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Send us Fan Mail Gina Picard on bullying, school governance, and what Chariho needs next Bill Bartholomew speaks with Gina Picard, superintendent of the Chariho Regional School District and a North Providence School Committee member, about the fallout from recent online harassment surrounding state Rep. Megan Cotter and what it reveals about school culture, leadership, and public discourse. The conversation also gets into school committee structure, student safety, communication during incidents, and the bigger challenge of regionalization and school funding in Rhode Island. Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

Send us Fan Mail Inside Communications presented by Half Street Group: Closing Messages, Debate Strategy, and the Rhode Island Election Home Stretch Bill Bartholomew speaks with Mike Raia of Half Street Group about the final stretch of Rhode Island’s election cycle, with a focus on how candidates are shaping closing messages as early voting gets underway. The conversation breaks down the governor’s race, the lieutenant governor’s race, and what debate moments can still move undecided voters.Raia also explains why this cycle feels more like a communications contest than a traditional persuasion sprint, with campaigns narrowing in on turnout, contrast, and organization rather than broad conversion. Key topics In this episode, Raia says every major campaign is now focused on the same thing: the closing message and the call to action that gets supporters to the polls.The governor’s race is discussed as a debate-driven final push, with Raia noting that televised debates still matter because they reach the remaining undecided voters and late-engaged audience.Raia argues that a nine-point lead is not a toss-up, and says Ken Block would need to win nearly all undecided voters without losing any to truly close the gap.The conversation covers whether Aaron Guckian should have dropped out, with Raia saying publicly pressuring a candidate to leave a race is a disservice to voters.Raia says the strongest path for challengers is not just attacking opponents, but clearly defining how they would govern differently on healthcare, housing, budgeting, and state management.In the lieutenant governor’s race, Raia describes Sabina Matos and John Laughlin as engaged in a respectful, substantive contest that stands out for its lack of personal attacks.Matos is described as leaning into personal narrative and coalition-building with other Democrats, while Laughlin is targeting independent and moderate voters with a pocketbook and tax message.Raia says the lieutenant governor’s race may come down to organization, turnout operations, and which campaign is better positioned to execute in the final days.The discussion broadens to why local politics has struggled to break through in a nationalized media environment, with fewer gatekeepers and more fragmented attention.Raia closes by praising debate moderation, especially Brian Crandall’s performance, saying strong moderation keeps candidates substantive and on point.Timestamps 00:00 - Mike Raia returns to discuss the final stretch of Rhode Island’s election cycle  00:46 - Why campaigns are now focused on turnout, not just persuasion  01:54 - Why debate prep matters most in the governor’s race right now  02:50 - Why early voting limits how much a debate can still change the race  04:20 - Can Ken Block turn a nine-point deficit into a real contest?  05:02 - Why asking a candidate to drop out is, in Raia’s view, a disservice to voters  06:11 - The missing piece in the debates: a real explanation of how candidates would govern  07:15 - What Ken Block has said well, and where he still needs a clearer governing vision  08:19 - Why early voting makes polling a snapshot, not a final verdict  09:34 - Why the lieutenant governor’s race feels old-school in the best way  10:57 - How Sabina Matos is closing with personal story and coalition politics  11:37 - How John Laughlin is targeting independents and moderate voters  12:06 - Why organization and turnout could decide the lieutenant governor’s race  13:14 - Why change may be the dominant message of the cycle  14:52 - The idea of a broader “Ken Block Plus” coalition  15:39 - Why every campaign needs a specific audience and a clear call to action  17:02 - Why Helena Foulkes’s message is landing with voters who want direct problem framing  18:09 - Why problem articulation without solution is not enough for Ken Block  19:23 - The coaching analogy: don’t bring a problem unless you also bring a solution  20:23 - Is local politics still breaking through, or is it mostly inside baseball?  21:13 - Why this cycle felt sleepy, but still had interesting undercurrents  22:59 - Why local campaigns struggle in a nationalized attention economy  24:05 - How campaigns now have to think in micro-audiences and targeted outreach  25:07 - Why different debate formats reach different voter groups  26:25 - A shoutout to Brian Crandall’s debate moderation  27:40 - Why Seth Magaziner has run a disciplined campaign  28:34 - Why Rhode Island is heading toward a different style of government regardless of outcome Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

