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

It's was a fun Friday edition of the Joel Natalie Show, as we put the spotlight on Bobby Borgia. Bobby is an Erie native and internationally-renowned illusionist.  Bobby reflected on his career and shared a bit about his plans for Jr’s Last Laugh which he and his partner purchased earlier this year. Bobby even did some magic on the radio!

On Thursday's program, we had a conversation with Salena Zito, co-author of The Great Revolt , her book that was released last year.  Salena talked with Joel Natalie about the voters from Erie County that she interviewed for her book. In the conversation, she explains the outcome of the 2016 election in her view, and what’s ahead in the next year for the election of 2020.

Wednesday's edition of the Joel Natalie Show was all about cars, trucks and SUV's. With good timing, as most brands have released their new model year vehicles. Our guest in studio was Joe Bizzarro, owner of Interstate Mitsubishi and Interstate Nissan, who shared his story and gave tips for shopping for your next car. Then Bryan Kerr called in from his repair shop New Life Auto Care in Girard gave...

The first full week of October was Positive Youth Development Week, and on Tuesday, we learned more about what exactly that means, and  what schools and organizations are involved in the week's events.  Our guests included Abbe Biebel, the PYD Coordinator, along with Conor Dawley from the Highmark Caring Place, and Marie Modzelewski, the Iroquois School Psychologist.

We began another week of programs on the Joel Natalie Show Monday with a special and fun show as my four brothers joined me to talk about education, music, law, and family.  Throughout the show we heard from, from the oldest, retired teacher and show regular Peter Natalie, singer/songwriter/producer Angelo Natalie, local attorney Alan Natalie, and family counselor and behavioral health admini...

Get ready for a trip down memory lane as on Friday, we welcomed Debbi Lyon to the Joel Natalie Show.  Ms. Lyon is an accomplished historian, and she runs the Heritage room at the Erie County Public Library. She also writes an active blog and Facebook page.  Joel talked with  Ms. Lyon about the events in Erie from 100 years ago, including the start of GE and other significant events...

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so Thursday we heard from Dan Tobin, the Communications Director for the American Cancer Society. He was sharing the the importance of mammograms and other screenings, and well as promoted the annual Erie Breast Cancer Walk. Then Joel spoke with Norma Zimmer, the President of Linked By Pink. We heard about all the happenings and events that are going on th...

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, so Wednesday we talked to the people who run SafeNet here in Erie.  Linda King is the Executive Director and Shirley Williams is the Community Liaison for the agency. Our conversation revolved around who is affected by domestic violence and  why it doesn’t stop.  They also shared about how you can tell if someone is affected by it and wh...

On our Tuesday show, we interviewed officials from the Northern Pennsylvania Regional College.  We heard from Linda Fleming, the Chief of Staff and Interim VP of Academic Affairs, Aldo Jackson, Executive Director of Erie Operations and Workforce Development, and Rick Smith, Sr., the Vice President of Engagement and Advancement.  Our discussion included the capabilities and curriculum of...

We began the week with the all-important topic of farming and agriculture. With the advent of the trade war and tariffs, are farmers adversely affected by the soft international markets? We brought back our farming expert, Mark Troyer to join Joel Natalie and explain the state of the harvest this year throughout all the segments of local agriculture. Then Kelly Port of Port Farms shared her story...

On the fun Friday edition of the Joel Natalie Show, Joel got a chance to "come home" to his alma mater Gannon University, 35 years after graduation. He broadcasted live from the School of Communications and the Arts in downtown Erie, and had a rollicking conversation with students, professors and fellow alums. His guests included the editor of the Gannon Knight, General Manager of WERG Radio, prof...

Our Thursday focus on health turned to stroke awareness and prevention.  Our guests included Gina Klofft, the Division Director of the American Heart Association, along with Jeff Duncan and Kimberly Thomas from Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Erie. Our guests talked about the warning signs of a stroke, plus we learned about treatments and proper care if someone you love has a stro...

