Philadelphia is sending a progressive to Congress. Chris Rabb is a self-described outgoing introvert who’s not prone to optimism. Rabb is a movement candidate whose decisive win was far from a given. Philly’s mayor, the city's Democratic Party, and other establishment Democrats having endorsed his opponents, Rabb attributes his 15-point win to energizing voters with no loyalty to the Democratic Party or to status quo politics. 

In today’s episode, host Conrad Benner talks with Chris Rabb about his plans for Washington. Might he become the next member of “The Squad” with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, and Rashida Tlaib? He reflects on his early life, which includes fights against the administration when he attended Yale University, his background in improv and his love of the arts, and how he believes lessons learned from his ancestors have really prepared him for this moment. 

*** Learn how you can support the Streets Dept Podcast and get access to bonus content and events by visiting: Patreon.com/StreetsDept ***

Follow Chris Rabb: https://www.instagram.com/chrisrabb

Visit Chris Rabb’s website: https://www.chrisrabb.com

The Streets Dept Podcast is produced in partnership with Rowhome Productions. 

Sapphira Cristál is a superstar talent. Runner-up and Miss Congeniality of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16, she is a classically trained opera singer, composer, and drag queen known for her theatrical lip syncs and six-octave range. She’s also a comedian, touring the country doing stand-up. And most recently, she’s started her own interview podcast, simply called SAPPHIRA. In today’s episode, host Conrad Benner talks with Sapphira about leading with love, finding humor, and getting prepared for when it’s your time on the center stage! 

*** Learn how you can support the Streets Dept Podcast and get access to bonus content and events by visiting: Patreon.com/StreetsDept ***

Follow Sapphira Cristál: https://www.instagram.com/sapphiracristal/ 

Visit Sapphira Cristál’s website: https://www.sapphiracristal.com/ 

The Streets Dept Podcast is produced in partnership with Rowhome Productions.  

Welcome to our monthly Editor’s Table episode, where we offer behind-the-scenes conversations about podcasting, independent media, Philly, and the arts! Every month at the table, you’ll hear from Streets Dept founder/podcast host Conrad Benner, lead contributor Eric Dale, and podcast producer Alex Lewis.

In this month's edition, podcasting expert Lauren Passell joins Alex and Conrad to discuss advice for the relaunch of our Streets Dept Podcast, why member-support is crucial for today’s podcasts, and other tips and tricks she offers to help us grow our show!  

Subscribe to Lauren’s podcast newsletter: https://podcastthenewsletter.substack.com/  

***Help us grow: This is just a sample of this month's Editor's Table. Full Editor’s Table episodes are only available to our Patreon members, who also get other benefits, like monthly bonus columns and free access to future events. Main feed episodes may also eventually contain ads, and Patreon members will also get an ad-free podcast feed when that happens. Learn more, become a member, and support this independent effort here: patreon.com/streetsdept

It’s not everyday a street artist gets the attention of The Washington Post, but over the last year an individual new to both Philly and art has caught the eyes of many. This artist goes by the name Make It Weird (and EmEyeWhisky, and MIW; they go by “Em” for short). 

*** Learn how you can support the Streets Dept Podcast and get access to bonus content and events by visiting: Patreon.com/StreetsDept ***

And in addition to critical recognition, the artist’s work has earned millions of views on social media with tens of thousands of shares and engagements. Em’s street art signs are sometime humorous, sometimes pointed. Em has found a way to connect to the heart of Philly culture and hold a mirror to it. 

In today’s episode, host Conrad Benner talks with Em about why they moved to Philly, how found themselves creating a now much-beloved street art persona, and, at their core, what’s driving all of this!  

Follow Make It Weird: https://www.instagram.com/emeyewhisky/

Visit Make It Weird’s website: https://meyew.net/ 

The Streets Dept Podcast is produced in partnership with Rowhome Productions.  

There’s an artist in Philadelphia creating their own blueprint, and we think you’ll find her vision and path really fascinating. This artist is developing a personal artistic practice while working within established Philly arts institutions and simultaneously building their own. Her goals are many, but at her core is a drive to help people feel seen and make art more accessible–including curating exhibitions with new artists and building price points and options for first-time buyers. This artist is Chelsey Luster. 

In today’s episode, host Conrad Benner talks with Chelsey about the importance of practicality in a creative career. She also discusses why she will always talk with you when you visit her gallery. And Chelsey offers some important tips for emerging artists eager to catch the attention of a curator like her.  

*** Learn how you can support the Streets Dept Podcast and get access to bonus content and events by visiting: Patreon.com/StreetsDept ***

Follow Chelsey Luster: https://www.instagram.com/chelseylusterart/ 

Plan a visit to the Luster Gallery + Studio: https://www.lustergallerystudio.com/#/

Learn about Magic Gardens exhibitions: https://www.phillymagicgardens.org/ 

The Streets Dept Podcast is produced in partnership with Rowhome Productions.  

***Help us grow: This is just an excerpt of this month's Editor's Table. Full Editor’s Table episodes are only available to our Patreon members, who also get other benefits, like monthly bonus columns and free access to future events. Main feed episodes may also eventually contain ads, and Patreon members will also get an ad-free podcast feed when that happens. Learn more, become a member, and support this independent effort here: patreon.com/streetsdept

Welcome to our monthly Editor’s Table episode, where we offer behind-the-scenes conversations about podcasting, independent media, Philly, and the arts! Every month at the table, you’ll hear from Streets Dept founder/podcast host Conrad Benner, lead contributor Eric Dale, and podcast producer Alex Lewis.