Send us Fan Mail Bill Bartholomew talks with Jason Dodier, co-founder of Fountainhead Rhode Island, about building stronger connections between Rhode Island’s people, industries, and global opportunities. They explore how the state can compete in the emerging AI and data-infrastructure economy—not by chasing massive data-center campuses, but by investing in local talent, practical AI adoption, resilient infrastructure, and industries such as ocean technology, healthcare, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. In this conversation Jason’s path from Rhode Island to international work in energy, climate, and technologyThe founding mission of Fountainhead Rhode IslandWhy relationships, mentoring, and emotional intelligence matter as much as innovationRhode Island’s opportunity to lead in AI, ocean technology, and clean-energy infrastructureMaking AI practical for small businesses, healthcare providers, nonprofits, students, and workersThe case for locally focused, lower-impact computing infrastructureBalancing economic development with community, environmental, and ratepayer concernsKeeping the value created by the blue economy in Rhode IslandWhat Rhode Island can learn from smaller places—including Kenya—competing globally Guest Jason DOdier is a Rhode Island-based entrepreneur and the co-founder of Fountainhead Rhode Island, an organization focused on connecting leaders, companies, nonprofits, and civic institutions to create opportunity in the state. FountainHead Rhode Island will host Phase II of its annual AI & Data Infrastructure Summit on Friday, October 23, 2026, from 1:00 to 8:30 PM ET at the Providence Marriott Downtown (1 Orms Street, Providence, RI 02904). The Summit builds on a successful Phase I in June, which drew hundreds of attendees and featured speakers from Amazon, Microsoft, Barclays, Schneider Electric, AlixPartners, and Alvarez & Marsal. Phase II brings together business executives, technology leaders, policymakers, developers, investors, and educators to discuss how Rhode Island can compete for the next wave of AI and data infrastructure investment. Topics include: - Energy and power generation for AI and data centers - Data center development, investment, and permitting - Workforce development and education - Cybersecurity and emerging technologies The program features an executive keynote, fireside chats with national leaders, main stage expert panels, a live technology and exhibitor showcase, a hackathon running throughout the day, and a closing networking reception. Event details: - Date: Friday, October 23, 2026 - Time: 1:00 PM to 8:30 PM ET (exhibition floor opens at 1:00 PM; main stage panels 4:00 to 6:00 PM; networking reception to follow) - Location: Providence Marriott Downtown, 1 Orms Street, Providence, RI 02904 Links: - Summit website: https://summit.fountainheadri.org/ - Phase I recap video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzQwNkSSMvc Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

Send us Fan Mail Bill Bartholomew moderates a debate for Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island featuring incumbent, Democrat nominee Sabina Matos and Republican nominee John Loughlin Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

Send us Fan Mail Bill Bartholomew moderates a debate for Governor of Rhode Island. WPRO x BTOWN debate series. Featuring Democrat nominee Helena Buonanno Foulkes, Republican nominee Aaron Guckian, independent Ken Block. Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

Send us Fan Mail Bill Bartholomew speaks with Cortney Nicolato, president and CEO of United Way of Rhode Island, about the ALICE study and why the old federal poverty measure misses a huge share of working families. They discuss how nonprofits are filling gaps in state services, why funding is under strain, and what policy and system changes could better support Rhode Islanders. https://unitedwayri.org/alice/ In this episode Nicolato explains ALICE—Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed—a framework developed because the federal poverty level doesn’t reflect the real cost of living.She says 43% of Rhode Island families, or about 190,000 households, fall into the ALICE bracket.A family of four in Rhode Island needs about $111,000 just to survive, while median income in key sectors such as hospitality, retail, call centers, and childcare is about $87,000.The conversation explores what a survival budget includes: housing, health care, taxes, child care, elder care, and unexpected costs like copays and medical bills.Nicolato says the federal poverty measure is outdated: it was created in the 1960s to measure food costs, not modern household needs.They discuss frontline workers—including childcare workers, construction laborers, cashiers, wait staff, and landscapers—who are essential to Rhode Island’s economy but still struggle financially.Nicolato points to equity gaps: 63% of Hispanic households, 56% of Black households, and 64% of households headed by someone 65 or older are in the ALICE category.She describes United Way’s Family