February 13, 2025: Telling Stories

Today we’re taking a closer look at the folx telling stories about themselves in new ways and through new avenuesIncluding much beloved author of children’s books and more, local legend Jane Yolen. A new picture book has just been released about her earliest work titled "Janie Writes a Play: Jane Yolen’s First Great Story", which proves there’s no age restrictions on coming up with a great tale. And that book’s author has a tale of her own also. Heidi E. Y. Stemple joins us to talk about writing this book about her mother, how narrative clearly runs in the family, and how you can celebrate the heroine of the story and her 86th birthday this Saturday at High Five Books in Florence. We’ll also find out about a storytelling event in Florence.The second Queer Story Slam is happening at Bombyx Center for Arts and Equity this weekend exploring all expressions of love and desire in the tales being told onstage, and we’ll chat with organizers Wylder Ayres and Reen Smith about the power of seeing these lives in their own words, and how those visions reinforces community.  And our weekly chat with Congressman Jim McGovern tackles the possibilities of constitutional crisis, the consequences of lying in senatorial confirmation hearings, the budget, his vote on a recent bill concerning fentanyl and how you can ask your questions of the representative IN PERSON very soon.