Spill the Goods

Catch up on what happened at the last Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BoMA) meeting (10/06/26) before you watch the next (10/20/26)! Public comment was lengthy but covered a variety of topics-including a proposed ban on kratom. Financial reports for 2025 were presented and the BoMA voted on a replacement School Board Member for Ward 7. It got a little awkward, and a little heated. Takeaways Local gov...

Did you know, NH has the lowest minimum wage in New England? And that, it hasn't changed in 17 years? In this episode, Jess Spillers and Cristina Goodwin discuss the critical issue of minimum wage in New Hampshire with guest, Rep. Kathy Staub. They explore the history, current state, and implications of minimum wage laws, examining the difference between a minimum wage and a livable age while emph...

Warning, this episode contains discussion of murder and suicide some may find disturbing. Join Jess and Cristina for Part II of Dissecting a Porcupine, The Free State Project. Their discussion with former member, Amanda Bouldin, picks up where they left off, bringing to light the "Gold Standard" voting within the Free State Project. They also explore the tactics and strategies used by the Free Sta...

Meet current Representative for Ward Five, Kathy Staub! She's up for re-election this year and hoping you will send her back to Concord! In this episode, Kathy discusses her background, local ties, and political journey, emphasizing the importance of informed voting and the impact of state-level decisions on communities. She also highlights her advocacy for raising the minimum wage and the challen...

Mike Farley, a candidate running for state rep. in ward eight, shares his personal background, career, and views on Manchester and New Hampshire. He discusses the impact of property taxes, the need for fair taxation, and the importance of education. Mike shares his motivation for running, his experiences and background, and his plans for when he is elected to the State House. He emphasizes the nee...

Rob Snipes, a candidate for Hillsborough 40 (Manchester Wards 1, 3, 10, 11, and 12), shares his background, motivations, and platform for running for office. He discusses the importance of representation, the need for change in legislation, and the challenges faced by renters in the area. Rob emphasizes the value of engaging with the community and the significance of diverse voices in politics. Ta...

The August BOMA meeting covered a range of topics, including public comments on ICE and MPD cooperation, requests for changes to police policies, the historic significance of Central High School, and staffing challenges at the tax collector's office. The meeting also addressed the potential use of the Arms Park area and the Water Works building. The Board of School Committee (BoSC) was also back i...

Heather Deiner, a candidate for State Representative in Hillsborough 25, shares her journey, priorities, and aspirations for New Hampshire politics. She emphasizes the importance of representing working-class issues and building a progressive movement. Takeaways Progressive movement in New Hampshire politics Importance of representing working-class issues Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background...

Join Spill the Goods' Cristina Goodwin and Jess Spillers as they dissect the porcupine that is the Free State Project with Amanda Bouldin-one of its (many) former members. The conversation delves into the history and impact of the Free State Party, its alignment with libertarianism, and the experiences of former members. It also explores the challenges and contradictions within libertarian philoso...

In this special series, Jess and Cristina interview local Manchester residents running for State office. These are the folks you'll see on your ballot in November! Take a listen and decide for yourself! Chrissy Simonds is running as a Democrat for NH State Representative in District 19/Ward 10. Chrissy has overcome domestic violence and homelessness to get her GED, raise two children as a single p...

Who are all these people? What is the DSA? Are they communists? Short answer-No! Democratic socialism is a distinct ideology separate from classic socialism and communism. Join Jess and Cristina as they explore the core principles and values of democratic socialism vs. socialism, communism, and democracy. The conversation contrasts the difference between a DSA candidate and a traditional democrat,...

What's a Moderator do, anyways? Join Jess and Cristina as they interview Ward Three Moderator, Avery Cyr, and discuss the importance of election workers. The conversation covers the various roles and their differences (i.e., an observer vs. a moderator vs. a selectman), the duties and responsibilities of a moderator, changes in voter registration requirements, the nonpartisan role of a moderator,...

This episode covers various topics discussed at the Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting 07/07/26. Join us as we dissect the discussion! Public comment included topics like city officials' terms, the tax cap override, housing affordability, and transparency in contract negotiations. 'Infrastructure' was the word of the night as the BoMA heard from both the State and local agencies about roadway adj...

The conversation delves into the complexities of tax structures, focusing on property taxes, income tax absence, tax exemptions, business taxes, and real estate taxes. It highlights the personal impact of policy decisions and the need for revenue generation alternatives. Takeaways Property taxes disproportionately burden property owners The absence of income tax leads to a reliance on property tax...

The episode discusses the recent budget meeting and the drama surrounding the passing of the budget. It covers the different budgets presented, the alderman's questions, and the community's involvement in the budget process. Takeaways Budget meetings can be dramatic and contentious Community involvement is crucial in the budget process Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Mood Setting 05:13 Reviewing B...

The conversation delves into the impact of Zohran Mamdani's historic mayoral race in New York City, focusing on his initiatives related to affordable housing, budget balancing, and taxation. It also explores the potential translation of Mamdani's policies to New Hampshire, particularly in the context of affordable housing, childcare, and early education programs. Takeaways Progressive policies can...

The conversation delves into the experience of running for public office, covering topics such as the filing process, the financial costs, fundraising, PAC money, endorsements, door knocking, and tips for running for office. Cristina and Jess reflect on their experiences and express their desire to stay involved in local politics. Takeaways Running for office involves significant financial costs E...

The conversation covers a recap of the recent Board of Mayor Alderman meeting, focusing on public comment and the budget proposal. It delves into the themes of public comment, including discussions on sidewalks and infrastructure, as well as the budget proposal and its impact on taxes and community services. Takeaways Public Comment Budget Proposal Chapters 00:00 Board of Mayor Alderman Meeting Re...

Spill the Goods' first live event was a Democratic primary forum for NH's 1st Congressional District. Participants included: Carleigh Beriont, Sarah Chadzynski, Heath Howard, Stefany Shaheen, Maura Sullivan, and Christian Urrutia. Questions were solicited from the public and chosen by Cristina and Jess based on the most asked about topics. Each candidate also addressed a question specific to them...

Special guest Liz O'Neil-Wong (Manchester Board of School Committee, Ward 11) joins Spill the Goods to talk about her experience as an educator and the complexities of measuring student achievement. The conversation this episode delves into the topic of measuring student success, exploring the limitations of standardized testing and the importance of alternative measures. It also discusses the iRe...

The conversation delves into the creation of budgets, the impact of property taxes, the tax cap, and the budget process. It also covers the recent Board of Mayor and Alderman meeting, highlighting the urgency of finalizing the budget. The conversation delves into the impact of budget underfunding on city services, highlighting the implications for roads, schools, and public programs. It emphasizes...

Jess Spillers and Cristina Goodwin introduce their podcast 'Spill the Goods' and discuss the importance of local engagement and awareness. They also share personal stories and plans for future episodes, including a candidate forum and soliciting questions from the community. Takeaways Local engagement is crucial Jess and Cristina will host a CD1 Democratic candidate forum, 05/13/26 Chapters 00:00...