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KQED's The California ReportCA Attorney General Has Plan For Nearly 1.5 Million California Tenants At Risk Of EvictionOne in seven California tenants are behind on their rent. So, Attorney General Rob Bonta is issuing instructions to sheriff and police departments across the state on how to respond when someone reports an illegal eviction. Reporter Erin Baldassari, KQED Overall, 91 percent of jobs at daycare centers in California have come back. That might sound good, but the state lags behind the rest of the U.S. economy. Reporter Daisy Nguyen, KQED Starting January 1, the University of California and Cal State school systems will offer *all* stu...
2022-07-1417 min
Thinkery & Verse presentS03 Ep. 10 Season finale: Charlotte's ExitWhat does it mean to be haunted? For most people, it does not mean the strange or supernatural, but the all-too real: a scar from childhood, an opportunity missed, a wrong never righted. For the late Charlotte Mills, it was the murder of her mother on September 14th, 1922 on the outskirts of New Brunswick, New Jersey. Her mother's body lay beside that of their Episcopalian parish priest, Edward Hall. Love letters between the two were scattered about the bodies. Edward Hall had been shot once in the face. Her mother, however, had been absolutely brutalized. While the coroner failed...
2022-01-1234 min
Thinkery & Verse presentS03 E09: Edison SanitariumToday we’ll be taking a trip to The Edison Sanitarium, the site where Charlotte Mills, daughter of murder victim Eleanor Mills, lived out the last months of her tragic life. Today we’ll hear two stories centering Charlotte. The first explores Charlotte’s mental state whilst living and dying in the midst of a media frenzy dedicated to sensationalizing her mother’s death. The second is adapted from an article by a 1950s newspaper reporter who reflects on how and why Charlotte Mills ended up at the Sanitarium. This episode was brought to you by the New Bruns...
2022-01-1110 min
Thinkery & Verse presentS03 E08: Voices from the CryptFor today’s radio play, we will be joined by the ghosts Frances Hall and Willy Stevens. If you ever care to visit, these siblings can be found in Brooklyn, New York, in the Greenwood Cemetery, lot 10411, section 50. They lie together in the Steven’s Family Crypt, among their other brother Henry Stevens, and the murdered Edward Hall, late husband to Frances. Although, I should note, that none of their names are to be found on the site. As you’ll recall, Mrs. Hall together with Willy and Henry, though acquitted, were all accused of Edward Hall’s murder. Yet, tog...
2022-01-1005 min
Thinkery & Verse presentS03 E07: Courthouse CarnivalHi, I’m your host, Erin Bogert, and you’re listening to another Ghost Hunt episode. Today I’m bringing you to The Somerset Courthouse of Somerset county, New Jersey, the large, towering marble building that remains as it did when the Hall-Mills trial was held there in 1926. The Hall-Mills trial became the first media circus of the 20th century. In today’s excerpt, we really dig into that theme… you’ll see what I mean. In with the mix of zaniness, you’ll also find disturbing verbatim content. It may not give you a lot of confidence in the justice sy...
2022-01-0911 min
Thinkery & Verse presentS03 E06: A Proper WomanHello everybody and welcome back to another Ghost Hunt episode. I’m your host, Erin Bogert, bringing to you (you guessed it!) another radio play. In the last episode, I mentioned how Frances Hall, a prime suspect in the Hall-Mills double homicide case, took a vacation to Europe not long after the grand jury failed to indict anyone. In today’s radio play, we find Mrs. Hall, joined by her friend Sally Peters, embarking on that journey.It’s early February, 1923, and at Manhattan’s Pier 55, a band of newspaper photographers are swarming the S.S. Mauretania (MORE-EH...
2022-01-0807 min
Thinkery & Verse presentS03 E05: Maid in Middlesex Hello folks, and welcome back once again to another episode of Ghost Hunt: the podcast where I, your host, Erin Bogert, bring you short and not-always-so-sweet radio plays that delve into the details surrounding the Hall-Mills murders. Today’s radio play brings us into the home of Edwin R. and Elovine Carpender. The affluent Edwin R. Carpender was the first cousin of Mrs. Frances Hall. According to Middlesexcreates.com, his wife, Elovine Carpender was one of the founders of the Urban League in New Brunswick and the first female member of the Federal Housing Authority; prominent among Republican women in...
