We Question & Learn: Recent Episodes
WQLN
The call letters of our station, WQLN, stand for "We Question and Learn".
The "We Question and Learn" interview program heard Sundays at 4 p.m., monthly, on WQLN Radio 91.3 FM is dedicated to being a community interest program devoting an entire hour to interviews with Erie's prominent leaders, business people, and educators, focusing in on business and technology.
As we paint a verbal picture of the business and economic development in our community, we look for your suggestions for "WE QUESTION AND LEARN" interviews.
This month We Question and Learn features Linda Moore, Executive Director of the Site Center of Northwest Pennsylvania, along with Shannon Wolford, Director of Marketing Annual Fund. Then we will hear from the Vice President of Marketing and Community Government Relations, Erin Fessler, along with Steve Weiser, vice president of Philanthropic Services for the Erie Community Foundation, talking about Erie Gives Day on August 12th.
On this episode of We Question and Learn, host Tom Pysz welcomes Robert Chatfield, President and CEO of the Free to Choose Network—a global media nonprofit best known for producing Milton Friedman’s landmark ten-part television series Free to Choose. Chatfield discusses the organization's ongoing mission to promote economic education and individual liberty through powerful storytelling and media.
Later in the program, Tom speaks with Jennifer Farrar, the newly appointed President and CEO of the Tom Ridge Environmental Center Foundation. She shares her vision for the foundation’s future and its critical role in supporting environmental education and stewardship at the gateway to Presque Isle State Park.
Join host Tom Pysz as We Question & Learn welcomes Melissa "Roo" Kojancie, President and CEO of the Erie Zoo, for an engaging conversation about leadership, community engagement, and the future of one of Erie’s most beloved institutions. Then, we speak with Gregory Hall, CEO of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania, about addressing food insecurity and the vital role the Food Bank plays in the region.
This episode of We Question and Learn features two insightful conversations from across Pennsylvania’s economic and philanthropic landscape.
First, host Tom Pysz speaks with James Welty, President of the Marcellus Shale Coalition, who shares an in-depth look at the Coalition’s mission, its activities, and its membership—highlighting its role in shaping Pennsylvania’s energy future.
Then, we’re joined by Trenton Moulin, President and Executive Director of the Bridge Builders Community Foundations, serving Venango, Forest, and Clarion counties. Moulin discusses the foundation’s impact, collaborative efforts, and how it’s fostering growth and community development across the region.
In this episode of We Question & Learn, host Tom Pysz sits down with Attorney Alex Cox from the Knox Law Firm to explore the complexities of Technology and Intellectual Property Law, offering valuable insights for businesses and innovators. Then, we shift focus to community impact as Tom speaks with Jonathan Rilling, the new President and CEO of Erie Homes for Children and Adults (EHCA), alongside Jessica Krugger, Director of Advancement. Together, they discuss EHCA’s mission, leadership vision, and the vital services they provide. Tune in for an informative and inspiring conversation!
This episode of We Question and Learn will feature an interview with Maggie Horne, Director of the Small Business Development Center at Gannon University. Then my guest will be Craig Palmer, Chief Executive Office of the Erie Water Works.
This episode of We Question and Learn program will feature Karen Bilowith, President and CEO of the Erie Community Foundation. With her will be Erin Fessler, Vice President of Community and Government Relations. We'll hear an overview about the Foundation's activities and accomplishments. Also featured is Jake Rouch, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer at the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership.
Join us Sunday afternoons starting at 4 on WQLN NPR and then online at WQLN.org or your favorite podcast venue.
This episode of We Question and Learn features Dr. Nick Viglione, Chief Executive Director at Perseus House, dedicated to helping adolescents through treatment and interventions. Then our guest will be Mark Amendola, a master trainer for aggression replacement training and the former 26 year executive director at Perseus House. You can hear these interviews Sunday afternoon, December 1st, starting at four, and bring you all NPR and then online at NPR, one YouTube or your favorite podcast venue.
