In this special episode of Public Hearing, Josh speaks to Jennifer J. Gaskin, author of the recently released The Exit - Living with Urban Joy. Tune in to hear the inspiration behind Jennifer’s debut book, and explore how faith and cultural traditions like Carnival create opportunities for joy in oppressive environments.

Public Hearing is a podcast from Action! by Design where we explore the unique challenges and opportunities facing Massachusetts' Gateway Cities as they work to create more equitable, liberated, and sustainable communities. Listen to all of our episodes at https://publichearing.buzzsprout.com/ and follow us on Twitter @PublicHearingMA to keep up to date on all things Public Hearing!

Prefer the radio? Tune in Wednesdays at 6pm on WICN 90.5FM, Worcester's only NPR affiliate station. Not in the Worcester area? No worries, you can listen live at WICN.org

This season of Public Hearing has explored Digital Equity efforts across the nation and the variety of innovative community-oriented approaches to getting people connected. How can these strategies be adapted to best serve the Massachusetts Gateway Cities and other communities working towards digital justice?

For the final episode of our Public Hearing Series on Digital Equity, Josh sits down with David LeBoeuf, State Representative for the 17th Worcester District (@DavidLeBoeuf) to discuss what we’ve learned so far, legislative efforts to improve digital access in Worcester, and the possibility of a public internet service provider in the Commonwealth.

Public Hearing is a podcast from Action! by Design where we explore the unique challenges and opportunities facing Massachusetts' Gateway Cities as they work to create more equitable, liberated, and sustainable communities. Listen to all of our episodes at https://publichearing.buzzsprout.com/ and follow us on Twitter @PublicHearingMA to keep up to date on all things Public Hearing!

Prefer the radio? Tune in Wednesdays at 6pm on WICN 90.5FM, Worcester's only NPR affiliate station. Not in the Worcester area? No worries, you can listen live at WICN.org

With everything moving online, what does it take to make communication accessible for all? This season of Public Hearing is tackling all things Digital Equity - from small towns to national organizations - to better understand the obstacles and pathways to closing the digital divide.

In this podcast-exclusive bonus episode, Josh continues their conversation with Katie Hearn, Director of The Detroit Community Technology Project (@detcommtech) about the Equitable Internet Initiative and addressing cycles of harm. Miss the first episode? Listen to Communication is a Fundamental Human Right first!

Public Hearing is a podcast from Action! by Design where we explore the unique challenges and opportunities facing Massachusetts' Gateway Cities as they work to create more equitable, liberated, and sustainable communities. Listen to all of our episodes at https://publichearing.buzzsprout.com/ and follow us on Twitter @PublicHearingMA to keep up to date on all things Public Hearing!

Prefer the radio? Tune in Wednesdays at 6pm on WICN 90.5FM, Worcester's only NPR affiliate station. Not in the Worcester area? No worries, you can listen live at WICN.org

With everything moving online, what does it take to make communication accessible for all? This season of Public Hearing is tackling all things Digital Equity - from small towns to national organizations - to better understand the obstacles and pathways to closing the digital divide.

In our first episode exploring a city outside of Massachusetts, Josh speaks with Katie Hearn, Director of The Detroit Community Technology Project (@detcommtech) about redistributing Gigabit Internet, addressing community need, and common ownership.

Public Hearing is a podcast from Action! by Design where we explore the unique challenges and opportunities facing Massachusetts' Gateway Cities as they work to create more equitable, liberated, and sustainable communities. Listen to all of our episodes at https://publichearing.buzzsprout.com/ and follow us on Twitter @PublicHearingMA to keep up to date on all things Public Hearing!

Prefer the radio? Tune in Wednesdays at 6pm on WICN 90.5FM, Worcester's only NPR affiliate station. Not in the Worcester area? No worries, you can listen live at WICN.org

The digital landscape is evolving rapidly. How can communities come together to ensure access for all? This season of Public Hearing is tackling all things Digital Equity - from small towns to national organizations - to better understand the obstacles and pathways to achieving digital equity.

