What A Week!

WHAT A WEEK! PODCAST

Become a Paid Subscriber: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/what-a-week-podcast/subscribe What A Week! is a weekly podcast recorded in Northeastern Pennsylvania focusing on local, national, and personal topics with a wide range of guests.

  1. Episode 105: Bringing the play “1776” to Life with Paige Balitski & Max Roche of Diva Productions

    2d ago

    Episode 105: Bringing the play “1776” to Life with Paige Balitski & Max Roche of Diva Productions

    In this special episode of What A Week!, we sit down with Paige Balitski of Diva Productions and music director/actor Max Roche to discuss their upcoming production of the Tony Award-winning musical 1776. Northeast Pennsylvania’s only America250PA SemiQuin Grants-supported production, this show brings the debates, sacrifices, humor, and humanity surrounding the signing of the Declaration of Independence to the stage as part of the nationwide commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary.Paige and Max share behind-the-scenes insights into mounting this ambitious production in collaboration with Actors Circle at Providence Playhouse, the challenges and joys of performing at the West Scranton Intermediate School Auditorium, and what audiences can expect from this patriotic and entertaining classic featuring music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and book by Peter Stone.Performance Dates:June 19, 20, 21 & June 25, 26, 27, 28, 2026Location:West Scranton Intermediate School Auditorium1401 Fellows Street, Scranton, PA 18504Show Times:• Thursday (6/25), Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 PM• Sundays at 2:00 PMTickets:• Adults: $25• Students, Seniors, Veterans & Children: $15Get Tickets Here:ticketscandy.com/e/1776-the-musical-18078For More Information:(570) 209-7766 | (570) 430-7479divatheater@comcast.net | scapemay2@aol.comDon’t miss this opportunity to experience history, music, and theater right here in Scranton! Support local arts and celebrate America’s semiquincentennial with 1776. 🇺🇸

    2h 16m
  2. Ep 104: Jamie Walsh & Tyler Myers – Fighting PA Data Center Invasion & Wild Campaign Accusations

    May 7

    Ep 104: Jamie Walsh & Tyler Myers – Fighting PA Data Center Invasion & Wild Campaign Accusations

    In Episode 104 of What a Week!, Pennsylvania State Rep. Jamie Walsh and State Senate candidate Tyler Myers sit down with Mark for a powerful, no-holds-barred discussion on the aggressive data center expansion threatening rural Northeast PA.They break down House Bill 952 — the 2021 sales & use tax exemption that opened the floodgates — and how it’s driving massive electricity, water, and land demands in small communities across Luzerne, Lackawanna, Pike, and Wyoming Counties. Jamie details the four major bills he’s introduced to fight back: repealing the tax break, a local moratorium, the Data Center Transparency Act, Ratepayer Protection Act, and strong zoning reforms including 2,500 ft setbacks.Tyler shares what voters are saying on the campaign trail and his pledge to protect residents if elected. They also address the ugly side of politics, including a shocking attack ad attempting to link Tyler to a murder through a distant donor.Honest talk on property rights, skyrocketing utility costs, loss of local control, and putting Pennsylvania families first.If you care about your community, property values, and stopping corporate overreach — watch this now.#DataCentersPA #JamieWalsh #TylerMyers #NEPA #PennsylvaniaPolitics #WhatAWeekPodcast

    1h 45m
  3. Ep 103: TJ Fitzgerald – Super Bowl Rant, Immigration & Assimilation Truth

    May 6

    Ep 103: TJ Fitzgerald – Super Bowl Rant, Immigration & Assimilation Truth

    In this raw Episode 103 of What a Week!, Mark talks with TJ Fitzgerald of NEPA Republicans about his viral Super Bowl outburst at Spanish-speaking crowds during the halftime show.TJ unpacks the moment (booze, Bad Bunny comments, cultural frustration), his strong views on assimilation, English as a common language, illegal immigration, job impacts, and preserving the American melting pot. Honest, unfiltered talk from Northeast PA on identity, policy, free speech, and what real resilience looks like today.Whether you agree or not, this is straight talk without the polish.Subscribe for more local & national deep dives with guests who don’t hold back. What a Week!#NEPARepublicans #Immigration #Assimilation #SuperBowl #WhatAWeekPodcast

    2h 7m
  4. Ep 102: Frank Scavo Unfiltered on J6, Election Integrity & Taking Back the GOP

