On January 4th, Cambridge, Massachusetts police officers shot and killed 20 year-old Sayed Arif Faisal, who was a UMass Boston student majoring in Engineering. The Justice for Faisal movement was born, bringing together a coalition of groups to demand justice and organize for a better future. One of the groups at the heart of the Justice for Faisal movement, is Muslim Justice League (or MJL). Host Mike Merli speaks to Fatema Ahmad, executive director of MJL and an active organizer within the Jus...
Apr 18, 2023•29 min
-Hudson nuclear waste water dump on hold -More than 2 feet of rain in 6 hours, floods Fort Lauderdale -“Climate change is a threat to human well-being & planetary health” -Spring has sprung unusually early in the eastern United States -sea waters are rising by large, measurable amounts -Homes constructed in risky areas overvalued billions of dollars -Salmon fishing off the California coast is facing a spring ban
Apr 18, 2023•4 min
Im very pleased to welcome to Digging in the Dirt Isabella Rossellini. In addition to a very successful modeling career, Isabella has starred in some extraordinary films, Like “Blue Velvet”. I Invited her here today not to talk about films but to talk to me about her wonderful organic farm in Brookhaven Long Island, called Mama Farm …..where Ms. Rossellini has a popular CSA and raises endangered breeds of farm animals.
Apr 18, 2023•34 min
Host: Steve di Costanzo Doug Holcomb the CEO of Greater Bridgeport Transit and Matt Pentz the CEO of Norwalk Transit Department talk bus transportation, diesel vs. Electric, Effects of Covid on ridership and plans for celebrating this year's Earth Day.
Apr 17, 2023•16 min
Today WPKN’s General Manager Steve di Costanzo welcomes: LifeBridge Community Services a nonprofit based in Bridgeport serving the community for over 170 years. Mission: Partnering with individuals, youth, and families to improve well-being, strengthen resilience, and create a brighter futureLifeBridge provides a combination of behavioral health services, youth development, and asset-building resources for families, our impact strengthens our community as a whole. Steve speaks with Edith Boyle, ...
Apr 17, 2023•26 min
Today WPKN’s General Manager Steve di Costanzo welcomes the following to his April GM Report to the Listeners: John Bastone from RecordRiots to talk with Steve about WPKN’s Music Mash Record Fair coming up this Saturday at Read’s ArtSpace- It’s a sold out show with dealers! LifeBridge Community Services a nonprofit based in Bridgeport serving the community for over 170 years. Mission: Partnering with individuals, youth, and families to improve well-being, strengthen resilience, and create a brig...
Apr 17, 2023•49 min
Nigerian Highlife musician Okwy Osadebe is interviewed by Ebong Udoma.
Apr 17, 2023•57 min
Host: David Green If you are interested in your health and well-being (who isn't?) then spend your lunch hour with us at NOON by tuning into @wpkn89.5 for our monthly live interview series Spotlight On Arts and Culture: "The Arts and Healing." We will examine the power of creative expression as a means of coping, healing, and restoration. We will hear about how the arts can be a bridge to mindfulness, reflection and transformation, particularly in the context of the current state of our world. O...
Apr 14, 2023•54 min
I'm here with the winner of the 5th annual Bill Duesing Organic Living on the Earth Award, Michael Nadeau. Michael is one of the leading authorities in the field of sustainable organic and ethical land care strategies in the United States. He is sought after for creating attractive sustainable and restorative environments using organic practices that respect the ecology of the property and reflect the philosophy of the client. Michael’s organic and sustainable holistic land care approach careful...
Apr 14, 2023•55 min
* Father of School Shooting Victim Calls for National Education Strike to Demand Acton on Gun Violence; Manuel “Manny” Oliver, co-founder of Change the Ref, a group advocating for gun safety measures; Producer: Melinda Tuhus. * New Tactics Are Required to Resist and Defeat GOP Authoritarianism; Bill Fletcher Jr., labor and racial justice activist & author; Producer: Scott Harris. * Massive Protests in France Continue to Oppose Increase in Pension Retirement Age; Jeffrey Mackler, National Sec...
