A confluence of factors and political talents explains the governor's astounding popularity in the polls, even among the MAGA crowdBy CitizenCast

The City's Turn The Key program is building homes affordable to middle income families. Can it be the centerpiece of Philly's housing plan?By CitizenCast

Jessica Gonzalez Rojas is the New York State Assembly Member representing the 34th District in New York City. We discuss the New York State budget and how she represents her constituents on housing, food insecurity, and healthcare. The number one issue for constituents is housing, ranging from vermin problems and bad landlords to high rents. Food i…

It’s not enough to cast your own ballot in 2024. To get all eligible Philadelphians to vote, we need to engage in deep canvassing. Here, a sample of that deep canvassing with Roxanne and Adam Barbanel-Fried.By CitizenCast

MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi sits down with "one of the greatest threats to the Republic" -- a history teacher. Randi Weingarten is now the President of the American Federation of Teachers and she is accused of spreading "filth" to American children in the form of banned books.By CitizenCast

On this episode of Guest Commentary, James Peterson of "Evening WURDs" on WURD highlights the watermelon flag and what it says about symbols, extreme national distress and the regressive swing of the pendulumBy CitizenCast

One of the 120,000 living members of the Greatest Generation turns 99 this year. For Memorial Day, he talks to Larry Platt about saving America then and now.By CitizenCast

Debbie Cox Bultan is the CEO of the NewDEAL, a network of 150 rising state and local officials, and the NewDEAL Forum, which identifies and promotes innovative state and local pro-growth progressive policies. We discuss what it means to deliver good governance at the state and local level. We have a big problem with our democracy right now, and it …

"The more time one spends living in a distressed neighborhood during childhood, the worse are the chances of achieving economic stability." At our Ideas We Should Steal Festival, Carol Coletta of Memphis River Parks Partnership took the stage with a novel idea for bringing diverse communities together.…

Two years ago a cultural revolution was sparked in Iran over the death of Mahsa Amini. MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi explains how and why the fruits of that revolution have been rolled back.By CitizenCast

The Citizen is partnering with the original rad girl, Leah Kauffman, to bring back her annual celebration of kick-ass Philadelphia women. This week, Roxanne caught up with Kauffman to talk all things rad.By CitizenCast

Hope Chicago ensures family scholarships for graduates of five public high schools. Elaine Maimon suggests we invest in Philadelphia families the same way.By CitizenCast

Author, radio host and public intellectual, Michael Eric Dyson, contends this rap battle is really about race, identity and Black/Jewish relations.By CitizenCast

Bill Weir is CNN’s Chief Climate Correspondent and the author of Life As We Know It (Can Be). We discuss Carbon Godzilla, decarbonization, and the many existing and accessible technologies to mitigate climate change. Decarbonization must start with big industry, but there are many ways for individuals to make a difference, too. Clean energy can be …

Balancing free speech rights with public safety and order requires a deft touch. On our latest episode of "How to Really Run a City," Mayors Nutter and Reed are joined by one of their protégés: Richmond, Virginia Mayor Levar Stoney. From protests to economic growth to Mayor Stoney's history-making removal of Confederate monuments, we dig into the s…

DA Larry Krasner just won his second historic conviction of an on-duty police officer. Here’s why House Republicans are using that against him.By CitizenCast

A new cohort of Spanish-speaking peer mental health specialists is ready to provide real-time support for the Philadelphia population who most needs itBy CitizenCast

"Jesus would be ashamed," wrote one critic of Lois Lowry's seminal work of children's literature, "The Giver." MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi invites Lowry onto the show to discuss her opinions about the flood of negative (and positive) reactions to her 1993 YA novel.By CitizenCast

Ali Velshi's "Small Acts of Courage," just released at a launch party in Philadelphia. Join Roxanne Patel Shepelavy for an insightful and moving interview with Ali about his family's journey as immigrants and the true meaning of being an American.By CitizenCast

