Our Delaware Valley Podcast

Executive Director Kate Lombardi and Mark Schulz, Director of External Communications, discussed Musicopia’s mission, to inspire, educate, and connect children, youth, and their extended communities through collaborative music and dance experiences. Founded over 50 years ago, Musicopia provides the access to the arts programming that has been cut by many school districts. Today they reach more tha...

Darcy Lindy, Board Chair and Volunteer Coordinator for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Greater Philadelphia Chapter discussed the volunteer organization that seeks to end suicide. Suicide is now the 10th leading cause of death in the US, AFSP is the leader in research, public education and resources, advocacy and services to those impacted by suicide.  AFSP offers progra...

Dr. Kerry Sautner, President & CEO of Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc. discussed the world’s first penitentiary, a misguided 19th century experiment by our founding Quaker fathers for justice reform, the introduction of solitary confinement. We discussed the building’s history as it evolved into a modern penitentiary, its later abandonment and its rescue by preservationists....

Joe Brooks, Executive Director of the Veterans Multi-Service Center discussed their work, the VMC is the ‘bridge for vets and their families from surviving, to thriving.’ He discussed their program, from crisis intervention with emergency housing, food and drug and alcohol treatment, to job training and securing the benefits owed to the veteran. So far in 2026 they have already secured over 11 mil...

Jennifer Pipa, Vice President Of American Red Cross Disaster Programs, and Rob Glenn, Vice President Of Global Resilience at the U.S. Chamber Of Commerce Foundation discuss their joint efforts to prepare small businesses for disaster. Small businesses are especially vulnerable in disasters, hurricanes, wildfires, flooding and tornados and more, without the scale and manpower of big corporatio...

From the American Red Cross of Southeastern PA Alana Mauger, Regional Communications Manager, and Kathy Mullen, Volunteer Partner Lead for Preparedness, spoke about their work in disaster preparedness and relief and disaster prevention. Alana shared that house fires are the biggest share of their relief efforts and we discussed fire safety, from candles, cooking fires and space heaters. Kathy told...

Captain Benjamin Lyle, Divisional Secretary for Greater Philadelphia Operations discussed the history and programming of the Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia. Founded in 1865 in England, this was the first American chapter. Today the mission has expanded to further address the needs of the poor and needs of underserved communities throughout the region. They offer programs for youth, familie...

On the 150th anniversary of the great Philadelphia Centennial Exposition and the birth of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Colin Fanning, the Louis C. Madeira IV Assistant Curator of European Decorative Arts, David Barquist, the H. Richard Dietrich, Jr., Curator of American Decorative Arts and Elisabeth Agro, the Nancy M. McNeil Curator of Modern and Contemporary Craft and Decorative Arts, discuss...

Sue Wheldon CEO and Founder of Unite For HER - Help, Empower and Restore – discussed the national nonprofit that supports breast cancer and ovarian cancer patients by providing integrative therapies, services, education, resources, and support at no personal cost. Her search for answers during her own treatment from taste issues and side-effects to forced menopause inspired her to look for therapi...

Dr. Lauren Smith MD, MPH, Vice-President of Strategic Portfolios at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation discussed the importance of the measles vaccine as children are going back to school. We discussed the rise in reported measles cases, a disease that was considered eliminated in the US in 2000, the possible tip of the iceberg for other infectious diseases as vaccination rates dip across the...

From Easterseals of Southeastern Pennsylvania CEO Tim Kerrihard and Chief Development & Marketing Officer Kristine DelMonte spoke on the 90 year old chapter and its mission, supporting children with physical, intellectual and mental disabilities and their families. Working with children from birth through six or kindergarten, they provide early childhood education, autism services,assistive te...

Zabeth Teelucksingh discussed Global Philadelphia, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting Philadelphia as an influential World Heritage City and as a vital, diverse center for global affairs and fostering international economic and cultural growth. We discussed Africatown and Chinatown as examples of flouring international communities within the city, the upcoming World Cup and its impact on tourism a...

David Thomas, President and CEO of PHDC discussed the city’s work in preserving neighborhoods and making them safer and affordable for residents. We spoke about Philadelphia’s aging population, poverty rate and our aging housing stock and the mayor’s plans to address them including the newest program for Philadelphia residents, Restore Repair Renew which offers 10-year fixed 3% APR loans for home...

