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

For our first show after the holiday, Chuck Peters, Managing Partner at Altair Holdings LLC, joined us to talk about the current situation in Erie commercial real estate. Chuck was joined by our political voice Dean Pepicello to talk about how politics and policy impacts the market.

On the Tuesday show, we were looking forward to the big Thanksgiving holiday weekend, and focusing on Small Business Saturday.  We had conversations with three local business owners: Linda Breakiron of Breakiron Jewelers; Vicki Allen Shea, owner of Allen Stoneware; and Louis Geramita of Primo Tailoring.

We began the week with a fascinating conversation about a new original local TV series airing on WQLN-PBS called "'Chronicles." President and CEO Tom New joined to explain the story behind these in-depth episodes on Erie's history.

On our Friday program, it was our monthly meeting with the Mayor of  the City of Erie, Mayor Joe Schember.  Our conversation centered arounds some of the tough subjects, including the DEI, panhandling, and the city budget.

The daily news is filled with stories about job openings for nurses, personal care aides, and all kinds of workers in our health care systems. For our Wednesday health focus on The Joel Natalie Show, we asked Laura Riazzi from UPMC human resources to give us the situation regarding health care jobs in our neck of the woods.

On Thursday, we continued our salute to Erie’s Veterans, as we welcomed Brian McCauley, whose organization, Flying for Veterans, takes local vets on journeys through the skies.

On our Wednesday program we had a discussion about the Erie VA Medical Center in advance of Veteran's Day. Our guests included, Chanel Cook, Public Affairs Officer; Karen O’Neal, Chief of the Center for Development & Civic Engagement Voluntary Services;  and Andrea “Andi” Place, U.S. Navy Veteran & Volunteer DAV Driver.

On our Fun Friday broadcast, we highlighted the second annual Western Pennsylvania Maker Market - a one-day pop-up marketplace that is an alternative to mainstream retail, highlighting the quality handmade objects created by artists and artisans from throughout western Pennsylvania, scheduled for Nov. 19th in downtown Erie.

On a Thursday education focus, our guest on The Joel Natalie Show was Dr. Timothy Stevenson, Associate Dean of the College of Education and the Executive Director of Clinical Experiences at Penn West Edinboro, to learn about the strategy for recruiting college students into the teaching profession.

On our Wednesday health focus, we discussed Diabetes Awareness Month with Dr. Fernando Melaragno, endocrinology specialist at LECOM Health.

It was another full show Tuesday, as we had our one-on-one monthly meeting with Erie County Executive Brenton Davis.  Our conversation centered on the grant process to community organizations, Project Resolve, and the controversy over the DEI Commission.

On a Fun Friday edition of The Joel Natalie Show, we invited Gerry Weiss, former writer for the Erie Times News and noted movie guru, to take a deep dive in the cinematic and cultural phenomenon that is "The Godfather," which marked the 50th anniversary of the first film's release.

On our Thursday show, we welcomed John Kowalczyk, local founder and director of the Veterans Miracle Center of Erie.  VMCE’s Freedom Village provides housing for veterans with tiny homes on the Erie Sports Park complex.

On our Wednesday health focus, we discussed Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Dr. Mona Janfaza, breast surgeon with UPMC Hamot. She talked about screenings, risk factors and the latest research.

On Tuesday, we broadcasted live from the 2022 Keystone Nonprofit Conference at the Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center in Erie. We highlighted the work of several nonprofits, and got an understanding of how they are doing during these times of inflation and workforce shortages. Our guests include: Adam Bratton, Executive Director, The Nonprofit Partnership;  Jonathan Rilling, Board Presi...

On our Monday program, we had a conversation with Dr. Perry Wood, executive director of the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority.  Over the summer, ECGRA conducted a series of listening sessions in rural communities, to determine the best ways to distribute ARP funds and grant dollars.  We learned what they heard, and how the money will be utilized.

On our Friday episode, we had the October monthly meeting with Erie Mayor Joe Schember. Budget was on the docket, as the Mayor has recently submitted the 2023 spending plan to Erie City Council.

On our Wednesday show, we spoke with Erie ex-pat, mechanical engineer and business owner John Andrzejczak, who grew up in Erie schools and started his career in Erie industry, and has grown to nationwide proportions.

In advance of the Erie City Mission's Annual Banquet, Thanksgiving food bag giveaway, and the winter months, we caught up with Darrell Smith, the COO of this over-century old Erie charity.

On the Wednesday edition of The Joel Natalie Show, we had an in-depth conversation about behavioral health and the new center coming online at AHN Saint Vincent. Joining us was Nina Ferraro, Director of Behavioral Health, AHN Saint Vincent, and  Anthony P. Mannarino, Ph. D., Professor and Chair, Director, Center for Traumatic Stress In Children and Adolescents, Psychiatry and Behavioral Healt...

In 2022, the local Erie residential real estate market has seen changes that haven't been seen in generations. Meanwhile, mortgage rates have steadily increased, making the cost of borrowing much higher. To help us navigate the topic was Laban Marsh, a broker for Marsha Marsh Real Estate, and his wife Megan Marsh, a principal at CoLab Lending.

For the 2022 season, the Jefferson Educational Society's Global Summit is greatly expanding over several weeks with 15 individual events. Joining Joel on our Monday episode was President Dr. Ferki Ferati, and Vice President Ben Speggen.

On our Thursday program, we talked to Senator Dan Laughlin (R-49th) about his legislative priorities, the state of PA politics, as well as the pushback on his bill proposals supporting the legalization of marijuana.

On our Wednesday program, an ailing Joel interviewed Tina Mengine, CEO, and Chris Groner, VP of the Erie County Redevelopment Authority. On conversation centered on the sprawling EMI project on West 12st Street in Erie, and their plans to bring online tens of thousands of square feet for light industrial use in that corridor.

On this first Tuesday of the month, we had our monthly conversation with Brenton Davis, Erie County Executive. Topics included his discussions with County Council about Project Resolve, and the budgeting out of the second round of ARPA funding from the federal government.