CW: domestic violence, gun violence, and suicide

On this episode of the Liz Speaks Podcast, Liz speaks with Ruth Zakarin – CEO of the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence and Chair of Yes for a Safe Massachusetts – about Massachusetts Ballot Question 9, which would stop the gun lobby from repealing the Massachusetts's gun safety laws. Ruth breaks down this ballot question, and why you should vote YES to keep our communities safe. She also discusses the epidemic of gun violence and how experts in the space are responding to tragedy.

Learn more about the Question 9 on Massachusetts Ballot:

https://ballotpedia.org/Massachusetts_Question_9,_Firearm_Regulations_Referendum_(2026)

Learn more about the Yes on 9 campaign: https://www.yesforasafema.com/

Learn More about Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence: https://www.mapreventgunviolence.org/about-us

Norfolk County DA Forums:

https://www.youtube.com/live/b3dZeZ5K0xM

https://lwv-needham.org/district-attorney-candidate-forum/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0z6PBreQAw&t=3779s

You can vote on the ballot initiatives on November 3. Learn about the ballot questions, stay informed, and remember to vote.

***

The Liz Speaks Podcast, hosted by Liz Speakman, fosters community by educating about local issues that impact Quincy, MA, and providing opportunities for civic engagement. Each episode will have a call to action, so that you can get involved in our community.

Contact: ⁠lizspeakspodcast@gmail.com⁠

About Liz Speakman

Liz Speakman is a mom of 2 school-aged children and a 17-year Quincy resident who has a demonstrated commitment to community organizing and building power within the community. Liz is the current Executive Director of the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, and previously served as the Director of the City of Cambridge’s Community Safety Department and the Regional Organizing Director of the Fair Share Amendment (FSA) Campaign.

Liz’s community engagement in Quincy is robust. From 2020-2024, she served on the Quincy Citywide PTO Executive Committee, advocating for the achievement and delivery of high-quality equitable education for every student in Quincy Public Schools. In 2021, Liz ran for Quincy School Committee, and while she wasn’t elected to office, she used her experience to begin the conversation about low voter turnout in Quincy local elections. From these conversations, she co-founded Quincy Votes!, a 501(c)(3) non-partisan, non-profit organization aimed at boosting civic engagement in Quincy. Liz served as President of the Quincy Votes! board until May 2026.

In her professional and volunteer life, Liz brings passion and experience to creating sustainable change in large systems.

Producer: Liz Speakman

Music: Jon Gorey, ⁠jongorey.com⁠

This program is made possible through the Quincy Access Television (QATV) facilities of the Quincy Telecommunications Corp.

⁠youtube.com/@lizspeaksquincy⁠

⁠instagram.com/lizspeaksquincy⁠

⁠tiktok.com/@lizspeaksquincy⁠

⁠facebook.com/lizspeaksquincy

On this episode of the Liz Speaks Podcast, Liz discusses how hate is proliferated on social media, and how it can distract us and keep us from engaging in real issues in our community. She also touches on the Lindsay Clancy case, the rhetoric surrounding her trial, and how this connects to the office of District Attorney.

Then, Liz speaks with Norma Shulman, the Chair of Yes on Election Day Registration, about Massachusetts Ballot Question 4. Norma breaks down why we should have Election Day registration in Massachusetts, and explains why she believes voters should vote YES on Question 4.

Learn more about Election Day Registration:

https://electiondayvoterregistration.com/

Learn more about the Question 4 on Massachusetts Ballot:

https://ballotpedia.org/Massachusetts_Question_4,_Permit_Same-Day_Voter_Registration_Initiative_(2026)

Norfolk County DA Forums:

https://www.youtube.com/live/b3dZeZ5K0xM

https://lwv-needham.org/district-attorney-candidate-forum/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0z6PBreQAw&t=3779s

You can vote on the ballot initiatives on November 3. Learn about the ballot questions, stay informed, and remember to vote.

***

The Liz Speaks Podcast, hosted by Liz Speakman, fosters community by educating about local issues that impact Quincy, MA, and providing opportunities for civic engagement. Each episode will have a call to action, so that you can get involved in our community.

