Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today:ACLU of Massachusetts executive director Carol Rose discusses the challenges to the rule of law under the current presidential administration, and the legal victories holding those in power accountable. And David Shapiro, head of the YMCA of Greater Boston, discusses how his organization is joining the effort to keep vulnerable Massachusetts residents fed through the government shutdown. Boston residents can visit Boston.gov/SNAP or call Boston 311 to learn more about the City resources that are available for support. 

National security expert Juliette Kayyem on the investigation into an explosion at a Harvard Medical School building over the weekend, and President Trump's continued attacks on Venezuelan boats, even as the UN cites human rights violations. Plus, why he's threatening U.S. military action in Nigeria.Carol Rose of the ACLU of Massachusetts discusses the ACLU-led class action suit on behalf of detained immigrants who have been denied bond hearings. Plus, whether the U.S. supreme court will hand Trump yet another major victory on tariffs. Michael Curry of the Mass League of Community Health Centers on the government shutdown, healthcare costs and remembering his friend, former Newton mayor Setti Warren.David Shapiro of the YMCA of Greater Boston on how the Y is meeting Boston's food needs during the shutdown.  Alexander Smalls is an award-winning opera singer turned James Beard Award-winning cookbook author and chef. He joins us ahead of an event at Suffolk University.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island discusses the government shutdown and his latest efforts to limit the influence of special interest groups in elections.GBH's Callie Crossley weighs in on SNAP benefits drying up, a new debate around autonomous vehicles in Boston and Trump reinstalling a confederate statue in D.C. Nick Shea is a rapper/portrait artist who's grown an online following since starting a $1 portrait project on Boston Common three years ago. He joins for Live Music Friday ahead of a new album release. Victoria Kichuk is the chocolate sommelier behind the local tasting tour group Cocoa Beantown. She guides Jim and Margery through an assortment of treats from local chocolatiers.Media maven Sue O'Connell discusses a Texas Supreme Court ruling that judges can refuse same-sex marriages, Harvard conservatives testing the boundaries of free speech, Karen Read's attorney putting Michael Cox on blast and controversy around the Boston strip club Centerfolds trying to move a few blocks over into Chinatown.

Today:Brandon Cardet Hernandez, member of the Boston Public School Committee, discusses the literacy bill making its way through Beacon Hill, bell-to-bell phone bans in schools, and getting rid of the MCAS as a graduation requirement.Then economic scholar Chuck Collins discusses his latest book: Burned by Billionaires: How Concentrated Wealth and Power are Ruining Our Lives and Planet. 

BPR Full Show 10/30: Day 30 Of Shutdown

Boston Globe travel writer Christopher Muther talks about the impact of the government shutdown on air travel, why international tourists are skipping the U.S. and therapy dogs at Logan airport.Kelly Beatty from Sky & Telescope on a “Boston Henge” phenomenon in Back Bay, the Smithsonian's plans to get the Discovery shuttle to Texas and an asteroid that's maybe headed for the moon in 2032. Gabrielle Hamilton is the James Beard-winning chef behind the New York restaurant Prune, and author of “Blood, Bones & Butter.” She joins to talk about her latest, a memoir called “Next of Kin,” ahead of an appearance tonight at Harvard Book Store. Jody Adams and Aidan McGee are the chefs behind La Padrona and McGonagle's Pub, two Boston restaurants recognized in the New York Times' list of the 50 best restaurants across America. They talk about their food and what this good press means for their business. 

Today: Former New York Mayor Bill de Blasio discusses the New York City mayor's race; he's endorsed Zohran Mamdani. We'll talk about his hope for the future of New York and Democrats across the country.And, Boston Medical Center's Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett joins us with Dr. Lisa Fontes on the health impacts of domestic violence, and how to prevent it.

Former NY mayor, one-time presidential candidate Bill DeBlasio calls in to discuss the NYC mayor's race; he's endorsed MamdaniSports authority Trenni Casey discusses the NBA gambling indictmentsDr. Katherine Gergen Barnett and Dr. Lisa Fontes discuss domestic violence and prevention/awareness through the lens of public healthAnthony Amore, current director of security at the Gardner Museum, discusses the Louvre heist.The Wagner Foundation's Abigail Satinsky joins with Street Theory artist Ayana Mack and director Rob 'ProBlak' Gibbs to discuss a new partnership exhibit "From the Page to the Stage" in service of the Street Theory Collective's upcoming community hub for BIPOC artists in Cambridge

Today:Josh Paul and Tariq Habash both resigned from the Biden administration over the president's handling of Israel's war in Gaza following Hamas' Oct. 7 attack in 2023. They have since co-founded “A New Policy”  – a group that aims to reform U.S. policy  – and join to discuss what a true "American first" policy in the Middle East would look like.

