Philadelphia Community Podcast

Everyone wants to find a place in the world but for the deaf and hard of hearing - accessibility can be a challenge. Now Comcast is the first telecommunications retailer in the country to offer live, on-demand, remote ASL interpreting services in stores to better serve customers. I speak to Comcast VP of Accessibility Tom Wlodkowski who explains the service and also his personal connection to the...

Did you know that 9 in 10 people who enroll in coverage through Get Covered New Jersey quality for financial help and many can find a plan with a premium of $10 dollar a month or less. I speak to New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance Acting Commissioner Justin Zimmerman who tells us about Get Covered New Jersey, the state’s official health insurance marketplace. Consumers must enroll by D...

Did you know that 9 in 10 people who enroll in coverage through Get Covered New Jersey quality for financial help and many can find a plan with a premium of $10 dollar a month or less. I speak to New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance Acting Commissioner Justin Zimmerman who tells us about Get Covered New Jersey, the state’s official health insurance marketplace. Consumers must enroll by D...

Did you know that 9 in 10 people who enroll in coverage through Get Covered New Jersey quality for financial help and many can find a plan with a premium of $10 dollar a month or less. I speak to New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance Acting Commissioner Justin Zimmerman who tells us about Get Covered New Jersey, the state’s official health insurance marketplace. Consumers must enroll by D...

We start off the show with an interview about a campaign that's working to make a difference in violence reduction and prevention by addressing the root causes of violence. I speak to Reverend Gregory Holston, Senior Advisor on Policy and Advocacy for the Philadephia District Attorney’s Office and Co-Facilitator of the 57+ Blocks Coalition. https://www.57blocksphilly.org/

Growing up there weren't many diverse children's books but now there are so many wonderful selections including the beautifully illustrated Once Upon the Sun & Sea: Indigenous Stories and Folk Tales from the Philippines. I speak with the authors Denise Orosa, writer and award-winning educator and Jo Tiongson-Perez writer, education advocate, and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at th...

I’m joined by Sheila Alexander Reid, Executive Director of PHL about an expansive definition of diversity and the work of her organization to bring multicultural groups to Philadephia for meetings and conventions. https://www.discoverphl.com/meet/phldiversity/ PHL Diversity Guide We air an interview conducted by Philadelphia Work Ready student Lucas Gonzalez with film maker (and Dad) Gilberto Gonz...

I speak to Jillian Patricia Pirtle, CEO of the Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society about her efforts to bring awareness about the legacy of the great opera singer and civil rights icon Marian Anderson. We also talk about the upcoming Christmas in Philadelphia - a Holiday Concert Presented by the Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society December 16th Chapel of Four Chaplains 1201 Con...

The deadline is fast approaching to sign up for Medicare. Whether you qualify as a person 65 or older or you want to support a senior in signing up - I have an interview that will tell you what you need to know plus information about Medicare Advantage. I speak to Theresa Lauer, Vice President of Medicare Marketing & Sales for Independence Blue Cross. https://www.ibx.com/medicare Desperate for...

The deadline is fast approaching to sign up for Medicare. Whether you qualify as a person 65 or older or you want to support a senior in signing up - I have an interview that will tell you what you need to know plus information about Medicare Advantage. I speak to Theresa Lauer, Vice President of Medicare Marketing & Sales for Independence Blue Cross. https://www.ibx.com/medicare Desperate for...

Guest host Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati speaks to Fleacé Weave, founder of Globalnista formerly Black Girl Travel. https://www.globalnista.com/ For her monthly feature “What is Philadephia Reading?” Vanesse speaks to Kyle Stokes of Urbantoons - children's author and illustrator.

We have an online feature highlighting CEO’s You Should know. I want to share this interview with our broadcast and streaming audience because Corrine O’Connell – CEO of Habitat for Humanity Philadephia blew me away with the work her organization is doing to fulfill a vision where “everyone has a decent place to live.” https://www.habitatphiladelphia.org/ First – let’s get an Eagles history lesson...

One of the real pleasures of this job is helping people doing good tell their stories. Today I have two inspiring stories to share. I met Rashawn Alexander aka Uncle Wood first behind the walls of Graterford Prison. His story is the journey of an incarcerated 16-year-old and the man he’s grown into with the help of mentors he met along the way. Uncle Wood is out after 20 years and he’s doing good...

