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

In 2019, The Northwest Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center partnered with the Millcreek School District to develop the McDowell Manufacturing Program.  We’ll get an update on enrollment, the projects they’re working on, and what the future holds for students interested in manufacturing careers.  Joining us on the Monday edition of the Joel Natalie Show was the McDowell Manufacturing...

On our Thursday episode, we were glad to welcome Dr. Keith Taylor, President of Gannon University, and Doug Oathout, Chief of Staff and Director of Marketing and Communications at our alma mater, for our continuing series of Gannon University Inspire Interviews. The university officials discussed the recent capital improvements, program additions, and the announcement of Dr. Taylor's plan to leave...

On our Thursday episode of the Joel Natalie Show, we were live from the Hagen History Center on Erie's Millionaire's Row.  What’s new from Erie’s past?  Our guests included Pam Parker (project manager), Becky Weiser (curator), Jeff Sherry (education director), Mark Squeglia (board president), and Glenn ChiChester (docent). The new exhibit, telling "The Story of Us", highlights so many pi...

On our Wednesday program, we were happy to welcome Captain Billy Sabatini back to the microphone. The Captain helped us navigate through a preview of Tall Ships Erie 2022, and what’s afloat at the Flagship Niagara League.

On our Tuesday edition of The Joel Natalie Show, David González, the Chief Executive Officer of the St. Martin Center joined us to discuss how the agency is meeting basic needs for housing and early childhood education, and how important Erie Gives Day is to their finances.

On Thursday, we went back to school, and welcomed to our 429 State Street studios Dr. Chris Gray, President of the Erie County Community College of Pennsylvania.  We found out about the new programs, the physical expansion into Corry, and onto the former Villa Campus, and got an update on the students.

The Joel Natalie Show's coverage of the new regional economic growth playbook, "Erie’s Inclusive Growth: A Playbook for Action" continued Tuesday, with a conversation with Kim Thomas, the leader of the new initiative, and James Grunke, CEO of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership. We learned about the major themes, focus areas and projects that are being invested in.

Monday we welcomed John Persinger, CEO of the Erie Downtown Development Corporation. We heard about the new vendors in the Flagship City Food Hall, the new construction we are actively watching right across the street from our studio, and chatted about what else is developing here in our hometown.

On this Friday episode, we had our Monthly Meeting with the Mayor. Mayor Joe Schember joined us in the studio, and we had plenty to talk about.

On Thursday, we met the founders of Julia Hospice and Palliative Care Center.  Christopher and Julia Strzalka perceived the need for a brick-and-mortar hospice building, to give comfort to those who need high-level medical care as they approach end-of-life.

On our Wednesday episode, the timely topic was the intersection of young males, mental health, and gun violence. Joining Joel was Dr. Jack Rozel, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Adjunct Professor of Law, University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Rozel is considered one of the top experts on understanding the influence of mental health and mass shootings.

On Tuesday, Nick Scott, Jr. of Scott Enterprises called the Joel Natalie Show to share the latest developments by the Erie-based hospitality company, including the Harbor Place development on Erie's Bayfront, Splash Lagoon upgrades in Summit Township, and other investments.

Downtown Erie isn't the only place where a technological revolution is happening in the Erie region. On Monday, we had a conversation with Chuck Gray, the Executive Director of Impact Corry. Their goal is to leverage federal, state, and local dollars to boost broadband connectivity, strengthen Corry's central core, and other goals of this southeastern Erie County community.

On Wednesday, we spoke to Ben Jeffries, General Marketing Manager of the Hallman Auto Group.  The discussion spanned topics such as the supply chain issues, elusive car chips, and how car dealers are dealing with these issues.

Tuesday was our monthly meeting with Erie County Executive Brenton Davis. Joel and Brenton had a substantial conversation about a regional economic development approach.

On this episode, we recognize the 4th of July and the anniversary of the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg as we meet a local author. Hans Myers wrote a book on General Strong Vincent, and we got the pleasure of hearing the historic, patriotic story of this Erie native who as a Union officer was the hero of Little Round Top.

On Thursday, we shined the spotlight on a local small business, as they celebrate ten years in business. Picasso’s Erie opened in July of 2012, and we talked to the sandwich wizards themselves, owners Ray Stolz and Donny Wisniewski about the joys and challenges of running their shop for the past decade, and what the future might hold.

On Wednesday, we sat down with Erie City Police Chief Dan Spizarny. We spoke about crime in the city, gun violence, and the addition of nine police officers to the force.

On Monday, we talked about the Supreme Court’s decision to roll back Roe vs Wade, and what this means on a local level. Joining us this episode was Tim Broderick, Executive Director of People for Life in Erie. We got his thoughts on this monumental decision, how this affects Erie, and the big question: what happens now?

We have a very special show for you, as we spent Friday afternoon at The Nonprofit Partnership’s Membership Appreciation Day.  We spoke with a number of our local nonprofit leaders: 1) Adam Bratton-Nonprofit Partnership; 2) Nicole Leone-Erie Humane Society; 3) Craig Ulmer-Community Health Net; 4) Jonathan Rilling-Erie Homes for Children & Adults; 5) Karen Bilowith-Erie Community Foundatio...

We often focus on education on Thursdays, and for this episode we pulled the focus away from reading, writing, and arithmetic, and looked instead to music education. Learning an instrument is like learning a new language, so we talked to one of Erie’s most well-known music teachers: Frank Singer.  Our conversation centered around the benefits of music lessons, no matter what your age is!

On Wednesday we spoke about One Table: an interfaith, multicultural organization, which gathers together people from all different walks of life. Gary Larson was here to tell us about the ONE TABLE picnic on August 4th, as well as provide a history of the group.

Our focus this episode was on local agriculture, as we welcomed Mark Troyer, owner of Farmulated CBD. We got Mark’s perspective on the current climate for local farmers, especially when it comes to workforce challenges, rising costs of production and fuel; and we also dug into the state and federal regulations on CBD and the effects of potentially legalizing recreational cannabis.

On Monday, Jordan Steves returned to the Joel Natalie Show. He's the Director of Strategic Communications at Chautauqua Institution. Jordan brought a preview of their new season which begins this week.

Friday's episode was our Monthly Meeting with Mayor Joe Schember and talked about the City Council meeting Wednesday night, adding police officers to the roster, and more city business.