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

The spotlight turned on our local legacy and new media here in Erie on Thursday. We opened the conversation with Brian Sheridan, Chairman of the Communications Department at Mercyhurst University. Then from local television it was Scott Bremner, Assignment Editor from JET/Fox/YourErie.com and Tim Mello, News DIrector of Erie News Now (WICU/WSEE). Joel Natalie went on-location to the Erie Times-New...

In a wide-ranging 90-minute conversation, Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper and Executive Pulse owner and Emerge 2040 standing committee member Laith Wardi joined Joel Natalie for a four-year anniversary update on the Emerge 2040 regional master plan. Joel and his guests had a frank conversation on the status of all eight of the plan's major topics: Economic Growth & Development, Educatio...

Tuesday we learned the mission, educational philosophy, and distinctives of several of Erie's faith-based private schools. On the program were administrators from the Cathedral Prep, Villa Maria, and Mother Teresa Academy group of schools: Will Pituch, Tim Dougherty, Christine Uht, and Jamie Brim. Then Jim Gallagher, the Superintendent of the Diocese of Erie Catholic Schools headed a panel with Li...

We met some friends from Erie's music scene on the Friday edition of the Joel Natalie Show. Peter Natalie, one of our regular panelists shared about his experiences as a member of the Ruby Port Band. Then the young members of First To Eleven shared their story of their YouTube success around the world. Finally, Erie music veterans Mike and Marie Miller gave their reflections of their participation...

On Thursday, our listeners experienced the reality and the hope as they heard stories from those working with those addicted to opioids. With Joel Natalie and Andy Kerr was the Director of the Erie Co. Office of Drug and Alcohol Use Dave Sanner, Jennifer Esper and Joe Currier from the Esper Treatment Center, and Darrell Smith, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Men's Ministries at the Erie Ci...

The lack of available personnel for the duties of our Pennsylvania Volunteer Fire Departments and Emergency Medical Services has been described as a crisis in a recent statewide study. We gathered leaders from across Erie County to help us understand the current situation on the ground and what efforts are underway to improve it. With us was Dan Oulette from West Ridge Fire Department, Bill Hagert...

On the Tuesday show, we laid out the extreme need for foster parents to be added to the system of care for children in need. Our guests included Tihanna Martinez, director of the Therapeutic Foster Care Program at Harborcreek Youth Services, Casee Blackmer who was a foster and now adoptive parent, and Bill and Linda Hines, veteran foster parents.

The rich history of Erie's manufacturing economy was our topic on Monday's program. We enjoyed a lively conversation with Dr. Judy Lynch and Ben Speggen of the Jefferson Historical Society in advance of Dr. Lynch's presentation this week sponsored by the Jefferson. Then The Tool and Die Guy, Phil Kerner came back to the microphones to share the story of his family's legacy in the area's prominent...

The program went on the road Friday to the Erie Sports and Travel Expo. Our guests included kayak fisherman Dave Ohmer, Brandon from Fish USA, and Bobby Hart, long-range shooting expert.

On the last day of February, we celebrated Black History Month with a conversation of personal stories and recollections by our guests. With us was retired Erie school teacher Johnny Johnson, Rev. Dr. Charles Mock, pastor of the Community Missionary Baptist Church, and City of Erie community liaison Michael Outlaw. Then via telephone, Dr. Craig Von Buseck, author of Nobody Knows: The Forgotten Sto...

On the Wednesday edition of the Joel Natalie Show, we celebrated women in leadership in the private sector. The conversation emphasized networking and mentoring. Our guests included Linda Stevenson, director of ATHENA Erie, Heidi Parr Kerner, the "Queen" of the Coffee Club Divas, and Tiffanie Page-Collazo, the leader of the New Horizons initative at Erie Arts and Culture. We also welcomed Renee Sw...

On Tuesday, we had a very important conversation about the future and aspirations of Erie's Public Schools, with a deep dive of the strategic plan and financial improvement plan of the region's largest school district. With us were Superintendent Brian Polito, and Financial Administrator Charles Zogby. We also talked to Rep. Curt Sonney, the chair of the Pennsylvania House's Education Committee.

