Bridging the Capital Gap
We’re joined by Varsovia Fernandez, CEO of the Pennsylvania CDFI Network—a coalition of mission-driven financial institutions dedicated to closing the capital gap in underserved communities across Pennsylvania. Varsovia shares details on a new grant program designed to support small businesses—especially in regions that have historically lacked access to capital.
🔗 Learn more: pacdfinetwork.org
📲 Follow: Facebook @pacdfinetwork | LinkedIn: PA CDFI Network
💫 Episode: Love, Healing & Entrepreneurship with Hey Girl! Conference
We’re joined by three powerhouse women who are inspiring self-love, healing, and community through creativity and entrepreneurship.

• Cassandra Burnett, founder of the Hey Girl! Conference, returns with this year’s theme: Love, Me—a transformative gathering centered on personal growth and empowerment.
• Myisha Pettigrew, co-owner of Joie Candle Co., brings intention and warmth through her handcrafted products.
• Yolanda Christopher, a speaker, healer, and creative, helps others reclaim their voice and self-worth.

🗓️ The conference kicks off with a sold-out VIP Night Garden on May 16 in Collingswood, NJ, followed by a full day of programming on May 17 at The Story Factory in Philadelphia.
 🌐 Learn more: heygirlconference.com
📲 Follow: Instagram @heygirlconference | Facebook: Hey Girl! Conference
🏅 Episode: Honoring Coach Fred Rosenfeld’s Legacy
If you’re lucky, you’ve had a mentor like Coach Fred Rosenfeld—a Philadelphia legend whose impact as a teacher, track coach, and community builder lives on.
Rachel Berger of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History and Steven Bayne, a former political consultant and Overbrook Track alum, share efforts to rename a street in Fred’s honor and raise $30,000 to preserve his legacy. 🕊️ A memorial event is planned for this fall at the Weitzman Museum. Every donation supports this tribute to a life of mentorship and service. 🔗 Donate or learn more: theweitzman.org/fred-rosenfeld
📬 Tax-deductible checks can be sent to:
Rachel Berger
Weitzman National Museum
101 S. Independence Mall East, Philadelphia, PA 19106    

Guest host Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati sits down with Zabeth Teelucksingh, President of the Global Philadelphia Association, to mark a major milestone—Philadelphia’s 10th anniversary as the first World Heritage City in the United States. They discuss how this designation has elevated the city's global profile and the events planned to celebrate its rich heritage.
 🔗 Learn more: globalphiladelphia.org
📲 Follow: Instagram | Facebook | X/Twitter

📚 In her segment “What is Philadelphia Reading?” Vanesse welcomes Veronica Britto, Head Librarian at the Free Library of Philadelphia. They explore current reading trends and highlight upcoming Free Library events tied to the World Heritage celebration.
 📅 Check out events: libwww.freelibrary.org/calendar  

🏙 Affordable Housing & the Housing Trust Fund
In Philadelphia, developers can pay a fee instead of including affordable units in their projects—with those funds intended for the City’s Housing Trust Fund. But communities haven’t seen the housing benefits they were promised. City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier joins us to discuss a ballot question that could help make sure those developer payments actually lead to more affordable housing.
 🔗 Learn more: phlcouncil.com/housingtrustfund
📲 Follow: @councilmemberjg on X, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and LinkedIn

🎓 Main Line School Night: Lifelong Learning & Visionary Voices
For 85 years, Main Line School Night has offered enriching, affordable classes and experiences to the community. Rebecca Cain, Executive Director, joins us to talk about their 9th Annual Visionary Voices Fundraiser—featuring a live conversation with Ali Velshi and Pat Ciarrocchi.
 🎟 Tickets: $65
📅 Date: Event Details
📍 Location: Rosemont College, Bryn Mawr
🕕 VIP Reception: 6:00–7:15 p.m. | Program: 7:30–9:00 p.m. 🌐 Website: mainlineschoolnight.org
📲 Socials:

• Instagram: @mainlineschoolnight
• Facebook: MLSchoolNight
• LinkedIn: Main Line School Night

🌿 Life, Death & Transformation with Chaplain Candi Wuhrman
Death is something many avoid talking about—but what if facing it could transform how we live? Candi Wuhrman, a Board-Certified Clinical Chaplain, Hospice Chaplain, Death Doula, and Grief Transformation Coach, shares how embracing grief and mortality can open us to healing, purpose, and deeper connection. 🌐 Website: sacredworkwithcandi.com
🎁 Free Gift: bit.ly/FreeGiftFromChaplainCandi
📱 Socials:

• Facebook: Candi Wuhrman | Sacred Work With Candi
• Instagram: @sacredworkwithcandi
• LinkedIn: Candi Wuhrman
• TikTok: @candiwuhrman
• YouTube: Sacred Work with Candi
  👥 Facebook Group: Moxie: A Grief Revolution

 🏙 Affordable Housing & the Housing Trust Fund
In Philadelphia, developers can pay a fee instead of building affordable housing—with those funds intended for the City’s Housing Trust Fund. But the reality hasn’t matched the promise. We’ll speak with City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier about a new ballot question that could change that and help ensure these payments actually support affordable housing in our communities.
 🔗 Learn more: phlcouncil.com/housingtrustfund
📲 Follow: @councilmemberjg on X, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and LinkedIn
🎉 40 Years of Impact: Bebashi – Transition to Hope
We’re joined by Sabrina Tate, CEO of Bebashi – Transition to Hope, as the organization celebrates 40 years of providing trusted, culturally responsive health and social services in Philadelphia. We’ll also hear from therapist April Lancit about her work supporting Black and Brown couples through healing and connection.
🌐 More info: www.bebashi.org
📱 Follow: @Philly.Bebashi on Instagram and Facebook | LinkedIn: Bebashi – Transition to Hope

