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CitizenCast

The Philadelphia Citizenthephiladelphiacitizen.org
The Philadelphia Citizen podcast offers spoken versions of articles, deeper dives into the political, social and cultural workings of our city, explainers on the issues of our day, interviews, conversations and solutions. Lots of solutions. All to help you become a better citizen of your city.
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Episodes

Jason Kelce on Philly's Foster Grandparent Program

On the heels of the birth of his first child, Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Jason Kelce writes about Philly's Foster Grandparent Program—the oldest and largest of its kind in the nation—which places seniors in classrooms across the city. This is the audio version of Jason Kelce's story. The text version can be read here .

Oct 07, 20193 minSeason 1Ep. 286

Foodizen: A New Philly Food Empire?

Chef Chris Cho hopes to expand his family's business into a new Philadelphia restaurant empire, starting with Center City Korean spot Seorabol. Find the text version of the story here .

Oct 04, 20198 minSeason 1Ep. 284

Reality Check with Jill Bazelon And Keith Weigelt

Jill and Keith joined Charles to discuss a program called Bridges to Wealth, that is bringing financial empowerment training to students and adults in Philadelphia, as a way to lessen the wealth gap in the city. The Citizen's Alyssa Biederman recently wrote an article about Bridges to Wealth which can be read here .

Oct 03, 201921 minSeason 1Ep. 283

Taking a Cue From Beyoncé

Description: University of Pennsylvania-based nonprofit Bridges to Wealth—which has partnered with Jay-Z’s Shawn Carter Foundation—works to decrease the wealth gap in Philly by providing underserved communities the education and tools they need to start businesses and invest to build a sound financial future. Find the text version of Alyssa Biederman’s story here .

Oct 02, 20199 minSeason 1Ep. 282

Reality Check with Mike McLively

Mike McLively of the Giffords Law Center to Reduce Gun Violence, studied those efforts in Oakland for a report that came out earlier this year. The Citizen's Roxanne Patel Shepelavy wrote about the study and how it could be applied to Philadelphia in an article that can be read here .

Oct 01, 201924 minSeason 1Ep. 281

The Working Families Party Distraction

Candidates in the Working Families Party would have you believe that the impediment to progress in the city has been two Republican at-large members of Council. But is that really true? Larry Platt looks at candidates Kendra Brooks and Nicolas O’Rourke’s campaigns and wonders where’s the substance? Find the text version of the story here .

Sep 28, 201913 minSeason 1Ep. 280

Jason Kelce on Nutrition Programs for Kids

The Eagles offensive lineman talks about the importance of nutritional programming for youth, and spotlights Philabundance’s BackPack program, which removes the stigma surrounding need by delivering nutritious food to every kid at 27 participating sites. Find the full text version of the story here .

Sep 26, 20193 minSeason 1Ep. 278

Reality Check with Angela Beale-Tawfeeq

Angela Beale-Tawfeeq, a Rowan University professor and former competitive swimmer who created a program to teach city kids how to swim—something particularly relevant for African Americans, whose rate of unintentional drowning is more than 5 times that of white children. She has done some pretty great work, partnering with Masjidullah and with Brannon Johnson, who owns the only all-female African American boathouse in the country.

Sep 24, 201923 minSeason 1Ep. 277

Jason Kelce on Music Education

This week, the Super Bowl-winning offensive lineman spotlights cool music programs for youth in Philadelphia and talks about why they're so important. He also shares stories about his own experience with music as a child, including an obsession with the baritone sax. Read the text version here

Sep 23, 20193 minSeason 1Ep. 276

Reducing gun violence with Ceasefire

Oakland cut its gun violence rate in half by using a version of programs Philly abandoned in 2015. Roxanne Patel Shepelavy asks: With shootings on the rise, isn’t it time we embraced Ceasefire?

