Boston Public Radio Podcast

BPR Full Show 10/2: The Government Shutdown Continued...

Today:GBH News' latest documentary “Living in Pryde” follows residents in "The Pryde" senior living facility at a time when queer rights are under attack. We speak with producer Rob Tokanel, Pryde executive director Gretchen Van Ness, and resident Eddie Whitman.And, Catherine D'Amato of the Greater Boston Food Bank walks us through impacts to food assistance during the government shutdown. 

Today:Retired federal judge Nancy Gertner discusses a judge's ruling that federal officials unconstitutionally violated the free speech rights of pro-Palestinian protesters.Plus, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley discusses the government shutdown.

Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem with reaction to defense secretary Pete Hegseth's summit for hundreds of top military leaders where he railed against America's greatest threat: beards, guts and diversity.Forrmer Mass GOP chair Jennifer Nassour and former Democratic state rep Jay Kaufman discuss what needs to happen to reform the Massachusetts state legislature. The Culture Show's Jared Bowen talks all things arts and culture, including why the biggest stars in comedy: Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, Boston's own Bill Burr, are getting flack for agreeing to appear at a comedy festival in Saudi Arabia.Retired federal judge Nancy Gertner on a Boston judge ruling the Trump administration unlawfully targeted international students for pro-Palestinian activism, and the Supreme Court's new term.Massachusetts Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley talks about the Democrats' role in the first full-blown government shutdown since 2018.

Gov. Maura Healey joins for Ask the Governor.CNN's John King zooms in with the latest on the looming government shutdown and the Trump-Netanyahu photo op.Boston Globe's Shirley Leung on the Boston city council's attempt to mitigate delivery scooter chaos, and how some Boston area companies are reducing their human workforce and supplementing it with AI.NBC10's Trenni Casey discusses the Boston Celtics media day, the Red Sox in the playoffs, and Robert Kraft selling a minority stake in the Patriots for $9 billion.

Andrea Cabral hosts with Margery today. NAACP board member Michael Curry discusses the weaponization of Charlie Kirk's murder on the right, and the white nationalist imagery in ICE recruitment materials.Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett discusses the Kennedy commission report on child health ignoring the leading cause of child death — gun violence. Plus, everything to know about vaccine season.Boston Globe film critic Odie Henderson previews horror movie season and shares some recent movie reviews.Princeton academic Khalil Gibran Muhammad on the potential fallout from Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee, and the educators fired over their comments in response to Charlie Kirk's murder.

GBH's Callie Crossley & Yawu Miller of The Flip Side join for our weekly Press Play media analysis segment. They talk about Massachusetts professors on conservative watchlists, and coverage of the federal investigation into Tom Homan. Their conversation was cut short due to some technical difficulties at the Boston Public Library. Nicholas Burns, former U.S. Ambassador to China, discusses Pete Hegseth's ominous all-staff meeting, Trump's speech at the UN, plus thoughts on recent headlines about U.S.-China relations. Leo Blanco and Elsa Mosquera preview the third-annual Fiesta en la Plaza, happening this Sunday at Boston City Hall, to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Elsa is the festival's producer and co-leader of the group Agora Cultural Architects. Leo is a Venezuelan-born piano player, professor, and leader of the Leo Blanco Trio. Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin reflects on history and lessons for this moment. She talks about how U.S. leaders of yore -- like Lincoln and W. Bush -- responded calmly in times of crisis. She also talks about how past presidents navigated criticism and satire.

Today:Sue O'Connell fills in for Jim. Presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin reflects on how U.S. leaders have responded to times of crisis, and how past presidents navigated satire and criticism. 

BPR Full Show 9/25: Can You Afford The American Dream?

Today:Axios business editor Dan Primack discusses the economy and likelihood of a recession.National security expert Juliette Kayyem discusses a shooting at a Dallas immigration facility on Wednesday that killed two detainees.

Jimmy Kimmel is back on the air. Did public resistance succeed in protecting free speech -- this time?GBH's Jared Bowen discusses Jimmy Kimmel's return to late night and The Rocky Horror Picture Show turning 50.National security expert Juliette Kayyem on the shooting at a Dallas ICE facility, Trump's UN speech, no federal charges yet in the Charlie Kirk case.We talk to Boston Debate League executive director Kimberly Willingham and hear students debate the subject of Boston city bike lanes. Food policy analyst Corby Kummer zooms in to discuss the USDA quietly removing a food insecurity tracker and the one year anniversary of Dani's Queer Bar.

