After five years on air, our weekly program NEXT has ended. The show focused on New England at a time of change and featured stories from journalists across the New England News Collaborative. The good news is that these powerful stories aren’t going away. We are ramping up our next phase of New England reporting to bring you more news and conversations from the region. Executive Editor Vanessa de la Torre explains what’s ahead for the New England News Collaborative, and how you can follow our work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NEXT New England

NEXT’s Goodbye — And What’s To Come From The New England News Collaborative

On the final episode of NEXT, Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola talks about the evolution of her poetry, and how she uses futurism to reimagine history. Plus, protesters reflect on what has changed — or not — in the year since George Floyd’s murder. We also speak with band members of Lake Street Dive about their latest album, “Obviously.” And finally, to mark the end of NEXT, Executive Editor Vanessa de la Torre joins us to explain what’s ahead for the New England News Collaborative. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Final Episode: How Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola Reimagines History; Protesters Reflect On The Year That Changed Us

Rebecca Carroll’s new memoir details her experiences as a Black child raised by adoptive white parents in rural New Hampshire. This week on NEXT, Carroll talks about “Surviving The White Gaze.” Plus, epidemiologist and physician Dr. Sandro Galea on the impact of structural issues on public health — and how we should prepare for the next pandemic. And we learn about the practice of “green” burials, and why they’re becoming more popular. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reflecting On ‘Surviving The White Gaze’; Why Green Burials Are Surging In Popularity

Millions of people in the U.S. left the workforce as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. A majority of them were women. This week on NEXT, we hear from women who left their jobs and talk with an expert about the stressors  — and what recovery might look like. Plus, high school English teacher Takeru Nagayoshi on what he’s learned in this past year of hybrid teaching. And we remember trans activist and ballroom icon Jahaira DeAlto. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘It’s Like Climbing Up A Mudslide’: Pandemic Pushes Women Out Of The Workforce

Alison Bechdel’s new graphic novel depicts her life through fitness. This week on NEXT, we talk with Bechdel about ‘The Secret to Superhuman Strength,' which is more about a state of being than six-pack abs. Plus, advocates make the case for colleges to hire more diverse financial firms to manage billion-dollar endowments. And scholar-activist Katharine Morris reflects on her experience at the intersection of racism, environmental justice and public health, and her framework for moving forward. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alison Bechdel On ‘The Secret To Superhuman Strength'; Advocates Push Colleges To Hire More Black-Owned Firms To Oversee Investments

When Professor Laurie Santos first offered a course about psychology and happiness at Yale University, over a thousand students signed up. This week on NEXT, Santos gives us tips  on how we can be happier in our lives. Plus, we’ll hear dream experts discuss the evolution of COVID-19 dreams. And we talk to author, illustrator and TV writer Jonny Sun about his relationship with work and free time — and the things he’s unintentionally inherited from his family. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘The Happiness Lab’ Professor On Ways We Can Be Happier; How Jonny Sun Is Learning To Balance Work And Rest

By the time today’s teenagers are fifty, they’ll be living in a very different New England. This week on NEXT, we hear from young climate activists around our region about how they’re responding to the threat of climate change. And after a year of no travel, why some climate researchers are reconsidering how much they fly. Plus, listeners reflect on their experiences with electric vehicles, and we talk with an expert about the future of EVs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘It’s My Future’: Young Activists Take On Climate Change; How We Can Adapt To Electric Vehicles

Erin French’s ascent to rock star chef almost didn’t happen. Before becoming the owner of The Lost Kitchen in Freedom, Maine, she lost nearly everything that mattered in life. This week on NEXT, we talk with French about her journey and new memoir “Finding Freedom.” Plus, as a way to diversify staff and address inequality, more employers are dropping degree requirements for certain jobs — and gaining a market advantage. And we hear from Mardi Fuller, a volunteer leader with Outdoor Afro, about enjoying nature despite the prevalence of the “white colonial imagination.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How The Lost Kitchen’s Star Chef Is ‘Finding Freedom’ After Hitting Rock Bottom; Pushing Past ‘The White Colonial Imagination’ To Enjoy Nature

A few years ago, Hallel came out as a  “boy-girl” to their parents. This week on NEXT, 9-year-old Hallel and their family explore gender identity. Plus, we learn about a new Connecticut law banning race-based hair discrimination in the workplace and in schools. And we hear from newcomers to New Hampshire about whether they plan to stay in the state after the pandemic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Non-Binary Child And Their Family Explore Identity; The Impact Of Banning Race-Based Hair Discrimination

After a year of online school, high school senior Bridget Donovan is back in the building and feeling like “a freshman again.” This week on NEXT, we tag along with Bridget and visit a New Hampshire school that’s experiencing the social benefits of learning outdoors. Plus, we hear about Massachusetts’ new climate legislation and how it compares to other New England states. And author Jennifer De Leon reflects on language and heritage in her new book of essays. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A High School Senior’s Journey Back To School After A Year Online; Author Jennifer De Leon On Returning To Her Roots

This week on NEXT, in the aftermath of the killings of six Asian women in Atlanta, we hear about the inextricable link between racism and sexism. Plus, we talk with Boston chef and restaurateur Irene Li about how the pandemic has altered our relationship with food and cooking. And the entanglement of a North Atlantic right whale named Snow Cone has caused an outcry from fishermen, who say they’re being unfairly blamed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anti-Asian Hate And The Inextricable Link Between Racism And Sexism; How The Pandemic Changed Cooking And Eating Habits

Through fresh eyes, there’s a lot that’s unusual about American life and culture — from bloated wallets and giant cars to the emphasis on self. This week on NEXT, writer Roya Hakakian shares keen observations from her new book “A Beginner’s Guide To America.” Plus, how retrofitting triple-decker houses can help fight climate change. And singer-songwriter Niu Raza blends musical traditions to find her signature sound and a new sense of home. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Insights On American Culture For ‘The Immigrant And The Curious’; Outfitting Triple-Deckers To Curb Climate Change

NASA plans to land the first woman on the moon by 2024. This week on NEXT, we talk to a Maine astronaut who is part of the Artemis mission about why that milestone matters, and what it’s like to be in zero gravity. Plus, we’ll hear from two sisters who are participating in one of the COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials for children. And we visit one coastal community on the Cape that is considering a retreat strategy as sea level rises. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘Artemis’ Astronaut Reflects On NASA’s Mission To Land First Woman On The Moon; A Coastal Town Reckons With Sea Level Rise

The Biden administration and state leaders are pushing to get more students into “in-person” classes again. This week on NEXT, the politics of making it happen. Plus, as the Massachusetts Audubon Society reckons with its founder’s racist past, the group’s push to create equitable access to nature. And we talk with Crystal Maldonado about her debut young adult novel “Fat Chance, Charlie Vega,” the importance of representation — and seeing herself on the page. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pressure Intensifies To Bring Students Back To Classrooms; Environmental Group Reckons With Race And Inclusivity In The Outdoors

A new report shows that millions of homes across the country are at risk of flooding — and insurance companies aren’t keeping up. This week on NEXT, we explore the inequities and how this affects our region. Plus, we hear more about a proposal for high-speed rail across New England that Congress may consider soon. And we visit a Vermont town that’s mourning the loss of its historic covered bridge. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What High-Speed Rail Could Bring To New England; Vermont Town Mourns The Loss Of A Historic Bridge

NEXT is a weekly radio show and podcast about New England, one of America’s oldest places, at a time of change. It’s hosted by John Dankosky at WNPR in Hartford, Connecticut. Through original reporting and interviews, we ask important questions about the issues we explore: where are we now? How did we get here? And what's next?

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