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: Where are we now? How did we get h...
Latest episodes
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7 min
NEXT’s Goodbye — And What’s To Come From The New England News Collaborative
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 Co…
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50 min
The Final Episode: How Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola Reimagines History; Protesters Reflect On The Yea…
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 reflec…
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50 min
Reflecting On ‘Surviving The White Gaze’; Why Green Burials Are Surging In Popularity
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…
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50 min
‘It’s Like Climbing Up A Mudslide’: Pandemic Pushes Women Out Of The Workforce
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…
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50 min
Alison Bechdel On ‘The Secret To Superhuman Strength'; Advocates Push Colleges To Hire More Black-Owned Firms…
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…
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50 min
‘The Happiness Lab’ Professor On Ways We Can Be Happier; How Jonny Sun Is Learning To Balance Work And Rest
When Professor Laurie Santos first offered a course about psychology and happiness at Yale University, over a thousand students signed up. This week on NEXT, Santos gives us tips o…
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50 min
‘It’s My Future’: Young Activists Take On Climate Change; How We Can Adapt To Electric Vehicles
By the time today’s teenagers are fifty, they’ll be living in a very different New England. This week on NEXT, we hear from young climate activists around our region about how they…
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50 min
How The Lost Kitchen’s Star Chef Is ‘Finding Freedom’ After Hitting Rock Bottom; Pushing Past ‘The White Colon…
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…
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50 min
A Non-Binary Child And Their Family Explore Identity; The Impact Of Banning Race-Based Hair Discrimination
A few years ago, Hallel came out as a “boy-girl” to their parents. This week on NEXT, 9-year-old Hallel and their family explore gender identity. Plus, we learn about a new Connect…
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50 min
A High School Senior’s Journey Back To School After A Year Online; Author Jennifer De Leon On Returning To Her…
After a year of online school, high school senior Bridget Donovan is back in the building and feeling like “a freshman again.” This week on NEXT, we tag along with Bridget and visi…
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50 min
Anti-Asian Hate And The Inextricable Link Between Racism And Sexism; How The Pandemic Changed Cooking And Eati…
This week on NEXT, in the aftermath of the killings of six Asian women in Atlanta, we hear about the inextricable link between racism and sexism. Plus, we talk with Boston chef and…
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50 min
Insights On American Culture For ‘The Immigrant And The Curious’; Outfitting Triple-Deckers To Curb Climate Ch…
Through fresh eyes, there’s a lot that’s unusual about American life and culture — from bloated wallets and giant cars to the emphasis on self. This week on NEXT, writer Roya Hakak…
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50 min
‘Artemis’ Astronaut Reflects On NASA’s Mission To Land First Woman On The Moon; A Coastal Town Reckons With Se…
NASA plans to land the first woman on the moon by 2024. This week on NEXT, we talk to a Maine astronaut who is part of the Artemis mission about why that milestone matters, and wha…
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50 min
Pressure Intensifies To Bring Students Back To Classrooms; Environmental Group Reckons With Race And Inclusivi…
The Biden administration and state leaders are pushing to get more students into “in-person” classes again. This week on NEXT, the politics of making it happen. Plus, as the Massac…
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50 min
What High-Speed Rail Could Bring To New England; Vermont Town Mourns The Loss Of A Historic Bridge
A new report shows that millions of homes across the country are at risk of flooding — and insurance companies aren’t keeping up. This week on NEXT, we explore the inequities and h…
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50 min
The Lasting Impacts Of The Station Nightclub Fire; What We Can Learn From New England’s Forests
This week on NEXT, we hear about the enduring impacts of The Station nightclub fire in Rhode Island that killed 100 people in 2003. Plus, the mysterious history of Lost Nation Road…
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50 min
Disparities In New England’s COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout; Biomass Plant Proposed In ‘Asthma Capital Of The Countr…
This week on NEXT, we’ll hear the latest on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout across our region — including concerns over inequities in distribution — and get expert answers to some of…
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50 min
The Promise Of Ropeless Fishing To Save Endangered Right Whales; How Connecticut Is Working To Diversify Its J…
This week on NEXT, why one New England state is vaccinating young researchers before older adults. Plus, a look at ropeless fishing and the hope to save the endangered North Atlant…
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50 min
An Insider’s Look At The ‘Troubled Teen’ Industry; Advancing Racial Justice In The Transition To Clean Energy
This week on NEXT, what student loan forgiveness under the Biden administration would mean for borrowers in Maine. Plus, an interview with Shalanda Baker, a new deputy director at…
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50 min
COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Faces Challenges In New England; The Lasting Impact Of Pop Star Selena
The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are the first of their kind to use mRNA. This week on NEXT, how this new experimental technology could help fight diseases like cancer and…