BPR Full Show 9/23: Ask The Mayor with Mayor Michelle Wu

Today: We bring you our conversation from May 2025 with Maria Ressa – the Nobel prize winning journalist who was arrested repeatedly in the Philippines for reporting on corruption, human rights abuses and the weaponization of social media under former President Rodgrigo Duterte. She tells us she looks out on America in this current moment with "deja-vu" and "PTSD" from her own experiences living through authoritarianism.

Amherst College's Ilan Stavans on what independence means in America in 2025. Plus, his thoughts on the chilling effect ICE raids are having on immigrant communities in New England.Brian McGrory, Boston University head and former Boston Globe editor, gives his take on the indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel and larger attacks on free speech, plus the Pentagon's new media restrictions. Axios business editor Dan Primack on the AI race with China, the latest on TikTok's sale, and why the Fed's interest rate reduction might not be enough to stop a recession. The Revs, Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III, on how Charlie Kirk's death and evangelical roots are being received by Black Christians. Then, we open the phones lines to hear how listeners are embracing the season of flannel, pumpkin spice everything and cozy sweaters.

It's our weekly “Press Play” media analysis segment with NBC10 media maven Sue O'Connell, and The Bay State Banner's Ron Mitchell. They talk about the first amendment fallout in the wake of Charlie Kirk, and more.Former congressman Joe Kennedy on the third on the future of the Democratic Party, his work with the Groundwork Project and standing up to authoritarian threats. It's Live Music Friday with activist singer/songwriter Evan Greer, ahead of an album drop tomorrow. “I'm not religious enough for her” and “My partner does all the talking at parties”...those are some recent love-related dilemmas from Boston Globe Love Letters columnist Meredith Goldstein. She joins to discuss all matters of the heart. This weekend marks the 20th annual What the Fluff festival in Somerville. We open the phone and text lines for all things marshmallow fluff – from fluffernutters to rice crispies -- how do you enjoy this local pantry treat? 

BPR Full Show 9/18: Jimmy Kimmel Off The Air

Jared Bowen discusses the death of Robert Redford, the Emmys, and Mrs. Doubtfire at Broadway in Boston Juliette Kayyem, national security expert, discusses the US striking another military attack on a boat from Venezuela ... Plus, the expected crackdown on liberal groups in the wake of Charlie Kirk's killing.Carol Rose, executive director of the ACLU of Mass., discuses the SCOTUS decision on ICE arrests in LA, and press freedoms under attack.Sy Montgomery + Matt Patterson join to discuss their latest book "The True and Lucky Life of a Turtle" — they're on tour, and issuing public safety announcements as turtles are crossing roads to find their winter hibernation spots. 

Today, We start the show from NEPM in Springfield with Sarah and Ryan Voiland of Red Fire Farm in Granby to discuss what it's like to run a working farm in 2025, and their lawsuit against the Trump administration to unfreeze USDA grant money.Then, Ephraim Akiva and Tokyo Baldwin join to discuss their work running peer respite homes with the Wildflower Alliance, which offers peer support services in western Mass.

Day two of our broadcast from NEPM in Springfield! FBI director Kash Patel heads to congress today to defend his leadership. We talk to CNN's John King about this and other political headlines, after the assassination of Charlie Kirk.  The Wildflower Alliance offers peer support services in western Mass. We talk to Ephraim Akiva and Tokyo Baldwin about their harm reduction and mental health work.We check in with the Mass League of Community Health Center's Michael Curry on the impact of private equity in healthcare, the efforts by the Trump administration to erase Black history, and why Black students are flocking to HBCU's in the Trump era.NEPM executive editor Elizabeth Román joins with Big E vendor Joe Deedy, owner of Moolicious Farm. Attorney General Andrea Campbell joins for Ask The AG.