Contact: ⁠lizspeakspodcast@gmail.com⁠

About Liz Speakman

Liz Speakman is a mom of 2 school-aged children and a 17-year Quincy resident who has a demonstrated commitment to community organizing and building power within the community. Liz is the current Executive Director of the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, and previously served as the Director of the City of Cambridge’s Community Safety Department and the Regional Organizing Director of the Fair Share Amendment (FSA) Campaign.

Liz’s community engagement in Quincy is robust. From 2020-2024, she served on the Quincy Citywide PTO Executive Committee, advocating for the achievement and delivery of high-quality equitable education for every student in Quincy Public Schools. In 2021, Liz ran for Quincy School Committee, and while she wasn’t elected to office, she used her experience to begin the conversation about low voter turnout in Quincy local elections. From these conversations, she co-founded Quincy Votes!, a 501(c)(3) non-partisan, non-profit organization aimed at boosting civic engagement in Quincy. Liz served as President of the Quincy Votes! board until May 2026.

In her professional and volunteer life, Liz brings passion and experience to creating sustainable change in large systems.

Producer: Liz Speakman

Director: Sal Balsamo

Music: Jon Gorey, ⁠jongorey.com⁠

This program is made possible through the Quincy Access Television (QATV) facilities of the Quincy Telecommunications Corp.

⁠youtube.com/@lizspeaksquincy⁠

⁠instagram.com/lizspeaksquincy⁠

⁠tiktok.com/@lizspeaksquincy⁠

⁠facebook.com/lizspeaksquincy

*** NOTE: Since filming we have learned that the measure discussed in this episode will be ballot QUESTION 1 in the November 3rd general election ***

On this episode of the Liz Speaks Podcast, Liz talks to Joe Murphy from A Just Quincy who breaks down current public records laws in Massachusetts and how one community handles public records requests.

Then, Liz interviews Scotia Hille from Act on Mass about Massachusetts Ballot Question 1, which would expand the state's public records law and make records from the State Legislature and the governor's office more accessible to residents.

Learn more about the "Expanding the Public Records Law ” ballot initiative: https://ballotpedia.org/Open_meetings_and_public_information_ballot_measures

Learn more about Act on Mass: actonmass.org

Learn more about A Just Quincy: www.ajustquincy.com or ajustquincy.substack.com

You can vote on the ballot initiatives on November 3. Learn about the ballot questions, stay informed, and remember to vote.

***

The Liz Speaks Podcast, hosted by Liz Speakman, fosters community by educating about local issues that impact Quincy, MA, and providing opportunities for civic engagement. Each episode will have a call to action, so that you can get involved in our community.

Contact: ⁠lizspeakspodcast@gmail.com⁠

About Liz Speakman

Liz Speakman is a mom of 2 school-aged children and a 17-year Quincy resident who has a demonstrated commitment to community organizing and building power within the community. Liz is the current Executive Director of the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, and previously served as the Director of the City of Cambridge’s Community Safety Department and the Regional Organizing Director of the Fair Share Amendment (FSA) Campaign.

Liz’s community engagement in Quincy is robust. From 2020-2024, she served on the Quincy Citywide PTO Executive Committee, advocating for the achievement and delivery of high-quality equitable education for every student in Quincy Public Schools. In 2021, Liz ran for Quincy School Committee, and while she wasn’t elected to office, she used her experience to begin the conversation about low voter turnout in Quincy local elections. From these conversations, she co-founded Quincy Votes!, a 501(c)(3) non-partisan, non-profit organization aimed at boosting civic engagement in Quincy. Liz served as President of the Quincy Votes! board until May 2026.

In her professional and volunteer life, Liz brings passion and experience to creating sustainable change in large systems.

Producer: Liz Speakman

Director: Sal Balsamo

Music: Jon Gorey, ⁠jongorey.com⁠

This program is made possible through the Quincy Access Television (QATV) facilities of the Quincy Telecommunications Corp.

⁠youtube.com/@lizspeaksquincy⁠

⁠instagram.com/lizspeaksquincy⁠

⁠tiktok.com/@lizspeaksquincy⁠

⁠facebook.com/lizspeaksquincy

On this episode of the Liz Speaks Podcast, Liz chats with Viviana Abreu-Hernández and Gregg Grenier from the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget). Viviana and Gregg from MassBudget break down the 62F “tax cap” ballot initiative, which would limit the amount of tax revenue the state can raise and limit public investments. They provide insight into who is backing this initiative and why they think Massachusetts voters should reject this measure.

