Lehigh Valley Discourse

Jeff Parks, founder and former President of ArtsQuest and Musikfest, discusses his recently published book, 'Stronger Than Steel: Forging a Rust Belt Renaissance', with host Sally Handlon.

Laurie Siebert returns with our quarterly Lehigh Valley Discourse feature, 'Lessons with Leaders'. On this program, Laurie's guest is Jane Wells Schooley, internationally certified business coach, facilitator, and certified Master Behavioral Analyst. She is the co-owner of Northstar Team Development based in Bethlehem, PA.
 

(Original air-date: 9/6/2018)

The three candidates for the open seat in Pennsylvania’s newly-created 7th Congressional District appear in their first political forum of the campaign season. The one-hour discussion includes Republican Marty Nothstein, Democrat Susan Wild, and Libertarian Tim Silfies. 

Host Bathsheba Monk welcomes Cindy Ross to discuss her new and seventh book, 'The World Is Our Classroom: How one family used nature and travel to shape an extraordinary education'. 

John Pearce welcomes guest Dr. Kate Richmond, Associate Professor of Psychology at Muhlenberg College, to discuss her experiences teaching and researching topics concerning women and gender issues. They touch on feminism, classes with incarcerated young people, gender issues, and more. 

Dr. Richmond is the author of 'The Psychology of Women & Gender', set for a 2019 publication.

  (Original air-date: 8/22/2018)

Dr. Kamran Afshar discusses the results of the Quarterly Economic Survey of Lehigh Valley Businesses with Dr. Chris Borick, Director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion. 

(Original air-date: 08/16/18)

Alan Jennings discusses the current state of the Lehigh Valley's economy with guests Tony Iannelli, president and CEO of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, and Gregg Potter, president of the Lehigh Valley Labor Council and senior labor relations consultant for Capital BlueCross.

They discuss a variety of issues including unions, the state of the Valley's downtowns, wages, and more.

(Original air-date: 08/09/18) 

Host Sally Handlon welcomes guests from the non-profit Lehigh Valley Community Foundation to discuss, “A Reflection on the Community Foundation’s 50th Anniversary," findings, and next steps. Sally's guests are Bernie Story, LVCF President and CEO, as well as Dr. Chris Borick, LVCF Lötter Fellow and Director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion.

What if a non-profit celebrated a milestone anniversary by giving back to the community it serves? That is exactly what the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation did.

Homeless youth in the Lehigh Valley is John Pearce's topic.  John's two guests help youth caught in this situation.  Dr. Patricia McGarry and Lisa Weingartner have worked with youth over many years and are senior vice-presidents at Valley Youth House.  They find homeless youth, help them with their studies and life skills, and point young people toward a better future. 

(Original air-date: 07/26/18) 

Sally Handlon looks at efforts to provide hunger assistance in the Lehigh Valley including Plant a Row, a grassroots effort addressing the food needs of Lehigh Valley residents experiencing hunger or at risk of experiencing hunger, as well as the Lehigh Valley Food Policy Council which promotes policies and action towards a local food system that benefits the community.