It's the first day of our special broadcast from NEPM studios in Springfield. Former Gov. Deval Patrick discusses the deep polarization of this moment and how citizens and Democrats should respond. Congressman Jim McGovern discusses ballooning grocery prices as Trump tariffs pile up, and his new constitutional amendment to end big money in politics. And we get his thoughts on security in Congress after the assassination of Charlie KirkNew England tourism takes a hit as Canadians stay home to protest trade sanctions. PBS European travel guru Rick Steves joins us to talk about that, plus, sights and travel tips from his recent trip – a vacation? – to Italy. Sarah and Ryan Voiland of Red Fire Farm in Granby to discuss what it's like to run a working farm in 2025, and their lawsuit against the Trump administration to unfreeze USDA grant money.

GBH's Adam Reilly and The Boston Globe's Lylah Alphonse join for Press Play, discussing the widely spread video of Charlie Kirk's shooting in this current era of content moderation online. Plus, the Murdoch succession plan, and Bari Weiss at CBS.GBH's Callie Crossley discusses the firing of Artie T, Josh Kraft's "most unlikeable campaign for mayor in Boston history" and more.White Snake Projects joins us for Live Music Friday. They are unveiling a new directory for Native American performing artists. Cerise Jacobs of WSP, Jean-Luc Pierite of North American Indian Center of Boston and singer/songwriter Thea Hopkins are our guests.Mara Dolan of the Massachusetts Governor's Council discusses flags at half-mast and gives an update on bar advocates. Joanne Chang join with Efrain Gutierrez to discuss Flour Bakery's partnership with Pine Street Inn for job training. Efrain is a graduate of the program and is now employed at Flour.

Chuck Todd, political commentator, opens the show with reactions and updates from the killing of Charlie Kirk.Former public safety secretary Andrea Cabral reactions to Kirk news. Former education secretary Paul Reville discusses how young conservatives on college campus are responding to the killing of Charlie Kirk, and the reality for BPS and schools across the state around ICE family separations.National security expert Juliette Kayyem joins to discuss the increasing normalization of political violence.Lindsay O'Donovan, Maeve Gilchrist and accordion player Diarmuid Ó Meachair discuss the Rockport Celtic Festival, starting tomorrow.

BPR Full Show 9/10: Artie T. Is Ousted And Nonna Hides Her Recipes

CNN's John King zooms in with the latest national political news.Media maven Sue O'Connell discusses the sheriffs turning their jails over to ICE for detention centers, and the $850k the state spent on outside experts for prosecuting Karen Read.Boston Globe travel writer Chris Muther zooms in from Ireland to discuss some of his recent pieces ... Amtrak's Acela upgrades and his ranking of New England rest stops.Sports authority Trenni Casey discusses the start of World Cup ticket sales, and the young Phillies fan who had his home run ball taken by an adult woman, now dubbed "Phillies Karen."

In 2020, a handful of Massachusetts homeowners sued BlueHub Capital -- the only lender in the state who provides shared appreciation mortgages -- alleging predatory lending practices.Today: We hear from two sides of the lawsuit, on the heels of a Superior Court judge ruling that found BlueHub did violate consumer protection and predatory lending laws.First, Bruce Marks from Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, a housing group which supports the lawsuit, joins Jim and Margery in Studio 3 with two of the defendants, to discuss their claims of predatory lending and deception by the nonprofit.Then, Elyse Cherry, BlueHub's CEO, tells us the judge's ruling is wrong. She joins with Rose Webster-Smith, director of Springfield No One Leaves -- a housing advocate herself who says she saved her own home from foreclosure with a BlueHub mortgage.

NAACP's Michael Curry discusses Governor Healey's vaccine prescription for Massachusetts residents, and the hardest hit among Trump's federal workforce cuts: Black women.Mark Leibovich of the Atlantic on the failure of the Democratic party to respond to Trump.Boston Medical Center's Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett discusses the newest longevity craze: micro-dosing GLP-1s.Elyse Cherry, CEO of BlueHub Capital, joins with housing advocate Rose Webster-Smith to discuss the recent court ruling on BlueHub's shared appreciation mortgage practices.

Boston Pop's Conductor Keith Lockhart co-hosts with Jim and Margery. Brian Stelter joins for Friday morning media analysis. We talk about 250 media outlets signing an appeal to have better protections for journalists in Gaza. Plus Trump calling for the FCC to revoke licenses for ABC and NBC.Jacyn Tremblay is a vocalist,  former Universal/Motown artist, and current one-third of the band Three Second Chances. She joins for Live Music Friday. Broadway star Mandy Gonzalez, from In the Heights and Hamilton, who plays Norma Desmond in the revival of Sunset Boulevard, joins ahead of a collaboration with The Pops on September 20th. Author and actor Marianne Leone discusses her new novel “Christina the Astonishing."

BPR Full Show 9/4: Jim Loves Revenge (Margery Does Not)

Today:Massachusetts education secretary Patrick Tutwiler joins Jim and Margery at the BPL on the start of the new school year.Plus, Love Your Labels – a Worcester-based nonprofit offering LGBT teens community and fashion finesse - is hosting their annual “Queer AF” runway show fundraiser this Friday. We'll talk with founder and president Joshua Croke, and 19 year-old designer-in-residence Caelum Lam.

Education secretary Patrick Tutwiler on the start of the new school year.GBH executive arts editor Jared Bowen discusses Rachel Ruysch at the MFA and Viola's Room at the Shed in NYC.Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem on a bipartisan press conference outside Congress featuring Jeffrey Epstein victims urging lawmakers to release the Epstein files. Plus, how the rest of the world is viewing Trump's health, and more on the court ruling on Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport people.Josh Croke and Caelum Lam of Love Your Labels join ahead of their annual "Queer AF" fashion show in Worcester.

BPR Full Show 9/2: Summer Blues

Today:Mass GOP chair Amy Carnevale and Mass Democrats chair Steve Kerrigan join BPR at the BPL for a politics panel.Plus, Lee Pelton of the Boston Foundation goes over threats to food assistance for the poorest Massachusetts residents.

Senator Elizabeth Warren discusses her bipartisan housing plan and what she calls Trump's "authoritarian turn."Boston mayoral candidate Josh Kraft discusses his campaign and takes calls from listeners.Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem on 20 years since Hurricane Katrina and how it changed the field of disaster preparedness.Darlene Lombos, president of Greater Boston Labor Council, discusses Boston's first Labor Day parade.Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung with updates on the BlueHub Capital lawsuit and new legal changes that benefit renters this fall.

BPR Full Show 8/26: Mayor Wu Preparing For Potential National Guard Deployment

Margery hosts with 'local woman' Sue O'Connell. CNN's John King joins with the latest national headlines.NBC Sports Boston's Trenni Casey discusses the bid to move the Connecticut Sun team to Boston and its implications for the WNBA.Food policy analyst Corby Kummer discusses the tricky business of running community-owned groceries and a warning from the Dorchester Food Co-op that it may close.UN spokesperson Olga Cherevko on the declaration of famine in Gaza and the lack of response around the world.Michael Curry of the Mass League of Community Health Centers discusses rising Black unemployment in Boston, growing income segregation in the city, and South Shore Hospital laying off staff.

Local woman, NBC10 Boston's Sue O'Connell, hosts with Harvard national security expert (and yacht rock fan) Juliette Kayyem. GBH reporters Adam Reilly and Phillip Martin are our guests for Press Play media analysis. We talk with Phillip about his recent reporting on “pink slime" journalism. Plus, journalist deaths in Gaza, MSNBC's rebrand and House Democrats' probe into the Paramount / Skydance merger. Jill McCracken performs for Live Music Friday, ahead of the We Make Noise Fest this Saturday in Downtown Crossing. We also talk with organizer and artist Naomi Westwater about how this event platforms women and queer artists. Under the Radar host Callie Crossley discusses Mayor Wu's debate with Todd Lyons, Gavin Newsom's Trump trolling on X, and Gov. Healey pushing to bring the Connecticut Sun to Boston. Naturalist and author Sy Montgomery talks leopard seal mating songs and a large New Zealand parrot that tried to make a move on her.

Nancy Gertner weighs in on legal fights against Trump's D.C. takeoverKhalil Gibran Muhammad offers thoughts on Trump meddling with the SmithsonianBill McKibben says the sun is “having a moment,” 4.6 billion years on. He'll join to discuss the future for solar energy, in light of his new book “Here Comes the Sun.”Voices from Ukraine is a new original musical that's touring New England, with a cast of Ukrainian actors sharing their stories of life during wartime. We'll talk with two of those teenage actors, Sofiia Kopytko and Taisiia Grygorova... plus Susan Mathison from Common Man for Ukraine. 