I'm going to guess that you know someone who has type two diabetes. I have a close family member who's currently on dialysis and another dealing with pre-diabetes. It's an epidemic - but you know what? it's doesn't have to be that way. with the right kind of lifestyle changes a person with pre-diabetes and prevent the disease from becoming full blown. Diabetes is serious stuff- not only does it in...

There are few jobs more critical to the future of our children and our country than teachers. but it’s been more challenging than ever for those in the profession. Teach for America is working to provide a pathway to teaching. Anna Shurak, Executive Director, Teach For America – Philadelphia talks about their program’s efforts to train the next generation of teachers. Website and social media hand...

I talk to Jenne Johns who has created a nonprofit, Once Upon a Preemie to address the health disparities black families face when a child is born prematurely. www.onceuponapreemie.org @onceapreemie (IG) once-upon-a-preemie-academy (LI) @onceuponapreemie (FB) Supporting The mental wellness of workers is not only the right thing to do - but it can also help the bottom line. I speak to Tonya Ladipo,...

I speak to Michael Days, President and Melanie Burney Vice President of the newly formed NABJ Philadelphia who talk about the organizations plans for the future. The NABJ Inaugural Meeting will take place Wednesday 12-6 at the Philadelphia Inquirer 100 S. Independence Mall West Suite 600 Philadelphia 19106. RSVP nabjphilly@gmail.com NABJ Philadelphia Membership Application Facebook: NABJ-Philadelp...

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s IF I CAN QUIT, SO CAN YOU campaign is designed to stop tobacco-use among all smokers, but particularly those in high-risk groups including: ● Those in recovery from substance use, including opioid use ● Pregnant or new moms ● Identify as LGBTQIA+ ● Individuals who work at places where tobacco use and exposure are high (e.g., food service, hospitality...

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s IF I CAN QUIT, SO CAN YOU campaign is designed to stop tobacco-use among all smokers, but particularly those in high-risk groups including: ● Those in recovery from substance use, including opioid use ● Pregnant or new moms ● Identify as LGBTQIA+ ● Individuals who work at places where tobacco use and exposure are high (e.g., food service, hospitality...

Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the Philadelphia debut of Obie Award-winning artist/director/actor and playwright Whitney White’s spellbinding take on a Shakespearean standard, Macbeth in Stride performed now through November 19th. I interviewed the dynamic Whitney White about the musical which examines what it means to be an ambitious Black woman through the lens of one of Shakespeare’s mos...

Everyone wants to find a place in the world but for the deaf and hard of hearing - accessibility can be a challenge. Now Comcast is the first telecommunications retailer in the country to offer live, on-demand, remote ASL interpreting services in stores to better serve customers. I speak to Comcast VP of Accessibility Tom Wlodkowski who explains the service and also his personal connection to the...

Everyone wants to find a place in the world but for the deaf and hard of hearing - accessibility can be a challenge. Now Comcast is the first telecommunications retailer in the country to offer live, on-demand, remote ASL interpreting services in stores to better serve customers. I speak to Comcast VP of Accessibility Tom Wlodkowski who explains the service and also his personal connection to the...

Guest host Vanesse Lloyd Sgambati speaks to author Glenda Armand author of Ice Cream Man: How Augustus Jackson Made a Sweet Treat Better. She will be featured at the 32nd Annual African American Children's Book Fair. For her feature “What is Philadelphia Reading?” Vanesse speaks to Mable Welborn, Chair of the Sullivan Trust. Welborn also talks about their grant program providing capital for small...

Three of my husbands’ cousins have the BRCA Gene mutation which is a genetic alteration in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes - associated with an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer, as well as some other cancers. Awareness of the BRCA gene is crucial for individuals and their families to make informed healthcare decisions, manage their cancer risk, and contribute to ongoing research and advocacy e...

Three of my husbands’ cousins have the BRCA Gene mutation which is a genetic alteration in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes - associated with an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer, as well as some other cancers. Awareness of the BRCA gene is crucial for individuals and their families to make informed healthcare decisions, manage their cancer risk, and contribute to ongoing research and advocacy e...