Neglected Stories: People, History, Movements

Host Pedro Rodriguez speaks with Northwest Philadelphia native and author Seth Tannenbaum about his provocative new book, Bleacher Seats and Luxury Suites.In the book, Tannenbaum examines one of America’s most beloved institutions—Major League Baseball stadiums—and reveals the striking class divisions built into the fan experience. While baseball has long marketed itself as the democratic pastime, open to all, the modern ballpark tells a different story: luxury boxes for the affluent, exclusive clubs for corporate elites, and increasingly distant, expensive bleacher seats for ordinary fans.Born and raised in Northwest Philadelphia, where he played Little League baseball as a child, Tannenbaum brings both personal affection and sharp social analysis to this discussion. His work asks a timely question: when even our leisure spaces are segregated by wealth, what does that say about American democracy itself?Listen to this fascinating conversation about baseball, architecture, inequality, memory, and the hidden class politics of America’s stadiums.

At a time when hard-won rights are being challenged and women across the United States are facing renewed political and cultural backlash, understanding the history—and future—of the feminist movement has never been more urgent.This Neglected Stories: People, History, Movements' episode  presents a powerful and timely conversation with Philadelphia-based feminist, political activist, and community leader Conni Bille.Drawing from decades of organizing in New York, Atlanta  and Philadelphia, Conni reflects on the emergence of the modern feminist movement, the victories that reshaped American society, and the deeper structural challenges that remain unresolved. Together, we explore the forces behind today’s backlash—from legislative rollbacks to cultural resistance—and what they reveal about the unfinished work of gender equity.But this is not just a conversation about the past. It is about strategy, resilience, and the road ahead. What must today’s feminist movement do differently? Where should alliances be strengthened? And how can new generations build power in a rapidly changing political landscape?This episode is both a reflection and a call to action—grounded in lived experience and sharpened by the realities of this moment.

Host Pedro Rodriguez sits down with Dr. Walter Tsou, MD, MPH—a nationally respected physician and public health leader whose career has been defined by a relentless commitment to health equity. Dr. Tsou is President of the Philadelphia County Medical Society, a national board advisor for Physicians for a National Health Program, past president of the American Public Health Association, former Philadelphia Health Commissioner, and founding Medical Director of the Montgomery County Health Department.In this compelling interview, Dr. Tsou draws on decades of experience to explain why the United States still lacks universal health care—and what it will take to change that. With clarity and urgency, he breaks down complex systems into terms everyone can understand, connecting policy to real people’s lives.More importantly, he offers insight into what can be done—and how everyday people can be part of the solution.

This episode of Neglected Stories: People, History, Movements brings listeners a powerful and timely conversation on one of Latin America’s most provocative—and overlooked—figures: Servando Teresa de Mier.A Dominican friar, political dissenter, and early voice for Mexican independence, Fray Servando challenged the very foundations of colonial authority. In a bold 1794 sermon, he reinterpreted the story of the Virgin of Guadalupe, arguing that Mexico’s spiritual identity existed before Spanish conquest. The consequences were swift: imprisonment, exile, and persecution. But his ideas endured.Host Pedro Rodriguez is joined by Mexican writer and cultural critic Rafael Toriz to explore the life, contradictions, and lasting impact of this remarkable figure. Together, they examine how faith can become a tool of resistance, how narratives shape national identity, and why Mier’s legacy still resonates today. Toriz and Rodriguez are joined by Mexican Consulate staff member Pedro Rubio who translates some of Mr. Toriz' comments.

Hosted by Pedro Rodriguez, this episode features an in-depth conversation with Professor Kimberly Blockett, a leading scholar of African American literature and Chair of Africana Studies at the University of Delaware. Blockett’s groundbreaking research recovers the life and writings of Zilpha Elaw, a Black woman preacher whose transatlantic ministry challenges conventional narratives of religion, race, and gender in the 19th century.Through archival research and interdisciplinary analysis, Blockett brings forward a powerful story of movement, resistance, and intellectual authority—reshaping how history is written and who is remembered.This episode explores the politics of historical erasure, the role of Black women in religious movements, and the enduring relevance of recovered histories in today’s struggles for justice.Tune in and join the conversation.

