Philadelphia Community Podcast

🍪 Great News for Girl Scout Cookie Fans! Craving Thin Mints or Caramel deLites? You’re in luck! Girl Scout Cookies are available longer this year—now through April 12! Get your favorites shipped directly to your door while supporting Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania (GSEP). I speak with Amanda Harrity, Director of Product Program for GSEP, about the impact of this annual fundraiser and how you...

Greg DeShields is Executive Director of Greg DeShields Consulting LLC , and the host of the podcast Something to Say with Greg DeShields . Launched in April 2024 , Something to Say amplifies the voices of diverse personalities making a meaningful impact. With a focus on passion, perseverance, and resilience , the podcast explores how overcoming adversity can lead to transformation and success. As...

Cleaning Up Philly: Mayor Parker’s “One Philly” Vision Philadelphia is working toward becoming "the safest, cleanest, and greenest big city in the nation with economic opportunity for all." To achieve this, the Office of Clean and Green is launching initiatives to transform public spaces, improve quality of life, and engage residents in the fight against waste. 🎙️ Guest: Carlton Williams, Director...

 Winter Assistance & LIHEAP: Keeping Families Warm Winter can bring financial strain for many families struggling to afford heating bills. Fortunately, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is here to help. This federally funded program provides grants to eligible households, ensuring they can keep their homes warm without the burden of repayment. With millions of dollars in a...

Winter Assistance & LIHEAP: Keeping Families Warm Winter can bring financial strain for many families struggling to afford heating bills. Fortunately, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is here to help. This federally funded program provides grants to eligible households, ensuring they can keep their homes warm without the burden of repayment. With millions of dollars in as...

What's Going On: LIHEAP: Keeping Families Warm, Cleaning Up Philly, The “Hands Off Medicaid” Campaign   February 28, 2025 • 30 mins Winter Assistance & LIHEAP: Keeping Families Warm Winter can bring financial strain for many families struggling to afford heating bills. Fortunately, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is here to help. This federally funded program provides gr...

Spotlight on Beau McCall: The Button Man Guest host Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati speaks with artist Beau McCall, known as  “The Button Man” for his extraordinary work repurposing buttons into unique artwork. Originally from Philadelphia, McCall is set to transform select buttons gathered from the community into a special piece celebrating the rich musical legacy of Philadelphia International Records, th...

APM Job Fair   I speak with  Nilda Ruiz , CEO of Asociación Puertorriqueños En Marcha (APM) , about their upcoming job fair on February 27th , seeking passionate individuals to join APM’s Pradera adoption and foster care team . 📅 February 27, 2025 ⏰ 10 AM – 3 PM 📍 2637 N. 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19133 📞 Call: 267-234-7427 Info   🔗 More  The Wilma Theater’s  The Half-God of Rainfall We al...

The 13th Annual UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball Dr. Patrick M. Oates, Senior Vice President at EMSCO Scientific Inc., and Richard Lee Snow, Regional Development Director for the Mid-Atlantic Region at UNCF, join me to discuss the upcoming 13th Annual UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball —a premier fundraising event aiming to raise $1 million to support Philadelphia-area students in their pursuit of higher education....

For 35 years, The Beech Companies and the Alston-Beech Foundation have supported North Philadelphia nonprofits, funding housing, education, mentorship, and essential services. Under Dr. Kenneth Scott’s leadership, Beech has awarded 500+ grants and leveraged $2 billion in community reinvestment funds. As funding challenges grow, Beech remains a vital resource for the city’s most vulnerable. Today,...

Breaking Free: Addressing Tobacco Use in the LGBT+ Community While tobacco use has declined in many populations, some groups—like the LGBT+ community—continue to be disproportionately affected due to targeted advertising and misleading campaigns by the tobacco industry. I speak with Ryan Coffman, Tobacco Policy and Control Program Manager at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, about effe...

Breaking Free: Addressing Tobacco Use in the LGBT+ Community While tobacco use has declined in many populations, some groups—like the LGBT+ community—continue to be disproportionately affected due to targeted advertising and misleading campaigns by the tobacco industry. I speak with Ryan Coffman, Tobacco Policy and Control Program Manager at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, about effe...

The Sweetest Season: Girl Scout Cookies Are Back! I sit down with Amanda Harrity, Director of Product Program for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania (GSEP), to talk about one of the most exciting times of the year—the return of Girl Scout Cookies! From January 16th through March 9th, Girl Scouts across Eastern Pennsylvania will be selling cookies in-person, door-to-door, at local booths, and...

Today, it’s all about love ! 💕 First, if you're looking for a unique and heartfelt Valentine’s Day gift , we’ve got you covered. Members of the Pine Barons Barbershop Chorus join us to share their Singing Valentine’s Program , a special initiative delivering live serenades, chocolates, a rose, and tickets to their Spring Show—all to spread love through music. Representing the newly formed quartet...

I speak with Dr. Jessica H. Beard, a trauma surgeon, researcher, and advocate for ethical reporting on gun violence. Dr. Beard, an Associate Professor of Surgery at Temple University and Director of Trauma Research, discusses her groundbreaking study on harmful news reporting of community firearm violence (CFV). Her research highlights how media coverage can exacerbate trauma and perpetuate racial...

Today, I’m speaking with Vernon Ray , founder of Shoot Cameras, Not Guns , a movement using photography to inspire and uplift communities. Vernon’s work empowers young people to choose creativity over violence, turning the lens into a tool for change. Let’s dive into his journey and the impact of his mission. Instagram: @allmoneyshots

Creating Inclusive Spaces for Individuals with Autism Fostering equity and accessibility means creating environments where everyone feels welcome. At Comcast, this mission has come to life through the development of a sensory-friendly room—designed to support individuals with autism and sensory sensitivities. Christina Wong, Comcast’s Executive Director and Producer of Experiential Content, joins...

Creating Inclusive Spaces for Individuals with Autism Fostering equity and accessibility means creating environments where everyone feels welcome. At Comcast, this mission has come to life through the development of a sensory-friendly room—designed to support individuals with autism and sensory sensitivities. Christina Wong, Comcast’s Executive Director and Producer of Experiential Content, joins...

VLS Journeys with Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati In this month's edition of VLS Journeys , guest host Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati interviews award-winning children's book author Kelly Starling Lyons . With over 30 books to her name, including Going Down Home with Daddy , Sing a Song: How "Lift Every Voice & Sing" Inspired Generations , and the Jada Jones and Miles Lewis series, Kelly is a celebrated teachi...

Join us for a preview of the 33rd Annual African American Children’s Book Fair, happening Saturday, February 1st, at the Philadelphia Convention Center. I speak with visionary founder Vanesse Lloyd Sgambati and some of the remarkable featured authors and illustrators reshaping children’s literature. ✨  Bea Jackson shares her inspiring journey as a writer and illustrator, with highlights from her...

I speak with Amanda Harrity, Director of Product Program for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania (GSEP), about one of the most exciting times of the year—the return of Girl Scout Cookies! From January 16th through March 9th, Girl Scouts across Eastern Pennsylvania will be selling cookies in-person, door-to-door, at local booths, and online. But this is more than just a cookie sale; it’s a uniq...

I chat with Grace Sica, Executive Director of Operation Warm , about their incredible work providing brand-new coats and shoes to under-resourced children and teens. Grace shares how families in poverty spend over 80% of their income on essentials like food and housing, leaving little room for clothing, and explains how you can help through their impactful partnership with Subaru. 💻 Learn more ab...

I share the inspiring story of Kalyn Walker, who was granted parole from SCI Phoenix and released on Sunday, January 12, 2025. Kalyn graduated from the F.A.C.T. Experience ( Fathers and Children Together ) with his daughter in 2023, a transformative program that strengthens connections between incarcerated fathers and their children, aiming to break the cycle of incarceration. To celebrate his rel...

 In this month's SpeakOut with Angela Giampolo, aka Philly Gay Lawyer, we explore pressing issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community. This episode focuses on Meta’s decision to end third-party fact-checking on platforms like Facebook, raising concerns about misinformation and its impact on marginalized groups. We’ll also discuss the growing movement within the LGBTQ+ community to leave Facebook due to...

I address the pressing issue of tobacco use, which disproportionately affects Philadelphia communities, particularly low-income neighborhoods, racial and ethnic minorities, women, and members of the military. These groups are often targeted by the tobacco industry through aggressive advertising and disinformation campaigns. I speak with Ryan Coffman, Tobacco Policy and Control Program Manager at t...