Second Lady of Pennsylvania Gisele Fetterman and Lehigh County Judge Candidate Maraleen Shields

We were lucky enough to sit down with Second Lady of Pennsylvania, Gisele Fetterman, and Lehigh County Judge candidate, Maraleen Shields, to talk more about their individual stories, discuss the importance of diversity in elections and leadership, and pierogies.
 
Vote November 2!

If you’d like to learn more about the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast and the opportunities we can provide through sponsorship and collaboration, be sure to reach us at info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com

Or click here

Thank you to our sponsors!

Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate

Venture X

 

 

VIDEO VERSION HERE

A Conversation with Joetta | Olympian, Author, Entrepreneur

Video Version Here

Get in touch with Lehigh Valley with Love

 

We were lucky enough to sit down with Joetta Clark-Diggs, aka Joetta, to talk about her amazing career and continued work as an author, motivational speaker, and business woman.

Joetta is a..

  • 4-time Olympian, (2000 captain)
  • 15-time All American
  • 9-time NCAA Champion
  • 11-time USA National Champion
  • Member of the USA track and field hall of fame
  • Motivational Speaker
  • Health/Wellness & Achievement Authority

Joetta is an Olympic athlete who has made an indelible impact in sports and business after her legendary 24-year elite career as a half-mile runner representing the United States of America at the 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games.

Joetta is the President of Joetta Sports & Beyond, LLC (www.joettasportsandbeyond.com), where she inspires people to “Discover their Champion.” She authored a book entitled Joetta’s “P” Principles for Success: Life Lessons Learned from Track & Field. The acclaimed book has been considered a tremendous resource to both corporate executives and to the youth.

Joetta’s father is Joe Clark, who was played by Morgan Freeman in the film “Lean on Me.” Joetta’s daughter, Talitha, is a Saucon Valley Graduate and accomplished athlete in her own right, competing in most recent Olympic trials.

VIDEO VERSION HERE


If you’d like to learn more about the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast and the opportunities we can provide through sponsorship and collaboration, be sure to reach us at info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com

Or click here

Thank you to our sponsors!

Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate

Venture X


White Cane Safety Day is October 15 | Christe Konopitski – Director Of Advancement – Sights for Hope

VIDEO VERSION HERE: https://youtu.be/pQtLsMn7yJQ

Get in touch with Lehigh Valley with Love

This October 15th is White Cane Safety Day which is an awareness day to highlight the challenges that individuals living with visual impairments face and educate the public on vision loss. White Cane Safety Day has been celebrated on October 15 of each year since 1964. The date is set aside to celebrate the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired and the important symbol of blindness and tool of independence, the white cane. 

We talk with Christe Konopitski – Director Of Advancement for Sights for Hope. The organization, known formerly as Center for Vision Loss, transforms lives by removing the barriers to independence and success caused by visual impairments: https://sightsforhope.org/


If you’d like to learn more about the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast and the opportunities we can provide through sponsorship and collaboration, be sure to reach us at info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com

Or click here

Thank you to our sponsors!

Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate

Venture X

 

 


– Get all of our links here.

– Subscribe to the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast.

– Want to be a guest on the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast?


Watch the video episode here or below.

East Stroudsburg University Student and Aspiring Editor Mackenzee Warnke | Take it From a Local with Allison

In this week’s episode, we are talking with Mackenzee Warnke of Bethlehem. She is a student at East Stroudsburg University and is an aspiring editor.

We talk at length about the many food spots in this area, including the Hellertown Diner, Inside Scoop, and the Keystone Pub just to name a few. We also discuss how the people of the Lehigh Valley have impacted her life in a positive way and how starting her college career at NCC shaped who she is today. We also talk about the many entertainment offerings in this area from going out of the area a bit to Hershey, PA for the amusement park and concert venue, to staying a bit more local and seeing events at the PPL Center or a game at the IronPigs!

You can check her out on Twitter @mackdubzz and on her YouTube channel Mack.

Thank you to our partners:

Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate

and our Season Featured Partner, Venture X

 

Take it from a Local, a Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, is hosted by Allison Pittenger, a 20-year-old college junior.

