Bartholomewtown

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

  1. 2H AGO

    Ken Block is Running for Governor

    Send us Fan Mail Bill Bartholomew welcomes independent Rhode Island gubernatorial candidate Ken Block. Key topics:   Ken Block's background in software engineering and political activism  His previous efforts to create a centrist political party and advocacy for good government  The surprising and personal journey leading to his gubernatorial run  The disconnect and lack of traction among current candidates, and how he aims to stand out  Critical issues facing Rhode Island such as infrastructure failures, fiscal management, and project mismanagement  The importance of decisive leadership, especially regarding the Washington Bridge collapse  Management failures in Rhode Island's government projects and how to address them  The potential for AI and technological disruption impacting state policy  Fiscal strategies, including potential reallocation of funds and critiques of tax policies  The influence of party politics, coalition building, and the shift toward independent support  His commitment to transparency, accountability, and pragmatic solutions for long-term stability  Timestamps: 00:00 - Introducing Ken Block and his diverse background 00:24 - Ken's career in software and political activism 00:50 - Past political efforts and advocacy for good governance 01:18 - Journey from opposition to running for governor 02:44 - How polling and fundraising influenced his decision 03:15 - The weak current political landscape and his outsider message 04:01 - The impact of his campaign on the Democrat primary 06:22 - Rhode Island's unique challenges and broader macroeconomic issues 07:35 - Why Ken Block believes he is qualified to lead through disruption 08:05 - Management failures in major Rhode Island projects 09:30 - Critical analysis of the Washington Bridge failure and accountability 10:56 - Building a political coalition in a polarized environment 11:36 - The importance of decisiveness and political courage 12:29 - Lessons from Bruce Sundlun's decision-making style 13:55 - The need for fact-based, quick decision-making in government 15:12 - Lack of political courage and transparency in government failures 16:08 - The recurring mistakes like the Washington Bridge and fiscal mismanagement 17:30 - Infrastructure neglect and dysfunction 18:28 - Budget management, reallocations, and fiscal responsibility 20:11 - Managing large projects and the importance of skilled oversight 21:35 - Addressing state spending inefficiencies 22:28 - The importance of smarter government spending 23:24 - Challenges of housing development and infrastructure costs 24:36 - The unrealistic scope of housing targets and pragmatic solutions 26:14 - The potential of private investments like the Superman Building 28:48 - Rhode Island's economic and demographic challenges compared to Boston 29:55 - The impact of tax policies and the flight of high earners 31:00 - Building a broad political coalition across party lines 33:24 - The disconnect between community needs and government response 35:56 - The failure to maintain infrastructure and deliver public services 38:34 - The political landscape, party fragmentation, and independent prospects 39:57 - Ken Block's commitment to fixing core government issues and future outlookResources & Links:   Rhode Island Infrastructure Crisis Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

    42 min

  2. 2D AGO

    What Historic Cemeteries Reveal About Rhode Island

    Send us Fan Mail Every gravestone is a sentence. Every cemetery is a story. And Rhode Island — one of the oldest corners of the country — has more of those stories per square mile than almost anywhere in America. This week, preservationist Deb Suggs joins us to make the case that historic cemeteries aren't just resting places for the dead — they're primary sources, open to anyone willing to look. From colonial-era epitaphs to the graves of Revolutionary War soldiers, enslaved people, and forgotten civic leaders, Rhode Island's burial grounds hold a version of our history that no textbook does. Deb shares what draws her to this work, what's at stake when these sites fall into disrepair, and the remarkable Rhode Islanders — some famous, most not — she's encountered while walking among the stones. It's a conversation about preservation, community, and why the past is never as buried as we think. In this episode Why historic cemeteries are some of the most reliable historical records we have • What gets lost when a burial ground is abandoned or destroyed • Stories of Rhode Islanders whose graves reveal lives history overlooked • How anyone can get involved in cemetery preservation • The surprising things gravestones can tell you — from demographics to disease to art history Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

    34 min

  3. APR 7

    Rhode Island Governor’s Race Shake-Up + Did Memes Numb us to AI? Mike Raia Joins

    Send us Fan Mail Half Street Group’s Mike Raia joins the show to break down how independent gubernatorial candidate Ken Block entering the race could disrupt the strategies of Governor Dan McKee and challenger Helena Foulkes. We dig into whether Block plays the role of a “spoiler,” how similar candidates have performed historically in Rhode Island politics, and what this unique election cycle could signal about voter sentiment and fragmentation heading into November. Then, a cultural pivot: a recent The New York Times Magazine piece explores whether meme culture has pushed us into a kind of “brain rot”—and how that might be shaping not just how we consume information, but how we interact with and even train AI systems. Is the internet rewiring our attention spans—and could that feedback loop be influencing the future of intelligence itself? Inside Communications is presented by Half Street Group Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube

    30 min

  4. APR 2

    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

  5. MAR 31

    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

    35 min

  6. MAR 26

    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

  7. MAR 24

    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

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

    MAR 19

    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

    1h 3m
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4.7
out of 5
65 Ratings

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
    960
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Bartholomewtown
  • Show Website
    Bartholomewtown

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