Shows
Boston Public Radio PodcastEducation Secretary Tutwiler & The Queer AF 'Met Gala Of Massachusetts'Today:Massachusetts education secretary Patrick Tutwiler joins Jim and Margery at the BPL on the start of the new school year.Plus, Love Your Labels – a Worcester-based nonprofit offering LGBT teens community and fashion finesse - is hosting their annual “Queer AF” runway show fundraiser this Friday. We’ll talk with founder and president Joshua Croke, and 19 year-old designer-in-residence Caelum Lam.
2025-09-0338 min
Local ThreadsEpisode 8: Unapologetically QueerAF with Love Your Labels founder Joshua CrokeGuest: Joshua Croke (they/them) — artist, designer, facilitator & founder of Love Your LabelsJoshua Croke is a queer urbanist and community-centered designer whose work sits at the intersection of equity, creative placemaking, and city life. They are the founder and president of Love Your Labels. "Love Your Labels builds project-based art, fashion, and design programs for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and creates affirming, loving space for young people to be themselves and find community. Love Your Labels offers a program called Threads. Threads is a fashion design and identity development program that em...
2025-08-291h 08
The Culture Show PodcastMarch 19, 2025 - Love Your Labels' Threads Youth Fashion Showcase, Cakeswagg, and WINTERACTIVEJoshua Croke, the President and Founder of the organization Love Your Labels joins The Culture Show to preview their “Threads Youth Fashion Showcase,” which features the artistry of youth designers, ages 13-19. The showcase is this Sunday at the Jean McDonough Arts Center in Worcester. To learn more, go here.From there, by day she teaches theater to Boston’s youth; by night, she channels those skills into her performance as her larger-than-life rap alter ego, Cakeswagg. Her latest album is “Michelin Star.” She won Video of the Year at the Boston Music Awards for "Bad Bitch Link Up." Co...
2025-03-1955 min
Public HearingArticle 4: Worcester’s School Committee & Accountability in Local GovernmentThis episode aired on 1/22/25 on WICN 90.5FMIn this episode of Public Hearing, host Joshua Croke continues our deep dive into Worcester’s city charter, focusing on Article 4: The School Committee. Joshua breaks down the recent structural changes to the school committee, including the shift to a hybrid election system with district and at-large representation, the committee’s powers and duties, and the role of city infrastructure in education. They also highlight the ongoing challenges of Worcester’s aging school buildings and the urgent need for sustainable funding and advocacy.But governance isn't just about polici...
2025-02-2528 min
Outdoor Cats PodcastEpisode 9: Denying Humanity (ft. Josh Croke)After Round Two of the pressure campaign from the queer community to make Candy Mero-Carlson pay for her bigotry, we talk with Josh Croke (@joshua.croke), an organizer of the demonstrations and founder of Love Your Labels and many other things. We talk about the council meeting Tuesday and the council’s two affirmative votes on public petitions from the queer community. What they mean and what they don’t! Then we take the conversation wider, to the nightmare times.That’s the first hour. After that, Chris and I talk about the Human Rights Commission, civilian review...
2025-01-311h 34Public HearingArticle 3: The City Manager's Role in Worcester’s GovernanceThis episode aired on 12/11/24 on WICN 90.5FMIntroduction:This week on Public Hearing, we continue our journey through the Worcester City Charter, diving into the critical role of the city manager. As the unelected CEO of the city, the city manager oversees daily operations, manages city agencies, and wields significant influence over financial priorities and community representation. Join me, Joshua Croke, as we explore how this role shapes our city and what changes we might consider to promote equity and democracy.Plus, a reflection on the closure of Redemption Rock Brewing and what it...
2024-12-1128 minPublic HearingCommunity is Medicine: Public Health, Engagement, and Trust-Building with Domenica PerroneThis episode aired on 12/04/24 on WICN 90.5FMIntroduction: In this episode of Public Hearing, we continue our conversation with community engagement practitioner Domenica Perrone to explore the intersections of health equity, community engagement, and institutional accountability. Domenica brings her wealth of experience as the Director of Community Engagement and Outreach at UMass Chan Medical School’s Collaborative in Health Equity to discuss the challenges and opportunities in fostering meaningful relationships between institutions and historically marginalized communities.Join us as we unpack how trust, transparency, and restorative practices can reshape our cities, he...
