Best Rhode Island Politics Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 009 | From $30M CEO to Arm Wrestling Visionary with Tom Alexander 1:59:42

2h ago1:59:42

1:59:42

After building a $30M business, surviving open-heart surgery, and tearing his Achilles, Tom Alexander did what few others would — he started over. Not in tech. Not in finance. But in the gritty world of arm wrestling. In this episode of Cumberland Unfiltered, Tom shares his comeback story, his vision for a media-fueled arm wrestling movement, and t…

1
On Lively: The AG steps up with suggestions for the healthcare crisis on our doorstep. 29:00

3d ago29:00

29:00

This week on A Lively Experiment: the AG says the healthcare crisis is on Rhode Island's doorstep and has suggestions. Plus, who's in the running for governor on the Democratic side? And it's the homestretch for the General Assembly. Moderator Jim Hummel gets analysis from veteran reporter and political contributor Scott MacKay, GOP strategist Lisa…

1
5/30/2025: AG Neronha 22:59

20h ago22:59

22:59

This week on Newsmakers: Attorney General Peter Neronha talks about his sweeping new health care proposals, his political future, litigating against the Trump administration, the Aaron Thomas case and more.By Lee Dooley

1
Legislation To Protect Tenants From Unfair Eviction and Rent Hikes 27:34

2d ago27:34

27:34

Send us a text Bill Bartholomew welcomes Rep Cherie Cruz and tenant/advocate Lawliet Journey - who was evicted from their home without cause - for a discussion on legislation that would protect tenants from unfair evictions and rent increases. Support the showBy Bill Bartholomew / Lawliet Journey / Cherie Cruz

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Is The Rhode Island Accent Disappearing? ProJo's Antonia Noori Farzan 21:18

4d ago21:18

21:18

Send us a text Bill Bartholomew welcomes Providence Journal reporter Antonia Noori Farzan to discuss her in-depth story on the disappearance of the Rhode Island accent. Antonia Noori Farzan is an American journalist. She was educated in Hamilton College and Columbia University. Farzan was a journalist for Business Insider, The Independent and the P…

1
May 25, 2025 - Warning Signs on the Washington Bridge / Nonviolence Institute / Weekly Insight 25:55

8d ago25:55

25:55

On this episode, Michelle San Miguel and Jeremy Bernfeld have an in-depth report on our continuing investigation into the Washington Bridge. Our story looks at how and why Rhode Island’s Department of Transportation (RIDOT) may have missed warning signs lurking inside critical components which ultimately led to closure and demolishing of the Westbo…

1
This week on Lively, a surprising twist in the Barletta contamination case settlement. 29:00

8d ago29:00

29:00

1
5/23/2025: Reporters' roundtable 23:11

8d ago23:11

23:11

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by Target 12's Eli Sherman and Alexandra Leslie to break down the week in the news, including flag and budget controversies at Providence City Hall, the U.S. House reconciliation bill, next year's World Cup and more.By Lee Dooley

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RI Native Manya Glassman is Making Waves in the Film Industry 32:14

9d ago32:14

32:14

Send us a text RI native Manya Glassman is a director, writer and editor based in New York City. She has directed, written, and edited six films of her own and produced over eleven short films. Manya's films have been screened and gained recognition at Oscar qualifying festivals, such as the Rhode Island International Festival. She joins Bill Barth…

1
Striking Butler Hospital Workers Join Bartholomew 21:53

10d ago21:53

21:53

Send us a text Amidst an ongoing labor dispute, two workers at Butler Hospital join Bill Bartholomew. Brooke Huminski, LICSW, Clinician/Social Worker in the Inpatient Assessment Center: Brooke has been at Butler for eight years in Butler's ER. She evaluates patients before they are treated. She is a strike captain. Nicole Anthony: Niki is a Registe…

1
Roundtable: An Overlooked Threat to Affordable Housing: HOA Fees 22:58

11d ago22:58

22:58

Send us a text Bill Bartholomew welcomes state representative June Speakman, state senator Bridget Valverde, Housing Network RI Executive Director Melina Lodge, East Greenwich councilor Rene Engleart and East Greenwich resident Leigh Curtin for a roundtable on how unrestricted HOA increases impact affordable housing, and legislation that seeks to p…

1
The Admin Who Cried Weaponization 24:21

12d ago24:21

24:21

After years of finger-pointing and false claims of weaponization of the Department of Justice, the Trump Administration turned around and did just about everything they absurdly accused the Biden White House of doing. In this episode, Senator Whitehouse is joined by Senator Adam Schiff to discuss a handful of this administration’s many misdeeds. Fo…

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May 18, 2025 - Senator Whitehouse / Uprooted Artist Finds Home in RI / Weekly Insight 25:10

15d ago25:10

25:10

On this episode, political reporter Ian Donnis interviews Senator Sheldon Whitehouse on climate, dark money, the tax code, Rhode Island’s loss of federal funding and what they may mean to the future of scientific research in our state and beyond. Whitehouse also takes on Democrats and why they lost the election….and, yes he talks about that vote on…

1
On Lively, Senate response to the House's attempt to block proposed Cabinet pay raises. 29:00

17d ago29:00

29:00

This week on A Lively Experiment, the Senate says not so fast to a House move to block Cabinet pay raises. Plus, we hear from those hit hardest by Trump cuts to local medical research. Moderator Jim Hummel gets analysis from former State Representative Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung, Billy Hunt of the Libertarian Party of Rhode Island and Boston Globe Rep…

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5/16/2025: Sens. Lawson & Ciccone 22:56

15d ago22:56

22:56

This week on Newsmakers: Senate President Val Lawson and Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone make their first appearance since winning the race to succeed the late Dominick Ruggerio. The two Democrats discuss their backgrounds, their policy priorities, the budget, the proposed Assault Weapons Ban Act and much more.…

1
The State of RI Health Care: Dr. Philip Chan 13:54

15d ago13:54

13:54

Send us a text Dr. Philip A. Chan, MD, MS is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at Brown University. He has a secondary appointment in the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences at the Brown University School of Public Health. Dr. Chan is Medical Director of the only publicly funded sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic…

1
BB For Lt Gov? + PVD Councilor Sue AnderBois 40:56

16d ago40:56

40:56

Send us a text Bill Bartholomew discusses an article in The Boston Globe in which he states that he is mulling a run for lieutenant governor of Rhode Island, plus, Providence councilor Sue AnderBois stops by Bartholomewtown. Support the showBy Bill Bartholomew / Sue AnderBois

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Real Housewives of Rhode Island + More RI Film and TV Production: Steven Feinberg 31:05

18d ago31:05

31:05

Send us a text Steven Feinberg is the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Film & Television Office, and has led the office for the past 20 years. He's known for bringing major productions to Rhode Island and for his work on the film "Pell". He also created a transferrable film tax credit that has attracted many big-budget films to the state. He …

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5/9/2025: 'Naked fat-test' trial roundtable 23:10

19d ago23:10

23:10

Reporters Tim White, Eli Sherman and Amanda Milkovits break down testimony in the criminal trial of Aaron Thomas, including testimony from the defendant. This episode was recorded on location from outside Washington Superior Court in South Kingstown.By Lee Dooley

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May 11, 2025 - Schools Turn to Remote Therapy / Slashing Scientific Research in RI / Hmong Family's Survival Story 25:45

22d ago25:45

25:45

On this episode, Pamela Watts finds out why some school districts are turning to remote mental health therapy to help Rhode Island students. Then, Contributor Steph Machado reports on what the Trump Administration cuts of tens of millions of dollars in science research funding will ultimately mean to Rhode Island’s universities. Finally, we hear on…