Guest Geo Maher, a Philadelphia-based writer, community educator, and organizer who has lived and taught extensively in Venezuela. Maher is Coordinator of the W.E.B. Du Bois Movement School for Abolition & Reconstruction and the author of five books, including We Created Chávez and Building the Commune.In this episode, we discuss We Created Chávez, which challenges leader-centered narratives by showing how grassroots movements — workers, women, Afro-Venezuelans, Indigenous peoples, students, and former guerrillas — shaped Venezuela’s political transformation long before Chávez took office. The conversation explores what these struggles reveal about power, collective action, and movements today.

John Meyerson’s life has been shaped by a deep, lifelong commitment to social justice. His activism began as a teenager, organizing against the Vietnam War and leading a student sit-in for free expression while still in high school. That early commitment to peace and human rights carried him directly into the labor movement, where he would spend decades organizing workers, building coalitions, and fighting for dignity on the job.Meyerson’s journey—from industrial worker to union organizer to political and legislative leader—offers a rare, ground-level view of how movements are built and sustained. As an organizer and later Director of Legislation and Political Action for UFCW Local 1776, he played leadership roles in campaigns that raised Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, defended public-sector jobs, advanced living-wage standards, and helped secure national health care reform. He has also served in numerous leadership roles across the AFL-CIO, representing more than 100,000 workers across southeastern Pennsylvania.In this episode, Meyerson reflects on community and labor organizing, the challenge of balancing family life with movement work, and the realities—and possibilities—of organizing in the United States in 2026. Drawing on decades of experience, he offers perspective, candor, and lessons for a new generation committed to change.Listen and discover why John Meyerson’s story is a neglected one worth hearing.

We believe the most important stories are often the ones told in unexpected spaces.This week, that space is the intersection of science, art, and public trust. At Penn’s Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics—ITMAT—researchers are pushing life-saving discoveries forward. But they’re also asking a radical question: How do we make medical science understandable, relatable, and accountable to the people it’s meant to serve?Through ITMAT’s Artist-in-Residence program, ceramicist Marguerite Hagan works alongside scientists, using storytelling, clay, and the metaphor of the “shield” to help young researchers rethink how they communicate with communities. She’s joined by Dr. Carsten Skarke, the physician-scientist who created the program to break down the barriers between labs and real life.This is a conversation about trust, storytelling, and why science needs art more than ever.

Acclaimed journalist and author Scott Anderson’s new book, King of Kings, offers a gripping, deeply reported narrative of the Iranian Revolution—an event that reshaped global politics, yet remains widely misunderstood in the United States.In this conversation, Anderson guides listeners through the complex forces that brought millions into the streets, toppled the Shah, and altered the strategic landscape of the Middle East. His reporting uncovers the human stories behind the upheaval: the activists, clerics, intellectuals, and ordinary citizens who navigated hope, repression, and rapid historical change.For audiences committed to understanding how past movements inform today’s struggles—whether for democracy, civil liberties, or equitable governance—this episode provides a critical lens. Neglected Stories" exists to foreground histories that shape the present, and this interview delivers on that mission with clarity and depth.

In this episode we are joined by Professor John Fabian Witt of Yale Law School, whose new book The Radical Fund uncoversthis hidden history — the people, the conflicts, the victories, and the visionaries who believed a million dollars could help change America.We’ll explore what happens when radical dreams meet hardpolitical realities, how movements grow when they have even modestbut intentional funding, and what lessons this forgotten experimentoffers for Philadelphia’s community organizers, neighborhoodinstitutions, and justice movements today.

City University of New York's Professor Lissette Acosta Corniel, explores the history of free Black communities in Santo Domingo and Puerto Rico, shedding light on the often-overlooked history of Spanish slavery in the Americas. She also discusses the ongoing identity struggles in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and beyond—where the denial of African ancestry continues to shape culture and society.

