What is Philadelphia's Home Rule Charter?
It's our City constitution, the framework for how Philly is run. But it's also ... complicated.
Feb 03, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 996
CitizenCast
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
Toxic masculinity and the murder of Tyre Nichols
On this special episode of CitizenCast, author James Peterson explains that Tyre Nichols's murder is another blotch on America’s history of racist policing, and a troubling symptom of our toxic masculinity
Feb 02, 2023•11 min•Season 1Ep. 995
$625 dirty sneakers aren't glamourous, they're insulting
Poor people aren't wearing dirty sneakers because they look cool. Instead of making it fashionable, give kids the means to avoid poverty.
Feb 01, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 994
Reality Check | Real solutions to the eviction crisis
Sue Wasserkrug is the Director of Mediation at CORA Services. She joined WURD host and Citizen contributor Charles Ellison to discuss the nationally recognized Eviction Diversion Program.
Jan 31, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 993
Ali Velshi | The walking, talking banned book guy
On this episode of #VelshiBannedBookClub, MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi sits down with David Levithan, author of Two Boys Kissing. Levithan knew that everything about his book would land him on this list. He's okay with that.
Jan 30, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 992
Now! we've got a mayors race
The Philadelphia Mayor’s race is underway. We assess the early campaigns of Jeff Brown, Cherelle parker, and Helen Gym.
Jan 27, 2023•9 min•Season 1Ep. 991
Healing youth through video games
Pastor Aaron Campbell’s after-school program Level Up offers young people the security, skills and confidence to live and thrive
Jan 26, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 990
IWSS 2022 | Faith, Jobs & Radical Kinship
Join us for a fascinating discussion about the role of religious communities in raising the standard of living for all. This panel included Father Greg Boyle of Homeboy Industries; Rev. Chaz Howard, Chaplain of the University of Pennsylvania; and Rev Bill Golderer of United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey.
Jan 25, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 989
Jalen Hurts, unburdened
What Does a Black QB have to do to get love? The Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Hurts may be showing us the way
Jan 24, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 988
Ali Velshi | We're still using too much fossil fuels
We're on track to set new records for fossil fuel consumption in 2024. MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi explains that despite all the warnings, our gas guzzling is still sending us in the wrong direction.
Jan 23, 2023•5 min•Season 1Ep. 987
What on earth happened to activism?
Opposition to the proposed Sixers arena, UC Townhomes, and other potential developments has been uncivil. Is the art of activism dead?
Jan 20, 2023•11 min•Season 1Ep. 986
Newsflash: Social media is not the news
We don’t need to “democratize” news through platforms like Facebook and Twitter. We need media literacy, including right here in Pennsylvania.
Jan 19, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 985
Fashion that can't be separated from activism
In this episode of Business For Good, B Corp fashion house Grant Blvd launches a men’s clothing line and vintage clothing store Blk Ivy for Civil Rights era fashion and activism
Jan 18, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 984
Reality Check | We need a new way to reach at-risk youth
WURD host and Citizen contributor Charles Ellison spoke with Dan Rhoton, executive director of Camden-based nonprofit Hopeworks. They discussed Rhoton's novel approach to skill development and job training for young people who are normally overlooked and dismissed by society.
Jan 17, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 983
Ali Velshi | The third most-banned book of 2020
On this episode of #VelshiBannedBookClub, MSNBC Host and Citizen Board Member Ali Velshi talks to Jason Reynolds and Kiely Brendan, the authors of the commonly banned "All American Boys," which unflinchingly explores white privilege and police brutality.
Jan 16, 2023•9 min•Season 1Ep. 982
So you wanna be mayor?
Well, we’ve got a crowdsourced job description from the citizens of Philadelphia…and some serious questions for y’all
Jan 13, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 981
Interview | How secure are mail-in ballots? Pt.2
Todd Shepherd, chief investigative reporter for Broad + Liberty continues his interview with Philadelphia City Commissioner Seth Bluestein about the security of elections in the city, specifically mail-in ballots. Join us for part 2 of this important and revealing discussion.
