Episodes

  • Preview: What is "In Other News"?

    Preview: What is "In Other News"?
    Jan 18 2023
    Tony Norman and fellow journalist Natalie Bencivenga talk about their backgrounds, why they are doing this new podcast and more!
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    3 mins
  • Episode 12: The Season Finale: A Healthy Dose of Gratitude, The Hottest of the Hot Takes, and A Conversation with NEXT’s New Restaurant Editor.

    Episode 12: The Season Finale: A Healthy Dose of Gratitude, The Hottest of the Hot Takes, and A Conversation with NEXT’s New Restaurant Editor.
    Mar 28 2023
    The Season Finale: A Healthy Dose of Gratitude, The Hottest of the Hot Takes, and A Conversation with NEXT’s New Restaurant Editor. In Episode 10 of NEXTpittsburgh’s “In Other News”, hosts Natalie Bencivenga and Tony Norman look back at the topics they covered in Season 1, from racial equity and environmental crises to gun violence and hunger, all with a critical lens for how media operates. Then they drill down with NEXTpittsburgh’s new Restaurant Editor, Kim Lyons, and hear about her approach to her role as a reporter. And in their final thoughts, shout outs to the community of listeners, the production team, and each other for making the show so special. Action Items: Get tickets (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/allegheny-county-executive-candidate-debate-tickets-601461436347?fbclid=IwAR1UdS_y7AUxseYMivBdw_mCgopMxaiqSK3U65KXAUjlu1UjdEuOkjlBxig) to the County Executive Debate co-hosted by NEXTpittsburgh and Public Source on April 18th, or RSVP for the livestream – Natalie and Tony will join Charlie Wolfson from Public Source as moderators. Read Tony Norman’s weekly column on NEXTpittsburgh (https://nextpittsburgh.com/author/tonynormannext/). Connect with Natalie Bencivenga on Instagram.
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    30 mins
  • Episode 11: Pennsylvania’s 3rd Most Important Person. A New Kind of Nonprofit Leader. And Long Overdue Recognition for a Local Artist.

    Episode 11: Pennsylvania’s 3rd Most Important Person. A New Kind of Nonprofit Leader. And Long Overdue Recognition for a Local Artist.
    Mar 23 2023
    In Episode 9 of NEXTpittsburgh’s “In Other News”, hosts Natalie Bencivenga and Tony Norman talk about the connection between media literacy and anti-war protests of the early aughts. Then they drill down with Ciora Thomas, SisTersPGH Executive Director, about the “nonprofit industrial complex” and equity for Black trans people. And in their final thoughts, Tony shines a light on award-winning artist LaToya Ruby Frazier. Plus, hear Tony and Natalie’s preliminary thoughts on the County Executive race before they moderate the debate on April 18th, co-hosted by NEXTpittsburgh and Public Source. Learn more about Ciora Thomas and the important work SisTersPGH (https://www.sisterspgh.org/) does for Pittsburgh's Black trans community. Attend a rally hosted by TransYOUniting on Monday, March 27 from 4 to 6 p.m., near Pitt's campus on Forbes Avenue in response to "transphobic" events coming up on campus. Attend a rally hosted by SisTersPGH in partnership with the TNGC Youth Collective for Trans Day of Visibility on March 31, 2023, 5 p.m., at the Pittsburgh City-County Building downtown. Sign this petition (https://www.change.org/p/hold-the-university-of-pittsburgh-accountable-in-protecting-lgbtqia-individuals?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_35611283_en-US%3A9&recruiter=1299891786&recruited_by_id=f263c1d0-bdce-11ed-acfb-4f3042dc0acb&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_term=psf_combo_share_initial&share_bandit_exp=initial-35611283-en-US) to hold the University of Pittsburgh accountable in protecting LGBTQ+ individuals. Stay tuned for more information about the County Executive Debate moderated Tony Norman, Natalie Bencivenga, and Charlie Wolfson on April 18th. This event is co-hosted by NEXTpittsburgh and Public Source. Read Tony Norman's column every week featuring the untold stories of Pittsburgh's Black communities. Learn more about how you can take action to protect the air and fight for a clean environment in Pittsburgh with GASP (https://www.gasp-pgh.org/take-action).
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    31 mins
  • Pitt’s Transphobic March Madness. A Powerful & Personal Piece Of Work. And What’s Up With Woke Anyway?

