TalkErie.com - The Joel Natalie Show - Erie Pennsylvania Daily Podcast

On Friday, Erie Mayor Joe Schember made his monthly walk to our 429 State Street studio to discuss the significant topics facing City Hall.

Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, and Erie loves to celebrate this holiday. On Thursday, we talked to John Melody, owner of the U Pick 6 establishments, about the importance of St. Patrick’s Day for local restaurants and taverns. We also heard about Melody’s work with his new charity Success by Sport.

On our Wednesday health focus, and the four-year anniversary of the COVID-19 shutdowns of schools and businesses, we caught up with Erin Mrenak, Erie County Director of Public Health, and Breanna Adams, Director of Environmental Health Services. We covered public health topics including respiratory illnesses like the flu, where are we with Covid, and that recent Hepatitis A scare.

On our Monday program, we welcomed in officials from Ascend Erie, the new rock-climbing gym that soars opposite our studio at Fifth and State. Ascend CEO and Co-owner Alex Bernstein and Erie location General Manager Christ Rosato were our guests, talking about their first few months of operations and what they are looking forward to this year.

On Friday, March 8th we were exactly one month from the Total Solar Eclipse, a celestial event that won’t happen again in Erie until 2144. With as many as 260,000 people coming to Erie to witness the Eclipse, we were getting prepared with Visit Erie. Christine Temple joined us to talk about VisitErie’s SHINE campaign, learning more about the preparations and safety tips.

Our Wednesday focus was on the Erie International Airport, with the executive director Derek Martin, and the President of the Erie County Regional Airport Authority, Dan Giannelli. Are things “looking up” in terms of air travel to and from Erie?

On our Monday program, we were happy to welcome Troy Bingham back to the microphone. Troy is the Owner of Erie Sports Center, and he is kicking off a new program with Erie neighborhood community centers called “Sports for All.”

On the final day of Black History Month, we learned more about Historical Institute of Culture & the African American Experience, a new museum and gathering place founded by Bishop Curtis Jones, Sr., who was our guest. We learned his personal story and the idea and promise of the Institute.

US Congressman Mike Kelly (R-PA) from the 16th District joined us Wednesday to speak about the budget, foreign aid, and other legislative priorities in Washington.

Our studio is right in the heart of the Erie Downtown Development Corporation, so on Tuesday we had our quarterly review with the CEO of the EDDC, Drew Whiting. We learned what’s new at the Flagship City Food Hall, apartment rentals, new construction, and so much more as the face of downtown goes through exciting changes.

If you’re planning to buy a car in the near future, you’ll want to listen to our Monday interview with Ben Jefferys, General Marketing Manager for Hallman Auto Group. We discussed the current market for car buyers, got the latest on electric vehicles, and more.

On our fun Friday episode, we were talking to musicians in the band, First to Eleven. The band started playing together here in Erie, then took off to national fame with their viral videos. Before they headed out on tour, we chatted with lead singer, Audra Miller, teacher and musician Ryan Krysiak, and newcomer Trevor Vogt.

On our Thursday show, we were “looking up,” as Dr. David Hurd, professor of astronomy at Penn West Edinboro, joined us to share his enthusiasm and expertise on the Total Eclipse on April 8th.

On our Wednesday episode, we were pleased to welcome Charles “Boo” Hagerty to the microphone. Boo is the Chief Development Officer of the Hamot Health Foundation. His work with the Foundation, as well as his current focused mission to help the homeless, is truly making a difference in Erie.

Making his first visit to The Joel Natalie Show in 2024 was Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-49th). We talked about the status of the CRIZ, the ECGRA controversy, and his legislative priorities.

The Joel Natalie Show was live at the Erie RV & Outdoor Adventure Expo Friday, and Mayor Joe Schember joined us for his February visit.

