Boston from the Inside

Rob Watts and Joe DiMeo walk through Boston and reflect on various aspects of their beloved city. From CV-19 observations to reminiscing about legendary Boston retail establishments that no longer exist, they are opinionated and have something to say!

What does the future hold for Boston? Historic Faneuil Hall Marketplace reopened its doors today, but what can restaurant owners and publicans expect from the summer of 2020? In this episode, we discuss what this all might mean to the city, the restaurant owners, the employees, and the people who support the establishments. The perspective is constantly shifting as pandemic living affects the economy, family, quality of life, and the rhythms of life that have been part of the fabric of who we are.

These last few weeks have been nothing short of mesmerizing for Boston from the Inside. I had the opportunity to meet, photograph, chat, interact with dozens of people while wearing out the soles of my shoes finding interesting people and places to feature on Facebook and Instagram. Each person and experience welcome a different dimension of learning and understanding, and I'm happy I was present during a low key rally in front of the now-missing Christopher Columbus statue located on Boston's Waterfront. Questions were asked. Answers were given. Some folks responded on Facebook and things got a bit ugly, but I now have an opportunity to delve deeply into the experiences of that day with you on this episode. This is my chance to expand on the photos, videos, and articles that are posted daily. I hope you'll listen, like and share!

In this episode, we are inspired by a walk through Boston's idyllic Public Garden. Three guys from Boston reflecting on our past while being inspired by the imagery that surrounded us for so many years. Boston has changed quite a bit over the years, but the emotions that the city of yesterday evoked in us are deeply rooted in us. We hope you enjoy the show!

Whether you live in Boston or Katmandu, we are all feeling the same psychological effects of the COVID-19 virus. Perhaps for the first time in history, we are all sharing our global experiences in real-time through Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and the myriad of internet information pathways. Let's briefly discuss it, then move on to a great conversation with Charlestown, MA native, and fellow Don Bosco Technical High School alumnus, Christopher Hickey. We discuss all things Boston and inject some perspective from 30 years ago as we reflect on the Boston we remember as young adults.

I'm driving into Boston to volunteer on MLK, Jr. Day at Excel High School on Telegraph Hill in South Boston, and it dawned on me that this high school was where the South Boston Busing Riots of 1974 happened. I also drove by the Old Colony Projects, and coincidentally I had just finished reading the book "All Souls: A Family Story from Southie" by Michael Patrick MacDonald and so many of the stories in that wonderful book took place here. This podcast expands on that day and the thoughts that ran through my head.

Ladies and gentlemen, whether you still live in the Boston area or you live wicked far from here now, I’d like to welcome you to my very first episode of the Boston from the Inside Podcast. On this show, we get cerebral (and sometimes emotional) about the people, the places, the stories, and experiences that make this historic and beautiful city the world-class it is today. We have a lot to talk about the conversation topics are endless. I hope you'll join me on this journey.