Podcasts
Podcasts
Monday, May 11, 202605/11/2026
Author! Author!
5/11/26 (Co-Host Megan Zinn)
Safe Passage Exec Dir Marianne Winter & author Patricia Lee Lewis: “Story Telling as Healing, the event at 33 Hawley.”
Novelist Joanna Margaret: “The Daughters” –a thriller, a preview of her Odyssey Bookshop reading this Wednesday.
Jarrett Krosoczka: RISE Fest—an amazing literary and art event of, by and for young people at Northampton HS.
Corrine Coryat, candidate for the Democratic nomination for the First Franklin District.
Saturday, May 9, 202605/09/2026
Western Mass Business Show on 5.9.26 – Jennifer Derringer & Tom Navin
In The Western Mass. Business Show
Join us as we speak to Jennifer Derringer (Managing Attorney of the Franklin and Hampshire County) and Tom Navin (Development Director) from Community Legal Aid to learn about their 75 years of helping people across the state get legal services at, they would otherwise not be able to afford (or the system easily navigated). Started in 1951, as Western MA Legal Services, the focus has been on low income, elders, housing, benefits, immigration, elder law, Cori, re-entry, and custody proceedings. With over 200+ staff members the organization has grown significantly over the past decade partially due to increased need and partially due to the housing crisis. Listen in as we learn about this amazing community resource from some of its dedicated staff.
https://communitylegal.org/
Friday, May 8, 202605/08/2026
The Hustler Files Ep 161
PLANTING: ONE SEED AT A TIME
Behind every prison sentence is a family story. In this deeply personal Mother’s Day episode of The Hustler Files, you’ll meet Daisy Diaz, a justice-impacted woman and mother who shares how it felt to be the ugly duckling of her family and live on the streets beginning at the age of 12. From navigating her addictions, to her rollercoaster of incarceration, and then separation from her own children, Daisy shares a raw and honest account of a life shaped by trauma yet transformed by resilience. She opens up about the emotional toll of “mother-child” visits in prison, and the reality that while one person serves the sentence, families serve time too. Now 11 years clean, Daisy reflects on rebuilding her life, repairing relationships, and stepping into her purpose: helping other women find their way forward by planting seeds for them to follow. This episode is a powerful reminder that second chances don’t just change one life; they can change generations.
Friday, May 8, 202605/08/2026
Political Gold
5/8/26 (co-host Josh Silver)
MTA Pres Max Page: this weekend’s election, how the MTA actually works & this week’s SJC on the income tax ballot question.
Nhmptn City Councilor Laurie Loisel: last night’s passage of the Resolution about ICE, the budget, housing, Picture Main Street, school committee responsibilities, & political discourse.
Political Gold with Josh Silver: what recent polls portend.
Erin Buzuvis, WNEU Law Professor & expert on sex discrimination law: DOE’s investigation of Smith College alleging sex discrimination due to admission of trans women.
ArtBeat with Donnabelle Casis & Deborah Way: “What Wears You.”
Thursday, May 7, 202605/07/2026
Security
5/7/26 (co-host Buz Eisenberg).
Food Bank of Western Mass Dev Dir Jillian Morgan: 40%-50% of people here are food insecure.
Mental Health Law Prof Frederick Vars: “Through the Fire: How People with Mental Illness Are Empowering Each Other,” his own hospitalizations, self-help groups, meds & hope.
Congressman Jim McGovern: the feds v Smith Coll, elections 2026 & the War in Iran.
All That Jazz w/ Ruth Griggs & bassist Matt Dwonszyk: Side of Jazz @Eastside Grill.
Wednesday, May 6, 202605/06/2026
Life and Death
5/6/26 (co-host Brian Adams):
District Atty David Sullivan: the recent alleged murders at UMass & in Belchertown.
Tapestry Health’s Harm Reduction Program with Pedro Alvarez & Katy Lessard: savings lives in many ways, overcoming addiction.
Grow Food Northampton’s Helen Kahn (Tuesday Market Manager) & Aoma Muma (farmer of world veggies): passionate farming.
“The Revenge of the Electric Car” – bringing back the dead—who killed them and why? With Larry Hott and Greg Goff. And which car should you buy?
Tuesday, May 5, 202605/05/2026
On the Mark
5/5/26 (co-host Amilcar Shabazz)
Sen Paul Mark: the Protect Act, time capsules & lottery money.
Jehann El-Bisi, the People’s Artist: political & prison art & art as a healing practice, update on Leonard Peltier.
Lisa Wong, S. Hadley Town Administrator: overrides, schools, cuts, taxes & MHC financial contributions.
Rep Aaron Saunders: ICE in Mass, the Quabbin, state PILOTS.
Monday, May 4, 202605/04/2026
Why It’s Gotta Be
5/4/26 (co-host MHC Prof Kerstin Nordstrom)
Amherst School Super Dr Xiomara Herman: budgets, priorities, special ed & EVs.
Why It’s Gotta Be theater group’s Devin Dumas(Director) & Julia Adamo (actor) on “Legoland”-a dark comedy, coming to Easthampton’s City Space.
Kirsten interviews Bill on “Naming Truth’s Way,”
Bill interviews Kirsten on Hampshire College’s closing—its effect on MHC.
N’hmptn Mayor Gina Lousie Sciarra: Hampshire Pride & a new school superintendent.
Monday, May 4, 202605/04/2026
Why It’s Gotta Be
5/4/26 (co-host MHC Prof Kerstin Nordstrom)
Amherst School Super Dr Xiomara Herman: budgets, priorities, special ed & EVs.
Why It’s Gotta Be theater group’s Devin Dumas (Director) & Julia Adamo (actor) on “Legoland”-a dark comedy, coming to Easthampton’s City Space.
Kirsten interviews Bill on “Naming Truth’s Way,” & Bill interviews Kirsten on Hampshire College’s closing—its effect on MHC.
N’hmptn Mayor Gina Lousie Sciarra: Hampshire Pride & a new school superintendent.
Saturday, May 2, 202605/02/2026
Western Mass Business Show on 5.2.26 – Kisha Zullo
In The Western Mass. Business Show
Join us as we speak to Kisha Zullo, Founder of Events of Joy and the Women in Business Summit now in its 21st year. Kisha has been an Event Planner for over 20-years. She talks about the ins and outs of event planning and what it means for small businesses to make an impact like a large institution. As a Certified Meeting Planner, she is constantly working on gaining more knowledge for her clients. She looks for saving money and hidden items omitted and needing to be included into contracts. As a part of Meeting Professionals International in Connecticut, she brings events to the Northeast region and since 2025 internationally as well. Listen in as we hear about the upcoming Women in Business Summit in September and how hiring an event planner can give you back the much-needed time and mental capacity that you need to achieve your goals for your next event. Thank you for coming on Kisha and to our listeners for tuning in.
www.eventsofjoy.com