In this episode, Josh sits down with Gina D. Cooper Benjamin, Deputy Director of The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (@netinclusion) to discuss digital inclusion coalition building, the importance of amplifying youth voices, and how you can support digital equity efforts in your state.

Public Hearing is a podcast from Action! by Design where we explore the unique challenges and opportunities facing Massachusetts' Gateway Cities as they work to create more equitable, liberated, and sustainable communities. Listen to all of our episodes at https://publichearing.buzzsprout.com/ and follow us on Twitter @PublicHearingMA to keep up to date on all things Public Hearing!

Prefer the radio? Tune in Wednesdays at 6pm on WICN 90.5FM, Worcester's only NPR affiliate station. Not in the Worcester area? No worries, you can listen live at WICN.org

We’re already living in the digital revolution. Are we setting our communities up for success? This season of Public Hearing is tackling all things Digital Equity - from small towns to national organizations - to better understand the obstacles and pathways to achieving digital equity.

In this episode, Josh speaks to Marvin Venay, Chief Advocacy Officer at Tech Goes Home (@techgoeshome) about the importance of thinking about individual learners holistically, meeting people where they are, and addressing all “three legs of the stool” of digital access. 

Public Hearing is a podcast from Action! by Design where we explore the unique challenges and opportunities facing Massachusetts' Gateway Cities as they work to create more equitable, liberated, and sustainable communities. Listen to all of our episodes at https://publichearing.buzzsprout.com/ and follow us on Twitter @PublicHearingMA to keep up to date on all things Public Hearing!

Prefer the radio? Tune in Wednesdays at 6pm on WICN 90.5FM, Worcester's only NPR affiliate station. Not in the Worcester area? No worries, you can listen live at WICN.org

How can our communities adapt to an increasingly online world where broadband access, computing devices, and digital literacy are necessary to fully participate in society? This season of Public Hearing is tackling all things Digital Equity - from small towns to national organizations - to better understand the obstacles and pathways to achieving digital equity.

In this episode of Public Hearing, Josh speaks to Michael DeChiara, Coordinator for the Alliance for Digital Equity in Western Massachusetts about the challenges faced by rural communities trying to get online, and the most sustainable solutions.

Public Hearing is a podcast from Action! by Design where we explore the unique challenges and opportunities facing Massachusetts' Gateway Cities as they work to create more equitable, liberated, and sustainable communities. Listen to all of our episodes at https://publichearing.buzzsprout.com/ and follow us on Twitter @PublicHearingMA to keep up to date on all things Public Hearing!

Prefer the radio? Tune in Wednesdays at 6pm on WICN 90.5FM, Worcester's only NPR affiliate station. Not in the Worcester area? No worries, you can listen live at WICN.org

How can our communities adapt to an increasingly online world where broadband access, computing devices, and digital literacy are necessary to fully participate in society? This season of Public Hearing is tackling all things Digital Equity - from small towns to national organizations - to better understand the obstacles and pathways to achieving digital equity.

To kick us off, we’re talking with Paul Matthews (@PaulFMatthews on Twitter), lifetime Worcester resident and Executive Director and CEO of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau (@wrrbureau). In this episode, Paul and Josh set the stage for the season with a discussion on the current state of digital access in Worcester, including policy efforts, existing resources, ARPA funding, and more!

Public Hearing is a podcast from Action! by Design where we explore the unique challenges and opportunities facing Massachusetts' Gateway Cities as they work to create more equitable, liberated, and sustainable communities. Listen to all of our episodes at https://publichearing.buzzsprout.com/ and follow us on Twitter @PublicHearingMA to keep up to date on all things Public Hearing!

Prefer the radio? Tune in Wednesdays at 6pm on WICN 90.5FM, Worcester's only NPR affiliate station. Not in the Worcester area? No worries, you can listen live at WICN.org

In this special episode, Josh speaks to Bruja The Villain, founder of The Poet’s Cauldron. Bruja discusses how arts & culture have changed in Worcester, the importance of having space to create art, and what inspired her to start The Poet’s Cauldron, a monthly evening of culture, music, visual, and literary arts in Worcester.

