Episode 94 This week I’m joined by Alexandra Hunt, a public health researcher, a girls’ soccer coach, an advocate for social, racial, economic, and environmental justice, and an organizer. She’s also running for Philadelphia City Controller. The City Controller is the chief auditor of the city of Philadelphia’s budget; they’re a watch dog, making sure … Continue reading "Alexandra Hunt – Candidate for City Controller"

Episode 93 In 1892, architect Willis G. Hale began construction on a lavish apartment building on Broad Street in north Philadelphia. What began as a turn of the century residential multi family structure evolved over the last 120 years into something so much more – the Divine Lorraine. This is the story of that evolution, … Continue reading "The Divine Lorraine"

Episode 92 Ona Maria Judge – better known as Oney – was born into slavery in 1774 at a familiar location in Virginia: Mount Vernon. Oney’s mother Betty was brought to Mount Vernon after George Washington married Martha in 1759. Betty, and her descendants, were considered the “property” of Martha Washington’s first husband, Daniel Custis, … Continue reading "The Story of Oney Judge"

Episode 91 – Originally released February 2020 Women in white, midnight Mary, lonely roads all over the US and other parts of the world have their own legends of a young woman in a pale dress, wandering in the middle of the night searching for someone to give them a ride. Sometimes they’re searching for … Continue reading "The Women in White"

Episode 90 – Originally released January 2020 Content warning: this episode contains discussions about sexual assault and murder. Listener discretion is advised. Between the summer of 1997 and August 1999, six women in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood in Center City, Philadelphia, were raped by a man known only as the Center City Rapist. One woman, … Continue reading "The Center City Rapist: Part 2"

Episode 89 – Originally released January 2020 Content warning: this episode contains discussions about sexual assault and murder. Listener discretion is advised. Between the summer of 1997 and August 1999, six women in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood in Center City, Philadelphia, were raped by a man known only as the Center City Rapist. One woman, … Continue reading "The Center City Rapist: Part 1"

Episode 88 – Originally released December 2019 Last weekend I took the family to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a town about 90 minutes north of Philadelphia and known all over the country as Christmas Town (or Christmas City depending on with whom you speak!) Even Travel and Leisure magazine called Bethlehem the “most festive city in the … Continue reading "Christmas Town: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania"

Episode 86 – Originally released November 2019 Content warning: this episode contains discussions about serial murder, family annihilators, and death of children.  Listener discretion is advised. Can we apply today’s true crime labels to centuries old murders?  Can a woman be considered a family annihilator?  Does murdering your family make you a serial killer?  How … Continue reading "Sarah Whiteling – the “Unnatural Mother”"

Episode 85 – Originally released November 2019 In West Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park sit several historic homes, some dating back to the late 1700s. Long ago this section of the city was nothing but farmland and forests, an area where Philadelphians built country homes far from the noise and congestion of the city. These properties are … Continue reading "Fairmount Charms: Strawberry Mansion and Lemon Hill"

Episode 84 – Originally Released October 2019 Pennsylvania is filled with folklore and ghost stories from all over the state: ghost stories, cryptids, haunted houses, and abandoned towns with misty forms wandering the forest.  These legends aren’t enough for me.  I always want to know the history behind the hauntings, what’s the real story that … Continue reading "The History Behind the Hauntings"