Apr 12, 2023•29 min
Laura Modlin's Solar/Lunar Report Steve Munno's Small Farms Report Vincent Kaye with his Honey Bee Update Patrick Comins -- Executive Director of the Connecticut Audubon Society (CAS) will discuss legislation and strategies to protect bird migration in Connecticut. Hosted by Richard Hill, Laura Modlin and Chris Ferrio
Apr 12, 2023•1 hr
Okwe Osadebe, son of the renown Nigerian Highlife king Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe, shares his newest tracks and talks about his music and his Igbo culture. Interview by Richard Hill, April 4, 2023
Apr 12, 2023•1 hr 10 min
This GaiaGram marks the 150th edition in the series. A lot has changed over the four years of airing these environmental headlines. I started producing them to alert us to the increasing amount of negative events that are inexorably changing planet earth and to hopefully get those of you who hear these stories to collectively get off your rear ends and do something about it. This is the time of year we celebrate Earth Day. I would hope that we all may make every day Earth day and in whatever sma...
Apr 11, 2023•5 min
Prof. Jon Shelton, author of The Education Myth -- How Human Capital Trumped Social Democracy, discusses his theory that neo liberalism has fused competition and meritocracy with education in the US economy. Christopher Viles, professor of English and American Studies at UCONN - Storrs, analyzes the rising threat of fascism emerging from a multitude of sources across the US. Panel: Ruthanne Baumgartner, Scott Harris and Richard Hill
Apr 11, 2023•53 min
A conversation with Stan Heller about efforts to reduce impacts of gas-powered leaf blowers and other small engines; plus good news on efforts to stop the Mountain Valley fracked gas pipeline through WV and VA.
Apr 09, 2023•29 min
My guest now is Craig Floyd. Craig has been here on DITD several times before. I always like talking with Craig, because of his incredible knowledge of regenerative and organic growing, his work ethic and empathy for those who have less than the rest of us. Craig is retiring from running the Giving Garden in Stonington CT., which grows tons of wholesome food and gives it away.
Apr 06, 2023•26 min
My guests this show are two local Bridgeport residents doing good things on their Urban farm called Park City Harvest. Richard Myers & Shawn Joseph just self published a new book entitled "Grow to Eat" - A vegetable Growing Guide and Cookbook.
Apr 06, 2023•22 min
- Antarctica melting ice to affect global deep ocean current by 2050 -Exxon's low carbon business to generate billions of dollars -Six tornadoes hit the Northeast -Niño climate event is responsible for raising global temperatures -Congress to try to overturn protections for the nation's waterways -New rules for coal- and oil-fired power plants -Deforestation threatens “orangutan capital of the world” -Plugin vehicles are all the rage in the China -Duke Energy now has largest solar power plant ev...
Apr 06, 2023•5 min
What is it like to be a queer religious leader in Ron DeSantis' Florida? What are the implications for the rest of the nation? Come to the Sunshine Cathedral, #myqueerchurch, in Fort Lauderdale Florida to find out. More info on Sunshine Cathedral at: https://sunshinecathedral.org/ {This story was produced by Mic Check host Isabelle Barbour, and it originally aired on March 5, 2023. More info on Isabelle's work can be found at: https://www.truthtellerconsulting.com/}
Apr 05, 2023•30 min
Changes in federal policy around the child tax credit and school lunches are poised to exacerbate already rising levels of hunger and food insecurity. Come hear how FRESH New London, a small but mighty organization, is working to take care of people, build power, and change systems in New London, Connecticut. More info on FRESH New London at: https://freshnewlondon.org/ {This story was produced by Mic Check host Isabelle Barbour, and it originally aired on February 5, 2023. More info on Isabelle...
Apr 05, 2023•30 min
This podcast focuses on the Witness Stones project occurring in Old Lyme, Connecticut. It’s an opportunity to think about what it means to take a look at the history of enslaved people in a community that is mainly white. We’ll take a look at the successes and the challenges. More info on the Witness Stones Project at: https://www.witnessstonesoldlyme.org/ {This story was produced by Mic Check host Isabelle Barbour, and it originally aired on January 1, 2023. More info on Isabelle's work can be ...
