Seriously? Drag racing is now a hobby in Philly?
We should call it what it is: drag racing isn't a hobby, it's antisocial disorder, and this week it resulted in death.
Jun 09, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 1086
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
Ali Velshi | The most banned book on the show
Ellen Hopkins is not only the prolific author of "Crank," but she holds the...distinction...of her book being the most banned on the #VelshiBannedBookClub list. MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi interviews Hopkins about a book that confronts meth addiction head on.
Jun 08, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 1085
How To Really Run A City | Addressing the central issue of our time
Alarmingly, in a city that is 44 percent Black, Black-owned businesses with payroll represent less than 3 percent of the businesses in our ecosystem. In our 5th episode, hosts Larry Platt, Michael Nutter and Kasim Reed come to you with a live episode as they sit down with Newark, NJ, Mayor Ras Baraka and Nowak Metro Finance Lab’s Bruce Katz – two experts who have a litany of solutions to one of the most pressing issues facing cities today: closing the wealth gap by creating and supporting Black ...
Jun 07, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 1084
In PA, minimum wage is not a living wage.
In this episode of Ideas We Should Steal, we look to Scranton, which is using federal rescue money to help small businesses give their employees a pay raise. Could a wage boost plan benefit Philly?
Jun 06, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 1083
Ali Velshi | The vast majority of Americans respect LGBT+ rights, and yet...
Fighting against LGBT+ rights is an obvious losing strategy when it comes to politics. MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi explains how social conservatives are making a new round of attacks, and why it's not winning them any favors.
Jun 05, 2023•4 min•Season 1Ep. 1082
Yo Biden! Campaign like Jagger
Is ageism the last acceptable prejudice? What progressives who fixate on the U.S. President's age miss about Joe Biden’s political chops.
Jun 02, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 1081
Interview Special | When it comes to business, is Philadelphia like a third-world country?
Roxanne catches up with Devi Ramkissoon, head of the Sustainable Business Network, to discuss her endeavors to build up healthy, local businesses overseas and what lessons she's brought back to Philadelphia. Join us for part 1 of this enlightening interview.
Jun 01, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 1080
Ali Velshi | What does 1.5 degrees Celsius actually mean?
MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi examines a report by the World Meteorological Organization stating 1.5 degrees of global warming is inevitable in the next five years. Velshi breaks down what those 1.5 degrees would actually do to the planet.
May 31, 2023•5 min•Season 1Ep. 1079
Will year-round schooling really help?
Year-round schooling is the School District of Philadelphia's most talked-about plan. Cherelle Parker seems into it. But will it actually change anything?
May 29, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 1078
Ali Velshi | George Takei's book was banned in PA
On this episode of #VelshiBannedBookClub, MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi sits down with George Takei to discuss his graphic novel "They Called Us Enemy." Takei's book draws from his experiences as a victim of the Japanese-American internment camps.
May 29, 2023•10 min•Season 1Ep. 1077
The Fetterman dress code...
John Fetterman dresses like he’s at an Eagles game while doing his job for you in the U.S. Senate. Are you down with that?
May 26, 2023•9 min•Season 1Ep. 1076
Ali Velshi | Banning "multiple perspectives"
On this episode of #VelshiBannedBookClub, MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi interviews Lauren Groff, award-winning author of "Fates and Furies." Groff tells Velshi, "Every story has a hundred different ways of telling it." One of those ways landed her on banned book lists.
May 25, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 1075
Your first idea isn't always your best
Good ideas don't always pop out first. Character Lab's experts say persistence is key when it comes to creative pursuits
May 24, 2023•4 min•Season 1Ep. 1074
The team that Philly needs now
In his third episode, guest writer LuQman Abdullah, a shooting survivor and anti-violence advocate, suggests we apply the spirit of our sports teams to conquer the violence in our city. Read by the author.
May 22, 2023•11 min•Season 1Ep. 1073
Ali Velshi | A fishing case that could upend the government
This fall, SCOTUS will take up a case regarding fisheries and regulators, but hidden in this benign-looking case is an attempt by conservatives to dissolve the "administrative state."
May 22, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 1072
Primary election winners and losers
After this past Tuesday, Ryan Boyer and Bob Brady exulted. For progressives, David Oh, and democracy — it was not a great night.
May 19, 2023•10 min•Season 1Ep. 1071
Cherelle Parker just won the Democratic primary
But who is this Democratic two-term City Councilmember? We take a look.
May 18, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 1070
Hearing why Philadelphians voted
The 2023 primary lacked the buzz or turnout of recent elections. But Philadelphians who voted showed intention, optimism — and Philly swagger. You can hear it in their voices.
May 17, 2023•6 min•Season 1Ep. 1069
Getting through college together with College Together
College Together is a program that's making higher education accessible and affordable. Could this be the answer to our nation’s higher education woes?
May 16, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 1068
Ali Velshi | What on earth is a "constitutional sheriff?"
MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi looks at the subversive movement known as "constitutional sheriffs." These sheriffs believe their interpretation of the law supersedes even the authority of the President. In reality, they are only eroding the very democracy they think they're protecting.
May 15, 2023•6 min•Season 1Ep. 1067
Inside the last days of the election
In this episode, some final thoughts on the mayor’s race as it comes to a close. Are we about to meet a new boss who is the same as the old boss? Or are things a-changing?
May 12, 2023•10 min•Season 1Ep. 1066
5 ways the next mayor must work with community leaders
On this episode of Guest Commentary, Philadelphia's next mayor needs to capitalize on the city's successes to bring us out of poverty, improve quality of life, and more
May 11, 2023•6 min•Season 1Ep. 1065
Black Squirrel Collective
This business empowers Black and Brown real estate developers and small businesses by helping them access resources and support. It is the latest entry in our Development For Good series.
May 10, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 1064
The Fight for Democracy pt. 3 | Are there any questions?
In this final episode from our esteemed panel, Citizen board member and MSNBC host Ali Velshi takes questions from the audience about the fate of our American experiment. Former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin, and former RNC Chair Michael Steele lend their insight. Ya Fav Trashman steps to the mic.
May 09, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 1063
Ali Velshi | Why is Amarillo, Texas constantly suing the federal government?
MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi digs into the shifty practice of "judge shopping," which has made Amarillo, Texas the epicenter of conservative lawsuits. Any time judgments or policies flow through just a single person, abuses can easily occur.
May 08, 2023•5 min•Season 1Ep. 1062
It's the pragmatism, stupid!
Who was the best mayor of Philadelphia? Who was the worst? We asked 15 historians. The results could impact your vote on Election Day.
May 05, 2023•10 min•Season 1Ep. 1061
The Fight for Democracy pt. 2 | How do we actually fix this?
In this panel from our Ideas We Should Steal Festival, Citizen board member and MSNBC host Ali Velshi discusses the fate of American democracy with former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin, and former RNC Chair Michael Steele.
May 04, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 1060
The Fight for Democracy pt. 1 | Why the Republican party can't correct course
In this panel from our Ideas We Should Steal Festival, Citizen board member and MSNBC host Ali Velshi discusses the fate of American democracy with former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin, and former RNC Chair Michael Steele.
May 03, 2023•15 min•Season 1Ep. 1059
Eryn Santamoor, Technocrat-at-Large?
Eryn Santamoor is a practical policy nerd running for City Council-at-large with big ideas for solving problems and because it seems...fun!
May 02, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 1058
Ali Velshi | What is transgender care and why does it save lives?
With so many conservative states passing anti-transgender bills, MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi explains what gender-affirming care is and how it leads to a 73% reduction in suicide ideation.
May 01, 2023•5 min•Season 1Ep. 1057
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