Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
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Reading, Pennsylvania—the hometown of Taylor Swift—was once a booming manufacturing powerhouse. After decades of decline, it was ultimately labeled one of the poorest cities in America. Through conversations with locals and a look into its past, we explore how this Rust Belt city rose, collapsed, and what it feels like now. Join us as we uncover what really happened to Reading, PA—and what still lingers beneath the surface.
About Roca: RocaNews is an independent media company started by 3 friends in 2020. Our mission is to cover the news without bias or fear. We deliver daily news to 2M+ people via the products below.
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Our Series:
► The South: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D0R5OH3S3pOqMjOTuoyfqJO&si=gNefb5fKwfePMlSZ
► Pakistan: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D3Dc07Xay6AUtGomrzxE2pZ
► East Coast: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D0kfAVY9wv-ko6eN7TWR-WA
► Appalachia: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D1NPe26BHDdE_6X1pk6UysX&si=3eXpFF7-t_C3S2hi
► Rust Belt: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D2Di5bzXIMrM6Ef_IIiRNYU&si=Q5ewau_4vb0tGkMC
► The Southwest youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D2p0GvEpSo5HoiDdm9tOhR-&si=6O7usDcjlNY6j5if
► The UK youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D3f3SHy6GGx1ZsLl3qbHBmC&si=f3toQ8ta5E6qA03u
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0:00 Intro
1:19 Reading, PA
2:36 Hispanic Connection
4:50 Jack’s Pub
9:02 Downtown Reading
11:28 Greater Reading area
13:43 West Reading
14:28 Wyomissing (Taylor’s Hometown)
16:06 Why did Reading Fall?
16:39 Feeding America - Helping Harvest
18:18 Outro
Episode 128
Subs: 729k subs
#pennsylvania #reading #taylorswift
Download the FREE Upside App at upside.app.link/rocanews to get an extra 25 cents back for every gallon on your first tank of gas.
Reading, Pennsylvania—the hometown of Taylor Swift—was once a booming manufacturing powerhouse. After decades of decline, it was ultimately labeled one of the poorest cities in America. Through conversations with locals and a look into its past, we explore how this Rust Belt city rose, collapsed, and what it feels like now. Join us as we uncover what really happened to Reading, PA—and what still lingers beneath the surface.
About Roca: RocaNews is an independent media company started by 3 friends in 2020. Our mission is to cover the news without bias or fear. We deliver daily news to 2M+ people via the products below.
Our Products:
► Instagram: instagram.com/ridethenews
► App: apps.apple.com/us/app/rocanews-unbiased-fun-news/id1630180690
► Substack: rocanews.substack.com
Our Series:
► The South: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D0R5OH3S3pOqMjOTuoyfqJO&si=gNefb5fKwfePMlSZ
► Pakistan: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D3Dc07Xay6AUtGomrzxE2pZ
► East Coast: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D0kfAVY9wv-ko6eN7TWR-WA
► Appalachia: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D1NPe26BHDdE_6X1pk6UysX&si=3eXpFF7-t_C3S2hi
► Rust Belt: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D2Di5bzXIMrM6Ef_IIiRNYU&si=Q5ewau_4vb0tGkMC
► The Southwest youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D2p0GvEpSo5HoiDdm9tOhR-&si=6O7usDcjlNY6j5if
► The UK youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D3f3SHy6GGx1ZsLl3qbHBmC&si=f3toQ8ta5E6qA03u
Want to help us report?
► Sign up here: https://shorturl.at/xPrUx
0:00 Intro
1:19 Reading, PA
2:36 Hispanic Connection
4:50 Jack’s Pub
9:02 Downtown Reading
11:28 Greater Reading area
13:43 West Reading
14:28 Wyomissing (Taylor’s Hometown)
16:06 Why did Reading Fall?
16:39 Feeding America - Helping Harvest
18:18 Outro
Episode 128
Subs: 729k subs
#pennsylvania #reading #taylorswift
