Overview

Mighty Writers, the Philadelphia-based non-profit that teaches kids to write, connected with Rowhome Productions in early 2023 about developing a podcast that would celebrate the power of storytelling through deep intimate conversations with open-hearted people. 

Host Maureen Boland, once called Philadelphia’s “listener in chief” by Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Helen Ubiñas, joined the team and it was clear she would be the perfect compliment. As a longtime public school writing teacher, Maureen believes that everyone has a story worth hearing and that when we listen to each other’s stories without judgment we will, inevitably, grow in compassion and connection.

We worked with Maureen - and producer Sojourner Ahebee - to develop a show built around intimate interviews and her creative writing talents. From planning and researching interviews to editing scripts to recording, sound designing, and delivering the final audio files, Rowhome is part of every aspect of the production. 

The first season of the Mighty Writers Podcast, released in 2023, highlighted a broad array of topics: the foster care system, immigration, the science of happiness, and more. The second season of the show is all about good people doing good work in and around a big American city. Known for its sports fans and food, history and grit, inequality and authenticity, Philly maintains a complicated relationship with the notion of brotherly love. The season features interviews with a wide-range of Philadelphia people doing amazing things.

In 2024 the Mighty Writers Podcast won Podcast of the Year at the Philly News Awards.