New England Weekend

This is a huge weekend for holiday shopping, with big box stores, online chains, and small businesses alike offering up deep discounts. New data from the Retailers Association of Massachusetts shows our Main Street businesses could really use some holiday love in order to keep them thriving into 2026 and beyond. Jon Hurst, President and CEO of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, returns to the show to talk with Nichole about the state of our small businesses this season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Massachusetts Horticultural Society's annual Festival of Trees is underway in Wellesley. From sparkling holiday trees to model trains, there's a little something for everyone, even down to the hot chocolate and s'mores keeping you warm as you wander through the Garden at Elm Bank! Allison Dush, the Director of Programs and Education at the Society, talks with Nichole about this family-friendly holiday event that serves as the Society's biggest fundraiser of the year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Massachusetts State Lottery is no stranger to games - they've got lots of them! This time of year, they're also getting involved with board games, plushies, sports equipment, and other toys for local kids in need. The Lottery's 10th annual Holiday Toy Drive is underway, and they need your help to make sure it's a fun, joy-filled season for every child in the Commonwealth. Rachel Guerra, Deputy Director of Communications at the Lottery, joins Nichole this week to share all the info. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you're a veteran, or happen to know one, you might be familiar with the work of DAV - Disabled American Veterans. One of the major missions that they focus on is connecting veterans with work, especially as we deal with rising unemployment around the country. They've got a nationwide virtual job fair coming up later on this month, and Dan Clare, DAV's Chief Communications and Outreach Officer, joins the show with the details. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A little bit of spice or seasoning can turn a humdrum meal into something nutritious, tasty, and filling. With Massachusetts in the throes of a food insecurity crisis, people who find themselves needing to utilize food banks and pantries may not always be able to access the spices and seasonings that help them connect to their culture and feel the dignity they deserve by cooking a complete meal. The Boston Public Library's Spice Bank is working to supplement pantries with these seasonings, but they need your help to do it. Allie Hahn, Children's Librarian at the BPL Brighton Center branch, joins Nichole to talk about the importance of the project and how you can help. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this month, we marked Veterans Day and paid tribute to all the service members who give their time, energy, health, and so much more to ensure our nation stays safe. However, veterans are in need of resources all year long, and in New England, veterans have a big ally in a Worcester non-profit called Veterans, Inc. From housing programs to suicide prevention, healthcare to case management, they cover it all and much more. Raymond Carville, the Public Affairs Manager at Veterans Inc. talks about all they have to offer with Nichole on this week's show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As resale sites grow in popularity, Second Serve Resale, based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, is standing out. Not only is it connecting customers with gently loved designer offerings, but owner Amy Hebb is taking it one step further: customers choose which charity receives 85% of the purchase price, ranging from local food banks to international women's organizations! Amy talks about her efforts, and sustainable fashion, with Nichole on this week's episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you noticed your morning (or afternoon) coffee is getting more expensive? Perhaps the beans you really like at the store are hitting your wallet, too. Roasters here in New England and around the country are struggling with the rising cost of beans, which is hitting customers in the cup. Derek Anderson, the owner of Speedwell Coffee in Plymouth, joins Nichole this week to talk about their experience, the factors playing into this developing situation, and what you, the coffee lover, should expect. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Worcester, there's a branch of a local credit union that has a lot of young energy behind the scenes! All One Credit Union recently opened up a branch at Worcester Technical High School, and patrons who come to do their banking will find students behind the counter processing their transactions. Nichole talks with Lauren Hayes, the head of the Finance, Marketing, and Business Management department at WTHS, Dr. Patricia Suomala, the Director of Career and Technical Education at WTHS, Brittany Haley, All One Credit Union's Assistant VP of Financial Education, and a student in the program to learn all about it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you think of housing policy, you may not immediately think of furry friends. However, MSPCA-Angell in Jamaica Plain says our pets need to be kept in mind when it comes to the ongoing housing crisis. They've brought on a new housing specialist, Jamie Blackburn, to advocate for pet owners and find a way to keep them, and their beloved pets, together without fear of eviction or foreclosure. Jamie joins Nichole this week to talk about their mission and efforts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While life seemed simpler back in the day before most everything moved online, you have to be pretty connected nowadays in order to accomplish even the most basic of tasks. There's still a stark digital divide in low-income areas, rural areas, and with seniors and students. The city of Cambridge has a "Digital Navigator" program that's working with residents, one by one, to connect them with knowledge, experience, and the devices they need to get by. Samara Murrell, the Coordinator of Cambridge Community Television's efforts in the Digital Navigator program, joins Nichole to talk about it.