2024-12-0428 minPublic HearingArticle Two Wrapped: Power, Representation, and Equity with Domenica PerroneThis episode aired on 11/27/24 on WICN 90.5FMIn this episode of Public Hearing, we wrap up Article Two of Worcester’s Home Rule Charter, exploring the structure and powers of the City Council. I’m joined by Domenica Perrone, a passionate community engagement practitioner and advocate for health equity, who shares her insights on Worcester’s governance and the challenges facing our city. Together, we examine how the Charter influences democracy, representation, and equity in local government. I also go on a rant about funding allocation to the City Council, which is a must-listen. Key Top...
2024-11-2728 minPublic HearingArticle Two of the Charter: City Council with Joshua CrokeThis episode aired on 11/20/24 on WICN 90.5FMIn this second installment of our City Charter series, we dive into Article 2 of Worcester’s Home Rule Charter, which outlines the structure and function of the City Council. This episode focuses on breaking down the roles, powers, and procedures of Worcester’s legislative branch and examining what changes might foster a more equitable and participatory local government.We explore how the City Council is structured, the process for electing the mayor and vice-chair, the limits on council power, and the responsibilities of key officers elected by the coun...
2024-11-2128 minPublic HearingArticle One of the Worcester Home Rule Charter with Joshua Croke (That's Right, We're Diving In)This episode aired on 11/13/24 on WICN 90.5FMIn this first installment of our City Charter series, we examine Article 1 of Worcester’s Home Rule Charter, the foundational document that defines our city’s governance structure. This episode is all about making this often overlooked document accessible and engaging so we can better understand the rules guiding how our city is formed and functions.We cover key concepts like the roles of the city manager, city council, and mayor, as well as terms like “fiscal,” “prudential,” and “municipal” affairs. Plus, I share some thoughts on why it's so i...
2024-11-1328 minPublic HearingHousing Prices High, Stock Low, and Who’s It For? with Julie OrozcoThis episode aired on 11/06/24 on WICN 90.5FMIn this episode of Public Hearing, I sit down with Julie Orozco, Executive Director of Abby’s House, a key Worcester organization supporting housing for women and children. We discuss the city’s housing challenges, reflect on our shared experiences in Leadership Worcester, and explore how art, diversity, and advocacy shape a vibrant, healthy community.Key Topics:Intro to Julie Orozco and Abby's HouseJulie’s journey to becoming the first Black executive director of Abby’s House, which supports women affected by domestic violence with housing...
2024-11-0828 minPublic HearingRethinking MCAS and Graduation Requirements with Jennifer Davis CareyThis episode aired on 10/30/24 on WICN 90.5FMHey Worcester! In this episode of Public Hearing, I’m sitting down with Jennifer Davis Carey, Executive Director of the Worcester Education Collaborative (WEC), to break down Massachusetts Ballot Question 2: the possible removal of MCAS as a high school graduation requirement. Jen and I explore what it might mean in Mass if districts are left to set their own graduation standards and consider what we want a diploma to signify in a changing world. From academic rigor and equity to the skills our graduates nee...
2024-10-3028 minPublic Hearing"Let Kids Vote and Let Kids Dream," with Julie BowditchThis episode aired on 10/23/24 on WICN 90.5FMHey Worcester! Josh here back with another episode of Public Hearing. I’m back with Julie Bowditch, the Executive Director of the CASA Project Worcester County, to dive deeper into the incredible work they do supporting youth in foster care. We discuss what advocacy looks like on the ground, how amplifying the voices of young people can make a real difference, and the importance of bringing cultural humility into the work we do. We also explore how our systems often fall short, and what CASA is do...
2024-10-2428 minPublic HearingThe Return of Public Hearing: “We’re a real a** City,” with Julie BowditchThis episode aired on 10/23/24 on WICN 90.5FMHey Worcester! Public Hearing is back, and I’m excited to dive back into conversations that matter to our city. I’m your host, Joshua Croke, a queer and nonbinary designer, artist, and community advocate with a deep care for driving positive, equity-centered change. In this first return episode, I’m joined by my friend and community powerhouse, Julie Bowditch, Executive Director of the CASA Project Worcester County, as we talk about what’s been happening in Worcester and how we can a...
