Money Talks and Bullshit Walks: Philadelphia Politics from 1980 to the Present.

Hal Rosner is a certified arborist in Philadelphia active on civic projects to help grow the city's tree canopy. He discusses the Philadelphia Tree Plan, the debacle of the FDR Park development, strategies for homeowners interested in trees for their neighborhood, the politics of including trees in development, and much more. He is a co-host of the award winning "Plant a Trillion Tree" podcast that features more than 200 episodes and an international audience.

Money Talks Bullshit Walks Talks With Bill Epstein about Politics In Northwest Philadelphia.

Bill Epstein is a forty + year veteran of  Northwest Philadelphia Politics and the current editor and publisher of East Falls Now, a community newspaper.

Bill has had a seat at the table of Northwest politics since the late 1970's when he began to work for the late Congressman William Gray. Bill discusses elections since 1980, and the northwest Philadelphia political 'tree' extending from Gray to former Councilperson Marian Tasco, Congressman Dwight Evans, former At Large Councilman Derrick Green to Councilperson Cindy Bass, and  Mayor Cherelle Parker, and recalls lots of people and elections in between. 

Bill is a former Philadelphia Bulletin reporter who worked as the communication staffer for Congresspersons Josh Eilberg and William Gray, and for Mayoral candidate Wilson Goode, U. of Penn Sheldon Hackney, and many others. He is retired but keeps busy as the creator and editor of the local newspaper 'East Falls Now' as well as being an active member of the East Falls Community Council.  

Since 1984, more than 1,000 murals have made Philadelphia the 'City of Murals.' Known worldwide, the Mural Arts Project and its energetic leader Jane Golden have helped Philly become a community arts city. More than just art, the work has created leadership roles for thousands of young people and community leaders to improve their neighborhoods. This episode is one of our most thoughtful and positive discussions on our city.

Tom Casetta is the general manager of G'Town Radio. He sat down with us to explain the evolution of community radio, several telecommunications acts that came out of Congress, and how community folks come together to offer creative and unique radio programming. As Elvis Costello sang, 'radio, radio is the sound salvation, radio is cleaning up the nation...'

Pedro Rodriguez is a long-time Philadelphia community leader who worked both inside and outside of city government for more than 40 years. He was Executive Director of Action Alliance of Senior Citizens, Board Chair of G-Town Radio, former Director for the City of Philadelphia, Office of Human Resources, Field Organizer for Enroll America, Commissioner of the Civil Service Commission, a teacher, and board member to numerous organizations. Join us for a history of Philadelphia too few people know about.

Brett Mandel is the author of "Philadelphia: Corrupt And Consenting," which explores Philadelphia’s struggle with corruption and promotes reform policies to end the city’s legacy as “corrupt and contented. Brett uses his considerable knowledge from his frontline and leadership experience in Philly politics to dive deeply into why Philadelphia has a reputation for corruption. Check out out latest podcast!

You can also buy his book via his website at http://brettmandel.com/content/about-brett-mandel.

MTBW takes a break from yakking about politics to talk to the rising young star comedian, Sean Mulholland. Sean shares his unique view on the business of breaking into comedy and working his way up the ladder of fame. For the last eleven years, Sean has managed the comedy show at the Grape Pub in Manayunk and he shares his insight into the business.

Deb Weiner has been an advocate for public education Since the 1960s. Come listen to a unique history of the School District of Philadelphia's development since the 1960s.

MTBW talks with David Koppisch, a community organizer who left his mark on the city. Starting out with the Greater Philadelphia Federation of Settlements and finishing up with POWER, David work on getting stop signs in Manayunk, affordable housing via the Housing Trust Fund, to good paying jobs for neighborhood residents at the airport. Join for a unique story of Philadelphia. 

David Fineman is a Philadelphia attorney who started his career in the anti-war movement in the 60s and transitioned to working inside the system to make positive changes. His worked as a Public Defender, with the Green Administration and others, from administrative duties to fundraising. He reveals some very interesting history of how fundraising existed in the 70s and 80s, so different from today.  This is political history you won't find anywhere.