Laura Modlin interviews Melissa McDowell on how she cured herself with food. "I have met a lot of people in the local food movement who were set on their path to championing better food after curing themselves with what they ate. So, I am pleased to be able to interview one very special lady on WPKN who did just that." ~ LauraPhoto courtesy of Melissa McDowell.

On the August 17, 2025 episode of Mic Check, host Mike Merli sat down with Barbara Fair.Born and raised in New Haven, Barbara graduated with an MSW (Master’s in Social Work) from Southern Connecticut State University, who presented her in 2022 with a Presidential Gold Medal naming her as a woman of distinction for her many years fighting for prison reform. Barbara is currently Director of Stop Solitary CT, and has spent much of her life in the struggle for racial and social justice in Connecticut and across the nation. Barbara’s most rewarding role in life is as a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. During the discussion, they touch on two important events happening this week:On Thursday August 21, from 6pm to 9pm, Stop Solitary CT will hold their monthly Community Meeting, at the Whitneyville Cultural Commons (1253 Whitney Avenue) in Hamden, Connecticut. The discussion will bring together private Defense Attorneys, Prosecutors, and civil rights activist Abraham Santiago.On Friday August 22, at 9am, Barbara and Stop Solitary CT will be gathering in front of Hartford Superior Court (95 Washington Street) for a vigil before a hearing where the court will decide whether or not to publicly release the video of J'Allen Jones' March 2018 death at Garner Correctional Institution in Newtown.Barbara Fair can be reached at:[email protected] info on Stop Solitary CT at:www.stopsolitaryct.org/x.com/stopsolitaryctwww.instagram.com/stopsolitaryct/More info on the death of J'Allen Jones at:www.ctinsider.com/news/article/jal…uit-19813830.phpwww.wfsb.com/2024/10/18/frustra…to%20be%20releasedwww.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/h…eath-of-an-inmate/www.nhregister.com/news/article/ac…ecount=MA%3D%3D

After the US election in 2024, American’s were flooded with what they could expect from the incoming administration in the first 100 Days. The news was filled with the horrors to come, Isabelle Barbour initiated her own 100 Days from January 20th to April 29th of 2025. She set out to connect, hold space, and listen to people across the country about what they were feeling, doing, what they feared and what they loved. This is part 2 of of the 100 Days Project story and features the five people that Isabelle recorded with -- in the last 50 days.

 After the US election in 2024, American’s were flooded with what they could expect from the incoming administration in the first 100 Days. The news was filled of the horrors to come, Isabelle Barbour initiated her own 100 Days from January 20th to April 29th of 2025. She set out to connect, hold space, and listen to people across the country about what they were feeling, doing, what they feared and what they loved. This is part 1 and features eight people that Isabelle recorded with in the first 50 days.

On the July 20, 2025 episode of Mic Check, host Mike Merli sits down with José Sandoval aka Abu-Reza, Bridgeport resident and member of the Bridgeport Islamic Community Center (BICC) community. The program features Mike and José discussing the life of Percy Berry, as well as reflections from James Shaham, Hamza Seyal, Fernando Gonzalez, Zain Seyal, and Bisher Hiba, who all knew Percy and are heard here honoring and celebrating his life.Percy was a beloved member of Bridgeport's Muslim community, as well as a Justice Adviser for the Connecticut Justice Alliance, which works to keep children and youth out of the legal system by disrupting and dismantling the pathways that funnel children and youth into courts and prisons. Through that work, Percy spoke at the Connecticut state legislature, testified in hearings, and worked to help others in numerous ways. He played an important role behind the scenes that helped lead to SB 1542 being passed and signed into law. SB 1542 called for restricting the use of handcuffs and restraints on Connecticut kids age 14 and under. More information on the Connecticut Justice Alliance can be found at:https://ctja.org/https://www.facebook.com/CTJusticeAlliance/https://www.instagram.com/ctjusticealliance/More information on the Bridgeport Islamic Community Center can be found at:https://www.mybicc.org/https://www.facebook.com/mybicc/

Laura Modlin interviews Annie Hornish, Connecticut state director and lobbyist for Humane World for Animals, on 2025 Connecticut bill outcomes in Hartford, how to keep your pets safe in summer heat & tips on living with bears.Photo by Laura Modlin.

Laura Modlin interviews Susan Masino, a neuroscientist and professor of Applied Science at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, on how being in nature impacts brain health.Photo by Laura Modlin.

Isabelle Barbour spoke to people around the country about the first hundred days of the Trump administration. This story focuses on the experiences of mothers, grandmothers, activists, and protesters. The piece features the voices of Omkari Williams (https://www.omkariwilliams.com), AC Shilton (https://acshilton.com), Grandma’s for Love co-founder, Shirley Hershey Showalter https://grandmasforlove.com/ and more! You can learn more about Isabelle by visiting isabellebarbour.com

Laura Modlin interviews Annie Hornish for an update on environmental-themed bills in Hartford, Connecticut this legislative session. Including the bear bills!Annie is Connecticut State Director and lobbyist for Humane World for Animals (formerly The Humane Society of the United States) and a former Connecticut state representative for the 62nd district.Photo courtesy of ctbears.org.

It’s that time of year. Wildlife babies are coming into the world. Sometimes in our own backyard. Learn how to tell the difference between those who are orphaned and ones who are in no danger and what to do to help them all. Laura Modlin interviews Laura Simon, wildlife ecologist and president of the Connecticut Wildlife Rehabilitators Association.Photo courtesy of Laura Simon.