Housing is one of the hottest topics in the Lehigh Valley right now. On this episode of Off the Record with Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, George Wacker and Northampton County Commissioner Jeff Warren sit down with two leaders on the frontlines:
We talk about: • Habitat’s 142 homes in the Valley and what it takes for families to qualify • The reality of transitional housing and how New Bethany is adapting programs to meet demand • The difference between affordable housing and attainable housing • The stigma around low-income housing and how nonprofits are working to change it • Habitat’s ReStores in Hellertown and Whitehall and how donations fuel more homebuilding
“No child should ever wonder where to lay their head at night.” — Gina Loiacono “At the end of the day, there is more power in the private sector than the public sector when it comes to housing.” — Marc Rittle
The Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast sits down with the featured authors of the Society of the Arts’ Cocktails with the Authors (October 15, 2025) and Luncheon with the Authors (October 16, 2025).
This year’s lineup includes: • Adriana Allegri, debut author of The Sunflower House • Alison Gaylin, Edgar and Shamus Award–winning author of We Are Watching • Jason Rekulak, New York Times bestselling author of Hidden Pictures and The Last One at the Wedding
These events bring acclaimed authors to Allentown for conversations, panel discussions, and book signings. Proceeds benefit arts education at the Allentown Art Museum, the SOTA Print Fund, and the SOTA Education Endowment.
Special thanks to sponsors: Michael Bernadyn with RE/MAX Real Estate, Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub, Banko Beverage Company, Wind Creek Event Center, WDIY 88.1 FM
For more than a century, A-TREAT has been part of the Lehigh Valley story. The sodas and seltzers we grew up with, the flavors that feel like home. Now the brand is doing something new: using that fizz to fight pediatric cancer.
In this episode of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast we are on site at the A-TREAT facility with Luke Jaindl, Vice President of Jaindl Companies, and Michelle Zenie Rounds, Executive Director of the Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley (PCFLV).
Together they share the story behind “Fizz That Fights” Lemon Twist Seltzer, a limited edition release that puts community first. Every bottle helps raise awareness and support for PCFLV’s mission to provide hope, programs, and direct assistance to more than 450 local families navigating childhood cancer.
We talk about:
How the A-TREAT and PCFLV partnership came to life
Why local matters, from Jaindl’s rescue of A-TREAT in 2015 to PCFLV’s hyperlocal mission
The importance of awareness initiatives like “30 Days, 30 Stories” during Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month
A-TREAT’s unique place in Lehigh Valley history, from Big Blue to holiday flavors, and what the future looks like
Listen in for community, history, and a whole lot of fizz.
On this episode of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, George Wacker sits down with Michael Fickes, songwriter and frontman of Roman Patterns, to talk about the band’s debut full-length album Somewhere on the Highway, out now on Shaky Records.
The album follows their 2024 Darts EP and features 11 brand new tracks, including the singles Modern Man and Daylight Saloon, plus a reimagined cover of Fuel’s hit Hemorrhage (In My Hands). Recorded and produced at Shaky Records, the album blends grunge and alternative rock influences from the late 90s and early 2000s with modern indie rock sensibilities.
Michael shares how his creative partnership with producer Shaky reignited after a long break from music, how family and friends contributed to the record, and why Roman Patterns is focused on the studio rather than the stage — at least for now.
On this episode of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, we’re joined by Devika Knafo, the organizer behind The Mom Market, a vibrant new pop-up event coming to the Bethlehem Rose Garden on August 24.
The Mom Market is designed to celebrate and support mom and women entrepreneurs in the Lehigh Valley, featuring artisan goods, local businesses, wellness vendors, food, and entertainment in a family-friendly community setting.
We talk about how Devika came up with the idea, the challenges moms face balancing business and family, and why creating spaces for women to connect, collaborate, and grow is so important. She also gives us a preview of the day’s schedule, from community yoga to kids’ storytime and even Disney princess dance-offs, and shares what’s next for this seasonal series of markets.
On this episode of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, we’re joined by Kenna DeValor, a poet, publisher, and founder of FlowerMouth Press. Kenna’s new poetry collection DISCOFRUIT is a shimmering celebration of queer identity, vulnerability, and joy.