2024-10-2328 min
Infused InfluenceJoshua Croke / Love Your LabelsOn this episode of Infused Influence, Ravon and Ulysses chat with Joshua Croke who runs the "Queer for Cities" show that also plays on this station. In this first half of their conversation, they discuss Joshua's background that landed them in Worcester and some of the work they've done with the community. The group discusses Joshua's "Love Your Labels" nonprofit organization, the Queer AF show, the intersection between cannabis and the queer community, and more! Make sure to check out the Queer AF show taking place September 6th at Mechanics Hall!
2024-09-281h 01Boston Public Radio PodcastBPR Full Show 9/4: Penny FoolishCharlie Sennott, founder of the GroundTruth Project, to discuss the latest developments in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.And we asked listeners about the start of school, about dress codes, phone rules and the price of school supplies. GBH executive arts editor Jared Bowen discusses "The Apprentice" Trump biopic, and the latest debate over AI in the arts.Retired federal judge Nancy Gertner discusses Supreme Court justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's openness to "enforceable" SCOTUS ethics rules, and the latest in Special Counsel Jack Smith's case against Trump about January 6.Worcester-based L...
2024-09-042h 33The Culture Show PodcastJune 26, 2024 - Sheila E, sports and art, and Queer AFPercussionist and vocalist .Sheila E. is known for her solo work and her collaborations with Prince, and a setlist that spans R&B, Funk, Jazz, and Latin Pop. Now she's bringing her beats to Boston by way of two shows at City Winery. She joins The Culture Show with the preview.From there, how does Boston, the city of champions, honor the stars who made this town a sports town? With public art. Julia Swanson takes us on a tour of the bronzes and bursts of color celebrating athletic greats. Julia Swanson is a multidisciplinary artist and awa...
2024-06-2649 min
Public HearingCircles of Inclusion, Exclusion, and Influence in Worcester (A Special Podcast Roundtable Discussion)In the wake of responses, Facebook comments, and community discussions to an article published in the Worcester Business Journal entitled “Infiltrating Worcester’s Inner Circle,” we put a call out to the community to talk with folks engaged in Worcester about their thoughts, feelings, and reactions to this article, which upset a lot of people, and broader themes of inclusion, exclusion, and influence in Worcester.Our guests are Giselle Rivera-Flores (IG @notjustawriter), Jennifer Gaskin (IG @jenny_noire), Nicole Bell (IG @nikkilift), and Valerie Zolezzi-Wydnham (IG @valerie.zolezzi.wyndham). Hear perspectives from people who have been long-involved in Worces...
2022-04-0156 min
Sustainably SpeakingSustainably Speaking: Investing in a Circular Economy | America’s Plastic Makers®In this episode of Sustainably Speaking, we discuss how companies are ramping up their efforts to reduce plastic waste by investing in and innovating for a circular economy. How is this happening? Companies and funds are accelerating investment in recycling infrastructure and innovative technologies (like advanced recycling), with the goal of increasing the amount of plastic that can be recycled into new products and materials, again and again. Host Joshua Baca is joined by Julie Zaniewski, North America Sustainability Director for Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics, and Bridget Croke, Managing Director of Closed Loop Partners, to discuss private s...
2021-09-1030 min
Public HearingFree Food for Thought with Echo LouissaintOn this episode of the Public Hearing Podcast and Radio Show; our host, Joshua Croke, connects with Echo Louissaint - one of the cofounders of the Worcester Community Fridge Project - and talks about the power of community coming together, food access and the right to be fed, and getting involved in your local politics — yep, that’s right; vote folx!Learn more about Worcester Community Fridges here.Follow Echo and her work at AWordFromEcho.com.
2021-04-0156 min
Public HearingFrom Beer to Buses with Dani BabineauPublic Hearing host, Joshua Croke, talks to co-founder and CEO of Redemption Rock Brewing Co. in Worcester, MA about their commitment to community, establishing a benefit corporation (B Corp) joining the likes of Patagonia and Ben & Jerry's, all the way to discussing fare free public transportation and why residents should refuse bad and inaccessible street infrastructure like Dani's puggle.Listen to Public Hearing wherever you get your podcasts and on WICN 90.5FM, Worcester’s NPR affiliate station. And, while we celebrate women all year round, our guests for the month of March are all women who live, in...
