Renewed

Josh Putnam loves heavy metal and world history. So he figured, why not combine them both with his background in writing? The result is Heavy Metal History Lesson, Josh's new book, which offers something for history buffs and headbangers alike. Produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cambria County Library⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , Johnstown, Pennsylvania Episode Music: ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben Dumm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Johnstown's Roxbury neighborhood offers a wonderful place to enjoy outdoor live music at the bandshell in Roxbury Park. But it wouldn't be here today if Chris Verbano hadn't rallied others in the community to save it from being torn down. Produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cambria County Library⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , Johnstown, Pennsylvania Episode Music: ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben Dumm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lyrical Ca...

Many of us in the Johnstown area come from immigrant families. Yamila Audisio never imagined she'd end up anywhere but in her home country of Argentina, but then, as she put it, life happened, and she ended up here as one of our own friends, co-workers, and neighbors. Produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cambria County Library⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , Johnstown, Pennsylvania Episode Music: ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben Dumm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Mike Messina and his partner Kathy Barefoot love engaging with people and making downtown Johnstown a special place for everybody. And now, their monthly Arthouse Film Club of Johnstown has a new home—the Library. Even better: admission to all Arthouse screenings is free! Mike and Kathy talk about why they created Arthouse, what it's about, and why they're so committed to downtown culture. Produce...

Patrise Henkel is a Johnstown artist who specializes in painting landscapes and writing about her artistic journey through life in her blog Art Spirit Nature . She stops in to talk about her work and how it's tied in to our geography and our people. Produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cambria County Library⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , Johnstown, Pennsylvania Episode Music: ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben Dumm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lyrical Capo⁠⁠...

Jeffrey L. Webb, is professor of music at Pitt-Johnstown, the conductor of the Johnstown Symphony Chorus, and leader of his band Jeff Webb and the Delectable Sound. Jeff is also the musical director of the hugely popular Classic Vinyl Concert Series. He shares what it’s like to take a big musical event from idea to reality, and why live music is such an important part of our cultural life. 

You might say superheroes are the role models for humanity's better selves. Maybe you've seen Box Boy, Johnstown's local superhero, doing his part by promoting smiles and positive vibes in our community. He stops by to introduce himself, tell the story of becoming a superhero, and talk about the new comic book about him. Produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cambria County Library⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , Johnstown,...

If it's tough to wrap your head around artificial intelligence, you're not alone. UPJ Assistant Professor of Digital Humanities Mark DiMauro is here to help! Mark talks about the varieties of AI, how we can understand its importance in our lives, and what's on the horizon. Produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cambria County Library⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , Johnstown, Pennsylvania Mentioned in this episode: The Libr...

Rock band Endless Mike & The Beagle Club have made a name for themselves in the national independent music scene, touring the country, selling out concerts and releasing numerous recordings. So why did they choose to record their new album in an old church in Cambria City? Produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cambria County Library⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , Johnstown, Pennsylvania Mentioned in this episode: Summerquest Music...

According to local legend, a strange creature called the squonk lives in the forests of Pennsylvania—and last year, Joe Fogle of Johnstown co-hosted the first-ever festival downtown in its honor. Joe talks about the squonk and other cryptids, what goes on at Squonkapalooza, and how you can enjoy it this year. Produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cambria County Library⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , Johnstown, Pennsylvania Mentioned in t...

A backyard nature preserve filled with butterflies. Besides being an amazing and beautiful sight to behold, this type of garden features plant and insect life native to our area, which helps maintain a healthy ecosystem for all living things here. Barbara Rosenberg talks about her butterfly garden, and how her work as a citizen scientist and master gardener also helps provide migration data on mon...

Matt Lamb is a comics artist and publisher here in Johnstown. In addition to co-founding Hero Works Publishing , in his role as Executive Director at the Bottle Works in Cambria City, he's coordinated the various tributes our community pays to the late Steve Ditko, co-creator of Spider-Man and an inspiration to our active and dedicated comics scene.  Matt talks to us about what makes comics su...

Wesley and Maria Ed are the owners of Wolf and Wyvern , a brand new gaming store downtown on Clinton Street. There are all kinds of board games, table top games, role-playing games, and card-based games there, but what they're really offering is a place for people who enjoy having some strategic fun to meet, hang out, and learn all about the ways games can entertain, educate, and empower us. P...

There's a cool new place downtown where the prevailing attitude is that you—yes, you—are a creative person, and with the right atmosphere and equipment everybody can experience the joy of making something unique. Amy Henson, director at CraftWork Studio, talks about growing a community of people there who are discovering what it’s like to tap into to their creative selves.  

Enjoying the weather on two wheels is a great way to connect to our beautiful scenery, make friends, and save money. Justin Giuffre of the Rust Belt Rollers talks about why motor scooters are becoming more popular, why they're so fun, and whether they're right for you. Produced at ⁠⁠⁠Cambria County Library⁠⁠⁠ , Johnstown, Pennsylvania Music: ⁠ ⁠⁠Ben Dumm⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Lyrical Capo⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Great Amer...

Lots of people in our community are finding a creative outlet at Bottle Works Ethnic Arts Center. Melody Tisinger tells us what Bottle Works is about, and why going there—as a creator, learner, or observer—will enrich you as a person. Produced at ⁠⁠Cambria County Library⁠⁠ , Johnstown, Pennsylvania Music: ⁠ ⁠Ben Dumm⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Lyrical Capo⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Great American Racer

Until its recent resurgence in popularity, hunting for mushrooms was almost a lost art. But the world of fungi foraging is more complex than you'd think. For people like Daniel Foshee at mushroomnerds.com, it's a life-changing experience. Produced at ⁠Cambria County Library⁠ , Johnstown, Pennsylvania Music: ⁠ Ben Dumm⁠ ⁠Lyrical Capo⁠ ⁠Great American Racer

Welcome to Renewed! In our first-ever episode, we explain what the podcast is about, and hear from author and journalist Bruce Siwy about his book on Joe O'Kicky, a local judge convicted on numerous corruption-related charges in the 1980s. Produced at Cambria County Library , Johnstown, Pennsylvania Music: Ben Dumm Lyrical Capo Great American Racer