Ever wonder what goes into writing a news article or what happens when you hand a journalist a microphone?
So That Reminds Me is a bi-weekly podcast from Reminder Publishing covering the biggest hometown news stories in Western Massachusetts. Each episode, hosts Chris Maza, Dennis Hackett, Tyler Garnet, and Ryan Feyre break down the hot local stories and bring in special guests to share their perspectives.
From breaking down the news that's important to you to behind-the-scenes storytelling, So That Reminds Me is your go-to source for local journalism in Western Mass.
Massachusetts Ballot Questions Explained: What Voters Need to Know Before Election Day
Massachusetts voters will decide nine statewide ballot questions this Election Day, and understanding what's on the ballot can be challenging. In this episode of So That Reminds Me, Tyler Garnet, Ryan Feyre and Chris Maza break down all nine Massachusetts ballot questions, explaining what each proposal would do and how it could affect residents, taxpayers and local communities. Topics include public records transparency, voter registration, tax policy, housing development, environmental funding, recreational marijuana, firearm regulations and other major issues facing Massachusetts voters.
00:30 Welcome
00:48 The Big E and West Springfield Agreement Discussions
06:17 Question 1: Massachusetts Public Records and Government Transparency
12:50 Question 2: Union Rights for Massachusetts Public Defenders and Public Counsel Employees
17:34 Question 3: Open Primaries, Ranked-Choice Voting and Massachusetts Election Reform
23:23 Question 4: Election Day Voter Registration and Expanding Voting Access in Massachusetts
33:18 Question 5: Massachusetts Taxpayer Rebates, State Revenue Limits and Fiscal Policy
41:06 Question 6: Environmental Conservation Funding, Parks and Open Space Protection
46:01 Question 7: Single-Family Housing Development, Zoning Reform and the Massachusetts Housing Crisis
51:13 Question 8: Recreational Marijuana Legalization, Cannabis Sales and State Drug Policy
58:03 Question 9: Massachusetts Gun Laws, Firearm Regulations and Ghost Gun Restrictions
1:03:55 How to Research Ballot Questions, Prepare Your Vote and Navigate Election Day
1:06:16 Final Thoughts on the Massachusetts Election, Voting Resources and Episode Wrap-Up
16 Oct 2026
School Funding, Energy Costs and the Quabbin: Sen. Jake Oliveira on Western Massachusetts Issues
State Sen. Jake Oliveira joins So That Reminds Me to discuss school funding, Proposition 2½ overrides, rising energy and health insurance costs, East-West Rail, economic development and the future of the Quabbin Reservoir. Oliveira also weighs in on the proposed Hampden County courthouse, legislative transparency, state spending and what Beacon Hill can do to help local communities manage growing costs while investing in the future.
00:30 Welcome
03:10 Holyoke's Wyckoff Country Club redevelopment proposal and future housing plans
07:02 Holyoke cannabis dispensary extended hours pilot program
09:52 Chicopee's debate over the PROTECT Act school policy
15:37 Interview begins: Sen. Jake Oliveira on representing Western Massachusetts
17:27 Springfield courthouse proposal and concerns over a long-term state lease
22:26 Proposition 2½ overrides and school funding challenges facing local communities
27:23 Rising gas prices, energy affordability and the proposed Massachusetts gas tax suspension
30:44 Health insurance costs and the impact on municipalities, taxpayers and businesses
35:15 Quabbin Reservoir water withdrawals and concerns about Western Massachusetts water resources
38:08 One Stop for Growth grants and economic development projects in the region
40:23 Looking ahead: legislative priorities, Chapter 70 funding, energy affordability and East-West Rail
43:29 Ballot Question 1, legislative audits and government transparency
48:53 Episode wrap-up
2 Oct 2026
The Civil Rights Story You've Probably Never Heard: Marty Dobrow on Original City, Original Sin
In this episode of So That Reminds Me, Chris Maza and Ryan Feyre sit down for an exclusive interview with Springfield College professor and author Marty Dobrow to discuss his new book, Original City, Original Sin: King, the Klan, and the Fight for Civil Rights in St. Augustine, Florida, scheduled for release on Oct. 15.
Dobrow explores the little-known story of the civil rights movement in St. Augustine, Florida, the nation's oldest city and one of the movement's most significant yet often overlooked battlegrounds. The conversation examines the roles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Ku Klux Klan, local activists, and other key figures who shaped the struggle for civil rights. Dobrow also explains the surprising connections between this pivotal chapter in American history and Western Massachusetts.
The hosts also break down some of the top local news stories from across Western Massachusetts, including Halloween season events at Holyoke's Wistariahurst Museum, a partnership between the Hampden District Attorney's Office and students in Dean Technical High School's Auto Collision and Diesel Technology programs, new state earmarks supporting local veterans services and organizations, and plans for the future of the East Longmeadow Town Hall.
0:30 Welcome
6:43 Wistariahurst Museum Halloween events
8:44 Hampden District Attorney’s support for Dean Tech students
9:55 Chicopee veterans funding
11:34 East Longmeadow Town Hall move
12:53 Twisted Sister Prime Magazine feature
14:25 9/11 25th anniversary reflections
19:25 Welcoming Marty Dobrow
22:40 Inspiration for Original City, Original Sin
27:44 Western Mass. connections
33:24 Impressions of St. Augustine
43:04 The South’s struggle with racial history
55:34 Reflections on the process
59:39 Where to find Original City, Original Sin
Who has been a guest on So That Reminds Me
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Kristen Neville
Adele Hill
Izzy Post Ruhland
Kimberly Lee
Marianna Litovich
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 28 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
32
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
60
Contact So That Reminds Me
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about So That Reminds Me
Who hosts So That Reminds Me?
Dennis Hackett and Lauren LeBel and Chris Maza host the show. Published by Reminder Publishing.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes bi-weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does So That Reminds Me take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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