Best The Rhode Island Foundation Podcasts (2025)

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Meet Providence Bishop Lewandowski 25:48

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9d ago25:48

25:48

Providence Bishop Bruce Lewandowski says he entered the priesthood to be a missionary. So, when he got the call to become the auxiliary bishop of Baltimore, he asked, 'Are you sure you have the right person?' This year, he was promoted to become the Bishop of Providence. He joins host David Cicilline to talk about his impression of the Ocean State …

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Can an overhaul of the Cannabis Control Commission ease its ongoing woes? 34:37

5d ago34:37

34:37

Despite more houses being built around Greater Boston, prospective homeowners can’t find affordable housing. Will the restructuring of the Cannabis Control Commission correct its troubles? And the Michelin Guide awards its first Boston star. It’s our local news roundtable!By GBH

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Food and wine: Eat, drink and gift these local treats this holiday season 23:22

5d ago23:22

23:22

Temperatures are dipping, but kitchens are heating up as we kick off the season for serious project baking and cooking for a crowd. Will you be adding Albariño -- or pumpkin spice Chardonnay -- to your Thanksgiving table? Plus, local artisan food favorites get Yankee Magazine’s seal of approval as perfect stocking stuffers for any foodie. It's our …

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The State of Public Administration, Part 2, Q&A with Frank Fukuyama, Vanessa Williamson and Philip Howard: National Conference 2025 18:24

5d ago18:24

18:24

This episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood features Frank Fukuyama, author, political scientist and professor at Stanford University, Vanessa Williamson of the Brookings Institution, and Philip Howard, founder and chair of Common Good for "The State of Public Administration" in front of a live audience during the 2025 Nationa…

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New research shows there’s no affordable municipalities left in Rhode Island 30:33

12d ago30:33

30:33

A new report shows that NO cities in Rhode Island contain affordable housing for people living on the median income of the state. More Cape Cod and Island towns are pushing for a “seasonal communities” designation. And how a man in Vermont ended up with Jeffrey Epstein’s address book – yes, THAT Jeffrey Epstein. It’s our regional news roundtable!…

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Unbound Pages: Banned-book clubs connect freedom-to-read activists of all ages 27:25

12d ago27:25

27:25

A list of banned books may signal what to keep out of classrooms, libraries, and their own bookshelves. But for founders of banned-book clubs, it’s the perfect place to find next month’s read. We speak with three people, including MS NOW'S Ali Velshi, who founded their own banned-book clubs as part of Unbound Pages, our year-long series on the anti…

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The State of Public Administration, Part 1 with Frank Fukuyama, Vanessa Williamson and Philip Howard: National Conference 2025 25:31

12d ago25:31

25:31

This episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood features Frank Fukuyama, author, political scientist and professor at Stanford University, Vanessa Williamson of the Brookings Institution, and Philip Howard, founder and chair of Common Good for "The State of Public Administration" in front of a live audience during the 2025 Nationa…

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John Palfrey on the work of the MacArthur Foundation 20:54

16d ago20:54

20:54

Occasionally, the Rhode Island Foundation connects with thought leaders who are doing interesting work that might inform our efforts. We had our latest conversation with John Palfrey, the President of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Host David Cicilline interviewed him in front of a live audience last week. This is an edited vers…

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Study: Anti-LGBTQ+ laws driving surge in youth mental health struggles 36:12

19d ago36:12

36:12

It’s been 10 years since Obergefell vs. Hodges led to same-sex marriage becoming law throughout the United States. Now, the Supreme Court may hear a case that could overturn that decision. A new study confirms higher rates of depression and anxiety in LGBTQ+ youth. And this year’s Sexiest Man Alive is breaking the internet … and breaking barriers. …

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‘The Wilderness’ centers often-overlooked joys and struggles of Black millennial women 21:47

19d ago21:47

21:47

In Angela Flournoy's new novel, "The Wilderness," four friends navigate pivotal life passages through their decades-long relationships – their bonds both sustained and tested against the backdrop of modern social and cultural events. Flournoy’s intimate storytelling adds dimension to the story of these female friendships. “The Wilderness” is our No…

