Podcasts
Podcasts
Friday, October 2, 202610/02/2026
Perspective
October 2, 2026, Co-Host—Josh Silver
This week’s failed execution of Christa Pike. We hear the perspective of death penalty expert, attorney (Yale law School), Amherst College Professor, and prolific author Austin Sarat.
The SNAP cuts in Massachusetts, the scourge of food insecurity in western Mass and what you can do to help. We speak with Community Action Pioneer Valley Ex Dir Lev Ben Ezra and Cheo Ramos, Coordinator of the Center for Self-Reliance Food Pantry.
The space we live in. A preview of “Earth Music Theatre Live,” a cinematic (stunning astronaut photography) multi-media experience at Bombyx Saturday at 7:00. We speak with composer & guitarist Steve Thomas and astrophysicist Dr Salman Hameed.
“Saints, Scoundrels and Statemen: Tales of the Massachusetts Legislature.” We speak with Sen Richard Moore, who will be presenting and sharing these tales at the GCC Symposium in Greenfield next Wednesday.
“Remittance” at the Mead Art Museum. ArtBeat Host Donnabelle Casis speaks with artist and participant in the Filipino Overseas Worker Program, Xyza Crus Bacani.
Thursday, October 1, 202610/01/2026
Plays, Playing, and Not Playing Around
10/1/26 , Co-Host Carrie Baker
Conway Festival of the Hills with the Festival’s Chair, Hazel Golman — it’s this Sunday.
“Escaped Alone” by Caryl Churchill at 33 Hawley on 10/7 and 10/8, a play for our present moment. We speak w/ Sheryl Stoodley (Director) and actors Mary Beth Brooker & Christine Adaire.
Feminist Futures with Smith Professor Carrie Baker. Carrie interviews Genee Coreno, the director of “Camp Siegfried,” a play about a Nazi summer camp on Long Island in 1938—w/ –no kidding- – some humor and theater artist and designer, Nora Marlow Smith.
Congressman Jim McGovern. Can democracy survive the midterms?
All That Jazz w/ Ruth Griggs and Dave Sporny, leader of the big band Amherst Jazz Orchestra—celebrating their 30th anniversary with a free concert at the Drake on October 7.
Wednesday, September 30, 202609/30/2026
Mazes
9/30/26 Co-Host –Brian Adams
David Wissemann, co-owner of Warner Farm and Mike’s Maze. We talk about the corn maze and the beer maze(!), how they are conceived and constructed and how they incorporate 100 years of television on 8-acres of corn – funny stuff — with a bit of seriousness about the economics of farms, farming and agritourism.
Habitat for Humanity’s Megan McDonough tells us about their new affordable housing project in Northampton, who’s eligible and how the lottery works, sweat equity and President Jimmy Carter.
The Hidden Lives of Sharks: Eat, Prey, Love with UMass researchers Grace Casselberry and Andy Danylchuk—their new discoveries revealing intimate details—seriously, intimate details.
Cool Films with Larry Hott. Larry interviews Nina Kleinberg on “Some Like It Hot,” “Witness for the Prosecution,” and “The Apartment”– a retrospective on Billy Wilder coming to the Amherst Cinema.
Tuesday, September 29, 202609/29/2026
Sunday’s Celebrations
9/29/26, Co-Host Amilcar Shabazz
The Forbes Library’s Artisan Fair this Sunday, 10:00-3:00 with 50 artisans, food, entertainment and music on the new Hess Performance Stage. We speak with Library Director Lisa Downing and Friends of Forbes Board Member Martha McCormick about the celebration, the renovations to the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum, the children’s room, and much more.
The Cutchins Program for Children and Families’ 10th Superhero Run and Fall Fair, a community-wide event this Sunday starting with a 10k run at 8:30 & a 5k run/walk at 9:00. Superhero-themed activates at the fair include creative sessions with Art Always, cartooning workshops with Jarrett J. Krosoczka, a Sparkle Salon with Salon 180 and much more. We talk with Jennifer Bogin, VP of Neurodiversity Services, about Cutchins’ programs, this celebration and the youth, adult and provider superheroes in the community.
Town Hall Tuesday with Easthampton Mayor Salem Derby. We discuss the spiraling cost of health care, the Neighbors in Need program, Keys to the City nominations, his Mayor’s Monthly program with Easthampton Media and the meeting of Climate Mayors.
The Roger Wallace Excellence in Teaching Award, being presented Sunday at Amherst College at the Ford Student Center to Miguelina Hernandez. Prof Amilcar Shabazz interviews educators Roger Wallace, the outstanding elementary school teacher, and Paul Wiley, former Principal at Crocker Farm and President of the Roger Wallace Excellence in Teaching Foundation, about the award and their journeys in education.
Monday, September 28, 202609/28/2026
Building Community
9/28/28. Co-Host Megan Zinn
The fight for rights for persons with disabilities. It’s the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Center for Public Representation. We speak with the Founder and first Executive Director, now Special Counsel Steven Schwartz, and the Executive Director Kathy Costanzo. We discuss the Northampton State Hospital Deinstitutionalization Lawsuit and the impact of the Trump Administration cutting funding and targeting people with disabilities. October 8 — An Afternoon of Reflection and An Evening of Celebration.
