Todd McCollum
Co-Host of The Right Side of the Rivers
Todd McCollum is a lifelong public servant with deep roots in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. A former Pittsburgh Police Officer with over a decade of service, Todd brings real-world experience in public safety, community relations, and government accountability to the conversations on The Right Side of the Rivers.
Throughout his career, Todd has developed expertise in law enforcement training, public safety policy, and crisis response. He’s also shared his knowledge as an adjunct professor, helping prepare the next generation of public safety professionals.
A graduate of Waynesburg College with a degree in Public Service Administration and Criminal Justice, Todd’s commitment to his community runs deeper than titles or positions. He’s a proud native of West Mifflin who understands the everyday concerns facing neighborhoods throughout our region — from public safety to small business challenges and the importance of responsive, transparent government.
Todd is driven by a belief that leadership starts with listening, showing up, and working toward practical solutions that strengthen communities. On this podcast, he brings that same focus: fostering thoughtful conversations about the people, policies, and priorities shaping Pittsburgh’s future.
Todd McCollum has hosted 30 Episodes.
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Libby Blackburn - Candidate for PA State House
August 27th, 2026 | 1 hr 16 mins
education funding, libby blackburn, north allegheny, pa house district 30, property reassessment
Libby Blackburn, candidate for Pennsylvania House District 30, joins The Right Side of the Rivers to discuss her campaign, public service experience, and the issues facing northern Allegheny County. The conversation covers affordability, energy costs, education funding, property reassessments, government spending, and the importance of voter participation.
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Tim McCune - Candidate for PA State House
August 13th, 2026 | 1 hr 4 mins
allegheny county pension, pa house district 36, pittsburgh economic development, public safety, tim mccune
Tim McCune, candidate for Pennsylvania’s 36th Legislative District, joins The Right Side of the Rivers to discuss his background, community service, and priorities for public safety, affordability, and accountable government. The conversation also covers Allegheny County issues, economic development, emerging technology, and the challenges facing Pittsburgh and surrounding communities.
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Valerie Gaydos - Public Safety, Sentencing Reform & the Future of Western PA
July 30th, 2026 | 1 hr 6 mins
harrisburg, pennsylvania sentencing laws, public safety, union pacific big boy, valerie gaydos
Pennsylvania State Representative Valerie Gaydos joins The Right Side of the Rivers to discuss the recent legislative debate over Pennsylvania's sentencing laws, public safety, and the decisions shaping policy in Harrisburg. The conversation also explores economic development, government spending, grassroots campaigning, and the future of Western Pennsylvania.
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Mary Jo Wise - Leading Locally in Allegheny County
July 16th, 2026 | 1 hr 7 mins
allegheny county jail, mary jo wise, moon township, picklesburgh, pittsburgh international airport
Moon Township Supervisor and former Allegheny County Council candidate Mary Jo Wise joins The Right Side of the Rivers to discuss responsible local government, balanced budgets, public safety, and the issues shaping Allegheny County's future. The conversation also covers data centers, Downtown Pittsburgh, the county jail, public transit, infrastructure, and why strong local leadership matters now more than ever.
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Joe Aguglia - Candidate for PA State House
July 2nd, 2026 | 1 hr 48 secs
allegheny county budget debate, joe aguglia, pa house district 20, school choice, women's sports ruling
Joe Aguglia joins The Right Side of the Rivers to discuss his campaign for Pennsylvania’s 20th House District, his background in law and public service, and why he believes Harrisburg needs more commonsense leadership. The conversation covers recent Supreme Court decisions, school choice, government spending, public safety, local infrastructure, and the challenges facing taxpayers across Allegheny County and Pennsylvania.
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Tony Guy - Candidate for Congress
June 18th, 2026 | 1 hr 2 secs
beaver county sheriff, candidate, juvenile crime, nippon steel deal, tony guy, us steel
Beaver County Sheriff and congressional candidate Tony Guy joins The Right Side of the Rivers to discuss his law enforcement career, campaign for Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District, and the importance of common-sense leadership. The conversation covers public safety, juvenile crime, economic development, the future of manufacturing in Western Pennsylvania, and the policies shaping the region’s future.
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Live from the Foundry Dinner: The Road to 2026
June 12th, 2026 | 19 mins 6 secs
erin maguire, foundry dinner, jason richey, on location, stacy garrity
In this special edition of The Right Side of the Rivers, Todd McCollum and Russell Dryer broadcast live from Pittsburgh’s iconic LeMont Restaurant ahead of the Foundry Dinner, joined by Erin Maguire, Stacy Garrity, and Jason Richey. The discussion focuses on Western Pennsylvania’s role in statewide elections, the region’s economic future, energy development, manufacturing jobs, and why Pittsburgh remains critical to Pennsylvania’s success.
