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

On Wednesdays, we like to focus on health and wellness, so on this episode we turned our attention to our seniors. How are residents of senior living centers navigating the super-contagious Omicron variant?  To find out, we’ll talk to Dr. Jaime Babiak, Director of Operations & Director of Pharmacy for the LECOM Institute for Successful Aging.  Dr. Babiak brought us the update on LECO...

At the Joel Natalie Show, we are all about the business of advancing Erie. On our Tuesday episode, we were setting goals and planning for a vibrant future for our city, as we dig in to the Emerge 2040 plan. This 25-year strategic plan is meant to create a more sustainable, resilient, and prosperous Erie County. To discuss the progress thus far, we were joined by Laith Wardi, Vice Chair, as well as...

On our Fun Friday episode, we met two leaders in the regional art community. First was Laura Domencic, the Executive Director of the Erie Art Museum. Laura shared a bit of her story and what 2022 looks like at the Erie Art Museum. Then Michael Leo Centi joined Joel for a conversation about his latest motion picture filmed in our region: "Attack of the Radioactive Zombies."

As we often do on Thursdays, on this episode of the Joel Natalie Show we were talking about education, turning our attention to the Erie Public Schools. Joining us was Neal Brokman, Executive Director of Operations and pandemic coordinator for Erie’s Public Schools. We learned how the school district is navigating the Omicron variant, and what the guidelines are for staying in school versus going...

On our Wednesday health focus, we went to the top of public health in the Commonwealth and in Erie County. First, Joel interviewed Pennsylvania's Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson, on the latest regarding the Omicron variant and treatment options for COVID-19. Then our guest was Charlotte Berringer, Director of Community Health Services at Erie County Department of Health. Char helped us with t...

At the Joel Natalie Show, we are always about the business of informing and educating the people of Erie.  On our Tuesday show, we were glad to welcome Erie County Court of Common Pleas Judge John Trucilla back to the microphone to continue our conversation on the Law.  We learned about the effect the pandemic has had on the court system locally, the layers of the justice system, and cri...

We always like to say that a sunny, summer day on Presque Isle is a perfect Chamber-of-Commerce type of day, but Erie is still beautiful, even covered in snow. Speaking of the Chamber of Commerce, on Monday our guest was the President and CEO of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, James Grunke. He shared the Chamber’s perspective on 2021, and look ahead to what’s being planned for 20...

We’re continuing the first week of January with a focus on “new year, new you!” On Thursday we welcomed back life coach, Andy Kerr, about setting goals and making them a reality. You can do a lot with a positive attitude and attainable goals, so listen in for some tips on looking forward to good things in the new year.

We’re less than a week into 2022…how are you doing with your new year’s resolutions?  If you’re hoping for a new you in the new year, you’re tuned to the right place.  We talked to Tammy Roche from the YMCA about getting fit and staying healthy, and we turned to LECOM physician, Dr. Fernando Melaragno about good nutrition leading to good health.

On Tuesday, we were back for our first Big Issue interview in this new year.  Our guest was Gerald Blanks, CEO of the Greater Erie Economic Development Corporation.  Gerald shared about his background and leadership, and how the GEEDC encourages and assists the creation of minority businesses, while lifting up young people through scholarships and apprenticeships.

When we looked at the weather forecast on Wednesday, we had to face the facts that Erie would not have a white Christmas in 2021. We wanted to know why, so we asked Erie News Now meteorologist Sara Tonks to layout our weather reality and what the outlook for the entire winter was.

On Tuesday, we welcomed back to The Joel Natalie Show the Executive Editor of the Erie Times-News and GoErie.com, Matt Martin. Joel and Matt discussed the top Erie news stories of 2021, and the look forward in the new year, and the newspaper's commitment to reporting the stories that readers depend on.

On Monday, Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper joined the Joel Natalie Show for her final appearance in her capacity as the county's top elected official. We talked about her career, the 2021 election of her successor, and her legacy, including what Joel and Kathy agreed was her top accomplishment: shepherding the establishment of the Erie County Community College of PA.

