Streets Dept Podcast

To kick off the 5th year of the Streets Dept Podcast, host Conrad Benner talks with a very special guest who's making a big announcement. That guest is Terrill Haigler, but there's a chance you know him better as “Ya Fav Trashman.” Over the last few years, Terrill has turned a much-beloved Instagram account that he created to help Philadelphians better understand the challenges of sanitation work at the start of the pandemic into a movement for better streets. Now, he's hoping to take that energy to local government.  

On today's episode host Conrad Benner is joined by Rick Krajewski. Krajewski is a State Representative running for his second term serving PA's 188th District. He is a progressive Democrat in a PA Congress which has Republicans in control of both chambers of the state legislature. As he comes to the end of his first two-year term and runs for his second, we discuss the obstacles and opportunities of working in this congress, especially over the last two years with the added challenges created by Covid. And we talk about his goals for a second term, one he'll likely serve if he beats his Primary challenger in the coming May 17th elections. 

On today's episode host Conrad Benner is joined by Alexandra Hunt. Hunt is a public health researcher, a girls' soccer coach, an advocate for social, racial, economic, and environmental justice, and an organizer who's running for election to the United States House of Representatives from the 3rd district of Pennsylvania. Running to the left of her Democratic opponent in this month's Primaries, Hunt has employed her past experience to develop an out-of-the-box campaign that's currently raised nearly $500,000 and earned lot of national and international attention.

On today's episode host Conrad Benner is joined by Elijah Crawford and Zach Miscavage, Co-Owners of Ugly Art Films. In just over a year after Ugly Art's conception, the company has produced over 18 projects with artists nationally, including music videos, a not-yet-released interview series, commercial work, and more. Together we talk about how the pair met to start a filmmaking effort, how they've developed their signature style, and what's on deck as they plan their first short film, "The Cure for Depression"!

On today's episode host Conrad Benner is joined by Anne Ishii! Anne is a writer based in Philadelphia and New York, as well as the Executive Director of Asian Arts Initiative. Anne also owns and runs MASSIVE GOODS, a fashion brand and manga publisher. Together we talk about queerness, love, art, leadership, and so much more!

On today's episode host Conrad Benner is joined by Philly-based artist Josh Pellegrini. Josh talks about finding an artistic community through his sobriety. Leaving his nursing career to become a full-time photographer. And what he's learned with his newfound success in NFTs. 

Today on the podcast host Conrad Benner talks with Denver-based walking artist and pedestrian advocate, Jonathon Stalls. In 2010, Jonathon spent 242 days walking across the United States. Since then he's built a grassroots walking movement focused on cultivating connections to others, to the places we live, and to ourselves. One of his latest efforts: creating content for his wildly popular Pedestrian Dignity TikTok page that explores good and bad public design across the world.

Today on the podcast host Conrad Benner talks with artist-on-the-rise, Kah Yangni about their burgeoning art career, their take on muralism, and their latest mural in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia that celebrates Philadelphians from the trans, gender non-conforming, and non-binary communities!

In this special anniversary episode, StreetsDept.com Founder Conrad Benner opens up about 10 years of blogging about Philly art and public space! For the conversation, Conrad is interviewed by Streets Dept Contributor, Eric Dale. 

In today's final Sidebar: A New View – Camden episode we talk with one of the final groups who built an installation for this project, Amanda Schachter and Alexander Levi of SLO Architecture and contemplate the cycles of Camden's history and potential energy ahead! 

In this third episode of the Streets Dept Podcast Sidebar series, "Sidebar: A New View – Camden," we'll talk with two of the artist groups that built installations for the project whose work not only called attention to illegal dumping but created public resources for the surrounding communities to use and share: Donna Dodson and Andy Moerlein (aka The Myth Makers) and their outdoor amphitheater; then, Athena Steen and Josh Sarantitis and their public oven!

Earlier this month, a new work of public art from Philly-based artist Miguel Antonio Horn titled “Contrafuerte" went viral and earned international attention. On this episode, we talk with the artist about the work, its wild reception, and the possibility of public art in the 21st Century. 

In this second episode of the Streets Dept Podcast Sidebar series, "Sidebar: A New View – Camden," we talk with artists Tyler Fuqua and Jason Hutchinson about their giant roadside robot and Associate Director for Education at Rutgers-Camden Center for the Arts Noreen Scott Garrity to learn more about the curatorial process and need for a project that combines temporary public art and public space to advocate for a crucial municipal issue.  

