Berks County Connection Podcast

A look at the rapid rise of data centers, their impact on Berks County and options to address data center construction, withAshley Showers, Executive Director, Berks County Planning Commission; Joan London, Shareholder, Kozloff Stoudt Attorneys (municipal law, land use, employment law, appellate practice); and Dean Druckenmiller, District Executive at Berks County Conservation District. Hosted by Berks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach.

A look at the functions and responsibilities of the Berks County Department of Emergency Services with their Deputy Director, Matthew Strairiker, and Berks County Controller Joe Rudderow. 

Berks County Department of Veterans Affairs Deputy Director Will Tobin joins host Joe Rudderow, Berks County Controller.

A look at the Berks County Industrial Development Authority with their Executive Director Jeremy Zabrowski and host Joe Rudderow, Berks County Controller. 

A preview of the FIFA Fan Zone festivities in Reading, PA lined up for the 7/18 and 7/19 World Cup Soccer 2026 final matches.

With Mark Ratcliffe, Reading FIFA Fan Zone Event Coordinator, Alex Civil, Founder & Executive Director of Bring the Change, and Berks County Commissioner Dante Santoni.

Commissioner Christian Leinbach is joined by Lynn Weller, Executive Director of Our Town Foundation Hamburg, PA, to discuss the 23rd Annual Taste of Hamburg-er Festival, its inception and evolution through the years including entertainment stages. How the festival stimulates the local economy, tips for new visitors including parking options and how to maximize burgers sampled without getting too full!

Reading City Council President Donna Reed joins Berks County Controller Joe Rudderow to talk about the America 250 PA Berks County events tied to the City of Reading.

Berks County Commissioner Michael Rivera sits down with Dan Heydt, Chief Probation Officer, and Peggy Kershner, Co-Executive Director of Connections Work, to discuss the Criminal Justice Advisory Board (CJAB) in Berks County, PA.

The guests share their professional backgrounds and explain how their diverse areas of expertise—along with those of other CJAB members—create an impactful group dedicated to fostering meaningful change within the community.

The panel also highlights the board’s recent successes, including:

- Reduced recidivism rates: Helping individuals successfully reintegrate into society.

- Diversion programs: Providing alternatives to traditional court proceedings, incarceration, and permanent criminal records.

- Improved crisis management: Better handling of substance abuse and mental health situations to ensure incarceration is not the default response.

Berks County Commissioners Christian Leinbach, Michael Rivera, and Dante Santoni outline the upcoming events of the Berks250 celebration happening in 2026.

A look at the Berks County Children & Youth Services with Barb Jakubek, CYS Administrator, and Joe Rudderow, Berks County Controller.