We talk about how the book was born in a small Poconos café under a disco ball, Kenna’s creative upbringing in Coopersburg and Charter Arts, and how FlowerMouth Press grew from a solo idea in 2019 into a nonprofit platform amplifying Gen Z voices around the world.
We also explore the importance of art, physical media, and why the next generation isn’t done with poetry.
What started as three filmmakers meeting at a Wegmans café has grown into one of the Lehigh Valley’s most collaborative creative communities. In this episode, George talks with Dawn Daignault, Michael Sheridan, and Vince Stahl, the founders of Route 22 Filmworks — a grassroots filmmaking group that now boasts more than 200 members and an annual film festival at Bethlehem’s Ice House.
We discuss the group’s origins, how they’ve built a space where newcomers and seasoned pros collaborate on no-budget films, and why their festival focuses on showcasing local talent. They also share behind-the-scenes stories, the unique challenges of keeping films under 20 minutes, and why they believe the Valley’s indie film scene is thriving.
Did you know that 62% of Americans are eligible to donate blood, but only 2–3% actually do?
In this episode of Off the Record with Lehigh Valley with Love, we sit down with Rami Nemeh, President & CEO, and Lina Barbieri, VP of Communications and Chief Philanthropy Officer at Miller-Keystone Blood Center, to explore the very real crisis facing our region’s blood supply — and what it will take to fix it.
With cohost Jeff Warren, we hear powerful stories of survival (including one that hits close to home for Jeff), and we learn how Miller-Keystone is using apps, AI, and even virtual reality to modernize donation and inspire the next generation of donors.
💡 Key stats we discuss: – 62% of Americans can give blood, but only 2–3% do – Every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood – 60% of local donors are over age 55 – Only 5% are ages 18–25
In this episode of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, we talk with Henry Rouhana, founder of Sure Fix Remodeling in Easton, Pennsylvania.
Henry’s story begins in Lebanon, where he spent summers on construction sites and found inspiration watching architects bring spaces to life. After earning his architecture degree from ALBA in Beirut, Henry immigrated to the United States with his wife and two young children.
Starting over was not easy. With no money and no resources beyond his determination, Henry launched Sure Fix Remodeling. Over time, his business grew to include a full showroom and a trusted team of family members.
Today, Sure Fix is known for its commitment to design, craftsmanship, and treating every client like family.
What started with a single blazer in the trunk of a car has become one of the Lehigh Valley’s most powerful stories of community-driven change.
In this episode of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, host George Wacker sits down with Sarah Barrett, Executive Director of YWCA Allentown, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Perfect Fit, a workforce empowerment program that’s helped more than 13,000 women step into new careers with confidence.
Topics include:
How The Perfect Fit began as a grassroots effort
Why clothing is just a tool, and the real heart is community support
Career workshops, tech certifications, and professional mentoring
George, Crystal, and Dahlia from Lehigh Valley with Love spent the day at Lake Nockamixon State Park with the team from L.L. Bean Outdoor Discovery Programs to try out just a few of the activities they offer throughout the summer.
From archery to kayaking to full moon paddles, these programs are built to help anyone, regardless of experience, get outside and try something new.
They spent time with Lindsey Johnson, Program Coordinator and ACA Level 1 Kayak Instructor, who shared how these programs are designed for all ages, skill levels, and abilities. They also met with instructors Ruth, Craig, Dylana, and Sarah, who bring passion, experience, and approachability to everything from kayaking to archery, helping make the outdoors accessible and fun for everyone.
L.L. Bean’s Outdoor Discovery Programs are based at Lake Nockamixon and the Promenade Shops in Center Valley, offering kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, archery, fly casting, guided hikes, and more. With options for beginners, group outings, and even night paddles under the full moon, there’s something for everyone looking to get outside.
A Day Outside with L.L. Bean — And Why More People Need to Do This
You don’t usually associate archery safety talks with jokes about Sasquatches or see your kid aim an arrow at a tennis ball in the rain and absolutely light up. But that’s exactly what happened when we spent a day with the L.L. Bean Outdoor Discovery Programs at Lake Nockamixon.
This wasn’t just a video shoot or podcast episode. It was the kind of day that sticks with you. Not because it was perfect (it rained), but because it was real. And more people need this kind of real right now.
“We want to give you the best first experience you could have.”
