Wit or Wit-Out

Dennis Valerino

Details

Our Ode to Philadelphia told one story at a time. We interview Interesting Philadelphia area people with intriguing stories. We have a wide array of interest and it will show in our guests.

Recent Episodes

OCT 14, 2026
Wit or Wit-Out Episode 24 Pat Croce
In this engaging conversation, Pat Croce shares his life story, from his upbringing in Philadelphia to his diverse career as an author, physical therapist, and sports executive. The discussion highlights the importance of family influence, personal growth, and the pursuit of passion in shaping one's journey. This conversation explores Pat Croce's journey from a physical therapist to a prominent figure in sports management, detailing his relationships with athletes, his transition to the Sixers, and the challenges he faced along the way. It highlights the importance of curiosity, relationships, and personal growth in achieving success. In this conversation, Pat Croce shares his transformative journey from a successful businessman to a seeker of spiritual wisdom, emphasizing the importance of self-discovery, mindfulness, and community. He discusses his experiences with suffering, happiness, and the quest for inner peace, culminating in the release of his new book aimed at helping others transform their lives. Takeaways Embrace the present moment Family shapes our identity Relationships determine results Curiosity fuels success Transform suffering into peace Self-discovery leads to happiness Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Pat Croce 02:58 The Power of Haikus 05:56 Early Life and Family Influence 12:00 College Journey and Athletic Aspirations 18:02 Overcoming Challenges in College 19:59 Career Beginnings in Physical Therapy 21:34 The Early Years and Family Life 22:21 Becoming a Sports Guru 24:04 Building Relationships in Sports 25:23 Expanding Influence in Sports Medicine 26:21 Radio and Public Engagement 27:10 Balancing Work and Family Life 28:22 Transitioning to the Sixers 29:43 The Path to Ownership 31:50 Challenges and Opportunities in Management 32:49 Negotiating the Deal 34:18 The Clock and David Stern 35:57 The Journey to the Finals 37:33 Connecting with Allen Iverson 39:54 Mediating Conflicts 41:26 The Spiritual Path to Success 44:22 The Aftermath of Success 47:33 Writing and Reflection 48:16 The Non-Linear Journey of Self-Discovery 49:36 Transforming Suffering into Peace 51:08 The Shift from Business to Spirituality 52:55 The Quest for Transformation 54:57 Exploring Mindfulness and Stillness 56:31 The Inner Journey of Self-Reflection 57:05 The Essence of True Happiness 01:01:21 The Spiritual Journey to Bhutan 01:05:54 Living with Cancer and Spiritual Growth 01:10:07 The Power of Community and Sharing 01:13:29 Pride in Personal Growth
74 MIN
OCT 6, 2026
Wit or Wit-Out Episode 23 Joe Vallee
The conversation features Joe Vallee , who shares his experiences growing up in a family with a rich history in entertainment and sports, including his time as a bat boy for the Philadelphia Phillies. The discussion delves into his family background, his passion for music, and the unique stories from his time in baseball, highlighting the connections and relationships he built along the way. The conversation delves into Joe Vallee's experiences as a bat boy for the Philadelphia Phillies, his interactions with players, and his journey through music and family business challenges. It highlights his nostalgic memories of baseball, the dynamics of being in a band, and the struggles faced in the automotive industry. The conversation delves into Joe Vallee's journey from bartending to creating the successful sports website 'Philly2Philly', highlighting his personal struggles, triumphs, and the impact of Philadelphia sports culture on his life. It also covers the challenges he faced in the media landscape, including legal battles and the evolution of his writing career. The conversation explores Joe Vallee's experiences in the media industry, his journey through various roles, and personal anecdotes about his family and projects, including his work on the book 'Rainbow Rabbit'. It highlights his reflections on life, career challenges, and the importance of family and personal growth. Takeaways Rich family history Unique experiences