April school vacation in Massachusetts is just a few weeks away. If you're doing a staycation this time around, or if you don't have any plans just yet, you might be thinking about what you want to do with the kids. The City of Boston says it's got a special event planned for girls age 7-12: the All-Girls Sports and Wellness Festival! Jennifer Misiaszek from Boston Parks and Recreation joins Nichole this week to talk about everything the event has to offer in hopes of empowering Boston's girls.

Finding a bargain these days is far more streamlined than it used to be - no more clipping coupons around the kitchen table! Couponing apps are all the rage with influencers on social media who are helping their followers save a buck or two as we deal with high prices on just about everything. Julia Belkin, the Boston woman behind Freebies and More on Instagram and TikTok, joins Nichole to share some tips and tricks.

The legendary poem about Paul Revere from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poignantly lays out the dramatic events that unfolded between Boston and Concord on April 18, 1775, setting the stage for the opening battles of the Revolutionary War. Revere wasn't the only man who made the crucial ride to warn the minutemen, but thanks to that poem, Revere's efforts became stuff of legend. Nina Zannieri, Executive Director of the Paul Revere House in Boston, joins Nichole to talk about the work to preserve Revere's legacy and the celebrations they have planned for the 250th anniversary of Revere's ride.

This segment is the third interview in our new 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.  

Tariffs have been imposed on Canada, Mexico, and China, impacting farm and dairy products like wheat, corn, cotton, chicken, fruits, vegetables, and beef. Farmers and ranchers have been voicing their concerns about this, saying if the tariffs stick, it could hike prices for farmers and consumers alike, and strain an industry that's already, in some cases, struggling to get by. Warren Shaw, the President of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation and the owner/operator of Shaw Farm in Dracut, talks with Nichole about the potential local impact of these tariffs on farmers.

While the nation's big birthday party is coming up next year, in just a matter of weeks, Massachusetts will mark 250 years since the "shot heard 'round the world" - the battles of Lexington and Concord, which sparked the war against the British for American independence. The colonists were ready for the British that day thanks to careful planning and a group of militia members called the "Minute Men". Even today, the Minute Men's spirit is preserved by the Concord Minute Men, led by Captain Carl Sweeney. He talks with Nichole about what it's like to re-enact American history and their plans for this year's Patriots Day celebrations, and shares a bit of history, too.

This segment is the second interview in our new 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.  

When we talk about Boston's history, it's easy to focus on the familiar stories of colonialism, the Revolutionary War, and the Founding Fathers. The true stories of the city aren't complete without the contributions of Boston's diverse communities, who have played crucial roles in shaping the cultural, economic, and social fabric of the Hub. Everyone250 is a new coalition of arts and cultural organizations ensuring those diverse stories are told as we look ahead to the nation's 250th birthday. Jeneé Osterheldt, Dr. Imari Paris Jeffries, and Brian Boyles, Co-Chairs of Everyone250, talk with Nichole about their mission and upcoming events.

This segment is the first interview in our new 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.  

Some big changes have been happening behind the scenes at two of Boston's best-known mentoring organizations, and you may not have even noticed. That's exactly how they planned it! Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts and the Big Sister Association of Greater Boston have merged in hopes of helping more kids around the region reach their full potential. Big Sister Association President and CEO Annissa Essaibi-George and Big Brothers Big Sisters President and CEO Mark O'Donnell share details about the merger with Nichole and talk about what this means for mentoring access around Eastern Massachusetts.

Back in 1958, passenger rail service came to an end between Boston and the South Coast of Massachusetts, leaving cities like Taunton, New Bedford, and Fall River without train access to the largest city in New England. Now, decades later, South Coast residents are about to get that access back, as the MBTA is starting up service in late March. MBTA General Manager Phil Eng joins the show to discuss the long-running project, what riders can expect, and what comes next.

Each and every day, Jake Prusha, a member of the US Coast Guard stationed in Boston, takes part in a grueling challenge called the "Murph" workout, which honors a Navy SEAL who was killed in Afghanistan back in 2005. Prusha's doing this for 100 days - not to get fit, but to raise awareness of members of the military and first responders who are grappling with mental health challenges. Jake talks with Nichole about his story, why this challenge means a lot to him, and how you can help him raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project. (Find Jake on Instagram at @jakeprusha.)