Writers Block. Megan interviews Shelly Jay Shore, author of “Love Me Like a Rock Song.” They discuss
queer joy, Jewish traditions and sailing against the wind.
Dr. Jane Flieshman with Ali Wicks-Lim and Mara Levy. They discuss ROAR, Rainbow Organizing and Response, and the Queer Joy Collaborative and resisting hate and cultivating joy in queer communities.
Amherst Town Mgr Paul Bockelman and Communications Mgr Sam Giffen: what is happening to Hampshire College’s land and buildings and when– we learn some details. Also, updates on the Jones Library construction and the Amethyst Brook Elementary School.
Saturday, September 26, 202609/26/2026
Western Mass Business Show on 9.26.26 – Cutchins Programs for Children & Families
In The Western Mass. Business Show
Join us as we speak with Gina Krosoczka the Director of Development and Jennifer Bogin, Vice President of Neurodiversity Services and Field Center Program Director at Cutchins Programs for Children and Families. Listening as we talk about this almost 50 year-old nonprofit organization based in Northampton and Belchertown Massachusetts. With many programs like: Northampton Center for Children & Families, Three Rivers, New Directions School, The Children’s Clinic, Flexible Support Services, and the Fields Center, there are many different options for children and teens that are struggling with mental health and abuse. Dr. Tina Champagne’s training has refocused the organization to use a combination of OT and PT modalities at the core of their work. Listen in as we discuss the organization and the upcoming Superhero Run on October 4th. Join us for the fun. www.cutchins.org
Friday, September 25, 202609/25/2026
The Hustler Files Ep. 179
CHARLES ROSARIO – HOLDING THE DOOR FOR OTHERS LIKE HIM
Charlie Rosario spent 19 years in prison. While incarcerated, he was fortunate to be admitted to the Emerson Prison Initiative. This program earned him a bachelor’s degree, and with that education he began to see new possibilities for his life. Now released from prison, he works for the same program, at Emerson, helping other students and returning citizens navigate education and reentry. Charlie also talks about growing up in Worcester, his experience in the youth and adult prison systems, and the persistence it took to reach college, gain parole, and why helping others recognize their own worth has become his purpose.
Friday, September 25, 202609/25/2026
In Studio — Live and Lives
9/25/26, Co-Host Josh Silver
Max Page & UMass Prof of Economics and Public Policy, Michael Ash ,discuss the new Fed Reserve findings on the wealth, more accurately, lack of wealth, of most families in Massachusetts and how to make our state more equitable.
Live and we mean aLIVE in the studio, Agua de Moringa, a band from Rio de Janeiro, performing at Bombyx on Sunday and on our show today. These musicians, playing the bandolim, clarinet, 6-string guitar, 7-string guitar, cavaquinho and pandeiro, with an out-of -this- world vocalist, are amazing.
Political Gold with Josh Silver: Trump says the U.S. press should be more like China’s—does anyone care? Also, the midterms elections will be nailbiters.
Professor of Peace and World Security Studies Michael Klare on Artificial Intelligence and its potential to initiate a nuclear world. Professor Klare haz just returned from a conference
on this topic at the Arms Control Association in Washinton D.C., where he is a Senior Visiting Fellow.
ArtBeat. Donnabelle Casis’ guest is Jason Montgomery of 50 Arrow Gallery, who speaks about the upcoming Gaon Soloists concerts and the screening of White Nine, the film about the group of disabled activists whose organizing lead to the founding of Stavros. Their conversation touches on art, disability history, independent living, and Stavros’ work today.
Thursday, September 24, 202609/24/2026
Politics and Passion
9/24/26, Co-Host Andy Bukowski
Rep Lindsay Sabadosa: her positions on the ballot questions.
ACLU -MA Ex Dir Carol Rose: a voting rights victory at the U.S. Supreme Court, Q4—election day voter registration in MA, & nationwide election protection. Also, the ACLU/AFL-CIO report on the economic impact of Trump’s deportation policies.
Rev Carole Bull, Northampton-based UCC progressive interfaith pastor, on humility.
“A Passion for the Planet.” The performance is at Bombyx, Saturday 9/26, at 7:00. The performers include an instrumental ensemble, the soloists, three choruses and choirs, (24 members each) — the children’s choir from the Community Music School in Springfield, and Concora, adult choral artists. Our guests are the composer Geoffrey Hudson and the solo soprano Alisa Pearson, who preview this story, told in music, of recognition, resistance and inspiration. bombyx.live
The Hot Club of New England ensemble. John Anz speaks with performers Matt and Atla DeChamplain, and we hear some of their music—Gypsy Jazz, Jazz Manouche, friendship, love inspiration, and tears of joy. 5:00 Saturday, part of the Northampton Jazz Festival. northamptonjazzfest.org
