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Mic Check: Daily Summaries Delivered
by WPKN
WPKN’s ½-hour weekly public affairs and community discussion program. Our diverse roster of hosts presents a wide range of topics for discussion: focusing on global, national, and regional issues and their effect on the local Connecticut community. Just as the phrase “Mic Check” was used to mobilize people to create a human microphone during the Occupy Movement, this weekly program will amplify our local community’s many concerns and voices and bring them to the air-waves.
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- 1 weeks ago21 min
Jon Phillips and Bethel Defends Democracy
On the September 8, 2026 episode of Mic Check, host Mike Merli sat down live in the studio with Jon Phillips.Jon is a Bethel resident, father, and longtime technology executive. He is a volunteer with Bethel Defends Democracy, a grassroots progressive group that has brought neighbors together for 80 consecutive weeks of peaceful rallies in the center of Bethel. Jon believes democracy depends on ordinary people showing up, speaking out, and staying engaged in their communities, and that even in deeply divided times, we should never lose sight of the fact that we are all neighbors.Bethel Defends Democracy holds a weekly rally, open to all, every Saturday from 11am to 12:30pm, at the corner of Greenwood Avenue and Library Place in Bethel, Connecticut.For more on Bethel Defends Democracy, and to sign up for their newsletter:http://bethelrallies.orgbit.ly/BethelRalliesNewsletterQuestions and Feedback for future rallies is always welcome at:BethelDefendsDemocracyRallies@gmail.com
- 2 weeks ago27 min
Black August Mixtape 2026 - Volume 2
BLACK AUGUST MIXTAPE 2026 - VOLUME 2{Originally broadcast on WPKN on August 27, 2026}On the August 3, 2026 episode of Mic Check, Mike Merli interviewed Shaenna Taylor. During the discussion, they spoke about the Bridgeport Police murder of Dyshan Best last March, as well as the subsequent prosecution of, not the officers involved, but Dyshan’s friend Joseph Thompson aka Joe Grits. Joe is a beloved community activist, and a close friend of Shaenna's and Dyshan's. Joe's grief was criminalized, and he became a political prisoner, sentenced to 7 years suspended after 3.Letters of solidarity for Joe can be sent to:Joseph Thompson#322513Corrigan CI986 Norwich-New London TurnpikeUncasville, CT 06382Throughout the second half of August, host Mike Merli used two Mic Check episodes to honor Black August, which is an annual month-long observance that is rooted in the recognition of those who made profound sacrifices in the lineage and struggle for Black liberation.Black August was launched in 1979 by incarcerated members of the Black Guerrilla Family in San Quentin Prison, as a way to honor the lives of brothers Jonathan Jackson and George Jackson, both murdered by the state, in August of 1970 and 1971, respectively. There are many individuals within the Black liberation movement who have been honored during Black August observances over the past several decades. Many were killed by police or other government agents. Many were incarcerated and spent decades behind bars as political prisoners. The annual observance is a means to honor the sacrifices of those who came before, while re-committing to supporting those who are behind bars today (both political and social prisoners).During this program, we hear Black August Mixtape 2026 - Volume 2, dedicated to Joe Grits, who is sitting in prison right now a political prisoner.In the first half of the program, we hear a segment from host Mike Merli's June 9, 2026 interview with Joe, before his sentencing hearing took place. Joe speaks about his journey, his music and activism, and the unthinkable and tragic murder of his friend Dyshan Best by Bridgeport Police Officers on March 31, 2025.The second half of the program features an interview that Shaenna Taylor conducted over the phone with Joe, after his prison sentence began. Speaking from Corrigan Correctional Institution in Uncasville, Connecticut, Joe meditates on the conditions he has experienced and observed in Connecticut’s prison system. And he reflects on his hopes and dreams for himself and his loved ones, Bridgeport, and Dyshan Best’s family.This program is a collaboration between host Mike Merli and Abolition Ummah, a Muslim-led grassroots organization that organizes in solidarity with incarcerated folks here in Connecticut.The music featured in Black August Mixtape 2026 was produced by Captain Pharo, and provided for this purpose by Alyssa Hughes.
- 2 weeks ago26 min
Black August Mixtape 2026 - Volume 1
BLACK AUGUST MIXTAPE 2026 - VOLUME 1{Originally broadcast on WPKN on August 18, 2026}On the August 3, 2026 episode of Mic Check, Mike Merli interviewed Shaenna Taylor. During the discussion, they spoke about the Bridgeport Police murder of Dyshan Best last March, as well as the subsequent prosecution of, not the officers involved, but Dyshan’s friend Joseph Thompson aka Joe Grits. Joe is a beloved community activist, and a close friend of Shaenna's and Dyshan's. Joe's grief was criminalized, and he became a political prisoner, sentenced to 7 years suspended after 3. Letters of solidarity for Joe can be sent to: Joseph Thompson#322513Corrigan CI986 Norwich-New London TurnpikeUncasville, CT 06382Throughout the second half of August, host Mike Merli used two Mic Check episodes to honor Black August, which is an annual month-long observance that is rooted in the recognition of those who made profound sacrifices in the lineage and struggle for Black liberation.Black August was launched in 1979 by incarcerated members of the Black Guerrilla Family in San Quentin Prison, as a way to honor the lives of brothers Jonathan Jackson and George Jackson, both murdered by the state, in August of 1970 and 1971, respectively. There are many individuals within the Black liberation movement who have been honored during Black August observances over the past several decades. Many were killed by police or other government agents. Many were incarcerated and spent decades behind bars as political prisoners. The annual observance is a means to honor the sacrifices of those who came before, while re-committing to supporting those who are behind bars today (both political and social prisoners).During this program, we hear Black August Mixtape 2026 - Volume 1, which features reports from two incarcerated Muslim brothers here in Connecticut: Brother Jabbar and Brother Jamil. Letters of solidarity for Jabbar can be sent to: Kenneth Brown#326008Cheshire CI900 Highland AvenueCheshire, CT 06410Letters of solidarity for Jamil can be sent to:Jamil Khidr#143853Bridgeport CC1106 North AvenueBridgeport, CT 06604This program is a collaboration between host Mike Merli and Abolition Ummah, a Muslim-led grassroots organization that organizes in solidarity with incarcerated folks here in Connecticut.The music featured in Black August Mixtape 2026 was produced by Captain Pharo, and provided for this purpose by Alyssa Hughes.