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Marjorie Tabb - Building a Better Pittsburgh Through Public Safety, Schools, and Community
June 4th, 2026 | 1 hr 2 mins
city committee politics, downtown pittsburgh, marjorie tabb, paid parental leave, pittsburgh public schools
In this episode of The Right Side of the Rivers, Todd McCollum and Russell Dryer welcome newly elected committee member Marjorie Tabb to discuss her path into local politics, life in Downtown Pittsburgh, and why she believes more residents need to get involved in shaping the city's future. The conversation explores public safety, downtown revitalization, school accountability, economic development, and the policies impacting families and businesses across Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.
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Noah Formica - The Turning Point for Gen Z Conservatism, Grassroots Activism & Pennsylvania Politics
May 21st, 2026 | 1 hr 2 mins
grassroots organizing, noah formica, pittsburgh republicans, primary election, turning point action
Todd McCollum and Bob Crankovic sit down with Noah Formica to discuss grassroots organizing, voter registration, Pennsylvania primary election results, and the future of conservative activism in Western Pennsylvania. The conversation also explores local political races, challenges facing Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, and why engaging independent and younger voters will be critical heading into the next election cycle.
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Kimberly Stern - Candidate for State Committee
May 7th, 2026 | 59 mins 53 secs
grassroots organizing, immigration, kimberly stern, nfl draft, state committee
Kimberly Stern joins The Right Side of the Rivers to discuss her campaign for Pennsylvania State Committee, grassroots Republican organizing, and the future of conservative leadership in Allegheny County. The episode also explores public safety, immigration policy, economic development, and the impact of the NFL Draft on Pittsburgh and the surrounding region.
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Thomas West - Candidate for PA State Senate
April 23rd, 2026 | 1 hr 5 mins
nfl draft, pa senate district 38, pittsburgh economy, small business, thomas west
Republican candidate Thomas West discusses his campaign for Pennsylvania’s 38th District and his vision for economic growth, public safety, and small business support. The crew also dives into Pittsburgh’s future, regional challenges, and the impact of major events like the NFL Draft on the local economy.
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Anthony "from Oakland" - Beyond the Divide: Politics, Pittsburgh, and Common Ground
April 9th, 2026 | 1 hr 8 mins
anthony from oakland, bipartisan conversation, old school democrat, party divide, pittsburgh nfl draft
Anthony from Oakland joins the show for a candid, cross-party conversation on politics, public safety, and the changing identity of today’s Democratic Party. The discussion blends local Pittsburgh issues with national perspectives, highlighting the need for common-sense dialogue in a divided political climate.
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Eileen Cunningham - Accountability, Activism, and the Future of Pittsburgh Politics
March 26th, 2026 | 1 hr 11 mins
allegheny county, eileen cunningham, grassroots organizing, ice policy, state committee
Eileen Cunningham joins the show to discuss grassroots organizing, her run for State Committee, and the importance of building strong local engagement in Pittsburgh. The conversation also tackles key county issues, including immigration policy, transparency, and the role of citizen involvement in shaping the region’s future.
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Suzanne Filiaggi - Leadership and the Reality of Allegheny County Government
March 12th, 2026 | 1 hr 7 mins
allegheny county council, ice legislation, nfl draft, republican official, suzanne filiaggi
Allegheny County Councilwoman Suzanne Filiaggi joins hosts Todd McCollum and Russell Dryer to discuss serving as the only Republican on County Council and the challenges of representing conservative voices in local government. The conversation examines the recent ICE-related legislation debate, public safety concerns, county funding issues, and preparations for Pittsburgh’s upcoming NFL Draft.
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Joseph Leckenby - Candidate for PA State House
February 12th, 2026 | 1 hr 9 mins
business closures, ice protests, joseph leckenby, special election, summer lee
Todd McCollum and Russell Dryer sit down with Special Election candidate, Joseph Leckenby - running for HD-42 - to discuss his campaign, leadership priorities, and why he believes stronger representation is needed at the state level. We also explore the impact of a local Shop ’n Save closure, ongoing ICE protests in Pittsburgh, and the broader debate over public safety and county cooperation with federal authorities.
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Benson Fechter - Candidate for Congress
January 29th, 2026 | 1 hr 12 mins
benson fechter for pa 12, candidate, ice enforcement, pittsburgh primary election, venezuela crisis
Todd and Russell sit down with Benson Fechter, one of the candidates for Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District, to discuss his campaign, policy priorities, and the state of national and local leadership. The episode also covers Operation Absolute Resolve in Venezuela, ICE protests in Minneapolis and Pittsburgh, and how strong leadership is needed to address both global and local challenges.