A Lively Experiment Podcast

A Lively Experiment is a weekly News & Politics program on Rhode Island PBS. Tune in each Friday at 7:00 pm for new episodes regarding the political climate in Rhode Island.

Subscribe via:

Former State Reps Mike Marcello and Nick Gorham, and The Boston Globe’s Steph Machado join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss an Ethics complaint settled from the Philadelphia fiasco business trip last year, Steph’s report on Central Falls’ strategy for dealing with cellphones in schools, who will be held responsible for the Washington Bridge closure?

The Providence Journal’s Amy Russo, The Boston Globe’s Ed Fitzpatrick, and Political Contributor Scott MacKay join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss Pete Buttigieg’s visit to the Washington Bridge, noise cameras proposed in Providence, a bill related to the Access to Public Records Act, and walking back some changes to PVD Fest.

The Boston Globe’s Dan McGowan, Political Strategist Rob Horowitz, and Republican Strategist Lisa Pelosi join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss the Washington Bridge’s impending demolition, RIPTA underfunding and new bus hub, McKee asks for salary raises for cabinet members, safe weapons storage bill advances to senate floor, plus political leaders in D.C. taking on TikTok.

Former Cranston Mayor (R ) Allan Fung, Brown University Professor Wendy Schiller, and Former Chairman of the RI Democratic Party Bill Lynch join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss Biden’s State of the Union address, RI bills addressing healthcare, forgiving student loans, and the Washington Bridge debacle.

Bartholomewtown Podcast Host Bill Bartholomew, The Rhode Island Current’s Nancy Lavin, and Political Contributor Raymond Baccari join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss the lack of affordable housing across the state, the future of RIPTA, the fate of the Washington Bridge, plus voter enthusiasm among Millennials and Gen Z.

The Providence Journal’s Antonia Noori Farzan, Author Ken Block, and BLM RI’s Harrison Tuttle join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss Tidewater Landing to cost taxpayers more than $100M, the RI tourism board released a new slogan and series of promotional videos, RI DOT announces a plan to squeeze six lanes onto the open side of the bridge, plus RIPTA proposes numerous route cuts.

The Boston Globe’s Amanda Milkovits, Retired Professor Pablo Rodriguez, and the Economic Progress Institute Executive Director Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss how Gov. McKee and the DOT has handled the bridge debacle, shocking maternal mortality statistics in RI, a scathing report on St. Mary’s Home for Children, and legislative priorities for this session.

The Public’s Radio Ian Donnis, National Committeewoman for the RI GOP Sue Cienki, and Legal Analyst Lou Pulner join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss the Federal Highway Administration visits the Washington Bridge, retirees in RI feeling squeezed by pension cuts, magistrates could hear more cases, and a report card released about the public’s ability to make comments in meetings.

The Boston Globe’s Steph Machado, Providence College’s Adam Myers, and Political Contributor Don Roach join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss internal emails released about the Washington Bridge closure, Fenton-Fung enters the race for Cranston mayor, an interview with Providence Police Chief Perez, and the future of public transportation in Rhode Island.



RI Republican National Committeeman Steve Frias, Former RI State Rep. (D) Mike Marcello, and Republican Strategist Lisa Pelosi join Moderator Jim Hummel to discuss the fate of the Washington Bridge, McKee ethics investigation dismissed, what’s in (and out) of the budget this year, and will police reform finally pass this year?