Erin French’s ascent to rock star chef almost didn’t happen. Before becoming the owner of The Lost Kitchen in Freedom, Maine, she lost nearly everything that mattered in life. This week on NEXT, we talk with French about her journey and new memoir “Finding Freedom.” Plus, as a way to diversify staff and address inequality, more employers are dropping degree requirements for certain jobs — and gaining a market advantage. And we hear from Mardi Fuller, a volunteer leader with Outdoor Afro, about enjoying nature despite the prevalence of the “white colonial imagination.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How The Lost Kitchen’s Star Chef Is ‘Finding Freedom’ After Hitting Rock Bottom; Pushing Past ‘The White Colonial Imagination’ To Enjoy Nature

NEXT was a radio show and podcast that aired its final episode in May 2021 after a successful five-year run. The weekly program focused on New England, one of America's oldest places, at a time of change. NEXT was produced at Connecticut Public Radio and featured stories from journalists across the New England News Collaborative. Most recently, the program was hosted by Morgan Springer.
With New England as our laboratory, NEXT asked questions about how we power our society, how we move around, and how we adapt. Through reporting and interviews, we explored:&nbsp;Where are we now? How did we get here? And what's next?
The New England News Collaborative is a regional partnership of public media stations, with Connecticut Public as the lead station. Partners include Maine Public, New England Public Media, New Hampshire Public Radio, Vermont Public Radio, WBUR, WGBH, WCAI, and WSHU. Vanessa de la Torre is the NENC&rsquo;s executive editor.

News

After five years on air, our weekly program NEXT has ended. The show focused on New England at a time of change and featured stories from journalists across the New England News Collaborative. The good news is that these powerful stories aren’t going away. We are ramping up our next phase of New England reporting to bring you more news and conversations from the region. Executive Editor Vanessa de la Torre explains what’s ahead for the New England News Collaborative, and how you can follow our work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NEXT’s Goodbye — And What’s To Come From The New England News Collaborative

On the final episode of NEXT, Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola talks about the evolution of her poetry, and how she uses futurism to reimagine history. Plus, protesters reflect on what has changed — or not — in the year since George Floyd’s murder. We also speak with band members of Lake Street Dive about their latest album, “Obviously.” And finally, to mark the end of NEXT, Executive Editor Vanessa de la Torre joins us to explain what’s ahead for the New England News Collaborative. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Final Episode: How Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola Reimagines History; Protesters Reflect On The Year That Changed Us

Rebecca Carroll’s new memoir details her experiences as a Black child raised by adoptive white parents in rural New Hampshire. This week on NEXT, Carroll talks about “Surviving The White Gaze.” Plus, epidemiologist and physician Dr. Sandro Galea on the impact of structural issues on public health — and how we should prepare for the next pandemic. And we learn about the practice of “green” burials, and why they’re becoming more popular. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reflecting On ‘Surviving The White Gaze’; Why Green Burials Are Surging In Popularity

Millions of people in the U.S. left the workforce as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. A majority of them were women. This week on NEXT, we hear from women who left their jobs and talk with an expert about the stressors  — and what recovery might look like. Plus, high school English teacher Takeru Nagayoshi on what he’s learned in this past year of hybrid teaching. And we remember trans activist and ballroom icon Jahaira DeAlto. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘It’s Like Climbing Up A Mudslide’: Pandemic Pushes Women Out Of The Workforce

Alison Bechdel’s new graphic novel depicts her life through fitness. This week on NEXT, we talk with Bechdel about ‘The Secret to Superhuman Strength,' which is more about a state of being than six-pack abs. Plus, advocates make the case for colleges to hire more diverse financial firms to manage billion-dollar endowments. And scholar-activist Katharine Morris reflects on her experience at the intersection of racism, environmental justice and public health, and her framework for moving forward. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How The Lost Kitchen’s Star Chef Is ‘Finding Freedom’ After Hitting Rock Bottom; Pushing Past ‘The White Colonial Imagination’ To Enjoy Nature

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