Thriving

Thriving is a year-long Technical.ly storytelling initiative aimed at centering and collecting the lived experiences of Philadelphia and comparative city residents in order to generate insights about the economic opportunities and obstacles along their journeys to financial security and freedom. Thriving is underwritten by the William Penn Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Episode 10: FarmerJawn’s Christa Barfield on growing an urban farming business

The Germantown native is expanding from a CSA to CornerJawn produce stores, but funding is an ongoing challenge. Subscribe and tune in to final episode of the audio documentary “Thriving” to hear her story.

01-26
27:44

Episode 9: Linda Hines on learning new skills as a grandma who works

The 63-year-old childcare provider spent years training for a new certification that would help her earn more doing what she loves. Subscribe here to stay up to date on this series.

01-18
25:54

Episode 8: Michael Tan on the challenges of expanding his small business

The Old City entrepreneur and croissant whiz is recovering from pandemic setbacks while seeking to balance work and life. Subscribe here to stay up to date on this series.

01-04
24:21

Episode 7: Stephon Fitzpatrick on pursuing a Ph.D. and being a role model

The West Philadelphia resident is navigating student loans while chasing one big goal: to encourage more Black students to enter agriculture careers. Tune in to the seventh episode of the audio documentary “Thriving” to hear his story. Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to stay up to date on this series.

12-14
24:35

Episode 6: Quan Fields (aka Quany the Clown) on making it as a circus performer

The Northeast Philadelphia resident is a young Black man pursuing his show business dream — and he’s found some surprising supporters along the way. Tune in to the sixth episode of the audio documentary “Thriving” to hear his story.  Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to stay up to date on this series.

11-30
27:12

Episode 5: LyVette Byrd on navigating life as a 'suddenly blind person'

The West Oak Lane resident wants to get back to work, and has sought support from a number of government agencies — with varying success. Tune in to the fifth episode of the audio documentary “Thriving” to hear her story. Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to stay up to date on this series.

11-17
29:35

Episode 4: Erica Irving on building a better financial future for her family

The Mt. Airy mom is balancing motherhood and work after a difficult job search. Tune in to the fourth episode of the audio documentary “Thriving” to hear her story. Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠ to stay up to date on this series.

11-02
23:33

Episode 3: Gisselle Poveda on the challenges of expanding her small, immigrant-owned business

The North Philadelphia entrepreneur hopes to open a second cafe location, as well as launch a coffee brand. Tune in to the third episode of the audio documentary “Thriving” to hear her story. Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ to stay up to date on this series.

10-19
22:31

Episode 2: Doriana Diaz on her efforts to support herself as an artist

The young Philadelphia collage artist dreams of having a gallery to display and sell her art. For now, she's piecing together a living through a variety of different gigs. Tune in to the second episode of the audio documentary "Thriving" to hear her story. Subscribe ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ to stay up to date on this series.

10-05
26:45

Episode 1: Afghan refugee Ghulam Danish on his journey toward thriving

The now-Philadelphia resident has a dream for himself and his family. After leaving a middle-class job in Afghanistan, Danish is searching for something more here. Tune in to the first episode of the audio documentary “Thriving” to hear his story. Subscribe ⁠here⁠ to stay up to date on this series.

09-21
30:48

What does it take to Thrive in Philly?

Listen to the journeys of 10 Philadelphians on their paths to success. Join us for "Thriving," a year-long storytelling project in which we follow 10 Philadelphians who are trying not just to survive, but to thrive. Through their stories, we aim to center and collect the lived experiences of Philadelphia and comparative city residents to gain insights on the economic opportunities and obstacles along their journeys to financial security and freedom. Subscribe here to stay up to date on this series.

09-20
01:56

Introducing Erica Irving, a Philly mom weighing a job search against childcare needs

Meet Erica Irving, a Philadelphia mom searching for a job that will pay a livable wage. After living on unemployment, she wants to ensure that she can provide for her neurodivergent daughter. Hear more from Erica when we release the full audio documentary this fall. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the Thriving series: https://technical.ly/subscribe/

06-07
03:20

Introducing Gisselle Poveda, a cafe proprietor with dreams of building ownership

Meet Gisselle Poveda, a North Philadelphia-based small business owner who rents commercial space. Nearly two decades after learning a hard lesson about renting in the city, Gisselle now wants to own the building that houses her storefront. Hear more from Gisselle when we release the full audio documentary this fall. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the Thriving series: https://technical.ly/subscribe/

05-31
03:23

Introducing LyVette Byrd, a former counselor navigating life as a ‘suddenly blind person’

Meet LyVette Byrd, a Philly resident who has sought support from a number of government agencies, with varying success. Hear more from LyVette when we release the full audio documentary this fall. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the Thriving series: https://technical.ly/subscribe/

05-24
03:05

Introducing Jaquan Fields, a Philly performer with dreams of starting a circus as diverse as his city

Meet Jaquan Fields, aka Quany the Clown, who's looking to fund a circus. Performing as Quany the Clown at birthday parties across the city, Jacquan dreams of starting a new Philadelphia-based circus that mirrors the diversity of the city. Hear more from Jacquan when we release the full audio documentary this fall. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the Thriving series: https://technical.ly/subscribe/

05-17
02:57

Introducing Ghulam Danish, an Afghan refugee seeking a ‘normal life’ in Philly

Meet Ghulam Danish, an Afghan refugee who dreams of a "normal life." With a master’s degree in business administration and eight years of experience in marketing strategies, Ghulam works as a dishwasher at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia- hoping for a job in marketing to better provide for his family. Hear more from Ghulam when we release the full audio documentary this fall. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the Thriving series: https://technical.ly/subscribe/

05-08
03:34

Introducing Stephon Fitzpatrick, an education executive navigating his own higher ed expenses

Meet Stephon Fitzpatrick, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Commission for Agriculture Education Excellence. Stephon works full time and goes to school full time, facing the challenge of paying his education expenses. Hear more from Stephon when we release the full audio documentary this fall. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the Thriving series: https://technical.ly/subscribe/

05-03
03:14

Introducing Linda Hines, a childcare worker looking to advance her career

Meet Linda Hines, a childcare worker based out of Philadelphia who's trying to move up in her career. Linda is one of many older, white adults in the city who have stayed in the workforce through the pandemic and has no plans on stopping any time soon. Hear more from Linda when we release the full audio documentary this fall. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the Thriving series: https://technical.ly/subscribe/

04-25
03:15

Introducing Doriana Diaz, a Philly collage artist making her next move

Meet Doriana Diaz, a collage artist from Philadelphia who dreams of opening up a cafe as an event space and storefront for her art. As one of about 50,000 gig-workers in the city, Doriana hopes for a more a stable living while still pursuing her passion. Hear more from Doriana when we release the full audio documentary this fall. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the Thriving series: https://technical.ly/subscribe/

04-18
03:18

Introducing Michael Tan, the bakery owner who’s bouncing back

Meet Michael Tan, the Old City bakery owner who’s finding himself navigating the challenges of an immigrant business owner in Philadelphia. Hear more from Michael when we release the full audio documentary this fall. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the Thriving series: https://technical.ly/subscribe/

04-12
03:59

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