TalkErie.com - The Joel Natalie Show - Erie Pennsylvania Daily Podcast

On Wednesday we were joined by Dr. Matthew Platz, Executive Director of the Corry Higher Education Council. We discussed the latest developments in boost tech-based workforce development in their rural region, including the upcoming Corry Area Technical and Cyber Hub.

On Tuesday, Ryan Hoover, Director of Events and Promotions at the Erie Downtown Development Corporation, talked about taking the tens of millions of dollars of investment in Erie's central core and creating a sense of place, where people can live, work and play. We talked about the latest news in the EDDC apartments, restaurants, gathering places, and new construction at the Flagship City Commons.

On Monday we welcomed Mercy Center for Women Executive Director Jennie Hagerty back to The Joel Natalie Show. We discussed the lates developments in providing housing and help to vulnerable women and families, including the start of construction on the former Sacred Heart School, which will soon be home to MACC West—19 new apartments modeled after the Mercy Anchor Community Center.

On our Friday episode, we welcomed Erie News Now and Lilly Broadcasting Corporate News Director Scott MacDowell to our State St. studio. Joel and Scott talked about Scott's local news journey and the technology revolution impacting local reporting.

This week, the Mayor Daria Devlin's Transition Team released their fifty page report on what should be the priorities of the new city administration based on their research and outreach. Our guests were Chief of Staff Lori Radder Spicer, and Erin Carey, Executive Director of Groundwork Erie and member of the Transition Team.

Leaders from the Erie Community Foundation visited our studio Wednesday to share about the major impacts philanthropic investments their donors make have across the Erie region. Our guests were President Karen Biloweth, and Vice Presidents Erin Fessler and Pat Herr.

Joe Johnson, owner of Johnson Gearing joins us one month after a fire in his building wiped out his and three other businesses in the facility, and his road to rebuilding.

On Monday, we met the new President and CEO of United Way of Erie County, Mike Jaruszewicz, and his vision to continue the work of crushing poverty through the data-based Community Schools model, and what's ahead for 2026.

On a fun Friday broadcast, we got a couple of perspectives from travel experts for a getaway this winter or spring. First, we heard from Lisa Cappabianca of Cappabianca Travel Agency, then Ann Denny of Miller Travel joined us.

Dr. Walter Iwanenko Jr., President of Gannon University shares an update of university news, including the CLEER center at Blasco Library, First Ascent at iHACK, and the merger with Ursilene College.