Bartholomewtown

Bill Bartholomew
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Bartholomewtown is an independent news and interview podcast exploring Rhode Island through conversations with the people driving politics, culture, business, and public life. Hosted by journalist Bill Bartholomew, the show delivers insightful interviews, original reporting, and clear-eyed analysis from New England's smallest state—with stories that often resonate far beyond it.

  1. 3d ago

    Internal Poll Shows Ken Block Wins Hypothetical Two-Way Race... GOP Guckian DEF not Exiting

    Send us Fan Mail Bill Bartholomew talks with independent Rhode Island gubernatorial candidate Ken Block about a newly released poll, the three-way race against Helena Foulkes and Aaron Guckian, and what the numbers suggest about the final stretch. The conversation also digs into fundraising, outside spending, and whether debates and forums can give voters a real contrast between the candidates. Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

  2. 4d ago

    PVD Artist Pamela Fernandez Talks WaterFire Group Exhibition "Lost & Found"

    Send us Fan Mail Lost and Found with Pamela Fernandez on WaterFire Accelerate Bill Bartholomew speaks with artist Pamela Fernandez about WaterFire Accelerate, the professional development program for artists 30 and under, and the culminating group exhibition Lost and Found at the WaterFire Arts Center. The conversation moves from Providence’s creative ecosystem to Fernandez’s Dominican and Providence roots, and how both shape her work in textiles, printmaking, and painting.In this episode, Fernandez reflects on community, institutional support, and the challenge of making art that is both personally meaningful and socially responsive. Key topics Pamela Fernandez explains that WaterFire Accelerate is a professional development program for artists 30 and under, offering mentorship, studio space, and a final group exhibition.The conversation highlights how the cohort became a real support network, with artists helping one another professionally and personally through an active group chat and shared resources.Fernandez talks about being born in the Dominican Republic and growing up in Providence since age five, and how that identity deeply informs her work.She describes Providence as a place where she wants to stay and create, while also noting that London has long felt like an interesting art destination to her.Bill and Fernandez discuss the role of Providence institutions and nonprofits in shaping artists’ careers, including WaterFire, RISD Museum workshops, libraries, New Urban Arts, and Project Open Door.Fernandez emphasizes that artist communities matter just as much as institutions, especially when peers offer studio access, screen printing space, or a wood shop for free.Her work is rooted in questions of Dominican history, Dominican presence in Providence, family history, and what it means to feel both connected to and distanced from culture.Fernandez says she is currently negotiating what her art should be about now, moving between printmaking, painting, and a return to textiles.She explains why textiles remain meaningful to her, especially because fabric can carry history through clothing, curtains, and inherited materials.The interview closes with a deeper discussion of art and politics, including how Fernandez balances making work in a difficult moment with staying intentional, authentic, and humane.Timestamps 00:00 - WaterFire Accelerate and the Lost and Found exhibition  00:39 - How the artist development program works  01:41 - Why cohort support extends beyond the studio  02:47 - Fernandez’s Providence and Dominican roots  03:42 - Why Providence feels like the right art city for now  05:21 - Building a career through nonprofits and local institutions  07:35 - How Dominican identity and Providence shape her work  09:28 - Choosing what her art should say now  10:56 - Why textiles still matter in her practice  12:17 - Artist panel details and exhibition closing date  13:12 - Balancing political responsibility with personal expression  15:51 - Why artists still matter in social movements  17:46 - Closing thoughts on WaterFire and the exhibition Notable quotes Copy “I feel like community is what is gonna keep us all afloat, especially in these times.” Copy “I feel like for me, Providence to me is the place where I wanna be.” Copy “I feel like you gotta figure out how you wanna show up, even if it’s not in your work, like how are you showing up in your day to day?” Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

  3. 5d ago

    A National Trauma-Informed Policing Model- Developed in Rhode Island

    Send us Fan Mail Trauma-Informed Policing in Rhode Island and Beyond Bill Bartholomew speaks with Liz Gledhill, director of the Center for Trauma Informed Policing at Family Service of Rhode Island, about a Rhode Island-built model that trains law enforcement to respond to families and children in crisis with more empathy, better situational awareness, and less additional harm. The conversation focuses on how the Go Team model evolved, why it matters at the first point of police contact, and what it takes to scale trauma-informed policing nationally.In this episode, they also discuss the balance between public safety and trauma-informed response, how community trust is built one interaction at a time, and why state funding matters when agencies are asked to adopt new trainings. Key topics Liz Gledhill explains her role as director of the Center for Trauma Informed Policing at Family Service of Rhode Island and the center’s Rhode Island roots.The Trauma Informed Policing Center launched this summer as a national training initiative built from Rhode Island experience and made available to law enforcement agencies across the country.Family Service of Rhode Island has worked with police for about 25 years, including long-running partnership work with the Providence Police Department.The model is designed to help officers respond to children and families exposed to trauma without compounding the harm already happening in the moment.Bill and Liz discuss how trauma-informed policing can interrupt the cycle of additional trauma during police interactions, especially when children are present at scenes such as domestic violence calls.The conversation highlights the importance of first contact, with Liz emphasizing that children and families need to feel safe at the moment police arrive.They talk about how co-response models and community-based partnerships help connect people to family services and other resources instead of relying on police to solve every problem alone.Liz describes Rhode Island’s Go Team model, which grew from an adapted version of a Connecticut approach and has expanded into seven communities, with more planned.The episode addresses trust between police and communities, with Liz noting that even one better interaction can help build a bridge or change expectations.They discuss officer skepticism at the outset of training, and how practical results often win people over once they see the model improve interactions and make their jobs easier.Bill asks about state support, and Liz says funding has increased, but warns against unfunded training mandates and argues that if the state wants departments to adopt these tools, it should help pay for them.Timestamps 00:00 - Why trauma-informed policing matters now  00:59 - Liz Gledhill introduces the Center for Trauma Informed Policing  01:12 - How a Rhode Island pilot became a national training initiative  01:45 - 25 years of police partnership and the SAMHSA grant that launched the center  02:20 - How the training helps officers reduce harm during crisis response  03:21 - Why children at crisis scenes need protection even when they are not the focus  04:20 - Public safety and trauma-informed training can work together  05:36 - Rhode Island’s Go Team model and what it borrowed from Connecticut  06:58 - The ripple effect of police interactions on trust and lived experience  07:28 - How one safe interaction can start rebuilding community trust  08:57 - What rank-and-file officers think when the model is first introduced  09:21 - Why skepticism often turns into support after officers see the results  10:35 - Police unions, stakeholder input, and why the model has staying power  11:05 - What the state can do beyond grants and good intentions  11:21 - Why unfunded training mandates undermine real implementation  12:26 - Closing thoughts and thanks Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

  4. Sep 24

    How Do The Gov Candidates Stack Up on Transit? Grow Smart RI's Scott Wolf

    Send us Fan Mail Rhode Island Transit, Smart Growth, and the Real Cost of Underfunding RIPTA Bill Bartholomew talks with Scott Wolf, executive director of Grow Smart Rhode Island, about why transit is much more than a social service and how better funding could support housing, economic development, tourism, and affordability across the state. They also dig into the governor’s race, the gap between rhetoric and real transit investment, and what Rhode Island can learn from places like Chattanooga, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, and Ithaca. Key topics In this episode, Bill Bartholomew opens with the transit debate sparked by independent gubernatorial candidate Ken Block’s affordability plan and ties it to broader questions about smart growth and community development.Scott Wolf argues that one of the biggest misunderstandings in Rhode Island leadership is treating transit as only a social service instead of a driver of economic activity, housing access, and revitalization.The conversation centers on Rhode Island’s congestion, dense development patterns, and the way transit can help downtowns, main streets, and “third spaces” become more vibrant.Scott says stronger transit is essential for retaining young talent, noting that younger generations are more pro-transit and that ignoring them is a strategic mistake.The Hasbro relocation comes up as an example of why transit access matters to major employers, with Scott stressing that convenience to transit should be a warning signal for policymakers.Bill and Scott compare candidate positions, including Helena Folts’ call for stable RIPTA funding and Ken Block’s proposal for a year of free fares, while debating whether transit needs more total budget or better reallocation.Scott says Rhode Island needs both more investment and better efficiencies, including a long-overdue efficiency audit of RIDOT, which he argues has not faced the same scrutiny as RIPTA.The discussion highlights RIPTA’s service cuts, underfunding, and the negative cycle created when reduced frequency leads to lower ridership and even less support.Scott points to the affordability impact of transit, citing research that suggests many Rhode Island households with three or more cars could save around $10,000 a year by giving up one vehicle if service improved.Multimodal transit, including biking and pedestrian infrastructure, is presented as part of the same ecosystem and as a necessity for tourism, economic development, and everyday livability.The role of municipalities is explored, especially how much influence cities and towns really have over routes, funding, and transportation priorities.Scott praises mayors like Bob DeSilva of East Providence and contrasts them with municipalities that resist transit-oriented development, noting that local leadership can speed up or stall progress.The conversation closes with Scott’s broader critique of Rhode Island’s low expectations and short-term policy mindset, and his argument for thinking bigger about transit as a foundation for housing, mobility, and long-term prosperity.Timestamps 00:00 - Why transit entered the governor’s race  00:43 - Scott Wolf on smart growth and regional credibility  01:34 - The biggest leadership gap in understanding transit  03:17 - Transit as an engine for housing and economic vitality  04:44 - Why young people and employers care about transit  05:07 - The Hasbro example and transit as a business factor  06:37 - Stable funding for RIPTA versus free fares  07:05 - Why Rhode Island needs both new money and efficiencies  08:33 - RIDOT scrutiny, RIPTA cuts, and the service death spiral  09:28 - The affordability case for reducing car ownership  10:29 - Bikes, pedestrians, and the larger multimodal picture  11:23 - Tourism benefits from a more user-friendly state  11:48 - How much power municipalities really have  13:34 - Transit, housing, and the politics of local resistance  14:31 - The biggest barrier: low expectations and short-term thinking  16:39 - Transit as the key to housing and economic mobility  17:05 - Learning from Chattanooga, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, and Ithaca  18:39 - Why Rhode Island should study what works elsewhere  20:03 - Restoring RIPTA service cuts for about $5 million  21:26 - The transit master plan and bold next steps Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

  5. Sep 22

    Project Insulin and Rhode Island’s Early-Stage Startup Advantage

    Send us Fan Mail Eric Moyal, founder of Project Insulin, joins Bill Bartholomew to explain how his nonprofit is working to create and sell generic insulin directly to patients at cost. The conversation covers the insulin affordability crisis, why Rhode Island can be a powerful place for early-stage startup growth, and what it takes to build a long-term biotech project in a tough fundraising environment. 00:00 - Introduction to Eric Moyal and Project Insulin 00:08 - How Project Insulin plans to sell insulin at cost 00:42 - The real cost of insulin for patients without insurance 01:11 - Why a few for-profit manufacturers control the market 02:10 - Learning the issue through a partner with type 1 diabetes 03:06 - The statistic that pushed him to get involved 03:36 - Why this is a nonprofit and fundraising challenge, not just a science problem 04:27 - Rhode Island’s push into health and sciences 05:26 - Why Rhode Island was a strong place for early-stage growth 06:23 - Social Enterprise Greenhouse and the accelerator experience 07:41 - Why Rhode Island works best as an early-stage startup ecosystem 08:45 - Why building major pharmaceutical infrastructure in-state is difficult 09:11 - Rhode Island’s interpersonal network as its “secret sauce” 10:33 - The idea of Rhode Island as a pass-through for talent and growth 11:51 - Why not every business needs to become a billion-dollar unicorn 13:34 - Why raising money for a long-horizon nonprofit is difficult 14:54 - Project Insulin’s current fundraising target and development phase 15:46 - Long-term plans for national and global insulin distribution Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

  6. Sep 18

    Bryant University to Host Global Trade Summit

    Send us Fan Mail https://global-trade-summit.bryant.edu/ Bryant’s Global Trade Summit at a volatile moment for international business Bill Bartholomew speaks with Jason Kelly, director of the Chafee Center for International Business at Bryant University, about the 40th anniversary of the Global Trade Summit and why it matters during a period of tariff uncertainty, policy shifts, and supply chain pressure. The conversation focuses on how Bryant is positioning itself as a practical resource for Rhode Island companies that need customized support, not just broad-stroke advice. Kelly also explains Bryant’s new role as the official World Trade Center designee in Rhode Island, and how that designation expands training, international connections, and branding for local businesses. Key topics The 40th anniversary of the Global Trade Summit and why Bryant sees this year as especially timely given global trade disruptionJason Kelly’s background in the private sector, including how World Trade Day first connected him to Bryant and eventually led him to the Chafee Center roleWhy the current trade environment makes the summit more relevant, especially around tariffs, supply chain uncertainty, and international market shiftsWhat Rhode Island businesses need most right now — interdisciplinary support that combines business expertise, academic resources, and practical consultingBryant’s role as a statewide differentiator, with Kelly emphasizing the university’s rare intersection of higher education, economic development, and innovationConference highlights for September 24, including a conversation with Canada’s Consul General Bernadette Jordan and a panel featuring a Blue Economy robotics companyEconomic and technical expertise on the agenda, including a Moody’s economist, an AI panel, logistics experts, freight forwarders, customs brokers, and trade attorneysThe new World Trade Center Rhode Island designation, and how it gives the Chafee Center access to a global network, stronger branding, and more training opportunitiesThe biggest challenges Rhode Island companies are facing, especially access to capital, talent shortages, and the need to manage AI-related disruptionHow the Chafee Center scales customized support, using Bryant’s practicum programs to deliver company-specific consulting through student and faculty teamsTimestamps (0:00) Why Bryant is revisiting the Global Trade Summit this year (1:39) Jason Kelly’s connection to Bryant through World Trade Day (2:36) Why he says this is the right time for the Chafee Center (4:02) Why Rhode Island businesses need interdisciplinary support (4:49) Higher education as an economic development asset (5:42) September 24 summit date and what attendees can expect (6:16) Canada, tariffs, and international business at the summit (7:12) Success stories from companies navigating uncertainty (7:42) Robotics, AI, and the summit’s technology-focused speakers (8:41) Monica Sattler and leadership through extreme challenge (9:09) Logistics, customs, and tariff refund issues (9:38) A day-long training session on September 23 (10:10) What the World Trade Center designation means (11:09) How the designation expands training and global connections (12:08) Building Rhode Island’s international business presence (13:40) What Rhode Island companies are asking for right now (16:02) Why companies want customized consulting, not generic training (17:27) The Bryant practicum model and how it scales support (18:21) Trade missions, innovation labs, and experiential learning (19:39) Bryant’s regional role in international trade over the next decade (20:43) Closing thoughts on the summit and Bryant’s impact Notable quotes Copy “This was the most important time to lean into the unique assets that Bryant University offers Rhode Island companies.” Copy “Companies no longer wanted that awareness training. What they really needed were customized consulting engagements.” Copy “I really would like to hold on to the word regional because I think that that’s our sweet spot.” Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

  7. Sep 17

    Unbowed: Omar Bah, refugee advocacy, and the Rhode Island story - Screening via newportFILM in PVD

    Send us Fan Mail EVENT LINK!  https://newportfilm.com/films/unbowed/ This episode introduces the documentary Unbowed, a Rhode Island-centered film about Omar Bah, his journey from the Gambia to resettlement in Providence, and the founding of the Refugee Dream Center. It also explores how the film team captured both the personal and policy realities of refugee life during a politically charged era.Bill Bartholomew is joined by co-directors David Wells and Mae Gammino, along with Omar Bah himself, whose lived experience anchors the film and the conversation. Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

  8. Sep 15

    Incoming Pawtucket Mayor Adam Greenman

    Send us Fan Mail Adam Greenman on winning the Pawtucket mayoral primary and what residents want next Adam Greenman, the presumptive next mayor of Pawtucket, talks about his upset primary win over longtime Mayor Don Grebien and why he got into the race in the first place. The conversation centers on what voters were saying on the ground, from affordability and city services to the loss of Memorial Hospital and the need for stronger local-state collaboration. Key topics In this episode, Adam Greenman explains that his campaign grew out of a widespread feeling in Pawtucket that things had gone stale after 16 years of the same administration.He describes his background, including Teach for America in Camden, work at United Way of Rhode Island, and eight and a half years leading the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.Greenman says early conversations in living rooms and backyards confirmed that residents were frustrated with rising taxes, declining services, and a city focus that seemed too centered on the soccer stadium and train station.He says the biggest issue voters raised was affordability, especially for renters, homeowners on fixed incomes, and seniors worried about staying in their homes.Education came up repeatedly, not just school buildings but what is happening inside them, along with frustration that City Hall was not listening closely enough to neighborhood concerns like traffic around the new high school.He says public safety and quality-of-life issues mattered too, including bulk trash pickup, rats, and general bread-and-butter municipal services.Greenman says the campaign’s door-to-door operation was decisive, with about 2,500 individual conversations after knocking on close to 15,000 doors.He argues that the biggest long-term loss for Pawtucket residents is Memorial Hospital, saying that people felt the impact of losing a nearby hospital in their daily lives, not just as a headline issue.He connects the hospital closure to the broader problem of paying more while getting less, and says local officials need to think seriously about options like ambulatory or non-major emergency care.Greenman outlines a plan to bring Pawtucket’s state delegation together for regular conversations with city leadership, so municipal and state officials can coordinate on funding, emergency services, special education, and multilingual learner support.Timestamps 00:00 - Greenman’s primary win and the significance of the race  00:20 - Why he entered the mayoral race  01:29 - Background: Teach for America, United Way, and the Jewish Alliance  02:19 - Why Pawtucket felt ready for change  03:00 - Conversations in living rooms, backyards, and on doors  04:24 - How 15,000 doors and 2,500 conversations shaped the campaign  05:35 - Affordability as the top issue for renters, owners, and seniors  06:04 - Schools, traffic concerns, and residents feeling unheard  07:01 - Trash pickup, rats, and other quality-of-life complaints  08:11 - Why the stadium and train station were not the real focus  09:00 - Memorial Hospital as the biggest loss residents feel  09:55 - Exploring possible local care alternatives after the hospital closure  11:58 - How service loss and crowding reinforce the affordability problem  13:26 - What a new mayoral era could mean for collaboration in Rhode Island  14:11 - Plans to bring together state reps, senators, and city leaders  16:33 - Working with Mayor Grebien during the transition Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

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About

Bartholomewtown is an independent news and interview podcast exploring Rhode Island through conversations with the people driving politics, culture, business, and public life. Hosted by journalist Bill Bartholomew, the show delivers insightful interviews, original reporting, and clear-eyed analysis from New England's smallest state—with stories that often resonate far beyond it.

Information

  • Creator
    Bill Bartholomew
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    1K
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Bartholomewtown
  • Show Website
    Bartholomewtown

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