We Question & Learn
By WQLN
The "We Question and Learn" interview program heard Sundays at 4 p.m., monthly, on WQLN Radio 91.3 FM is dedicated to being a community interest program devoting an entire hour to interviews with Erie's prominent leaders, business people, and educators, focusing in on business and technology.
As we paint a verbal picture of the business and economic development in our community, we look for your suggestions for "WE QUESTION AND LEARN" interviews.
We Question & LearnApr 03, 2022
Brian Slawin, Regional Director & Portfolio Manager of the Central and Northeast Pennsylvania Ben Franklin Technology Partners & Mark Sherman, President of Community Heart and Soul
This episode of We Question & Learn features an interview with Brian Slawin, Regional Director and Portfolio Manager of the Central and Northeast Pennsylvania Ben Franklin Technology Partners. Then my guest will be Mark Sherman, President of Community Heart and Soul doing outreach in 125 small towns across the United States.
Robert Lawrence Kuhn from Closer To Truth & Dan Figurelli Indiana University, Bloomington
This WE QUESTION AND LEARN program features an interview with Doctor Robert Lawrence Kuhn, host of the television program 'Closer to Truth' broadcast on 200 PBS and public broadcasting stations. Then our guest will be Daniel Figurelli, an audio preservation engineer from Indiana University Bloomington, talking about the media preservation initiative there with a 7000 wax cylinder archive rivaling the Library of Congress.
Senior VP at Chautauqua Institution Debra Sunya Moore & President Ferki Ferati and VP Ben Speggen of the Jefferson Educational Society
This We Question & Learn program will feature an interview with Debra Sunya Moore, Senior Vice President and Chief Program Officer at the Chautauqua Institution, talking about the upcoming season. Then our guests will be Ferki Ferati, President of the Jefferson Educational Society along with Ben Speggen, Vice President, outlining the Jefferson's outreach and activities. You can hear these guests, Sunday afternoon, March 3rd starting at 4 on WQLN NPR, and then online at WQLN dot o r g slash we question.
Millcreek Twp Supervisor Jim Bock & Visit Erie Director of Marketing Emily Biddle
This We Question & Learn program will feature an interview with Millcreek Township Supervisor, Jim Bock. We'll talk about all the services the Township provides involving administration, emergency management, fire, police, recycling, community activities and more. Then we'll learn about all the outreach activities provided by Visit Erie from Emily Biddle, Director of Marketing and Research along with information on local activities surrounding the April 8th Solar Eclipse.
Dr. Smart and Dr. Mansour of Mercyhurst & Exec. Director of the Children's Advocacy Center, Michael Gaines
This We Question and Learn Program will feature an interview with Dr. Lindy Smart, Executive Director, Intelligence Studies at Mercyhurst University along with Dr. Christopher Mansour, founding member and Assistant Professor of Cyber Security Programs at Mercyhurst. Then we talk with Michael Gaines, Executive Director of the Children's Advocacy Center on the critical issue of child abuse in our community.
A Caroling We Will Go Pt. 1
This We Question and Learn Program will take a short vacation from our regular interviews and we'll broadcast the first hour of a special two hour holiday presentation written, produced and narrated by Dr. Andrew Roth featuring an educational and most entertaining program entitled 'A Caroling We Will Go.'
You can find part 2 here: https://www.wqln.org/podcast/the-american-tapestry-project
Director of Erie Events Gus Pine and Professor from Ridge College Dalene Duvenage
The upcoming We Question and Learn program will feature an interview with Gus Pine, Director of Erie Events. We'll talk about the Bayfront Convention Center, the Warner Theatre, UPMC Park and the Erie Insurance Arena. Then we talk with Dalene Duvenage, assistant professor at the Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences and her three decades of business experience including her career in South Africa.
Ep 58 Robert Chatfield Free to Choose Network & Dr. Gerald Clark Author
The next We Question & Learn program will feature 2 new interviews, first with Doctor Gerald Clark, author and professor, with 27 years of criminal justice experience. We'll recap the 20 year anniversary of the Pizza Bomber Case and highlight his new publications. Then we'll talk with Robert Chatfield, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Free To Choose Network beginning as an award winning PBS series.
