The Bartholomewtown Podcast (RIpodcast.com): Recent Episodes

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Bill Bartholomew moderates a debate in the Providence mayoral Democratic primary between mayor Brett Smiley and Representative David Morales.

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Bill Bartholomew moderates a debate between Governor Dan McKee and Helena Buonanno Foulkes, the candidates in the Democratic primary for Governor of Rhode Island.

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This episode dives into the multi-layered world of documentary filmmaking, community building, and artistic legacy, with a special focus on the upcoming world premiere of John Shearer American Moments. We explore how film, music, photography, and community spaces intertwine to create immersive cultural experiences that honor history and inspire future generations.

Key topics

• How Newport Film creates a "third space" for community engagement through multi-platform events
• The significance of John Shearer's photography legacy and its artistic reinterpretation
• Jim Spione's approach to combining documentary storytelling with visual arts and music
• Alison Shearer's journey in composing era-specific music for the film
• The role of multi-sensory experiences in storytelling and community building
• Highlights of the upcoming film premiere at Rough Point and its cultural significance
• The generational legacy within the arts through storytelling, photography, and music

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Bill Bartholomew reacts to Newport Folk 2026.

Bartholomewtownwas on-the-ground at Newport Folk, covering the performances and people that shape the iconic event.

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Democratic Primary Forum: RI Attorney General

A candidate forum for the 2026 Democratic primary race for Rhode Island Attorney General, featuring:

• Keith Hoffman
• Jason Knight
• Kim Ahern
• Joe Solomon Jr.

Moderated by Bill Bartholomew.

In this episode:
Candidates fielded questions on [topics discussed — e.g., public safety, consumer protection, gun policy, housing enforcement, environmental law, government accountability]. Each candidate laid out their vision for the office and how they'd approach the priorities of the next AG.

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Four Democratic candidates for Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor squared off in a forum moderated by Bill Bartholomew.

The Candidates

Sabina Matos — Incumbent Lieutenant Governor First appointed to the office in 2021 when Dan McKee moved up to governor; won a full term in 2022. Previously served on the Providence City Council, including as council president. Seeking a second full term; has made grocery affordability and housing central to her agenda.

Sue AnderBois — Providence City Councilor, Ward 3 Elected to the council in 2022; left a job at The Nature Conservancy to launch her campaign in November 2025. Cites her work chairing the North Main Street Task Force as a model for bringing stakeholders together on housing and infrastructure issues.

Cindy Coyne — Former State Senator, Barrington Served in the RI Senate from 2015–2023, chairing the Judiciary Committee; a retired State Police lieutenant. First candidate to formally enter the race (June 2025). Points to legislation banning untraceable "ghost guns" as a signature accomplishment.

Xay Khamsyvoravong — Former Mayor/City Councilor, Newport Entered the race in March 2026, the last of the four to join. Brown University grad, RWU law degree, spent 15+ years in banking including as SVP at Webster Bank; earlier was deputy chief of staff to General Treasurer Frank Caprio. Has led in fundraising for much of the race and campaigns on housing, infrastructure, and education investment "without raising taxes on working families."

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Guests:

Dr. Amy Nunn, CEO, Rhode Island Public Health Institute

Chris Buchanan Director of Public Affairs and State and Local Government Relations with Walmart Stores, Inc

In this episode, we explore the innovative Eat Well, Be Well program in Rhode Island, which successfully leverages public-private partnerships to promote healthy eating among SNAP recipients. Discover how automating incentives at checkout can increase fruit and vegetable consumption, and the potential for these strategies to scale into other areas of health and wellbeing.

Main Topics:

• The origin and goals of the Eat Well, Be Well initiative
• How the program doubles the value of SNAP benefits for produce in retail locations
• The seamless, no-signup approach that simplifies access to healthy foods
• The role of technology in efficient program administration
• Data and impact: how the program benefits thousands of Rhode Islanders
• Strategies for scaling similar incentive models to broader health behaviors
• Future expansion possibilities beyond produce, including active lifestyles
• The importance of cross-sector collaboration in shaping healthier communities

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to the episode and guests
00:16 - Guest introductions: Chris Buchanan and Dr. Amy Nunn
01:04 - The purpose and history of the Eat Well, Be Well program
01:33 - How the program supports affordability of healthy foods for SNAP recipients
02:10 - Program funding sources and extension through COVID relief dollars
02:55 - Walmart’s involvement: why they joined the pilot program
03:27 - Making healthy shopping affordable and practical
03:57 - Seamless incentive application at checkout
05:11 - Behind the scenes logistics of integrating the program into retailer systems
06:52 - Advice for retailers interested in adopting similar models
09:00 - Evaluation results and program impact on Rhode Island households
09:36 - Reaching vulnerable populations: children and the elderly
11:43 - The potential for expanding incentives to other health behaviors and products
12:19 - The concept of behavioral economics in promoting healthy choices
13:21 - The possibility of broader incentive programs across health and activity sectors
15:00 - Creative ideas for encouraging physical activity through retail and community efforts
16:18 - The importance of partnership among government, private sector, and public health
16:35 - The scalability of incentive programs and future opportunities
17:21 - Final thoughts on collaborative efforts driving community health improvements
18:07 - Closing remarks

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In this episode, Dr. Nelly Burdette, Psy D, shares her journey from healthcare professional to political candidate, emphasizing the importance of community engagement, health equity, and addressing local issues like housing and public trust. Her approach highlights how expertise in public health can reshape legislative priorities at the state level, especially in a diverse district.

Key Topics:

• Nelly Burdette’s background in healthcare and what motivated her to run for State Senate
• The significance of running at the community level versus higher office
• How her public health experience informs her legislative priorities
• The pressing issues in her district: healthcare access, affordable housing, and aging
• Strategies for rebuilding trust and engagement within the community
• The importance of creative solutions to housing shortages, avoiding green space development
• The role of small businesses and local economic health
• The dynamic district of Lincoln, North Smithfield, and North Providence
• Her stance on local legislative support and recent political debates
• The challenge of infrastructure and resource sustainability for new housing projects
• Her motivation for challenging the incumbent and the potential impact on local politics
• The importance of party involvement and tactical campaigning in local races

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction / background and political campaign

02:03 - Why focus on local community engagement over higher offices

04:46 - Support from Democratic groups and her community-based approach

08:25 - Major gaps in healthcare access and affordability in Rhode Island

10:21 - Vision for a better Rhode Island: Health, Aging, and Small Business

13:10 - Creative housing solutions: repurposing abandoned buildings and green space preservation

15:21 - Trust issues in Lincoln and rebuilding community ties

17:46 - The importance of local legislation and community responsiveness

20:06 - Immediate legislative priorities: healthcare and affordable housing initiatives

21:02 - Support for local policies and her stance on key political issues

22:41 - Challenges with housing development on Wilbur Road and sustainability concerns

24:28 - The broader significance of community-level leadership and expertise in governance

26:08 - Final thoughts on running to create meaningful change and the role of political strategy

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Reducing Toxicity in Rhode Island: How Legislation Shifts Pest Control and Wildlife Conservation

In this episode, we explore Rhode Island's recent legislation to restrict dangerous anticoagulant rodenticides—making it the second state in the US to implement such restrictions. Maxwell McFarland, Advocacy Director at the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, shares insights into the legislative process, ecological impacts, and practical alternatives for pest management that protect wildlife and human communities.

Key Topics:

• The significance and impact of Rhode Island’s new pesticide control law
• Historical context: how past bans (DDT, neonictinoids) shaped current regulation
• Challenges and strategies in passing environmental legislation
• The ecological damage caused by anticoagulant rodenticides
• Practical, wildlife-safe alternatives: habitat management, trash containment, and rodent birth control
• The importance of balancing public health, pest control needs, and ecological integrity
• The role of open spaces and habitat preservation in natural pest management
• Community involvement and phased implementation for effective policy adoption
• Broader ecological concerns: insect mass decline and ecosystem health
• Perspectives on urban planning and wildlife conservation—preserving habitat amid development

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction: Rhode Island’s new pesticide legislation
00:28 - Why restricting anticoagulant rodenticides matters
01:11 - Historical background: from DDT to neonictinoids
01:40 - The environmental and wildlife impact of rodent poisons
02:24 - The legislative process behind the bill’s success
03:25 - The role of wildlife clinics and evidence of poisoning effects
04:46 - Natural pest control: owl and raptor impacts
05:06 - Practical solutions: substitutes and habitat management
05:40 - Legislative exemptions and pragmatic compromises
06:30 - California’s model and balance between regulation and use
07:21 - Challenges in changing pest control practices
08:05 - The limitations of current alternatives and the push for sustainable solutions
09:05 - Innovations: GIS technology and rodent population tracking
10:27 - Rodent contraceptives as a long-term control method
11:01 - The phased approach: experimentation and community involvement
11:34 - Opportunities for local experimentation and avoiding heavy-handed regulation
12:05 - The importance of community-led pest management strategies
12:47 - Ecosystem health and biodiversity’s role in pest control
13:47 - The ecological role of rats and the limits of extermination
14:16 - Impact of habitat preservation on ecosystem health
14:48 - Supporting wildlife habitats through open spaces
15:46 - The significance of the estuary habitat project in Newport
16:23 - Community discussions around Hazard Road and habitat preservation
16:47 - The balance between development and wildlife conservation
17:17 - The role of advocacy and community input in urban planning
17:44 - Final thoughts: prioritizing wildlife in city development and legislation
18:14 - Closing remarks: the future intersection of climate, ecosystem, and public health

Resources & Links:

• Audubon Society of Rhode Island
• Rhode Island Legislation on Pesticides
• Related historical bans: Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT)
• California’s Wildlife Protection Laws

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This episode explores Rhode Island’s pivotal contributions to American independence, highlighting its unique history, key figures, and ongoing commemorations for the 250th anniversary. Learn why Rhode Island’s self-governance and revolutionary acts are fundamental to understanding the nation’s birth and how the state is celebrating this historic milestone today.Main topics:

• Rhode Island's early role in the American Revolution and its unique self-governance
• Key figures and events, including the Gaspi incident and Stephen Hopkins
• The significance of Revolutionary-era sites and ongoing 250th celebrations
• The importance of acknowledging America’s complex history, including struggles with race and equality
• How Rhode Island’s history informs current conversations about liberty and patriotism

Timestamps: 00:00 - Setting the scene in Bristol and Rhode Island’s revolutionary energy 00:31 - Rhode Island’s role in early American history and revolution 00:44 - Celebrating Declaration of Independence displays and public engagement 01:22 - Public reactions to viewing the Declaration and related documents 03:03 - Starting points for newcomers to Rhode Island’s revolutionary history 03:19 - The Gaspi incident as the first shot in anger and its significance 04:04 - The formation of committees of correspondence and Rhode Island’s leadership in pushback 04:44 - Rhode Island’s unique self-governance under the 1663 Royal Charter 05:40 - Rhode Island’s contributions to the Continental Army and Navy 07:04 - Rhode Island’s 250th programming and celebrations across the state 07:50 - Key historic sites such as Colony House in Newport and the Old State House in Providence 08:50 - Notable figures: Stephen Hopkins, Nathaniel Green, and their roles 10:22 - Recent efforts to include Black history and historic revisionism 11:26 - The importance of confronting all aspects of American history 12:55 - Celebrating the principles of liberty and equality in American history 14:45 - Current initiatives to commemorate and reflect on the nation’s founding principles 15:11 - Closing remarks and upcoming merchandise for the Rhode Island 250 celebrationResources & Links:

• Rhode Island 250
• Rhode Island 250 Merchandise Store
• Rhode Island Black History

Connect with Secretary Greg Amore:

• Rhode Island Secretary of State - LinkedIn
• Twitter

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Building Community and Support for Transgender Individuals: The Story of Transgender Zone

In this episode, Victoria St. Germain shares her inspiring journey from navigating a challenging transition in Rhode Island to founding Transgender Zone — a digital platform transforming how trans people connect, find support, and access vital resources. Her insights highlight the importance of community, resilience, and scaled support systems in the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights and safety.

Key Topics:

• Victoria's experience growing up and transitioning in Rhode Island, including the legal and social challenges faced
• How Rhode Island's unique demographic impacts the trans community’s support network
• The creation and impact of Transgender Zone: resources, community building, and scaling opportunities
• The role of digital communities in providing safety, education, and connection during a global health crisis
• The importance of advocacy, visibility, and platforming trans voices in a hostile legal environment
• Challenges faced as a startup in a mission-driven social enterprise, including funding and growth hurdles
• The urgent need for supportive platforms amid increasing anti-trans legislation and attacks
• Practical advice for allies: how to support and amplify trans voices

Timestamps:

00:00 — Introduction to Victoria St. Germain and her work with Transgender Zone
02:08 — Victoria’s personal experience growing up as a trans person in Rhode Island
04:00 — Unique advantages and disadvantages of transitioning in Rhode Island
04:56 — The motivation behind creating Transgender Zone and its early development
06:03 — Features of Transgender Zone: community, live coaching, educational modules
06:32 — How the platform fosters a diverse, supportive trans community
07:27 — Scaling plans and ambitions for Transgender Zone to reach more trans individuals globally
08:41 — The importance of digital spaces in post-COVID support and healthcare access
09:53 — Challenges faced in starting and growing the platform amid legal and political threats
11:19 — The resilience of the trans community and passing down vital safety and transition knowledge
13:21 — The current legislative landscape and the fight against anti-trans laws
14:25 — A call to action for allies: support, platform, and advocate for trans communities

Resources & Links:

• Transgender Zone
• Social Enterprise Greenhouse

Connect with Victoria St. Germain:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter

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GUESTS:

Secretary Deborah Goddard, Rhode Island Executive Office of Housing

Eva Erlich, Vice President of Development at Trinity Financial

This episode dives into a real-world case of rebuilding community and creating sustainable affordable housing—focusing on Newport Heights. With insights from housing experts, we explore how innovative financing, strategic preservation, and thoughtful design can transform public housing and inspire broader change.

Key Topics:

• The history and success of Newport Heights as a Hope Six redevelopment project
• How refinancing tools like RAD enable long-term sustainability
• The twin importance of preservation and new development in meeting housing needs
• Challenges and strategies for aging public housing infrastructure
• The role of partnerships among government, private sector, and community stakeholders
• The broader housing supply problem and solutions through production and preservation

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and overview of the conversation
00:35 - Background on Newport Heights’ transformation from Tonomy Hill Public Housing
01:24 - The significance of Hope Six and RAD in housing redevelopment
02:13 - The impact of good design and refinancing on longevity
03:38 - Trinity’s role and financial approach in housing projects
04:36 - Resident involvement and community connection post-renovation
05:13 - Balancing reinvestment in existing infrastructure versus new projects
05:57 - The importance of preservation amidst funding challenges
07:09 - Addressing aging properties and renovation strategies
08:03 - Cost considerations and long-term affordability
09:24 - Early planning and proactive refinancing efforts
10:12 - The frequency of preservation discussions across Rhode Island
11:29 - Ongoing projects and Trinity’s portfolio strategies
12:30 - Broader outlook on Rhode Island’s housing market and supply issues
13:39 - The necessity of balancing preservation with new housing production
14:55 - Final thoughts on using successful projects as a blueprint for change

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This episode explores how financial penalties within the justice system disproportionately impact low-income communities, often leading to a cycle of debt and criminalization. University of Rhode Island's Dr. Brittany Martin shares insights from her research on monetary sanctions and discusses promising reforms at the state level, particularly Rhode Island's efforts to waive court fees for indigent defendants.

In this episode:

• The various forms of financial penalties beyond fines, including court fees, restitution, and probation costs
• How these sanctions are applied unevenly and tend to burden low-income individuals more heavily
• The impact of traffic violations becoming criminal offenses in certain states, contributing to ongoing financial stress
• Rhode Island's legislative reforms eliminating court costs for many defendants and the observed outcomes
• The role of assessment of ability to pay in improving collections while promoting fairness
• How research can inform legislative change and court practices around fines and fees
• The importance of justice that balances accountability with economic realities

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to the issue of fines and fees in criminal justice

00:28 - Background: Research origins and early interests in monetary sanctions

01:14 - Types of financial penalties: Fines, fees, restitution, and jail costs

02:13 - The scope of monetary sanctions and their enforcement across states

02:59 - Public defender fees and misconceptions about free legal aid

03:29 - Restitution and incarceration costs impacting low-income individuals

04:45 - The disproportionate burden on those with lower incomes

05:07 - How monetary sanctions erode perceived justice and legitimacy

06:23 - Statistically how most defendants are indigent, with significant consequences

06:57 - Traffic violations as criminal offenses and their financial implications

07:15 - The cycle created by criminal traffic offenses and probation fees

08:20 - Policy shifts: Rhode Island’s legislation to waive court fees for indigent defendants

09:20 - The recent reforms and their early impacts in Rhode Island

11:38 - The broader movement across states to reform or eliminate municipal and court fees

12:06 - Dr. Martin’s role at the Fines and Fees Justice Center and her focus on ability-to-pay assessments

13:21 - How research can inform policies that improve efficiency and fairness in courts

14:33 - Key questions for Rhode Island political candidates about criminal justice reform and financial burdens

15:37 - Closing thoughts on the importance of justice that respects economic diversity and fairness

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This episode dives into Rhode Island's latest child well-being report, revealing critical insights into the state's progress and ongoing challenges. Paige Parks discusses with Rhode Island Kids Count Executive Director, Paige Parks, about systemic issues affecting children—covering poverty, education gaps, healthcare access, and immigrant family experiences.

In this episode:

• The significance of data-driven advocacy for children's issues
• Over 15% of Rhode Island children live in poverty, amidst soaring housing costs
• Trends in education: declining absenteeism but persistent challenges in early childhood access
• Impact of federal policy changes on health insurance and social services
• The rising number of children in immigrant families—nearly 30%—and the importance of multilingual education programs
• How COVID-19 and inflation are magnifying disparities and stressors on families
• The need for more investments in childcare, social safety nets, and community-based support
• The threat and potential rollback of critical federal and state programs due to policy shifts
• Strategies for advocacy and coalition-building at the state level

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Rhode Island Kids Count and their mission

02:06 - The importance of putting children at the top of the policy agenda

03:43 - Key findings from the 2026 Rhode Island Kids Count Factbook

04:10 - Child poverty and housing affordability crisis in Rhode Island

05:13 - Ripple effects of unstable housing on children’s well-being

06:42 - The true cost of living in Rhode Island—almost 100k needed to stay afloat

07:33 - Education insights: progress vs. persistent gaps in early childhood and K-12

08:46 - Supporting the whole child: addressing food insecurity and school readiness

09:57 - Chronic absenteeism: causes, challenges, and the importance of data

11:20 - Health coverage: progress, disparities, and threats from federal policy changes

13:20 - Exposure to violence, domestic situations, and their impact on children

14:06 - The state of maternal and infant health care; disparities by race

15:31 - The vulnerability of immigrant children and families amid federal immigration policies

16:48 - The importance of local data amid federal funding cuts

18:41 - Strategies for advocacy and policy impact amidst political changes

20:15 - Federal data reductions: implications for statewide policy and program planning

22:54 - The rising needs of immigrant families for services like dual-language education and workforce support

24:11 - Addressing data gaps and community engagement for better child outcomes

25:37 - The recent legislative session and how coalitions influence policy for children

27:33 - Upcoming challenges: the impact of federal policies like HR 1 on families

29:16 - The importance of economic investments to sustain child benefit programs

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This episode dives into the recent fallout within Rhode Island’s Democratic Party, the implications of the party endorsement failures, and what it suggests about the broader political landscape. With insights from local political observer Bill Bartholomew, we explore what these internal shifts mean for upcoming elections, leadership, and policy priorities.

Key topics:

• The significance of the Rhode Island Democratic Party not endorsing Governor Dan McKee
• The internal party factionalism: McKee’s faction versus the anti-incumbent base
• How political energy and internal party dynamics reflect broader voter sentiment and change
• The impact of campaign messaging, especially the gubernatorial commercial and candidate performance
• The disconnect between campaign tactics and meaningful policy discussions such as housing and environmental initiatives
• The influence of party endorsements and internal alignments on election outcomes
• The role of media, social media, and traditional approaches in shaping voter perceptions
• Future opportunities for debate and issues-focused campaign conversations

Timestamps:

00:00 - Analyzing the Rhode Island Democratic convention and low-endorsing of Dan McKee

02:09 - The role of union endorsements and their potential impact on McKee’s campaign

02:35 - Does party endorsement influence undecided voters?

03:19 - The internal party factions and shifting allegiances over the past year

04:22 - The factional divide: McKee’s supporters versus reform-minded members

05:10 - Evidence of the party moving away from McKee: messaging and organizational shifts

06:30 - The internal energy and desire for change within the party base

07:09 - Helena Bonanno Folk’s momentum and the broader landscape of political change

08:14 - The significance of party energy as a reflection of voter mood and internal dynamics

09:01 - The implications of the party’s stance on candidate endorsements at the convention

09:41 - Historical parallels: party endorsements from past elections and their outcomes

10:02 - The focus on policy issues like housing, zoning, and environmental challenges

11:02 - The importance of substantive policy discussions over campaign messaging

11:55 - The evolving landscape of media engagement and campaign communication strategies

12:57 - Analyzing Governor McKee’s campaign commercial and the importance of authentic messaging

14:12 - The message and symbolism behind campaign visuals and gestures

15:07 - The importance of genuine presence and performance in political communication

16:05 - The state’s current priorities: healthcare, housing, and energy projects like Revolution Wind

18:10 - The disconnect between campaign messaging and the actual issues facing Rhode Island

19:17 - External perceptions of the political system and the importance of leadership authenticity

20:29 - Summing up: How do McKee’s and Folk’s visions differ for Rhode Island?

21:11 - Closing reflections: The undercurrent of voter undecidedness and internal party turbulence

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In this episode, Mike Rea, president and founder of Half Street Group, shares insightful analysis of the current Rhode Island political landscape, focusing on campaign strategies, media influence, and voter engagement. Whether you're a political enthusiast, a strategy professional, or just curious about local elections, Mike offers a clear-eyed view into how campaigns are shaping up as election season heats up.

Key topics covered:

• Early signs of campaign strategies from Rhode Island gubernatorial candidates.
• The increasing importance of media, ads, and public events in political communication.
• Why incumbents often take unconventional routes — and why that might backfire.
• The evolving role of local journalism and its impact on public awareness.
• How third-party and independent candidates are positioning themselves.
• Timing and resource allocation in election campaigns: when voters get engaged.
• The cultural impact of political personalities and the role of celebrity in local races.
• The influence of national politics, especially Trump's presence, on local election dynamics.
• Practical advice for mental and emotional balance for campaign professionals and voters.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to the current Rhode Island political climate

00:30 - The role of media and campaign ads in early election stages

02:00 - Assessment of gubernatorial candidates’ messaging strategies

03:30 - The effectiveness of attack ads and their impact on voters

05:00 - Challenges faced by incumbents and opportunities for reintroduction

06:30 - The influence of local journalism and the decline of political commentary

08:00 - The presence (or absence) of political personalities and celebrity culture

09:45 - The delayed start of campaign activity and voter engagement

11:00 - The significance of candidate endorsements and grassroots support

12:00 - The potential effect of third-party candidates in the race

13:00 - The importance of timing in campaign spending and outreach

15:00 - The slowing of political momentum in the context of national trends

16:30 - The idea of political “baseball cards” to increase voter interest

17:30 - Practical advice for maintaining personal well-being during campaign season

19:00 - Closing thoughts on the future of Rhode Island's political media landscape

Resources & Links:

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In this episode, Xay Khamsyvoravong shares his insights on running for Lieutenant Governor, the importance of results-oriented leadership, and how to reconnect with disheartened voters in a polarized political landscape. His perspective offers a clear blueprint for engaging communities and addressing systemic frustrations.

Key Topics:

• The challenges and rewards of statewide campaigning, especially during a late-start election cycle
• How local issues like health care and infrastructure shape state-wide voter priorities
• The significance of results-driven leadership demonstrated through Xay’s tenure as mayor and utility chair
• Differentiating ideological visions within the Democratic primary and the importance of accountability
• The impact of national political chaos on local voter engagement and how leaders can cut through the noise
• The influence of grassroots movements and community activism, exemplified through the Newport Birthing Center campaign
• Strategies for managing education funding crises and regionalization challenges on Aquidneck Island
• The importance of fostering long-term solutions around health care and government transparency

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Xay’s campaign journey and motivation

02:21 - Differences between local and statewide campaigning in Rhode Island

04:29 - Voter frustrations with the status quo and local vs. systemic issues

06:04 - The role of the Lieutenant Governor’s office and addressing partisan politics

08:02 - Challenges of conflicting primary candidates and over-politicization

10:06 - The importance of accountability versus entertainment in politics

12:39 - The Newport Birthing Center: grassroots advocacy and health care priorities

16:27 - Education funding crisis and regionalization on Aquidneck Island

18:06 - Connecting with disillusioned voters amidst national political chaos

20:07 - The broader mission: building trust and solving Rhode Island’s systemic problems

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In this episode, Congressman Seth Magaziner offers a sharp critique of current Washington policies, explores how corruption and big money influence governance, and shares his vision for reforming American politics ahead of the midterm elections. His insights reveal the deeper struggles behind headlines and the path toward a more accountable, fair government.

Key Topics:

• The chaos and dysfunction within Washington, driven by corrupt interests and elitism
• The economics of inequality: tax policies benefiting billionaires and corporations at the expense of working Americans
• Foreign policy debates, including the risks of military intervention in Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba
• Democratic Party’s strategic approach: combining opposition with an affirmative policy agenda
• The impact of AI and emerging technologies on jobs, energy costs, and regulation
• The urgent fight to ban insider trading and reform prediction markets in Congress
• The debate around gambling, sports betting, and the regulation of online prediction platforms

Timestamps:

00:00 - The surreal spectacle of a UFC fight on the White House lawn and Washington chaos

02:20 - How current administration policies favor elites over working Americans

03:42 - The implications of the Iran nuclear deal and international conflicts

05:31 - The motives and mental state of President Biden in foreign diplomacy

07:16 - Democratic strategy for midterm success: affordability, healthcare, anti-corruption

09:54 - The influence of AI on policy, jobs, and energy costs

15:00 - The potential of revenue-sharing models like Sanders’ Alaska Fund for AI companies

16:29 - The risks of insider trading and prediction markets in Congress

19:34 - The controversy over online sports betting and gambling regulations

21:00 - The importance of transparency and regulation in emerging industries

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In this episode, we delve into the remarkable journey of Providence Monthly magazine as it marks its 30th anniversary. Host Bill Bartholomew sits down with Chris Revill, a media veteran and current account manager at Hayrode Media, to explore how the magazine has thrived in a changing media landscape and its vital role in fostering community connection.

In this episode:

• The origins and resilience of Providence Monthly since 1996
• The importance of genuine journalism and community focus in media
• How local media reflects and influences Providence’s culture
• The evolving landscape of media, from legacy outlets to new media
• The upcoming 30th anniversary party as a community celebration
• The unique appeal of print and local media in a digital age
• The role of authenticity and passion in media success
• The personal impact of media work on professional and life transformations
• The significance of community events in strengthening local bonds

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Providence Monthly and its legacy

00:49 - The history and survival of a print magazine in a digital world

01:36 - The story behind the magazine’s 30-year milestone

02:57 - The challenge of maintaining relevance post-COVID

03:34 - Community, love, and storytelling as core values of Providence Monthly

04:12 - Announcing the 30th anniversary celebration at Medici Lounge

05:24 - The importance of community and connection over politics

06:20 - The craving for local media and the nostalgia it provides

07:05 - How legacy media is embracing new media trends

08:15 - Rhode Island’s media ecosystem and national attention

09:01 - The emotional and cultural significance of fostering community through media

09:56 - The enduring appeal of print, radio, and magazines in the digital age

10:14 - Personal stories of media impact and career pivoting

11:19 - Reflection on local media’s role in amplifying voices and ideas

11:36 - The power of authentic relationships and external validation

12:22 - Personal growth through media ventures and the importance of passion

13:02 - Closing remarks and upcoming 30th anniversary celebration

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In this episode, we dive into the creative process behind Rafay’s new record "Wild Rock Dove," the importance of groove and danceability in music, and how indie music continues to evolve in a crowded landscape. We also explore the challenges and opportunities Rhode Island’s capital offers for artists and the role of community spaces like Rec Room. This candid conversation reveals how artists adapt, innovate, and stay connected to their roots.

In this episode:

• Rafay shares the genesis of "Wild Rock Dove" and how shifting instrumentation influenced the sound
• The importance of groove, danceability, and physicality in modern indie music
• Insights into Rafay’s upcoming live show opening for Spoon and the significance of regional collaborations
• How indie music is exploring both minimalism and maximalism, with influences from ESG to Porches
• The current state of Providence’s creative scene and what might be missing for its full cultural potential
• Future plans for Rec Room, including community programming and artist curatorial opportunities

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Rafay and his new album "Wild Rock Dove"

00:37 - The songwriting process: from 2019 to the album release

01:36 - How changing instrumentation shaped the record’s groove focus

02:13 - Creating a unique sound with bass-driven tracks and minimalist influences

03:16 - Elements of danceability and physicality in Rafay’s music

03:43 - The role of groove in performance and audience engagement

04:11 - Upcoming show at Fett with Spoon and Providence’s musical ecosystem

04:56 - The path to booking meaningful regional shows through organic connections

06:10 - Enduring innovation in indie music and maintaining relevance with age

07:05 - Meeting Spoon for the first time and building community ties

07:47 - The current landscape of indie music: experimentation and diversity

08:17 - Exploring the influence of global and regional identities in the indie scene

09:46 - The impact of broader cultural scenes like Porches’ Mask

10:01 - How listener preferences are shaping the future of musical creation

10:28 - The state of Providence’s creative scene and its challenges

11:19 - Urban development and the potential for reinvigorating downtown Providence

12:26 - Future plans for Rec Room: community-centered programming, artist collaborations, and exhibitions

13:15 - Closing thoughts and upcoming initiatives at Rec Room

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In this episode, Gary Sasse—a respected Rhode Island policy expert and moderate Republican—shares his nuanced perspective on the evolving landscape of the Republican Party post-Trump. We explore the internal factions shaping its future, the strategic principles guiding reform, and the challenges of messaging in today’s media environment.

Key Topics:

• The three factions of the Republican Party: MAGA populism, traditional conservatives, and the alternative right
• How these factions interact and influence party dynamics
• The importance of a pragmatic, issue-based approach grounded in core principles
• Strategies for rebuilding the party's relevance amid media and demographic hurdles
• The potential for moderate Republican voices to shape the future in Rhode Island and beyond
• The impact of social media, media bias, and internal party divisions on message dissemination
• Practical policy ideas, including economic development, affordable housing, and AI innovation
• The significance of civil discourse, fact-based debate, and national unity as a foundation for renewal

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introducing Gary Sasse: Rhode Island’s moderate Republican voice

02:00 - Gary’s background: nonprofit, policy work, and political roles

03:00 - Breakdown of Republican factions: MAGA, traditional, and alt right

04:00 - Why classifying factions helps understand internal party struggles

05:00 - The importance of identity: MAGA voters and their long-term loyalty

06:00 - Democratic Party shift left and its implications for the center

07:00 - Six core principles guiding a pragmatic Republican approach

08:00 - Principles include rejecting extremism, fiscal responsibility, and peace through strength

09:00 - Policy focus areas: AI, economic strategy, and housing solutions

10:00 - Challenges and opportunities in Rhode Island’s political environment

11:00 - Messaging hurdles: media landscape and demographic shifts

12:00 - The Trump factor: its hold on a third of the party

13:00 - Strategies for growth: grassroots organizing and modern communication

14:00 - The importance of fact-based debate and civil discourse

15:00 - Building a sustainable, issue-focused Republican future in Rhode Island and nationally

16:00 - How to position for 2028 and avoid being sidelined by intra-party conflicts

17:00 - Final reflections: optimism for pragmatic solutions and party renewal

Resources & Links:

• Gary Sasse's profile and work
• The Hill Opinion Piece on Future of GOP

Connect with Gary Sasse:

• LinkedIn
  • Twitter

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In this episode, Jean-Marie Napolitano shares insights from her extensive career in Newport politics, candidly discussing the current state of local governance, community issues, and the importance of dialogue in a polarized era. Her experience offers a valuable lens on how local leadership can adapt to complex societal shifts.

