Those working for a more just world share their stories of community and possibility to host - and The Heinz Endowments President - Chris DeCardy. Episodes take you behind the scenes of in-the-news individuals and topics, revealing honesty, humanity and hope at every turn.
We Can Be podcast - The Heinz Endowments
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97 episodes
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Podcast Overview
Those working for a more just world share their stories of community and possibility to host - and The Heinz Endowments President - Chris DeCardy. Episodes take you behind the scenes of in-the-news individuals and topics, revealing honesty, humanity and hope at every turn.
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Publishing Since
2/28/2018
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Recent Episodes
February 18, 2026
Center for Media Innovation founding Exec. Dir. Andy Conte: why tech & collaboration is the futre of journalism (S06EP10)
Andy Conte, founding Executive Director of the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University and author of “Death of the Daily News: How Citizen Gatekeepers Can Save Local Journalism,” joins Heinz Endowments President and “We Can Be” host Chris DeCardy for this episode of “We Can Be.” From the arrest of journalists in Minneapolis to the loss of legacy newspapers like the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the future of the news is on everyone’s mind. Andy Conte knows the power of investigative journalism through his past reporting for the Cincinnati Post and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. He is also at the forefront of the future of journalism through his leadership at the Center for Media Innovation. Since its founding in 2015, the Center has become a national leader in supporting local journalism by advancing technology, training and collaboration between both long-time reporters and student journalists. Beyond the loss of government accountability that comes with the closing of local news outlets, community cohesiveness is also at risk, according to Andy. “What's most interesting about local news now is how it knits people together,” he says. “And when it diminishes, those connections get frayed.” Despite the extraordinary challenges facing the industry, Andy is optimistic about the future of news if it is approached with an openness to technology and collaboration between news outlets and trained citizen journalists. “This current generation of young reporters is the most engaged and interested that I've seen since the Watergate era,” he says. “They want to hold power to account, and they want their communities to be better places because of their work.” Notes on this episode: Special commentary by Matt Barron, Endowments Director of Civic Participation. Produced by Scott Roller, Endowments Strategic Communications Manager; technical production by Josh Franzos and Tim Murray of Treehouse Media. Subscribe, listen and share episodes on all major podcast platforms and YouTube. Use search term “Heinz We Can Be.”
February 4, 2026
Building futures where economic reinvention doesn't mean displacement w/ Sonya Tilghman Exec. Dir. Hazelwood Iinitiative (S06EP09)
Sonya Tilghman, Executive Director of Hazelwood Initiative, joins Heinz Endowments President and “We Can Be” host Chris DeCardy for this episode of “We Can Be.” Communities experiencing the exit of major economic drivers often face a fresh challenge when revitalization opportunities arise: how to ensure that their voice will be heard and respected so new business investments don’t push them out of their longtime homes and neighborhoods. Raised in Washington D.C., Sonya came to Pittsburgh through an AmeriCorps position that sparked her interest in the intricacies of public policy, especially how it often seemed to lack input from the very people it was meant to serve. Sonya has spent nearly 25 years empowering individuals and communities so they can share in the success of revitalization efforts. For the past decade she has led Hazelwood Initiative, an organization that works to build futures in communities where economic reinvention doesn’t mean displacement, and residents have healthy homes and thriving green spaces. Located on the shore of the Monongahela River three miles from Downtown Pittsburgh, Hazelwood is obviously dear to Sonya's heart as demonstrated by her commitment to its people, organizations and environment. Her work to ensure the residents benefit from the major research and tech entities that have moved into the community’s Hazelwood Green development has gained her much-deserved respect. Likewise, her emphasis on uplifting the community’s greenways and trails has brought recognition from the United Nations Climate Conference and the National Recreation & Parks Association. “I think we can be a place where we all prosper,” Sonya says. “And I also believe we can be a place where that cost doesn’t come at the expense of vulnerable people.” Notes on this episode: Special commentary by Rob Stephany, Endowments Senior Director of Community & Economic Development. Produced by Scott Roller, Endowments Strategic Communications Manager; technical production by Josh Franzos and Tim Murray of Treehouse Media. Subscribe, listen and share episodes on all major podcast platforms and YouTube. Use search term “Heinz We Can Be.”
January 21, 2026
Fearless conviction: Environmental health advocate Gillian Graber empowers communities to stand up to fossil fuel industries (SO6EP08)
Heinz Endowments President and “We Can Be” host Chris DeCardy welcomes Gillian Graber, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Protect PT. The grassroots community-based nonprofit works to protect southwestern Pennsylvania residents from the harmful health and environmental impacts of fossil fuel activity. Gillian and her family settled in Penn-Trafford, an idyllic borough located along the border of Westmoreland and Allegheny counties near Pittsburgh, in part because of its promise of clean air and water. Shortly after moving into their home, the oil and gas industry encroached on their neighborhood. Legal roadblocks and frustration with the ineffectiveness of government agencies spurred Gillian and her husband to found Protect PT in 2014. Protect PT’s early grassroots fundraising included selling candy bars and popcorn to cover attorney fees. “I literally ran behind the school bus, handing out flyers to moms after they got their kids on the bus,” Gillian tells Chris. “I became an accidental activist.” In the past decade, the organization has grown to a staff of nine and expanded its work to include policy analysis and community environmental education. This increased impact has led to international recognition through a partnership with outdoor apparel company Patagonia’s Dublin, Ireland, location. “One person speaking up is not enough. Communities need to speak up,” Gillian said. “Despite the disparity, despite the amount of money that this industry has, people really have to be fearless and have a sense of conviction.” “We Can Be” is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Chris DeCardy and produced by the Endowments, Josh Franzos and Tim Murray. Special commentary in this episode by Endowments Senior Director of Climate, Environment & Health Philip Johnson. Theme music by Josh Slifkin. Host and guest photos: Josh Franzos. Guest inquiries: Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org. Subscribe, listen and share new “We Can Be” episodes every two weeks on all major podcast platforms and YouTube. Use search term “Heinz We Can Be.”
97 total episodes available
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This podcast updates weekly.
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