Frank Prosnitz/A Bridge to the Future

Following the 2020 election, Ken Block, a software engineer and political activist, who twice ran for governor in Rhode Island, received a phone call from the Trump campaign, enlisting his expertise in validating claims of voter fraud. However, it didn’t work out that way. He describes his book, Disproven, released earlier this year, as his “unbiased search for voter fraud for the Trump Campaign, the Data that Shows why he lost, and how we can improve our elections.” Not only does the book de...

Imagine turning the federal government workforce of some four million employees into a highly efficient and productive organization, motivated around each employee’s individual strengths. That’s the mission that former Rhode Island Leadership Rhode Island Executive Director Mike Ritz, now Gallup’s Executive Director/Federal Government has undertaken. He’s still at the beginning of this 10-year project, a year and a half in. Mike shares with us early assessments of the federal workforce, the i...

Antisemitism is on the rise at levels not seen in decades. On college campuses Jewish students are feeling unsafe, many in the Jewish community are on edge -- real or perceived. And it doesn't matter whether you are a religious or secular Jew, whether you see your Judaism as spiritual, cultural, or social, or only relate because you were born that way. Adam Greenman, president and executive director of the Jewish Alliance in Rhode Island, reflects on the rise in antisemitism, the ...

From the glitter of the Vegas strip, to small comedy clubs, and expansive auditoriums on cruise ships, Dave Goodman has spent a career making people laugh. In this conversation he talks about how he abandoned his pursuit of a law career to become a successful standup comic, a regular in Las Vegas, where he logged more than 3,000 performances ... and then on cruise ships for years, traveling around the world. In 2015, he wrote the book -- "Confessions of a Cruise Ship Comedian."From...

A conversation with Brookings' Darrell West, and a forecast for 2024 -- “A very tough year in the history of this country.” We touch on a divided nation, Congressional inaction, the Biden "impeachment," and much more. Darrell M. West is a senior fellow at the Center for Technology Innovation and Douglas Dillon Chair in Government Studies at the Brooking Institution. He is the author of numerous books, including Power and Politics: Trump and the Assault on American Democracy (Brookings Pr...

Since it was founded in 1971 in London, Foghat, a classic rock band, has achieved eight gold albums, one platinum and one double platinum album, and continues to perform today, with its latest album, Sonic Mojo, named among the top 20 albums of 2023. Through more than half century, the band has gone through various configurations, with only drummer Roger Earl remaining from the original group. Still, the Foghat remains true to its original roots, a classic rock band with considerable blues an...

Nellie Gorbea spent eight years as Rhode Island’s Secretary of State, earning a stellar reputation for her work in cybersecurity, staunch advocacy for voting rights, dedication to improving civics education, and working with businesses throughout the state. She joins me as we discuss a variety of issues, from her time as Secretary of State, her new role at the Pell Center at Salve Regina University, attacks on voting rights, and how her native Puerto Rico is recovering from a series of devast...

Archie Calise has been in the car business for years -- in finance, sales, and management. He's also an antique car collector. We touch on all aspects of the industrry. How it's changing, the future of electric cars, buying styles, whether to lease or buy, and more.

Robert L. Carothers came to the University of Rhode Island, in the worst of times, and when he left 18 years later, URI and the state of Rhode Island were much better for his having been there. We catch up with Bob Carothers, as he now contemplates a second retirement, this one from College Unbound, which has and is transforming the lives of individuals, many of whom would otherwise likely face a lifetime of despair. Bob Carothers – educator, university president, poet, and lawyer.

University of Rhode Island Economist Len Lardaro, author of a montly Rhode Island economic index, believes there is a 60 percent chance of what he calls a "vanilla" recession in 2023 asnd 70 percent in 2024. In this interview he touches on immigration and its impact on employment, the economic importance of affordable housing, and lack of in-house due diligence in state government.

Legendary Blues Artist James Montgomery and the Beehive Queen Christine Ohlman, the voice of the Saturday Night Live band for three decades, joins me in a look at the state of the blues, their own careers, and the importance of music as a voice during cataclysmic events.

We caught up with Darrell West, a vice president and director of Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution and asked him if Democracy is on trial. We touch on the courts, the January 6 Commission, campaign finance among a number of issues. West, who has authored more than 20 books holds the Douglas Dillon Chair in Governmental Studies and is Co-Editor-in-Chief of TechTank at Brookings. Before coming to Brookings, he was the John Hazen White Professor of Political Science and Public Poli...

The victim of anti-Semitism as schoolboy, Ambassador John Loeb has become a leading activist for religious freedom, for separation of church and state, and fighting anti-Semitism. Ambassador Loeb built the Loeb Visitor Center at Touro Synaogue, founded the Institute for Religious Freedom at George Washington University, financier, art collector, philanthropist. Served in the military, as an Ambassador to Amsterdam, and a delegate to the United Nations. 

Darrell West, a vice president at Brookings who in the past has supported the electoral college now believes it's time to eliminate the electoral college, and leave elections to the popular vote. Darrell also touches on threats to our Democracy, the reshaping of our courts, the growing deficit, low voter turnout, and young voters.

For more than 30 years Paul Wayne has been the opening act for many top stars, including Jay Leno, Patti LaBelle, Richie Havens, and so many more. He shares his story, songs, and anecdotes about his experiences over what has been a very successful career.

Brought up in Haiti, Dr. Nadia Duvalaire's journey from Haiti was one that began with her mother's original journey to New York City, leaving Nadia and her brother to be brought up by their grandmother. During  the 10 years until they were reunited in New York City, Nadia's mother suffered homelessness, living at times in the subways of NYC with her young daughter, who was born after she came to America. With a fourth grade education, Nadia's mother worked in factories, nursing homes to be able to bring her family to America ... and she did. Nadia struggled briefly with the language and culture, graduating with honors from high school, going on to college and medical school. Today, she is the medical director of a very successful neighborhood health center, Wood River Health in Rhode Island. 

 RON CARTER is perhaps the most influential bassists in jazz history, with some 2,500 albums to his credit. From 1963 to 1968, he was a member of the Miles Davis Quintet, was named Outstanding Bassist of the Decade by the Detroit News, Jazz Bassist of the Year by Downbeat magazine, and has earned two Grammy awards. He'll appear at this year's Newport Jazz Festival.

Dr. Barbara Roberts, author of the forthcoming book, "The Doctor Broad: A Mafia Love Story," talks about her book, caring for the Godfather of the New England's Mafia, her love affair with a top ranking mafia operative, her leadership in the reproductive rights' movement, and her accomplishments as one of Rhode Island's leading cardiologists. 

Joe Glennon is the definition of inspiration. An alcoholic, who after finding himself homeless got the positive support he needed, and this spring will graduate from the University of Connecticut. 

Rhode Island is only one of a handful of states that does not require students to take a personal finance course in school. Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner has proposed legislation that next year will require all schools in Rhode Island to offer a course, and within three years require all students to take a personal finance course. He's also looking at ways to expand personal finance education to those who have graduated from high school, but would benefit from having a better understanding of personal finance.