Ever wondered how to turn your passion into policy? In this episode, we're joined by Professor Victoria Litman of Roger Williams School of Law, who breaks down how everyday Rhode Islanders can become powerful advocates at the state and local level. From writing letters to testifying at the State House, she shares simple, actionable steps to influence the laws that shape your life.

Victoria, a nationally recognized researcher in cannabis and psychedelics regulation, details her personal journey advocating for Bill H7047, which aimed to legalize the possession of psychedelic mushrooms but ultimately did not pass. She emphasizes why showing up — especially for the long game — matters, and how your voice can help educate lawmakers and drive meaningful change.

Resources:

Victoria Litman

https://law.rwu.edu/faculty/victoria-litman

Bill H7047

https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2024/02/01/push-to-legalize-magic-mushrooms-is-back-before-house-judiciary-committee/

Freedom to Read Act https://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/15/ril.pressrelease.inputform/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31-3c10-431c-8dcd-9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=375699

Petrie-Flom Center

https://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/

Capitol TV

https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv/

Have an episode idea? Email us at [email protected].

This week on Law 401, we’re joined by Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies, Executive Director of the Economic Progress Institute, to unpack the sweeping federal legislation known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill." Weayonnoh and her team of experts dug through all 870 pages to break down what really matters for Rhode Islanders.

From massive cuts to Medicaid and SNAP to the broader legal and civil rights implications, we explore the details that affect you.  Who’s most impacted? And how can Rhode Island respond? Tune in for a thoughtful, grounded conversation about law, policy, and the future of equity in our state.

Highlights:

Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies: https://law.rwu.edu/student-life/stories/if-theres-life-theres-hope

Resources:

OBBB https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1/text

Commentary: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/21/metro/commentary-trump-era-tax-bill-medicaid-snap-rhode-island-tax-policy/

Economic Progress Institute: https://economicprogressri.org/

This episode thrives on podcast partnership.

Drawing on decades of reporting, Ed offers insight into the rising tension between free speech, press freedom, and the right to a fair trial in an era of digital half-truths.

Resources:

• Ed’s Bio: https://www.bostonglobe.com/about/staff-list/staff/edward-fitzpatrick/

Hungry for more media discussion? Join Boston Globe at the Rhode Map Live event: Telling Rhode Island’s Story: The Future of Local Media. Tuesday, Sept. 30. Info and registration via https://rhodemapliveseptember30.splashthat.com/ 

Zoning laws, red tape, and outdated building restrictions are blocking the housing Rhode Islanders desperately need. In this episode of Law 401, House Speaker Joe Shekarchi joins us to break down how the General Assembly is fighting the housing crisis by passing laws to fix a system that keeps homes out of reach for so many.

In this episode, we cover:

• How zoning laws have slowed housing growth, and what’s changing

PLUS: The HASBRO Headquarters move

Resources: 

• Speaker Shekarchi’s Bio: https://www.rilegislature.gov/representatives/Shekarchi/Pages/Biography.aspx

• 2025 R.I. Housing Legislation: https://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/RIL.PressRelease.ListStructure/Forms/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31%2D3c10%2D431c%2D8dcd%2D9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=375110&Web=2bab1515%2D0dcc%2D4176%2Da2f8%2D8d4beebdf488\

• 2024 R.I. Housing Bills Passed:  https://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/15/ril.pressrelease.inputform/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31-3c10-431c-8dcd-9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=374721

• HousingWorks R.I. 2024 Factbook: https://d337wih8hx5yft.cloudfront.net/images/Publications/HWRI_HFB24.pdf

• Chapter 37: RI Fair Housing Practices Act https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE34/34-37/INDEX.HTM

What’s a tariff — and why do they have the power to shake the global economy, trigger political showdowns, and hit your wallet at the grocery store?

In this episode of Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded, co-hosts Nicole P. Dyszlewski and Michael Donnelly-Boylen explore how tariffs impact everything from international trade to Rhode Island’s local businesses. They’re joined by Gregory W. Bowman, Dean of Roger Williams University School of Law and former international trade attorney, for a deep dive into how this complex economic tool works — and why we should all be paying attention.

In this episode, we cover:

• What tariffs are and how they influence global trade relationships

Whether you’re a student of law, a small business owner, or someone trying to make sense of trade wars in the news, this episode unpacks the legal and practical sides of tariffs in an accessible way.

Listen now and subscribe to Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded — legal conversations made accessible.

Rhode Island Impacts:

• Polaris MEP "Tariff Impact Report" (June 2025) https://polarismep.org/news/tariff-impact-report/

When reports surfaced about a longtime high school coach conducting "fat tests" behind closed doors, the story shocked Rhode Island — and raised serious legal and ethical questions about student safety, institutional responsibility, and transparency in public education.

