New England Weekend

While being a mom can be incredibly rewarding, it can also be exhausting mentally, physically, and emotionally, and sometimes you just want to connect with other mothers to get a boost. Boston Moms, a spinoff of Wicked Good Mom Media, says it's got just the thing for local moms this summer: "Wicked Good Playdates" at shopping centers around Greater Boston. Meghan Block, Owner of Wicked Good Mom Media, joins Nichole this week to discuss the importance of connection for mothers, no matter the age, and share details about the upcoming events.

Independence Day is on the horizon, and the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge is holding a special celebration of America through the arts! "We Hold These Truths" will feature music, history, food, fun, and much more for people of all ages. Rockwell's known for his iconic paintings and drawings that highlight the experiences of mid-century America, which makes it a fitting place to celebrate our independence. Kathryn Potts, the museum's Chief Leaning and Engagement Officer, joins the show this week to share the details of the upcoming event and all the campus has to offer.

We're a few weeks into hurricane season. Have you gone over what's in your "go bag", or double checked your evacuation zone? Not quite sure where to begin to make sure you're prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws at us? Dawn Brantley, the Director of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, returns to the show to talk with Nichole about what you should focus on for your preps, and how cuts in federal funding for disaster response could impact our region.

With all the damage we've seen from massive storms that have hit the US in recent years, including some devastating flooding right here in Massachusetts, there are a lot of questions about who, exactly, should get flood insurance. Is it worth it? Bill Martin, CEO of Plymouth Rock Home Assurance, talks with Nichole about the pros and cons, and what you should consider if you're thinking about a policy.

A cancer diagnosis can be devastating for anyone, but it's especially so when it happens to a child. Families rally to support their loved one while they navigate treatment, but it can take a toll on everyone involved. Anna's Pals, a non-profit in West Roxbury, is slowly but surely creating a special getaway for these families where they can sit back, relax, and take a breath on the Cape. Kristina Jerome, Founder of Anna's Pals, shares details about their efforts to build this beach home in her late daughter's memory.

These days, you can get pretty much anything you want out of a vending machine, but they're also playing an important role in Boston's public health efforts. North End Waterfront Health is using these machines to provide basic necessities and harm-reduction supplies to people who are unhoused, low on cash, or navigating substance use. David Perry, Director of Substance Use Disorder Services, and Nadya Zaltsman, a recovery coach at NEW Health, are on the show this week to talk about the importance of low-barrier, judgment-free options to help people in need.

Scammers are always going to try and find a way to steal your hard-earned money, your personal information, your medical details - anything they can get from you. These days, that also includes your home and property, and they're doing it through "quit claim deed scams". It's happening in New Hampshire, so Senior Assistant Attorney General Brandon Garod talks with Nichole this week about how this scam works and share steps you can take to make sure your property isn't stolen from under your nose.

Despite all the rain we've had this spring (so many Saturdays washed out!), it's still a great time to get outside and explore in the woods, in meadows, up trees - you name it. Trouble is, in all those places, you're at risk of picking up a hitch-hiker: a tick! They can share some pretty concerning illnesses, but there are ways to protect yourself. Dr. Joao Tavares, Infectious Disease Specialist at Cape Cod Healthcare in Hyannis, joins the show this week for some "tick talk".

Most of the clothing in our closets is a few years old, max. Maybe you have some vintage in there, but nothing quite like the closet at the Plymouth Antiquarian Society. They have a treasure trove of clothing that, in some cases, is centuries old! As we approach the nation's 250th anniversary, the Society is highlighting some of its prized Revolutionary-era pieces. Executive Director Patrick Browne shares stories about the collection and talks about the efforts they take to preserve these special garments. This segment is the seventh interview in our series "Revolutionary Roots", where we take a closer look at the stories, people, events, and local ties that connect New England to the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary in 2026.

There's a lot of food out there that's perfectly good to eat, but, for whatever reason, isn't easily sold. Perhaps it has bruises, it's *just* past the expiration date, or the packaging is off. Meals made for big functions often just end up in the trash if no one comes to consume them. Spoonfuls in Newton, a "food recovery" service, works each and every day to track down consumables that are destined for the landfill and redirect them to people in need around the Commonwealth. Erin Keohane, the Chief Advancement Officer at Spoonfuls, talks with Nichole about their process, why their services are needed more now than ever, and the roadblocks they're dealing with involving federal funding and support.