Key topics:

• The impact of national polarization on municipal politics
• Challenges of effective communication among city council members
• Strategies for addressing housing and affordability issues
• Lessons learned from school and community development projects
• The importance of volunteer-driven community efforts
• The evolving landscape of Newport’s neighborhoods and local identity

Timestamps:
00:00 - Newport politics update and Napolitano’s retirement

00:48 - Increasing polarization and its impact on local governance

01:41 - The importance of direct communication among council members

02:40 - Barriers to collaboration and consensus-building in local councils

04:06 - The significance of pre-meeting negotiations and relationship management

04:46 - Housing challenges in Newport and strategies for fair taxation

05:12 - Addressing Airbnb’s impact and efforts to regulate second homes

06:55 - Incentivizing year-round residency through tax policies

07:24 - The state of Newport’s schools and regionalization efforts

08:33 - Successes and ongoing challenges in school infrastructure projects

10:07 - Recalling key community service initiatives and volunteer efforts

11:57 - The importance of healthcare and social services in community care

12:28 - The community's spirit and preserving Newport’s unique character

13:19 - Addressing homelessness and societal issues on Broadway

14:44 - The role of volunteers in maintaining Newport's charm

15:11 - Napolitano's reflections on her career and future engagement

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In this episode, Rhode Island State Senator Dawn Euer shares insights on recent legislative changes, climate and economic policies, urban development, and community revitalization efforts. Her perspectives offer a clear view of the complexities facing Rhode Island today and potential pathways forward.

Key topics:

• The impact of recent leadership shifts in the Rhode Island Senate and House on legislation and legislative camaraderie.
• The intersection of climate action, energy policy, and economic affordability in Rhode Island’s legislative agenda.
• The balancing act between development and environmental preservation, especially around wetlands and housing.
• Tax policies, including the Millionaires Tax and the Taylor Swift Tax, and their influence on affordability and business climate.
• Federal funding cuts and their implications for Rhode Island’s services and vulnerable populations.
• The importance of regional cooperation, especially in education and infrastructure, versus traditional fragmentation.
• Community vitality issues in Newport, including tourism, housing affordability, and local investments.
• The potential for reform in the Rhode Island Inspector General’s office and government accountability.
• The strategic considerations around regionalization of schools and the focus on educational outcomes.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction and overview of Rhode Island's new legislative leadership
02:20 - How leadership changes affect legislative decision-making and camaraderie
04:08 - Climate legislation and energy policy’s role in Rhode Island’s economic future
06:02 - Rhode Island’s tax policies and their effects on affordability and business
07:21 - The relationship between taxes and small business health
08:49 - Federal funding cuts and impacts on state services and vulnerable populations
10:48 - Strategic investments in infrastructure and economic development
11:38 - The debate over Rhode Island’s Inspector General and oversight reforms
13:28 - The importance of independent oversight and transparency
15:15 - The race for Rhode Island Attorney General and key issues like criminal justice reform
17:26 - Community challenges and opportunities in Newport’s revitalization
19:27 - The debate over regionalization of schools and community outcomes
20:35 - Reflections on regional cooperation, community identity, and investments

Resources & Links:

• Rhode Island Senate
• Rhode Island Climate Legislation
• Rhode Island Tax Policies
• Rhode Island Inspector General Office (Legislation & Reforms)
• Newport Community Development Initiatives
• Regional School Districts & Education Reform

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In this episode, Kathy Orovitz shares how Navigant Credit Union is reinforcing its role as a trusted community partner through a people-first approach. We explore strategies for cultivating a strong organizational culture, maintaining employee engagement, and balancing technology with human connection in financial services.

Key Topics:

• The importance of community-centric banking during times of uncertainty
• Navigant’s heritage and core values rooted in local involvement and culture
• How intentional leadership fosters employee satisfaction and member trust
• The role of recognition programs and company events in reinforcing culture
• Balancing remote work with in-person connection for a resilient workplace
• Diversity of talent sourcing and ongoing learning initiatives
• Navigant’s commitment to supporting local businesses through sponsorship and showcase programs
• The evolving landscape of hybrid work models and their impact on productivity and culture
• Strategies for attracting and retaining talent amid a competitive job market

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introducing Kathy Orovitz and Navigant’s community focus

00:27 - Navigant’s response to current economic noise and community involvement

01:03 - Building trusted relationships with members over decades

01:20 - The significance of community-based banking in uncertain times

02:04 - Navigant’s heritage rooted in local service and community need

02:46 - Cultivating culture through intentional leadership and employee-first values

04:11 - Impact of employee-centered culture on member experience

04:45 - Differentiating through trusted relationships and value-added services

05:13 - Keeping a disciplined focus on member needs and technological growth

05:44 - Empowering employees through learning, cross-training, and feedback

06:28 - Navigant’s cultural approach during company-wide events and recognition

07:04 - Leadership recognition and employee engagement strategies

09:27 - The importance of culture in a hybrid work environment

10:05 - Finding a successful balance between remote and in-office work

11:25 - Strategies for attracting and retaining talent in a competitive landscape

12:17 - Continuous learning and industry engagement for staff development

13:15 - Infusing talent and AI with a strong emphasis on member experience

14:26 - Supporting local businesses through sponsorships and community programs

16:56 - Final thoughts on building community and fostering a resilient organizational culture

Resources & Links:

• Navigant Credit Union
• Unreasonable Hospitality Program
• Leadership Academy at Navigant

Connect with Kathy Orovitz:

• LinkedIn

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In this episode, Rhode Island General Treasurer James Diossa shares insights into the state’s investment approach, innovative housing programs, cybersecurity priorities, and the excitement surrounding the upcoming FIFA World Cup events. This conversation offers a detailed look at how state leadership balances risk, supports communities, and leverages global events for local economic growth.

Main topics:

• The state’s investment strategy and private credit risks
• The Rhode Island Anchor Mortgage Program for first-time homebuyers
• Cybersecurity measures protecting state and pension data
• Rhode Island’s preparation for the World Cup and its economic impact
• The importance of balancing risk and opportunity in public investments

Key insights:

• Rhode Island’s pension fund has grown from $10 billion to over $13 billion, with an emphasis on maintaining stability and disciplined risk management.
• Private credit exposure has remained steady at 3% for a decade, reflecting cautious risk tolerance aligned with the fund’s long-term goals.
• The Rhode Island Anchor Mortgage Program has helped hundreds of first-time buyers with affordable, fixed-rate mortgages, revitalizing communities.
• Cybersecurity is a top priority, with dedicated staff and annual assessments, especially as financial systems become more vulnerable to emerging threats and AI-based vulnerabilities.
• The World Cup is expected to boost local tourism and business activity, with multiple events across Rhode Island planned to celebrate the global tournament.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Welcome back and last appearance recap
00:17 - Overview of Rhode Island’s current financial standing
00:31 - Investment strategy and fund growth
01:12 - Focus on pension member experience and cybersecurity
01:38 - Challenges and opportunities in private credit investments
02:25 - Maintaining a steady private credit allocation over the years
03:22 - Balancing higher return ambitions with risk tolerance
03:45 - Strategies for achieving funded status targets
05:13 - The importance of disciplined risk management and fiduciary responsibility
05:43 - Rhode Island Anchor Mortgage Program details and community impact
06:12 - How the program supports first-time homebuyers
08:09 - The critical role of cybersecurity and recent advancements
09:14 - State’s cybersecurity efforts and annual assessments
10:25 - Rhode Island’s FIFA World Cup bid and event planning
11:12 - Economic impact and community engagement during the World Cup
12:08 - Key events, watch parties, and international team visits
13:34 - Final thoughts on summer events and local economic boost

Resources & Links:

• Rhode Island Treasurer’s Office
• Rhode Island Anchor Mortgage Program
• Moody’s Credit Ratings
• FIFA World Cup 2026

Connect with James Diossa:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter

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This episode dives into the enduring philosophies behind Deer Tick's approach to music, the importance of storytelling rooted in shared communities, and how the band balances artistic integrity with modern industry pressures. It’s a conversation about meaningful artistry over fleeting trends, and why taking your time creates deeper impact.

Key topics:

• The significance of Rhode Island and its history in Deer Tick's identity and songwriting
• Why Deer Tick prefers conceptual albums and long development cycles over frequent singles
• The impact of social media and algorithms on how bands promote music today
• The value of creating a lasting catalog versus chasing quick hits
• How parenthood influences songwriting and the emotional depth of music
• The evolution of the music industry from demo tapes to digital algorithms
• The importance of live testing material to refine songs
• Why taking the long view in music production leads to more meaningful art
• The parallels between classic artists’ longevity and Deer Tick’s approach

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Introduction to Deer Tick's new album Koinomatic and its Rhode Island roots
• 00:54 - The historical significance of the "Coinomatic" mob headquarters and its influence on album art
• 01:41 - Reflection on themes of places and people that are gone in local and personal history
• 02:24 - Connecting past experiences and local characters to song writing
• 03:08 - The role of stories from neighborhood life and criminal elements in songwriting
• 03:57 - Audience interpretation and biographical references in Deer Tick’s music
• 04:32 - The importance of shared working-class roots and cultural memory
• 05:13 - Discussion on the current landscape for bands in 2026 and indie music trends
• 05:59 - Challenges for new bands starting today compared to 20 years ago
• 06:51 - The influence of TikTok, algorithms, and social media on music promotion
• 07:46 - The trade-off between algorithmic exposure and authentic artistic expression
• 08:22 - The significance of making albums with a cohesive vision over singles
• 09:00 - The band’s long-term cycle approach versus quick, frequent releases
• 09:48 - How band dynamics and collaboration shape the creative process
• 10:09 - Parenthood’s impact on songwriting, emotional depth, and touring
• 11:20 - A band member’s son experiencing their music and the joy of sharing that journey
• 12:13 - The longstanding cycle of Deer Tick’s album releases since 2007
• 12:59 - Advice on balancing disciplined long-term projects versus the fast pace of social media
• 13:50 - The importance of piecing together full albums and thematic cohesion
• 14:22 - The critique of constant single releases as impulsive and superficial
• 15:24 - The value of road-testing songs live to improve and connect with audiences
• 16:46 - The significance of albums as complete statements rather than fleeting singles
• 17:30 - The deep satisfaction of exploring an artist’s catalog over decades
• 18:40 - Closing thoughts on creating lasting music that captures a moment in time
• 18:46 - Final band shoutout and closing humor

Resources & Links:

• Deer Tick - Official Website

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This episode dives into the often overlooked dimension of homelessness—doubling up—and its profound impact on housing insecurity. Molly Richard, Assistant Professor of Public Health at the University of Rhode Island, sheds light on how hidden homelessness skews data, affects policy, and requires targeted solutions.

In this episode:

• What doubling up is and how it differs from traditional definitions of homelessness.
• The challenges in measuring hidden homelessness and the true scale of the crisis.
• How current federal policies exclude doubling up, impacting eligibility for aid.
• The connection between economic factors like unemployment and rent costs with doubling up.
• The importance of broad, multi-pronged strategies to prevent and respond to hidden homelessness.
• The role of housing affordability, rapid policy innovation, and community-based approaches.
• Why understanding and addressing doubling up is critical to reducing overall homelessness.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to hidden homelessness and the concept of doubling up

00:27 - Defining doubling up and how it fits into broader homelessness issues

01:24 - The measurement and reporting challenges of doubling up phenomena

02:49 - The real number of doubled-up households and its implication on state figures

03:43 - Impact of federal definitions on homelessness aid eligibility

04:55 - The financial human cost and policy gaps caused by exclusion of doubling up

05:34 - How community data and census estimates reveal the scale of doubling up

06:41 - The connection between structural economic conditions and doubling up

07:39 - Factors influencing who doubles up and regional differences in service access

09:51 - How previous living situations predict future homelessness and prevention opportunities

10:28 - The four-prong strategy for tackling hidden homelessness

11:20 - The importance of flexible, local response systems beyond federal definitions

12:46 - The essential role of affordable housing, economic stability, and innovation

13:35 - The broader economic context influencing housing insecurity and solutions from policymakers

15:37 - Emerging housing solutions like modular homes and zoning considerations

17:07 - Balancing quality and rapid construction in addressing the housing crisis

18:13 - The danger of ignoring hidden homelessness in policy and public perception

19:24 - How research should inform policy to prevent crises before they escalate

20:26 - The significance of early intervention and data tracking for long-term impact

21:02 - The influence of cultural conversations, including pop culture, on understanding homelessness

21:58 - Building on community dialogue to address housing as a spectrum of need

22:03 - Closing thoughts and the importance of expertise in policymaking

Resources & Links:

• Journal of Urban Affairs - Community Level Predictors of Doubling Up
• US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
• Rhode Island Housing Data & Analysis
• Population and Housing Census Data
• Echo Village Modular Housing Pilot (Note: Placeholder link)

Connect with Molly Richard:

• University of Rhode Island - Professor Molly Richard

Notable Quote:

"Addressing hidden homelessness requires understanding the spectrum of living situations—because when we ignore the unseen, we underestimate the true scale of the crisis."

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Exploring Grassroots Activism, Private Prisons, and the Future of Music with B. Dolan.

In this episode, B. Dolan, a veteran artist and grassroots activist, shares insights on his recent activism work, the troubling landscape of private immigration detention centers, and the evolving challenges facing independent artists. His perspective bridges the worlds of community organizing, policy reform, and cultural production, offering a comprehensive view of what it truly means to be a cultural worker today.

Main Topics Covered:

• B. Dolan’s shift from touring to grassroots organizing post-health challenges
• The fight against private ICE detention centers, specifically the Wyatt in Rhode Island
• How artists can leverage their platforms for advocacy and change
• The impact of privatization on community safety and human rights
• The evolving landscape of independent music, AI’s threat, and community-based scenes
• Strategies for empowering local communities and rebuilding DIY networks

Timestamps: 00:00 - B. Dolan’s work on the ground post-touring career shift
02:37 - Role of artists in activism and community engagement
04:59 - Overview of ICE detention in Rhode Island and the Wyatt's conditions
06:53 - The private ownership and lack of oversight in ICE detention centers
08:48 - Historical incidents like Jason Ng’s death and ongoing issues in private prisons
11:27 - Legislative efforts to prohibit ICE private prison contracts in Rhode Island
12:29 - Underreported community issues and the importance of local journalism
14:34 - The chaos at courthouses and the need for protective legislation
22:26 - Challenges faced by artists with AI and digital distribution
23:54 - The decline of touring and opportunities through community-based music scenes
25:22 - The importance of local DIY scenes and resurgence of community-organized music events
29:36 - The role of art in shaping society, resisting commercial exploitation, and building solidarity
31:15 - The significance of artist-led networks and infrastructure for sustainable scenes
33:11 - How to connect with B. Dolan and support ongoing activism effortsResources & Links:

• Glaring Type-O Records
• AMOR Network
• Imbdolan.com - B. Dolan's official site
• The Artists Must Take Sides - People's Forum class

Connect with B. Dolan:

• Instagram

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In this episode, Rhode Island State Representative Jason Knight discusses his motivation for running for Attorney General, emphasizing his extensive public service background, legislative experience, and dedication to protecting Rhode Islanders. He also shares insights on gun legislation, government transparency, and the importance of unwavering integrity in leadership.

Key Topics

• Knight’s motivations rooted in public service, military, and legal careers
• Differentiating himself from other candidates based on track record and accountability
• The significance of substance over tactics in the AG race
• Experience from legislative work, especially in gun legislation and policy-making
• The role of the Attorney General as the "people's lawyer" with a focus on enforcement and leadership
• Insights on maintaining independence and integrity in the office
• Challenges posed by opponents attempting to undo gun laws and reinforce distrust in government
• The relationship between the AG's office and issues of government transparency, ethics, and infrastructure oversight
• Rhode Island’s unique environmental assets as a source of state pride and strength

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction and the importance of attention to Rhode Island’s attorney general race

00:28 - Knight’s background: Navy veteran, prosecutor, legislator, and motivation for running

01:27 - The race dynamics and what sets Knight apart from other credible candidates

01:57 - Accountability, record, and leadership as key differentiators

02:56 - The role of legislative experience in shaping law enforcement perspective

03:22 - The attorney general’s role as the "people’s lawyer" and understanding government processes

04:45 - Personal background, values, and public service ethos

06:43 - The significance of gun legislation, campaign efforts, and past battles

07:51 - Responding to opponents working to dismantle gun laws

08:58 - The urgency of defending policies from political challenges

10:13 - The "Nerona Doctrine" and the independence of the office

10:43 - The potential for collaboration between the attorney general and inspector general roles

14:00 - Addressing concerns about government corruption and transparency

15:19 - Fighting elite insider culture and the importance of integrity in leadership

16:16 - Protecting Rhode Island’s strengths: environment, beaches, healthcare, and education

17:10 - The importance of political courage and decision-making in the office

17:30 - What makes Rhode Island unique compared to other states

18:29 - The critical role of the attorney general in overseeing public health and infrastructure

19:24 - Closing remarks and appreciation for voter choice

Resources & Links

• Jason Knight - LinkedIn
• Rhode Island General Assembly

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The Complexity of Rent Stabilization in Providence: A Deep Dive with Councilor John Gonzalez

In this episode, we explore the nuanced debate surrounding rent stabilization in Providence, Rhode Island. Councilor John Gonzalez shares his insights on why the recent ordinance was paused, its potential implications, and the importance of thoughtful, data-driven policymaking in addressing housing affordability.

Key topics:

• The difference between rent control and rent stabilization and what the Providence ordinance proposes
• The unintended consequences and legal concerns associated with the policy
• The role of independent analysis and stakeholder voices in shaping housing legislation
• How local economic factors and federal policies influence housing affordability debates
• The importance of building more housing to effectively address displacement and rising rents
• The political dynamics behind the rapid progression of the ordinance and the upcoming city council vote
• Strategies for fostering collaborative solutions in a highly charged policy environment

Timestamps:

00:00 - Providence City Council vote on rent stabilization override

00:28 - Councilor Gonzalez’s personal background and motivation for voting no

01:14 - The core goals of rent stabilization and initial proposals

02:03 - Breakdown of the ordinance’s main provisions and targeted scope

03:25 - Influential expert opinions and community concerns about the ordinance

04:21 - Comparing Providence’s situation to New York City’s rent control system

05:24 - Potential impacts on affordable housing development and stakeholder risks

06:23 - Calls for independent legal and fiscal reviews before moving forward

07:36 - The importance of increasing housing supply to meet demand

08:42 - Addressing community fears of displacement amid rapid policy changes

09:28 - The urgency of immediate relief measures versus long-term solutions

10:20 - The financial implications of declining property values and tax revenue

11:15 - Protecting homeowners and addressing displacement fears

12:08 - Broader economic challenges impacting Providence residents

13:00 - Councilor Gonzalez’s efforts to provide rent relief and combat predatory practices

15:50 - The broader economic environment affecting housing costs

16:33 - The risk of long-term displacement versus short-term relief

17:17 - The quick legislative process and the need for careful analysis

18:13 - Political motivations behind the ordinance’s rapid progression

19:41 - The importance of collaboration and legal diligence in housing policy

22:55 - The value of patience and comprehensive planning for major legislation

24:36 - Call for ongoing dialogue to protect vulnerable residents and ensure fair policies

Resources & Links:

• MIT Department of Economics – Professor Jonathan Gruber's work and views
• Rhode Island Economic Policy Council (RIPEC) – Reports on Rhode Island’s economic situation
• Providence City Council – Official site and updates on legislation

Connect with Councilor John Gonzalez:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter

This episode highlights the importance of balanced, well-researched policies in tackling housing affordability amid complex economic and political realities. Thoughtful dialogue and strategic policymaking are critical to protecting residents while fostering sustainable development.

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In this episode, we explore the multifaceted state of mental health today, driven by post-pandemic challenges, systemic barriers, and evolving care models. Join us as mental health professionals from Rhode Island discuss innovative initiatives, the promise of integrated care, and the path toward a more accessible, stigma-free mental health system.

Key Topics Covered:

• The impact of COVID-19 on mental health: isolation, uncertainty, and access issues
• The rise of awareness and its influence on diagnosis rates and help-seeking behavior
• The Open Mind Initiative: integrated behavioral health in primary care, especially for LGBTQ+ communities
• Challenges in widespread adoption of integrated health practices: funding, structural barriers, and policy hurdles
• The economic case for integrated mental health services: potential billions in savings and improved outcomes
• Shifting towards proactive, preventive mental health approaches versus reactive treatment models
• The evolving landscape of telehealth, AI, and technology in delivering behavioral health care
• How education and reducing stigma can empower individuals to seek support early

Timestamps:
00:00 - The importance of mental health month amid a pandemic-driven crisis

00:29 - Perspectives of experts on current mental health drivers and societal shifts

01:40 - How COVID-19 exacerbated mental health issues through isolation and barriers

02:10 - The societal impact of technological fracture and community support decline

02:29 - Increased awareness and its impact on diagnosis and openness about mental health

04:13 - Are we witnessing a cultural shift towards accepting mental health struggles?

06:25 - The role of social media and online communities in mental health support

07:40 - Strategies to normalize access and reduce stigma in behavioral health care

08:48 - The genesis and scope of the Open Mind Initiative at Rhode Island's Open Door Health

09:34 - Blueprint for integrating behavioral health into primary care settings

11:20 - Funding challenges and advocacy efforts for embedded mental health services

12:38 - Why integrated health models remain underutilized despite proven benefits

14:19 - The financial and health outcomes of investing in preventive, integrated care

15:36 - Systemic inertia: reactive health care vs. preventative investment

16:49 - Lifelong impact of early behavioral health intervention across generations

17:44 - Future prospects: Will integrated behavioral health become the norm?

19:21 - Barriers to systemic change: funding, politics, and systemic inertia

20:21 - What mental health professionals want the public to understand about their work

21:00 - Dispelling stereotypes around psychiatry and emphasizing whole-person wellness

Resources & Links:

• Open Door Health
• Rhode Island Public Health Institute
• SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
• Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam - Amazon

Connect with the Experts:

• Jenny Tu - LinkedIn | Twitter
• Dr. Paul Wallace - LinkedIn | Twitter

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Rhode Island's Economic Stagnation: Insights from RIPEC's Annual Report

In this episode, we examine Rhode Island's economic challenges through the lens of RIPEC's latest report, addressing key issues like stagnating growth, over-reliance on certain sectors, and potential pathways forward. Michael DeBias, RIPEC's president and CEO, shares data-driven insights and practical strategies for revitalization.

Main topics:

• The current state of Rhode Island's economic indicators
• Long-term challenges and sector reliance
• The impact of housing policies and workforce development
• Strategies for fostering sustainable growth and improving affordability
• The importance of gradual, environment-driven incentives over quick fixes

In this episode:

• Rhode Island ranks 17th in median household income but falls to 36th when factoring in cost of living and taxes
• Lagging growth in GDP per capita and labor productivity, with Rhode Island trailing behind national averages
• Existing over-reliance on education, healthcare, and social services, which do not bring substantial revenue into the state
• The blue economy and emerging sectors like wind energy and autonomous tech remain underdeveloped
• Policy focus should shift from chasing companies to creating an environment that attracts and sustains them
• Opposition to rent stabilization policies, emphasizing supply-side solutions such as permitting and development incentives
• A cautious yet hopeful outlook, with DeBias rating his optimism at a 5 out of 10

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Rhode Island's economic stagnation and report overview

00:35 - Rhode Island's relative strengths and its position compared to other states

01:21 - The importance of understanding scope before identifying solutions

02:17 - The disparities in median income versus cost of living and taxes

03:38 - Contextualizing Rhode Island’s economic challenges within broader trends

04:53 - Overview of declining GDP per capita and labor productivity

05:42 - Long-term sector trends and underperformance of key industries like blue economy

07:20 - Over-reliance on low-wealth sectors and workforce gaps

08:53 - The need for sector growth, particularly in manufacturing and information tech

09:50 - Gaps in workforce skills and barriers to attracting larger companies

11:08 - Strategies for economic growth—regulation easing, tax incentives, workforce upskilling

12:34 - Housing policy debates, rent stabilization, and supply-side solutions

14:57 - Rhode Island’s future outlook and DeBias's optimism score

16:02 - Closing remarks and key takeaways

Resources & Links:

• RIPEC Annual Report
• Rhode Island Public Expenditures Council
• Gina Raimondo - LinkedIn
• Rhode Island Commerce Corporation

Connect with Michael DeBias:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter

This episode emphasizes that recognising areas of stagnation is the first step towards meaningful economic renewal. Strategic focus on fostering high-growth sectors, improving workforce skills, and adopting supply-side housing policies can steer Rhode Island toward a more resilient future. Stay tuned for actionable insights grounded in solid data and experienced leadership.

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Rhode Island Politics and Media Changes: Analyzing the Recent Movements

In this episode, we explore the latest political maneuvers in Rhode Island, focusing on Speaker Joe Ciccarchi’s potential transition from legislative leader to Supreme Court Justice, and how media evolution is shaping public engagement. With insights from political reporter Ian Donis, you'll gain a clear understanding of the strategic considerations behind these shifts and the importance of local media in today's landscape.

Key Topics:

• The political implications of Joe Ciccarchi’s move to potentially become Rhode Island’s next Supreme Court Justice.
• How timing and political context influence career moves in Rhode Island politics.
• The challenges and ethical considerations involved in judicial appointments linked to political figures.
• The evolving role and significance of Ocean State Media in Rhode Island’s media landscape.
• The role of radio and local media as vital, free sources of trusted information

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Rhode Island political shifts and Ciccarchi’s career move

02:16 - Analysis of Ciccarchi’s decision in the context of his long political career

03:11 - Discussion on potential quid pro quo and ethical questions raised in the pursuit of judicial positions

04:12 - The impact of the state's revolving door law and recent controversies around judicial appointments

05:21 - The importance of temperament and legal reputation in judicial appointments

06:40 - Ethical debates and precedent-setting implications of Ciccarchi’s move

07:42 - The ongoing challenges in Rhode Island’s public policy issues and what leadership must do

08:12 - Current dynamics of the governor’s race and candidate viability

09:21 - The influence of old-school figures like Robert Cool Moose on Rhode Island politics

10:49 - Political coalition-building and candidate positioning in upcoming elections

11:45 - The difficulties faced by independent candidates like Ken Block

12:11 - The significance of local media in shaping political discourse and public trust

13:14 - Ocean State Media’s recent expansion and importance of radio in Rhode Island

15:01 - The enduring value of radio as a free, trusted medium for public information

16:23 - The future of local radio and its role in community engagement and journalism

N.B. This episode was recorded prior to Joe Shekarchi's resignation as Speaker though presented as a likely outcome.

Resources & Links:

• Ocean State Media
• Bill Bartholomew on Twitter
• Ian Donis on Facebook

Connect with Ian Donis:

• Ocean State Media

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In this episode, we dive into the fascinating process behind the documentary "Paralyzed by Hope," which unpacks Maria Bamford's journey through mental health, grief, and resilience. Neil Berkeley, co-director, shares insights on storytelling choices, the impact of environment on mental health, and the power of comedy to reveal life's hardest truths.

Key Topics:

• The spontaneous, journalistic approach to filming and editing without music to maintain authenticity
• How stand-up comedy serves as a gateway to revealing personal stories and universal truths
• The interplay between environmental factors like wildfires and mental health in storytelling
• Artistic transformation of grief into shared human experience and community support
• The challenges and strategies behind making an intimate documentary about a public figure

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to the film "Paralyzed by Hope" and screening details

00:25 - Insights into Neil Berkeley's entry into the project and initial ideas

01:12 - Behind the spontaneous filming process with Maria Bamford

02:15 - The intentional decision to shoot without soundtrack and melodramatic influence

03:05 - The role of music and how its absence shapes the film's tone

04:17 - Exploring themes of grief, mental health, and comedy's cathartic power

05:25 - Setting scenes in universal moments like wildfire aftermath to discuss climate and community

06:27 - The unpredictable nature of documentary storytelling and real-life events

07:55 - Screening details and future availability of the film

Resources & Links:

• Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story – Screening details and more
• Maria Bamford – Connect with Maria
• Judd Apatow – Collaborator and producer insights

Connect with Neil Berkeley:

• Twitter
• Website

https://newportfilm.com/films/paralyzed-by-hope-the-maria-bamford-story/

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Small Business and Job Creation in Rhode Island: A Strategy for Sustainable Growth

GUESTS:

Nina Pande, Skills RI

Matt Spoehr, SBA

Jim Cohill, Bank Newport

This episode explores the critical role of small businesses in Rhode Island's economic landscape. Featuring insights from leaders across banking, workforce development, and government, it emphasizes collaborative efforts to foster job growth, access to capital, and entrepreneurial success that benefits the entire community.

In this episode:

• The importance of small business in Rhode Island’s job creation goals and how it shapes economic policy
• Key initiatives like the Small Business Summit and their role in workforce upskilling and resource sharing
• How local financial institutions humanize lending processes to support new and existing entrepreneurs
• The significance of regional thinking and cross-sector collaboration for scalable business growth
• Challenges faced by small businesses, including access to funding, technology adoption, and navigating government contracts
• The upcoming Small Business Week and the Rhode Island Small Business Summit as vital opportunities for networking and development
• Practical advice from banking and SBA representatives on reducing barriers and demystifying financial resources
• Why investing in small businesses is essential for sustainable, inclusive economic growth in Rhode Island

Timestamps:
00:00 - Overview of Rhode Island's job creation efforts and small business importance

00:30 - Introducing the panel and their roles in economic development

01:22 - The vital contribution of small businesses and individual proprietors

01:33 - Jim Cohill discusses commercial lending and support for small businesses

02:11 - The interconnectedness of public and private sector efforts in job growth

02:33 - Matt Spear on SBA programs and resource partnerships

03:19 - The challenge of small business growth and the upcoming Small Business Week events

03:49 - The significance of connecting ideas, funding, and workforce support

04:05 - Nina Pande on adult workforce upskilling and technology modernization in small companies

05:29 - The role of free resources and community outreach in easing entrepreneurial fears

06:36 - Jim’s perspective on humanizing banking and supporting business start-ups

07:03 - Jim on the importance of transparent conversations for new entrepreneurs

08:03 - The need for broader awareness of available resources and government contracting opportunities

09:16 - Fight the intimidation: humanizing banking to unlock small business potential

10:38 - The role of small business in Rhode Island’s economic future, not just reliance on large firms

12:09 - How developing small businesses supports regional growth and job creation

13:09 - Opportunities for small and mid-sized firms in the regional economy

14:48 - The collaborative spirit needed among Rhode Island’s businesses and institutions

15:14 - The upcoming Small Business Summit as a platform to network and leverage resources

16:06 - Closing remarks emphasizing community and support for entrepreneurs

Resources & Links:

• SkillsRI - Skills for an Island's Future
• Bank Newport
• [U.

