Common Ground with Paul Robbins & Dave Madsen

Chicopee’s Dan Lamothe recounts his journey from local unpaid teenage reporter to covering the war in Afghanistan for the Washington Post on the front lines.  Part of the Pulitzer-winning team that covered the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, Lamothe puts a face to the term mainstream media.

Dave Brinnel, talented musician and funny guy, talks with Paul and Dave about Rachel Maddow’s year as his on-air radio sidekick; he plays songs, shares his inspirations and brings some laughs.

Shagha Denoble and her family escaped Iran and oppression when she was 5 years old. Her immigrant experience gave her hope; her beliefs and spirit guide her and she shares how she and her husband parent young children in a world that today seems on fire.

America is divided. Political chaos abounds. How did we get here? There is hope - hear why on Common Ground.

The Impossible Dream 1967 Red Sox inspire 9-year-old Agawam resident Tom Shaer to pursue career in broadcasting; his journey starts as an unauthorized visitor in the Fenway Park press box.

Jazz legend Avery Sharpe’s journey from segregated Georgia to Massachusetts helps him find hope; he shares about performing his "I Am My Neighbor’s Keeper" project to jail inmates and in the church that was burned as a result of Obama’s election.

Wilbraham native Thom Pollard reaches the Summit of Everest a witness to climbers who died on the ascent. Was it worth it?

Common Ground with Paul Robbins & Dave Madsen's first episode features a Western Massachusetts native, Thom Pollard, a documentary filmmaker who shares his inspiring story about scaling Mount Everest and finding his purpose in life.