On our Thursday episode, we learned about the 3rd Annual Erie County Community Resilience Conference, sponsored by the Erie Coalition for a Trauma-Informed Community. Joining us was Nicole Platz, Chief Community Impact Officer for the Achievement Center of LECOM Health, and Dr. Melanie Hetzel-Riggin, a co-chair of the Coalition, and Professor of Psychology at Penn State Behrend.

On our Valentine's Day show, we learned about the newest craze in sports, fitness, and fun in Erie, with Presque Isle Pickleball. Joining us was PIP’s owner, Michael Agresti, to give us the lowdown on this super-social sport.

The Tuesday program brought an update on the needs for more foster parenting, and for supporting them. Our guests were Brittany Burlingham of the Erie County Office of Children and Youth, and Jess Peterson from the Keystone Family Alliance Team.

On the Monday broadcast, we covered the controversy surrounding Erie County leasing a portion of the Blasco Library to Gannon University and its Project NePTWNE. Representatives of Keep Our Library Public joined us: Krista Perry and Anna McCartney.

On our Fun Friday episode, Erie filmmaker John C. Lyons came on the show to discuss his latest project, Tethered, an immersive live experience. He also spoke about other film projects in the works, and his picks for the Academy Awards.

Our Thursday episode featured frequent guest Ben Speggen, the Vice President of the Jefferson Educational Society, to highlight the Erie think-tank's Winter Term. Ben also shared about his 2023 visit to Germany and some of their industry and business best practices.

February is American Heart Month, and from the American Heart Association was local director Gina Klofft, and graduate student and intern Camilla Camacho to talk screenings, best practices, and the 100 year anniversary of the AHA.

When Erie County Executive Brenton Davis returned to The Joel Natalie Show microphones, we discussed economic development, the Gaming Revenue Authority, and other administration priorities.

On our Friday show, we learned of the efforts of The Oliver Hazard Perry Shipyard, a nonprofit organization working to secure the decommissioned ex-USS HALYBURTON, a Perry class Guided Missile Frigate, and bring it to Erie as a maritime exhibit. Joel interviewed RADM (Ret.) Robert D. Reilly, Jr. and MCPD (Ret.) Justin S. Crowe.

We began the new month with a conversation with Mary Bula, the Executive Director of Erie Together, the area's anti-poverty initiative. The organization of volunteers from across the region are trying to solve systemic and generational poverty through data-driven approaches in education and career pathways.

On our Wednesday episode, our Erie Total Solar Eclipse coverage turned to what's happening on the ground, with Visit Erie's John Oliver and Emily Biddle. We talked about the massive numbers of expected visitors, and how Erieites should prepare.

The Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook joined us Tuesday to review the preliminary statistics regarding investigated deaths his office handled in 2023, including the highest number of homicides in 50 years.

On our Wednesday program, we had a conversation about the importance of leadership with Pastor Derek Sanford, Dean of the Grace Leadership Institute and Lead Pastor of Grace Church. We spoke of the mission and activities of the GLI, and the importance of using our influence to make the lives better of people around us.

On the Tuesday edition of The Joel Natalie Show, we invited in-studio Dr. Ralph Ford, Chancellor of Penn State Behrend. The higher ed institution in Harborcreek Township is celebrating its 75th Anniversary. Dr. Ford told the story of the origin of the Behrend campus, how the school is celebrating this milestone, and their work in the greater Erie region.

It's was an action-packed episode to start 2024 as Joel interviewed Erie Mayor Joe Schember. Discussion points included the budget, the Greengarden bikeway, and the Mayor's appointment of Mel Witherspoon to an open City Council seat.

On our Thursday episode of The Joel Natalie Show, we welcomed back State Representative Bob Merski (D-2nd) back to the microphone. We talked about state finances, game and fisheries, gaming oversight, along with his expert knowledge of Basic Education as a former Erie School District educator.

On our Wednesday program, we caught up with Tim Broderick, Executive Director of Erie's People For Life, Inc., the local pro-life organization. We discussed the well-attended Pro-Life Breakfast, the March for Life, and the current state of the abortion issue in Pennsylvania in this post-Roe era.