Public Hearing is a podcast from Action! by Design where we explore the unique challenges and opportunities facing Massachusetts' gateway cities as they work to create more equitable, liberated, and sustainable communities. Follow us on Twitter @PublicHearingMA to keep up to date on all things Public Hearing!

Prefer the radio? Tune in Wednesdays at 6pm on WICN 90.5FM, Worcester's only NPR affiliate station. Not in the Worcester area? No worries, you can listen live at WICN.org

In this special episode, Josh sits down with Danielle and Julie Spring, the fabulous wife duo and owners of FEMME. FEMME is a bar and grill for queer women at the center and a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ and "to all humans, who spread love and respect for our community."

FEMME is only one of 25 lesbian bars in the United States, and Danielle and Julie are determined to provide a fun, safe space for all LGBTQ+ people and their allies. Listen to learn about their inspiration for opening the bar, the challenges they faced along the way, and why their motto is “Be who you needed when you were younger.”

Public Hearing is a podcast from Action! by Design where we explore the unique challenges and opportunities facing Massachusetts' gateway cities as they work to create more equitable, liberated, and sustainable communities.

Tune in Wednesdays at 6pm on WICN 90.5FM, Worcester's only NPR affiliate station. Not in the Worcester area? No worries, you can listen live at WICN.org

We are back with the final episode of our series focusing on equity-based housing solutions in Worcester! Even though we are wrapping up our housing series for now, we always come back to these issues as they intersect with so many other challenges facing our community. For our guest this week, we are back with Dr. Mattie Castiel, Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services for the City of Worcester, to talk about housing issues from a medical and health perspective as well as how we can work together to strengthen further efforts towards creating equitable housing and decreasing negative stigma in our community. 

Check out our last Public Hearing episode with Dr. Castiel, “Are people going to keep doing the work that needs to be done after everyone’s vaccinated?” 

Stay up to date with the Worcester Department of Health and Human Services on their website and Facebook page. 

Public Hearing is a series-based podcast and radio show from Action! by Design about Worcester, MA and designing sustainable and thriving cities; ones that are rooted in equity, Justice, and Joy. Follow our new Twitter account at @PublicHearingMA! 

Tune in Wednesdays at 6pm on WICN 90.5FM, Worcester's only NPR affiliate station. Not in the Worcester area? No worries, you can listen live at WICN.org

Welcome back to another episode of our series on housing with this week’s guest, Amanda Mattingly who currently works at the YWCA of Central Massachusetts as an advocate and supervisor with a focus on housing. Josh and Amanda talk about the help and resources that the YW provides to survivors of violence connected to housing and housing insecurity in the community, as well as, how this work is conducted from a trauma-informed lens. 

If you are experiencing domestic violence and are looking for support, please call the YWCA of Central Mass Hotline at 508-755-9030. 

Check out the YWCA of Central Massachusetts website for more information about housing resources and support.

Public Hearing is a series-based podcast and radio show from Action! by Design about Worcester, MA and designing sustainable and thriving cities; ones that are rooted in equity, Justice, and Joy. Follow our new Twitter account at @PublicHearingMA! 

Tune in Wednesdays at 6pm on WICN 90.5FM, Worcester's only NPR affiliate station. Not in the Worcester area? No worries, you can listen live at WICN.org

Welcome to the third and final episode of our Pass the Mic: Dia De Los Muertos in Worcester series with our guest host Raquel Castro Corazzini, Director of Casita Cultura Latina. This week, Raquel talks with Michel Salazar, coordinator of volunteers for Dia De Los Muertos about the upcoming event on Saturday, October 29th as well as their different experiences immigrating to Worcester and the challenge and beauty that comes with existing in different cultures at once. Michel highlights the impact that local mentors have made on her life and how she wants to be a role model to and empower fellow young adults to get involved in community organizations. 

