With all the damage we've seen from massive storms that have hit the US in recent years, including some devastating flooding right here in Massachusetts, there are a lot of questions about who, exactly, should get flood insurance. Is it worth it? Bill Martin, CEO of Plymouth Rock Home Assurance, talks with Nichole about the pros and cons, and what you should consider if you're thinking about a policy.

A cancer diagnosis can be devastating for anyone, but it's especially so when it happens to a child. Families rally to support their loved one while they navigate treatment, but it can take a toll on everyone involved. Anna's Pals, a non-profit in West Roxbury, is slowly but surely creating a special getaway for these families where they can sit back, relax, and take a breath on the Cape. Kristina Jerome, Founder of Anna's Pals, shares details about their efforts to build this beach home in her late daughter's memory.

These days, you can get pretty much anything you want out of a vending machine, but they're also playing an important role in Boston's public health efforts. North End Waterfront Health is using these machines to provide basic necessities and harm-reduction supplies to people who are unhoused, low on cash, or navigating substance use. David Perry, Director of Substance Use Disorder Services, and Nadya Zaltsman, a recovery coach at NEW Health, are on the show this week to talk about the importance of low-barrier, judgment-free options to help people in need.

Scammers are always going to try and find a way to steal your hard-earned money, your personal information, your medical details - anything they can get from you. These days, that also includes your home and property, and they're doing it through "quit claim deed scams". It's happening in New Hampshire, so Senior Assistant Attorney General Brandon Garod talks with Nichole this week about how this scam works and share steps you can take to make sure your property isn't stolen from under your nose.

Despite all the rain we've had this spring (so many Saturdays washed out!), it's still a great time to get outside and explore in the woods, in meadows, up trees - you name it. Trouble is, in all those places, you're at risk of picking up a hitch-hiker: a tick! They can share some pretty concerning illnesses, but there are ways to protect yourself. Dr. Joao Tavares, Infectious Disease Specialist at Cape Cod Healthcare in Hyannis, joins the show this week for some "tick talk".

Most of the clothing in our closets is a few years old, max. Maybe you have some vintage in there, but nothing quite like the closet at the Plymouth Antiquarian Society. They have a treasure trove of clothing that, in some cases, is centuries old! As we approach the nation's 250th anniversary, the Society is highlighting some of its prized Revolutionary-era pieces. Executive Director Patrick Browne shares stories about the collection and talks about the efforts they take to preserve these special garments.

This segment is the seventh interview in our series "Revolutionary Roots", where we take a closer look at the stories, people, events, and local ties that connect New England to the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary in 2026.

There's a lot of food out there that's perfectly good to eat, but, for whatever reason, isn't easily sold. Perhaps it has bruises, it's *just* past the expiration date, or the packaging is off. Meals made for big functions often just end up in the trash if no one comes to consume them. Spoonfuls in Newton, a "food recovery" service, works each and every day to track down consumables that are destined for the landfill and redirect them to people in need around the Commonwealth. Erin Keohane, the Chief Advancement Officer at Spoonfuls, talks with Nichole about their process, why their services are needed more now than ever, and the roadblocks they're dealing with involving federal funding and support.

When we talk about the American Revolution, we're often talking about the patriots and revolutionaries who rose up and fought back against the British, especially in Massachusetts where so much of the movement took root. In Weston, there's a museum telling a story that you may not have heard that often: the story of the Loyalists, or Redcoats, who wanted to stay loyal to Britain. Katie Campbell, the Executive Director of the Golden Ball Tavern Museum in Weston, talks with Nichole about their new exhibit focusing on colonial espionage and sheds light into the life of a prominent Loyalist.

This segment is the sixth interview in our series "Revolutionary Roots", where we take a closer look at the stories, people, events, and local ties that connect New England to the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary in 2026.

Do you know how much energy you're really using when you're generating those cute videos and photos on AI platforms like ChatGPT, Copilot or Gemini? It's likely a lot more than you think. With so many people utilizing these platforms, entering all kinds of prompts, it's very quickly starting to put stress on our power grid. Matthew Carrara of Doble Engineering in Marlborough talks with Nichole about what's really happening behind the scenes, and what needs to be done to ensure our infrastructure is able to keep up.