Thomas Paine came. He wrote. And nothing was ever the same again.

With the country's golden generation of players coming into their prime—and with an infusion of Philly-area talent—the U.S. men's national team stands on the precipice of a historic World Cup run. Philly Mag's features editor, Bradford Pearson, sat down with Leander Shaerlaeckens, author of The Long Game: U.S. Men's Soccer and Its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts, for a deeper dive.

Is it possible to maintain a connection with someone so determined to see the bad in every situation, or is it better to distance myself?

Do you have a question for Kimberly? Fill out our form and we'll do our best to feature it in an upcoming episode.

In a special interview edition, Olivia Kram checks in with Media's own Auston Trusty, Team USA's newest World Cup superstar, on bringing his Philly-ness to the world stage.

The re-opening of a new rail bridge in Southwest Philadelphia will connect one of the city's poorest neighborhoods to jobs and green space downtown. Will local residents be the ones who benefit?

Your weekly long listen is here.

(START) After Child Sexual Assault Conviction, Veteran Philly Guitarist Returns to Stage

(10:45) Danny Simmons Jr. Belonged to the People

(20:30) Philly's City Tavern Will Reopen With an Alt-History Menu

(26:00) I Tried It | Learning to Row at Penn Athletic Club

(30:20) A Conversation with the Mr. Softee Crossing Guard

Mike Tyler went from sharing the stage with Pearl Jam and LL Cool J to a prison cell and lifetime on the Pennsylvania Megan's Law registry. Now, he's back. Is the Philly music scene ready for this?

The artist, who died on June 14th, was an advocate for creatives across Philadelphia and a voice for the underrepresented.

While the new seasonal pop-up has a historic backdrop, the food and drink lineup at The Garden at City Tavern is decidedly 2026.

One writer, new to "ergs" and "quads," discovers that being on the water isn't just a physical workout, but a mental one.