Resilience is a muscle many of us flexed, or became aware of, amid the pandemic. And it’s very much still in our vocabulary!

·         How do we build resilience against health issues and disease, especially among Latinos?

·         And, in a region where many of us see the Susquehanna River and its creeks and streams every day, how do we build resilience against climate change and Pennsylvania’s number one threat, flooding?

Our guests include:

• George Fernandez, CEO, Culture & Culture
• Jeff Jumper, Emergency Management Program Manager for Resiliency, with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency
• Andrew Dehoff, Executive Director, Susquehanna River Basin Commission

This podcast is sponsored by Fleet Feet Mechanicsburg and their brand-new Fleet Feet Harrisburg location, in the High Pointe Commons shopping plaza.

This episode marks a banner anniversary! It’s been three years since we launched TheBurg Podcast in this magazine-style format. Thanks for listening, sharing and helping the podcast grow!

Backstories that coordinate with this episode include:

Reaching Up, Reaching Back: George Fernandez | A Change in the Weather: Pennsylvania’s emergency management and environmental experts explain climate change | Capital Region Water: Clean Water Plan

And:

April 6 event info: Karen Hendricks hosts Midtown Scholar author chat

TheBurg Podcast is hosted and produced by award-winning Harrisburg-area journalist Karen Hendricks. Visit her website and subscribe to her free monthly writer’s newsletter at WriterKarenHendricks.com.

Every month, TheBurg Podcast expands stories from the pages of TheBurg magazine because “there’s always more to the story.” TheBurg is a monthly community magazine based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Lawrance Binda, publisher/editor.

TheBurg Podcast has received three prestigious podcast journalism awards over the past two years, including First place, Excellence in Journalism, Society of Professional Journalists, Keystone Chapter, 2021.

This special year-long podcast project reveals special people—unsung heroes—in our midst. For a whole year, podcast host and producer Karen Hendricks asked TheBurg Podcast guests the same question: If you could identify an unsung hero in the Harrisburg area, who would it be and why?

Except, instead of airing all their answers, we’ve been saving and compiling them, so that we could release them all collectively in this special Unsung Heroes of Harrisburg Podcast on Valentine’s Day.

Think of this show, released on Valentine’s Day, as an audio Valentine that shares some community love for Harrisburg!

Hosting: Karen is joined by Lawrance Binda, publisher and editor of TheBurg.

Many thanks to two podcast sponsors:

Hero in the Fight, whose mission is to break the stigma often associated with addiction, because living in active recovery is a heroic act, every day. For help, support and facts, visit herointhefight.org/.

Goodwill Keystone Area: And you probably know that the Goodwill store is a great community thrift store. But there’s a story behind the store that puts “goodwill” into action, advancing sustainability in our communities. Check out their story at yourgoodwill.org.

Guests include (but tune in to hear who they reveal as unsung heroes):

Kristin Messner-Baker of The Vegetable Hunter

Chad Eric Smith of Mural Arts Philadelphia

Speaker and historian John Maietta

Otis Harrison of OD’s Fish House

Soccer coach Toan Ngo of Eagle-FC’s USL W team

Kim Rice of the Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society

Local journalist-turned-teacher Dennis Reardon

Elle Lamboy formerly of the Gettysburg Foundation

Peter Leonard of Little Amps Coffee

Lt. Adam Reed of the Pennsylvania State Police

Josiah Peay of the Central PA Kings basketball team

Amy Kaunas of the Humane Society of the Harrisburg Area

Weston Kensinger of Penn State Harrisburg’s Douglas W. Pollock Center for Addiction Outreach and Research

Julie Fitzpatrick of the Pennsylvania Downtown Center

Ellen Min of the Harrisburg Asian American and Pacific Islander Community (HAAPI)

Carl Shuman, retiree-turned-children’s book author

David Morrison of Historic Harrisburg Association

Andrea Grove of Elementary Coffee

Greg Czarnecki of Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources 

Jessica Rudy of Gettysburg’s Majestic Theater

Sue Kunisky of Visit Hershey and Harrisburg

Lesa Brackbill, newborn screening advocate

Karen Good, clinical nurse specialist with UPMC Harrisburg

Thomas Sweet, retired pastor of Market Square Presbyterian Church

Nathan Reigner, Pennsylvania’s director of outdoor recreation

Also see our February 2023 magazine feature, “Unsung Heroes of Harrisburg,” expanding several of our unsung heroes’ stories.