    Pitt’s Transphobic March Madness. A Powerful & Personal Piece Of Work. And What’s Up With Woke Anyway?
    Mar 16 2023
    In Episode 8 of NEXTpittsburgh’s “In Other News”, hosts Natalie Bencivenga and Tony Norman get a response from the University Of Pittsburgh about anti-Trans events scheduled to take place on campus. Then they drill down with Andre Perry, a Pittsburgh native and Brookings scholar about his new book, “Know Your Price”. And in their final thoughts, getting woke about “woke”.

    Buy Andre M. Perry’s book, “Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America’s Black Cities” Read Tony Norman’s column about the Wilkinsburg-raised scholar here. 

    Sign this petition to hold the University of Pittsburgh accountable in protecting LGBTQ+ individuals.

    Read this statement written to the Pitt community from provost Ann E. Cudd about the upcoming events on campus featuring anti-trans speakers.

    Read Tony Norman’s column on NEXTpittsburgh.  
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    32 mins
  • A Budget For Blue And Red. A Decision For Doug Mastriano’s Wife. And A Way To Help Hungry Students While Spicing Up Your Life.

    A Budget For Blue And Red. A Decision For Doug Mastriano’s Wife. And A Way To Help Hungry Students While Spicing Up Your Life.
    Mar 8 2023
    In Episode 7 of NEXTPittsburgh’s “In Other News”, hosts Natalie Bencivenga and Tony Norman break down Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget and they go way beyond crunching the numbers. Then, what is the talk in the Mastriano household? A hint— it has to do with a “movement of 2.2 million people”. And stay tuned for The Drill Down with Susie Fishman with surprising facts about food insecurity on college campuses and special way Pittsburghers can help. Learn more about Susie Fishman’s work with Meet My Kneads (https://www.meetmykneads.com/). Plus, get 10% off any box of 4 spice blends with discount code “Pittsburgh”. Learn about the work Swipe Out Hunger (https://www.swipehunger.org/ourwork/) and Nazun (https://nazun.org/) do to in preventing hunger on campus. Learn more more about the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Tennessee (https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/human-rights-campaign-tennessee-continues-obsession-with-anti-lgbtq-legislation-with-house-passage-of-religious-refusal-bill-and-second-anti-drag-bill), and donate to TransYOUniting. Plus, sign this petition (https://www.change.org/p/hold-the-university-of-pittsburgh-accountable-in-protecting-lgbtqia-individuals?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_35611283_en-US%3A9&recruiter=1299891786&recruited_by_id=f263c1d0-bdce-11ed-acfb-4f3042dc0acb&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_term=psf_combo_share_initial&share_bandit_exp=initial-35611283-en-US) to hold the University of Pittsburgh accountable in proteting LGBTQ+ individuals. Support Stories Like Me (https://storieslikeme.com/), a new inclusive children’s bookstore in Greenfield, and the read Michael Machosky’s story about it here (https://nextpittsburgh.com/city-design/stories-like-me-childrens-bookstore-opening-in-greenfield/). Support Spread The Love (https://www.spreadtheloveprojects.org/), an organization started by Pittsburgh-based student, Emaad Khan, to fund families struggling with pediatric medical bills in hopes to relieve financial burdens. Read Tony Norman’s weekly column (https://nextpittsburgh.com/author/tonynormannext/) on the untold stories of Pittsburgh’s Black communities.
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    26 mins
  • A Good Wife. A Good Neighbor. And A Bad Look For FOX News.

    A Good Wife. A Good Neighbor. And A Bad Look For FOX News.
    Mar 3 2023
    In Episode 6 of NEXTpittsburgh’s podcast, “In Other News”, hosts Natalie Bencivenga and Tony Norman talk about the ugly attacks against Gisele Fetterman and Jill Biden by people who are trying to take their husbands down. Then they drill down with Edgewood Council Member Bhavini Patel about the importance of feeling safe. And in Final Thoughts, the secret lies of FOX News exposed in what could end up being a very costly case. Support River Valley Organizing (https://www.rivervalleyorganizing.org/), a multi-racial, working class organization that builds community throughout the Ohio River Valley. The group is currently fighting for justice in East Palestine. Read Tony’s upcoming column about Clara Kent, a musician and artist. Check out Clara Kent’s new show on WYEP, “More Bounce (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0MVMEZXtQYOrrLPrTzKz3g?si=5806be8c109f4744).” Cafe Momentum is open! Enjoy a delicious dinner for a good cause. Learn more about Café Momentum (https://cafemomentum.org/pittsburgh/), where Nat & Tony held their first live show. Café Momentum provides culinary training and support to youth in the juvenile justice system. Learn more about Bhavini Patel’s work with the H.O.O.P. Alliance (https://www.helpingoutourpeople.com/about-us). Take the free Stop The Bleed (https://www.stopthebleed.org/) training online.
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    31 mins
  • The politics of showing up. The benefits of standing up. And the danger of splitting up.

    The politics of showing up. The benefits of standing up. And the danger of splitting up.
    Feb 24 2023
    On this week’s episode of NEXTpittsburgh’s “In Other News”, Natalie Bencivenga and Tony Norman discuss the optics surrounding the high profile visits to East Palestine following the train derailment there. Then they drill down with Rabbi Ron Symons from The Jewish Community Center’s Center For Loving Kindness about the important difference between a bystander and an “upstander”. And their final thoughts on why our nation should not enter divorce court. Continue to support Railroad Workers United and the workers lobbying for better working conditions that would prevent further environmental disasters like the derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. https://www.railroadworkersunited.org/get-involved-in-rwu Get engaged with Clean Water Action's work in Pennsylvania to protect our right to clean water and air. https://cleanwater.org/states/pennsylvania/act-now-pennsylvania Follow and support the work of the JCC's Center for Loving Kindness, including Rabbi Ron Symon's "Excerpts We Should Read" programming. https://jccpgh.org/center-for-loving-kindness/
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    28 mins
  • A Major Disaster, A Medication At Risk, and A Miracle In More Ways Than One

    A Major Disaster, A Medication At Risk, and A Miracle In More Ways Than One
    Feb 16 2023
    In episode 4 of NEXTpittsburgh’s In Other News podcast, hosts Natalie Bencivenga and Tony Norman talk about the environmental disaster playing out just over the Pennsylvania border in Ohio and why people in Pittsburgh should be paying attention. Then they talk with Miracle Jones from 1Hood Media about how to quash disinformation and why you’ll want to have brunch with a Black man. Plus, the newest challenge to reproductive rights in Texas could impact women and birthing people in Pennsylvania. Action item: Support Rail Workers United and the workers lobbying for better working conditions that would prevent further environmental disasters like the derailment in East Palestine. https://www.railroadworkersunited.org/get-involved-in-rwu Download the Smell Pittsburgh app and submit smell reports so that pollution data is sent to the Allegheny County Health Department. https://smellpgh.org/ Follow and support the vital work of 1HOOD Media that builds liberated communities through art, education and social justice. https://www.1hood.org/ Read Tony’s latest column: (Tony didn't have a column this week but here's the link to last week) https://nextpittsburgh.com/tony-norman/tony-norman-thoughts-of-a-good-cop-after-tyre-nichols/ *This episode was recorded before news broke that Senator John Fetterman had voluntarily checked himself in for inpatient treatment for depression. We applaud his bravery and wish him and his family well.
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    31 mins