Our Delaware Valley Podcast

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...

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...