Thank you so much to our first guest host, Raquel Castro Corazzini, and guests Valarie Zolezzi-Wyndham and Michel Salazar for taking the time and effort to help bring important community topics and perspectives to our space of Public Hearing.  

Learn more about Casita Cultura Latina and the Dia De Los Muertos event on Casita’s Facebook page. 

Public Hearing is a series-based podcast and radio show from Action! by Design about Worcester, MA and designing sustainable and thriving cities; ones that are rooted in equity, Justice, and Joy. Follow our new Twitter account at @PublicHearingMA! 

Tune in Wednesdays at 6pm on WICN 90.5FM, Worcester's only NPR affiliate station. Not in the Worcester area? No worries, you can listen live at WICN.org

We continue this week with episode eight of our series on Equity-Based Housing Solutions in Worcester with our guest, Marybeth Campbell, Executive Director of the Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC) to talk about issues that are ingrained in the current system structure that prevent folx from receiving crucial support and divides communities through perpetuating harmful mentalities biases. Marybeth and her team at WCAC are dedicated to preventing the “Cliff Effect” by creating opportunities for resiliency to sustain individuals and families and promote financial empowerment and upward mobility in Worcester.

Learn more about the Worcester Community Action Council on its website or follow their socials on Facebook or Twitter.  

Public Hearing is a series-based podcast and radio show from Action! by Design about Worcester, MA and designing sustainable and thriving cities; ones that are rooted in equity, Justice, and Joy. Follow our new Twitter account at @PublicHearingMA! 

Tune in Wednesdays at 6pm on WICN 90.5FM, Worcester's only NPR affiliate station. Not in the Worcester area? No worries, you can listen live at WICN.org

Welcome back to the second episode of our Pass the Mic: Dia De Los Muertos series with our guest host Raquel Castro Corazzina talking with Valarie Zolezzi-Wyndham, Treasurer of Casita Cultura Latina and founder of Promoting Good. Raquel and Valarie talk about the history behind Dia de Los Muertos through the Latinx immigrant perspective and how the celebration came to be in Worcester as well as the hopes of Casita Cultura Latina as they grow as an organization and inspiration for other cultural identities in Worcester. 

Learn more about Casita Cultura Latina and the Dia De Los Muertos event on Casita’s Facebook page. Check out the work of Promoting Good here.

Public Hearing is a series-based podcast and radio show from Action! by Design about Worcester, MA and designing sustainable and thriving cities; ones that are rooted in equity, Justice, and Joy. Follow our new Twitter account at @PublicHearingMA! 

Tune in Wednesdays at 6pm on WICN 90.5FM, Worcester's only NPR affiliate station. Not in the Worcester area? No worries, you can listen live at WICN.org

We are jumping back into our conversation surrounding Equity-Based Housing Solutions with this week’s guest, Leah Bradley, Chief Executive Officer of Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance, Inc. (CMHA) - a non-profit whose mission is to create a collaborative response to homelessness that fosters long-term housing stability through prevention, quality services, education, and advocacy. Josh and Leah discuss creating dignified spaces for unhoused folx and families and the complexities of housing inequity that have been exposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Learn more about the Central Mass Housing Alliance on their website and Facebook page! 

Public Hearing is a series-based podcast and radio show from Action! by Design about Worcester, MA and designing sustainable and thriving cities; ones that are rooted in equity, Justice, and Joy. Follow our new Twitter account at @PublicHearingMA! 

Tune in Wednesdays at 6pm on WICN 90.5FM, Worcester's only NPR affiliate station. Not in the Worcester area? No worries, you can listen live at WICN.org

We’re excited to announce our Pass The Mic initiative which will welcome guest hosts to our show to have conversations with others in the community about specific topics. In this episode, we introduce our first guest host, Raquel Castro-Corazzini to talk about Casita Cultura Latina, a Latine cultural organization that hosts the Día de Los Muertos event in Worcester taking place on Saturday, October 29th from 11:00 am-4:00pm. Josh and Raquel also talk about privilege and the complexities that come with leveraging that privilege in equity work. Tune in next episode for Raquel’s conversation with Valerie Zolezzi-Wyndham. 

Learn more about Casita Cultura Latina and the upcoming Dia De Los Muertos Celebration in Worcester on their Facebook page.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a guest host or are interested in supporting this initiative, please reach out to our team at publichearing@actionbydesign.co.

Public Hearing is a series-based podcast and radio show from Action! by Design about Worcester, MA and designing sustainable and thriving cities; ones that are rooted in equity, Justice, and Joy. Follow our new Twitter account at @PublicHearingMA! 

Tune in Wednesdays at 6pm on WICN 90.5FM, Worcester's only NPR affiliate station. Not in the Worcester area? No worries, you can listen live at WICN.org

We continue our series on Equity-Based Housing Solutions with this week’s guest, Yvette Dyson, the Executive Director of Worcester Common Ground (WCG). WCG is a Community Development Corporation for the Piedmont/Austin Street area in Worcester, MA and has developed 197 units of affordable housing, 27 first-time homeownership properties, and preserved 6 green spaces for community farming and community needs in the past 34 years. Josh and Yvette discuss Worcester’s effort toward Inclusionary Zoning through the work of the Affordable Housing Coalition which will allow for more affordable housing units to be built in the City. Inclusionary Zoning will also help the cultural preservation of our communities and allow for more opportunities for upward mobility. 

Learn more about Worcester Common Ground and the resources they have available on their website or Facebook page.

Public Hearing is a series-based podcast and radio show from Action! by Design about Worcester, MA and designing sustainable and thriving cities; ones that are rooted in equity, Justice, and Joy. Follow our new Twitter account at @PublicHearingMA! 

Tune in Wednesdays at 6pm on WICN 90.5FM, Worcester's only NPR affiliate station. Not in the Worcester area? No worries, you can listen live at WICN.org

Our conversation on Equity-based Housing Solutions continues with this week’s guest, Dr. Eniya Lufumpa who currently serves as the Department of Health and Human Services Director Strategist and team lead, and is currently the Director of Homeless Services. Dr Lufumpa and Josh shed light on the mindset that individuals should be at the center of all the work that the department does so that they can receive the support that they want and are ready for. Everyone has their own autonomy and we must respect this in order to create safe and equitable communities for all. 

If you are in need of support, you can reach out to the Department of Health and Human Services Homeless services division at 508-7998- 486, extension number 31-331. You can also download their app, Stigma Free Worcester for information about services and resources available on Android or iOS

Public Hearing is a series-based podcast and radio show from Action! by Design about Worcester, MA and designing sustainable and thriving cities; ones that are rooted in equity, Justice, and Joy. Follow our new Twitter account at @PublicHearingMA! 

Tune in Wednesdays at 6pm on WICN 90.5FM, Worcester's only NPR affiliate station. Not in the Worcester area? No worries, you can listen live at WICN.org

Our conversation with District Five City Councilor, Etel Haxhiaj, continues. The aftermath of the Mill Street Pond apartment collapse shed light on the realities of renting in Worcester. Landlords are not held responsible for their mistreatment, and renters are left to fend for themselves. Josh and Etel discuss how housing legislation falls short, and share their thoughts on improving these policies. Listen till the end to hear about innovative housing strategies already existing in Worcester and other cities we can learn from.

Stay engaged with Etel's work on Facebook at Etel for Worcester

Public Hearing is a series-based podcast and radio show from Action! by Design about Worcester, MA and designing sustainable and thriving cities; ones that are rooted in equity, Justice, and Joy. Follow our new Twitter account at @PublicHearingMA! 