Our guest is Dr. Alyssa Ribeiro, an urban historian whose work uncovers the intertwined histories of Black and Puerto Rican communities in Philadelphia. We talk about how race, migration, and community power shaped the city from the 1950s to the 1980s—and why those stories still matter today.We also dig into the historic 1976 “Bicentennial Without Colonies” protest, which challenged the contradiction of celebrating American independence while maintaining colonial rule over Puerto Rico. With the 250th anniversary of the U.S. approaching, this conversation feels more timely than ever.

Host Pedro Rodriguez sits down with author and tennis professional Gabriel Allen to discuss his groundbreaking new book, Tennis Tensions: Class, Race, and Gender in the Evolution of the Sport.In this compelling conversation, Allen breaks down the hidden history of tennis — a sport long associated with privilege and exclusivity — and reveals how class barriers, racial bias, and misogyny have shaped its evolution from country club pastime to global phenomenon. With the insight of a scholar and the passion of a player, Allen examines the struggles and triumphs of those who challenged the sport’s traditions and helped redefine who belongs on the court.Rodriguez asks the big questions about power, access, and identity in one of the world’s most elite games — and what it will take to make tennis truly inclusive.

 Ladan Mehranvar, Senior Legal Researcher at the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment (Columbia University Climate School), continues the conversation about the ongoing conflict between the people and government of Honduras and a private billionaire investors’ firm over control of Roatán, an island 40 miles off the country’s Caribbean coast.This case raises profound global questions: What happens when the super tech-rich try to carve out enclaves where they can be immune from national laws and establish their own rules — often at the exclusion of local populations?Join host Pedro Rodriguez to explore the hemispheric and international repercussions of this conflict, how it could impact the application of justice in the United States, and the rest of the world.If you haven't yet, check Part I to understand the historical framework of this issue.

Ladan Mehranvar, Senior Legal Researcher at the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment (Columbia University Climate School), New York, discusses the conflict between the people and government of Honduras and a private billionaire investors’ firm over control of Roatán, an island 40 miles off the country’s Caribbean coast.This case raises profound global questions: What happens when the super tech-rich try to carve out enclaves where they can be immune from national laws and establish their own rules — often at the exclusion of local populations?Join host Pedro Rodriguez for an in-depth conversation that connects Honduras to wider struggles for sovereignty, equity, and accountability around the world.Also check Part II -

In this episode, host Pedro Rodriguez explores the importance of language justice with two community leaders who know it firsthand.Irene Osorio, a young mother from Colombia now rooted in Philadelphia, is a textile artist, graphic designer, and language justice worker who loves to cook and build mutual aid networks with her neighbors. She is also a founding member of COMPA Philly Language Justice Cooperative.Gina Engst, also a mother and co-founder of COMPA Philly, has been a community interpreter and language justice worker for over two decades. She finds grounding in the woods and strength in social justice movements.Together, Irene and Gina share why culturally appropriate and language-justice–oriented translations are essential—not just for accuracy, but to ensure real communication and connection for those not proficient in English.

Native to southeastern China, the loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) has traveled far beyond its origins, carried across oceans and cultures through trade, migration, and empire. Its journey is a story not just of agriculture but of diplomacy, cultural exchange, and adaptation. From its cultivation in East Asia to its spread into the Mediterranean through Europe’s colonial ventures, and later its arrival in Latin America, the loquat has served as a living bridge between worlds. What might seem like a humble fruit is, in fact, a lens into global history and the many ways food connects people across borders.Our guest for this episode is Ningyi Xi, research fellow at the Department of Cultural Heritage at the University of Padova in Italy. Ms. Xi brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to the study of mobility and cultural transmission. She holds an MA in Mobility Studies from the University of Padova and a BA in Art History and Classical Studies from Wellesley College. Born and raised in Hangzhou, China, she has lived, studied, and worked across four continents. Her personal history of movement informs her research, which often explores how objects, plants, and cultural practices travel and acquire new meanings as they cross borders.

Host Pedro Rodriguez talks with historian Bennett Parten about his groundbreaking book Somewhere Toward Freedom: Sherman’s March and the Story of America’s Largest Emancipation. Parten reframes Sherman’s March to the Sea in 1864 not just as a military campaign, but as a mass movement of self-emancipated people who sought out Union lines, turning the march into a liberation on a scale unmatched in American history. Their courage and determination helped lay the foundation for Reconstruction and redefined the meaning of freedom in the United States. The book challenges the picture of the South portrayed in the movie Gone With the Wind and brings to life how free slaves actively assisted Union forces in beating the Confederacy and brought and to the war in Georgia.

This episode’s guest is Dr. Castel V. Sweet, professor at the University of Mississippi, who discusses her short documentary, Sites of Memory. This powerful film explores overlooked sites of racial violence in the Deep South and how remembering these histories can open the door to healing, justice, and deeper conversations today. Watch the trailer here: http://sweetsoilnarratives.com/sites-of-memory/Don’t miss this important conversation on memory, truth, and the pursuit of justice.

Host Pedro Rodriguez sits down with the Fordham University graduate and Harvard Law School alum to unpack a five‑decade career spent wielding the law on behalf of everyday people. From securing life‑changing benefits for children with disabilities in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Sullivan v. Zebley to prevailing before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Weishaupt’s litigation record reads like a blueprint for public‑interest advocacy. Yet courtroom victories are only part of his legacy. A longtime Northwest Philadelphia resident, he has mentored generations—lecturing at universities, training paralegals, and empowering community members to transform legal knowledge into action. In this candid conversation, Weishaupt reflects on the New York City upbringing and Jesuit values that guided him toward social justice, the mentors who honed his craft, and the clients whose stories still fuel his passion. He also offers a clear‑eyed assessment of today’s polarized political climate: What threats—and opportunities—face low‑income Pennsylvanians seeking counsel? How can lawyers, organizers, and citizens collectively safeguard access to justice in the years ahead? His thoughtful answers illuminate both the struggles and the possibilities that lie before us.

The legendary drummer for Philadelphia's quintessential music group Philly Gumbo, talks about his youth as an organizer for the Black Panther Party in Atlanta, his chance encounter with Malcolm X, a lifetime of activism and his passion for music.

In this episode of Neglected Stories, host Pedro Rodriguez is joined by acclaimed historian Peter Cole for a look into the extraordinary but overlooked life of Ben Fletcher — one of the most dynamic labor leaders in Philadelphia’s history.Fletcher, a Black union organizer and member of the Industrial Workers of the World (the Wobblies), led a 1913 strike of over 4,000 multiracial dock workers in Philadelphia’s bustling ports. His courage and leadership broke barriers in an era of legalized segregation and labor exclusion. Despite his achievements, Fletcher's story has been largely erased from mainstream labor history.Professor Cole, author of Ben Fletcher: The Life and Times of a Black Wobbly, will unpack the racism Fletcher faced, the interracial solidarity he built, and the federal persecution that landed him in prison—all while inspiring a new generation to rethink what labor organizing can and should be in 2025.

On this episode of Neglected Stories: People, History, Movements, host Pedro Rodriguez sits down with Dr. Cheryl Bettigole, former Philadelphia Health Commissioner, to talk about her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. From vaccine equity to navigating political pressure and public fear, this conversation explores the difficult decisions made behind the scenes—and how a team of dedicated public servants led a city through one of the most consequential crises in modern Philadelphia history.

A Conversation with Author Mark Torres about his latest book: Long Island and the Legacy of Eugenics: Station of Intolerance.Join us for a powerful and eye-opening conversation with acclaimed author Mark Torres, whose new book uncovers the hidden history of eugenics in the United States — a chapter too often omitted from our national memory.We explore:What eugenics was and how it shaped public policy in America.The widespread impact of forced sterilizations and racial “science” across states.How American eugenics influenced Nazi ideology and policy in Germany.Why this history is critical to understand today, as we face rising rhetoric around “purity,” genetic superiority, and exclusion.What lessons we must learn to protect civil rights and human dignity in the present and future.📚 Mark’s research is as compelling as it is sobering — connecting past injustices to urgent contemporary concerns. If you care about history, justice, and the fight against systemic harm, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

