The True Philadelphia Podcast with Matt O'Donnell

Dr. Generals has been running the Community College of Philadelphia for five years now. It is the largest institution of higher learning in the city. We gathered in his office in the historic Mint Building (which was the home of the Third Philadelphia Mint) to brainstorm about: why college continues to be so expensive and outpace inflation (2:45), if the wide availability of college loans has anything to do with the inflationary price (4:40), how this generation of student is starting to seek more value in education (6:00), a real example of comparing the cost of one year at Drexel University to an associate's degree at CCoP (6:45), if the "bumper sticker" mentality drives parents to choose their child's school (8:37), why CCoP and other community colleges should be free (10:09), how education is the latest industry to be disrupted by technology (12:45), the importance of writing as a skill (16:50), why the next stage of disruption in education will be virtual reality and maybe even Tupac Shakur (17:50), if we are forcing ourselves to entertain the current student generation too much (19:40), the dangers of wasting your first two years in college (21:00), snowplow parenting (22:25), are teachers giving out too many A's (27:05), how society should change the way it pays for public schools (28:05), the greatest skill needed to succeed (31:10), if we are starting to weigh analytics too much in any industry (33:20), if Ivy League schools should eliminate the legacy admission (35:20), the story of Temple University's first Rhodes Scholar, Hazim Hardeman (37:45), How to motivate people to do something they may not necessarily want to do (39:30), if it truly is lonely at the top and how to deal with that as a leader (41:50) and the story of Dr. Generals' favorite teacher(s) (44:00). Recorded on September 12, 2019 in the President's Office, Mint Building at the Community College of Philadelphia.

Larry Krasner is unlike any district attorney Philadelphia has ever seen. He campaigned on reducing mass incarceration and revolutionizing criminal justice. His critics predicted he would never win the job and are furious that he has followed through with his promises. Some believe Krasner's policies have led to a sense of lawlessness across the city. Krasner and I spoke at length in his Center City office about: being "America's most radical district attorney (1:53), if his election has led to a rise in murders in Philadelphia (2:52), how the opioid epidemic has contributed to violent crime (4:43), how the nation's "deadliest DA" Lynne Abraham is so different from Krasner, a DA who is trying to get the death penalty off the books (6:50), if he believes the last man to be executed in Pennsylvania, Gary Heidnik, deserved execution (8:45), if his opposition to capital punishment is about fairness or morality (9:58), his ongoing battle with Philadelphia's Fraternal Order of Police (10:40), if his views and actions discourage police officers from doing their jobs (13:28), if he has allowed too many criminals out of prison and hasn't put enough in (14:50), if he would have still won the election without the George Soros donation to a PAC supporting his candidacy (16:14), if his lack of prosecuting experience led to a learning curve in office (18:27), if he believes Police Commissioner Richard Ross called him out after a particularly violent weekend in the city (20:05), the criticism coming from Philadelphia's US Attorney William McSwain (22:12), Krasner's own experience as a crime victim when he was mugged and cut in the face after work (23:58), his views on vengeance for crime victims (26:40), the notion that he cares more about criminal defendants than victims of crime (27:00), his experiences and views on social media (29:06), if he has ambitions beyond district attorney (30:15), why Philadelphia is so much more violent, per capita, than New York City (30:44), how the Democrats can beat President Trump in 2020 (32:32), what keeps him up at night (33:50) and the best thing Philadelphia has going right now (35:33). Recorded in Krasner's office in Center City on July 16, 2019.

"Sal Pal" as he is known is a legend when it comes to reporting on the Philadelphia Eagles. Sal recently recently a book called "Philly Special: The Inside Story of How the Philadelphia Eagles Won Their First Super Bowl Championship." It of course covers the most famous play ever pulled off in the SB but also chronicles that entire dream season from the summer of 2017 to the winter of 2018. The first question for Sal was a doozy, which he says he has never been asked: Would the Eagles have won Super Bowl 52 if Carson Wentz had not been injured? (3:25). Also, Wentz's future (5:40), how "wobbly" that dream season actually was (6:05), the Gamblin' Coach Pederson and Sal's reaction to that famous play (7:30), the "mystery man" who might have tried to steal the play (8:50), the turning point of that season (10:17), if the Patriots underestimated the Eagles (12:47), the anthem controversy and NFL ratings (13:40), the safety of the sport of football (15:40), how the Eagles recovered so quickly from the wreckage of coach Chip Kelly (16:50), Sal's military background (17:55), his book on the late Mayor Frank Rizzo (19:15), his book on overrated NFL players (25:00), if other cities lack respect for Eagles fans (25:40), if part of the team's soul died the day Veterans Stadium was imploded (26:35), if the Linc is the toughest place to play in the league (27:00), if the Patriots cheated in their victory over the Eagles in SB 39 (27:38), why Andy Reid hasn't won a SB (28:43) and where Sal finds time to write books (31:40). Recorded at NFL Films in Mount Laurel, NJ on February 11, 2019.