Stability Initiative, which supports families over about 18 months and helps participants move from crisis toward stability.She highlights other programs, including the Good Neighbor Energy Fund, 211, SNAP navigation, and VITA, which brought $23 million back into Rhode Island last year.The discussion considers nonprofits’ role as a quasi-public infrastructure layer, especially as funding tightens and demand increases.Nicolato argues nonprofits should be treated as mission-driven businesses, with more stable planning, accountability, and support from state and federal government.Timestamps 00:00 — Introducing the ALICE study and Rhode Island’s cost-of-living crisis  01:19 — Why ALICE captures need better than the federal poverty level  02:00 — A family of four needs $111,000 just to survive in Rhode Island  03:18 — What goes into a survival budget beyond rent and groceries  04:45 — Why the 1960s poverty formula no longer fits modern life  05:37 — Frontline workers who keep Rhode Island running but still struggle  06:32 — Multiple jobs, shame, and barriers to upward mobility  07:44 — The equity gap for Hispanic, Black, and older households  08:35 — Turning data into action through United Way’s Family Stability Initiative  09:31 — Helping families move from crisis to stability with financial coaching and housing support  10:00 — Utility aid, 211, SNAP help, and $23 million returned through VITA  11:25 — How nonprofit funding strain compounds the state’s social problems  12:24 — Why nonprofits need to be treated like essential infrastructure  13:50 — Supporting nonprofits with legal help, resource sharing, and advocacy  15:16 — The case for long-term planning instead of yearly budget chaos  17:14 — Why nonprofits often run state programs better, cheaper, and faster  18:27 — Collaboration between nonprofit, private, and government sectors  19:03 — Where to find the ALICE data and Rhode Island-specific report Notable quotes “Data is knowledge, but what you do with it matters.”“They are trying their damnedest and doing the most that they can. It is the system that has not allowed them to do the things that they need to do.”“We’re running it better, cheaper, faster.”Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

Send us Fan Mail Aaron Guckian on staying in the Rhode Island governor’s race ahead of the first debate Bill Bartholomew interviews Republican gubernatorial nominee Aaron Guckian just hours before the first of three major statewide debates. The conversation centers on whether Guckian will stay in the race, how he differentiates himself from independent candidate Ken Block and Helena Foulkes, and what his governing pitch looks like on taxes, energy, infrastructure, and cost of living.Guckian says repeatedly that he is “all in” and frames his campaign around a pragmatic, center-right message aimed at lowering the burden on Rhode Islanders while leveraging federal and state partnerships for economic growth. Key topics In this episode: Guckian directly says he is staying in the race and commits to a three-way contest through Election Day.He addresses the swirl around Ken Block’s efforts to position himself as the stronger anti-Democratic option, including the report that a Guckian team member floated a possible meeting.Guckian identifies Robert Anderson as the volunteer who accompanied him and says Anderson is a strategist and supporter, not an official campaign insider.He lays out his governing pitch around Quonset Point, Electric Boat, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, the Naval War College, and defense-related investment as a major Rhode Island opportunity.He emphasizes his personal background: married with three daughters, East Greenwich roots, a mother who is a respiratory therapist, and a father who is a union plumber.He argues Rhode Island is overtaxed and overburdened by fees, electricity costs, and natural gas bills, and says the state needs a “massive change.”He highlights Rhode Island Works Smarter, a platform focused on process improvement, frontline worker input, consultant savings, and a 24/7 anonymous idea portal.He proposes an advanced energy commission, federal grant pursuit, and exploration of small modular reactors and other energy infrastructure strategies.He says his experience includes former chairmanship of the Warwick Sewer Authority, an MBA, nonprofit fundraising, healthcare work, and broad government familiarity.He argues that his campaign can still be competitive despite weak polling and limited cash on hand, citing his prior 150,000-vote run for lieutenant governor and the possibility that debate performance will drive donations and polling movement.He critiques Providence politics, opposing rent control and warning about tax increases, public safety risks, and what he sees as unrealistic promises from young or inexperienced incoming leaders.He discusses affordability, the gas tax, healthcare workforce retention, and a proposal to use loan repayment incentives to keep doctors in Rhode Island.Timestamps 00:00 - Opening setup: first debate looming and the race’s intraparty tension  00:42 - Responding to Ken Block’s pressure and the “stay in or get