Jan 12, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 980
Episode 2: Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego
Reed and Nutter reveal the unexpected relationships that made them stronger candidates -- and more effective leaders. Mayor Gallego talks about her city's innovations -- and success -- when it comes to meaningful environmental change.
Jan 11, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 979
Interview | How secure are mail-in ballots? Pt.1
Todd Shepherd, chief investigative reporter for Broad + Liberty, talks with Philadelphia City Commissioner Seth Bluestein about the security of elections in the city, specifically mail-in ballots. Join us for part 1 of this important and revealing discussion.
Jan 10, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 978
Can Republicans make Congressional corruption great again?
Democrats established the independent Office of Congressional Ethics in 2008 after a flood of corruption scandals and resignations. Republicans are now trying to gut it. MSNBC Host and Citizen Board Member Ali Velshi takes us through the history of the OCE and why it's such a bad idea to weaken it.
Jan 09, 2023•5 min•Season 1Ep. 977
What should Josh Shapiro do now?
Pennsylvania voters have spoken: We want Josh Shapiro to not be crazy. Here's what else the new governor should do
Jan 06, 2023•9 min•Season 1Ep. 976
Without better collaboration, innovation in Philly will stall
The CEO of a Delaware-based startup hub calls for Philadelphia and its surrounding cities and states to work together to help companies — and the region — thrive
Jan 05, 2023•5 min•Season 1Ep. 975
We need fact over fiction in education
Longtime advocate Mark Gleason calls for facts, not fiction, in responding to a Philadelphia Citizen column about education funding.
Jan 04, 2023•5 min•Season 1Ep. 974
IWSS 2022 | How finding your voice can change the world
Larry talks about the saving power of art with Black Thought of The Roots and Jane Golden, Executive Director of Mural Arts Philadelphia.
Jan 03, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 973
Ali Velshi | Books about poverty are being banned
In this episode of #VelshiBannedBookClub, MSNBC Host and Citizen Board Member Ali Velshi talks with Sarah Smarsh ("Heartland") and Stephanie Land ("Maid") about "Nickel And Dimed" by Barbara Ehrenreich. Books about the reality of poverty in the U.S. are being banned by people who want to ignore the issue.
Jan 02, 2023•10 min•Season 1Ep. 972
Would a Speaker Fitzpatrick heal the nation's divides?
House Democrats voting for the Bucks County Republican may be a way to calm the raging culture wars in Washington D.C. — and the nation
Dec 30, 2022•7 min•Season 1Ep. 971
The Philadelphia Mummers Parade
A history lesson, including some scholarly conjecture, about Philadelphia’s New Year’s Day parade. You know, the Mummers. Wait. You don't?
Dec 29, 2022•10 min•Season 1Ep. 970
IWSS 2022 | Can Local Journalism Save Democracy? Pt. 2
Welcome to the second half of our opening panel during the 2022 Ideas We Should Steal Festival. MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi moderated a fascinating discussion about democracy and local journalists. He was joined by Erinn Haines, editor-at-large of The 19th*; Jill Abramson, former executive editor (and first woman executive editor) of The New York Times; Emily Bazelon, staff writer for The New York Times Magazine; and Chris Baxter, editor-in-chief of Spotlight PA.
Dec 28, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 969
2023 is the Year of the Local
With the federal government in disarray, cities will be the key to economic growth next year.
Dec 26, 2022•7 min•Season 1Ep. 968
Ali Velshi | America's pivotal Christmas battle in 1944
When Volodymyr Zelenskyy stood before Congress, he likened the situation in Ukraine to two well-known battles fought by Americans: the Battles of Saratoga (Revolutionary War) and the Battle of the Bulge (WWII). MSNBC Host and Citizen Board Member Ali Velshi explains that both of these were turning points against an autocratic regime. The latter happened on Christmas Day.
Dec 26, 2022•6 min•Season 1Ep. 967
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