On Monday, we started the week with our annual tax season program, with certified financial planners John Baker and Ben Reiter from Kingdom Financial Group. John also heads up Kingdom Tax Services. We discussed the lay of the land for 2023 tax returns along with developing a plan for 2024 now.

The Executive Director of Erie Arts & Culture, Anne O'Dell, joined us on our Friday episode to review past year in the arts community, and what Erie has to look forward to in 2024.

Just before his appearance at Keller's a Modern Magic and Comedy Club, actor, comedian, and producer Mark Christopher Lawrence appeared on our radio show. Mark is known for his roles in the TV show Chuck, and movies like Terminator 2.

On Tuesday's episode, we welcomed Dr. Chris Clark, the President of AHN St. Vincent Hospital. We discussed respiratory illness, the new Critical Decision Unit and behavioral health wing, plus the work being done to encourage young people to enter nursing and the medical fields.

We began the week with a conversation with Erie County Executive Brenton Davis, as he highlighted his efforts to boost emergency response in the county, along with his other priorites in the new year.

On our Thursday broadcast, we were delighted to welcome Steve Scully to the microphone. Scully is an Erie native who has interviewed every US President since Ford throughout his career . He is currently host of The Briefing on Sirius XM POTUS channel, and Senior VP of Communications with the Bipartisan Policy Center.

To start the new year, we get a baseline on Erie business with James Grunke, the President and CEO of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership.

On our Thursday edition of The Joel Natalie Show, we met the new CEO of the Erie Zoo, Melissa “Roo” Kojancie. She was accompanied by Kate Phillips, board member for the Erie Zoological Society. We discussed the current plans for Zoo upgrades, the capital fundraising campaign, and steps to regain AZA accreditation.

On Tuesday, Vice President of the Jefferson Educational Society, Ben Speggen joined for a look back at some of the highlights of 2023 in Erie, including moments from the JES's Global Summit. We discussed what we can learn and what to look forward to in the new year.

Our Thursday guest was Shawntá Pulliam-Brown, a Board-Certified Doctor of Natural Medicine, Holistic Health Practitioner, and owner of Sacred Divine Femininity, LLC. We learned about Shawntá's extensive practice and wellness alternatives available.

Have you been following Erie Coke in the news? From the closure, to the cleanup, the future of the Erie Coke property right on the lake is causing much discussion. Joining us today to walk us through what is happening is Dr. Mike Campbell, Mercyhurst biology professor and a leader in the HECA efforts.

The Erie Community Foundation is such an incredible resource for so many nonprofit organizations, so on our Tuesday program, we had a conversation with Erin Fessler, Vice President of Marketing & Community/Government Relations; and Olivia Burges, Philanthropic Services Officer for the Erie Community Foundation, to discuss giving options for the year-end.

On our Monday episode, we focused on Penn State Behrend’s Center for Family Business. The Center offers support to family-owned businesses on how to hire and retain family members, how to manage employee turnover among non-family employees, and how to develop a succession plan. Joining us was Dr. Chris Harben, associate teaching professor of management and associate director of the Center for Family Business; and Dr. Ozgun Demirag, interim director of the Black School of Business.

On our Fun Friday, we were joined by Jon DeMarco, Executive Director of the Presque Isle Partnership, and Gordie Herbst, board President of the Partnership, to talk about the light displays at Presque Isle State Park, and the other fine work the Partnership does for that treasured resource.

On our Wednesday episode, we were pleased to meet Brian R. Johansson, the New President and CEO of the Erie City Mission. Johansson brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, including 20 years with the Bowery Rescue Mission in Manhattan.

On the first Tuesday of each month, we have our monthly conversation with Brenton Davis, Erie County Executive. This interview focused on the County budget, the Library and other pressing County news.

On the Monday edition of The Joel Natalie Show, Erie City Council President Chuck Nelson shared with us the current situation with the city budget and the large deficits that loom for the municipality in the next several years.