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

On the final day of May, we went back on the road on a gorgeous afternoon to UPMC Park as the Erie Seawolves prepared for a six-game homestand. On the microphones were starting pitcher Alex Faedo, voice of the Seawolves Greg Gania, General Manager Greg Coleman, and baseball reporter at the Erie Times-News & GoErie.com Tom Reisenweber.

On Thursday, Erie Mayor Joe Schember returned to the Joel Natalie Show to tackle a wide-range of city issues, including the LERTA tax abatement program, a ban on tobacco use and open container alcohol use in city parks, and other things the fifth floor of City Hall is dealing with.

Summer is right around the corner, and Erie is a destination for tourists, thanks to our beautiful beaches, historic landmarks, festivals, sports, and events.  More than 4 million people will visit Presque Isle this year, and we want to be ready to represent our hometown with enthusiasm and hospitality.  On Wednesday we spoke with John Oliver, president and CEO of VisitErie, to hear abou...

On Tuesday, we welcomed back to the TalkErie.com microphones Dr. Perry Wood, Executive Director of the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority, to talk about the ways that ECGRA is sowing into our neighborhoods, and propelling nonprofits and small businesses toward economic and community development.

Wednesday our conversation was about Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week, and their mission to educate local youth for their future roles in the American free enterprise system, through learning opportunities and hands-on experience.  On the microphone was Scott Lee, Vice President of Marketing and Development for the Foundation for Free Enterprise Education, and Alexis Holsinger, a graduate of...

In preparation for our 2019 primary election coverage on the Joel Natalie Show, we visited different polling locations throughout Erie, Wesleyville, and Harborcreek, and heard what voters had to say as they went in to cast their ballots.  Joining Joel with analysis on the races were Dean Pepicello, Harborcreek Township Supervisor, and Paul Bills, Mayor of Wesleyville.

We started the new week welcoming back to the microphones Brian Polito, Superintendent of Erie’s Public Schools, and Charles Zogby, Financial Administrator for the school district, to give us the update on the Financial Improvement Plan which was approved and presented by the PA Dept. of Education last week.  What does the plan mean for the students--and the taxpayers--living in Erie?

On Friday, we had a mini-reunion in the studio, as we celebrated Joel's 35th anniversary of graduation from Gannon University’s Department of Theatre and Communication Arts, now known as the School of Communications and the Arts.  The year was 1984, and Joel's life in broadcasting was just beginning, backed by an epic soundtrack of 80s tunes.  We invited two of his Gannon professors, A.J...

On Thursday's episode we dug a little deeper into the issue of mental health.  We invited Dr. Mathew Sipple and Denise Kolivoski back to the microphones to talk about NAMI of Erie County, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and the services they offer to the people of Erie, overcoming stigma associated with mental illness, and how you can recognize the symptoms and help those around you...

On Wednesday's program, we invited one of Erie's most effective leaders over the last few decades. Bishop Dwayne Brock, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Eagle’s Nest Leadership Corporation, shared his story and passion for investing in the lives of local youth by providing opportunities, emphasizing preparation, and instilling hope.

Our local elections are so important to our community, so it is important to know who--and what--you’re voting for.  Joining us in the studio Tuesday to discuss these upcoming local elections were Jim Wertz, Erie County Democratic Party Chairman; and Verel Salmon, Erie County GOP Chair. 

On the Monday edition of the Joel Natalie Show, we dug deeper on the topic of innovation by welcoming to the microphones Rebecca Styn, VP of Ventures for the Erie Innovation District, and Dr. Shashaanka (Shashi) Ashili, founder of Erie Phi, a cohort member last year of the Secure Erie Accelerator, and his new venture, Phi Academy, which teaches entrepreneurship and software coding to adult student...

Friday our focus was on our past, as we took a journey through Erie’s rich history, with guidance from George Deutsch, Executive Director of the Erie County Historical Society as well as Charles Johnson, Museum Educator at the Erie Maritime Museum. We also learned about the buildout and programming of the Hagen History Center at West 6th & Chestnut.