out” question  01:41 - Why Guckian says Rhode Island needs major change on taxes and costs  02:27 - Clarifying the “ghost” figure and the confusion around the campaign visit  03:43 - Identifying Robert Anderson and redirecting to the campaign platform  04:03 - What a Guckian governorship would look like  05:02 - Personal biography and why his background matters to voters  06:26 - Defense, energy, and federal investment as Rhode Island’s growth engine  07:53 - Why he says his infrastructure and government experience translate to the governor’s office  08:31 - Polling, fundraising, and why he thinks debate night could change the race  09:49 - Comparing his path to past Rhode Island three-way races  10:46 - Providence politics, rent control, and the case against leftward city leadership  11:45 - Taxes, budget pressure, and why he says local promises may not pencil out  13:09 - Arriving late to a meeting and the campaign’s response  14:54 - Rhode Island Works Smarter and the role of frontline workers  15:49 - Cutting consultant dependence and rethinking transportation leadership  16:43 - His identity as a pragmatic centrist Republican and why he thinks that matters  17:41 - Final commitment: staying in the race through the end  18:47 - His public-service pitch, charity work, and healthcare advocacy  19:45 - Personal recovery, financial stress, and why affordability is central  20:13 - Gas tax suspension, healthcare incentives, and doctor retention  20:54 - Closing banter, harmony, and a lighter note before the debate Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

Send us Fan Mail read Singer's piece here: https://www.oceanstatemedia.org/economy/2026-09-28/we-do-not-want-to-turn-people-away-r-i-nonprofits-face-financial-crisis Rhode Island’s nonprofit fiscal cliff and the future of local public media Bill Bartholomew talks with Singer, Chief Strategy and Audience Officer at Ocean State Media, about a growing crisis hitting Rhode Island nonprofits, public media, and the people who rely on both. The conversation starts with Singer’s reporting on how funding pressure is rippling through the nonprofit ecosystem, then expands into bigger questions about whether direct government service, philanthropy, or a stronger tax base can realistically fill the gap.We discuss how Ocean State Media is reshaping itself as a community-driven local news operation, and why the story emerged from listening sessions in Bristol rather than a newsroom assignment. Singer also explains why the crisis is bigger than one grant, one organization, or one budget cycle. Key topics In this episode: Singer explains his role at Ocean State Media and how the merged PBS and NPR operation is rebuilding as a multi-platform local news organization.We discuss how “Ocean State Media in Motion” brought staff into communities around Rhode Island, including a coffee hour in Bristol where the nonprofit funding story first surfaced.Singer describes a widening demand crisis across housing, food assistance, mental health care, and substance-use treatment, with need rising even after the pandemic.We break down the Matthewson Street Church roof grant example, where federal funding approved under one administration was lost under new ideological conditions tied to trans people and migrants.Bill and Singer wrestle with the “middleman” argument: whether nonprofits should be bypassed and services delivered directly by the state.Singer argues that even if direct delivery sounds simpler, the service systems already built by nonprofits are hard to replicate and often more effective than starting from scratch.The conversation turns to Rhode Island’s tax base, the limits of private philanthropy, and whether the next governor will inherit an unworkable fiscal situation.Singer notes that some proposals may land too late, especially with Medicaid changes and emergency-room spillover already looming.The discussion widens into the role of local journalism, the decline of regional newspapers, and Ocean State Media’s effort to surface stories from local communities and make them relevant statewide.Bill and Singer close by talking about audience engagement, local call-in culture, and why the most useful media often comes from informed community disagreement rather than social media noise.Timestamps (0:00) Rhode Island’s nonprofit funding crisis begins  (0:58) Singer introduces his role at Ocean State Media  (1:27) Rebuilding a merged PBS and NPR newsroom  (2:56) How community listening in Bristol surfaced the story  (3:26) Volunteer shortages and the widening nonprofit strain  (4:26) Demand keeps rising after the pandemic  (5:52) Why the Matthewson Street Church grant became a flashpoint  (7:12) The “limited pie” problem for donors and institutions  (8:56) Can government replace nonprofits directly?  (9:45) Are nonprofits really just middlemen?  (11:20) The central question: where does the money come from?  (12:38) Governor’s office response and a budget coming too late  (13:27) Why the next governor may inherit the crisis  (15:21) Addressing root causes before people hit catastrophe  (17:34) Community-led journalism and reporting from the ground  (18:47) Why local stories need broader statewide relevance  (20:13) Building audience trust through real community conversation  (21:49) Talk radio, local disagreement, and what people actually care about  (23:17) Volunteer-hour Medicaid ideas and why implementation is messy Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

Send us Fan Mail How the Morales campaign turned branding, video, and community trust into a winning Providence message This episode looks at the communications strategy behind David Morales’ Providence campaign and why it connected so strongly with voters. Bill Bartholomew is joined by Ross Lippman, Lindsey Bond, and Louis Morales to break down the brand identity, short-form video strategy, and the people-first messaging that helped the campaign cut through fear-based attacks.We discuss how the team built a campaign that felt like Providence rather than generic politics, and why authenticity, consistency, and local relationships mattered more than money and negative ads. Key topics Ross Lippman explains his role as Video and Communications Director and how he came into the campaign just before launch.Lindsey Bond shares how she moved from events work into communications, then helped shape email, social, and digital strategy.Louis Morales describes designing the campaign’s visual identity, including the distinct typography and the monarch butterfly symbol.The team explains the goal of breaking away from the standard political look and creating something community-driven and neighbor-focused.Ross talks about studying progressive political videos, especially the first 3 to 5 seconds, to make content substantive and engaging.Lindsey explains how the campaign used social media to show David Morales as a real person, not just a candidate.The conversation covers how the campaign built trust early, before the opponent’s attacks fully arrived.Ross and Lindsey discuss how negative messaging, including anti-socialism attacks, lost force because the campaign had already established a clear identity.Louis reflects on the emotional meaning of seeing a candidate who looks like him and speaks to immigrant families and first-generation Rhode Islanders.The episode closes with the team emphasizing that the campaign was people-powered, not money-powered, and that the model could apply to other local races.Timestamps 00:00 - Why the Morales campaign mattered in Providence  01:28 - Ross Lippman’s role in video and communications  01:52 - Lindsey Bond’s path from events into comms  02:14 - Louis Morales on building the campaign’s visual identity  03:03 - Creating a brand that felt community-driven, not generic  04:44 - Early logo sketches and why the chosen design stood out  06:12 - The monarch butterfly as a symbol for immigrant communities  07:25 - Ross on joining the campaign after Ocean State Media  09:49 - Adapting video for TikTok, reels, and platform behavior  10:22 - Making campaign videos substantive, not just “brain rot”  12:08 - Lindsey on joining through friendship and events organizing  13:32 - How digital strategy grew from email to social to web  14:52 - Why the campaign message had to overcome fear and misinformation  16:14 - Messaging for neighbors, not against an opponent  17:38 - Building early equity before the challenger fully engaged  19:40 - Why the anti-Morales attacks failed to land  21:39 - Lindsey on underestimated voters and broken establishment politics  25:55 - What the Providence win means for future local races  27:25 - Authenticity and education as the core of social content  30:03 - Louis on the underdog story and Latino representation  31:46 - Ross on skepticism, early coverage, and believing the campaign could win Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

Send us Fan Mail Megan Cotter on rural politics, voter conversations, and calling out toxic school committee behavior Bill Bartholomew speaks with Rhode Island State Representative Megan Cotter, District 39, about her reelection campaign, what she is hearing while knocking on doors, and why she resists rigid political labels. The conversation turns to a disturbing Facebook exchange involving Cotter, her opponent Jasmine Roy, and Chariho school committee members Polly Hopkins and Phelps, centered on online bullying and body shaming by elected officials.In this episode:   Cotter says she is running an active, full-throttle campaign and has knocked on more than 1,000 doors  She says door-to-door conversations are making her a better representative because they reveal what people actually care about  She points to the biggest issues in her district as healthcare, insurance costs, groceries, utilities, and housing for young adults  Cotter argues that political labels often become purity tests that do more harm than good  She describes one constituent encounter where she calmly handled being called socialist and un-American  Cotter shares her personal health journey, including losing 120 pounds over two years after her father died of colorectal cancer  The discussion moves to a Facebook thread involving Cotter, Jasmine Roy, Polly Hopkins, and another school committee member, with comments mocking Cotter’s body and