When we talk about the American Revolution, we're often talking about the patriots and revolutionaries who rose up and fought back against the British, especially in Massachusetts where so much of the movement took root. In Weston, there's a museum telling a story that you may not have heard that often: the story of the Loyalists, or Redcoats, who wanted to stay loyal to Britain. Katie Campbell, the Executive Director of the Golden Ball Tavern Museum in Weston, talks with Nichole about their new exhibit focusing on colonial espionage and sheds light into the life of a prominent Loyalist. This segment is the sixth interview in our series "Revolutionary Roots", where we take a closer look at the stories, people, events, and local ties that connect New England to the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary in 2026.

Do you know how much energy you're really using when you're generating those cute videos and photos on AI platforms like ChatGPT, Copilot or Gemini? It's likely a lot more than you think. With so many people utilizing these platforms, entering all kinds of prompts, it's very quickly starting to put stress on our power grid. Matthew Carrara of Doble Engineering in Marlborough talks with Nichole about what's really happening behind the scenes, and what needs to be done to ensure our infrastructure is able to keep up.

The weather is warmer, the pollen is flying, trees are blooming... it's the perfect time to get out and explore all that New England's outdoors has to offer! If you're looking for a new hike to try, or a new restaurant to check out when you're done getting your wilderness fix, Marc Hurwitz can help. He's the man behind Boston's Hidden Restaurants and Boston Restaurant Talk, but he also leads hikes for the Appalachian Mountain Club throughout New England. Marc returns to the show to share some of his favorite spots and provide an update on the local restaurant industry.

A few months back, Sasha Purpura from Daily Table in Boston joined the show to talk about the non-profit grocery store's mission: team up with local suppliers and farmers to ensure everyone has access to low-cost, healthy food. Some surprising news has developed: the board of Daily Table announced recently it was closing down all operations within a matter of days, a move that shocked advocates, community leaders, and residents. Sasha returns to the show to talk about what happened and share resources for those who are food insecure in Massachusetts.

This warmer weather is the perfect time to dust off the bike and hit the road for a good cause. Bike MS is holding its annual "Cape Cod Getaway" next month to raise money for the National MS Society, which works each and every day to find a cure for multiple sclerosis. The Getaway is a two-day affair, and you won't even have to rent a vacation house! Jennifer Dowdy, the Development Director of Bike MS, and Liam Kennedy, captain of Liam's Lucky Charms, join Nichole to talk about it.

As health care advances, our medical devices have to evolve to keep up, which means they have to be connected to networks and the wider internet in ways they never were before. Unfortunately, that also means they're prime targets for hackers who want to steal your information and cause chaos. The recent "Device Talks Boston" conference focused, in part, on how the industry needs to catch up and put stronger security in place for our medical devices. Trevor Slattery, Chief Technology Officer at Blue Goat Cyber in Scottsdale, Arizona attended the conference, and stepped away to talk with Nichole about solutions for this problem.

Did you get your REAL ID yet? Earlier this week, the law requiring you to have one to fly domestically or enter certain federal buildings kicked in, and it's caused a bit of confusion for some who haven't been able to get one. Lines have been long at the RMV and appointments are tough to find. What happens if you need to travel and you don't have your updated ID? Dan Velez, spokesman for TSA New England, answers your questions about the ID's and the new regulations.

Since the late 1980's, the team at Marshfield's "Road to Responsibility" has had one mission: assist those with intellectual and physical disabilities with living their lives to the fullest. They do so by providing essential services in day programs and community living, along with promoting inclusivity and understanding in the community at large. One of their new tools is a virtual reality program that's already become a major success. President and CEO Christopher White joins clinician Rebecca Ellis to talk about how they're introducing this technology into their programming.

Boston is the home to many of the region, nation, and world's most powerful people. That being said, not everyone can be truly influential. Boston Magazine has just released its latest list of the city's most influential people, and it includes all kinds of people: athletes, lawmakers, developers, even infants! Brittany Jasnoff, Executive Editor at Boston Magazine, dives deeper into the list with Nichole to talk about their process, what influence truly means, and some of their top picks.

More than a century has passed since the Melrose Symphony Orchestra started performing together, making the group the nation's oldest continuing all-volunteer orchestra. Another season is coming to an end, and the final concert is a packed potpourri of favorites, including a special guest. Conductor Yoichi Udagawa returns to the show with all the details about the upcoming show, and talks with Nichole about the season.