Best Rhode Island Roundtable Podcasts (2025)

1
8/8/2025: Mayor Mitchell 23:13

1d ago23:13

23:13

This week on Newsmakers: New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell discusses the first months of South Coast Rail, controversy over the police department, political controversies, the proposed waste processing facility and more.By Lee Dooley

1
Episode 012 | Still in the Game: The 45-Year Legacy with Kirby Murphy 1:10:05

6d ago1:10:05

1:10:05

In this episode of Cumberland Unfiltered, we sit down with William “Kirby” Murphy — Marine veteran, Hall of Fame softball player, and 45-year competitor. From getting recruited aboard the USS Eisenhower to signing pro contracts with Worth, Easton, Louisville, and Miken, Kirby’s journey is built on discipline and loyalty. He still wakes up at 6AM to…

1
8/1/2025: Peter Alviti; Gov. McKee 23:11

8d ago23:11

23:11

This week on Newsmakers: 12 News anchor Kim Kalunian sits down with R.I. Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti to discuss summer construction season, the Washington Bridge project, truck tolls and more; plus, an encore presentation of Kim's live interview with Gov. Dan McKee from the July 29 edition of 12 News at 4.…

1
7/25/2025: U.S. District Judge Nancy Gertner (ret.) 23:00

15d ago23:00

23:00

Retired federal court judge Nancy Gertner analyzes a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that effectively ended nationwide injunctions, the Trump administration's stance with the judicial branch, and discusses the difficulty for judges in sentencing criminal defendants.By Lee Dooley

1
7/18/2025: Political roundtable 23:12

22d ago23:12

23:12

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by 12 News political analyst Joe Fleming and The Boston Globe's Steph Machado to break down the new Pell Center poll of Rhode Island voters and look ahead to next year's election.By Lee Dooley

1
Episode 011 | Parental Rights, School Retaliation & Math Lies with Ann Marie Banfield 1:50:52

27d ago1:50:52

1:50:52

What happens when schools stop educating and start indoctrinating? Education advocate Ann Marie Banfield joins the Cumberland Unfiltered Podcast to expose the alarming reality behind school retaliation, mental health overreach, hidden student surveys, and the collapse of academic standards. From her work in New Hampshire to her nationwide advocacy,…

1
7/11/2025: RI Energy's Greg Cornett 22:58

29d ago22:58

22:58

This week on Newsmakers: Greg Cornett, president of Rhode Island Energy, explains what went wrong with its IT systems after the July 3 thunderstorm, how the utility is preparing for the future, the impact of state mandates on customer bills and more.By Lee Dooley

1
7/2/2025: United Way's Nicolato; Bishop Lewandowski 23:11

1M ago23:11

23:11

This week on Newsmakers: United Way of Rhode Island President and CEO Cortney Nicolato discusses how the organization is dealing with federal funding cuts, a new state law on nonprofit executive pay, and how a salt mine in Georgia helps cover United Way's overhead; then, 12 News anchor Mike Montecalvo talks one-on-one with Roman Catholic Bishop of …

1
6/27/2025: Speaker Shekarchi 23:12

1M ago23:12

23:12

This week on Newsmakers: House Speaker Joe Shekarchi, D-Warwick, responds to Governor McKee's criticism of the budget bill, explains his decision on the assault weapons law, shares his latest thinking on a run for governor and more.By Lee Dooley

1
R.I. House Speaker Joe Shekarchi on the state budget, economy, and his next move 3:47

1M ago3:47

3:47

Though the 2025 General Assembly session is over in Rhode Island, all eyes remain on House Speaker Joe Shekarchi. The Warwick Democrat is a potential candidate for governor, potentially setting the stage for a three-way primary with incumbent Dan McKee and former CVS executive Helena Foulkes. Back and forth between McKee and Shekarchi over the stat…

1
Episode 010 | From ICU to NHL Draft Pick with Mike & Bill Murray 1:46:35

2M ago1:46:35

1:46:35

What happens when an average high school athlete ends up drafted into the NHL? What happens when that same athlete sits down with his dad — a U.S. Army veteran, former mayor of Cumberland, and lifelong competitor? In this episode of Cumberland Unfiltered, Mike Murray joins the table to share how a near-death illness, a forgotten cassette tape, and …

1
6/20/2025: State House reporters' roundtable 23:21

2M ago23:21

23:21

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 $14.3 billion state budget and peel back the curtain on the closing week of this year's General Assembly session.By Lee Dooley

1
Common Cause of Rhode Island’s John Marion on good government, Trump, and more 3:47

2M ago3:47

3:47

The rise of Val Lawson as president of the Rhode Island Senate put questions of conflict of interest front and center at the Statehouse this year. That’s because Lawson also serves as president of one of the state’s largest teachers’ unions. Lawson says she’s capable of policing her own potential conflicts, and the Rhode Island Ethics Commission of…

1
6/13/2025: Cindy Coyne; political roundtable 23:00

2M ago23:00

23:00

This week on Newsmakers: Cindy Coyne, a newly announced Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, discusses why she's running; then, Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by political strategist Cara Cromwell to break down some of the latest headlines.By Lee Dooley