S. Small Business Administration Rhode Island District Office](https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/district/ri)

• Rhode Island Small B

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Unveiling Climate Storytelling: The Power of Coalition and Communication

This episode explores how documentary filmmaking can illuminate environmental crises and foster coalition-building across diverse worlds — from scientists and religious leaders to policymakers and journalists. Abby Ellis, director of The Lake, shares insights on addressing complex ecological issues through compelling narratives that bridge ideological divides.

In this episode:

• The importance of coalition-building in tackling environmental crises
• How different ideological worlds can converge on shared goals
• Strategies for communicating climate science to skeptics
• The significance of portraying multi-dimensional characters in environmental storytelling
• The urgency of global ecological issues and timely solutions
• The role of religion and science in uniting communities around environmental stewardship
• Practical approaches for engaging hesitant audiences in climate conversations
• Example of empowering narratives from The Lake and real-world activism

Timestamps:

00:00 - Overview of upcoming screening of The Lake and its significance

00:30 - Introduction to Abby Ellis and the film’s core themes

01:16 - The role of coalition-building in environmental activism

01:54 - How bipartisan efforts emerged in Utah’s ecological crisis

02:22 - Environmental issues as human, not just political, concerns

02:50 - The urgency of the Great Salt Lake’s potential disaster

03:28 - The importance of immediate coalition-building for climate resilience

03:44 - How the film emphasizes the immediacy of ecological threats

04:12 - Lessons from Utah’s crisis for the broader climate movement

04:40 - The impact of united communities across political and religious divides

05:09 - The significance of diverse moral and ideological convergences

05:25 - The role of religious perspectives, like Mormon stewardship, in environmental advocacy

05:52 - The power of religious and scientific values coexisting in activism

06:27 - Communicating climate science to skeptical audiences effectively

07:37 - The importance of understanding different cultural triggers for environmental messaging

08:17 - How to speak to people in terms they understand, beyond politicized language

08:42 - Upcoming screening details and community engagement opportunities

09:05 - Future broadcasting plans and broader reach for The Lake

Resources & Links:

• The Lake - Official Website (Check for updates and broadcast releases)
• EcoRI News – Rhode Island’s leading environmental news source
• Act on Climate - Rhode Island – Local climate legislation and activism
• Sundance Film Festival – Premier platform for the film’s debut

Connect with Abby Ellis:

• Twitter
• Instagram

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Title: Providence Rent Stabilization Debate: Insights from City Council President Rachel Miller

This episode delves into the complex political and social dynamics surrounding rent stabilization in Providence, Rhode Island. City Council President Rachel Miller shares her perspective on the ongoing debate, the influence of special interests, and the urgent need to prioritize residents' survival amid a soaring housing crisis.

Key Topics:

• The current state of Providence's rent stabilization proposals and the political stalemate
• The impact of rent hikes on long-term residents and the city’s future
• How misinformation campaigns by corporate landlords complicate policy discussions
• The importance of effective communication and community engagement in shaping policy
• The broader national and global context influencing local housing debates
• The significance of building support within the council and navigating opposition
• The potential for rent stabilization to provide immediate relief and long-term solutions
• The political implications of current debates for upcoming elections
• The role of advocacy and community voices in influencing policy outcomes

Timestamps: 00:00 - Overview of rent stabilization controversy in Providence
00:31 - Council efforts to build support and address community concerns
01:05 - Personal stories illustrating housing affordability crisis
01:47 - Likelihood of political shifts among council members
02:02 - Addressing the information gap and communicating carve-outs
02:51 - Influence of corporate interests and misinformation campaigns
03:38 - Community engagement and correcting myths
04:47 - Outsized influence of corporate landlords on policy
05:17 - The city's survival and the impact of external networks
05:57 - The long-term decline of residents and housing stress
06:16 - Balancing growth with protection of existing residents
07:08 - The global and national context of housing issues
07:35 - The urgency of implementing bold policies despite imperfections
08:11 - The political reality and support from renters
08:48 - Evidence suggesting regulation does not harm construction
09:14 - The threat of well-funded interests stopping progressive policies
09:46 - The historical opposition from mayoral leadership

10:19 - Building a political roadmap and election implications

10:49 - Ongoing efforts to engage different viewpoints

11:16 - Attempts to strengthen and improve legislation

12:05 - The significance of the initial council approval and upcoming electoral accountability

12:54 - Final thoughts on potential political shifts and the future of rent stabilization

Resources & Links:

• Rachel Miller - Providence City Council President
• Additional insights on rent control policies: National Low Income Housing Coalition
• Related discussion on urban housing debates: Bartholomew Town Podcast

Connect with Rachel Miller:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter

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Is Rhode Island’s "boring" election cycle finally heating up? Dan McGowan (The Boston Globe) joins Bill Bartholomew to break down a week of major shifts in the Ocean State. They discuss why the Providence mayoral race is seeing a policy divide unlike any in recent history, the "new kid on the block" energy of Ken Block’s independent run for Governor, and the political "horse-trading" surrounding a potential Supreme Court vacancy.

Key Discussion Points

• The Providence Mayoral Divide: Why the battle over rent stabilization between Mayor Brett Smiley and Rep. David Morales represents a rare, policy-driven shift in city politics that could define the next council.
• The "38 Studios on Steroids" Effect: Dan explains why the Washington Bridge crisis has surpassed previous state scandals in its "stickiness" with voters and how it provides a massive opening for "fixer" candidates.
• The 2026 Gubernatorial Chess Board: An analysis of Ken Block’s recent polling, his "new shiny" treatment in the media, and why Dan McKee and Helena Foulkes might be headed for an "opioids vs. competence" primary battle.
• Supreme Court Vacancy & Horse-Trading: A candid look at the possibility of Speaker Joe Shekarchi moving to the high court and the reality of how political judgeships are awarded in Rhode Island.
• AI and Data Centers: Bill reflects on a recent sold-out event in Newport, proving that "non-traditional" political issues are starting to break through with the average voter.

About Our Guest

Dan McGowan is the Rhode Island columnist for The Boston Globe and author of the Rhode Map newsletter. You can subscribe to his daily coverage by emailing rinews@globe.com.

Links & Resources

• Follow Bill: Instagram | YouTube
• Support the Show: Send us Fan Mail | Direct Support
• Official Website: Bartholomewtown.com

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Rhode Island Politics Spotlight: Providence Mayoral Race & Governor's Race Analysis

In this episode, we explore the key developments shaping Rhode Island’s political landscape — from the contentious Providence mayoral race to the emerging significance of independent candidate Ken Block in the governor’s race. Understand how recent polling, election strategies, and voter sentiment are setting the stage for a transformative election cycle.

Key topics

• The recent veto of rent stabilization in Providence and its implications on the mayoral primary
• The political strategies and coalitions around housing policies in the Providence mayoral race
• Ken Block’s polling results and his potential impact on the Rhode Island gubernatorial race
• How outsider candidates are shifting voter focus and the broader appetite for change
• The importance of undecided voters and campaign adaptation in the coming months

Timestamps

• (0:01) Overview of Rhode Island’s major political races and their significance
• (0:25) Providence mayoral race: Mayor Smiley’s veto on rent stabilization and its political repercussions
• (1:02) The housing crisis in Providence and the supply-side economic approach
• (2:03) The political positioning of rent control proposals and city council dynamics
• (3:25) The upcoming Providence mayoral primary and its impact on the 2024 elections
• (4:23) The divide: short-term rent control versus long-term housing solutions
• (5:21) David Morales’ rally and the populist sentiment in Providence
• (6:35) Immediate housing needs versus long-term planning — balancing demand and supply
• (8:39) The Rhode Island governor’s race heats up with outsider Ken Block’s entry
• (9:17) Ken Block’s historical political background and recent polling data
• (11:09) Pollster insights: Ken Block’s "runway" to potential victory
• (12:29) The significance of Ken Block’s credibility and voter awareness
• (14:14) Broader appetite for political change across the country and in Rhode Island
• (16:11) The current landscape: the lack of leftist candidates and the rise of outsiders
• (17:54) How polling impacts campaign strategies and voter psychology
• (19:15) The influence of undecided voters and campaign ground game
• (20:42) The importance of shifting campaign focus from negativity to substantive issues
• (22:31) Summarizing the current state: Ken Block as a serious contender and the changing political tone
• (23:55) Closing thoughts on Rhode Island’s political season and upcoming electoral shifts

Resources & Links

• Brian Wynn - Pollster Insights
• Ken Block Campaign
• Providence Mayor’s Veto on Rent Stabilization (Channel 12)
• Dan McGowan - Boston Globe Columnist

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• Twitter
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Bill Bartholomew welcomes independent Rhode Island gubernatorial candidate Ken Block.

Key topics:

• Ken Block's background in software engineering and political activism
• His previous efforts to create a centrist political party and advocacy for good government
• The surprising and personal journey leading to his gubernatorial run
• The disconnect and lack of traction among current candidates, and how he aims to stand out
• Critical issues facing Rhode Island such as infrastructure failures, fiscal management, and project mismanagement
• The importance of decisive leadership, especially regarding the Washington Bridge collapse
• Management failures in Rhode Island's government projects and how to address them
• The potential for AI and technological disruption impacting state policy
• Fiscal strategies, including potential reallocation of funds and critiques of tax policies
• The influence of party politics, coalition building, and the shift toward independent support
• His commitment to transparency, accountability, and pragmatic solutions for long-term stability

Timestamps: 00:00 - Introducing Ken Block and his diverse background 00:24 - Ken's career in software and political activism 00:50 - Past political efforts and advocacy for good governance 01:18 - Journey from opposition to running for governor 02:44 - How polling and fundraising influenced his decision 03:15 - The weak current political landscape and his outsider message 04:01 - The impact of his campaign on the Democrat primary 06:22 - Rhode Island's unique challenges and broader macroeconomic issues 07:35 - Why Ken Block believes he is qualified to lead through disruption 08:05 - Management failures in major Rhode Island projects 09:30 - Critical analysis of the Washington Bridge failure and accountability 10:56 - Building a political coalition in a polarized environment 11:36 - The importance of decisiveness and political courage 12:29 - Lessons from Bruce Sundlun's decision-making style 13:55 - The need for fact-based, quick decision-making in government 15:12 - Lack of political courage and transparency in government failures 16:08 - The recurring mistakes like the Washington Bridge and fiscal mismanagement 17:30 - Infrastructure neglect and dysfunction 18:28 - Budget management, reallocations, and fiscal responsibility 20:11 - Managing large projects and the importance of skilled oversight 21:35 - Addressing state spending inefficiencies 22:28 - The importance of smarter government spending 23:24 - Challenges of housing development and infrastructure costs 24:36 - The unrealistic scope of housing targets and pragmatic solutions 26:14 - The potential of private investments like the Superman Building 28:48 - Rhode Island's economic and demographic challenges compared to Boston 29:55 - The impact of tax policies and the flight of high earners 31:00 - Building a broad political coalition across party lines 33:24 - The disconnect between community needs and government response 35:56 - The failure to maintain infrastructure and deliver public services 38:34 - The political landscape, party fragmentation, and independent prospects 39:57 - Ken Block's commitment to fixing core government issues and future outlookResources & Links:

• Rhode Island Infrastructure Crisis
• Ken Block's Campaign Website
• Bruce Sundlun's Leadership Lessons

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Every gravestone is a sentence. Every cemetery is a story. And Rhode Island — one of the oldest corners of the country — has more of those stories per square mile than almost anywhere in America.

This week, preservationist Deb Suggs joins us to make the case that historic cemeteries aren't just resting places for the dead — they're primary sources, open to anyone willing to look. From colonial-era epitaphs to the graves of Revolutionary War soldiers, enslaved people, and forgotten civic leaders, Rhode Island's burial grounds hold a version of our history that no textbook does.

Deb shares what draws her to this work, what's at stake when these sites fall into disrepair, and the remarkable Rhode Islanders — some famous, most not — she's encountered while walking among the stones. It's a conversation about preservation, community, and why the past is never as buried as we think.

In this episode

Why historic cemeteries are some of the most reliable historical records we have • What gets lost when a burial ground is abandoned or destroyed • Stories of Rhode Islanders whose graves reveal lives history overlooked • How anyone can get involved in cemetery preservation • The surprising things gravestones can tell you — from demographics to disease to art history

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Half Street Group’s Mike Raia joins the show to break down how independent gubernatorial candidate Ken Block entering the race could disrupt the strategies of Governor Dan McKee and challenger Helena Foulkes.

We dig into whether Block plays the role of a “spoiler,” how similar candidates have performed historically in Rhode Island politics, and what this unique election cycle could signal about voter sentiment and fragmentation heading into November.

Then, a cultural pivot: a recent The New York Times Magazine piece explores whether meme culture has pushed us into a kind of “brain rot”—and how that might be shaping not just how we consume information, but how we interact with and even train AI systems.

Is the internet rewiring our attention spans—and could that feedback loop be influencing the future of intelligence itself?

Inside Communications is presented by Half Street Group

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with Christopher Gavin of the The Boston Globe to unpack the controversy surrounding a Ukrainian solidarity mural in Providence—and how a local story can quickly become part of a much larger national narrative.

What began as a piece of public art tied to global events soon sparked questions about public space, messaging, and civic process. But as the reaction grew, so did scrutiny over how and why the story spread—raising broader questions about amplification, influence, and the role of decentralized, well-funded networks in shaping modern culture war flashpoints.

In this conversation, Bartholomew and Gavin separate fact from reaction, examine how local issues get pulled into national discourse, and explore what the Providence mural moment reveals about media ecosystems, political narratives, and the forces that drive them.

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Following a newportFILM presented screening of The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist at The Jane Pickens Theater Bill Bartholomew moderates an expert panel on AI's growth and impact on Rhode Island.

David Altounian (Associate Professor, Business & Economics, Salve Regina University),

Timothy H. Henry (Chair, Computer Science and Information Systems, Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies, Rhode Island College),

Michael Littman (Associate Provost for Artificial Intelligence, University Professor of Computer Science, Brown University)

Briana Vecchione (Technical Researcher with the AI on the Ground team at Data & Society Research Institute)

presented by newportFILM

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Dr. Amy Nunn — CEO of the Rhode Island Public Health Institute and Open Door Health — joins Bill Bartholomew for a wide-ranging conversation on the current state of public health in Rhode Island.

Dr. Nunn shares what she’s watching most closely in healthcare policy and politics across the state, including growing concerns about Rhode Island’s primary care shortage and what it means for access, equity, and long-term system stability. The discussion explores why Rhode Island has recently ranked as one of the worst states for physicians to practice, and what structural challenges are driving that reality.

Drawing on her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Nunn reflects on what she learned about operating as a nimble, community-focused practitioner in times of crisis — and how those lessons apply today. She also discusses navigating federal-level constraints on science and public health under the current political climate, and how local institutions can remain resilient and mission-driven.

A grounded, insightful look at where Rhode Island public health stands — and where it may be headed next.

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Nikolas Gvosdev, a national security fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and professor at the U.S. Naval War College, and speaking on his own behalf, joins Bill Bartholomew to examine how The Iran War could impact Rhode Island—both in the immediate term and over the long haul.

The conversation explores the economic ripple effects of global conflict, including energy prices, supply chain disruptions, and federal spending priorities that could directly influence local economies. Gvosdev highlights how national security decisions made in Washington can cascade down to states like Rhode Island, shaping everything from job markets to infrastructure investment.

A key focus is the potential downstream impact on major projects such as the Washington Bridge, where shifts in federal funding and attention could delay or reshape critical repairs and development.

The discussion also delves into the psychological dimension—how prolonged geopolitical instability can affect public sentiment, civic life, and the broader sense of security within local communities.

In this episode:

• How global conflict with Iran could affect Rhode Island’s economy
• The connection between war, federal spending, and infrastructure projects
• Why local projects like the Washington Bridge could feel global pressure
• The psychological toll of geopolitical instability at the community level

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Preserving the Past: Culture, Power and the Stories That Shape a Nation

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, join JWU’s Cultural Life Series for a timely conversation on who preserves history — and why it matters. Drawing on Rhode Island’s revolutionary past and framed by the broader American experience, this discussion examines how culture, power and perspective shape the stories that endure.

About Bill Bartholomew and C. Morgan Grefe, Ph.D.

Bill Bartholomew

Bill Bartholomew is a Providence-based journalist, musician and producer, best known as the host of Bartholomewtown. A trusted local media voice, he covers topics ranging from politics and public policy to arts, culture and community life, with more than 900 episodes featuring conversations with local, state and federal leaders.

C. Morgan Grefe, Ph.D.

C. Morgan Grefe, Ph.D., is the executive director of the Rhode Island Historical Society and a historian specializing in U.S. social, cultural and public history. Her work focuses particularly on the carceral history of the United States, and she lectures widely on Rhode Island’s history while authoring and co-authoring numerous publications, including a forthcoming book on historic prison museums.

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Episode Title: Reason & Freedom: Rhode Island’s Next Chapter

Description:
A conversation with Rhode Island Atheists' Brian Cardoza and John Mertus about the state’s first-ever Day of Reason, the meaning of secular advocacy in a place defined by religious freedom, and the group’s growing role in civic and political life.

Topics Covered:

• Rhode Island’s first Day of Reason
• The state’s legacy of religious freedom
• Atheism and public identity
• Advocacy, policy, and political engagement
• Building community outside of religion

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Rhode Island’s proposed Rhode Island Green Bond includes funding for climate resilience, parks, and water infrastructure — but no money for land conservation.

Two leading environmental organizations say that omission could halt decades of progress protecting farmland, forests, and community open space.

In a recent op-ed, Jeffrey Hall of the Audubon Society of Rhode Island and Kate Sayles of the Rhode Island Land Trust Council warned that without a $10 million addition to the Green Bond, Rhode Island risks stalling conservation projects across the state.

They argue the funding gap could jeopardize efforts to preserve working farms, protect forests, and expand local open space at a time when development pressure continues to grow.

On this episode, Hall and Sayles explain:

• Why conservation funding was left out of the Green Bond proposal
• What projects could be lost without new funding
• How Rhode Island’s long-running land protection programs work
• Why they’re asking lawmakers to add $10 million during the current budget session
• What the debate says about the state’s environmental priorities

The decision ultimately rests with the Rhode Island General Assembly, which must finalize the bond proposal before it goes to voters.

If conservation funding isn’t restored, they say, Rhode Island could see farmland, forests, and community open spaces slip out of reach.

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Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha joins Bartholomewtown to discuss his office’s newly released report detailing decades of child sexual abuse allegations within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence.

The investigation identified more than 130 alleged abusers and hundreds of victims, with cases spanning generations.

Neronha explains how investigators assembled the report, what it reveals about institutional failures inside the Church, and what accountability and reforms may come next.

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Food insecurity affects thousands of Rhode Islanders—but the issue is often misunderstood.

This week on the show, Amanda Missimer, a nutrition professor at the University of Rhode Island, joins the conversation to discuss the scope of food insecurity in Rhode Island and the systems behind how food is produced, distributed, and accessed across the state.

We explore:

• Who is most affected by food insecurity in Rhode Island
• How food systems shape access to healthy food
• The role of universities, nonprofits, and policymakers in addressing the issue
• URI’s upcoming food summit and what it aims to accomplish
• Policy and community solutions that could make a real difference

It’s a deeper look at the structural issues behind hunger in Rhode Island—and the work underway to build a more resilient and equitable food system.

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Topic: Former Newport Mayor and Current Councilor Xay Khamsyvoravong Enters the Lieutenant Governor Race — Why It Matters

1. Who Is Xay Khamsyvoravong?

• Former Mayor of Newport
• Current Newport City Councilor
• Part of a younger generation of Democratic leadership
• Known for coalition-building and pragmatic governance

2. Why the Lt. Governor’s Race Matters More Than It Seems

• The Lt. Governor role in Rhode Island has often been politically ambiguous
• It can function as a policy platform, a visibility boost, or a stepping stone
• Historically a launching pad for higher office or broader statewide influence

3. The Generational Shift Question

• Rhode Island Democrats are in transition
• A new bench is emerging beyond the long-dominant political names
• Does this signal the start of a wider reshuffling in 2026?

4. Geographic and Demographic Strategy

• Newport base vs. broader statewide appeal
• How coastal politics translate to urban and suburban voters
• Coalition math: progressive lane? pragmatic lane? something in between?

5. The Bigger Chessboard

• Who else gets in now?
• Does this clear or crowd lanes for other statewide candidates?
• How does this affect down-ballot and congressional ambitions?

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📍 Overview:

In the aftermath of the historic Blizzard of ’26, which dumped record-shattering snow across Rhode Island and left communities paralyzed, snow removal has become a hot-button issue — not just a matter of logistics but of politics, prioritization, and power.

🧊 What We’ll Cover:

• What actually happened:
Rhode Island received up to ~38 inches of snow during the storm, breaking decades-old records and forcing a statewide travel ban. Roads — especially secondary and residential streets — were left buried for days, with crews stretched thin and equipment in short supply.

• The political fallout:
Local officials asked for help — including assistance from neighboring states and deployment of the National Guard — yet frustrating delays and inconsistent plowing have sparked public criticism and sharp political commentary.

• Public outrage and social discourse:
From Reddit threads calling out failed plow jobs and blocked parking to debate over snow dumping in historically disadvantaged neighborhoods, the cleanup has taken on political overtones in ways rarely seen for snow removal.

• Broader implications:
Is this just a storm response gone wrong? Or does it expose deeper issues — from resource allocation to trust in local leadership? This episode explores whether snowplowing is the issue in Rhode Island right now — or simply a symptom of bigger questions about governance and community priorities.

PLUS Bill breaks down the latest polling in the governor's race

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In the wake of the Blizzard of 2026, we sit down with legendary Rhode Island weatherman R. J. Heim to break down what just happened — and where this storm ranks in the Ocean State’s long and dramatic weather history.

We assess:

• Final snow totals across Providence County, Kent County, Washington County, and Newport County
• Wind gusts, coastal impacts, and power outages
• Why this system intensified the way it did
• How it compares to benchmark storms like the Blizzard of ’78 and other historic nor’easters
• What made the Blizzard of 2026 unique in terms of track, snowfall rates, and cold air lock-in
• What the next 7–10 days look like as Rhode Island digs out

With deep institutional memory and decades of forecasting experience, Heim places this storm in context — separating hype from history and helping us understand whether this was a once-in-a-generation event or part of a larger climate pattern.

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Inside Communications presented by Half Street Group

In the midst of the Blizzard of 2026, we step back from the snowfall totals and power outage maps to examine a different kind of storm: public communication.

Mike Raia — founder and president of Half Street Group and former spokesperson for Governor Gina Raimondo — joins us to break down how governments manage messaging during fast-moving weather emergencies.

What We Cover:

• The Anatomy of a Storm Message
  How decisions get translated into public language — from executive orders to social posts.
• Forecast vs. Certainty
  Communicating probabilities without overpromising accuracy — and what happens when forecasts shift.
• The Politics of Snow Days
  School closures, travel bans, and the public backlash that follows either decision.
• Trust in a Whiteout
  Why tone matters as much as timing — and how credibility is built (or lost) in moments like these.
• Social Media & Misinformation
  Managing rumors, viral misinformation, and unofficial “expert” commentary during a crisis.
• Lessons from the Governor’s Office
  Behind-the-scenes insight from Raia’s time as spokesperson — what works, what doesn’t, and what most people never see.
• What Leaders Should Be Saying Right Now
  As the Blizzard of 2026 unfolds, what does effective communication look like in real time?

Why This Conversation Matters

Weather events are inevitable. Public panic isn’t. In an era of instant reaction and fractured media ecosystems, crisis communication has never been more consequential.

This episode explores the thin line between preparation and alarm — and how leadership is measured not just by action, but by words.

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Broadcast from Providence City Hall, this episode features an extended one-on-one interview with Brett Smiley on the defining issues facing Providence right now.

❄️ Snow Removal & Accountability

The mayor responds to criticism over the recent snow removal challenges, including questions about leadership, communication breakdowns, and the role of the David Morales operational plan. What went wrong? Who is accountable? And what changes are being implemented to prevent a repeat?

🏛️ Immigration & ICE

With heightened federal immigration enforcement actions making headlines, we ask about the city’s posture toward U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. How is Providence balancing public safety, immigrant protections, and state-federal dynamics?

📉 Economic Development After Plant City

The closure of Plant City raised broader concerns about downtown recovery and small business sustainability. The mayor outlines his administration’s economic development strategy and how Providence plans to adapt in a shifting post-pandemic economy.

🗳️ Democratic Primary Realities

With a potential primary challenge from David Morales, we discuss the political landscape. How does Mayor Smiley define his lane within the Democratic Party? What contrasts does he draw? And how is he preparing for what could become a competitive race?

A substantive conversation on governance, political accountability, and the future direction of Rhode Island’s capital city.

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In this episode:

1. Incident Overview
   — A mass shooting occurred Monday at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena during a high school hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Authorities say it left three people dead — including the suspected gunman — and three others critically injured. Police have described the event as a targeted incident connected to a family dispute.
2. Community Impact
   — We explore the human toll: how the shooting unfolded, reactions from local leaders, families in shock, and the emotional aftermath for a community traumatized at what was supposed to be senior night.
3. Political Commentary with Jim Hummel
   — Joined by Jim Hummel, Founder of The Hummel Report and host of Lively on Ocean State Media, we pivot to politics:
   • What this moment means for Rhode Island’s gubernatorial race.
   • How the two major candidates can address community safety, mental health, and public trust.
   • The narratives and lanes each campaign should stake right now to connect with voters in a season marked by violence and political anxiety.
4. Key Questions for Leadership
   — What should a governor prioritize in a crisis like this — beyond condolences?
   — How do candidates balance policy proposals on safety, gun violence prevention, and mental health support with broader campaign strategy?

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Episode Topic: Trump, Voter Rolls, and Federal Pressure on States
Guest: Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore

The Trump campaign and conservative legal groups are escalating efforts to gain access to state voter rolls and election data, framing the push as “election integrity” while critics warn it could open the door to voter suppression, intimidation, and misuse of personal information.

In this episode, Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore joins the show to explain:

• What the Trump-aligned effort is demanding from states
• Why Rhode Island is refusing to comply
• How voter data can be misused — even when requests are technically legal
• The line between transparency and voter protection
• Why this fight matters even if you trust your local election officials
• What voters should know heading into the 2026 and 2028 election cycles

This conversation pulls back the curtain on how elections are administered, how political pressure is applied behind the scenes, and why state-level officials are now on the front lines of defending democratic norms.

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Providence State Representative David Morales joins Bartholomewtown to discuss his primary challenge against Mayor Brett Smiley. Morales is positioning his campaign as a grassroots, progressive alternative to the current administration — and recently released a detailed snow removal plan following widespread frustration with the city’s response to the last major winter storm.

We talk about what went wrong during the storm, what Morales says City Hall needs to change, and whether a movement-driven campaign can overcome the advantages of an incumbent mayor. Plus, how Morales is thinking about coalition-building, voter turnout, and whether Providence is ready for a Mamdani-style political upset.

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Rhode Island’s political landscape shifted this week when House Speaker Joe Shekarchi announced he will not run for governor — clearing the way for a likely head-to-head Democratic primary between Governor Dan McKee and Helena Foulkes.

In the opening segment, Bill reacts to what Shekarchi’s decision means for the governor’s race, the balance of power inside the Democratic Party, and how the 2026 election is already coming into focus.

Then, Bill sits down with Kim Ahern, Democratic candidate for Rhode Island Attorney General. With more prosecutorial experience than any other candidate in the primary, Ahern discusses how she views the role of the Attorney General, how power should be exercised in the office, and what accountability, public safety, and justice look like in this moment.

With four legitimate candidates in the Democratic primary, the Attorney General’s race is shaping up to be one of the most important — and substantive — contests on the ballot.

Topics Include:

• Joe Shekarchi’s decision not to run for governor
• The emerging McKee vs. Foulkes Democratic primary
• What this moment signals about power inside Rhode Island politics
• Why the Attorney General’s race deserves attention
• Kim Ahern’s prosecutorial background and governing philosophy
• Public safety, reform, and the future of the AG’s office

Guest:
Kim Ahern — Democratic candidate for Rhode Island Attorney General

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Last week, a man died in the cold on the streets of Providence — a tragic reminder of the stakes in Rhode Island’s ongoing unhoused crisis.

On this episode, we’re joined by Harrison Tuttle, a Rhode Island–based organizer and housing justice advocate, to talk about what’s driving homelessness in the state, why existing systems continue to fail people in crisis, and what his organization is doing right now to get people housed.

We discuss the realities of street homelessness, the shortage of shelter and permanent housing, the role of government at the state and municipal level, and why advocates argue that homelessness is not inevitable — but the result of policy choices.

This conversation also examines how the public talks about homelessness, the human cost of inaction, and what meaningful solutions could look like if Rhode Island treated housing as a public good rather than a market commodity.

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Helena Buonanno Foulkes, Democratic candidate for governor of Rhode Island, joins the podcast for an in-person conversation about her renewed run for the state’s top job. Foulkes previously mounted a competitive primary challenge against Governor Dan McKee in 2022, reshaping the Democratic field and signaling voter appetite for change.

In this interview, Foulkes reflects on the lessons of her first campaign, how her approach has evolved, and what she believes Rhode Island residents are demanding from their next governor. We discuss housing affordability, economic competitiveness, trust in government, and whether executive leadership from outside traditional politics can translate into effective governance at the State House.

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In the aftermath of the killing of two American citizens in Minneapolis and amid heightened resistance to federal immigration enforcement actions, many organizations are facing pressure to respond — publicly, internally, or both.

Mike Raia, founder and president of Half Street Group, joins the show to offer guidance on how organizations can navigate moments of crisis and political sensitivity, including:

• When speaking out helps — and when it backfires
• The risks of silence versus poorly timed statements
• How values, stakeholders, and long-term credibility should shape response strategies

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onight at Providence City Hall, members of the City Council will formally introduce a rent stabilization ordinance aimed at limiting annual rent increases in the city.

Supporters argue the proposal is a necessary response to rapidly rising rents, housing insecurity, and displacement in one of the tightest rental markets in the country. Critics warn rent stabilization could discourage new housing construction, reduce investment, and create unintended long-term consequences.

In this episode, we’re joined by Providence City Councilor Sue AnderBois, a leading proponent of the plan, to walk through what’s being proposed, why she believes the policy is needed now, and how the ordinance is designed to balance tenant protections with concerns from landlords and developers.

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Rhode Island House Speaker Joe Shekarchi joins the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on the state’s political moment. Shekarchi reacts to Governor Dan McKee’s proposed budget, outlining where the House is aligned, where concerns remain, and what he sees as the legislature’s priorities in the months ahead. The Speaker also speaks candidly about his own political future, addressing speculation about a potential run for governor in 2026 and how he’s thinking about leadership, timing, and responsibility as one of the state’s most powerful elected officials.

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Bill Bartholomew offers additional analysis of Governor McKee’s State of the State address and is joined by veteran reporter Steve Klamkin to put the speech — and reaction from other political figures — into perspective.