2022-01-0708 min
Thinkery & Verse presentS03 E04: Pretty PearlHi, I’m Erin Bogert, your host, welcoming you back to Ghost Hunt. Today we visit a ghost near and dear to my heart, Pearl Bahmer, and I think you’ll see why once we get started.In the summer and fall of 1922, New Brunswick teenager Pearl Bahmer was sexually assaulted by her father. To escape his abuse, Pearl sought the companionship of a young man named Raymond Schneider. But this didn’t make things better. Raymond proved manipulative, jealous, and violent. On the morning of September 16th, 1922, Raymond pressured Pearl to go to DeRussy’s lane, a so-cal...
2022-01-0609 min
Thinkery & Verse presentS03 E03: Her Sister’s HouseWelcome back to Ghost Hunt. I’m your host, Erin Bogert, and today’s radio play brings you the ghost of Augusta Tennyson. Augusta was Eleanor Mills younger sister, the aunt to Eleanor’s children, Charlotte and Daniel Mills. In fact, on the very night of their mother’s infamous murder, Charlotte and Daniel happened to be visiting their aunt in her home. But we won’t be joining them. Insead, we will join Augusta the morning of Sept 16, 1922 when she and Eleanor’s husband, James Mills, first learned that two bodies were discovered on the outskirts of town. We find Augus...
2022-01-0507 min
Thinkery & Verse presentS03 E02: A visit to Broadway, or, 'a good way to get killed'Welcome back for our second Ghost Hunt episode. I’m your host, Erin Bogert. In this episode, we’re jumping back to 1921, and we’re just shy of backstage at Daly’s 63rd Street Music Hall, at 22 West 63rd Street, between Broadway and Central Park West. A performance of “Shuffle Along” ended about thirty minutes ago, and the Reverend Edward Hall and his date, Mrs. Eleanor Mills, stayed behind to grandstand the fact that Edward Hall knows (in passing) the already famous Rutgers alum Paul Robeson, here making his Broadway debut in the choir while attending law school. The stars of our...
2022-01-0409 min
Thinkery & Verse presentS03 E01: Introducing 'Ghost Hunt' -- A visit to Lake HopatcongWelcome back to another season of That’s How the Story Goes, this time: Ghost Hunt edition. I’m your host, Erin Bogert, and in this ten episode series, I will be bringing you short radio plays through which the events of the Hall-Mills murders of 1922 will be brought back to life, so to speak.Now, if you’re new here, don’t worry, because before we really begin, I want to spend just a little bit of time going back to the beginning. So let’s start with the Hall-Mills murders.In the early 1920s, in New...
2022-01-0312 min
Thinkery & Verse presentS02 Ep. 04: AFTERSHOCK / La Réplica - Navigator (Finale)Finale: Episode four explores navigating life after war. Tejana Host, Karen Alvarado, shares audio-adapted Latinx stories from the 2019 stage play AFTERSHOCK / La Réplica. Alvarado then interviews combat veterans Colonel Lisa Carrington Firmin and Jenny Pacanoswki as well as Latinx educator/artist Oscar Franco about their experiences with PTS, homecoming and how Latinx youth are engaging with veterans.***Warning: This episode contains references to sexual trauma, discrimination, post dramatic stress & graphic war imagery. There are sounds of gunfire, explosions and adult language***Audio Scenes (from AFTERSHOCK / La Répli...
2021-04-171h 24
Thinkery & Verse presentS02 [Bonus] AFTERSHOCK / La Réplica: Spotlight on Liz HenselIn this BONUS Episode, Tejana Host Karen Alvarado spotlights Liz Hensel - - Latinx Marine, Podcast Host, Mother, Military Spouse and Writer! Through her piece called "Little Medina" Liz Hensel shares what it was like to care for a wounded little girl while serving in Afghanistan. Liz unpacks how that experience changed her and eventually reinforced the mothering of her own children back in America. Because April is Military Child Month, this episode is dedicated to military children everywhere!***Warning: This episode contains references to ethnic discrimination and...
