CitizenCast

CitizenCast

The Philadelphia Citizen podcast offers spoken versions of articles, deeper dives into the political, social and cultural workings of our city, explainers on the issues of our day, interviews, conversations and solutions. Lots of solutions. All to help you become a better citizen of your city.

Episodes

November 6, 2025 14 mins

Caryn Kunkle lives in a "micro-museum" on South Broad. Legendary photographer and chef, Big Rube, caught up with this born-and-bred Philly gal who works behind the scenes to help our local art scene thrive.

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Terrill Haigler, aka Ya Fav Trashman, has given North Philly residents new and easy places to put their litter. Sometimes it's the little things that make all the difference.

 

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On this episode of Citizen WURD, Jason Ray joins James Peterson on the show. Ray is President and CIO of Zenith Wealth Partners, who founded his company "on the vision of creating a society where race and gender don't predetermine wealth." 

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"The day that the federal courts of the United States of America acquiesce to the rewriting of truth, is the day America falls." Ali Velshi explains.

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Can a challenger in a Bucks County's election have the formula for how Democrats can win on public safety?

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"I don't care if you live in urban America or rural America, everyone wants the same thing," Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb said on the latest episode of How To Really Run A City. "They want a job they can get to in 15 minutes, they want a hospital or pharmacy within 15 minutes, they want a park or a grocery store or bars or restaurants, all within 15 minutes."

Bibb went on to explain to our hosts, former Phi...

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October 29, 2025 4 mins

On this episode of Lane Johnson's Season of Strong Mental Health, the two-time Super Bowl champ checks in on CHOP's Behavioral Health and Crisis Center, which is meeting the overwhelming demand for mental health support for young people 

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October 28, 2025 4 mins

On this episode of Ideas We Should Steal, we look at 15 universities in 10 states — including Yale and University of Texas — that have launched academic programs and majors focused on thinking and citizenship. We could use more of that here, too.

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October 27, 2025 7 mins

This Republic was founded on dissent, says Ali Velshi. It has been the catalyst of progress for generations. If they tell you otherwise, they are afraid of the power of your voice.

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October 24, 2025 6 mins

In the aftermath of the tragic Kada Scott murder, the D.A. has said the buck stops with him. Or was he actually passing it?

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October 23, 2025 9 mins

On this edition of James Peterson's Citizen-WURD segment, A.J. Adams of The Skills Initiative, joins the show to discuss his workforce development organization that serves as a bridge between local employers and Philadelphia job seekers. The Skills Initiative provides customized training programs to connect residents to meaningful employment, and it's an idea we should steal.

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October 22, 2025 6 mins

An award-winning MSNBC contributor and author remembers his first mentor, legendary former Daily News Editor Michael Days, who died last weekend

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Jason Ray launched Zenith Wealth Partners in Philadelphia with this singular mission. So far, it's generated $100 million for its clients.  

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October 20, 2025 5 mins

... become unstoppable. Ali Velshi uses the peaceful civil disobedience protests of 1952 South Africa (of which his father took part) as context for the No Kings protests across this country this weekend.

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Mudslinging. False advertising. The state's most popular politician. Just what the hell is going on with judicial elections in Pennsylvania?

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October 16, 2025 5 mins

A Manayunk bar brings back the cutest animal fundraiser in the city, with a Super Bowl-level pressing question: Will long-haired Odie defend his title?

The race starts at 5:30 p.m. at 7 Lock Street on Thursday, October 16. 

For more information, visit this story on the web.

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On this episode of Big Rube's Philly, the legendary photographer and chef checks in with a Delco kid-turned-Philly teacher about producing "A Summer In West," which taught kids to speak their truth

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October 14, 2025 15 mins

On this episode of Evening WURDs, attorney Alex Bomstein joins host James Peterson for an in-depth conversation about hotter summers, more severe allergies and worsening air quality. Bomstein is the Executive Director of the Clean Air Council and he's on a mission to protect everyone's right to a healthy environment.

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October 13, 2025 10 mins

"If everything from a court decision to a protest sign is insurrection, than any use of force against it -- including military force -- can be justified." This week, Ali Velshi takes on the Trump administration's signals that it may invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807.

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October 10, 2025 53 mins

Our guest on this episode of How To Really Run A City: Joe Walsh, a former Representative from Illinois. He was a self-described Tea Party arsonist, right-wing radio provocateur and mentor to Turning Point USA's Charlie Kirk. All of that changed when Donald Trump completely captured the Republican Party. 

"I helped to divide this country," Walsh said. "People like me helped put us on this road. I have to l...

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