How much do you know about native American history? The Narragansett Indians are the state’s only federally recognized tribe. LOREN SPEARS, the executive director of Tomaquag Museum, the state’s only indigenous museum, discuses native Am...

Roberta Richman is an artist who spent 33 years at the RI Department of  Corrections including warden of the Women’s Prison. She is not like the warden in Shawshank Redemption, but more like Mother Theresa!  She began by creating art ...

BETH BIXBY shares her compelling story of going from a client of  Tides Family Services to the CEO. She is the first woman CEO of a Brothers of Christian Schools upon the retirement of founder Brother Michael who started the agency ...

It’s the time of season when food is foremost. Yet, 40% of Rhode Island households suffer from ‘food insecurity’.  KATE BREWSTER, CEO of Johnny Cake Center, a food pantry serving South County, says people must first worry about hous...

Domestic violence is a public health and public safety issue. LUCY RIOS, executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, discusses the sobering stats that nearly one in two Rhode Islanders have experienced dom...

For the past 30 years, MICHELLE WILCOX has worked with every CEO at  Crossroads Rhode Island. Now, she is the president/CEO responsible for internal operations, programs, physical assets, and new housing development. She shares her ...

Mitty Mirrer, award-winning journalist, filmmaker, and founder of Gold Star Children, discusses her volunteer work in Ukraine with TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors). Listen as she shares compelling stories about the amazing r...

LISA PINA-WARREN, the executive director of The Nonviolence Institute, joins me for a compelling conversation on how they square the use of nonviolence to mitigate the rise of gun and gang violence in Providence. It is a compellin...

HEATHER HOLE STROUT is a life-long Newporter. After 22 years teaching, she joined the Martin Luther King Community Center of Newport County in 2015. Newport is the 5th poorest city in Rhode Island and for over 100 years the MLK Center ha...

Early detection of breast cancer can save a woman’s life. Dr. Martha Mainiero, a radiologist at RI Hospital, discusses preventative measures, warning signs, and breast cancer treatments. She provides hope and encouragement for anyone diagnosed ...

Weayonnoh Nelson Davies, executive director of Economic Progress Institute, discusses this nonpartisan research policy organization’s work to ensure economic security for low- and modest-income Rhode Island families. 

Cathryn Jamieson, a mother, grandmother, sister, and owner of a hair salon,  gets a second chance at life when her living donor, Lisa Doucet, managing director at a communications firm, donates one of her kidneys to Cathryn.  It is a ...

Rhode Island is home to the fourth oldest state historical society in the country, Executive director, MORGAN GREFE of the RI Historical Society, discusses some of the state’s must-see social and historical sites. She also explains the h...

KELLY NEVINS, CEO of The Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, a social justice organization with the goal of improving the lives of women and girls in RI. We discuss the status of women and girls in this state, grantmaking throu...

Sarah Anderson, CEO and Superintendent of Blackstone Valley Prep, discusses the role of charter schools - which are public schools - and how the shift in RI’s education funding formula in 2026 will impact all public schools.

Reverend REBECCA SPENCER, is the first woman to serve as senior minister at the Central Congregational Church in Providence. She discusses retirement after 35 years, raising her cows on her farm, spiritual awakening, and how to find comm...

You know HELEN ANTHONY as Providence city councilwoman, Ward 2. She is an avid outdoorsperson and discusses her life-changing accident. Helen was hit by an ATV vehicle while hiking in California.  She endured many surgeries and mont...

KRISTEN WILLIAMS, executive director, of RIVERZEDGE ARTS in Woonsocket discusses the economic engine of the art community in this state. She highlights the workforce development programs at RIVERZEDGE ARTS including paid, work-based lear...

JENNIFER HAWKINS is the CEO of One Neighborhood Builders, a nonprofit community. development leader.  We discuss where affordable housing is being built in Rhode Island, mixed-income social housing, and how short-term rentals have impacted...

We are all getting older and all of us want to ‘age in place’.  In the next six years, over a  third of the population will be 55+. CAROLINE GANGJI, executive director of the  VILLAGE COMMON of RHODE ISLAND discus...

 Rosie The Riveter is the most iconic image of women working in the defense industry during WW II.  There are many skilled tradeswomen today.  ANITA BRUNO started  Rhode Island Women in The Trades in 2...

HELENA BUONANNO FOULKES stormed onto the political scene in 2022 with a formidable Democratic Gubernatorial Campaign in Rhode Island. She discusses lessons learned from that campaign, her current work on public education with several mun...

Athletic competition is a doorway to self-confidence and success. University of Rhode Island women’s basketball coach, TAMMI REISS, has been named Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year twice in her three years at URI.  She talks abou...

Homelessness and affordable housing are top-of-mind policy issues in Rhode Island. KAREN SANTILLI, CEO of Crossroads RI, discusses new projects for the unhoused, and what the state needs to do to mitigate the housing shortage. 

15% of RI high school students reported attempting suicide one or more times.  Dr. Daisy Bassen, a child psychiatrist and medical director of Thrive Behavioral Health, discusses mental health stressors, depression, and warning signs...