2021-04-1529 min
Thinkery & Verse presentS02 [Bonus] AFTERSHOCK / La Réplica: Spotlight on Johnny & Karen (creators)In this BONUS Episode, the tables turn on Tejana Host Karen Alvarado and Veteran Scholar Dr. John Meyer, the co-producers of Thinkery & Verse's AFTERSHOCK / La Réplica Podcast. Instead of Karen & Johnny interviewing veterans, instead veterans interview them! This interview originally premiered as part of Poetic Theatre Productions Veteran Voices: The Interview Sessions, hosted by Veterans Jenny Pacanowski and Omar Columbus. In this spotlight bonus, Karen & Johnny talk about their intercultural marriage, military service, veterans work, and their artistic projects inspired by the...
2021-04-101h 25
Thinkery & Verse presentS02 [Bonus] AFTERSHOCK / La Réplica: Spotlight on Dr. Tom PalaimaIn this Bonus Episode, Tejana Host Karen Alvarado interviews Dr. Tom Palaima, MacArthur “Genius” and Classics Professor. They discuss ancient warrior culture including burial practices, and they unpack the Greek virtue called “Arête” and its relation to Latinx “Machismo” behavior. ***Warning: This episode contains references to suicide, trauma and descriptions of graphic violence. ***RESOURCES"Disillusionment of the War” - Sigmund FreudBilly Joe Shaver "I'm gonna live forever"Wisconsin Death Trip - Michael Lesy
2021-04-0854 min
Thinkery & Verse presentS02 Ep. 03: AFTERSHOCK / La Réplica -- Grenade LauncherEpisode three explores the explosive nature of RELATIONSHIPS while serving in the military. Tejana Host, Karen Alvarado, shares audio-adapted Latinx veteran stories from the 2019 stage play AFTERSHOCK / La Réplica. Alvarado then interviews combat veterans/writers Rocio Iribe (Marine) and Dr. John Meyer (Army Ranger), as well as Latinx Historian, Mary Alice Carnes who is the daughter of a WWII veteran. **Warning: This episode contains references to trauma and discrimination.**GUESTS:Rocio Iribe Dr. John MeyerMary Alice Carnes
2021-04-031h 15
Thinkery & Verse presentS02 [Bonus] AFTERSHOCK / La Réplica: Spotlight on Maria Mia SalazarIn this BONUS Episode, Tejana Host Karen Alvarado spotlights Maria Mia Salazar - - Latinx Marine, Mother, Sculptor, Painter, Entrepreneur and Poet! Maria’s interview originally premiered as part of Poetic Theatre Productions Veteran Voices: The Interview Sessions, hosted by Veterans Jenny Pacanowski and Omar Columbus. ***Warning: This episode contains references to gender and culture related trauma.***RESOURCES:Maria Mia SalazarClaymore VetsClaymore Vets FacebookHerStory Fundraiser Merchandise10th Annual Poetic License Festival begins April 11th, @poet...
2021-04-011h 09
Thinkery & Verse presentS02 Ep. 02: AFTERSHOCK / La Réplica -- the Door KickerEpisode Two explores how the cultural condition called “Machismo” (toxic masculinity) can influence soldiering and trauma associated with war. Tejana Host, Karen Alvarado, shares audio-adapted Latinx stories from the 2019 stage play AFTERSHOCK / La Réplica. Alvarado then interviews combat veterans/artists Victor Inzunza and Dr. John Meyer, as well as MacArthur Fellow/Professor of Classics Dr. Thomas Palaima about the historical ties to military masculinity.**Warning: This episode contains references to suicide, trauma and discr...
2021-03-271h 05
Thinkery & Verse presentS02 Ep. 01: AFTERSHOCK / La Réplica -- Suppressive FireEpisode One explores Latinx Identity and Women in War. Our Tejana host, Karen Alvarado, shares audio-adapted Latinx stories from the 2019 stage play AFTERSHOCK / La Réplica. Alvarado then interviews combat veterans Colonel Lisa Carrington Firmin and Jenny Pacanoswki about their personal experiences with identity, gender and culture in the US Armed Services.***Warning: This episode contains references to sexual trauma and gender/ cultural discrimination. There are sounds of gunfire, explosions and adult language***Audio Scenes from AFTERSHOCK / La Réplica:“I want to be a US Sold...
