Best Calvin University Podcasts (2025)

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E103: No (More) War with Iran! 1:18:35

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4d ago1:18:35

1:18:35

In this episode – recorded prior to Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel – Calvin and Alex unpack the alarming reality of US strikes on Iran, recently announced by President Trump on June 21, and the ensuing escalation of tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran. We situate these recent events within decades of neoconservati…

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Comedically Hardheaded: Uppity Altima, A Switch! Crazy Merla, Broken Shelf, The Runway (The Kids Year 4 PT. 2) 1:40:26

5d ago1:40:26

1:40:26

Send us a text Ok so yea... Year number 4 was definitely a year of extremities. "I'm calling Mr. Shanley!" The Ryan Pyle Podcast The Ryan Pyle Podcast with Ryan Pyle is a podcast and radio show hosted by adventure... Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifyBy Calvin Michaels

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Joy Oladokun Writes Worship Music for Youth Group Rejects (REISSUE), ep. 316 51:18

6d ago51:18

51:18

(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our Reissue series! For the past several weeks, Basic Folk has been digging back into the archives and reposting some of our favorite episodes alongside new introductions commenting on what it’s like to listen back. Enjoy! This episode featuring Lizzie No interviewing Joy Oladokun, was originally posted on February 24, 20…

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Interview with Quentin Schultze and David I. Smith 28:12

7d ago28:12

28:12

Our guest host, Quentin Schultze (Professor Emeritus, Calvin University) interviews Kuyers Institute director David I. Smith about his new book, Everyday Christian Teaching: A Guide to Practicing Faith in the Classroom. Find it at https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802883001/everyday-christian-teaching/, and find the new Everyday Christian Teaching K-12 …

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Watchhouse in Conversation with Jacob Sharp (Mipso) (Bonus) 45:55

7d ago45:55

45:55

(Editor's Note: Oh, WOW! A bonus, surprise episode with Watchhouse? Yes! And it is a treat. We are pleased to have Jacob Sharp of Mipso as our guest host in conversation with his friends Andrew Marlin and Emily Franz of Watchhouse, talking about their new studio album, 'Rituals.' The record was co-produced with Ryan Gustafson of The Dead Tongues. T…

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Falcon Claw University Season 1 Episode 30 17:27

7d ago17:27

17:27

(After Phoenix Drop high) Leaving the past behind... Hope you like it! Comment and reply what else or other ideas we should know or do. Please donate and support us it would mean a lot! Even just listening to the ads is amazing so thank you guys! (:

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Dark Legion: Hell on Earth, Part Three 1:41:11

9d ago1:41:11

1:41:11

Three years ago, we resurrected the Dark Universe. Now, we're ending it. It's the finale to the Death's Door Saga, and this era for our podcast. We're so grateful to everyone who's been with us for this journey, and we're so excited to embark on a new one. In two weeks, as always, we'll post the complete story break session we recorded before writi…

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Falcon Claw University Season 1 Episode 29 18:51

9d ago18:51

18:51

(After Phoenix Drop high) The break up... Hope you like it! Comment and reply what else or other ideas we should know or do. Please donate and support us it would mean a lot! Even just listening to the ads is amazing so thank you guys! (:

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Falcon Claw University Season 1 Episode 28 15:50

12d ago15:50

15:50

(After Phoenix Drop high) EXPOSE the Ultima!... Hope you like it! Comment and reply what else or other ideas we should know or do. Please donate and support us it would mean a lot! Even just listening to the ads is amazing so thank you guys! (:

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Dark Legion: Hell on Earth, Part Two 1:39:13

12d ago1:39:13

1:39:13

It's Act Two of our massive saga-ending crossover, and this time, we'll see you in Hell. Only one episode left in the Death's Door Saga, coming in just three days... There are some MAJOR SPOILERS in the cast credits below, so most of this description is going to be us warning you to stop scrolling. Last chance to avoid cast spoilers. Okay, here we …

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Chris Thile: Calvin and Hobbes, Classical Music, and Curiosity (REISSUE), ep. 315 1:21:20

13d ago1:21:20

1:21:20

(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our Reissue series! For the next several weeks, Basic Folk is digging back into the archives and reposting some of our favorite episodes alongside new introductions commenting on what it’s like to listen back. Enjoy! This episode featuring Cindy Howes interviewing Chris Thile was originally posted on September 9, 2021 aft…

