Podcasts

Podcasts

Podcasts

Tara Brewster and Beth Spong

Friday, July 11, 202507/11/2025

Western Mass Business Show on 7.12.25 — Beth Spong, CEO of Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee Company

In The Western Mass. Business Show

Beth Spong is a multi-faceted Wonder Woman. From being with many nonprofits in various leadership roles, to being a consultant, to a Principle at Rainmaker, she has the capacity to move mountains. Tune into learn how being at the right place at the right time matters and how intentional leadership can change the course of a company, workforce, and industry. Thank you to Dean Cycon for your thoughtfulness in the coffee industry globally and how you have impacted the economy locally in Orange, MA and beyond. Deans Beans is a worker owned cooperative, fair trade, organic, bird friendly, and a B-Corp. find out why you need to be drinking Deans Beans coffee if you aren’t already. Check them out locally and at www.deansbeans.com. Thank you, listeners. 

Friday, July 11, 202507/11/2025

The Hustler Files Ep 119

In The Hustler Files

A HUMAN COMPASS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR WAY

In Episode 117, Sheriff Brad Burkhart inspired us with his commitment to help those justice-impacted individuals under his watch return to their communities with a new lease on life. In this episode, we return to Hancock County, Indiana, to meet jail navigator Crystal Petty and former jail resident Danielle Brashear as they discuss the innovative programs implemented at the Hancock County Jail, from education and rehabilitation to reducing recidivism, AND saving Hancock County millions of dollars! Danielle also shares her powerful story of overcoming addiction, regaining her son, and finding her purpose. Her transparency highlights the importance of support systems and community involvement in fostering change, and Danielle is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the potential for redemption.

Friday, July 11, 202507/11/2025

Panorama — Episode 112 — Bob Flaherty on the No Kings Protest & AOC for President

In Panorama

Originally aired on July 12, 2025. Chance Encounters with Bob Flaherty. Well, Dan has a Chance Encounter with the Daily Hampshire Gazette (DHG) columnist Bob Flaherty in the WHMP studio. They discuss the meaning of the No Kings protest in Granby, MA (yes, Granby had protests). Bob answers why the Dems are so feckless in their response to the Trump administration (not a surprising answer–almost everything). And Bob ends the show with a ringing endorsement of AOC for president in 2028 (it seriously shocked Dan).

Friday, July 11, 202507/11/2025

Changes

In Talk The Talk

7/11/25: We fishwrap Ehmptn Mayor Nicole LaChappelle’s leaving. Community Action E.D. Clare Higgins—a retirement soiree. UMass econ prof Richard Wolff: Nazi Germany and Trump America’s parallels. Photographer Kevin Monaghan: his exhibit “Visual(s) & Lies.” Donnabelle Casis w/ printmaker Pascale Jarvis: “Transcendent Ink.”

Thursday, July 10, 202507/10/2025

Leaders

In Talk The Talk

7/10/25: Ashfield-based human rts Atty Laura Pitter: Trump v. immigrants & 1st Amendment — in Mass federal court today. Doug Selwyn & David Cohen: Single Payer in Mass NOW!! — now more than ever. Rep Natalie Blais: Congrats to Ehmptn Mayor Nicole LaChapelle — new DCR Comm, & also, the rural resistance to Trump. Ruth Griggs w/ Kristin Neville: Spgfld Jazz & Roots Festival—opening tonight!

Wednesday, July 9, 202507/09/2025

Aspirations: Some Soaring, Others Pedestrian

In Talk The Talk

7/9/25: Amherst Coun Pres Lynn Griesemer: potholes & schools. UMass Prof Kevin Young: UMass climate goals abandoned & the fed govt v. the environment. Brian Adams w/ former Arcadia Wildlife Director Jonah Keane: a magical place & a magical festival. Larry Hott reviews “Frederick Douglas — When the Lion Wrote History & “The Speech Is the Star.”

Tuesday, July 8, 202507/08/2025

Hits and Misses

In Talk The Talk

7/8/25: Bill & Buz: fed cuts = state cuts = local cuts. Todd Gazda, Ed Collab Dir, returning to his elementary school as the principal: “I miss kids!” Actors Rona Leventhal & Patric Madden: “Torch Song.” Duke Goldman: Yanks, Sox & Mets, the All-Star Game & 10 Red Sox visiting Trump.

Monday, July 7, 202507/07/2025

Bracing for Impact

In Talk The Talk

7/7/25: Atty Jack Godleski: most Mass public defenders now on strike. Megan Zinn w/ bestselling romance novelist Sarah MacLean: “These Summer Storms.” Sen Jo Comerford: preserving women’s health care, protecting privacy & budget contingencies. Northampton Mayor GL Sciarra: citizenship, impact of federal cuts, & what’s next?

Saturday, July 5, 202507/05/2025

Panorama — Episode 111 — Ace Tayloe, Northampton Ward 3 Candidate

In Panorama

Originally aired on July 5, 2025. Ace Tayloe, candidate for Northampton Ward 3 City Council. What’s Ace’s vision for Northampton? Does the Northampton downtown redesign project make sense? What will be the impact on local businesses? How can the City Council support public schools? Does Northampton need to become a bigger city? Ace Tayloe tackles all of those questions and more on this episode of Panorama.

Thursday, July 3, 202507/03/2025

Democracy Sunsets

In Talk The Talk

7/3/25: Immigration atty Dan Berger: mass deportations, deporting citizens & Trump’s lies. Dollars and Sense ed & economics prof John Miller: consequences of the Big Ugly Bill. Rep Jim McGovern: live from Congress — Republicans genuflecting to Trump. Ruth Griggs w/ saxist Ben Malynoski & drummer Jacob Smith: “New Sunsets” at the Carle.

Recent Headlines

2 days ago in National

Assata Shakur, a fugitive Black militant sought by the US since 1979, dies in Cuba

Assata Shakur, a Black liberation activist who was given political asylum in Cuba after her 1979 escape from a U.S. prison where she had been serving a life sentence for killing a police officer, has died, her daughter and the Cuban government said.

3 days ago in National

Hegseth abruptly summons top military commanders to a meeting in Virginia next week

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has summoned the military's top officers — hundreds of generals and admirals — to a base in northern Virginia for a sudden meeting next week, according to three people familiar with the matter.

3 days ago in National

Trump escalates retribution campaign with charges against Comey and threats against liberal groups

President Donald Trump's unprecedented retribution campaign against his perceived political enemies reached new heights as his Justice Department brought criminal charges against a longtime foe and he expanded his efforts to classify certain liberal groups as "domestic terrorist organizations."

5 days ago in National

Camp Mystic plans to reopen in Texas next summer, a year after floods killed 27

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5 days ago in National

3 people shot at immigration facility in Dallas and the shooter is dead, official says

Three people have been shot at an Immigration and U.S. Customs Enforcement facility in Dallas and the shooter is dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the agency's director said.