- Aug 14, 202628 min
Countering Authoritarianism and Protecting the Midterm Elections: A Conversation with Jill Garvey
Isabelle speaks with Jill Garvey, the Director of States at the Core (STAC), about how we protect Democracy in the United States of America. Jill has considerable expertise in authoritarianism and community organizing. STAC has provided support to many communities in the US as they organize against threats to human rights and democracy. STAC is currently providing election protection trainings. Learn more at statesatthecore.substack.com.
- Aug 6, 202624 min
Shaenna Taylor Turns Adversity into Advocacy and Action
On the August 4, 2026 episode of Mic Check, host Mike Merli sat down with Bridgeport native, Shaenna Taylor.Shaenna Taylor is an award-winning educator, mentor, community advocate, and entrepreneur from Bridgeport, Connecticut. With more than 10 years of experience in the Bridgeport Public School system, she has been recognized with multiple Staff Member of the Year awards for her dedication to students and education.Beyond the classroom, Shaenna serves as the Mentor Lead and Director of #100GirlsLeading, empowering girls age 9-18 through mentorship, leadership, and personal development. She is also the co-founder of Bridgeport Stronger Together, where she works alongside community members to advocate for justice, strengthen neighborhoods, and amplify voices that often go unheard.Her commitment to service has earned her the Connecticut Entrepreneur Community Builder Award and the Black People Rock Community Leader Award. A graduate of Sacred Heart University, Shaenna continues to inspire others through education, mentorship, advocacy, and community storytelling.During the conversation, Shaenna discusses the March 2025 Bridgeport Police murder of her friend Dyshan Best, shares memories and stories of Dyshan, and speaks about the unjust incarceration of Joe Grits.To connect with #100GirlsLeading:https://www.100girlsleadinginc.org/To connect with Bridgeport Stronger Together:On FacebookOn InstagramLetters of Solidarity can be sent to Joe Grits by writing to:Joseph Thompson#322513Bridgeport Correctional Center 1106 North AvenueBridgeport, CT 06604Commissary Funds can be sent via JPay to Joseph Thompson / #322513, or via depositing cash at the kiosk inside Bridgeport Correctional Center.
- Jun 10, 202622 min
Joe Grits Pays Tribute to His Friend Dyshan Best, and Speaks on His Ongoing Legal Battle
On the Tuesday June 9, 2026 episode of Mic Check, host Mike Merli sits down with Joe Grits, Bridgeport-based community activist and musician. Joe takes time to remember his friend Dyshan Best, who was shot and killed by Bridgeport Police on March 31, 2025. Joe also speaks about his ongoing legal battle, stemming from his grief and pain being criminalized by the state in the aftermath of Dyshan's murder.
- Apr 5, 202624 min
Cuba In the Cross-Hairs: A First-Hand Report from Sandra Levinson
Sandra Levinson, executive director of the Center For Cuban Studies (www.centerorcubanstudies.org), reports on her recent trip to Cuba, focusing on the island nation's struggle survival under the yoke of the Trump regime's total oil embargo.Interview by Richard Hill
- Feb 11, 202621 min
James Jeter and the Fight for Fair Juvenile Sentencing in Connecticut
On the February 10, 2026 episode of Mic Check, host Mike Merli sat down with James Jeter, Co-Founder and Director of Full Citizens Coalition, a non-profit organization here in Connecticut. James was incarcerated at the age of 17 and served 19.5 years in prison before being released in 2016. James is dedicated to the cause of prison education and has sought opportunities to apply his own experience to benefit those still incarcerated or returning home.James and Full Citizens Coalition are part of the Coalition for Community Healing Through Justice Reform, which has been working hard to pass an important piece of Juvenile Justice legislation at the state capitol in Hartford during this legislative session.An important press conference on this bill will be taking place tomorrow, Wednesday February 11 at 10am in Room 1-C at the Legislative Office Building, or LOB, located at 300 Capitol Avenue in Hartford.For more on Full Citizens Coalition:https://www.fullcitizenscoalition.org/voteunlocked@fullcitizenscoalition.orgTo connect with the campaign behind the new Juvenile Sentencing Reform legislation being proposed at the state legislature:coalitionforhealingandjustice@gmail.com
About Mic Check
WPKN’s ½-hour weekly public affairs and community discussion program. Our diverse roster of hosts presents a wide range of topics for discussion: focusing on global, national, and regional issues and their effect on the local Connecticut community. Just as the phrase “Mic Check” was used to mobilize people to create a human microphone during the Occupy Movement, this weekly program will amplify our local community’s many concerns and voices and bring them to the air-waves.
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