Citizencast

Matthew Tuerk is a wicked skater. He's a tattoo connoisseur. He's a marathoner, and the popular second-term mayor of Allentown, PA who has made it his mission to bring back his city's manufacturing success.  On the latest episode of How To Really Run A City, our hosts invite this punk-rocking mayor to join them on the show. "This guy is a fanatic about economic development," said Platt. "He's turned Allentown into Pennsylvania's third-fastest growing city." "We had this idea that you could still make stuff in cities," Tuerk replied. "Soot and smog-filled cities are not what the future of manufacturing looks like. Manufacturing needs people. It needs good, high-paying jobs. There are a lot of folks that came to Allentown looking to tap into the American Dream. Empowering people should be our motivation."  Then Platt prompted Tuerk to show off his unique Allentown flair. "I have the city seal tattooed on my chest," Tuerk declared, unfastening a few buttons on his shirt. "That's commitment," Nutter said with a l

From dating rumors to charitable donations to slapping his son around for ... improper attire, unravel the ten greatest mysteries of Donald Trump and Wharton

The iconic photographer, chef and marketing guru is facing worrisome health diagnoses this year, but is keeping his spirits up. Deputy Editor Lauren McCutcheon called up Big Rube to talk about his contributions to Philadelphia and his most memorable photo subjects.

Ali Velshi invites presidential historian Jon Meacham onto the show to discuss the many moments in American history where our ancestors struggled to establish our natural rights. "Every measure of progress has been met with pushback by those in power."

Progressives cheered, but Larry Platt argues that Sheriff Rochelle Bilal's viral press conference about Trump and ICE were a spectacle Philly can ill afford on the national stage right now

… but is it willing to do what it takes? Today is the time to weigh in on what trash and recycling services will look like for the next four years. We can do better.

On this episode of Guest Commentary, the Secretary of Health doesn't apologize — even when he is proven completely wrong about the link between Tylenol and autism

Conversations about what it means to be a neighbor, and what it means to be a citizen, will be happening in Philly throughout the semiquincentennial in the form of free dinners and guided conversations. Roxanne Patel Shepelavy spoke with Anuj Gupta of The Welcoming Center. For more details visit Breaking Bread for Citizenship at thephiladelphiacitizen.org

Ali Velshi invites Martin Luther King Jr.'s son, Martin Luther King III, onto the show to talk about his father's legacy. "Every year, we felt like we were advancing," King told Velshi. "Now it feels like we're going backward."

Freedom does not ring on its own, declares Dr. James Peterson as we head into Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The bell of liberty must be struck repeatedly. Deliberately. And at any cost. 

In the wake of the horrific murders of the Reiners, J.P. Romney chats with Kim Porter, Executive Director and Co-founder of Be a Part of the Conversation, about substance use disorder and why so many parents think "this could happen in our home."

20 young teens were asked to imagine Philadelphia in 50 years. How they responded may surprise you.

In light of a recent Hollywood tragedy, a Main Line recovery specialist says people who love people with mental health disorders are quietly asking: Could this happen to us?

In the wake of the horrific shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis, Ali Velshi sits down with MN State Rep Aisha Gomez to talk about the state's reaction.

The nation was birthed in Philly, and we do have some great parties — and soccer! — planned. But, as democracy teeters, are we really owning the semiquincentennial?

On this episode of Ideas We Should Steal, we look at junk fees that stack up on rental leases and threaten to upend affordable housing in Philly. Seattle and other cities have begun to put a stop to the practice.

Let a goat eat it.

The annual convening of Black male educators late last year was a reminder of what can happen when Black men show up for the future

"What's your sense of where this goes?" Ali Velshi asks the former Deputy Director of the International Monetary Fund. It all depends on which of two courses the U.S. takes next, he replies.

For some jurors, the hardest part of a trial comes after it ends. A free West Chester University program helps citizens who've served recover from stress and PTSD.