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Bill Bartholomew provides on-location analysis from the Rhode Island State House following Governor McKee's delivery of the 2026 State of the State address.

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Boston Globe columnist and author of RhodeMap Dan McGowan joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss the biggest Rhode Island stories of 2025.

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Mike Raia, Fonder and President, Half Street Group, joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss the best books, shows to binge and the best and worst Rhode Island stories of 2025.

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Brown University shooting updates with facts: IG @billbartholomew

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Ian Donnis (Ocean State Media (NPR/PBS)) and Ted Nesi (WPRI TV) join Bill Bartholomew for a look ahead to 2026, a year that is anticipated to be a very interesting political season in Rhode Island.

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Brashani Reece is the Executive Director of "Drop LWOP" and joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss her work to end extreme prison sentences.

"I am dedicated to restoring hope for individuals serving extreme prison sentences. Through education, community outreach, and advocacy, we aim to bring awareness to the issue of "death by incarceration" (DBI)"

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Retired WPRO reporter Steve Klamkin joins Bill Bartholomew to reflect on his legendary career in radio and photography, the state of the journalism industry and the biggest stories of 2025.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes GOP RI gubernatorial candidate Aaron Guckian.

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Bill Bartholomew reflects on recent hazing incidents in Rhode Island high school sports.

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Citizen's Keith Kelly and Garden City Center's Joe Koechel join Bill Bartholomew to discuss 2026 holiday programming including the Citizens Holiday Village – An artistic installation designed by world-renowned card stacker and Guinness World Record-holder Bryan Berg, featuring a nostalgic miniature town made entirely of Citizens credit cards!

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Providence Council President Rachel Miller joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss the impact of Providence's noise ordinance on venues that host live and ambient music.

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Bill Bartholomew podcasts live from an outdoor igloo at acclaimed Narragansett restaurant The Coast Guard House with Bob Leonard (Co-Owner, Manager) and Elisa Wybraniec (Wine Director)

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Tim Draper, Senior Vice President, Navigant Credit Union Charitable Foundation to discuss their Season of Giving initiative.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore for a conversation on election integrity, Rhode Island's "250" celebrations, his political future, youth sports and much more.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon of the hit podcast "The War on Cars" for a conversation on multimodal transit, building better communities and their upcoming Providence Streets Coalition-sponsored live podcast taping on December 2nd at The Uptown Theatre in Providence.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes acclaimed director Ivy Meeropol for a conversation about her film "Ask E. Jean", which screens at Avon Providence Thursday 11.13, presented by newportFILM.

ASK E. JEAN is the thrilling story of E. Jean Carroll’s life, from her early days as Miss Cheerleader USA to her rise as a trailblazing journalist, author, and beloved advice columnist. Carroll broke barriers as the first female editor at Esquire, Playboy, and Outside, helping to redefine women’s roles in media with her sharp wit and fearless voice. In recent years, she reignited public discourse by standing up to power, becoming the only woman to beat Donald Trump twice in court, and sparking a national conversation about truth, accountability, and resilience. This film is a portrait of an indomitable woman who proved it’s never too late to reclaim your voice, rewrite your story, and change the world.

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Bill Bartholomew reacts to a big week for Democrats and how those wins may inform Rhode Island's upcoming elections.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Dr. John Kiang for a discussion on Rhode Island Mission of Mercy.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes URI's Dr. Brennan Phillips.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes director Kim A. Synder of the film The Librarians which screens Thursday Oct 30th at newportFILM

The Librarians is a 2025 American documentary film, directed and produced by Kim A. Snyder. It follows librarians in Texas, Florida, and other states, as they unite to combat book banning in the United States. Sarah Jessica Parker serves as an executive producer under her Pretty Matches Productions banner.[3]

The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2025, and was released on October 3, 2025, by 8 Above.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Half Street Group founder and president Mike Raia for their monthly series Inside Communications.

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha at his office.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Navigant Credit Union's Damian Costantino
Vice President, Cybersecurity, for a discussion on digital hygiene best practices and how Navigant is a leader in the cybersecurity space.

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Bill Bartholomew breaks down the latest poor polling numbers for Governor Dan McKee and offers thoughts on how this impacts both the McKee political operation and real-time state governance.

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Keith Hoffmann is a former Chief of Policy to Rhode Island Attorney General Pete Neronha and is running for Attorney General of Rhode Island. He joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss his candidacy.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes engineer Casey Jones for a discussion on the Washington Bridge debacle, a major piece of infrastructure that was abruptly closed in 2023 after a critical failure in the bridge's superstructure was detected.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Dave Hanna Jerry Ventre and of The Moran-Ventre Charitable Foundation, which was established in 1986 by Gerald P. Ventre and the late John E. Moran Sr. Its mission has been focused on enhancing quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Recently, the foundation announced it is closing operations, and plans to transfer its remaining funds to the Rhode Island Foundation (a broader philanthropic foundation).

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• Free screening Weds Oct 8th at RISD, 6:30pm*

Bill Bartholomew welcomes Ruth Leitman, Director "No One Asked You"

Comedian Lizz Winstead and her team of activists crisscross the U.S. to break stigma and support abortion clinic staff.

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Bill Bartholomew reports from Bryant University's Global Trade Summit and sits down with former 7/11 and Blockbuster CEO Jim Keyes.

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Dr. Amy Nunn (Rhode Island Public Health Institute / Open Door Health) joins Bill Bartholomew to react to the Trump administration's claims that Tylenol use during pregnancy can be linked to autism in children.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Island League of Charter Public Schools Executive Director Chiara Deltito-Sharrott and Stop The Wait founder Janie Segui Rodriguez for a wide-ranging conversation.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes state representative David Morales, who last week announced his campaign to primary incumbent Democrat mayor Brett Smiley.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes musician and former Providence director of Arts Culture and Tourism for a discussion on "From Here to Where", premiering at Wilbury Theater Group September 18th.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Islander Ted Dintersmith to discuss his efforts on reimagining education:

"Through his books, films, and nonprofit What School Could Be, Ted highlights innovative education models while calling out the shortcomings of the status quo. Multiple Choice spotlights a school offering dual-curriculum of traditional academia and career and tech to prepare students for an AI-driven world to give them the confidence that no matter the future of technology."

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Boston Globe columnist Dan McGowan joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss the Providence mayoral race. Earlier this week, state representative David Morales, a leftist Democrat, announced his campaign to primary moderate Democrat incumbent Brett Smiley.

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Bill Bartholomew breaks down the latest RI gubernatorial race polling data.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Connor Burbridge who is challenging Senator Jack Reed in a Democrat primary.

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Bill Bartholomew reacts to the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Mike Raia, founder and President of Half Street Group, for a conversation on why leaders need to remember that PR is an extension of their brand.

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Cranston Police Chief Michael J. Winquist joins Bill Bartholomew to offer his position on the saga involving the police department's firing range, which is proximate to two schools and has drawn concern from community members.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Dan Kelly and Lazaro Camacho, Jr, coordinators of the URI Honors Colloquium "Education Behind the Curtains".

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Cranston residents Patricia Schoeninger and Martha DiMeo join Bill Bartholomew to discuss a controversial police gun range that is proximate to schools and residents. DiMeo describes it as living in a "war zone".

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Bill Bartholomew offers analysis of the Trump administration's "stop work order" for the Revolution Wind offshore wind farm, a project adjacent to Rhode Island waters that is some 80% complete and is propelled by a Rhode Island workforce.

He welcomes Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and, separately, Congressman Gabe Amo for their takes.

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Coventry town solicitor Stephen Angell joins Bill Bartholomew to offer the town's perspective on the ongoing legal battle surrounding Johnson's Pond, a body of water that has been a source of frustration, litigious action and a case study in the privatization of waterways.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Jason Kelly, executive director, John H. Chafee Center for International at Business at Bryant University for a discussion on the upcoming Global Trade Summit, set to take place September 25-26.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Robert Stone, director of Starman, which screens at newportFILM this Thursday Aug 21.

ABOUT THE FILM: Are we alone in the universe? For over half a century, legendary NASA engineer and best-selling science fiction author, Gentry Lee, has explored every aspect of this question in the realms of space science, robotic exploration and the human imagination. At age 82, he has come to a revelatory conclusion.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Dr. Jason Iannuccilli, Founder &CEO of PowerLeaf.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Tony Benna, Director of "Andre is an Idiot", which screens at newportFILM Thurs Aug. 14, at 8:10 p.m. on O'Hare Lawn at Salve Regina.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Kim Anderson, owner of plant-based food hall and market Plant City.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Navigant Credit Union President and CEO Kathleen Orovitz for a discussion on the institution's new partnership with Bryant University.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Providence School Board President Ty'Relle Stephens and elected member Corey Jones.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes John Campopiano and Jim Beller to discuss the forthcoming Jaws documentary "The Farmer and The Shark"

John Campopiano is an award winning New England documentary filmmaker, archivist, writer, and producer. For the last decade he has worked as the Archives & Rights Manager for the Emmy & Academy Award- winning PBS documentary film series FRONTLINE and has written and produced independent documentaries including Unearthed & Untold: The Path to Pet Sematary (2017); Snapper: The Man-Eating Turtle Movie That Never Got Made (2021); Pennywise: The Story of IT (2022) which premiered at the Sitges Film Festival in Spain and won FANGORIA’s Chainsaw Award for Best Documentary in 2023; Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story (2023); and the upcoming Sasqua: The Lost Bigfoot Film of Massachusetts.

Jim Beller is a leading authority on the history of the blockbuster film Jaws. He owns the largest memorabilia collection of the film’s merchandise in the US which was featured at the Sitges Film Festival in Spain in 2005. Jim has consulted for many films and television productions including The Shark is Still Working (Independent), Animal Icons (Animal Planet), JAWS: The Inside Story (Bravo), Shark Week (Discovery Channel), Fanatics: JAWS World’s Largest Memorabilia Collection (Reelz Channel), and JAWS @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story (Amblin Entertainment). He is also the co-creator of the book, JAWS: Memories from Martha’s Vineyard with author Matt Taylor.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes congressman Seth Magaziner for a discussion on major global, national and local issues.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Dara Benno, an artist and Providence-based designer focused on addressing critical challenges, including environmental issues; she is also a Strategic Design + Research Fellow at RISD. Her design practice is centered around social impact and climate action. Her work focuses on how creative practice can influence change and how as a society, we can exercise imagination to work toward creating a better future. She moved from attending her local farmers market weekly to joining this program at URI and even planned a zero waste trivia night for the program. She says this experience was a kickstarter for her.

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Bill Bartholomew speaks with Maren Morris at Newport Folk 2025.

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Bill Bartholomew offers his take on some artists to catch at this weekend's Newport Folk Festival.

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Providence Streets Coalition's Dylan Giles joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss the upcoming Transit-Oriented Beach Day and general Rhode Island transit developments.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Josh Short, Artistic Director of FRINGEPVD and The Wilbury Theatre Group for a discussion about Providence Fringe Fest.

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Bill Bartholomew breaks down this week's polling data from Salve Regina University's Pell Center.

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Bill Bartholomew breaks down several major Rhode Island stories, including this past week's storm that left thousands without power - and the ensuing communications failure by RI Energy, Governor McKee shifting his tone on President Trump, McKee running alongside Lt. Governor Sabina Matos in 2026 and the LEOBOR decision that will allow Providence Police sergeant Joseph Hanley to return to the force in spite of being captured on camera beating a man that was handcuffed.

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Bill Bartholomew speaks with Matthew Gunnip, President, SEIU Local 580, and Alex Blue, a frontline worker for RI's Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals Developmental Disabilities Division, whose workers say a workload crisis is having a negative impact on patients.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Annette Tonti, managing director of RIHub for a discussion on her organization's efforts to boost Rhode Island's startup ecosystem

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Bill Bartholomew was in the room for a roundtable discussion with Governor Dan McKee on why he is not signing the budget that was just passed by General Assembly.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Island Department of Health Director Dr. Jerome Larkin for a discussion on a new suicide prevention initiative.

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Directed by award-winning filmmaker Cody Sheehy and produced by acclaimed Mark Monroe, The Last Dive is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant documentary that invites viewers to reflect on our connection to the natural world—and the wild, mysterious creatures that help us find our place in it.

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Bill Bartholomew breaks down some of the major local and global stories from over the weekend.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Lenny Cioe, a candidate in the senate district 4 special election Democrat primary.

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Dr. Brian Erkkila, a former FDA official and an expert in tobacco harm reduction joins Bill Bartholomew for a discussion on a proposed tax increase on smoking alternative products like Zyn.

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Bill Bartholomew reports on the No Kings Day protests happening throughout Rhode Island.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes David Owoyemi an entrepreneur who went through New Majority Capital in Providence and is now working to build up business empire here in New England as an immigrant from Nigeria.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes state representative David Morales for a discussion on Monday's Anti-ICE protest in Providence and the ongoing Trump administration immigration-related actions.

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A monthly series focused on financial well-being as a core component of overall health. Learn more at navigantcu.org

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UpriseRI's Greg Brailsford joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss BillBuddy, an initiative that provides detailed information on every piece of legislation that is introduced in Rhode Island

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes congressman Gabe Amo for a wide-ranging conversation.

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From the mayor's office, Bill Bartholomew sits down with Providence mayor Brett Smiley.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rep Cherie Cruz and tenant/advocate Lawliet Journey - who was evicted from their home without cause - for a discussion on legislation that would protect tenants from unfair evictions and rent increases.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Providence Journal reporter Antonia Noori Farzan to discuss her in-depth story on the disappearance of the Rhode Island accent.

Antonia Noori Farzan is an American journalist. She was educated in Hamilton College and Columbia University. Farzan was a journalist for Business Insider, The Independent and the Phoenix New Times, and Washington Post. She writes for The Providence Journal. In 2017 Farzan won the George Polk Award with Joseph Flaherty for her article in the Phoenix New Times which revealed "that Motel 6 motels in Phoenix, Arizona, provided nightly guest rosters to ICE".

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RI native Manya Glassman is a director, writer and editor based in New York City. She has directed, written, and edited six films of her own and produced over eleven short films. Manya's films have been screened and gained recognition at Oscar qualifying festivals, such as the Rhode Island International Festival.

She joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss her latest film How I Learned to Die, which will be screening at Tribeca.

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Amidst an ongoing labor dispute, two workers at Butler Hospital join Bill Bartholomew.

• Brooke Huminski, LICSW, Clinician/Social Worker in the Inpatient Assessment Center: Brooke has been at Butler for eight years in Butler's ER. She evaluates patients before they are treated. She is a strike captain.
• Nicole Anthony: Niki is a Registered Nurse with a background in both mental health and ICU nursing She has worked at Butler for 2.5 years and currently works in Riverview 2 which is a brand new unit that opened in 2024. She is also a union delegate and on the negotiating committee.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes state representative June Speakman, state senator Bridget Valverde, Housing Network RI Executive Director Melina Lodge, East Greenwich councilor Rene Engleart and East Greenwich resident Leigh Curtin for a roundtable on how unrestricted HOA increases impact affordable housing, and legislation that seeks to protect residents of these properties.

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Dr. Philip A. Chan, MD, MS is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at Brown University. He has a secondary appointment in the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences at the Brown University School of Public Health. Dr. Chan is Medical Director of the only publicly funded sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic in Rhode Island, as well as Rhode Island’s only dedicated Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Program.

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Bill Bartholomew discusses an article in The Boston Globe in which he states that he is mulling a run for lieutenant governor of Rhode Island, plus, Providence councilor Sue AnderBois stops by Bartholomewtown.

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Steven Feinberg is the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Film & Television Office, and has led the office for the past 20 years. He's known for bringing major productions to Rhode Island and for his work on the film "Pell". He also created a transferrable film tax credit that has attracted many big-budget films to the state.

He joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss the production of "Real Housewives of Rhode Island" and other film and TV projects.

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Representative Megan Cotter joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss her latest legislative efforts to mitigate forest fires in Rhode Island.

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Grow Smart Rhode Island's Jillian Finkle joins Bill Bartholomew.

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With the recent announcement that the Major League Rugby championship game will be played at Pawtucket's Tidewater Stadium and expanding youth participation in rugby, Bill Bartholomew speaks with Jeff Cares, Executive Director of Rugby Rhode Island

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Half Street Group Founder and President Mike Raia joins Bill Bartholomew for a discussion on small business communications strategies, plus, what little league can teach us about comms!

http://www.halfstreetgroup.com

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Rhode Island College recently released a report that includes a plan to cut twenty programs from the school's offerings. Students join Bill Bartholomew to discuss an effort to push back on the proposed cuts.

They are:

Felix Fonseca Garcia, World Languages Education - Portuguese major

Hak Kay, Gender Studies major

Danielle Hurowitz, Gender Studies major

Roman Kavanagh, English Major

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Navigant Credit Union's VP of Cash Management Brian Pereira joins Bill Bartholomew for April's episode of Financial Well Being.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Eco RI News reporter Colleen Cronin for a discussion on "Stumpgate", a saga in which a contractor for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation inadvertently removed a significant amount of trees from a highway onramp. How did this miscommunication happen and what are the environmental consequences?

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Breaking news: following a lengthy illness, Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio has died. The Boston Globe's Ed Fitzpatrick join Bill Bartholomew to discuss Ruggerio's legacy and what comes next on the governmental side.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Westerly's United Theatre Executive Director Carly Callahan and Artistic Director Tony Nunes for a discussion on the Nashville North initiative and how the theatre is shaping the greater-Westerly community cultural and economic footprint.

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The recent announcement that Anchor Medical Associates will be closing its practice this summer has exacerbated an already strained health care system in Rhode Island. Bill Bartholomew speaks with Blackstone Valley Community Health Care CEO and family physician Dr. Christy Pacheco and COO Mark Glovasky for insights on the extent of the issue.

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Boston Globe Rhode Island columnist Dan McGowan joins Bill Bartholomew for a discussion on the latest efforts by Providence mayor Brett Smiley to for the city to regain control of the Providence Public School District. The district was taken over by the State of Rhode Island in 2019.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes New England Music Organization and North End Entertainment's Rand Bradbury for a discussion on his work promoting and producing original music in Newport, RI.

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newportFILM, Rhode Island's premier presenter of the latest, critically-acclaimed documentary films, will be screening: CHECKPOINT ZOO at Newport Classica's Recital Hall on Thursday, April 10th at 7pm. Tickets are available at newportfilm.com

Learn more about the film at www.checkpointzoo.com

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Bill Bartholomew offers insight into how Rhode Island can react to the economic chaos that President Trump's policies are creating.

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Tom Rodrigues, Mobile Crisis Clinician joins Bill Bartholomew for a discussion on the behavioral health crisis that Rhode Island is facing.

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Activist Melissa Jenkins discusses how fire districts, particularly in Bonnet Shores, operate outside of the normal confines of democracy.

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Navigant Credit Union AVP of Financial Education Amanda LaRose joins Bill Bartholomew for a discussion on financial literacy, and ways that http://www.navigantcu.org work to inform and empower the community in the space.

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Patrick Crowley, President AFL-CIO joins Bill Bartholomew for a discussion on how organized labor is reacting the the Musk-Trump agenda.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes The Womxn Project Executive Director Jocelyn Foye for a discussion on anti-trans efforts in the Chariho School District, and the public/district's response.

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Journalist Zane Wolfang joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss the latest on the Trump administration's immigration detentions. Mr. Wolfang recently returned from travel in the middle east where he conducted reporting on the issue's impact.

Read more of Zane's work at http://www.zanewolfang.substack.com

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United States senator Jack Reed join Bill Bartholomew for a wide-ranging conversation.

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newportFILM, Rhode Island's premier presenter of the latest, critically-acclaimed documentary films, will be screening: CHAMPIONS OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY at the Roger Williams Botanical Center on Thursday, March 20th at 7pm. Seating is limited, please RSVP at newportfilm.com

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Coalition for a Multilingual RI Erin Papa and Alicia Pratt along with Representative David Morales, who is sponsoring the Bilingual Dual Language and World Language Teacher Investment Act.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Half Street Group founder and president Mike Raia for Inside Communications. In this month's episode, Raia offers expertise on the now-underway 2026 Rhode Island gubernatorial race, examines the concept of "newsjacking" and discusses how sports are a leading indicator of a trend towards digital-first content distribution.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Laura Jaworski, Executive Director, House of Hope, for a conversation about the state of homelessness in Rhode Island and preparing for the next cold season starting now.

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Chiara Deltito-Sharrott, Executive Director, Rhode Island League of Charter Schools joins Bill Bartholomew for a discussion on how a proposed dissolution of the Department of Education would impact the state.

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Business woman and former Republican Rhode Island gubernatorial candidate Ashley Kalus joins Bill Bartholomew in-studio for a wide-ranging conversation on state and national politics and her own future political ambitions.

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Former Brown University Police Officer Michael Greco shares his experience working for the department, including his concerns that the department functions outside of the parameters of typical police oversight.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes David DeCubellis, Navigant’s Chief Lending Officer for a discussion on first-time homebuyers.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Island Speaker of the House Joe Shekarchi for a conversation on how Rhode Island is positioned in the wake of Trump agenda and his legislative priorities for 2024.

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The Freedom to Read Act would make RI a safe harbor for books, students, librarians, teachers, and book creators. Author Cathy G. Johnson and North Kingstown School Committee member Jennifer Lima join Bill Bartholomew to discuss.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Audubon Executive Director Jeff Hall for a discussion on the organization's efforts to go net-zero by 2030.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes new RI Housing Secretary Deborah J. Goddard for a conversation of addressing the housing crisis.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha for a conversation about his efforts to litigate against the Trump administration on several executive orders.

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Bill Bartholomew responds to the latest turns in Trump 2.0 American politics and asks the question: what does it truly mean to localize action and reaction to the moment?

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Boston Globe Rhode Island columnist Dan McGowan to discuss the latest on the state takeover of Providence schools.

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Bill Bartholomew speaks with Providence mayor Brett Smiley about the economic impact of the city's nightlife and steps to elevate the supersector.

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Bill Bartholomew speaks with Roger Williams University's Dr. Brian Wysor, Interim Dean, School of Social and Natural Sciences, Professor of Biology and Dr. Koty Sharp, Director, Center for Economic & Environmental Development, Associate Professor, Biology, Marine Biology, & Environmental Science about "Blue at RWU", an event showcasing marine research and innovation at RWU.

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Bill Bartholomew with the latest on an ICE operation in Newport, RI.

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Bill Bartholomew reacts to the news that Johnston mayor Joe Polisena, Jr. is asking the town to grant him permission to declare eminent domain on a parcel of land that was slated for an affordable housing complex, instead moving to construct a new municipal on the site. The affordable housing project was the subject of controversial comments made by a member of the town's planning board late last year, when the member suggested that the project would be the "future Chad Brown of Johnston", referring to the Chad Brown neighborhood in Providence that is often belittled as a hub of crime and poverty.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Providence City Councilors Miguel Sanchez and Justin Roias for a conversation about their efforts to open a pop-up shelter for unhoused folks at Providence City Hall.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Half Street Group Founder and President Mike Raia for his monthly segment "Inside Communications" with a focus this month on thought leadership.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Harrison Tuttle, Executive Director of the Black Lives Matter Rhode Island Political Action Committee, for a discussion on major local issues, including the crisis of the unhoused, and refocusing on community in the era of Trump 2.0.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes journalist Steve Ahlquist back to the podcast for a discussion on his work, including his transition to Substack, the Rhode Island crisis of the unhoused and much more.

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Bill Bartholomew reacts to the 2025 Rhode Island State of the State and the "People's State of the State", an event that was held in the hour prior to the governor's address.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse for a conversation on how Democrats can balance serving as oversight to a GOP Washington while also maintaining a productive and constituent-serving role.

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Bill Bartholomew discusses the pop-up homeless shelters at Providence City Hall and The DaVinci Center, which were organized by Councilors Miguel Sanchez and Justin Roias. The centers drew the ire of Providence mayor Brett Smiley, however, given an apparent need for additional shelter space, particularly acute during the current extreme cold, the defiant nature of the shelters represent what Bartholomew calls a "punk rock, DIY approach... something that has historically informed officialdom about reimagining their own approach and practices".

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Rhode Island Atheists Brian Cardoza and John Mertus discuss their legislative priorities for the 2025 legislative session.

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Bill Bartholomew is joined by Providence Journal reporter Antonia Noori Farzan and Boston Globe Rhode Island columnist Dan McGowan for a look back at the biggest Rhode Island stories of 2024

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Congressman Seth Magaziner talks Rhode Island cyberattack, drones, Democrats oversight role during Trump 2.0, Washington Bridge federal funding and more with Bill Bartholomew

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Bill Bartholomew reports on breaking news of a serious cyberattack that impacts "RI Bridges", Rhode Island's social service system.

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Half Street Group Founder and President Mike Raia joins Bill Bartholomew for a conversation on the biggest stories of 2025 in communications and pop culture.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes relatively new CEO of Rhode Island Public Transit Authority Christopher Durand for a conversation on the state's transit system, moving towards multi-modality, innovating transit options, connecting Rhode Island with the rest of the megapolis and changing the perception of what it means to ride the bus in the state.

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Musician Rafay Rashid and Don Worth, PhD join Bill Bartholomew for a discussion on the debut of Wreck Room, a new initiative spearheaded by Rashid that combines recovery, community and music.

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Rhode Island congressman Gabe Amo joins Bill Bartholomew for a discussion on how he is preparing for Trump 2.0

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Rhode Island State Representative Brandon Potter joins Bill Bartholomew to offer his take on the state of the Democratic Party and major issues facing the state.

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The Womxn Project's Executive Director Jocelyn Foye joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss her organization's focus the heels of the second Trump presidency.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes R.J. Heim back to the podcast. The meteorologist, reporter, media personality and the founder of the internet radio station Music Through The Tunnel of Time shares what he has been up to in the past few years.

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Inside Communications Presented by Half Street Group: The Emergence of BlueSky and AI. Bill Bartholomew welcomes Half Street Group Founder and President Mike Raia for an in-depth conversation.

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ACLU of Rhode Island Executive Director Steven Brown joins Bill Bartholomew for a discussion on how first amendment rights may be threatened under the pretense of national security.

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Sojourner House CEO and President Vanessa Volz joins Bill Bartholomew to talk about the organization's work and upcoming Masquerade Ball

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Rhode Island state Representative Enrique Sanchez joins Bill Bartholomew.

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Ian O'neil, guitarist, singer and songwriter from the Providence-based band Deer Tick joins Bill Bartholomew to offer thoughts on the state of the indie music industry. The conversation comes on the heels of multiple Rhode Island venues closing their doors.

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Engineer Casey Jones lays out a series of concerns about the health and longevity of the open, eastbound span of the Washington Bridge.

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Alex Ebert, singer for the band Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, and a thought leader in politics and community organizing, joins Bill Bartholomew to offer his thoughts in the wake of the 2024 presidential election.

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Bill Bartholomew reacts to the results of the 204 presidential and local elections

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Salve Regina University history professor and presidential scholar Dr. Bill Leeman for a conversation that contextualizes this presidential election.

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Dr. Christian Davenport, the Mary Ann and Charles R. Walgreen, Jr., Professor for the Study of Human Understanding, Professor of Political Science at University of Michigan, Professor of Political Science & Public Policy, University of Michigan, Research Professor, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO),Fellow, American Academy of Arts & Sciences (AAAS) joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss his work and recent participation at the University of Rhode Island's Honors Colloquium "Democracy in Peril"

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Financial Well-Being Presented by Navigant Credit Union, featuring Navigant Credit Union FVP Annette Niemczyk. On this episode we discuss a major issue facing the consumer banking sector and most industries: cybersecurity.

http://www.navigantcu.org

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RI Representative Patricia Morgan joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss her run for United States Senate

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with Rhode Island state Representative Megan Cotter to discuss her rematch with Republican Justin Price, her legislative accomplishments and vision.

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A panel discussion moderated by Bill Bartholomew featuring Sidney DeMello, Director of School Support for RI League of Charter Schools; Sarah Galvan, Executive Director, Boys Town New England, and; Laura Scussel, LICSW, Program Manager of Youth and Family Services, Thrive Behavior Health.

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Bill Bartholomew and WPRI Politics and Business Editor and Investigative Reporter Ted Nesi talk Rhode Island and national politics.

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United Way of Rhode Island President and CEO Cortney Nicolato joins Bill Bartholomew to make the case for RI ballot question 3, "Housing Acquisition, Development and Infrastructure Bond".

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Half Street Group Founder and President Mike Raia joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss how the current presidential election cycle has proven the essential nature of blending legacy media and new media - such as podcasts - into a robust and effective communications strategy.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes acclaimed filmmaker and Harvard professor Robb Moss for a conversation about documentary film, his works, his role as an educator and his mentorship role with NewportFILM's Cinematography Lab.

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Friends of Adrian Hall's Will Cornwall joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss his concerns about how a potential expansion of Trinity Rep could impact a downtown skatepark and public space.

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee at the State House.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Island Secretary of State Greg Amore for an in-depth conversation.

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Rhode Island State Council on the Arts Executive Director Todd Trebour and Tomaquag Museum Executive Director Loren Spears make their case for why Rhode Islanders should vote "yes" on question 5 of the upcoming election, which would issue $10 million of bonds to support arts organizations and historic preservation.

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Bill Bartholomew moderates a debate in the race for mayor of Cranston with mayor Ken Hopkins (R) and councilman Robert Ferri (D).

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha for a wide-ranging conversation.

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Journalist Zane Wolfang joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss the latest offshore wind news.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes University of Rhode Island economics professor Ric McIntyre for a discussion on the university's 2024 Honors Colloquium "Democracy in Peril"

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Nelson Mills (Vatn Systems) and Christian Cowan (401 Tech Bridge) for a discussion on the latest 401 Tech Bridge initiative.

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with Providence mayor Brett Smiley at City Hall.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Mike Mattone, SVP, Chief Retail Banking & Experience Officer at Navigant Credit Union for a look at their innovative new overdraft fee schedule and protections program.

Learn more at http://www.navigantcu.org

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Bill Bartholomew reports from the field and offers a recap of some primary races

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Bill Bartholomew reacts to PVDFest 2024.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Jeremy Workman, Director and Producer of "Secret Mall Apartment", a film that chronicles the story of artists who built a secret apartment inside of the Providence Place Mall.

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Bill Bartholomew and Half Street Group Founder/President Mike Raia's monthly conversation about news-of-the-day, media analysis and effective communication.

This month, the pair discuss sustaining a message, something that Vice President Kamala Harris is undoubtably focused on.

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Bill Bartholomew reports on the death of a 7 year old Providence girl who sustained gun wounds last week and discusses the tragedy with BLM RI PAC Executive Director Harrision Tuttle.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes songwriter/musician Phil Madeira for a conversation about his work and upcoming performances.

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Bill Bartholomew moderates a forum featuring candidates for North Smithfield Town Council

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Bill Bartholomew speaks with Rhode Island-based singer/songwriter Franny Keeps

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Sergei Sharenko, a first time candidate for House District 69

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Bill Bartholomew shares a brief audio essay on the end of WCBS 880 newsradio.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Jessica Walsh, Executive Director of the Women's Resource Center.

To get help, anywhere in the state: 1-800-494-8100 or visit www.ricavd.org for a list of all the agencies and resource in the state.

To get help or learn more about the Women’s Resource Center: 401-846-5263 or visit www.wrcnbc.org

To purchase tickets for Courtyard Cocktails: https://wrcnbc.networkforgood.com/events/74297-courtyard-cocktails

To make a donation to the Women’s Resource Center: https://wrcnbc.networkforgood.com/

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Reporter Zane Wolfang is on the ground in Chicago covering the protests at the Democratic National Convention.

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Bill Bartholomew discusses a lawsuit filed by The State of Rhode Island against 13 contractors over the Washington Bridge crisis. Includes excerpts from Bartholomew's interview with Attorney General Peter Neronha that aired on WPRO radio.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Bike Newport's Bari Freeman.

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The Bartholomewtown Debate Series presents: GOP primary for Mayor of Cranston. Moderated by Bill Bartholomew, the thirty minute forum features incumbent mayor Ken Hopkins and State Representative Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes acclaimed Brazilian pianist Amaro Freitas at Newport Jazz Festival

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes acclaimed Chilean singer Claudia Acuña at Newport Jazz Festival

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Bill Bartholomew catches up with Rhode Island's Number One Babe at Newport Folk

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Bill Bartholomew caught up with Newport Festivals Dan Swain at Newport Folk for a conversation about the Festivals Foundation's community-oriented work.

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Bill Bartholomew, guest hosting The Dan Yorke Show on WPRO radio, welcomes The Atlantic's Tom Nichols for his insights into the US-Russia prisoner exchange.

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Bill Bartholomew catches up with Philadelphia alternative/indie band Mo Lowda & The Humble at Newport Folk

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Bill Bartholomew catches up with singer/songwriters Steve Poltz and John Craigie at Newport Folk

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Bill Bartholomew catches up with Juno Award-winning singer/songwriter William Prince at Newport Folk 2024.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Julie F. Kay, an internationally-recognized human rights lawyer, nonprofit executive and author who has focused on woman's autonomy litigation and assisting ultra orthodox Jewish women seeking to exit their religion.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Half Street Group Founder and President Mike Raia for a conversation about transition communications, drawing from the current major news about President Biden deciding to "hand the reigns" to Vice President Harris.

Learn more at http://www.halfstreetgroup.com

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Amie Parnes, Senior Political Correspondent with The Hill for a conversation about her reporting on Democrats' relief that President Biden has dropped out of the 2024 race.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes NewsNation reporter Robert Sherman with the latest reporting on President Joe Biden dropping out of the 2024 race.

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The Hill's Judy Kurtz joins Bill Bartholomew from Milwaukee for a report from The Republican National Convention

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Bill Bartholomew speaks with outgoing Rhode Island Housing Secretary Stefan Pryor.

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In this special report, Bill Bartholomew examines the state of dentistry in Rhode Island.

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Bill Bartholomew speaks with ABC News correspondent Brian Clark about the latest developments in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump

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Bill Bartholomew reports on Providence businesses that have commandeered public parking spaces, plus yesterday's fire at a controversial Providence scrap metal facility and the latest Washington Bridge developments.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Jeff Wolfsberg for a discussion on the innovative and essential Workforce Recovery Program via BHDDH.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Congressman Gabe Amo for an in-studio discussion.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Vanesa Baker, founder of CEASE RI and an employee of Bally's Twin River casino. She is leading a charge to strip Bally's of their exemption from the indoor smoking ban, which she says has led to negative health outcomes for her and her fellow casino employees.

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Bill Bartholomew reacts to the first 2024 Presidential debate while guest hosting The Dan Yorke Show on WPRO radio.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes newportFILM Executive Director Cathleen Carr for a conversation about the organization's 2024 summer programming.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Island Speaker of the House Joe Shekarchi for a wide-ranging conversation.

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Bill Bartholomew moderates a roundtable about the state of education in Rhode Island featuring Bob Walsh, former Executive Director of NEARI and Sarah Anderson, CEO and Superintendent of Blackstone Valley Prep. The discussion features a major voice from both the public and charter school arenas.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes June Rose, who will be voting "uncommitted" at the Democratic National Convention, representing the 14.5% of Rhode Island Democratic primary voters who voted "uncommitted".

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Providence Streets Coalition's Liza Burkin and Providence Councilman John Goncalves for reaction to a compromise hat was reached on the planned removal of the South Water Street bike lane as part of a Washington Bridge "traffic mitigation" effort.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Orsted head of government affairs David Ortiz for an in-depth conversation about major developments in southern New England's offshore wind industry.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Half Street Group Founder and President Mike Raia for another edition of the monthly series Inside Communications.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Lisa Carnevale for a discussion on the Ocean Tech Hub.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes HUD's Peter Asen and Housing Network RI's Melina Lodge for a discussion on Home Ownership Month and a June 15 “HOUSE PARTY” housing resource fair being held in Pawtucket to promote homeownership and other housing resources. HUD is a co host of this along with partners including PCF Development, the Housing Network of RI, the City of Pawtucket and Tides Family Service

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Schuyler Weiss, founder of Light Frame is a Swiss-American Financial Technology company headquartered in the Cambridge Innovation Center in Providence, R.I., USA

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RI Philharmonic Executive Director David Beauchesne joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss an initiative aimed at allocating funds for RI arts institutions in the state budget.

SUPPORT THE CAUSE: http://www.RI4ARTS.ORG

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Boston Globe columnist and author of RhodeMap joins Bill Bartholomew for a conversation on the 5th anniversary of the daily newsletter and the impact that GlobeRI has had on the regional media ecosystem.

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Assistant Attorney General Stephen Provazza joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss antitrust legal action that his office is undertaking against event promoter Live Nation.

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Each week during April and May, Bartholomewtown profiles a Rhode Island historic cemetery and one interesting person that is buried there. "Live Less Ordinary": celebrating Rhode Island Historic Cemetery Months with Deb Suggs and Bill Bartholomew

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Ed Pacheco, President and CEO of Special Olympics Rhode Island, previews this weekend's Summer Games.

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The Wildlife Clinic of RI Executive Director Dr William Morrissette joins Bill Bartholomew for a discussion on the clinic's work rescuing and rehabbing wildlife.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Island band The Z -Boys for an in-studio conversation about their new record "Keep On Rocking In The World", upcoming release show and how the contemporary music landscape.

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Each week during April and May, Bartholomewtown profiles a Rhode Island historic cemetery and one interesting person that is buried there. "Live Less Ordinary": celebrating Rhode Island Historic Cemetery Months with Deb Suggs and Bill Bartholomew

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Brown University political science professor Wendy Schiller joins Bill Bartholomew for a discussion on the 2024 Presidential election.

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Former gubernatorial candidate, data analyst and entrepreneur Ken Block has been examining some of the Washington Bridge-related documents that were released to media and other sources. His conclusion: the state knew that the doomed bridge was in jeopardy as early as 2012 and did little to nothing about it. Now, Block is raising funds to install billboards along i195 with messages like "They Knew In 2012" with a picture of a traffic jam.

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Each week during April and May, Bartholomewtown profiles a Rhode Island historic cemetery and one interesting person that is buried there. "Live Less Ordinary": celebrating Rhode Island Historic Cemetery Months with Deb Suggs and Bill Bartholomew

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Rhode Island-based journalist Zane Wolfang, reporting from Jordan, offers his latest insight into the wide Israel-Gaza issue.

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Advocates for Better Care in Rhode Island Director Kathleen Gerard discusses why her organization is advocating for the option for patients to have security cameras in their rooms. "The Long-term Care Resident Rights Camera Bill (S2263 Euer/H7969 Knight), giving residents of long-term care facilities the right to have a security camera in their room if they choose"

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"Lina Altaan Al Hariri is a triple major at URI graduating this spring (gender and women’s studies / global language and area studies - Arabic / political science).

She did her senior project on the resettlement of Syrian refugees here in Rhode Island, a story of resilience and progress. She is one herself."

Lina joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss her work.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Jaelynn Accola, a graduating student of Johnson and Wales University's Cannabis Entrepreneur program along with Dr. Magnus Thorsson, who helped launch the program. Ms. Accola has developed a health and wellness-oriented cannabis infused protein bar, drawing on her experience as a student-athlete and market demands and gaps.

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Each week during April and May, Bartholomewtown profiles a Rhode Island historic cemetery and one interesting person that is buried there. "Live Less Ordinary": celebrating Rhode Island Historic Cemetery Months with Deb Suggs and Bill Bartholomew

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Island Lt Governor Sabina Matos back to the show for a discussion on the fallout from last year's nomination signature saga that derailed her congressional campaign, her current major initiatives and her take on geopolitical affairs.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes RIPTA Interim CEO Chris Durand and Next Wave's Chris Marsella for a conversation about public input and the latest developments on the proposed Providence Transit Hub.

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Bill Bartholomew discusses some of the big issues of the day, including Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo's visit to Newport for the groundbreaking of a new NOAA facility, RISD students join the worldwide campus protests and the cost of Washington Bridge project balloons to nearly half a billion dollars.

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Each week during April and May, Bartholomewtown profiles a Rhode Island historic cemetery and one interesting person that is buried there. "Live Less Ordinary": celebrating Rhode Island Historic Cemetery Months with Deb Suggs and Bill Bartholomew

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WCBS 880 Anchor Steve Scott reacts to the performance of Columbia student-journalists during last night's protests in New York

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After an agreement between Brown and demonstrators, The Brown Daily Herald's Editor-in-Chief and President Neil Mehta joins the show to offer an assessment of how the agreement was struck and what it means going forward.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes journalist Katie Smith, who covered the Columbia-NYC protests and ensuing NYPD response

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Ahead of a 5pm deadline issued by Brown University for protestors to disband, Bill Bartholomew spoke with Brown University Solidarity Encampment Spokesperson Rafi Ash on Monday at 1pm

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Sy Bedrick, Gigi Hill and Aileen Feliz of Youth Pride, Inc, a Providence-based service provider to LGBTQAI+ youth, who allege retaliation from management after they unionized.

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Each week during April and May, Bartholomewtown profiles a Rhode Island historic cemetery and one interesting person that is buried there. "Live Less Ordinary": celebrating Rhode Island Historic Cemetery Months with Deb Suggs and Bill Bartholomew

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Bill Bartholomew spoke with Arman Deendar and Rafi Ash on the main lawn of Brown University, where the two are part of an encampment protest calling for the university to divest from firms that deal with Israel and to drop charges against students that were arrested during earlier protests.

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Providence Journal reporter Patrick Anderson joins Bill Bartholomew to break down his deep-dive report on The Washington Bridge.

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Bill Bartholomew reacts to 60 Minutes' profile of Commerce Secretary and former Governor Gina Raimondo.

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Each week during April and May, Bartholomewtown profiles a Rhode Island historic cemetery and one interesting person that is buried there. "Live Less Ordinary": celebrating Rhode Island Historic Cemetery Months with Deb Suggs and Bill Bartholomew

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Parent Support Network of RI's Lisa Conlan and Lamel Moore (also of RI Fatherhood Initiative) join Bill Bartholomew.

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North Kingstown High School student and political contributor Ryan Lukowicz recently spearheaded a senior project project that resulted in successful legislation that would, in essence, allow students to enroll in Adaptive Physical Education classes. Mr. Lukowicz is blind, and noted an opportunity to integrate more students into specialized physical education classes.

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Bill Bartholomew offers reaction to last week's fire and court action involving a Providence scrap metal facility and the realities of environmental racism, plus, his reaction to the film Newport: In This Together.

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Each week during April and May, Bartholomewtown profiles a Rhode Island historic cemetery and one interesting person that is buried there. "Live Less Ordinary": celebrating Rhode Island Historic Cemetery Months with Deb Suggs and Bill Bartholomew

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Bill Bartholomew speaks with award-winning filmmaker Susan Sipprelle about her new documentary "Newport: In This Together", which chronicles the city's experience during the pandemic and 2020 social movement.

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Bill Bartholomew offers some news and notes on Rhode Island politics.

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Bill Bartholomew reacts to the news that the South Water Street Bike Lane is being removed as part of traffic mitigation efforts related to the Washington Bridge fiasco.

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Angelos Civita Farnese owner Jamie Anignano joins Bill Bartholomew to talk about the Federal Hill restaurant's 100th anniversary.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rich Gaccione, proprietor of Born From Pain, a forthcoming vegan deli in Providence. The two discuss the project and choosing a vegan lifestyle.

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In the wake of the Baltimore bridge catastrophe, the communications fiasco surrounding Princess Kate Middleton, Half Street Group's Mike Raia and Strategic Communications Consultant Marie Aberger join Bill Bartholomew to assess the respective responses, plus, a discussion on how to tell clients hard truths.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Melissa Bouchard, Co-Founder and CEO of Fusion3 Consulting for a discussion building a business in Rhode Island

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Bill Bartholomew catches up with Rhode Island Representative Terri Cortvriend for a discussion on new shoreline access legislation.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Roger Williams University Provost Margaret Everett and alumna Heather Boujoulian for a discussion on the university's real estate masters, certificate and undergrad programs and upcoming symposium.

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Congressman Seth Magaziner joins Bill Bartholomew for a discussion on "ProtectingOur Democracy", plus his thoughts on the Washington Bridge saga and legislation his is sponsoring to ensure aid time off for American workers.

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With a major bond initiative, a package of new housing legislation and an ongoing housing crisis, Bill Bartholomew welcomes Housing Secretary Stefan Pryor for a robust conversation.

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Lauren Parmelee, Audubon Senior Director of Education joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss spring birding season and programs to enjoy.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was in town for a tour of the Washington Bridge. Hear Bill Bartholomew's reaction and questions he asked the Secretary.

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Stephen Ormerod, Navigant Credit Union's Senior Vice President / Director of Security joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss a new initiative aimed at combating financial exploitation perpetrated against seniors.

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Rhode Island Commissioner of Post-Secondary Education Shannon Gilkey joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss the Rhode Island Reconnect initiative.

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Rhode Island Speaker of the House Joe Shekarchi joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss a trove of new housing legislation that he is supporting.

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Rhode Islander Ken Block, who twice ran for Governor and is a data specialist, was hired by the Trump campaign to prove instances of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election. However, though Block found some instances of voter improprieties and offers insight into how state's can improve their voter rolls, he found no allegations of widespread fraud to be true, and that Trump did in fact lose the 2020 presidential election.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Harrison Tuttle, Executive Director of the Black Lives Matter Rhode Island Political Action Committee for a discussion on Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights reform.

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Bill Bartholomew reacts to RIDOT Director Peter Alviti's remarks on WPRO this morning discussing "a rebuild" of The Washington Bridge

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URI graduate Michael Camal works for The Department of Homeland Security, and is raising awareness about human trafficking.

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Bill Bartholomew reacts to a Bartholomewtown poll asking what are the biggest Rhode Island stories of the moment? Plus, Bill reacts to the whales washing ashore in RI waters and a push to implement parking regulations on the Narragansett seawall.

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1 of 52 Hunger Network's Steve Maciel joins Bill Bartholomew for a discussion on food insecurity in Rhode Island and his organization's efforts to make Rhode Island a food secure state.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Annette Maggiacomo, who was recently elevated to President of Rhode Island-based integrated marketing communications agency, for a wide-ranging conversation on PR, being a major player in politics and business and operating a major firm in The Ocean State.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes restaurant entrepreneur Scott Kirmil and Chef Joey Piotti for a discussion about their new Newport-based venture The Quencher.

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Half Street Group Founder/President Mike Raia joins Bill Bartholomew to offer insight and analysis on the recently-rolled out "All That" tourism campaign, The Washington Bridge response moving forward, and how to target different types of audiences.

http://www.halfstreetgroup.com

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Ian Saxine and Daria Brashear of Providence Urbanist Network for a discussion on housing, transit and intersection thereof in the City of Providence.
https://providenceurbanist.net

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Congressman Gabe Amo joins Bill Bartholomew for a discussion on key issues.

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The staff of New Bedford-Providence station TV WLNE ABC6 have recently decided to move forward with an effort to unionize. ABC6's Gino de Angelis, Kelly Bates, Kyle Dacey and NABET-CWA National Organizing Coordinator Bera Dunau join Bill Bartholomew to discuss.

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After a 14 year battle to build a new library in Narragansett, RI, the town council now faces the challenge of determining the name of the new facility. It's a story of municipal government proxy wars and small town drama with practical implications.

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Providence, RI-based journalist/author Philip Eil discusses his upcoming, debut book Prescription for Pain: How A Once Promising Doctor Became the “Pill Mill Killer", plus his journey as a creator, Rhode Island news and The Washington Bridge.

https://www.philipeil.com

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Child and Family CEO Martin Sinnott and client AJ James join Bill Bartholomew for a discussion on how Child and Family provides a holistic, stabilizing space for families, foster children and young adults.

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URI Assistant Professor Melva Treviño is a human geographer who has studied the impact of coastal access for marginalized communities in Rhode Island.

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Bill Bartholomew reacts to yesterday's Joint Legislative Oversight Committee hearing about the Washing Bridge saga.

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Rhode Island state senator Sam Bell joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss the state's budget, Washington Bridge saga and beyond.

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Lisa Dandeneau, Navigant Credit Union's Senior Vice President/Chief Administration & Strategy Officer, joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss recent success stories that Navigant has enjoyed.

Financial Well-Being on Bartholomewtown is presented by Navigant Credit Union. Visit navigantcu.org to learn more

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Bill Bartholomew reacts to the latest developments on The Washington Bridge saga.

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Alliance for Nonprofit Impact Nancy Wolanski and United Way of Rhode Island President and CEO Cortney Nicolato join Bill Bartholomew to discuss the Alliance's mission and the state of nonprofits in 2024.

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Structural Inspector Rob Cote joins the Bill Bartholomew to offer insight in the Washington Bridge crisis.

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Rhode Island Atheists Brian Cardoza and John Mertus return to the show to discuss their priorities for 2024.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Island State Senator Tiara Mack for a consveraation about the proposed budget and her priorities for 2024.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes CCA Health Rhode Island spokesperson Kevin McKay Vice President of Market Partnership Strategy for a discussion on the firm's growth in th Ocean State.

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Bill Bartholomew reacts to the federal government's announcement that they are looking into the Washington Bridge saga.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes legendary WCBS news radio host Wayne Cabot for a conversation about the future of audio journalism, working in the world's number 1 market, his career and much more.

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee at his State House office.

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with Providence mayor Brett Smiley at his City Hall office.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes DEM spokesperson Mike Healey for a discussion on new efforts to mitigate forest fires in one large swath of Rhode Island's forest. After last year's Exeter wildfire, are these efforts sufficient to meet the moment?

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Bill Bartholomew reacts to Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee's State of the State address.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Cliff Alston, Program Manager at Living Innovations for a discussion on adult shared living, the success stories associated with it and how it can be uplifted.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Half Street Group Founder and President Mike Raia for a discussion on writing a State of the State speech (Governor McKee is set to deliver his on Tuesday January 16th) as well as how social impact and corporate groups should approach legislative communications.

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Bill Bartholomew spoke with educator Jeff Johnson at a green jobs career fair that he organized.

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Rhode Island Congressman Seth Magaziner joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss his priorities for 2024, a green jobs initiative and his role in the attempted impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

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Mark Reynolds, President of Richmond Community Alliance, joins the show to discuss a variety of stories that have been ongoing in Richmond, Rhode Island, a region of the state that is dramatically underserved by local news.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes The Hill's Alexander Bolton, who published an article this week that reports some Democratic lawmakers are concerned about President Biden debating former President Trump in this year's election cycle.

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Bill Bartholomew speaks with Navigant Credit Union Senior Vice President and Chief Retail Banking & Experience Officer Mike Mattone about the future of physical, brick-and-mortar banking locations.

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Bill Bartholomew speaks with CCA Health's Clinical Director Smita Mazumdar about the impact of seasonal mental health.

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Dan McGowan (The Boston Globe), Jim Hummel (The Hummel Report, RI PBS) and Bill Bartholomew (Bartholomewtown, WPRO) break down what they believe are the biggest Rhode Island stories of 2023.

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Bill Bartholomew caught up with Scott Begin of the Rhode Island-based band Badfish, best known as the premier tribute to the band Sublime, who are set to release new original music.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Half Street Group Founder and President Mike Raia for a conversation about which RI organization or person could benefit from a 2023 communications "do over", his reflections as a small business owner and communications expert, and what organizational leaders should consider about strategic communications as they plan for 2024.

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Bill Bartholomew reacts to the news that 195 West at the Washington Bridge will be closed after a "critical failure of some bridge components" was discovered today.

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Bill Bartholomew reacts to the instinctual response of RI Turning Point to white supremacist stickers appearing in Cranston.

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Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha joins Bill Bartholoemw to discuss a wide array of topics, including his posts on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, which in one case, has drawn the ire of a judge, healthcare systems, expanding public awareness about the attorneys in his office, climate goals, shoreline access and beyond.

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Rhode Island Democratic Socialists of America's Kinverly Dicupe and Dan Crowell join Bill Bartholomew to offer their thoughts on why candidates beyond the two-party system ought to be strengthened.

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Senator Meghan Kallman and Providence Streets Coalition's Liza Burkin join Bill Bartholomew to discuss a coalition of community organizations and legislators who are organizing to urge Governor Dan McKee to fully fund RIPTA in the forthcoming budget.

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Greg Werkheiser, lead counsel with Cultural Heritage Partners, who are representing the Newport Preservation Society, joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss why the organization, best known as the stewards of the Newport Mansions, are concerned about and are filing suit against a wind farm that is being developed in waters off of Rhode Island.

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Coastal access activist and Bartholomewtown regular Conrad Ferla joins Bill Bartholomew for a discussion on what progress was seen in Rhode Island shoreline access during 2023 and what to watch for in 2024.

Shoreline Access: Progress in 2023 and What to Watch For in 2024

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Navigant Credit Union Senior Vice President of Public Relations and Community Engagement Tim Draper for a conversation on philanthropy, an area with a lot of nuance for individuals and organizations.

Financial Well-Being is presented by Navigant Credit Union. Learn more at navigantcu.org

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Dr. Elizabeth Benz, the head of Samuels Sinclair at Rhode Island Hospital – and Michelle Muscatello, Vice President of Communications and External Affair for Delta Dental to discuss a new oral surgery partnership Delta Dental and the Samuels Sinclair Dental Center at Rhode Island Hospital.

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Half Street Group founder Mike Raia joins Bill Bartholomew for an inside look at media and strategic communications. This month, the two break down the impact of the recently announced merger between Rhode Island PBS and The Public's Radio, tayloring messaging, why the NBA missed an opportunity with their in-season tournament and more.

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On this special report, journalist Bill Bartholomew explores some of the key issues that are contributing to Rhode Island's housing crisis.

Part 4: Ideas and Solutions

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On this special report, journalist Bill Bartholomew explores some of the key issues that are contributing to Rhode Island's housing crisis.

Part 3: The Unhoused.

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On this special report, journalist Bill Bartholomew explores some of the key issues that are contributing to Rhode Island's housing crisis.

Part 2: Short Term Rentals

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On this special report, journalist Bill Bartholomew explores some of the key issues that are contributing to Rhode Island's housing crisis.

Part 1: Housing stock and zoning.

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Bill Bartholomew catches up with Tom Giordano, Executive Director of The Partnership for Rhode Island. They discuss a number of key issues that the state is facing and initiatives that The Partnership is engaged with.

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Bill Bartholomew reacts to Democrat Gabe Amo's decisive victory over Republican Gerry Leonard in the Rhode Island congressional district 1 special election.

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Ana María Peredo is a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair and Full Professor of Social and Inclusive Entrepreneurship at the Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa. Ana María currently focuses on three inter-connected areas: (1) Alternative Organizations and Solidarity Economies: community-based entrepreneurship, co-operatives, community-based economies/ co-operative economies, common-property social enterprises, social justice, local currencies, small businesses networks; (2) Indigenous Economies and Decolonization: Indigenous Entrepreneurship, Indigenous social Innovation, critical entrepreneurship, impacts of development/business projects, Indigenous movements and ontologies; (3) Alternative Futures: Social movements, De-Growth-Post-Growth Movements. She welcomes opportunities to work with accomplished graduate students who have a specific focus in these areas. She joined Bill Bartholomew for a discussion ahead of her talk as part of the University of Rhode Island's Honors Colloquium ‘Not Business As Usual: Business for the Common Good’

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes back Gabe Amo, Democratic candidate in the Rhode Island congressional district 1 special election.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes CCA Health Regional VP for Sales Joe Zaza for a discussion on Medicare 101. Inside Public Health is presented by CCA Health Rhode Island.

CCA Health Rhode Island contracts with Medicare and with Rhode Island Medicaid. Enrollment requires a renewal of these contracts.
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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Travis Escobar, the last remaining Providence School Board member to vote against th state's takeover of Providence Schools in the wake of a shocking 2019 report by Johns Hopkins that detailed the dire situation in the district. Now, with test scores and overall morale

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Bill Bartholomew speaks with Nick, a member of Rhode Island DSA, about the Israel-Gaza catastrophe.

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Part one of a new monthly series focusing on the ins and outs of communications strategy, news analysis and beyond. Featuring veteran comms professional Mike Raia, founder of Half Street Group.

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Preferring to remain anonymous, Sam, a member of Brooklyn's Hasidic community joins the podcast to share his personal perspective on the Israel-Gaza catastrophe.

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NewsNation reporter Robert Sherman joins the show from Tel Aviv, where he is on-the-ground covering the Israel-Gaza crisis.

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Dr. Joy Ellison, professor at The University of Rhode Island, joins Bill Bartholomew for a discussion on their work on transgender movements in research and classrooms.

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Republican Gerry Leonard is running against Democrat Gabe Amo in the congressional district 1 election.

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Bill Bartholomew reports on yesterday's rededication ceremony of the Columbus statue in Johnston, RI. The statue stood in Providence for over a century, but after multiple vandalism incidents, and with mounting public pressure, then-Providence mayor Elorza ordered it removed in 2020. Businessman Joe Paolino purchased the statue and donated it to the city of Johnston. Meanwhile, in a personal saga that has been ongoing for the past year, Johnston mayor Joe Polisena, Jr. claimed on talk radio that Governor McKee had encouraged protesters to show up at the rededication ceremony, something the governor denies and the mayor was unable to supply further details on when pressed by me.

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Rebecca Karb, MD, PhD, Co-Director, Comprehensive Stroke Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Attending Physician, Emergency Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital and House of Hope's Director of Outreach Sara Melucci join the show to discuss Lifespan's Street Outreach Program which seeks to provide direct care to vulnerable Rhode Islanders.

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Navigant Credit Union Vice President of Community Engagement Randy Sacilotto joins Bill Bartholomew for a discussion on the realities around credit scores, how to effectively build credit and steps to take for those who have less-than-desirable credit. Financial Well-Being is a monthly series presented by Navigant Credit Union.

Learn more at NavigantCU.org

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Bill Bartholomew discusses the political reality that Gabe Amo's campaign factored to decide that he would only participate in one general election debate with his opponent, Republican Gerry Leonard.

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Ahead of October, which is Banned Books Month, The ACLU of Rhode Island's Steve Brown and Zoe Chakoian join the show to discuss the implications of censorship and an upcoming author's event that they are hosting that will discuss the exploding phenomenon of banning books.

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Brian Raymond is a former commercial fisherman and underwater videographer. There has been some excitement around a new Rhode Island "shark" license plate, and its Brian's image that is used on the plate.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Islander John Gartner, who, at 92, just published his first children's book, The Foghorn. Gartner shares his life experiences, including appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show as a stuntman, and how an aspect of his youth influenced The Foghorn's storyline.

Purchase the book here:
https://www.amazon.com/Foghorn-John-Gartner/dp/1960505076

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Don Culp, drummer for John Cafferty and many other RI acts and founding member of the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame, joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss Tune In and Tune up, an initiative that raises awareness and supports musicians with physical and mental health needs.

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Drew University's Dr. Maliha Safri is set to deliver a talk ‘Community Economies: Organizing for the Common Good’ Sept. 26 as part of of URI’s fall Honors Colloquium.

Maliha Safri’s areas of expertise are political economy, community and solidarity economies and migration. She has published journal articles, book chapters and book reviews, made dozens of conference presentations and won both a National Science Foundation grant and the Julie Graham Writing Fellowship (twice). She is a member of the N.Y.C. Worker Cooperative Development Initiative and leads its research team. Maliha is fluent in English, Gujarati and Spanish and proficient in Urdu and French. She earned a PhD and MA in economics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a BA in economics from Knox College.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Dr. Jeffrey Dodge, founder/president, Rhode Island Oral Health Foundation, Delta Dental's President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Perroni and Delta Dental's Vice President of Communications and External Affairs Michelle Muscatello and for a discussion on Mission of Mercy which provides oral healthcare to Rhode Islanders in need.

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Rhode Island Representative Lauren Carson joins Bill Bartholomew for a discussion about the impact short-term rentals like Airbnb and VRBO have on the state's ongoing housing crisis and how a legislative commission that she spearheaded could tackle those issues.

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On the morning that the Mckee administration announced that the Independent Man statue is being temporarily removed for urgent repair, Bill Bartholomew wonders why climate change isn't being discussed as a root cause.

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BH Link Director Joe Ash joins the show to discuss the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes CCA Health Rhode Island senior vice president and general manager Corey McCarty and Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island executive director Meg Grady for a conversation about their new partnership and how healthy foods serve as a foundation for positive social health determinants. Inside Public Health is presented by CCA Health Rhode Island.

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Corey Jones, Chair of Time to Run and Time to Advocate seeks to deliver civic education in an effort to close gaps in electoral politics.

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While this year's event faced criticism from members of the Providence community, there were also some interesting positive developments.  With significant rain cancelling a good chunk of the festival it is difficult to truly measure how the "new" iteration of the event would actually be received, but Bill Bartholomew notes that a compromise of sorts ought to be considered for next year's edition.

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While this year's event faced criticism from members of the Providence community, there were also some interesting positive developments.  With significant rain cancelling a good chunk of the festival it is difficult to truly measure how the "new" iteration of the event would actually be received, but Bill Bartholomew notes that a compromise of sorts ought to be considered for next year's edition.

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With so much anecdotal evidence of a current Covid surge, Dr. Philip Chan joins the show to offer his thoughts on how to best manage the moment.

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With so much anecdotal evidence of a current Covid surge, Dr. Philip Chan joins the show to offer his thoughts on how to best manage the moment.

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Bill Bartholomew sits down withBill Bartholomew sits down with John McCauley + Ian O'Neil of Deer Tick for a conversation about their excellent new record Emotional Contracts, making music in the Covid era, Rhode Island's congressional election, Newport Folk and much more.

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Bill Bartholomew breaks down former White House aide Gabe Amo's victory in Rhode Island's First Congressional District.

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Bill Bartholomew asks three questions that could shape the results of todays Congressional district 1 Democratic primary election.

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Navigant Credit Union’s Chief Lending Officer Dave DeCubellis joins the show to discuss all things lending.  Its “Financial Well-Being,” presented by Navigant Credit Union.  Visit navigantcu.org to learn more.

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Boston Globe columnist Dan McGowan and Bill Bartholomew break down the Rhode Island Congressional district 1 Democratic primary.

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Latino Public Radio's Reynaldo Almonte offers his thoughts on the Rhode Island Congressional district 1 Democratic primary.

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With Don Carlson dropping out of the Congressional race, anyone who voted for him in early voting has now lost their opportunity to cast a meaningful ballot in the race.  This races questions about the early voting process and makes a strong case for the implementation of ranked choice voting.

PAPER PLANE, NAVIGANT, CCA, URI

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Paul Cronin, Chief Executive Officer at i3 Broadband discusses his firm's efforts to provide free broadband to Rhode Island's Veterans Home.

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Brown University Sociologist Michael D. Kennedy has been closely following the CD1 race and offers his analysis on the Democratic primary.

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Providence Arts, Culture and Tourism Director and actor Joe Wilson, Jr. joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss his new role in city government, this year's PVDFest, building the city's arts community and more.

PAPER PLANE, NAVIGANT, CCA, URI

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A debate with candidates running in the Democratic primary for Congressional District 1:

Gabe Amo
Stephanie Beaute
Sandra Cano
Don Carlson
John Goncalves
Sabina Matos
Ana Quezada
Aaron Regunberg

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Kevin McKay, vice president, Rhode Island market strategy, CCA Health Rhode Island joins the show to discuss working through Medicaid redetermination and renewal.  Inside Public Health is presented by CCA Health Rhode Island.

Learn more at CCAHealthRI.org 

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Bill Bartholomew caught up with Jett Holden and Ally Free, who each performed as part of the Black Opry Revue at Newport Folk 2023

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Bill Bartholomew sat down with Nashville's Jamie Wyatt right after her set at Newport Folk 2023

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Bill Bartholomew caught up with Illiterate Light, the band who created and installed a stage at Newport Folk that is entirely powered by bikes.  The duo also performed a stunning set of their own on that stage.

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Bill Bartholomew caught up with Newport, RI-based Laden Valley at Newport Folk 2023.  The band was one of the "homegrown" talents showcased on the main, Fort Stage during this year's festival.

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Financial Well-Being presented by Navigant Credit Union" Navigant President / CEO Kathleen C. Orovitz

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Newport Festivals Dan Swain talks the Festival Foundation's work plus takes a look at this year's Folk and Jazz Festivals.

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Musician and artist Gabriela Rassi and Bill Bartholomew are each releasing new music this Friday July 28th and discuss the process on the pod.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Walter Berbrick, a Democratic candidate for Rhode Island's first congressional district.  

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Blissfest coproducers Dave Flamand and Owen Buckley for a conversation about the event's first fully public iteration. 

"Inside Rhode Island Music" is presented by Elmwood Songwriters Club.

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James Rajotte of Executive Office of Health and Human Services joins the pod to discuss the rollout of the HealthyRhode app, which seeks to help Rhode Islanders with Medicaid renewals.  

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Housing Network RI Executive Director Melina Lodge and Strategic Director of Initiatives Katie West discuss the latest round of housing laws.

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CCA Health Rhode Island Director of Market Strategy and Planning talks ways that healthy eating serves as a community connector for improving public health outcomes.

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Yesterday, debris, including syringes, washed ashore along Rhode Island's southern coast, closing several beaches to swimmers and waders.  What does this mean going forward?  DEM's Mike Healey joins me.

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The Hill reporter Julia Manchester joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss how, with the approaching first GOP Presidential debate, and news of a possible cash crunch for his campaign, now is a "make or break moment" for Ron DeSantis.

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Providence Journal columnist and filmmaker Dante Bellini discuss Bellini's film "Demons and Dragans" which chronicles Patinkin's journey battling cancer.

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Smart Green Solar CEO Jasjit Gotra and his company are facing a deceptive practices lawsuit from RI Attorney General Peter Neronha.  Gotra believes that the suit has no standing and is a result Neronha seeking to position himself for a gubernatorial run.

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DEM Marine Biologist Connor McManus talks everything you need to know about sharks in Rhode Island waters.

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Trailblaze Marketing's Chris Parisi wants Rhode Island to become a global leader in the AI super sector, even calling for a dedicated state "Task Force on AI".  He joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss.

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Providence City Councilor and Rhode Island Congressional District 1 Democrat candidate John Goncalves sits down with Bill Bartholomew to talk his candidacy. 

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Congressman Seth Magaziner for a discussion on his first term in office.

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Tom Nichols (The Atlantic) joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss his recent Twitter engagement with podcaster Joe Rogan after Rogan had Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. on his show, an episode that was largely steeped in debunked antivax propaganda, and went mostly unchecked by Rogan.  The episode has led to renewed thinking around elevating conspiracy theorists to expert level status positions, as well as the limits of free thought and speech.

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Reporter Steve Ahlquist joins the show to offer an update on a controversial proposal in Smithfield Schools that would require teachers to "out" trans students to their parents.

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Longtime political reporter/analyst Scott MacKay (The Public's Radio, Rhode Island PBS, Providence Journal) joins Bill Bartholomew for a discussion on some of the biggest political stories that are happening right now.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes students from E-Cubed Academy for a discussion on a bill that would allow students to use up to four mental health days per school year.

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with former Biden, Raimondo and Obama staffer Gabe Amo to discuss his run int eh Rhode Island first congressional district Democratic primary.

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Lifespan's Dr. Abrar Qureshi discusses the humanitarian efforts he has undertaken in the middle east. 

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GOP Presidential candidate and former Cranston, RI mayor Steve Laffey says that Donald Trump should suspend his presidential campaign.

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Alan Brinton, founder of Grey Sail joins the show to discuss the role that breweries have played in Rhode Island economic development. 

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Bill Bartholomew offers his thoughts on the letter sent by a Philadelphia vendor to RI state officials that details racist and sexist behavior by a state official on an economic development trip.

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with Rhode Island Congressional candidate Don Carlson.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Young Democrats board members Anthony Cherry (Asst. Executive Director at BuildRI and  Mary-Murphy Walsh (Elected Organizer with SEIU 1199) for a discussion on why they believe 16 and 17 year olds should be permitted to vote for school boards that govern their education.

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with Congressional candidate Stephanie Beaute.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Roger Williams Park Conservancy's Kevin Essington  to the show for a discussion on the critical role that parks play in communities, the funding formula that keeps them operational and why his organization is honoring former Providence mayor Elorza at an event this week.

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Bill welcomes Special Olympics of RI's Ed Pacheco and Mary-Ellen Powers to preview this weekend's Special Olympics Summer Games.

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May is Mental Health Month, and Bill Bartholomew welcomes two rockstars in the space for an earnest and informative discussion:

Sophie Hansen, LICSW

Director of State Government Relations

CCA Health Rhode Island

Chris Gadbois
Chief Executive Officer, CareLink RI

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Attorney Megan Sheehan discusses why she is advocating for women to play a more robust role in Rhode Island's emerging cannabis industry. 

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Senator Sheldon Whitehouse back to the show to discuss his opinion on judicial oversight in the wake of the Clarence Thomas disclosure controversy, plus the ongoing debt ceiling situation.

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with outgoing Rhode Island Foundation Executive Director Neil Steinberg for an exit interview in the final days of his tenure overseeing the state's leading philanthropic organization.

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President Dr. Jack Warner joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss several proposals and initiatives at Rhode Island College.

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Bike Newport Executive Director Bari Freeman joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss some ongoing and upcoming initiatives that the organization is involved in, plus talks about the practicality of using bike's as a primary mode of transportation in Rhode Island.

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Ravi Shavi frontman Rafay Rashid talks his new solo record, making music in Providence, sobriety, the artist life and much more with Bill Bartholomew.  

Inside Rhode Island Music presented by Elmwood Songwriters Club.

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Lindsey Brickle, Director of WorkforceCommunity Partnerships, URI Research Foundation and Regan Brewer Johnson, President at Jane Adams Resource Center, join Bill Bartholomew to discuss a new initiative that is seeking to train a contemporary manufacturing workforce in Providence.

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with actor/voice artist/podcaster/musician Shajehan Khan to talk his recent role on the HBO series Succession, his King of the World podcast and much more.

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Bill welcomes Congressman David Cicilline for what is likely his final appearance as a member of Congress.  He is set to take over as Executive Director of The Rhode Island Foundation on June 1st.

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Inside Public Health presented by CCA Health Rhode Island welcomes Jennifer Samale, senior director, clinical care partnership, CCA Health Rhode Island, for a conversation on practical and sustainable nutrition tips.

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In the wake of the Exeter forest fire, Representative Megan Cotter has proposed legislation that would create a commission to study - and make recommendations - on the conditions of Rhode Island's forests.

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State Senator Sandra Cano, who is running in the Democratic primary for the soon-to-be vacant Congressional District 1 seat, joins Bill Bartholomew.

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Rhode Island Atheists members join the show to discuss their organization and why they are asking Governor McKee to sign a proclamation declaring a "Day of Reason" on May 4th.

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Historian Deb Suggs talks all things Rhode Island historic cemeteries with Bill Bartholomew

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State Senator Ana Quezada sits down with Bill Bartholomew to discuss her campaign for the soon-to-be open Congressional District 1 seat.

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Rhode Island Commerce Secretary Liz Tanner talks a wide variety of issues and answers listener questions.

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, who recently launched a "moon shot" initiative to improve educational outcomes in the state.

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Bill Bartholomew discusses what he learned on an exclusive, extensive tour of the area impacted by last weekend's forest fire in Exeter.

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In the wake of several bills that would impact the indigenous community in Rhode Island, Bill Bartholomew sits down with Narragansett tribe's Bella and Randy Noka. 

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with former State Representative and Congressional District 1 candidate Aaron Regunberg.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes The Public's Radio Political Reporter Ian Donnis back to the pod for a discussion on the ever-growing list of candidates that are running to replace outgoing Cogressman David Cicilline in Congressional District 1, plus his thoughts on Twitter in the wake of NPR stepping away from the platform.

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Rhode Island Lt. Governor Sabina Matos joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss her candidacy for the congressional district 1 seat that will be vacated by David Cicilline on June 1st.

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Questions about jurisdiction and procedure when it comes to fill a school committee vacancy have led to legal challenges and a divided perspective in the Chariho Regional School district.  Jess Purcell, the second-highest vote getter in the race for the now-vacant seat argues that she ought to be installed, while the town council of Richmond, the municipality from which the vacant seat is located, believes that they are entitled to fill the seat with a pick of their choosing.  The result is a battle that evokes some of the major themes in so-called "curriculum" discussions around the country. 

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes RI CD1 candidate Nick Autiello for a conversation on why he is running for Congress.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes RI State Representative David Morales for a wide-ranging conversation on politics, philosophy and wrestling.

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Newport Daily News reporter Zane Wolfang offers his on-the-ground account of what is happening at The Cranston Street Armory, where a temporary "warming station" was created with a goal of assisting folks experiencing homelessness.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes LISC's Jay O'Grady for a discussion on developing affordable housing.

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Inside RI Music presented by Elmwood Songwriters Club welcomes Donald Torres and Ian Campopiano who collaborated on a new record and are welcoming "the Rhode Island music and disability community to attend the party on March 31 from 6-9 p.m. at Trudeau’s 3445 Post Road Warwick location’s recreation building".

Listen to "The Man, The Myth, The Legend" right here! https://www.youtube.com/@MCDTTheManTheMythTheLegend

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Renee Hobbs, Communications Professor at The University of Rhode Island, joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss Courageous RI, an initiative that she is championing that seeks to help Rhode Islanders' improve their media consumption habits and critical thinking.

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Amanda Milkovits (Boston Globe) joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss her blockbuster investigation to Rhode Island businessman Mike Mota.

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Mark Blyth, Director of the William R. Rhodes Center for International Economics and Finance, The William R. Rhodes ’57 Professor of International Economics and
Professor of International and Public Affairs joins Bill Bartholomew for an overview of the health of the banking sector in the wake of Silicon Valley Bank and First Republic, talks the future of the sector and the truth behind cryptocurrency. 

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Bill Bartholomew discusses the implications of Speaker Shekarchi not running for Congress.

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CCA Health RI presents a public health roundtable featuring:
Corey McCarty, General Manager, CCA Health Rhode Island
Dr. Amy Nunn, Executive Director, Rhode Island Public Health Institute
Carrie Bridges Feliz, Vice President of Community Health & Equity, Lifespan

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Whether you are preparing to enter an office pool, wager big money at a casino or just follow along, WPRO sports producer/host Brett Ferruccio joins the podcast to break down everything you need to know about the NCAA division 1 men's basketball tournament. 

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Bill Bartholomew sat down with podcaster, author and attorney Rabia Chaudry, well-known for her work on the podcasts Serial and Undisclosed for innocence work involving Adnan Syed, along with book influencer Robin Kall.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes former Providence Journal reporter, author and PBS/Sirius XM host G. Wayne Miller for a conversation on the launch of Ocean State Stories, a new storytelling and reporting outlet in Rhode Island that is an initiative of The Pell Center at Salve Regina University.

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Author John Houle joins Bill Bartholomew for a discussion on his latest novel, The King-Makers of Providence, the political atmosphere that inspired the book, and the future of content consumption. 

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore for a wide-ranging conversation from his temporary office at the State House.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes activist Mira Mehta for a discussion on organizing action outside of RI Senator Jack Reed's office, calling on the senator and Chair of the Armed Services Committee to cease support for Saudi efforts in the devastating conflict in Yemen.

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Bill Bartholomew and singer, songwriter, band leader and curator Roz Raskin (Nova One) explore ideas about creativity, music scenes, touring, ageism in music, health and wellness and writing songs in this wide-ranging conversation.

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with Providence mayor Brett Smiley at City Hall.

https://www.providenceri.gov/

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Bill Bartholomew reacts to the news that Congressman David Cicilline will be leaving Congress on June 1st to lead the Rhode Island Foundation.

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RI Housing Secretary Stefan Pryor and United Way Executive Director Courtney Nicolato join Bill Bartholomew as he hosts Dan Yorke Show on WPRO for an interactive discussion on addressing RI's housing crisis.  

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Ahead of the 20th anniversary of The Station nightclub fire, which killed 100 people and injured hundreds, survivor Gina Russo joins Bill Bartholomew for an emotional conversation about the tragedy, ensuing years, regulatory changes in the wake of the event, alternative narratives pursued by journalists and much more.

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Rhode Island agency Duffy & Shanley celebrates 50 years, and partners Jon Duffy and Annette Maggiacomo join Bill Bartholomew to discuss how they got here, where public relations and communications is headed, and what they've learned about Rhode Island.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Steve Laffey, former mayor of Cranston, Rhode Island, who is expected to declare his candidacy for the Republican nomination for President.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Emily Lynch, Assistant Professor of Political Science at The University of Rhode Island, for a conversation about what to expect from tonight's State of the Union address.

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New Majority Capital CEO Darryl Lindie joins Bill Bartholomew for a discussion on the BETA initiative, which seeks to empower BIPOC entrepreneurs by assisting them in acquiring existing businesses.   

https://beta.nmcfound.org/about/register

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Providence-based singer/songwriter/musician Keith McCurdy of Vudu Sister to the pod for a discussion on his work, Providence and why he decided to remaster and reissue his first record.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Governor Dan McKee back to the pod for an in-depth discussion on his priorities.

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Special Report: RI's Housing Crisis Part 5 - RI Coalition To End Homelessness Executive Director Caitlyn Frumerie joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss the critical needs facing the unhoused community and what really needs to happen to attack the issue in a meaningful way.

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Special Report: RI's Housing Crisis part 4.  Bill Bartholomew welcomes journalist Steve Ahlquist of UpriseRI for an emotional discussion on the reporting he has done on RI's housing crisis.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Kris Brown (United Way, Land Commission) for a discussion on the key role that municipal zoning plays in addressing the housing crisis.

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Special Report: RI's Housing Crisis part 3.  Bill Bartholomew speaks with realtor Jess Powers about the cost of purchasing and renting a home in Rhode Island.

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Special Report: Rhode Island's Housing Crisis part 1.  Bill moderates a roundtable of housing experts and advocates featuring Karen Santilli (CEO, Crossroads RI) and Jennifer Hawkins (President/Executive Director, One Neighborhood Builders).

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Bill welcomes Rhode Island Speaker of the House Joe Shekarchi back to the pod for a discussion on his priorities for 2023.  

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Bill welcomes back RI Director of Veterans Affairs Kasim Yarn to the pod.

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Bill Bartholomew offers instant reaction to Governor McKee's 2023 State of the State address.

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University of Rhode Island Assistant Professor of Political Science Ashlea Rundlett, joins Bill Bartholomew for a discussion on what is happening in Brazilian politics in the wake of supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro storming governmental buildings ala January 6th. 

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Boston Globe reporter Alexa Gagosz joins the pod to discuss her reporting on Josh Saal, the Rhode Island Secretary of Housing who announced his resignation earlier this week.

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Boston Globe Rhode Island Columnist Dan McGowan kicks off season 6 with a look at what 2023 could bring in Rhode Island politics.

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Outgoing Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea reflects on her career in public service and where she sees herself going next.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes a reporter's roundtable featuring Antonia Farzan (ProJo), Jim Hummel (The Hummel Report) and Steve Klamkin (WPRO) for a discussion on the biggest Rhode Island stories of 2022.

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Narragansett tribal elders Bella and Randy Noka share the latest on a proposal by South County Hospital to build a parking lot over an aboriginal graveyard.

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Multimedia artist, performer, promoter and entrepreneur Chris Carr joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss Black Land Ownership and his work as an indie artist in Brooklyn, NY.

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with outgoing Providence mayor Jorge Elorza in the mayor's office for a discussion on his legacy and key challenges facing the city.

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Bill welcomes Stephanie Forschner-Dancause, an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Rhode Island for a discussion on the first few days of recreational cannabis in Rhode Island and how it impacts the surrounding industry and research.

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This week, Bill Bartholomew visited New England Tech, where several dozen high school students from The Greene School shared and discussed issues surrounding a major project that they were assigned: creating podcasts that examined social justice and current affairs issues impacting their generation and the population as a whole.  Bill interviewed several students on topics ranging from gun violence to sexual health.

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Interim Deputy Director of Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation Matt Santacroce outlines key information and timelines for adult use recreational cannabis coming online in the state.

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Incoming Newport Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong joins Bill Bartholomew for his first extended sit down since he was selected by the city council to become Mayor.

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Michael Parkhurt is a former professional soccer player and Olympian, Cranston native and c0-founder of Rhode Island FC, the soccer team that will play home games at the forthcoming Tidewater Landing stadium.

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Myles Dumas, Design Director at NAIL, designed the crest for Rhode Island FC, the soccer team that will play home games at the forthcoming Tidewater Landing stadium.  He joins Bill for a discussion on the project, team name and the legacy of creating a branding asset that is likely to transcend the sport.

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Megan Cotter, who pending a recount, is poised to defeat incumbent Republican Representative Justin Price in rural Washington County, Rhode Island.  Can her campaign serve as a road map to victory for progressive-leaning Democrats in typically Republican areas? 

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Bill moderates a live panel on digital equity.  This was recorded on Friday November 4th at CIC Providence.  Panelists include:

• Mayor Maria Rivera, City of Central Falls
• Brian Thorn, Director of Broadband Strategy, Rhode Island Commerce
• Tommy Sheehan, Resident Commissioner, Newport Housing Authority
• Bill Bartholomew

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Bill Bartholomew breaks down yesterday's election results, which produced wins for all RI Democrats in state office and Congressional races.

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Bill offers a final preview of the midterm and Rhode Island elections.

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Bill offers a final preview of the midterm and Rhode Island elections.

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Bill Bartholomew offers thoughts on the final debate in the race for Governor of Rhode Island, plus reads and answers your emails.

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Inside Public Health presented by Commonwealth Care Alliance Rhode Island: Kevin McKay, Vice President at CCA, talks Medicare open enrollment and how CCA is helping Rhode Islanders connect with a plan best suited for their specific needs.

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Inside Public Health presented by CCA Health Rhode Island: Kevin McKay, Vice President at CCA, talks Medicare open enrollment and how CCA is helping Rhode Islanders connect with a plan best suited for their specific needs.

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Bill Bartholomew offers his take on what will shape the two major races in Rhode Island - Congress District 2 and Governor.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Raymond Baccari, Editor-In-Chief of Rhode Island College's student newspaper, The Anchor, and podcaster Ryan Lukowicz for a discussion on election 2022 from their perspective as youth media members.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Marc Parlange, President of The University of Rhode Island, to discuss RI Question 1, which would provide substantial funding for upgrades at the University's Bay Campus

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Bill Bartholomew and Brown University's Dr. Wendy Schiller talk 2022 elections.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Roger Williams' Stacey Johnson and Save The Bay's Topher Hamblett for a discussion on RI Question 3, the "Green Bond".

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Bill Bartholomew speaks with Elijah Gizzarelli, Libertarian Candidate for Governor of RI

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In the wake of the first look into the project's projected rental prices, Bill Bartholomew offers analysis of The Superman Building project 

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Bill Bartholomew talks the writing, recording and release of his new record, "beij".  He wrote each song, performed all of the instruments and recorded the album himself at The Loft.

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Bill Bartholomew reacts to the first governor debate of the 2022 general election.

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Bill Bartholomew moderates a debate in RI House District 48 between GOP incumbent Brian Newberry and Democratic challenger Paul Jones

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Patrick Crowley (Secretary-Treasurer, RI AFL-CIO), one of Rhode Island's most influential labor leaders, joins Bill Bartholomew on the pod.

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RI Secretary of Housing Josh Saal talks developments in shelters going into the colder season, plus addressing underlying issues creating the unhoused crisis.  

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Talking Startup Week with Annette Tonti and Contance Ferber.  Visit RIstartupweek.com for more info!

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Bill Bartholomew offers a 36,000 foot view at Rhode Island's general election, set for November 8th.

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Commonwealth Care Alliance Rhode Island cut the ribbon on their new Providence office this morning, and I sat down with President and CEO Chris Palmieri and Senior VP Corey McCarty to discuss the organizations impact on RI jobs and healthcare ecosystem.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Drs. Jason Iannuccilli and Jonathan Martin of Pure Vita Labs back to the podcast to continue the recurring series "Inside RI Cannabis".  Today the pair offer part two of "Cannabis 101", which serves as a primer for anyone interested in exploring cannabis, or who would like to increase their knowledge about the sector.

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Composer Daniel Bernard Roumain joins Bill to discuss his upcoming performance of his work The Telling on September 29th at Waterfire Arts Center, a PVDFest Happening presented by FirstWorks.

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Bill Bartholomew offers reaction to Rhode Island's primary election results.

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Dan McGowan (Columnist, The Boston Globe) and Bill Bartholomew preview tomorrow's Rhode Island primary elections.

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Bill Bartholomew offers his thoughts on whether Rhode Island's undecided voters will turn out and decide the state's Democratic primaries this Monday.

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The Reverend Donnie Anderson is challenging Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin in Rhode Island's 1st Senate district in a  matchup that pitches the so-called old guard against a new wave of respected candidates.  Anderson also seeks to become the state's first openly transgender Senator.

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WPRO News Director Bill Haberman moderates the WPRO/Bartholomewtown debate for Democratic primary for Congressional District 2 featuring Omar Bah, Joy Fox, Seth Magaziner, Sarah Morgenthau and David Segal

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Bill welcomes the comedic minds behind the popular social media memes known as RI Probz to Bartholomewtown for a conversation about Rhode Island, content creation and being the most important comics in Rhode Island

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Drs. Jason Iannuccilli and Jonathan Martin of Pure Vita Labs back to the podcast to continue the recurring series "Inside RI Cannabis".  Today the pair offer part one of "Cannabis 101", which serves as a primer for anyone interested in exploring cannabis, or who would like to increase their knowledge about the sector.

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Bill Bartholomew moderates a debate in the Democratic primary for mayor of Providence featuring candidates Gonzalo Cuervo, Nirva LaFortune and Brett Smiley.

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Bill Bartholomew moderates a debate with the 5 candidates in the Democratic primary for Governor of Rhode Island: Governor Dan McKee, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, Helena Buonanno Foulkes, Matt Brown and Dr. Luis Daniel Munoz.

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Bill Bartholomew moderates a debate for the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor featuring Representative Deb Ruggiero and Senator Cynthia Mendes.  Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos declined our invitation to debate.

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Bill Bartholomew moderates a debate for the Democratic primary for Treasurer featuring former Commerce RI Secretary Stefan Pryor.  His opponent, former Central Falls mayor James Diossa, declined our invitation to debate. 

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Joy Fox returns for another conversation with Bill, this time about what she is doing to position herself for a serious shot at winning the Democratic primary for RI's second congressional district, with just over a month to go before election day.

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Monkeypox: Vaccines and what you need to know, with Open Door Health's Dr. Amy Nunn.  Inside RI Public Health presented by Commonwealth Care Alliance Rhode Island.

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Bill Bartholomew sat down with Newport Jazz Festival Artistic Director Christian McBride backstage at this year's festival.

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Former Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor is running for General Treasurer.  Where does he stand on key issues?  Bill Bartholomew sat down with him for an in-depth conversation.

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Former Cranston mayor and gubernatorial candidate Allan Fung wants to be Rhode Island's next congressperson, representing the somewhat moderate second congressional district.  Can he flip the seat from Democrat to GOP?  Where does he stand on key issues?  Bill Bartholomew sat down with Fung for an in-depth discussion.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Meghan Grady, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels RI for a conversation on the role that MoW plays in supporting public health.  Inside Rhode Island Public Health is presented by Commonwealth Care Alliance RI.

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Bill welcomes Sarah Morgenthau, Democrat candidate for RI's second congressional district, for a conversation about her campaign and priorities if she were elected.

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Bill welcomes Democrat gubernatorial candidate Helena Buonnano Foulkes back to BTOWN for a conversation about her campaign's efforts with under two months to go until primary day.

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Bill Bartholomew offers his thoughts on the upcoming Newport Folk Festival, which begin July 22nd.

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Bill  welcomes Kristi Provuncher and John Schrey of Zinnia Health for a discussion on addiction and the work that they are engaged in to combat and treat the disease.

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BLM RI PAC's Harrison Tuttle reacts to video depicting Providence resident Armando Rivas being arrested in a violent manner by two high ranking Providence Police officer.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Providence Councilman John Goncalves back to BTOWN to discuss the many development projects unfolding in his ward, and how they will impact the city and state.

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Inside RI Public Health presented by Commonwealth Care Alliance: a partnership between CCA and Lifespan addresses social determinants of health and much more.  We discuss in detail with CCA's Corey McCarty and Lifespan's Dr. Alan Kurose.

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Bill Bartholomew is joined by UpriseRI reporter Steve Ahlquist to assess RI's new state budget. 

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes back PDr. Jason Iannuccilli, MD and Jonathan Martin, MD for Inside RI Cannabis presented by PureVita Labs, today, discussing and debunking some of the commonly used arguments in opposition to legal cannabis.

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Bill welcomes back Dr. Luis Daniel Munoz, candidate for Governor in the Democratic primary.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes James Lathrop, GOP candidate for RI General Treasurer, for a discussion on his campaign.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes back Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea for a discussion on her campaign for Governor of RI, including her status as a frontrunner.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes The Era to BTOWN for a conversation on their work and upcoming PVDFest appearances!

"The Era Footwork Crew, who have pioneered the battle dance known as Chicago footwork since 2014, will be joined by DJ Spinn from the electronic collective Teklife for an outdoor, interactive party for the Providence community as part of PVDFest 2022. This Footwork Rave will also feature inserts from The Era’s award-winning show “IN THE WURKZ” supported by the New England Foundation of The Arts (NEFA). They'll be on stage Saturday June 11, on PVDFest’s Mural Stage at 100 Washington St. Parking Lot on Saturday, June 11 from 5-6 PM.
Grab your kicks and join Chicago’s The Era Footwork Crew at PVDFest to learn some of their fresh moves! This free all-ages dance workshop takes place this Sunday, 6/12 from 2:30-3:15 PM in Kennedy Plaza, Downtown Providence. Stick around until 4 PM for a creative conversation with The Era about how they connect their art to activism."  

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes David Segal, Democrat candidate for RI Congressional District 2.

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With recent legislation passed, but with significant issues remaining, Bill Bartholomew welcomes two key shoreline access advocates, Conrad Ferla and Michael Woods, to the podcast for an in-depth discussion.

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Bill Bartholomew assess the latest RI legislation intended to address gun violence, plus reflects on a challenging few weeks for all of us.

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with Chris Bowler, CEO of Charcuterie Artisans, for a conversation about the manufacturer's business practices, their blending of AI and skilled workers and serving as an ambassador for Rhode Island on the national stage.

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Bill Bartholomew assesses the second Rhode Island gubernatorial candidate forum

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Kevin Kearns, a personal coach and author, for a discussion on critical issues surround mental health.  May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

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Bill welcomes back Brad VanDerStad, this time as a candidate for City Council, for a discussion on some of the latest developments in Providence.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Patti Watson of Taste Design, a Rhode Island small business, for a discussion on the impact of inflation on small business, both in general, and specific to Rhode Island.

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Bill Bartholomew offers short thoughts on 400 episodes of The Bartholomewtown Podcast

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes back Dr. Jason Iannuccilli and Dr. Jonathan Martin for a discussion on the history of cannabis as medicine.  

For more, visit purevitalabs.com

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes The Womxn Project's Jocelyn Foye for a discussion on national news about potential SCOTUS overturn of Roe v Wade, and local reaction - and action - in Rhode Island.

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Bill Bartholomew discusses the just-released RI election polling data, conducted by Fleming & Associates and released by WPRI and Roger Williams University

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos back to the podcast for a discussion on her election campaign and major issues she is engaged with.

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Charlie Galligan is a Rhode Islander working with Essential Caregiver Movement in a citizen watchdog-like role, advocating for nursing home workers and residents.  He shares his experiences during the pandemic, and beyond, with Bill Bartholomew.

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Eric Palmieri has made a name for himself on the national stage as a "pizza artist", as profiled on PBS by Bill Bartholomew.  He is also emerging as an artist in the NFT space, and joins Bill on the pod to discuss what NFTs are and where he believes they are headed.

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Bill Bartholomew reflects on Thursday's RIPEC gubernatorial forum, the first major event of the political season featuring the major Democrat and Republican Rhode Island gubernatorial candidates.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Providence mayoral candidate Gonzalo Cuervo

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Inside RI Public Health Presented By Commonwealth Care Alliance Rhode Island: Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Island Department of Health Interim Director Dr. Jim McDonald 

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes congressional candidate Joy Fox

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Bill sets the table for the "shift" to election 2022 focus

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Providence Foundation Executive Director Cliff Wood joins Bill to discuss recent news surrounding the planned public-private rehab of the Superman Building, what it means for downtown Providence, and how to achieve both a generative and equitable city.

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Bill welcomes back Representative Marcia Ranglin-Vassell to talk her Trauma Informed Schools Act.

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Cybersecurity is increasingly emerging as a vulnerability for governments, businesses and individuals.  CLA's David Sun offers insight into best practices.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Ricky McKinnie of legendary, multi-Grammy award winning gospel group Blind Boys of Alabama to the pod ahead of their April 27th performance at The Vets, Bamako to Birmingham: Amadou & Mariam and Blind Boys of Alabama presented by FIrstWorks.

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In episode 3 of our ongoing series "Inside RI Cannabis, presented by PureVita Labs, Drs. Jason Iannuccilli (MD), Jonathan Martin (MD) and Stuart Procter (PhD) discuss why the cannabis industry has a THC problem - in that THC potency in legal marijuana is over-valued and leading the industry astray.

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Bill welcomes RI Rep Deb Ruggiero to the podcast following her announcement that she is running for RI Lt. Governor.

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Bill welcomes back Providence mayoral candidate Brett Smiley for a discussion on his campaign.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes instED CEO and GM Sebastiaan Foppema for a discussion o how the firm is offering practical solutions for urgent medical care without visiting an emergency room

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Island Director of Veteran Affairs Kasim Yarn to BTOWN

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes a vast roundtable for a discussion on Rhode Island's latest recreational cannabis legislation.

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Following the release of a report titled "From Pandemic to Prosperity: Bipartisan Solutions to Support Today's Small Businesses" issued by the Bipartisan Policy Center and Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Bill Bartholomew welcomes Brian Fitzgerald, owner of Newport's Admiral Fitzroy Inn to discuss some of the report's findings and strategies towards uplifting small businesses in the wake of the pandemic.

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As part of our recurring series "Inside RI Public Health", Bill Bartholomew zeroes in on the acute topic of injury prevention and rehab for musicians - and how this can be applied to everyone working from home or otherwise ergonomically challenging environments - with Spaulding Rehab's Kamir Smith 

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Corey Jones back to BTOWN for his first appearance as a candidate for Providence City Council

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Island Department of Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green back to BTOWN for an update on all things education in RI.

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Episode 2 of our recurring series, Inside RI Cannabis, presented by PureVita Labs, features Drs. Jason Iannuccilli (MD), Jonathan Martin (MD) and Stuart Procter (PhD) fro a discussion on why cannabis consumers should buy legal products and avoid the dangers of consuming black market cannabis.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner back to BTOWN for his first appearance as a Democratic candidate in the state's Second Congressional District race.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Helena Buonanno Foulkes, Democratic candidate for Governor of Rhode Island, fo her first appearance on BTOWN.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes back Rhode Island Congressman Jim Langevin for a discussion on Russia-Ukraine, his decision not to seek reelection and much more.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Dr. Marty Nager of The Dental Lifeline Network for a discussion on the program, which has provided oral healthcare to over 150,000 underserved Rhode Islanders.

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To be updated periodically

Disturbing video from last night shows a group of neo-nazis disrupting a Marx reading in Providence, RI.  David Raileanu of Red Ink Library joined Bill to discuss.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Lifespan's Alexis Devine and Jazmynn Noia to discuss a workforce recruitment and retention program that is developing opportunities for underserved youth as highly skilled healthcare workers.

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Rhode Islander and thirty five year veteran educator Mike Michael Marra joins Bill for an a discussion on his book Confessions of a Public School Teacher

https://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Public-School-Teacher-Michael/dp/1649572050/ref=asc_df_1649572050/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=509436355622&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15907559808218818491&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9002243&hvtargid=pla-1294391901823&psc=1

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Bill welcomes FirstWorks Executive Director Kathleen Pletcher back to BTOWN for a discussion on their programming during the pandemic, upcoming events and what we learned from the pandemic about the role arts play in our lives.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes back United States Senator Sheldon Whitehouse to BTOWN for a discussion on Supreme Court candidates, dark money in politics of the moment, the Rhode Island Congressional District 2 race and much more.

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Bill welcomes University of Rhode Island Chief Business Development Officer Pete Rumsey to the podcast for a discussion on a key, burning question for many Rhode Islanders: what is The Blue Economy?

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On today's BTOWN, Bill welcomes Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha for a discussion his office's initiative to hold landlords with outstanding lead paint violations legally accountable.  We discuss why this is a critical issue and much more.

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Nicole Renzulli is a self-described "progressive Republican" Councilwoman in Cranston, who, n recent times, has been an outspoken critic of anti-science rhetoric that has been pushed by the fringes of the GOP.  On this episode of BTOWN, Renzulli lays out her vision for what the GOP can and should represent in Rhode Island, and where her political career may take her next.

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As Rhode Island moves towards recreational cannabis in 2022 (if passed, set to launch in 2023) what are some of the key questions surrounding analytical testing of cannabis products?  PureVita Labs' Drs. Jason Iannuccilli and Jonathan Martin join Bill Bartholomew to discuss

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Bill welcomes WLNE ABC6 Chief Photographer Merrill Sampson to the pod for a discussion on the role journalists play in protecting the First Amendment, covering southern New England, terrestrial broadcasts pivoting to digital and much more.

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Bill welcomes Refuge Dream Center's Omar Bah, who is the first Democrat to announce their candidacy in the sure-to-be hotly contested CD2 race - the seat that will be vacated by Congressman Jim Langevin.  Bah shares his story growing up in Gambia, being detained and tortured in that nation due to his journalistic pursuits, journey to Rhode Island, and why he believes voters should send him to Congress.

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Bill Bartholomew received a call from Dr. Andrew Bostom while hosting on WPRO on 12.16.21.  Bostom has been calling talk shows and using Twitter to perpetuate his assertion that masks are not a valid tool in the package of instruments and concepts that have been engaged to combat Covid19 spread.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes a reporter roundtable featuring Alexa Gagosz (Boston Globe), Jim Hummel (The Hummel Report) and Steve Klamkin (WPRO) to discuss the biggest stories of 2021

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Dave Podsnap (Galactic Theater) and music journalist Rob Duguay join Bill Bartholomew for a discussion on the year in Rhode Island music.

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Antonia Farzan (Providence Journal) joined Bill Bartholomew on WPRO radio to discuss the potential closure of private oceanfront park, Rose Nulman Park, due to erosion.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Envior-Master of Rhode Island and southeast Massachusetts owner Todd Rywalt for a discussion on cleaning protocol in an effort to reduce the spread of germs in homes and businesses. 

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Lylah Alphonse, Editor of Boston Globe RI, for a discussion on new ideas in media, Rhode Island headlines and her backstory in journalism.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha back to BTOWN to recap some of his office's work in 2022.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Island-born and bred recording artist Billy Gilman for a discussion on his career, from One Voice to The Voice, navigating stardom as a child, the music industry, The Ocean State and growing up in rural New England.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes nationally renowned space and science journalist Bob Zimmerman, publisher of Behind the Black, for a discussion on the major developments in commercial space in 2021.

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Julia Murphy is a Massachusetts legislative aide and a recent graduate of Providence College, where she conducted extensive research into environmental racism in Providence and how systemic actions and structures of power contribute to this broad issue.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes CLA's Michael Pelletier for a discussion on what we've learned during Covid19 about the value and challenges of a hybrid workforce - and how employers and employees can embrace those trends for a more productive work life and balanced personal life.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes back RI gubernatorial candidate Matt Brown and Lt. Gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Mendes, this time as a unit, for a discussion on their efforts to elect a slate of progressive candidates (themselves, included) via the Rhode Island Political Cooperative.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Convergence RI's Richard Asinof back to the podcast for a conversation on the biggest healthcare stories in Rhode Island and his advise for the gubernatorial candidates in the 2022 election.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes singer, songwriter and musician Alex Ebert, best known as the front person for the band Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, for a discussion on the issue of personhood in the digital arena.  Ebert has been raising concerns over the legal implications surround social media and digital entities' ownership of individuals data, and the pair discuss the issue and beyond.

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Providence City Clerk Shawn Selleck is embroiled in an ongoing professional scandal in which members of the office he oversees have accused him of creating a toxic work environment and engaging in harassment.  However, Selleck contends that the allegations are a political ploy being used to remove him from his position in favor of a well-connected insider.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes North Kingstown, RI school committee member Jennifer Lima for a discussion on recent turmoil in the district regarding inclusion of the graphic novel "Gender Queer" in the school's library, as well as push back against so-called Critical Race Theory in the district.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes veteran talk radio hosts Jennifer Brien and Ron St. Pierre for a discussion on the format, the future of media and their new podcast series Ron and Jen's Great Escape

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Providence Rotary Club President Holly Applegate for a discussion on the club's "Legends for Literacy" program, which seeks to bolster support for reading and literacy in Providence Schools.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner back to the pod for a discussion on his run for Governor of Rhode Island.  As the race begins to take shape, what are his policy priorities, and what key contrasts does he draw between himself and his five primary opponents?

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Bill Bartholomew recently spoke with Motif Magazine News Editor Michael Bilow on WPRO radio about the large-scale rent relief program that Rhode Islanders may be entitled to.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Providence Streets Coalition lead organizer Liza Burkin for a discussion on the war of words - and potential action - between the State of Rhode Island and City of Providence with respect to a new bike and pedestrian lane on South Water Street.

This is from Bartholomew's guest host appearance on The Dan Yorke Show on WPRO radio, 10.11.21

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes back RI Political Coop co-chair and Senate District 29 candidate Jen Rourke for a discussion on the so-called progressive civil war and her approach to the 2022 election.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes a panel to discuss the state and future of longterm care in Rhode Island, and what the pandemic has taught us about the system and infrastructure that supports it.

Nicole Majik of Majik LLC 

Paul Jones of The Care Concierge of New England 

Kathleen Heren of RISLTCOP (Rhode Island State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program)

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Dr. Luis Daniel Munoz back to BTOWN, this time as a candidate in the 2022 Democratic primary for Governor of Rhode Island.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Providence City Councilor and mayoral candidate Nirva LaFortune back to BTOWN for a discussion on recent events in the city, including her announcement that she is running for mayor in the 2022 election. 

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Providence Mayoral Candidate and RI politco Gonzalvo Cuervo for a discussion on his bid to become the city's next mayor.

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What are the real challenges with  Rhode Island's healthcare infrastructure?

Richard Asinof, Publisher of Convergence RI joins Bill Bartholomew on WPRO to discuss.

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Bill Bartholomew hosts a roundtable discussion with the Democratic candidates for Rhode Island's Senate District 3 (Providence East Side) special election.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Alec Meeker, publisher of the popular news and culture website Bushwick Daily for a discussion on NYC before and after the pandemic, the evolving landscape of indie media and his rise to one the top news outlets in the country's number one media market.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Island Department of Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green back to BTOWN for a discussion on all things back-to-school in RI.  From masking and Covid19 to distance learning and the new Providence Teacher's contract, we break down a litany of pressing issues on today's episode.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes back Dan McGowan, columnist for The Boston Globeto discuss this week's developments in Rhode Island's 2022 gubernatorial race.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Amy Russo of The Providence Journal for a conversation about her move from NYC to Rhode Island, her weekly column exploring The Ocean State, RI politics as a sport, RI media and much more.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Mark Dobbyn and Uriah Donnelly of The Warren Folks Festival for a preview of the town's marquee event, life in the east bay and much more.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Leadership RI's Christopher Donovan for a discussion on the organizations Rhode Island Scavenger Hunt.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Island-based, Grammy Balloted singer/songwriter/musician and author Nate Jones to BTOWN for a discussion on his work as a creative in Rhode Island and much more.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Dr. Magnus Thorrson of Johnson and Wales University for a discussion on the universities' new cannabis entrepreneurship program.  Is Rhode Island ready (from an infrastructure standpoint) for legalization?  What are some of the equity challenges that the state must address?  What does Dr. Thorrson's program consist of?

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes United Way of Rhode Island President/CEO Cortney Nicolato, Social Enterprise Greenhouse Senior Manager for Strategic Initiatives Constance Ferber,  Destenie Vital of What Cheer Flower Farm and Brent Runyon of Providence Preservation Society to discuss the 2021 Nonprofit Innovation Lab 

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes author Tom Flanagan for a discussion on growing up in Pawtucket, RI, his new book Acapulco, which is set in Pawtucket, and how residents of the city may be impacted by infrastructure changes that are set to - or already - taking place.

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with Chris Turpin and Stephanie Jean Ward, the UK-based Ida Mae, at Newport Folk ahead of their appearance.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Brian Lima, Steve Klamkin (WPRO) and Ken Abrams (WRIU, WhatsUpNewp) for a conversation about their work as photographers of the Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Sankofa Community Connection's Niko Merrit, 
Ellen Pinnock, Amy McKinney, Melanie McKinney, Susan Kenny and  Nycole Marvelous for a panel discussion on their work to uplift the voices of communities of color in Newport.  From education to housing to elected officials, the discussion deals with some of the major challenges that have dogged the island city for generations.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes HUD Director for RI's Commission For Human Rights Jay Flanders to discuss his role at the organization, the agencies operations, discrimination in RI housing, employment and how Rhode Islander's can report it.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes back award winning investigative reporter and author Peter Lance for a third conversation on his blockbuster book "Homicide At Rough Point", which details the story of Doris Duke's murder of her longtime consultant Eduardo Tirella.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Providence Cultural Equity Initiative Founder and CEO Raymond Two Hawks Watson back to BTOWN for his analysis of the Rise of the Moors, the group that was involved in a standoff with Massachusetts State Police this past weekend.  Mr. Watson has specific experience with the group and provides keen insight - including that he previously warned law enforcement about the direction that the group was heading in.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Michael Beauregard of System Change Strategies for a discussion on how progressive candidates have reshaped the scope and nature of Rhode Island elections.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Craig Kurtzweil, Vice President, UnitedHealthcare Center for Advanced Analytics to discuss their recent white paper “Finding the uncommon: Revealing disparities in care and prescribing for common condition.”  The pair discuss a number of findings from the project, and what employers can do to better address these disparities. 

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Artist Republik founder Nick Cianfaglione for a discussion on his innovative platform for independent music artists, how Rhode Island has served as fertile ground for his project and how embracing tech startups as a pillar of economic development can move the state forward. 

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Bill Bartholomew breaks down three different things happening inside the Rhode Island legislature that you may not be aware of:

Child Care Investments in the State Budget

w/ Leanne Barrett, Rhode Island KIDS COUNT

Rachel Flum, Economic Progress Institute

Autobody Bills and RI Drivers Paying Some of Highest Insurance Premiums in U.S.

w/ Frank O'Brien, American Property Casualty Insurers Association

Afterschool and Summer Learning Legislation
w/ Kyle Bennett, United Way of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Afterschool Network
Marlene Guay, United Way of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Afterschool Network

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes The Public's Radio's Political/Investigative Reporter Ian Donnis for a discussion on his in-depth reporting on Prospect Medical Holdings and other healthcare industry related matters that impact the state.

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Following BTOWN's episode with Dr. Amy Nunn, who is pushing for the RI General Assembly to pass legislation that would impose a statewide tax on sugary beverages, a group of Rhode Island businesses expressed interest in offering their perspective on why the tax is onerous and will negatively impact their businesses.  Bill Bartholomew also caught up with RI Governor Dan McKee, who offered his position on the matter.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes back BTOWN regular, RI Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea for a discussion on her recent announcement that she is running for Governor in the 2022 election. 

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes CliftonLarsonAllen LLP's Managing Principal for New England Joe Kask for a discussion the his former firm blumshapiro's merger with CLA, how small, medium and micro businesses can benefit from services such as those offered by CLA, and navigating Covid19 relief grant forgiveness for small businesses in Rhode Island.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Island's Congressman for the 2nd District Jim Langevin back to BTOWN for a discussion on local, national and global issues.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes HopeHealth 's Deanna Upchurch for a discussion on the importance of managing Covid grief - and the mental health impact thereof - in unique, situational ways.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Marcela Betancur, Director of The Latino Policy Institute at Roger Williams University for a robust discussion on her work, immigration, equity and undoing stereotypes. 

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes journalist and author Brian Alexander to the pod for a discussion on the business of the American healthcare system, his latest book The Hospital, how this translates to societal disparities, and locally in southern New England, how to analyze the Lifespan/Care New England/Brown University hospital merger.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes former RI Dept of Administration head, Raimondo Chief of Staff and likely 2022 Providence mayoral candidate Brett Smiley for a discussion on his time at the Statehouse and his vision for Providence.  What are the key areas that Providence and Rhode Island need to focus on to move the state forward in an equitable and fiscally sound manner?

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Sarah Blusiewicz, Assistant Director of Workforce Development for Rhode Island's Department of Labor and Training for a discussion on the DLT's new Virtual Career Center initiative, which seeks to connect jobseekers with work opportunities in Rhode Island.

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BB reflects on the world of Bartholomewtown for the 300th episode of the podcast.  What began as a creative passion project has evolved into a credentialed media outlet in Rhode Island with a dedicated listenership.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Dr. Amy Nunn of Open Door Health for a discussion on the proposed Rhode Island tax on sugary beverages. 

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes NYC-based fashion attorney, professor, podcaster and columnist Doug Hand of Hand Baldachin & Associates for a discussion on the modern professional wardrobe for public figures.  This follows a recent incident in which Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio proposed a senate dress code, which state Senator Jonathan Acosta decried as a "white man's uniform".  What should be considered professional, confidence inspiring attire by contemporary standards?

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Shortly after then-Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo used the phrase "knock it off" to encourage people who weren't taking the pandemic seriously to do so, Frog & Toad proprietor Asher Schofield created a tee shirt utilizing the phrase, and launched a memorable campaign behind it (complete with Schofield delivering shirts via bike, using a megaphone).  Documentary filmmaker Mike Bell  seized the historic moment to create a film around the phenomenon.  Bill Bartholomew welcomes Schofield and Bell to BTOWN for a discussion on the shirt, the doc and the campaigns broad reach and legacy.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Commonwealth Care Alliance's President and CEO Chris Palmieri for a discussion about the "integrated care system's" expansion in Rhode Island, addressing the most in-need members of our community, innovations in coverage during Covid19 and much more.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Cullen Hoback, filmmaker and producer of the acclaimed and wildly popular documentary HBO series Q: Into The Storm, for a discussion the series' findings, creation and what comes next.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Island Senator Melissa Murray (District 24 Woonsocket, North Smithfield) for a conversation about the Revenue For Rhode Island platform for which she is advocating.  The initiative seeks to alter Rhode Island's tax code such that wealthier individuals would contribute additional money to the state's taxbase.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Bradly J. VanDerStad, leader of the Downtown Hospitality Group for a discussion on ideas for on how to generate business, cultural and community activity in downtown Providence.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes cannabis legalization advocate Maggie Kain of Yes We Cannabis for a conversation about Rhode Island's likely movement to legalize recreational cannabis sales and use.  The pair break down some of Rhode Island's existing laws, issues with compassion centers, expungement of previous cannabis-related convictions and offering BIPOC communities opportunities within the emerging cannabis industry.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Danika Oriol-Morway of Foster Parrots - located in Hopkinton, RI - who suffered a terrible fire at their facility a few weeks ago, resulting in the death of nearly 100 birds.  The pair discuss the sanctuary's mission, how foresight helped to prevent the fire from becoming much worse, animal relief and how the community can help them rebuild.

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Bill Bartholomew is joined by his Rhode Island PBS Weekly colleague Michelle San Miguel for a discussion on her career, including at NBC10 WJAR, and her work on the new Rhode Island centric  newsmagazine program she is anchoring and reporting for.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Governor Dan McKee back to BTOWN for a conversation for his first appearance as Governor for a conversation on Rhode Island's vaccination program, Covid19 response, education, hospitals, reopening and much more. 

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Bill Bartholomew speaks with first term mayor of Warwick Frank Picozzi about his goals as leader of the state's 3rd largest municipality, his political leanings, elevating the mayor of Warwick to more of a statewide position, Warwick history, traffic projects, and much more.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes newly elected Senator Cynthia Mendes fro a conversation about her victorious campaign against a powerful institutionalist senator, bringing the power of the people to the halls of government, her policy goals, and her personal experiences with C19.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes journalist, author and podcaster G. Wayne Miller back to BTOWN to discuss his latest fiction book "Blue Hill", covering Covid19 for The Providence Journal, podcasting and national TV show, and much more.

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Bill Bartholomew speaks with legendary sports anchor, reporter and announcer Frank Carpano of NBC10 WJAR about his 41 years in the business, changes in broadcast media, covering sports during Covid19,  some of the biggest sports stories and personalities he has covered and much more.

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Bill Bartholomew assess the latest on the ongoing ATV/dirt bike issue in Providence and Cranston, and welcomes Bike Life Lives Matter's Jeremy Costa, Jonathan Ouellet and Raymond Johnson to discuss their vision for potential solutions from riders perspective.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Harrison Tuttle, Executive Director of BLM RI PAC for a discussion on how Rhode Islanders can engage in actions to push against systemic disparities, building a winning political strategy at the municipal level, general outreach and messaging, hopes and expectations for the new McKee administration and much more.

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Monica Smith, Machiste Rankin and Diego Arene-Morley discuss the importance of community-wide understanding when it comes to issues surround substance use disorders, available resources, and their own experiences in recovery in Rhode Island.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Island Representative Breanna Henries to the pod for her debut appearance.  The pair discuss changes in RI's political landscape, her unique perspective and professional background and much more.

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This week, Dan McKee was sworn in as the 76th Governor of Rhode Island.  On this special report, Bill Bartholomew breaks down some of McKee's biggest challenges, his background, and reports from shadowing the Governor during his final few hours as LG, and first day as Governor. 

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes ABC 6 multimedia journalist Amanda Pitts to BTOWN for a robust discussion on local news, her career path, female perspective in news media, working for a small outlet in a market full of powerhouse stations, reporting on and covering Covid19 in Rhode Island, mansplaining at press conferences, her favorite elements of The Ocean State, gentrification and much more.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes RI Dept of Health's Dr. Philip Chan to BTOWN for a discussion on C19 vaccinations, response, what summer may look like, the spread of misinformation and much more.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes back journalist author Peter Lance to discuss his latest book, Homicide At Rough Point, which chronicles the circumstances surrounding a Newport, RI " unfortunate accident" - or murder - involving tobacco heiress Doris Duke.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes advocates for questions 3, 5, 6 and 7, and an opponent to question 4, for a robust discussion about some of the key bond questions that appear on the ballot for the March 2nd Rhode Island special election.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes back Tiara Mack for her first appearance as an elected official.  The pair discuss equity in Rhode Island, taking her natural-born perspective to the State Senate as a form of expertise, potential political future and much more.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes United Way of Rhode island's Cortney Nicolato to BTOWN for a discussion on the organization's historic 5 year, 100 million dollar investment into Rhode Island, major issues facing our nation, and the state's robust nonprofit sector.

EMAIL: bill@RIpodcast.com

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Thanks to our sponsor Yes on 3 Rhode Island

BECOME A BTOWN SPONSOR AND REACH THOUSANDS OF ENGAGED RHODE ISLANDERS!  TEXT 401.524.6825 or EMAIL bill@RIpodcast.com

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner to BTOWN to discuss the upcoming bond questions in the March 2nd special election, recent reports of his robust campaign war chest - and what that means for his political future - as well as how he anticipates incoming Governor Dan McKee will perform and what sort of working relationship the two have.

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Bill Bartholomew takes a deep dive with outspoken coastal access advocate Conrad Ferla on the shenanigans surrounding public rights-of-way and obstacles implemented to coastal access points in Rhode Island, something all residents are constitutionally entitled to.  Who are the major players in this saga, and what are activists doing to undo some of the barriers that have been created?

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes back Joe Shekarchi, this time in his role as Rhode Island Speaker of the House.  The two discuss priorities, navigating Covid19, embracing political intersections and the future of Rhode Island.

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Will James Diossa be Rhode Island's next Lt. Governor?  What are some of his biggest accomplishments as mayor of CF for nearly a decade?  Bill Bartholomew in conversation with James Diossa.

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Bill Bartholomew and Dan McGowan talk incoming RI Governor Dan McKee, Gina Raimondo to DC, local media, 2022 elections and much more on the BTOWN Season 4 kick off!

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Bill Bartholomew offers a holiday address, and re-airs the classic BTOWN holiday poem from 2019.

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Bill Bartholomew counts down the top 10 episodes of 2020

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Bill Bartholomew counts down the top 20 episodes of 2020, numbers 20 through 11!

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Linda Borg, Jim Hummel and Steve Klamkin for a roundtable discussion about the biggest stories of 2020.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes longtime Rhode Island sports journalist Kevin McNamara to BTOWN for a conversation on his new venture as an indie journalist, college hoops in the age of Covid, and who is the greatest Rhode Island athlete of all time?

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Bill Bartholomew checks in with BTOWN regular Ben DeCastro for a chat on how C19 has impacted his work as a social media influencer and broadcaster.  The pair also riff on the communications strategy that has been deployed by Rhode Island leaders as the pandemic surges ahead this fall.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes RI DLT Director Scott Jensen for a conversation about the status quo and future of UI and TDI benefits in Rhode Island, just as the state heads into its "pause".  Will folks that are out of work be able to access the benefits that they are entitled to?

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Guest host Dante Bellini, Jr. welcomes legendary actor John O'Hurley for a fun conversation!

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Audio of a Facebook Live video that I made from my van immediately following the Governor's C19 presser on Thursday 11.19.20

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Tom Nardacci of Aurelius Coworks, who just launched The Westwey Club, a new co-working space at The Turk's Head building in downtown Providence.  The pair discuss shifting trends in workplace strategies, and how Rhode Island may be positioned to serve as a leader in this space following the pandemic.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes NBC10 meteorologist Kelly Bates to the pod for a conversation about her career in broadcasting, forecasting weather in southern New England, climate change and changes in the media business.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Tina Spears, Executive Director of Community Provider Network for a discussion on how C19 is impacting mental health and special needs providers  in Rhode Island.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Island Director of Veteran Affairs Kasim yarn back to the show for a Veterans Day discussion on how C19 is impacting vets in Rhode Island.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rep Liana Cassar, who has thrown her name into the ring to become Rhode Island's next Speaker.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes BTOWN regular, Jim Hummel (The Hummel Report, ProJo, RI PBS, WPRO) for a discussion on the 2020 election on the local and Presidential levels.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Island Hospital emergency room physician and Brown University Associate Professor Dr. Megan Ranney for a local look at the current state of Covid19 in Rhode Island and beyond.  The M.D. is a frequent guest on national news and a leading voice in the management of the pandemic.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes John Flaherty of Grow Smart Rhode Island for a discussion about the proposed dismantling of a central transit hub in Providence, RI.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Scott MacKay, Political Commentator for The Public's Radio for a discussion on The 2020 Presidential Election and how it may impact elections going forward.

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Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha discusses the mechanics and the latest on the investigation into the incident between Providence Police and Jhamal Gonsalves, which left the 24 y/o moped rider in a coma. 

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rep Williams and Deb Suggs to BTOWN for a conversation on why Rhode Islanders should vote to approve question 1 this election and drop "Providence Plantations" from the state's official name.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Bob Zimmerman, the person behind the website Behind The Black for a conversation on all things space.  How might the 2020 elections impact space exploration and technology?  What are some of the key issues and projects the U.S. is involved in the space exploration and technology sectors?

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Christian Winthrop of The Newport Buzz for a conversation on Newport politics and other matters impacting the island city.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rhode Island Speaker of the House, District 15 Representative Nicholas Mattiello to the program for a conversation focused on his upcoming reelection campaign against Republican candidate Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung.  

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Brown University Political Science Chairwoman Dr. Wendy Schiller back to BTOWN for a discussion on all things Presidential Election 2020.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes KC from The Providence Democratic Socialists of America to share the DSA's perspective on local and national topics, discuss a robust data research and policy project on police contributions to elected officials and candidates and much more.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes RI HD 39 candidate Megan Cotter to the pod for a conversation on her experience running as a progressive in a rural, conservative-leaning portion of the state.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes back outgoing State Representative Moira Walsh for a discussion on the culture of Rhode Island's General Assembly, and what she may be up to in the future.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes NEA RI Executive Director Bob Walsh back to the pod for a discussion about the challenges facing teachers and students with back to school in RI during C19.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes back RIDE Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green for a discussion on all things back-to-school in RI during C19.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Senator Sheldon Whitehouse back to the pod for a robust discussion on a number of topics, including Covid19, elections, social justice, climate change, Federal stimulus and jobs creation.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Corey Jones of RI's BLM PAC to discuss a handful of issues that the PAC hopes to address, including inequity and challenges surrounding back to school.

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A conversation with newscasters Kim Kalunian and Brian Yocono on the heels of the launch of their new broadcast 12 News Now at 4pm.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes three victorious primary candidates who challenged institutionalist Democrats in Rhode Island's 2020 primary, each of whom are members of the Rhode Island Political Coop.

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On this episode of BTOWN, Bill Bartholomew discusses where distance learning works, where it needs to be improved and where it can be applied permanently post-C19, with Executive Director  of FabNewport Steven Heath and students Gabby Brown and Debbie Adekunle.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes The Public's Radio's political reporter Ian Donnis for a look at RI's key primary races, WPRI's political reporter/editor Ted Nesi for a look at some key Massachusetts races, plus challenger candidates Tiara Mack, Lenny Cioe and Dylan Conley.

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C19 in RI: The Age of Digital Health, with UnitedHealthcare New England CEO Stephen Farrell

Bill Bartholomew talks telehelath, telemedicine and overall digital health trends with United Healthcare of New England CEO Stephen Farrell.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Kevin Essington of Providence's Roger Williams Park Conservancy for a discussion on the roles that public parks play in urban spaces, the renewed importance of such places during the C19 crisis, their Arts in the Park initiative and debating Roger Williams as a historical figure.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes back environmental activists Ken Payne and Paul Roselli to discuss their recent report "Insufficient", on whether Rhode Island is doing enough to manage climate change issue.

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**Homicide At Rough Point: Journalist Peter Lance Discusses His Vanity Fair Piece on Doris Duke

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In this episode, Bill Bartholomew explores the origins of Rhode Island's leading independent arts hub, AS220, with visionary Umberto Crenca.

*Recorded before the pandemic hit RI

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Ian O'Neil and Chris Ryan of Providence, Rhode Island-based band Deer Tick to BTOWN for a discussion on the band's relationship with The Newport Folk Festival, indie music's role in the broad economy, social justice, the band's future and much more.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes 14 year old weather forecaster Ryan Lukowicz to BTOWN for a conversation about his interest in broadcasting and weather, and how he has overcome challenging circumstances to deliver content to his audience.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Boston Globe RI bureau's Amanda Milkovits for a conversation about her recent stories and how The Globe has taken a unique approach to journalism in Rhode Island.

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with Matthew Jersyk, who keeps the website RIsoccer.org for a discussion on the role youth sports plays in RI's community, economy, and how to manage in light of C19.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes independent investigative reporter Jim Hummel of The Hummel Report back to BTOWN for a chat about Governor Raimondo, Covid19, his various outlets and his latest investigations.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes Nate Carpenter and Wil Gregersen of Rhode Island Progressive Democrats of America to The Loft for a conversation about their Blueprint for a Renewable Rhode Island, which would serve as an environmental and economic stimulus.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes back Providence City Council President Sabina Matos for another round on The BTOWN Pod.  The pair discuss social justice rallies, C19, budget issues, Providence Plantations/Columbus statue removals, fireworks, defunding the police and much more.

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Bill Bartholomew speaks with Rhode Island-based youth activists and organizers behind Gen Z: We Want To Live Jaychele Nicole and Isabella James.

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BB and Ray Watson discuss the current affairs of the globe, real Rhode Island history, systemic oppression, fake leadership and they each correlate.

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Congressman David Cicilline joins Bill Bartholomew for his second appearance on The Bartholomewtown Podcast (RIpodcast.com) for a discussion on the current events in the U.S. and the specific impact and response in Rhode Island.

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Juneteenth RI's Helen Baskerville Dukes and Lisa Scorpio

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Representative Anastasia P. Williams **Search "Bartholomewtown" on social channels for frontline reporting.

