From small towns to big cities — Grapple gives voice to people living and working in distressed communities.
Through personal narratives and long-form storytelling, you hear conversations that tell the story of America’s profound economic and social changes — including how distressed communities have changed over time, what they’re grappling with today, and how they’re redefining themselves.
Grapple’s first season takes you to a series of communities across Pennsylvania that were once vibrant but struggle today.
The season also features breakout episodes — to dig deeper into the big issues you’re hearing about — with leading economists, sociologists, writers and more.
All Episodes
Episode 18: Coal Miners, No Relic of the Past
Pennsylvania is the nation’s fifth largest coal producer. Counties in the western, central, and even eastern parts of the state are ...
Air Date: May 31, 2017
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Episode 17: Grappling with Racial Tension Part 2
In case you missed Part 1, make sure to go back and listen to it first before playing this episode. On Part 2, we’ll try to understand ...
Air Date: May 24, 2017
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Episode 16: Grappling with Racial Tension Part 1
In Pennsylvania’s York County, which borders the Mason-Dixon line, racial tension is nothing new. While some isolated incidents took pl ...
Air Date: May 24, 2017
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Episode 15: What happens when a public school district is underfunded?
Erie, Pennsylvania has public schools that have been underfunded for years. And today, the school district is in a dire situation. Erie ...
Air Date: May 3, 2017
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Episode 14: Immigration, The Rust Belt and the Rise of Donald Trump
On this episode of Grapple, we’ll hear a range of personal stories that speak to some of the intense and passionate feelings around ...
Air Date: April 12, 2017
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Preview of New Grapple Episodes Coming Out April 12
Grapple is back with a new round of episodes! We’ll be covering a range of hot-button issues from immigration reform to public scho ...
Air Date: April 5, 2017
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Bonus Episode: The Music Behind Grapple
If you love the music on Grapple as much as we do, then don’t miss this bonus episode with musicians Tony Trov and Mike Vivas in th ...
Air Date: March 22, 2017
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Episode 12: Breaking Down a Changing America with Maria Hinojosa and Dan Hopkins
On this episode of Grapple, we’ll talk about immigration and our country’s changing demographics with journalist Maria Hinojosa. We ...
Air Date: November 16, 2016
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Episode 11: Millbourne, Getting Back on Track
On this episode of Grapple, we head to a tiny inner-ring suburb outside of Philadelphia called Millbourne. It’s home to around 1,200 pe ...
Air Date: November 16, 2016
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Episode 10: Breaking Down Gentrification with Jackelyn Hwang
Gentrification is a controversial issue playing out in cities across America. What happens when wealthier residents begin to move into a ...
Air Date: November 2, 2016
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Episode 09: Hazelwood, A Pittsburgh Neighborhood on the Cusp of Change
Episode 09 of Grapple takes you to Hazelwood. It’s a neighborhood in Southeast Pittsburgh that’s only four miles from downtow ...
Air Date: November 2, 2016
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What Are You Grappling With in Your Community?
We’re taking a short break, but will be back with two new episodes of Grapple on Nov. 2. In the meantime, we want to hear from you. Tel ...
Air Date: October 19, 2016
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Episode 08: How American Cities are Making a Comeback with James and Deborah Fallows
We hear a lot of stories about the challenges people in distressed communities are facing, but we also want to hear stories about what co ...
Air Date: October 12, 2016
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Episode 07: Clairton, Hometown Pride Still Alive in a Declining Steel Town
On this episode of Grapple, you’ll hear reflections from a steel town in the Pittsburgh region. Back in the 1950s, the city of Cl ...
Air Date: October 12, 2016
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Episode 06 : Breaking Down the American Dream with Robert Putnam
Is the American Dream still possible? In this episode, we’ll talk with leading American political scientist Robert Putnam about why he ...
Air Date: October 5, 2016
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