Streets Dept Podcast

Sapphira Cristál is a superstar talent. Runner-up and Miss Congeniality of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16, she is a classically trained opera singer, composer, and drag queen known for her theatrical lip syncs and six-octave range. She’s also a comedian, touring the country doing stand-up. And most recently, she’s started her own interview podcast, simply called SAPPHIRA. In today’s episode, host Co...

Welcome to our monthly Editor’s Table episode, where we offer behind-the-scenes conversations about podcasting, independent media, Philly, and the arts! Every month at the table, you’ll hear from Streets Dept founder/podcast host Conrad Benner, lead contributor Eric Dale, and podcast producer Alex Lewis. In this month's edition, podcasting expert Lauren Passell joins Alex and Conrad to discus...

It’s not everyday a street artist gets the attention of The Washington Post, but over the last year an individual new to both Philly and art has caught the eyes of many. This artist goes by the name Make It Weird (and EmEyeWhisky, and MIW; they go by “Em” for short).  *** Learn how you can support the Streets Dept Podcast and get access to bonus content and events by visiting: Patreon.com/StreetsD...

There’s an artist in Philadelphia creating their own blueprint, and we think you’ll find her vision and path really fascinating. This artist is developing a personal artistic practice while working within established Philly arts institutions and simultaneously building their own. Her goals are many, but at her core is a drive to help people feel seen and make art more accessible–including curating...

***Help us grow: This is just an excerpt of this month's Editor's Table. Full Editor’s Table episodes are only available to our Patreon members, who also get other benefits, like monthly bonus columns and free access to future events. Main feed episodes may also eventually contain ads, and Patreon members will also get an ad-free podcast feed when that happens. Learn more, become a membe...

If you’re on our side of the social media algorithms, you’ve likely also seen many videos from different Philadelphians hoping for a Zohran Mamdani-type to rise in Philly politics. And, as we see it, there are a number of City and State politicians who might fit the criteria. Today’s guest is one of them. *** Learn how you can support the Streets Dept Podcast and get access to bonus content and ev...

If we were to make a Mount Rushmore of artists who’ve changed Philadelphia, today’s guest would likely be at the top of most people’s list: Meg Saligman *** Learn how you can support the Streets Dept Podcast and get access to bonus content and events by visiting: Patreon.com/StreetsDept *** Meg is a self-described champion of humans. She’s an artist and muralist who has produced over 40 permanent...

There’s truly no one like R. Eric Thomas . A television writer, playwright, bestselling author, and the writer of a nationally syndicated advice column and weekly humor newsletter, Eric’s a man of fierce observation and stirring wit. Oh, and he was literally the very first guest on the Streets Dept Podcast back in 2017.  In this episode, host Conrad Benner catches up with Eric and talks about the...

Welcome to our first monthly Editor’s Table episode, where we offer behind-the-scenes conversations about podcasting, independent media, Philly, and the arts!  Every month at the Table, you’ll hear Streets Dept founder/podcast host Conrad Benner, lead contributor Eric Dale, and podcast producer Alex Lewis.  This month we talk about why re-launching the podcast at this moment makes a ton of sense,...

With science funding under threat and the internet full of misinformation, we have a hero among us: Sarah McAnulty . In this episode, host Conrad Benner talks with Sarah about the challenges and opportunities of this moment. Not only is Sarah arguably one of our country’s most successful science communicators, but she’s also a street artist. And really, the two for her go hand-in-hand. In her conv...

After a four year hiatus, Conrad is back to host more conversations with the creative minds shaping the world around us.   Learn how you can support the podcast and get access to bonus content and events by visiting: Patreon.com/StreetsDept The Streets Dept Podcast is a collaboration between Conrad Benner (Host), Rowhome Productions (Producers), and Eric Dale (Creative/Research). Our main graphic...

