New England Take

The Importance of Civics Education

A. J. speaks with Adam Mangana, Education Innovator & CEO of Optima, about the importance of civics education and their online program to teach kids this vital subject, followed by A. J. diving into who Americans are and why we should celebrate our nation.Learn more about Optima Academy at https://optimaacademy.onlineThank you to Porcupine Coffee Roasting for supporting the show, use code "NETAKE" for 15% off your order at https://porcupinecoffeeroasting.comJoin the Substack at https://newenglandtake.com and email A. J. at aj@newenglandtake.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.newenglandtake.com/subscribe [https://www.newenglandtake.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Are we at a turning point to save LOCAL NEWS?

A. J. is joined by Granite State News Collaborative's Melanie Plenda to explain the importance of local news and how it currently stands in New Hampshire, as well as how Granite Staters want their news delivered.Learn more about the Granite State News Collaborative at https://www.collaborativenh.orgEmail the show at aj@newenglandtake.com and join the email list at https://newenglandtake.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.newenglandtake.com/subscribe [https://www.newenglandtake.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Let's clear the air on DATA CENTERS

A. J. is joined by NetChoice's Patrick Hedger to push back against data center misinformation, including how this goes beyond artificial intelligence, the importance of the United States being the leader in the space (instead of China), and how the bubble talk is overinflated.Learn more about NetChoice: https://netchoice.orgEmail your comments to aj@newenglandtake.com and join the Substack at https://newenglandtake.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.newenglandtake.com/subscribe [https://www.newenglandtake.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Off to the Races: New Hampshire Hits the Midterms

A. J. has a chaotic rant about Democrats and Republicans filing for the New Hampshire midterms (especially Sununu, Beauchemin, and Beriont) with questionable campaign tactics and how Pittsfield and working with Concord for school administrative duties.AD: Get great specialty coffee from Porcupine Coffee Roasting at 15% off with code "NETAKE" at https://porcupinecoffeeroasting.comNH Journal, "‘Mini-Bernie’ Beauchemin Files Primary Challenge Against Goodlander": https://nhjournal.com/mini-bernie-beauchemin-files-primary-challenge-against-goodlander/NH Journal, "Beriont Files for NH-01, Says Dem Insiders Tried to Push Her Out of Race": https://nhjournal.com/beriont-files-for-nh-01-says-dem-insiders-tried-to-push-her-out-of-race/Concord Monitor, "A new model? Instead of hiring new superintendent, Pittsfield will pay Concord for admin services": https://www.concordmonitor.com/2026/06/10/concord-pittsfield-district-collaboration/?fbclid=IwdGRleASWokZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEePqy7tTDn8GaJ67BIHspznzcoTIxqr3A7p-DN2UuzL2FqTUygguFt5hhGACQ_aem_zkIQQEABIp8lr5jDhNKLSwConcord Monitor, "Concord Board of Education approves 12.2% tax increase, dealing heavy blow to taxpayers and educators alike": https://www.concordmonitor.com/2026/03/31/concord-budget-layoffs-tax-increase/Join the Substack at https://newenglandtake.com and email me at aj@newenglandtake.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.newenglandtake.com/subscribe [https://www.newenglandtake.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

How do we keep local government honest and transparent?

A. J. is joined by Michael Stansfield, CEO of Civic-Chain, to discuss the importance of government transparency, providing tools that make it easy for journalists and citizens to keep government honest, and how blockchain tools (like Civic-Chain) can make this happen.Learn more about Civic-Chain at https://civic-chain.comAD: Get great specialty coffee from Porcupine Coffee Roasting using code "NETake" for 15% off at https://porcupinecoffeeroasting.comJoin the Substack at https://newenglandtake.com and email A. J. at aj@newenglandtake.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.newenglandtake.com/subscribe [https://www.newenglandtake.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]