The Pittsburgh Convos by Storyburgh

Host and Storyburgh Founding Director Will Halim connects with Trisha Hosac, the empathetic and "90% kick-ass" co-founder of Magic Hour Creative and Magic Hour Academy. Trisha shares her journey from growing up in the small country town of Corry, Pennsylvania, to establishing a unique nonprofit film and media education hub for teenagers in Pittsburgh. They discuss how Trisha’s background...

This episode features a deep dive into the evolving landscape of journalism with Dr. Jeanna Sybert , a researcher and administrator for the Pittsburgh Media Partnership (PMP) . We discuss her background as a "blue-blooded" child of journalists, her academic research on the ethics of crisis photography, and the systemic challenges facing modern media. From the "Passion Paradox"...

In this episode, we have the privilege to chat with Lisa Cunningham -- storyteller, editor, designer, and one of Pittsburgh’s strongest advocates for artists and local media. Lisa shares her journey from growing up on a rural dairy farm in central Pennsylvania to shaping Pittsburgh’s alternative media scene at Pittsburgh City Paper, where she spent over a decade as art director before becoming edi...

In this wide-ranging and candid conversation, journalist Brian Conway joins Will to reflect on his journey in journalism, the realities of freelance reporting, the emotional weight of covering national tragedy, and the future of local media in Pittsburgh. Brian begins by sharing why he loves living in Pittsburgh’s Southside Flats — a neighborhood often stereotyped for its nightlife but, in his vie...

In this first episode of The Convos Season 3, host Will Halim interviews Jeff Freedman — co-creator of QBurgh , a Pittsburgh-area LGBTQ+ news and community platform — in a candid, wide-ranging conversation. They dive deep into Jeff’s life story: his upbringing in Pittsburgh, early experiences as a young gay man long before the internet era, and his first steps into LGBTQ+ community organization th...

In this episode, Chuck Ondo shares his incredible life journey, starting with a calling as a teenager to join the U.S. Marine Corps. After five years of service, he transitioned to the Pennsylvania State Police, becoming an undercover detective and SERT (SWAT) operator in Philadelphia. Despite a highly decorated career with over 30 commendations, the accumulated trauma of witnessing death and viol...

Chris Berg is a Pittsburgh area resident, sci-fi author, seminary graduate and software executive currently living in Plum, PA.In this episode, we reconnect after nearly a decade with a podcast guest whose life has woven together seminary study, sociology, software engineering, AI, nonprofit innovation, and deep community engagement in Pittsburgh. Our conversation begins with how we first crossed...

Join us for an insightful conversation with photographer, storyteller and U.S. Army veteran Michel Sauret as we trace his remarkable journey from Rome to Pittsburgh—and from mechanic-training soldier to award-winning photojournalist. We cover everything from his childhood footsteps from the Vatican, to immigrating to the U.S. at age 10, to learning the language and culture through TV and grit, to...

In this episode of The Pittsburgh Convos , arts advocate and CEO of Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council Patrick Fisher dives into the power of public art, storytelling, and community connection. From curating murals to bridging institutions and creatives, Patrick shares how art can shape identity, foster inclusion, and spark civic pride. 🔸 Highlights: Patrick’s journey into arts leadership Why public...

Caroline Fisher , a self-described storyteller, curator, creator, equal parts class clown, and teacher's pet, shares her journey from a childhood rooted in academics and a love for learning in Pittsburgh's Mount Lebanon, to a dynamic career path that eventually led her back home. After graduating from Davidson College and pursuing a master's in education at Wake Forest, she began her t...

Daniel Rossi-Keen , a dedicated husband, father, and community advocate from Aliquippa, PA, recently shared his insights on community development, the challenges facing non-profits, and his hopeful vision for Southwestern Pennsylvania. - A Journey to Community Advocacy (03:10): Daniel moved to Aliquippa in 2011, driven by a passion for grassroots community building and economic growth. - Aliquippa...

In this episode, Teresa Nightingale and I talked about the latest primary elections, cannabis reform, and sex work advocacy. She is a mom, an activist, a double cancer survivor, a nerd, and also a Yinzer Anna Nicole Smith who’s preoccupied with politics, gaming, dinosaurs, and being a good neighbor. As a dedicated Democratic committee member for Ward 15-2, she shares insights on the recent primary...

