WKXL - New Hampshire Talk Radio

This week on Facing the Future, former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels joined us to discuss the need to develop contingency plans for a fiscal crisis in the U.S. that he sees as increasingly probable.

Stephen Foster was the Father of American music. On Artful Living today, we will learn about Stephen Foster and hear some of his beautiful songs! Hope you will join us.

Thursday's program was eclectic and eccentric as we discussed the World Atlas' list of New Hampshire's Nine Most Eccentric Towns. New Hampshire Fisher Cats broadcaster Chris Jared joined us to talk about the Cats once again playing as the N.H. Space Potatoes. That game will be Friday night at 7 against Binghamton at Delta Dental Stadium. Also on Thursday's show, the possibility of the elimination of limited liquids through TSA checkpoints for air travelers.

Wednesday marked our monthly “Small Business Matters” segment in association with the U.S. Small Business Administration, N.H. District Office in Concord. Our guests on the program were Nick Gray, Founder of the Gray Property Group with modernized rentals in the Manchester area and on the seacoast of New Hampshire and Erik Lesniak, Liaison for the City of Manchester's Economic Development Office. Among the topics were the availability of affordable housing in New Hampshire and the revitalization of Manchester over the past several years.

On todays show Veronica chats with Marty Hendricks, the founder of SUPERHUMAN podcast, where he talks a lot about health and tech in our everyday lives.

We are going to listen to Ol Time Radio today on Artful Living, with the Charles Dickens novel/play, "Great Expectations". Join us and enjoy this Dickens classic!

On “National Give Something Away Day” we complied by awarding a pair of passes to the Whale's Tale water park in Lincoln, New Hampshire which we will continue to do all week. It was a potpourri kind of Tuesday as we looked back at Monday's historic Home Run Derby won by Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners. Tonight's 95th Major League Baseball All Star Game in Atlanta was previewed and also mentioned, an award-winning ESPN documentary called “Southpaw” which chronicles the life and career of the most remarkable baseball player ever, Jim Abbott.

Monday's show featured correspondent John Leahy as we discussed the current 10-game winning streak of the Boston Red Sox entering baseball's All Star break. Baseball's trading deadline is set for July 31 and we talked about several scenarios prior to that date that the Sox may consider. Sunday's start of the MLB was also one of our Monday topics with Pinkerton Academy's Liam Doyle being selected fifth by the St. Louis Cardinals, the highest New Hampshire pick since Carlton Fisk in 1967. In addition, we paid tribute to one of America's favorites on National Mac & Cheese Day.

We focus a lot on entertainment on this radio/podcast but what good is it if you can't experience the entertainment? Amy Evans, board member of NHhears.org, graciously comes by to talk about hearing loss in this day and age. And she came armed with stats, technology currently being used and the evolution of that technology going forward. Red River Theatre is one example of some of the cutting edge tech being employed in theaters. They have something called “The Loop” that aids in assisting those with difficulty hearing. Fascinating stuff actually and we in the entertainment industry should perk up because we want to entertain everyone not just the healthy!

It's Friday, which means the Friday Fun Bunch is in the WKXL Studios! Ken Cail interviews Tom Raffio, President & CEO of Northeast Delta Dental, Ellen Raffio, and Kitty Rae the OFFICIAL “Flick Chick."

This week on Facing the Future, Jim Capretta of the American Enterprise Institute digs into the 2025 Medicare Trustees Report. Then he explains why the federal budget rules are deepening societal differences.

Today Jane chats with Susan Riedl of Capital Art Therapy about the programs they provide, why they are so important, and much more. Join us for this thoughtful discussion!

We covered all the bases on a Thursday edition of the program. New Hampshire Fisher Cats broadcaster Chris Jared joined to talk about the Cats representative in this Saturday's “Futures Game” in Atlanta, pitcher Trey Yesavage, the Toronto Blue Jays first round pick in 2024. Also on the docket, New Hampshire legislation passed earlier this week allowing “social districts” in the state that would allow alcohol to be consumed in designated areas outside of their establishments. That option is subject to approval by cities and towns around the state. The law will go into effect on September 5.

Well it's summertime and we (okay I) decided to try a little more laid back approach to the show. Introducing “Quad Intro Music”! I felt that it was time to start introducing some of the songs and artists that I reference to the listeners in a longer version. For some it's a new music find and to others it's a time to reminisce. So each block starts with a song from wayyyy back followed by me chatting about the summer theater scene in NH. Companies mentioned are The Barnstormers, The Peterborough Players, The Winnipesaukee Playhouse, Powerhouse Collaborative and The Village Players. Oh and songs from Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show.

