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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

Deep canvassing is a potent tool for voter participation

Two deep canvassers from "Changing the Conversation Together" joined Solomon Jones on "Wake Up with WURD" to discuss one of the most effective techniques for getting reluctant voters to the polls.

Jun 19, 202412 minSeason 1Ep. 1405

Something doesn't add up at UArts

University of the Arts’ former CFO wants answers about the suddenly-closed school’s $40 million funding gap

Jun 18, 20245 minSeason 1Ep. 1404

Banned Book Club | Removing immigrant stories

On this episode of #velshibannedbookclub, MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi brings Laurence Yep onto the show to talk about his banned book: Dragonwings. Critics have scoured Yep's book about Chinese immigrants for evidence of "anti-American sentiments." This is a dangerous practice.

Jun 17, 202411 minSeason 1Ep. 1403

The great school vouchers debate

Progressive members of City Council protested them. Jay-Z supported them. Mayor Parker tried to unite everyone. You have entered the frontlines of school choice.

Jun 14, 20248 minSeason 1Ep. 1402

How to really ... run against Donald Trump

What is behind the surprising levels of Black support for (now felon) Donald J. Trump? According to bestselling author, public intellectual and “hip hop” professor Michael Eric Dyson, it's the result of a slew of misconceptions, as well as folks not understanding how government actually works in our lives. "It's an indictment of our side," Dyson said. On this episode, Dyson and our mayors have a few words of advice for President Biden on how to really beat Donald Trump. Check out the first of a ...

Jun 13, 202426 minSeason 1Ep. 1401

WURD | Free childcare for women's health

On this episode of Citizen WURD, Dr. James Peterson, host of "Evening WURDs" speaks with Citizen writer Courtney DuChene about her Ideas We Should Steal article: "Free Childcare for Women's Health."

Jun 12, 202419 minSeason 1Ep. 1400

Big Rube's Philly: Black Dragon

The legendary Reuben Harley meets up with Black Dragon's Kurt Evans, a chef after his own heart who supports the community through an inspiring fusion of Black and Chinese cuisine.

Jun 11, 202410 minSeason 1Ep. 1399

Caitlin Clark, race and the WNBA

Public intellectual Michael Eric Dyson on how Black women are once again getting overlooked in the Caitlin Clark narrative

Jun 07, 20248 minSeason 1Ep. 1397

Is the Left making it harder for moderates to vote Democratic?

We return to Ali Velshi in conversation with The Welcome Party co-founder Lauren Harper, PA State Senator Nikil Saval, and former Republican Congressman Charlie Dent. Velshi begins by asking Nikil Saval at our most recent Ideas We Should Steal Festival if candidates on the left are making it harder for moderates to vote for Democrats.

Jun 05, 202412 minSeason 1Ep. 1395

"Make room for women"

Women’s Way recently honored philanthropist and Citizen board member Jen Rice for her support of women’s empowerment programs. Listen to her inspiring acceptance speech.

Jun 04, 202418 minSeason 1Ep. 1394

Banned Book Club | The Glass Castle

On this episode of #velshibannedbookclub, MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi interviews Jeannette Walls, author of "The Glass Castle." The main reason this book has been banned in schools? Frank and vivid descriptions of challenging situations like alcoholism and abuse. "Our children deserve better," wrote one parent. Velshi and Walls contend that children are better served by exposure to reality.

Jun 03, 202412 minSeason 1Ep. 1393

How is Josh Shapiro getting MAGA support?

A confluence of factors and political talents explains the governor's astounding popularity in the polls, even among the MAGA crowd

May 31, 20248 minSeason 1Ep. 1392

Mayor Parker's favorite housing program

The City's Turn The Key program is building homes affordable to middle income families. Can it be the centerpiece of Philly's housing plan?

May 30, 20247 minSeason 1Ep. 1391

Let's save democracy ... again!

It’s not enough to cast your own ballot in 2024. To get all eligible Philadelphians to vote, we need to engage in deep canvassing. Here, a sample of that deep canvassing with Roxanne and Adam Barbanel-Fried.

May 29, 202412 minSeason 1Ep. 1390

Banned Book Club | I don't understand why they're afraid of knowledge

MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi sits down with "one of the greatest threats to the Republic" -- a history teacher. Randi Weingarten is now the President of the American Federation of Teachers and she is accused of spreading "filth" to American children in the form of banned books.

May 28, 20248 minSeason 1Ep. 1389

The watermelon and the flag

On this episode of Guest Commentary, James Peterson of "Evening WURDs" on WURD highlights the watermelon flag and what it says about symbols, extreme national distress and the regressive swing of the pendulum

May 27, 202410 minSeason 1Ep. 1388

"I was too stupid to be scared"

One of the 120,000 living members of the Greatest Generation turns 99 this year. For Memorial Day, he talks to Larry Platt about saving America then and now.

May 24, 202416 minSeason 1Ep. 1337

Healing communities with fire pits and s'mores

"The more time one spends living in a distressed neighborhood during childhood, the worse are the chances of achieving economic stability." At our Ideas We Should Steal Festival, Carol Coletta of Memphis River Parks Partnership took the stage with a novel idea for bringing diverse communities together.

May 23, 202414 minSeason 1Ep. 1336

Women. Life. Freedom. In Iran.

Two years ago a cultural revolution was sparked in Iran over the death of Mahsa Amini. MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi explains how and why the fruits of that revolution have been rolled back.

May 22, 20243 minSeason 1Ep. 1335

Interview Special |Rad Girls!

The Citizen is partnering with the original rad girl, Leah Kauffman, to bring back her annual celebration of kick-ass Philadelphia women. This week, Roxanne caught up with Kauffman to talk all things rad.

May 21, 202411 minSeason 1Ep. 1334

Kendrick vs. Drake is really a proxy war

Author, radio host and public intellectual, Michael Eric Dyson, contends this rap battle is really about race, identity and Black/Jewish relations.

May 17, 20249 minSeason 1Ep. 1332

How to really ... manage public protest

Balancing free speech rights with public safety and order requires a deft touch. On our latest episode of "How to Really Run a City," Mayors Nutter and Reed are joined by one of their protégés: Richmond, Virginia Mayor Levar Stoney. From protests to economic growth to Mayor Stoney's history-making removal of Confederate monuments, we dig into the successes and challenges Richmond has recently faced. True leadership is a lonely venture, Nutter says. But Mayor Stoney is leading with joy, Reed remi...

May 16, 202442 minSeason 1Ep. 1331

Is Larry Krasner soft on crime?

DA Larry Krasner just won his second historic conviction of an on-duty police officer. Here’s why House Republicans are using that against him.

May 15, 20247 minSeason 1Ep. 1330

Mental health for Philly's Spanish speakers

A new cohort of Spanish-speaking peer mental health specialists is ready to provide real-time support for the Philadelphia population who most needs it

May 14, 20246 minSeason 1Ep. 1329

Banned Book Club | The Giver

"Jesus would be ashamed," wrote one critic of Lois Lowry's seminal work of children's literature, "The Giver." MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi invites Lowry onto the show to discuss her opinions about the flood of negative (and positive) reactions to her 1993 YA novel.

May 13, 202414 minSeason 1Ep. 1328

Interview Special | Ali Velshi

Ali Velshi's "Small Acts of Courage," just released at a launch party in Philadelphia. Join Roxanne Patel Shepelavy for an insightful and moving interview with Ali about his family's journey as immigrants and the true meaning of being an American.

May 10, 20241 hr 3 minSeason 1Ep. 1327

Splintering factions in both political parties

During this panel from our most recent Ideas We Should Steal Festival, MSNBC host and IWSS moderator Ali Velshi sits down with co-founder of The Welcome Party, Lauren Harper, former Republican congressman Charlie Dent, and State Senator Nikil Saval for an enlightening discussion about the true state of politics today

May 09, 202414 minSeason 1Ep. 1326
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