Mandela Barnes is the president of Power to the Polls Wisconsin. He also served as Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin from 2019 to 2023 and is the co-founder of The Long Run PAC. We discuss how grassroots voter outreach connects the dots for the voters on policy that impacts their lives. Voters need to know what politicians have done for their consti…

During this panel from our most recent Ideas We Should Steal Festival, MSNBC host and IWSS moderator Ali Velshi sits down with co-founder of The Welcome Party, Lauren Harper, former Republican congressman Charlie Dent, and State Senator Nikil Saval for an enlightening discussion about the true state of politics today…

...made Ali Velshi a true American. Here, an excerpt from MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi's new book "Small Acts of Courage."By CitizenCast

Roxanne Patel Shepelavy chats with Ethan Young, a former Citizen intern and current photojournalist at The Daily Pennsylvanian, Penn's student-run newspaper. "What has the general media gotten wrong with their coverage of the protests?" Roxanne asks. Young's answer might surprise you.By CitizenCast

MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi looks back at his parents' homeland and puts the struggle against South African apartheid in modern contextBy CitizenCast

Does the support of pro-Palestinian protestors by local professors and pols turn a moral blind eye to what's really happening?By CitizenCast

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick is the Policy Director at the American Immigration Council, a non-profit organization that strives to strengthen the United States by shaping immigration policies and practices. We discuss how out-of-date immigration laws are and why the only cure is comprehensive immigration reform from Congress. US immigration laws have not…

The Citizen's J.P. Romney sits down with Nick Hand, current technologist and former director of Rebecca Rhynhart's Finance, Policy and Data Unit to discuss Mayor Parker's budget proposal and how her first year will change from Mayor Kenney's last.By CitizenCast

Killing puppies? Linking Native American tribes to Mexican cartels? MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi explains why South Dakota governor Kristi Noem is banned from entering one-fifth of her own state.By CitizenCast

It seems counterintuitive, but a C+ public school works for students, teachers, and communities, and strengthens those schools over timeBy CitizenCast

Some schoolboards in the country are banning this iconic Newberry-award-winning children's novel on charges that it deals with death and glorifies foul language and witchcraft. MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi sits down to discuss this acclaimed book with its author, Katherine Paterson.…

On this episode, we look at the per-resident cost of Mayor Parker’s proposed budget—and how it’s changed from last year. Let's explore five overlooked, but important shifts.By CitizenCast

Jonathan M. Metzl is the Frederick B. Rentschler II Professor of Sociology and Psychiatry and the Director of the Department of Medicine, Health, and Society at Vanderbilt University. His most recent book is What We’ve Become: Living and Dying in a Country of Arms. We discuss lax gun laws and gun ownership as an identity. The public health narrativ…

On this episode of Big Rube's Philly, Big Rube breaks bread with former NBA player and current Sixers TV analyst, world traveler, fitness devotee, fashion plate, and native Philadelphian Marc Jackson. They discuss his career before and after the 76ers, as well as the keys to living a long and fulfilling life.…

A GYO program is bringing new teachers of color to a suburban district. Here’s why a local educator thinks it’s an idea worth stealing.By CitizenCast

MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi invited our very own Block Captain of the Year, Michelle Belser, to chat about her life of civic engagement and how her ward has become the highest voting ward in the Philly. "She sets an example for the rest of the nation," Velshi says.By CitizenCast

On this episode of Your City Defined, we take a look at the city budget. In March, Mayor Parker proposed a $6 billion budget to Philadelphia City Council. Here’s what that means, what's next, what you can doBy CitizenCast

Marijuana's official holiday is upon us. Here are a few ways to celebrate, as well as an update on where recreational legalization stands in the state.By CitizenCast

On this episode of For Fact's Sake, MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi shines a light on the question of crime and immigration. Politicians who traffic in fearmongering love to beat this drum, but the reality about crime statistics and immigrants is much different.By CitizenCast