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Redefining Public Service for a Modern Workforce with US Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor - Highlights from the National Conference 29:18

19d ago29:18

29:18

US Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor and Academy President and CEO James-Christian Blockwood sat down for a discussion in front of a live audience during the 2025 National Conference in Washington, D.C. on November 3. The conversation covered a wide range of topics including ongoing plans for resizing and reshaping the federal wor…

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Promises kept? How Trump is reshaping America one year after his 2024 election win 58:00

26d ago58:00

58:00

Nearly one year ago, voters sent President Donald Trump back to the White House. Since taking office in January, President Trump and his administration have moved rapidly to enact many of his campaign promises. So what comes next? It’s an hour of political analysis with the Mass Politics Profs!By GBH

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Government Data and How to Handle It with Nick Hart of Data Foundation and Richard Coffin of USAFacts 30:02

26d ago30:02

30:02

Government data is having a moment, but you knew that already, because data is every moment! What's happening with how governments large and small keep track of how they're serving their people? Nick Hart of the Data Foundation and Richard Coffin of USAFacts joined James-Christian Blockwood on the podcast this week to talk about what's new and exci…

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Melissa Cherney on responding to the SNAP crisis 10:15

30d ago10:15

10:15

More than 140,000 Rhode Islanders rely on supplemental nutrition assistance, known as SNAP, from the federal government to buy their food. But, because of the government shutdown, they won't be getting those SNAP benefits in November. We can't let our neighbors go hungry. So, the Rhode Island Foundation is awarding one million dollars in emergency …

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Folk horror closes in on humanity’s greatest fear: itself 22:53

1M ago22:53

22:53

Spooky cinema is at an all-time commercial peak, and in recent years, folk horror -- a subgenre of horror focusing on nature, isolation and paranoia -- has taken over the mainstream. Its frights are derived from the scariest villain of all: ourselves. But the genre isn’t new. So why are these stories resonating with so many horror fans right now?…

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Beyond the bus: Uncovering the real story of Rosa Parks 35:07

1M ago35:07

35:07

She’s known as the Mother of the Civil Rights Movement. Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in 1955 sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which lasted over a year and inspired other nonviolent resistance. Her name – along with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – is the most recognizable of the civil rights icons. Yet, on this 2…

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The program helping RI schools throw away less food 21:09

1M ago21:09

21:09

Rhode Island schools throw away nearly 2,500 tons of food into the landfill every year. And nearly 400 tons of that food is perfectly edible. That's a problem for a lot of reasons. The landfill is running out of space. Rotting food creates methane gas, and that food isn't going to families that struggle to buy groceries. But the RI Schools Recyclin…

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District 7 needs a new City Councilor. Who can take on its longtime challenges? 32:38

1M ago32:38

32:38

District 7, one of Boston’s 9 city districts, was the most competitive race in September’s preliminary election. Eleven candidates fought to represent the district and to replace former District 7 City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, who resigned after pleading guilty to federal corruption charges. One of the two candidates hoping to win the jo…

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The Genius Next Door: Meet theoretical mathematician Lauren K. Williams 25:20

1M ago25:20

25:20

She’s uncovered unexpected connections between her field of algebraic combinatorics and other areas in math and physics, making significant contributions to numerous mathematical fields and forging groundbreaking, cross-disciplinary collaborations. Theoretical mathematician Lauren K. Williams is one of four local 2025 MacArthur “Genius” Fellows. We…

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The Changing Role of State Government with Professor Carol Weissert and Rhode Island Department of Administration Director Jonathan Womer 24:03

1M ago24:03

24:03

In this episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood, Carol Weissert, Professor Emerita of Political Science at Florida State University, and Jonathan Womer, Director of the Department of Administration for Rhode Island, discuss the changing role of state governments and implications for policy, budgeting, and public service deliver…