"Sal Pal" as he is known is a legend when it comes to reporting on the Philadelphia Eagles. Sal recently recently a book called "Philly Special: The Inside Story of How the Philadelphia Eagles Won Their First Super Bowl Championship." It of course covers the most famous play ever pulled off in the SB but also chronicles that entire dream season from the summer of 2017 to the winter of 2018. The first question for Sal was a doozy, which he says he has never been asked: Would the Eagles have won Super Bowl 52 if Carson Wentz had not been injured? (3:25). Also, Wentz's future (5:40), how "wobbly" that dream season actually was (6:05), the Gamblin' Coach Pederson and Sal's reaction to that famous play (7:30), the "mystery man" who might have tried to steal the play (8:50), the turning point of that season (10:17), if the Patriots underestimated the Eagles (12:47), the anthem controversy and NFL ratings (13:40), the safety of the sport of football (15:40), how the Eagles recovered so quickly from the wreckage of coach Chip Kelly (16:50), Sal's military background (17:55), his book on the late Mayor Frank Rizzo (19:15), his book on overrated NFL players (25:00), if other cities lack respect for Eagles fans (25:40), if part of the team's soul died the day Veterans Stadium was imploded (26:35), if the Linc is the toughest place to play in the league (27:00), if the Patriots cheated in their victory over the Eagles in SB 39 (27:38), why Andy Reid hasn't won a SB (28:43) and where Sal finds time to write books (31:40). Recorded at NFL Films in Mount Laurel, NJ on February 11, 2019.

Sam Calagione and his wife Mariah started Dogfish Head Craft Brewery from scratch. Today, the Delaware brewer is recognized as one of the finest craft beer companies in the nation - as it prepares to merge with fellow craft brewer Boston Beer. The couple joined me ahead of their annual strategy meetings to discuss: how they chill out and fight off being overwhelmed (2:12), how they make a husband/wife partnership work at home and the office (3:56), if the industry has hit 'peak craft beer' (5:30), if we have desensitized our taste buds (6:45), Sam's aversion to 'good beer' until during grad school (11:00), breaking the law in Rehoboth Beach (12:59), paddling across the Delaware Bay (15:13), how the couple books family time with their teenagers (18:15), if some of their selections are too high in ABV (19:42), how Sam's writing skills apply to his job (21:41), his favorite novel (23:49), what their expectations were at 'the ground floor' (25:13), leadership (28:25), when working too hard is too much (34:00) and what Sam would have done if he were alive during Prohibition (36:10). Recorded at the Philadelphia Marriott on February 28, 2019. NOTE: We spoke three months before Boston Beer acquired Dogfish Head.

Sam Calagione and his wife Mariah started Dogfish Head Craft Brewery from scratch. Today, the Delaware brewer is recognized as one of the finest craft beer companies in the nation - as it prepares to merge with fellow craft brewer Boston Beer. The couple joined me ahead of their annual strategy meetings to discuss: how they chill out and fight off being overwhelmed (2:12), how they make a husband/wife partnership work at home and the office (3:56), if the industry has hit 'peak craft beer' (5:30), if we have desensitized our taste buds (6:45), Sam's aversion to 'good beer' until during grad school (11:00), breaking the law in Rehoboth Beach (12:59), paddling across the Delaware Bay (15:13), how the couple books family time with their teenagers (18:15), if some of their selections are too high in ABV (19:42), how Sam's writing skills apply to his job (21:41), his favorite novel (23:49), what their expectations were at 'the ground floor' (25:13), leadership (28:25), when working too hard is too much (34:00) and what Sam would have done if he were alive during Prohibition (36:10). Recorded at the Philadelphia Marriott on February 28, 2019. NOTE: We spoke three months before Boston Beer acquired Dogfish Head.

He is the man behind the Chickie's and Pete's restaurant franchise and more recently, an investor in the Philadelphia Soul. Pete Ciarrocchi talks about everything from my tryout with the Soul (no joke) (1:20), meeting Jon Bon Jovi the first time (2:00), why the Soul was never a pure business investment (3:00), how the AFL can be relevant in Philadelphia (4:16), being so protective of his secret recipe for his Crab Fries (7:00), the day his restaurant beat the maker of a Boston "clam roll" 90-1 in a Super Bowl taste test competition (10:58), Pete's Tips for Success (13:28), if the US is in a "restaurant bubble" (15:42), if home food delivery is a friend or foe (17:18), if he would support a hike in the minimum wage (19:29), if the tipping model for waitstaff should be changed (20:00) and why if you're not a Philadelphian, you're a "second-class citizen" (21:09). Recorded at Chickie's and Pete's on Packer Avenue in South Philadelphia on February 18, 2019.

He is the man behind the Chickie's and Pete's restaurant franchise and more recently, an investor in the Philadelphia Soul. Pete Ciarrocchi talks about everything from my tryout with the Soul (no joke) (1:20), meeting Jon Bon Jovi the first time (2:00), why the Soul was never a pure business investment (3:00), how the AFL can be relevant in Philadelphia (4:16), being so protective of his secret recipe for his Crab Fries (7:00), the day his restaurant beat the maker of a Boston "clam roll" 90-1 in a Super Bowl taste test competition (10:58), Pete's Tips for Success (13:28), if the US is in a "restaurant bubble" (15:42), if home food delivery is a friend or foe (17:18), if he would support a hike in the minimum wage (19:29), if the tipping model for waitstaff should be changed (20:00) and why if you're not a Philadelphian, you're a "second-class citizen" (21:09). Recorded at Chickie's and Pete's on Packer Avenue in South Philadelphia on February 18, 2019.

He is the man behind the Chickie's and Pete's restaurant franchise and more recently, an investor in the Philadelphia Soul. Pete Ciarrocchi talks about everything from my tryout with the Soul (no joke) (1:20), meeting Jon Bon Jovi the first time (2:00), why the Soul was never a pure business investment (3:00), how the AFL can be relevant in Philadelphia (4:16), being so protective of his secret recipe for his Crab Fries (7:00), the day his restaurant beat the maker of a Boston "clam roll" 90-1 in a Super Bowl taste test competition (10:58), Pete's Tips for Success (13:28), if the US is in a "restaurant bubble" (15:42), if home food delivery is a friend or foe (17:18), if he would support a hike in the minimum wage (19:29), if the tipping model for waitstaff should be changed (20:00) and why if you're not a Philadelphian, you're a "second-class citizen" (21:09). Recorded at Chickie's and Pete's on Packer Avenue in South Philadelphia on February 18, 2019.

Ray Murray was there when reality TV really took off. He founded Banyan Productions in 1992 when The Real World first aired on MTV. But Murray took a different approach with his creations. Rather than seeking conflict, he sought authenticity in the shows he produced. "Trading Spaces" is his most famous one, following by "A Wedding Story," "A Baby Story." These were shows that showed "real" people doing "real" things, rather than the manufactured scenes we now see in the "Houswives Of..." series, "Dance Moms," and "The Bachelor." We open our discussion about Murray's new venture "The WorkShop" and then head right into the reality TV discussion. Hear his thoughts on: binge TV viewing (3:30), being there when cable TV and then reality TV started to expand exponentially (6:20), "The Real World" (6:54), why he sought to produce more positive reality shows (8:14), why he kind of wishes he came up with "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" (10:11), why shows branded as reality TV are rarely real at all (11:30), creating Trading Spaces (12:05), why it is so hard to predict if a show will be a hit (13:30), his favorite reality TV show of the moment (16:10), how social media enhances his job (17:27), if we have reached "peak TV" (19:17), what our next big idea should be in the reality space (22:35) and if we are amusing ourselves to death (23:14). Recorded in the lunch room of a corporate office building in Radnor, PA on February 20, 2019.