This episode features Debra Thompson, Founder and CEO of Strategy Solutions talking about the nonprofit environment, fundraising and the perspectives of a new generation and Erin Wrenak, Director Erie County Department of Health, outlining all of their current programs.
In this episode of We Question and Learn we feature Julie Slomski, the Executive Director of the Erie-Western PA Port Authority talking about Bayfront Development. Followed by an interview with Doctor Ferdinando Mirarchi, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer of USACS Mideo LLC, and also the Chairman of the National Palliative Care Committee for US Acute Care Solutions.
This episode of We question and Learn will feature interviews with Robert Chatfield, President and CEO of the Free To Choose Network, a global media nonprofit organization whose history goes back to 1980 with the production of Milton Friedman's PBS series Free To Choose. And Jake Rouch, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer at the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership.
The next We Question and Learn program will feature an interview with Tina Mengine, President and CEO of the Erie County Redevelopment Authority and Craig Palmer, the new Chief Executive Officer of the Erie Water Works.
On this episode of We Question and Learn featured guests include Derek Martin, the Executive Director of the Erie Regional Airport Authority (ERAA), a role he has held since 2018 and Robert Lawrence Kuhn, an American public intellectual, international corporate strategist, investment banker, author, and creator, producer and host of Closer to Truth on PBS.
This episode of 'We Question and Learn' will features aninterview with Doctor Rebecca Styn, winner of the Ben Franklin Technology Partners $50,000 idea contest and her venture into alcohol free cocktail products. Then our guest is Laurie Zierer, Executive Director of PA Humanities, an organization celebrating 50 years of service to Pennsylvania's cultural arts and communities. You can hear these programs Sunday afternoon, June 2nd, starting at 4 on WQLN NPR, and then on WQLN dot O R G.
This episode of We Question & Learn featuresan interview with Brian Slawin, Regional Director and Portfolio Manager of the Central and Northeast Pennsylvania Ben Franklin Technology Partners. Then my guest will be Mark Sherman, President of Community Heart and Soul doing outreach in 125 small towns across the United States.
This WE QUESTION AND LEARN program features an interview with Doctor Robert Lawrence Kuhn, host of the television program 'Closer to Truth' broadcast on 200 PBS and public broadcasting stations. Then our guest will be Daniel Figurelli, an audio preservation engineer from Indiana University Bloomington, talking about the media preservation initiative there with a 7000 wax cylinder archive rivaling the Library of Congress.
This We Question & Learn program will feature an interview with Debra Sunya Moore, Senior Vice President and Chief Program Officer at the Chautauqua Institution, talking about the upcoming season. Then our guests will be Ferki Ferati, President of the Jefferson Educational Society along with Ben Speggen, Vice President, outlining the Jefferson's outreach and activities. You can hear these guests, Sunday afternoon, March 3rd starting at 4 on WQLN NPR, and then online at WQLN dot o r g slash we question.
This We Question & Learn program will feature an interview with Millcreek Township Supervisor, Jim Bock. We'll talk about all the services the Township provides involving administration, emergency management, fire, police, recycling, community activities and more. Then we'll learn about all the outreach activities provided by Visit Erie from Emily Biddle, Director of Marketing and Research along with information on local activities surrounding the April 8th Solar Eclipse.
This We Question and Learn Program will feature an interview with Dr. Lindy Smart, Executive Director, Intelligence Studies at Mercyhurst University along with Dr. Christopher Mansour, founding member and Assistant Professor of Cyber Security Programs at Mercyhurst. Then we talk with Michael Gaines, Executive Director of the Children's Advocacy Center on the critical issue of child abuse in our community.
This We Question and Learn Program will take a short vacation from our regular interviews and we'll broadcast the first hour of a special two hour holiday presentation written, produced and narrated by Dr. Andrew Roth featuring an educational and most entertaining program entitled 'A Caroling We Will Go.'
You can find part 2 here: https://www.wqln.org/podcast/the-american-tapestry-project
The upcoming We Question and Learn program will feature an interview with Gus Pine, Director of Erie Events. We'll talk about the Bayfront Convention Center, the Warner Theatre, UPMC Park and the Erie Insurance Arena. Then we talk with Dalene Duvenage, assistant professor at the Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences and her three decades of business experience including her career in South Africa.
The next We Question & Learn program will feature 2 new interviews, first with Doctor Gerald Clark, author and professor, with 27 years of criminal justice experience. We'll recap the 20 year anniversary of the Pizza Bomber Case and highlight his new publications. Then we'll talk with Robert Chatfield, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Free To Choose Network beginning as an award winning PBS series.
The next We Question and Learn program will revisit an interview with David Callahan, President of the Marcellus Shale Coalition. Then we'll hear an interview with Dr. Barry Bittman, CEO and President of the Yamaha Music and Wellness Institute and former host of a Mind, Body Wellness program that was heard on WQLN and across the country.
The next We Question and Learn program will feature an interview with Karen Bilowith, President and CEO of the Erie Community Foundation. With her will be Erin Fessler, Vice President, Marketing and Community/Government Relations, talking about Erie Gives Day on August 8th. Then, we'll talk with Dr. Barry Bittman, CEO and President of the Yamaha Music and Wellness Institute and former host of a Mind, Body Wellness program that was heard on WQLN and across the country.
For this We Question & Learn program we'll talk with Michael Hill, President of the Chautauqua Institution about the Institution's Economic Contribution Analysis report and about the upcoming season. Then our guest will be Nikki Carey from the American Cancer Society talking about helping cancer patients and saving lives in our region.
In this We Question and Learn program we talk with John Vanco for almost 50 years the Director and Curator of the Erie Art Museum about the August 4th, 5th and 6th, 31st Erie Blues and Jazz Festival. Then we talk with Trenton Moulin, President of the Bridge Builders Community Foundations (plural is correct) with an update on philanthropy and outreach in the Oil City region.
In this We Question and Learn program we interview Deborah Sunya Moore, Senior Vice President and Chief Program Officer at the Chautauqua Institution with details on the upcoming season. Then our guest will be Karen Rzepecki with the story of reCAP Mason Jars, a local entrepreneur with national success using all local companies and employees.
This We Question And Learn program features Lindy Smart, Executive Director of Intelligence Studies at Mercyhurst University, celebrating its 30th year and also Robert Heibel of Applied Intelligence Studies Associates, who initiated the unique applied intelligence studies program at Mercyhurst in 1992.
This We Question and Learn program will feature interviews with Attorney Robert D. Zaruta talking about labor shortages, non-compete agreements and Social Networking & the Cancel Culture. Then our guest will be Sarah Humphrey, Executive Director of the Erie Cancer Wellness Center outlining its services to our community.
The next We Question and Learn Program will feature an interview with Brian Slawin, Regional Director and Portfolio manager for the Ben Franklin Technology Partners, along with Fire and Ice Program Leader, Jordan Fuller from the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership. Then we'll revisit an interview with Gerald Clark, Professor, retired special FBI Agent and Author.
This week on We Question and Learn we interview Gerald Clark, PhD, professor, retired special FBI agent and author. We'll talk about his career starting with the "Pizza Bomber" case in 2003. Then we interview attorney Jonathan D'Silva about navigating the world of intellectual property from multinational corporations to small businesses.
This months interviews will feature Robert Zaruta, President and CEO of the Northwest Industrial Resource Center with an overview of services and programs for small to midsize businesses in Northwest and North Central Pennsylvania. Then we'll talk with Ellen Hill, Director of Chronic Disease Programming at the YMCA of Greater Erie, on health care and food desert issues in our community.
The next We Question and Learn program will feature an interview with Robert Chatfield, President and CEO of the Free To Choose Network with an update on outreach and programs in our community. This is your host Tom Pysz. Then my guest will be David Callahan, President of the Marcellus Shale Coalition, a trade association focused on Marcellus and Utica Shale development.
This We Question and Learn program will feature an interview withSusan Snelick, President of the Northern Pennsylvania Regional College Along with Melinda Saunders, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. Then we'll feature part 2 of an interview with Paul Vojtek, CEO and CFO of the Erie Water Works. You can hear this program, online at https://www.wqln.org/Listen/Podcasts/We-Question-Learn.