Matt Radar, President of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society discussed the work PHS does throughout the year thanks to the funds raised by the annual Philadelphia Flower Show. He spoke of its mission, using horticulture to increase access to fresh food, create healthy living environments, deep social connections, and generate economic opportunities. Its Vacant Lot Greening Program PHS LandCare...

From the Museum of the American Revolution Director of Education and Community Engagement Adrienne Whaley discussed the events planned for ‘Flag Day,’ the Historic District’s ‘Red, White & Blue To Do’ on July 2 and ‘Declaration Days’ their Semiquincentennial celebration Wednesday, July 1 through Sunday, July 5.  A full schedule of talks, walking tour, all-age activities and even musi...

Meredith Sellers, Interpretation and Access Manager at the Mütter Museum of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, Caroline Winschel, Director of Development & Communications at Bartram's Garden and Mackenzie Warren, Education and Programs Manager for PhilaLandmarks, representing Grumblethorpe and Powel House, discussed the Colonial Garden Consortium, bringing attention to Philadelphia’s a...

Jennifer Davis President & CEO of Make A Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley talked about their chapter and its work as they celebrate its 40th year. Jennifer explained their life-changing work that grants children not a ‘last’ wish,’ but a ‘forever’ wish that can inspire and give them strength as they fight critical illness. She points out that 80% of their kids go on to reco...

Amy Needle, President and CEO of Historic Philadelphia discussed the activities planned for the long 4th of July celebration in Old City Philadelphia. She described this year’s Red, White & Blue To Do on July 2nd, the date John Adams believed would be the nation’s anniversary. This year’s celebration will be bigger than ever with a flag raising at the Betsy Ross House, live acoustic music perf...

Delaware Division Of Historical And Cultural Affairs (HCA) Director Suzanne Savery discussed their mission to protect and preserve historic and cultural sites and to educate the public on the 'First' state’s long history.  She described the sites maintained by HCA including the John Dickinson Plantation, New Castle Court House Museum, the Old State House and the site of Delaware’s only Revolu...

Dan Tadmor, CEO of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, spoke about the museum, established in 1976 as the nation’s only museum dedicated exclusively to exploring and interpreting the American Jewish experience and its mission of preserving, exploring and celebrating their history. We talked about the museum’s approaches to displaying the Jewish experience in the Americas, from...

Kerri Park Lennon, Executive Director, and Alan Rubens, President and Board Chair, discussed the 2026 Walk of Fame and Philadelphia Music Month, recognizing The Original Music City. Alan talked about the rich history of Philadelphia, with multiple sounds that cover each decade and the walk which honors them, from artists to producers, musicians and writers. Kerri discussed today’s music scene in P...

From the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition Ronni Blaisdell, Director of Mission Strategy and Stefanie Taylor, Senior Manager for programs and community engagement discussed World Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day and the need to talk more about women’s reproductive health. We discussed Ovarian cancer, a cancer that begins in the cells of the ovaries, the fallopian tubes or the peritoneum, and its sympt...

Tony Sorrentino, CEO of the Fairmount Park Conservancy, discussed Philadelphia’ s great park system and the role his agency plays in maintaining it. He gave the history of Fairmount Parks and the city’s bold move to own the properties along the Schuylkill River to promote the health and well-being of the neighborhoods, continuing the plan of William Penn when he first designed the city. He no...

April is National Volunteer Month and Matt Bertram, Vice President of Volunteer Services at the American Red Cross, discussed volunteerism, who is stepping up and why. We began with a picture of the ARC which relies on a workforce that is almost 80% volunteer, he described the roles that volunteers fill. From on-site for disaster relief to signing in blood donors he promises a place for anyon...

Co-Creators Meg Saligman and Lizzie Kripke talk about The Ministry Of Awe, Philadelphia’s new immersive art experience. Founded in an historic 6-story bank building in Old City, MOA has opened a bank where the currency is the human spirit. They invite you to consider what is valuable to you as you walk through works by famed muralist Saligman and over 100 Philadelphia-based artists, performer...