EASTHAMPTON — Wren Ribeiro has found through her podcast, interviewing people across the Pioneer Valley and beyond, that “fierce vulnerability” means something different to everyone.
The concept drives the fourth season of Ribeiro’s podcast, “Mujeres Co-Labor 4 Peace,” which launched this fall. Episodes are released monthly, each featuring a different guest and often several.
“This whole season is about fierce vulnerability,” Ribeiro said. “I have all my guests weigh in — what does that mean to you?”
Ribeiro said people often don’t think the two words mesh. Two episodes into the season, however, she said her guests have each had a different take on how they connect.
In the first episode, Ribeiro interviewed workers at Sweet Birch Herbals on their farm in Ashfield. The second featured two different people in front of a live studio audience, a new addition this season meant to give listeners a more intimate experience with the show, Ribeiro said.
Ribeiro is encouraging people to join future live studio audiences, with the next on Nov. 14 in the Easthampton Media studio in Eastworks. Mujeres, Spanish for women, is the driving force of the podcast, Ribeiro said.
“I am doing this because I deeply feel the pain, the angst, the struggle that women have gone through for 5,000 years,” Ribeiro said. “I want to do something with this short life that I can pour my heart into.”
Even so, Ribeiro is welcoming men as guests this season. “Anyone can come to the studio audience and anyone can be a guest this season,” Ribeiro said. “In order for society to heal and to really claim peace as a possibility, we need to say yes to everybody.”
Ribeiro produces the show entirely by herself through her company, Inner Fortune, in collaboration with Easthampton Media. She started the podcast in 2023, winning Easthampton Media’s producer of the year award in 2024 shortly after for her efforts.
Ribeiro said the podcast has grown and evolved in different ways, now nearing 50 episodes.
To sign up for the live studio audience, click here. All seasons of the podcast can be found on various platforms. To learn more, visit innerfortune.com/mc4p.
Easthampton truck purchases
EASTHAMPTON — The City Council approved spending $236,000 for four new vehicles for the Department of Public Works at its Nov. 4 meeting, replacing several aging and rusted-out trucks in the current fleet.
DPW Director Greg Nuttelman said that it no longer makes sense to keep repairing the vehicles being replaced, as they have reached the end of their lives. City councilors asked various questions about each vehicle, mainly clarifications to help understand why the purchases were necessary.
The purchases include a $35,000 electric Ford van that will service water meters, purchased with a Green Communities grant; an $88,000 water truck to replace a 2004 model; a $45,000 wastewater treatment plant truck to replace a 2014 Chevrolet pickup; and a $68,000 truck to replace a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado.
Nuttelman said vehicles kept at the water department often last longer than ones kept at the wastewater treatment plant, since it has a heated garage to keep trucks in better condition through the winter.
Mayor Salem Derby clarified after several questions from residents that the vehicles are being funded through enterprise — paid by water and sewer rates — and grant funding, not with money gathered from the city’s recently approved $6.9 million override.
“These particular vehicles are funded through enterprise,” Derby said. “So again, this has nothing to do with overrides and these vehicles really are going to end up costing us more if we keep them than if we replace them.”
Galaxy-themed toy drive
EASTHAMPTON — People won’t have to travel to outer space to donate to Sunday’s third annual “Galaxy Far Away” toy drive to support the Easthampton Community Center.
The drive, which will take place at the Easthampton Public Safety Complex from 1 to 4 p.m., is being hosted by the Easthampton Firefighter Charitable Foundation, the Easthampton Police Association and the Northampton Elks Lodge.
Inspired by the movie series “Star Wars,” people are encouraged to bring unwrapped toys for the Easthampton Community Center, which serves almost 13,000 people in the area. Visitors can also get their photos taken with some of the galaxy’s biggest characters.
There is also a drop-off box in the lobby of the safety complex, and the Northampton Elks Lodge at 17 Spring St. in Florence, where donations can be made.
Housing plan survey
SOUTHAMPTON — Residents are encouraged to complete a Hampshire and Hampden counties housing survey to help update the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission’s housing plan for the region.
The anonymous survey runs until Nov. 24, asking renters, homeowners and others about housing costs, conditions, neighborhood quality, climate resilience and zoning changes that could expand housing options. Everyone living in the two counties can complete the survey.
The survey can be accessed here, and more information can be found at the Southampton Housing Authority’s page on the town’s website.
Westhampton highway worker opening
WESTHAMPTON — The town is accepting applications to fill a vacant Highway Department crew member position which would bring the department to three total employees.
The positions serves the department under supervision of the highway superintendent, performing all essential functions of the job such as building and maintaining roads, guardrails and bridges, landscaping, sign implementation and more.
The starting rate is $28 an hour, increasing to $31.52 after a six-month probationary period. To find more information, visit westhamptonma.gov/opportunities.