    Apr 27

    Ep 102: Frank Scavo Unfiltered on J6, Election Integrity & Taking Back the GOP

    Frank Scavo — former Old Forge School Director, January 6 participant, and one of the most outspoken conservatives in NEPA — returns to the show for a powerful, no-holds-barred conversation. In this wide-ranging episode, Frank opens up about why he organized buses and traveled to Washington D.C. on January 6, driven by deep concerns over election integrity in Pennsylvania, including issues with late ballots and actions by Secretary of State Catherine Boockvar. He shares his firsthand experience inside the Capitol that day, the intense media coverage that followed, and the personal toll of his misdemeanor conviction for "parading" — which resulted in 60 days in federal prison. Frank doesn’t hold back as he discusses what he calls the “lying, racketeering, collusion, conspiratorial media narrative,” how it shapes public perception, and why he believes it prevents honest conversations about government accountability. The conversation also dives into skyrocketing taxes, government waste, the push for data centers in Northeast Pennsylvania, threats to Social Security, illegal immigration, and the failures of both major parties. Looking ahead, Frank talks about his plans to run for the Pennsylvania Republican State Committee and as Chairman of the Lackawanna County GOP, with the goal of reforming the party from within, building a stronger bench of candidates, and focusing on real results for the people. This is a raw, unfiltered discussion on politics, media bias, personal sacrifice, and what genuine representation should look like from someone who has lived through the consequences of standing up for what he believes. What stood out most to you in Frank’s story? Drop your thoughts below 👇 #WhatAWeekPodcast #FrankScavo #January6 #J6 #ElectionIntegrity #NEPA #PennsylvaniaPolitics #GOP #MediaBias

    2h 20m
  5. Ep 101: From 1% Biker Life & Prison to Rebuilding Women – Tara Gallucci

    Apr 18

    Ep 101: From 1% Biker Life & Prison to Rebuilding Women – Tara Gallucci

    Tara Gallucci joins us for one of the most raw, unfiltered conversations we've ever had. Born into a world of 1% motorcycle clubs, family trauma, violence, and generational chaos, Tara shares her journey through addiction, abusive relationships, crystal meth, multiple arrests, and ultimately landing in Muncie State Correctional Institution. What happened in that prison changed everything. Today, Tara is a Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS) and founder of Still I Rise Empowerment Initiative — working to create real reentry support for women coming out of prison in Pennsylvania. She’s fighting to build the kind of help that didn’t exist for her: safe housing, peer support, life skills, and community — not just another recovery house. We talk about: Growing up around outlaw biker culture and what it’s really likeThe cycle of trauma, domestic violence, and meth addictionWhat prison (especially during COVID lockdown) actually feels like for womenWhy most reentry programs fail womenHer mission to create real second chances through Still I RiseThis is a story of survival, redemption, and turning pain into purpose. If you’ve ever felt stuck, broken, or like your past defines you — this episode is proof that transformation is possible.

    2h 50m
  6. Ep 100: Tyler Meyers - Army Vet Challenges PA Senate Establishment

    Mar 30

    Ep 100: Tyler Meyers - Army Vet Challenges PA Senate Establishment

    We sit down with Tyler Meyers — U.S. Army veteran, father, and conservative Republican candidate for Pennsylvania State Senate District 20.Tyler enlisted after 9/11, trained as a HIMARS rocket crew member, later moved into military intelligence, and served until COVID-era vaccine mandates forced a difficult choice. In this raw, wide-ranging conversation, we cover:- His journey from field artillery to military intelligence and why he ultimately left the Army- The personal impact of the COVID vaccine mandates on service members and his own biology studies that shaped his decision- Why he's running against a long-time incumbent: protecting children from radical ideologies (including the controversial "KOOTH" app in schools), election integrity, and fighting establishment politics- Second Amendment realities, parental rights, pro-life values, and pushing back against government overreach- Energy costs, taxes, data centers in NEPA, and what real representation should look like for families in Wyoming, Susquehanna, Pike, Luzerne, and Wayne counties- His "God-ordained" sense of civic duty as a father wanting a better future for his daughterThis is unfiltered talk about service, sacrifice, standing against the "antibody response" from the political establishment, and why Tyler believes it's time for real conservatives to step up in Harrisburg.If you're tired of career politicians, concerned about protecting kids, or want to hear from a veteran who's lived the policies he’s fighting against — this episode is for you.Drop your thoughts below: What issue matters most to you in PA Senate District 20? Would you support a challenger taking on the establishment?Watch the full episode and share if you're in NEPA or care about these issues!

