Citizencast

The work of Temple researcher Dr. Anjali Rajadhyaksha is on track to radically change pain management and the opioid crisis. Citizen writer Malcolm Burnley sits down with her for a special interview. 

Philadelphia gunfire has taken grandfathers, brothers, cousins, children. Intergenerational loss reflects the roots of the shooting epidemic. In collaboration with The Trace, CitizenCast brings Mensah Dean's examination of race and gun violence to listeners as a three-part audio series. Part 2 considers the traumatic cases of former State Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell.

Black Philadelphians have died at disproportionately high rates for more than a century. In collaboration with The Trace, CitizenCast brings Mensah Dean's examination of race and gun violence to listeners as a three-part audio series. Part 1 looks at the origins of the crisis through the heartbreaking story of ten-year-old Faheem Thomas-Childs.

Becky Albertalli's YA novel has been challenged and banned in several conservative states, including Florida, Texas and Utah. Ali Velshi invites Albertalli onto the Velshi Banned Book Club to talk about why her book was banned, and how so many LGBTQ stories are being target right now.

On this episode of The Fix, Larry looks at Mayor Parker’s City Hall and asks, is anything being done to clean up the city's corruption problem? 

Chicago’s late, legendary first African-American mayor, Harold Washington propelled his charisma and grassroots support to topple his city’s legendary machine and remake its government — a story brilliantly told in Punch 9 For Harold Washington, which The Citizen screened on the opening night of the Ideas We Should Steal Festival last month.   What can Philadelphia today take away from Washington’s political courage in decades past? On this episode of How to Really Run A City, hosts former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter, along with The Citizen’s Larry Platt, spoke with filmmaker Joe Winston and New Yorker writer/Macarthur “genius” Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor explored that question in a live taping of the podcast.  “Fairer is harder,” Reed told the audience, “if you want a bold, inclusive form of politics, it’s just harder…all of us have got to show up.” As cities go, so goes the nation!

On this Citizen edition of Evening WURDs with Dr. James Peterson, Cait Garozzo sits down with Peterson to discuss job placement strategies for both job seekers and employers in the city. Garozzo is the executive director of The Skills Initiative at University City District.

MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi highlights efforts by Christian Nationalists to break down the protective barriers of church and state separation, including in Oklahoma public schools. 

Listen to the epic second part of this song-by-song review of "A Philly Special Christmas Party" by resident seasonal grinch Olivia Kram.

Can the Philly Specials’ third holiday record — featuring Stevie Nicks and Mt. Joy — sway a seasonal music grinch? Listen to the first part of this song-by-song review of "A Philly Special Christmas Party."

Larry Platt joins WURD host Dr. James Peterson to discuss his breakdown of the presidential election results in "What The F Just Happened?" 

A recent Temple study found that gun violence surged as the Covid-19 pandemic worsened poverty, unemployment, and structural racism.  Documentarian and author Jo Piazza heard over and over again that a key part of driving down gun violence is increasing job opportunities for the men most likely to fall into the "illegal economy." On this episode of Philly Under Fire, Piazza looks at one organization that is trying to provide just those kinds of job opportunities.

MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi invites Nobel laureate Maria Ressa onto the show to discuss how journalists and everyday citizens can stand against a dictator seeking to collapse democracy. More than Germany or Italy, Velshi says, it's the Philippines we should be looking to right now. "It took about 6 months," Ressa tells him, "before our democratic institutions crumbled." Hear Ressa's inspiring advice about what to do after "illiberal leaders" are voted into office. 

On this episode of Big Rube's Philly, the iconic chef, photographer and brand maker chats with Jon Metz, a local wood-burning artist known for his portraits of dogs, athletes, and occasionally, beer.

Local progressives take aim at Bob Brady and the Democratic machine. But this week's book tour stop by Bill Clinton suggests another way ...

The 2024 election highlighted a problem with education "elitism." Colleges and universities must work together together to bring Americans together.

A monument to civil rights icon Sadie Alexander is replacing the Rizzo statue, joining a small handful of public statues of Black Philadelphians. Listen to her story.

Senator Bob Casey’s desperate attempt to keep his seat and his silence while supporters mimic Trump-like rationale is not a good look

Soybeans, electric cars and trade wars--MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi breaks down the reality of tariffs and who ultimately ends up footing the bill. 

"Well, guys,” Citizen Co-founder Larry Platt starts, “let’s have a little therapy session. What the hell just happened?” On this special episode of How To Really Run A City, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter get together just days after the election to hash out how they’re feeling and what they think turned the tide to President-elect Donald Trump. Despite a “painful, painful map” and impending federal policies that target vulnerable communities, Reed and Nutter offer a few rays of hope. “Presidents have very little power to reach into cities,” Nutter observed.  “Make [the president] staff these efforts,” Reed agreed. “It would take four years just to staff up.”  Join us for this episode about the power of good leaders in our cities — something needed with increasing urgency in this country. Remember to subscribe to keep up on all the latest episodes. You can even watch the conversation play out on YouTube. As cities