Learn more about the 62F “tax cap” ballot initiative: https://ballotpedia.org/Massachusetts_Change_State_Tax_Revenue_Limit_Initiative_(2026)

Learn more about MassBudget: https://massbudget.org/

You can vote on the ballot initiatives on November 3. Learn about the ballot questions, stay informed, and remember to vote.

***

The Liz Speaks Podcast, hosted by Liz Speakman, fosters community by educating about local issues that impact Quincy, MA, and providing opportunities for civic engagement. Each episode will have a call to action, so that you can get involved in our community.

Contact: ⁠lizspeakspodcast@gmail.com⁠

About Liz Speakman

Liz Speakman is a mom of 2 school-aged children and a 17-year Quincy resident who has a demonstrated commitment to community organizing and building power within the community. Liz is the current Executive Director of the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, and previously served as the Director of the City of Cambridge’s Community Safety Department and the Regional Organizing Director of the Fair Share Amendment (FSA) Campaign.

Liz’s community engagement in Quincy is robust. From 2020-2024, she served on the Quincy Citywide PTO Executive Committee, advocating for the achievement and delivery of high-quality equitable education for every student in Quincy Public Schools. In 2021, Liz ran for Quincy School Committee, and while she wasn’t elected to office, she used her experience to begin the conversation about low voter turnout in Quincy local elections. From these conversations, she co-founded Quincy Votes!, a 501(c)(3) non-partisan, non-profit organization aimed at boosting civic engagement in Quincy. Liz served as President of the Quincy Votes! board until May 2026.

In her professional and volunteer life, Liz brings passion and experience to creating sustainable change in large systems.

Producer: Liz Speakman

Director: Sal Balsamo

Music: Jon Gorey, ⁠jongorey.com⁠

This program is made possible through the Quincy Access Television (QATV) facilities of the Quincy Telecommunications Corp.

⁠youtube.com/@lizspeaksquincy⁠

⁠instagram.com/lizspeaksquincy⁠

⁠tiktok.com/@lizspeaksquincy⁠

⁠facebook.com/lizspeaksquincy

This is part three of a three-part series in which Liz interviews six candidates running for Norfolk County District Attorney (DA).

On this episode of the Liz Speaks Podcast, Liz chats with Democratic candidates Macy Lee and Greg Connor. Both candidates talk about why they decided to run for DA in Norfolk County and what unique experiences and skills they would bring to the office. They also share their perspectives on the high-profile cases of Karen Read and Sandra Birchmore.

The Democratic primary for Norfolk County District Attorney will be held on Tuesday, September 1st. Learn about the candidates, stay informed, and remember to vote.

Learn more about Macy Lee’s campaign: www.votemacylee.com

Learn more about Greg Connor’s campaign: www.gregconnor4da.com

***

The Liz Speaks Podcast, hosted by Liz Speakman, fosters community by educating about local issues that impact Quincy, MA, and providing opportunities for civic engagement. Each episode will have a call to action, so that you can get involved in our community.

Contact: ⁠lizspeakspodcast@gmail.com⁠

About Liz Speakman

Liz Speakman is a mom of 2 school aged children and a 17 year Quincy resident who has a demonstrated commitment to community organizing and building power within the community. Liz is the current Executive Director of the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, and previously served as the Director of the City of Cambridge’s Community Safety Department and the Regional Organizing Director of the Fair Share Amendment (FSA) Campaign.

Liz’s community engagement in Quincy is robust. From 2020-2024, she served on the Quincy Citywide PTO Executive Committee, advocating for the achievement and delivery of high-quality equitable education for every student in Quincy Public Schools. In 2021, Liz ran for Quincy School Committee, and while she wasn’t elected to office, she used her experience to begin the conversation about low voter turnout in Quincy local elections. From these conversations, she co-founded Quincy Votes!, a 501(c)(3) non-partisan, non-profit organization aimed at boosting civic engagement in Quincy. Liz served as President of the Quincy Votes! board until May 2026.

