Together RI

David Cicilline
  • 5.0 (4)
  • NON-PROFIT

We're living in a time when facts are fiercely debated, news sources can be polarizing, and it's easy to vilify our neighbors. But it doesn't have to be this way. On this podcast, we talk to people who seek a different reality.

  1. JAN 29

    Revising Rhode Island's funding formula

    One of the hard problems we face here in Rhode Island is our school funding formula. The current system is broken, unfair, unpredictable, and insufficient.   Last year, the Rhode Island Foundation and the Annenberg Institute at Brown University formed a blue-ribbon commission devoted to designing a more equitable approach to paying for public education.   On January 22nd, we discussed our recommendations in a live panel discussion called Rhode Map Live: Funding the Future, Fixing the Formula. It was moderated by Dan McGowan and Steph Machado from Globe Rhode Island. This is a lightly edited recording of our discussion.   Learn more about the Rhode Island Foundation at https://rifoundation.org/.

    55 min

  2. 12/04/2025

    David Cicilline on Club Ambition

    This week, we're doing something a little different- letting you listen in on a conversation our host, David Cicilline, had on another podcast.   Earlier this year, he spoke to Victor Baez, the host of Club Ambition. His show is the most popular podcast and YouTube channel in Rhode Island. This is an edited version of their conversation.  Learn more about the Rhode Island Foundation at https://rifoundation.org/.

    26 min

  3. 11/20/2025

    Meet Providence Bishop Lewandowski

    Providence Bishop Bruce Lewandowski says he entered the priesthood to be a missionary. So, when he got the call to become the auxiliary bishop of Baltimore, he asked, 'Are you sure you have the right person?' This year, he was promoted to become the Bishop of Providence. He joins host David Cicilline to talk about his impression of the Ocean State and his vision for serving the Providence community. Learn more about the Rhode Island Foundation at https://rifoundation.org/.

    26 min

  4. 11/13/2025

    John Palfrey on the work of the MacArthur Foundation

    Occasionally, the Rhode Island Foundation connects with thought leaders who are doing interesting work that might inform our efforts. We had our latest conversation with John Palfrey, the President of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Host David Cicilline interviewed him in front of a live audience last week. This is an edited version of their conversation. Learn more about the Rhode Island Foundation at https://rifoundation.org/.

    21 min

  5. 10/30/2025

    Melissa Cherney on responding to the SNAP crisis

    More than 140,000 Rhode Islanders rely on supplemental nutrition assistance, known as SNAP, from the federal government to buy their food. But, because of the government shutdown, they won't be getting those SNAP benefits in November.   We can't let our neighbors go hungry. So, the Rhode Island Foundation is awarding one million dollars in emergency grants to address this crisis through our Community Partner Resilience Fund. And we're calling on everyone to help us match that amount to help fill in the gaps.    Melissa Cherney, the CEO of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, joins host David Cicilline to talk about this crisis.    Learn more about the Rhode Island Foundation at https://rifoundation.org/.

    10 min

  6. 10/23/2025

    The program helping RI schools throw away less food

    Rhode Island schools throw away nearly 2,500 tons of food into the landfill every year. And nearly 400 tons of that food is perfectly edible. That's a problem for a lot of reasons. The landfill is running out of space. Rotting food creates methane gas, and that food isn't going to families that struggle to buy groceries. But the RI Schools Recycling Project has a solution. It goes into schools and trains students to sort their food, instead of throwing it all away. The group is aiming to reach every school in Rhode Island by 2030. Co-directors Jim Corwin and Warren Hammond join host David Cicilline to talk more about their progress.  Learn more about the Rhode Island Foundation at https://rifoundation.org/.

    21 min

  7. 10/16/2025

    NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley on addressing RI's housing shortage

    Affordable housing is one of Rhode Island's most pressing issues. According to a recent poll, more than 90 percent of Rhode Islanders say housing costs are a problem, and the state is the 18th most expensive place to rent in the country.  Joe Garlick and Meghan Rego are trying to change this. They're with NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley, a group working to make housing more affordable in Northern Rhode Island.  They sat down with host David Cicilline to talk about how their organization is addressing the problem at its source.  Learn more about the Rhode Island Foundation at https://rifoundation.org/.

    19 min

  8. 10/09/2025

    Amy Nunn on supporting the LGBTQ+ community despite federal budget cuts

    This has been a rocky year for members of the LGBTQ+ community and organizations that serve them. Earlier this year, Opendoor Health, the state's only LGBTQ+ Health Clinic, lost about a million dollars in Federal Funding. But they're continuing to move forward with their mission. David Cicilline talks to Open Door's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Amy Nunn, about how the organization is coping in this new environment. Learn more about the Rhode Island Foundation at https://rifoundation.org/

    17 min
See All (19)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

We're living in a time when facts are fiercely debated, news sources can be polarizing, and it's easy to vilify our neighbors. But it doesn't have to be this way. On this podcast, we talk to people who seek a different reality.

Information

  • Creator
    David Cicilline
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    Together RI