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

The Erie Community Foundation is such an incredible resource for so many nonprofit organizations, so on our Tuesday program, we had a conversation with Erin Fessler, Vice President of Marketing & Community/Government Relations; and Olivia Burges, Philanthropic Services Officer for the Erie Community Foundation, to discuss giving options for the year-end.

On our Monday episode, we focused on Penn State Behrend’s Center for Family Business. The Center offers support to family-owned businesses on how to hire and retain family members, how to manage employee turnover among non-family employees, and how to develop a succession plan. Joining us was Dr. Chris Harben, associate teaching professor of management and associate director of the Center for Fami...

On our Fun Friday, we were joined by Jon DeMarco, Executive Director of the Presque Isle Partnership, and Gordie Herbst, board President of the Partnership, to talk about the light displays at Presque Isle State Park, and the other fine work the Partnership does for that treasured resource.

On our Wednesday episode, we were pleased to meet Brian R. Johansson, the New President and CEO of the Erie City Mission. Johansson brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, including 20 years with the Bowery Rescue Mission in Manhattan.

On the first Tuesday of each month, we have our monthly conversation with Brenton Davis, Erie County Executive. This interview focused on the County budget, the Library and other pressing County news.

On the Monday edition of The Joel Natalie Show, Erie City Council President Chuck Nelson shared with us the current situation with the city budget and the large deficits that loom for the municipality in the next several years.

Thursday, we were happy to welcome Chantel Rodriguez to talk about WQLN’s special event, "Be My Neighbor Day" as well as the other new developments at our Erie public television and radio station.

November is National Diabetes Month. Did you know that almost 9% of the American population already lives with diabetes, and statistics continue to rise.  Joining us to talk about diabetes basics, risks, and what you can do to improve your overall health was Dr. Fernando Melaragno, endocrinology expert with LECOM Health. 

On our Tuesday episode, Kim Thomas, Executive Director Infinite Erie joined our daily program for an update. Infinite Erie is attempting to bring a cohesive and inclusive strategy to access Federal, State, and other grants for major economic development across the Erie region.

A time of year that can create much anxiety in people is the annual Open Enrollment season for choosing health care, including Medicare, and other benefits. To help us understand some of the options and decision-points that people are examining was Christopher Dildine, Retail Store Manager of Highmark Direct in Erie.

Even though Thanksgiving is a holiday for giving thanks, it also tends to bring a level of stress. So, how can we maintain our mental health during the holidays? Joel's brother, Jeff Natalie, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, shares his tips for staying emotionally healthy during the holiday season.

Small Business Saturday is always the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and in this episode, we focused on all of the great businesses that are our downtown-neighbors. Included were: • Dina's Dominican • Primo Tailoring • Glass Growers Gallery • Pointe Foure Vintage • Luminary Distilling • The Brig Cigar Lounge • From the Erie Downtown Partnership, Dave Tamulonis

On our Monday episode of The Joel Natalie Show, we invited back the CEO of the Erie Downtown Development Corporation, Drew Whiting. Our conversation centered around the opening of the Ascend Erie rock climbing gym that opened this month, along with the new residential and retail developments in the works.

Mayor Joe Schember came to our 429 State Street studio for his monthly meeting. We talked about the latest developments in City Hall, including the closing on the new public safety building at 21st and State, the 2024 budget, and getting ready for the holidays.

Our Thursday educational focus turned to the Erie Catholic School System. Joining us was President Dr. Sam Signorino, VP Nicole Reitzel, and the Principal of Our Lady of Peace School Shivani Suri.

On Tuesday, we had an expansive conversation with Dr. Walter Iwanenko, President of Gannon University. We discussed Dr. Iwanenko’s first 120 days at the helm, the challenges that institutions of higher education are facing, Project NePTWNE, and more.

On Friday, we commemorated Veterans Day with a conversation with Erie News Now anchor and producer Mike Ruzzi. Mike has been sharing his Remembering Veterans series for three years, and has talked to veterans from multiple eras.

On our Thursday episode of The Joel Natalie Show, Joel spoke with both the Democratic and Republican party chairmen for Erie County, PA. On the phone was Dr. Jim Wertz, the outgoing chairman of the Erie County Democratic Party, and Tom Eddy, the chairman of the Erie County Republican Party.

Wednesday's Joel Natalie Show was an examination of Tuesday's Municipal General Election, and what take-aways might be learned for the big 2024 contests. Political consultant Jezree Friend joined Joel in the analysis.

Our monthly discussion with the Erie County Executive Brenton Davis coincided with the Municipal General Election. We got his take on the state of the political climate, along with pending issues like the budget, and economic development projects in Erie County.

On Monday, our attention turned to Millcreek Township, and a series of public planning events for the future of Millcreek Parks and Recreation. Joining us was Ashley Marsteller, Millcreek Township Parks and Recreation Director and Matt Waldinger, Director of Planning and Development.

On our Wednesday health focus, Dr. Courtney Roca, assistant professor of the Physical Therapy program at Gannon University; and third-year Gannon DPT student, Derek Ekas joined us to discuss National Physical Therapy Month and options for patients.

On our Tuesday episode we got an update on the Northwest Pennsylvania Innovation Beehive Network, a collaborative of area colleges and universities along with the Erie County Public Library to aid entreprenuers. With us were Chris Lantinen of Penn West Edinboro, and Jake Marsh of Penn State Behrend.

With the recent development of a paid firefighting force in Millcreek Township, a leader has been hired. On our Monday program, we met Millcreek Fire Department Chief Michael Cliff, who joined us in our downtown Erie studio along with Township Supervisor Dan Ouellet.

On our Thursday program, our big focus was on the Minority Community Investment Coalition, and two of its leaders: Shantel Hilliard and James Sherrod.