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Rep Marcia Ranglin-Vassell on The Removal of "and Providence Plantations" from Rhode Island's Official Name

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Providence's Digital PRIDE Exhibit, w/ PVD Councilor Rachel Miller, PVD Council Deputy Chief of Staff Bill Kepner + PVD City Archives Shaina Weintraub

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Black Lives Matter Rhode Island's Brother Gary

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Nonviolence Institute's Sal Monteiro + Providence College's Keith Morton

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C19 in RI: Banking During The Crisis, with Navigant Credit Union Executive VP / COO Lisa Dandeneau

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C19 in RI: A Conversation On Equity with Lt. Governor Dan McKee and Dr. Luis Daniel Munoz

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RI State Senatorial Candidate Jennifer Rourke Responds to Racist Comments Made to Her During Town Hall Meeting

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C19 in RI: Jonathan Acosta (Central Falls City Councilor, candidate, RI Senate District 16

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C19 in RI: A Conversation on RI's General Assembly Reopening, Oversight and Socialism with Representative Mike Chippendale 

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C19 in RI: Restaurant Week (Pt 3) Dante Bellini, Jr on Restaurant Industry Recovery

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C19 in RI: Restaurant Week (Pt 2), Galactic Theatre (Warren), Alaina's (Richmond) + Nolan's (Providence)

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C19 in RI: Restaurant Week (Pt 1) Salvation Cafe (Newport), White Electric (Providence) + Dunkin' (Bristol County)

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C19 in RI: NAACP Providence President Jim Vincent

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C19 in RI: A Positive Community Project in Central Falls High School w/ Special Education Teacher Jordana Ruggeri

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C19 in RI: Indie Media's Expanding Role in Mainstream News Coverage, with ConvergenceRI's Richard Asinof

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Brian Mulhern (Broadcaster, Screenwriter, Co-Host Cat Country Morning Show)

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C19 in RI: Assessing Gaps in Communication by RI's Administration with Dorcas International Institute's Kathy Cloutier + Mike Chea

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C19 in RI: Assessing RI's Music Industry w/ Music Journalist Rob Duguay

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C19 in RI: Mary Larsen (Wicked Rhody) On Indie Media + Beyond

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C1 in RI: Assessing RI's Restaurant Industry w/ Eat Drink RI's Dave Dadekian

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C19 in RI: RI Treasurer Seth Magaziner

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C1 in RI: RI Dept of Health's Dr. James McDonald

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C19 in RI: Chatting with Susan Greenhalgh, Accredited Financial Counselor (Mind Your Money, LLC)

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C19 in RI: RI Pride's Ken Barber + Ray Sirico

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C19 in RI: CoVid-19's Impact On The Census, with John Marion (Common Cause RI)

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C19 in RI: Local Mobility Advocates Respond to PVD Park Closures, with Safe Streets' Liza Berkin & Safe on the Road's Kailtlyn Goodman

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C19 in RI: Distance Learning + Beyond, Part 2 - Providence Teacher's Union President Maribeth Calabro

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C19 in RI: Distance Learning + Beyond, Part 1 - Blackstone Valley Prep's Dave Jose

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Take a step back and enjoy this magical conversation with Rhode Island broadcaster R.J. Heim!

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C19 in RI: Dr. Pablo Rodriguez

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C19 in RI: RI Nurse + State Senatorial Candidate Lenny Cioe

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C19 in RI: Challenges Facing RI's Homeless Community, with Crossroads RI President + CEO Karen Santilli 

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C19 in RI: How C19 Is Impacting RI's Disabled Community, with RAMP President/Founder/CEO Tina Guenette Pedersen

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C19 in RI: State Senator Sam Bell

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C19 in RI: Newport Folk + Jazz Festivals Executive Producer Jay Sweet

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C19 in RI: Bus Drivers Union President Thomas Cutes

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C19 in RI: Dr. Luis-Daniel Munoz, M.D.

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C19 in RI: Breaking Down The Stimulus, with blumshapiro's Joseph Feehan 

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C19 in RI: Lt. Governor McKee on Small Businesses, Independent Contractor Relief; Preparing to Step in for Governor Raimondo If Needed

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COVID-19 in RI: Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea on Elections, Census and Beyond

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Bill Bartholomew discusses how COVID-19 is impacting a prominent small business in Rhode Island, Seven Stars Bakery

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Bill Bartholomew speaks with longtime Providence Journal columnist M. Charles Bakst for a discussion about Mr. Bakst's career, changes in media, misbehavior in Rhode Island politics and much more.

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with Rhode Island House District 15 Republican candidate Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung for a conversation on why she is entering the General Assembly race in hopes to oppose current HD15 Rep (and Speaker of the House) Nicholas Mattiello in the general election this autumn. 

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Newport mayor Jamie Bova offers her latest position on Newport's St. Patrick's Day parade in midst of coronavirus concerns.

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with Providence, RI mayor Jorge Elorza for his second appearance on the pod.  From his City Hall office, the pair discuss the core tenant of Elorza's recent State of the City address, his concept of "The New Providence"

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Bill Bartholomew speaks with legendary sportscaster Chris Myers, who has become a fixture of sports media in decades of work at ESPN and FOX Sports.

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with Rhode Island Political Cooperative candidate Lenny Cioe, who will primary Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio.

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On this special edition of The Bartholomewtown Podcast (RIpodcast.com), Bill Bartholomew welcomes Providence City Council Ward 1special election candidates Anthony Santurri and Nick Cicchitelli for a conversation about Providence's future.

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On this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast (RIpodcast.com), Bill Bartholomew sits down with David Hirschman, Host of The Blue Economy Podcast for a discussion on what the blue economy is, what it means for Rhode Island, and what his new podcast series will explore.

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On this new recurring series on The Bartholomewtown Podcast (RIpodcast.com) Bill Bartholomew will welcome a variety of Rhode Island politicos, media members, artists and other influencers for freeform discussion and debate.  On this edition, Bill welcomes former House Minority Leader Patricia Morgan, Providence School Board/United Way's Travis Escobar and WPRO producer Tom Quinlan for an odd pairing with interesting results.

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SMMA is a local architectural design firm with ties to some well-known Rhode Island projects.  On this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Bill Bartholomew is joined by SMMA's Nick Koulbanis for an interesting assessment of some of critical issues facing The Ocean State from a design perspective. 

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Bill Bartholomew is once again joined by Brown University Watson Institute Chair Dr. Wendy Schiller for an in-depth look at the current state of affairs and key points to watch for in the 2020 Presidential election.  2020pod on The Bartholomewtown Podcast is a recurring series focused on the election.

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On this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Bill Bartholomew sits down with Thomas Giordano, Executive Director of The Partnership For Rhode Island to discuss how the legion of top RI-based CEO's impacts the state.

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with RI Rep Mike Chippendale, Eco RI environmental reporter Tim Faulkner and Burillville Land Trust's Paul Roselli for a discussion on the challenges and lack of regulatory procedures surround solar farm installation in the state.

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with Lynzi Deluccia (who recently joined the roster at NBC10) for a conversation about her journey in broadcasting, impressions of Rhode Island, having a similar name to another reporter in market (twice!), future of traditional media, her role as a cycle bar instructor and much more!

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Bill Bartholomew is joined by Providence Journal reporter Brian Amaral for a discussion on RI politics, future of traditional media, water taxis and much more!

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner at The Rhode Island State House for a conversation following the Treasurer's announcement that RI will stop investing in manufacturers of assault weapons and operators of private prisons for the state's pension fund.

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with NEARI Executive Director Bob Walsh for an in-depth conversation on education policy, 2020 Presidential election, Rhode Island politics, Rhode Island progressive alliance "Rhode Island Political Coop" and much more!

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Bill Bartholomew and longtime southern New England news personality, entertainer and Rhode Island community leader Mario Hilario talk about his journey in broadcasting, creativity, charity, managing celebrity and much more.

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Bill Bartholomew is joined by Gabriela Rassi, the voice of the pod's station ID, for part 2 of the countdown of the top 19 episodes of The Bartholomewtown Podcast (RIpodcast.com)in 2019!

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Bill Bartholomew is joined by Gabriela Rassi, the voice of the pod's station ID, for part 1 of the countdown of the top 19 episodes of The Bartholomewtown Podcast (RIpodcast.com)in 2019!

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Bill Bartholomewsits down with Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio for a n end-of -year conversation at The Rhode Island State House, discussing priorities heading into 2020 and recent economic development projects that mat shape key elements of the next decade for the state.

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The Bartholomewtown Podcast Holiday Special featuring RI Governor Gina Raimondo, RI Lt. Gov Dan McKee, Chef Frank Terranova, Trinity Rep's Michelle Cruz, NAACP Providence President Jim Vincent, The Public's Radio's Scott MacKay, WPRO's Steve Klamkin, Cat Country/studio 10's Ben DeCastro and singer/songwriter/artist Dan Blakeslee!

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In this episode The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Bill Bartholomew welcomes The Providence Journal reporter Linda Borg and WPRO News Anchor / Reporter Paul Zangari for a roundtable discussion on some of the top Rhode Island news stories of 2019!

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In this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Bill Bartholomew is joined by Brown University Political Science Department Chair Dr. Wendy Schiller for the inaugural installment of the recurring BTOWN series "2020pod", in which the pair will offer perspective and analysis at key moments throughout the 2020 election cycle.

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On this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast (RIpodcast.com)Bill Bartholomew sits down with Emma Bouton and Michael Kearney of Sunrise Providence about their recent climate change-driven action in Rhode Island, including the recent Climate Strike.

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On this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast (RIpodcast.com), Bill Bartholomew sits down with Local Initiatives Support Corporation's Executive Director Jeanne Cola for a discussion about Rhode Island housing challenges and ongoing work to combat them.

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On this bonus episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast (RIpodcast.com) Bill Bartholomew sits down with Gotham Greens Co-Founder Viraj Puri at The Rhode Island Infrastructure Summit for a look at how the company, which launched their Providence, RI location yesterday, navigated multiple RI agencies and  business climate stigma while embracing key positive Rhode Island elements and assets.

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In this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast (RIpodcast.com), Bill Bartholomew sits down with Tom Sgoras, who commutes daily to and from South County for his job at Brown University via RIPTA bus.  Mr. Sgoras offers an insightful and hands-on perspective on the challenges, needs and possibilities for a robust public transit infrastructure to be implemented on a state-wide basis.

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In this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Bill Bartholomewsits down with indie hip hop artist and label owner Sage Francisabout his work, distributing content as an independent producer, building local scenes (without becoming a "local artist"), making money without selling out, Rhode Island versus Connecticut and much more!  Follow the pod on IG @bartholomewtownpodcast

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On this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Bill Bartholomewsits down with veteran television reporter Brian Crandallfor a fun discussion about his journey in broadcasting, Rhode Island roots, today's media and news industry and much more.

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In this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast (RIpodcast.com), Bill Bartholomew sits down with Jeremy Duffy, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of The Guild, a "brewing campus" that is helping to define Rhode Island as an epicenter in the craft brewery industry.  Mr. Duffy describes his experience operating The Guild in Pawtucket, RI, as well as his thoughts on Rhode Island politics, economic development and much more.

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On this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast (RIpodcast.com), Bill Bartholomewsits down with leaders from two Rhode Island community nonprofits that are making an impact in the state's youth and broad communities: Brandford Davis, Executive Director, John Hope Settlement House and Joel Gilbert of Community Cafe.

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In this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Bill Bartholomew sits down with WPRI Editor and Reporter Ted Nesi for an uptempo chat about Rhode Island media and politics.  The pair look to the 2020 and 2022 elections in the southern New England market, and talk changes in the landscape of the media in the region.

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In this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Bill Bartholomew sits down with Providence Journal immigration reporter Kevin Andrade for a discussion about some specific immigration-related issues ongoing in Rhode Island, including recent uptick in Cambodian deportation by ICE.  We discuss Mr. Andrade's backstory and origins in journalism, and how his multilingualism offers him a unique perspective - and voice - in the Providence-metro market.

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In this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast (RIpodcast.com), Bill Bartholomewsits down with South Kingstown School Committee Vice Chair and NEA RI Assistant Executive Director Sarah Markey to discuss two areas: the ongoing controversy surrounding Ms. Markey's potentially conflicting positions as a School Committee member and Teacher's Union official, and, her assessment e of South Kingstown, and greater South County's political and overall climate from her perspective as an active progressive political vote in the state.

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In this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Bill Bartholomew sits down with Providence City Archive's Reference and Multimedia Administrator Shaina Weintraub.Ms. Weintraub has harnessed several social media platforms, particularly Instagram, to develop a fun, interactive and educational delivery system for understanding Providence and Rhode Island history.

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In this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast (RIpodcast.com) Bill Bartholomew sits down with DESIGNxRI's Lisa Carnevale for a discussion about design's role in building, developing and nurturing a robust Rhode Island.  

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In this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Bill Bartholomew sits down with WPRI Channel 12 Editor and Lead Investigative Reporter Tim White for a fascinating conversation about the changing landscape of Rhode Island media (and media consumption in general), as well as looking back on the 2018 Rhode Island election cycle - and what lessons might be drawn for 2020 and 2022.  We also discuss the late-greats of Rhode Island television investigative journalism: Tim's father Jack White and WJAR's Jim Taricani.

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In this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Bill Bartholomew sits down with WPRO News Director - and Rhode Island Broadcast Hall of Fame Inductee - Bill Haberman for an upbeat conversation about radio, news, Rhode Island and his duties as Brown University athletic's stadium announcer!

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In this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Bill Bartholomew sits down with Rhode Island Representative Moira Walshfor an in-depth discussion about her political strategy, work in her district, thoughts on a statewide progressive network and much more.

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In this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Bill Bartholomew sits down with UpriseRI founder and multimedia journalist Steve Ahlquist for a conversation about pioneering efforts as an independent media outlet, his decision to operate with a defined and explicit progressive slant and key ingredients to move Rhode Island forward in a meaningful way.

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In this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Bill Bartholomew sits down with veteran television political and news reporter Bill Rappleye for an in-depth discussion about Rap's backstory in journalism, embracing new technology and other industry shifts, working for a variety of large parent companies and living in Rhode Island.

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In this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Bill Bartholomew once sits down with Rhode Island content producer Ben DeCastro once again for a lively discussion about his recent projects, including contributions to the market's top television and radio outlets, as well as his own brand of storytelling via new media platforms.

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In this roundtable episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Bill Bartholomew sits down with Tiara Mack, Matt Brown and Maggie Kain, all members of the newly announced Rhode Island Political Cooperative, which is seeking to put forth some 25 statewide progressive candidates under one unified banner and effort in the upcoming 202 election.
http://ripoliticalcoop.com

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On this bonus episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Bill Bartholomew joins The Boston Globe's Ed Fitzpatrick, CIC's Rebecca Webber and the rest of the CIC run club for a jog through downtown Providence and a conversation about the sort of businesses CIC and the greater "195 land opportunity zone" is trying to attract, and the community they are building in the process.

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On this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Bill Bartholomew sits down with Steven King, Managing Director of Quonset, a sprawling business park and commercial port which has seen significant growth in a diversity of industries and, according to a recent Bryant University report, is a major economic development driver on a statewide scale.

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On this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Bill Bartholomew sits down with Senior Advisor to Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo for a discussion about the robust addiction treatment and prevention programs that the administration is championing, as well as look at Mr. Coderre's compelling backstory in politics and life.

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In this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Bill Bartholomew sits down with Providence Journal Education Reporter Linda Borg for an in-depth conversation on her journey in print journalism, education in Rhode Island, the future of print outlets like The Providence Journal and much more.

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In this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Bill Bartholomew sits down with finance veteran and Executive Director and CEO of Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank Jeff Diehl for a conversation about the role of the bank in financing projects throughout the state, Rhode Island infrastructure challenges and a preview of the upcoming Rhode Island Infrastructure Summit.  

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In this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Bill Bartholomew sits down with Woonsocket City Councilor and Sunrise Movement member Alex Kithes for an in-depth conversation about his successful council campaign, running on a progressive platform in the city's a specifically challenging political environment.  

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In this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Bill Bartholomew sit-down with NBC10 WJAR host and reporter Lindsay Iadeluca for an in-depth look at her journey in broadcasting, the launch of the new hyper-local lifestyle television program Studio10, as well as working as a woman in media.

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with Rhode Island Commissioner of Education Angelica Infante-Green for an in-depth conversation about her backstory, youth, education, time in New York, perspective on Rhode Island, and of course, the state's takeover of The Providence Public Schools.

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In this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Bill Bartholomew sits down with Roger Williams Park Zoo Conservation Director Lou Perrotti for a look at some critical elements of environmental impact in Rhode Island, including specificities endangers species that offer insight into broader environmental - and development opportunities in Rhode Island's future.

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On this episode, Bill welcomes Eric Creamer of Alzheimer's Association Rhode Island chapter for a look into the successful, unanimously supported action taken by the RI General Assembly this past legislative session, serving as an example of how the Rhode Island GA's multiple factions can work together to address major public well-being concerns.

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On this episode, Bill Bartholomew examines Rhode Island's current, past and future election processes with Board of Elections Vice Chair, retired judge Steve Erickson.  The conversation also expands to an overview of Rhode Island's current state of affairs.

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Nirva LaFortune is the Providence City Councilwoman representing Ward 3.  In this conversation, LaFortune combines her experiences in city government and education to offer keen perspective on recent troubling developments in the city and state's public school systems.

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On this episode of The Bartholoemwtown Podcast, Bill is joined by Raymond Two Hawks Watson for a deep dive into Rhode Island historical and contemporary issues.

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Providence City Council President Sabina Matos is widely considered to be a buzzworthy figure in contemporary and future Providence politics.  On this episode, we discuss the role that the council president plays in city government, as well as her perspective on the ongoing Providence Public Schools situation (years of infrastructural and academic neglect, brought to greater public attention via recent Johns Hopkins Schools of Education report).

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Bill Bartholomew sits down with Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner for his second appearance on the pod, discussing several of the Treasurer's initiatives as well as recent developments in Rhode Island schools.

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Sam Bell (D, Providence) is a freshman Rhode Island state Senator, known for his tenure as the former head of the Rhode Island progressive Democrats, and currently in the state legislature, as a strong opposition voice to many of the seemingly institutionalist practices of the state’s political infrastructure.

During his appearance on The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Senator Bell made waves when he suggested that, due to what he perceives as an extreme conservative bias, that Rhode Islanders would be better off without the current media companies that produce news and opinion in the market, and that because of what he describes as a lack of progressive opinion voices on radio, in print and on television, that he would not be disappointed to see the current media landscape fold.

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Bill Bartholomew welcomes in Ethan Shorey, Managing Editor of The Valley Breeze, a hyper-local print newspaper covering northern Rhode Island.  The conversation offers a glimpse into the community relationships that define The Valley Breeze's success and growth, along with Shorey's assessment of northern Rhode Island economic development, Rhode Island politics and much more.

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Dante Bellini Jr. is the recently retired Partner / Executive Vice President of RDW Group, a Rhode Island based integrated communications firm with ties to many of the market's legacy brands and institutions.  During this fun conversation, Dante offers insight from his 41 years in mass media and shares key takeaways about Rhode Island and the southern New England market.

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On this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Bill Bartholomew is joined by Providence Journal Providence beat reporter Madeleine List for two separate conversations.  First, an in-studio sit-down, focusing on Madeleine's first year on the City Hall beat.  Second, a phone conversation in the hours following the passing of the fiscal year 2020 Providence budget, a process that was filled with much rhetoric and criticism between Mayor Elorza and The Providence City Council.

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Just days after The Rhode Island General Assembly passed the fiscal year 2020 state budget, House Majority Leader offers insight into how leadership may have prioritized certain sectors and ideas in an effort to stimulate economic development (i.e. small business, Blockchain), attention to educational challenges and so-called "evergreen laws", as well as shared wins and losses between different parties and State Officers.

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G. Wayne Miller is an established storyteller, who has built a career through writing, photography, television and audio platforms including PBS and The Providence Journal.  On this episode, Bill Bartholomew and Wayne discuss the future of media, the rise of podcasting, his nationally syndicated television program Story In The Public Square and the ins-and-outs of storytelling.

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On this episode, Bill Bartholomew welcomes the cast of WPRO's The Gresh Show, Andy Gresh and producer Brett Ferruccio for a fun look at New England sports media, future of talk radio, origins in broadcasting, creating a daily show and much more.

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Naomi Chomsky is a Rhode Island-based activist and performer who recently found themselves in the regional and national media spotlight at the center of what became a “controversial” Drag Queen Story Hour event booked in Fall River, MA.

Drag Queen Story Hour is exactly what it purports itself to be: queens in full garb reading children's books to children, usually at a local library or other public space, though the event sparked conflict in Rhode Island in recent weeks.

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In this on-location episode, Bill Bartholomew sits down with three voices on CBD in Rhode Island: occupational therapist Kim Canning, farmer Ben Morgan-Dillon and retail proprietor Jordan Carlson, plus a follow-up with Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation cannabis head Norman Birenbaum on what regulatory process may be in store when it comes to CBD in the Ocean State.

Special thanks to High Hope of Newport, RI for supporting Bartholomewtown and providing an unique location to record this episode.

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Veteran Projo reporter and author Mike Stanton talks Cianci, media, Rhode Island politics, journalism classrooms and much more!

Mike Stanton is an author, investigative reporter and associate professor of journalism at the University of Connecticut. He worked for years as a sports writer and investigative reporter for The Providence Journal, where he shared a Pulitzer Prize, and is the author of the New York Times-bestselling The Prince of Providence, a biography of the late felonious ex-mayor, Buddy Cianci, and the author of Unbeaten: Rocky Marciano's Fight for Perfection in a Crooked World

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NAACP Providence President Jim Vincent joins host Bill Bartholomew for a wide-ranging discussion on racism, policy and politics in Rhode Island.

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Barnaby Evans is the creator of WaterFire, a recurring public art installation that has become an iconic element of The City of Providence.  During a wide-ranging conversation, Mr. Evans, a Brown University graduate and multidisciplinary artist, described WaterFire's origins and mission, offered takes on Rhode Island economic development and politics, and put forth the facts that Roger Williams founded Providence as the first "sanctuary city."

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On this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Bill Bartholomew presents several conversations with artists and organizers from this year's PVDFest.  Entering its 5th season, PVDFest is described as the "Creative Capital's" "signature arts festival."  In this episode, conversations include artists Becky Bass, Mike Gore of Extraordinary Rendition Band, Christopher Knott, keynote speaker Lars Jan, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza and Dorcas International's Lisa Limer.

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With major shifts in the southern New England media landscape, including The Boston Globe's foray into Rhode Island, and his own outlet's recent announcement of expansion into Newport and South County, RI, I circle back with an early B-TOWN guest and southern New England media mainstay, Ian Donnis of The Public's Radio (Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts' NPR affiliate).

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The Boston Globe recently announced that it was expanding to include more in-depth Rhode Island coverage, including the hiring of three prominent Rhode Island journalists: Dan McGowan, Amanda Milkovits and Edward Fitzpatrick.

On this episode of The Bartholomewtown Podcast, Ed Fitzpatrick returns to The Loft to break down some of the coverage The Globe's Rhode Island team expects to provide and how the group plans to operate in covering the biggest news stories in the state.

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**Mr. 401, Gene Valicenti

Gene Valicenti is a Rhode Island legend, a longtime media personality who serves as the 6 o’clock newscast anchor on the market’s television leader, WJAR NBC10, as well as the morning drive host on the region’s leading news/talk radio station, WPRO.**

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Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Dan McKee was the first political guest to appear on The Bartholomewtown Podcast, so I couldn’t think of a better guest to celebrate  episode 100 with than the honorable LG.

In the past year, McKee was engaged in a highly compelling Democratic primary with progressive former Representative Aaron Regunberg, a contest the LG ultimately won, and which served as a an interesting window into the strength of  both the progressive and moderate Democrats in RI.

In his second term, LG McKee has continued to embrace his “39 Cities and Towns” approach to governance, and has been a statewide leader on issues ranging from utility company responsibility, Alzheimer’s and entrepreneurial incubation.

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Joe Polisina is a longstanding political figure from Johnston, Rhode Island, having served as a state Senator and since 2006, as the city’s mayor.

During our wide-ranging conversation Mayor Polisena expanded on his well-known perspective on recently passed municipal contract bills, that he along with many other mayors and town administrators have insisted is detrimental their municipalities long-term fiscal well-being.

He also indicated that he has been approached about running for a major statewide office in the 2022 elections, and discussed operating as a conservative Democrat, and his professional origins as a radio personality.

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A look at the juxtaposition of historic preservation and development in Rhode Island via The Nicholson House in Providence.

Situated behind a stone wall and layers of trees on Blackstone Boulevard in Providence, Rhode Island’s east side, The Nicholson House is often referred to as one of the last of the great estates that defined the neighborhood for much of the 20th century. Some three acres in totality and boasting an impressive manor house and gardens, the property undoubtedly adds an element of charm and living history to the area.

However, in recent times, as the Nicholson family has moved to sell of the estate, questions about historic preservation, community member and private property owner rights city planning and zoning have come into play, as a vocal group of neighbors have actively attempted to stop a would-be 10 parcel development on the Nicholson site, arguing that such a development doesn’t adhere to the city’s Central Planning standards, and would disrupt the fabric of the east side.

On today’s episode, I’m joined by Providence Ward two Councilwoman Helen Anthony and Brown University professor Matthew Turner, who each live in the area, and argue that the proposed development of the Nicholson site is inappropriate.

I also speak with Jim DeRentis, the buyer and seller agent on the project, who tells me that the proposed plan has already engaged in compromise, and given the evolution of housing demand and city planning, that the proposed development is perfectly within bounds.

This case applies broadly to an array of debates on a statewide level surrounding how to preserve historic and sentimental aspects of the Rhode Island’s identity, while also allowing for innovation unfold.

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Weenie Wizard is a Providence, RI-based artisanal hot dog stand, that offers a constantly shifting array of meat, veggie and carrot dogs with highly original and creative toppings.  Created by Michele Fryer and Luke Tabor, aka the Fantastical Food Group, ‘The Meat MAGICIANS”, as they are known, have expanded from speakeasy-esq DIY origins in 2014 to a fully licensed food provider today, providing their signature dogs at a variety of pop-up spaces and events.  Not a food truck, not a brick and mortar restaurant, Weenie Wizard’s innovative approach to food production borrows from guerilla-mainstream conversion tactics followed by many other forms of art.  Further, in transacting hot dogs, the wizard’s have a unique vantage point from which to observe and understand the wide array of patrons that frequent their stand.

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Steve Klamkin is a news personality on Providence-based legacy news/talk radio station WPRO.

A newsman’s newsman on the journalistic side of the job, and a highly entertaining and singular personality as a broadcaster, Klamkin can be heard on-air most days as a reporter, anchor, and on Saturday mornings, a host.

In an era of shifting media consumption habits and changes to the landscape and dynamics of the Rhode Island media market, Steve offered his perspective on a number of relevant topics, including the Boston Globe’s foray into the Ocean State and the future of radio.  Not to mention, we dig into Steve’s backstory in journalism, including when he was bitten by the radio bug and the development of his signature tagline.

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College campuses across the United States are filled with a vast array of clubs and organizations that can serve a range of purposes from filling students downtime with amusement to encouraging scenarios that sculpt leaders of the future.

College political party clubs provide an outlet for young politicos to engage with each other, the student body, the general public, media and elected officials, and they provide an interesting portal to understand where political ideologies and priorities might pivot in the coming years.

I recently addressed a group of College Democrats at my alma mater, The University of Rhode Island and was pleasantly surprised by many students in-depth understanding of local issues, and the variety of perspectives that different students possessed within the confines of identifying as Democrats.

On today’s episode of Bartholomewtown, I sit down with the College Democrat Presidents of three Rhode Island university’s for an intriguing and fun discussion on where the Democratic Party is and where it is heading.

Joining me at the loft are Brown University’s Rose Lang-Maso, Bryant University’s Quinton Law and The University of Rhode Island’s Andy Boardman.

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Joe Wilson, Jr. is a theatrical actor and activist, who is Coordinator Of Activism Through Performance and Resident Acting Company Member with Providence’s Trinity Repertory Company, described as "one of the most respected regional theatres in the country"

Our conversation included Mr. Wilson’s journey as an artist and political activist, including his origins in the deep south, and stints in New York City.

However, the core of our discussion focused on many critical social justice and creativity fertilization issues facing Rhode Island and beyond.

How do we measure the impact that arts have on students, municipalities and society at large, when hard data is so often unable to quantify the intangible benefits that art provides?

And how does Providence, and Rhode Island as a whole stack up against other regions when it comes to using the arts as a springboard for ideas and development?

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There’s no question that economies of the future will be strengthened by, and eventually depend on a broad, multilingual workforce and pool of innovators.

Simultaneously, today, many people are unable to access educational and other developmental opportunities because of their lack of command of English, and are left out of the field of potential contributors to an improved economy.

From various European explorers, to its formative roots as a colony, and through its tenure in statehood, Rhode Island has long been defined by a shifting, expanding and, now, more integrated blend of ethnic identifications.

Today, perhaps more than at any other recent point in the region’s history, language barriers are becoming more and more apparent, in areas such as standardized testing and hospitalization.

In a report from Friday’s The Boston Globe, Dan McGowan noted that the on time graduation rate for public school English Language Learners in Rhode Island dropped to 71.7 percent - from 77 percent in 2015 - and Rhode Island policy makers are plotting how to resolve the issue as part of a broad education rethink.

Perhaps central to this rethinking could be the World Language and Dual Language Immersion Act, which in sum, would implement a statewide dual language curriculum, working to improve outcomes for both English Language Learners as well as primary English speaking students.

On this episode, I’m joined by a roundtable of respected dual language educational policy advocates in Rhode Island for a detailed look at The Immersion Act, as well as the many challenges surrounding this issue. They are: Christopher Sanacore, Rhode Island College’s Erin Papa and The University of Rhode Island’s Rabia Hos, each part of The Rhode Island Road Map to Language Excellence

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Stephen Smith is a West Virginia gubernatorial candidate, who has built a people-powered political and social movement in West Virginia which seeks to overtake the state’s gouvernement from the hands of what they describe as the ‘Good Ol’ Boys” club that has long-controlled the state’s political might.

What sets Mr. Smith apart from conventional political candidates, though, is his championing of a state-wide organized opposition movement, dubbed West Virginia Can’t Wait. The movement has organized more than 50 races around the state under on banner and one clear message: to spread the levers of power equitably amongst the state’s residents.

During our conversation earlier this week at our loft here in Providence, Mr. Smith described many of the mechanical and practical elements that have allowed for the West Virginia Can’t Wait movement to develop and experience significant momentum.

What can Rhode Island, and other small to mid-sized states and regions learn from Mr. Smith’s campaign and the West Virginia Can’t Wait movement? And now that an infrastructure has been created, what will it take to build the broad, non-partisan and nimble base of support to turn out on election day?

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Scott MacKay is a political analyst for The Public’s Radio, the NPR affiliate that covers Rhode Island and southeastern, Massachusetts through a variety of terrestrial and digital platforms.

Our conversation touched on Scott’s storied, multi-decade career in journalism, including covering then-Burlington, Vermont mayor Bernie Sanders, time spent at The Providence Journal and transitioning to radio.

We touched on all sorts of elements of Rhode Island history, politics, media and art, and Scott had no problem offering his signature commentary style throughout of our conversation

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Kathleen Pletcher is the Executive Artistic Director of FirstWorks, a Providence-based arts performance and educational non-profit, which she founded in 2004 on the heels of her work overseeing the highly successful First Night Providence..