Podcasts
Podcasts
Friday, January 3, 202501/03/2025
The Hustler Files Ep 93
THE DEATH PENALTY CAN BE WEEDY
As Joe Biden started winding down his Presidency, and Donald Trump started accelerating his, Joe Biden took advantage, like all Presidents, to commute 37 men sitting on death row. These commutations reduce their sentences from the death penalty to life without parole. These 37 (out of 40) are in federal prisons vs. the thousands that sit on death row, in the State prison systems and can only be commuted by the individual state Governors. The 3 men who did not receive commutations and will stay on death row are those involved with terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder. Trump has never been quiet about his support of the death penalty and his call to expand federal executions, once he takes office for the 2nd time. It was during his last presidency that he restarted federal executions, after a 20-year pause, and 13 were executed. Since 1973 at least 200 people in the United States who were convicted and sentenced to the death penalty have been exonerated! If you want more information on the Death Penalty, visit the Death Penalty Information Center.
Friday, January 3, 202501/03/2025
Under Oath
1/3/25: MTA Pres Max Page: change K-12 funding & other 2025 priorities. Bill & Buz: the meaning of the oath that Congress takes today. Donnabelle Casis w/ New England Visionary Artists Museum Co-directors Michael Tillyer & Susan Foley. Community Action’s Claire Higgins on Housing in Place. Human Rights Attorney Laura Pitter: the issue is genocide.
Friday, January 3, 202501/03/2025
Western Mass Business on 1.11.25 — Twice As Smart
In The Western Mass. Business Show
Gloria Matlock Founder and Executive Director
Debbie Shriver Chair of the BOD
Michael Kane BOD Member
Shino
Jemanae
Jayleigh
Rose
www.twice-as-smart.org
Founded in 2016 in Gloria’s home, Twice As Smart was begun on the principle that some kids need extra help. Because Gloria saw a need and because she is a fixer, she wanted to help fix a learning deficiency in Franklin County. What bean with 7 kids in her living room quickly rose to 17 before she realized she needed a bigger space. The program now sees 32 students in the basement of the Second Congregational Church in Greenfield. Gloria grew up in Ohio and began teaching other children at age 11. She saw the value of education and the need to help others when possible. Debbie and she met over singing and have been friends ever since. There is a strong music component to TAS, and the kids overlap with the Musica Franklin curriculum in Greenfield as well. Join us to learn why you should support this amazing non-profit in the 413. A special song by the children was the highlight of the interview. Thanks for listening. Happy New Year.
Thursday, January 2, 202501/02/2025
Darkness & Light
1/2/25: Rep Jim McGovern: terror in New Orleans & scary stuff in Washington. Rabbi Riqi Kosovske & JM Sorrell on “We Will Dance Again: Surviving October 7th,” a film about the Hamas massacre. Ed Orzechowski & Darlene Volpe on “Becoming Darlene: The Story of Belchertown Patient #3394.” Ruth Griggs w/ Director Jeff Olmsted: Valley Jazz Voices & the January 12 concert.
Tuesday, December 31, 202412/31/2024
Auld Friends
12/31/24: First Night archguitarist Peter Blanchette plays live in the studio. Bill gives Buz & Dan a 2024 political quiz – they flunk (but still impress Newman). From GCC –science prof Brian Adams w/ Natural Resources Coordinator Tony Reiber: New Year’s resolutions for the earth. Hampshire Prof of Peace & World Security Studies Michael Klare on Jimmy Carter, Ukraine & NATO.
Monday, December 30, 202412/30/2024
Loss & Found
12/30/24: Amherst School Superintendent Dr. Xiomara Herman: wrapping her arms around her job.
Bill Dwight: a trip down memory lane — Pleasant St. Video, the removal of Main St. benches & Jimmy Carter remembered. Megan Zinn’s favorite reads of 2024.
Saturday, December 28, 202412/28/2024
The Hustler Files Ep 92
TRUST THE PROCESS OF YOUR PATH
Throughout this 2nd full season, one of the go-to themes has been to chat with various Sheriffs about their jails and the communities they have watch over. In case you’re not aware, there are approximately 3100 Sheriffs’ across the United States and a similar amount of jails. Also if you’re not aware, the various tiers of incarceration are Jail, State/Private, & Federal. While each Sheriff runs his or her jail slightly differently, they all answer to their communities, the people who elected them. Note: This is not the case in the State and Federal carceral system. In this, Episode #92, and the last episode of 2024, we revisit both Sheriff Nick Cocchi of Hampden County, Massachusetts, and Sheriff Patrick Cahillane of Hampshire County, Massachusetts. Both are avid supporters of The Hustler Files show, but more importantly, innovative and forward-thinking when it comes to not only rehabilitating their jail population but doing the right thing for their fellow citizens. Episode #93 will be the first episode of 2025!
Friday, December 27, 202412/27/2024
Time to ReBelle
12/27/24: Rep Mindy Domb: this week’s big legislative victory. MTA Pres Max Page: 2024’s top ten Mass. education stories. Amherst Coll Prof Austin Sarat: Biden’s death row commutations & democracy (?) under Trump. First Night performers Kalpana Devi & Manou Africa of ReBelle.
Thursday, December 26, 202412/26/2024
On ICE
12/26/24: Hampshire Co. Sheriff Pat Cahillane on ICE enforcement. Rev. Carole Bull: Jesus, the Archangel & the manger. UMass Isenberg School prof Anna Nagurney: Trump, tariffs & tradeoffs. Remembering some who passed in 2024.
Tuesday, December 24, 202412/24/2024
Tones
12/24/24: First Night: The Northamptones sing the Beatles. Astronomer Salman Hameed: flying fast across the universe — not Santa, a NASA probe. Political expert Josh Silver: a silver lining in Trump’s victory? Duke Goldman: Rickey Henderson & the Hall of Fame. Santa Claus stops by the studio.
