Best Mural Arts Philadelphia Podcasts (2024)

1
Burning $2 million in medical debt on Walmart pier 24:07

3M ago24:07

24:07

Anyone who has had medical debt could tell you how unexpected and crippling it can be. What's worse, that debt can even follow your family after you die. But a group of queer activists in Philadelphia found a loophole in the system. With the help of Undue Medical Debt, they bought and forgave $2 million of medical debt, and they celebrated it in a …

1
Taking Care of Your Mental Health 43:52

4M ago43:52

43:52

In this conversation we'll look at some ways we might better create space for mental health both crucial, like having mental health classes in public education, as well as the personal, talking about free and scaled resources for Philadelphians to use to access mental health services and signs they should look out for in their behavior that might i…

1
One-on-one with Ashley Biden 52:52

4M ago52:52

52:52

Ashley Biden is an American social worker, activist, philanthropist, and fashion designer. She's also the daughter of our current U.S. President. In this conversation co-hosts Tamara Russell (also known as Proof of Consciousness, P.O.C.) and Greg Corbin talk with Ashley about her work and take questions from the cohorts.…

1
Financial Literacy 38:52

4M ago38:52

38:52

A conversation with an expert on personal finance and financial literacy to offer our cohorts and listeners insight on how to earn and grow their wealth. Co-hosts Tamara Russell (also known as Proof of Consciousness, P.O.C.) and Greg Corbin are joined by financial expert, Chandra Williams.

1
Supporting the Next Generation 1:09:21

4M ago1:09:21

1:09:21

This conversation will focus on two big tools for investing in the next generation: schools and public spaces (like parks and rec centers). Both of these offer kids the space to grow and learn, and in these interviews we aim to understand how our leaders can push for more funding and support. Co-hosts Tamara Russell (also known as Proof of Consciou…

1
Imposter Syndrome 32:26

4M ago32:26

32:26

In this episode we'll explore two challenges to success: first, understanding how imposter syndrome can keep us less motivated. And secondly, some systemic challenges that make it tough for returning citizens to enter and elevate themselves in the workplace. Co-hosts Tamara Russell (also known as Proof of Consciousness, P.O.C.) and Greg Corbin are …

1
Colman Domingo and Da’Vine Joy Randolph rep Philadelphia and Temple at the 2024 Oscars 21:58

5M ago21:58

21:58

We're about to have a golden opportunity to see Philadelphians shine on a global scale: at the 2024 Academy Awards. Colman Domingo, born in West Philly, is nominated for Best Actor for his performance in "Rustin", and Da'Vine Joy Randolph, from Mount Airy, is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for "The Holdovers". Both are Temple University grad…

1
Flaming chairs and hardcore heroes: the extreme story of Philly pro wrestling 34:52

5M ago34:52

34:52

The biggest event in professional wrestling is coming to Philadelphia in just a few weeks. Join super fans and KYW Newsradio staffers Andre Bennett and Tim Jimenez for this ode to the audacious; a love letter to legends of the squared circle; an appreciation for how Philly became the home of hardcore wrestling and left an indelible mark and legacy …

1
Presenting "Ricochet", from Gone Cold: Philadelphia Unsolved Murders 27:11

6M ago27:11

27:11

Introducing a new project from another KYW Newsradio Original Podcast - "Ricochet" is a mini-series from Gone Cold: Philadelphia Unsolved Murders that examines the gun violence crisis in our country through stories of unsolved shootings in Philadelphia. In the first episode, we talk with Joan Ortiz, whose 2-year-old daughter Nikolette was shot and …

1
This Black female cannabis pioneer is cultivating a budding industry 28:25

7M ago28:25

28:25

Recreational adult use of marijuana has been legal for over a year and a half in New Jersey, but small businesses still struggle to break into the industry, even if they were operating underground before. Sabrina Boyd-Surka visits the first Black, woman-owned cannabis manufacturing business in Delaware and the first independent edibles brand on she…