For more information on award-winning Harrisburg-area journalist Karen Hendricks, visit her website and subscribe to her free monthly writer’s newsletter at WriterKarenHendricks.com.

Every month, TheBurg Podcast expands stories from the pages of TheBurg magazine because “there’s always more to the story.” TheBurg is a monthly community magazine based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Lawrance Binda, publisher/editor. TheBurg Podcast has received three prestigious podcast journalism awards over the past two years, including First place, Excellence in Journalism, Society of Professional Journalists, Keystone Chapter, 2021.

Harrisburg’s health, from head to toe: February’s guests explore health from lots of fascinating angles. And just in time for Valentine’s Day, we even talk about the heart of the city via residents’ healthy civic engagement.

Guests include:

·         Jelissa Gilmore explains how her women-focused fitness studio, FLY Fitness, is taking off—with a message that’s reaching and resonating with Black women.

·         Fred Joslyn talks about the expansion of Fleet Feet Mechanicsburg into a new Fleet Feet Harrisburg location, giving the small business owner a footprint across both shores of the Susquehanna.

·         Cindy Thomasson explains how a therapeutic ice skating program provides balance a strength—along with joy—to our local special needs population.

·         Plus Lawrance Binda, publisher/editor of TheBurg, shares his “most Harrisburg thing” for February and it ties right into Harrisburg’s community health.

Stay tuned for our bonus Valentine’s Day edition of TheBurg Podcast being released on February 14! “The Unsung Heroes of Harrisburg” is the culmination of a year-long project, as more than 25 of the past year’s guests reveal unsung heroes in their midst.

Backstories that coordinate with this episode include:

New Heights | Expanding their Footprints | Breaking the Ice |Harrisburg Native Robert Lawson Appointed to Fill Open City Council Seat

Special thanks to everyone who responded to our recent podcast survey! Congrats to lucky listener Shawn Westhafer whose name was drawn as the winner of some fabulous Burg swag. And special thanks as always to Harrisburg band YamYam for our podcast music.

TheBurg Podcast is hosted and produced by award-winning Harrisburg-area journalist Karen Hendricks. Visit her website and subscribe to her free monthly writer’s newsletter at WriterKarenHendricks.com.

Every month, TheBurg Podcast expands stories from the pages of TheBurg magazine because “there’s always more to the story.” TheBurg is a monthly community magazine based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Lawrance Binda, publisher/editor. TheBurg Podcast has received three prestigious podcast journalism awards over the past two years, including First place, Excellence in Journalism, Society of Professional Journalists, Keystone Chapter, 2021.

Interested in sharing your advertising message with TheBurg Podcast’s dedicated audience? Research shows that podcast sponsorships are one of the most effective forms of advertising! Contact Lauren (lmills@theburgnews.com) or contact Karen directly at WriterKarenHendricks@gmail.com.  

We kick off a new year by talking about climate change, science, as well as storytelling. Climate change is a new subject for TheBurg in 2023, and we look forward to exploring the topic—on the podcast as well as in the magazine—through a special six-part series.

Special thanks to January podcast sponsor, Fleet Feet Mechanicsburg, announcing the grand opening of their Fleet Feet Harrisburg location in February 2023.

Guests include:

Greg Czarnecki, Director of Applied Climate Science for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. He explains how his mom influenced his career in climate science (really!), and explains how each one of us has the ability to impact climate change. We look forward to weaving climate change guests into TheBurg Podcast throughout 2023, in conjunction with TheBurg magazine’s 6-part climate change series.

Jessica Rudy, Director of Marketing & Group Sales for Gettysburg College’s Majestic Theater. She describes the incredible significance and impact of filmmaker Ken Burns’ 40-year body of work—because the first-ever Ken Burns Film Festival will be held in Gettysburg this February.

John Maietta, who has segued into a thriving career as a speaker/presenter. He’s mastered a plethora of history and pop culture topics—at the age of 72. On the podcast, he evens talks about his brush with “Jeopardy” fame.

On this month’s “Most Harrisburg Thing” by Lawrance Binda, publisher/editor of TheBurg: Harrisburg’s newly-elected state lawmakers are marking a milestone in diversity.

And special thanks to you, our listeners! We are excited to announce that podcast listenership continues to grow, as we recorded the highest number of downloads in the history of the podcast in 2022. As we grow, we’d like to hear your thoughts and ideas. Please participate in TheBurg Podcast’s listener survey, and you’ll be in the running for a swell Burg prize pack. (One winner will be randomly selected from all completed responses, with the winner notified by email on February 1, 2023.)

Backstories that coordinate with this episode include:

Change Agent | Saluting America’s Storyteller | Past Life

Every month, TheBurg Podcast expands stories from the pages of TheBurg magazine because “there’s always more to the story.” TheBurg is a monthly community magazine based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Lawrance Binda, publisher/editor. TheBurg Podcast has received three prestigious podcast journalism awards over the past two years, including First place, Excellence in Journalism, Society of Professional Journalists, Keystone Chapter, 2021.

TheBurg Podcast is hosted and produced by award-winning Harrisburg-area journalist Karen Hendricks. Visit her website and subscribe to her free monthly writer’s newsletter at WriterKarenHendricks.com.

Interested in sharing your advertising message with TheBurg Podcast’s dedicated audience? Research shows that podcast sponsorships are one of the most effective forms of advertising! Contact Lauren (lmills@theburgnews.com) or contact Karen directly at WriterKarenHendricks@gmail.com.  

It’s a great time of year for reflection and perspective. This month’s podcast guests offer their life wisdom on career paths, retirement, and what makes Harrisburg a great place to live.

Guests include:

• Freelance writer Diane McCormick, who previews her upcoming story about Harrisburg ranking #2 on U.S. News & World Report’s Best Places to Retire in the U.S.
• Thomas Sweet, newly-retired pastor of Harrisburg’s Market Square Presbyterian Church, who shares the best advice he ever received—and much more.
• Carl Shuman, a retired Harrisburg lawyer who has found a new career as a writer and children’s book author.
• Plus Lawrance Binda, editor of TheBurg, pops in for his monthly feature, “The Most Harrisburg Thing”—and ties into this theme of beginnings and endings in a very Harrisburg way.

Special thanks as always to Harrisburg band YamYam for our podcast music.

Backstories that coordinate with this episode include:

A Real Joy | Timeless Tales | Editorial: Greetings, Governor

Every month, TheBurg Podcast expands stories from the pages of TheBurg magazine because “there’s always more to the story.” TheBurg is a monthly community magazine based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Lawrance Binda, co-publisher/editor. TheBurg Podcast has received three prestigious podcast journalism awards over the past two years, including First place, Excellence in Journalism, Society of Professional Journalists, Keystone Chapter, 2021.

TheBurg Podcast is hosted and produced by award-winning Harrisburg-area journalist Karen Hendricks. Visit her website, WriterKarenHendricks.com.

Interested in sharing your advertising message with TheBurg Podcast’s dedicated audience? Research shows that podcast sponsorships are one of the most effective forms of advertising! Contact Lauren (lmills@theburgnews.com) or contact Karen directly at WriterKarenHendricks@gmail.com.  

We are thrilled to share conversations with three Harrisburg-area women who have forged nontraditional or unprecedented career paths:

• Lesa Brackbill, who successfully advocated for updated newborn screening laws in Pennsylvania, and is continuing her advocacy journey across the country and world, driven by the death of her daughter.
• Andrea Grove of Elementary Coffee on why there are so few women coffee roasters and woman-owned coffee shops.
• Sandy Lockerman who created an environmental education career as the field evolved. She currently volunteers with a saw-whet owl research project operated by the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art.

Many thanks to the Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau and Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation, Pennsylvania’s destination for business—and leisure, for sponsoring this episode of TheBurg Podcast. For more information, see cumberlandbusiness.com.

Backstories that coordinate with this episode include:

Birthing a Legacy | Support Us | Night Watch | Editorial: Mind Your Businesses

Every month, TheBurg Podcast expands stories from the pages of TheBurg magazine because “there’s always more to the story.” TheBurg is a monthly community magazine based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Lawrance Binda, co-publisher/editor. TheBurg Podcast has received three prestigious podcast journalism awards over the past two years, including First place, Excellence in Journalism, Society of Professional Journalists, Keystone Chapter, 2021.

TheBurg Podcast is hosted and produced by award-winning Harrisburg-area journalist Karen Hendricks. Visit her website, WriterKarenHendricks.com.

Interested in sharing your advertising message with TheBurg Podcast’s dedicated audience? Research shows that podcast sponsorships are one of the most effective forms of advertising! Contact Lauren (lmills@theburgnews.com). 

As hard as the pandemic was, and continues to be, for many people, there also continue to be glimmers of light, silver linings, business expansions, and stories about people helping others—doing the right thing.

And that’s the theme that links all of today’s podcast interviews, together:

• Peter Leonard, CEO/Owner of Little Amps Coffee Roasters, location of the Green Street Community Pantry
• Kristin Messner-Baker, owner of The Vegetable Hunter, whose Harrisburg restaurant has expanded to Carlisle and Hershey
• Kellie Black of Middletown, who recently launched Harrisburg’s chapter of the 40+ Double Dutch Club

Many thanks to the Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau for sponsoring this episode of TheBurg Podcast, through their Cumberland Valley Beer Trail, with 29 locations—including Harrisburg—where everyone can find their flavor. For more information, see VisitCumberlandValley.com.

Backstories that coordinate with this episode include:

Mini but Mighty | Market Launch | Jump for Joy

Every month, TheBurg Podcast expands stories from the pages of TheBurg magazine because “there’s always more to the story.” TheBurg is a monthly community magazine based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Lawrance Binda, co-publisher/editor. TheBurg Podcast has received three prestigious podcast journalism awards over the past two years, including First place, Excellence in Journalism, Society of Professional Journalists, Keystone Chapter, 2021.

TheBurg Podcast is hosted and produced by award-winning Harrisburg-area journalist Karen Hendricks. Visit her website for more of her writing, journalism and PR work.  

Interested in sharing your advertising message with TheBurg Podcast’s dedicated audience? Research shows that podcast sponsorships are one of the most effective forms of advertising! Contact Lauren (lmills@theburgnews.com). 

On the basketball court, a full court press is an all-out effort… putting pressure on the opposing team. How does this concept tie into September’s podcast?

“The Most Harrisburg Thing” these days is the Knead Pizza story. An all-out effort by employees, to unionize, resulted in the shop’s closing. The story has gotten a lot of press, but editor of TheBurg Lawrance Binda, in conversation with TheBurg Podcast’s Karen Hendricks, adds new insights and context.

Josiah Peay of Middletown has mounted a full court press to bring professional basketball to the Harrisburg area, through the Central PA Kings.

Dennis Reardon of Camp Hill mounted a full court press of his own, as he pushed toward the finish line of last year’s Harrisburg Marathon relay. He pushed himself so hard, he nearly lost his life—but he also gained new perspective on life.

Karen Good of Harrisburg, who works at UPMC Pinnacle Harrisburg, has volunteered to co-chair the Harrisburg Marathon medical tent for 15 years running. What motivates her to support area runners? Her insights and stories may surprise you.

Many thanks to the Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau for sponsoring this episode of TheBurg Podcast, through their Fall Fun Trail, featuring 18 classic ways to celebrate and experience the fall season. For more information, see VisitCumberlandValley.com.

Backstories that coordinate with this episode include:

Everyone Loses | Hoop Hopes | Marathon Misstep, Marathon Miracle

Every month, TheBurg Podcast expands stories from the pages of TheBurg magazine because “there’s always more to the story.” TheBurg Podcast is hosted and produced by award-winning Harrisburg-area journalist Karen Hendricks.

DYK? TheBurg Podcast has received three prestigious podcast journalism awards over the past two years, including First place, Excellence in Journalism, Society of Professional Journalists, Keystone Chapter, 2021.

Visit Karen Hendricks’ website for more of her writing, journalism and PR work. TheBurg is a monthly community magazine based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Lawrance Binda, co-publisher/editor.

Interested in sharing your advertising message with TheBurg Podcast’s dedicated audience? Research shows that podcast sponsorships are one of the most effective forms of advertising! Contact Lauren (lmills@theburgnews.com).