On Tuesday, Gannon University President Dr. Walter Iwanenko joined us in an extended Inspire Interview. Topics ranged from the demographic "cliff", campus investments, and popular majors.

Joel had a conversation Friday with tech executive and Millcreek-native Dylan Knight, over topics ranging from AI and tech careers to boomeranging back to Erie.

Our attention on Thursday went to Corry, where we discussed the status of multi-million dollar investments in tech infrastructure and training with Dr. Matthew Platz, executive director of Corry Higher Ed, and Chuck Gray, director of Impact Corry.

A key partner in the fight against homelessness in Erie is the Mercy Center for Women. On Wednesday, Executive Director, Jennie Hagerty told their story.

On Tuesday we had a full house to discuss the announcement of new mobile electric vehicle charging techology being rolled out at the Erie Auto Auction. With us was from Advanced Power & Energy Partners was Caleb Dawson and Jeff Huey, from Power Innovations International, Tim Rees, and from Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Brian Slawin.…

Erie Regional Airport Authority/Erie International Airport Executive Director Derek Martin returned to our studio to share about the addition of Tampa as a seasonal destination from Erie beginning in January 2025. The announcement comes before the well-received flights to Orlando begin next month.

Our guest on a Fun Friday was Chris Sirianni, the owner of The Brewerie at Union Station. They once again are hosting their popular haunted history tours of the nearly 100 year old train station in downtown Erie.

The annual Erie Homecoming conference, sponsored by the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, featured the theme, "Activating the Vision." Our guests included: Jake Rouch, President and CEO of the Chamber, Chris Norris of Revox Media, Sara Harris of Pulakos Chocolates and Shari Robinson of Mighty Fine Donuts, and Tim Burch of Burch Farms.…

Former Congressman Phil English returns to The Joel Natalie Show to offer his take on the Presidential race and state of politics in Erie and the nation.

The Erie County Executive Brenton Davis made his monthly visit to the Joel Natalie Show and discussed the 2025 County Budget and highlighted his major priorities.

On Monday, we heard the story of the Bayfront East Side Taskforce with the Executive Director Jeremy Bloeser. We learned BEST's history and years of service impacting Erie's Original Neighborhood.

On Friday, Gannon University executive and friend of the show Doug Oathout shared the story of his epic journey in a lifelong quest to cycle from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean.

We met with the City of Erie's two Community Liaisons Thursday to learn about their efforts to build bridges between city government and citizens. Saeed Taraky, Immigrant and Refugee Liaison, and Daryl Craig, Community Liaison were our guests.

On Wednesday, we invited Honey Stempka, Designation Project Manager for the Lake Erie Quadrangle to come and discuss the proposed Lake Erie National Marine Sanctuary.

The 2024 edition of Erie Gives is Tuesday, August 13th, and Erie Community Foundation President Karen Bilowith and Vice-President Erin Fessler give us a preview.

Every year the Erie Reader newspaper receives nominations and selects Erie's 40 Under 40. Forty local young adults making a difference in their spheres of influence. We welcomed two folks recognized: Ryan Dawley, actor and podcast host of Spotlight 814, and Ryan Hoover, Experience Director of the Erie Downtown Development Corporation to share their…

Tuesday, we were digging into Erie’s rich history with Jonathan Burdick, author of the popular social media profile, Rust & Dirt: Erie’s History. Jonathan is also a history teacher and writer for publications including the Erie Reader, Belt Magazine, Pittsburgh City Paper, Contingent Magazine, NBA.com, and Grunge.…

On our Tuesday show, we welcomed back our expert in commercial real estate, Chuck Peters, Managing Partner at Alltair Holdings, LLC. We discussed the historically-big moves in Erie surrounding buildings and land for business.

A discussion of the new Kahkwa Bridge, housing blight, and other city issues were part of our Friday meeting with Erie Mayor Joe Schember.

Our topic Thursday was the Community Action Plan of the Erie County Policy and Planning Council for Children and Families. Joining us to explain how we’re working toward better outcomes for Erie’s children and youth was Gretchen Kerr, with the City of Erie and the Love Your Block initiative, and Amy Eisert, Mercyhurst Civic Institute Director.…

The CEO of Erie Insurance, Tim Necastro, joined The Joel Natalie Show to share his professional story that began in Erie's Little Italy neighborhood. Necastro shared the promise of community initiatives like the CRIZ program and the EDDC.

On a Tuesday economic development focus episode, we invited the new CEO of Erie Water Works, Craig Palmer. He spoke about the major investments and latest technology employed in advancing the quality of our region's water.

The Executive Director of the Presque Isle Partnership, Jon DeMarco, joins us to discuss the 2024 edition of the Discover Presque Isle week-long festival.

The massive expansion of downtown Erie's ExpERIEnce Children's Museum was completed with a ribbon cutting of the final phase of the project on July 12th. Executive Director Ainslie Brosig shared the journey with Joel Natalie.