That’s what Lindsey Johnson, Program Coordinator and ACA Level 1 Kayak Instructor, told us early on. And it’s not something you’d expect to take seriously — until you spend time with the instructors she works with.
People like Ruth, who’s been doing this for 15 years and still lights up when she talks about getting people on the water. Or Craig, who took a kayak class in college and came back to it in retirement, just because it made him feel something. Or Dylana and Sarah, who took our family (and a camera crew) through the archery basics without a hint of condescension, even when we had absolutely no idea what we were doing.
This is what makes this program work: not the gear or the branding — but the people. These instructors aren’t reciting from a script. They believe in this stuff. And they’re patient enough to help you believe in it too.
The Outdoors Is Not a Vibe. It’s a Reset Button.
We talk a lot about “disconnecting” these days. But for most people, that still means standing around staring at your phone with a different background. This wasn’t that.
Out at Lake Nockamixon, even with raindrops on the camera lens and a soggy hoodie, things felt clearer. Dahlia learned how to shoot a bow. Crystal got advice on safety lines and string tension from someone who could probably teach blindfolded. We paddled. We laughed. We dried off. We reset.
You don’t have to be “outdoorsy” to do this. That’s the point. These programs are built for beginners. You don’t need to own anything. You don’t need to know what you’re doing. You just need to show up.
“Even if you’ve never been to a lake before,” Lindsey told us, “we want you to feel like this is a place for you.”
It is.
Why This Stuff Matters
We asked about accessibility. They talked about the ADA-accessible boat launch and helping kids from the Boys & Girls Club feel safe getting in the water for the first time.
We asked about skill levels. They said they welcome people who’ve never touched a paddle and also offer sea kayaking, rescue courses, and night paddles under the full moon.
We asked about groups. They’ve worked with Girl Scouts, bachelor parties, corporate team-building retreats, and even entire families who want to do something different for their reunion.
So yeah, this is recreation. But it’s also something bigger.
This is how you build confidence in kids. This is how you reconnect with your spouse. This is how you remember what it feels like to be out of your head for a while.
And if all you take home is a few mosquito bites and a blurry photo of your first bullseye, honestly? That’s still a win.
Mike Cunningham, voice actor, conference organizer, VP of the National Sokols Lodge #93
Jen Taphoney, professional voice actor, co-host of VO Booth Besties
In this episode of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, host George Wacker sits down with the organizers of Get Outta Your Booth!, a new kind of voiceover conference happening June 27–29, 2025 at National Sokols Lodge #93 in Bethlehem, PA.
This isn’t your average industry meetup — Get Outta Your Booth! is designed around accessibility and community. With just 100 attendees, sessions led by working pros, a six-lane bowling alley, karaoke socials, and zero profit motive, it’s built to bring voice actors together without the pressure or price tag of larger events.
Why voiceover is about more than “having a good voice”
How to go pro from your home studio — no LA or NYC required
Building community in a solo-heavy career
The scary reality of AI voice theft — yes, it’s happening
What most beginners get wrong (and how to do it right)
Get Outta Your Booth! — A Voiceover Conference with Community (and Karaoke) at Its Core
“It’s a crock pot career. It’s not a drive-through.” — Jen Taphoney
That quote pretty much says it all.
In this companion piece to the latest episode of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, we dive into the story behind Get Outta Your Booth!, a voiceover conference built on community, accessibility, and a whole lot of real-world wisdom.
Hosted by George Wacker, the episode features co-organizers Mike Cunningham and Jen Taphoney, who share how the idea for the event came to life—and why it’s so different from your typical industry gathering.
Jen Taphoney’s journey started in a 1928 house in Schuylkill County. After years in radio, she built a studio in her attic and began producing commercials for $100 a pop.
“When I left the radio station, I still had clients who wanted me on their commercials,” she says. “So I put a studio in my attic… sound treatment was super awesome. Yeah.”
She’s since built a thriving VO career with clients like Microsoft.
“They do a little explainer thing. I’ve been working with them for eight years now. They just send me the copy.”
Getting In (and Getting Real)
Mike Cunningham’s path to voiceover started in the military and IT. Then the pandemic hit.
“My friend was like, ‘Why don’t you do voiceover?’ The pandemic is happening. There’s nothing else to do,” he recalls.
