Sinopsis
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.
Episodios
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The trash can can
05/11/2025 Duración: 06minTerrill 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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Race and gender don't have to predetermine wealth
04/11/2025 Duración: 15minOn 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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Will judges hold the line in the Trump era?
03/11/2025 Duración: 12min"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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What a Bucks Co sheriff's race really tells us
31/10/2025 Duración: 08minCan a challenger in a Bucks County's election have the formula for how Democrats can win on public safety?
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A job, a hospital, a park — all within 15 minutes
30/10/2025 Duración: 47min"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 Philly mayor Michael Nutter and former Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed, how he is turning his Ohio city into a convenient, accessible, bona fide 15-minute city — and what is needed to sustain that work. "People really want walkability," Bibb said. "They want safety and thriving neighborhoods and overall thriving cities. But we as mayors can't do this by ourselves. We need a federal government that's actually working. It has to be working with our governors and mayors." Bibb, a charismatic 38-year-old (and cousin to the first Black primetime newscaster in Ohio), will almost certainly be reelected next week, and both Re
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The support Philly kids need right now
29/10/2025 Duración: 04minOn 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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What are Schools of Civic Thought?
28/10/2025 Duración: 04minOn 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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Dissent is an act of patriotism
27/10/2025 Duración: 07minThis 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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Larry Krasner, meet Harry Truman
24/10/2025 Duración: 06minIn 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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From training to contacts to actual jobs
23/10/2025 Duración: 09minOn 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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I'm so proud of you
22/10/2025 Duración: 06minAn 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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Financial advisors using their talents to close the racial wealth gap
21/10/2025 Duración: 06minJason 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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How small acts of courage ...
20/10/2025 Duración: 05min... 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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Is this the end of PA's nonpartisan Supreme Court?
17/10/2025 Duración: 07minMudslinging. False advertising. The state’s most popular politician. Just what the hell is going on with judicial elections in Pennsylvania?
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Lucky's Great Weiner Race
16/10/2025 Duración: 05minA 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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Helping kids express themselves through filmmaking
15/10/2025 Duración: 10minOn 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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Brace yourself for worse air
14/10/2025 Duración: 15minOn 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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When the enemy is the American people
13/10/2025 Duración: 10min"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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A political asshole no more
10/10/2025 Duración: 53minOur 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 live with that.” Listen to this episode for a passionate conversation about a return to civility and the true stakes of our national debate with a public figure who describes himself as a former “political asshole” trying to make amends. As cities go, so goes the nation!
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Lying, with lives at stake
09/10/2025 Duración: 05minCHOP’s renowned immunologist responds to RFK Jr.’s shocking — or maybe not so shocking — untruths about vaccines.