This We Question and Learn program will feature an interview with Karen Bilowith, President and CEO of the Erie Community Foundation. We'll be talking about Erie Gives a special online event, August 9th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. This is your host Tom Pysz. Then my guest will be Michael Gaines, Executive Director of the Bradley H. Foulk Children's Advocacy Center of Erie County.
This WE QUESTION & LEARN program will feature interviews with:
Robin Dowling, Executive Director of Stairways Behavioural Health, accompanied by Guy Signor, President and CEO at Journey healths Systems, talking about the key issues facing behavioral health providers today.
Then our guests will be Eric McGaughy, Director of Community Development at the American Cancer Society, along with Debbie Thompson, President of Strategy Solutions outlining important cancer services in our community.
You can hear these programs, Sunday afternoon, July 3rd at 4 on WQLN NPR.
The next We Question and Learn program will feature an interview with David P. Gibbons, President of UPMC Hamot discussing all the hospital's existing and new programs. Then an interview with Becka Swick, Director of Marketing and Public Education from the Sight Center of Northwest Pennsylvania along with Lana Kunick, Director of Diabetes Prevention.
The next We Question and Learn program will feature an interview with Tina Mengine, the Chief Executive Officer of the Erie County Redevelopment Authority. This is your host, Tom Pysz. Then I'll interview Becka Swick, Director of Marketing and Public Education from the Sight Center of Northwest Pennsylvania along with Lana Kunick, Director of Diabetes Prevention.
Join Tom Pysz, the host of We Question And Learn as he talks with the President of the Chautauqua Institution, Michael E. Hill and the Chancellor of Penn State Behrend, Dr. Ralph Ford.
We Question and Learn host Tom Pysz talks with the President & CEO of the Erie Community Foundation, Karen Bilowith. Tom also interviews the CEO of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, James Grunke.
Join We Question and Learn host Tom Pysz as he talks with Executive Director of Africa 6000 International, Teresa Murtland. Tom will also interview the CEO of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, James Grunke.
Join We Question and Learn host Tom Pysz as he talks with Brenda Sandberg, Executive Director at Erie-Western PA Port Authority. Tom will also interview Dr. Chris Gray, the founder and current president of the Erie County Community College of Pennsylvania.
Join Tom Pysz host of We Question & Learn as he talks with Brian Slawin - Director at Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Barbara Chaffee - President & Chief Executive Officer at Tom Ridge Environmental Center, and Matt Greene - Park Operations Manager at Presque Isle State Park Complex.
Tom Pysz talks with with Pau Vojtek, the CEO of the Erie Water Works. With him will be Dan Bensur, the Board Chair. Then Tom talks about Erie's magical history with magician Bobby Borgia.
Tom Pysz talks with Ted Wood, a nonprofit professional coming up on 40 years of fundraising experience. Then Tom talks with Charles Walczak, the CEO of Erie Homes For Children and Adults along with Jonathan Rilling, VP of marketing, advancement and communications.
On the next We Question and Learn, Tom Pysz talks with Greg Coleman, President of the Erie SeaWolves about the business of baseball. Then Tom talks with Bill Jackson, President of United Way of Erie County focusing on the mission and direction of the organization.
Tom Pysz talks with Laith Wardi from Executive Pulse, an organization involved in technology and economic development reaching across the United States, Canada and other parts of the world. We'll gain a new perspective on better ways to utilize CRM to be successful in a global environment. Tom also talks with Adam Bratton, the Executive Director of the Nonprofit Partnership about Erie Gives Day on August 10th.
Tom Pysz talks with George Deutsch, Executive Director of the Hagan History Center. Then we'll hear from Becky Weiser, Curator of the Hagan History Center.
Tom Pysz talks with Susanna Wies Frigon, Vice President of Philanthropic Services at the Erie Community Foundation. Then we'll hear from Jake Rouch, Vice President, Economic Division of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership along with Leslie Ridge Allen, Vice President of Business Engagement.