implying she ran for office for access to GLP 1 drugs  Cotter says elected officials should be held to a higher standard and should not normalize online harassment or bullying  Bartholomew and Cotter argue that school committee members, especially in a district serving children, should model better behavior and be held accountable  Cotter says voters need to pay attention and stop allowing this kind of conduct to slide  Timestamps: (0:00) Reintroducing Megan Cotter and why a rural sandwich stop led to the conversation  (1:34) Why Cotter welcomes a contested race and stays active in the district  (2:43) What voters in District 39 are saying about healthcare, costs, and housing  (4:02) Why Cotter says labels and purity tests are a disservice  (5:46) Handling polarized conversations at the door without losing respect  (7:20) Setting up the Facebook post and Cotter’s health story  (7:46) Losing 120 pounds, training, and how the journey changed her campaigning  (9:47) How the Facebook post escalated into body shaming and harassment  (11:22) Why elected officials should not excuse cruel behavior as free speech  (12:23) Confirming the school committee members involved  (13:11) Why Cotter says Polly Hopkins should resign  (14:24) Why this matters as an example for kids and the public  (16:12) Why elected officials should hold themselves to a higher standard  (17:36) What message this sends to students in Cherhoe  (18:14) The broader district context and why accountability matters  (19:17) Why voters in Hopkinton need to do better  (19:45) Closing thoughts and final thanks   Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

Send us Fan Mail Bill Bartholomew talks with independent Rhode Island gubernatorial candidate Ken Block about a newly released poll, the three-way race against Helena Foulkes and Aaron Guckian, and what the numbers suggest about the final stretch. The conversation also digs into fundraising, outside spending, and whether debates and forums can give voters a real contrast between the candidates. Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

Send us Fan Mail Lost and Found with Pamela Fernandez on WaterFire Accelerate Bill Bartholomew speaks with artist Pamela Fernandez about WaterFire Accelerate, the professional development program for artists 30 and under, and the culminating group exhibition Lost and Found at the WaterFire Arts Center. The conversation moves from Providence’s creative ecosystem to Fernandez’s Dominican and Providence roots, and how both shape her work in textiles, printmaking, and painting.In this episode, Fernandez reflects on community, institutional support, and the challenge of making art that is both personally meaningful and socially responsive. Key topics Pamela Fernandez explains that WaterFire Accelerate is a professional development program for artists 30 and under, offering mentorship, studio space, and a final group exhibition.The conversation highlights how the cohort became a real support network, with artists helping one another professionally and personally through an active group chat and shared resources.Fernandez talks about being born in the Dominican Republic and growing up in Providence since age five, and how that identity deeply informs her work.She describes Providence as a place where she wants to stay and create, while also noting that London has long felt like an interesting art destination to her.Bill and Fernandez discuss the role of Providence institutions and nonprofits in shaping artists’ careers, including WaterFire, RISD Museum workshops, libraries, New Urban Arts, and Project Open Door.Fernandez emphasizes that artist communities matter just as much as institutions, especially when peers offer studio access, screen printing space, or a wood shop for free.Her work is rooted in questions of Dominican history, Dominican presence in Providence, family history, and what it means to feel both connected to and distanced from culture.Fernandez says she is currently negotiating what her art should be about now, moving between printmaking, painting, and a return to textiles.She explains why textiles remain meaningful to her, especially because fabric can carry history through clothing, curtains, and inherited materials.The interview closes with a deeper discussion of art and politics, including how Fernandez balances making work in a difficult moment with staying intentional, authentic, and humane.Timestamps 00:00 - WaterFire Accelerate and the Lost and Found exhibition  00:39 - How the artist development program works  01:41 - Why cohort support extends beyond the studio  02:47 - Fernandez’s Providence and Dominican roots  03:42 - Why Providence feels like the right art city for now  05:21 - Building a career through nonprofits and local institutions  07:35 - How Dominican identity and Providence shape her work  09:28 - Choosing what her art should say now  10:56 - Why textiles still matter in her practice  12:17 - Artist panel details and exhibition closing date  13:12 - Balancing political responsibility with personal expression  15:51 - Why artists still matter in social movements  17:46 - Closing thoughts on WaterFire and the exhibition Notable quotes Copy “I feel like community is what is gonna keep us all afloat, especially in these times.” Copy “I feel like for me, Providence to me is the place where I wanna be.” Copy “I feel like you gotta figure out how you wanna show up, even if it’s not in your work, like how are you showing up in your day to day?” Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