Ray Murray was there when reality TV really took off. He founded Banyan Productions in 1992 when The Real World first aired on MTV. But Murray took a different approach with his creations. Rather than seeking conflict, he sought authenticity in the shows he produced. "Trading Spaces" is his most famous one, following by "A Wedding Story," "A Baby Story." These were shows that showed "real" people doing "real" things, rather than the manufactured scenes we now see in the "Houswives Of..." series, "Dance Moms," and "The Bachelor." We open our discussion about Murray's new venture "The WorkShop" and then head right into the reality TV discussion. Hear his thoughts on: binge TV viewing (3:30), being there when cable TV and then reality TV started to expand exponentially (6:20), "The Real World" (6:54), why he sought to produce more positive reality shows (8:14), why he kind of wishes he came up with "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" (10:11), why shows branded as reality TV are rarely real at all (11:30), creating Trading Spaces (12:05), why it is so hard to predict if a show will be a hit (13:30), his favorite reality TV show of the moment (16:10), how social media enhances his job (17:27), if we have reached "peak TV" (19:17), what our next big idea should be in the reality space (22:35) and if we are amusing ourselves to death (23:14). Recorded in the lunch room of a corporate office building in Radnor, PA on February 20, 2019.

He is the man behind the Chickie's and Pete's restaurant franchise and more recently, an investor in the Philadelphia Soul. Pete Ciarrocchi talks about everything from my tryout with the Soul (no joke) (1:20), meeting Jon Bon Jovi the first time (2:00), why the Soul was never a pure business investment (3:00), how the AFL can be relevant in Philadelphia (4:16), being so protective of his secret recipe for his Crab Fries (7:00), the day his restaurant beat the maker of a Boston "clam roll" 90-1 in a Super Bowl taste test competition (10:58), Pete's Tips for Success (13:28), if the US is in a "restaurant bubble" (15:42), if home food delivery is a friend or foe (17:18), if he would support a hike in the minimum wage (19:29), if the tipping model for waitstaff should be changed (20:00) and why if you're not a Philadelphian, you're a "second-class citizen" (21:09). Recorded at Chickie's and Pete's on Packer Avenue in South Philadelphia on February 18, 2019.

He is the man behind the Chickie's and Pete's restaurant franchise and more recently, an investor in the Philadelphia Soul. Pete Ciarrocchi talks about everything from my tryout with the Soul (no joke) (1:20), meeting Jon Bon Jovi the first time (2:00), why the Soul was never a pure business investment (3:00), how the AFL can be relevant in Philadelphia (4:16), being so protective of his secret recipe for his Crab Fries (7:00), the day his restaurant beat the maker of a Boston "clam roll" 90-1 in a Super Bowl taste test competition (10:58), Pete's Tips for Success (13:28), if the US is in a "restaurant bubble" (15:42), if home food delivery is a friend or foe (17:18), if he would support a hike in the minimum wage (19:29), if the tipping model for waitstaff should be changed (20:00) and why if you're not a Philadelphian, you're a "second-class citizen" (21:09). Recorded at Chickie's and Pete's on Packer Avenue in South Philadelphia on February 18, 2019.

Madeline Bell started her career as a nurse at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Today, she is one of the most powerful female executives in the Philadelphia area, overseeing 16,000 CHOP employees and a budget of $3 billion. Bell also talks about: Obstacles women face in their careers (3:53), the lack of women on corporate boards in the region (4:41), female heads of state and the Democratic presidential field (7:48), the "impostor syndrome" (10:19), how much sleep she gets per night (11:24), how she deals with Mondays (12:34), the massive growth of CHOP (14:06), the possibility of curing different forms of pediatric cancer (15:24), organizing treatments at hospitals like restaurants do on menus for customers (16:44), how to bridge the user-payer separation in healthcare (18:11), why so many children are obese (20:05), her opinion on the effects of social media and smartphones on young people (21:50), why boredom is healthy (23:49) and when robots will take over hospitals (24:27). Recorded at Bell's office on the 14th floor of the CHOP executive tower in University City (2/18/19).

Madeline Bell started her career as a nurse at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Today, she is one of the most powerful female executives in the Philadelphia area, overseeing 16,000 CHOP employees and a budget of $3 billion. Bell also talks about: Obstacles women face in their careers (3:53), the lack of women on corporate boards in the region (4:41), female heads of state and the Democratic presidential field (7:48), the "impostor syndrome" (10:19), how much sleep she gets per night (11:24), how she deals with Mondays (12:34), the massive growth of CHOP (14:06), the possibility of curing different forms of pediatric cancer (15:24), organizing treatments at hospitals like restaurants do on menus for customers (16:44), how to bridge the user-payer separation in healthcare (18:11), why so many children are obese (20:05), her opinion on the effects of social media and smartphones on young people (21:50), why boredom is healthy (23:49) and when robots will take over hospitals (24:27). Recorded at Bell's office on the 14th floor of the CHOP executive tower in University City (2/18/19).