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NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley on addressing RI's housing shortage 18:59

1M ago18:59

18:59

Affordable housing is one of Rhode Island's most pressing issues. According to a recent poll, more than 90 percent of Rhode Islanders say housing costs are a problem, and the state is the 18th most expensive place to rent in the country. Joe Garlick and Meghan Rego are trying to change this. They're with NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley, a gro…

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ENCORE: Newly published Cabo Verdean Creole dictionary formalizes the ‘people’s language’ 18:27

2M ago18:27

18:27

Thousands of Cabo Verdeans Americans have made their home in Greater Boston bringing with them the indigenous language of their ancestral homeland. Now through the efforts of a local retired teacher and writer, Cabo Verdean Creole has been captured in a dictionary – the formalization of a language that has been passed down primarily orally. In hono…

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LGBTQ+ seniors at the heart of ‘Living In Pryde’ documentary 39:32

2M ago39:32

39:32

For the generation that weathered the AIDS epidemic and fought for same-sex marriage, finding community still poses a challenge. But in Boston, LGBTQ+ seniors have the Pryde — New England’s first affordable senior living community geared toward LGBTQ+ elders. A new GBH News documentary follows some of the Pryde’s first residents through the facilit…

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Public Service Under Pressure with Kimberly Walton, Michael Jacobson, Tanisha Briley and Vince Micone 29:46

2M ago29:46

29:46

This week's episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood features key selections from a recent Academy Standing Panel. It is clear the federal government impacts local government, city and county leaders have always had to leverage federal resources, but can that continue given budget constraints and the increasingly partisan politi…

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Amy Nunn on supporting the LGBTQ+ community despite federal budget cuts 17:12

2M ago17:12

17:12

This has been a rocky year for members of the LGBTQ+ community and organizations that serve them. Earlier this year, Opendoor Health, the state's only LGBTQ+ Health Clinic, lost about a million dollars in Federal Funding. But they're continuing to move forward with their mission. David Cicilline talks to Open Door's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Amy…

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New novel details life in the 1970's on the U.S.-Mexico border 23:29

2M ago23:29

23:29

Ramon Lopez grew up on the U.S. border between Texas and Mexico, in a family of tireless working immigrants scraping to get by. Could young Ramon’s talents help change the future for himself and his family? In his new coming-of-age novel, “The Border Between Us,” author Rudy Ruiz chronicles Ramon’s story of heart and hope. It’s our October selectio…

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Unbound Pages: 'The Librarians' spotlights leaders in the anti-book-banning movement 34:30

2M ago34:30

34:30

Sunday, October 5, marks the start of this year's Banned Books Week – an annual commemoration in support of free and open access to information. It’s a week celebrated by authors, publishers, teachers and book lovers across the country, including librarians, many of whom are under attack as they fight for the freedom to read. That fight is the subj…

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Navigating Election Security and Administration in a Complex Landscape with Kathleen Hale and Derek Tisler 27:26

2M ago27:26

27:26

By National Academy of Public Administration

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How to use AI for good 22:11

2M ago22:11

22:11

Virtual assistants. Chat GPT. Facial recognition. Artificial intelligence is all around us. And it's creating a lot of anxiety- will it replace our jobs? Make it easier for students to cheat? Use up all of our energy? But Sam Azar, the founder of Ascend Impact Advisors, says there are opportunities to use AI that are thoughtful and ethical. He talk…

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Familial trauma and joy come together in "The Ceremony" 24:57

2M ago24:57

24:57

Few traditions are more sacred than marriage, but when complicated legacies are involved, few traditions are more stressful. “The Ceremony,” celebrated playwright Mfoniso Udofia’s sixth entry in the generation-spanning Ufot Family Cycle of nine plays, finds that complicated connection in the engagement between Nigerian-American Ekong Ufot and Nepal…

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Amid ICE fears, is Hispanic Heritage Month canceled? 33:01

