Bartholomewtown

Bill Bartholomew
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Journalist Bill Bartholomew brings Rhode Islanders closer to their world through analysis, interviews and reporting.  

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    How A Providence Mural Fits Into A National Culture War

    Send us Fan Mail Bill Bartholomew sits down with Christopher Gavin of the The Boston Globe to unpack the controversy surrounding a Ukrainian solidarity mural in Providence—and how a local story can quickly become part of a much larger national narrative. What began as a piece of public art tied to global events soon sparked questions about public space, messaging, and civic process. But as the reaction grew, so did scrutiny over how and why the story spread—raising broader questions about amplification, influence, and the role of decentralized, well-funded networks in shaping modern culture war flashpoints. In this conversation, Bartholomew and Gavin separate fact from reaction, examine how local issues get pulled into national discourse, and explore what the Providence mural moment reveals about media ecosystems, political narratives, and the forces that drive them. Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

    18 min

  2. 3 DAYS AGO

    Live from newportFILM: A Panel Discussion on AI and Its Impact on Rhode Island

    Send us Fan Mail Following a newportFILM presented screening of The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist at The Jane Pickens Theater Bill Bartholomew moderates an expert panel on AI's growth and impact on Rhode Island. David Altounian (Associate Professor, Business & Economics, Salve Regina University),  Timothy H. Henry (Chair, Computer Science and Information Systems, Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies, Rhode Island College),  Michael Littman (Associate Provost for Artificial Intelligence, University Professor of Computer Science, Brown University)  Briana Vecchione (Technical Researcher with the AI on the Ground team at Data & Society Research Institute)  presented by newportFILM Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

    36 min

  3. 26 MAR

    What’s Happening in Rhode Island Public Health with Dr. Amy Nunn

    Send us Fan Mail Dr. Amy Nunn — CEO of the Rhode Island Public Health Institute and Open Door Health — joins Bill Bartholomew for a wide-ranging conversation on the current state of public health in Rhode Island. Dr. Nunn shares what she’s watching most closely in healthcare policy and politics across the state, including growing concerns about Rhode Island’s primary care shortage and what it means for access, equity, and long-term system stability. The discussion explores why Rhode Island has recently ranked as one of the worst states for physicians to practice, and what structural challenges are driving that reality. Drawing on her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Nunn reflects on what she learned about operating as a nimble, community-focused practitioner in times of crisis — and how those lessons apply today. She also discusses navigating federal-level constraints on science and public health under the current political climate, and how local institutions can remain resilient and mission-driven. A grounded, insightful look at where Rhode Island public health stands — and where it may be headed next. Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

    20 min

  4. 24 MAR

    The Impact of Iran War on Rhode Island

    Send us Fan Mail Nikolas Gvosdev, a national security fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and professor at the U.S. Naval War College, and speaking on his own behalf, joins Bill Bartholomew to examine how The Iran War could impact Rhode Island—both in the immediate term and over the long haul. The conversation explores the economic ripple effects of global conflict, including energy prices, supply chain disruptions, and federal spending priorities that could directly influence local economies. Gvosdev highlights how national security decisions made in Washington can cascade down to states like Rhode Island, shaping everything from job markets to infrastructure investment. A key focus is the potential downstream impact on major projects such as the Washington Bridge, where shifts in federal funding and attention could delay or reshape critical repairs and development. The discussion also delves into the psychological dimension—how prolonged geopolitical instability can affect public sentiment, civic life, and the broader sense of security within local communities. In this episode:  How global conflict with Iran could affect Rhode Island’s economy  The connection between war, federal spending, and infrastructure projects  Why local projects like the Washington Bridge could feel global pressure  The psychological toll of geopolitical instability at the community level Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

    33 min
  5. Live From Johnson & Wales! Preserving the Past: Culture, Power and the Stories That Shape a Nation

    19 MAR

    Live From Johnson & Wales! Preserving the Past: Culture, Power and the Stories That Shape a Nation

    Send us Fan Mail Preserving the Past: Culture, Power and the Stories That Shape a Nation As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, join JWU’s Cultural Life Series for a timely conversation on who preserves history — and why it matters. Drawing on Rhode Island’s revolutionary past and framed by the broader American experience, this discussion examines how culture, power and perspective shape the stories that endure. About Bill Bartholomew and C. Morgan Grefe, Ph.D. Bill Bartholomew Bill Bartholomew is a Providence-based journalist, musician and producer, best known as the host of Bartholomewtown. A trusted local media voice, he covers topics ranging from politics and public policy to arts, culture and community life, with more than 900 episodes featuring conversations with local, state and federal leaders. C. Morgan Grefe, Ph.D. C. Morgan Grefe, Ph.D., is the executive director of the Rhode Island Historical Society and a historian specializing in U.S. social, cultural and public history. Her work focuses particularly on the carceral history of the United States, and she lectures widely on Rhode Island’s history while authoring and co-authoring numerous publications, including a forthcoming book on historic prison museums. Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

    1hr 3min

  6. 17 MAR

    Rhode Island Atheists

    Send us Fan Mail Episode Title: Reason & Freedom: Rhode Island’s Next Chapter Description: A conversation with Rhode Island Atheists' Brian Cardoza and John Mertus about the state’s first-ever Day of Reason, the meaning of secular advocacy in a place defined by religious freedom, and the group’s growing role in civic and political life. Topics Covered: Rhode Island’s first Day of ReasonThe state’s legacy of religious freedomAtheism and public identityAdvocacy, policy, and political engagementBuilding community outside of religionSupport the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

    20 min

  7. 12 MAR

    A Warning From Conservation Leaders: Rhode Island Could Lose Land Protection Funding

    Send us Fan Mail Rhode Island’s proposed Rhode Island Green Bond includes funding for climate resilience, parks, and water infrastructure — but no money for land conservation. Two leading environmental organizations say that omission could halt decades of progress protecting farmland, forests, and community open space. In a recent op-ed, Jeffrey Hall of the Audubon Society of Rhode Island and Kate Sayles of the Rhode Island Land Trust Council warned that without a $10 million addition to the Green Bond, Rhode Island risks stalling conservation projects across the state. They argue the funding gap could jeopardize efforts to preserve working farms, protect forests, and expand local open space at a time when development pressure continues to grow. On this episode, Hall and Sayles explain: Why conservation funding was left out of the Green Bond proposalWhat projects could be lost without new fundingHow Rhode Island’s long-running land protection programs workWhy they’re asking lawmakers to add $10 million during the current budget sessionWhat the debate says about the state’s environmental prioritiesThe decision ultimately rests with the Rhode Island General Assembly, which must finalize the bond proposal before it goes to voters. If conservation funding isn’t restored, they say, Rhode Island could see farmland, forests, and community open spaces slip out of reach. Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

    20 min

  8. 10 MAR

    The Report: Neronha on Clergy Abuse in the Providence Diocese

    Send us Fan Mail Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha joins Bartholomewtown to discuss his office’s newly released report detailing decades of child sexual abuse allegations within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence. The investigation identified more than 130 alleged abusers and hundreds of victims, with cases spanning generations. Neronha explains how investigators assembled the report, what it reveals about institutional failures inside the Church, and what accountability and reforms may come next. Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

    12 min
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About

Journalist Bill Bartholomew brings Rhode Islanders closer to their world through analysis, interviews and reporting.  

Information

  • Creator
    Bill Bartholomew
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    957
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Bartholomewtown
  • Show Website
    Bartholomewtown

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