Tom Pysz talks with David Frew, Scholar, Lecturer, and Author of Accidental Paradise, a 13,000 year history of Presque Isle. Then he talks with Trenton Moulin, President and CEO of the Bridge Builders Community Foundations (plural is correct) located in Oil City, Pennsylvania.
Tom Pysz talks with Michael E. Hill, the 18th president of the Chautauqua Institution talking about the upcoming season and more. Then we'll hear from Karen Seggi, the executive director of the Second Harvest Food Bank, coping in a COVID-19 era.
Tom Pysz talks with Charles 'Boo' Hagerty, Chief Development Officer for the Hamot Health Foundation. Then he'll talk with Tom McClure, the District Manager of the Erie County Conservation District.
Tom talks with Doctor Maureen Barber-Carey, Executive Vice President of the Barber National Institute, talking about programs and outreach for 2021. And Wendy Wallace, the Executive Director of Meals on Wheel in Erie, PA; outlining the services and challenges facing this program in a COVID-19 era.
This WE QUESTION AND LEARN program will feature an interview with Adam C. Bratton, the Executive Director of The Nonprofit Partnership and Dr. Andrew Roth, Scholar-in-Residence at the Jefferson Educational Society, and host of The American Tapestry Project on WQLN NPR.
This WE QUESTION AND LEARN program will feature an interview with County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper who will talk about COVID-19 in Erie County and then other important programs for our community. Then Tom Talks with Doctor Greg Filbeck, Director of the Black School of Business and Samuel P. Black the III Professor of Finance and Risk Management at Penn State Behrend.
Tom talks with Blane Dessy, Director of the Erie County Public Library, and Beck Weiser, Curator of the Hagen History Center - Erie County Historical Society.
Since WQLN was founded on August 13, 1967, and before, Bob Chitester has been involved with Public Broadcasting. During the next We Question and Learn program, we'll gain insights reflecting those early days forward, to today's Free To Chose Network.
This is Tom Pysz inviting you to join me for a special one hour program talking with Bob Chitester, Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board of that organization.
Tom Talks with Michael L. Batchelor, President of the Erie Community Foundation, about the highlights of his career since starting in 1990 and his pending retirement at the end of 2020.Then Tom talks with Ferki Ferati, President, along with Ben Speggen, Vice President, about the mission, vision and activities of The Jefferson Educational Society.
On this episode of WE QUESTION and LEARN; Tom Pysz talks with Debra Thompson, President of Strategy Solutions, consultant, trainer and Peer Reviewer for the Standards of Excellence Institute, along with Thomas A. Tupitza, President of the Knox Law Firm, talking about the effects locally and beyond of the Covid 19 Pandemic. Then Tom talks with Robert Chatfield, President and CEO of the FREE TO CHOOSE network, a global media organization.
Tom Pysz talks with Mark Amendola, the Executive Director at Perseus House. They'll talk about nonprofit services and organizational survival during the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic... including the stress factors involved in providing health care, social services, and evidence based programming for youth and families in our community today.
On this episode of We Question and Learn; Tom Pysz talks with Mary Bula, Director of Erie Together, "Erie's Countywide Collective Impact Movement". Then Tom talks with Doctor Andrew Roth, with Part 2 of a series on the American Dream.
TV journalists Mike Ruzzi, Kara Coleman, and Mark Soliday join Tom Pysz to talk about media today and reflect on the 70 years history of Erie's WICU TV.
Tom Pysz talks with James Grunke, the CEO of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership about goals and accomplishments for the 2020 year. Then Tom talks with Adam Bratton, the Executive Director of the Nonprofit Partnership who will be talking about nonprofit management and the state of the nonprofit community in Northwest Pennsylvania.
On the next We Question and Learn program Tom Pysz talks with County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper discussing the state of the county, addressing key points from Public Health to our Entrepreneurial Ecosystem. Then Tom Talks with Dr. James Fisher, Associate Provost at Edinboro University, along with Ed McKean, talking about the preview event March 18th at Edinboro University and the PBS documentary, “A More Or Less Perfect Union’.