1
The Torah, gender barriers, and new traditions 28:14

8M ago28:14

28:14

When Bec Richman started out in rabbinical school, she felt lost. What was she going to do with herself? Then, her vision became clear: she wanted to learn how to scribe. The only problem was, tradition stood in her way. According to Jewish law, only men could be scribes, but Rabbi Bec and other non-male aspiring scribes like her worked around the …

1
A hero’s story: Remembering Michael Crescenz 19:50

9M ago19:50

19:50

In honor of Veterans Day, we’re revisiting the story of Michael Crescenz, a man who gave his life to save his fellow soldiers in the Vietnam War. He was the only Philadelphian to receive a Medal of Honor for that war, and his family and friends have done everything they could to make sure he’s remembered - from putting up a statue to renaming the V…

1
The House of Poe 23:05

9M ago23:05

23:05

Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most classic horror and mystery writers of all time. We see countless re-creations of his stories around Halloween - like the new Netflix series “The Fall of the House of Usher”. Poe lived in Philadelphia for six years, which are said to be the happiest and most productive time of his life. He published 31 stories in t…

1
"Mural City" - When art clashes with development 28:57

9M ago28:57

28:57

For many Philadelphians, the Painted Bride mosaic that covers an entire building on Vine St. has become a piece of the city’s identity, embedded with images and memories of the local art community. But as of October 2023, it’s being taken apart, and the building will soon be demolished to make way for a new mixed-use building. The artist, Isaiah Za…

1
Prison escapes from Eastern State 32:34

10M ago32:34

32:34

During two weeks in September, the Philadelphia area was gripped by a dramatic, unpredictable, and unnerving manhunt for a convicted killer. Residents impacted by the search wanted answers: how did Danilo Cavalcante escape from Chester County Prison, and where did he go? For nearly 150 years, one of Philadelphia’s most popular neighborhoods lived u…

1
The gang goes on a Graeme Park ghost hunt 24:22

10M ago24:22

24:22

Do ghosts exist? It’s a question that’s been asked over and over again throughout modern history. But as impossible as it is to pin down an answer, that doesn’t stop people like John Levy from trying. When he’s on the clock, John is a Philadelphia police officer. In his spare time, he’s a paranormal investigator. Brian Seltzer, John McDevitt, and H…

1
The best city for naked biking 22:59

11M ago22:59

22:59

A recent study named Philadelphia the best city in the U.S. for naked biking - and the city’s annual Naked Bike Ride makes a good case. With over 1,000 riders, it’s part of the World Naked Bike Ride, and the largest one on the east coast. But…why do people do this? There’s more to it than novelty - the Philly Naked Bike Ride makes a statement about…

1
Saving Philadelphia’s Irish Center 14:22

12M ago14:22

14:22

The Commodore Barry Irish Center was established as a gathering place for Irish immigrants in 1958 - but by 2014, the center was both literally and figuratively starting to crumble. The waves of Irish immigration had slowed to a trickle…so why was it so important to some people to save the center? KYW Newsradio’s City Hall Bureau Chief, Pat Loeb, g…

1
Should Philadelphia change its flag? 31:06

12M ago31:06

31:06

Philly Flags Part III: Philadelphia has an official flag. You knew that, right? Well, if you didn’t, you’re probably not alone. Contrary to the city’s DNA, the Philadelphia flag is somewhat subdued, lowkey. It doesn’t really stand out. But even if the flag tends to hide in plain sight, it’s been around a while -- since 1895. Brenda Exon, for one, l…

1
All the presidents' flag-makers 26:14

1y ago26:14

26:14

Philly Flags Part II: Did you know that everywhere the president or vice president of the United States goes, they take a little piece of Northeast Philadelphia with them? True fact! The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support Flag Room, located at the Naval Support Activity base in Oxford Circle, is the only place in the world authorized to make th…