Wednesday's program focused on a couple of articles published today in the Concord Monitor. One article citing $17.5-million dollars in budget cuts for the University System of New Hampshire including UNH, Keene State College and Plymouth State University while the other article focused on the fact that the University of New Hampshire will be taking advantage of a recent settlement allowing colleges and universities the “privilege” of paying their athletes directly. UNH will now be spending in the vicinity of $20.5-million dollars on their athletes during the 2025-26 school year in addition to NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) deals that some athletes already had.

Wayne Hall returns to talk more about the farmers market! He and Veronica chat all things about the market match program, and the partnership of SNAP and EBT with theFarmers Market.

Today is all about the world of opera.  The history, music, stories, and the people included in the opera!  If you like opera or if you don't know much about opera, this is a show for you.  Come and learn more about the wonderful world of opera!

Tuesday's program featured Rob Morrill of Morrill Farm in Penacook. Last Saturday Morrill Farm celebrated its' 100th anniversary with an "Open Farm"which drew over a thousand people, many for the first time. Much Morrill Farm history and memorabilia was on display as well as the many cows that were paid a visit including one calf born that very morning.  Also with us Tuesday was our correspondent John Leahy who discussed the recent Red Sox success even after the departure of Raffy Devers and how the young players and the role players have made their impact on the team.

It's Friday, which means the Friday Fun Bunch is in the WKXL Studios! Ken Cail interviews Tom Raffio, President & CEO of Northeast Delta Dental, Ellen Raffio, and Kitty Rae the OFFICIAL “Flick Chick."

Time to check in on our gardens! Ethan & Amy Sager from the Again & Again Farmstead in Tamworth chat by phone with us about doing a mid summer garden checkup. As things are now starting to grow should we change what we're applying to the soil? Topics today are biochar, wool pellets and teas (Vermicast, Ash, Calcium) and how and when to apply them. Some are foliar and some go directly on the soil. A question or two pop up about compost, the Tamworth farmers market and a certain trip to Australia for someone to learn about permaculture at the masters (Jeff Lawton). And of course there's always more.

This week on Facing the Future, we heard from two tax experts with different ideological perspectives who have been following the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). David S. Mitchell is a senior fellow for tax and regulatory policy at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth and Kyle Pomerleau is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI).

4th of July is upon us! Join us for our 4th of July Concert covering many patriotic and American inspired music on Artful Living! Happy 4th!

Thursday's show was all about barns and baseball. Rob Morrill of Morrill Farm joined us in studio. The Morrill family will be celebrating their 100th anniversary with an Open Farm event at their facility located at 33 Penacook Street in Concord this Saturday, 7/5 from 10 AM to 2 PM. It's been a Morrill family business now in its' fifth generation. We also talked Fisher Cats baseball with one of the voices of the Fisher Cats, Chris Jared. The ‘Cats will be playing the Red Sox Eastern League affiliate, the Portland Sea Dogs tonight, 7/3, at Delta Dental Stadium with fireworks to follow!

I had no idea that the traumatizing movie I saw when I was younger, A Clockwork Orange, was now also a stage play! And here to correct my ignorance was Angèlica Forcier Rosenthal, assisted by Mackenzie Goodwin, on a return trip to talk all about her upcoming October production of the play as well as giving us some audition info. She's, eerily,  more versed in the history of movie and play than I had expected and that made for some hilarious banter.

Dan Weed of Weed Family Automotive in Concord was our in studio guest for the Wednesday program. Most of the discussion focused on the recent repeal of the New Hampshire automobile inspection program by state legislators and Governor Ayotte. The new law will go into effect on January 31, 2026 when at that time state motorists will not be required to have their vehicles of any type pass an inspection.

On todays episode Catherine Dean calls in to chat about Feng Shui and its benefits to our health and wellness as it pertains to our everyday work and living spaces.

We catch up with our friend, Kathy Kelley as she continues her adventures as a RV "Nomad"!  Kathy shares all the challenges and all the fun while taking on this amazing lifestyle.  Join us as we chat about this fascinating adventure!