Food banks, advocates, and local officials have been scrambling this week upon word that November's SNAP assistance won't be funded by the federal government. The Trump administration cites the ongoing shutdown for the move, and refuses to tap into federal contingency funding. However, state leaders say the hundreds of millions of dollars each month simply can't be covered on the state level, and holding back SNAP funding during a shutdown is unprecedented. Erin McAleer of Project Bread and Andrew Morehouse of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts are part of the Make Hunger History Coalition. They return to the show this week to discuss the situation and offer resources for those in need, including the Project Bread FoodSource Hotline, which you can call at 1-800-645-8333. CONTENT NOTE: This discussion was recorded earlier in the week from the publish date, and there have been some legal developments over the funding for November's SNAP benefits. However, the interview's information on the story and resources for food access remains timely.

The stories of the deadly Salem Witch Trials are well known, with the hysteria sweeping through for months in the 1690's. If you visit Salem, you'll find museums and memorials dedicated to the incident, but what many don't know is that down the road, in what we now call Danvers, is where the real beginning of America's witch panic took place. Daniel Gagnon, a life-long Danvers resident, author, and historian, joins Nichole to explain the history of Salem Village, how the witch hunt played out there, and why the village decided to take on a new identity.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this year's theme is "With Survivors, Always". In Boston, Jane Doe Inc., the state's coalition against sexual assault and domestic violence, is working each day to ensure survivors have access to the help they need to find safety, healing, and peace. However, state and federal cuts have sparked worry in these organizations over just how much they'll be able to help victims in the short and long-term. Hema Sarang-Suminski, Executive Director of Jane Doe Inc., joins Nichole on the show to talk about their mission, efforts, and resources for those struggling with intimate relationship abuse.

The middle school years can be difficult for young people, with so many questions about the world around them and their place in it as they come of age. YW Boston recently launched a program called "F.Y.R.E.", or Fierce Youth Re-Igniting Excellence, which focuses on teaching BIPOC girls and gender-expansive youth resilience, confidence, and leadership skills, while offering them an understanding space to talk about whatever's on their mind. President and CEO Aba Taylor and F.Y.R.E. Director Jay Boss join Nichole this week to talk about the program's mission and impact among Boston's youth.

Reading is fundamental, so they say, and it can also be a major factor in cutting down prison recidivism rates. The Prison Book Program in Quincy has been providing free books to incarcerated people around the country since 1972, helping people behind bars grow, study, and prepare for a healthier and more productive life upon their release. Executive Director Kelly Brotzman joins Nichole this week to talk about their mission, their efforts to get books into prison "book deserts", and their upcoming fundraiser later this month.

It's easy to forget about food in the fridge or the cabinets, leading it to go bad. Oftentimes, it just goes right in the trash, and when you add your food waste to everyone else's, plus all the waste from hospitals, restaurants, cafeterias, schools, and other institutions, it adds up fast! Massachusetts has had a commercial food waste ban in place since 2014 to try and cut down on the negative impacts of this food waste, and a new report shows the Commonwealth's efforts are showing success, both economically and environmentally. MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple returns to the show to break down the report with Nichole and talk about the state's future food waste goals.

You may not think twice about paying that extra fee for canned soda, beer, seltzer, and other drinks at the grocery store, but how often do you bring the cans back to the store to get your money back? Over the years, Jeff Dinneen of Needham has made it his mission to collect those cans, redeem them, and use the money to supply the Needham Community Council with much-needed food and milk for local residents in need. He talks with Nichole this week about his inspiration, his process, and how you can help keep the project going.

Kids have packed school schedules these days, and the few precious minutes of recess they can get aren't often enough to run off all that pent-up energy. Over at Playworks New England, they believe recess is for much more than play - it's critical to help kids grow and learn important social skills. They're working in schools around the region to make that happen, and Max Fripp, the Executive Director of Playworks New England, joins the show this week to talk about their work and mission.

Cardiac incidents occur without much warning, if any, and time is of the essence to save a life. CPR is important, but a device called an AED - automated external defibrillator - can restart someone's heart quickly, before serious brain damage can set in. While many offices, retail outlets and apartment buildings have these devices, it's not always clear where they are, and that's where Cardiac Crusade comes in. They're rallying volunteers around the country, including here in Massachusetts, to help them map these devices, with hopes of eventually working with tech companies to make it easy for you to find them in times of need. Founder Greg Coon and Massachusetts Executive Director Tyler Mola join Nichole this week to tell their story and share details about their upcoming event in Southie.