💬 Real Talk on Relationships with April Lancit
Relationships aren’t always easy—but healing is possible. We’re talking with April Lancit, a Philadelphia-based marriage and family therapist who specializes in supporting Black and Brown couples through emotionally centered, trauma-informed care. Her work focuses on relationship wellness, communication, and deeper connection.
💻 Visit: https://www.alatherapy.com/ 
📸 Follow: @alatherapy on Instagram Phone #: (484) 430-1811  

Meet the Twin Sister Docs—Dr. Elana McDonald, a Board Certified Pediatrician, and Dr. Delana Wardlaw, a Board Certified Family Medicine Physician. On their biweekly podcast, now streaming on YouTube and Spotify, they break down health topics that matter most to our communities—from nutrition and mental health to the impact of social media. 

🌐 Website: thetwinsisterdocs.com
📸 Instagram / Threads / X (Twitter): @TwinSisterDocs
📘 Facebook: Twin Sister Docs
💼 LinkedIn: Elana McDonald | Delana Wardlaw, MD, FAAFP

This week, we sit down with Loree Jones Brown, CEO of Philabundance, to discuss the organization’s 40th anniversary and the mounting challenges in the fight against hunger. As federal funding cuts slash critical food programs and inflation drives grocery prices higher, Philabundance is doubling down on its mission to feed communities across Southeastern PA and Southern NJ. Hear how the loss of programs like LFPA and TEFAP could mean over 1.1 million fewer meals—and what we can all do to help. 📣 Call to Action: Support Philabundance, advocate for SNAP, Medicaid, and school meals, and demand protection for essential safety nets.
🌐 Website: philabundance.org
📱 Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn: @Philabundance
 
From the stage to the schoolyard, CityStep is where dance meets purpose. We’re joined by founder Sabrina Peck, Penn alum Miles Meline, and Leigh Purnell, CEO of Southwest Leadership Academy Charter School, to talk about how this student-run nonprofit brings college mentors into Philadelphia schools to teach dance as a tool for joy and self-expression. Don’t miss this year’s production, Homecoming, exploring the meaning of "home" through the creativity of over 50 local kids.
 🎭 Live Performance – April 27 @ 3 PM
Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia
🌐 Learn more: citystep.org/penn
📱 Follow @CityStepPenn on Instagram and Facebook for show details and behind-the-scenes content.

This April, we recognize National Reentry Month by spotlighting the work of the Philadelphia Office of Reentry Partnerships and Executive Director Assata Thomas. We discuss the city's commitment to supporting justice-impacted individuals, along with several key events happening throughout the month—from job fairs to expungement clinics.
🗓️ Upcoming Events:

• April 25: Investafest (9AM–3PM) – Energy Hall, 2301 Market St.
• April 25: Know Your Rights Seminar w/ PLSE (11AM–1PM) – 1425 Arch St.
• April 26: Expungement Clinic w/ PLSE & Enon Tabernacle (11AM–2PM) – 2800 W. Cheltenham Ave.
• April 30: Reentry Job Fair w/ Temple University (10AM–2PM) – 1900 N. 13th St., Student Activity Center

🔗 Website: www.phila.gov/reentry
📸 Instagram: @reentryphila_
💼 LinkedIn: Office of Reentry Partnerships
📞 Office: 215-683-3770
As we mark National Second Chance Month, we're highlighting the return of Suave, the Pulitzer Prize-winning podcast from Futuro Studios. Season 2 follows David Luis “Suave” Gonzalez—this time as both subject and co-executive producer—joined by Maria Hinojosa and host Julieta Martinelli. Together, they explore reentry, parole, and the emotional aftermath of incarceration in a deeply personal and powerful way.

 🎧 Listen to Suave:
• Futuro Media: https://futurostudios.org/podcasts/suave/
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/suave/id1548544921
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3O1Kh08wk4Owa6DbxX6l6P
• iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-suave-76112132/
🔗 Socials:
• Suave: IG @suavegonzalez215 | TikTok @counttimetv
• Maria Hinojosa: IG/Threads @maria_la_hinojosa | X @maria_hinojosa
• Julieta Martinelli: IG/Threads @jujuxwrites | X @itsjmartinelli

In this episode, we sit down with Louis King, President of OIC of America, to discuss their national impact, the urgency of diversifying the construction trades, and how the Pennsylvania Gas Tax plays a key role in funding opportunity. King breaks down who really benefits from the gas tax, the current diversity challenges within PennDOT’s workforce, and how community engagement can help drive solutions. We also preview OIC’s upcoming Town Hall Series, where community members can get informed and involved:

• April 17 – Southwest Philadelphia
• April 24 – Chester
• May 1 – Norristown (Montgomery County)
• May 15 – North Philadelphia

Follow OIC of America for updates:
🔗 Website: oicofamerica.org
📸 Instagram: @oicofamerica
📘 Facebook: OIC of America
💼 LinkedIn: OIC of America, Inc.

We shine a light on the life-saving work of the Gift of Life Donor Program, now celebrating its 50th anniversary. We’re joined by Richard Hasz, President & CEO of Gift of Life, and Justin Trotman, a Philly native, husband, father, and kidney transplant waitlist patient. As one of the nation’s oldest and largest organ procurement organizations, Gift of Life continues to lead in organ and tissue donation. Their 28th Annual Donor Dash unites thousands to honor donor heroes, support recipients, and raise awareness for those still waiting. More than 100,000 people are currently on the national transplant waitlist—including nearly 5,000 in our region. It takes just a minute to become a registered donor and potentially save a life.
🌐 Learn more and register: Donors1.org
📲 Socials: @donors1 on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook