WBCA Podcasts

The annual Boston Civics Summit brings together Bostonians and local leaders for this year's theme, "Be The Change." The Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts Community Conference & Career Fair is held at the Reggie Lewis center. Reggae artist Mighty Mystic visits the studio for an interview—listen to learn about his international tour and his upcoming album Walk Tall. Plus, Mighty Mystic performs his latest song, Patiently Waiting, live!

Rachel Miselman shares her views and concerns on current events. The civil unrest resulting from the current administration's practices of detaining individuals is analyzed by a debate-loving Bostonian. Recent Los Angeles protests invite Rachel to reflect with intelligent, honest and respectful discussion on some sensitive issues regarding migratory patterns impacting our communities.

Host Larry Higginbottom discusses recent events, including immigration polices and the unrest in Los Angeles. He voices his support for more aggressive policies affecting undocumented immigrants. He shares his opinion that immigration has negatively affected African Americans.

Sharon Hinton speaks to Brooklyn Ang, WBCA's newest producer! They talk about Brooklyn's new show, C'est La Vie, what it means to be Haitian, working in education, living their faith, and more! Learn how Brooklyn got involved with the Bomb Squad on Urban Heat 98.1FM, and now WBCA 102.9FM.

Today on "Words On Film", Dan Burke reviews "Ballerina", "The Phoenician Scheme", "Pavements", and "The Fire Inside". Mr. Burke also gives a spoken word preview of movies subject to being released into theaters and/or streaming for the week of June 9th - 13th, 2025.

Host and Co-Host Deborah Shariff and Linda Solomon talk to Hubert Smith about the trials and tribulation, hurdles and bumps that come with freedom from incarceration and the difficulties to return to normal life.

In the premiere episode of "C'est La Vie", host Brooklyn Ang shares what you can expect from her show, including conversations about staying committed to your dreams. Brooklyn also speaks to fellow WBCA producer Sharon Hinton (host of Black Teachers Matter) about her background in radio, her faith, the field of education, and the state of the Black family.

Rochelle Jones talks about having a teachable spirit, not giving the enemy your location, not compromising the word of God, and more. With readings from James 4:7, Psalm 91:1, Peter 5:8, and Matthew 12:36-37.

Guest Jackie McMullen, former Boston Globe columnist, award winning ESPN broadcaster & Sports Illustrated writer!

Margarita Muniz Academy exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, interview with Peter Ducharme (Program Dir., Bridge Over Troubled Water) to discuss their latest studies on youth homelessness and its effects on their constituents, upcoming Boston Pride Parade.

Haywood Fennell interviews actor & author Vitelle Webb about her upcoming play "9 Lives", healing from varying types of trauma, helping others overcome trauma based on her own experiences, the "9 Lives" world tour, singularly playing a cast of 9 diverse characters, & more. On the 2nd half Haywood expresses concerns about resources for veterans & distrust of the VA.

Guests Senator Lydia Edwards & City Councilor Brian Worell!

Join Dale and Cheryl for a delicious potato salad and a cinnamon coffee cake for Memorial Day! Ep.# 311 PSA Free!

BPS Valedictorian honors at Fenway Park, Teachers from Neighborhood House Charter Schools & Codman Academy rally for 1st union contracts, Harvard St. Neighborhood Health Center's Veteran Outreach Center Boots 2 Technology program helps veterans navigate the digital world, Interview with Greta Hagen of Jane Doe Inc. about how our communities can better support survivors of domestic violence.

Host Rachel Miselman dives into the polarization of politics & politicians, voting based on personality over merit, rewarding & glorifying mediocrity and laziness in politics & society while most others struggle due to the incompetence of those who hold office, the lack of Republican candidates in Boston, the difficulty of obtaining signatures to get on the ballot for municipal elections, & more.

Larry Higginbottom invites Vitelle Webb to the show to discuss her upcoming one-woman show "9 Lives", helping the world heal from varying types of trauma, being her own cast & crew of diverse characters, the show's current world tour, drawing from her own experiences in writing her book & play, working with Tyler Perry, bringing the church to the people, & more! On the 2nd half Larry discusses how recent ICE news reveals the impact of illegal immigration on black workers.