On Thursday, we welcomed Kamie Mazza, a licensed clinical social worker from the Erie Veterans Administration Medical Center. She explained the Medical Foster Home program coming to Erie. It's an alternative to nursing home care forV eterans who prefer a non-institutional, home-like care setting. The Veteran lives in the caregiver’s home and the ca…

President Biden is not the first president to deal with a major crisis questioning his capabilities. On our Wednesday program, we dived into the history of Presidential problems with historian and expert, George Deutsch.

On our Tuesday show, we sat down with Anna Franz. Our discussion centered around her excellent work with Our West Bayfront, and her hopes and plans for her new role as the Deputy Executive Director of the Erie Port Authority.

The PA Department of Education has added a new requirement for financial literacy curriculum in high schools across the Commonwealth. To talk about the goals and outcomes desired for students was Carey Barzeski of the Millcreek Township School District, and Grant Filbeck of Junior Achievement.

Right before the holiday we invited senior officers from the Erie Police Department to talk about major event security as well as the crime statistics for the first half of 2024. With us was EPD Chief Dan Spizarny and Lt. Jamie Russo.

Erie County Executive Brenton Davis discussed the announcement of the new business park at I-90 and Sterretannia Road and other county developments.

The WQLN Public Media series Chronicles just wrapped up its second season, and is in production with Season Three. Producers Mike Berlin and Tom Fox-Davies joined to talk about their recent Emmy win and what's in store.

The Joel Natalie Show spent the afternoon at the Nonprofit Partnership in Erie for their Nonprofit Appreciation Day lunch. The organizations Joel interviewed were: Destiny for Our Daughters, Erie Cancer Wellness Center, Northwest Institute of Research, Erie Women's Empowerment, the Chair of the Nonprofit Partnership Board, Erie Community Foundation…

On our Wednesday health focus, we took a different look at pain management with Michael Feldman, an expert in the Structural Integration Melt Method. “Rolfing” targets the connective tissues covering your muscles, and helps with pain management, range of motion, and scar tissue.

We talked Artificial Intelligence and how Erie businesses can benefit with Dr. Longfei Zhou, Assistant Professor, Industrial Engineering at Gannon University.

Erie Mayor Joe Schember returned to our TalkErie studios to talk about Celebrate Erie, the new Kahawa bridge and other city issues.

This week, Erie County officials announced to closing on 160 acres in McKean Township to be used for the first business park in the county in 25 years. We invited Erie County Redevelopment Authority director Tina Mengine to discuss this very big opportunity for jobs in our region.

As part of our Juneteenth recognition, Joel and Shani toured The Historical Institute of Culture and the African American Experience in Erie, and had a conversation with founder Bishop Curtis Jones, Sr. on the Institute's mission and vision.

On Tuesday, we heard the perspective of Rabbi Robert Morais from Temple Anshe Hesed, as we took a deeper look at the situation in Israel and the protests here in the States.

Jake Rouch, VP at the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, visited our studio Monday for a mid-year report on how Erie businesses are doing in 2024.

The Executive Director of the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority, Jeremy Peterson returned to The Joel Natalie Show to discuss 14th Fest as well as the latest developments in local transit in Erie.

On Wednesday, Christine Temple of VisitErie gave us the final numbers on the impact on tourism and commerce over the four-day Total Solar Eclipse weekend April 5-8, 2024.

Passenger rail advocates All Aboard Erie and the Lakeshore Rail Alliance are holding a Lakeshore Rail Summit in Erie, with officials from government, transportation and manufacturing in attendance. AAE's Brian Pitzer and Mark Restifo gave a preview.

Erie Society for Genealogical Research and the Hagan History Center cohosted a Family History Fair on June 9th, assembling historians and archivists from across the region. Janice Castro & Ruth Cacchione of the Society, shared about the event and their expertise on how folks can discover more about their ancestry.…

On Thursday, the Joel Natalie Show originated from Community Access Media, where we found out about all of the assets available to community members to create video and audio content. CAM Executive Director Jacob Jones was our guest.

Erie Cancer Wellness Center is an institution that is helping local patients navigate life with cancer. On our Wednesday health focus, we met the Center’s new Executive Director, Heather McLaughlin, and Program Director Kim Connelly.

On Tuesday, Erie County Executive Brenton Davis discussed the upcoming announcement of a new industrial park in McKean Township, along with other issues making news at the County Court House.

There are so many options for summer fun in the city, and on Friday we discussed the Erie Summer Recreation Guide. With us was Mel Witherspoon, Page Collins, and Erika Rutkowski about the Biddy Basketball Camp and the Spoon's League which is celebrating its 34th year in Erie, joined by Deanna Renaud for the YMCA and their summer food and Learn To S…

Build Community Development Corporation was formed from the Hamot Health Foundation with the mission of promoting Health, Homes, and Hope. Daria Devlin, Director of Social Impact, and Boo Hagerty, Chief Development Officer of Hamot Health Foundation were our guests on Thursday.

David Rinderle, Executive Director of the Erie Cemetery Association joined the show to discuss new developments, upcoming events, and community engagement for these significant local assets.

With a recertification vote coming in July for the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance or LERTA program in the City of Erie, there are many conversations around City Hall about its impact and effectiveness in encouraging new building and investment. Chris Groner, Director of the Office of Development Finance was our guest.…