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Dark Legion: Hell on Earth, Part One 1:34:19

16d ago1:34:19

1:34:19

Here we are, at the end of the line. The final chapter in the Death's Door Saga is being divided into THREE parts. This is Act One, with all of our usual preamble, fan predictions, and some big announcements. Act Two will be released on Thursday, June 19th, and Act Three arrives on Sunday, June 22nd. After that? Oh, we'll get there. But for now... …

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Dar Williams: Music was Decided for Me (REISSUE), ep. 314 1:03:07

20d ago1:03:07

1:03:07

(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our Reissue series! For the next several weeks, Basic Folk is digging into the archives and reposting some of our favorite episodes alongside new introductions commenting on what it’s like to listen back. This episode featuring Lizzie No interviewing Dar Williams originally posted on October 14, 2021. Enjoy!) Dar Williams…

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Midweek News, Taji TR7, Odunde, Mountainhead, Benjamin Banneker, Steven Perloff, plus a final wrap up! 23:20

25d ago23:20

23:20

Episode 315 – In this tear-and-laughter-filled finale, Roberta and Ryan battle Canadian wildfire smoke, HBO’s Mountainhead, and the emotional weight of 21 years as Artblog Radio signs off. Between Carl Sagan’s golden record riffs and Pee-wee Herman doc love letters, they map Philly’s explosive June art chaos: South Street’s 50th, Odunde’s river rit…

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John Hiatt is Actually Not Scared to Talk about His Feelings (REISSUE), ep. 313 51:06

27d ago51:06

51:06

(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our Reissue series! For the next several weeks, Basic Folk is digging back into the archives and reposting some of our favorite episodes alongside new introductions commenting on what it’s like to listen back. Enjoy!) This episode featuring Cindy Howes interviewing John Hiatt originally posted on August 5, 2021. In 2021, …

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Incubus w/Calvin Kasulke & Mattie Lubchansky 1:34:43

1M ago1:34:43

1:34:43

For our last guest episode before HELL ON EARTH, we've brought back two of our past guests to create our most manic creative jam session yet! Hot off their tour and in the best comedy form of their lives, author Calvin Kasulke and cartoonist Mattie Lubchansky return to pitch a remake of Incubus, the 1966 occult horror flick starring William Shatner…

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Midweek News, Pee-Wee doc, BBC Earth, Philly 2026, Collective Futures, artist residency, PhotoLounge NYC trip, Charming Disaster 24:16

1M ago24:16

24:16

Episode 314 – This week’s Artblog Radio is equal parts tech nostalgia and grassroots rebellion. Roberta and Ryan rage against email (thank god we don’t have to go back to dial-up modems!) while dissecting HBO’s haunting Pee-wee Herman doc and BBC Earth’s time-lapsed jungles. Dive into ‘Collective Futures’—Vox Populi’s 2026 insurgency against annive…

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E102: Escape from the University of the Cancelled 1:14:36

1M ago1:14:36

1:14:36

In this episode, Alex and Calvin return to a favorite hobby horse: the University of Austin (UATX). First discussed back in episode 62, this ultra-conservative "university concept" is still not accredited and has no undergraduate degrees planned until at least 2028-2031. In that previous episode, we described UATX variously as right-wing academia’s…

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Anaïs Mitchell: 2019 Pre-Broadway interview on Hadestown, Lamb Rearing, and Untangling Third Wave Feminism (REISSUE), ep. 312 51:22

1M ago51:22

51:22

(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our Reissue series! For the next several weeks, Basic Folk is digging back into the archives and reposting some of our favorite episodes alongside new introductions commenting on what it’s like to listen back. Enjoy!) Listening back, I feel like this 2018 interview with Anaïs Mitchell holds up. Originally published on Jan…

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Interview with Kiera Phyo and Lorraine Prince 26:42

1M ago26:42

26:42

Kiera Phyo (Reconciling Leaders Network Director to the Archbishop of Canterbury) and Lorraine Prince (Head of Networks, National Society for Education, Church of England) discuss the Difference program (https://difference.rln.global/).By Kiera Phyo, Lorraine Prince, David I. Smith

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TRAILER: Dark Legion: Hell on Earth 3:21

