Best Spoken Nerd Podcasts (2025)

1
UArts' Celebration of Life 4:41

9h ago4:41

4:41

A memorial that’s part shiva, part reunion, part performance and part open houseBy CitizenCast

1
Ordinary people resisting is what creates change 8:38

1d ago8:38

8:38

What can you do to preserve democracy? Ali Velshi draws on the history of resistance and civil disobedience to demonstrate the small things anyone can do to resist the backslide into authoritarianism.By CitizenCast

1
Safe Journey w/ Mr. Michael Motorcycle #51 59:10

3d ago59:10

59:10

Michael Schneeweis (Mr. Michael Motorcycle / Friends In Real Life) & Pepe explore the theme of safe journeys. Pepe shares a couple of stories as metaphors for life's challenges & Michael offers his thoughts in response. Ultimately, they emphasize the value of relationships, support systems & tools in overcoming obstacles & finding safety in an unpr…

1
Meet the Hair Nerds 15:56

4d ago15:56

15:56

On this episode of Citizen WURDs, James Peterson sits down with Jennifer Boisseau and Theresa Byrd, the Hair Nerds, who use their hairstylist skills to restore dignity and bring joy to patients at Children’s Hospital of PhiladelphiaBy CitizenCast

1
Immigrant businesses in Philly fight to stay open 5:17

5d ago5:17

5:17

Immigrant small businesses help power Philadelphia. But tariffs — and deportations — could devastate many of themBy CitizenCast

1
The SEPTA crisis will impact more than just Philly 5:33

6d ago5:33

5:33

The fallout from SEPTA's budget deficit will impact the entire state. On this episode of Guest Commentary, the CEO of Brandywine Realty Trust wants every Pennsylvanian to see that SETPTA doesn't just survive, it thrives.By CitizenCast

1
Overheard at Fitler: An Evening with Ambassador David Cohen | pt. 2 25:31

7d ago25:31

25:31

Join us for part two of the fascinating conversation between Ambassador David Cohen, now back from Canada, and Citizen co-founder Larry Platt. They talk about real diplomacy on the world stage and why diversity is so important for our city, state and nation.By CitizenCast

1
Pregnancy can be a death sentence 4:49

9d ago4:49

4:49

In a post-Roe world, Ali Velshi explains, choices around pregnancy in America can now be criminalized and life-threatening.By CitizenCast

1
Revenge of the nerds? 7:34

12d ago7:34

7:34

Political reform is bubbling up in other cities. Here? Maybe not so much. An election post-mortemBy CitizenCast

1
Musical political satire for the TikTok age 11:02

13d ago11:02

11:02

Philly punk rocker Ron Gallo once avoided social media. Now he’s made it the stage for his most unseriously serious music yet, attracting both worldwide fans and MAGA hatersBy CitizenCast

1
Overheard at Fitler: An Evening with Ambassador David Cohen | pt. 1 43:40

14d ago43:40

43:40

Just what does an ambassador do, anyway? Back from Canada, join legendary civic force David Cohen and Citizen co-founder Larry Platt for a candid conversation about the embattled art of diplomacy, the power of diversity, and the state of our city. The first of a monthly live podcast recording series.…

1
Incrementalism will not save education 6:02

15d ago6:02

6:02

It's time for Democrats to lead on education again. The CEO of an education reform group has an idea for just how to do that.By CitizenCast

1
A world without federal regulations ... 5:45

16d ago5:45

5:45

... gets dark very quickly. "When the federal government prioritizes profit over people," Ali Velshi says, "middle-class families suffer first."By CitizenCast

1
What's behind the attacks on John Fetterman? 7:10

19d ago7:10

7:10

The U.S. Senator has come under fire by his own staffers and media alike, despite Republican Senator Dave McCormick’s call to lay off. What’s really going on?By CitizenCast

1
The drones and license plate readers making cities safer 52:09

20d ago52:09

52:09

“Traditional license plate readers were developed in the 1950s and 60s,” says Garrett Langley of Flock Safety. “But you can go into Flock and say I’m looking for a black Sedan with after-market tires and a dent on the left corner, and we will find that car.” On this episode of How To Really Run A City, our hosts chat with Langley about his innovati…

1
What's Another Night? w/ Apes Of The State #50 59:48

20d ago59:48

59:48

April & Pepe delve into the themes of nostalgia, loss, & the creative process behind Apes Of The State's latest album. They discuss the personal stories that influenced the music, the collaborative nature of songwriting, & the impact of community & friendship on the artistic journey. The conversation highlights the importance of honoring loved ones…

