Lehigh Valley Discourse

John Pearce sits down with renowned Lehigh Valley poet and teaching artist Marilyn Hazelton who recalls her family's history from Ellis Island to Erie, and talks about how she discovered journaling as a way to work through the anxiety, confusion, and stress of the pandemic.

Sally Handlon welcomes David Dunn, program manager for Urban Made and Bridgeworks, to share information on Allentown Economic Development Corporation’s (AEDC) history, projects and current programs - Urban Sites, Urban Made, and Bridgeworks, a manufacturing and business incubator.

Sally Handlon welcomes Susan Bianchi, owner of Intrinsic Health Systems, who reveals an approach to understanding how to use your own resistance for increased, lasting flexibility and mobility.

Host Alan Jennings talks with the Democratic mayoral candidates for Allentown and Bethlehem, Matt Tuerk and J. William Reynolds, respectively, who discuss their visions for mayor if elected in November. Also, State Representative Ryan MacKenzie (R-134th) stops by to discuss the Pennsylvania budget and Lois Keller of the Crime Victims Council reacts to the overturned Bill Cosby verdict.

Host John Pearce welcomes Dr. Lindsay M. Chervinsky, a presidential historian and expert on government institutions to talk about her book The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution. Then, John chats with... John Adams? Yes, THE John Adams about his hand in helping draft the Declaration and he even takes a call from Thomas Paine!

Sally Handlon welcomes Kumari Ghafoor-Davis, MSW, director for Community Action Lehigh Valley's Campaign for Racial and Ethnic Justice. They discuss the various programs currently offered, and those being created, which target developing stronger relationships with our community—as families, organizations, and companies.

Sally Handlon presents the inaugural segment of Lehigh Valley Business Beat, highlighting business leaders and entities, issues, and resources in our community. This episode features Nancy Dischinat, Executive Director of the Workforce Development Board Lehigh Valley.

Alan Jennings examines the history and future of The Morning Call with its recent purchase by Alden Global Capital. He invites Morning Call reporter Kayla Dwyer and editor-in-chief Mike Miorelli to explain the struggles of the newspaper industry, the threat of its demise from digital media, and the importance of reporting local news.

John Pearce welcomes Dr. Bryon Grigsby, 16th president of Moravian College and Seminary, who explains how and why Moravian College will soon become Moravian University.

Then John hosts Adrian Shanker and Kristen Leipert who share the LGBT oral history project's first collection "Stories from LGBT Older Adults in the Lehigh Valley."

Sally Handlon talks about the Bethlehem Food Co-Op finding a home with Kelly Allen, Board President and Carol Ritter, Board Member and Capital Campaign Chair. They share current news, the process of selecting the northside Bethlehem location, and the next steps in targeting a fall 2022 opening.