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley on the Democrats' strategy on the Epstein files, gerrymandering, and more.National security expert Juliette Kayyem on discuss Trump's push to eliminate mail-in voting, and the coastal threats from Hurricane Erin.Former transit secretary Jim Aloisi joins with former Transportation4Mass director Chris Dempsey for a transit panel.Max Rome of Charles River Watershed Association and Chris Mancini of Save the Harbor/Save the Bay join to talk about urban beaches, water quality and environmental justice.

BPR Full Show 8/19: Ozempic Jealously

NBC10 Boston's Sue O'Connell guest hosts with Margery while Jim is still out on vacation.Businesses are seeing workforce disruptions with ICE disruptions. We talk to Amherst College's Ilan Stavans about that, plus, about a new study on how language barriers affect your internet experience.It's still summer movie season. Boston Globe film critic Odie Henderson is back with his unabashed reviews of new summer flicks, including the Freaky Friday sequel and some Disney reboots. For more than 40 years, former labor secretary Robert Reich has been sounding the alarm on rising inequality in America, and how to fix it. He's out with a new memoir “Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America."It's All Rev'd Up with the Revs Emmett G. Price III and Irene Monroe. They talk about technology and faith: including the rise of Silicon Valley techno-religion, and an AI chatbot for religious questions. 

For this week's media analysis segment “Press Play," BU Professor of Journalism and Emerging Media Studies Joan Donovan discusses how mainstream media headlines fail to capture the real story, and how the White House is losing control over Epstein conspiracy theories.Then, it's Live Music Friday with Boston-based rapper and music coach RedShaydez, who is leading a new artist development program called Music Jumpstart. She joins alongside rapper and producer JoiBeatz.Retired federal judge Nancy Gertner on the rule of law under Attorney General Pam Bondi, the latest out of the supreme court, and what's up with Alan Dershowitz on Martha's Vineyard.We talk with Rhode Island filmmaker Stephen Smith, an arctic expedition leader, and Brown University polar oceanographer Chris Horvat about their documentary “Beneath the Polar Sun,” ahead of its airing on GBH 44.

Chuck Todd on latest political headlinesAndrea Cabral weighs in on Jim Acosta “interviewing” an AI avatar of a Parkland shooting survivorPaul Reville on private school vouchers, high absenteeism in Mass. classrooms, the bill on banning cell phones in classrooms, and moreDr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel on the impacts of cuts to Medicaid, ICE getting a hold of Medicaid data, and some of his recent columns for the Atlantic and New York Times

The Culture Show's Jared Bowen gives his arts and culture reviews around the region – from Christine Baranski in Newport and more.On the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin traces the steps that have weakened the legislation over time…right up to Texas' planned gerrymandered maps.State Auditor Diana DiZoglio still hasn't audited the legislature, like voters approved back in November. She joins us to talk about what (or who) is standing in her way. We talk with two MassGeneral trauma prevention experts about how to stay safe on the roads and in the water before kids head back to school: Toby Raybould, the trauma prevention & outreach program manager, and Dr. Michael Flaherty, a pediatric critical care physician in the pediatric intensive care unit. 

CNN's John King with the latest political headlines from Washington. ACLU of Mass Carol Rose on an update on their first birthright citizenship case in federal appeals courtLydia Coverdale-Perez and Whitney Edwards, two of the women behind Watch With Us Boston, the group that just purchased rights to open a Boston franchise of The Sports Bra, a sports bar dedicated to women's sports. NBC Sports Boston's Trenni Casey on the deal to bring the Connecticut Sun to Boston

NBC10 Boston's Sue O'Connell guest hosts with Jim. NAACP's Michael Curry on how Trump is replacing "woke" with his own version of diversity, plus a mini-lesson on the history of white supremacy, in today's context. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung on whether Mayor Wu has paid enough attention to the city center and the Connecticut Sun WNBA team potentially moving to Boston.Boston Medical Center's Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett on the return of the presidential fitness test, CVS and Mass General Brigham expanding primary care in Mass., and what's needed to actually expand IVF access. Tufts food policy analyst Corby Kummer on the vodka-energy drink mix up, how food stamp cuts could hurt local grocers, and where to find the best ice cream in the state.