On our Monday program, we highlighted the stories of family-owned small business men and women, learning their joys and challenges and how helpful the environment is in Erie for small business. With us was Ember+Forge owner Hannah Kirby, Peninsula Pups Doggie Daycare owner Liz Frietag (with Job the dog), Gerry Urbaniak, co-owner of Urbaniak Brothers Quality Meats, and Gary Foster, owner of Foster'...

On Friday, we talked about the economic impact and quality of life enhanced by our professional sports teams and competitive events we have at all levels here in Erie. With us were Sean Pebbles, the voice of the Erie Bayhawks and Cleveland Cavaliers, Ben Huggler, Event Services Manager of the Erie Sports Commission, and Greg Coleman, President of the Erie Seawolves. At the end of the show Joel's g...

February is Heart Month, and on Thursday we were educated about risk factors and action steps to avoid cardiovascular disease by Gina Klofft, Division Director of the American Heart Association. Then Jeffrey Chambers, a heart-transplant recipient shared about his journey of heart failure, and receiving a heart on Easter Sunday five years ago.

On the Wednesday edition of the Joel Natalie Show, we shared ideas and stories with parents and grandparents as we discovered things to do with our kids as we navigate the late winter and spring. Ainslie Brosig, Executive Director of ExpERIEnce Children’s Museum, Scott Mitchell, President and CEO of the Erie Zoological Society, and Tammy Roche, Vice President, Marketing, Membership & Developme...

Senior leadership from area universities as well as students who chose Erie for thier post-secondary education were our guests Tuesday. With us were Penn State Behrend Chancellor Dr. Ralph Ford, Edinboro University Dean of Business and Dean of College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Dr. Scott Miller, and Gannon University President Dr. Keith Taylor. Finally, four students from Gannon Univ...

Got an idea? Want to make it come alive? There is a far-reaching infrastructure to have a good idea become reality, and our experts Friday took listeners through that. We had in our studio Jacob Marsh, Industry Relations Coordinator and manager of the Penn State Behrend Innovation Commons, Rebecca Styn of the Idea Fund Erie, Brian Slawin of Regional Director & Portfolio Manager of Ben Franklin...

On our special edition of the Joel Natalie Show on Valentine's Day, we invited friends of the show to share their love stories, while we learned valuable lessons about love and marriage. With us was Joel's wife, Debbie Natalie, Gary Foster, Lori and Greg Clapper, Pastor Brian and Tavia Kelly, Paul and Shani Bills, Andy and Jen Kerr, and Dan and Jen Sheldon.

Erie citizens are living longer, and leading vibrant lives into their 80's and 90's. On Wednesday, we talked with people who make lives for seniors better. We introduced the subject with a personal story from Joel's mother, Josephine Natalie, the matriarch of his large family. Then we welcomed to our studios Jaime Fattler of HCF Management, Kristen Gehrlein from Erie Lifeworks, and Dr. Frank Pregl...

What are Erie's priorities in front of Harrisburg? We had a substantial conversation with elected officials that represent our region at the Commonwealth level. With Joel Natalie was Sen. Dan Laughlin of Senate District 49, Rep. Bob Merski of District 2, and Rep. Curt Sonney of District 4.

On Monday's Joel Natalie Show, we brought in experts in personal finance to walk through strategies for saving, investing and retirement in all stages of life. Our guests were John Baker and Ben Reiter from Kingdom Financial Group. We also had Tim Tauber, a Financial Peace University instructor from Grace Church taking us through Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps.

We took our radio show on the road for the first time Thursday, as we broadcasted live from the Erie RV Show at the Bayfront Convention Center. Our theme of conversation at our booth was the many opportunities to enjoy the winter months here in our region. Our guests included Kirsten Walker of Peek n' Peak, Jennifer Farrer of Asbury Woods, Liz Krug, president of the PA State Snowmobile Association...

Another substantive conversation about the special challenges and opportunities our regional townships face. With us on Wednesday, John Groh, Millcreek Township Supervisor, Dean Pepicello, Harborcreek Township Supervisor, and Laban Marsh, who serves on the Summit Township Sewer Board

It was all about planes, trains and automobiles on Tuesday on the Joel Natalie Show. Transportation experts included Derek Martin, Executive Director of the Erie Regional Airport Authority, Jill Harry and Brian McNulty from the regional office of PennDOT, Ed Torres, Operations Manager of the EMTA, and Brian Pitzer, Director of All Aboard Erie.