He joined a program, trained, and stuck with it—turning his home setup into a launchpad for commercial work, video games, and narration.
“It kind of grew into an obsession out of spite… I’m going to do it. I’m going to make it work. And I don’t care what it’s going to take.”
Why Beginners Struggle
“A lot of people come in and say, ‘My friend told me I have a good voice,’” Jen says. “That’s not enough.”
“There’s a certain amount of instinct involved,” Mike adds, “but it takes training. And you have to be prepared to not hear back at all.”
“You don’t often get, ‘Sorry, we went with somebody else,’” Jen explains. “You just have to keep going. Audition after audition, day after day, year after year.”
Mike sums it up: “Most people start out trying too hard. Just be you.”
AI, Stolen Voices, and the Future of the Industry
Both guests have strong words about AI’s impact on the industry.
“It undermines our entire industry,” Jen says. “Whether it’s music production or art or writing or voiceover… it’s not human.”
Mike’s voice was actually cloned by a foreign studio and used in a live service video game—without his consent.
“I heard it. I’m like, ‘I didn’t say that,’” he says. “The falsification of humanity is not something I’m a fan of.”
So What Is Get Outta Your Booth?
The conference is designed to be small (100 people max), affordable, and stress-free—held at SOKOL Club in Bethlehem, a venue with a bar, shuffleboard, and a bowling alley.
“There’s no pressure,” Mike says. “If you want to bowl all day, go bowl all day. If you want to sit and drink, do that. If you want to watch sessions and learn something, do that too.”
The sessions cover:
VO genres and niches
Branding your VO business in Canva
Making vocal efforts
How to construct your own sound panel
“We’re not trying to make money,” Mike adds. “Everything we get goes right back into the event—for food, prizes, drinks. That’s the point.”
Why It Matters
This episode isn’t just about voiceover—it’s about building something that helps people connect.
“We’re all stuck in little booths,” Mike says. “It’s a lonely kind of existence.”
Jen adds, “Having that community to connect with and ask questions instead of trying to figure it out on your own… it makes such a big difference.”
George wraps it up: “It’s really cool that you’re doing this. If somebody had just given me this piece of advice a couple years ago, it would’ve saved me months.”
Mary Wright – Education Director & Ensemble Member, Touchstone Theatre
Krista Metter – Local Actor, Teaching Artist, and Touchstone Collaborator
In this episode of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, host George Wacker talks with Mary Wright and Krista Metter from Touchstone Theatre about the 20th Annual Young Playwrights’ Festival, taking place Sunday, May 18 at 3 PM at Northeast Middle School in Bethlehem.
This unique festival brings to life a selection of original one-act plays written by local elementary and middle school students—performed onstage by professional actors and community volunteers.
The Young Playwrights’ Lab began more than 20 years ago as an after-school program designed to foster literacy, confidence, and creative expression. Today, it’s impacted over 2,000 students and remains one of the most joyful, collaborative, and heartfelt nights of theater in the region.
Celebrating 20 Years of Young Playwrights at Touchstone Theatre What happens when you hand the script over to kids? You get mad scientists, Greek gods, talking sharks—and themes that hit surprisingly deep.
Mary Wright, who helped launch the program more than two decades ago, describes the festival as “a window into what kids care about right now.” With themes ranging from friendship and family to bullying and climate action, the work is wildly imaginative and undeniably heartfelt.
Touchstone’s Young Playwrights’ Lab uses improv games, writing exercises, and group collaboration to help students develop their own one-act plays. Each year, a handful of these are selected and professionally staged as part of the festival.
Krista Metter, who made her debut in last year’s production as a scene-stealing octopus, shares how being part of the cast made her feel “like a kid again”—and how the program builds deep community ties by giving young voices a real spotlight.
“It’s not just a performance,” says Mary. “It’s a celebration. A party. And the kids are at the center of it all.”
With over 100 plays written this year alone and countless community members stepping in to help with directing, costumes, and production—this event has become one of the Lehigh Valley’s most treasured arts traditions.
The Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast has been named Best Local Podcast by readers of Lehigh Valley Style in the publication’s 2025 “Best of the Lehigh Valley” awards — marking the podcast’s second win, with its first honor coming in 2020.
