Pilot of "20 by Seventy," a new podcast from Committee of Seventy, Philadelphia's independent nonpartisan advocate for better government.  News, discussion and commentary about our fascinating, frustrating city.

Episode 1: What to do when a guy just won't do the job he's elected to do

The latest podcast from Committee of Seventy, Philadelphia's civic watchdog.   We look at the "pain points" of living in Philly neighborhoods, and how Silicon Valley-style innovation might soothe them.  We hear from a bright young political star who was urged by the city's power brokers to stand down. And we ponder what Hamilton, the man and the musical, can teach our city.

Episode 2:  What Philly could learn from Uber, and how to keep a good man down

In this latest podcast on Philadelphia issues and politics, writer Mark Dent of BillyPenn.com talks about what's been attracting Millennials in droves to Philadelphia, and what could drive them away in equal numbers.   And David Thornburgh and Chris Satullo of the Committee of Seventy talk about the hidden, hopeful message inside the recent cascade of political corruption cases coming out of Philly.

Episode 3: Philly's Millennial face-off - good living vs. bad schools

OK, so we had some audio problems with Episode 3, which prevented some of you from hearing the cool conversation with Mark Dent of Billy Penn about who Philly's Millennials are and what they care about, or to hear David and Chris rant about how corruption could cost Philly its current momentum. The audio snafu is not totally fixed, but somewhat. Here's the deal: listening on your laptop should be fine. On your smartphone, you need headphones. In your car, Bluetooth should be fine. Let us know how it works for you.. 

Episode 3 (REMIX!): Millennials dilemma: Good living vs. bad services

Philly is to civic tech what Nashville is to country music. Or so it once was said. Lately, though, sounds of discord emanate from City Hall.   Juliana Reyes of Technical.ly Philly shares her reporting on an exodus of tech talent from the new Kenney administration.   Producer Sophie Reid listens in as a new city resident struggles with the city website.  Still, Dawn McDougall of Code for Philly offers a more upbeat report on the state of civic tech (i.e. wrangling ones and zeroes for the public good). Finally,  Committee of 70 CEO David Thornburgh reminds us what it takes to push innovation inside government.

Episode 4:  City Hall and civic tech - not yet perfect together, but still trying

In a sour election year, what does hope sound like?  Hear it percolating in this episode taped at the American Experiments event in Philadelphia on the Democratic National Convention's first day. Civic tech and election reform leaders gathered to compare ideas for improving our politics, while showing off apps and handing out swag to a steady stream of curious voters. Six took part in a lightning pitch contest (what's your hot idea for fixing democracy by 2024?) before a lively crowd.  You'll hear from one of the winners, Democracy Works, and one of the judges, Adam Ambrogi of the Democracy Fund.

Episode 5 (DNC-American Experiments): How civic tech aims to form a more perfect union

This election season has left many people unhappy with the choices on the menu.  So the Committee of Seventy podcast proposes some new ingredients:  open primaries for more compelling elections; rapid-response digital polling to capture the public voice; a grassroots uprising against complacent corruption.   Plus jerk chicken and crabcakes, too.  (Pictured: Nina Hoe of BeHeardPhilly.)

Episode 6:  Tired of the political menu?  Here are some new recipes

Donald Trump claims massive voter fraud will happen next week in Philadelphia in a bid to steal the election from him.  David Thornburgh, president and CEO of Philadelphia's chief civic watchdog, the Committee of Seventy, explains crisply and thoroughly why this claim is a bunch of hooey.   Also, in this episode, Seventy's guide to the new array of election apps that aim to help you make your choices at the polls.  Finally, to cleanse your palate from the bad taste of this election, a few words from new, immigrant voters who are just thrilled to be voting in an American election.

Episode 7:  The truth about voter fraud in Philly (plus, a word on 'Tinder for voters'!)

The "Election Hangover" episode of 20 by 70.   After what we just went through, why would anyone think of running for political office?  Well, listen to some of the 270 young Philadelphians who attended the recent Born To Run event because they are thinking of doing just that.   Hear 70's head honcho, David Thornburgh, lay out the ways Philly has to tighten up how it runs an election.  And listen to top political journalist Holly Otterbein (pictured) as she talks (with host Chris Satullo (her old boss)) about fake news, the need for media literacy and all the ways journalists screwed up coverage of Election 2016.

Episode 8: Were you born to run?  Most say no, baby, but a few give a resounding yes

Thanks to the iconic film, the term "Groundhog Day" has become code for living the same lousy experience over and over again.  To figure out how to avoid Groundhog Day syndrome in policy and politics, the 20 by 70 podcast takes a rollicking tour through ... the wit and wisdom of Bill Murray, the South Park underpants gnomes, something called "logic models," a new play about John Lewis and the Selma bridge, the Women's Marches and Indivisible.   Oh, and how to plan a wedding, too.

