How special is A Philly Special Christmas Special?
The Citizen’s music reviewer (OK, social media manager), reviews Kelce and co.’s latest holiday album, A Philly Special Christmas Special
Nov 24, 2023•9 min•Season 1Ep. 1206
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
Is Kevin Bethel what we need in a Police Commissioner?
Kevin Bethel, Mayor-elect Parker’s choice for Police Commissioner, transformed the school-to-prison pipeline. What will he do for Philly?
Nov 23, 2023•6 min•Season 1Ep. 1205
Big Rube's Thanksgiving
Philly's own legendary photographer and chef recalls how his family gatherings went down and offers a few personal tips for making your turkey moist and tasty
Nov 22, 2023•4 min•Season 1Ep. 1204
Giving thanks...despite everything
Even when it seems impossible, expressing gratitude and gratefulness is a powerful celebratory and healing act. Try it this Thanksgiving
Nov 21, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 1203
Ali Velshi | Trump and the word "vermin"
MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi shines a spotlight on Donald Trump's use of the word "vermin" at a recent rally. It's only a little surprising that Trump has difficulty remembering who is in office or what city he is in, but can pull up white nationalist vocabulary with pinpoint accuracy.
Nov 20, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 1202
Ali Velshi | Protecting abortion rights is winning across the country
MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi takes a look at the track record for wins and losses when it comes to abortion rights. How many statewide abortion races have Republicans won since the fall of Roe? Zero.
Nov 17, 2023•6 min•Season 1Ep. 1201
Passing the art of photography to the next generation
On this episode of Business for Good, CJ Wolfe’s Kensington studio has become a creative hub for anyone who wants to learn photography — thanks to a photographer who taught himself the trade
Nov 16, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 1200
Bucking the norms of musical theater
In her signature style, Philly-based composer Bree Lowdermilk introduces gender-expansive casts to high schools and takes feedback from 4-year-olds
Nov 15, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 1199
Big Rube's Philly | Hug the block
Reuben Harley documents the South Street finale to Hug the Block, honoring Jamal Johnson, who says he's retiring from anti-violence activism
Nov 14, 2023•4 min•Season 1Ep. 1198
Banned Book Club | A Palestinian Jewish love story
MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi invites Dorit Rabinyan to the show to discuss her novel "All The Rivers," a love story that examines what it means to be "other." Join us for this moving episode of #velshibannedbookclub.
Nov 13, 2023•11 min•Season 1Ep. 1197
Cherelle Parker's Philly Shine
Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker's election night speech heralds new energy. Plus: Shapiro wasn’t on the ballot, but was a winner nonetheless
Nov 10, 2023•12 min•Season 1Ep. 1196
What mayors can learn from ... Toyota?
On this latest episode of How To Really Run A City , Brian Elms joins our two mayors to discuss how he's been able to revolutionize the way governments deliver services to their cities. And also to chat about Mayor Nutter helping the Phillies win the '08 World Series.
Nov 09, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 1195
The youngest City Council in decades
Moving forward, by adding term limits we could cycle out politicians who’ve overstayed their welcome — and regularly invite new, younger leaders into the legislative mix
Nov 08, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 1194
Interview Special | The most effective way to cut traffic deaths
In this special edition of CitizenCast, J.P. Romney speaks with representatives from the Philadelphia Parking Authority. Rich Lazer (Executive Director), Corrinne O'Connor (Deputy Executive Director) and Gabe Roberts (Deputy Executive Director) tout the successes of the Automated Speed Enforcement pilot program which resulted in a plummeting of violations and injuries along dangerous corridors like Roosevelt Boulevard.
Nov 07, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 1193
Ali Velshi | Let's really examine the Biden / Trump polls
MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi digs into the meaning of recent polls showing Trump leading Biden in most key states. He invites onto the show Norman Ornstein and Jennifer Rubin, one of our popular panelists from last year's Ideas We Should Steal Festival. As a reminder, our 6th annual IWSS Festival will be held on Nov. 13th this year. We'll be bringing in urban innovators from all over the country to take center stage. Visit thephiladelphiacitizen.org for tickets.
Nov 06, 2023•6 min•Season 1Ep. 1192
Jeff Yass -- the Devil...or engaged citizen?
School choice mega-billionaire Jeff Yass is spending lavishly on judicial elections and City Council races. Cue the wringing of hands.
Nov 03, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 1191
Resistance is a garden
A Painted Bride project combines urban farming, art and education to empower Black and Brown Philadelphians to grow their own futures
Nov 02, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 1190
Roger Rabbit, lawsuits and the Register of Wills
On this episode of Your City Defined, we look at what a Register of Wills actually does, and what Register Tracey Gordon may have done to help herself out of a job
Nov 01, 2023•11 min•Season 1Ep. 1189
Ali Velshi | One Republican says he can deliver $2 gas. Pshh.
MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi breaks down the reality of gas prices and demonstrates that the President doesn't have much control over the effects of global fluctuations
Oct 31, 2023•5 min•Season 1Ep. 1188
Banned Book Club | We need to talk about Florida
On this episode of #velshibannedbookclub, MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi takes on the Sunshine State, where a huge number of book bannings are occurring. He speaks with literary giants Michael Connelly and David Baldacci about their experiences with Florida and this disturbing, anti-democratic trend.
Oct 30, 2023•10 min•Season 1Ep. 1187
A few ideas for fixing City Council
Hours of debate on Israel/Hamas? Championing councilmanic prerogative? In an era desperate for change, we have to start with City Council
Oct 27, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 1186
Getting the working class into homes of their own
On this episode of Development for Good, two Center City brothers expand their luxury real estate portfolio with low-profit, high-satisfaction working-class housing
Oct 26, 2023•6 min•Season 1Ep. 1185
An open letter to my fellow Jews
We must take this opportunity to demonstrate moral courage in the Israel-Hamas war, says a local leader of the B Corps movement
Oct 25, 2023•14 min•Season 1Ep. 1184
Polarization is killing our democracy
A Shippensburg politics professor has an important message for anyone who cares about American democracy: Stop feeding the polarization beast
Oct 23, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 1183
Banned Book Club | Teens and contraception
On this episode of #velshibannedbookclub, MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi speaks with Meg Cabot, author of "Ready or Not." Her novel was published 20 years ago, but since it addresses the question of teens and access to birth control, it has newly landed on banned book lists.
Oct 23, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 1182
War between Israel and Hamas comes to Penn
Wealthy Jewish donors revolt. Pro-Palestinian students shout. A university President embattled. The war has come to the Penn boardroom.
Oct 20, 2023•9 min•Season 1Ep. 1181
Cherelle Parker wants to be your mayor | Finale
On the final installment of our ultimate job interview with Cherelle Parker, our soon-to-be mayor faces our former mayor, Michael Nutter, who puts her through a "lightning round" of tough questions. How does Parker fare? She asks the listeners to decide.
Oct 19, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 1180
Business as Unusual
In our latest installment of How to Really Run a City , Kathryn Wylde, CEO of Partnership for New York, joins us to share the secrets to – and power of – harnessing a city's business sector for good.
Oct 18, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 1179
How to treat addiction...behind bars
More than 60% of people incarcerated in the U.S. suffer from addiction. Philadelphia jails could offer a model for helping them recover.
Oct 17, 2023•6 min•Season 1Ep. 1178
Banned Book Club | Texas library edition
On this episode of #velshibannedbookclub, MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi speaks with Shirley Robinson, Executive Director of the Texas Library Association. In the wake of shameless online attacks, Robinson argues forcefully that librarians are trained professionals who understand better than anyone how to provide the correct reading material to children.
Oct 16, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 1177
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