Notable New England

CONTENT WARNING: This episode of Notable New England does have some mentions of death and content that might be a bit scary for young ears or those sensitive to subjects involving death, causes of death, or paranormal activity. Listener discretion is advised. With Halloween just around the corner, I’m exploring some of New England's haunted places — where history meets the supernatural. From Rhode...

From lighthouses and lobsters to libraries and lingo, this episode dives into the little-known stories behind the six New England states. Join us as we uncover quirky, surprising, and historic facts about Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island — the kind of trivia that makes you say, “Huh, I never knew that!” You’ll learn: Which U.S. state has just one syllable...

Everyone knows Salem, Massachusetts is the Halloween capital of the world—but if you’d rather skip the crowds, chaos, and parking nightmares, this episode is for you! 🎃 Join me as I uncover Halloween happenings across New England—from haunted boat rides in Providence, to Phantoms by Firelight at Old Sturbridge Village, and ghostly galas in Newport. I'll share family-friendly events, spooky histor...

Set sail for Episode 22 of Notable New England as we welcome Chris Maden, President of the Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival. In this lively episode, Chris takes us inside the world of sea chanteys—traditional maritime work songs. Learn what makes a sea chantey unique, explore its fascinating history, and hear about the vibrant Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival, where music lovers and history buff...

Fall in New England is more than just foliage season—it’s a cultural celebration! In this episode, we take you on a tour of the region’s top arts, music, and theater events for the 2025/2026 season. From world-class Broadway tours at the Providence Performing Arts Center and the Portland Symphony Orchestra’s 101st season, to inspiring exhibits at the Norman Rockwell Museum and the Farnsworth Art M...

On this episode of Notable New England, we’re talking about the power of music, community, and showing up for one another in times of crisis. Fair warning, there is a curse word used to describe the theme of a song at 30:58 and 31:12. My guest, Janet Feld—a beloved New England musician with deep ties to Kerr County, Texas—has organized a benefit concert at Club Passim in Cambridge to support flood...

New England isn’t just known for lobster rolls and chowder. It’s also home to some of the best ice cream in the country, and yes, we eat it year-round! In this deliciously cool episode, we’re dishing up a scoop-by-scoop tour of beloved ice cream shops across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. From old-fashioned ice cream stands to organic maple creemees an...

Ready to hit the road and discover the most delightfully weird, wonderfully kitschy, and totally unforgettable roadside attractions in New England? In this episode of Notable New England, we're packing the car and mapping out a quirky journey across Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, highlighting 12 legendary stops you won’t want to miss. From a giant blue...

Beat the heat this summer with a refreshing dip at some of New England’s most beautiful swimming spots. In this episode of Notable New England, I take you on a sun-soaked journey to the region’s best beaches, waterfalls, ponds, and swimming holes—from Vermont’s Buttermilk Falls and Maine’s Ogunquit Beach to Rhode Island’s Goosewing Preserve and Connecticut’s hidden gem, DuBois Beach. Whether you’r...

Summer is finally here, and it's time to take advantage of the sunshine and longer days! In this episode of Notable New England, we’re exploring incredible summer events happening across all six New England states—from coastal festivals in Maine to classical music in Vermont, seafood feasts in Rhode Island, historic reenactments in New Hampshire, renaissance flair in Connecticut, and star-studded...

On this fresh and flavorful episode of Notable New England, we'll uncover some of the best farmers’ markets across New England. Whether you’re a lover of heirloom tomatoes, sweet corn, or just enjoy wandering through open-air stalls of homemade breads, fresh flowers, local meats, and artisan crafts, this episode is your perfect summer guide. We’ll spotlight standout markets like: Brattleboro and B...

In this episode of Notable New England, we dive into Boston’s lesser-known corners—the ones locals whisper about and visitors often miss. From kayaking the Charles River to sipping tea at the Boston Public Library, I’ll share some of my favorite off-the-beaten path spots to explore. Discover the stunning stained-glass globe at the Mapparium, stroll the historic Black Heritage Trail, and more!  The...

I kick off the podcast with Wicked Lite Bites—lighthearted, community stories and happenings from each New England state. Then, I sit down with Zoë Knight, Boston-based singer, songwriter, pianist, and music educator to talk about her latest project with her band Mythical Beasts: Love Cycle. This five-part, 19-minute psychedelic art rock journey explores the deeply human shift from hyper-independe...

In this episode of Notable New England, we’re celebrating the heart and soul of New England’s literary scene: independent bookstores. 📚 Join me as I take you on a tour of some of the region’s most beloved indie bookstores, where books meet community, creativity, and connection. You'll hear about: The Book Barn in Niantic, CT — a sprawling bibliophile’s dream with over 350,000 used and rare books....

Think you're a law-abiding citizen? Think again. This week, we’re looking into the delightfully strange, downright bizarre laws on the books across New England. From outlawed nighttime seaweed collecting in New Hampshire to silly string restrictions in Connecticut, these quirky statutes are real and chances are, you’ve broken a few without even realizing it. I cover:  Why giving a baby chick for E...

Spring in New England is nothing short of magical — longer days, warmer weather, and vibrant communities ready to welcome the season. In this episode of Notable New England, I’ve curated an exciting list of events and activities happening across the region to help you shake off that winter hibernation. ⚾ Take Yourself to a Ballgame — Cheer on the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park or catch a Woo Sox g...

🎙️ Meet the Undaunted Professor Harp: A New England Blues Legend 🎶 In this episode of Notable New England, we kick things off with Wicked Lite Bites—fun, lighthearted stories and things to do around New England. Then, we dive into an inspiring conversation with New England blues legend Professor Harp! Professor Harp shares his incredible journey in blues, from his influences and favorite artists...

Did you know that microwaves, basketball, and chocolate chip cookies were all invented in New England? From everyday essentials to game-changing breakthroughs, this episode of Notable New England explores the fascinating history behind some of the region’s most iconic inventions. Before diving into these incredible inventions, we kick things off with Wicked Lite Bites—a fun, lighthearted roundup o...

As always, we kick the podcast off with 'Wicked Lite Bites', lighthearted news stories and goings on in each New England state. Then, meet Jason Nappi, also known as the Pizza Weatherman. Jason has cultivated a large social media presence independently forecasting the weather from Kennebunk, Maine, and providing his followers with the best places for pizza and other food delights in the state.  Re...

Starting off the podcast, get your fix of 'Wicked Lite Bites', feel-good stories from each New England state. Then, we talk about New England slang. The lingo you know in New England but others from away look at us with sheer puzzlement wondering “what in the world do they mean?” Research sources  Music credits and proof of licensing Support Notable New England: Your support covers production cost...

The podcast kicks off with our 'Wicked Lite Bites' segment featuring light hearted and feel good stories from each New England state. Then, we discuss some lesser talked about New England eats and treats that you may or may not have tried before.  Research sources  Music credits and proof of licensing Support Notable New England: Your support covers production costs, fuels engaging new episodes, a...

'Wicked Lite Bites' from each New England state (lighthearted, feel-good news stories); Unique New England-style New Year's Resolutions that'll get you more acquainted with your community; The benefits of learning to sing or learning a musical instrument with Massachusetts music teacher, singer, songwriter, and guitarist, Janet Feld.  Research sources  Music credits and proof of licensing Support...

I kick off the podcast with the "Wicked Lite Bites" segment that features inspiring and lighthearted news stories from each New England state. Then, I speak with The Wednesday Witch, Laura Campagna, Boston-based astrologer, tarot reader, energy healer, writer, and teacher. She has been reading tarot and studying astrology since she was just 13 years old. We discuss the Winter Solstice and how we c...

'Wicked Lite Bites' serves up some heartwarming and light news stories from each New England state. Plus, I’ve curated a small selection of wonderful winter and holiday experiences to help you embrace the magic of the season. Research sources  Music credits and proof of licensing Support Notable New England: Your support covers production costs, fuels engaging new episodes, and helps ensure the po...

"Wicked lite bites"—a quick, lighthearted news story from each New England state, the New England origin story of Alice's Restaurant Massacree by Arlo Guthrie and how it became a Thanksgiving tradition, and an interview with Esther Friedman—Massachusetts licensed mental health counselor, expressive art therapist, musician, and the author about finding calm amidst the holiday stress. This episode's...