“A Bethlehem native, I grew up going to Musikfest every summer, seeing shows at the State Theatre, and experiencing all that the Lehigh Valley has to offer. I’m a current student at East Stroudsburg University studying Video & Television production. I love theme parks, musical theatre, traveling, and of course creating content for people to enjoy. I began as an intern with Lehigh Valley with Love in early 2020 and have continued to work with them on various projects, and now this podcast! The goal of Take It From a Local is to hear from Lehigh Valley residents of past and present and to get their views and opinions on the many things to experience in the area. You can find me and follow my journey through life over on my Instagram @alli.pitt. I hope you enjoy the podcast!”


– Get all of our links here. https://linktr.ee/lvwithlove

– Subscribe to the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast.

– Want to be a guest on the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast?

Eric Bartosz | Author of Bar40

The Future of Work in the Lehigh Valley series Sponsored by Venture X Bethlehem 

VIDEO VERSION HERE

Get in touch with Lehigh Valley with Love

In this episode we’re talking with author, firefighter, and all around inspirational person, Eric Bartosz. We cover a bunch of topics, such as deciding to move to the Lehigh Valley instead of going into the NYPD, being an advocate for the area, work and life balance, and that extra grind, which includes his own book, Bar40 (he has a day job, too!)

One of the core components of BAR40 is personal accountability in making every day and week count. Listen for more details!

Thank you to Venture X for making this interview and series “The Future of the Lehigh Valley Workforce” possible.

If you’d like to get in touch with us about sponsorship opportunities, email info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com or hit up our show notes.

Thank you to Zeptepi Creative for the video featured in this podcast episode.


If you’d like to learn more about the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast and the opportunities we can provide through sponsorship and collaboration, be sure to reach us at info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com

Or click here

Thank you to our sponsors!

Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate

Venture X

 

 


– Get all of our links here.

– Subscribe to the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast.

– Want to be a guest on the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast?


Watch the video episode here or below.

Manal Omar | CEO and Founder of Across Red Lines

The Future of Work in the Lehigh Valley series Sponsored by Venture X Bethlehem 

VIDEO VERSION HERE

Get in touch with Lehigh Valley with Love

Manal Omar is founder of Across Red Lines which is dedicated to women’s leadership through accessing life force energy & deeper understanding of rights through a faith lens. Manal designed & led multiple development & training projects in the Middle East and Africa, & provided media & policy support on youth & gender on a global scale.

According to the Huffington Post, Manal Omar is a Fellow with the Truman National Security Project who serves on the boards of IREX and AltMuslimah.org.

She is the founder of #AcrossRedLines dialogue series and Safina Fellowship for Muslim women.

manal-omar-briefing.jpg

Manal Served as the Associate Vice-President for the Middle East and Africa Center at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C.

Manal has over fifteen years working in the field of women’s rights, peacebuilding, humanitarian aid, and development. She is also a member of the board for IREX, a nonprofit global education and development organization. She is also an altMuslimah Advisory Board Member – an online media platform that is wholly dedicated to stories and commentary on gender-in-Islam from the male and female, Muslim and non-Muslim perspectives.

Manal is a former fellow for Foreign Policy Interrupted, and is currently a Truman National Security Project fellow. She is dedicated to creating a safe space for dialogue on current events in the Muslim and Arab world on identity, civil society, and women’s rights.

She was named among Top 500 World’s Most Influential Arabs by Arabia Business Power in 2011 and 2012, and among the 500 Most Influential Muslims in the World by Georgetown University and The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre in 2009. In 2007, Islamic Magazine named her one of the ten young visionaries shaping Islam in America.

—–

It’s safe to say I am honred to have Manal on the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast and I encourage you to learn more about Across Red Lines at acrossredlines.com

Thank you to Venture X for making this interview and series “the future of the Lehigh Valley Workforce” possible!

If you’d like to get in touch with us about sponsorship opportunities, email info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com or hit up our show notes.

Thank you to Zeptepi Creative for the video featured in this podcast episode.

——-

If you’d like to learn more about the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast and the opportunities we can provide through sponsorship and collaboration, be sure to reach us at info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com or through our various social media channels.

The Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast is everything Lehigh Valley. Get in touch!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Burke Insurance Agency 

Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate

Venture X

 

 


– Get all of our links here.

– Subscribe to the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast.

– Want to be a guest on the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast?


Watch the video episode here or below.

 

Blair Crimmins, Hannah Gill, and Pepperwine (LVwithLOVE Music)

In this episode of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, we talk to three musicians (links below) who recently played at Musikfest and we love. I want to thank Phil Reese for his support and work on this podcast.  We’re looking forward to many more.

Wanna advertise and get some actual results? Let’s talk! 

We talk to….

Blair Crimmins

Hannah Gill

Pepperwine

Be sure to check out these episodes separately on our social media.

If you’d like to learn more about the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast and the opportunities we can provide through sponsorship and collaboration, be sure to reach us at info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com or through our various social media channels.

The Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast is everything Lehigh Valley. Get in touch!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Burke Insurance Agency 

Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate

Venture X


– Get all of our links here.

– Subscribe to the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast.

– Want to be a guest on the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast?

 

Freedom High School Assistant Band Director Andrew Lynn | Take it From a Local with Allison

In this week’s episode, we are talking with Andrew Lynn of Bethlehem. He is the Assistant band & orchestra director at Freedom High School, the instrumental music teacher at Fountain Hill Elementary, and an Army National Guard Veteran.

We talk about his time going to Moravian College, his love for Celtic Classic, and the numerous food trucks in the area (including Heaven on a Bun, Flying V, Island Noodles just to name a few!).

You can check out what the Freedom High School instrumental ensembles are doing by following them on social media @fhspateband

Thank you to our partners:

Burke Insurance Agency 

Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate

and our Season Featured Partner, Venture X

 

Take it from a Local, a Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, is hosted by Allison Pittenger, a 20-year-old college junior.

“A Bethlehem native, I grew up going to Musikfest every summer, seeing shows at the State Theatre, and experiencing all that the Lehigh Valley has to offer. I’m a current student at East Stroudsburg University studying Video & Television production. I love theme parks, musical theatre, traveling, and of course creating content for people to enjoy. I began as an intern with Lehigh Valley with Love in early 2020 and have continued to work with them on various projects, and now this podcast! The goal of Take It From a Local is to hear from Lehigh Valley residents of past and present and to get their views and opinions on the many things to experience in the area. You can find me and follow my journey through life over on my Instagram @alli.pitt. I hope you enjoy the podcast!”


– Get all of our links here. https://linktr.ee/lvwithlove

– Subscribe to the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast.

– Want to be a guest on the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast?

Musikfest Live Stream 2021 (7+ Hours)

Here it is.

All 7+ hours of our Musikfest Live Stream recorded on August 7, 2021 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

You can watch the video stream here. We look forward to doing more streams like this and improving the quality and adding some fun tweaks!

Thank you to our sponsor for the stream, Service Electric Cable TV!

Thank you again to everyone who came onto the stream, including Phil Reese, who helped out immensely with planning and hosting.

Also, but thank you to The Arc of Lehigh and Northampton Counties for being our featured Non-Profit for the stream!

The stream features interviews with guests such as

  • Kassie Hilgert, CEO of ArtsQuest
  • Pat Brogan, Chief Programming Officer at ArtsQuest
  • Maraleen Shields, Running for Lehigh County Judge
  • Ian Riccaboni, Commentator for Ring of Honor Wrestling
  • Bobby Martrich – Eastern PA Weather Authority
  • Ginger and The Schnappes
  • Seth Witcher
  • Fig for a Kiss
  • Matt Dellecker
  • Mike McKenna of Access Services
  • Michael Bernadyn of Howard Schaefer and Associates
  • The Arc of Lehigh and Northampton Counties
  • Claire Boucher, Social Media Manager at Moravian University
  • Allison Pittenger, Host of “Take it from a Local”
  • Stephen Jiwanmall, Communications Manager of the Bradbury Sullivan LGBT Community Center
  • Tammy Wendling, Manager of the Downtown Bethlehem Association
  • Melissa Reese
  • Robbie Lawrence of Robbie Lawrence and the SteelWorkers

AND MORE!

If you’d like to learn more about the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast and the opportunities we can provide through sponsorship and collaboration, be sure to reach us at info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com or through our various social media channels.

The Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast is everything Lehigh Valley. Get in touch!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Burke Insurance Agency 

Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate

Venture X


– Get all of our links here.

– Subscribe to the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast.

– Want to be a guest on the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast?


 

Lehigh Valley Pride 2021 | Ariel Torres Pride Programs Manager, Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center

In this episode we talk with Ariel Torres, Pride Programs Manager at the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

We talk all things Lehigh Valley Pride as we look forward to it’s 28th incarnation at the Jewish Community Center in Allentown on August 15!

More info on Lehigh Valley Pride 2021 and The Bradbury Sullivan Center

If you’d like to learn more about the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast and the opportunities we can provide through sponsorship and collaboration, be sure to reach us at info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com or through our various social media channels.

The Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast is everything Lehigh Valley. Get in touch!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Burke Insurance Agency 

Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate

Venture X

 


– Get all of our links here.

– Subscribe to the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast.

– Want to be a guest on the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast?


 

 

Ginger & The Schnappes | New Jazz and Social Music in the Lehigh Valley

In this Episode, we’re talking with Joe MIxon and Ginger Brew of Ginger and The Schnappes, a six piece jazz band from the Lehigh Valley. 

Ginger and the Schnappes is a star studded affair with Mixon on Guitar, Ginger on Vocals, Brian Bortz on Bass, Dan Twaddell on alto sax, flute, and soprano sax; Vernon Mobley on drums; and Patrick Kerssen on piano.

“Ginger and The Schnappes is a six piece jazz band that swings the great jazz standards. Their broad repertoire covers the great songs from 1920 to 2020 and includes Jazz, Pop, Latin, Country and Blues. Their music is inviting, listenable and danceable.”

We talk about how they formed, promoting during the pandemic, their upcoming shows at Musikfest, their new album social music, and how you can book them for your next gig.

Be sure to see them at Musikfest and check out our Live Stream for August 7 (even if this is after August 7 you can still check it out)

 

Listen to Ginger and the Schnappes

If you’d like to learn more about the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast and the opportunities we can provide through sponsorship and collaboration, be sure to reach us at info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com or through our various social media channels.

The Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast is everything Lehigh Valley. Get in touch!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Burke Insurance Agency 

Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate

Venture X

 


– Get all of our links here.

– Subscribe to the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast.

– Want to be a guest on the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast?


Watch the video episode here or below.

 

 

Laurel Canyon | Lennon, Punk, and Allentown’s Lehigh Parkway

Laurel Canyon consists of two guitarist-vocalists, Nicholas Gillespie (26) and Serg Cereja (22), who met two years ago through a mutual friend in their hometown of Allentown, Pennsylvania. After connecting over a shared interest in poetry, the duo began to rehearse rock ‘n’ roll standards in Serg’s garage. By October 2020, Nick and Serg began composing original songs together, the first of which, “Two Times Emptiness,” was recorded in New York City by Craig Almquist and Ayad Al Adhamy. Their next single “Enemy Lines” was released on June 25, 2021.

I sat down with Laurel Canyon at Allentown’s Lehigh Parkway, a spot where John Lennon is said to have spent some time in the 1970s.

We talk about Lennon, influences, covid, the music scene, streaming services, and what’s next up.

Listen to Laurel Canyon

If you’d like to learn more about the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast and the opportunities we can provide through sponsorship and collaboration, be sure to reach us at info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com or through our various social media channels.

The Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast is everything Lehigh Valley. Get in touch!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Burke Insurance Agency 

Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate

Venture X

 


– Get all of our links here.

– Subscribe to the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast.

– Want to be a guest on the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast?


Watch the video version of this Podcast epsiode here or below.

 

 

The Dynamic Lehigh Valley, First Drinks, and The Best Soup in Town with Lehigh University Student Lucy Kwiatek | Take it From a Local with Allison

In this week’s episode, we are talking with Lucy Kwiatek of Bethlehem. She is a student at Lehigh University and is a Bethlehem native.

Having grown up in this area, Lucy talks about some of her favorite aspects of the area including some of her favorite spots to eat, including her first drink at The Bayou (a sazerac that tasted like “eating a hospital and chasing it with a camp fire”) and Black Forest Deli (with “soup that can raise the dead”)!

We also touch on life as a student at Lehigh University and her experiences on campus (and off campus at the United Nations in NYC for example), especially during the pandemic.

Thank you, Lucy!

Thank you to our partners:

Burke Insurance Agency 

Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate

and our Season Featured Partner, Venture X

 

 

 

Take it from a Local, a Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, is hosted by Allison Pittenger, a 20-year-old college junior.

“A Bethlehem native, I grew up going to Musikfest every summer, seeing shows at the State Theatre, and experiencing all that the Lehigh Valley has to offer. I’m a current student at East Stroudsburg University studying Video & Television production. I love theme parks, musical theatre, traveling, and of course creating content for people to enjoy. I began as an intern with Lehigh Valley with Love in early 2020 and have continued to work with them on various projects, and now this podcast! The goal of Take It From a Local is to hear from Lehigh Valley residents of past and present and to get their views and opinions on the many things to experience in the area. You can find me and follow my journey through life over on my Instagram @alli.pitt. I hope you enjoy the podcast!”


– Get all of our links here. https://linktr.ee/lvwithlove

– Subscribe to the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast.

– Want to be a guest on the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast?

Team Arnav | Relentless Positivity in the Fight Against Osteosarcoma

“Back in 2016, just after he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive form of bone cancer that strikes only 400 teenagers annually, Arnav Krishna adopted the mantra ‘Relentless Positivity’ to help him through the tough chemotherapy treatments and difficult surgeries he would need.  He and his family would hold these words in their hearts through his long fight.

Arnav was born in Tulsa, graduated from the Swain School, and was a junior at Moravian Academy.  An excellent student, he regularly achieved Head of School and Dean’s List for his academic achievements.  He started cycling in 2009, and rose to become ranked #18 on the Junior National circuit, with dreams of competing in the Olympics.  His fight against cancer was the subject of feature stories on Philadelphia’s CBS 3 news and Alex’s Lemonade Stand’s website.

In a 2017 essay, Arnav wrote that ‘cancer has taught me many things. It has taught me to appreciate what I have and enjoy the simple things in life… It has also taught me the value of friendship. Through [my treatments], many of my friends visited me and I had a great time when they would come over. They gave me hope and kept me positive even in the darkest of times.'”

Today, his family honors Arnav’s memory and fights against osteosarcoma with that same mantra: #RelentlessPositivity.

Watch the Team Arnav introductory video here or below.

Visit www.TeamArnav.org for more info!

RSVP for the Arnav Team Event HERE!

Through a mutual friend, I was able to meet and sit down with Arnav’s brother Dhruv and his parents, Nitin and Sunita, to discuss their story of emigrating to the Untied States and their journey to the Lehigh Valley as well as Arnav and Druvh’s childhood and success on the cycling track. 

We learn about Team Arnav and how you can help fund osteosarcoma research; what #RelentlessPositivity means to them; and just how much Arnav inspired those around him during his life and now, in his memory.

Please be sure to check out their website www.teamarnav.org for information on how you can help. We’ll be at Team Arnav Event on July 24 at Moravian Academy in Bethlehem Township. Hit our show notes for all links and information.

I’d like to give a big thank you to Phil Reese as well as the Krishna family. Learning more about Arnav’s relentless positivity has been inspiring and I encourage you to take a listen. 

If you’d like to learn more about the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast and the opportunities we can provide through sponsorship and collaboration, be sure to reach us at info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com or through our various social media channels.

The Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast is everything Lehigh Valley. Get in touch! 

Thank you to our sponsors!

Burke Insurance Agency 

Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate

Venture X

 


– Get all of our links here.

– Subscribe to the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast.

– Want to be a guest on the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast?


Watch the video version of this Podcast epsiode here or below.

 

 

Temple Psych and Film Student / Volunteer Extraordinaire, Nick Kasander | Take it From a Local with Allison

In this week’s episode, we are talking with Nick Kasander of Bethlehem Township. We talk all about the fun things at Musikfest, what it’s like to work at Artsquest, and talk about how the Freddy Awards have impacted Nick’s life.

A student at Temple University, Nick Kasander majors in Psychology and Film and has recently created a short film called “In His Skin”, which is available on his YouTube channel (and below).

Nick talks about his volunteer work with ArtsQuest and what he loves about living in the Lehigh Valley.

You can check out his work on YouTube (Nick kasander) and Instagram (@nickk518)!

Thank you to our partners:

Burke Insurance Agency 

Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate

and our Season Featured Partner, Venture X

 

 

 

Take it from a Local, a Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, is hosted by Allison Pittenger, a 20-year-old college junior.

“A Bethlehem native, I grew up going to Musikfest every summer, seeing shows at the State Theatre, and experiencing all that the Lehigh Valley has to offer. I’m a current student at East Stroudsburg University studying Video & Television production. I love theme parks, musical theatre, traveling, and of course creating content for people to enjoy. I began as an intern with Lehigh Valley with Love in early 2020 and have continued to work with them on various projects, and now this podcast! The goal of Take It From a Local is to hear from Lehigh Valley residents of past and present and to get their views and opinions on the many things to experience in the area. You can find me and follow my journey through life over on my Instagram @alli.pitt. I hope you enjoy the podcast!”


– Get all of our links here. https://linktr.ee/lvwithlove

– Subscribe to the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast.

– Want to be a guest on the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast?