New England Weekend

This episode is Part 1 of a two-part deep dive into recycling, sustainability, and integrating zero-waste policies into our everyday lives. Jeremy Gregory, the Executive Director of the MIT Climate and Sustainability Consortium, joins Nichole to explain the history and details of the recycling systems we rely on. The two also break down teachings many of us learned as kids about recycling, and how...

Dr. Tamar Barlam, Chief of the Section of Infectious Diseases at Boston Medical Center, joins Nichole to talk about the effects of the coronavirus, specifically the omicron variant, on the Massachusetts health care system. She also answers questions about when you should test for the virus, the best type of mask you can wear, and when we might be starting to see the decline of the omicron variant...

Shon Rainford, Director of the Worcester Regional Food Hub, joins Nichole on the show to talk about the Hub's new headquarters that's being built out in Union Station. The Hub works with 1500+ local farmers and producers in Central Massachusetts to connect residents and restaurants with healthy, fresh local food. They also offer kitchen space to those who want to start their own career in the rest...

Former Boston radio personality Danielle Murr joins Nichole to talk about two non-profits she's working with, now that she's left the mic full-time: Behind You Inc., which provides support for food service workers struggling with financial instability, and Blue's Bridge, Danielle's foundation that is dedicated to rescuing animals, healing them, and finding them forever homes. Ronald Braunstein and...

Dr. Eric Dickson, President and CEO of UMass Memorial Medical Center, talks with Nichole about all things COVID as we enter the new year. Dr. Dickson answers questions about the Omicron variant and everything that comes along with it: testing, vaccine mandates, the impact of the virus on people who are disabled and immunocompromised, how health care workers are dealing with the strain on hospitals...

Sometimes the best gift for the holidays is the one that was made by someone who lives just down the road. The Society for Arts and Crafts in Boston is holding its annual "CraftBoston Holiday" juried craft show, but this year, it's all virtual! Brigitte Martin, Executive Director of the Society, chats with Nichole about the artists they work with, the stories that art can tell, and how you can fin...

Energy prices are on the rise, and the worst of winter hasn't even hit yet. Reverend Mariama White-Hammond, the Chief of Environment, Energy and Open Space for the City of Boston, joins Nichole to talk about the Hub's "Community Choice" electricity program. The City works with outside vendors to connect Boston residents with affordable electricity, which, depending on the program chosen, can consi...

Billions of dollars could be on the way in infrastructure funding for Massachusetts, and New England as a whole. Dan McNichol and Bill Goodrich have spent decades advocating for, and directly working to build, better infrastructure around the country. They talk with Nichole about what exactly constitutes infrastructure, what this money could mean for projects in our area, and some of the potential...

Ruthzee Louijeune of Boston's Mattapan neighborhood was recently elected to one of the city's four City Councilor-At-Large seats. She's the first Haitian-American to serve in the role. Ruthzee joins Nichole to share the story of her life growing up in the Hub and lay out her priorities for her time on the Council. Jeremy Burton, the Executive Director of the Boston Jewish Community Relations Counc...

The holidays are a time when many of us want to contribute to help those in need. The Greater Boston Food Bank is working hard to do that all year long, especially as the region struggles with inflation and COVID-19. Catherine Drennan Lynn, the Senior Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the Food Bank, talks with Nichole about their efforts to make sure everyone who needs a meal can ge...

Winter's coming! Is your vehicle ready? Mary Maguire of AAA Northeast has all the info you need to make sure you are ready for whatever weather Mother Nature throws at us this season. She also talks with Nichole about the threat of drowsy driving after the time change, and what AAA's expecting for the Thanksgiving travel forecast. David Waters, CEO of Community Servings, joins the show to talk abo...

Local history author Renee Mallett joins Nichole to talk about her new book, "Lost Towns of New England". Did you know New England has several towns that were either destroyed or completely abandoned? Renee talks with Nichole about her research, what the process was like to write her book, and a couple of the towns she features in her work. Joyce Linehan's mother, Yvonne, founded the Interim House...

It's time to hit the parquet for a great cause! ABCD - Action Boston Community Development - is holding another round of its "Hoop Dreams" fundraiser on November 2 at TD Garden in Boston. John Drew, the President and CEO of ABCD, joins Nichole to talk about the event and the many other ways they help those in need around Greater Boston, especially with heating assistance leading up to a winter tha...