In her professional and volunteer life, Liz brings passion and experience to creating sustainable change in large systems.

Producer: Liz Speakman

Director: Sal Balsamo

Music: Jon Gorey, ⁠jongorey.com⁠

This program is made possible through the Quincy Access Television (QATV) facilities of the Quincy Telecommunications Corp.

⁠youtube.com/@lizspeaksquincy⁠

⁠instagram.com/lizspeaksquincy⁠

⁠tiktok.com/@lizspeaksquincy⁠

⁠facebook.com/lizspeaksquincy

This is part two of a three-part series in which Liz interviews six candidates running for Norfolk County District Attorney (DA).

On this episode of the Liz Speaks Podcast, Liz chats with Democratic candidates Adam Deitch and Jim Barakat. Both candidates talk about why they decided to run for DA in Norfolk County and what changes they would make to the office. They also give their takes on the high profile cases of Karen Read and Sandra Birchmore.

The Democratic primary for Norfolk County District Attorney will be held on Tuesday, September 1st. Learn about the candidates, stay informed, and remember to vote.

Learn more about Adam Deitch's campaign: http://voteadamdeitch.com/

Learn more about Jim Barakat’s campaign: http://www.teambarakat.com/

***

The Liz Speaks Podcast, hosted by Liz Speakman, fosters community by educating about local issues that impact Quincy, MA and providing opportunities for civic engagement. Each episode will have a call to action, so that you can get involved in our community.

Contact: ⁠lizspeakspodcast@gmail.com⁠

About Liz Speakman

Liz Speakman is a mom of 2 school aged children and a 17 year Quincy resident who has a demonstrated commitment to community organizing and building power within community. Liz is the current Executive Director of the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, and previously served as the Director of the City of Cambridge’s Community Safety Department and the Regional Organizing Director of the Fair Share Amendment (FSA) Campaign.

Liz’s community engagement in Quincy is robust. From 2020-2024, she served on the Quincy Citywide PTO Executive Committee, advocating for the achievement and delivery of high-quality equitable education for every student in Quincy Public Schools. In 2021, Liz ran for Quincy School Committee, and while she wasn’t elected to office, she used her experience to begin the conversation about low voter turnout in Quincy local elections. From these conversations, she co-founded Quincy Votes!, a 501(c)(3) non-partisan, non-profit organization aimed at boosting civic engagement in Quincy. Liz served as President of the Quincy Votes! board until May 2026.

In her professional and volunteer life, Liz brings passion and experience to creating sustainable change in large systems.

Producer: Liz Speakman

Director: Sal Balsamo

Music: Jon Gorey, ⁠jongorey.com⁠

This program is made possible through the Quincy Access Television (QATV) facilities of the Quincy Telecommunications Corp.

⁠youtube.com/@lizspeaksquincy⁠

⁠instagram.com/lizspeaksquincy⁠

⁠tiktok.com/@lizspeaksquincy⁠

⁠facebook.com/lizspeaksquincy

This is part one of a three part series in which Liz interviews six candidates running for Norfolk County District Attorney (DA).

On this episode of the Liz Speaks Podcast, Liz chats with Democratic candidates Djuna Perkins and Craig MacLellan. Both candidates talk about why they decided to run for DA in Norfolk County and what changes they would make to the office. They also give their takes on the high profile cases of Karen Read and Sandra Birchmore.

The Democratic primary for Norfolk County District Attorney will be held on Tuesday, September 1st. Learn about the candidates, stay informed, and remember to vote.

Learn more about Djuna Perkins’s campaign: https://www.djunaperkins.com/

Learn more about Craig MacLellan’s campaign: https://craigmaclellan.com/

***

The Liz Speaks Podcast, hosted by Liz Speakman, fosters community by educating about local issues that impact Quincy, MA and providing opportunities for civic engagement. Each episode will have a call to action, so that you can get involved in our community.

Contact: ⁠lizspeakspodcast@gmail.com⁠

About Liz Speakman

Liz Speakman is a mom of 2 school aged children and a 17 year Quincy resident who has a demonstrated commitment to community organizing and building power within community. Liz is the current Executive Director of the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, and previously served as the Director of the City of Cambridge’s Community Safety Department and the Regional Organizing Director of the Fair Share Amendment (FSA) Campaign.

Liz’s community engagement in Quincy is robust. From 2020-2024, she served on the Quincy Citywide PTO Executive Committee, advocating for the achievement and delivery of high-quality equitable education for every student in Quincy Public Schools. In 2021, Liz ran for Quincy School Committee, and while she wasn’t elected to office, she used her experience to begin the conversation about low voter turnout in Quincy local elections. From these conversations, she co-founded Quincy Votes!, a 501(c)(3) non-partisan, non-profit organization aimed at boosting civic engagement in Quincy. Liz served as President of the Quincy Votes! board until May 2026.

In her professional and volunteer life, Liz brings passion and experience to creating sustainable change in large systems.

Producer: Liz Speakman

Director: Sal Balsamo

Music: Jon Gorey, ⁠jongorey.com⁠

Editor: Lisa Rigia

This program is made possible through the Quincy Access Television (QATV) facilities of the Quincy Telecommunications Corp.

⁠youtube.com/@lizspeaksquincy⁠

⁠instagram.com/lizspeaksquincy⁠

⁠tiktok.com/@lizspeaksquincy⁠

⁠facebook.com/lizspeaksquincy

On this episode of the Liz Speaks Podcast, Liz discusses the potential relocation of the Mollie Hirshberg Early Intervention (MHEI) Center at the end of June, an issue raised by Quincy parents at the June 1 Quincy City Council meeting. Liz shares clips of the parents as they describe the impact of this move on their babies, and provides calls to action (see links below). Patrick Roath, Democratic Candidate for Congress (MA-08) joins Liz, and they chat about the issues impacting our community, the need for change in the Democratic party, and what we can be hopeful about in the year to come.

Learn more about Patrick Roath’s campaign: https://patrickroath.com/

Join Patrick on Tues, June 16th on Reddit for an “ask me anything” in r/massachusetts: https://www.reddit.com/r/massachusetts/s/ijztHywqaz

David Hogg video: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8sQxAro/

Mollie Hirshberg Learning Center Petition: https://tinyurl.com/EarlyInterventioninQuincy

Contact Mayor Koch: https://www.quincyma.gov/contact_us/mayors_office.php

Contact Aspire Health Alliance CEO, Susan Coakley: (617) 847-1950

***

The Liz Speaks Podcast, hosted by Liz Speakman, fosters community by educating about local issues that impact Quincy, MA and providing opportunities for civic engagement. Each episode will have a call to action, so that you can get involved in our community.

Contact: ⁠lizspeakspodcast@gmail.com⁠

About Liz Speakman

Liz Speakman is a mom of 2 school aged children and a 17 year Quincy resident who has a demonstrated commitment to community organizing and building power within community. Liz is the current Executive Director of the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, and previously served as the Director of the City of Cambridge’s Community Safety Department and the Regional Organizing Director of the Fair Share Amendment (FSA) Campaign.

Liz’s community engagement in Quincy is robust. From 2020-2024, she served on the Quincy Citywide PTO Executive Committee, advocating for the achievement and delivery of high-quality equitable education for every student in Quincy Public Schools. In 2021, Liz ran for Quincy School Committee, and while she wasn’t elected to office, she used her experience to begin the conversation about low voter turnout in Quincy local elections. From these conversations, she co-founded Quincy Votes!, a 501(c)(3) non-partisan, non-profit organization aimed at boosting civic engagement in Quincy. Liz served as President of the Quincy Votes! board until May 2026.

In her professional and volunteer life, Liz brings passion and experience to creating sustainable change in large systems.

Producer: Liz Speakman

Director: Sal Balsamo

Music: Jon Gorey, ⁠jongorey.com⁠

Editor: Lisa Rigia

This program is made possible through the Quincy Access Television (QATV) facilities of the Quincy Telecommunications Corp.

⁠youtube.com/@lizspeaksquincy⁠

⁠instagram.com/lizspeaksquincy⁠

⁠tiktok.com/@lizspeaksquincy⁠

⁠facebook.com/lizspeaksquincy