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

On our Wednesday program, we had a NFL season preview with Ben DiStefano and Paul Adamaszek. Ben and Paul are our High School Footbal broadcast team from our sister station, WCTL, and well versed in the pro game, so we had a full analysis and opinions on the strategies and players for the Steelers, the Browns, and the Bills, along with the rest of the NFL.

We came back after the long weekend to turn our focus on Erie's historical buildings. Our guest Tuesday was Melinda Meyer, the President of Preservation Erie. Their mission is to promote, preserve, and enhance the distinctive character of greater Erie through community-based planning, design, and historic preservation. We talked about their current work, as well as about the Erie buildings lost du...

Whether it’s the stress involved with the crammed schedules and rushing around, or if you’re a new parent trying to cope with the separation from your little one...back to school is a challenging time for all involved - parents, teachers, and of course the kids.  Our guests on Thursday were two local teachers, Faith Natalie and Emily Mountford, along with family counselor Connie Osiecki, from...

On Wednesday, two Erie area women involved in the world of bodybuilding shared their personal stories. Competitive bodybuilders Desiree Davis and Michelle Hannold explained how the rigor and discipline required to excel in their sport helped each of them overcome adversity and personal tragedies.

On the Tuesday edition of the Joel Natalie Show, we had coverage of the check presentations from the record-breaking online giving event Erie Gives 2019. Joel interviewed Erin Fessler of the Erie Community Foundation, Tracy Dailey of Emma' Footprints, Paul Rankin of Country Fair, and Boo Hagerty of the Hamot Health Foundation. Then we turned our focus on the ongoing saga of bringing a community co...

We began the week of programming discussing the changes in Erie's weather. We also were learning about the impact of high lake levels on Presque Isle as well as the shorelines. Our guests were John Stehlin, Lead Forecaster for First Warning Weather for Erie News Now, as well as David Wolter, First Warning Weather Meteorologist for Erie News Now.

On the Wednesday edition of the Joel Natalie Show, we invited Attorney Adam Williams to share his viewpoints about the legal issues that surround operating small businesses and startups. Atty. Williams works with dozens of business owners and non-profit CEO's, and knows the kind of obstacles and conflicts that can trip clients up. As an engaged citizen, he also weighed in on the news of economic d...

State Senator Dan Laughlin returned to our studios Tuesday for an hour-long discussion of the pressing issues both in Erie and in Harrisburg. He weighed in on the success of the Flagship Opportunity Zones here in Erie as the Erie Homecoming was ending. He also talked about the community college, and his proposed legislation to have annual daycare inspections include checking for functioning smoke...

We began the week on location at the Bayfront Convention Center for the Erie Homecoming 2019 and it's focus on the Opportunity Zones. Our guests included both Erie natives home for the event along with local sponsoring officials. The expats on the broadcast was bankers and General McLane grads Nathan Kelly and Paul Tuefel, consultant Joesph Bione, and real estate attorney Monique Winston. Represen...

On our Thursday program, it was all about Aging Gracefully. We began with an inspiring interview with Joel's mother, Josephine Natalie. Then Jaime Fattler from HCF Management joined us. She is the Physician Liaison there, and talked about healthy living for seniors and how to stay active as we get older. Jaime also communicated about some of the misconceptions people often have about nursing homes...

On the Wednesday edition of the Joel Natalie Show, we had a conversation about reentry into society from prison with the Erie County Re-Entry Services and Support Alliance. Our guests were Program Manager, Sheila Silman, as well as Ebony Byes, who is a case manager for the program.  They discussed with Joel the mission of the program and the services they provide to their clients. Joining the...

On Tuesday, it was a live broadcast from the Erie Community Foundation for the annual one-day online giving event Erie Gives. As we tracked the generosity of Erie through the three hour program, we shared stories of some of the charities people were supporting. We also aired the full content of an afternoon news conference about the Erie daycare fire presented by Mayor Joe Schember with various of...

On our Monday program, we were reeling from the loss of five children in a fire at a 24-hour home daycare on Erie's west side. We talked to witnesses, people close to the family, and Lawrence Park VFD Chief Joe Crotty, who organized a fundraiser for one of their volunteer firefighters who lost three children in the blaze. We transitioned to our prearranged conversation with real estate broker Laba...

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and on Thursday we had a conversation with Janet Strayer and Wendy Nielsen from Erie County Department of Health. Janet is a Public Health Nurse, and Wendy is the Nurse Family Partnership/Immunization Supervisor.  The discussion surrounded about immunizations in regard to Pennsylvania School Law...Measles...health risks...safety...Autism...and...

On our Wednesday program, we helped you with a midyear financial checkup - Where are your finances today? We talked about your financial goals, investments, tax breaks, and how to protect yourself and your money.  A midyear checkup can help you look into things like whether or not you’re on track with your retirement planning or your child’s education funds.  Our guests included Financia...

At the Joel Natalie Show,  we are always shining the spotlight on the good things happening in and around Erie.  On Tuesday, we were certainly highlighting the “good,” with a preview of Erie Gives Day.  On Tuesday, August 13, the Erie Community Foundation will partner with many of our area non-profits in raising money and accepting donations from the generous people of Erie. If you...

We began the week highlighting local leader, Rick Griffith.  Rick Griffith Properties owns and manages over one million seven hundred thousand square feet of rental property in Erie County...but he doesn’t stop there in his involvement in local economic and political issues.  We talked to Mr. Griffith about his service on many non-profit boards, local politics, and his commitment to spur...

We took the Friday program on the road highlighting the activities celebrating the Erie region's greatest asset: Presque Isle at the annual Discover Presque Isle.  With us was the Executive Director of the Presque Isle Partnership, Jon DeMarco.

On Thursday, we moved our broadcast to JoAnna Connell Elementary School for the 2019 edition of the ServErie School Initiative. Our guests included Brian Polito, Superintendent of Erie's Public Schools, and the Executive Director of ServErie, Marcus Atkinson, along with volunteers and other guests.

Wednesday, we talked about recycling. Why can’t we recycle glass?  Which items can we recycle now? What about all of these changes to the recycling rules?  Our guests included Erika Deyarmin, Public Affairs Coordinator for Waste Management in Western Pennsylvania to learn about the recent changes and get an idea of what recycling looks like today; and then Brittany Prischak, Sustainabili...

On our Tuesday edition of the Joel Natalie Show, we were shaking things up a bit with a Conversation with the Contrarians, Brenton Davis and Jon Whaley.  As local business owners and Erie residents, Brent and Jon are often outspoken about their opinions on such matters as Erie’s government, jobs, and the economy.  It was a lively conversation, as we explored different viewpoints of local...

We began a new week of programming talking about 5G connectivity.  What impact will 5G cellular capabilities have on consumers, community, and the economy?  Our guests included David Kerr, President for AT&T Pennsylvania, who talked about AT&T’s efforts toward bringing 5G to Erie. Then Ashley Shook from the PA Partnership for 5G, joined us to talk about the potential effects of t...

Opioid addiction is a disease that does not discriminate on age, race, or financial status.  On Thursday, we went searching for solutions and talking about the help that is available right here in Erie.  We talked with Jessica Barr, executive director of Pyramid Healthcare Incorporated’s Erie Outpatient Office, to find out their process for helping those who are fighting this battle. Eri...

On the Wednesday edition of the Joel Natalie Show, we learned more about the foster care system in Erie County.  Back in March, we heard the personal stories of a few local families that welcomed children as fosters, and later adopted.  In this episode, we get new perspectives particularly from an administrative and social service standpoint. We sat down with Amy Bizjak, director of fost...

As Erie continues to welcome large numbers of immigrants and refugees to our city, we continue to benefit from the diversity and cultural assets they bring to our community.  So Tuesday, we spoke with a couple of New Americans who have chosen to start their businesses here in Erie, as well as officials with an employment agency that specializes in placing New Americans into jobs. With us was...