Podcasts
Podcasts
Friday, April 10, 202604/10/2026
The Hustler Files Ep. 157
THIEF, PRISONER, SOLDIER, PRIEST (a book by guest Paul Cowley)
In this powerful episode we hear the remarkable story of Paul Cowley, a man whose life journey reflects the true power of hope, faith, and second chances. After experiencing the consequences of poor choices that led him into prison, Paul’s life took an unexpected turn when a compassionate military officer offered him a second chance, a unique moment that would ultimately change the direction of his life forever. That act of belief sparked a transformation rooted in faith, discipline, and purpose. Drawing inspiration from Proverbs 13 “Hope deferred makes the heart sick”, Paul shares how hope and God became the foundation of his healing and growth. While for many years he dedicated his life to helping others find hope in the midst of hardship, encouraging those who feel lost to believe that change is possible. Today Paul is the Managing Director of Second Chance Partnership, an organization, in partnership with Iceland Foods, helping ‘prison leavers’ find work and a living wage through the same second chances that once changed his own life. This episode is a powerful reminder that hope can restore what despair once tried to take, and that sometimes one person’s belief in you can change everything.
Friday, April 10, 202604/10/2026
Darkness and Light
Darkness and Light
4/10/26: MTA Pres Max Page w/ UMass Prof & PRIM candidate Lenore Paladino: handling $130 Billion, safeguarding retirement.
Night Fest Saturday April 18 w/ Catherine Moriarity & Don Darnell.
Fix and repair your stuff at Smith Voc — with David Starr.
Free Press Co-CEO Craig Aaron: the horrifying mega media marriage with Trump presiding.
The fight for cell-phone free schools w/ Emily Boddy.
Hut x3—SCDT performance this weekend w/ Jennifer Polins, Cameron Childs & Donnabelle Casis.
Thursday, April 9, 202604/09/2026
Bad News, Good News
Bad News, Good News
4/9/26: Congressman Seth Moulton: the war, the President, the Congress, the death & destruction.
Bonnie Heiple, Mass. Comm of Dept of Env Protection: $1.16 Billion for cities and towns.
Bill & Buz on the War & MHC’s $3 Million contribution to So Hadley.
Ruth Griggs w/ David Picchi: his upcoming concert at the Drake & UMass Jazz in July.
Wednesday, April 8, 202604/08/2026
Blowing in the Wind
Blowing in the Wind
4/8/26: Amherst Town Councilor Lynn Greismer: fires, housing & volunteer boards.
The Academy of Music’s Melanie Slabaugh on the “Let’s Hear It” campaign.
Hamp’s Asst Dir, Planning & Sustainability, Sarah LaValley & Mass Audubon’s Tom Lautezenheiser: rewilding the Pine Grove Golf Course.
Larry Hott on “Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan” and “Summer of Soul.”
Wednesday, April 8, 202604/08/2026
Transparent Marks
Transparent Marks
4/7/26: Sen Paul Mark: the supplemental budget vote tomorrow & more $ for education.
Best-selling author Nathan Edmondson: “The Master: A Novel of Golf and Death.”
MTA Pres Max Page w/ Matthew Scheffler: investing $130 billion—the public employees pension fund, its benchmarks, & the fight for transparency.
Professors Amilcar Shabazz & Idris Robinson: the Black experience in America today.
Wednesday, April 8, 202604/08/2026
The Forest and the Trees
The Forest and the Trees
4/6/26: Treehouse’s Erica Couster (CEO) & Lynn Muth (community member) & Tara Brewster GSB VP & Dir of Philanthropy: foster care, community & the Runway 5K.
Cammie McGovern: “The last Letters of Sally and Walter”— love in a retirement community.
MHC Visiting Fellow in Creative Writing Mariah Rigg: “Extinction Capital of the World.”
Northampton Mayor GL Sciarra: the school budget & Picture Main Street.
Saturday, April 4, 202604/04/2026
Western Mass Business Show on 4.4.26 – Angela Park
In Talk The Talk, The Western Mass. Business Show
Join us as we speak with Angela Park the Executive Director of 52 Sumner in Springfield. They are a 501(c)(3) performing arts venue. They want to bring the arts back in a more accessible way to Springfield. In their building, they have the Springfield Community Theatre of Massachusetts and can rent the venue out to a variety of places, activities, and events. From weddings to concerts to fundraisers, they are drawing from a wide geographic area and creating economic development for the region. Cofounder Dan Mckellick was also instrumental in getting this project off the ground. The attractiveness of 52 Sumner is that they are an accessible and easy venue to engage with, there is free parking and easy on and off the highway with police escorts to cross the street into the venue. Listen in as we hear of upcoming shows, and the stories of what it takes to create something new for the community that you love. www.52sumner.com
Friday, April 3, 202604/03/2026
The Hustler Files Ep 156
FROM INCARCERATED TO INFLUENCER: THE JESSE CROSSON STORY
Meet Jesse Crosson, author of The Best Part of Prison, founder of the Second Chancer Foundation, an inspirational voice for second chances, and now a social media influencer. But that wasn’t how it all started. At just 18 years old, Jesse’s life changed forever after a robbery and shooting led to a 32-year prison sentence. What followed was nearly two decades behind bars, time that could have defined his life in one direction but instead became the foundation for profound personal growth. During his incarceration, Jesse found mentors, discovered the power of reading and writing, earned a college degree, and began reshaping his identity. After serving nearly 19 years, he was granted clemency and released, stepping into a world transformed by technology, opportunity, and responsibility. Today, Jesse uses his lived experience to help others find freedom, not just from incarceration, but from the emotional and mental barriers that hold people back. Through his foundation, public speaking, and widely followed social media platforms, he’s found a voice for good, a voice that says, even the hardest obstacles can become opportunities for growth.
Friday, April 3, 202604/03/2026
Play Among the Stars
Play Among the Stars 4/3/26: MTA Pres Max Page: school funding & tax cutting. Community Action Pioneer Valley’s Lev Ben…
Thursday, April 2, 202604/02/2026
Laughing Matters
4/2/26: Hilary Price, Kelsey Flynn, Kelly Silliman & Ginny Mayer:” A Laugh a Day Keeps Despair Away.” Professors Colin Gleason…