Tune in Wednesdays at 6pm on WICN 90.5FM, Worcester's only NPR affiliate station. Not in the Worcester area? No worries, you can listen live at WICN.org

ARPA update! Tune in to hear from our guest Casey Burns from the Coalition for a Healthy Greater Worcester as she talks upcoming ARPA application deadlines, submission resources, and community involvement in the decision making process. Casey also provides insight about the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) and how it can impact funding strategies and priorities throughout the City.

There is $10M available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for Community Projects and Programs. Applications are due on September 30th. Check the City’s site for more information and join the Coalition for a Healthy Greater Worcester for free workshops with grant writers to support you in the application process.

 Public Hearing is a series-based podcast and radio show from Action! by Design about Worcester, MA and designing sustainable and thriving cities; ones that are rooted in equity, Justice, and Joy. Follow our new Twitter account at @PublicHearingMA! 

 Tune in Wednesdays at 6pm on WICN 90.5FM, Worcester's only NPR affiliate station. Not in the Worcester area? No worries, you can listen live at WICN.org.

Public Hearing is continuing our series on Equity-based Housing Solutions with District Five City Counselor and long-time housing advocate, Etel Haxhiaj. Etel believes housing is a human right and speaks with Josh on opportunities to make that a reality—what we can do as residents and how she can leverage her power as a City Councilor to achieve this goal.

Check out our last Public Hearing episode with Etel, “How are we going to make sure our cities have a livable future?”
Stay engaged with Etel's work on Facebook at Etel for Worcester

Public Hearing is a series-based podcast and radio show from Action! by Design about Worcester, MA and designing sustainable and thriving cities; ones that are rooted in equity, Justice, and Joy. Follow our new Twitter account at @PublicHearingMA! 

Tune in Wednesdays at 6pm on WICN 90.5FM, Worcester's only NPR affiliate station. Not in the Worcester area? No worries, you can listen live at WICN.org

Public Hearing is back with a new series on Equity-based Housing Solutions. Throughout this series we will be focusing on how communities might address the housing crisis and support unhoused populations through creating accessible, equitable, and sustainable solutions. To kick us off, we’re talking with Domenica Perrone (Instagram @dfperrone), a Worcester resident with a background in public health who was the 2021 recipient for Central Mass Housing Alliance’s Judy Brown-Cahill award, and currently serves on many boards involved in housing efforts in Worcester. Domenica and Josh explore some of the current challenges, the questions we should be asking as we journey into this topic, and the concept of NIMBY-ism; a “Not In My Backyard” mentality that is lethal to populations of people in need of services.

Public Hearing is a series-based podcast and radio show from Action! by Design about designing sustainable and thriving cities; ones that are rooted in equity, Justice, and Joy. Follow our new Twitter account at @PublicHearingMA! 

Want to be the first to listen to new episodes? Tune in Wednesdays at 6pm on WICN 90.5FM, Worcester's only NPR affiliate station. Not in the Worcester area? No worries, you can listen live at WICN.org

Part 9/9 from our series: ARPA Funding in Worcester

We are back this week with the final episode of our ARPA Funding in Worcester series. Our guest this is episode is Bill Shaner founder of the “Worcester Sucks and I Love It” newsletter and a previous guest on the show. Josh and Bill talk about how we can continue to stay involved in the conversation surrounding how the remaining ARPA dollars will be spent in Worcester and how we can hold the city accountable so that the funding is sustainable and promoting equity within our community. 

Check out the “Worcester Sucks and I Love it” newsletter on their website! 

Learn more about how Worcester plans to spend ARPA dollars on the City website.

Public Hearing is a podcast from Action! by Design about our home city of Worcester, Massachusetts and the people we should be listening to—residents, artists, activists, community leaders, storytellers, and those most impacted by issues facing our city. Our mission is to cultivate community through equity, inclusion, and design, and that work starts at home.

Want to be the first to listen to new episodes? Tune in Wednesdays at 6pm on WICN 90.5FM, Worcester's only NPR affiliate station. Not in the Worcester area? No worries, you can listen live at WICN.org