2M ago33:01

33:01

Festivals around the country are holding off on annual celebrations for Hispanic Heritage Month due to the looming threat of ICE. Plus, a new poll shows President Donald Trump’s favorability is slipping with Latino voters. And Bad Bunny wraps up his epic Puerto Rico residency -- it's our Latinx news roundtable!…

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How Does This Look to the Neighbors? International Insights on America with Governance Scholars Alasdair Roberts and Andrew Podger 27:35

2M ago27:35

27:35

This week's episode of Management Matters features an external view on what's happening in American governance, and the quest to learn more about how international observers are thinking about American global leadership. Academy Fellows and governance scholars Andrew Podger (Australia) and Alasdair Roberts (Canada) join host James-Christian Blockwo…

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Meet our scholarship students 11:22

2M ago11:22

11:22

Every year, the Rhode Island Foundation awards scholarships to hundreds of students, ranging from middle schoolers to people in graduate school. In 2025, we were able to give more than 4 million dollars to make their academic dreams a reality. We wanted to celebrate all of the recipients, so we brought them together for a celebration. Take a listen…

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What will help America's lagging literacy rates? Plus, a peek into this year's CineFest Latino Boston Film Festival 58:00

2M ago58:00

58:00

Recent findings show that one-third of American high school seniors lack basic reading skills -- the lowest numbers in more than three decades. Could a shift to a more linguistics-centered educational approach help turn those numbers around? Plus, it’s Hispanic Heritage Month, which means it’s time again for the annual CineFest Latino Boston Film F…

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Critical Conversations: Bringing AI to Main St with Sen. Mike Rounds, Montgomery County CIO Gail Roper and Academy Studies Director Brenna Isman 50:43

2M ago50:43

50:43

This Critical Conversations Special Event highlights the Academy’s upcoming report, Bringing AI to Main Street – Maximizing Artificial Intelligence's Positive Impact on Municipal Economies, a research initiative sponsored by Google to support local and regional leaders in navigating the fast-evolving AI landscape. Episode also features Academy Fell…

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Kathy Cloutier of Dorcas International on always having a backup plan 23:04

2M ago23:04

23:04

It's a frightening time to be an immigrant or a refugee in the United States. Kathy Cloutier stands in the middle of this chaos. When we spoke, she was the executive director of Dorcas International, providing support and services for newcomers to this country. Now, she's the executive director of the Refugee Women's Alliance in Seattle, Washington…

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Our first Massachusetts news roundtable! Plus, a new exhibit features David Driskell's work alongside his collection 58:00

2M ago58:00

58:00

We’re exploring the latest headlines from Western, Central, and Eastern Massachusetts in our first Massachusetts news roundtable, including the latest in the off-shore-wind saga, consolidated high school football teams in the Berkshires and Holyoke as a non-sanctuary city. Then, Callie heads to Portland, Maine, to check out the Portland Museum of A…

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Have We Tried Asking Americans What They Want From Government? With Academy Fellow Loren DeJonge Schulman 26:23

3M ago26:23

26:23

In this episode of Management Matters, host James-Christian Blockwood delves into public governance and the challenges posed by declining trust in democratic institutions. Joined by Loren DeJonge Schulman, an expert in national security, public service reform, and organizational strategy, the discussion centers on the importance of being outcome-fo…

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Robert Putnam on the power of joining a club 21:04

3M ago21:04

21:04

If you want to talk about strengthening our communities, it's hard to find a better expert than Robert Putnam. The Harvard social scientist is best known for his book Bowling Alone, but he's spent his entire career thinking about the link between a strong democracy and spending time together, in person. He joins host David Cicilline to talk about h…

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Joy Behar's new play "My First Ex-Husband." Plus, our September book-club pick! 58:00

3M ago58:00

58:00

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes … divorce? Award-winning television host, actress and playwright Joy Behar goes from screen to stage in her new play, “My First Ex-Husband," premiering at the Huntington on September 12. We speak with Joy Behar and fellow iconic funny lady and cast member Jackie Hoffman about the show. Then, Olivia …