In this episode of Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded, co-hosts Nicole P. Dyszlewski and Michael Donnelly-Boylen are joined by investigative reporter Tim White of WPRI 12 (and RWU Law MSL '22) to unpack the disturbing case out of North Kingstown. Together, they explore what went wrong, why it took so long to come to light, and what it tells us about how misconduct is handled in schools.

In this episode, we cover:

• What happened in the North Kingstown “fat test” scandal — and how it unfolded

This episode explores not just a local scandal but a broader reckoning over power, trust, and institutional silence.

Listen now and subscribe to Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded — legal conversations made accessible.

• People Magazine: "Former High School Basketball Coach Accused of Molesting Boys During Nude 'Fat Testing' Goes to Trial"  
  

Across the country, battles over book bans are intensifying — and Rhode Island is not immune. Who decides what’s appropriate to read? Who gets to make that call for children, schools, and public libraries?

In this episode of Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded, co-hosts Nicole P. Dyszlewski and Michael Donnelly-Boylen explore the growing wave of book challenges and censorship efforts, and how they intersect with law, policy, and free expression. They’re joined by Cheryl Space, Director of the Community Libraries of Providence, and Dan Novack, Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Penguin Random House, to discuss the implications of book bans in Rhode Island andbeyond.

In this episode, we cover:

• How library book challenges typically begin — and who decides what stays on shelves

From libraries to classrooms to courtrooms, this episode dives deep into the fight over access to ideas — and what it means for democracy.

Resource links:

• House Bill 5726 (Freedom to Read Act – PDF: https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText25/HouseText25/H5726.pdf

Listen now and subscribe to Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded — legal conversations made accessible.

New federal student loan changes could transform how Rhode Islanders pay for college, graduate school, and professional degrees — while proposed shifts at the U.S. Department of Education could reshape K–12 classrooms. From borrowing caps to changes in Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) to the future of federal education support, what’s at stake for students and families across the state?

On Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded, co-hosts Nicole Dyszlewski and Michael Donnelly-Boylen talk with U.S. Senator Jack Reed about the legal, financial, and policy impacts of these changes

Topics include:

• Key changes to federal student loan programs and who they affect

Listen and subscribe to Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded — legal conversations made accessible. Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF):
  

Starting with this episode, Law 401 will now release weekly — new episodes every Tuesday.

In this episode of Law 401, we break down Rhode Island’s journey to legalize adult-use cannabis and what that means for everyday users, lawmakers, and communities most affected by past drug policies. Joined by Kim Ahern, Chair of the Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission, and Michelle Reddish, a national cannabis regulator now leading Rhode Island’s cannabis office, the discussion covers the new legal framework, the social equity program, zoning rules, dispensary access, and what’s next for cannabis compliance and community reinvestment.

Whether you’re a cannabis policy nerd, a concerned citizen, or just wondering where to legally buy a gummy — this episode is for you.

For resources, please check out:

Cannabis Control  Commission RI   https://ccc.ri.gov/

Why can’t Rhode Islanders afford to live where they work? Why are evictions rising? And what legal protections — if any — exist for people at risk of losing their homes?

In this powerful episode of Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded, co-hosts Nicole Dyszlewski and Michael Donnelly-Boylen tackle the state’s growing housing crisis. They’re joined by Brenda Clement, Executive Director of HousingWorks RI, and Suzy Harrington-Steppen, Associate Director of Pro Bono Programs at RWU Law, to unpack the legal, economic, and human realities of unaffordable housing and increasing evictions across Rhode Island.

In this episode, we cover:

•What “affordable housing” actually means (and why it’s out of reach for many)

•How local zoning laws and outdated housing stock are holding Rhode Island back

•Why eviction filings are back to pre-pandemic levels — and who’s being hit hardest

•What legal resources exist for tenants and where the system falls short

•The link between substandard housing, health, and education outcomes

•What the future of housing in RI could look like with new legislation and advocacy

Whether you’re a renter, homeowner, policymaker, or concerned citizen, this episode reveals how deeply housing affects everyone — and why we all need to be part of the solution.

Rhode Island Housing Works: https://www.housingworksri.org/

2024 RI Housing Fact Book: https://d337wih8hx5yft.cloudfront.net/images/Publications/HWRI_HFB24.pdf

Evicted by Mark Desmond: https://evictedbook.com/

Rhode Island Legal Services/RI Fair Housing: https://rifairhousing.org/

Center for Justice: https://centerforjustice.org/

South Coast Fair Housing: https://southcoastfairhousing.org/

Rhode Island Commission to End Homelessness: https://www.rihomeless.org/

🎧 Listen now and subscribe to Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded — legal conversations made accessible.