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.
In this episode of Philadelphia Promise, Christine Speer Lejeune, editor-in-chief of Philadelphia magazine, sits down with author, political thinker and all-around Renaissance man Richard Vague. In his new book, The Banker Who Made America, Vague shines a spotlight on Thomas Willing, a highly influential Philadelphian who leveraged the power of American banking to help the country win its independence. Join us for a fascinating conversation about a nearly forgotten but extremely important Founding Father.
What if your primary care physician gave you a script for more time outdoors? Prescribe Outside, a program from CHOP, is doing just that. Writer Courtney DuChene visited just such a nature gathering with doctors, patients and a whole lot of kids.
On this episode of Gardening For Good, The Woodlands runs a volunteer-staffed program to restore flowers to cradle graves and build community in the process. For more information on volunteering, visit this story on the web.
On this episode, Dr. James Peterson argues that at the root of the shootings and violence and poverty cycles that plague our society sits literacy--quietly creating an architecture of inequality
... starts with dehumanizing your enemies. Ali Velshi makes the case that Donald Trump's threats to destroy an entire country are much more than bluster.
In the final episode of this award-nominated essay, Tom McGrath asks what it would take to set Philly on the right path and protect the city from the whims of Washington D.C.
People aren't leaving cities. They're pulling into their own remote work spaces and eschewing the civic reasons they chose urban living in the first place.
The effects of Trump's cuts are broad and deep. In this essay, nominated for an NCRM award, Tom McGrath explains how Philadelphia got so hooked on federal assistance and what it means for our future.
One of the 2025 Erinda Sheno Memorial Prize winners, a junior at the Academy at Palumbo makes a beautiful argument for a multi-lingual, multicultural city and nation. Our differences don't just make us stronger — they're also worth fighting for.
Trump's cuts are hitting Philly hard. In this story, nominated for an NCRM award, Tom McGrath explains why the city is uniquely vulnerable to the president's economic rampage ... and how Philadelphia can (maybe) fortify itself for the future.
On this episode of Guest Commentary, Philadelphia is last in economic mobility among the 50 largest U.S. metros and stagnant in job creation. A chamber of commerce chair and a former U.S. ambassador, unite to say there's a better way.
"Trump's off-the-cuff musings of the war perplexes even his own advisors," Ali Velshi reports. Even our allies are being left confused. As French President Emmanuel Macron declared, "When you want to be serious, you don't say everyday the opposite of what you said the day before."
The CHOP physician and voice of the pro-vaccine, pro-health science movement stands in stark opposition to RFK Jr. Hear his story and why he was chosen as the 2026 Citizen of the Year.
Developed by Penn Engineering grads, Sonura is a high-tech beanie that protects preemies' ears by blocking out the loud sounds of an intensive care nursery and supporting parent-baby connections.
Recently nominated for a National Magazine Award, this story by Sandy Hingston suggests that despite political name-calling, social media meltdowns and public life feeling more hostile than ever, quiet acts of kindness might just reveal a growing civility--one small moment at a time.
After publishing his story, Don't Look Now ... But Philly is Safe, Larry Platt joined Dr. James Peterson on Evening WURDs to discuss one of the biggest crime turnarounds in modern history
Ali Velshi explains that the war in Iran has gone on long enough ... 4 weeks ... that Donald Trump has just lost interest
Budget cuts. School closures. Structural deficit. Scant academic progress. Spin from District headquarters. Larry Platt asks: Is Superintendent Watlington up to being a transformational leader?
For the past six years, Bloomberg Philanthropies has held the Mayors Challenge, a competition that awards cities $1 million prizes to spur innovative solutions to ingrained urban problems. This week's guests are Challenge leader Aparna Ramanan and Challenge grantee, Lafayette, LA Mayor Monique Blanco Boulet. Join former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Citizen Co-Founder Larry Platt for an eye-opening conversation about what it takes to innovate in a city. (Lafayette's problem might sound familiarly stinky to Philadelphians: old, failing, sewers.) Blanco Boulet believes true innovation must start with a change of mindset. "Critical thinking is just not natural in government. If I don't know where we're having flood issues, I could just choose anywhere [to put the money]. That happens. That's not abnormal for government in the absence of real decision-making." Join us for an episode about cities tackling entrenched problems and the public-private partnerships like Bloomberg Philanthropies that support them. When it comes to facing these intractable issues, as Nutter said, "You have to deal with the consequences of not." As cities go, so goes the nation!
