Streets Dept Podcast

Streets Dept

Join curator and documentarian Conrad Benner as he hosts conversations with the creative minds shaping the world around us.  For the last 15 years, Conrad has been exploring the art of Philadelphia's public space through photography and video, earning critical acclaim and millions of monthly views across social media.  Named ‘One of The Most Influential People in Philadelphia’ by Philadelphia Magazine three times (2017, 2020, and 2023), Conrad was profiled in the ‘More Than Likes’ series from The New York Times (2023), named one of Philly’s ‘48 Most Influential LGBTQ+ Leaders’ by Philadelphia Gay News (2024), and been awarded the ‘Social Justice Award for Arts & Culture’ by the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, PCHR (2025).  In the Streets Dept Podcast, Conrad talks with creative minds from arts, culture, news, and politics to better understand the world we’re creating together.  The Streets Dept Podcast is produced in partnership with Rowhome Productions.

  1. Aug 4

    Introducing Unruly Subjects!

    We’re taking a short mid-summer break from our regular publishing schedule. We have some great new episodes of the Streets Dept Podcast in the works, but while we’re working on those I wanted to share an episode from a different podcast that I thought you might enjoy…. Unruly Subjects is a show produced by Rowhome Productions (who also produce the Streets Dept Podcast!). It’s a podcast about politics and culture hosted by Chenjerai Kumanyika, a media professor at NYU and Peabody Award-winning audio journalist. Each week, Chenjerai makes sense of the week’s struggles with some of his favorite people - thinkers, journalists, friends, and folks who can help us laugh through the pain. The episode I want to share with you is all about the fight against data centers. Specifically, it’s the story of how the residents of Monterey Park, California waged a successful campaign against the construction of a data center in their town. Chenjerai interviews Hrag Balian and Steven Kung, co-founders of No Data Centers in Monterey Park and Claire Wang, an independent journalist who has been covering the anti-data center movement for The Guardian and other outlets.  Follow and listen to more episodes of Unruly Subjects: https://pod.link/1849696769 *** Learn how you can support the Streets Dept Podcast and get access to bonus content and events by visiting: Patreon.com/StreetsDept *** The Streets Dept Podcast is produced in partnership with Rowhome Productions.

    Introducing Unruly Subjects!

  2. Jul 14

    Organizing Power with Chris Rabb

    Philadelphia is sending a progressive to Congress. Chris Rabb is a self-described outgoing introvert who’s not prone to optimism. Rabb is a movement candidate whose decisive win was far from a given. Philly’s mayor, the city's Democratic Party, and other establishment Democrats having endorsed his opponents, Rabb attributes his 15-point win to energizing voters with no loyalty to the Democratic Party or to status quo politics.  In today’s episode, host Conrad Benner talks with Chris Rabb about his plans for Washington. Might he become the next member of “The Squad” with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, and Rashida Tlaib? He reflects on his early life, which includes fights against the administration when he attended Yale University, his background in improv and his love of the arts, and how he believes lessons learned from his ancestors have really prepared him for this moment.  *** Learn how you can support the Streets Dept Podcast and get access to bonus content and events by visiting: Patreon.com/StreetsDept *** Follow Chris Rabb: https://www.instagram.com/chrisrabb Visit Chris Rabb’s website: https://www.chrisrabb.com The Streets Dept Podcast is produced in partnership with Rowhome Productions.

    Organizing Power with Chris Rabb

  3. Jun 30

    Center Stage with Sapphira Cristál

    Sapphira Cristál is a superstar talent. Runner-up and Miss Congeniality of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16, she is a classically trained opera singer, composer, and drag queen known for her theatrical lip syncs and six-octave range. She’s also a comedian, touring the country doing stand-up. And most recently, she’s started her own interview podcast, simply called SAPPHIRA. In today’s episode, host Conrad Benner talks with Sapphira about leading with love, finding humor, and getting prepared for when it’s your time on the center stage!  *** Learn how you can support the Streets Dept Podcast and get access to bonus content and events by visiting: Patreon.com/StreetsDept *** Follow Sapphira Cristál: https://www.instagram.com/sapphiracristal/  Visit Sapphira Cristál’s website: https://www.sapphiracristal.com/  The Streets Dept Podcast is produced in partnership with Rowhome Productions.

    Center Stage with Sapphira Cristál

  4. Jun 23

    June '26 Editor's Table (Free Version)

    Welcome to our monthly Editor’s Table episode, where we offer behind-the-scenes conversations about podcasting, independent media, Philly, and the arts! Every month at the table, you’ll hear from Streets Dept founder/podcast host Conrad Benner, lead contributor Eric Dale, and podcast producer Alex Lewis. In this month's edition, podcasting expert Lauren Passell joins Alex and Conrad to discuss advice for the relaunch of our Streets Dept Podcast, why member-support is crucial for today’s podcasts, and other tips and tricks she offers to help us grow our show!   Subscribe to Lauren’s podcast newsletter: https://podcastthenewsletter.substack.com/   ***Help us grow: This is just a sample of this month's Editor's Table. Full Editor’s Table episodes are only available to our Patreon members, who also get other benefits, like monthly bonus columns and free access to future events. Main feed episodes may also eventually contain ads, and Patreon members will also get an ad-free podcast feed when that happens. Learn more, become a member, and support this independent effort here: patreon.com/streetsdept

    June '26 Editor's Table (Free Version)

  5. Jun 16

    Good Signs with Make It Weird

    It’s not everyday a street artist gets the attention of The Washington Post, but over the last year an individual new to both Philly and art has caught the eyes of many. This artist goes by the name Make It Weird (and EmEyeWhisky, and MIW; they go by “Em” for short).  *** Learn how you can support the Streets Dept Podcast and get access to bonus content and events by visiting: Patreon.com/StreetsDept *** And in addition to critical recognition, the artist’s work has earned millions of views on social media with tens of thousands of shares and engagements. Em’s street art signs are sometime humorous, sometimes pointed. Em has found a way to connect to the heart of Philly culture and hold a mirror to it.  In today’s episode, host Conrad Benner talks with Em about why they moved to Philly, how found themselves creating a now much-beloved street art persona, and, at their core, what’s driving all of this!   Follow Make It Weird: https://www.instagram.com/emeyewhisky/ Visit Make It Weird’s website: https://meyew.net/  The Streets Dept Podcast is produced in partnership with Rowhome Productions.

    Good Signs with Make It Weird

  6. Jun 2

    Accessing Art with Chelsey Luster

    There’s an artist in Philadelphia creating their own blueprint, and we think you’ll find her vision and path really fascinating. This artist is developing a personal artistic practice while working within established Philly arts institutions and simultaneously building their own. Her goals are many, but at her core is a drive to help people feel seen and make art more accessible–including curating exhibitions with new artists and building price points and options for first-time buyers. This artist is Chelsey Luster.  In today’s episode, host Conrad Benner talks with Chelsey about the importance of practicality in a creative career. She also discusses why she will always talk with you when you visit her gallery. And Chelsey offers some important tips for emerging artists eager to catch the attention of a curator like her.   *** Learn how you can support the Streets Dept Podcast and get access to bonus content and events by visiting: Patreon.com/StreetsDept *** Follow Chelsey Luster: https://www.instagram.com/chelseylusterart/  Plan a visit to the Luster Gallery + Studio: https://www.lustergallerystudio.com/#/ Learn about Magic Gardens exhibitions: https://www.phillymagicgardens.org/  The Streets Dept Podcast is produced in partnership with Rowhome Productions.

    Accessing Art with Chelsey Luster

  7. May 26

    Editor's Table May '26

    ***Help us grow: This is just an excerpt of this month's Editor's Table. Full Editor’s Table episodes are only available to our Patreon members, who also get other benefits, like monthly bonus columns and free access to future events. Main feed episodes may also eventually contain ads, and Patreon members will also get an ad-free podcast feed when that happens. Learn more, become a member, and support this independent effort here: patreon.com/streetsdept Welcome to our monthly Editor’s Table episode, where we offer behind-the-scenes conversations about podcasting, independent media, Philly, and the arts! Every month at the table, you’ll hear from Streets Dept founder/podcast host Conrad Benner, lead contributor Eric Dale, and podcast producer Alex Lewis. In this episode we talk about a new mural in Philly that’s raising the eyebrows of many in the street art and graffiti communities. We get into some details about Eric’s puzzle business and the  tax hike for Philly small businesses. And Alex offers more insight into his musical side.  Follow Conrad, Eric, and Alex here:  instagram.com/conradbenner instagram.com/ericinphilly/  instagram.com/alexjrlewis/

    Editor's Table May '26

  8. May 19

    Seeding Progress with Nikil Saval

    If you’re on our side of the social media algorithms, you’ve likely also seen many videos from different Philadelphians hoping for a Zohran Mamdani-type to rise in Philly politics. And, as we see it, there are a number of City and State politicians who might fit the criteria. Today’s guest is one of them. *** Learn how you can support the Streets Dept Podcast and get access to bonus content and events by visiting: Patreon.com/StreetsDept *** In this episode, host Conrad Benner talks with Pennsylvania State Senator Nikil Saval. Elected in 2021, Nikil is a writer, journalist, and former co-editor of the literary journal n+1. He’s the son of immigrants and small business owners. And he’s refreshingly not someone who necessarily thought he’d end up in politics. But Nikil is someone who found himself called to public service after years of organizing as a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. Follow Nikil Saval: https://www.instagram.com/nikilsaval/  Go to Nikil Saval’s website: https://nikilsaval.com/  The Streets Dept Podcast is produced in partnership with Rowhome Productions.

    Seeding Progress with Nikil Saval
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Trailer

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About

Join curator and documentarian Conrad Benner as he hosts conversations with the creative minds shaping the world around us.  For the last 15 years, Conrad has been exploring the art of Philadelphia's public space through photography and video, earning critical acclaim and millions of monthly views across social media.  Named ‘One of The Most Influential People in Philadelphia’ by Philadelphia Magazine three times (2017, 2020, and 2023), Conrad was profiled in the ‘More Than Likes’ series from The New York Times (2023), named one of Philly’s ‘48 Most Influential LGBTQ+ Leaders’ by Philadelphia Gay News (2024), and been awarded the ‘Social Justice Award for Arts & Culture’ by the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, PCHR (2025).  In the Streets Dept Podcast, Conrad talks with creative minds from arts, culture, news, and politics to better understand the world we’re creating together.  The Streets Dept Podcast is produced in partnership with Rowhome Productions.

Information

  • Creator
    Streets Dept
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    68
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Streets Dept Podcast
  • Show Website
    Streets Dept Podcast

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