Pastor Jennifer McCurry, now serving as Program Director of Religious and Spiritual Life at Carnegie Mellon University, reflects on her journey through ministry, community work, and interfaith dialogue. From local storytelling to global church perspectives, she shares how relationships and experiences have shaped her spiritual leadership. Highlights:Community roots (00:11–03:58): McCurry and the h...

In Season 2, Episode 2 of Storyburgh, Jo Deming reflects on her journey as a community organizer, consultant, and storyteller rooted in Pittsburgh’s North Side neighborhoods, particularly Perry South and Perry Hilltop. She was also a storytelling coach for one of Storyburgh's DMZ event in 2024 and played a major role in recruiting numerous storytellers for another event. Jo talks about her deep co...

It is a conversation exploring the Pittsburgh Robotics Network (PRN), its funding, and the broader implications of AI and robotics in the region. Josh Lucas provides insight into the network's goals, funding challenges, and the local tech ecosystem. Here are the key takeaways: The Pittsburgh Robotics Network (PRN) receives funding primarily from the *Build Back Better initiative* of the Biden...

Angelica Daniele , founder of Yoga Recovery PGH and co-owner of Yoga Factory , shares her journey as an innovator, leader, and entrepreneur dedicated to community service. She joined the ownership team of Yoga Factory in October 2022, after seven years of teaching and managing there. The studio expanded to two locations, fostering supportive yoga communities. Angelica highlights various yoga style...

In the podcast episode, Seth Whitted shares his experiences growing up in Beaver Falls, highlighting the economic impact of the steel industry's decline on the community and contrasting it with Pittsburgh's faster progress and preservation of historical landmarks. He discusses the racial climate in his community, noting that it was more about trust issues between races than overt racism. S...

Syreeta Gordon is a dedicated birth and postpartum doula, known for her compassionate support for mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Through her work at Kangaroo Birthing and Maternity , she offers both emotional and practical assistance, aiming to alleviate the burdens new mothers face. Inspired by her own journey and driven by a passion for maternal health, Syreeta...

Muffy Mendoza, founder of  @BrownMamas  shared her journey and the profound influence of her mother, Diane. Reflecting on motherhood, Muffy described a pivotal shift in her perspective upon returning to Pittsburgh, inspiring her to establish Brown Mama, a grassroots organization. Central to Muffy's narrative was her mother's emphasis on "black excellence" and the importance of st...

Carsen Brunn, a New Kensington resident, is the president for Bridge USA chapter at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to depolarizing college campuses across the United States, with similar efforts underway in Europe and Africa. The organization is also to cultivate a healthy democratic society by addressing political polarization, especially prev...

Professor Anita Varma, from the University of Texas in Austin, provides insights into her personal unconventional journey into journalism. Formerly a resident of Pittsburgh, Professor Varma discusses the industry's challenges, particularly in the aftermath of the 2008 economic crash, and reflects on its evolving nature from then till now. During the conversation, Professor Varma elaborates the...

Christine Biancheria grew up in Edgewood, attended Allderdice, and completed her college degrees in University of Pittsburgh. Upon retiring from her law practice, she reconnected with the fellowship friends she had met while working at the International Commission of Jurists in Geneva, Switzerland. One of them founded Aseema, a Non-Governmental Organization (also known as a nonprofit) based in Mum...

Maria Manautou-Matos, a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University and Duquesne University, founded Pittsburgh Latino Magazine to address the absence of coverage for Latino events. Originating from Puerto Rico, she encountered misconceptions about the territory's relationship with the U.S. The magazine, which was initiated during the pandemic, offers bilingual content on a variety of topics, event...

Sonja Reis shuttered her Gazette 2.0 magazine for good on All Souls Day on November 2nd, 2023. Several articles in local media outlet have covered its closure, so in this podcast the host and Sonja discuss the circumstances surrounding the closure, her involvement with Gazette 2.0, the challenges faced by the publication and community journalism, the need for stronger partnerships among local news...

John Bolanos, a retired executive from Austin, Texas, relocated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania a few years ago to be nearer to his grandchildren. His roots trace back to San Bruno, located on the southern side of San Francisco, California, where he was raised with conservative values. When his daughter expanded their family by adopting seven children, six of whom are African American, John’s politica...