Today on our first hour of FEEDBACK, we talked to Cathy Brenner, Secretary, College Manor Swimming Association and Santo Marabella, College Heights Community Council Member about a grassroots initiative to save a community pool. This story matters because it’s about far more than maintaining a pool, it’s about connection, tradition, and access to something healthy and meaningful during the summer months. It’s a powerful example of what can happen when a community refuses to let an important resource disappear. Our second hour of FEEDBACK, starts out with a very tough conversation and story told by Pam Gockley, Founder of The Camel Project. Pam shares her story of bullying, mental health struggles, isolation, self-worth, addiction, and violence. Pam created The Camel Project as resources for parents, educators and communities so conversations can begin to change for people who are struggling and carrying battles we cannot see, but also drives hope, healing and transformation.

Batter up! We are talking baseball in this first hour of FEEDBACK. Matt Hoffmaster, Assistant General Manager, Reading Fightin Phils and Tonya Petrunak, Executive Director of Marketing and Baseballtown Charities, join us in this first hour to talk about how the Fightin Phils are more than baseball. They are part of the fabric of this community. Our second hour is an interview about public health and how one woman is trying to educate and create opportunities for change in our own back yard. Kat Ketter’s work is relevant because it focuses on improving health outcomes at the local level, helping people better understand the systems that support them, and addressing challenges that affect families across Berks County every day.

The Polka Party on WEEU Gold is more than just a radio show, it a connection point for community, culture and the kind of music that makes you smile the moment you hear it. In our first hour of FEEDBACK we talk to Ellen Rohrbach, George Kazmierczak and Cindy Koretsky, the hosts of the Polka Party! They talk about how they celebrate polka music, share memories and talk about the tradition of polka music that has brought joy to listeners for generations. Up next is a conversation about tourism and placemaking with Derek Harris, Economic Development Coordinator, Berks County and Alex Roche, Director of Advocacy, Greater Reading Chamber Alliance. They share the real impact of both tourism and placemaking on influencing job opportunities, the success of local businesses, the vibrancy of our downtowns and even our ability to attract and retain talent.

Joining us in the first hour is Mallory Deck, a mom of two, business owner, and now children’s book author, who took a personal experience and turned it into something meaningful for families navigating similar situations. Mallory’s story highlights how one parent chose to lead with empathy, creativity, and intention. Next up in the second hour we highlight experiences happening right here in our community that bring people together in meaningful ways. The Reading Public Museum’s Scott Schweigert, Curator of Art and Civilization at the Reading Public Museum, shares information about the exciting summer exhibits that offer something for everyone, from families to art lovers to those interested in history and powerful storytelling.

Identify, community and the places that hold our memories, that’s the story that is shared by Mike Leifer, President and CEO of the Peanut Bar in Reading as he joins us for the first hour of FEEDBACK. In a time when so much is changing and many long-standing businesses are disappearing, the Peanut Bar represents continuity, a place where generations have gathered, stories have been shared and traditions have been passed down. It’s a 102-year-old business that has been passed down through the ages. In our second hour we are taking about public safety in the city of Reading, specifically the growing concern around illegal after-hours gatherings and the proposed efforts to address them. Deputy Chief Demko, Fire Marshal Jeremy Searfoss and Managing Director, Jack Gombach join us to help us all understand what’s happening and what’s being proposed so we can stay informed.

Today on FEEDBACK we are talking about higher education, but not just degrees and classrooms, but what its role is today, how it is changing and what it means for students, families, and our communities. Dr. Gaetan Giannini, Chief Enrollment and Strategic Communications Office at Alvernia University joins us to talk about how Alvernia University is addressing all those issues. Our second hour is all about a conversation with Matt Knaub and Toni about human behavior, asking what you would and just having a few laughs on a Friday morning!

This first hour of FEEDBACK is about more than one person’s story—it’s about how we all think about the people we love and the impact they leave behind. At some point, every one of us faces loss, and the question becomes: what do we do with that grief, and how do we honor it? Chuck Holder joins us to talk about Terry's Legacy Foundation; a project rooted in honoring a life and turning that story into something meaningful for the community. In our second hour we are speaking with Bill Van Sant and Lisa Ashcroft, from Girard, a Univest Wealth Division about tax strategies. They share basic strategies to detailed strategies and also the common mistakes we might be making by not understanding the importance of reviewing our tax return with an advisor after we file!

Do you want to learn about how to prepare, honor and support loved ones during some of life’s most difficult moments? The first conversation on FEEDBACK is with Gethsemane Cemetery. Larry Sacco, Gethsemane Advisor and Jacqueline Grauert, Assistant Director, share important information about Gethsemane’s approach to helping you deal with the most difficult time in your life. In our second hour on FEEDBACK we are talking about something that also touches all of us, aging, connection, and how we support individuals as they move through different stages of life. LuAnn Oatman, President of Berks Encore and Mindy McIntosh, Director of Development, Berks Encore, share their passion about the work that Berks Encore does to help seniors stay active, independent and connected.