1
The fires still burn 10:36

21d ago10:36

10:36

Forty years after the City bombed a house, killed 11 MOVE members and destroyed a neighborhood, Philadelphia still has not reckoned with what it says about usBy CitizenCast

1
Rebuilding Philadelphia one block at a time 5:31

22d ago5:31

5:31

A nonprofit that recruits volunteers to repair homes is strengthening the physical, social and economic infrastructure of Philly’s neighborhoods.By CitizenCast

1
The Trump austerity economy 7:31

23d ago7:31

7:31

The austerity mindset Donald Trump is asking of the American people is not the result of a wartime economy or a natural disaster. "No," says Ali Velshi, "we're not buying the idea that Americans need to give up the things that keep our lives running, just because you lit the house on fire."By CitizenCast

1
Mayor Parker, put that "One City" rhetoric into action 9:14

26d ago9:14

9:14

Jew hate in a Center City bar. A cop shot during a brawl outside Overbrook High. An assassination attempt on our Governor. Maybe it’s time for a rally that reminds us to refocus on shared values and seeing ourselves in one another?By CitizenCast

1
Philly on Fire 6:53

27d ago6:53

6:53

This week the Citizen screened a powerful documentary featuring witnesses of the MOVE bombing, one of the darkest moments of Philadelphia’s racial history.By CitizenCast

1
Sinners: essential viewing for all Black Philadelphians 9:34

28d ago9:34

9:34

Sinners, Ryan Coogler’s latest film in theaters now, is a tribute to Black people, their music, and their American experience. Dr. James Peterson argues this is more than a film -- it's a crossroads at its own cultural crossroads.By CitizenCast

1
Season 6, Episode 1 - T.J. & Selin Nerd-Out to Marvel Studios Thunderbolts*! 1:31:31

28d ago1:31:31

1:31:31

In this episode we Nerd-Out to Marvel Studios The Marvels!

1
Did Donald Trump enact Project 2025 in his first 100 days? 11:18

29d ago11:18

11:18

As a candidate, Donald Trump constantly distanced himself from from the hyper-conservative agenda of Project 2025. As the President, has he changed his tune and embraced it? Ali Velshi explains.By CitizenCast

1
Why I sent this new book to the mayor and city council 7:42

1M ago7:42

7:42

As this budget season reminds us, Democrats had better stop celebrating what they spend — and instead focus on what they actually build and deliver for real people. It was for this reason that I purchased copies of Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson and sent them to our city's leaders.By CitizenCast

1
Should athletes meddle in politics? 17:27

1M ago17:27

17:27

Join us for a rare behind-the-scenes look into the Citizen's newsroom and a friendly debate about athletes and what political responsibilities they may have.By CitizenCast

1
“Governtainment” in City Hall 43:36

1M ago43:36

43:36

Donald Trump’s tariff policies pose an economic threat to Rochester Hills, Michigan — and Republican Mayor Bryan Barnett has not been shy about speaking out. “More robots are made in my city than in any other city in North America,” Barnett told Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter, along with Citizen Co-founder Larry Pla…

1
Exploring Liminal Spaces w/ Myles Bullen #49 52:37

1M ago52:37

52:37

Answering questions submitted by fans & other musicians, Myles Bullen explores their latest album with Pepe Bandit. Myles reveals an unknown history to Pepe that has secretly connected them both for over 15 years. Themes of connection, community & cathartic music are also brought up. Myles discusses the evolution of their music, particularly the tr…

1
Unmasking the inventor of Bitcoin | pt. 1 22:26

1M ago22:26

22:26

Citizen writer Malcolm Burnley sat down with the author of a new nonfiction book about his epic attempt to learn the identity of Bitcoin’s fabled inventor, one of the world’s richest peopleBy CitizenCast

1
Where are all the trees we were promised? 5:38

1M ago5:38

5:38

Trees provide documented health benefits and even reduce crime, but two years into the City's first-ever Tree Plan, our leafy coverage has remained pretty much static. Why is that, and what happens next?By CitizenCast

1
The very real threat to libraries across the country 9:01

1M ago9:01

9:01

"I don't remember Trump campaigning on the promise to cut local library funding, but there were warnings," says Ali Velshi on this episode of the Banned Book Club. He brings onto the show Jon Yaged, CEO of Macmillan Publishers to discuss the effects of book banning and the slashing of federal funding to the little-known federal agency, the Institut…

1
Josh Shapiro and moral clarity 7:35

1M ago7:35

7:35

After the assassination attempt, Governor Shapiro's principled call for moral clarity might be better served by retiring the phrase “antisemitism" and calling it what it is: Jew Hate.By CitizenCast

1
From graffiti artist to celebrity shoemaker 7:10

1M ago7:10

7:10

Iconic fashion designer and renowned chef Big Rube invites Jim Buck of Made By Buck down to his kitchen at Pitchers Pub in Manayunk. Buck tells Rube his story of pulling himself up by his literal bootstraps.By CitizenCast

1
What is the Black Brain Campaign? 13:20

1M ago13:20

13:20

On this week's episode of Citizen WURDs, James Peterson is joined by Dr. Kevana Nixon, whose mission is to "eradicate the stigma of mental health in the Black community."By CitizenCast

1
Can Philly still become "Cellicon Valley?" 6:09

1M ago6:09

6:09

Layoffs, vacant labs and NIH cuts are diminishing the once-booming biotech sector that promised an economic windfall in the region. Is it time to write off biotech?By CitizenCast

1
Do we now live in a surveillance state? 14:07

1M ago14:07

14:07

Private companies are increasingly profiting from state-sponsored surveillance aimed at immigrants. Ali Velshi brings the practice into the light and asks what this all means since "the true mark of any society is how it treats its most vulnerable."By CitizenCast

1
For sale: Your state legislature 5:53

2M ago5:53

5:53

The latest push for a ban on egregious gifts to legislators is the 38th attempt at a gift ban in the last 25 years ...By CitizenCast

1
Ultimate Job Interview: DA | 2 30:56

2M ago30:56

30:56

On this second part of Ultimate Job Interview, three panelists put tough questions to District Attorney hopeful Paul Dugan. Listen and prepare to vote in the May 20th primary.By CitizenCast

1
Ultimate Job Interview: DA | 1 27:00

2M ago27:00

27:00

On this episode of our two-part Ultimate Job Interview, three panelists are assembled to put the tough questions to District Attorney hopeful Paul Dugan. Listen and prepare to vote in the May 20th primary.By CitizenCast

1
Mommy, the 100-year-old, pregnant tortoise 9:48

2M ago9:48

9:48

Our Citizen of the Week is a century-old Galápagos tortoise at the Philadelphia Zoo. She's a new mother and she's helping to save her species from extinction.By CitizenCast

1
Four Movies w/ Spoken Nerd (pt. 2) The Last Circus #48 51:59

2M ago51:59

51:59

In part two of the 4 movies series, Spoken Nerd talks with Pepe Bandit about The Last Circus. A film they both loved so much it got its own episode dedicated to it. This is one of Pepe's all time favorite movies...Tune in to see what the hype is all about! Support the podcast/get bonus episodes + goods patreon.com/BackontheGrind HIGHLIGHTS: The Las…

1
Even with the tariff pause, prices went up 3:44

2M ago3:44

3:44

Ali Velshi brings out "Betty" to once again demonstrate how tariff pause or no, everything in her life just got more expensive. Reach for that glass of wine. On second thought, don't.By CitizenCast

1
John Fry's call to arms 8:27

2M ago8:27

8:27

New Temple President John Fry doubled down on Enlightenment values, modeling a new course for would-be leaders in this age of autocracyBy CitizenCast

1
Where local matters 45:16

2M ago45:16

45:16

In this episode of How To Really Run A City, our hosts bring Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti onto the show. Cognetti is demonstrating how cities are blazing a way forward amidst the daily chaos spilling out of Washington, D.C. “This is where local matters,” Cognetti says. “At the local level, we’re nimble, we’re able to try things that are harder at …

1
Will PA ever legalize weed? 8:10

2M ago8:10

8:10

Citizen writer Malcolm Burnley explores the burning question of whether or not legal use of recreational marijuana really is in our future.By CitizenCast

1
Winners write the history 8:09

2M ago8:09

8:09

Let’s ensure it's the American people who are the winners by preserving and teaching the stories that form our democracyBy CitizenCast

1
There's no good or bad government, the power is the problem 11:55

2M ago11:55

11:55

Journalist Melissa Chan and cartoonist Badiucao created a highly accessible dystopian graphic novel that takes place in 2035. America has become proto-fascist and is at war with a techno-authoritarian regime in China. Chan and Badiucao join Ali Velshi for his latest installment of the Velshi Banned Book Club. "Serious topics about human rights and …

1
U.S. Rep Brendan Boyle, the Eagles and Trump 8:02

2M ago8:02

8:02

U.S. Representative Brendan Boyle recently expressed his outrage over Trump inviting the Kansas City Chiefs to the White House. Lauren McCutcheon asked him why.By CitizenCast

1
Giving small and minority businesses a real chance 18:26

2M ago18:26

18:26

On this episode of Evening WURDs, James Peterson is joined by Kenyatta James, executive director of the Economy League. They discuss how small and minority-owned businesses can get ahead in Philly and what "human-centered design" means.By CitizenCast