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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

The economy is ... an elephant?

In this interview special, Malcolm speaks with Moody’s Chief Economist Mark Zandi, a Malvern resident, about which presidential candidate bodes better for the economy and our financial future

Oct 23, 202412 minSeason 1Ep. 1495

Harris, Trump and the economy: Just the facts

Most voters say the economy will play a major role in deciding their choice for president. How do the records of Trump and Harris stack up? We'll answer with just the facts.

Oct 22, 20248 minSeason 1Ep. 1494

Trump vs. Harris: Closing the deal

Harris and Trump campaigns are panicking about their PA messaging. What would local political strategists do to capture Philadelphia voters?

Oct 20, 20249 minSeason 1Ep. 1493

The other epidemic

In the second episode of Jo Piazza's acclaimed docuseries, Philly Under Fire, we tell the story of trauma nurse Rhonda Browning, who has been treating shooting victims for two decades. She has held the hands of countless young men, who in their most painful moments, beg for their mothers. Browning fills that role temporarily, "whispering in their ears that they need to hold on." Follow this gripping episode as Piazza brings the reality of Browning's work into focus.

Oct 18, 202437 minSeason 1Ep. 1492

Black men and Kamala Harris

Like all Americans, Black men are not a monolith. Why they might choose to vote for Donald Trump or Kamala Harris is important to understand. Dr. James Peterson of Evening WURDs takes us through a few reasons.

Oct 17, 20248 minSeason 1Ep. 1491

Convincing voters with ... love

On this episode of Citizen of the Week, we highlight Arash Singh, an Indian citizen living in Fishtown. He can’t vote in the U.S., but that hasn’t stopped him from helping others cast their ballots by November 5.

Oct 16, 20245 minSeason 1Ep. 1490

The real secret to business success

Iconic chef, brand marketer and photographer, Big Rube, talks business, blueberries and perseverance with local produce scion Marcello Giordano

Oct 15, 202412 minSeason 1Ep. 1489

Forget Project 2025. Remember Trump's child separation.

When Donald Trump declares the U.S. to be "occupied" by immigrants and promises a "Liberation Day" of mass deportation, Ali Velshi reminds us that Trump has made good on extremely cruel immigration policies before.

Oct 14, 20245 minSeason 1Ep. 1488

Mr. Bashaw goes to Washington?

Did Curtis Bashaw — pro-choice, pro-growth, gay hotelier — offer a glimpse of what a return to reasonableness might look like, post-Trumpism?

Oct 11, 202416 minSeason 1Ep. 1487

The key to an economy that works? ... Workers

On the latest episode of How To Really Run A City, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter chat with Devin Cotten, the Founder and CEO of The Universal Basic Employment and Opportunity Initiative in Cleveland, Ohio. Cotten is helping to extend universal basic employment to one hundred Clevelanders through a pilot that guarantees a living wage of $50,000 a year. This initiative bypasses the common criticism about universal basic income being just a financial handout...

Oct 10, 202440 minSeason 1Ep. 1486

A jobs program that actually works

The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative helped nearly 2,000 Philadelphians find work. Now, the organization is expanding and rebranding to connect more Philadelphians with skills, jobs and career opportunities.

Oct 09, 20245 minSeason 1Ep. 1485

Roadmap to nowhere

Philadelphia experienced a tragic surge in gun violence in 2020, with 500 of our fellow residents killed and another 2,200 shot. Today we look back at that dramatic and heartbreaking moment in time with Roadmap To Nowhere, the first episode of Jo Piazza's acclaimed docuseries, Philly Under Fire.

Oct 08, 202432 minSeason 1Ep. 1484

Project 2025 & ... Hurricane Helene?

What is on ultra-conservatives' wish list for disaster relief? MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi details disturbing plans for gutting FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security, thereby making Americans in disaster-prone areas less secure.

Oct 07, 20245 minSeason 1Ep. 1483

VP remorse?

Tim Walz’s debate performance should have Democratic insiders wondering what could have been had Gov. Shapiro been on that stage

Oct 04, 20248 minSeason 1Ep. 1482

It's always January 6 ...

"... in Black political reality." At a recent Citizen event, aired live on WURD, host James Peterson interviewed Dr. Michael Eric Dyson about his new book "Represent: The Unfinished Fight for the Vote." Dr. Dyson stated that the real goal of American politics "was not the acquisition of democracy, but the establishment of white supremacy."

Oct 03, 202429 minSeason 1Ep. 1481

And what does a State Treasurer do?

Pennsylvania’s state treasurer manages the sixth largest economy in the U.S — and a few other things. Next up in Your City Defined.

Oct 02, 202411 minSeason 1Ep. 1480

Jurassic Park on the Schuylkill

Five million people died last year from antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. One Penn scientist is looking deep into the past for a solution.

Oct 01, 20246 minSeason 1Ep. 1479

Abortion bans and Black women

Abortions bans undermine women's basic reproductive health, explains MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi. And among no group is that threat more acutely felt than Black women, who's lives are at greater risk because of the racism stubbornly entrenched in our healthcare system.

Sep 30, 20247 minSeason 1Ep. 1478

How's Cherelle doing?

Nine months in, Mayor Cherelle Parker has shown impeccable public-facing skills. But how is she on implementation and transparency?

Sep 27, 20249 minSeason 1Ep. 1477

How we can reverse the "human doom loop"

What’s happening to people in cities since the pandemic is more worrisome than the fate of office buildings. This urbanist has a few city-centric solutions to pull us out of the "doom loop."

Sep 26, 20246 minSeason 1Ep. 1476

We are the political center of the world

On this episode of Evening WURDs, host Dr. James Peterson sits down with Roxanne to discuss Pennsylvania's vital role in the upcoming election and what techniques have proved most effective in getting people to the polls.

Sep 25, 202410 minSeason 1Ep. 1475

Peeking through the curtain at Kamala

Temple grad student Deesarine Ballayan has ongoing reservations about Kamala Harris. In this episode of Guest Commentary, she explains how these reservations linger, even after personally attending the candidate’s NABJ interview in Philadelphia.

Sep 24, 20249 minSeason 1Ep. 1474

True citizenship is a muscle

Citizenship Day and Constitution Day are both celebrated on September 17th. This is a bold statement about the importance of immigrants, as well as their contributions and responsibilities to their new country. MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi recounts his own experience becoming a US citizen and declares the importance of exercising your citizenship "muscles."

Sep 23, 20246 minSeason 1Ep. 1473

Are we overthinking recreational weed?

PA legislators struggle to legalize recreational marijuana and create economic opportunities. Can they do something before the year's end?

Sep 20, 20248 minSeason 1Ep. 1472

A master class in levelheaded politics with Baltimore's "DEI" mayor

On this episode of our acclaimed podcast, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter sit down with Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, one of the youngest mayors in the country. In March, a cargo ship lost power and smashed into Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, thrusting Mayor Scott into the national spotlight amidst ugly insinuations that the tragedy was a result of Scott being a "D.E.I. mayor.” Find out how he creatively shut down the criticisms, as Mayor Scott take...

Sep 19, 202440 minSeason 1Ep. 1471

An Island of Misfit Toys that are "your people"

On this episode of Art For Change, we examine a new interactive installation at the Fabric Workshop and Museum by Bearded Ladies Cabaret founder John Jarboe. The exhibition puts on full display "earnest, absurd queer selfhood."

Sep 18, 20246 minSeason 1Ep. 1470

Helping hospitalized people cast emergency ballots

On this episode of Citizen(s) of the Week, we look at Penn Medicine Votes, which motivates healthcare workers to help patients who are unexpectedly hospitalized on election day cast an absentee ballot

Sep 17, 20246 minSeason 1Ep. 1469

Is abortion after birth real?

Donald Trump and his Republican allies are doubling down on "abortion after birth" (also known as "murder.") MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi breaks down this lie and explains why it's so dangerous.

Sep 16, 20249 minSeason 1Ep. 1468

What we're missing about growing jobs

There’s only one major metro region in the nation without a strategic plan for inclusive growth — Philadelphia. Where's our job growth plan?

Sep 13, 20247 minSeason 1Ep. 1467

In the debate, how did the Constitution fare?

Longtime higher education executive, Elaine Maimon, shines a light on how the U.S. Constitution was talked about (and referenced) in the debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

Sep 12, 20248 minSeason 1Ep. 1466
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