TalkErie.com - The Joel Natalie Show - Erie Pennsylvania Daily Podcast

On the Monday broadcast, we covered the controversy surrounding Erie County leasing a portion of the Blasco Library to Gannon University and its Project NePTWNE. Representatives of Keep Our Library Public joined us: Krista Perry and Anna McCartney.

On our Fun Friday episode, Erie filmmaker John C. Lyons came on the show to discuss his latest project, Tethered, an immersive live experience. He also spoke about other film projects in the works, and his picks for the Academy Awards.

Our Thursday episode featured frequent guest Ben Speggen, the Vice President of the Jefferson Educational Society, to highlight the Erie think-tank's Winter Term. Ben also shared about his 2023 visit to Germany and some of their industry and business best practices.

February is American Heart Month, and from the American Heart Association was local director Gina Klofft, and graduate student and intern Camilla Camacho to talk screenings, best practices, and the 100 year anniversary of the AHA.

When Erie County Executive Brenton Davis returned to The Joel Natalie Show microphones, we discussed economic development, the Gaming Revenue Authority, and other administration priorities.

On our Friday show, we learned of the efforts of The Oliver Hazard Perry Shipyard, a nonprofit organization working to secure the decommissioned ex-USS HALYBURTON, a Perry class Guided Missile Frigate, and bring it to Erie as a maritime exhibit. Joel interviewed RADM (Ret.) Robert D. Reilly, Jr. and MCPD (Ret.) Justin S. Crowe.

We began the new month with a conversation with Mary Bula, the Executive Director of Erie Together, the area's anti-poverty initiative. The organization of volunteers from across the region are trying to solve systemic and generational poverty through data-driven approaches in education and career pathways.

On our Wednesday episode, our Erie Total Solar Eclipse coverage turned to what's happening on the ground, with Visit Erie's John Oliver and Emily Biddle. We talked about the massive numbers of expected visitors, and how Erieites should prepare.

The Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook joined us Tuesday to review the preliminary statistics regarding investigated deaths his office handled in 2023, including the highest number of homicides in 50 years.

On our Wednesday program, we had a conversation about the importance of leadership with Pastor Derek Sanford, Dean of the Grace Leadership Institute and Lead Pastor of Grace Church. We spoke of the mission and activities of the GLI, and the importance of using our influence to make the lives better of people around us.

On the Tuesday edition of The Joel Natalie Show, we invited in-studio Dr. Ralph Ford, Chancellor of Penn State Behrend. The higher ed institution in Harborcreek Township is celebrating its 75th Anniversary. Dr. Ford told the story of the origin of the Behrend campus, how the school is celebrating this milestone, and their work in the greater Erie region.

It's was an action-packed episode to start 2024 as Joel interviewed Erie Mayor Joe Schember. Discussion points included the budget, the Greengarden bikeway, and the Mayor's appointment of Mel Witherspoon to an open City Council seat.

On our Thursday episode of The Joel Natalie Show, we welcomed back State Representative Bob Merski (D-2nd) back to the microphone. We talked about state finances, game and fisheries, gaming oversight, along with his expert knowledge of Basic Education as a former Erie School District educator.

On our Wednesday program, we caught up with Tim Broderick, Executive Director of Erie's People For Life, Inc., the local pro-life organization. We discussed the well-attended Pro-Life Breakfast, the March for Life, and the current state of the abortion issue in Pennsylvania in this post-Roe era.

On Monday, we started the week with our annual tax season program, with certified financial planners John Baker and Ben Reiter from Kingdom Financial Group. John also heads up Kingdom Tax Services. We discussed the lay of the land for 2023 tax returns along with developing a plan for 2024 now.

The Executive Director of Erie Arts & Culture, Anne O'Dell, joined us on our Friday episode to review past year in the arts community, and what Erie has to look forward to in 2024.

Just before his appearance at Keller's a Modern Magic and Comedy Club, actor, comedian, and producer Mark Christopher Lawrence appeared on our radio show. Mark is known for his roles in the TV show Chuck, and movies like Terminator 2.

On Tuesday's episode, we welcomed Dr. Chris Clark, the President of AHN St. Vincent Hospital. We discussed respiratory illness, the new Critical Decision Unit and behavioral health wing, plus the work being done to encourage young people to enter nursing and the medical fields.

We began the week with a conversation with Erie County Executive Brenton Davis, as he highlighted his efforts to boost emergency response in the county, along with his other priorites in the new year.

On our Thursday broadcast, we were delighted to welcome Steve Scully to the microphone. Scully is an Erie native who has interviewed every US President since Ford throughout his career . He is currently host of The Briefing on Sirius XM POTUS channel, and Senior VP of Communications with the Bipartisan Policy Center.

To start the new year, we get a baseline on Erie business with James Grunke, the President and CEO of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership.

On our Thursday edition of The Joel Natalie Show, we met the new CEO of the Erie Zoo, Melissa “Roo” Kojancie. She was accompanied by Kate Phillips, board member for the Erie Zoological Society. We discussed the current plans for Zoo upgrades, the capital fundraising campaign, and steps to regain AZA accreditation.

On Tuesday, Vice President of the Jefferson Educational Society, Ben Speggen joined for a look back at some of the highlights of 2023 in Erie, including moments from the JES's Global Summit. We discussed what we can learn and what to look forward to in the new year.

Our Thursday guest was Shawntá Pulliam-Brown, a Board-Certified Doctor of Natural Medicine, Holistic Health Practitioner, and owner of Sacred Divine Femininity, LLC. We learned about Shawntá's extensive practice and wellness alternatives available.

Have you been following Erie Coke in the news? From the closure, to the cleanup, the future of the Erie Coke property right on the lake is causing much discussion. Joining us today to walk us through what is happening is Dr. Mike Campbell, Mercyhurst biology professor and a leader in the HECA efforts.