Tom Pysz talks with Dr. David Frew, author, and co-author of 35 books, along with over a hundred articles, cases, and papers. Then Tom talks with Dr. Andrew Roth with Part 2 of an interview series examining the American Dream.
Tom Pysz talks with Penny Mechley-Porter, a licensed professional counselor who has created a first-of-its-kind-anywhere co-working space for therapists. We’ll learn more about the new Thrive Therapy Space here in Erie, Pennsylvania. In the second half of the program, Tom's guest will be Dr. Andrew Roth, with part two of a documentary series on the “American Dream – 2020”.
Tom Pysz talks with the Erie Philharmonic's Music Director, Daniel Meyer. With him will be WQLN Classical Music Host, Brian Hannah. Then Tom Talks with Gerry Schneggenburger, the Chief Operation Officer of the Northwest Industrial Resource Center (NWIRC).
Tom Pysz talks with Bill Jackson, President and Chief Professional Officer of United Way of Erie County and Doctor Andrew Roth with an outline entitled ‘AMERICAN TAPESTRY : WE TELL OURSELVES STORIES”, insights on our country since the 60’s.
Tom Pysz talks with James Grunke, the CEO and Executive Director of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership. Then Tom talks with Mark Amendola, the Executive Director of Perseus House along with Doctor Nick Viglione, the Chief Educational Officer of the Charter School of Excellence.
Tom talks with Dr. Christopher Clark, president of Saint Vincent hospital, about all the recent and new projects and expansions there. Also on the program is the curator of the Erie County Historical Society, Becky Weiser, with an outline of all the programs, tours, and exhibits at the Hagen History Center.
Tom Pysz talks with Michael Outlaw, community liaison for the City of Erie. With him will be Brian Slawin, director and portfolio manager for the Ben Franklin Technology Partners. Then Tom talks with Nicole Reitzell, Vice President of Community Engagement for the Erie Downtown Development Corporation.
Tom Pysz talks with Debra Thompson, President of Strategy Solutions along with Attorney Tom Tupitza. about nonprofit organization collaboration and governance. Then Tom will talk with Jordan Steves, Director of Community Relations at the Chautauqua Institution about the 2019 Summer Season.
Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper discusses the public safety radio system, Erie County Public Library’s Idea Lab at Blasco Memorial Library, the county data center, the Blue Zones project, and more. In the second half of the program, Mark Amendola, Executive Director of Perseus House Charter School of Excellence, along with Dr. Nick Viglione, Perseus House Chief Educational Officer, discuss the activities of the school.
Erie's keenest minds are working to solve critical community needs. Adam Bratton, Executive Director of the Nonprofit Partnership, shares an overview of how nonprofits address critical problems on a local level. In the second half of the program, Ashley Senger, ESL educator and owner of Language Connections, LLC, discusses the unique needs of City of Erie residents for whom English is a second language.
In this special one-hour feature, Andrew Roth, Ph.D., discusses the 1960s roots of modern America. Roth brings 33 years of academic leadership experience to Erie's Jefferson Educational Society where, as scholar in residence, he is researching and preparing presentations on the topic of 1968: The Far Side of the Moon and the Birth of the Culture Wars.
Tom Saunders, Executive Director of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, discusses reserved green areas in Northwest Pennsylvania. In the second half of the episode, cognitive scientist Dr. Afzal Upal and computer engineer Dr. Christopher Mansour, cybersecurity experts from Mercyhurst University, discuss the frontiers of cybersecurity.
Guests share perspectives on local business development and initiatives. First we hear from Dr. Joyce Miller, CEO of the Northwest Institute of Research, and Elana Como, Director of the Northwest Regional Key, Region One, and Quality Initiatives Director for the Early Learning Resource Center, Region 2. Then Donald Moore from Decision Associates joins us for the second half of the program.
Kristi Bailey, President of Young Erie Professionals, makes her radio debut with a history of YEP - and a look ahead, as the professional network continues to evolve. In the second half of the program, Mike Smiley, strategist and marketing executive at Decision Associates, shares insight into the consulting group's scope of expertise.