1
The Betsy Ross American flag mystery 22:30

1y ago22:30

22:30

Philly Flags Part I: Even if you’re not intimately familiar with the history of Betsy Ross, you probably know the highlights of the story, right? The South Jersey native, at the request of George Washington and other leaders of the Revolution, made the first American flag, right there in her home in the Old City section of Philadelphia! But is that…

1
A brothers' bond, through fatherhood 16:30

1y ago16:30

16:30

This episode is a follow-up to a story on The Jawncast titled 'Young, Black, Philly fathers, united' that was originally released June 16th, 2022. It has been republished, and should appear as the preceding episode in your feed. Fatherhood can be challenging for anyone, especially members of at-risk, violent communities in big cities like Philadelp…

1
Young, Black, Philly fathers, united 22:30

1y ago22:30

22:30

This story was originally published June 17th, 2022. To hear an update, listen to The Jawncast episode released June 16th, 2023 titled, 'A brothers' bond, through fatherhood.' Philadelphia’s 19132 zip code sees a lot of violence. It’s also home to the Institute for the Development of African American Youth, where each week, fathers, fathers-to-be, …

1
“Time travel” fashion and making clothes good again 26:42

1y ago26:42

26:42

Kimberly McGlonn owns two clothing stores that stand out in a sea of fast fashion. Grant Blvd sells sustainable, ethical, locally-made clothes, and Blk Ivy is a thrift store based on the fashion of the Civil Rights Era. Sabrina Boyd-Surka visits the stores to learn more about Kimberly’s mission, why it’s so needed in the fashion industry, how histo…

1
Pickleball: not (just) your grandma’s sport 21:21

1y ago21:21

21:21

Pickleball has exploded in popularity over the last few years, but it’s actually been around since the 1960s. You might think of it as an old people’s game, but most of the players in Philadelphia now are actually in their 20s and 30s. What’s drawing this new crowd to play a sport with such a silly name? (And where did that name come from?) Sabrina…

1
Why the Jamaican flag flies over the Penn Relays in Philadelphia 24:03

1y ago24:03

24:03

If you go to the Penn Relays - the largest track and field meet in America - you’ll notice Jamaican flags all over the crowd and on the field. Athletes don’t come from a lot of foreign countries - mostly the East Coast and a few other states - so why are there so many teams and fans from Jamaica? Sabrina Boyd-Surka talked with some Jamaican athlete…

1
Presenting unCovering the Birds - What's in an NFL draft bust? 34:05

1y ago34:05

34:05

This week, we’re sharing an episode of a new KYW Original Podcast, unCovering the Birds with Jeff McLane, a podcast sharing untold stories and perspectives about the Eagles. It’s co-produced by the Philadelphia Inquirer and our own Brian Seltzer. Follow unCovering the Birds wherever you get podcasts to hear more every week! Getting drafted in the f…

1
The true horrors behind Pennsylvania’s “haunted asylum” 33:53

1+ y ago33:53

33:53

Pennhurst Asylum was never actually an asylum. It was previously Pennhurst State School and Hospital, one of the most notoriously harmful institutions for people with disabilities. Today, it’s the site of a haunted Halloween attraction and paranormal tours, despite some strong opposition. What happened there, and how it closed, has shaped disabilit…

1
The triumphant return of Kelly Green 20:24

1+ y ago20:24

20:24

Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie finally confirmed what many fans have been asking for: the Kelly Green uniforms will officially return in 2023! Why do Eagles fans love Kelly Green so much? In September, Brian Seltzer set out on a journey to answer that question and found that there’s so much more to our city’s connection with the color gree…

1
How to play hockey without sight 23:13

1+ y ago23:13

23:13

People who have visual impairments can miss out on a lot of opportunities - but sports doesn't have to be one of them. Philadelphia Blind Hockey is part of a national league that adapts hockey so that blind and visually impaired people can play. Sabrina Boyd-Surka visited a blind hockey practice to see how it works and what it means to the players,…

