CitizenCast

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.  

“Just keep doing the next right thing, even though it's hard.” This mantra has become a political north star for Scranton mayor and recurring How To Really Run A City guest (and sometimes host), Paige Cognetti. She knows that what drives a city forward is everyone doing their parts at all levels. “It's the colleges and universities,” former Mayor Michael Nutter interjects. “It's the corporate communities. It's the committee people. It's the block captains. Cities are living, breathing entities.” Cognetti and Nutter recently joined Citizen co-founder Larry Platt for a special live taping of the podcast at Philadelphia's OpportUNITY Summit hosted by United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. It was a rousing conversation that included a lot of teasing of Nutter by Cognetti, but also included some high-minded reminders that the future of cities depends on practical local government reformers. “What can all of us do to move the [political] needle back to sanity?” Platt asked. “Tell the stories that reflect your reality,” Cognetti said. “Vote,” Nutter immediately answered. “Put down the phone, go to the voting booth and do your thing. Then you can get back to TikTok. Better yet, make a video about how you voted!” Join us for an uplifting live conversation about civic duty and the motivations of true city changemakers.  As cities go, so goes the nation!

On this episode, WURD Radio host James Peterson shares his love for the band Gangstagrass. Before Beyoncé became Cowboy Carter, this Philadelphia- and Brooklyn-based band fused sounds that you didn't know needed to go together.  

What is your representative in Congress up to? One of Congress' most bipartisan problem-solvers is Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, who joins Citizen co-founder Larry Platt on the latest episode of Overheard at Fitler. The four-term Chester County incumbent gets into her iconoclastic background, her record of service, her efforts to resist autocracy while still getting stuff done, and just how the country can get back to at least arguing over the same set of underlying facts. 

"[World War Z] shows the cracks in our society and our government. It remains more relevant than ever," says Ali Velshi in this episode of Velshi Banned Books Club. Max Brooks' novel was first banned in China, and then in Florida and Wisconsin. Velshi invites Brooks onto the show to discuss why.

A local resident has had it with the constant, torturous ice cream truck jingle in her neighborhood, not to mention the lack of food safety licenses. Hear her story for yourself.

On this episode of Guest Commentary, the former director of the local Anti-Defamation League talks about his experience meeting a neo-Nazi moving toward redemption. Here's why Tom Martinez, who died last month after years spent in hiding, mattered.

On this episode of Big Rube's Philly, Reuben Harley meets up at the gym with Sam Wood, CEO of the creative marketing agency, Inzpire. Hear why this body-building chief executive says, "You can do anything you want, as long as you don't let your mind get in the way."

The second annual Philly Youth Music Fest is on July 15. It's  organized by youth, features youth bands and is geared towards a youth audience--all to provide mentorship and true connection. Visit this story for free tickets.

... but not anymore. Ali Velshi breaks down the monumental ruling to undermine "nationwide injunctions" and explains why we now need to look elsewhere for checks and balances on presidents.

Ahead of the 2023 mayoral election, we asked citizens to play the role of employer. Now we're once again inviting Mayor Parker to appear before you, her employers. Here's how you can participate.

The AI revolution is upon us, and it will certainly have an impact on local governance. “Let's have an open conversation about its use,” says this week's podcast guest, Rochelle Haynes, Managing Director of Bloomberg Philanthropies' What Works Cities initiative at Results for America.  “A lot of fears out there are about losing jobs,” she continued. “But we need to show people that this is about making your job more effective. The human touch is still needed. AI is just the tool to [streamline] the data and priorities for cities.” Join us for an episode of How To Really Run A City about what local leaders are doing to take advantage of the coming technology and, as Mayor Reed says, “really move the needle” on focused, effective governing.  As cities go, so goes the nation!

On this episode of Guest Commentary, we look at Trump's health secretary purging the CDC's vaccine advisory committee (including a renowned CHOP immunologist). He claimed they were in the pocket of the pharmaceutical industry. But who is really conflicted?

On this episode of Guest Commentary, a Philly-born scientist explains what is actually at stake for the town she loves

The US makes up 80% of the entire world's biomedical research. Donald Trump's slashing of NIH funding is setting the country on track for a "lost generation of scientists." The amount of money being taken from cancer research alone, is 18x smaller than the proposed tax breaks for the top .001% in Trump's budget bill. Ali Velshi explains. 

The winds of Philadelphia politics often follow those of the Big Apple. Will the showdown between the old pol Cuomo and the socialist Mamdani foreshadow change here?

Almost no Black people on No Kings Day. Almost no White people on Juneteenth. Citizen writer Malcolm Burnley asks, can we show up together before it's too late?

On this episode of Guest Commentary, we hear from the president of The Community Grocer, who says the fed's proposed $300 billion SNAP rollback would hurt hungry Pennsylvanians and erase $5.3 billion in economic benefit

Crime and poverty have plagued Philadelphia since William Penn's day. Philly gun violence interrupter Mazzie Casher has historic yet modern solutions. He visits with Citizen writer Malcolm Burnley to discuss some of them.

A South Carolina woman is held in jail without bond for 22 days following a natural miscarriage. It took 13 months for her to finally be cleared by a jury. Ali Velshi breaks down why this moment is "the most dangerous chapter of the post-Roe era."

Cherelle Parker's budget boiled down to jobs versus housing. Did she and City Council make the right bet?

Philadelphia's first “school street” pilot closed its dropoff and pickup street to vehicular traffic. It was as great as you might imagine. Diana Lind tells us why.

On a special interview edition of Big Rube's Philly, Reuben Harley visits with the iconic Bumi Fernandez-West about the event that has started summer in the city for the last fifty years: Odunde.

Legendary law professor, Temple dean and First Deputy City Solicitor Carl Singley joins James Peterson for a special CitizenWURD episode about the enormous amount of executive orders coming from Donald Trump.

Ali Velshi breaks down the escalating situation in Los Angeles and details the dangers of federalizing a state's National Guard.

For the second time in three years, the School District of Philadelphia was defrauded out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. What's really going on?

While Washington implodes and other cities resist, Riverside, CA Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson is moving ahead with an ambitious tech agenda — and battling youth homelessness in her city. “I feel positive about the direction California is taking,” says Riverside, CA Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson, our guest this week on How To Really Run A City. In the wake of reduced support from Washington, D.C., she optimistically declares, “We'll find our way forward. We'll keep fighting.” In this episode, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed joins guest host Scranton, PA Mayor Paige Cognetti, fresh off a stunning primary win.  “I think a local leader's superpower is empathy,” Reed says. “You have to feel what they feel.” “You can't ever lose that feeling of being a constituent yourself,” Lock Dawson concurred.  Join us for a special episode about being a woman in office, mirroring the best qualities of your citizens and building a vibrant, growing city despite the politics in Washington.  As cities go, so goes the nation!

Grammy award-winning Philadelphia guitarist Randy Bowland shaped Hollywood's next breakout star in his iconic Sinners role

A memorial that's part shiva, part reunion, part performance and part open house

What can you do to preserve democracy? Ali Velshi draws on the history of resistance and civil disobedience to demonstrate the small things anyone can do to resist the backslide into authoritarianism. 

On this episode of Citizen WURDs, James Peterson sits down with Jennifer Boisseau and Theresa Byrd, the Hair Nerds, who use their hairstylist skills to restore dignity and bring joy to patients at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia