radioplasma podcast

John L. Grossman and Dawn Cordeiro are our guests, sharing their experiences over the first year of opening the Holyoke Hummus Cafe on 285 High Street. A celebration of food, community, family, conversation, engagement, local connections, a welcoming experience, and a business inspiration.

The chronicles of a three week journey to Puerto Rico by Jossie Valentin and Myriam Quiñones continues in this second installment of The Boricua Care Package Project - A Journey of Love.

Puerto Rico is suffering a humanitarian crisis, after hurricane Maria, that hit the island on September 20th, 2017. The urgent need for help to provide food, water, shelter, to the people of Puerto Rico inspired Myriam Quiñones and Jossie Valentín to organize and send care packages to different families on the island. This initiative led to a three weeks journey to bring these packages, and other...

Lesley Birk is the District Executive of the Boy Scouts. On this session, we talked about the work by the Scouts in Holyoke, the ways to get involved, and also the recognition by The Boy Scouts to Eddie Caisse in a special event at the Log Cabin, on November 30th.

Chris Medina, Izzy Rivera, and Justin Chavez are organizing the Second Community Dinner at Kelly School on December 6th. This is a community effort to bring together all Holyoke neighbors to gather, break bread, and enjoy food, music, and entertainment for all ages.

The Struggle is Real, is a kids podcast produced by our youth group, and today, on Halloween day, they had a conversation about the most important topic of the day: Candy!

Día de Muertos, Day of Dead, is a complicated date that goes beyond the sugar skulls so much visible everywhere as evidence of cultural appropriation. On this session, Mexican Chef, Educator, and Activist, Neftalí Durán(Oaxaca); Artist, Performer, and Dancer, Michelle Marroquín (México DF); Xicanx Artist, Songwriter, Singer, and Educator, Diana Alvarez (Texas); Chicano Playwritgh and artist, Jason...

Local journalism, youth-led. The Holyoke Mayoral Candidates, Alex Morse and Jason Ferreira, answer questions by the Herald Staff Reporters, Brendan Leahy, Isabella Courchesne, and Feroze Sibdhanni, in a special broadcasting of Radioplasma, in partnership with The Holyoke Herald. Recorded in the Shevlin Studio at Holyoke High School, on October 24th, 2017.

Legendary Breakbeat Lou visits Holyoke for a special performance at The Vinyl Sessions, produced by Genuine Culture LLC. Breakbeat Lou stopped by the radioplasma studio to have an inspiring conversation about music, community, hip hop, and youth.

Dori Digenti is the founder of Breathing Space Yoga & Mindfulness Studio, a space for community connection. On this episode, we talk about her mission and activities happening in Holyoke, and the benefits of Yoga and Meditation.

Jharikem Borrero Irrizarry visits the plasma media lab to invite all of us to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Nuestras Raíces at The Harvest Festival on September 30th. On this conversation, Jharikem shares her experience working at Nuestras Raícas and the importance of this organization for the communities in Holyoke and the Pioneer Valley. Bonus: Jharikem has a talented voice, and she shares a...

La Gringa is a theatrical piece about a young woman’s search for her identity. Listen to this conversation in-situ at El Mercado with the whole cast and crew of La Gringa, TheUrban Theater Company, from Chicago, previous to the opening.show on September 22nd. La Gringa's showing is a part of the 2nd Annual Taste of South Holyoke Festival in the heart of South Holyoke and the Puerto Rican Cultural...

Rebel Diaz is in the House! After a free workshop about Hip Hop and Activism at the Wistariahurst Museum, and a live performance at Millpond Live, we had a conversation with Rodstarz, G1, and DJ Illanoiz, about Hip Hop culture, community, history, youth, and music.

Alexis Diaz is a Holyoke young man, full of energy, drive, and new experiences that keep him on the path to success. Listen this inspiring and amazing conversation with Alexis, and his development as a leader, community activist and advocate, and aspiring artist.

This is a random conversation with Anne Thalheimer, a woman of many hats (including Monster Hats). We discussed the opportunities for funding offered by the Holyoke Local Cultura Council, her creative work as an illustrator with a new book about Derby, her Monster Hat project, and music.

The Mater Dolorosa Preservation Society of Holyoke is a local organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of the historic Mater Dolorosa Church. Built in 1896 by Polish immigrants, it's now scheduled for demolition on October 1st. Our guest, John Fydenkevez, explains the efforts being made to purchase the building and transforming it into a Cultural Center for the community.

The Holyoke Herald Staff Reporters Isabella Courchesne, Siobhan Brennan, and Feroze Sibdhanny, interview Mr. Dana Brown, Principal at Holyoke High School, previous to the beginning of the school year 2017-2018.

The Holyoke Herald is partnering with radioplasma to create an expanded, local news outlet. On this session, we interview Joe Courchesne, to learn about the Holyoke Herald and other projects developing at Holyoke High. This session also was a training production for The Holyoke Herald Staff Reporters.

Artist Christina Gusek is a local talent that shares her story, inspiration, and invites the public to visit her exhibition "The Art of Christina Gusek - Year 2050 and Beyond" at the Holyoke Hummus Company at 285 High Street. Also, on this session, our guest is interviewed by Holyoke Herald staff reporters Marty Keane, Isabella Courchesne, and Brendan Leahy.

Natasha Colón Ortíz is the creator of Paper City Art Kids, an educational program for children to have fun, and be creative by painting. On this episode, we will know about the development of this local business.

The Tapestry Needle Exchange Program celebrated five years of operation in the City of Holyoke, providing free testing for HIV, Hep C, overdose and prevention education, and syringe access and disposal. On this episode, Liz Whynott, Director of the HIV Health and Prevention Services at Tapestry, explains the history of the needle exchange program, the services being offered. Also, we discussed som...

Vocalist, composer, educator, poet, and video/audio artist, Diana Alvarez is our guest on this intimate session, full of beauty and inspiration. We had a conversation about her life, her artistic work, and then Diana created a magical ambiance with an acoustic musical performance.

The Storefronts of the Victory Theater were exposed for the first time in decades, on June 23rd, 2017. We went there to talk with Kathy McKean, Managing Director of the Massachusetts International Festival of the Arts, MIFA about this activity, and the plans for the Victory Theater. Also, we got to talk with Michael McLaughlin, who has a personal connection with this historical landmark.

Christopher Gibaldi and Hope Ross are the family team of Learn in Motion. A program designed to getting children ages 3 to 5, active and engaged in sports activities, combining fun and learning, through educational and movement-based programming. On this session, the whole Learn in Motion family talk about the program, its development, and the positive impact is creating in the community.

For the celebration of Immigrant Heritage Month, artist Steven Huerta created the exhibition "Journeys: An American Mixtape", displayed at the Wistariahurst Museum. This colorful collection of 26 pieces, tells a story with music, songs, memories, and pictures. Steven shares his creative process and some of the stories behind this art exhibit, along with his own memories and reflections.