1
Is facial recognition technology going too far? (From Something Offbeat) 19:04

1+ y ago19:04

19:04

This week, we’re sharing an episode from another Audacy podcast, Something Offbeat, that’s guest-hosted by our own Sabrina Boyd-Surka. Madison Square Garden Entertainment has used facial recognition technology to keep some fans out of Rockettes shows, Knicks games, and other events at its properties in recent months. But not just any fans -- attorn…

1
These dogs graduated from the University of Pennsylvania 24:10

1+ y ago24:10

24:10

Dogs have a lot of skills that humans don’t, which makes them great at certain jobs. The Penn Vet Working Dog Center trains dogs for search and rescue, law enforcement, and scientific research - like sniffing out COVID-19. Sabrina Boyd-Surka visits the center, as well as a few of its graduates at the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and New Jerse…

1
Harriet Tubman and Philly's Underground Railroad 26:50

1+ y ago26:50

26:50

The Underground Railroad carved a path through the Philadelphia region. Harriet Tubman and other abolitionist leaders made their base here for several years. And yet, in 2023, we can’t seem to agree on the best way to recognize that history. This week, as we celebrate Black History Month, Sabrina Boyd-Surka dives into some stories that might not ha…

1
Who is the Philly Candy Lady? 24:10

1+ y ago24:10

24:10

If you’ve ever seen a woman with a box of candy on her head walking around the streets of Philadelphia - that’s Candyianna, the Philly Candy Lady. She’s a local icon, singing songs with candy-related lyrics and joking with everyone she meets. What made her want to live this life? In some ways, it didn’t feel like a choice. This week, Sabrina Boyd-S…

1
An MLK mystery in New Jersey 39:15

1+ y ago39:15

39:15

Two sites in South Jersey could hold the key to creating a more accurate narrative surrounding Martin Luther King Jr.’s beginnings as a civil rights leader. So why has it been such a struggle to get these places properly recognized? Local activists Patrick Duff and Linn Washington Jr. have been working together for years to try to get the State of …

1
The origins of Philadelphia's iconic $4 "Citywide" special drink combo 23:42

1+ y ago23:42

23:42

Most people know it as the “Citywide,” and over the years, there have been many imitations and iterations. But at Bob and Barbara’s Lounge on South Street, a shot of Jim Beam bourbon and a 12 oz. can of Pabst Blue Ribbon lager essentially goes by one name: “the special.” Where did this legendary bar come up with the idea for such an iconic pairing?…

1
Bad blood: How the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys became enemies 25:59

1+ y ago25:59

25:59

If you’re a Philadelphia Eagles fan, you know one thing: you HATE the Dallas Cowboys. Even if you don’t follow football but you live in Philly, you might have a negative impression of Dallas without knowing why. As the Eagles and the Cowboys gear up to face each other on Christmas Eve, we teamed up with the Texas Wants to Know podcast to see if we …

1
Wacky, wonderful, and weird stories from Philadelphia in 2022 23:47

1+ y ago23:47

23:47

What’s the toughest part about being a podcast about interesting and unique stories in Philadelphia? It’s impossible for us to cover every single one! As 2022 comes to a close, Sabrina Boyd-Surka and Brian Seltzer look back on a handful of their favorite stories that didn’t make the podcast, from an unconventional emotional support animal to an abs…

1
Sugar plum fairies and chocolate ballerinas 21:48

1+ y ago21:48

21:48

It’s rare to see a Black or brown ballerina on stage, but not at Philadelphia’s Chocolate Ballerina Company, where all the dancers are people of color. They’re performing their own take on a holiday classic this month - “The Nutcracker: Dipped in Chocolate." Sabrina Boyd-Surka sat in on a rehearsal to find out how they put their own twist on the st…

1
The best Christmas light display in the country 22:34

1+ y ago22:34

22:34

Alex Du is Vietnamese and was raised Buddhist. So how in the heck did the 45-year old real estate investor end up becoming the de facto ringleader for one of Philadelphia’s most iconic Christmastime traditions? Each year, during the winter holiday season, the 1600 block of South 13th Street, where Alex and his family have lived for decades, turns i…