In this episode we talk about a new mural in Philly that’s raising the eyebrows of many in the street art and graffiti communities. We get into some details about Eric’s puzzle business and the  tax hike for Philly small businesses. And Alex offers more insight into his musical side. 

Follow Conrad, Eric, and Alex here: 

instagram.com/conradbenner

instagram.com/ericinphilly/ 

instagram.com/alexjrlewis/ 

If you’re on our side of the social media algorithms, you’ve likely also seen many videos from different Philadelphians hoping for a Zohran Mamdani-type to rise in Philly politics. And, as we see it, there are a number of City and State politicians who might fit the criteria. Today’s guest is one of them.

*** Learn how you can support the Streets Dept Podcast and get access to bonus content and events by visiting: Patreon.com/StreetsDept ***

In this episode, host Conrad Benner talks with Pennsylvania State Senator Nikil Saval. Elected in 2021, Nikil is a writer, journalist, and former co-editor of the literary journal n+1. He’s the son of immigrants and small business owners. And he’s refreshingly not someone who necessarily thought he’d end up in politics. But Nikil is someone who found himself called to public service after years of organizing as a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.

Follow Nikil Saval: https://www.instagram.com/nikilsaval/ 

Go to Nikil Saval’s website: https://nikilsaval.com/ 

The Streets Dept Podcast is produced in partnership with Rowhome Productions.  

If we were to make a Mount Rushmore of artists who’ve changed Philadelphia, today’s guest would likely be at the top of most people’s list: Meg Saligman

*** Learn how you can support the Streets Dept Podcast and get access to bonus content and events by visiting: Patreon.com/StreetsDept ***

Meg is a self-described champion of humans. She’s an artist and muralist who has produced over 40 permanent public artworks worldwide, including some of the world's largest public murals. And she’s also now the president and artistic visionary behind the Ministry of Awe in Old City, Philadelphia. It's a five-story temple to curiosity created with 100 fellow artists, a project that will surely continue to cement her legendary status.

Follow Meg Salimgan: https://www.instagram.com/megsaligmanstudio/ 

Go to Meg Salimgan’s website: https://www.megsaligman.com/ 

Check out the Ministry of Awe: https://moaphilly.org/ 

The Streets Dept Podcast is produced in partnership with Rowhome Productions. 

There’s truly no one like R. Eric Thomas. A television writer, playwright, bestselling author, and the writer of a nationally syndicated advice column and weekly humor newsletter, Eric’s a man of fierce observation and stirring wit. Oh, and he was literally the very first guest on the Streets Dept Podcast back in 2017. 

In this episode, host Conrad Benner catches up with Eric and talks about the state of the world, managing a creative career while cultivating boredom, Beyonce, and the art of storytelling across various mediums to center queer history and experiences.  

Go to R. Eric Thomas' Website: https://rericthomas.com 

Follow R. Eric Thomas @oureric

*** Learn how you can support the Streets Dept Podcast and get access to bonus content and events by visiting: Patreon.com/StreetsDept ***

The Streets Dept Podcast is produced in partnership with Rowhome Productions.

Welcome to our first monthly Editor’s Table episode, where we offer behind-the-scenes conversations about podcasting, independent media, Philly, and the arts! 

Every month at the Table, you’ll hear Streets Dept founder/podcast host Conrad Benner, lead contributor Eric Dale, and podcast producer Alex Lewis. 

This month we talk about why re-launching the podcast at this moment makes a ton of sense, and how listener support is more crucial than ever. We learn more about the work, interests, and passions of Eric and Alex. And we remember a Philly street art legend who we recently lost, El Toro.  

Learn more about Conrad, Eric, and Alex here: 

https://www.instagram.com/conradbenner/  

https://www.instagram.com/ericinphilly/ 

https://alexjrlewis.com/ 

Support El Toro’s wife here:

https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/ee908l  

***Help us grow: While all interview episodes of the Streets Dept Podcast (like our  interview with Sarah McAnulty) will always remain publicly available, future interview episodes may eventually contain ads–and future Editor’s Table episodes will only be fully available to our Patreon members. Our Streets Dept Patreon members receive many benefits, including ad-free listens to our podcast and access to these monthly Editor’s Table episodes. Learn more, become a member, and support this independent effort here: https://www.patreon.com/streetsdept 

With science funding under threat and the internet full of misinformation, we have a hero among us: Sarah McAnulty.

In this episode, host Conrad Benner talks with Sarah about the challenges and opportunities of this moment. Not only is Sarah arguably one of our country’s most successful science communicators, but she’s also a street artist. And really, the two for her go hand-in-hand. In her conversation with Conrad, Sarah gives some really practical advice for how to help increase biodiversity in your town or city–and why that’s very important for supporting a future for us all! 

Follow Sarah McAnulty @sarahmackattack 

Support Skype a Scientist: https://givebutter.com/SupportSAS26

Check out Sarah’s Artwork: https://mackmonsters.bigcartel.com/

*** Learn how you can support the Streets Dept Podcast and get access to bonus content and events by visiting: Patreon.com/StreetsDept ***

The Streets Dept Podcast is produced in partnership with Rowhome Productions.