When Pittsburgh Better Times hit newsstands last month, it didn’t just add another magazine to the pile—it gave a voice to nearly half a million people who’ve been quietly navigating life after loss or separation. Serving an estimated 499,000 individuals across the 412 area code region, the new print and digital publication is the first of its kind in Western Pennsylvania to center exclusively on the emotional, practical, and hopeful realities of being divorced, widowed, or separated. Founded by a veteran publisher with 25 years of niche media experience—behind titles like Western Pennsylvania Hospital News and Pittsburgh Boomers—the launch feels less like a business move and more like a quiet act of community repair.
A Magazine Built on Personal Experience
The publisher, who describes themselves as "someone who tries to see the positive things in life," didn’t start this out of market research. They started it because they’d been there. After watching friends retreat into silence after divorce or the death of a spouse, they saw a gap: no local media was celebrating the quiet triumphs—the first solo vacation, the return to painting, the courage to date again. "We don’t need more pity pieces," the publisher told an early contributor. "We need proof that joy survives." And so, Pittsburgh Better Times was born.Its editorial team, led by Daniel Casciato as Assistant to the Publisher, curates content that’s equal parts practical and poetic. Articles like "Every Day Is a Gift" and "You Can Do It Alone: A Personal Message from a Local Writer & Editor" aren’t just headlines—they’re lifelines. One recent profile followed a 34-year-old widow in McKeesport who started a nonprofit to support young cancer patients after losing her husband to leukemia. Another featured a retired teacher in Allegheny County who rebuilt his identity through woodworking classes at the Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse.
More Than Stories—A Network of Support
Beyond the pages, Pittsburgh Better Times has built an active social media presence on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, where readers share tips on financial recovery, grief rituals, and even where to find the best single-friendly happy hours in Lawrenceville. The comments sections are thick with messages like: "I cried reading this—I thought I was the only one."The timing couldn’t be more significant. As Pittsburgh undergoes a dramatic downtown transformation—driven by a 10-year revitalization plan that’s reduced homelessness in the Golden Triangle by 90% and cleaned 3 million square feet of sidewalks—there’s a parallel effort happening beneath the surface. While city planners focus on sidewalks and bike lanes, Pittsburgh Better Times is rebuilding social infrastructure one story at a time.
The Quiet Economy of Healing
Meanwhile, in Belle Vernon, Better Is Better, LLC quietly operates from its office at 32 MATHEWS RD, PA 15012. Founded in 2018 by Joel Phifer, the small business—with just five employees and $104,728 in annual revenue—has become an unassuming anchor in a ZIP code where the median age is 47.1, and nearly half the households earn under $50,000. It’s not directly tied to the magazine, but its existence mirrors the same ethos: small, steady, and deeply local. In a region where the average house value is $172,600 and 6,773 households struggle with the emotional weight of loss, these are the kinds of quiet institutions that hold communities together.Why This Matters Beyond Pittsburgh
The U.S. Census estimates that over 50 million Americans are divorced, widowed, or separated. Most are invisible in mainstream media—neither portrayed as victims nor victors. Pittsburgh Better Times flips that script. It doesn’t romanticize single life. It doesn’t minimize grief. It simply says: you’re not broken. You’re becoming.This model could spread. Cities like Cleveland, Cincinnati, and even Philadelphia have similar demographic gaps. If the magazine hits 10,000 subscribers by year-end—a realistic target given its grassroots traction—it may become a blueprint for other cities grappling with the silent epidemic of social isolation after major life transitions.
What’s Next?
The team is already planning a live storytelling event at the Carlow University auditorium in November, open to the public. They’re also partnering with local therapists and financial advisors to offer free monthly workshops on rebuilding credit after divorce and navigating Medicare as a widow. The goal? Not just to inform, but to connect.Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Pittsburgh Better Times for?
Pittsburgh Better Times serves approximately 499,000 individuals across the 412 area code who are divorced, widowed, or separated. It’s not for everyone—it’s for those rebuilding after major life changes, offering practical advice, emotional support, and inspiring stories from neighbors who’ve walked similar paths.
How is this different from general lifestyle magazines?
Unlike broad-audience publications, Pittsburgh Better Times focuses exclusively on the emotional and logistical realities of life after loss or separation. Articles are written by locals who’ve lived it, not by distant editors. Topics range from managing grief on a budget to finding new purpose through volunteering—grounded in Pittsburgh’s specific culture and resources.
Why does this matter now?
With Pittsburgh’s downtown revitalization reducing homelessness by 90% and attracting new residents, the city’s social fabric is shifting. But physical renewal doesn’t fix loneliness. Pittsburgh Better Times addresses the invisible crisis: tens of thousands living in emotional isolation after divorce or death, with no local platform to share their journey.
How can someone contribute or get involved?
Readers can submit personal essays, volunteer for workshops, or partner with the team through local nonprofits. Contact info is available at [email protected] or 770-353-5847. The magazine also hosts public storytelling events, like the upcoming November gathering at Carlow University, where anyone can share their story—no experience needed.
Is this connected to Better Is Better, LLC?
No direct connection exists between Pittsburgh Better Times and Better Is Better, LLC, though both operate in the same region and reflect a shared local ethos. Better Is Better, LLC, based in Belle Vernon, is a small business run by Joel Phifer, focused on business services. The similarity in names is coincidental, but the parallel spirit—quiet, community-driven resilience—is unmistakable.
What’s the long-term vision?
The publisher hopes to expand the model to other U.S. cities with similar demographic profiles—places where divorce and widowhood rates are rising but support systems are scarce. Success means not just growing circulation, but creating a network of local chapters where people don’t just read about healing—they help build it.