Welcome to the first Streets Dept Podcast "Sidebar" series, where we’ll explore different topics and issues with multiple people over several episodes. For this first Sidebar series, we’ll be talking with artists Don Kennell and Lisa Adler, along with the Vice President of Cooper’s Ferry Partnership Meishka Mitchell, to begin a conversation about public art, public space, and the $4 million problem of illegal dumping in Camden, NJ. 

Anna Shipp is the Executive Director of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia! In today's episode, we chat about building a just, green, and thriving economy centered by local, independent businesses. We also discuss the challenges that systemic racism and COVID-19 present in creating that  economy.

Kris Henderson (pronouns: they/them) is a movement lawyer and organizer. They are the executive director of the Amistad Law Project, a West Philadelphia-based organization that provides direct representation to people in prison, advocates for just criminal legal policies, and organizes against mass incarceration and for alternatives to imprisonment. Today we talk about ending mass incarceration in the US. 

Fabiola Cineas is a race reporter at Vox where she covers politics, policy, and culture. Today we dive into some of her recent reporting, including how popular opinion is shifting with the momentum of the Black Lives Matter movement, finding justice for Breonna Taylor, and the coming Presidential Election. As well, we talk about her viral tweet thread that became a resulting factor in the resignation of her former editor at Philly Mag. 

Michael O'Bryan is an expert practitioner and budding researcher in the fields of community development, organizational culture, and human wellbeing. He's currently an Innovation Fellow at Drexel University’s Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation and serves as Director of Learning at The Village of Arts and Humanities in North Philadelphia. Today we talk about defunding the police, generational resilience after decades of chaos-creating policy, and why Philly's Mayor Kenney must resign now. 

Today, we’ll be chatting with Tayyib Smith! Tayyib is Principle of Meta Global, parent company to Little Giant Creative. Dedicated to cultural competency and the ability to engage multicultural audiences, Tayyib has long been a successful conduit of professional and cultural ecosystems.

Robert Perry runs one of Philadelphia's most beloved bar/restaurants, South Street's Tattooed Mom (aka Tmoms). And in this unprecedented moment, I talk with Robert not only about challenges of fears of being a small business owner in the age of COVID-19, but about his story, about how Tmoms has become the culture center and community space it has over the last 23 years, and about the ever-changing role of one of Philly's most iconic streets!

Ginger Rudolph is a journalist, editor, curator, and founder of HAHA MAG, an arts magazine that brings the world’s most inspiring contemporary art to a global audience. Over the last several years, Ginger's worked on a series of projects bringing art to Philly's public space, including those created by the HAHAxParadigm public arts project, of which she is the co-founder. 

Eriko Tsogo is a contemporary Mongolian American artist, project developer, civic leader, and activist for women's rights and immigrant's rights. She is also a first generation immigrant herself and DACA recipient. Eriko works in many mediums, and as a cross disciplinary artist, has created works on paper, has released several books, created an animated film, and has designed elaborate mixed media, interactive installations. She's considered one of Denver's brightest and burgeoning contemporary artists!

Sabrina Allie and David Sabados first met in the spring of 2019 as opponents on the campaign trail for Denver City Council's District 1. They both ran as Democrats in the primary, and they ultimately both lost that race. But in campaigning they realized just how many people complained about not having the resources to learn about local neighborhood and district issues. Ultimately leading them to start their own local newspaper, The Denver North Star! 

Today we’ll be talking with artist, DINKC! Born in Kansas City, Missouri and having recently lived in New York City, DINKC currently calls Denver, Colorado home. His artwork ranges from gallery work to public murals, creating merchandise, custom toys, and even apparel. DINKC’s work is heavily rooted in Mexican-American cultures, graffiti/ street art influence, and "Día de los Muertos" skulls and beliefs.

Today we talk with Daphne Rice-Allen, the Chair on the Board of Directors for the Black American West Museum & Heritage Center, a museum billed as “the only Western-black-history museum in the world”. The center highlights the history of African Americans’ movement west and includes artifacts and pictorial histories of Black cowboys, farmers, ranchers, miners, Buffalo Soldiers, Tuskegee Airmen, and the residents of Denver, Colorado’s Five Points area. 

How is Phoenix, Arizona using public art and urban design to draw people to their city? Today we talk with Erika Rubio, the Stakeholder Engagement Manager for Downtown Phoenix about the goals and challenges of growing a downtown district.  

Named one of 48 most influential people in the state of Arizona  in 2019 by Phoenix Magazine, Antoinette Cauley is a Phoenix native artist on the rise whose work is reflective of her city–the gritty and the beautiful.

In our very first road trip episode we land in Phoenix, Arizona to talk with the host and founder of the Finding Arizona Podcast Jose Acevedo, who has interviewed over 200 local business owners in the state since 2015! In this episode we also hear from Brittany Johnson, the podcast's photographer and producer who’s typically more behind the scenes, but who we invited in halfway through recording! Aside from building the podcast together, Brittany and Jose are also married! 

The founder of many things including Kismet Cowork, Radio Kismet, and the groundbreaking 24-hour ideas fest GreatPHL, Christopher Plant is equal parts business, art, commerce, fun and always connecting people in his wake! 

Over her 30+ year career thus far, Jane Golden has worked to promote the power of art as the head of Mural Arts Philadelphia overseeing the organization's growth from a small city agency into the nation’s largest public art program. 

For our Season 3 kick-off, we’re talking with award-winning journalist and Writer at Large for Philadelphia Magazine, Ernest Owens! Ernest covers a variety of social issues regarding race, LGBTQ, and pop culture.

Very excited to bring the Streets Dept Podcast back for a third season, y'all! Here's a little glimpse into what we've got in store, include our big surprise: we're road tripping! That's right, for Season 3 we'll be hitting the road to talk with more folks from around the U.S. 

Recently elected in a historic win against an establishment backed 27-year incumbent for the City Council seat of Philadelphia's quickly gentrifying 3rd District, Councilmember-elect Jamie Gauthier has spent much of her life and career working for a more equitable, greener world. Today we talk with Jamie about her life, her careers, and how she plans to address many of Philadelphia's most pressing challenges.

An Andy Warhol Curatorial Fellow who worked for many years as a curator in the UK, Robert Blackson moved back the U.S. in 2011 to spearhead the Tyler School of Art’s Department of Exhibitions and Public Programs. Now an undeniable force in Philly's art world, today we talk with Robert about how his curatorial instincts have led to a series of bold, thought-provoking exhibitions around the city that work to directly address questions from an advisory council of Philadelphians from a range of backgrounds.

Maori Karmael Holmes is the founder of BlackStar Film Festival, an annual celebration of the visual and storytelling traditions of the African diaspora and of global communities. She's also a world-renowned curator, organizer, and director. Today, we talk with Maori about film, representation vs. authorship, and so much more! 

On November 6th, 2018, Malcolm Kenyatta became the first openly gay person of color elected to statewide office in Pennsylvania. In today's episode, we talk with Rep. Kenyatta about the challenges of the PA State House and about this work to help eliminate poverty in the state. And as an elected Democrat, we end by exploring some of the current 2020 presidential candidates and how he thinks the Dems could take back the White House. 

William Tyrone Toms is on a mission to build a network of creatives across the globe. He's building, in a term, an artists' union of musicians, photographers, visual artists, writers, and more with the goal of lifting and supporting all creatives for the greater good. In today's episode, we chat with Will about starting REC Philly with his partner Dave Silver and how he sees their company growing, his advice for artists to better market themselves, and so much more!  

A Philly-based illustrator whose artwork depicts people of color of varying skin tones and shapes with nuance and individuality, Loveis Wise has had enormous success since graduating college in 2018. Among those achievements: having her artwork on the cover of The New Yorker last summer (becoming only the second black woman artist to ever do so) and just last month being the featured Google Doodle artist. Today we talk with Loveis about art, representation, and manifesting your dreams. 

Jon Geeting is the Director of Engagement for Philadelphia 3.0, a political action committee focused on City Council elections and governance reforms in the city of Philadelphia. For the last several years, Jon has played a big role in influencing Philly politics. And in today's episode, we talk about it all! 

The city of Philadelphia's newly elected City Controller, Rebecca Rhynhart has spent her first year in office working to make our city government more transparent and accountable, auditing Philly's 10-year tax abatement, uncovering unfair property tax assessments, and advocating for better sexual harassment prevention policies and procedures. Today we talk with Rebecca about what she's discovered so far, and what her office plans to investigate this year. 

