CitizenCast

Can the Philly Specials' third holiday record — featuring Stevie Nicks and Mt. Joy — sway a seasonal music grinch? Listen to the first part of this song-by-song review of "A Philly Special Christmas Party."

Larry Platt joins WURD host Dr. James Peterson to discuss his breakdown of the presidential election results in "What The F Just Happened?" 

A recent Temple study found that gun violence surged as the Covid-19 pandemic worsened poverty, unemployment, and structural racism.  Documentarian and author Jo Piazza heard over and over again that a key part of driving down gun violence is increasing job opportunities for the men most likely to fall into the "illegal economy." On this episode of Philly Under Fire, Piazza looks at one organizati...

MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi invites Nobel laureate Maria Ressa onto the show to discuss how journalists and everyday citizens can stand against a dictator seeking to collapse democracy. More than Germany or Italy, Velshi says, it's the Philippines we should be looking to right now. "It took about 6 months," Ressa tells him, "before our democratic institutions crumbled." Hear Res...

On this episode of Big Rube's Philly, the iconic chef, photographer and brand maker chats with Jon Metz, a local wood-burning artist known for his portraits of dogs, athletes, and occasionally, beer.

Local progressives take aim at Bob Brady and the Democratic machine. But this week's book tour stop by Bill Clinton suggests another way ...

The 2024 election highlighted a problem with education "elitism." Colleges and universities must work together together to bring Americans together.

A monument to civil rights icon Sadie Alexander is replacing the Rizzo statue, joining a small handful of public statues of Black Philadelphians. Listen to her story.

Senator Bob Casey's desperate attempt to keep his seat and his silence while supporters mimic Trump-like rationale is not a good look

Soybeans, electric cars and trade wars--MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi breaks down the reality of tariffs and who ultimately ends up footing the bill. 

"Well, guys," Citizen Co-founder Larry Platt starts, "let's have a little therapy session. What the hell just happened?" On this special episode of  How To  Really  Run A City , former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter get together just days after the election to hash out how they're feeling and what they think turned the tide to President-elect Donald Trump. Despite...

Citizen writer Malcolm Burnley recently joined Dr. James Peterson on Evening WURDs to discuss an article published just before the election that dispels many of the myths and handwringing surrounding a demographic that, despite a slight shift, still voted for Kamala Harris in overwhelming numbers. Hear Malcolm's breakdown of the article and his thoughts on what we know now.

... but hard to do, says the filmmakers of the new documentary Beyond the Bridge: A Solution To Homelessness. A special "impact screening" will be held at the Philadelphia Film Center on November 21. 

One Pittsburgh historian on how last week's election results may require a permanent realignment in a state Dems once considered a safe bet.

Explains Ali Velshi: "Today's setbacks are tomorrow's comebacks. And the comeback is our work."

Larry Platt casts a spotlight on the fall of progressivism, the rise of Joe Rogan, the autumn of Bob Brady--all to try and make sense of Tuesday's Great Realignment.

In this episode of Ideas We Should Steal, Courtney DuChene looks at our persistent issue of potholes and how vialytics (a user-friendly app that quickly identifies and maps roadway problems) could be an important key in fixing Philly streets.

Documentarian Jo Piazza asks, are there actually proven solutions to gun violence in this city? In the third episode of the Citizen's flagship series, Jo introduces listeners to organizations in Philly that have made meaningful progress, even if it isn't easy. Underlying these programs are strategies like using data to identify who's most likely to be shot, and mediating and de-escalating "beefs"...

Much has been made about polls showing a number of Black men might not vote for Harris. But is that maybe the Democrats' fault, not theirs?

Just ahead of the election, hear directly from the candidates for Attorney General about their motivations, goals and what separates them from their fellow aspirants for this vitally important state office. You can jump ahead to each candidate to evaluate their responses. Dave Sunday (R) -- 3:30 Eugene DePasquale (D) -- 33:30 Eric Settle (FP) -- 57:30

In this hectic time, take a moment to remember that behind every vote is a story about civic engagement. Olivia Kram, Courtney Duchene and Naahv Nair approached their fellow Philadelphians to ask where they were, who they chose and what it felt like the first time they voted.

On this episode of How To Really Run A City, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter speak with Delaware Governor John Carney. Carney is doing something that almost no other governor has done--turned his sights from the highest executive office in the state to the role of mayor (in this case, the mayoralty of Wilmington, DE). Reed and Nutter offer some sage advice an...

Latinos are among the most important voting blocs and are most concerned with the economy. How would the policies of Donald Trump or Kamala Harris affect them? Cristian Salazar explains. And on this special episode, Salazar's story is read in Spanish and then in English.

On this episode of Big Rube's Philly, Reuben Harley chats with PR dynamo and fashion maven, Binh Nguyen, whose parents immigrated to Lebanon, PA from Saigon when she was young. Nguyen rose from humble beginnings to become the Senior Director of Communications at Visit Philadelphia. She's shaping how the country sees Philadelphia — and how other Asian American girls and women see their futures.

Emily M. Danforth's 2012 YA novel, and current entry into #velshibannedbookclub, explores "sexuality, family dynamics, religion, friendship and love." And yet, it ended up on conservative book bans. Danforth joins Velshi to discuss why.