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

Our Big Issue conversation Monday on the Joel Natalie Show was with David Gonzalez, the CEO of the St. Martin Center. We learned about how their work in serving those in poverty has been affected by the pandemic, and how through their early childhood programming and rental and utilities assistance the agency continues to add value to those truly in need.

No strangers to our microphones—or any microphones for that matter—the band, First to Eleven joined us on a Fun Friday.  This Erie-based band features Sam Gilman, Ryan Krysiak, Audra Miller, and Matt Yost. They have an enormous, world-wide following as they post rock covers on their Youtube channel to over a million followers.  We’ll find out what this past year has been like, how the mu...

On the Thursday edition of the Joel Natalie Show, we had an exclusive interview with David Gibbons, the President and CEO at UPMC Hamot.  Our conversation centered around the ways UPMC Hamot has engaged in Covid testing, treatment, vaccines, and public outreach, now that we’re 15 months into the pandemic.  We also learned about UPMC Health System’s goals moving forward, as we hope for a...

After a very difficult year of holidays disrupted by the pandemic, the context of Mother's Day at Erie area nursing homes will be quite a bit different, for the better this year. That's the take away from our conversations with two representative of area long-term care facilities, who told us Mother's Day is traditionally one of the biggest days for visitation of the year. Although there will be c...

Tuesday we welcomed back to the microphone John Oliver, President and CEO of VisitErie. What might tourism and entertainment look like in Erie this summer, and how has the hospitality industry been helped with the CHIRP dollars?  124 applicants were awarded the Covid-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program funding. We discussed what that means to Erie businesses in this sector, and how lifti...

On our Monday edition of the Joel Natalie Show, we talked about transportation, from Point A to B in Erie, and beyond, and President Biden's goals for train and transit infrastructure.  Our first guest was Jeremy Peterson, Chief Executive Officer of the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority to find out what’s new with EMTA’s buses, routes, and the new building on 14th Street.  Then we spok...

After a long year without live music, we are excited to see many local musicians get back to gigging in Erie.  On Friday, we spoke with three local performers: Monica Lewis, Matt Boland, and Doug Phillips to hear about how they kept the beat going during this socially distant year, and what it means to them to get back in front of a live audience.

Thursday we focused on the pandemic’s effects on literacy in young children.  Currently, 17 states have enacted laws that hold children back from advancing past third grade if their standardized test scores are not on par with the grade level.  We found out where Pennsylvania stands on this issue as we talked to PA Certified Literacy Specialist Erin Eighmy, an Educational Consultant in L...

We focus a lot on elementary and high school kids on this show, discussing their education, curriculum, and development.  But on the Wednesday program, we started earlier with a look at programs offered for Infants, Toddlers, and Children, such as Head Start and Pre-K Counts. Joining us were Child Development Centers’ CEO, Rina Irwin, Marketing Specialist Jessica Schultz, and Curriculum Speci...

Tuesday we caught up with the Erie County Executive, Kathy Dahlkemper.  Our conversation ranged from the dedication of the Covid-19 memorial, vaccine distribution and hesitancy, the latest on the Community College, and much more. During her interview, Mrs. Dahlkemper rejected criticism that her administration has been too focused on the the county's urban core, saying that she has been commit...

If you’ve visited a local restaurant or small business recently, chances are that you’ve seen "help wanted" signs.  Some small businesses claim they’re having a hard time getting employees to return to work.  How much truth is there to the argument that “people just don’t want to work anymore?”  We spoke with Janet Anderson, Executive Director of Northwest Pennsylvania Job Connect....

On Friday, we had our monthly meeting with City of Erie Mayor Joe Schember.  Our discussion centered around the new City Hall security plan, and what it will take to begin receiving citizens at the Municipal Building beginning this summer. We also talked about reopening city parks, putting the basketball hoops back up, and what the Mayor has planned for summer activities in Erie.

Thursday, April 22nd was Earth Day 2021.  What are you doing to protect and maintain our environment?  Our first guest was Lynn Armel, the environmental sustainability coordinator for the Erie County Department of Planning and Development and local coordinator for the Pick Up Pennsylvania effort.  Then we spoke with Sarah Bennett of PennFuture and co-chair of the committee for Erie...