Ep. 57 David Callahan President of the Marcellus Shale Coalition and Dr. Barry Bittman CEO of the Yamaha Music and Wellness Institute
The next We Question and Learn program will revisit an interview with David Callahan, President of the Marcellus Shale Coalition. Then we'll hear an interview with Dr. Barry Bittman, CEO and President of the Yamaha Music and Wellness Institute and former host of a Mind, Body Wellness program that was heard on WQLN and across the country.
Ep 56 - Karen Bilowith President and CEO & Erin Fessler VP of the Erie Community Foundation, Dr. Barry Bittman CEO and President of the Yamaha Music and Wellness Institute
The next We Question and Learn program will feature an interview with Karen Bilowith, President and CEO of the Erie Community Foundation. With her will be Erin Fessler, Vice President, Marketing and Community/Government Relations, talking about Erie Gives Day on August 8th. Then, we'll talk with Dr. Barry Bittman, CEO and President of the Yamaha Music and Wellness Institute and former host of a Mind, Body Wellness program that was heard on WQLN and across the country.
Ep 55 - Michael Hill President of the Chautauqua Institution & Nikki Carey from the American Cancer Society
For this We Question & Learn program we'll talk with Michael Hill, President of the Chautauqua Institution about the Institution's Economic Contribution Analysis report and about the upcoming season. Then our guest will be Nikki Carey from the American Cancer Society talking about helping cancer patients and saving lives in our region.
Ep 54 - John Vanco Director and Curator of the Erie Art Museum, Trenton Moulin President of the Bridge Builders Community Foundations
In this We Question and Learn program we talk with John Vanco for almost 50 years the Director and Curator of the Erie Art Museum about the August 4th, 5th and 6th, 31st Erie Blues and Jazz Festival. Then we talk with Trenton Moulin, President of the Bridge Builders Community Foundations (plural is correct) with an update on philanthropy and outreach in the Oil City region.
Ep 53 - Deborah Sunya Moore Senior Vice President at Chautauqua Institute, Karen Rzepecki reCAP Mason Jars
In this We Question and Learn program we interview Deborah Sunya Moore, Senior Vice President and Chief Program Officer at the Chautauqua Institution with details on the upcoming season. Then our guest will be Karen Rzepecki with the story of reCAP Mason Jars, a local entrepreneur with national success using all local companies and employees.
Ep 52 - Lindy Smart Executive Director of Intelligence Studies & Robert Heibel Applied Intelligence Studies Associates
This We Question And Learn program features Lindy Smart, Executive Director of Intelligence Studies at Mercyhurst University, celebrating its 30th year and also Robert Heibel of Applied Intelligence Studies Associates, who initiated the unique applied intelligence studies program at Mercyhurst in 1992.
Ep 51 - Attorney Robert D. Zaruta & Sarah Humphey Executive Director of the Erie Cancer Wellness Center
This We Question and Learn program will feature interviews with Attorney Robert D. Zaruta talking about labor shortages, non-compete agreements and Social Networking & the Cancel Culture. Then our guest will be Sarah Humphrey, Executive Director of the Erie Cancer Wellness Center outlining its services to our community.
Ep 50 - Brian Slawin Regional Director for Ben Franklin Technology Partners & Jordan Fuller from Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership + Rebroadcast of Gerald Clark interview
The next We Question and Learn Program will feature an interview with Brian Slawin, Regional Director and Portfolio manager for the Ben Franklin Technology Partners, along with Fire and Ice Program Leader, Jordan Fuller from the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership. Then we'll revisit an interview with Gerald Clark, Professor, retired special FBI Agent and Author.
Ep 49 - Special FBI Agent Gerald Clark on his career and the "Pizza Bomber" and Attorney Jonathan D'Silva on Intellectual Property law
This week on We Question and Learn we interview Gerald Clark, PhD, professor, retired special FBI agent and author. We'll talk about his career starting with the "Pizza Bomber" case in 2003. Then we interview attorney Jonathan D'Silva about navigating the world of intellectual property from multinational corporations to small businesses.
