The Portsmouth Historical Society is celebrating the season with its annual gingerbread house exhibition, and these aren't your everyday cookie creations! The city's celebrating a special anniversary by honoring their neighbors through gingerbread, lovingly piecing together replicas of some of the city's most iconic buildings - and some you may not know about. Kait Smith chairs the event committee for the Historical Society, and she's a big lover of gingerbread herself. She joins the show to talk about the event, and also shares some tips on how to build the perfect gingerbread structure.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here in Massachusetts, almost a third of people who find themselves in prison for a crime eventually re-offend and find themselves back behind bars. Experts say a major contributing factor is a lack of support for people leaving prison, something that My Brother's Keeper 617 is working to change in the city of Boston. Mario Rodrigues and Satero DaVeiga are part of a team that's launched a new program to help recently released inmates develop critical skills to join the trades and give them the resources they need to start a new phase of their life. Rodrigues and DaVeiga join Nichole this week to talk about the group's history, their new program, and the other ways they help the community.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you think of robots, you may not necessarily think of them inside your body. A research team at Tufts University teamed up with Harvard researchers to do just that. They've discovered "anthrobots", tiny living robots made from human cells, and they say this could lead to major developments in modern medicine and healthcare. Prof. Michael Levin and Gizem Gumuskaya talk with Nichole about their research, the science and ethics of their discovery, and what they hope to see happen with this new creation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this month, a little harbor seal named Cuyahoga was rescued off the shores of Cape Ann. This small seal was in awful shape and is getting some much needed TLC at the National Marine Life Center in Buzzards Bay. Cuyahoga is one of many animals that find themselves stranded each year along the shores of New England. What do you do if you find a turtle or seal that's struggling? NMLC Executive Director Connie Merigo talks with Nichole about Cuyahoga's recovery and how you can help other animals in a similar bind.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost 20 years ago, Cherylann Walsh decided to make a change in her community, serving residents right out of her own home. That desire to help others has grown into Project Just Because, an organization in Hopkinton that makes sure everyone who needs a meal can get it, regardless of allergies, dietary restrictions, or family size. Project Just Because also works to keep residents safe, healthy, and full of joy through their programs. Cherylann and Erica Solitro join Nichole to talk about their efforts and how you can help them provide for Massachusetts families in need.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The holiday season is here, and while this is normally a time full of joy and togetherness, it can also be a time of extreme loneliness for seniors who may not be able to get out and about as much as they used to, or aren't receiving as many visits from family and friends. Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly in Boston engage with seniors in public and affordable housing all year long, helping them socialize with their neighbors and learn new skills. Nikki Shults, Executive Director of LBFE Boston, joins Nichole on the show this week to talk about their work and their holiday plans for local seniors.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beautiful banners have been installed along Blue Hill Avenue in Dorchester, Roxbury and Mattapan. Each banner highlights one of Boston's Black female leaders - some you may know well, others you have yet to learn about. The public art project is the brainchild of Ed Gaskin, the Executive Director of Greater Grove Hall Main Streets. It's a labor of love, and he talks with Nichole this week about how his vision to honor these powerful and beloved women is finally coming to fruition.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Massachusetts emergency shelter system is officially overburdened, according to state data, and officials say they have to turn away families while putting them on a waitlist. While the ongoing migrant crisis is contributing to this, there are other factors forcing residents onto the streets, including inflation and the skyrocketing cost of housing. Pine Street Inn in Boston has been working for years to create more permanent supportive housing in the Boston area, hoping to uplift those who find themselves at their lowest and help them get back on their feet. Lyndia Downie returns to the show to update Nichole on their efforts and talk about what's fueling the Commonwealth's housing emergency.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As more companies look ahead to a more sustainable future, researchers are taking a closer look at how non-recyclable materials like plastic can become greener for their work. Xheme, a startup in Newton at UMass Amherst's Mount Ida Campus, has been working for years on special additives that are getting the job done, and could eventually revolutionize how we store substances like blood. Founder, President and Chief Scientific Officer Kumar Challa talks with Nichole about the science behind their additives and how UMass has helped them in their work.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The early winter darkness is here in New England, and that's got a lot of us settling in for the season. It's easy to sit at home, take more naps, get cozy... but it's also easy to slip into what's called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. It's not just a bad mood or the blues. Dr. Michelle DiBlasi, psychiatrist at Tufts Medical Center, talks with Nichole about what SAD is, how you can tell when you're dealing with it, and how to overcome it.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.