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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
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!”
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.
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
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 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.
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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.
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!
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.
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!
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
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!”
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!
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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!
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!
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)
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!”
“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.
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!
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.
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!”