Insurance and Fire fighting were the Tuesday topics on the program. The New Hampshire Insurance Department's Supervisor for Property and Casualty Compliance LuAnne King joined us to discuss the need as well as the options and policies available for Summertime “toys” like All Terrain Vehicles, Four Wheelers, boats and even golf carts. In the second half of the show we were joined by the recently-appointed Director of the New Hampshire Fire Academy, Mark Wholey. Among the topics were the many courses available at the Academy and the advances made in fire fighting training which they've been doing since 1960. The training is hands-on, online or in the classroom. More information on the Academy is available at www.nhfa-ems.com

Monday's show featured Northeast Delta Dental President and CEO Tom Raffio reviewing Saturday's race at Mount Washington where Colorado's Joseph Gray beat the Cog up to the summit of New England's tallest peak for the second time. Tom also talked about Tuesday's event at Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester honoring the 1975 World Series' 50th Anniversary. Some consider that series, the greatest ever played. It featured the Red Sox and the Cincinnati Reds. We also chatted with correspondent John Leahy about new rules for college hockey in the United States where, for the first time, players from Canada's Major Junior Leagues will be given the opportunity to play for collegiate teams in the U.S.

Don't miss the next episode of The Writers' Den: “When Art Imitates Life” – airing Sunday, June 29th at 11:00 AM! Oscar Wilde once said, “Life imitates art more than art imitates life.” But on this month's episode, art is clearly drawing from the real world. Join us for a powerful conversation with two authors whose stories—one fictional, one drawn from true events—blur the line between imagination and lived experience. Our special guest, Beth Hooper, is the award-winning author of Roots That Clutch, a novel rooted in reality and written with a literary style that reads like fiction. Her work reflects deep emotional truths and powerful commentary on human resilience. Our featured NHWP Author, E.H. Jacobs, brings us Splintered River, a timely debut novel that paints a stark and thought-provoking portrait of the world we live in today. Though fictional, its themes are hauntingly familiar and grounded in current social realities. Tune in Sunday, June 29th at 11:00 AM on WKXL 103.9/101.9 FM & 1450 AM or listen online at NHTalkRadio.com by selecting the Live Stream bar. This is a can't-miss episode that examines the real-life inspirations behind compelling literary works—and how storytelling reflects, and shapes, our understanding of the world. Mark your calendar and join us for “When Art Imitates Life.”

Graciously coming all the way from Whitefield NH, Artistic Director for the Weathervane Theater, Ethan Paulini, drops by to chat up the Weathervane's 60th season. It's packed to say the least! With a themed season focusing on icons it features productions such as Alanis Morissette's “Jagged Little Pill”, “Becoming Dr. Ruth”, “Grease”, “Dirty Blonde”, “The Producers" as well as a play called “The Shark is Broken” in which 3 actors take on the roles of Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfus who “...are crammed into a too-small boat, entirely at the mercy of foul weather and a faulty mechanical co-star. Alcohol flows, egos collide, and tempers flare on a chaotic voyage that just might lead to cinematic magic…if it doesn't sink them all.” And all of that is just SOME of their seasons offerings. Tickets can be purchased here:  https://ci.ovationtix.com/35289

It was a very eventful Friday Fun Bunch with a couple of special guests. Scott Spradling of the Scott Spradling Band was in studio to talk about the band's show Saturday night at the Rex Theatre in Manchester. Plus we had a surprise visit from the World Famous Monkey Boy of Nashua Pride fame who will be part of tonight's Nashua Silver Knights tribute to the Nashua Pride at Historic Holman Stadium in Nashua.

This week on Facing the Future, tax expert Andrew Lautz, Associate Director for Economic Policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center, discusses tensions between House and Senate Republicans as they rush to pass a major deficit-financed tax cut bill before July 4th.

Poetry is an historical and emotional artform. Artful Living host Jane Cormier will bring the power of poetry to our listeners today. Join us at NHTalkRadio.com!

Thursday we talked scouting on the program with A.J. Kierstead and his son, Isaac. Friday night, as part of Market Days in Concord, Cub Scout Pack 86 is holding a spaghetti dinner from 5-6:30 PM at St.Paul's Church on Centre Street in Concord with all proceeds going to the pack. Chris Jared of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats was with us to talk about a celebration the team is having on July 1 to honor the 50th Anniversary of the 1975 American League Champion Red Sox. Bill “Spaceman” Lee, Rico Petrocelli and Bernie Carbo…all members of that team…will be at Delta Dental Stadium next Tuesday.

The final Wednesday of the month is our “One Hit Wonder Wednesday” on WKXL. Selecting the one-hitters this time around was local entrepreneur and basketball guru Bob Nelson who was able to come up with a very eclectic array of songs that fall into that category.

