What is on ultra-conservatives' wish list for disaster relief? MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi details disturbing plans for gutting FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security, thereby making Americans in disaster-prone areas less secure.CitizenCast

Tim Walz’s debate performance should have Democratic insiders wondering what could have been had Gov. Shapiro been on that stageCitizenCast

"... in Black political reality." At a recent Citizen event, aired live on WURD, host James Peterson interviewed Dr. Michael Eric Dyson about his new book "Represent: The Unfinished Fight for the Vote." Dr. Dyson stated that the real goal of American politics "was not the acquisition of democracy, but the establishment of white supremacy."…

This is a recording of a live event of the American Voter Project at the Eric H. Holder Jr. Initiative for Civil and Political Rights. We discuss the long history of voter suppression, voting rights, the electoral college, the Supreme Court, and democracy. General Holder’ and Michael’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Vote! Engage in a maj…

Pennsylvania’s state treasurer manages the sixth largest economy in the U.S — and a few other things. Next up in Your City Defined.CitizenCast

Five million people died last year from antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. One Penn scientist is looking deep into the past for a solution.CitizenCast

Abortions bans undermine women's basic reproductive health, explains MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi. And among no group is that threat more acutely felt than Black women, who's lives are at greater risk because of the racism stubbornly entrenched in our healthcare system.CitizenCast

Nine months in, Mayor Cherelle Parker has shown impeccable public-facing skills. But how is she on implementation and transparency?CitizenCast

We discuss deepening our understanding of the climate crisis, the urgent need for decarbonization, and our role in speaking truth about phasing out fossil fuels. Genevieve’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Call your elected representatives and demand policies to phase out fossil fuels. If extreme weather comes up in conversation, connect …

What’s happening to people in cities since the pandemic is more worrisome than the fate of office buildings. This urbanist has a few city-centric solutions to pull us out of the "doom loop."CitizenCast

On this episode of Evening WURDs, host Dr. James Peterson sits down with Roxanne to discuss Pennsylvania's vital role in the upcoming election and what techniques have proved most effective in getting people to the polls.CitizenCast

Temple grad student Deesarine Ballayan has ongoing reservations about Kamala Harris. In this episode of Guest Commentary, she explains how these reservations linger, even after personally attending the candidate’s NABJ interview in Philadelphia.CitizenCast

Citizenship Day and Constitution Day are both celebrated on September 17th. This is a bold statement about the importance of immigrants, as well as their contributions and responsibilities to their new country. MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi recounts his own experience becoming a US citizen and declares the importance of exercising …

PA legislators struggle to legalize recreational marijuana and create economic opportunities. Can they do something before the year's end?CitizenCast

We discuss the power and the promise of public schools, the universal rejection of book bans by parents across the country, and an inclusive vision for democracy. Their civic action toolkit recommendations are: Have a conversation with people with whom you disagree Remain open-minded. Jennifer Berkshire and Jack Schneider are co-hosts of the educat…

On this episode of our acclaimed podcast, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter sit down with Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, one of the youngest mayors in the country. In March, a cargo ship lost power and smashed into Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, thrusting Mayor Scott into the national spotlight amidst ugl…

On this episode of Art For Change, we examine a new interactive installation at the Fabric Workshop and Museum by Bearded Ladies Cabaret founder John Jarboe. The exhibition puts on full display "earnest, absurd queer selfhood."CitizenCast

On this episode of Citizen(s) of the Week, we look at Penn Medicine Votes, which motivates healthcare workers to help patients who are unexpectedly hospitalized on election day cast an absentee ballotCitizenCast

Donald Trump and his Republican allies are doubling down on "abortion after birth" (also known as "murder.") MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi breaks down this lie and explains why it's so dangerous.CitizenCast

There’s only one major metro region in the nation without a strategic plan for inclusive growth — Philadelphia. Where's our job growth plan?CitizenCast

We discuss how ballot measures give voters the opportunity to take power and agency. It is about citizens putting issues that are important to their communities, gathering signatures, and then putting them on the ballot directly to effect policy change. Her civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1. Voting is the starting line, not the finish lin…

Longtime higher education executive, Elaine Maimon, shines a light on how the U.S. Constitution was talked about (and referenced) in the debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.CitizenCast

Artist Sonya Clark has created a video installation called The Descendants of Monticello. It fills the historical Declaration House with unblinking windows into our shared history.CitizenCast

On this episode of Big Rube's Philly, Reuben Harley chats with Shaw Lewis of Expect Lace, a lingerie shop in Manayunk. Shaw explains how, as a successful Black entrepreneur, she is helping lift women around her, and how she's making both women and men feel comfortable about buying intimates.CitizenCast

Besides hunting down instances of "woke agendas," MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi explains the intense favoritism that would be shown to private religious schools under Project 2025. "Families who already pay for tuition [to private schools], get a break, while those who can't, are forced back into public schools where they are now r…

A former Philadelphia mayor asks ABC's David Muir and Linsey Davis to ask presidential debate questions about basic knowledge...and do some fact-checkingCitizenCast

We discuss how two parties alone cannot represent the diversity of views in American society, how fusion voting could solve for better representation, and who exactly should get engaged in our civic lives. His civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1. Support political parties and reforms that create more choices. 2. Be a good neighbor and parti…

On this special episode of How To Really Run A City, former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter and former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed catch up with the Republican mayor whose speech supporting Kamala Harris ignited the Democratic National Convention. Why'd he do it? To honor the ideals and memory of Senator John McCain. "There is no longer loyalty to princip…

... the CEO of Shift Capital, an urban real estate business in Kensington, lays out howCitizenCast

Center City has 45 alleys. Most are dumps. Center City District President/CEO sees the potential for beauty, greenery and art instead.CitizenCast

Recently, Donald Trump met with Moms For Liberty, a group that some civil rights watchdogs have branded "extremists." MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi lays out what Project 2025 says about "manufactured extremism" and details how the Department of Justice would be sent to dismantle "D.E.I." and other social justice movements.…

On this episode of Guest Commentary, a local public elementary school teacher of more than two decades shares what Philly-based Abbott Elementary misses — and what teachers really needCitizenCast

We discuss what it takes for citizens to take action and run for elected office. Wendy ran as a Democrat in Utah because she wanted to give voters a viable, different choice. She knew it was going to be difficult to win as a first time candidate, but she ran so hard that she left a body mark in the wall. She lost by a mere 78 votes. Her civic actio…

On this episode of #velshibannedbookclub, Kiese Laymon joins MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi to discuss his banned book "Heavy." Because of its unflinching look at the messiness and weight of love, Laymon's book was banned in Mississippi (right alongside Toni Morrison's work).CitizenCast

On this episode of Your City (Commonwealth) Defined, the state’s chief fiscal watchdog is on the ballot in November. Whether it's rooting out grift and fraud, or moving the ball forward on progressive issues, this overlooked office is actually quite important.CitizenCast

On this episode of Big Rube's Philly, Reuben Harley chats with Tyson Devore and Nikki Moore, the owners of Chubby's Fantastic Flavors. They talk real ice cream, opportunities for Black-owned businesses to thrive and how to really come together as a community.CitizenCast

MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi explains what Project 2025 defines as the only family unit that should be accepted by the U.S. government: a biblically-based, social science-reinforced definition of marriage and family. "How's that for limited government?" Velshi asks.CitizenCast

Dr. Ala Stanford became a household name during Covid. In this interview with Courtney DuChene, she shares her thoughts about equity in medicine and her healthcare vision for a Harris presidency.CitizenCast