Building Opportunity: Jeff Thielman on Education, Access, and Impact

Dr. Julie Chen and Susu Wong | Good Trouble

In this episode of Good Trouble, we sit down with Dr. Julie Chen, Chancellor of UMass Lowell, and Susu Wong, Founder and Chief Connector of Tomo360. Both leaders were honored at Embrace Honors MLK with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King Award. This is a journey conversation where we discuss their backgrounds, what shaped their leadership, and the pivotal moments of their careers. From higher education research to building supportive networks for women, Julie and Susu discuss the work behind their titles and the values that keep them grounded in service of the community. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rahsaan Hall on Civil Rights, Economic Justice, and the Fight for Equity | Good Trouble

In this episode of Good Trouble, we sit down with Rahsaan Hall, President and CEO of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, to talk about civil rights, economic justice, and the fight for equity in Boston and beyond. A longtime advocate and former Director of the Racial Justice Program at the ACLU of Massachusetts, Rahsaan brings decades of experience at the intersection of policy, law, and community organizing. We discuss the state of racial justice today, the urgent need for economic mobility, and what it takes to build systems that truly serve Black and brown communities. This conversation challenges us to think beyond headlines and toward structural change — in housing, education, criminal justice, and wealth-building. Good Trouble is a podcast from Embrace Boston, produced in partnership with NBC10 Boston, featuring the leaders and thinkers reshaping our civic and cultural landscape. Watch, listen, and join the conversation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Building Opportunity: Jeff Thielman on Education, Access, and Impact

On this episode of Good Trouble, we talk with Jeff Thielman, President and CEO of the International Institute of New England and a longtime leader in youth development and immigrant advocacy. Jeff shares his journey from leading youth workforce initiatives to advancing opportunities for newcomers and families across the region. Together, we examine the connection between education, economic mobility, and belonging — and what it takes to build systems that truly serve the next generation. This conversation explores leadership, access, and the long arc of creating opportunity in Boston and beyond. Good Trouble is a podcast from Embrace Boston, produced in partnership with NBC10 Boston, featuring the thinkers and leaders reshaping our civic and cultural landscape. Best, Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rev. Liz Walker on Faith, Justice, and the Work of Repair | Good Trouble

In this episode of Good Trouble, we sit down with Rev. Liz Walker — pastor, public theologian, and longtime advocate for justice — to explore the intersection of faith and social change. From her years as a journalist to her leadership at Roxbury Presbyterian Church, Rev. Walker reflects on what it means to guide a community through division, grief, and renewal. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bishop William & Lady Luella Dickerson: Hope, Leadership & Loving a City Back to Life

What does it mean to build belonging — not in policy rooms, but in people’s lives? In this episode of Good Trouble, we sit down with Bishop William E. Dickerson II and Lady Luella Dickerson, co-founders of Greater Love Tabernacle and longtime anchors of Boston’s faith and civic landscape. For more than three decades, the Embrace Honors 2026 honorees have led a ministry rooted in healing, justice, and radical compassion — walking with families through trauma, violence, recovery, incarceration, and transformation. Bishop Dickerson traces his journey from youth minister and educator to senior pastor and civic leader. Lady Luella reflects on decades of quiet, powerful work supporting women navigating abuse, addiction, and life’s heaviest burdens — offering safety, dignity, and restoration when few others could. Together, they’ve shaped the emotional and spiritual fabric of Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan, and beyond. This conversation explores faith as action, leadership as service, and belonging as a daily practice. Good Trouble is a podcast from Embrace Boston, produced with NBC10 Boston, spotlighting leaders who move systems, shift culture, and expand what’s possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.