Alter Eagle podcast launches Monday
Tune in Monday, Feb. 5, for the first episode of the Butler Eagle’s new, weekly podcast — Alter Eagle.
With episodes releasing every Monday and Wednesday, according to podcast producer Laura Crago, Alter Eagle aims to highlight “what this town is made of.”
“Which is a lot of really strong, determined individuals who — just like me with this podcast — want to make a difference and enrich our community,” she said.
Alter Eagle will launch on popular audience apps like Apple, Spotify, Google and more, with each season exploring a different topic relevant to the region’s needs and interests.
The two-month long first season will take a look at addiction in Butler County, according to Crago, sharing firsthand stories as well as local resources for recovery.
“We ended up breaking it down over 17 episodes,” she said. “Those will run every Monday and Wednesday through the months of February and March, and the last episode drops April 1.”
Monday’s launch follows the podcast’s preview event last week at Vintage Coffeehouse, where the season’s first episode was recorded alongside a live audience.
Dr. C. Thomas Brophy, medical director of the Ellen O’Brien Gaiser Center, and the center’s executive director Joe Mahoney and clinical supervisor Alyssa Vorel joined Crago to introduce the season’s topic. The group was also joined by addiction specialist Rachel Shuster, Highmark Wholecare, as well as surprise guest U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th.
“A lot of the conversation was about mental health and how that relates to addiction,” Crago said, “and then we did get into the stigma behind how we treat those suffering from addiction and those in recovery.”
With the preview setting the tone for the podcast’s first season, Donna Sybert — managing editor of the Butler Eagle — said she was most excited that the medium brought “an actual voice” to the stories of Butler County.
“You’re hearing the people who are telling the story,” she said. “It brings an extra layer of relatability, and it makes them very human.”
Building on the Eagle’s over 150-year mission to tell the county’s stories, Sybert said the podcast provides another way for audiences to relate to “the truth, as people see it, and the facts that are out there.”
"Hopefully the podcast will maybe open your eyes to a story or a topic,” she said, “and then maybe you’ll reach out and explore the news pages and become even more aware and connected to the community.”
And Crago said that “creating more connection” in the community is at the heart of Alter Eagle’s mission, helping inform the first season’s topic of addiction and recovery.
“That’s probably the No. 1 thing,” she said.
