Podcasts: Talk The Talk
Talk The Talk
Weekdays 8:00 -10:00 a.m. EST; rebroadcast 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. EST
Bill Newman and Friends host newsmakers, activists, authors, & artists – including:
Mayors Monday(Northampton, Holyoke, Easthampton) & Amherst Town Mgr Paul Bockelman, Salman Hameed’s Universe, the Comedy Quiz, Black In the Valley (Professor Amilcar Shabazz) Political Gold (Josh Silver), Our House (Congressman Jim McGovern), DA David Sullivan, Writers Block (Megan Zinn), Science and Sensibility (Brian Adams), Righting Wrongs (ACLUM Carol Rose), State Senators Comerford & Mark, Representatives Sabadosa, Duffy, & Domb, ArtBeat (Donnabelle Casis), Cool Films (Larry Hott), Feminist Futures (Carrie Baker), Talkin’ Baseball & Fair Play (Duke Goldman), Your State U (MTA Pres. Max Page) All That Jazz (Ruth Griggs & John Anz), Exec. Editor, DHG & Gfld Recorder, Dan Crowley.
New Beginnings
12/17/25: Irene Butter’s story, surviving the Holocaust and lessons for today. Jennifer Polins–ECHOES Explorations in dance, humanity and interconnections (Fri, Sat). First Night Preview w/ Steve: singer, songwriter Eleanor Levine. Jonathan’s goodbye to Hungry Ghost Bread, a new chapter begins. Cool Films w/ Larry and Sarah Salomon & Julie Hahn on new beginnings later in life.
Talk the Talk on 12.16.25
State Representative Aaron Saunders on the health care crisis! Nate Clifford, co-owner of Cornucopia, on reopening in January. Comedy Quiz–Maddy, Mo McElligott, Scotty B., Buz, and Carrie–Ice Sports! Feminist Future Carrie Baker & Marissa Hoechstetter—on doctor abuse and survivor resilience.
Tough Days Ahead
12.15.25 Amherst Super. Dr. Xiomara Herman—budgets, start time, and staff. Writers’ Block w/ Megan Zinn & Karolina Zapal on the Book Reading Challenge. Easthampton Mayor Salem Derby—lean budgets and affordability. EMK Institute CEO Adam Hinds on polarization and the Filibuster.
A Something Overtakes the Mind
12/12/25: MTA Pres Max Page & Berkshire Comm Coll Pres Ellen Kennedy: big threats to higher ed but reasons for optimism Free Press Co-Pres Craig Aaron: Trumps’ EO prohibiting regul AI regulation, media mergers’ threat to 1st Am. Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia: Trump’s DOE killing Sublime Systems’ low-carbon cement production facility. Political Gold w/ Josh Silver: Trump’s vulnerabilities, SCOTUS to kill the Voting Rights Act? redistricting & 2026. Donnabelle Casis w/ poet Matt Dunovan & artist Ligia Bouton on Emily Dickinson & “A Something Overtakes the Mind.”
Miracles
12/11/25: Michael Moriarity, educational specialist: ed reform—a possible Massachusetts Miracle? Professor & astronomer Salman Hameed: a new planet & –amazing– life on asteroids. Rep. Natalie Blais: on the road again, food insecurity & health care. Rabbi Riqi Kosovske: miracles and Hannukah.
Endings & Beginnings, Ups & Downs
12/10/25: Amherst Council Pres Lynn Griesemer: the state of the town, schools, capital projects & $. Bob Schraeder, owner-operator, Chestnut Mountain Tree Farm: yr Christmas tree. Andre′ Boulay, co-owner, A2Z Toy Store: way too much fun! & yr gifts. Larry Hott highly recommends “Soul of a Nation” & “Thank You Very Much.”
Behind the Curtains
12/9/25: Hadley School Super Anne McKenzie: AI in schools. Kim Wolcott from Racial Justice Rising: Kwanza in Greenfield. Nation Mag Defense Corr Michale Klare: the National Security Strategy & Ukraine. Duke Goldman w/ Robert Fitts: “In the Japanese Ballpark– Behind the Scenes…”
Live in Studio
12/8/25: Mass banned Christmas — Historian Tim Blagg explains. Megan Zinn w/ Joanna Sokol: “ A Real Emergency: Stories from the Ambulance.” Laurie Millman, Dir. Ctr for New Americans, & Narissa Nields – performing LIVE in studio. Dr. Amilcar Shabazz w/ Amherst Area Gospel Choir’s Jacqueline Wallace & Holla Heather Lord, performing a cappella.
Questions, Some Answers & A Wonderful Life
12/5/25:MTA Pres Max Page & Harry Feder, Ex Dir, Fair Test: high stakes testing in Mass—again?
Community Action’s Lev BenEzra & Jess Thompson: food and heat – for all? Matteo Pangallo (Pres, Valley Players), John Bidwell (Wayfinders) & Chris Rohmann (theatre maestro): “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
Josh Silver w/ Ben Scott, Ex Dir, Reset, the int’l org: digital disinformation and democracy. Donnabelle Casis w/ George Kohout, Pres. Friends of N’ton Trails: the mini museums here.
Lines Within and Without
12/4/25: “Borderland” w/ Ari Keigan (PVWC), Ellen Koteen (Interfaith Action), Maria Garcia (St. John’s). Congressman Seth Moulton: why run against Ed Markey? Congressman Jim McGovern: will his War Powers Resolution pass? Ruth Griggs w/ Kyle Homstead: new music venues: Hope Center & De la Luz — the experience.
