a yes behind every no in business
Muse's journey proves that if you can make it here, in New York, you can make it anywhere. His advice for dreamers and doers? Tune in to find out.
Listen to the full episode and subscribe for more conversations with the people shaping the greatest city in the world.
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12 Dec 2025
Introducing 'If You Can Make It Here with Mike Marza'
New York City. 8 million people. 8 million stories. And I want to hear them all.
I’m Mike Marza. Every weeknight on WABC-TV Channel 7 Eyewitness News in New York I bring you the news at 5 and 11 p.m. Now I want to take you behind the headlines and past your social media feeds.
Who are these characters that flavor the greatest city in the world? From poets to politicians, celebrities to restaurateurs, influencers to interesting newsmakers, I’ll be hosting candid conversations about how they got started and what makes them tick. What is their advice for all of us as we try to make a mark in this crazy world?
To play off Frank Sinatra’s tune, if you can make it here you can make it anywhere… so it’s up to you and ME to find out how. I’d love for you to join us on this journey.
Subscribe now and never miss an episode!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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