Panorama — Episode 94 — James Chamberlain, dramatic tenor

Originally aired on December 21, 2024. Dan attends Wagner’s Götterdämmerung by TUNDI Production in Brattleboro, Vermont. It was a riveting experience. James Chamberlain, who starred as Sigfried, talks about his role on stage and off. Does he memorize all of the lines? What happens if he forgets a line? And how does a modern-day opera singer make any money? James shares the triumphs and struggles of being a dramatic tenor.

Panorama — Episode 93 — Nuclear Power Now?

Originally aired on November 30, 2024. UMass Researcher Joshua Goldstein discusses working with filmmaker Oliver Stone on creating the documentary Nuclear Now (2022). Professor Goldstein explains the limitations of renewable energy, and why nuclear power must be part of the solution. But is nuclear energy safe? Isn’t expensive? Where will the toxic waste go? Professor Goldstein answers these questions while offering a hopeful (nuclear) future in reducing carbon emissions.

Panorama — Episode 92 — Jason Allen, the “Art God”

Originally aired on November 16, 2024. Jason Allen created the Space Opera Theater image using artificial intelligence. It won the 2022 Colorado State Fair’s fine art competition in the digital art category. His story went “bad viral” unleashing a torrent of hate against Jason, accusing him of “stealing” artwork. But the feud failed to answer the all-important question — what is art in the 21st century?

Panorama — Episode 91 — Ballot Question 2 Debate — Vote Yes or No?

Originally aired on November 2, 2024. Dan Torres hosts a debate if the MCAS test should be repealed as a high-school graduation requirement (Ballot Question 2). Team No is Roni Gold, Springfield public school teacher and former Northampton school committee member; Team Yes is Deb McCarthy 25-year educator and MTA Vice-President; and Jack Schneider UMass professor and director of the Center for Education Policy at UMass Amherst (who will vote Yes to repeal MCAS as a graduation requirement).

Panorama — Episode 90– Ballot Question 4 Psychedelic

Originally aired on October 19, 2024. Nate Clifford, co-owner of Cornucopia, and Jamie Morey, the Community Engagement Director for Massachusetts for Mental Health Options, founder of Parents for Plant Medicine, and co-founder of Veterans for Plant Medicine. Nate and Jamie mount a powerful case for voting YES on Question 4. They share their stories battling mental issues, trauma, and how psychedelics transformed their lives.

Panorama — Episode 89 — Jill Norton, educator and mom and voting No on Question 2

Originally aired on October 5, 2024. Jill Norton is a long-time educator and a mom of a child with an IEP. She is voting NO on Question 2 that would eliminate the MCAS test as a graduation requirement. The MCAS showed her where her kid needed extra support. It was a tool that made a difference. The Massachusetts governor and the Secretary of Education publicly support No on Question 2. Listen and vote on November 5th.

Panorama — Episode 88 — Josh Silver, former CEO of Free Press and Represent US

Originally aired on September 14, 2024: The One. The Only. Josh Silver. Northampton-based political consultant Josh Silver talks politics with Dan Torres. After college, Josh is shot and nearly dies in the Amazon Rainforest. After that experience, he goes on to start Free Press and Represent US, two local non-profits. Josh is now a political consultant, so he shares his insights on the upcoming presidential election.

Panorama — Episode 87 — Joy Baglio and Melenie Freedom Flynn, Pioner Valley Writers’ Workshop

Originally aired on September 7, 2024. Host Dan interviews Joy Baglio, fiction writer & founder/director of Pioneer Valley Writers’ Workshop (PVWW), and Melenie Freedom Flynn, a local award-winning writer and regular PVWW instructor.
They discuss the creation of the Pioneer Valley Writers’ Workshop and how COVID-19 transformed the organization. Joy and Melanie share their stories as writers, read passages from their books, and tell us why we should all be writing.

You can learn about PVWW, Joy, and Melanie at

www.pioneervalleywriters.org/our-team
www.joybaglio.com/
www.meleniefreedomflynn.com/

Panorama — Episode 86 — Ukraine Debate w/ John Berkowitz and John Feffer

Originally aired on September 1st, 2024. John Berkowitz and John Feffer debate the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Who’s at fault for this war? What role did the US and Europe play? Why did this war begin? Is World War III possible? John Berkowtiz and John Feffer answer these questions on Panorama.

Panorama — Episode 85 — Sean Diamond, Independent candidate for the 9th Middlesex House District, affiliated with the Forward Party

Originally recorded on August 25, 2024. What’s the Forward Party? Why does Sean Diamond want to be the State Rep for the 9th Middlesex House District in Massachusetts? Can Massachusetts afford to cut the sales tax and balance the budget? Sean Diamond answers these questions and more on this special episode of Panorama.