To kick off the 5th year of the Streets Dept Podcast, host Conrad Benner talks with a very special guest who's making a big announcement. That guest is Terrill Haigler, but there's a chance you know him better as "Ya Fav Trashman." Over the last few years, Terrill has turned a much-beloved Instagram account that he created to help Philadelphians better understand the challenges...

On today's episode host Conrad Benner is joined by Rick Krajewski. Krajewski is a State Representative running for his second term serving PA's 188th District. He is a progressive Democrat in a PA Congress which has Republicans in control of both chambers of the state legislature. As he comes to the end of his first two-year term and runs for his second, we discuss the obstacles and oppo...

On today's episode host Conrad Benner is joined by Alexandra Hunt. Hunt is a public health researcher, a girls' soccer coach, an advocate for social, racial, economic, and environmental justice, and an organizer who's running for election to the United States House of Representatives from the 3rd district of Pennsylvania. Running to the left of her Democratic opponent in this month&...

On today's episode host Conrad Benner is joined by Elijah Crawford and Zach Miscavage, Co-Owners of Ugly Art Films. In just over a year after Ugly Art's conception, the company has produced over 18 projects with artists nationally, including music videos, a not-yet-released interview series, commercial work, and more. Together we talk about how the pair met to start a filmmaking effort,...

On today's episode host Conrad Benner is joined by Anne Ishii! Anne is a writer based in Philadelphia and New York, as well as the Executive Director of Asian Arts Initiative. Anne also owns and runs MASSIVE GOODS, a fashion brand and manga publisher. Together we talk about queerness, love, art, leadership, and so much more!

On today's episode host Conrad Benner is joined by Philly-based artist Josh Pellegrini. Josh talks about finding an artistic community through his sobriety. Leaving his nursing career to become a full-time photographer. And what he's learned with his newfound success in NFTs. 

Today on the podcast host Conrad Benner talks with Denver-based walking artist and pedestrian advocate, Jonathon Stalls. In 2010, Jonathon spent 242 days walking across the United States. Since then he's built a grassroots walking movement focused on cultivating connections to others, to the places we live, and to ourselves. One of his latest efforts: creating content for his wildly popular P...

Today on the podcast host Conrad Benner talks with artist-on-the-rise, Kah Yangni about their burgeoning art career, their take on muralism, and their latest mural in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia that celebrates Philadelphians from the trans, gender non-conforming, and non-binary communities!

In this special anniversary episode, StreetsDept.com Founder Conrad Benner opens up about 10 years of blogging about Philly art and public space! For the conversation, Conrad is interviewed by Streets Dept Contributor, Eric Dale. 

In today's final Sidebar: A New View – Camden episode we talk with one of the final groups who built an installation for this project, Amanda Schachter and Alexander Levi of SLO Architecture and contemplate the cycles of Camden's history and potential energy ahead! 

In today's final Sidebar: A New View – Camden episode we talk with one of the final groups who built an installation for this project, Amanda Schachter and Alexander Levi of SLO Architecture and contemplate the cycles of Camden's history and potential energy ahead! 

In this third episode of the Streets Dept Podcast Sidebar series, "Sidebar: A New View – Camden," we'll talk with two of the artist groups that built installations for the project whose work not only called attention to illegal dumping but created public resources for the surrounding communities to use and share: Donna Dodson and Andy Moerlein (aka The Myth Makers) and their outdoor...

Earlier this month, a new work of public art from Philly-based artist Miguel Antonio Horn titled "Contrafuerte" went viral and earned international attention. On this episode, we talk with the artist about the work, its wild reception, and the possibility of public art in the 21st Century. 

In this second episode of the Streets Dept Podcast Sidebar series, "Sidebar: A New View – Camden," we talk with artists Tyler Fuqua and Jason Hutchinson about their giant roadside robot and Associate Director for Education at Rutgers-Camden Center for the Arts Noreen Scott Garrity to learn more about the curatorial process and need for a project that combines temporary public art and pub...