This week I have the honor of interviewing my longtime friend and neighbor, tenant lawyer Sam Himmelstein. Sam's law firm basically saved The Chelsea Hotel, and he's also a life-long musician.
His shenanigans & human interactions have landed him in the regular company of members of The Rolling Stones, Twisted Sister, The Monkeys and The Beach Boys!
Segment 1
Jeremiah starts off his show with the message of the day, and introduces his guest, Sam Himmelstein who focuses on tenants. Jeremiah talks about his relationship to Sam and what they have accomplished together. Sam talks about his own background and childhood and why he wanted to become a tenant lawyer. Sam and Jeremiah talk about how they both bond over being in bands and producing music. Sam shares specific stories about anti-war rallies, the civil rights movement, and how it affected his music.
Segment 2
Jeremiah asks Sam about growing up in Gravesend Brooklyn and growing up in an activist family. Sam talks about his very musical family and mentions how music and politics truly go hand in hand. He mentions his father who ran away to play sax in a swing band, and how his mother was a piano teacher and musician. The music Sam was listening to and making was influenced by the time and period he was around. He mentions a couple concert stories and how he got involved in the backstage of the music scene.
Segment 3
Sam talks about going to law school, and how he took it very seriously. Jeremiah talks about being a great communicator, and how that it a big part of law. Sam talks about what attracted him to tenant law and how working for people and the “little guy” was always part of his plan. He continues about the first case he won and how it felt to help someone and actually get the law changed because of something his did.
Segment 4
Jeremiah comes back for the final segment and asks Sam about how law can sometimes be the background of business. Sam also always puts people first and has a big focus on people being at the forefront of his business. Jeremiah talks about the myth of “overnight success” and being patient while putting people first. Jeremiah also asks Sam about his original goals and how it changed as his life went on.
