CitizenCast

A Temple Law professor who studies comedy and democracy explains why both are imperiled in the wake of Kimmel's suspension

This is the message from two-time Super Bowl Champ Lane Johnson -- one passed on to him by his friend, trainer and fellow mental health advocate, Jay Glazer

Or at least, that's the Republicans hope. State Treasurer Stacy Garrity received the most votes of any PA candidate ever during her reelection bid last year. She may already be the Commonwealth's most successful female politician. But is that enough?

A Germantown nonprofit offers Philadelphia students who've experienced gun violence the chance to tell their stories on the big screen. The result: healing.

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons." Ali Velshi explains that American colonists lived in a world where the British crown policed every aspect of their lives. The Fourth Amendment was the Founders answer to those abuses. Last week, the Supreme Court undermined that constitutional answer. "Once the Fourth Amendment is considered negotiable for one group," Velshi says, "it becomes weaker for all of us."

A local vet, former U.S. Rep and Undersecretary of the Army, reveals what 9/11 and Charlie Kirk's assassination tell us about the America we live in. Could this become a roadmap to unity?

As the Birds head to Kansas City to play the Chiefs on Sunday, the Eagles' five-time All-Pro, six-time Pro Bowler shares the city's innovative approach to get children the mental healthcare they deserve

On this episode of Big Rube's Philly, Reuben Harley visits Kevin Gregg, Phillies' Vice President of Communications to discuss his day-to-day secrets for success and how the Phillies are helping local kids through "baseball clinics."

The Citizen just turned 10! Here are 10 ways you have helped us make an impact in the last decade.

"The danger isn't in losing, the danger is in doing nothing." Ali Velshi highlights ways that citizens across the country are taking a stand for American democracy. 

... Philly could do it, too. In 2011, Richmond, VA's mayor set an ambitious citywide goal to reduce its dismal poverty rate. Two successors later, the city is showing remarkable success. Here in Philly, mayors are more likely to dismantle their predecessors' programs. Perhaps that should change.

On this episode of Citizen WURD, former state Rep. Donna Bullock joins James Peterson. Bullock is now the President and CEO of Project HOME, which is working to move Philadelphians from the streets to shelters to stable living.

"The world had counted us out. But like in 2017, we shocked them all."

"Democratic leaders are simply not rising to this moment," says Ali Velshi in this passionate rebuke. "If you are a political leader in this country and you're not prepared to fight with both hands? Then perhaps you should step aside."

The Trump Administration will be ending the Corporation for Public Broadcasting this year. In some classrooms, educational programing like PBS Kids is being replaced with videos from PragerU, an unaccredited media organization that "promotes American values" to children. Ali Velshi breaks down the replacement and plays a few of their disturbing clips.

Compromise may finally be in the air. Some thoughts on the politics behind our budgetary fiasco — and why a win/win has been so elusive

On this episode of Guest Commentary, a Penn alumna and Philadelphia City Councilmember urges the Ivy to take a stand and restore its focus on DEI

President Trump is rescinding loan forgiveness for people who he thinks flout his politics — including possibly Philly public school teachers. A longtime university president takes a stand.

It takes a village to raise a child. On this episode of Guest Commentary, a Southwest Philly school principal urges people to stop asking Philly schools to take on every role of that village.

Donald Trump thinks Smithsonian museums focus too much on "how bad slavery was," so he sicced his attorneys on the Smithsonian Institution in the same way he targeted universities. Ali Velshi breaks the controversy down.

The debate over SEPTA funding has led at least one local legislator to suggest a radical approach to state governance - give our money back

On this episode of The New Urban Order, Diana Lind says Center City residents who object to designated paths for cyclists aren't seeing the full picture

A City-run coalition of lenders has distributed $2 million in grants to microbusinesses in Philly. It's a game changer for entrepreneurs from underserved communities.

The Mayor has been silent. The Governor is rallying the already converted. Whatever happened to preventing a crisis before it starts?

"Foreign companies are paying zero tariffs." It's the American companies, and soon, the American consumers who will pay the taxes. Ali Velshi breaks down the latest inflation numbers and explains what lies ahead for tariffs and the American pocketbook. 

The Phils' yakker has, with every random, odd observation, touched the city's soul

Fifty years ago, veterans made up 80 percent of Congress. Now it's less than 20 percent. One U.S. Rep says: If you want bipartisanship, vote in more vets. Former Representative and Under Secretary of the Army, Patrick Murphy, joins Dr. James Peterson on this week's CitizenWURD segment to discuss the issue.

... build a smarter, safer health system. Potent THC products are flooding stores and sending children to the ER. In this Guest Commentary, a Penn ethicist says legalization isn't really the question anymore. It's safety.

Yes, according to local experts. Here's what it would take

How will prices rise now that Trump's tariffs have been enacted? Ali Velshi breaks it down, from price increases at the grocery store to a predicted 40% jump in tennis shoes.

Public transit funds are being held up by Republicans who also want money to fix and build new roads throughout the state — even in unpopulated areas with no traffic woes. How is that good governance?