Send us Fan Mail Trauma-Informed Policing in Rhode Island and Beyond Bill Bartholomew speaks with Liz Gledhill, director of the Center for Trauma Informed Policing at Family Service of Rhode Island, about a Rhode Island-built model that trains law enforcement to respond to families and children in crisis with more empathy, better situational awareness, and less additional harm. The conversation focuses on how the Go Team model evolved, why it matters at the first point of police contact, and what it takes to scale trauma-informed policing nationally.In this episode, they also discuss the balance between public safety and trauma-informed response, how community trust is built one interaction at a time, and why state funding matters when agencies are asked to adopt new trainings. Key topics Liz Gledhill explains her role as director of the Center for Trauma Informed Policing at Family Service of Rhode Island and the center’s Rhode Island roots.The Trauma Informed Policing Center launched this summer as a national training initiative built from Rhode Island experience and made available to law enforcement agencies across the country.Family Service of Rhode Island has worked with police for about 25 years, including long-running partnership work with the Providence Police Department.The model is designed to help officers respond to children and families exposed to trauma without compounding the harm already happening in the moment.Bill and Liz discuss how trauma-informed policing can interrupt the cycle of additional trauma during police interactions, especially when children are present at scenes such as domestic violence calls.The conversation highlights the importance of first contact, with Liz emphasizing that children and families need to feel safe at the moment police arrive.They talk about how co-response models and community-based partnerships help connect people to family services and other resources instead of relying on police to solve every problem alone.Liz describes Rhode Island’s Go Team model, which grew from an adapted version of a Connecticut approach and has expanded into seven communities, with more planned.The episode addresses trust between police and communities, with Liz noting that even one better interaction can help build a bridge or change expectations.They discuss officer skepticism at the outset of training, and how practical results often win people over once they see the model improve interactions and make their jobs easier.Bill asks about state support, and Liz says funding has increased, but warns against unfunded training mandates and argues that if the state wants departments to adopt these tools, it should help pay for them.Timestamps 00:00 - Why trauma-informed policing matters now  00:59 - Liz Gledhill introduces the Center for Trauma Informed Policing  01:12 - How a Rhode Island pilot became a national training initiative  01:45 - 25 years of police partnership and the SAMHSA grant that launched the center  02:20 - How the training helps officers reduce harm during crisis response  03:21 - Why children at crisis scenes need protection even when they are not the focus  04:20 - Public safety and trauma-informed training can work together  05:36 - Rhode Island’s Go Team model and what it borrowed from Connecticut  06:58 - The ripple effect of police interactions on trust and lived experience  07:28 - How one safe interaction can start rebuilding community trust  08:57 - What rank-and-file officers think when the model is first introduced  09:21 - Why skepticism often turns into support after officers see the results  10:35 - Police unions, stakeholder input, and why the model has staying power  11:05 - What the state can do beyond grants and good intentions  11:21 - Why unfunded training mandates undermine real implementation  12:26 - Closing thoughts and thanks Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

Send us Fan Mail Rhode Island Transit, Smart Growth, and the Real Cost of Underfunding RIPTA Bill Bartholomew talks with Scott Wolf, executive director of Grow Smart Rhode Island, about why transit is much more than a social service and how better funding could support housing, economic development, tourism, and affordability across the state. They also dig into the governor’s race, the gap between rhetoric and real transit investment, and what Rhode Island can learn from places like Chattanooga, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, and Ithaca. Key topics In this episode, Bill Bartholomew opens with the transit debate sparked by independent gubernatorial candidate Ken Block’s affordability plan and ties it to broader questions about smart growth and community development.Scott Wolf argues that one of the biggest misunderstandings in Rhode Island