Podcasts
Podcasts
Friday, June 13, 202506/13/2025
The Hustler Files Ep 116
FROM A WHITE COLLAR CRIME TO BECOMING A WHITE KNIGHT
There aren’t many people who can go from the incarceration of a white collar crime to CEO of an established educational non-profit, but then again Jeff Abramowitz is unlike most people you’ll ever meet. As CEO of the critically acclaimed Petey Green Program, Jeff discusses the transformative power of education for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals, a first hand education he experienced when going from a successful trial lawyer to incarceration for a white collar crime. It was that experience, behind the wall, that shaped his commitment, upon his release, to helping others overcome the challenges of reentry into society. Tune in to hear Jeff talk about the importance of understanding choices, the impact of educational programs, and how to break the cycle of poverty and incarceration.
Friday, June 13, 202506/13/2025
Most Unkindest Cuts of All
6/13/25: MTA Pres Max Page w/ UMass Profs Krista Harper & Michael Ash: critical grants gutted. Founder Andrew Lawrence w/ guitarists Joscho Stephan, & Sven Jungbeck on DJANGO IN JUNE! Prof Salman Hameed: cuts to NASA budget threaten science. Young Feminist Party’s Marisol Bonifaz & activist Alice Jenkins on Saturday’s NO KINGS Rally.
Thursday, June 12, 202506/12/2025
Young People
6/12/25: Journalist Craig Johnson: “How to Talk to Your Son About Fascism.” Ruth Griggs w/ Koan Collective musicians Ian Behrstock & Jahain Cooper-Monize. Rep. Natalie Blais: HIP, SNAP, POTpourri, Pride, & students’ testimony. EHS educators Kelley Brown & Jeff Sealander, w/ students Oscar, Leia & Michael – a cross-generational book club: founding fathers & “The Pursuit of Happiness.”
Wednesday, June 11, 202506/11/2025
Untangling Webs
6/11/25: Amherst Council Pres Lynn Griesemer: ICE in Amherst, school budgets, Juneteenth. Alex Osterman & Victoria Worth: the ACLU in Ashfield. Filmmakers Larry Hott, Andy Kolker & Paul Stekler: political films—past present & is there a future? GCC science prof Brian Adams w/ UMass Ph D candidate neuroethologist & Jumping Spider expert, Alex Winsor.
Tuesday, June 10, 202506/10/2025
Teaching
6/10/25: Northampton Ed Foundation’s Dale Melcher & Joy Hermansen: the upcoming Showcase. Ed Collab’s Todd Gazda w/ Hadley Super & MA Assoc School Super Ex Comm mem Anne McKenzie: one tough job. Smith Coll Prof Carrie Baker w/ PVPA’s Gary Hugget & his former, now Smith Coll, student Talia Villalobos-Sharone: saving DEI. Duke Goldman: THE AMAZING Catch, Yankees & Sox.
Monday, June 9, 202506/09/2025
Western Mass Business Show on 6.7.25 — Queer Joy Collaborative
In The Western Mass. Business Show
Join us as we welcome back Mara Levi, Mikki McGinnis, and Nova Weyman Brown to the show. Mara is the Executive and Artistic Director, Mikki is the Chorus Member and Marketing Committee Member, and Nova is the President of the Board of Directors and Chorus Member. It has been almost a year since they became a 501C3 and the road has been rocky but paved with beautiful stones. The chorus is stronger than ever at 115 members with 50-70 attending weekly to rehearsals. The chorus provides a home for so many people to find respite and comfort amongst themselves and their community through song. Listen in to learn about why Queer Joy is political, powerful, and deeply needed right now. How art and connection can lead to collective wellbeing. How creating a children’s chorus was the next logical step in this journey and finally where you need to be on June 8th from 3-6PM-hint it’s the Queer Joy Fun Fair at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School. Check out www.queerjoycollaborative.org/funfair to learn more.
Monday, June 9, 202506/09/2025
Protest: it’s not rebellion, it’s patriotism!
6/9/25: Bill and Buz on Trump’s authoritarianism and the need to resist it. Megan Zinn w/ Carolyn Zaikowski, new poet laureate of Easthampton. Amherst Prof Austin Sarat on Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in spite of Gov Newsom’s condemnation as the Guard’s Commander-in-Chief. UMass Prof Amilcar Shabazz outlines local Juneteenth commemorations.
Friday, June 6, 202506/06/2025
The Hustler Files Ep 115
TRUST THE TIMING OF YOUR LIFE
In Franklin County, Massachusetts, Sheriff Lori Streeter may be the newest female Sheriff in Massachusetts. She joins Sheriff Donna Buckley of Barnstable County as one of two female Sheriffs across the Commonwealth, but Sheriff Streeter is also the first female Sheriff to be appointed, in her County by the Governor. (She takes over for Sheriff Donelan, who retired early.) With over 35 years of experience in the Franklin County Sheriff’s office, Sheriff Streeter shares her climb up the proverbial ladder, from correctional officer to Sheriff, her passion for the job, the challenges she faced during her appointment to Sheriff, and her vision for the future of the office. Listen in to hear her talk about the importance of community relationships, the innovative programs for incarcerated individuals that she will continue to support and grow, and the significance of having women in leadership roles within law enforcement.
Friday, June 6, 202506/06/2025
Visions
6/6/25: Fritz: Saturday’s Franklin County Pride in Greenfield. Timmon Wallis: “Nuclear Abolition: A Scenario.” Jody Rosenbloom and JoEllen Mackenzie: Forbes Library Garden Tour on 6/14. Hamp Coll Prof Michael Klare: Putin’s retaliation, drone warfare, & atrocities in Gaza. Donnabelle Casis w/ Andrae Green: “Peripheral Visions” at OOO Gallery in Easthampton.
Thursday, June 5, 202506/05/2025
Human Rights
6/5/25: Ashfield human rights atty Laura Pitter & Freedom Now Ex Dir Andrea Prasow: jailed journalists. Susanne Personette & Lois Barber: Amherst Plein Air Society’s show at Forbes. Rep Jim McGovern: democracy in peril. ABA Human Rights Hero Maria Foscarinis: “And Housing for All: The Fight to End Homelessness in America.”
