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

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and on our Wednesday health focus to talk about immunizations, including the Covid-19 vaccine, was Dr. Sarah Breon, D.O., from the Corry Memorial Hospital Rural Health Clinic. Vaccines are an often-debated topic, and Covid-19 jabs have added to the discussion.

On Monday, we were back at work on the Joel Natalie Show and we dove right back in with a one-on-one conversation with Senator Dan Laughlin (R-Erie).  Our conversation with the Senator surrounded the State budget, dealing with the Governor’s emergency measures, and his future plans, including a run for Governor in 2022.

On the Tuesday edition of the Joel Natalie Show, we welcomed back Jordan Steves, Director of Strategic Communications at Chautauqua Institution.  We learned how their first season semi-post-Covid has been going so far, and we’ll hear about what is still to come on Chautauqua Institution’s schedule of speakers, musicians, and performers.  Then one of the comedians scheduled to perform thi...

On our Monday program we were back at the work of advancing the narrative of Erie with an update on the Minority Community Investment Coalition. The MCIC works to alleviate the effects of poverty in Erie by offering a variety of services to low-income residents. Their current projects include a multi-use health and wellness center, urban agriculture, and a solar farm within Joyce A. Savocchio Oppo...

Erie is a beautiful community for bicycle enthusiasts, and coming up next weekend, you can pedal for a cause. Lake Erie Cyclefest, July 30 through August 1, includes four distinct rides, all benefiting local nonprofits including Asbury Woods, Because You Care, Erie Downtown Partnership, and Presque Isle Partnership  To learn more all about the events, we had a conversation with Emily Biddle,...

On our Thursday program, we interviewed Jordan Fuller, Director of the Secure Erie Accelerator, a part of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership.  We learned more about this year’s FIRE Accelerator Program, how they recently re-branded this program that boosts growing businesses, the application process, and heard about the success of several cohort graduates. 

On the Wednesday episode of the Joel Natalie Show, we had a conversation with Nancy Milkowski, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity-Erie.  We heard about Habitat’s latest home construction projects in Erie, and how they are turning the dream of home ownership into a reality for local families. 

The Joel Natalie Show spent several hours Tuesday on a tour of the Erie Downtown Development Corporation’s new projects. CEO John Persinger; VP of Community Engagement and Social Impact Nicole Reitzell; and Experience Director Ryan Hoover, led us through the construction projects in the former Sherlock’s/Park Place Building, North Park Row, and the developing apartment complex.

On our Monday episode, we featured a one-on-one conversation with Erie County Executive, Kathy Dahlkemper.  We talked about the American Rescue Plan ARP dollars, the launch of the Erie County Community College, housing and rental assistance, and of course the Covid cases, the concerns for the Delta variant, and where we’re at with the vaccine in Erie County.

On the Friday edition of the Joel Natalie Show, we had our Monthly Meeting with the Mayor.  Erie Mayor Joe Schember joined us to talk about the American Rescue Plan dollars and how the city plans to spend the funds, along with other city issues.

Thanks for tuning in to the Joel Natalie Show, Thursday edition, as we continue our discuss of the return of the arts in Erie. We were so excited to welcome Dr. Brett Johnson, Artistic Director of the Mercyhurst Institute for Arts and Culture, to talk about the incredible lineup of performers scheduled to take the stage this season at the MIAC.

On this Wednesday edition, we checked in with John Oliver, President and CEO of VisitErie. Even if you’re a long-time resident of Erie, it’s easy to staycation in your hometown when there’s so much to see and do. From natural resources like Presque Isle State Park, to live theatre, free concerts, new Bayfront restaurants and attractions, and so much more, there’s always something to keep you feeli...

For months, we’ve been hearing conflicting accounts about the availability of jobs in Erie and across the state. While many people claim that they have not been able to find work since the pandemic struck, many employers claim that they can’t find workers. Meanwhile, thousands of jobs appear to be available on the PA Career Link website.  On our Tuesday show, we spoke a top official in the Wo...

