This week on Small Town Scuttlebutt, Rick kicks things off with big news about a new comedy show he’s hosting. Then Evan dives into the NBA gambling scandal with his trademark mix of excitement and conspiracy. Finally, Liz opens up about her 17-year-old son’s shifting priorities and the parental struggle of trying to keep a teenager grounded in reality.

Three hosts. Three stories. One show cut short because of a spam call that stopped the recording going into the second half.

When does “living with Mom” stop being traditional and start being tragic? There is a growing trend of grown men staying home while their mothers head to work—and pay the bills. Also, Rick enjoys a trip to NYC while hoards of angry people in his small town assemble on street corners for No King's Day, Evan gets caught in a coven of witches, and Liz falls in love with a chatbot!

In this episode, Rick talks with Richie Welch — a contractor by day and a stand-up comedian by night. Richie represents the fourth generation of his family working at Welch Corp, a major player in Boston’s construction and redevelopment scene. When he’s not on a job site, he’s performing or producing comedy shows around Boston.

Rick and Richie also get into parking etiquette, New England sports teams, and the South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade — plus a few other topics along the way.

This week on Small Town Scuttlebutt, Rick, Liz, and Evan cover the kind of news that makes you wonder if anyone’s in charge anymore. A brand-new house gets built on land that was never even sold, a squirrel goes feral, and Rick finds himself fending off a pack of 30 cyclists who confuse the road for a parade route. Meanwhile, Liz greenlights her son’s mid-season football debut, and Evan witnesses his nephew’s spectacular crash-and-burn attempt at wedding romance. It’s local logic meets national nonsense—with all the judgment you’ve come to love.

Rick sits down with his longtime friend Jim James for a conversation that’s less about winning arguments and more about asking questions. The two dive into current headlines—Pete Hegseth shaking things up at the Department of Defense, Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension, Bad Bunny snagging the Super Bowl Halftime slot, and a few other cultural curveballs.

The twist? Rick and Jim don’t see eye-to-eye on much, and that’s the point. They trade insights, laugh at the absurdities of the news cycle, and prove that you can disagree without being disagreeable. Ten-plus years of friendship and plenty of global chaos later, they’re still finding common ground where it matters: enjoying the conversation.

In this episode, Rick sits down for an in-depth one-on-one with Pablo Gazmuri, AI & Healthcare Technology Leader at Microsoft. They dive into the fast-evolving world of artificial intelligence—what it can already do, what’s coming next, and how it’s transforming the way we monitor and manage our health. Pablo shares practical insights into the future of AI-powered healthcare, along with tips on how individuals can use these tools today. The conversation takes a fun turn as they explore Pablo’s passion for astrophotography—and yes, Rick makes sure to ask him about aliens.

You've seen the altercation where a crazy lady gets in a guy's face about a baseball. Now let's talk big picture here, she was wrong but is it alright for society to endlessly mock, condemn, and chastise her? 67% of the hosts of this show say, "yes!". Also, starting your day with a jump-scare, kids don't like starting school later, and getting your annual physical every seven years.

Most people in your community know where to find answers regarding town affairs. The others go to Facebook because, well, um, meh - we don't know. Liz presents a case study in passive aggressive bitchery (yes, that's a word). It's been going on for almost a week! Are these two "ladies" done yet? Also, Evan is mad that school starts before Labor Day and Rick is still reading the school emails that have flooded his inbox.

Everyone’s chasing happiness, but some folks need GPS. Rick brings an article busting the myth that minimalism brings joy, suggesting community involvement instead. Liz hates it for a billion reasons, and Evan’s just thrilled his kid’s at summer camp for two weeks.

Rick "went on vacation in Belmont, MA" and spent six days at McLean Hospital, a renowned psychiatric care, research, and education facility. He talks about what led him to admit himself, and walks us through the whole experience from intake to discharge. Did Rick come out a better man? You decide!

RICK'S MESSAGE TO LISTENERS - If you are suffering from depression and do not know where to begin recovery, please call 988. It is the mental health number for crisis support in the United States and is available 24/7 for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. You can also reach out to the National Mental Health Hotline at 866-903-3787.