CitizenCast

On this episode of Citizen of the Week, a 33-year-old Philadelphian has spent the last decade connecting with his fellow humans. So far, he's met 7,000 people for one-on-one conversations. Doing so helped him uncover the true crisis of our era.

On this episode of Business For Good, we look at Baby Gear Group which was named a Time magazine invention of the year because they let families rent strollers and other childcare essentials for a fraction of the cost and environmental impact

Ali Velshi breaks down the numbers and shows which group is suffering the most under Trump's economic policies

Philadelphia has the country's second-highest rate of package theft. Kristen Demilio joins Dr. James Peterson for an episode of Citizen WURD that looks at whose fault porch piracy is, as well as potential solutions.

On this episode of Velshi Banned Book Club, YA author Kim Johnson joins the show to talk about her novel, "This Is My America," which explores themes of racism, equality and the prison industrial complex. "Media is so powerful," Johnson said, "because it can be a voice to the voiceless and also a beacon to emphasizing injustice."

This special episode of How To Really Run a City was recorded live at The Philadelphia Citizen's eighth annual Ideas We Should Steal Festival presented by Comcast NBCUniversal. Our hosts were joined on stage by a return guest, five-term Rochester Hills, Michigan Mayor Bryan Barnett, a Republican. Barnett is a consummate showman, as evidenced by his increasingly elaborate State of the City addresses (full-scale musical productions). Here, Barnett and the hosts discuss the importance of leading a city with joy and finesse, and how the Democratic party is fumbling the ball — in messaging and in the recent government shutdown. As Mayor Barnett points out, there really is no Republican or Democrat way to fill a pothole. You just fill the pothole. "The moment you put your foot on the sidewalk," Nutter responded, "people are looking to see how's the mayor doing? Is the city upbeat? Is it grumpy? There's a public impact to this job." Join us as we dive back into Rochester Hills with Mayor Barnett and explore how to really run a city with style and good humor. As cities go, so goes the nation!

It's hard to serve others these days. That's why the United Way's Bill Golderer, along with former Big Brothers CEO Marcus Allen, is giving thanks this week to Philly's nonprofit leaders.

"This is, in a sentence, the authoritarian mindset," Ali Velshi says, addressing inflammatory statements made by Trump that critical members of Congress should be arrested, tried, and even executed. 

The Citizen bought storied Philadelphia magazine. Here's why.

... and the world. There's been a lot of talk about why Michelin would be bad for Philly's food scene. But it's not the existential threat you think it is. 

The Philly fave band will be back at Johnny Brenda's in December for a three-night-only fundraiser to benefit Philly schools. "It seems like a no-brainer to support educating our youth," says frontman Adam Granduciel.  Visit this story on the web for ticket information.

New York's Mayor-elect proved that affordability is a top priority for voters. Can American cities make rents lower and also build more housing?

"Housing isn't unaffordable because of low supply and high demand, it's unaffordable by design." Ali Velshi breaks down the real causes of the housing crisis.

On this episode of CitizenCast, we're bringing you an episode of The Signal, a podcast about insight, solutions and sanity produced by The Bucks County Beacon. The Citizen's own Malcolm Burnley joins host Cyril Mychalejko to discuss the Blue Wave that washed away so many Republican officeholders in Bucks County on Election Day, and what this may signal for the midterms in 2026.

A local politician lays out the reasons why it might be the right time to reconsider an old argument

Trailblazer Elaine McGuire is leading the charge to attract and train more electricians like her: Black women.  

Last week at the Weitzman Museum of Jewish History, the former Penn president and US Ambassador to Germany reminded us what it takes to repair the breach in our country today.

... especially when they tell you that you can't. Ali Velshi reflects on the importance of civic engagement, even when the chances of success are slim.

The Art Museum sacking of Sasha Suda is the latest story to raise questions about nonprofit governance in Philly

Caryn Kunkle lives in a "micro-museum" on South Broad. Legendary photographer and chef, Big Rube, caught up with this born-and-bred Philly gal who works behind the scenes to help our local art scene thrive.

Terrill Haigler, aka Ya Fav Trashman, has given North Philly residents new and easy places to put their litter. Sometimes it's the little things that make all the difference.  

On this episode of Citizen WURD, Jason Ray joins James Peterson on the show. Ray is President and CIO of Zenith Wealth Partners, who founded his company "on the vision of creating a society where race and gender don't predetermine wealth." 

"The day that the federal courts of the United States of America acquiesce to the rewriting of truth, is the day America falls." Ali Velshi explains.

Can a challenger in a Bucks County's election have the formula for how Democrats can win on public safety?

"I don't care if you live in urban America or rural America, everyone wants the same thing," Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb said on the latest episode of How To Really Run A City. "They want a job they can get to in 15 minutes, they want a hospital or pharmacy within 15 minutes, they want a park or a grocery store or bars or restaurants, all within 15 minutes." Bibb went on to explain to our hosts, former Philly mayor Michael Nutter and former Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed, how he is turning his Ohio city into a convenient, accessible, bona fide 15-minute city — and what is needed to sustain that work. "People really want walkability," Bibb said. "They want safety and thriving neighborhoods and overall thriving cities. But we as mayors can't do this by ourselves. We need a federal government that's actually working. It has to be working with our governors and mayors." Bibb, a charismatic 38-year-old (and cousin to the first Black primetime newscaster in Ohio), will almost certainly be reelected next week, and both Reed and Nutter quickly picked up on his "get sh*t done" vibe. "A mayor is a reflection of their city," Reed said, "how it feels and how it will be there [for its people]."  Join us for an episode about a mayor who is laser-focused on making the lives of his constituents better in ways that anyone taking a stroll to the park can feel. As cities go, so goes the nation!