A lot's been said about the MBTA, but have you heard it in song? Melissa Carubia and Mike Manship, two of the creative minds behind "T: An MBTA Musical", join Nichole to talk about how they put together the witty show about three 20-somethings trying to navigate woes on the public transit system. They'll also talk about what it's been like to bring the musical back during the age of COVID-19. Robi...

Are you struggling to find your favorite foods, appliances, furniture, or anything else you need at the store? There's one major factor driving all these shortages - problems in the global supply chain. Professor Michael Goodman teaches Public Policy at UMass Dartmouth, and he joins Nichole to break down these troubles in the chain. He also has some insight on how this might be playing out in your...

Project Bread's Erin McAleer returns to the show to talk with Nichole about what schools are doing to get around supply chain problems to ensure their students are fed. Erin also explains their efforts to pass a bill on Beacon Hill which would provide school meals for every student in Massachusetts. Mahtowin Munro, the co-leader of United American Indians of New England, shares the Indigenous pers...

Reverend Willie Bodrick II recently was installed as the new senior pastor at the historic Twelfth Baptist Church in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood. Nichole spoke with the Reverend about his vision for the future of the church, and the work the church is doing to help the community navigate through the coronavirus pandemic. Mike Keiley, Adoption Director at the MSPCA, offers up some tips for those...

Who doesn't love a donut? Pastry chef Dee Steffen Chinn of Big Heart Hospitality has all the details on this year's "Rise and Rumble" contest, which pits top pastry chefs against each other to create an intricate, tasty masterpiece. She also talks with Nichole about her creative, but busy, job coming up with fascinating desserts for one of Boston's hottest restaurant groups. Sam Potrykus and Jay H...

Julie LaFontaine, Executive Director at The Open Door food pantry in Gloucester, talks with Nichole about their recent decision to offer online ordering for their patrons. Julie also explains how the pandemic affected Cape Ann families when it comes to food insecurity, and how people can help them keep supplies going to people who need them. Dr. Bonnie Bertolaet, the Executive Director of the Scie...

Marc Hurwitz returns to the show to chat with Nichole about the latest in the Massachusetts restaurant industry. Which restaurants are closing their doors? How do restaurant owners plan on handling colder weather with the Delta, Lambda and Mu variants of COVID-19 still prevalent? Marc also offers his recommendations for the best spots in northern New England to leaf peep, quality spots to grab a c...

Massachusetts, to some, is becoming "Hollywood East"! You may have noticed there are more film and TV crews around these days. Jamie Blanco and James Rojas from the Hub on Hollywood podcast join Nichole to talk about the latest with the state's film tax credit, what it's like to do background work on these projects, and what the state of the movie industry is looking like right now as we deal with...

Cherylann Gengel, the co-founder of "Be Like Brit" in Worcester, updates Nichole about the devastation in Haiti in the wake of this month's 7.2 magnitude earthquake. She also talks about how the kids at the orphanage in Grand Goâve are adjusting to life during the pandemic, how they're preparing to send some of those kids to college, and what it's like trying to get humanitarian aid down to the co...

White shark season is here! They're back off the New England coast, and the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy is out there tracking sharks as they feed and navigate through our waters. Marianne Walsh, the Education Director of the Conservancy, joins Nichole to talk about their Shark Smart Beach Program, the latest tech to research sharks with, and what you should know when you head to the beach. La...

He's been sitting there for decades, watching over Providence. Nibbles Woodaway, a.k.a. the "Big Blue Bug", is a giant termite on top of his company's building, and he never fails to make a statement. Brian Goldman, the CEO of Big Blue Bug Solutions, joins Nichole to talk about Nibbles' history and the repairs that need to be done to keep him standing for years to come. Reverend Laura Everett is t...

It's summertime on the New Hampshire seacoast, and the Seacoast Science Center has a lot to offer those who make the trek to the water's edge. Karen Provazza, the Director of Marketing for the Center, joins Nichole to talk about their offerings: pub trivia, tide pool tours, kayaking, and so much more! Justina Perry is a New Bedford resident who launched a platform during the height of the pandemic...