Bridging Philly

Latest Episodes:

Celebrating Sisterhood | The Village People origin story Nov 09, 2024

Show notes

While going through a divorce, Robin Shine Maddox realized we need more opportunities to celebrate women. So she started Celebrating Sisterhood, which grew from a gathering of friends into the annual She Shines conference, which is in Philadelphia on November 9. Robin and her She Shines sisters Tracey Calhoun and Lynn Michelle Austin join host Racquel Williams to talk about the conference and share their stories of how they found passion and purpose through their struggles.

Then, on Shara in the City, Shara Dae Howard reconnects with drummer Russell Dabney at his old Philadelphia house to hear more about the history of the Village People, from the wild parties they threw in Mount Airy to their new single.

The teacher who inspired Abbott Elementary | Jill Scott comes home to Philly Nov 02, 2024

Show notes

Quinta Brunson named her hit TV show, “Abbott Elementary,” after her own elementary school teacher in Philadelphia: Ms. Joyce Abbott. Ms. Abbott is speaking at the Pennsylvania Conference for Women on November 7, and Racquel Williams talks with her about the event, her teaching career, what Quinta Brunson was like as a student, and more.

Her book, “Teaching the Ms. Abbott Way”, is available online and in bookstores now.

Then, on Shara in the City, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Jill Scott comes home to Philadelphia to see the new mural in her honor at her alma mater, the Philadelphia High School for Girls. Shara Dae Howard talks with her about her memories of Philly, what this mural means to her, and how she hopes to inspire current and future Girls High students.

Stories From the Journey: Breast surgery and reconstruction Oct 26, 2024

Show notes

To conclude our Breast Cancer Awareness Month series, KYW Newsradio and Bridging Philly hosted a live conversation about breast reconstruction with an audience of survivors, doctors, advocates, and supporters. Racquel Williams spoke with surgeons Dr. Alexander Au and Dr. Lori Timmerman with The Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Cancer Program and two reconstruction patients to hear all the options available, how procedures like implants and DIEP flap reconstruction work, what recovery looks like, and more.

Stories From the Journey: Supporting each other through cancer | Unite for HER Oct 19, 2024

Show notes

A study published by JAMA Oncology shows that spouses of cancer patients are at a heightened risk of suicide attempts and death by suicide. A cancer diagnosis can reshape relationships for better or worse, whether they’re family, partners, or friends. How can breast cancer survivors make sure they’re getting the support they need and that their loved ones feel supported, as well? Racquel Williams talks with a panel of survivors and supporters, along with a social worker from The Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Cancer Program, about these crucial relationships through the breast cancer journey.

Learn more about these survivors’ missions with The Chrysalis Initiative and Create Urgency.

Then, on Shara in the City, Shara Dae Howard visits Unite for HER, a non-profit that provides free integrative care for breast cancer and ovarian cancer patients - from acupuncture to nutrition counseling and much more - and has built a community of support.

Stories From the Journey: Body image and cancer treatment | Post-surgery tattoos Oct 12, 2024

Show notes

There’s a lot that people don’t talk about when it comes to the side effects of cancer treatment. Whether patients get chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or a combination of it all, the changes to their bodies have a heavy physical and emotional impact. Racquel Williams talks with a group of survivors and medical experts from The Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Cancer Program about everything from hair loss to sexual wellness - including how breast cancer impacts men and why “going flat” should be presented as an alternative to reconstruction.

Then, on Shara in the City, we look at what happens after a mastectomy. Reconstruction doesn’t always include nipples, so tattoos have become a popular option. Shara Dae Howard visits a tattoo artist who helps breast cancer survivors feel good about their new bodies.

Stories From the Journey: The state of the breast cancer battle | Wig love Oct 05, 2024

Show notes

Estimates say that over 300,000 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024. The good news is that mortality rates have dropped, and we’ve made tremendous progress on detection and treatment. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re featuring a special series of conversations about breast cancer - the journey through it and the fight to cure it. To kick it off, Racquel Williams speaks with Dr. Arnold Baskies, chair of the Greater Philadelphia Area Board of the American Cancer Society, about where we are today, what testing and treatments are available, and what’s on the horizon.

Then, on Shara in the City, Shara Dae Howard visits Wigs 360 to talk about hair loss and how wigs can help people reclaim and redefine their identities.

Support the fight against breast cancer at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on October 20 at Cooper River Park in Pennsauken, NJ.

Step into the world of wigs at the Philadelphia Alternative Hair Pop-Up on October 19 in Manayunk.

Election security with the Committee of Seventy | Habitat for Humanity’s all-women build day Sep 28, 2024

Show notes

Committee of Seventy provides essential voter information, not just on how to vote, but on what happens to your ballot after it’s submitted. How can you be sure your ballot is counted? Who is at polling places assuring security and safety? Host Raquel Williams speaks with C70’s CEO, Lauren Cristella, about their work for a fair and transparent election, and what you should know when you head to the polls or vote by mail.

Check out their interactive voter guide at ballot.seventy.org.

Then, on Shara in the City, we pick up our tools and get to work with Habitat for Humanity. Shara Dae Howard joins their “building blitz” effort to build affordable housing, kicking off with an all-women build day.

I’m Listening: Mental health and suicide prevention Sep 26, 2024

Show notes

Every year, KYW Newsradio and Bridging Philly present an hour-long special during Suicide Prevention Month to break down the stigma surrounding mental health. Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the US, but there is help. Host Racquel Williams and our team of reporters and anchors talk with experts about some of the biggest mental health challenges in 2024.

If you are in crisis, help is available - call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

00:00 Intro

01:30 Morning anchor Carol MacKenzie talks with Joanie Pagano about recovering from an eating disorder. If you are struggling with an eating disorder, you can find support at nationaleatingdisorders.org or ANAD.org.

11:48 Reporter Shara Dae Howard visits the Attic Youth Center to learn how they support LGBTQ+ youth.

21:55 Reporter Conner Barkon explores how social media impacts our mental health and the added pressure on student athletes with Sherri Hope Culver, Director of Temple University’s Center for Media and Information Literacy, and Rachel Daltry, Director of Counseling and Psychological Services at West Chester University.

35:00 After the Surgeon General released an advisory on increased parental stress, afternoon anchor Denise Nakano talks about the challenges of parenting with Dr. Nicole Johnson, Department Chair of Counseling and Behavioral Health at Thomas Jefferson University.

47:39 Community Impact Reporter Racquel Williams discusses the loneliness epidemic with Dr. Matthew Hurford, President and CEO of UPMC’s Community Care Behavioral Health.

Growing green community spaces | Fireman’s Hall Museum Sep 21, 2024

Show notes

PECO does more than just keep your lights on - they’re marking 20 years of their Green Region Open Space Program, which has provided over $2.5 million in grants to preserve, protect, and expand green spaces throughout southeastern Pennsylvania. Spaces like gardens and parks are vital for our physical and mental health, but they can be hard to find in the city, especially in disinvested neighborhoods. We hear how PECO has partnered with Natural Lands and Neighborhood Gardens Trust to make nature more accessible to everyone.

Then, on Shara in the City, we visit Fireman’s Hall Museum in Old City. The renovated 1898 firehouse is a treasure trove of Philadelphia fire history and home to the first exhibit commemorating the firefighters who died on 9/11.

Advocating for Pennsylvania schools | Formerly incarcerated artists at The F.I.R.M. Sep 14, 2024

Show notes

Only 1 in 3 fourth graders in Pennsylvania is reading proficiently - a statistic that Teach Plus hopes to change. The organization works to improve student outcomes by empowering teachers to advocate for policy change, as well as helping to recruit a diverse teacher workforce. Laura Boyce, Teach Plus Pennsylvania’s Executive Director, joins host Racquel Williams to talk about the teacher shortage, teacher retention, the latest school budget, and more.

Teachers interested in joining a Teach Plus BIPOC affinity group can sign up here or attend their mixer on September 27.

Then, on Shara in the City, Shara Dae Howard visits The Formerly Incarcerated Renaissance Museum, or The F.I.R.M., to find out how this new museum is illuminating the stories of formerly incarcerated people in Philadelphia.

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