in baseball Nostalgic baseball experiences Challenges in music and business Resilience in adversity Impact of sports on identity Media industry insights Importance of family and personal growth Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Joe Vallee Jr. 03:05 Family Background and Legacy 05:58 Growing Up in Woodbury, NJ 08:53 The Influence of Music 11:49 Becoming a Bat Boy for the Phillies 18:07 Memorable Experiences with the Phillies 24:05 Reflections on the 1993 Phillies Team 32:36 Nostalgic Baseball Memories 38:34 The 1993 Phillies Team Dynamics 41:51 Transitioning from Baseball to Music 51:27 Struggles in the Family Business 01:08:54 Reinventing Through Bartending 01:10:19 The Phillies' Victory and Personal Reflection 01:14:34 The Birth of Philly to Philly 01:20:08 Challenges and Legal Battles 01:30:11 The Success of the First Book 01:37:06 Collaborations and New Projects 01:47:09 Memories from the Media World 01:51:39 The Journey of Writing and Publishing 01:55:37 Reflections on Life and Career 02:01:08 Finding Love and Building a Family 02:04:14 Reviving 'Rainbow Rabbit' and Its Message 02:10:54 Future Aspirations and Family Focus
117 MIN
SEP 22, 2026
Wit or WIt-Out Episode 21 Lou Scheinfeld
The conversation covers Lou Scheinfeld's childhood memories, early work experiences, and his journey into journalism. It delves into his upbringing in Brewerytown, the significance of a phone call, and his experiences working at the Daily News. Lou shares insights into his career as a reporter and the challenges he faced, including an injury that impacted his work. The conversation covers the early days of journalism, the experience of covering city council, meeting celebrities, the involvement of Jerry Walman and Ed Snyder, the naming of the Spectrum, the financial troubles of Jerry Walman, and the reputation of the Spectrum for concerts and events. The conversation delves into the history of the Spectacular Jazz Festival and a missed opportunity with Elvis. It also covers interactions with influential figures and the challenges faced in managing events at the Spectrum. The conversation covers the negotiation with Frank Sinatra, the creation of 'God Bless America,' the impact of Kate Smith's performance, the relationship between Ed Snyder and Lou Scheinfeld, the Flyers' game against the Russian team, and the influence of Lou Scheinfeld on Ed Snyder. The conversation with Lou Scheinfeld covers his remarkable life, from his memories of the Spectrum to his encounters with celebrities, challenges, betrayal, reconciliation, and redemption. It also delves into his work on the Museum of Sports, showcasing his enduring legacy. Takeaways Philadelphia in the 1950s Life as a reporter Childhood memories Journalism and Reporting Meeting Celebrities Spectacular Jazz Festival Missed Opportunity with Elvis Negotiating with Frank Sinatra The creation of 'God Bless America' The impact of Kate Smith's performance The relationship between Ed Snyder and Lou Scheinfeld The Flyers' game against the Russian team The influence of Lou Scheinfeld on Ed Snyder Remarkable Life Legacy of the Spectrum Chapters 00:00 Growing Up in Brewerytown 02:20 Life in the Candy Store 03:41 The Importance of a Phone Call 04:09 The Value of Money and Childhood Adventures 05:05 First Job and Early Work Experiences 05:33 Sneaking into the Arena and Meeting Roy Rogers 06:55 Getting Married and Early Journalism Career 11:11 Working at the Daily News 30:52 Injury and Return to Work 35:13 The Early Days of Journalism 36:35 Covering City Council and Meeting Celebrities 38:17 Jerry Walman and Ed Snyder 40:14 The Naming of the Spectrum 52:30 The Financial Troubles of Jerry Walman 01:07:09 The Spectrum's Sound and Reputation 01:09:34 The Spectacular Jazz Festival 01:12:53 Missed Opportunity with Elvis 01:44:10 Negotiating with Frank Sinatra 01:45:49 The creation of 'God Bless America' 01:46:15 The relationship between Ed Snyder and Lou Scheinfeld 01:47:13 The impact of Kate Smith's performance 02:11:01 The Flyers' game against the Russian team 02:17:45 The influence of Lou Scheinfeld on Ed Snyder 02:19:37 Memories of the Spectrum 02:21:02 Encounters with Celebrities 02:26:00 Challenges and Betrayal 02:27:37 Reconciliation and Redemption 02:39:33 The Museum of Sports
172 MIN