Today on "Words On Film", Dan Burke reviews "Karate Kid: Legends", "Hurry Up Tomorrow", "Jane Austen Wrecked My Life (Jane Austen A Gache Ma Vie)", "Caught By the Tide (Feng Liu Yi Dai)", and "Novocaine". Mr. Burke also runs down the list of movies subject to being released into theaters for the week of June 2nd - 6th, 2025.

Rochelle Jones discusses what it looks like to be an "on fire" person, how you can maintain your fire, and reminds us to make time for God throughout the day. With readings from Romans and Revelations.

Ken Meyer interviews Boston Area Meteorologist about his professional experience as a weatherman across the country as well as working as a local weather reporter for WB56 News Boston.

On Memorial Day, veterans and their families and supporters gathered at the Puerto Rican Veterans Memorial Park to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Bostonians celebrate the opening of the inaugural Boston Public Art Triennial at the MassArt Art Museum. BNN speaks to musicians and attendees at Boston Calling 2025. Hear from bands Holly Roller and Battlemode, as well as Boston Art Review founder Jameson Johnson. Student activists protest the federal government and the administration of Tufts University following the wrongful arrest of Rümeysa Öztürk. The Berklee Popular Music Institute (BPMI) hosts its 23rd annual artist showcase at Brighton Music Hall, with words from bands Park National and Glasshouse. Find out about upcoming summer events in Boston.

Cuban Mic speaks to Giovanni Lazare, filmmaker and mental health advocate. They discuss the need for black men to discuss their mental health more, and Giovanni shares how this need inspired his latest film.

Host Haywood Fennell speaks to Mark W. Kennedy, senior program manager of Chronic Disease Prevention and Control at the Boston Public Health Commission. They discuss health discrepancies between different Boston neighborhoods and ways you can improve your health. They share information about prostate cancer, Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) testing, and the need to get tested.

Join Dale and Cheryl for some jello and some stuffed chicken breast.

Host Brendan O'Connell speaks to Matt Wojciechowski about the March for Life in Ottawa, Canada, as well as the state of abortion and euthanasia policy in Canada.

Larry Higginbottom speaks about the Department of Education and the United States' imperfect education system, and in particular how it fails to properly serve black students. He shares his view that African Americans should start their own schools and educate their own, and discusses his ideas for the curriculum. Larry also talks about how he supported his own daughter's education.

Today on "Words On Film", Dan Burke reviews "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning", "Lilo & Stitch" (2025), "Friendship", "Secret Mall Apatment", and "Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted". Mr. Burke also gives a spoken word preview of movies subject to being released in theaters on May 29th & 30th, 2025.

Rochelle Jones & Pastor James L. Funches Jr. discuss his song "Young And On Fire" & his writing process, praising God with your heart, getting closer to God through music, pursuing a personal relationship with God & running toward God, helping others seek God without judgement, & much more.

Ken Meyer interviews WBCA Producer and Massasoit Community College professor Deborah Shariff about her background in communications & video production, how she obtained her tenure at Massasoit, integrity in media reporting, the ever-changing media landscape, her WBCA show Urban Empowerment Today, & more! They also dedicate the show to the late great Robert Bowers.

The Boston Haitian community celebrates Haitian Flag Day. Hundreds walk in solidarity with those living with obsessive-compulsive disorder at the Boston OCD Walk. Bostonians share their views on rising rent prices and limited housing stock. Hear an interview with Jeff Bellows, vice president of Corporate Citizenship & Public Affairs at Blue Cross Blue Shield, about the benefits of biking and their program with Bluebikes in honor of National Bike Month.

Host Cuban Mic speaks to Andre X, a rapper and producer from Lawrence. He discusses his upbringing, his upcoming album and tour, and the local music scene. Listen to hear Andre X's latest tracks.

Haywood Fennell invites guest Mattie Deed to the show to discuss financial empowerment & education in the black community, working for the Mayor's Financial Empowerment office, being a Boston delegate for the Democratic Party, her poetry, the importance of nurturing and educating our children, stigmas surrounding mental illness in the black community, equitable treatment for veterans, & much more.

Join Dale and Cheryl for some delicious steak, chicken, and hamburgers on the grill! Ep.# 309 PSA Free!

On the 1st half, former District 3 City Councilor Frank Baker discusses his run for City Council At-Large. On the 2nd half, Executive Director of Ranked Choice Voting Boston Ed Shoemaker advocates for Ranked Choice Voting.

Brendan O'Connell interviews Suzanne Guy about her struggle with infertility & refusal of IVF, the risk of amniocentesis causing miscarriage, her steadfastness in denying abortion, bad experiences with doctors during her complicated pregnancy, giving birth to her beloved daughter, holding the medicinal profession to the Hippocratic Oath, & more.

Community leaders and residents gathered outside the Massachusetts State House to protest what they see as overly aggressive immigration enforcement. Boston's Youth Jobs and Resource Fair brings together employers and local students. Sarah Cluggish discusses Project Bread's mission to make food accessible for Bostonians, with initiatives including their annual Walk for Hunger.

Rachel Miselman discusses the importance of civics & civic engagement, acquiring signatures to get on the City Counsel ballot, & more.

Larry Higginbottom explains how entertainment is not the only way out of the hood, there is no longer a lid on occupations for blacks, parents do not prepare their children to be studious, the Democratic Party is the party determined to keep the black community poor, & more.

Today on "Words On Film", Dan Burke reviews "Nonnas", "The Quilters", "Another Simple Favor", and "Drop". Mr. Burke also runs down the list of movies subject to being released into theaters for the week of May 18th - 23rd, 2025.

Host Deborah Shariff welcomes back Aust NeferKa, creator of Tehuti Ma'at Academy. Nef discusses her background including her upbringing in Dorchester where she attended the Mather School, a move to New York City, and a return visit to Cape Verde that gave her new perspective. Learn more about Tehuti Ma'at, including its community garden in Brooklyn and its aim to heal wounds of those descended from enslaved people. For more information: tehutimaat.org

Host & former WNBA star Rhonda Banchero invites Kendra Middleton, radio & television talent of 98.5 The Sports Hub & New England Sports Network NESN, to the show to discuss her background, how she began her sports reporting career & journey, ruffling feathers in the industry by being herself, how she ended up in the Boston sports market, competition between sports reporters, the importance of motherly inspiration, & much more!

Guest Susan Wornick!

At the 29th annual Mother's Day Walk for Peace, mothers and supporters gather to remember their children lost to violence. The Committee on Persons with Disabilities and the Disability Advisory Board holds a forum for residents living with disabilities. City Life / Vida Urbana, housing advocates, and tenants rally against wrongful eviction in Mattapan. MassPort says ride shares to the airport will get more expensive in July—hear what Bostonians think. Hear an interview with Don Gillis, senior advisor to Mayor Ray Flynn and author of The Battle for Boston, which details Mayor Flynn's leadership and work with community organizers.

Cuban Mic speaks to Ana Hebra Flaster, author of the book Property of the Revolution: From a Cuban Barrio to a New Hampshire Mill Town―A Memoir. She discusses growing up in and eventually fleeing Cuba, the disconnect between American and Cuban perspectives on communism, and the values that her parents instilled in her.

Host Haywood Fennell Sr. covers topics literacy, veteran programs and Safety as well as bail with a personal life story.

Join Dale and Cheryl for some delicious standard pancakes and some potato pancakes.

On the 1st half, Don Gillis, author of "The Battle for Boston. On the 2nd half, Lew Finfer, Director of MA for Justice.

Brendan O'Connell interviews guest William Goodman (Full Time Volunteer & Prisoner of Conscience, Red Rose Rescue) about how he got involved with the Pro Life movement, being pardoned by President Trump after being imprisoned for violating the FACE Act, & more.

Today on "Words On Film", Dan Burke reviews "Fight or Flight", "Clown in a Cornfield", "The Alto Knights", and "Better Man". Mr. Burke also gives a spoken-word preview of movies subject to being released into theaters for the week of May 11th - 16th, 2025.

Host Deborah Shariff speaks to Aust NeferKa, creator of Tehuti Ma'at Academy. Learn about the organization, its worker-owned cooperative structure, and its three pillars: healing, creativity, and education. NeferKa also speaks about African identity as something cosmic, and her preference to think of herself as someone of African "ascent". For more information: tehutimaat.org

Host & former WNBA star Rhonda Banchero invites NBC Boston journalist Kwani Lunis to the podcast to share her basketball & journalism background, how she ended up in Boston, all the shows she hosts & works for, how she manages such a busy career, the evolution of media & reporting, & much more!