Apr 05, 2023•26 min
The Southeastern Connecticut Organization for Racial Equity (SCORE) is a nonpartisan organization committed to anti-racist action with the ultimate goal of making people of color feel heard, safe, and welcome in southeastern CT. This podcast explores how SCORE came together to forward racial equity in East Lyme. More info on SCORE at: https://sites.google.com/view/scorect/home?authuser=1 {This story was produced by Mic Check host Isabelle Barbour, and it originally aired on December 4, 2022. Mor...
Apr 05, 2023•19 min
Step Up New London is a Black and Brown parent led organization that fights for equitable solutions that address injustices that New London, Connecticut community members experience in accessing quality education and housing. This podcast tells the story of how and why Step Up was developed. It includes content about the group’s campaign to address problems in New London Public Schools. More info on Step Up New London at: https://www.stepupnewlondon.com/ {This story was produced by Mic Check hos...
Apr 05, 2023•30 min
* As Trump is Indicted Threats of Political Violence From his Supporters Surge; Sarah Kendzior author and co-host of the Gaslit Nation weekly podcast; Producer: Scott Harris. * Israelis Protest Netanyahu's Threat to Democracy, but Ignore Rising Violence Targeting Palestinians; Josh Ruebner, Adjunct Lecturer at Georgetown University's Justice and Peace Studies program; Producer: Scott Harris. * From Slavery to Fossil Fuels Banks Have Been an ‘Industry of Injustice’; Lennox Yearwood,Rev, President...
Apr 05, 2023•29 min
Host: Rob Fried: Susan Schnitzer and Carolyn Pech (Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants.
Mar 29, 2023•19 min
Carole is a classical trained pop/jazz singer, vocal arranger songwriter, and educator. She is a teaching artist and artist in residence for Young Audiences New York. She teaches Broadway, Pop, Jazz singing as well as Glee Club and Musical Theater. She began singing in church and at the home of Count Basie. At age 16, she opened up for James Brown at Yankee Stadium. She began her career as a classical singer attending Brooklyn Conservatory of Music and Julliard School of Music. Ms. Sylvan’s clas...
Mar 29, 2023•30 min
PODCAST Host: Rob Fried WPKN Community Radio 89.5 for a special show featuring: Carole Sylvan (singer extraordinaire) Susan Schnitzer and Carolyn Pech (Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants. An hour of conversation, music, and community-oriented fun
Mar 29, 2023•53 min
Two tornadoes part of wild weather events across California. Billions suffer from poor access to water, sanitation and hygiene livestock producers may collectively see profits fall Some 80% of German trees suffer from crown dieback The EU countries will end to the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035 Biden administration strengthens a clampdown on methane pollution Battery Park City Authority will tear down Wagner Park to raise it 10ft
Mar 29, 2023•5 min
* Trump & GOP Embrace of Political Violence Threatens to Extinguish Democracy; Rachel Bitecofer, political strategist, analyst and author; Producer: Scott Harris. * After 51 Years Campaign Continues to Ratify Equal Rights Amendment; Bettina Hager, Washington, D.C. Director of the ERA Coalition; Producer: Scott Harris. * Senior Climate Activists Protest ‘Dirty Banks’ Financing of Fossil Fuel Projects; Ebony Martin co-Executive Director of Greenpeace USA & Rose Abramoff of Scientist Rebell...
Mar 29, 2023•29 min
Up Now in the archives! https://archives.wpkn.org/bookmarks/listen/377818 This month's episode features guest co-host and artist Maxim Schmidt as we celebrate Women's History Month with a discussion with artists George Corsillo, Clymenza Hawkins and Amy Wachtel about their involvement with the art exhibit Sound & Vision II: For the Record... a visual and musical celebration of feminism involving over 40 artists in a gallery exhibit featuring imaginary record covers, real covers form private ...
Mar 25, 2023•1 hr