Episode 10:  What Bill Murray, South Park and Selma tell us about today's headlines

What do you get when you bring dozens of students from an Ivy League university together with dozens of students from a Christian college to talk about the election?  Well, in a recent experiment in civil dialogue, what you got were insights gained and friendships made.  Call it a tendril of hope in a sour time.  Continuing the hopeful theme, hear from Bekah Gable, the dynamic new head of Young Involved Philadelphia, on what her group is up to. And hear from cynical old head Chris Brennan, as the political columnist explains why there's at least a chance of slaying the gerrymander in Pennsylvania.

Episode 11: The young, the involved and the hopeful

We take a look at how tech concepts such as data-mining, crowd-funding and network effects are disrupting the settled arrangements of politics (which, Lord knows, could do with some disrupting).  TJ.Hurst of Jefferson's List explains how he hopes to disrupt the world of political consulting, and an underdog who used crowdfunding to upset a candidate anointed by the Philadelphia machine recounts how he did it.

Episode 12:  The Disruption Episode

Confused by the crowded field for the office of chief prosecutor in Philadelphia?  We rounded up two of the smartest guys in the city - Dave Davies of WHYY and Solomon Jones of WURD - to survey the issues, size up the candidates and their maneuverings and, most important, explain why this election means so much.  Plus a rundown of all the election resources that Seventy has put at your fingertips.

Episode 13: In which we do justice to the Philly D.A.'s race

Six months ago, few could have predicted the results of the recent Philadelphia Democratic primary, which produced upset winners in the district attorney and controller races.  Both results suggest to some that the city Democratic organization may be tottering on the brink of collapse, a zombie party.   In this episode, we test that hypothesis with two savvy reporters, Jim Saksa of PlanPhilly/NewsWorks and Claudia Vargas of the Philadelphia Inquirer (pictured here with Seventy's CEO, David Thornburgh.)

Episode 15: In which we discuss election upsets, zombie parties and the Big Sort

Everybody complains about their local airport, but the Committee of Seventy decided to do something about it.  The good government group recruited a team of 18 wicked-smart Philadelphians to help Philadelphia International Airport tackle some of its customer service issues.  In this episode, we review this adventure in civic consulting, which was called "The Franklin Challenge: Project Runway." Two of the volunteer consultants, Lauren Hughes of the Arden Theatre and Stefan Frank of the Wharton School, talk about the experience and the ideas for improving PHL that emerged from it.

Episode 17: How to help an airport soar

Philadelphia's head wonk, Seventy CEO David Thornburgh, runs down his list of indispensable nonfiction books that you should consider buying for the serious readers on your Christmas list.  Along the way, he and host Chris Satullo discuss, among other things, gerrymandering, hopefulness,Robert Moses vs. Jane Jacobs, the Pittsburgh Penguins, purple skies, dead armadillos and what it's like to have your daughter turn you into a character in her novel.

Episode 20:  Our holiday book tips, or what to get the wonk on your list

Philadelphia's head wonk, Seventy CEO David Thornburgh, runs down his list of indispensable nonfiction books that you should consider buying for the serious readers on your Christmas list. Along the way, he and host Chris Satullo discuss, among other things, gerrymandering, hopefulness,Robert Moses vs. Jane Jacobs, the Pittsburgh Penguins, purple skies, dead armadillos and what it's like to have your daughter turn you into a character in her novel.  This bonus edition of the podcast also includes recommendations from three of the podcast's favorite guests of 2017: Jason Tucker, Harris Sokoloff and Sharon Browning.

Episode 20 - Director's Cut - Expanded advice on what books to buy the wonks on your gift list

On his last day in office as a U.S. congressman - and as one of the last GOP moderates on Capitol Hill - Charles Dent (R., Pa.) sat down with Chris Satullo to talk about his time in office, the plague of hyper-partisanship, the fight over Obamacare and other adventures. The setting was the 10th anniversary celebration of the Penn Project for Civic Engagement in Philadelphia, so some of the talk was about the the quest for rational political dialogue and the negative impact of social media.   In this special bonus episode, listen in as one of Congress' most candid personalities gives you a peek inside the inner workings of Washington.

Episode 29: Swan song for the last of the GOP moderates

Pennsylvanians went to the polls on May 15.   Depending on where you sit, the results could be seen as a depressing show of apathy, a sign that 2018 will be the true "Year of the Woman" in politics,  or an indicator that the so-called "blue wave" is mostly hype.   In this episode, the dean of Harrisburg journalists,  columnist John Baer of the Inquirer and philly.com, talks it all over with Seventy CEO David Thornburgh.  Some of what this famously skeptical commentator has to say will surprise you.

Episode 30 - What was Pa.'s primary color: red, blue or gray? John Baer explains it all

The old Philadelphia Democratic machine is clearly wearing out.  But what might revive or supplant it?  In this podcast, David Thornburgh talks to Ali Perelman of Philadelphia 3.0 about efforts to bring fresh blood into the old party committee structure.  And Chris Satullo chats with Asian-American leader Andy Toy about what it might take to get the city's Asian and Hispanic minority populations to increase their impact at the polls.

Episode 31: The wheezing Philly Democratic machine ... repair or replace?

What's new in Maine and unheard-of in much of America is old hat in Ireland.   Ranked-choice voting lets voters express how they feel about multiple candidates, rather than just settling for the least-bad option. Here, it's just gaining a hard-won foothold in places like Maine and San Francisco.  But it's been the norm for decades in Ireland. In this episode, we talk to Philadelphian and Irish national Siobhan Lyons about why she loves, just loves, the system known in her native land as "single transferable vote."

Episode 33: Why Irish eyes are smiling on ranked-choice voting

And we're back! Committee of Seventy CEO David Thornburgh talks with two of our new Buchholz Fellows - Harper Seldin of @cozen_oconnor and Kalie Wertz of @UACoalition . David also chats with @YIPhilly 's Bekah Gable and Kate McGlinchey about the State of Young Philly #SOYP Conference. In our final segment, David and C70's Civic Engagement Consultant Chris Satullo talk about why Philadelphians should #ExpectMore from their city and join the #AntiShrug Movement, plus a note on how you can make a difference through #WeVote70 and @DrawtheLinesPA 

For more info, visit seventy.org

Episode 34: The State of Young Philadelphia

C70's CEO David Thornburgh and Civic Engagement Consultant Chris Satullo share their favorite non-fiction books of 2018. (These also happen to make perfect gifts for the politicos and policy wonks in your life.)
Michael Lewis, The Fifth Risk
https://know.freelibrary.org/Record/2424774

Doris Kearns Goodwin, Leadership in Turbulent Times
https://know.freelibrary.org/Record/2419545 

Ron Chernow, Grant
https://know.freelibrary.org/Record/2091768

Timothy Snyder, On Tyranny
https://know.freelibrary.org/Record/2072235

Episode 36: C70's Best Books of 2018

Hear from two rumored 2020 presidential candidates, former Governors John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and John Kasich (R-OH) who were the keynote speakers at Seventy’s 114th Anniversary Luncheon.  Their conversation was moderated by Marty Moss-Coane, host and executive producer of Radio Times.  CEO David Thornburgh and Civic Engagement Consultant Chris Satullo share their takeaways from the event which took place in November of 2018.

Episode 37 - Conversation between two rumored Presidential Candidates

Few in Philly have inspired more rumors - or fear - than legendary union boss John Dougherty.  Two top political journalists - Dave Davies of WHYY and David Gambacorta of philly.com - join us to talk through the twisty implications of the corruption indictment of one of the city's main power brokers.

Episode 38: What the sad tale of Johnny Doc means for Philly

Meet the podcast that's out to slay the gerrymander.  Try this 30-minute taste of Season 1, hosted by Chris Satullo.  You'll learn in clear terms how how this bug in America's operating system works to rig elections, fuel hyper-partisanship, block policy progress, encourage apathy and foment corruption.  Yet this six-episode package is no downer.  It tells, through their own words, the inspiring stories of people who are using DIY democracy to slay the gerrymander all across the land, from MIchigan to Utah, Colorado to Virginia and, above all, America’s birthplace, Pennsylvania.

Preview: A new podcast from Seventy ... Draw the Lines

1:00: Katherine Gilmore Richardson
15:00: Mark Ross
31:50: Eryn Santamoor

Watch all the candidate interviews at https://www.youtube.com/user/pchristmas70/videos

Voter resources:
ballot.seventy.org
seventy.org/wevote
seventy.org/votesmart

Thanks to Thomas Skelton Harrison for their generous support that allows us to produce these interviews!

Bonus: City Council At-Large - Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Mark Ross, & Eryn Santamoor

1:00: Isaiah Thomas
18:50: Fernando Trevino
35:40: Matt Wolfe

Watch all the candidate interviews at https://www.youtube.com/user/pchristmas70/videos

Voter resources:
ballot.seventy.org
seventy.org/wevote
seventy.org/votesmart

Thanks to Thomas Skelton Harrison for their generous support that allows us to produce these interviews!

Bonus: City Council At-Large Candidate Interviews with Isaiah Thomas, Fernando Trevino, & Matt Wolfe

1:00: Moira Bohannon
15:00: Luigi Borda
30:30: Carla Cain

Watch all the candidate interviews at https://www.youtube.com/user/pchristmas70/videos

Voter resources:
ballot.seventy.org
seventy.org/wevote
seventy.org/votesmart

Thanks to Thomas Skelton Harrison for their generous support that allows us to produce these interviews!

Bonus: City Commissioner Interviews with Moira Bohannon, & Luigi Borda, Carla Cain

1:00: Lisa Deeley
17:20: Jen Devor
33:00: Marwan Kreidie

Watch all the candidate interviews at https://www.youtube.com/user/pchristmas70/videos

Voter resources:
ballot.seventy.org
seventy.org/wevote
seventy.org/votesmart

Thanks to Thomas Skelton Harrison for their generous support that allows us to produce these interviews!

Bonus: City Commissioner Interviews with Lisa Deeley, Jen Devor, Marwan Kreidie

1:00: Dennis Lee
16:30: Omar Sabir
33:30: Kahlil Williams

Watch all the candidate interviews at https://www.youtube.com/user/pchristmas70/videos

Voter resources:
ballot.seventy.org
seventy.org/wevote
seventy.org/votesmart

Thanks to Thomas Skelton Harrison for their generous support that allows us to produce these interviews!

Bonus: City Commissioner Candidate Interview with Dennis Lee, Omar Sabir, & Kahlil Williams

This national election year is haunted by worries about polarization, voter fraud and suppression, toxic social media and disinformation campaigns. What can an individual voter do about all that?  Plenty. As part of its Campaign for Political Responsibility (CPR), the Committee of Seventy is promoting Five Habits of Highly Effective Citizens. Seventy's CEO David Thornburgh talks with journalist Chris Satullo about what those habits are, why they matter and what Seventy is doing to help people uphold them. Also, listen in as Fresh Air's Dave Davies interviews the two speakers at our annual luncheon, constitutional scholar Akhil Reed Amar and civil rights lawyer Sherrilyn Ifill.

Episode 39: CPR For Democracy & the Year of the Voter

PA's top election official, Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar talks with C70 CEO David Thornburgh about the significant changes to how Pennsylvanians will vote in 2020. From the new option to vote by mail, to new registration deadlines, new machines in every county, and the challenges of ensuring every vote counts amid a global pandemic, this wide-ranging conversation is packed with information you need to vote smart this year.

Resources:
votespa.com
ballot.seventy.org
wevote.seventy.org

Episode 40: PA Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar Discusses Big Changes to PA Elections

How do we vote safely and securely in the middle of a pandemic? Committee of Seventy CEO David Thornburgh speaks with The National Vote at Home Institute's Amber McReynolds. 
www.voteathome.org

McReynolds is one of the country’s leading experts on election administration and policy, and co-author of the book “When Women Vote”. Amber is the CEO for the National Vote At Home Institute and Coalition and is the former Director of Elections for Denver, Colorado. During her time there, she transformed the elections division into a national and international award-winning office. She has proven that designing pro-voter policies, voter-centric processes, and implementing technical innovations will improve representation for all voters.

Vote at Home with Expert Amber McReynolds

The novel coronavirus disrupted college life in a big way. Amid the chaos of moving out of dorms and transitioning to online learning, college students were uncertain about how and where to vote. In light of the many questions we received, we decided to call in the experts: the PA Department of State's Tiffany Chang Lawson and All In Challenge Executive Director Jennifer Domagal-Goldman. 

They join C70 CEO David Thornburgh to discuss the All In Campus Democracy Challenge through Civic Nation and the DoS, and the challenges facing college students who want to vote amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

votespa.com
allinchallenge.org
wevote.seventy.org

Thanks to Tiffany Chang Lawson, Director of the Bureau of Campaign Finance & Civic Engagement in the PA Dept of State and
Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, Executive Director, ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge

votespa.com
allinchallenge.org
wevote.seventy.org

College Voting Challenge - and Challenges

Best-selling author Dave Daley joins C70 CEO David Thornburgh and Civic Engagement Consultant Chris Satullo to discuss his new book, Unrigged: How Americans Are Battling Back to Save Democracy. Get inspired by civic movements taking shape across the nation, and discover the blueprint for action you can take to positively impact your community.

The name of Dave Daley's last book is Ratf@#ked and it gets mentioned a few times, hence the explicit warning.

Unrigged with Dave Daley

The Committee of Seventy is Philadelphia's advocate for effective, ethical government, and fair, clean elections.

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