In our Wednesday health focus, we told the story of increased demand for behavioral health during the pandemic. We learned about the efforts by Millcreek Community Hospital-LECOM Health to meet the need with a new Residential Treatment Facility to the hospital. Explaining the levels of service and the tell-tale signs of someone in crisis was Chris Dundon, Director of Behavioral Health at MCH.

On Tuesday, we learned about the 2021 cohort of the Jefferson Civic Leadership Academy, which is currently being recruited. Through the JCLA, young Erie professionals emerge as civic leaders, creating positive change for Erie County.  Our guests were Adam Welsh, owner and CEO of Flagship Multimedia, Editor in Chief of the Erie Reader, and board member for the Jefferson Educational Society; as...

On our Monday broadcast of the Joel Natalie Show, we welcomed back John Buchna, Executive Director of the Erie Downtown Partnership. We got an update on what is happening, and what is on hold, for downtown Erie. Questions surrounded the concept of events like block parties or Cruise-ins, the status of the build-out in Perry Square, and what else can we expect to see--or not see--in 2021. John spok...

Thursday we talked about ‘vaccine reluctance,’ particularly among our minority communities.  Joining us was the trusted leaders of two of our local community centers: Shantel Hilliard, executive director of the Booker T Washington Center, and Gary Horton, executive director of the Urban Erie Community Development Corporation.  Why is there so much hesitancy about getting the jab? We also...

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has presented to those practitioners in primary health care unprecedented obstacles. On Wednesday, we received a first-hand account of the struggles and triumphs of helping people to wellness from Dr. Brad Fox of AHN Primary Care. Dr. Fox talked about the testing restrictions, the limits of tele-health, and he gave his best case for patients (and all of us) to receive...

On our Tuesday episode of the Joel Natalie Show, we took a deep dive into the minimum wage. What would it mean to the small businesses of Erie County if minimum wage is raised to $12, or even $15?  Our guests were the President and CEO of the Erie Regional and Growth Partnership, James Grunke; as well as the Senior Director of Public Affairs for the Manufacturer and Business Administration, J...

We began the week on the Joel Natalie Show pleased to welcome back Bill Jackson, President of United Way of Erie County, to the microphone.  We discussed the United Way of Erie County’s impactful work, especially with their community schools model, and their support for local families struggling to make ends meet. But we began the conversation learning more about ALICE: Asset Limited, Income...

We are just one month out from Opening Day with the Erie Seawolves, so we were happy to welcome Greg Gania, Assistant General Manager for Communications for the hometown AA Minor League Baseball team to the microphone on a Fun Friday.  We’re all anxious to sing a round of ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame," and Greg shared the excitement about the all-newly renovated UPMC Park, the logistics over...

As all grade levels transition back to in-person learning in the Erie School District, we were glad to welcome Superintendent Brian Polito to the microphone Thursday.  Our conversation centered about attendance, academic performance, and how students have fared during this unprecedented year of virtual learning in the Erie School District. Plus we went deep on the impact of CARES Act and Amer...

April is recognized as Autism Acceptance Month. The Autism Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania is advocating the name change for the month from Autism Awareness to Autism Acceptance.  Executive Director Tish Bartlett talked about this change, and what that means, on the show. We also discussed the impact Covid has had on families dealing with autism.  Mitigation efforts such as masking...

We were talking politics Tuesday.  With just 6 weeks left before the primary, we made a deep dive into the local elections.  Races such as City and County Council, Millcreek Township Supervisor, City of Erie Mayor, and County Executive have a large local impact on our daily lives.  We discussed the candidates and the issues with our friend, Ben Speggen, Vice President of the Jeffers...

We had a packed show Monday as we welcomed the entrepreneur graduates of the Ben Franklin Technology Partners’ TechCelerator Program.  With us was Brian Slawin, Director and Portfolio Manager with the Ben Franklin Technology PArtners, Roger Dagen, Entrepreneur in Residence and Head Coach of the Ben Franklin Technology PArtners TechCelerator Program in Northwest PA, along with local entreprene...