As I Walk Through The Valley

Join me As I Walk Through the Valley with Dr. Philip Cavalier, the 13th president of Kutztown University. We discuss KU's unique approach to inclusivity, the role of the liberal arts, and President Cavalier's vision for how the university can play a larger role in the Lehigh Valley.

Join me,  As I Walk Through the Valley  with  Mayor Matt Tuerk , the 43rd mayor of the City of Allentown, PA. We discussed the challenges and opportunities of running the third to largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This interview was recorded on June 10th, 2026 at Congregation Sons of Israel in Allentown, in front of a live audience. Thank you to Gary Preis for providing the video f...

Join me As I Walk Through the Valley Mr. Antonio Pineda, who serves as a Lehigh County Commissioner, representing District 1. We discuss what local government, and society at large, can learn from Superman, DC comics, and much more.

The Kindness Project, based in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, provides a brighter future for youth in foster care by offering free essential resources and enrichment opportunities. Join me, As I Walk Through the Valley with Founder & Executive Director Jenae Holtzhafer to learn about her story and how they are creating a better life for the people of the Lehigh Valley - and beyond. To learn about how y...

Join me As I Walk Through the Valley with Ms. Jess Denke , Head Librarian and Co-Director of the Muhlenberg College Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program. We discuss the nature of incarceration, the preservation of dignity and the potential for redemption in a conversation that blends both the practical and philosophical. A special thanks to Mr. Angelo Fattore for introducing us and suggesting this t...

Marijuana. School choice. Fiscal responsibility. These were just some of the topics addressed by  Pennsylvania Treasurer and Gubernatorial Candidate, Stacy Garrity  in front of a live audience at Congregation Sons of Israel in Allentown, PA.  Recorded on May 12th, 2026. Video footage provided by Gary Preis. 

The Allentown School District serves a vibrant community of over 16,700 students across 23 schools. Supported by a dedicated team of 2,500 staff members, ASD is at the forefront of urban education in Pennsylvania, balancing a rich history with a forward-looking commitment to technological literacy and community unity. We sat down with ASD's Superintendent and CEO, Dr. Carol D. Birks to learn a...

Meet Mr. Bradley Merkl-Gump , an 8th-grade history teacher, Pennridge School Board Director, and Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania's 16th Senate District . He joins the podcast to talk about censorship, shadow book bans, and also... a little about Quaker religious rites as well as Magic: The Gathering .

Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski reflects on her first 100 days in office. We explore the looming presence of data centers, environmentalism, economics, religion and how to best allocate our collective finances. Make sure to also listen to our previous episode (#18), featuring Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel.

Just before his 100th day in office, I sat down with Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel to talk about endorsements, ICE, paid family leave, spirituality and...whether Call of Duty or Battlefield is the ultimate FPS (first-person shooter) franchise. [Recorded April 13th, 2026]

Join me  As I Walk Through the Valley  with  Ms. Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez , Founder of Beyond Engagement Social Media Solution and Co-Author of “ The Most Amazing Marketing Book Ever. ” We discuss social media addiction, artificial intelligence, the Lehigh Valley housing market and much more.  Make sure to follow her on social media: https://beyond-engagement.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/equi...

Join me As I Walk Through the Valley with Mr. Bob Brooks , a 20 year Bethlehem firefighting veteran and current union President of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association. This is our fourth and final PA-07 congressional candidate interview. Please make sure to catch up on the previous episodes in this mini-series. [Recorded on April 6th, 2026. Video footage provided by Gary Preis....

This episode features our third PA-07 Congressional candidate interview. Join me As I Walk Through the Valley with Mr. Lamont McClure , who previously served on Northampton County’s Council from 2006 to 2013. In 2018, he was elected as its County Executive. Former Executive McClure is now aiming to take his local leadership experience to represent his district in congress. [Recorded on March 26th,...

[Recorded on March, 24th, 2026] Join us for our second PA-07 Congressional candidate interview, As I Walk Through the Valley with Ms. Carol Obando-Derstine . Ms. Obando-Derstine previously served as an executive director of SkillsUSA Council and the Children’s Coalition of the Lehigh Valley. She served as Sen. Casey’s Regional Manager and Statewide Latino Affairs Advisor, taught at Northampton Com...

[Recorded on March 12th, 2026] As listeners know from our show’s intro, we live in a bellwether region of arguably the most significant swing state known as Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley.  What happens here will be setting the tone for the entire nation. With midterms coming up, the PA-07 congressional race will serve as a major litmus test for the mood and direction of our country. And getting to...

Join me As I Walk Through the Valley with Ms. Margaret McConnell , Executive Director of WDIY, an NPR member station serving the Lehigh Valley. Make sure to check them out on 88.1 FM and their website for local events and opportunties!

Join me  As I Walk Through the Valley  with  Mr. Victor Martinez , owner and host of La Mega 101.7 FM , the premier Spanish-language radio station serving the Lehigh Valley.  We discuss his motorcycle journey across America as well as his early love for radio while growing up in Puerto Rico. We then turn to the nature of the Hispanic electorate and a recent dialogue Victor had with Pennsylvania Go...

Join me As I Walk Through the Valley with Commissioner Taylor Stakes, who serves as the Lehigh County Authority ’s first Director of Communications and Strategic Partnerships, and more recently, a Commissioner for the Whitehall Township . 

Join me As I Walk Through the Valley with Representative Michael H. Schlossberg , a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, who has served the 132nd District since 2013. We talked about mental health, Star Wars, the "Big Beautiful Bill," and much more. A special thanks to Gary Preis for videoing and to Jay's Local for hosting our live recording session. (Please note that...

Join me As I Walk Through the Valley with Pastor Alex DeJesus of The Bridge Church of God in Allentown (PA), as we cover theology, gentrification, the Hispanic community and... the Super Bowl halftime show. In this episode, we get to hear an insider's perspective on the nuance and diversity within the Spanish speaking community.

What is the role of the sheriff's office? How does it interact with city, state and federal jurisdictions? And what is current landscape of law enforcement in the United States? Join me As I Walk Through the Valley with Sheriff Joseph N. Hanna, the Sheriff of Lehigh County (PA), and former Chief of Police for the City of Allentown Police Department , and find out.

Join me, As I Walk Through the Valley with Judith A. Harris, Esq. , Co-Chair of the Estate, Trust, and Tax Law Practice Group at Norris McLaughlin . We discuss the changing landscape of estate planning as well as her leadership in the local arts, such as the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival and the Allentown Symphony Association.

Join me, As I Walk Through the Valley with Mr. Murtaza Jaffer, a partner of EBC Printing & Signs in Allentown, and is an executive board member of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce . We explore Murtaza's early beginnings in Tanzania to his current-day networking, mentoring, and bridge-building throughout the modern Lehigh Valley. As a previous recipient of the Greater Lehigh Valley...

Join me today, As I Walk Through the Valley with Mr. Joe Vichot , a veteran United States Airforce and commercial pilot, who currently serves as the Chairman of the Lehigh County Republican Committee . A quick note before you listen: The goal of sharing my adventures As I Walk Through the Valley with all of you is to provide an honest and comprehensive view of the Lehigh Valley's diversity. That m...

With issues of immigration and enforcement facing the nation, join me As I Walk Through the Valley with The Rev. Maria Tjeltveit , previously rector of the Episcopal Church of the Mediator in Allentown, Pennsylvania and current President of the Allentown School District Foundation . We discuss her conception of American identity and how that informs her various roles in the Lehigh Valley. Note : T...