In this episode, Pedro sits down with veteran labor reporter Tim Wheeler, whose decades of experience covering labor, civil rights, and grassroots movements make him a living archive of American people’s history. The episode focuses on the history of May Day — its origins as an international day of workers' resistance, and how it has been remembered (and often erased) in the U.S.Tim also shares stories from his new book, which highlights the remarkable life of George Meyers, a longtime labor organizer and working-class hero. Meyer spent decades organizing shipyard workers, defending union democracy, and challenging corporate power — often in the face of political repression and personal risk. In the booK "No Greater Power: The Life and Times of George A. Meyers"

Join host Pedro Rodriguez for a powerful conversation with Judith Bernstein-Baker, M.S.W., Esq., former Executive Director of HIAS Pennsylvania and a veteran in the field of immigration law and advocacy.Together, they trace the legal foundations of immigrant and refugee due process protections, explore how those have evolved, and examine the ongoing impact of Trump-era policies that continue to reshape the immigration landscape.Judith’s deep expertise—as an author, educator, and activist—offers a unique lens on the past, present, and future of justice for immigrants.

This week, we sit down with Peggy Mastroianni, former Legal Counsel at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), for a powerful conversation on the history, impact, and effectiveness of the Commission in addressing workplace discrimination.Ms. Mastroianni reflects on the hard-won gains secured through the Civil Rights Act of 1964—and sounds the alarm on the current Trump Administration’s efforts to roll back those protections. From threats to enforcement to the targeting of African Americans, women, immigrants, people of color, and individuals with disabilities, she outlines what’s at stake and why we must stay vigilant.

Neglected Stories: People, History, Movements, a production of Germantown Community Radio, welcomes writer and urban historian Nathaniel Popkin for a powerful conversation about Philadelphia’s layered history and its resilient communities. Popkin, known for his deep explorations of the city’s cultural and political landscapes, discusses his acclaimed work The Possible City and other projects that highlight how Philadelphia’s neighborhoods have resisted and adapted to ongoing change. His books—including Finding the Hidden City, The Possible City, The Year of the Return, and Song of the City—have redefined how we view urban transformation. He also co-wrote the Emmy-winning documentary Sisters in Freedom and is the writer of the upcoming series American Experiment: The Struggle for Philadelphia.A conversation apt for many other urban areas in the United States and around the world.

Join us for a deep dive into the history and impact of tariffs on the latest episode of Neglected Stories: People, History, Movements, hosted by Pedro Rodriguez. Our guest, Ed Gribbin, a trade policy advocate and native Philadelphian, breaks down how tariffs work, their historical role, and what proposed changes could mean for U.S. consumers, businesses, the nation, and the global economy.As trade tensions rise and policies shift, understanding tariffs is more important than ever. Will they protect American jobs or drive up costs for consumers? How will businesses and international partners react? Tune in as we uncover the real impact of tariffs on our daily lives and the global economy.Ed Gribbin is the founder and CEO of Gribbin Strategic LLC, a consultancy specializing in growth strategy, product development, fit and sizing, supply chain optimization, and sustainability for the apparel and fashion sector. With 46 years of industry experience, he has held leadership roles at Alvanon and Intellifit, where he co-invented the Intellifit body scanner. He serves on global boards, including AAFA, IAF, AAPN, and SPESA, and actively participates in trade policy advocacy. His career began in the uniform industry, culminating as SVP at Angelica Uniform Group, the largest U.S. uniform company at the time.

This is a compelling discussion with Rev. Renaldo McKenzie, a scholar who has spent the past 15 years studying the devastating effects of neoliberal policies in both the Global South and the United States.In this episode, host Pedro Rodriguez and Rev. McKenzie explore the themes of his book, Neoliberalism, Globalization, Income Inequality, Poverty, and Resistance. The conversation dives into the intricate connections between neoliberal economic policies and globalization, revealing how they fuel growing income inequality and deepen poverty worldwide. McKenzie unpacks how neoliberalism—a revival of 19th-century laissez-faire economic liberalism—has shaped global economic structures, often to the detriment of marginalized communities.What does this mean for working-class people, especially in cities like Philadelphia? How can communities organize and resist these policies that favor the wealthy while leaving everyday people behind? Join us as we discuss the history, impact, and strategies for change.

Guest Jimmy Duran, Executive Director of Vincent Homes and a banker serving minority, women, and small businesses in Philadelphia, joins us to discuss the history, impact, and future of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). Since its enactment in 1977, the CRA has driven nearly $2 trillion in investments into underserved communities. Now, with the Trump administration systematically dismantling its protections, what’s at stake? And what can communities do to fight back? Tune in to learn more.

Women's rights and community activist Pat Albright talks about the work her organization has been doing to get the work done by women at home recognized as part of the gross national product while challenging the judicial system's attack on poor women raising children.

Linguist Rafael Nunez Cedeno joins host Pedro Rodriguez for a thought-provoking conversation about the controversial use of the letter X to identify Latinos and Latinas in the United States.

Sanctuary Cities under assault by the White House. Our guest, Israel "Izzy" Colón, a longtime Philadelphia community activist and veteran of the public and nonprofit sectors, will break down the origins of sanctuary policies, their impact on immigrant communities, and what the future holds amid federal pushback.As cities across the country fight to protect their residents, what are the economic, legal, and social stakes? Don’t miss this critical conversation on a topic shaping the national debate.

Neglected Stories: People, History, Movements is proud to welcome veteran journalist Terry Johnson as the featured guest for its upcoming Black History Month episode. The episode will aired first on Saturday, February 1, from 10-11 AM on 92.9 FM Germantown Community Radio and will be available for streaming online at www.GtownRadio.com. With a career spanning decades across some of the nation’s most prominent media outlets, Terry Johnson has left an indelible mark on journalism. Currently a Senior Editor at The Village Voice, he has also worked with Real News, Newsweek, Westside News, Jet Magazine, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Cleveland Plain Dealer. His experience extends beyond journalism, having served as Communications Director for SEIU Janitors Local 36 (now 32BJ) and the Pennsylvania State Council, as well as working in public health policy with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. This special episode will explore the role of Black journalists in America today, their impact on media representation, and the challenges they face.

Ever wonder how medical doctors have a virtual monopoly on all things medicine? And why do some people do architectural work without being architects? Explore the Rise of Professionalism with an in-depth conversation with noted sociologist Magali Sarfatti Larson as she joins Neglected Stories: People, History, Movements - a production of Germantown Community Radio

President Jimmy Carter signed a treaty in 1979 returning the canal to the control of the Panamanian people, which took effect in 1999. Now, inm 2025, the current President of the US wants to retake it. Learn how people in the United States supported the demand for the return of the Canal to Panama. Hear from Mary Day Kent, a Philadelphia resident who was deeply involved in the solidarity campaign in the US supporting Panama.

Acclaimed author Karen Bojar traces the evolution of feminism from Eleanor Marx to today's AOC in the US.

Learn the history of how the popular pub trivia game started in the United States and how it has endured over three decades. Interview with quiz masters Patrick Hine and Jonathan Quinet from Ireland and Philadelphia, PA.

Author Mark A. Torres discusses his book on the history of Long Island, NY's migrant labor camps, which initially recruited Black farm workers from Jamaica and later from the Deep South of the United States. These workers endured conditions akin to semi-slavery, marked by severe exploitation and mistreatment. This compelling and often overlooked chapter of American history sheds light on systemic injustices that resonate with today's conversations about labor rights and racial equity.

The guest will be Leroy Clemons: Champion of Community, Justice, and Racial Healing. Leroy Clemons, Civil Rights leader (MS) talks about the struggle for justice in the assasinations of three civil rights workers in 1964. 40 years later justice came

Angel Luis Ortiz, a champion for the working class, marginalized communities, and the rights of women and LGBTQ individuals, served on the Philadelphia City Council for 19 years. In the next episode of Neglected Stories, Ortiz shares his journey—from arriving in Philadelphia in the mid-1970s to working as a public interest lawyer and beyond.

The debut of Neglected Stories: People, History, Movements with host Pedro Rodriguez. This week, we dive into the art of storytelling with Martin Kaiser from the Gustav Streseman Institute in northern Germany, and Marwan Kreidie, founder and director of the Philadelphia-based Arab American Community Development Corporation.