2021-03-201h 09
Decameron 2020: Survival through Stories18. What sparks political engagement? Boccaccio in 1358 and America in 2020.Here in the United States we are at the center of a global pandemic and the greatest political turmoil in generations. What sparks political engagement? In Boccaccio's Decameron, Pampinea berates her peers for accepting second-class status, and demands that they reorganize their society to ensure their survival. In this bonus episode, J.M.Meyer interviews Karen Alvarado, Erin Bogert, and Cassandra Vaz about what sparked their political engagement, and how they can imagine a more just post-pandemic voting system. Episode hosted by J. M. Meyer.Sound editing from Erin Bogert and J. M. Meyer....
2020-10-0936 min
Thinkery & Verse presentS01 Episode 10: [BONUS] "Careful, very fragile!" The archives at Saint John's, Part 2Our collaboration with the Church of Saint John the Evangelist has enabled us to access their archives, a collection that dates back to the church's founding in 1861. In the vestry book, Karen Alvarado finds the moment where Edward Hall hires James Mills to work as the groundskeeper at the church, signalling increasing contact between the Hall and Mills families. We also explore the vestry's response to the death of Edward Hall and Eleanor Mills, the decision to quickly hire a new priest, and strange evidence of a carefully removed section from the notes of the Men's Council. H...
2020-10-0555 min
Thinkery & Verse presentS01 Episode 09: The Doctor is in! Unpacking the theories with Dr. Bob BelvinIf you've been listening along, you know what hosts Kaitlin Ormerod Hutson and Johnny Kavanagh think about whodunit. However, their theory is just one of many. Tune in this episode to hear what other theories there are, and to discuss the case with none other than New Brunswick historian Dr. Bob Belvin. Hosted by Kaitlin Ormerod Hutson and Johnny Kavanagh. Chorus of voices: Ensemble of "Thou Shalt Not".Sound design and editing from Erin Bogert assisted by Sean Ullmer. Copy writing by Kaitlin Ormerod Hutson.Copy editing by Karen Alvarado. Episode directed by E...
2020-09-291h 08
Thinkery & Verse presentS01 Episode 07: [BONUS] The Archives at Saint John's, Part 1Our collaboration with the Church of Saint John the Evangelist has enabled us to access their archives, a collection that dates back to the church's founding in 1861. Hosted by Kaitlin Ormerod Hutson, with special guests Karen Alvarado and J. M. Meyer.Introduced by Erin Bogert. Chorus of voices: Ensemble of "Thou Shalt Not".Sound design and editing from Karen Alvarado, Erin Bogert and Sean Ullmer. Copy writing by Kaitlin Ormerod Hutson.Copy editing by Karen Alvarado. Episode directed by Karen Alvarado.Produced by Karen Alvarado and Thinkery & Verse.W...
2020-09-1440 min
Thinkery & Verse presentS01 Episode 6: Two in a fieldOn September 15th, neither Frances Hall nor James Mills report to the police that their spouses are missing. On September 16th, two young people stumble across the bodies of Edward Hall and Eleanor Mills on a lover's lane just outside of New Brunswick, New Jersey. The investigation begins, but almost immediately falls apart due to county disputes, class deference to the Stevens family, and general incompetence. This episode features special guest Erin Bogert. Hosted by Kaitlin Ormerod Hutson and Johnny Kavanagh. Chorus of voices: Ensemble of "Thou Shalt Not".Sound design and editing from Erin Bo...
2020-09-071h 03
Thinkery & Verse presentS01 Episode 5: The events of September 14th, 1922So far on this journey through the Hall-Mills story, we’ve been focusing on the background information about our main players and how they all came to be where they were in the fall of 1922 and now we have arrived at the other day that will live in infamy: September 14, 1922.Hosted by Kaitlin Ormerod Hutson and Johnny Kavanagh. Chorus of voices: Ensemble of "Thou Shalt Not".Sound design and editing from Erin Bogert and Sean Ullmer. Copy writing by Kaitlin Ormerod Hutson.Copy editing by Karen Alvarado. Episode directed by Erin Bogert.P...