Kimberly McGlonn is back, this time answering a listener question about moving on. Sometimes it's a job, a city, a relationship, or a dream, but how does a person know when it's time to go? If you have a question for Kimberly, go here to ask and we'll do our best to feature it in an upcoming episode.
On this episode of Guest Commentary, a former City Council and School Reform Commission member weighs in on what a $300 million budget deficit says about School District leadership
Right out of the pages of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, Republicans in Ohio proposed a bill that would "allow the government to track every pregnancy, beginning to end." Ali Velshi explains.
If you have unwanted rodent visitors, there are two docs from Drexel who are asking Philadelphians to put them in the freezer. For science. They even have a few pointers for catching the elusive pests.
On this episode of The Citizen Recommends, Roxanne Patel Shepelavy asks why pay Silicon Valley tech companies for your ride when locally-owned taxi cabs are faster, cost less and put money back into Philadelphia's economy?
Pups are everywhere these days, thanks to indulgent owners and business proprietors. Guess what else is everywhere -- sidewalks, street corners, soles of shoes?
In all the talk over closing and fixing up Philly schools, there is no mention of building new ones that might serve the community better. Can we look to New York City and Boston for solutions we should steal?
Picture more than a dozen pregnant teenage girls crammed into a single building, Ali Velshi explains. They're scared. They're alone. They don't know what's going to happen to them and they don't have access to adequate healthcare.
On this episode of How To Really Run A City, Michael Smerconish joins the show. Smerconish is a Sirius XM and CNN host, a prolific political commentator, a nationally recognized author — and leader of the fight for a political center in the U.S., which means having a robust media. "I think the press is being hollowed out," said former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. Local outlets are disappearing, the press is "functionally gutted; there's no longer a paper on your porch … and there's been a conservative effort to buy up local media because [it] still has credibility with folks." Smerconish is also an activist for voters who refuse to align with either of the two major parties. "I became so disenchanted with the Bush administration (W.) for their inability to go kill bin Laden," he said. He then swam against the tide of his own listener base by announcing his support for Barack Obama's presidential run in 2008. "How do you feel about that vote today?" asked former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter. "Oh my god, I feel great about it," Smerconish said. "[My listeners] went crazy, but it was a breaking point and a wake-up call for me." Join us for a thoroughly entertaining and important conversation about what local leaders and citizens alike can do to break through the partisanship of the moment and start meeting each other on neutral ground. "Use the remote, mix it up," Smerconish said. "Don't rely on [others] to do it — do it yourself." As cities go, so goes the nation!
On this episode of Big Rube's Philly, Lauren McCutcheon discusses with Reuben Harley the most iconic musicians he's ever photographed. Jay-Z, Usher, Snoop Dog, Meek Mill, Rube tells some of his favorite personal stories.
Kimberly McGlonn is back with gentle wisdom to help you navigate life's tough situations. One listener asks how to manage shifting work identities. Kimberly advises recognizing your fears — and using your excitement to motivate change. If you have a question for Kimberly, submit it here. We'll do our best to feature it in an upcoming episode.
Ahead of the country's 250th anniversary, the historic tall ship Gazela celebrates getting to 125 — with a little help from her friends in Philadelphia
Donald Trump nonchalantly dropped this line about American casualties in a widening Middle East conflict. "The way he was talking about it," says Ali Velshi, "you'd think he was talking about the weather." More worrisome, military commanders are framing the war within Christian ideology. "To the extent that you turn this into a religious war, you almost guarantee your own defeat."
How the hell did that happen? Larry Platt asks this week. And why is the mayor not taking more credit for it? On this episode, the anatomy of a stunning turnaround for the city.
On this episode of How To Really Run A City, our hosts, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Citizen Co-founder Larry Platt, invite onto the show a guest well-known to our mayors. Jannet Walker-Ford is a nationally recognized transportation expert who worked on the recently released Special Event Transportation — Guidance and Opportunities Playbook (SetGo) to help transit agencies navigate "mega-events" like the upcoming FIFA World Cup and the many semiquincentennial celebrations across the country. Join us for a timely conversation about how the United States needs to prepare for this blockbuster year when millions of visitors and celebrants will enter our cities and transportation systems. As cities go, so goes the nation!