On today's episode Angèlica Forcier Rosenthal & Mackenzie Goodwin served us up all the deets on their upcoming production of “American Idiot” opening this Friday at the Derry Opera House. Controversial, striking, dark and thought provoking the musical is derived from the Green Day (certified 6x Platinum) album of the same name. It features all 13 songs from the album plus 5 from their album "21st Century Breakdown". Don't miss “American Idiot” At the Derry Opera House June 27-29! Tickets: https://kidscooptheatre.ludus.com/200480428

Veronica sits down with her daughter Bianca Stetson, and they are having a very informative discussion about Bio Hacking and Holistic Psycology, what these terms mean, and what's involved. Join Us!

On today show, we invite all to join our Artful Living segment of Oldies but Goodies from 50's, 60's, and 70's. Come with us and enjoy a time gone by!

Tuesday we welcomed back correspondent John Leahy to the program to discuss the conclusion of the NHL and NBA playoffs and his new book, “Living on Air” which chronicles his 30-year adventure in broadcasting. John will be in person this Saturday from 1-3 PM at BAM on Fort Eddy Road in Concord. Other topics on Tuesday included, a major Celtics trade, World UFO Day and thoughts on the 2025 Laconia Motorcycle Rally.

It was a Medicare Monday on the program with Christian and Larissa Troy in studio from Woodpecker Insurance in Concord. Among the topics discussed was there may be more insurance carriers making changes to their plans or leaving the state completely before the annual enrollment period takes place starting on October 15. Woodpecker suggests making your plans for a free consultation soon. Christian and Larissa will also be happy to answer your questions this Thursday-Saturday during Market Days in downtown Concord. www.woodpeckermedicare.com

There's some new life being injected into downtown Concord and it has the community buzzing. A new building that's being called Arts Alley is being constructed between the COOP and the BNH stage and it's frickin' wild! And in their word: "The Rooftop 20 - Our sky-high bar featuring the Ciel Airstream (because why not), cocktails, and sunsets: The Main Venue - Our largest indoor event space for weddings, galas, and private parties; The Rose & Rye - A retro style diner by day, intimate private events by night, and lastly, The Courtyard - Outdoor hangout for lawn games, live music, & weekend markets.” Oh and a Friendly Toast tossed in for the fun of it. Crazy!!

It's Friday, which means the Friday Fun Bunch is in the WKXL Studios! Ken Cail interviews Tom Raffio, President & CEO of Northeast Delta Dental, Ellen Raffio, and Kitty Rae the OFFICIAL “Flick Chick."

This week on Facing the Future, Prof. Phillip Joyce of the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, explains the high stakes in Washington's battle over the power of the purse and why protecting the Congressional Budget Office matters.

The Tabernacle Choir is featured today on "Artful Living".  Join host Jane Cormier, as we offer varied selections from spirituals, to musical theatre, to patriotic music.  You are invited to join us and enjoy this beautiful music.

Thursday's program provided an update on where we are in regard to funding for Medicare and Social Security, a brief explanation of the day we are commemorating, Juneteenth and the story of a record-breaking franchise sale in the history of U.S. pro sports. In addition, Red Sox, Raffy Devers and Fisher Cats news as we were joined by Fisher Cats broadcaster Chris Jared.

It was “Small Business Matters” Wednesday in partnership with the U.S Small Business Administration New Hampshire District Office. Our guest today, Joe Whitten, the founder and CEO of Apparel Impact located in Hooksett. Apparel Impact is a textile recovery company who's mission is to reduce landfill waste, create good paying jobs and help those who are in need of quality recycled clothing. The company has provided more than 21,000 people and families with assistance thanks to over 76-million pieces of clothing received from over 16-hundred collection bins and partners in New Hampshire and other states in the Northeast. For more information it's www.apparelimpact.com

On todays show, Veronica has an informative discussion with Rick Blais regarding finances, how to discuss and manage them in a healthy way with our spouse.

Join Jane Cormier, host of  WKXL's "Artful Living"  featuring the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. This illustrious and prolific composer has so many musical selections you probably already know! Come and listen with us!

We discussed some Concord politics on Tuesday's program with Attorney Charlie Russell who has been a long time activist on the local scene. Among the topics of discussion, a possible impact fee hike, a new clubhouse at Beaver Meadow and what's going on at the former Steeplegate Mall. Also Tuesday we remembered the beginning of the Watergate scandal on this date in 1972 where five White House operatives were arrested for wire-tapping the Democratic National Committee offices in the Watergate office complex and ultimately led to the resignation of President Nixon in 1974.

Monday's headline story was the trade of Raffy Devers by the Red Sox to the San Francisco Giants. Correspondent John Leahy joined in that discussion along with the incredible Stanley Cup final performance by former Boston Bruins star Brad Marchand now with the Florida Panthers. We also had some fun honoring National Veggie Day along with National Cannoli Day and National Fudge Day!