Launched in 2018, Lehigh Valley with Love has become a leading local podcast by doing what it does best — telling the stories of the Lehigh Valley’s people, places, and pulse. Whether it’s sitting down with community leaders, walking through neighborhoods and festivals, or simply chasing a good story with a camera in hand, the podcast continues to evolve as a trusted voice for the region.
“We try to tell the kinds of stories you don’t always hear elsewhere, or at least not in the same way.” said George Wacker, host and founder. “And over the past year especially, we’ve really leaned into getting out into the community, not just recording episodes, but filming them, walking with our guests, and showing people what the Lehigh Valley looks like right now. There’s so much out there.”
Deeper Dives with Off The Record
In 2024, the podcast introduced Off The Record, a subseries co-hosted by Northampton County Commissioner Jeff Warren. It brings a more serious tone to discussions around mental health, incarceration and reentry, and regional development — without losing the podcast’s grounded, conversational feel.
In addition to audio interviews, many episodes now include full video walk-throughs — giving audiences a more immersive look at life across the region. From parks and food trucks to holiday drives and music festivals, recent episodes highlight the breadth and depth of the Lehigh Valley:
Green Pond Packaging – walking through a public park while unpacking warehouse development
The podcast’s continued growth and recognition wouldn’t be possible without its loyal audience, generous guests, and the support of local sponsors. A sincere thank-you to:
🎤 In this episode of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, host George Wacker sits down with comedian, writer, and performer Kathleen Aldrich, whose brand-new one-woman show Tumor Baby premieres April 12 at SteelStacks in Bethlehem.
We talk about how Kathleen got her start in the Lehigh Valley comedy scene over a decade ago, what it was like turning a real-life medical emergency into a heartfelt (and hilarious) show, and how Tumor Baby blends storytelling, vulnerability, and humor into something totally unique. From sketch comedy with Pigeon City to personal pieces in Dear Diary, Kathleen’s journey is as inspiring as it is funny.
You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at how the show came together—from handwritten journal entries to Google Docs and years of performance experience—and why this isn’t stand-up, but something more intimate and impactful.
Kathleen Aldrich and the Comedy of Crisis in TUMOR BABY
“I’ve been talking about doing a one-woman show since 2014.”
For comedian and writer Kathleen Aldrich, Tumor Baby isn’t just a show—it’s a culmination of more than a decade of finding her voice in the Lehigh Valley comedy scene. What started as strange abdominal pressure and a reluctant trip to the ER turned into a 10-pound tumor and, eventually, the foundation for a deeply personal, unexpectedly hilarious one-woman show.
From Improvised Bits to Intimate Storytelling
Kathleen’s journey began in 2012 with improv classes at ArtsQuest, where she found her creative tribe and a passion for performance. Over the years, she honed her craft with local favorites like Dear Diary, Pigeon City Sketch, and Improvised Stand Up. Her work is rooted in real life—often uncomfortable, always honest—and Tumor Baby is no exception.
“It’s not stand-up,” she explains. “I’m a storyteller.”
Kathleen weaves her cancer diagnosis into a broader narrative—childhood memories, messy relationships, weird blog awards, and moments that are just too good not to share. It’s comedy that doesn’t flinch. And it’s all been years in the making.
The Writing Process (and a Lot of Google Docs)
So how do you write something like Tumor Baby? According to Kathleen, it all starts with pen and paper. She breaks down memories into moments, finds the funny in the pain, and then builds the show line by line.
“I write down the significant moment first,” she says. “Then I ask—how do I make this funny?”
With guidance and mentorship from fellow comic Alia Brown, Kathleen transformed those raw stories into a full-length show. It’s not just about a tumor—it’s about life, survival, and making people laugh in the face of the absurd.
A Decade of Comedy and One Big Stage
One of Kathleen’s proudest moments? A sketch she wrote for Pigeon City called Sex in Senior Living—a drag parody imagining the Sex and the City crew as Golden Girls. “The crowd just loved it,” she says. “That moment… it was electric.”
Now, with Tumor Baby, Kathleen steps into the spotlight solo. It’s vulnerable, funny, and full of heart—and it all happens live this weekend.
🎟️ Don’t Miss It Catch Tumor Baby on Saturday, April 12 at 7:30 PM 📍 Bethlehem Visitor Center at SteelStacks 🎟️ Tickets & info: steelstacks.org
