Freeport resident Nancianne Genduso hosts new streaming series "Extraordinary New York"

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Nancianne Genduso, a Freeport resident with a career in real estate, has taken on a new role, creating and hosting the streaming series “Extraordinary New York,” now available on the streaming service Reveel.

With a focus on exploring what makes everyday life extraordinary, Genduso’s show celebrates the diverse pursuits of New Yorkers, from subway art to ballroom dancing. Alongside her spouse, Denise Ferrara-Genduso, the show’s creative director, Genduso is aiming to inspire viewers to discover the magic in their own lives.

“I have an acting background,” she said, noting that she had worked in the entertainment industry in California before moving back to New York to care for her father and finish her master’s degree. It wasn’t until last year that a surprising opportunity came her way.

“In 2023, Reveel was looking to launch a TV show with real estate agents based upon people, places and properties,” said the 52-year-old Genduso, who has been a real estate agent for over two decades. After an attention-attracting stint on Reveel’s “Negotiators Luxe,” where she showcased properties and local businesses, the streaming platform approached her with an offer she couldn’t refuse — her own show.

The concept for “Extraordinary New York” grew out of Genduso’s interest in showcasing the unique in the ordinary.

“I wanted to tap into people’s passions, like what sparks the passion in our everyday lives,” she explained. “And so I called it ‘Extraordinary New York,’ with a tagline, ‘Finding your extraordinary in the ordinary.’”

The show features a wide range of the New York area’s hidden gems, from kickboxing gyms to women-owned businesses, and highlights the stories behind them.

The couple’s own experience with ballroom dancing, which they discovered as part of a Valentine’s Day celebration and have kept with, is a story of stepping out of one’s comfort zone that is shared in the series.

“We’ve been doing it for a year and a half,” Genduso said. “It’s something that we’d never thought about, but again, these are the little things that spark or reignite people’s interest in doing something different.”

The first season of “Extraordinary New York” comprises eight episodes, focused primarily on Long Island but with occasional ventures into New York City. The variety of the stories reflects Genduso’s mission to inspire people to take advantage of the many opportunities New York has to offer.

“There’s so much to explore, and so many hidden treasures and gems that people don’t even know about,” she said.

Ferrara-Genduso plays an integral role in the show’s production, collaborating closely with her spouse, contributing her artistic vision and helping to shape the final product.

Although Ferrara-Genduso doesn’t have a background in acting or video production, she has taken to working behind the camera, helping with editing and offering her creative input.

“What I’ve actually been kind of into in the show is, like, actually editing, which is not even something I have done before,” she said. “I don’t even know where that came from.”

The couple, who have lived in Freeport since 2002 and became adoptive parents in 2010, chose the village for its diversity and sense of community.

“Freeport has a great ability to just welcome everyone,” Genduso said. “Everyone living on our block has just been amazing. We have such amazing neighbors. Everyone is supportive … (if) anybody needs anything they just ask (and) everyone’s willing to help.”

As the series progresses, the pair are already in pre-production for Season Two, and are seeking unusual stories to feature.

“We want to get stories out there — unique stories,” Genduso said, adding that she hopes to showcase more local voices. The show airs monthly on Reveel, and the next episode is set to air on Friday, Oct. 25.

“(Nancianne has) a gift, a glow and energy that is magnetic,” William Cheverie, Reveel’s owner and the show’s executive producer, said. “(She deserves) every success.”

For those interested in discovering “Extraordinary New York,” the streaming service offers both free and paid subscriptions. To submit story ideas, call Genduso at (917) 445-0687.

She ends each episode with the same affirmation: “Let’s keep exploring and inspiring each other. In a world where you can be anything, be kind. See you on the flip side!”