1
On Lively, the first American chosen a Pope and pro soccer finally comes to Pawtucket. 29:00

24d ago29:00

29:00

This week on A Lively Experiment, what we can expect from the first American picked as Pope. Plus, cheers as pro soccer finally arrives in Pawtucket, but what are the odds of financial success? And is Rhode Island ready for the Real Housewives? Moderator Jim Hummel talks with former RI Attorney General Arlene Violet, Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe…

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Rep Megan Cotter Talks Latest Forest Fire Mitigation Legislation 21:34

23d ago21:34

21:34

Send us a text Representative Megan Cotter joins Bill Bartholomew to discuss her latest legislative efforts to mitigate forest fires in Rhode Island. Support the showBy Bill Bartholomew / Megan Cotter

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May 4, 2025 - Feeling Lost / Loneliness / Addictive Design 27:30

26d ago27:30

27:30

On this special edition of Rhode Island PBS Weekly we take an in-depth look at youth and mental health issues. All of our segments on this episode were generously underwritten by a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island. We begin with Michelle San Miguel’s report on the mental health issues that many of the Ocean State’s young people str…

1
Grow Smart RI Wants To Drive Quality of Life Through Expanding Main Streets 32:35

25d ago32:35

32:35

Send us a text Grow Smart Rhode Island's Jillian Finkle joins Bill Bartholomew. Support the showBy Bill Bartholomew / Jillian Finkle

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Episode 008 | From Holocaust to Hometown: A Survivor’s Journey with Irving Schild 1:24:40

29d ago1:24:40

1:24:40

In Episode #008 of Cumberland Unfiltered, we sit down with 94-year-old Holocaust survivor Irving Schild—a man whose life story spans war-torn Europe, the U.S. Marine Corps, and five decades behind the camera at Mad Magazine. Irving takes us through the harrowing decisions his family made to survive the Holocaust, the safe haven that brought him to …

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5/2/2025: Lt. Gov. Matos; new RI Senate leadership 22:43

28d ago22:43

22:43

This week on Newsmakers: Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos reveals she almost stepped down from her position two years ago amid the signature scandal that derailed her campaign for Congress in a one-on-one with Kim Kalunian; then, state Sens. Val Lawson and Frank Ciccone were elected as senate president and majority leader, respectively, after the death of Sen…

1
This week on Lively, new leadership at the RI State Senate. Plus, Gina for President? 29:00

1M ago29:00

29:00

This week on a Lively Experiment, with a new leadership team at the state Senate, what we can expect. Plus, Gina for President? Raimondo says she's considering it but there is much work to be done at the party level. Moderator Jim Hummel talks with former candidate for Lieutenant Governor, Aaron Guckian, URI Political Science Professor Emily Lynch …

1
Is Rugby The Next Big Thing in Rhode Island? 20:30

1M ago20:30

20:30

Send us a text With the recent announcement that the Major League Rugby championship game will be played at Pawtucket's Tidewater Stadium and expanding youth participation in rugby, Bill Bartholomew speaks with Jeff Cares, Executive Director of Rugby Rhode Island Support the showBy Bill Bartholomew / Jeff Cares

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Inside Communications Presented by Half Street Group: Small Business Strategies + What Little League Teaches Us About Comms 33:14

1M ago33:14

33:14

Send us a text Half Street Group Founder and President Mike Raia joins Bill Bartholomew for a discussion on small business communications strategies, plus, what little league can teach us about comms! http://www.halfstreetgroup.com Support the showBy Bill Bartholomew / Mike Raia

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April 27, 2025 - Prudence Island's Water Crisis / Anti-Graffiti Vigilantes / Remembering Domenic Ruggerio 24:10

1M ago24:10

24:10

On this episode, Olivia Ebertz reports from Prudence Island where residents are struggling to find clean, fresh drinkable water. Then, a second look at a group of Rhode Islanders who call themselves Anti-Graffiti Vigilantes as they clean-up graffiti one rock at a time to help preserve some of the state’s most beautiful natural areas. Finally, on th…

1
On Lively, who will succeed Senate President Ruggerio & a plan to boost housing stock. 29:00

1M ago29:00

29:00

This week on A Lively Experiment, the legacy of Senate President Dominick Ruggerio and questions left in the wake of his passing. Plus, an ambitious plan to hike Rhode Island's housing stock. Moderator Jim Hummel is joined by Bill Bartholomew of the Bartholomewtown Podcast, former Cranston Mayor Allan Fung & Mary Barden, the Executive Director of t…

1
4/25/2025: Congressman Auchincloss 22:59

1M ago22:59

22:59

By Lee Dooley

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Rhode Island College Students Organize to "Save Their Majors" 20:51

1M ago20:51

20:51

Send us a text Rhode Island College recently released a report that includes a plan to cut twenty programs from the school's offerings. Students join Bill Bartholomew to discuss an effort to push back on the proposed cuts. They are: Felix Fonseca Garcia, World Languages Education - Portuguese major Hak Kay, Gender Studies major Danielle Hurowitz, G…

1
Financial Well-Being presented by Navigant Credit Union: Cash Management for Small Businesses 14:35

1M ago14:35

14:35

Send us a text Navigant Credit Union's VP of Cash Management Brian Pereira joins Bill Bartholomew for April's episode of Financial Well Being. Support the showBy Bill Bartholomew / Brian Pereira

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"Stumpgate": Why Did a RI DOT Contractor Remove Trees From an Unauthorized Area? Eco RI News' Colleen Cronin 14:21

1M ago14:21

14:21

Send us a text Bill Bartholomew welcomes Eco RI News reporter Colleen Cronin for a discussion on "Stumpgate", a saga in which a contractor for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation inadvertently removed a significant amount of trees from a highway onramp. How did this miscommunication happen and what are the environmental consequences? Supp…

1
RI Senate President Dominick Ruggerio Has Died. Boston Globe's Ed Fitzpatrick Reports 15:57

1M ago15:57

15:57

Send us a text Breaking news: following a lengthy illness, Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio has died. The Boston Globe's Ed Fitzpatrick join Bill Bartholomew to discuss Ruggerio's legacy and what comes next on the governmental side. Support the show

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Episode 007 | The Billion-Dollar Betrayal with Joseph C. Miller III 2:18:20

1M ago2:18:20

2:18:20

Guest: Joseph C. Miller III — Special Operations advisor & author of American Commandos What You’ll Hear: Inside Afghanistan’s elite Special Ops missions How military aid was misused — and where the money actually went What happens when a soldier becomes a whistleblower How American Commandos tells the truth through fiction Why patriotism means acc…

1
April 20, 2025 - Reading Ban Bill / Stone Walls / Weekly Insight 24:40

1M ago24:40

24:40

On this episode, local lawmakers recently introduced legislation to prohibit library censorship. Michelle San Miguel has an in-depth report on the Freedom to Read Bill aiming to stop the banning of books here in Rhode Island. Then, a second look at the stone walls that surround New England. Finally, on this episode of Weekly Insight, Michelle San M…

1
On Lively, breaking down key issues facing RI lawmakers as they get back to work 29:00

2M ago29:00

29:00

This week on A Lively Experiment: key issues facing state lawmakers as they return to work next week. Three reporters in the thick of it join moderator Jim Hummel: the Providence Journal's Patrick Anderson, Nancy Lavin of the Rhode Island Current, and the Boston Globe's Ed Fitzpatrick. Plus, another federal judge from RI takes on the Trump administ…

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4/18/2025: Primary care in RI; Speaker Shekarchi 23:13

1M ago23:13

23:13

This week on Newsmakers: Dr. Mariah Stump and Dr. Thomas Bledsoe of the Rhode Island Medical Society discuss the closure of Anchor Medical and how to address the state's primary care crisis; plus, Kim Kalunian talks one-on-one with House Speaker Joe Shekarchi.By Lee Dooley

1
Is Westerly The Next Great American Music Hub? Nashville North at United Theatre 22:26

2M ago22:26

22:26

Send us a text Bill Bartholomew welcomes Westerly's United Theatre Executive Director Carly Callahan and Artistic Director Tony Nunes for a discussion on the Nashville North initiative and how the theatre is shaping the greater-Westerly community cultural and economic footprint. Support the showBy Bill Bartholomew / Carly Callahan / Tony Nunes

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RI's Heath Care Crisis "Over the Cliff" Says Physician 21:16

2M ago21:16

21:16

Send us a text The recent announcement that Anchor Medical Associates will be closing its practice this summer has exacerbated an already strained health care system in Rhode Island. Bill Bartholomew speaks with Blackstone Valley Community Health Care CEO and family physician Dr. Christy Pacheco and COO Mark Glovasky for insights on the extent of t…

1
April 13, 2025 - Rhode Island Bees / Shoreline Access in Westerly / Weekly Insight 25:30

2M ago25:30

25:30

On this episode, as part of our Green Seeker series, Pamela Watts updates her report on how and why climate change is helping fuel the exodus of bees in Rhode Island. Then, a second look at the decades-long dispute over beach access in Ocean State. Finally, on this episode of Weekly Insight, Michelle San Miguel and our contributor, WPRI 12's politi…

1
On Lively: left without a PCP in a provider shortage, as Anchor Medical prepares to close 29:00

2M ago29:00

29:00

This week on A Lively Experiment: thousands of Rhode Islanders face the daunting task of finding a PCP during a doctor shortage as Anchor Medical prepares to shut down. Can patients push back? Joining moderator Jim Hummel are Joe Larisa , attorney & former Gov. Almond’s Chief of Staff plus attorney & former prosecutor Eva Mancuso & Bill Lynch, form…

1
4/11/2025: Reporters' roundtable 23:17

2M ago23:17

23:17

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by The Providence Journal's Patrick Anderson and Rhode Island Current's Nancy Lavin to break down the week in the news, including tariffs and the stock market, the closure of Anchor Medical, State House happenings, the state's new Catholic bishop and more.…

1
Dan McGowan (Boston Globe) Talks Return of Providence Schools to City Control 21:24

2M ago21:24

21:24

Send us a text Boston Globe Rhode Island columnist Dan McGowan joins Bill Bartholomew for a discussion on the latest efforts by Providence mayor Brett Smiley to for the city to regain control of the Providence Public School District. The district was taken over by the State of Rhode Island in 2019. Support the show…

1
Rand Bradbury Brings Original Music to Newport 20:59

2M ago20:59

20:59

Send us a text Bill Bartholomew welcomes New England Music Organization and North End Entertainment's Rand Bradbury for a discussion on his work promoting and producing original music in Newport, RI. Support the showBy Bill Bartholomew / Rand Bradbury

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Checkpoint Zoo Director Joshua Zeman 16:49

2M ago16:49

16:49

Send us a text newportFILM, Rhode Island's premier presenter of the latest, critically-acclaimed documentary films, will be screening: CHECKPOINT ZOO at Newport Classica's Recital Hall on Thursday, April 10th at 7pm. Tickets are available at newportfilm.com Learn more about the film at www.checkpointzoo.com Support the show…

1
How Can Rhode Island React to Trump Economic Madness? 34:08

2M ago34:08

34:08

Send us a text Bill Bartholomew offers insight into how Rhode Island can react to the economic chaos that President Trump's policies are creating. Support the showBy Bill Bartholomew

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Episode 6 | Luke Bonin – Conviction Doesn’t Flinch 2:12:53

2M ago2:12:53

2:12:53

🔥 Episode Summary He didn’t protest. He didn’t post. He just booked a flight to India—because there was a line he wouldn’t cross. In this episode of Cumberland Unfiltered, we sit down with Luke Bonin—a U.S. veteran whose quiet act of kindness went viral… and whose deeper conviction led him to take a stand when it mattered most. From the viral photo…

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