The Right Side of the Rivers

Todd McCollum is joined by Eileen Cunningham - filling in for Russell Dryer who is out on special assignment - and this week's guest J.D. Longo, Mayor of Slippery Rock and Pennsylvania Chairman of the America First Policy Institute. Longo joins the podcast to talk about his background, his experience in local government, and the work he is doing with AFPI across Pennsylvania. The conversation cove...

Todd McCollum is joined by Bob Crankovic - filling in for Russell Dryer, and returning guest James Hayes, candidate for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 12th District. Hayes returns to the podcast to provide an update on his campaign, including voter outreach initiatives, fundraising, door knocking, and the issues he says he is hearing about across Western Pennsylvania. The conversation covers public sa...

In this episode of The Right Side of the Rivers, Eileen Cunningham fills in for Todd McCollum. She and Russell Dryer welcome Jim Edwards, Republican candidate for Pennsylvania’s 35th House District. A lifelong resident of the Mon Valley, Jim discusses growing up in North Braddock, his ties to Homestead and Munhall, and his decades of military service in the U.S. Air Force and Army. As he prepares...

On Episode 30 of The Right Side of the Rivers, Todd McCollum and Russell Dryer welcome Libby Blackburn, Republican candidate for Pennsylvania’s 30th House District. Libby shares how she stepped into the race following the disqualification of the original Republican candidate and discusses the experience she brings after more than 14 years of service on the North Allegheny School Board. A lifelong...

In this episode of The Right Side of the Rivers, hosts Todd McCollum and Russell Dryer welcome Tim McCune, candidate for Pennsylvania’s 36th Legislative District, for a conversation about his background, why he decided to run for office, and the concerns he is hearing from residents across Pittsburgh’s southern neighborhoods and Brentwood. Tim discusses his years of service as a volunteer firefigh...

In this episode of The Right Side of the Rivers, hosts Todd McCollum and Russell Dryer welcome Pennsylvania State Representative Valerie Gaydos for a conversation about her path from the private sector to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the issues shaping Western Pennsylvania. Drawing on her background in technology, entrepreneurship, and small business, Gaydos discusses economic dev...

In this episode of The Right Side of the Rivers, hosts Todd McCollum and Russell Dryer welcome Mary Jo Wise, Moon Township Supervisor and former Republican candidate for Allegheny County Council, for a wide-ranging discussion on local government, public policy, and the challenges facing Allegheny County. Mary Jo shares her journey into public service, discusses how Moon Township has maintained bal...

In this episode of The Right Side of the Rivers, host Todd McCollum is joined by special co-host Bob Crankovic for a conversation with Joe Aguglia, who is running for Pennsylvania’s 20th House District. Joe shares his background as an attorney, prosecutor, policy writer, and public servant, discussing his experience drafting legislation, working in county government, and why he believes commonsens...

In this episode of The Right Side of the Rivers, host Todd McCollum and special co-host Eileen Cunningham welcome Beaver County Sheriff Tony Guy, Republican candidate for Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District. Tony shares his journey from growing up in Aliquippa and serving 25 years with the Pennsylvania State Police to leading the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office and now seeking to represent W...

In this special edition of The Right Side of the Rivers, hosts Todd McCollum and Russell Dryer broadcast live from Pittsburgh’s iconic LeMont Restaurant ahead of the inaugural Foundry Dinner. Joined by Fox News contributor and political analyst Erin Maguire, Pennsylvania Treasurer and gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity, and lieutenant governor candidate Jason Richey, the panel discusses the pol...

In this episode of The Right Side of the Rivers, hosts Todd McCollum and Russell Dryer welcome newly elected City of Pittsburgh Republican Committee member Marjorie Tabb for a conversation about her journey into local politics, her experiences living in Downtown Pittsburgh, and why she believes more residents need to become involved in shaping the city's future. Marjorie shares her background in h...

Todd McCollum is joined by special co-host Bob Crankovic as they welcome Noah Formica for a wide-ranging discussion on grassroots organizing, voter registration, and the future of the conservative movement in Pennsylvania. Noah shares how he became involved in politics at a young age, his work with Turning Point Action, and his efforts to energize younger voters and expand Republican outreach acro...

Todd McCollum and Russell Dryer welcome Kimberly Stern, Republican candidate for Pennsylvania State Committee in the 38th Senatorial District, for a conversation about grassroots organizing, voter engagement, and the future of the Republican Party in Allegheny County. Stern shares her background in business and logistics, discusses her passion for community involvement, and explains why she believ...

In this episode of The Right Side of the Rivers, hosts Todd McCollum and Russell Dryer welcome Republican candidate Thomas West for an in-depth conversation about his campaign for Pennsylvania’s 38th State Senate District. From his roots in Greene County to building a successful small business in Lawrenceville, West shares his journey, his motivation for entering politics, and his focus on economi...

Todd McCollum and Russell Dryer welcome a unique and engaging guest - “Anthony from Oakland,” a longtime radio voice and self-described old-school Democrat - for a candid, wide-ranging conversation that crosses party lines. From immigration policy and public safety to the shifting identity of today’s Democratic Party, Anthony brings decades of perspective as a union representative and political ob...

In this episode of The Right Side of the Rivers, hosts Todd McCollum and Russell Dryer welcome back Eileen Cunningham for an in-depth conversation on grassroots organizing, local political engagement, and the evolving landscape of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County politics. From her work building community connections in District 5 to her run for State Committee, Eileen shares firsthand insight into...

In this episode of The Right Side of the Rivers, hosts Todd McCollum and Russell Dryer welcome Allegheny County Councilwoman Suzanne Filiaggi, the only Republican currently serving on County Council. Filiaggi shares her background in law, public service, and local government, reflects on what it means to serve as the lone Republican voice on council, and explains how she works to represent conserv...

In this episode of The Right Side of the Rivers, Russell Dryer takes the lead as Chairman Todd McCollum is out on special assignment. He is joined by David Gehring as his second chair as they welcome Venezuelan commentator, Juan Romero. The conversation centers on Venezuela’s long slide into socialism under Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro, the impact of Cuba and other foreign actors, and the real-w...

In this episode of The Right Side of the Rivers, hosts Todd McCollum and Russell Dryer welcome Joseph Leckenby, Republican candidate for the upcoming Special Election in HD-42, to share his background, explain why he’s running, and outline his vision for stronger leadership at the state and local level. Joseph discusses his commitment to commonsense policies, community engagement, and why ordinary...

In this episode of The Right Side of the Rivers, hosts Todd McCollum and Russell Dryer welcome Benson Fechter, one of the Republican candidates for Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District. A South Hills native, small business owner, and family man, Benson shares his story, outlines his motivation for running, and explains how his campaign is working to connect with voters across both Allegheny...

Todd McCollum welcomes guest co-host Bob Crankovic (filling in for Russell Dryer) and this week's guest - David Gehring. Both are active Republican leaders in Pittsburgh and join Todd for a wide-ranging conversation on party growth, public safety, and fiscal accountability. Crankovic, a longtime organizer with the Young Republicans, and Gehring, a U.S. Army veteran and vice chair of Pittsburgh’s D...

In this special New Year’s Eve episode of The Right Side of the Rivers, hosts Todd McCollum and Russell Dryer close out 2025 by reflecting on the show’s first 12 episodes, their favorite guests, and what lies ahead in 2026. From touching on standout moments with guests like James Hayes, Joseph Patrick Murphy, and Jason Richey, to discussing the importance of growing Republican engagement across Al...

In this pre-holiday episode of The Right Side of the Rivers, hosts Todd McCollum and Russell Dryer are joined by immigration attorney and former judicial candidate Joseph Patrick Murphy for a deep and thoughtful conversation on immigration law, border policy, and the state of civic life in Allegheny County. Murphy, a Roman Catholic, Republican, and longtime advocate for legal immigration, offers i...

In this episode of The Right Side of the Rivers, hosts Todd McCollum and Russell Dryer welcome James Hayes, Republican candidate for Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District. Hayes, a Pittsburgh resident with extensive experience in finance, economics, and public service, shares his personal story, outlines his vision for revitalizing the region, and discusses why he’s challenging incumbent Summ...

In this milestone 10th episode of The Right Side of the Rivers, hosts Todd McCollum and Russell Dryer welcome Steve Schlauch, chairman of the Plum Borough Republican Committee and regional coordinator for RCAC. Steve shares how Plum became one of Allegheny County’s strongest Republican-led communities - thanks to grassroots work, strategic doorknocking, and a clear message that connects with voter...