Ep 48. Charles Walczak CEO and Jonathan Rilling VP of Marketing, Advacement and Communitcations of EHCA and Dr. Maureen Barber-Carey Executive VP of the Barber National Institute
This months interviews feature Charles Walczak, CEO of Erie Homes for Children and Adults. With him will be Jonathan Rilling, Vice President of Marketing, Advancement and Communications. Then we interview Doctor Maureen Barber-Carey, Executive Vice President of the Barber National Institute.
Ep 47 NWIRC, President and CEO Robert Zaruta and YMCA of Greater Erie Director of Chronic Disease Programming Eileen Hill
This months interviews will feature Robert Zaruta, President and CEO of the Northwest Industrial Resource Center with an overview of services and programs for small to midsize businesses in Northwest and North Central Pennsylvania. Then we'll talk with Ellen Hill, Director of Chronic Disease Programming at the YMCA of Greater Erie, on health care and food desert issues in our community.
Ep 46 - Free To Choose Network, Robert Chatfield and Marcellus Shale Coalition, David Callahan
The next We Question and Learn program will feature an interview with Robert Chatfield, President and CEO of the Free To Choose Network with an update on outreach and programs in our community. This is your host Tom Pysz. Then my guest will be David Callahan, President of the Marcellus Shale Coalition, a trade association focused on Marcellus and Utica Shale development.
Ep 45 - Northern Pennsylvania Regional College, Susan Snelick and Melinda Saunders, Erie Water Works CEO Paul Vojtek
This We Question and Learn program will feature an interview with Susan Snelick, President of the Northern Pennsylvania Regional College Along with Melinda Saunders, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. Then we'll feature part 2 of an interview with Paul Vojtek, CEO and CFO of the Erie Water Works. You can hear this program, online at https://www.wqln.org/Listen/Podcasts/We-Question-Learn.
Ep 44 - Erie Community Foundation - Erie Gives 2022 Karen Bilowith, Bradley H. Foulk Children's Advocacy Center for Erie County Michael Gaines
This We Question and Learn program will feature an interview with Karen Bilowith, President and CEO of the Erie Community Foundation. We'll be talking about Erie Gives a special online event, August 9th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. This is your host Tom Pysz. Then my guest will be Michael Gaines, Executive Director of the Bradley H. Foulk Children's Advocacy Center of Erie County.
Ep 43 - Stairways Behavioural Health Robin Dowling, Director of Community Development at the American Cancer Society Eric McGaughy, President of Strategy Solutions Debbie Thompson
This WE QUESTION & LEARN program will feature interviews with:
Robin Dowling, Executive Director of Stairways Behavioural Health, accompanied by Guy Signor, President and CEO at Journey healths Systems, talking about the key issues facing behavioral health providers today.
Then our guests will be Eric McGaughy, Director of Community Development at the American Cancer Society, along with Debbie Thompson, President of Strategy Solutions outlining important cancer services in our community.
You can hear these programs, Sunday afternoon, July 3rd at 4 on WQLN NPR.
Ep 42 - UPMC Hamot David Gibbons, Sight Center of Northwest Pa Becka Swick & Lana Kunick
The next We Question and Learn program will feature an interview with David P. Gibbons, President of UPMC Hamot discussing all the hospital's existing and new programs. Then an interview with Becka Swick, Director of Marketing and Public Education from the Sight Center of Northwest Pennsylvania along with Lana Kunick, Director of Diabetes Prevention.
Ep 41 - Tina Mengine, Becka Swick, Lana Kunick
The next We Question and Learn program will feature an interview with Tina Mengine, the Chief Executive Officer of the Erie County Redevelopment Authority. This is your host, Tom Pysz. Then I'll interview Becka Swick, Director of Marketing and Public Education from the Sight Center of Northwest Pennsylvania along with Lana Kunick, Director of Diabetes Prevention.
Ep 40 - Michael E. Hill and Dr. Ralph Ford
Join Tom Pysz, the host of We Question And Learn as he talks with the President of the Chautauqua Institution, Michael E. Hill and the Chancellor of Penn State Behrend, Dr. Ralph Ford.
Ep 39 - Karen Bilowith, and James Grunke
We Question and Learn host Tom Pysz talks with the President & CEO of the Erie Community Foundation, Karen Bilowith. Tom also interviews the CEO of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, James Grunke.
Ep 38 - Teresa Murtland, and James Grunke
Join We Question and Learn host Tom Pysz as he talks with Executive Director of Africa 6000 International, Teresa Murtland. Tom will also interview the CEO of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, James Grunke.
Ep 37 - Brenda Sandberg, and Dr. Chris Gray
Join We Question and Learn host Tom Pysz as he talks with Brenda Sandberg, Executive Director at Erie-Western PA Port Authority. Tom will also interview Dr. Chris Gray, the founder and current president of the Erie County Community College of Pennsylvania.
Ep 36 - Brian Slawin, Barbara Chaffee, and Matt Greene
Join Tom Pysz host of We Question & Learn as he talks with Brian Slawin - Director at Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Barbara Chaffee - President & Chief Executive Officer at Tom Ridge Environmental Center, and Matt Greene - Park Operations Manager at Presque Isle State Park Complex.
Ep 35 - Paul Vojtek, Dan Bensur, and Bobby Borgia
Tom Pysz talks with with Pau Vojtek, the CEO of the Erie Water Works. With him will be Dan Bensur, the Board Chair. Then Tom talks about Erie's magical history with magician Bobby Borgia.
Ep 34 - Ted Wood, Charles Walczak, and Jonathan Rilling
Tom Pysz talks with Ted Wood, a nonprofit professional coming up on 40 years of fundraising experience. Then Tom talks with Charles Walczak, the CEO of Erie Homes For Children and Adults along with Jonathan Rilling, VP of marketing, advancement and communications.
Ep 33 - Greg Coleman, and Bill Jackson
On the next We Question and Learn, Tom Pysz talks with Greg Coleman, President of the Erie SeaWolves about the business of baseball. Then Tom talks with Bill Jackson, President of United Way of Erie County focusing on the mission and direction of the organization.
Ep 32 - Laith Wardi and Adam Bratton
Tom Pysz talks with Laith Wardi from Executive Pulse, an organization involved in technology and economic development reaching across the United States, Canada and other parts of the world. We'll gain a new perspective on better ways to utilize CRM to be successful in a global environment. Tom also talks with Adam Bratton, the Executive Director of the Nonprofit Partnership about Erie Gives Day on August 10th.
Ep 31 - George Deutsch and Becky Weiser
Tom Pysz talks with George Deutsch, Executive Director of the Hagan History Center. Then we'll hear from Becky Weiser, Curator of the Hagan History Center.
Ep 30 - Susanna Frigon and Jake Rouch
Tom Pysz talks with Susanna Wies Frigon, Vice President of Philanthropic Services at the Erie Community Foundation. Then we'll hear from Jake Rouch, Vice President, Economic Division of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership along with Leslie Ridge Allen, Vice President of Business Engagement.
Ep 29 - Dr. David Frew, and Trenton Moulin
Tom Pysz talks with David Frew, Scholar, Lecturer, and Author of Accidental Paradise, a 13,000 year history of Presque Isle. Then he talks with Trenton Moulin, President and CEO of the Bridge Builders Community Foundations (plural is correct) located in Oil City, Pennsylvania.
Ep 28 - Michael E. Hill and Karen Seggi
Tom Pysz talks with Michael E. Hill, the 18th president of the Chautauqua Institution talking about the upcoming season and more. Then we'll hear from Karen Seggi, the executive director of the Second Harvest Food Bank, coping in a COVID-19 era.
Ep 27 - Charles 'Boo' Hagerty, and Tom McClure
Tom Pysz talks with Charles 'Boo' Hagerty, Chief Development Officer for the Hamot Health Foundation. Then he'll talk with Tom McClure, the District Manager of the Erie County Conservation District.
Ep 26 - Maureen Barber-Carey of Barber National Institute & Wendy Wallace of Meals on Wheel
Tom talks with Doctor Maureen Barber-Carey, Executive Vice President of the Barber National Institute, talking about programs and outreach for 2021. And Wendy Wallace, the Executive Director of Meals on Wheel in Erie, PA; outlining the services and challenges facing this program in a COVID-19 era.
Ep 25 - Adam Bratton, and Dr. Andrew Roth
This WE QUESTION AND LEARN program will feature an interview with Adam C. Bratton, the Executive Director of The Nonprofit Partnership and Dr. Andrew Roth, Scholar-in-Residence at the Jefferson Educational Society, and host of The American Tapestry Project on WQLN NPR.
Ep 24 - County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper and Greg Filbeck, Penn State Behrend
This WE QUESTION AND LEARN program will feature an interview with County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper who will talk about COVID-19 in Erie County and then other important programs for our community. Then Tom Talks with Doctor Greg Filbeck, Director of the Black School of Business and Samuel P. Black the III Professor of Finance and Risk Management at Penn State Behrend.
Ep 23 - Blane Dessy, Erie County Public Library, Beck Erie County Historical Society
Tom talks with Blane Dessy, Director of the Erie County Public Library, and Beck Weiser, Curator of the Hagen History Center - Erie County Historical Society.
Ep 22 - Bob Chitester, Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board of Free To Chose Network
Since WQLN was founded on August 13, 1967, and before, Bob Chitester has been involved with Public Broadcasting. During the next We Question and Learn program, we'll gain insights reflecting those early days forward, to today's Free To Chose Network.
This is Tom Pysz inviting you to join me for a special one hour program talking with Bob Chitester, Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board of that organization.
Ep 21 - Michael L. Batchelor, Ferki Ferati, and Ben Speggen
Tom Talks with Michael L. Batchelor, President of the Erie Community Foundation, about the highlights of his career since starting in 1990 and his pending retirement at the end of 2020.Then Tom talks with Ferki Ferati, President, along with Ben Speggen, Vice President, about the mission, vision and activities of The Jefferson Educational Society.
Ep 20 - Debra Thompson, along with Thomas Tupitza, and Robert Chatfield
On this episode of WE QUESTION and LEARN; Tom Pysz talks with Debra Thompson, President of Strategy Solutions, consultant, trainer and Peer Reviewer for the Standards of Excellence Institute, along with Thomas A. Tupitza, President of the Knox Law Firm, talking about the effects locally and beyond of the Covid 19 Pandemic. Then Tom talks with Robert Chatfield, President and CEO of the FREE TO CHOOSE network, a global media organization.
Ep 19 - Mark Amendola: Executive Director at Perseus House
Tom Pysz talks with Mark Amendola, the Executive Director at Perseus House. They'll talk about nonprofit services and organizational survival during the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic... including the stress factors involved in providing health care, social services, and evidence based programming for youth and families in our community today.
Ep 18 - Mary Bula, and Doctor Andrew Roth
On this episode of We Question and Learn; Tom Pysz talks with Mary Bula, Director of Erie Together, "Erie's Countywide Collective Impact Movement". Then Tom talks with Doctor Andrew Roth, with Part 2 of a series on the American Dream.
Ep 17 - Mike Ruzzi, Kara Coleman, and Mark Soliday - WICU 70 Years
TV journalists Mike Ruzzi, Kara Coleman, and Mark Soliday join Tom Pysz to talk about media today and reflect on the 70 years history of Erie's WICU TV.
Ep 16 - James Grunke and Adam Bratton
Tom Pysz talks with James Grunke, the CEO of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership about goals and accomplishments for the 2020 year. Then Tom talks with Adam Bratton, the Executive Director of the Nonprofit Partnership who will be talking about nonprofit management and the state of the nonprofit community in Northwest Pennsylvania.