Podcasts
Podcasts
Friday, May 22, 202605/22/2026
The Hustler Files Ep 163
HE SERVED 22 YEARS FOR A CRIME HE DIDN’T COMMIT
What happens when the justice system gets it wrong? For Sean Ellis of Boston, he served 22 years for the murder of a Boston police detective, a crime he didn’t commit. After two hung juries and a third conviction, Sean faced the reality of dying behind bars while fighting to uncover evidence that had been withheld for decades. Sean shares the devastating impact of wrongful conviction, the challenges of rebuilding a life after exoneration, and the emotional toll of losing years to a system that failed him. He also discusses his work, now, as Director of the Exoneree Network at the New England Innocence Project, supporting individuals and families navigating the trauma of wrongful incarceration and reentry. This conversation explores justice, resilience, accountability, healing, and what it takes to ensure that the truth is never buried forever.
Friday, May 22, 202605/22/2026
You’re Being Paged
5/22/26 (Co-Host Josh Silver)
Max Page, Mass Teachers Ass’n Pres: $ for schools & higher ed this year, and college in three years, not four—the debate is joined.
Rep Mindy Domb. The reveal—she’s a night owl and Stephen Colbert’s last show made her laugh and cry—for many reasons that she shares. Also, the Blue Envelope Bill is close to becoming law. Congrats Rep Dom and Sen Comerford.
Alex Bowman from the new AAA — All Ages and Abilities: shared use trails, electric bikes, the expanding bike trail network, new state regs and laws?
Political Gold with Josh Silver: Trump’s plummeting poll numbers portend what?
ArtBeat With Donnabelle Casis and Will Baczek: his 30th anniversary show featuring Scott Prior and Nanny Vonnegut and other stars and celebrating art here.
Thursday, May 21, 202605/21/2026
Remember
5/21/26
Memorial Day – so much and so many to remember – with Central Hampshire Veterans Service Director Steve Connor.
Extra!! Extra!! w/ Gazette and Recorder Ex Ed Dan Crowley: the Northampton Housing Authority, the Overrides, & Picture Main Street.
UMass Ph. D. & Post- Doc Researcher Yuzhen Zhang on UMass-developed new technology, BactiSee – using a smart phone to detect bacteria in commercial food facilities & in our home kitchens, on cutting boards & dishwashers.
All that Jazz with Ruth Griggs, Paul Arslanian & Tap Dance percussionist Alexis Robbins—Wow! Coming to the Northampton Jazz Workshop.
Wednesday, May 20, 202605/20/2026
Focal Local
5/20/26(Co-Host Brian Adams)
We Fishwrap Picture Main Street and the news on Hampshire’s closing.
From Transitions Through Motion in Hatfield — Leora Barry, Ex Dir, and Theresa Fischer: horses helping people.
Kate Buckman, Aquatic Ecologist with the Greenfield-based Connecticut River Conservancy: happening here – fish on elevators, the great migration, nest building male fish, shad’s return from their world tour, local sea lampreys – don’t call them eels or snakes.
Filmmakers Larry Hott and John Manulis on “Fortunate Sons” – highly recommended.
Tuesday, May 19, 202605/19/2026
The Buzz in Paradise
5/19/26 (Co-Host – Carrie Baker)
Paradise City Arts Festival at the Fair Grounds this weekend—we visit with the show Director, Mariah Swanson—200+ artists and craftspersons, musicians (new, larger stages) and perfect weather for the show.
Sci- Tech Café with MHC Prof Kerstin Norstrom & Hampshire Coll Ecology & Global Change Prof Jennifer Van Wyk: bees (gender is a social construct!), No Mow May, and bugs v insects. Also, Hampshire College’s commencement and its closing.
Comedy Quiz –on bugs and bees—with Happier Valley Comedy’s Maddy Benjamin, Scott Braidman, Sally Ekus & special contestant Carrie Baker.
Feminist Futures with Smith Coll Prof Carrie Baker. Carrie interviews Marianne Winters, Ex Dir of Safe Passage about the two recent domestic violence homicides in our community—at UMass and in Belchertown.