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Reimagining Government with Dan Chenok of IBM Center for the Business of Government and Philip Howard of Common Good 28:41

3M ago28:41

28:41

We may be in an incredibly important moment for reimagining and reinventing what government can be. On this week's episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood, we talk to Academy Fellow Dan Chenok, Executive Director of the IBM Center for the Business of Government, and Philip Howard, Founder and Chair of Common Good, about some of…

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Community Foundation CEOs on meeting this moment 14:51

3M ago14:51

14:51

This year, the Rhode Island Foundation hosted leaders from the 40 largest community foundations in the U.S. for a day of dialogue, action planning, and building relationships. David Cicilline pulled a few of them into the podcast studio to talk about the work they're doing to build community, rethink the role of philanthropy, and respond to federal…

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Celebrate summer with two of our favorite seaside stories! 59:09

3M ago59:09

59:09

Summer may be winding down, but we’re not ready to say goodbye just yet! This week, we go back to Cape Cod and the Islands for an encore of two of our favorite seaside segments. First, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the movie “Jaws" through analyzing its iconic score with two music professors, including a John Williams expert. Then, we meet a…

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How Do We Modernize The Federal Workforce? with Fellows Angela Bailey and Jeffrey Neal 28:51

3M ago28:51

28:51

Academy Fellows Angela Bailey and Jeffrey Neal, former Chief Human Capital Officers at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, talk about tough problems and forward-looking solutions on this episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood. What makes for a good workforce leader? How can we create a government workforce that's built f…

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Amid growing disapproval ratings, President Trump tries to appeal to his base. Will it work? 58:00

3M ago58:00

58:00

We’ve just passed the half year mark into the second Donald Trump presidency. This month, President Trump called for the end of mail-in ballots. What could that mean for future elections? States are pushing back against White House policies, and California Governor Gavin Newsom is taking a very public – and very snarky – approach. And early voting …

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Adaptation, Mitigation & Resilience: The Role of Public Administration in Addressing Climate Change with Jim Murley and Dr. Heidi Roop 25:29

3M ago25:29

25:29

In this episode of 'Management Matters,' host James-Christian Blockwood explores how communities can adapt to a changing environment. Guests Jim Murley, Academy Fellow and former Chief Resilience Officer for Miami-Dade County, and Dr. Heidi Roop, Director of the University of Minnesota's Climate Adaptation Partnership, discuss the distinctions betw…

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Low-waste chefs craft exciting new recipes as readers grow hungry for change 27:37

3M ago27:37

27:37

Don’t throw out your leftovers; they might be the best part of your next meal! Repurposing leftovers and using food scraps in recipes is part of the movement to reduce food waste. Cookbook authors Tamar Adler and Anne-Marie Bonneau join Callie Crossley to make the case for low and zero-waste tasty recipes that’ll save home chefs time and money whil…

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Efforts to reduce food waste in Massachusetts inspire innovation and community action 30:22

3M ago30:22

30:22

Massachusetts is a leader in the nationwide effort to reduce food waste, setting statewide standards on food scraps, supporting community-led efforts for food recovery, and ramping up assistance to schools and businesses. With fresh new insights and creative solutions, the fight against food waste is drawing new enthusiasts to an old environmental …

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It's More than Just Buying: The Hidden World of Procurement with Angela Shell and David Gragan 22:40

3M ago22:40

22:40

What do procurement specialists really do? How does the practice fit into the function of modern government operations? Academy Fellow David Gragan, former Chief Strategic Operations Officer at the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO), and Angela Shell, Chief Procurement Officer of the California Department of General Service…

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Asian-led media in 2025 is breaking box-office records and topping best-of lists 57:59

4M ago57:59

57:59

In the past few years, Asian directors, actors, cast and crew have dominated award seasons – from “Parasite” to “Shogun” to “Everything Everywhere All At Once.” And culturally relevant Asian stories in film, on TV, and on streaming platforms continue to resonate with audiences – and bring in big bucks – around the world. So what Asian-led movies an…