1
Why African-American baseball legends rest in unmarked graves 22:30

1+ y ago22:30

22:30

Daniel McClellan was a pioneer, pitching the first perfect game of record in the Negro Leagues. How, then, is it possible that his grave went unmarked for more than half a century? This is a question Brian Seltzer answers on a visit to Eden Cemetery in Delaware County, where McClellan is buried. We also learn about the history of Eden itself, the f…

1
The man behind the medal: Philadelphia’s only Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient 19:32

1+ y ago19:32

19:32

In 1968, 19-year-old Michael Crescenz left his parents and 5 brothers to fight in Vietnam. He never made it home - instead he gave his life to save his fellow soldiers. Michael was the only Vietnam veteran from Philadelphia to receive a Medal of Honor, but his story represents countless others who died in battle with no one left to tell their stori…

1
How to climb a greased pole like a South Philadelphian 18:31

1+ y ago18:31

18:31

When Philadelphia sports teams win big and fans celebrate in the streets, you're going to see people trying to climb poles. Street light poles, sign poles, traffic light poles, it really doesn't matter. Even the city greasing the poles downtown doesn’t stop people. In fact, the tradition of climbing a greased pole in Philadelphia goes beyond the Ph…

1
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is moving mainstream 26:07

1+ y ago26:07

26:07

One woman is looking to overcome mental health issues that have troubled her for years. Another wants patients and clinicians alike to better understand a progressive approach to treatment. As Brian Seltzer reports, ketamine is the connection for Marie and Dr. Sophia Brandstetter, the founder of the Ko-Op, a ketamine-assisted psychotherapy clinic i…

1
Where food meets science to help nourish new moms 23:13

2y ago23:13

23:13

Mia Ormes had an idea to deliver healthy, plant-based soups and stews to new moms. But starting a business on her own was an overwhelming challenge. So she applied for Drexel Food Lab’s Good Food Accelerator Program, where she worked with students to develop her recipes and get her business, Tribu, off the ground. Sabrina Boyd-Surka talked with Mia…

1
In college, and without a home 26:13

2y ago26:13

26:13

Figuring out college is hard enough as it is. Add being housing insecure or homeless to the mix, and the challenge seems almost unimaginable. But for some college students in the Philadelphia area, this obstacle was their reality - until they found help. The Jawncast’s Brian Seltzer talks to a group of local students about their experiences with ho…

1
The mushroom capital of the world 25:15

2y ago25:15

25:15

Kennett Square and a few other nearby towns grow 60% of the country’s mushrooms, and they’re very proud of that fact. The town hosts a mushroom festival every year. There’s even a play going up at People's Light in Malvern about mushroom workers. How did the center of America’s mushroom industry get to be in Philadelphia’s backyard? Sabrina Boyd-Su…

1
Are there ghosts in Graeme Park? 23:54

2y ago23:54

23:54

Do ghosts exist? It’s a question that’s been asked over and over again throughout modern history. But as impossible as it is to pin down an answer, that doesn’t stop people like John Levy from trying. When he’s on the clock, John is a Philadelphia police officer. In his spare time, he’s a paranormal investigator. Brian Seltzer, John McDevitt, and H…

1
Art that starts in a dumpster 26:43

2y ago26:43

26:43

One of the biggest complaints in Philadelphia is that there’s a ton of trash on the streets. But it’s not all complete junk. The Philadelphia Dumpster Divers are a group of found-object artists who are giving that trash new life. This week, Sabrina Boyd-Surka attends a Dumpster Divers junk exchange and finds out why these people are so into trash -…

1
The Kelly green city adventure 19:34

2y ago19:34

19:34

Find a color more Philly than green. C’mon. We dare you. Think about it: The Eagles. The Phillie Phanatic. Our street signs. All the parks. The Schuylkill River! From how it’s worn to how different shades are made and where to find them, Brian Seltzer takes you on a colorful journey that explores how green is a defining part of Philadelphia’s ident…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Mural Arts Philadelphia Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide