Recent Episodes
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Recent Reviews
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babydee1226So InterestingI loved this podcast I’m from Philly ,never heard of Demora but I’m taking a road trip .. this Podcast was awesome so well done
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culleycoAmazing podcast!Now this is what I call a podcast! I listened to all 10 episodes in 2 days and I am really hoping for another season!!
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jon815Fantastic Story Telling and Connection to CharactersY’all did an absolutely fantastic job with this forecast. I visited Wheeling, WV years ago and thought about what a wonderful place it would have been at its peak and what it would be like to live there now and y’all nailed it. Fine job of story telling and capturing a forgotten part of America.
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tanzenbrenNot the trees!Fascinating and thoughtful. Simple in form but so darn intriguing. I’m holding out for more and mentally planning a trip to PA. Thank you Jeanne Marie and friends! (50 Acres is my favorite book and it was delightful to have more Jeanne Marie in my life in a new form.)
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unlimitedwonderDelightfulSuch an intriguing story. Loved getting to follow along and learn the stories and hear the love and wonder that moved Jeanne Marie and Erin to follow this project.
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quel0906WonderfulBinge listened to season 3 in a day loved it want an update on everyone and any changes that may have happened in the town
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In SMFollow up, please!I loved this. I wish more people would have listened before our last election; things may have gone differently after listening to these insightful citizens. Please do a follow-up!
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KTMastandreaA Hopeful Account of Life in the Rest BeltAs someone who grew up in the shadow of US Steel just a few miles down the Monongahela, this show does a fantastic job of portraying the apathy and disappointment that can come from living there. It also highlights the often thankless work and aspiration of a few citizens who are trying to make things better. It ends on a hopeful note for change, and though years later we can see some of it did not come to fruition, it made for a nice listening experience.
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MOnativeNeed to hear the rest!!!For some reason this isn’t playing. I keep trying, but it will not load past episode one, everything else on the podcast app is working. (I will update review later bc this is great already!!)
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Elmo PeteLoved it.A beautiful account of humanity in a small town where people are connected to each other in multiple ways. The reporters were a respectful but intimate part of the story. I didn’t want it to end.
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sb nickCement City (Donora PA)Things started great with an introduction to a forgotten/overlooked place. For me, the podcasts errors by getting too caught up in local politics while also confining itself to a one year time frame. The podcast is at its best introducing us to the people of Donora, and secondarily to the business and institutions inside Donora. Unfortunately, it shifts from a focus on people to a focus on politics. We never find out how things work out with the new town council, and we never learn the endeavor to entice a community college to open a branch on Donora. All in all, despite a promising start, it left me unsatisfied at the end.
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RedsloanSo goodBinge-listened and didn’t want it to end though it ended perfectly. Gave me an alternate universe for 10 hours. Can’t wait to stop in the next small town I pass on the highway and sit there in the diner and wonder what’s really going on…
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anna4213The Fantastic Island of DonoraI am SOO thankful that I found this! A fantastic peek into a forgotten corner of America that could be mistaken for so many little towns left on the wayside across the country…that still have such up so much humanity, intrigue, and gumption left in them if you bother or care to look. I am so glad that the hosts did! A beautiful foray into a subset of America. Thank you!
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Wisco nativeExcellent!I just couldn’t stop listening to this podcast. Insightful, real and even emotionally raw at times. This is the story of so many small towns in the US that have been forgotten. Hope they give an update soon on how the town is doing.
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Sibyl- PHLBest road trip podcastI grew up in a town that had/ has the same issues as Donora but it’s closer to Philadelphia and has benefited from that. Like everyone else I really want an update on everything. This “reads” like a beautiful little novel. I want more episodes and towns
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tidetchrFascinating!Your reporting is excellent. Thank you for telling the compelling story of this town and introducing listeners to the people and community. I need an update! Did they get the community college?
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SlowDowneyFascinating & kindly hilariousThis podcast brought me right back to college (Virginia Tech), and re-sparked that part of my brain. I can map so many of the folks in this show to my regulars. (Not to say people are unoriginal, but to say that Appalachian culture is strong.) But this time I have a hilarious narrator and an hilarious audio gal, to boot.
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BhudsdjoijhA Real TriumphThis is my favorite kind of storytelling. Ambling and free wheeling, honest and goofy. On top of being a wonderful exploration of what makes people stay in a dying town, it hilariously shows how absolutely awkward being an on the ground reporter can be. The moment where the mayoral candidate waxes poetically and Jeanne Marie and Erin let out this big sigh and laugh at how well spoken he is made me laugh out loud. It’s a moment most journalists would have edited out to keep the mystic of objectivity but their transparency is the heart of the podcast. Really really well done!
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MjbuserA new favorite!I so enjoyed this show. The quality of the reporting is what makes the story so compelling while also easy to follow, even with all of the Jims! My family is from Donora, and I spent so much time on those streets decades ago with my siblings and cousins. It was a gift to hear a series about a place I hold dear, I hope there is another season! Thank you!
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Impala6Interesting!It’s fascinating to hear the history of the town and the triumph of the human spirit.
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thedroegeproblemWhat a time we live inThis is a fascinating podcast that lets you get lost in the stories of the individuals that make and break a community. Jeanne Marie and Erin’s storytelling methods are really wonderful. It was also incredible to listen to the story of this contentious small election as we lived through a a larger version in our national election.
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ImfromtheDFascinating place; interesting podcast.I really enjoyed this podcast about my hometown. I knew several of the people that were interviewed. Poor town…. The people are the salt of the earth, but the town certainly needs some TLC. I’d love to hear a followup podcast since the community college failed. And I’d love to hear council’s plans for the future and how the community can pitch in. Hang in there D, change will come <3
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654258996Slice of lifeThis show was a narrow portrait of a small town that never went anywhere and got lost in the gossip and local political infighting. It may be interesting to people who live in this tiny place, but there’s no appeal for a wider audience.
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amads103I am so enthralledI am so enthralled with this podcast. I was listening to basically a podcast about any specific town in any state. There are pieces that anyone can recognize. This is from 2017- I will be waiting to hear an update on more recent events. Where are the kids? What happened to the town? Who is in charge now? Please give a second and third season!!
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A in SeattleNeed another season!I loved every minute of this podcast! I was moved to tears more than once, while learning about this town I would have never heard of, if it weren’t for Jeanne Marie and Erin. Season 2 please!!!
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Great Dane Sandwich5 stars!I think I was on episode 3 when I thought “I like this podcast so much I’m going to be sad when it ends”. Most books and podcasts just unfold and at the end I decide if I liked it. But the REALLY good ones…you’re halfway through and realize you love the story, the characters, and the writing so much that you’ll be sad when it’s over. PLEASE do more episodes and podcasts!
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Listener learnerA good listenLove this story and they way y'all tell it.
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KrcarusoAll time favI listen to a ton of podcasts on tons of topics from true crime to pop culture and have listened to tons of series and investigations in last few years. This is by far the best podcast I’ve heard it’s a relatively simple story and not like any kind of major suspense but I have never had the kind of excited anticipation I do waiting for new episode of cement city every week. Most podcasts are either great at researching & reporting or great at actually telling a story but this one does both so incredibly that I can’t stop listening or talking about it- thank you for giving me at least one podcast thats always worth listening to EVERY week!
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Kwaj GirlFAVORITEMy family lived 30 minutes from Donora - the podcast is so accurate and the storytelling is great!! I cant stop listening!!
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urbanroutineCement City is GREATI have read a few Jeanne Marie Laskas books, and I click whenever I see her byline. She never fails to draw me in—such a consummate storyteller no matter the subject. When I saw she was involved with Cement City, I was 100% in. After 6 episodes I find myself wiggling with anticipation for the next chapter. I love getting to know the citizens of Donora, the struggles they face, and the day to day vibe of the town. If at first it seems mundane or slow, stick with it for some fascinating twists. I can’t wait to hear more. I am rooting for Donora, and the countless other places like it.