On the Monday edition of the Joel Natalie Show, we welcomed guests from Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center as they announced the 2021 Alessi Levan Keble Diversity Summit, “Celebrating Legacy through Diversity.”  Joining us to talk about the virtual event, as well as triumphs and challenges that social service providers face as they embrace efforts in diversity, were: Dr. Adrienne Dixon, presiden...

Thanks for joining us for our Thursday edition of the Joel Natalie Show.  If you’ve recently gone car shopping, or even if you’ve just driven by any new car lot lately, you’ve probably noticed that inventory is low.  What is the connection between automobiles, microchips, and the Covid-19 pandemic? We talked to Ben Jeffreys, General Marketing Manager of the Hallman Auto Group; and Joe Bi...

On our Wednesday program, we welcomed back Mike Kelly, our Representative in the U.S. Congress for Pennsylvania's 16th District. The Congressman spoke very candidly with us about several pressing topics, including the migrant children who stayed in Erie for a short time this spring, the insurrection on January 6th including his vote and activities that fateful day, improving infrastructure, and mo...

We’re right back at the task of advancing the narrative of Erie, as we highlighted two companies that participated in the Ben Franklin Technology Partners’ Big Idea Contest.  Joining us for the Tuesday entrepreneurial focus was Brian Slawin, Director and Portfolio Manager for Ben Franklin Technology Partners;  Rebecca Styn, PhD, founder and CEO of Blind Tiger Spirit Free Cocktail and win...

On a Fun Friday we were thrilled to welcome local movie-makers Lyons Den Productions to talk about the release of their new movie titled, Unearth .  The thriller was filmed completely in Erie and Crawford counties, is the product of 8 years of hard work, and is set to release on all the major VOD platforms and DVD this month.  Directors John C. Lyons and Dorota Swies joined us to talk ab...

Thanks for subscribing to the Joel Natalie Show.  For decades, Erie was considered a manufacturing town, but in recent years, it has been argued that tourism and hospitality have taken over Erie’s identity. Are local high-school graduates still going into manufacturing in Erie? The Millcreek School District and the Northwest Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center think so—and have partnered...

On our Wednesday health focus, our conversation centered around vaccine hesitancy, and the overall wellness of our minority community, friends, and neighbors.  Joining us was Dr. Annette Wagner, physician at OB/GYN Associates of Erie, who also has been working with the Community Centers toward educating the public about the Covid-19 vaccine.

We’ve talked recently about the high demand for purchasing homes in the Erie area; and now we’re hearing that there may also be a shortage of available market-value rentals.  For more on the rental situation, we invited Chuck Peters, Managing Member at Altair Holdings, to return to the Joel Natalie Show, for his perspective on this area of local real estate.  

We took the Joel Natalie Show on the road again Friday with a live broadcast from the Erie Zoo.  We had an extensive conversation with President and CEO of the Erie Zoo--the Zoo Guy, Scott Mitchell, to find out about the newest animals and attractions; learned about Zoo history, and we found out how our Zoo is recovering after a difficult year.

On the Thursday show, we investigated a local urban legend, while recognizing World UFO Day. Back in 1966, a group of friends witnessed a UFO on Presque Isle’s Beach 6, making Erie the focus of Federal Blue Book Case Number 10798. Joining us to tell us what they know about the UFO sighting were: Brian Gula, Environmental Education Specialist at Presque Isle State Park; Jim Gavio, Director of the Y...

The news of former PA Governor Tom Ridge's recent stroke has caused concern about the risk of stroke in older adults. Unpacking this issue for us on Wednesday was UPMC Hamot ICU physician Dr. Logan Pyle. Dr. Pyle explained what other health factors lead to higher risk of stroke, as well as the tell-tale signs if you or someone close to you may be having a stroke.

On our Tuesday episode of the Joel Natalie Show, we invited back Adam Trott representing BikeErie. This group of local cyclists advocate for more multimodal access in the area. Our discussion included the Erie urban mobility plan, along with bike trails throughout the region, and the Lake Erie Cycle Fest.