Sep 21, 201919 minSeason 1Ep. 275

Overbrook is getting a bum rap

Violence in the West Philadelphia community of Overbrook might be what makes the news. But Nick Fiorellini writes that it’s not the whole—or even the most important—story to those who live there

Sep 20, 20198 minSeason 1Ep. 274

Grooming the Urban Farmers of Tomorrow

Writer Jason Wilson visits W.B. Saul, the largest agricultural high school in the country, to see how it trains students in the Philadelphia region in the art of urban farming. Read the text version of the story here .

Sep 19, 20197 minSeason 1Ep. 273

Jason Kelce and Youth Voting Initiatives

Eagles offensive lineman Jason Kelce compares schools in Philadelphia and Atlanta, and spotlights cool youth voting initiatives like Philly Youth Vote. Find the text version of the story—complete with a handy graphic— here .

Sep 18, 20193 minSeason 1Ep. 272

Jim Kenney and Donald Trump: The Striking Similarities

Writer Larry Platt takes a look at the Philadelphia mayor's recent feud with Philadelphia magazine, which, he says, is the latest in a string of disturbing actions that recall President Donald Trump.

Sep 14, 201911 minSeason 1Ep. 271

Opera Philadelphia Takes a Gamble and Wins

In the latest story by Sarah Jordan, the arts writer spotlights the way in which Opera Philadelphia has reimagined itself for a younger, edgier audience—including starting the edgy—and successful—Festival 019, which celebrates its third anniversary in 2019. Find the text version of the story here .

Sep 13, 201915 minSeason 1Ep. 270

Business for Good: A Greener Afterlife

The West Laurel Hill Cemetery and Funeral Home has the greenest burial practices in the country. Courtney DuChene writes about how you can care for the earth even after you leave it.

Sep 12, 20199 minSeason 1Ep. 269

Reality Check with Jessica Press

Jessica Press wrote a piece with tips from experts on how to help kids succeed in school this year.

Sep 11, 201923 minSeason 1Ep. 268

Week 1: Jason Kelce’s Eagles Education Season

Each week this season, the Super Bowl-winning center compares Philly schools to those of our on-field competitors—and celebrates a local education innovation. This week, he looks at D.C.

Sep 08, 20195 minSeason 1Ep. 267

Deconstructing Meek Mill

Larry Platt writes that the case against him may be over, but Amazon’s Free Meek docuseries raises serious systemic questions—and a reconsideration of the rapper

Sep 07, 201913 minSeason 1Ep. 266

Happy Back to School (And Beyond)!

Jessica Press shares experts' back to school tips on what students really need to thrive this year—and how we can all do our part to provide it

Sep 04, 201917 minSeason 1Ep. 265

Foodizen: Hail, Cider

In an excerpt from his new book, Jason Wilson celebrates the burgeoning world of apple ciders. They are not what you think they are

Sep 02, 201919 minSeason 1Ep. 263

Revenge of the Amateurs

DA Krasner. NJ Governor Murphy. Pres. Trump … Larry Platt wonders just how are politicians who have never done politics working out for us?

Aug 30, 201910 minSeason 1Ep. 262

Reality Check: What Climate Change Debate?

Black voters—and Democrats—worry about the environment’s effect on their lives. All the more reason, Charles Ellison argues, the DNC should not have nixed a climate debate

Aug 29, 201912 minSeason 1Ep. 261

Ideas We Should Steal: Hiring a Bug Czar

Philly is ground zero for bed bugs, and the only big city without a policy to help fight them. Sarah Jordan spoke with local pest educator Michelle Niedermeier, who wants to change that

Aug 28, 201912 minSeason 1Ep. 260

Reality Check with Larry Platt

The Philadelphia Citizen publisher Larry Platt joined Charles to discuss the breaking news of Police Commissioner Richard Ross' resignation.

Aug 27, 201917 minSeason 1Ep. 259

The Hardest Job In Philly?

Larry Platt writes that the resignation of Richard Ross highlights a department in dire need of culture change

Aug 23, 201911 minSeason 1Ep. 257
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