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Mozzarella cheese stick OK?5 starsGreat interviews!
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Julie BlackburnI grew up here!Loved listening and hearing the people I grew up with! Can’t wait for next episode!
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OC Boardwalk-NJThe Forgotten TownsLoved listening to Cement City! I just happened to stumble onto this podcast and so glad that I did. I love the story telling and the intimate and real conversations that are had with the people from Danora. So many and too many of our small towns are forgotten and pushed aside.
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LtbesqAn unexpected delightI was hooked by the first episode. The pace, the personalities, the detail brings this little forgotten rust belt town whose fate is memorialized in its “Smog Museum” to poignant life. The hope poking through the depressed landscape...no grocery store, no gas station, no schools, one church on the chopping block too. Yet there is a real competition for city council, and folks trying to build something is familiarly American.
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CindycastI love DonoraDonora is one of my favorite bands of all time. After living in PGH for 15+ years, I knew all about the town and the smog disaster (thanks to my weather disaster obsessed dad). Very enjoyable once you get past the part where the host says over and over again how little she knows about Donora. Honestly that Weather Channel special on the disaster is amazing. I saw it on TV shortly after I moved to Pittsburgh. Love getting to know the characters and the ins and outs of a struggling town.
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dkgeiDonoraI grew up in Donora. Great podcast on the town. I pray it gets back the heart the people have their. I still live close by. Any questions I’m here
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Teon77Love Cement CityVery descriptive and interesting storytelling about hidden towns and corners of the US. Really enjoying it
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AllissaFronzaglioThank you.My Dad was Guido Fronzaglio.. He died suddenly in February of this year. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.. for allowing us to hear his voice like this.. of course he never mentioned being interviewed to any of us.. My sister’s and I are so grateful to you.
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supershan9Great PodcastGonna be honest, it was a little hard to stick with initially. I think it's because John's voice can really put you to sleep (in a good way), but it was interesting in the way he delves into just a small part of the bigger stories most of us know. The Bloody Sunday episode was by far the best. Definitely had me in tears at the end talking about John Lewis going back to the bridge before he passed 💔
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Breather1234Great lessonsSo well done. Always interesting information. Look forward for season 3?
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Amazement2024Season one was awesome! 5 plus stars!Excited for season 2! Thank you!
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stewbob hawaiiGreat Podcast.What American youth need to listen to today
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FashionandFaithHope + History = PerfectionThis podcast delivers. I’m not surprised, given that I devour everything Jon Meacham does, but I had to write a quick note praising the quality of this podcast. (I’m happy to see the History Channel getting back to its roots. They had me worried for a while there!) Give us more!
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deven bergeronThank youI absolutely envy Jon Meacham. He is very knowledgeable and I always love listening to what he has to say. I have listened to every single episode and have been absolutely INTRIGUED in every one of them. John meacham is incredibly smart and so interesting in his explanation of history! Very charismatic to me due to his intelligence ! I also like Michael bechlas (SP?) love these 2 great historians loved every minute
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LisaBTrainerFun LearningI usually have trouble staying focused on anything audible—books and such—but Jon Meachum’s Hope through History has captured my attention. I look forward to listening every day. It’s usually my morning listen, and I’ve begun listening while running/walking. Looking forward to the next series: It Was Said.
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ACizzle#35Wish I had more!Like a great book you can’t put down, I wish I could sit and listen to this podcast all day! Meachums delivery is fantastic, and the accompanying music is spot on as well!
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je silverHope through HistoryLoved this podcast, insightful-great story telling and Meacham’s delivery is bang on. (I also thought the background music encapsulated the title/the theme incredibly well).
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Fitz1229This is as good as it gets !Thank you Mr. Meacham for this inspiring and much needed podcast for these troubled times ..it gives me hope for this country and the world to learn about the gravely serious challenges that have been faced and overcome by Brave and level headed men and women throughout history !!
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dldnhExcellentAn excellent podcast, always very interesting.
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Goldmean5825GratefulAlways learn something new from Jon Meacham’s storytelling
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