Confronting Your Sex Ed Horror Stories
After years of teaching abstinence as the “expected norm,” Pittsburgh Public Schools recently updated its sex ed curriculum to be more comprehensive and inclusive. But some of our listeners are still scarred by what they learned — or didn’t! — in schools throughout the region.
Mary Jo Podgurski, director of the Washington Health System Teen Outreach Program, is the sex ed teacher we wish we had. With the help of listeners’ stories, she breaks down some of the most harmful lessons young people can receive in sex ed, how schools should be approaching the subject, and why it all got so complicated in the first place.
In today’s newscast, we mention our June episode on how the pandemic widened learning gaps in Pittsburgh. You can listen here: https://pod.link/citycastpittsburgh/episode/6022e188d65db755d5562e0910d78aa6
Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Pittsburgh and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Sara Innamorato on Paid Leave, Term Limits, and a Fancy New Hotel
Allegheny County could become the first in the U.S. to require 18 weeks of paid parental leave for all employees. County Executive Sara I...

What's On Your Primary Ballot?
It's primary election day! Local voters are being asked to weigh in on one ballot measure: If Pittsburgh loses its print newspapers, shou...

Pittsburgh's Dangerous Drop in Vaccination Rates
Measles is on the rise across the U.S., and experts say outbreaks aren't hypothetical anymore. At least 40,000 PA students are missing re...

'Your City Could Be Better': Do DC’s Hated Traffic Cameras Really Make the City Safer? — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh
Would Pittsburgh be safer if there were more automated traffic cameras? In 2025, Washington, DC, brought in nearly $270 million from more...

Tattoo Regulations, Steelers in Paris & Debating the Essence of Sheetz
Allegheny County Council is taking steps to oust Pat Catena as the group's president, after his campaign sent out a mailer claiming his o...

Can Pittsburgh Fix Its Budget Problems?
City Controller Rachael Heisler has been sounding the alarm on Pittsburgh's budget for actual years, and her latest report shows the city...

Mid-Century Sleepover, Tiki Cruise & More Pittsburgh Milestone Birthday Ideas
Got a big birthday coming up? Sure, you could make a fancy dinner reservation, but there are so many more exciting ways to celebrate. The...

What To Eat (and Avoid) at PNC Park
Let's be honest, the Pirates aren't always the main draw at PNC Park. Many of us go for the views, the pierogi race, and inventive ballpa...

7 Ideas To Make Voting Better in PA
Our primary election is just around the corner on May 19, so it feels like a good time to take stock of how well our voting process actua...

'Your City Could Be Better': Philly's Bold Nightlife Experiment — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh
Pittsburghers, would your city be better if the bars stayed open later? This summer, Philadelphia is anticipating a record-breaking numbe...