2020-09-0136 min
Thinkery & Verse presentS01 Episode 4: "I am on my knees, darling." The Affair.Hosted by Kaitlin Ormerod Hutson and Johnny Kavanagh. Chorus of voices: Ensemble of "Thou Shalt Not".Sound design and editing from Erin Bogert and Sean Ullmer. Copy writing by Kaitlin Ormerod Hutson.Copy editing by Karen Alvarado. Episode directed by Karen Alvarado.Produced by Karen Alvarado and Thinkery & Verse.Want to support, work with, or give feedback to us? Email: thinkeryandverse.merchandise@gmail.com
2020-09-0146 min
Thinkery & Verse presentS01 Episode 3: Back Alley: Eleanor Reinhardt Mills, James Mills, and their children Charlotte and DanielEleanor Reinhardt Mills attended Saint John's almost her whole life, and for much of that time she performed as a soprano in the church's choir. She married young, and her husband, James Mills, proved to be a man without any obvious ambition, but after her murder he became both a suspect and a scapegoat. Hosted by Kaitlin Ormerod Hutson and Johnny Kavanagh. Special guests: Karen Alvarado and Celine Dirkes. Chorus of voices: Ensemble of "Thou Shalt Not".Sound design and editing from Erin Bogert and Sean Ullmer. Copywriting by Kaitlin Ormerod Hutson.Copy...
2020-09-0149 min
Thinkery & Verse presentS01 Episode 2: The Hall Family AlbumEpisode 2 explores the dynamics of the Hall family: Edward, the adulterous priest found murdered outside of town; Frances, the somewhat older wife of Edward--and a wealthy, heiress who played a pivotal role in New Brunswick society prior to her arrest; and Willie Stevens, Frances' odd brother who lived with his sister and brother-in-law and was kept on an allowance. They all lived at 23 Nichols, a stately house now belonging to Rutgers University, just up the hill from the church at the center of Edward's extra-marital affair.Hosted by Kaitlin Ormerod Hutson and Johnny Kavanagh. Special guests: A...
2020-08-3145 min
Thinkery & Verse presentS01 Episode 1: "They found mom side by side with Edward Hall / the circus began"On September 16th, 1922 a small city priest and a choir singer were found slaughtered in what became the most infamous unsolved double homicide of the 20th century. In this pilot episode, hosts Kaitlin Ormerod Hutson and Johnny Kavanagh introduce us to the Hall-Mills murders, and then interview Thinkery & Verse co-artistic director J.M. Meyer about collaborating with the Church of Saint John the Evangelist on re-imagining the the crimes associated with the church. Hosted by Kaitlin Ormerod Hutson and Johnny Kavanagh. Special guest: J. M. MeyerChorus of voices: Ensemble of "Thou Shalt Not".So...
2020-08-3143 minDecameron 2020: Survival through Stories14. Discussion with Bob Jones, Ashley Bufkin, Erin Bogert, and Karen AlvaradoWe've reached the third and final discussion episode for the last three stories in Day 1 of Bocaccio's Decameron. In this episode you will hear from actors Ashley Bufkin, Erin Bogert, myself Karen Alvarado as well as Bob Jones serving as host for our discussion. Enjoy!Translation by John Florio. Podcast intro: Karen Alvarado. Editing and Sound Design by Brady Marchand. Copy editing by Bob Jones, Ania Upstill, Karen Alvarado, and J.M. Meyer. Project manager: Celine Dirkes. Graphic design: Hannah Lang.Music and SFX:http://hebb.mit.edu/FreeMusic/jsbach_bwv996_01...
2020-08-2457 minDecameron 2020: Survival through Stories12. Eliza tells a story about an aggrieved woman who uses wit to put a foolish king in his place (Day 1, Story 9)In the 9th story of the first day Eliza tells the tale of how a courageous Gentlewomen changed the King of France from a meek coward to a just ruler.This story was narrated by Erin Bogert.Translation by John Florio. Podcast intro: Karen Alvarado. Editing and Sound Design by Brady Marchand. Copy editing by Bob Jones, Ania Upstill, Karen Alvarado, and J.M. Meyer. Project manager: Celine Dirkes. Graphic design: Hannah Lang.Music and SFX:http://hebb.mit.edu/FreeMusic/jsbach_bwv996_01http://hebb.mit.edu/FreeMusic/jsbach...
2020-08-2204 min