Gals About Town
Rediscovering the stories you think you know
As featured in The New York Times & CUNY Arts TV our work as New York City tour guides reshapes how people experience the city. Rather than focusing only on landmarks, we tell the stories that live in the corners, the communities, and the overlooked details that make New York extraordinary.
About Jess Joseph
Jess is passionate about human development and the power of learning experiences that spark growth. With a career spanning education, coaching, public speaking, and creative strategy, she thrives at the intersection of curiosity, creativity, and connection.
As a Licensed NYC Tour Guide, Certified K-8 Teacher, and Career Coach, Jess brings a unique perspective to guiding people through personal and professional transformation. She has served as a School Principal, Learning & Development Specialist, and Public Speaker, while also embracing roles as a Creative Strategist, Writer, and practicing Artist.
Her specialties include public speaking and storytelling, professional development, event management, and creative vision. She is deeply committed to fostering community, supporting mental health education, and helping individuals navigate their career journeys with clarity and confidence.
About Eleanor Cummins
Eleanor Cummins, LMSW, is both a therapist and a writer, dedicated to making evidence-based psychotherapy accessible in ways that are timely, affirming, and culturally sensitive. She works with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), trauma, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts, offering compassionate and comprehensive care.
Eleanor is a graduate of the Columbia University School of Social Work, where she participated in the 2024–2025 DBT Training Program in collaboration with the Behavioral Tech Institute. She has advanced training in (EMDR) through the Trauma Institute & Child Trauma Institute, and is skilled in (ERP), (CBT), and mindfulness practices.
Before becoming a therapist, Eleanor spent nearly a decade as a science journalist. Today, she continues to write about emerging topics in psychotherapy while also embracing her passions as a New York City tour guide and collage artist. She offers both in-person and remote therapy sessions, serving clients across New York, New Jersey, and Maryland.
Rat City, Pigeon Town: A Tour of NYC’s True Locals
Join us for Rat City / Pigeon Town: A Tour of NYC’s True Locals, a walking tour that dives deep into the neighborhoods less traveled. Learn the stories behind the streets, meet hidden landmarks, and explore the texture of daily life in the city beyond the guidebooks.
Discover the grit, art, and soul of neighborhoods where pigeons (literal and metaphorical) remind us that community isn’t defined by luxury — it’s made by people.
Rat City, Pigeon Town: A Tour of NYC’s True Locals
Join us for Rat City / Pigeon Town: A Tour of NYC’s True Locals, a walking tour that dives deep into the neighborhoods less traveled. Learn the stories behind the streets, meet hidden landmarks, and explore the texture of daily life in the city beyond the guidebooks.
Discover the grit, art, and soul of neighborhoods where pigeons (literal and metaphorical) remind us that community isn’t defined by luxury — it’s made by people.