1
Ashley Kalus on her plans for 2026, President Trump and what’s holding back the GOP in Rhode Island 3:47

2M ago3:47

3:47

Republicans run the show in Washington, D.C., these days, but the GOP remains on the margins in Rhode Island. The state hasn’t elected a Republican governor since 2006 and the party holds just 14 of 113 seats in the General Assembly. Back in 2022, Ashley Kalus got almost 39 percent of the vote as the GOP alternative to Democrat Dan McKee. But Kalus…

1
State Rep. Jason Knight on the uncertain outlook for banning ‘assault weapons’ in Rhode Island 3:47

2M ago3:47

3:47

For people who want to ban new sales of so-called assault weapons in Rhode Island, this is the best of times AND the most uncertain of times. For years, supporters called on lawmakers to take a vote. This week, the House of Representatives put its support behind the bill. The legislation to ban new sales of guns defined as assault weapons is seen a…

1
6/5/2025: David Enrich, author of 'Murder the Truth' 23:01

2M ago23:01

23:01

A new book explores how the wealthy and politically powerful have attempted to leverage the courts to chill press freedoms. This week: New York Times Deputy Investigations Editor David Enrich, author of 'Murder the Truth: Fear, The First Amendment, and a Secret Campaign to Protect the Powerful'By Lee Dooley

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

2M 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
5/30/2025: AG Neronha 22:59

2M 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
R.I. Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos on responding to Trump, food deserts and Providence taxes 3:47

2M ago3:47

3:47

Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos is expected to face competition from fellow Democrats when she seeks re-election next year. That is due to how a signature-gathering controversy dragged down her First Congressional District campaign in 2023. She finished fourth in the 12-way Democratic primary, with just 8% of the vote. But Matos is al…

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

3M 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

1
Providence Foundation Executive Director David Salvatore on city finances, downtown’s future, and more 3:47

3M ago3:47

3:47

Rhode Island’s capital city of Providence has experienced dramatic ups and downs over time. These days, the city is still trying to bounce back from the loss of office workers and shrinking foot traffic caused by the pandemic. Providence has a lot of assets, including a strong sense of place, a great restaurant scene and […] The post Providence Fou…

1
5/16/2025: Sens. Lawson & Ciccone 22:56

3M 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
State Sen. Meghan Kallman on Pawtucket soccer, responding to Trump and top legislative issues 3:47

3M ago3:47

3:47

Pawtucket got a recent lift when the city’s newish soccer team, Rhode Island FC, played to a sold-out crowd during the home opener at the new stadium there. There are plans for new housing to be built near the Centerville Bank Stadium and boosters of the stadium hope it will catalyze more growth. But Pawtucket has also wrestled with challenges in r…

1
5/9/2025: 'Naked fat-test' trial roundtable 23:10

3M 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

1
Steven Brown of the RI ACLU on civil liberties in the age of Donald Trump 3:47

3M ago3:47

3:47

Standing up for civil liberties tends to be a busy job. That’s even more true with President Trump pushing the bounds of executive power on a variety of fronts. Trump has raised the focus on deportations, cut funding for elite universities and targeted his opponents. A series of court battles will decide the outcome of some of these conflicts. For …

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

3M 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 …

1
5/2/2025: Lt. Gov. Matos; new RI Senate leadership 22:43

3M 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
RI Young Republicans’ Ken Naylor + Young Democrats of RI’s Autumn Guillotte on organizing, young voters’ concerns + our aging political leaders 3:47

3M ago3:47

3:47

About 47 percent of registered voters ages 18 to 29 cast ballots in the U.S. presidential election last year. That’s less than the overall voting participation of 64 percent, but it shows how young people are playing a bigger role in national elections. At the same time, a recent Harvard Youth Poll found that more than 4 in 10 Americans under age 3…

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

4M ago22:59

22:59

By Lee Dooley

1
RI Housing Secretary Deborah Goddard on what’s next with the new state housing plan 3:47

4M ago3:47

3:47

The median price of a home in Rhode Island is now the once unimaginable sum of almost $500,000. State leaders have tried for a few years to address the housing crisis, and tens of millions of dollars have been directed against the problem. But progress has been slow. The housing crisis began a long time ago, so it’s understandable that moving forwa…

1
Episode 007 | The Billion-Dollar Betrayal with Joseph C. Miller III 2:18:20

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

4M 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
U.S. Sen. Jack Reed on the fight over due process, and how Democrats should respond to Trump 3:47

4M ago3:47

3:47

The latest showdown involving President Trump centers on whether the White House violated a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. The court ordered the Trump administration to “facilitate” the release of a Maryland man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, after he was mistakenly deported to a prison in El Salvador. A federal judge criticized Trump officials earlier …

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

4M 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
RI House GOP Leader Mike Chippendale on Trump’s tariffs, government accountability and more 3:47

4M ago3:47

3:47

For now, it's unclear if Trump will be able to deliver on his promise to increase prosperity by bringing more manufacturing back to the US. Rodin was a hub of industry 100 years ago, and state leaders have struggled for decades to bolster the state's economy. So is Trump on the right track by trying to wind back globalization or is his approach a r…

