Mic Check

On the August 17, 2025 episode of Mic Check, host Mike Merli sat down with Barbara Fair.Born and raised in New Haven, Barbara graduated with an MSW (Master’s in Social Work) from Southern Connecticut State University, who presented her in 2022 with a Presidential Gold Medal naming her as a woman of distinction for her many years fighting for prison reform. Barbara is currently Director of Stop Solitary CT, and has spent much of her life in the struggle for racial and social justice in Connecticut and across the nation. Barbara’s most rewarding role in life is as a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. During the discussion, they touch on two important events happening this week:On Thursday August 21, from 6pm to 9pm, Stop Solitary CT will hold their monthly Community Meeting, at the Whitneyville Cultural Commons (1253 Whitney Avenue) in Hamden, Connecticut. The discussion will bring together private Defense Attorneys, Prosecutors, and civil rights activist Abraham Santiago.On Friday August 22, at 9am, Barbara and Stop Solitary CT will be gathering in front of Hartford Superior Court (95 Washington Street) for a vigil before a hearing where the court will decide whether or not to publicly release the video of J'Allen Jones' March 2018 death at Garner Correctional Institution in Newtown.Barbara Fair can be reached at:barbfair848@gmail.com.More info on Stop Solitary CT at:www.stopsolitaryct.org/x.com/stopsolitaryctwww.instagram.com/stopsolitaryct/More info on the death of J'Allen Jones at:www.ctinsider.com/news/article/jal…uit-19813830.phpwww.wfsb.com/2024/10/18/frustra…to%20be%20releasedwww.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/h…eath-of-an-inmate/www.nhregister.com/news/article/ac…ecount=MA%3D%3D

After the US election in 2024, American’s were flooded with what they could expect from the incoming administration in the first 100 Days. The news was filled of the horrors to come, Isabelle Barbour initiated her own 100 Days from January 20th to April 29th of 2025. She set out to connect, hold space, and listen to people across the country about what they were feeling, doing, what they feared and what they loved. This is part 1 and features eight people that Isabelle recorded with in the first 50 days.

Laura Modlin interviews Annie Hornish, Connecticut state director and lobbyist for Humane World for Animals, on 2025 Connecticut bill outcomes in Hartford, how to keep your pets safe in summer heat & tips on living with bears.Photo by Laura Modlin.

Isabelle Barbour spoke to people around the country about the first hundred days of the Trump administration. This story focuses on the experiences of mothers, grandmothers, activists, and protesters. The piece features the voices of Omkari Williams (https://www.omkariwilliams.com), AC Shilton (https://acshilton.com), Grandma’s for Love co-founder, Shirley Hershey Showalter https://grandmasforlove.com/ and more! You can learn more about Isabelle by visiting isabellebarbour.com

It’s that time of year. Wildlife babies are coming into the world. Sometimes in our own backyard. Learn how to tell the difference between those who are orphaned and ones who are in no danger and what to do to help them all. Laura Modlin interviews Laura Simon, wildlife ecologist and president of the Connecticut Wildlife Rehabilitators Association.Photo courtesy of Laura Simon.

Laura Modlin interviews Olivia DiPalermo from Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition on the negative impacts of excessive road salt and what you can do about it.Aired January 5, 2025.

Four commentaries on the post-election landscape: -Michael Zweig, economist and labor historian, talks about the role Labor should play in an anti-fascist front. -Mel Goodman, former CIA analyst, discusses the ramifications of a second Trump regime on US foreign policy. -Kica Matos, director of the National Immigration Law Center (NILC), warns about the coming attacks on immigrants. -Chris Viles, professor of English at UCONN-Storrs, discusses the phenomenon of fascism and its implications for our nation.Hosted by Richard Hill, Scott Harris and Prue Cullen