Bridging Philly

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The art of growth: from a founder's mission to a forest's beauty Oct 18, 2025

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Shayna Yvonne Rudd, founder of the Legend House, a therapeutic arts program in Philadelphia, shared her journey from battling depression to creating a supportive community for young girls. Initially called Lady Diva, the program evolved into Legends Camp in 2012, serving hundreds of girls.

Shara Dae Howard joins an expert arborist on a hike through Wissahickon Valley Park to uncover the fascinating science behind why leaves change color and which local trees put on the most spectacular autumn show

How one Drexel student's idea sparked a national movement | A brotherhood on broad street Oct 11, 2025

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What started with one Drexel student donating 50 unused meal swipes has blossomed into a national movement. Philly-based Sharing Excess now rescues over 2 million pounds of surplus food each week, fighting food waste and hunger simultaneously. Founder Evan Ellers believes we don't have a food shortage, but an access problem—and his team is fixing it. Learn more about their incredible work and how every $1 you donate provides 10 meals for those in need.

The Prince Hall Masons are the oldest African American fraternity in the United States, with a history dating back to 1784. Today, they continue this legacy of strengthening the community through public events like food giveaways and festivals, preserving their rich history while welcoming a new generation.

Surprise! An on-air baby shower with expert motherhood advice. Oct 04, 2025

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This week on Bridging Philly, we threw a surprise on-air baby shower for our amazing producer, Sabrina Boyd-Surka, who is expecting any day now!

Join us for a warm, honest, and heartfelt conversation about the real journey into motherhood. We're joined by an incredible panel of Philly experts to share their wisdom and support.

Bo Zhao, founder of the brilliant Baby Gear Group, reveals how to save money and stress by renting baby gear instead of buying. Dr. Sarah

McMahon, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and founder of Phun Phit Pham, provides essential advice on postpartum recovery, pelvic floor health, and bonding with your baby.

And on Shara in the City, we head to Inner Circle Midwifery in Wynnewood, where we meet one of the only Black certified professional midwives in the area to discuss the benefits of expectant mothers having midwives and doulas by their sides.

Whether you're expecting, a new parent, or just love a heartwarming surprise, this episode is for you. Tune in for a dose of community, real talk, and celebration!

Best of Bridging Philly: Living with sickle cell disease | Tasty treats from Sweet Nina’s Sep 27, 2025

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As Sickle Cell Awareness Month comes to a close, we revisit our conversation with Tahirah Austin-Muhammad, who was diagnosed with sickle cell disease when she was six years old. Throughout her life, she has dealt with pain and organ failures. In 2024, she was on the waiting list for a kidney transplant, living on 7% kidney function. Despite that, she has raised a daughter and helped found ⁠Crescent Foundation⁠ to provide education and resources to others living with sickle cell disease. Racquel Williams talks with Tahirah along with her physician, Dr. Safiyya Shabazz.

Learn more about how to find and support Black physicians in the Philadelphia area from ⁠The Medical Society of Eastern Pennsylvania⁠.

Then, on Shara in the City, we’re treating ourselves to a little something sweet at Reading Terminal Market. Shara Dae Howard visits ⁠Sweet Nina’s⁠ to learn about the local business and taste their wide array of banana pudding flavors.

The sickle cell interview was originally released on May 18, 2024.

Shara in the City at Sweet Nina’s was originally released on August 2, 2025.

DEI - why everyone doesn’t need the same rock | Dancing in an empty pool Sep 20, 2025

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Racquel Williams talks with nationally recognized Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategist Celeste Warren about the passion behind her work and her book, The Truth About Equity. Warren challenges the idea that DEI and merit-based hiring are at odds, arguing that success isn't just about hard work when people start from different places. She emphasizes that a diverse workforce is not about lowering standards but about recognizing and addressing systemic barriers to ensure the most qualified candidates can succeed.

Then, on Shara in the City, get ready for a one-of-a-kind experience at the gorgeous Fairmount Water Works! The Philly-based dance group Naked Stark is putting on an immersive performance inside a historic, empty swimming pool that has been closed to the public for decades. Shara Dae Howard joins dancer Chloe Marie for a journey into this "secret clubhouse,". The group will transform the pool into a stage, combining movement, history, and the unique, echoing acoustics of the incredible location.

Best of Bridging Philly: Lewy body dementia | New: A women’s sports bar coming to South St. Sep 13, 2025

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Lewy body dementia affects over a million people in the United States, but many people don’t know much about it. It’s difficult to diagnose and often misdiagnosed. A new documentary called ⁠“Facing the Wind”⁠ shines a light on Lewy body dementia, both living with it and caring for someone who has the disease. Racquel Williams talks with Philadelphia filmmaker Tony Heriza and Linda Szypula, who lives in Plymouth Meeting and whose journey caring for her husband is featured in the film.

Scribe Video Center is hosting a ⁠screening of “Facing the Wind” on September 18⁠.

Listen to Linda’s podcast, ⁠“Lewy Body Roller Coaster”, here⁠.

Then, on Shara in the City, Marsha’s - Philly’s first queer women’s sports bar - is set to open on South Street on September 19. Shara Dae Howard visits with the owner to hear about her inspiration for the bar and what’s to come.

The Lewy body dementia interview was originally released on July 12, 2025.

I'm Listening 2025: Spreading mental health awareness and suicide prevention Sep 10, 2025

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I'm Listening is a special KYW Newsradio makes every year focusing on mental health and wellness and suicide prevention. You'll hear conversations with experts in the field of mental health, and real things everyone can do to make a difference. Tips on how to manage parenting stresses, how to practice mindfulness, how to deal with grief in a positive and proactive way, and keeping your mental health the priority while experiencing anxiety related to the news cycle and world events.

How to get kids to love reading | Horseback riding for emotional regulation Sep 06, 2025

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Philadelphia has a literacy crisis - only a third of third grade students are reading at grade level. But access to books and activities that create positive experiences with reading can help. Book Trust is a national nonprofit that helps students choose books to own and provides teachers with engaging materials. Racquel Williams talks with their staff and their teacher of the year, Cheryl Daniels, a first-grade teacher at Philadelphia’s James R. Ludlow Elementary School.

Then, on Shara in the City, Work to Ride teaches youth about emotional healing and violence prevention through horsemanship. Shara Dae Howard takes a trip to the stables and talks with the kids about what they’ve been learning from these horses.

Celebrating Arab language and culture | Environmental education through art Aug 30, 2025

Show notes

The Arab community in Philadelphia is a mix of people from many countries, all with vibrant art, music, and culture to share. Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture serves as a hub for anyone who wants to learn about Arabic language and creative expression. Racquel Williams talks with several members of the Al-Bustan team about their mission and experiences as Arab people in America today.

Then, on Shara in the City, The Water Shed is a new community space centered around art, education and the environment. Shara Dae Howard stops by their grand opening block party to see what it’s all about.

00:00 Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture

28:10 Shara in the City at The Water Shed

The lives of pre-Civil War Black Philadelphians | Project HOME fights homelessness Aug 23, 2025

Show notes

What kinds of jobs were 19th century Black Philadelphians doing? What did they value? These kinds of questions are at the heart of a new collaboration between The Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College and 1838 Black Metropolis, studying census data from 1838 and 1847 to learn what life was like for the city’s Black residents and how it changed over that decade. Racquel Williams talks with several researchers behind the project.

Then, on Shara in the City, we visit Project HOME to learn about how they are fighting to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty. Shara Dae Howard meets the founder, Sister Mary Scullion, along with the current CEO, Donna Bullock, and takes a tour of one of their housing units in Fairmount.

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