The deep canvassers of Changing the Conversation Together have been able to turn out the vote before big elections. Doing their work year-round may very well boost civic engagement and voter turnout in the long term.

Isaac Saul is a South Philly journalist who reaches 400,000 readers everyday with Tangle's blend of media roundup, analysis and self-reflection. His goal? To help Americans see past their own biases. Listen to Roxanne chat with Saul about media independence, consumption bias and the impressive success of his newsletter platform.

On this episode of Guest Commentary, Philadelphia can't wait until 2068 to compensate women for the same work done by their male counterparts. The President & CEO of the Forum of Executive Women explains why.

This week, Ali Velshi takes on the Epstein files and explains why Donald Trump has been calling some of his most ardent supporters "stupid," "foolish" and "weaklings."

The Phillies owner's emotional speech during the Dick Allen Hall of Fame Induction weekend was about forgiveness, redemption and a city coming to terms with its past. It was also a master class in civic leadership.

When Denver, Colorado Mayor Mike Johnston isn't sparring with congressional Republicans over immigration (and being threatened with jail time), he's pushing his city to eliminate homelessness, continuing his crusade for high-quality, affordable education and inspiring Denverites to give five hours of volunteer service each month. “I love the Give5 Mile High program,” said Citizen co-founder Larry Platt. “It's kind of the answer to Trumpism, right? All of us coming together in common purpose?” On this episode of How To Really Run A City, former Mayor Michael Nutter and former Mayor Kasim Reed, with Platt, join Mayor Johnston to dissect the initiatives that are making Denver a prosperous and communitarian city for all its citizens. “What I try to do is bind people,” Johnston says. “I bind together people that are broken. I bind together people who have been pulled apart from each other. I feel like this is the work mayors are called to do.” “And that's why we do this podcast,” Reed says. “It is so important for people who care about this country to hear stories like yours.” Join us for an energizing conversation about everyday citizens rising to meet the expectations of their city. As cities go, so goes the nation!

A trio of real estate pros calling themselves the WEALTH Collective plans to solve Philadelphia's race-based $57 billion gap in housing values. Hear their story.

The PA House has voted to reinstate the teaching of old-fashioned penmanship in public schools. In the age of AI, is this the answer to our literacy crisis? 

George M. Johnson (All Boys Aren't Blue, Flamboyants) was the very first guest on the Velshi Banned Books Club. He returns to talk with Ali Velshi about the 133 bills across the US that seek to ban books and punish librarians. "The more that you speak with these challengers," Johnson says, "the more that you realize they haven't read any of these books."

Trump's so-called Big Beautiful Bill contains a free money, opt-in school choice program for governors. Will ours redefine the politics of education for Democrats by taking advantage of it?

On this episode of Overheard at Fitler, legendary concert promoter and genre originator Larry Magid steps back in time with Citizen Co-creator Larry Platt to relive iconic shows — Magid built music institution the Electric Factory and was behind Live Aid — and meet the artists — David Bowie, Janis Joplin, Mick Jagger — that made Philly music history. Join us for a fascinating and entertaining walk down a rock-fueled memory lane.

The average credit score for Philadelphians is 669, just above the minimum to qualify as "prime," or good enough to receive a loan. Alba Fernandez of Finanta joins James Peterson on this week's WURD Citizen segment to discuss why this is and what can be done about it. 

Big Rube talks with an up-and-coming Northwest Philly carpenter and small business owner about what it means to turn your life around and build something that lasts

Trump's Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, figured the administration could kill two birds with one stone: deport the immigrant workers upon which the country depends for food and replace them with able-bodied, lazy Medicaid recipients. Hear Ali Velshi break down the absurdity of this plan.

On this episode, Courtney DuChene reports on a new master's program that will train members of the Philadelphia Police Department to become better managers and problem-solvers. 

Donald Trump's signature legislation passed with only Republican votes and threatens to upend healthcare for America's most vulnerable. Ali Velshi, born and raised in Canada, breaks down the Canadian healthcare system and points out worrisome signs for the direction America is heading. 

On this episode of Philly Under Fire, we hear from from Melany Nelson of Northwest Victim Services. “I've spoken to many youth and they said to me, ‘Ms. Nelson, either you're going to be the predator or the prey. So you have to pick one.' So nine times out of 10, they're going to be the predator. They told me that they expect to die young.” But as we'll hear in this episode of the Citizen's acclaimed audio series, Philadelphia's youth are also choosing to fight back against the violence.

On this episode, Dr. James Peterson invites Citizen writer Malcolm Burnley onto EveningWURDs to discuss his story about the origins, impact and meaning of Juneteenth

With half a year under our collective belts, Ali Velshi breaks down the good, the bad and the ugly of Donald Trump's economy. "There are a lot of good things for people at the top, but they're not necessarily reaching most people in this country."

On this episode, Citizen co-founder Larry Platt draws insight from the drama of the eight-day trash strike by DC 33. The strike has left the city with not only a lingering stench but also open questions about City leadership.