2021-03-2556 minPublic HearingPublic Hearing Enters 2021!Public Hearing is a podcast and radio show talking about smart cities, systems change, and equity-centered development through the lens of the City of Worcester, MA. We explore challenges facing the community and discuss solutions with a focus on inclusion, equity, and prosperity.Hosted by Joshua Croke, founder of Action! by Design. Action! by Design is a design studio helping organizations amplify community power through branding & storytelling, community engagement & facilitation, and coalition building. You can learn more about the show at PublicHearing.co
2021-01-0502 min
Pop ItPublic Hearing Crossover Part 2Part 2 of our Public Hearing crossover. We discuss growth mindset, social-emotional learning, transgender rights, and the validity of SESTA (Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act). Public Hearing is a show about broken systems, the people affected by them, and how we can redesign them. We hope you enjoy our conversation with Action! by Design founder Joshua Croke. Photo at www.popitworcester.com by Unity Mike.
2020-12-2255 minPop ItPublic Hearing Crossover Part 1Part one of two. “Public Hearing” is a show about broken systems, the people affected by them, and how we can redesign them. We hope you enjoy our conversation with Action! by Design founder Joshua Croke. Photo at www.popitworcester.com by Unity Mike.
2020-12-1555 minPublic HearingThe School to Prison Pipeline with Katie ByrneHow might we redesign the juvenile justice system so it is antiracist, developmentally appropriate, and transformative? We spoke to Katie Byrne who works for the Department of Youth Services as part of the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI). JDAI has made significant progress in decreasing the number of youth in juvenile detention over the past 10 years, but when you break that down by race and ethnicity, some groups have decreased more than others.Learn more about JDAI here. Take a look at the Anne E. Casey Foundation More on Bryan Stevenson.
2020-10-0156 minPublic HearingSidebar: Worcester Education Equity Roundtable WebinarWelcome to our first Sidebar! Sidebars will be bonus material that either couldn't fit into our radio show (hosted on our local NPR affiliate WICN 90.5) or anything else that we feel is important to share with you!On this Sidebar, our host, Joshua Croke, was invited to facilitate the first Worcester Education Equity Roundtable Webinar focused on the future of education in the face of a pandemic.
2020-09-221h 28Public HearingThe Landscape of Public Education with Jennifer Davis CareyOn our first episode of Public Hearing, we spoke with Jennifer Davis Carey, Executive Director of the Worcester Education Collaborative, about the landscape of public education and how it serves (or doesn’t serve) the needs of young people and their families here in the U.S. We also hear from Savonne Pickett, a Worcester-based artist who participated in the Black Lives Matter street mural. Savonne talks to Josh about her experiences with Public Education, Art, and how important it is to have mentors who care.Public Hearing is a podcast by Ac...
2020-09-2256 min
Public HearingTRAILER: Public HearingPublic Hearing listens to voices impacted by systems like public education and juvenile justice and talks to people using community-centered design to fix them. From getting families internet access to keeping kids out of prison, we’re imagining ways to build inclusive, equitable, and prosperous communities. Hosted by Joshua Croke, founder of Action! by Design. Action! by Design supports community design and innovation from citizen to city.
2020-09-2201 minPop ItQueer AF (ft. Joslyn Fox aka Patrick Joslyn & Josh Croke)We’re on site at Bull Mansion with Joslyn Fox aka Patrick Joslyn from season 6 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and Joshua Croke of Action! by Design and Love Your Labels—organizations dedicated to making us feel unique and united in our own skin. Josh and Patrick are integral participants in the Queer AF: Art & Fashion Show set to take place on March 1st under the watchful eye of Project Runway designer Sam Donovan. Patrick discusses The Sole Proprietor's warm embrace of his time on reality TV as well as his brushes with Neil Patrick Harris, Khloe Kardashian, Eve, and Ja...
2019-02-2742 min
2017-01-0900 min