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

On our Monday program, we took a hard look at the Presque Isle Gateway Project. We talked to Millcreek Township Supervisor Kim Clear, and Millcreek's Director of Planning And Development Matthew Waldinger.

On our Friday episode, we took a deep dive into another award-winning local program, WQLN Chronicles.  The program has been nominated for six Central Great Lakes Emmys. Our guests were Mike Berlin, Executive Producer and Tom Fox-Davies, Series Producer of this exceptional series based around Erie history.

On a Thursday education focus, we discussed local public education with representatives from the Northwest Tri County Intermediate Unit 5. As a regional educational service agency, IU5 provides cost-effective programs and services for the 17 public school districts and nonpublic schools in Crawford, Erie, and Warren counties. On our panel from the IU5 was Kirk Shimshock, director of federal and st...

Our Wednesday focus was on mental health as we heard from Dr. Matthew Hurford, President and CEO of UPMC's Community Care Behavioral Health Organization, the nation's largest non-for-profit behavioral health managed care organization and the Vice President of Behavioral Health at UPMC. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Dr. Hurford shared the importance of May 18th's Mental Heal...

On our Tuesday episode of The Joel Natalie Show, Erie County Executive Brenton Davis returned for his May visit. Our discussion centered around strategies for the Erie airport, economic development and the addition of former Erie Mayor Joe Sinnott to a leadership post, summer jobs and leadership.

We returned to our studios Monday with a focus on the Erie International Airport. We tried to understand the problems ERI is facing in the context of the overall U.S. commercial aviation industry. Our guests included Dan Giannelli, Board Chair of the Erie Airport Authority; Joe Sinnott, Erie County Economic Development Director; and James Grunke, President/CEO of the Erie Regional Chamber and Grow...

For our Wednesday Wellness focus, we learned about the White PIne Center for Healing, the only Erie-area clinic for those dealing with eating disorders, body image issues, weight stigma, and trauma. Joining us was Mary Machuga, Founder & Executive Director; and Brandy Montgomery, Clinical Director.

At The Joel Natalie Show We’ve had many conversations about what it takes–financially–to make ends meet. So on Tuesday, we dug deep and had a substantial conversation about Universal Basic Income. Our guests were Susannah Faulkner. Erie City Council Member, current candidate, and Development Director at the SSJ Neighborhood Network; Tia Epps, youth advocate, sociology student at St Vincent College...

On a special Friday author's conversation, we welcomed Dominick DiPaolo to our microphones to chat about his book, "The Unholy Murder of Ash Wednesday."  The story centers on Bolo Dovishaw, a real-life Erie character who became infamous for his racketeering, and how he died. We talked to Judge DiPaolo in advance of his and co-author Jeff Pinski's book discussion on May 3rd at the...

So much has happened in “the industry…the biz” as we call it. The media is fraught with controversy recently, as Tucker Carlson makes his exit from Fox, Don Lemon is ousted from CNN, as well as the loss of Jerry Springer. It was so fitting that our media expert, Brian Sheridan, Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at Mercyhurst University, joined us Thursday to dig into these sto...

As part of the solutions to the homelessness problem in Erie, Community Shelter Services is building tiny homes to keep families together. To talk about it was Diane Lazette, Executive Director, Kane Patron, Shelter Manager, and Cathy Szymanski of sponsor, the Kiwanis Club of Erie.

Ben Speggen, Vice President of the Jefferson Educational Society joined us Tuesday to talk about the Cities Summit of the Americas, as well as the upcoming 15th anniversary gala, and other JES events and updates.

Every day, we recognize that our very own Great Lake is a blessing and a resource for our region. On the Monday edition of the Joel Natalie Show, we were happy to welcome local filmmaker John C. Lyons and Jesse Olszewski, Editor and camera operator for the documentary, “Lake Erie, Our Kin,” a two-part production that is part of WQLN’s "Chronicles" series.

For Friday’s Monthly Meeting with the Mayor, we discussed Erie’s crime statistics. Joining us, along with Erie Mayor Joe Schember, was Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny for a hard look at the numbers, and what we’re doing to mitigate crime in our city.

Erie is rich with natural resources, and for this Earth Day, we focused on Lake Erie.  Gannon University’s Project NePTWNE takes an inclusive and holistic approach to addressing water quality, climate change, economic development, and quality of life. Joining us to talk more about Project Neptune was Gannon University’s Dr. Karinna Vernaza, Dean of the College of Engineering and Business.

On our Wednesday Wellness Focus, we had a conversation with Dr. Brad Fox, Primary Care and Family Medicine Physician with the Allegheny Health Network. We talked about obesity, high blood pressure, men’s health, and other family medicine topics.

Tuesday we welcomed friends from the Erie County Library to the microphone. Joining us was Karen Pierce, Director of the Erie County Public Library; Joan Duke, Adult Services librarian; and Abby Fetzner from the Idea Lab. We talked about the Library’s different services, both in-person and online, along with upcoming health fair, as well as LibCon, a pop culture festival.

On our Monday business focus, we were talking about networking, and how important it is for small business owners to connect and support each other in the Erie area.  Joining us from the BNI Flagship Chapter were: Zachary Kavchak, Absorb & Restore (chapter president); Adam Baker, Schooley Mitchell; Alesha DiFilippo, Proper T Cleaning; and Jamie Taylor, Budget Blinds of Erie.

On April 15th, the Sisters of St. Joseph Neighborhood Network celebrated their 16th Annual Guess That Tune Gala. Joining us to talk about the event was Almi Clerkin, Executive Director of the Sisters of St. Joseph Mission & Ministries Foundation, and Father Shawn Clerkin, co-hosts for the Gala; and Susannah Faulkner, Development Director for the SSJNN.

So many of today’s headlines, both locally and nationally, include youth violence. Joining us Thursday was Judge John Trucilla to discuss the escalating problem of violent crimes among Erie’s teens.

For the Erie Seawolves 2023 Home Opener, we were talkin' baseball, as we hear from voices from the field and the front office. Joining us in order were, Greg Gania, Assistant GM/Communications; Greg Coleman, President; Gabe Alvarez, Manager; and Gage Workman, Infielder.

April is Autism Acceptance month, and Erie has many wonderful services for families that need support with autism. On this Thursday episode, we met James “Tito” DeWolf. His album, "Everyone Needs a Friend," was written as a form of music therapy for a client and friend who navigates life with autism.  Then we welcomed back Tish Bartlett, Executive Director of the Autism Society of NWPA t...

On our Wednesday program, we are highlighting the inaugural winner of the LECOM Behavioral Health Breakthrough Award. Jeff Natalie is a licensed social worker, marriage and family therapist, and Joel's little brother. 

For our Tuesday episode, we welcomed Erie County Executive Brenton Davis back to the microphone. Among other topics, we discussed his take on the emergency medical services crisis, the latest on DEI, and other issues facing the county.

We started the week and the month with an update on what's happening downtown with John Persinger, the CEO of the Erie Downtown Development Corporation. John updated us on the latest construction projects, changes at the Food Hall and on State Street, and the demand for downtown apartments.