The Weed Out Podcast
A podcast by abolitionists for those who are in the mood to hear that discussion. We are Western Massachusetts based but hope to resonate everywhere. Discussions will focus on both local topics and events that impact us all on a broad level and could be applied to people all over the country. We will share ways to get involved with direct action, information on how to make records requests from public officials, and good news about our area and beyond! We hope you will listen and follow along with us as we weed out the nonsense in our town and maybe even yours too.
Listen on:
Episodes
Saturday May 13, 2023
Saturday May 13, 2023
We heard you when you reached out after the last episode on local headlines and are back at it in this episode. We have gathered stories from all over Western, MA along with one focusing on the State and one being national news. We select stories that highlight either issues in the community or things we can celebrate - such at upcoming Berkshire Pride. Listen in for all the good, bad, the funny and so much more!
Link to theweedout.com for more info.
Friday May 05, 2023
Friday May 05, 2023
It's the 30th episode of The Weed Out and we are so excited to bring you 3 of the Union Organizers from Hadley, MA who helped establish and intent to unionize. They are the second store in the country and we are so happy for them to give us some of the details so that we can support them as a community and continue to uplift all workers. Solidarity with all unions and workers!
For links please visit theweedout.com
Tuesday May 02, 2023
Tuesday May 02, 2023
Laura Saylor joins us for a second discussion about police brutality and corruption happening out in Eastern, MA. These are not specific to Western, MA but are not so far away that we should not all take notice and be aware of what is happening nearby. The Chief in one town is refusing to leave after being dismissed. A woman has been allegedly framed by a group of Police for murder of her partner who was also a cop. Lastly, we will talk more about the Sandra Birchmore case as Laura and others hope for justice for Sandra. All of these incidents involve cops using the status and positions to enact brutality or engage in corruption. This is not only happening in the towns we talk about out East, it is happening everywhere! We must take back our towns and we can start with out budgets. This season, please urge your city or town government not to give the police more money but to fund other public social programs that will uplift and help the community.
visit theweedout.com for links mentioned in the show.
Wednesday Apr 19, 2023
Wednesday Apr 19, 2023
Decarcerate Western Mass joins Joanna & Spencer to discuss all the great things they are doing in the region. Decarcerate Western Mass "is a coalition of people and organizations that came together at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic with the purpose of supporting incarcerated folks and getting people released." They are an abolitionist group, aiming to reduce the number of people incarcerated in prisons and jails with a local focus in Western Mass.
Wednesday Apr 12, 2023
Wednesday Apr 12, 2023
Listen in for some local headlines from all around Western, Mass. Some you may have read and others you may not have seen. They are stories that are good to focus on as municipalities throughout the region set their budgets. The budgets we have show our values as a community. Thank you for listening and you all take care!
For more information, including links to all stories mentioned please visit: www.theweedout.com
Monday Apr 03, 2023
Monday Apr 03, 2023
Joanna & Spencer have a chat with Will Meyer of the Shoestring about local media. We discuss local independent journalists and how important this is as we continue to see more and more news sources having layoffs, closing, or being PR for local police departments or businesses.
Please listen in and maybe you will be interested in reaching out to the Shoestring to write a local story or you may start following them to keep informed - either way, enjoy & take good care!
Visit theweedout.com for links and more info.
Tuesday Mar 28, 2023
Tuesday Mar 28, 2023
Katie Talbot from Neighbor to Neighbor in Holyoke, MA joins us!
www.theweedout.com for more info and links
Monday Mar 20, 2023
Monday Mar 20, 2023
This episode of The Weed Out features Mike Crawford of The Young Jurks. Spence and Mike do some cross pollinating of our shows and direct action that focus on Worker's rights here in MA and beyond!
Thank you, Mike, for joining us this time - can't wait to do it again.
Visit theweedout.com for links and more info.
Tuesday Mar 07, 2023
Tuesday Mar 07, 2023
Joanna and Spencer are joined by Andrew Quemere again to finish up our talk on the Records request process here in MA. As we said in the last episode, the law states that citizens have access to certain information.
Andrew discussed the law and how to make a request in part 1. This episode focuses on the appeal process and what to do if you aren't getting the records you are requesting.
www.theweedout.com for more info and links
Saturday Feb 25, 2023
Saturday Feb 25, 2023
Joanna and Spencer are joined by Andrew Quemere in this episode about records requests and the freedom of information act. Here in MA, citizens have access to certain information. Andrew will discuss this law with us and some pros and cons. This is part 1 of a focus on public records with Andrew who is an expert on this topic and will walk us through the process as we go along. Please join us!
www.theweedout.com for more info and links