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

On the Tuesday program, we were able to learn all about the new voting machines and all the new changes for the 2020 election here in Erie County, Joel welcomed Doug Smith, Clerk of Elections in the County. We went over the new voting procedures in Erie County, the legislation that changed registration and mail-in ballots, and security. We are always learning here on the Joel Natalie Show.

On the Monday program, Joel welcomed two new members of Erie City Council to talk about their stories and the challenges they face in their capacity of representing the citizens of the largest city in the northwestern quarter of the commonwealth. Our guests were Michael Keys, who ran for and won the office in 2019, and David Brennan, who was appointed by the current Council members after a rigorou...

On Thursday, we are shared an update on the Erie Seawolves and their upcoming 2020 season. Yes, folks there will be baseball this year and it’s important that we understand the true status of Erie’s Double-A minor league baseball team. We discussed with Greg Gania, the Assistant General Manager-Communications the scope of the major construction and improvements to UPMC Park, the state of the minor...

Keeping our kids healthy and smiling. was our big issue on the Joel Natalie Show Wednesday. We learned more about Children’s Dental Health Month with the President of the Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists’ Association, and local practitioner Linda Straub-Bruce of Hammerlee Dental Care in Millcreek. Linda brought her decades of experience to help parents, grandparents and care givers do more to fight...

On Tuesday, we returned to the topic of Social Media, with our expert, Chris Norris. Chris and his Revox Social Media agency works with some of Erie’s top companies on making powerful connections with their customers and prospects. We learned about maintaining your online reputation, and the importance of authenticity in the online space.

On Thursday, the show came back to the ongoing conservation about the Erie County Community College. Joel invited two Erie citizens who are passionate about our community but have very different perspectives on this topic. What resulted was a civil and informed debate with Charles Nelson, a proponent of the Community College, and Jon Whaley, who is opposed to the stand-alone institution.

Tuesday, Joel welcomed back Jefferson Educational Society Vice-President Ben Speggen and former county Executive and local historian Dr. Judy Lynch. Ben gave us an update on the winter session of lectures at the Jefferson, and Dr. Judy Lynch brought her historical focus on post civil war Erie. 

Erie Mayor Joe Schember returns to the TalkErie.com Studios for what is planned to be a regular monthly visit. Joel and the Mayor talked about the latest activities of the Fifth Floor of City Hall and other citywide initiatives.

On the Thursday show we tackled the sensitive issue of death and dying. Every single one of us deals with losing a loved one, and we invited a panel of concerned individuals behind Grief Share groups from Erie area churches. They included Karen McArthur from Grace Church, Greg Paulding of First Alliance Church, and Roger Scarlett of McLane Church.

On the Monday program, we welcomed back to the Joel Natalie Show Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper. She gave an update on the status of the application for the stand-alone Erie County Community College, and in the meantime made her best case for that proposed institution. It was another important conversation here on TalkErie.

On a fun Friday edition of the Joel Natalie Show, we highlighted authors from our community. Our friend Andy Kerr talked about his book A Story and a Point , along with his co-author Paul Macosko. We also welcomed Darryl Haemer to chat about his book C hanging Change: For Those Who Prefer To "Just Keep Things the Same." Finally, on the phone we heard from Bonnie Prestel, the wife of an Erie ex-pat...

On our Thursday program, we welcomed back two of the now college freshman that we met last summer that found direction through the GO College program at Erie High School. We found out how they are acclimating to college life, how their classes and finals went for their very first semester, while we gave voice to our young people. Our guests included Mikel Ott Crosby who is attending Gannon Univers...

On our Wednesday program Dr. Perry Wood of the Erie County Gambling Revenue Authority returned as our guest. Our conversation centered on how the investments that ECGRA makes are positively changing our lead assets as well as our neighborhoods.

We began the first full week of the new year discussing Erie Forward, a five-year regional economic and community development initiative with James Grunke, the CEO of the Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership. This $5 million plan is poised to bring 2,000 new family-sustaining jobs in the region, focusing on six sectors where Erie excels in the nation.

As we embarked on our new series of programs for the year 2020, we were excited to have on the personalities from the Idiotville Podcast. On the show was Dill Spears, Jake News, Brent N. Liberty, and Marty Blocka. These are folks that are passionate about Erie, and we heard their stories and their focus in the new year.  Host note: The Idiotville Podcast is intended for mature audiences.

Here on the Joel Natalie Show, we are the home to hear from the news makers and opinion leaders you want to hear from. On our Friday program we welcomed back His Honor the Mayor of the City of Erie Joe Schember. Our topics included taxes, LERTA, new neighborhood planning and the loss of jobs at Erie Coke.

On Thursday, the big topic was 2019 in review, as we discussed the biggest news stories of the year with Matt Martin. He’s the Executive Editor of the Erie Times-News and GoErie.com. We also looked ahead to 2020 and what the coming of the new decade means to the Erie region in all facets of life.

Our big topic on Wednesday was to look at the subject of hunger here at Christmas time, and all the time. Our guest was Beth Keil, Chief Operating Officer of Second Harvest Food Bank of Pennsylvania. Our conversation surrounded efforts by Beth’s agency across the county to ensure folks have enough to eat, both at Christmas and all year.

On our Tuesday program, our spotlight was focused on the struggles our neighbors in poverty experience during the Christmas holiday. David González, CEO of St Martin’s Center was our guest. He also shared the challenge of reduced funding his organization faces in the light of policy changes at the United Way.

On our Thursday program, we welcomed author and motivational speaker Shawntá Pulliam-Brown. She is the Founder of Nurturing Heart’s, INC, works with at-risk girls and wrote an inspirational book, Hell Bent and Heaven Bound . Ms. Pulliam-Brown is an Erie native who is getting national attention, and her conversation with Joel was personal and moving.

It’s a historic week in our nation, as for only the fourth time in US history, articles of impeachment have been proposed to remove the President of the United States. Since Erie County was one in Pennsylvania who voted for President Trump, what does impeachment mean to voters here? We heard from Dr. Jim Wertz of the Erie County Democratic Party with his perspective.

On the Tuesday program, we learned more about the efforts being made to diversify the teacher work force in our public schools. Ken Nickson, Coordinator of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Erie's Public Schools was our guest. Ken also spoke to the parts of the Erie School District's strategic plan in regards to proportionate discipline and changing the sometimes prevailing attitudes about minor...

On the Monday edition of the Joel Natalie Show, we covered the hot topic of wages. Why do people seem to get paid less to work in Erie as opposed to other cities in the Tri-State area. Are we better or worse off than the surrounding cities? Plus, what kind of wage would it take to break away from government programs. Our guests were Geoffrey Lyons from GECAC, Janet Anderson from Northwest PA Conne...

On our Thursday program we spoke with Greg Gania, the voice of the Erie Seawolves, about the efforts by Major League Baseball to eliminate 42 minor league teams, including our beloved Seawolves. Over the past couple weeks, multiple government officials and concerned citizens have mobilized to stop this action and to save our Seawolves. With baseball’s winter meetings set, this was a timely and inf...

Many Erieites are caring for senior adults in their families. Whether a loved one is living at home, in a senior living facility, or with family, ensuring a happy holiday for your senior adult takes special, intentional effort. Our guest for this special conversation included Joel's mother, Josephine Natalie, who shared Christmas memories. Then Diane Cunningham of Home Instead Senior Care gave tip...