1
Episode 6 | Luke Bonin – Conviction Doesn’t Flinch 2:12:53

4M 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…

1
4/4/2025: URI President Marc Parlange 23:09

4M ago23:09

23:09

URI President Marc Parlange joins us to talk about the state of higher education and the school's recent achievements. In the second half, Eli Sherman and Tim White look at the Aaron Thomas trial underway in Washington County Superior Court.By Lee Dooley

1
RI Management and Budget Director Brian Daniels on Trump’s cuts, looking for waste and fraud, and more 3:47

4M ago3:47

3:47

The amount of money used to operate state government in Rhode Island has grown by 5 and a half billion dollars over the last 10 years, to $14.2 billion. Now, President Trump has put a spotlight on efforts to cut government agencies and reduce federal spending. Critics say Trump is dismantling vital services, while his supporters mostly tout this as…

1
3/28/2025: Congressman Magaziner 22:56

4M ago22:56

22:56

This week on Newsmakers: Rhode Island Congressman Seth Magaziner discusses President Trump's first two months in office, the Signal chat scandal, divides among Democrats, his change of plans on moving to his district and more.By Lee Dooley

1
Cannabis Control Commission Chairwoman Kim Ahern on licensing, social equity, & more 3:47

4M ago3:47

3:47

It was almost three years ago when Rhode Island became the 19th state to legalize adult-use recreational marijuana. Supporters praised the move as a way to generate state revenue, keep money from migrating to Massachusetts and ensure a safe product for users. Rhode Island’’s approach was touted for including so-called social equity elements to help…

1
Episode 005 | The Golden Boot: Maria’s American Dream & School Committee Shakeups 2:01:12

5M ago2:01:12

2:01:12

🎙 Guests: Maria Vracic (Founder, Maria’s Red Star Upholstery) Shaun Galligan (Chair, Warwick School Committee) Immigration & entrepreneurship Planning Board removal & town politics Rhode Island education reform School committee governance Public backlash and clarity on controversy Connect with Us: Email us your thoughts or questions: info@cumberlan…

1
3/21/2025: Reporters' roundtable; WPRI 70th 22:57

5M ago22:57

22:57

This week on Newsmakers: Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by The Boston Globe's Steph Machado for a look at the latest headlines; then, a preview of next week's special coverage commemorating the 70th anniversary of WPRI 12, featuring vintage clips from Newsmakers' nearly half-century on the airBy Lee Dooley

1
3/14/2025: Hospital CEOs 23:12

5M ago23:12

23:12

This week on Newsmakers: Brown Health CEO John Fernandez and Care New England CEO Dr. Michael Wagner discuss their opposition to the governor's budget bill, how to get more Medicaid funding for Rhode Island, the future of their hospitals and more.By Lee Dooley

1
Economic Progress Institute’s Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies on Trump, payday lending, and more 3:41

5M ago3:41

3:41

Advocating for low- and moderate-income Rhode Islanders can be an uphill battle during the best of times. Now, with the Trump administration cutting various federal programs, the challenge is steeper. When it comes to promoting economic fairness, progressives have argued for years that the richest Rhode Islanders should pay a little more in taxes. …

1
Episode 004 | Building the Future: Modular Homes & Irish Banter with Donal Byrne 1:51:54

5M ago1:51:54

1:51:54

Topics Covered in Episode 004: The housing crisis in the U.S. & Ireland Why modular homes are the future of affordable housing The push for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) & government pushback The decline of skilled trades & its impact on construction The art of pouring Guinness & Irish pub culture 🎙 Hosts: Caleb Minson, Brad Dean, Jason Dean, And…

1
3/7/2025: 'Why Nothing Works'; political roundtable 22:58

5M ago22:58

22:58

This week on Newsmakers: Marc Dunkelman, a fellow at Brown University's Watson Institute, discusses his new book "Why Nothing Works" and what Democrats need to do to run government more effectively; plus, Tim White and Ted Nesi are joined by 12 News political analyst Joe Fleming to break down Gov. Dan McKee's campaign launch video.…

1
State Sen. Alana DiMario on Trump and what’s next in the Rhode Island Senate 3:47

5M ago3:47

3:47

State Senator Alana DiMario of Narragansett is a mental health counselor who first won election in 2020. She’s one of a number of progressive policy-oriented Democratic women lawmakers who have moved the General Assembly a bit to the left over the last decade. But Rhode Island still faces familiar challenges, including an uneven economy, a tough fi…

1
2/28/2025: Leaders de la Cruz, Chippendale 22:59

5M ago22:59

22:59

This week on Newsmakers: Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz and House Minority Leader Mike Chippendale discuss their legislative priorities at the State House, the GOP's ongoing struggles in Assembly races, the first month of the new Trump administration and more.By Lee Dooley

1
RI Attorney General Peter Neronha on suing the Trump administration, and what is at stake 3:47

5M ago3:47

3:47

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha is among a number of Democratic attorneys general suing the Trump administration. The litigation covers a range of issues: Elon Musk and his leading role in wielding a chainsaw against the federal government; Trump’s attempt to freeze billions in federal funding for the states; and the ability of transgen…

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