1M ago3:21

3:21

IN THREE WEEKS, the Death's Door Saga comes to an end. Since you've all been so patient, we thought we'd treat you to a little sneak peek... Featuring Frankie Starker as the voice of Ahmanet. First person to detect what song Dylan has trailer-fied in the middle chunk of the trailer gets a high five. NEXT WEEK: Incubus with Mattie Lubchansky and Cal…

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Midweek News, $700k PCF boost, Library Company history review, Porchfest, Calder Gardens and much more 19:17

1M ago19:17

19:17

Episode 313 – Rain-soaked but resilient, Roberta and Ryan return with Artblog Radio’s Midweek News—Roberta spotlights the Philadelphia Cultural Fund’s surprise $700K boost for orgs like Attic Youth Center and Philly Orchestra, the Library Company reimagines whose history gets preserved. Don’t miss Cindy Stockton Moore’s ode to Brendan Fernandes’ ge…

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Morgan Toney on Circles, Elders, and Phil Collins, ep. 311 1:00:58

1M ago1:00:58

1:00:58

Circles have played a huge role in fiddler and singer Morgan Toney's life thus far: from drum circles, to talking circles, to the Earth itself (a circle!). In our Basic Folk conversation, Morgan talks about his L'nu (also known as Mi'kmaq) heritage and growing up on what's now called Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, where his ancestors have lived since ti…

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C.H.U.D. w/Patrick Gill 1:31:03

1M ago1:31:03

1:31:03

As we inch ever-closer to Dark Legion: Hell on Earth, journalist, streamer, and video producer Patrick Gill joins us to pitch a fresh, modern take on the cult classic monster movie C.H.U.D.! What compelled Patrick to rent this movie from the old mail-order Netflix? What does this high-end B-movie have in common with Jaws? How will Patrick, Dylan, a…

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Midweek News, Mickalene Thomas, Pig Iron, Rutgers, Death and Art festival and much more 26:11

1M ago26:11

26:11

Episode 312 – Raincoat week, which leads to Ryan’s Subaru saga. Roberta and Ryan swap tales while celebrating Artblog’s 21+ year legacy—don’t miss their October 23rd farewell bash! Highlights: Mickalene Thomas dropping wisdom at Rutgers, Pig Iron’s Franklin’s Key bending history into theater, and Laurel Hill Cemetery’s haunting Death & Arts perform…

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Kris Delmhorst: Inching Forward through Sleepless Nights, ep. 310 52:20

2M ago52:20

52:20

Kris Delmhorst is not a good sleeper. The Western Massachusetts songwriter is usually awake from 2 or 3 am to about 4 or 5am. Sometimes it feels nice and floaty, but other times she is wide awake worrying about anything her brain can get a hold of. This is similar to a feeling with which she ended her tenth record, 'Ghosts in the Garden,' with the …

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Midweek News, 705 West Gallery, UArts printmaking, Woodmere expansion, We are the Seeds, Kentridge, Neue Galerie, Rent, Lady Hoofers, Young Mid Collectors 17:11

2M ago17:11

17:11

Episode 311 – Grab a coffee (or a Mittelschlag strudel) and join Roberta and Ryan for Artblog Radio’s bittersweet swan song. In this Midweek News, they have updates on Woodmere’s new building, UArts’ printmaking, and a Starbucks bathroom art drop so absurd it’s genius. They discuss Artblog’s 21-year goodbye party (October 23rd—RSVP now!), they reca…

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E101: Discourse & Manipulation pt. 4 - The Economic Assumptions of "Liberation Day" 1:03:19

2M ago1:03:19

1:03:19

On today’s show, Alex and Calvin – briefly rebranded as Kenneth Jerke and Mikhail Shocktin, co-hosts of "Shock Docs" – explore the state of rhetorical manipulation in the context of the second Trump presidency. We discuss the general ineptitude of the conservative movement occupying the White House and the unsettling lack of a powerful counter-rhet…

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Sara Watkins on I'm With Her's Witchy AF New Record, ep. 309 54:09

2M ago54:09

54:09

Sara Watkins joins Basic Folk to talk about 'Wild and Clear and Blue,' the new album from I'm With Her, her band with Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O'Donovan. The new LP was inspired by looking back on your life in order to move forward, with a very witchy manner of speaking that encompasses the ancient, mysterious, and spiritual. Sara shares insights int…

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Perpetual Inventory – A Ruminative Installation by Scott Kip at Arcadia University 40:35

2M ago40:35

40:35

Episode 310 – Roberta and Ryan sit down with Scott Kip and discuss his show Perpetual Inventory – A Ruminative Installation. The show is now closed, but we wanted to share what happens when a skateboard-riding clockmaker turns his life into a walkthrough sculpture. In this irreverent chat with Scott Kipp—artist, Masonic Temple devotee, and […]…

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DU Plus: 5 TV Pitches w/Joseph Fink 1:14:25

2M ago1:14:25

1:14:25

Back in 2024, we appointed Welcome to Night Vale co-creator Joseph Fink to be the Dark Universe's Head of Television. Now, he's returned to the show to pitch Dylan & Dalton FIVE new TV ideas that run the gamut from hospital drama to reality competition show! It's a jam-packed one-hour creative jam session like nothing we've done before. Check out J…

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Mary Gauthier & Jaimee Harris on THE Three Shoes, Alchemy and Weeding out Baddies, ep. 308 57:54

2M ago57:54

57:54

Mary Gauthier and Jaimee Harris talk to Lizzie and Cindy for Basic Folk on-board the Cayamo cruise in front of a live audience. We get down to business in addressing NICE things by asking Mary what kind of shoes she's wearing – as she has a reputation for enjoying the good stuff, especially on her feet. After that, we asked and Jaimee Harris enthus…

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Midweek News, Janice Merendino, Joe Ovelman, First Friday, Small Favors, Fishtown Festival, South Street Live, Bernie!, Broad Street Run, and so much more. 16:24

2M ago16:24

16:24

Episode 309 – Roberta spotlights Janice Merendino’s boundary-pushing art legacy and Joe Ovelman raw, Sharpie-scrawled Sauna Dish tales. Ryan preps for First Friday chaos with South Street’s block parties, Clay Studio’s Small Favors, and Fishtown’s music marathon. Between guerrilla gardening workshops, Bernie’s May Day rally, and Broad Street Run cr…

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Susan Werner on Defining Hard Work, Paid Vacations, and Relaxing as Indie Musician, ep. 307 46:29

2M ago46:29

46:29

The dynamic songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Susan Werner talks to us onboard the Cayamo cruise, which she describes as a "paid vacation." Reflecting on her upbringing on a working farm, Susan discusses the hard work that shaped her, but also how she’s learning to embrace rest and relaxation. With humor and insight, she navigates the balance be…

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Midweek News, Chuck Patch, Ken Lum, Shifting Realities, Art in City Hall’s 22nd anniversary, Philadelphia Independent Film Festival and much more 16:46

2M ago16:46

16:46

Episode 308 – Roberta spotlights Chuck Patch’s striking street photography, Ryan dives into Benjamin Lay’s fiery abolitionist legacy, and Chi previews Panda Fest’s lively Asian culinary buzz. Anjali shares Open Streets’ urban charm, while Shifting Realities unpacks immigrant voices, and Ken Lum reimagines language through paint. Celebrate milestone…

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E100: Making the Human: Race, Allegory, and Asian Americans (w/ Dr. Corinne M. Sugino) 1:06:33

2M ago1:06:33

1:06:33

Today’s episode features our rich conversation with Dr. Corinne Mitsuye Sugino, Assistant Professor in the Department of English and Center for Ethnic Studies at The Ohio State University, about her compelling new book, Making the Human: Race, Allegory, and Asian Americans. On the show, Alex and Calvin are joined by guest co-host Dr. Sarah Hae-In I…

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Field of Nightmares 2:16:57

2M ago2:16:57

2:16:57

Nearly two years ago, Dylan announced that he'd be writing a Dark Universe take on Field of Dreams. Now, for his last solo pitch of the Death's Door Saga, he finally has to pitch it, and it's not remotely the script he initially planned. So, is that a good thing, or a bad thing? What the Hell is Field of Nightmares, and how will it be recieved by D…

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Jon Muq: Uganda, Cruise Ship Food and His Googly-Eyed Guitar, ep. 306 34:55

3M ago34:55

34:55

Originally from the village of Mutungo, Uganda (near the country's capital of Kampala), Jon Muq's journey to his current life of touring with an Austin, Texas home-base has been unconventional. Onboard the Cayamo cruise earlier this year, we talked to Jon about his childhood experiences, including fetching water with friends and "We Are the World,"…

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Midweek News, Portal moves, immigrant video in love park, table sessions, temple film fest, fashion shows, jazz month in philly, happy birthday Calvin and much more

3M ago

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Episode 307- In this whirlwind Midweek News episode, Roberta’s gushing over baby Calvin (👶✨), Ryan’s back from College of the Atlantic in Maine, Chi’s Brooklyn Flea camera hunt nails that Shibuya vibe, and Anjali celebrates opera in New York. We’ve got Temple’s indie film fest, Moore College’s runway-ready fashion showdown, and Love Park’s after-da…

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Curating Change – Zindzi Harley on Black Museums, Digital Storytelling, and the Future of Art Activism 45:48

3M ago45:48

45:48

Find more info about Zindzi Harley: ZindziHarley.com Zindzine on IG Click to expand the podcast transcript Logan Cryer: Hey, you are listening to Artblog Radio recorded here in Philadelphia. My name is Logan Cryer, and in this episode you will hear a conversation between myself and the amazing Zindzi Harley. Zindzi Harley is a […]…

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Ani DiFranco & Carsie Blanton: Menopause, The Wild Child, and Naps to fight Capitalism, ep. 305 43:44

3M ago43:44

43:44

Basic Folk is making trouble at sea with Ani DiFranco and Carsie Blanton! Hosts Lizzie and Cindy had the opportunity to speak with the two like-minded radical songwriters aboard the 2025 edition of Cayamo, a roots music cruise. Our conversation kicks off with Ani sharing her transformative experience performing as Persephone in the Broadway show 'H…

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Midweek News, Hiking Appalachian Trail, David Sedaris, Center for Architecture, Pride and Prejudice Reading, TechOWL, Soapbox Comic Workshop, Art Battle, and more

3M ago

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Episode 306 – In this lively Midweek News episode, Roberta and Ryan swap spring adventures – from treacherous Appalachian Trail hikes to David Sedaris’ fabulous culottes. We highlight crucial arts events saving Philly’s creative spaces, explore accessibility innovations at Tech Owl, and get fired up about judicial elections. Grab your allergy meds …

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Waterworld: The Stunt Show w/Danielle Radford 1:21:01

3M ago1:21:01

1:21:01

Actor, writer, podcaster, and professional funny person Danielle Radford join the Dark Universe to pitch what might be our most unhinged installment yet. It's not "Waterworld," it's "Waterworld: The Stunt Show... The Movie? Learn how this beloved theme park attraction based on the maligned box office boondoggle found a special place in Danielle's h…

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Society, Pleasure, & Sexual Self-Discovery with Guest, Dr. Katie Spencer 58:14

3M ago58:14

58:14

Join sex therapists, Dr. Tera Jansen and Laura Rademacher with special guest, Dr. Katie Spencer, as they shoot the sh*t on topics far and wide, including: the evolution of sex education, pleasure for pleasure's sake, and sexual self discovery. Sex Therapists Shoot The Sh*t is a video podcast with hosts Dr. Tera Jansen and Laura Rademacher brought t…

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Loudon Wainwright III: Oversharing, Family Ties, and Musical Legacy, ep. 304 46:20

3M ago46:20

46:20

The legendary Loudon Wainwright III, whose career has spanned over five decades, is known for his deeply personal songwriting and sharp wit – and oversharing. The patriarch of the Wainwright folk dynasty (which includes Rufus, Martha, their late mother Kate McGarrigle, as well as Lucy and her mother Suzzy Roche), Loudon reflects on the balance betw…

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Midweek News, Hidden City kickstarter, Sean Lugo show, EPA and IMLS cuts, car free walnut st and more 19:36

3M ago19:36

19:36

Episode 305 – Philly’s bursting with art, activism, and a few heartaches! Roberta, Ryan, Anjali, and Chi dive into Hidden City’s Fill in Color Kickstarter, Sean Lugo’s Rockwell-meets-Latino-art show, and Bartram’s Garden’s EPA funding loss. Cheer up with Walnut Street’s car-free Sundays, Philly Porch Fest’s 400 free shows, and PMA’s myth-busting My…