On a special interview edition, Luke Mickelson comes onto the show to talk about his crusade against child bedlessness. Mickelson is the founder of Sleep In Heavenly Peace (SHP), whose local chapters have made and delivered more than 350,000 beds to kids that had formerly been sleeping on floors, couch cushions, etc. To find out more, visit shpbeds.org. Episode correction: SHP does not have a Philadelphia chapter yet. There is a New Jersey chapter. Those interested in contacting the closest local chapter can reach out to Sarah Fulton at sarah.fulton@shpbeds.org, or 844-432-2337 x5977
On this episode of Dear Kimberly, one reader asks how jealousy can be tamed. Kimberly McGlonn suggests recognizing the feeling and then honestly interrogating it.
After U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, Ali Velshi weighs in with Pennsylvania Rep. Chrissy Houlahan
Google's Waymo taxibots are quickly learning Philly roads, while lawmakers — and the rest of us — grapple with what to do next
Under RFK Jr.'s leadership, the CDC is withholding critical information about vaccine-preventable diseases from the American public. One of the most renowned immunologist in country explains why.
The Citizen's Malcolm Burnley joins Philly Unpacked host, Jordana Rubenstein to discuss the realities of Mayor Parker's H.O.M.E. Initiative. "Housing policy isn't just about units and budgets -- it's about whether Philadelphians can stay safe, healthy and rooted in their communities." You can watch the extended episode at PhillyCAM's YouTube page.
In this episode of Business for Good, local social media app Playdate encourages IRL gatherings by telling Philadelphians what events are happening in town — and encouraging them to invite their friends
The Supreme Court recently ruled against the Trump administration's liberal use of tariffs on imports. Ali Velshi breaks down the ruling as well as the impact on American consumers.
Last year, Philadelphians got $19 million back in government refunds. This year, take advantage of a free city program to get yours. Visit this story on the web, or call (215) 454-6483 for more information on Claim Your Money Philadelphia.
From Terrence Howard to Michael K. Williams to Zendaya, Big Rube has a unique ability to get personable with celebrities and create longstanding relationships
Posting "all lives splatter" and other offensive Internet memes in a Facebook comment section got one conservative columnist banned from Fergie's Pub. "Things are too serious for that kind of stuff," the owner says. "Unfollow. Unfriend. Fuck off."
Instead of a win, though, it has become a political football used by the Trump administration to punish Canada. Ali Velshi explains, "[The bridge] is financed by Canada and built with American labor and materials. It's not a prop. It is the circulatory system of a shared economy."
On this Presidents' Day, it's important to remember that while the federal government may have removed the memorial to slavery on Independence Mall, the history of African Americans exceeds the limits of historic comfort.
Larry Platt convened his podcast co-hosts for a special episode about recent crises plaguing the leaders of prominent cities. "We are in a constitutional crisis," Platt said. "You have federal troops — masked law enforcement — doing these surges. The question is: Who's in charge?" "Folks should remember," Kasim Reed said, "almost always, the mayor controls the biggest police department. There is an incentive to make sure the people policing your communities are … people you control, by virtue of you being elected CEO of the city." Join us for a special edition of How To Really Run A City that examines the challenges of dealing with ICE ("To ICE, get the fuck out of Minneapolis," — Minneapolis Mayor John Frey) as well as snow and ice ("[Mayor] Cherelle Parker better not fucking forget about us!" — viral Redditor from North Philly). Mayors Reed and Nutter have weathered crises before, and they don't pull their punches on this episode. As cities go, so goes the nation!
On this episode of Evening WURDs, Dr. James Peterson invites the Citizen's own Larry Platt onto the show to talk about his recent story about the Constitution Center and its moral responsibility. "The Constitution is under attack," Platt told Peterson, "and the non-partisan Constitution Center should take that on."
In this special interview episode, Bradford Pearson, Executive Editor of Philadelphia magazine, comes onto the show to discuss his recent article about lessons Philly can learn from ICE's aggressive operations in Minneapolis.
On this episode of Ideas We Should Steal, a longtime university president suggests the city's library system follow Chicago and Baltimore, and add food pantries to its community services
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