The founder of Men's Style Pro, a consulting firm and editorial site, Sabir M. Peele helps men understand, breakdown, and expand their personal style. Today we chat with Sabir about how he's built one of the Philly area's most successful men's lifestyle blogs and social media accounts, and how he regularly works with major style brands around the world to grow his influence. (And yes, he's got some fashion tips too!)  

Inga Saffron is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and architecture critic for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Since 1999, she's been thinking and writing about Philadelphia's architecture, design, public space, city planning, and all that goes into making a city worth living in. Today, we talk with Inga about Philly's past, present, and possible future!

Today we chat with interdisciplinary poet, performer, activist, and recording artist Ursula Rucker, whose work reflects the world and our times, as well as her own personal history. Ursula characterizes her work as situated “along the edge of the terrains of poetry.” She’s released five albums and collaborated with a wide range of artists, including King Britt, Josh Wink, and The Roots. In 2017, a recording of her epic poem "Logan Squared: Ode to Philly" became an anthem for the city of Philadelphia!

Morgan Berman is the CEO of MilkCrate, a mission driven tech company that helps other mission driven organizations achieve their impact goals. Named one of the "Top 10 Female Entrepreneurs to Watch” by the UN Foundation, Morgan has presented at Forbes 30 Under 30 and has been a World Economic Forum Global Shaper. In her spare time, Morgan practices Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and she recommends more female founders try it out too! 

Marcus Branch is a NYC/PHL-based photographer who is taking the art world by storm. In recent years, Marcus has shot for Afropunk, Marie Claire, i-D Japan, VICE, and Interview Magazine to name a few. His seemingly effortless talent, drive, and eye combined with his passion for documenting queer, black, non-binary communities, and people of all backgrounds, makes his body of work look and feel like the beautiful future we all deserve, where our differences are respected and celebrated.

Just named as the next Poet Laureate of Philadelphia, Raquel Salas Rivera is a bilingual poet, writer, and translator. In this Season One finale, Conrad Benner talks with Raquel about how they plan to use their new influential position to advocate for Puerto Rico and address issues around community and gentrification in Philly. (Season One of the Streets Dept Podcast is brought to you by our sponsors at The Navy Yard and Indy Hall! Episodes are mixed and edited by our Producer Mike Mehalick.)

Chill Moody is a West Philly-based hip-hop artist, a businessman and a beer-maker, and Philadelphia’s official Music Ambassador. Conrad Benner talks with Chill about his many projects both in and outside of his breakthrough music career. (Season One of the Streets Dept Podcast is brought to you by our sponsors at The Navy Yard and Indy Hall! Episodes are mixed and edited by our Producer Mike Mehalick.)

Antoinette Marie Johnson is a writer, a former Army service member, and the CEO of Cohere, an urbanism-focused creative agency on a mission to build better cities. Conrad Benner talks with Antoinette about building Cohere out of her previous company, At Media. (Season One of the Streets Dept Podcast is brought to you by our sponsors at The Navy Yard and Indy Hall! Episodes are mixed and edited by our Producer Mike Mehalick.)

A writer, a podcaster, a builder of communities, and of course the guy who started one of the longest running co-working communities in the world, today Conrad Benner sits down for an extended chat with Indy Hall's Alex Hillman. (Season One of the Streets Dept Podcast is brought to you by our sponsors at The Navy Yard and Indy Hall! Episodes are mixed and edited by our Producer Mike Mehalick.)

eL Seed is a Tunisian-French artist and graffiti writer who's exhibited work on every continent of the globe! Conrad Benner talks with eL Seed about his beautiful, intricate murals and artwork that blends the historic art of Arabic calligraphy with graffiti to portray messages of beauty, poetry, and peace. (Season One of the Streets Dept Podcast is brought to you by our sponsors at The Navy Yard and Indy Hall! Episodes are mixed and edited by our Producer Mike Mehalick.)

Caledonia Curry (aka Swoon) is a classically trained, Brooklyn-based visual artist and printmaker, and easily one of the best-known street artists in the world! Caledonia sits down with Conrad Benner to talk about her career and her retrospective open now at the Contemporary Arts Centre in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Season One of the Streets Dept Podcast is brought to you by our sponsors at The Navy Yard and Indy Hall! Episodes are mixed and edited by our Producer Mike Mehalick.)