We finished the week on The Joel Natalie Show with our monthly meeting with the Mayor of the City of Erie, Joe Schember. We spent a lot of time on relations with City Council and the annual budget, along with ARPA investments and the development of downtown market-rate housing.

Even though it’s NOT beginning to look a lot like Christmas just yet, Christmas is still right around the corner.  While it is traditionally a season of joy, it can be a particularly difficult holiday for those who have experienced grief, trauma, or struggles with mental illness.  On our Thursday episode, we talked to Dr. Adrienne Dixon, President and CEO of Sarah Reed Children’s Center;...

On our Wednesday health focus, Joel invited back Dr. Howard Nadworny, epidemiologist with AHN/St. Vincent and a key medical advisor to Erie County's public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Then Dr. Nick Lombardo, clinical pharmacist at Millcreek Community Hospital/LECOM Health explained about the new Merck and Pfizer anti-viral oral treatments coming online to fight COVID.

On our Monday episode, we spent the hour with Erie’s own Lou Baxter.  We chatted with "Lou-B" about his over four decades in Erie media with Jet TV/Fox 66/YourErie.com, his early radio days, and what the recently-retired TV news director has planned for his future.

We’re glad you've chosen the Joel Natalie Show to get informed about the Erie community.  On Thursday, we pointed our spotlight on higher education, by catching up with the former Go College students that we’ve been following since they were still in high school. Returning to the show was Mikal-Bryan Ott, and Justice Wickham.  We learned how they’re doing in their college careers, and go...

On Wednesday, we continued our mid-week health focus by speaking with two of the major hospitals in Erie. With us was Emily Shears, Vice President of Quality at UPMC Hamot; and Dr. Christopher Clark, President of AHN St. Vincent, to gain each hospital’s perspectives on the Omicron variant and recent Covid-19 hospitalization data and how the pandemic is affecting all patient care.

On our Tuesday episode, we were happy to welcome Senator Dan Laughlin back to the studio. The Senator was in the news Tuesday as he announced his exit from the Governor’s race, and he joined us to talk about his endorsement of Pennsylvania businessman Dave White for the office. We also covered politics and ongoing policy priorities for Senator Laughlin, and how Erie is being represented in Harrisb...

For our fun Friday edition of the show, we talked to friends from the Hagen History Center as they dress up the Watson-Curtze Mansion for Victorian Holidays. Our conversation included Project Manager Pam Parker, Outreach and Events Coordinator Shelby Graml, and Executive Director George Deutsch, who announced his retirement from leading the organization at the end of the year.

On our Wednesday health focus, we zoomed in on National Diabetes Awareness Month. Our guests were Lana Kunik and Becca Swick from the Sight Center of Northwest Pennsylvania. Our discussion surrounded how the incidence of diabetes continues to grow in our communities, how it is a leading cause of blindness, and what the National Diabetes Prevention program conducted at the Sight Center can help.

We are glad you’re tuning in every day for our in-depth conversations with Erie’s best and brightest!  On our Tuesday program, we checked in with John Persinger, CEO of the Erie Downtown Development Corporation, to find out about the impending launch of the Flagship Food Hall, and the continuing developments downtown.

On the Monday Joel Natalie Show, “work” was our primary focus, as we welcomed Jennifer Berrier, Secretary of the PA Department of Labor and Industry to the program.  Secretary Berrier talked to us about jobs in Erie, safe workplaces, and Governor Wolf’s recent visit to Erie to meet with union officials and workers.

With the weather turning colder, many of us are dreaming of a vacation getaway.  Our guests on Friday are experts at taking the stress out of your travel plans.  We talked to Lisa Cappabianca, owner of Cappabianca Travel, about planning your next getaway; and we heard from Kate Theim, Disney Vacationeer, and learned some pro tips on taking your family to see Mickey and Friends.