On our Thursday program we talked to the team at the Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Community Outreach, Research, and Evaluation, also known as CORE at Penn State Behrend.  Joining us on the microphones were CORE Director, Dr. James Hodge; Assistant Director, Dr. Charisse Nixon; and Director of Community Outreach, Andrea Bierer.  Listen and learn more about the ways that our youth are being...

There are plenty of opinions about the way the Bayfront Parkway should be used by motorists, and the improvements that are being proposed for the roadways, bicycle and pedestrian areas, and the iconic connection to State Street.  On our Wednesday program we talked to James Foringer, District Executive for PennDot’s Northwest Region, and Jill Harry, District Press Officer, about PennDot’s prop...

Tuesday we are learned about the gig economy--what it is, and what it means for the development of Erie. With us were Andy & Rora Steinmetz, who are opening Andora’s Bubble Tea shop downtown this month, but also experienced gig and remote workers. Then Sean Fedorko, co-founder of Radius Cowork in the Renaissance Center, about the story behind co-working spaces, freelancing and remote working.

On Monday, we kicked off National Nurses Week with a conversation about the state of nursing in 2019, learning the stories from individual nurses, and the opportunities for careers that abound. With us were Sallie Piazza, Chief Nursing Officer, and Kelsey Pasierb, RN, from St. Vincent Hospital, Allegheny Health Network.

The Erie Downtown Development Corporation gave notice in March that they would not renew the leases of Khao Thai Restaurant, Tandoori Hut Indian Cuisine, and Casablanca Hookah Lounge & Cafe at their North Park Row properties, in order to facilitate reconstruction of the over 150-year-old buildings. On Friday, May 3rd John Persinger came to the Joel Natalie Show to answer questions about the de...

Trauma is an individual experience, but it is also a community issue. On our Thursday broadcast of the Joel Natalie Show,  Cassie Dundon and Steve Minick, co-chairs of Erie Coalition for a Trauma Informed Community along with Coalition member Dr. Adrienne Dixon talked about the community impact trauma presents, and how we can increase our awareness and help those in need.  Then Nicole We...

It is clear that many immigrants and refugees are choosing our community to make their way as New Americans.  How is our New American population doing in Erie? With us on Wednesday was Joanna Cherpak, Executive Director, and Anna Tischenko, Director of Refugee Social Services, of the Multicultural Community Resource Center. Then the City of Erie's liaison to Erie’s refugee and immigrant commu...

The options for Erie young people in the military was our focus on Tuesday. Our host's son, 1st Lieutenant Joel Natalie Jr. began our topic by sharing his journey as an Army officer. Then in studio, we talked with local Army Recruiter Staff Sergeant Christopher Eichert and future soldier Jacob Lenhardt about the opportunities for enlisted men and women in the military. Finally, Lieutenant Colonel...

We began the new week learning about the new forward-facing one-stop portal to access Erie County's economic development ecosystem called ChooseErie.com. Guiding us through the project was Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper, Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership CEO James Grunke, and Director of Capital Formation of Flagship Opportunity Zone Development Company Brett Wiler.

On our Friday program, we learned about the efforts to expand access to public art throughout the Erie region.  We also learned about the major outreach initiative called New Horizons, designed to integrate public art into neighborhood revitalization. With us was Patrick Fisher, Executive Director of Erie Arts and Culture, and Thomas Ferraro, Erie Arts and Culture Board member, and Public Art...

On our Thursday program, we received a primer on many of the ways average citizens encounter the judicial system here in Pennsylvania, and specifically in Erie County. Court of Common Pleas President Judge John J. Trucilla was in our studio for an informative hour-long conversation, including highlighting the initiatives the courts have begun to provide rehabilitative options for defendants in low...

The region's environment was our topic on the Wednesday episode of our program. Join us from Environment Erie was Executive Director Honey Stempka, and Leann Sestak, Director of Communications and Community Development. Then we learned about the efforts of the citizens action group Hold Erie Coke Accountable, with Dr. Mike Campbell and Sister Pat Lupo speaking with Joel Natalie.