On the Wednesday edition of the Joel Natalie Show, we heard from five college seniors from Mercyhurst University who shared their insights on the current political climate, and the state of the 2020 presidential race.   With us were Logan Ford, Emily Thayer, Briana Zuchowski, Devin Kramer, and Julie Benson. It was a chance for older folks to listen and learn from our young people. We dis...

On our Tuesday show,  we had a conversation with Casey Wells, the Executive Director of the Erie Convention Center Authority, otherwise known as Erie Events.  Mr. Wells provided an update on the major construction planned for the Warner Theater, along with upgrades at UPMC Park and much more. 

We began the week on Monday by welcoming back to our microphones Derek Martin, the Executive Director of the Erie Airport Authority.  Mr. Martin  updated us on all the improvement plans and hopes for additional non-stop service from ERI. He also explained the situation with REAL ID, which will be required of all passengers boarding planes effective Oct. 1, 2020.

It was a Fun Friday edition of the Joel Natalie Show, as we celebrated the new season of live theatre at the Erie Playhouse. Joining us was Playhouse Executive Director Kate Neubert-Lechner, who shared her story, the history of the Erie Playhouse, and what we have to look forward to with each upcoming production. Then the Bills family: Paul, Shani, Hadleigh, and Haven discussed how they as a famil...

On Thursday, the authors of the "Pizza Bomber" book, Dr. Jerry Clark, former FBI Special Agent and Gannon University professor, and Ed Palettella, reporter for the Erie Times-News/GoErie.com,  gave us an update on the never-ending saga of FBI Major Case 203. The authors were sharing details on their brand-new book, "On The Lam: The stories of famous fugitives and our fascination with them."

On Wednesday, we turned our spotlight to rising women leaders in our community.  We spoke with Faith Kindig, the founder of The Oasis Market in downtown Erie. Also with us was  Huong Phung, who is making an impact worldwide - with the Nourish The Children Program.  Jennie Askins shared about the group she started to empower young single moms.  Finally, Donika Gunther, discussed...

On Monday, the Joel Natalie Show focused on how to elevate our high school students knowledge of the public sector. Our guests included Mary Bula of Erie Together, Sheila Sterrett, regional director for US Senator Pat Toomey's office, and Erika Ramalho of Gannon University. Our main focus was the event those three organizations collaborate on: the yearly Youth Civic Engagement Symposium.  Thi...

On Thursday, we welcomed Matthew Wachter from the Erie Downtown Development Corporation back to our microphones. Matt updated us on the new acquisitions of the Erie Downtown Development Corporation and investments coming into the downtown area. Joel and Matt also discussed the positive outcomes for the region's opportunity zones coming out the Erie Homecoming event in August.

On our Wednesday show, we spoke to the leaders from Gannon University’s Small Business Development Center about what kind of assets they can offer for start-up businesses, just like the Undercover Billionaire was able to utilize, as presented on the Discovery Channel TV show..  Our guests were Maggie Horne - the SBDC’s director, along with RJ Messenger of Iron Empire Clothing and the Underdog...

On Tuesday, our spotlight pivoted back to the media. Our guest was Kevin Flowers of the Erie Times-News and GoErie.com, and a lead reporter for the newspaper's Erie Next initiative. Kevin and Joel discussed the enterprise journalism approach of Erie Next as they chronicle the fundamental change that is happening in the Erie region.

On the Monday edition of the Joel Natalie Show, we welcomed the leadership of the Erie Rise Leadership Academy charter school to our microphones to tell their story. For many months now, the school has navigating the process initiated when the Erie School Board voted to not renew Erie Rise's charter. Our guest was Terry Lang, the CEO of Erie Rise.

On our Friday program, Joel was talking with Chris Norris about how Erie businesses and influencers can really make a splash on social media. They discussed all of the most popular platforms and touched on how to use each channel strategically for your small business or to build your personal platform . Chris also shared about his involvement with the Undercover Billionaire Discovery Channel show,...

Joining us on Thursday to discuss National Baby Safety Month was Emily Clark and Carrie Allen from UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital. We learned the latest tips and practices to keep your child safe in your home, while sleeping and while in the car.