leadership is treating transit as only a social service instead of a driver of economic activity, housing access, and revitalization.The conversation centers on Rhode Island’s congestion, dense development patterns, and the way transit can help downtowns, main streets, and “third spaces” become more vibrant.Scott says stronger transit is essential for retaining young talent, noting that younger generations are more pro-transit and that ignoring them is a strategic mistake.The Hasbro relocation comes up as an example of why transit access matters to major employers, with Scott stressing that convenience to transit should be a warning signal for policymakers.Bill and Scott compare candidate positions, including Helena Folts’ call for stable RIPTA funding and Ken Block’s proposal for a year of free fares, while debating whether transit needs more total budget or better reallocation.Scott says Rhode Island needs both more investment and better efficiencies, including a long-overdue efficiency audit of RIDOT, which he argues has not faced the same scrutiny as RIPTA.The discussion highlights RIPTA’s service cuts, underfunding, and the negative cycle created when reduced frequency leads to lower ridership and even less support.Scott points to the affordability impact of transit, citing research that suggests many Rhode Island households with three or more cars could save around $10,000 a year by giving up one vehicle if service improved.Multimodal transit, including biking and pedestrian infrastructure, is presented as part of the same ecosystem and as a necessity for tourism, economic development, and everyday livability.The role of municipalities is explored, especially how much influence cities and towns really have over routes, funding, and transportation priorities.Scott praises mayors like Bob DeSilva of East Providence and contrasts them with municipalities that resist transit-oriented development, noting that local leadership can speed up or stall progress.The conversation closes with Scott’s broader critique of Rhode Island’s low expectations and short-term policy mindset, and his argument for thinking bigger about transit as a foundation for housing, mobility, and long-term prosperity.Timestamps 00:00 - Why transit entered the governor’s race  00:43 - Scott Wolf on smart growth and regional credibility  01:34 - The biggest leadership gap in understanding transit  03:17 - Transit as an engine for housing and economic vitality  04:44 - Why young people and employers care about transit  05:07 - The Hasbro example and transit as a business factor  06:37 - Stable funding for RIPTA versus free fares  07:05 - Why Rhode Island needs both new money and efficiencies  08:33 - RIDOT scrutiny, RIPTA cuts, and the service death spiral  09:28 - The affordability case for reducing car ownership  10:29 - Bikes, pedestrians, and the larger multimodal picture  11:23 - Tourism benefits from a more user-friendly state  11:48 - How much power municipalities really have  13:34 - Transit, housing, and the politics of local resistance  14:31 - The biggest barrier: low expectations and short-term thinking  16:39 - Transit as the key to housing and economic mobility  17:05 - Learning from Chattanooga, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, and Ithaca  18:39 - Why Rhode Island should study what works elsewhere  20:03 - Restoring RIPTA service cuts for about $5 million  21:26 - The transit master plan and bold next steps Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

Send us Fan Mail Eric Moyal, founder of Project Insulin, joins Bill Bartholomew to explain how his nonprofit is working to create and sell generic insulin directly to patients at cost. The conversation covers the insulin affordability crisis, why Rhode Island can be a powerful place for early-stage startup growth, and what it takes to build a long-term biotech project in a tough fundraising environment. 00:00 - Introduction to Eric Moyal and Project Insulin 00:08 - How Project Insulin plans to sell insulin at cost 00:42 - The real cost of insulin for patients without insurance 01:11 - Why a few for-profit manufacturers control the market 02:10 - Learning the issue through a partner with type 1 diabetes 03:06 - The statistic that pushed him to get involved 03:36 - Why this is a nonprofit and fundraising challenge, not just a science problem 04:27 - Rhode Island’s push into health and sciences 05:26 - Why Rhode Island was a strong place for early-stage growth 06:23 - Social Enterprise Greenhouse and the accelerator experience 07:41 - Why Rhode Island works best as an early-stage startup ecosystem 08:45 - Why building major pharmaceutical infrastructure in-state is difficult 09:11 - Rhode Island’s interpersonal network as its “secret sauce” 10:33 - The idea of Rhode Island as a pass-through for talent and growth 11:51 - Why not every business needs to become a billion-dollar unicorn 13:34 - Why raising money for a long-horizon nonprofit is difficult 14:54 - Project Insulin’s current fundraising target and development phase 15:46 - Long-term plans for national and global insulin distribution Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube