Our Delaware Valley Podcast

Matthew Koveal, Executive Director of the Philly Pops, discussed their storied history and their rebirth three years ago. He described the issues that almost shut them down and the determination of a core group of performers who kept it going as the No-Name Pops. Today, they have a new Music Director, Chris Dragon, and the return of their name, free and in perpetuity, thanks to the estate of...

From Autism Delaware, Director of Development Dan Getman, Development Manager Kris Grant and Marketing and Communications Manager Kenzie Walsh discussed the programs and services offered by Autism Delaware, from infancy through adulthood, including education, social and job opportunities. We discussed their annual Walk for Autism April 18 at Dover Motor Speedway. Registration is now open for...

Richard Lee Snow, Regional Development Director of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and Kyra Williams, a scholarship recipient, doctoral candidate and founder of the non-profit Stories in My Backyard, discussed the fund which supports students and HBCUs through endowments and scholarships. We talked about the advantages of HBCU for students, their low cost and their welcoming and supportive st...

Michael DeBene, Executive Director of Welcome America, Inc., a public-private partnership with the City of Philadelphia charged with enhancing the resident and visitor experience 's 4th of July celebration. Starting on Junteenth, this year's celebration will include six nights of fireworks, a 10,000 member parade on July 3, free hoagie day, concert events throughout the city and the Liberty Medal...

Kathryn Ott Lovell, Ex Director of Philadelphia Visitors Center, Director of Philadelphia 250 and the Women’s Committee for the 250, discussed 2026 plans for the city. The Visitors Center welcomes visitors to our city through four – and 10+ in 2026 – visitor centers with information about restaurants, attractions, museums and events. Look for them throughout the city and now in the Gayborhood with...

Larry Needle, Executive Director of PHL Sports, a division of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, discussed the exciting line up of professional and collegiate sports coming to the city this year. He explained their mission, brining sporting events and sport-related travel to Philadelphia – the PCVB is responsible for over 1.5 Million overnight stays in Philadelphia each year, with an...

Matt Radar, President of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society discussed the exhibits and events scheduled for the 2026 Philadelphia Flower Show, 'Rooted: Origins of American Gardening.' He discussed the Members Day and opening gala on Friday, February 27th and the international and local exhibitors and vendors appearing at this year's show. The vent, one of the top three flower events...

Alana Mauger, Regional Communications Manager for the American Red Cross Southeastern PA and ARC Communications volunteer and blood recipient, Jenny Farley who received 5 blood transfusions following surgical complications in November. We discussed the critical need for blood donations; always an issue during the holidays and winter months, this year collections were hit by the massive snowstorms...

Kim E. Fraites-Dow, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern PA discussed the programming they offer to girls from five through high school. She tells us there are now 25,000 girl members who are making friends, trying new things and having fun in troops across their 9-county-footprint (Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, and Philadelphia).  We talked about troop dy...

Corinne O’Connell, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia, discussed their ‘audacious goal’ - a city where everyone has a decent place to live. We talked about the problems that continue to affect Philadelphia, an aging housing stock, an aging population and a high poverty rate and high percentage of tangled titles. Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia looks to put families into homes tha...

From the American Lung Association, Greater Philadelphia Region, Felice Kelem, Development Director, and Kate Viega, Sr. Manager, Development, discussed their work in promoting lung health and fighting lung disease. Felice shared its origins 120 years ago in the fight against tuberculosis, then grew to address all lung diseases. Kate shared the research mission and their increased efforts as...

Matthew Skic, Director of Collections and Exhibitions at the Museum of the American Revolution discussed their current exhibition, The Declaration’s Journey. On view now through January, 2027, it brings more than 120 artifacts from 50 private and institutional lenders together for visitors to experience and understand the Declaration’s ongoing relevance and impact on the world. He discussed the im...

William R. Valerio, Ph. D., The Patricia Van Burgh Allison Director and CEO at Woodmere discussed its buildings and galleries, its world-class collection of American art and its vast holdings of Philadelphia works. After telling us its history and founding by Charles Knox Smith, he described the improvements of the past few years; the purchase and renovation of their new Frances M. McGuire buildin...

Iola Harper, the Executive Director of the Women's Opportunities Resource Center (WORC) discussed their mission to promote social and economic self-sufficiency primarily for economically disadvantaged women and their families in the greater five-county Philadelphia metro. She spoke of their programs WORC provides training, individual business assistance, incentive savings program, job placement, a...

Vince Stango, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the National Constitution Center and Amy Needle, CEO & President of Historic Philadelphia, discussed the 52 Weeks of Firsts, a year-long celebration of Philadelphia for the country’s 3250 birthday. Beginning in January with a celebration of the nation’s first hot-air balloon launch, through the last week of 2026, the Na...

Kathy Stokes, Senior Director of Fraud Prevention Programs at AARP Fraud Watch Network discussed the holiday scams and ongoing rip-offs that are circulating today, especially the digital cons. Nearly 9 in 10 adults have experienced at least one type of fraud in the past year including fake toll-payment requests and fraudulent charity requests. We touched on the usual crimes such as packa...

Dr. Robert Cain, President and CEO, The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, Chair, The Health Professions Association discussed the history and holistic philosophy behind osteopathic medicine and why it’s a growing field for MDs. He spoke about their latest study on the colleges and graduates; their placement within rural areas and with their graduates choosing to stay a...

Kelly Richards, President and Director of the Free Library discussed what he calls, ‘The People’s University,’ a valuable resource for all.  He spoke of the vast collections, the latest books, video and audio, as well as musical instruments, that are available for loan, as well as the tens of thousands of events they host each year - almost all for free. He discussed the job services off...

Sue Daugherty, CEO of MANNA discussed this vital resource for people with serious illnesses who need nourishment to heal. MANNA provides medically tailored meals to individuals and meals for their dependents. She discussed its 1990 beginnings in a church kitchen offering food and comfort during the early AIDs crisis, growing to support people dealing with cancer, heart dis...

Erika Joy Erb, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation discussed their work in the development, programming, maintenance, and operation of six miles of Waterfront from South Philadelphia to Port Richmond, opening the waterfront for recreation, attractions and events year-round, through eight parks and 3.5 miles of multi-use t...

Aimee Prange, MSW, LCSW, the Clinical Consultant for the Jack Duffy Empowerment Foundation, discussed the non-profit founded by his parents to honor his life by promoting personal empowerment of physical and mental health for teens and young adults. We discussed the warning signs of suicidal ideation, extreme behavior change, words indicating thoughts of self-harm, and the need to speak up and ask...

Robin Shine Maddox, Founder and Visionary behind She Shines discussed the 6th annual conference, November 1st a New Covenant Church in Germantown; how it and her Celebrating Sisterhood campaign were inspired by her breast cancer journey and her desire to gather women to network, educate and inspire each other. The pillars of the free conference are Civic Engagement/Voting Rights, Health/Wellness/S...

Michael Norris, Executive Director of Carpenters’ Hall and The Carpenters Company of the City and County of Philadelphia discussed the well-known, but little understood, “Birthplace of Liberty”, Carpenters' Hall.  Designed by Robert Smith and built by the Carpenter gild as a showcase of their skill and an apprenticeship for young builders, the building hosted the First Continental Congre...

Vince Stango, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the National Constitution Center discussed the private, nonprofit organization, which serves as our country’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate. We talked about visiting the museum; it starts with a 15-minute performance piece, We The People, winds through interactive programs and exhibits and concludes in...

Bill Perthes, Bernard C. Watson Director of Adult Education at the Barnes Foundation, and Wendy Lewis, CEO, The Parkinson Council discussed their pilot program, Create & Connect. This free workshop is designed to support individuals living with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners through meaningful experiences with art and creative expression to make connections—between participan...