Monday, May 18, 202605/18/2026
Wars and Pieces
5/18/26 (Co-Host Megan Zinn)
The three not so little bears in Bill’s neighborhood.
Dr. David Gottsegen on plastics in our food and water.
Megan Zinn with Katie DeBonville on “Grace Notes: A Musical Memoir.”
Andrew Zimbalist, Smith Prof and sports expert: the World Cup coming to Mass — an economic boondoggle?
Michael Klare, Five College Prof Emeritus of Peace & World Security Studies: War and Peace (?) — China, Iran, Cuba & Ukraine.
Saturday, May 16, 202605/16/2026
Western Mass Business Show on 5.16.26 – Paradise City Arts
In The Western Mass. Business Show
Join us as we hear from the new owners of Paradise City Arts, Elana Churnick Kritz and Mariah Swanson. They are not strangers to the arts and have developed quite a name for themselves in the art world before taking over the helm at PCA. A 30-year legacy is a hard ship to Captain, but they are taking it in stride and as a team. Please attend PCA on May 23-25 at the 3 County Fairgrounds, go to www.paradisecityarts.com for more information, times, food, and music schledue. Tune in for the surprise news, artist line up, and new showstoppers. Thank you for joining us in the excitement and fun of our local arts, business, and non-profit community.
Friday, May 15, 202605/15/2026
The Hustler Files Ep 162
SOUNDS LIKE TROUBLE: FROM PRISON WALLS TO POWERFUL FICTION
What happens when decades spent behind prison walls helping others tell their stories inspires a powerful debut novel. In this episode of The Hustler Files, we sat down with longtime prison activist, educator, and author Jean Trounstine to discuss Sounds Like Trouble to Me, a gripping story shaped by the emotional realities of incarceration, abuse, survival, justice, and hope. Jean shares how years of teaching incarcerated women, directing theater programs behind bars and witnessing lives transformed inside the justice system ultimately led her to write her first novel! This conversation explores the real-life experiences that inspired her characters, the emotional complexities of trauma and redemption, and the powerful stories too often hidden from public view. The discussion also takes a deeper look at women’s incarceration, abuse behind prison walls, and the courage of those fighting for justice and change. It’s a conversation about storytelling, humanity, and the belief that truth whether through fiction or lived experience can challenge what we think we know.
Friday, May 15, 202605/15/2026
Caveats
Caveats
5/15/26 (Co-Host Buz Eisenberg)
MTA Pres Max Page: the banks’ demands on Hampshire College and why it’s closing, the MTA’s position on overrides, and the MTA’s newly-elected officers (Max is term limited).
Amherst Coll Prof Austin Sarat: “ The Supreme Court’s Takedown of American Democracy Is Complete.” And last night Texas executed its 600th person since the death penalty was reinstated—a person profoundly intellectually challenged.
Rep Lindsay Sabadosa: the state budget—the good, the bad & the ugly, the Protect Act and bonding bills for the environment and economic development.
Students from Mohawk Trail Regional interview Bill about radio and journalism.
ArtBeat with Jason Montgomery (in for Donnabelle Casis) & Darrell Clemmer: “Small Scale, Epic World” at 50 Arrow Gallery in Easthampton.
Thursday, May 14, 202605/14/2026
Klaring Things Up
5/14/26 (Co-Host Buz Eisenberg)
Eric Nakajima, Holyoke Dir of Economic Development: housing for all.
Eric Reeves, Founder of Project Zam Zam: the catastrophe in Sudan and Darfur.
Buz and Bill on local overrides and Prop 2 ½.
Rabbi Riqi Kosovske: the erroneous conflating of Judaism with Netanyahu’s government.
Michael Klare, Five (Four?) College Prof. Emeritus of Peace & World Security Studies: Trump’s summit with Xi Jinping, the Strait of Hormuz (which they both want open), the Wars in Iran and Ukraine, likely outcomes & dangers ahead.
