Ep 311: Humanity in the Arts with Ranelle Wolf and guest Panagiota Betty Tufariello on hmTv

Episode 311: Humanity in the Arts with Ranelle Wolf and Guest Panagiota Betty Tufariello, Esq.

In this deeply thoughtful episode of Humanity in the Arts on hmTv, host Ranelle Wolf sits down with Panagiota Betty Tufariello, an intellectual property attorney, scientist, and advocate for creative expression, to explore how art, faith, and human intellect shape who we are.

From her classical education in Greece to her journey through chemistry, law, and motherhood, Betty shares how creativity and reason coexist — and why protecting the creative spirit is essential to preserving our humanity. The conversation moves from the philosophy of ancient Athens to the modern struggles of artists and musicians, culminating in Betty’s moving story about her daughter’s connection to Michael Klinghoffer and the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, where she now helps raise funds for students whose lives and studies were disrupted by war.

This episode is a powerful reminder that art is not a luxury — it’s a lifeline, a form of courage, and a bridge between human hearts.

🎧 Listen to Episode 311 of Humanity in the Arts — where creativity, compassion, and conscience meet.

Transcript

Episode 311: Humanity in the Arts
Host: Ranelle Wolf
Guest: Panagiota “Betty” Tufariello, Esq.

RANELLE WOLF:
Hello and welcome to Humanity in the Arts at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center in Glen Cove. It’s always a special experience walking through this space—reflecting on where we’ve come from and where we can take humanity through art. Today, our conversation explores how art, religion, and Western thought shape our humanity—and why that matters.

I’m honored to introduce an extraordinary guest, an intellectual property attorney, founder of Intellectual Law Practice, and a fierce advocate for creative souls—Panagiota “Betty” Tufariello.

BETTY TUFARIELLO:
Thank you for having me, Ranelle. I really appreciate being here. As you said, my name is Panagiota Betty Tufariello. I’m a patent, trademark, and copyright attorney. My firm, Intellectual Law, is based on Long Island, and we focus entirely on protecting creativity—patents, trademarks, and copyrights.

RANELLE:
And that’s exactly why you’re perfect for this discussion—protecting the creative human spirit. You’re also a wordsmith, and you do this work with such heart and precision, not with AI, but with human thought and intuition.

BETTY:
(Laughs) Thank you. I don’t really think of myself as a wordsmith—or even an artist—but I do love the work. Art and creativity are what make us human. Whether it’s visual art, music, or writing, creativity unites us. It’s a universal language that allows expression and connection.

RANELLE:
I couldn’t agree more. As an art professor, I tell my students that Picasso said everyone is born an artist—it’s just that we unlearn it. You, with your background in chemistry, law, and music, really embody that Renaissance spirit.

BETTY:
I do have a science background! I was actually trained as a chemist and even accepted to medical school in Athens before switching paths. I spent four years studying in Greece, immersed in ancient Greek, religion, and philosophy. That classical education gave me a foundation that still guides me today—understanding humanity through history, language, and belief.

RANELLE:
So you studied ancient Greek and the classics—Homer, Plato, Aristotle. How did that shape the way you see creativity and ethics today?

BETTY:
It’s all interconnected. The Greek language evolved alongside human thought. By the time of the New Testament, Greek had become the universal language of the known world. When you study that evolution, you realize how deeply philosophy and art have always reflected our collective search for meaning. The challenges humans faced then—moral, emotional, spiritual—are the same we face now.

RANELLE:
Exactly—the wisdom of yesterday shaping the hope of today. So, from your perspective, what wisdom can we take forward into what feels like a second Renaissance for humanity?

BETTY:
That’s a big question. (Laughs) I’d say the story of Job has always stayed with me. It doesn’t give us answers—it gives us comfort. It reminds us that human suffering, doubt, and resilience are timeless. When you understand that, you start to see how much we share across generations and cultures.

RANELLE:
Beautifully said. That sense of shared humanity is what art—and education—are all about.

BETTY:
Exactly. If we could all recognize how similar we are rather than how different, we’d spend less time fighting and more time listening.

RANELLE:
What advice would you give to students and young creatives who struggle to see themselves as “artists”?

BETTY:
First, don’t get hung up on the word creativity. It’s vague. Creativity simply means following the drive inside you to make something—whatever it is. Set a goal, identify what moves you, and pursue it relentlessly. Learn from people who’ve succeeded in that field. Find a mentor—someone who’s been there and can guide you.

RANELLE:
Mentors—yes! I tell my students the same. Heroes and mentors give us models of what’s possible.

BETTY:
Absolutely. I had one—Murray Schaefer, an incredible man who mentored me early in my legal career. He was tough, kind, and wise. Without him, I wouldn’t have grown as quickly as I did. Mentorship is vital for anyone—especially women entering professional or creative fields.

RANELLE:
Speaking of mentorship, tell us about your involvement with the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance.

BETTY:
That’s a special story. My daughter Mikayla—Miki—is a double bassist who studied at Juilliard under Tim Cobb, principal bassist of the New York Philharmonic. During a master class, she met Michael Klinghoffer, the Dean of the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. His insight and compassion were extraordinary—he immediately noticed Miki was struggling with tendinitis, just by watching her play.

He later refused payment for her lessons, asking instead that I donate to the Academy when they needed it. After the October 7th attacks in Israel, he called and asked me to send that donation—to help students who were called to serve as soldiers and would need scholarships when they returned. That moment changed everything. I realized someone had to advocate for these young musicians.

RANELLE:
And that led to Friends of JAMD.

BETTY:
Yes. We organized concerts and fundraising to support those students. The first concert, conducted by Grammy-nominated Enrico Fagone, raised $25,000. We’re continuing to build partnerships and sponsors through Friends of JAMD—and our next concerts are coming up in Jerusalem in December and on Long Island in March.

RANELLE:
That’s incredible work, Betty. You’ve turned compassion into concrete action.

BETTY:
I believe in protecting creativity—in law and in life. Whether through patents, music, or education, creative people are our innovators, our dreamers, our builders of peace. My job is to protect that spark.

RANELLE:
And to everyone listening—don’t back off when inspiration strikes. Create. Express. Protect your art. Because that’s what keeps humanity alive.

BETTY:
Exactly. Don’t back off. Just do it.

RANELLE:
Beautiful. Betty, thank you for sharing your story, your wisdom, and your heart with us today.

BETTY:
Thank you, Ranelle. It’s been a joy.

RANELLE:
And thank you all for listening to Humanity in the Arts on hmTv. Until next time—keep creating, keep learning, and keep seeing the world through the lens of humanity.