    1h 32m

  7. Mar 2

    Ep. 99 Kyle Popish: Zyn, Nootropics, Doomscrolling & Lies We've Been Told | What A Week!

    Guest Kyle Popish brings raw, unfiltered insights to Episode 99 of What A Week!, exploring the health experiments we run on ourselves and the spiritual/mental payoffs that come with them. We dig into nicotine pouches like Zyn (face-on-fire reactions, flavors gone wrong, hidden ingredients), caffeine/nootropic pouches for sharper focus and clarity, the surprising power of placebo effects (why feeling better is real even if it's "just" mind-over-matter), and skepticism toward extreme anti-aging protocols and influencer promises that often mask privilege or performance. Kyle opens up about doomscrolling's addictive hold—Instagram algorithms serving fantasy (hot chicks & abs) or fear (doomsday feeds, conspiracies, nuclear worries)—and how social media rewired our minds post-2020, feeding endless comparison and dread. On the spiritual side: tangible shifts toward presence, inner peace, and awakening (Reiki-like benefits, mental clarity from habits), emphasizing that transformation doesn't need fancy protocols—just real, felt change. Deeper truths emerge: trauma as a root of addiction, predatory undercurrents in systems like Hollywood (exploitation stories, lost innocence), the unchanging face of human evil across history, and the lies we've been sold about freedom, self-protection, government overreach, and what "safety" really means (Second Amendment debates, armed deterrence, tyranny checks). It's honest talk on breaking free from narratives, reclaiming health/body/mind, spiritual growth, and facing uncomfortable realities head-on.If you're questioning wellness hype, battling mental traps, seeking deeper clarity, or tired of half-truths—this episode delivers.Timestamps:– Zyn/nicotine experiences & reactions– Nootropics, caffeine boosts & placebo power– Spiritual/mental shifts & feeling real change– Doomscrolling, algorithms & social media traps– Anti-aging myths, influencers & practical wellness– Trauma, addiction, Hollywood/systemic deceptions– Freedom, tyranny, evil & questioning "truths" Subscribe for weekly NEPA-rooted convos on life, recovery, mind, body & truth! Follow Kyle Popish: @kpopish2_ on X/Instagram#HealthTruths #SpiritualAwakening #Doomscrolling #AddictionRecovery #WellnessPodcast #KylePopish #WhatAWeek

    3h 29m
  8. Ep. 98: Uhsu Mukelo – Reborn American: Refugee to Citizen Journey

    Feb 23

    Ep. 98: Uhsu Mukelo – Reborn American: Refugee to Citizen Journey

    In this heartfelt, no-holds-barred chat on What A Week! Podcast, Congolese immigrant Uhsu Mukelo opens up about his wild journey from stateless refugee in Uganda to proud U.S. citizen – calling naturalization his "rebirth." We dive into the struggles of building a life from scratch, the grind of raising a family, and why immigrants often outpace native-born folks in hustle and heart.Uhsu shares how he's designing game-changing ESL and civics programs to fast-track refugees into American success, emphasizing why knowing the Constitution beats public school vibes. From dodging civil war in Congo to thriving in the U.S., he drops gems on gratitude, self-improvement, and why criticism of America misses the point for those who've begged for a shot at the dream. Plus, hilarious tangents on farm-fresh butter (or why he skips it) and showing up to podcasts with straight-from-the-cob corn.If you've ever wondered what "the American Dream" really feels like from the inside, this episode hits different. Uhsu's story is a reminder: Opportunity isn't given – it's grabbed. Topics Covered:- From Congo chaos to U.S. "rebirth" via citizenship- Stateless limbo: 12+ years without a country- Building ESL/civics programs for refugees- Why immigrants grind harder & value America more- Raw talks on family, faith, & fixing divides through dialogue- Butter beef? (And why farm milk slaps)Like, comment your immigrant stories below, and subscribe for more unfiltered convos that bridge worlds.

    1h 28m
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3.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Become a Paid Subscriber: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/what-a-week-podcast/subscribe What A Week! is a weekly podcast recorded in Northeastern Pennsylvania focusing on local, national, and personal topics with a wide range of guests.

Information

  • Creator
    WHAT A WEEK! PODCAST
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    75
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © WHAT A WEEK! PODCAST
  • Show Website
    What A Week!