Learning to Pray with Father James Martin, S.J.
Air Dates: July 19-25, 2021 The faithful among us often learn to pray as children. We ask for things. We might even, sometimes, say thank you. Father James Martin asks what it would mean to pray like adults—and offers insights about faith in public life and the challenges to democracy. Rev. James Martin, SJ, is a Jesuit priest, editor at large of America magazine and consultor to the Vatican’s Dicastery … Read More
“Story in the Public Square:” A Look Back at One Year in Virtual Production
Above: Author and comedian Gina Brillon prepares to tape an episode of “Story in the Public Square” virtually with hosts Jim Ludes and G. Wayne Miller in November 2020. Below: Jim Ludes’ home studio. In early 2020, news of the coronavirus’ spread across the globe made headlines. As the first cases emerged in Rhode Island, schools and offices closed; it became clear production of “Story in the Public Square” was … Read More
Bringing Powerful Subjects to the Big Screen with Elaine McMillion Sheldon
Air Dates: July 13-18, 2021 Documentary filmmakers take us into the lives of their subjects in a way that the written word can’t capture. We see what they see. We get a sense of the physical space they occupy with our own eyes. We hear their voices. Elaine McMillion Sheldon weaves these elements together in powerful films that explore everything from love to addiction. McMillion Sheldon is an Academy Award-nominated, … Read More
Fifty-Six Rhode Island Students Awarded Pell Medal for Excellence in U.S. History
Newport, R.I. — Fifty-six students from across Rhode Island have earned the Herbert and Claiborne Pell Medal for U.S. History this year. The award was originally presented by Senator Claiborne Pell and his wife, Mrs. Nuala Pell, recognizes college and high school students in the state who have excelled in U.S. History. Established by the Pell family, the Pell Medal is named for Representative Herbert C. Pell and his son, Senator Claiborne Pell. … Read More
Fighting for Human Rights for all Americans with Kylar Broadus
Air Dates: July 5-11, 2021 The Human Rights Campaign estimates that there are 2 million transgender people living in the United States, today. Yet Kylar Broadus says the fight for human rights is not yet won as long as transgender Americans lack equal rights under the law. Kylar Broadus is a Black trans man that has been a pioneer in the movement as an attorney, long-time activist, public speaker, author … Read More
Uncovering the Truth Behind a Haunting Holocaust Photograph with Wendy Lower
Air Dates: June 21-27, 2021 In 2009, an acclaimed historian of the Holocaust was shown a picture of one family’s execution by Ukrainian allies of the Nazis some 70 years earlier. In the years that followed, Dr. Wendy Lower’s research gave names to the victims and the killers and lays bare the horror of the Holocaust on an intimate, personal level. Dr. Lower is an acclaimed historian and widely published … Read More
Exploring Heartache Through Word and Music with Dessa
Air Dates: June 14-20, 2021 Everyone of us knows heartache—the sweet melancholy of a love that just doesn’t work. Multi-talented Dessa traces much of her musical inspiration to that pain, and commissioned a team of neuroscientists to help her fall out of love. Dessa is a singer, rapper and writer whose musical resume includes performances at Lollapalooza and Glastonbury, co-compositions for 100-voice choir, performances with the Minnesota Orchestra, and top-200 … Read More
Harnessing Love as a Force for Pivotal Change with Valarie Kaur
Air Dates: June 7-13, 2021 Love is the stuff of poetry, and heartache, and hope, and songs. Valarie Kaur says love can be revolutionary and is needed as a public ethic to confront hate, and nationalism, and the violence born from ignorance. Valarie Kaur is a renowned civil rights leader, lawyer, best-selling author, award-winning filmmaker, educator, innovator, and celebrated prophetic voice. She leads the Revolutionary Love Project with a mission … Read More
Earning, Learning and Serving: Jamie Merisotis on Human Work in the Age of Smart Machines
Air Dates: May 30-June 6, 2021 The prognosticators of doom would have you believe that humanity is cursed to a future without work as Artificial Intelligence replaces people in the workforce. But Jamie Merisotis says we’ll still be working—doing the kinds of things only human beings can do. Jamie Merisotis is a globally recognized leader in philanthropy, education, and public policy and the author of “Human Work in the Age … Read More
“Story in the Public Square” Wins Bronze in 42nd-Annual Telly Awards
NEWPORT, RI (May 25, 2021) – “Story in the Public Square” has won bronze for excellence in Public Interest Television in the 42nd Annual Telly Awards, the fifth Telly Award win for the nationally-broadcast show. This year, “Story in the Public Square” was honored with a bonze award for its 2020 episode featuring Elizabeth Rush, author of “Rising: Dispatches from the New American Shore,” a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in General … Read More