On this episode of Lane Johnson's Season of Strong Mental Health, the two-time Super Bowl champ checks in on CHOP's Behavioral Health and Crisis Center, which is meeting the overwhelming demand for mental health support for young people 

On this episode of Ideas We Should Steal, we look at 15 universities in 10 states — including Yale and University of Texas — that have launched academic programs and majors focused on thinking and citizenship. We could use more of that here, too.

This Republic was founded on dissent, says Ali Velshi. It has been the catalyst of progress for generations. If they tell you otherwise, they are afraid of the power of your voice.

In the aftermath of the tragic Kada Scott murder, the D.A. has said the buck stops with him. Or was he actually passing it?

On this edition of James Peterson's Citizen-WURD segment, A.J. Adams of The Skills Initiative, joins the show to discuss his workforce development organization that serves as a bridge between local employers and Philadelphia job seekers. The Skills Initiative provides customized training programs to connect residents to meaningful employment, and it's an idea we should steal.

An award-winning MSNBC contributor and author remembers his first mentor, legendary former Daily News Editor Michael Days, who died last weekend

Jason Ray launched Zenith Wealth Partners in Philadelphia with this singular mission. So far, it's generated $100 million for its clients.  

... become unstoppable. Ali Velshi uses the peaceful civil disobedience protests of 1952 South Africa (of which his father took part) as context for the No Kings protests across this country this weekend.

Mudslinging. False advertising. The state's most popular politician. Just what the hell is going on with judicial elections in Pennsylvania?

A Manayunk bar brings back the cutest animal fundraiser in the city, with a Super Bowl-level pressing question: Will long-haired Odie defend his title? The race starts at 5:30 p.m. at 7 Lock Street on Thursday, October 16.  For more information, visit this story on the web.

On this episode of Big Rube's Philly, the legendary photographer and chef checks in with a Delco kid-turned-Philly teacher about producing "A Summer In West," which taught kids to speak their truth

On this episode of Evening WURDs, attorney Alex Bomstein joins host James Peterson for an in-depth conversation about hotter summers, more severe allergies and worsening air quality. Bomstein is the Executive Director of the Clean Air Council and he's on a mission to protect everyone's right to a healthy environment.

"If everything from a court decision to a protest sign is insurrection, than any use of force against it -- including military force -- can be justified." This week, Ali Velshi takes on the Trump administration's signals that it may invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807.

Our guest on this episode of How To Really Run A City: Joe Walsh, a former Representative from Illinois. He was a self-described Tea Party arsonist, right-wing radio provocateur and mentor to Turning Point USA's Charlie Kirk. All of that changed when Donald Trump completely captured the Republican Party.  “I helped to divide this country,” Walsh said. “People like me helped put us on this road. I have to live with that.” Listen to this episode for a passionate conversation about a return to civility and the true stakes of our national debate with a public figure who describes himself as a former “political asshole” trying to make amends. As cities go, so goes the nation!

CHOP's renowned immunologist responds to RFK Jr.'s shocking — or maybe not so shocking — untruths about vaccines.

On this episode of Guest Commentary, we hear from a committed Phillies fan ... considering his options

Since the pandemic forced people outside, birding is having a moment. In Philadelphia, it's helping residents see their city anew.

The late senator and presidential candidate John McCain campaigned against "Obamacare." But in the end, he saved it with a single vote in 2017 -- all because his party was bucking the "regular order" of the legislative process. Ali Velshi believes there are lessons to be learned from that dramatic moment that apply to the government shutdown of 2025.

Mayor Cherelle Parker's signature program, H.O.M.E., will build far fewer dwellings than she once promised. Will this solve the problems that actually need solving?

What is it like to be targeted by the nation's highest health official for … trying to keep kids healthy? And what does it mean for America that RFK Jr. is that health official? Citizen staff writer Malcolm Burnley talks with Dr. Paul Offit, Director of CHOP's Vaccine Education Center, about his career in science and public health.

This annual music event presents nine shows over seven days in venues all over town to raise money for music education in schools. Come for the bands you don't yet but will love to discover.

In this episode of Guest Commentary, a Temple professor speaks to the shameful statistic that a third of Philadelphia schools have no play area in place, let alone green spaces that allow students to really thrive.

"In 1983, fifty companies controlled 90% of America's media. Today, five companies control 90%." Ali Velshi points to the temporary suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! to demonstrate how an oppressive administration uses mergers to control free speech. "But Kimmel is back on the air," he says. Boycotts, sit-ins, petitions -- "these are the tools that break authoritarian power." 

On this episode of Big Rube's Philly, the iconic chef, brand marketer and photographer talks with the owner of O'Jung's — a South Philly bar that's changed with the times but also … hasn't

When Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan took office in 2013, his city had just filed for the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history.  Today, business is booming, crime has fallen to a 60-year low and it's no understatement to say that Detroit is back. Mayor Duggan, now running for governor of his state as an Independent, joins former Mayors Michael Nutter and Kasim Reed, along with Citizen Co-founder Larry Platt on this episode of How To Really Run A City to roll up their sleeves and lift the hood of Detroit's success. Join us for a powerful conversation about turning an entire city around, despite the challenges and barriers that had entrenched decades of decline.  As cities go, so goes the nation!

Citizen writer Courtney Duchene joins Dr. James Peterson for his regular Citizen WURD segment to discuss her Ideas We Should Steal article about Richmond's dramatic success in cutting the city's poverty rates. Can Philly follow suit?