Amherst College's Ilan Stavans shares his latest book "Conversations on Dictionaries: The Universe in a Book" on the power of dictionaries in shaping culture. Plus we get his take on polling that shows Latinos in America might be turning away from Trump.Vulture podcast and TV critic Nick Quah shares the best podcasts he's heard this year. Josh Paul and Tariq Habash are co-founders of “A New Policy,” which aims to reform U.S. policy toward the Middle East. They join to discuss what they think multiple U.S. administrations have gotten wrong.The Reverends Irene Monroe & Emmett G. Price III join for “All Rev'd Up" on the pastors showing up at No Kings rallies, and a new survey that finds more U.S. adults are embracing organized religion – buying more bibles post-Charlie Kirk's assassination.

Today:Presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin joins Jim and Margery at the Boston Public Library to reflect on lessons in leadership from her book Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, released 20 years ago this week.

Presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin celebrates 20 years since Team of Rivals was published, the one book Barack Obama said he'd want on a desert island. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joins for “Ask the Mayor.”  We talk to her about Mass & Cass, whether she'll insert herself into the Markey/Moulton Senate race, new pushback from Boston's business community, and Trump's suggestion this month about pulling the World Cup from Foxboro. Rasa Quartet performs for Live Music Friday. They're on tour across New England with a Halloween-themed show called Soundtrack to a Nightmare.

BPR Full Show 10/23: AITA For Tearing Down White House?

Today:  Jeremy Ben-Ami, founder and president of J-Street, discusses the cautious hope many are feeling in the days after a ceasefire took hold in Gaza, and how American Jews are responding to this political moment.

The Culture Show's Jared Bowen discusses the Louvre heist, and ballroom demolition at the White House and an Indigenous art at the ICA.NBC Sports Boston's Trenni Casey on the Shakespearean trajectory of Bill Belichicks career, Shohei Ohtani's run for GOAT of baseball, and a women's pro baseball league coming to Boston.Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem on the latest Trump effort to send national guard troops to Portland, Oregon. Plus, Virginia Giuffre's memoir.Naturalist and author Sy Montgomery zooms in to discuss how poison in dolphin brains near Miami might be a warning for Alzheimer's in humans. And, she'll reflect on the loss of one of her own idols through life, Jane Goodall.

Today:We hear from listeners about the sticking issue of the government shutdown: healthcare costs.

CNN's John King on national politicsFrontline's Michael Kirk discusses his new RFK Jr documentary airing tonightChris Kimball of Milk Street is on to promote his latest cookbook "Milk Street Shorts"Animal Rescue League CEO Edward Schettino and VP of animal welfare Cheryl Traversi discuss the rise in vet costs and the increase in pets being surrendered. They discussed the resources they have to help

Congressman Seth Moulton discusses his bid to unseat Senator Ed Markey and the Democrats' response to the Trump administration.NPR critic-at-large Eric Deggans discusses how to find trustworthy news sources in today's slop-fest of an information ecosystem. Plus, he reviews "The Diplomat" on Netflix and "The Paper" on Peacock.Former education secretary Paul Reville discusses rising illiteracy in America and the future of state end-of-year exams.Academic Khalil Gibran Muhammad on the universities that have declined the Trump administration's 'compact' to get funding preference, and the impacts of federal worker firings.

Today:Congressman Seth Moulton discusses his bid to unseat Senator Ed Markey; and the Democrat response to the Trump administration more generally.Plus, former Washington Post (and Boston Globe) editor Marty Baron says Trump is laying the groundwork to prosecute members of the press, and calls on leadership in the industry to stand with their reporters.

Former Washington Post and Boston Globe editor Marty Baron joins for Press Play. He talks about news outlets refusing to sign the new Pentagon press rules, the future of NPR, and what to expect from the Trump administration in response to No Kings protests this weekend.  NBC10 Boston's Sue O'Connell on Trump's threats to Boston, Marjorie Taylor Greene calling GOP men weak, and a judge's order to pause shutdown layoffs.GBH CEO Susan Goldberg talks about the “Fund the Future” campaign and her vision for GBH post-CPB funding.Boston Lyric Opera joins for a Studio 3 edition of Live Music Friday, to talk about "Daughter of the Regiment," an adaptation of a classic French opera that shifts focus to real-life feminist revolutionary Deborah Sampson.  Phillip Eng, MBTA general manager and interim secretary of transportation, joins for “Ask the GM." He takes questions from us and listeners. 

Today:Brookline-born comedian Alex Edelman joins ahead of a show in Boston this Saturday.And, former assistant US Attorney, now CNN legal analyst Elie Honig discusses his new book, "When You Come at the King."

BPR Full Show 10/16: How Much Help Is Too Much?

Today:Massachusetts is witnessing its highest spike ever in religious exemptions for vaccines. We'll talk with GBH's Connecting the Commonwealth editor Jennifer Moore, plus NEPM's Karen Brown & CAI's Gilda Geist about what's going on, and what it means for the health and safety of us all.To read more about the "Unraveling Immunity" series, go to GBHNews.org.

The Culture Show's Jared Bowen remembers Diane Keaton and previews a Florida Highwaymen painting exhibit at the Addison Gallery of American Art.Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem discusses this weekend's No Kings protests, ICE detaining a 13-year-old from Everett and Trump's latest comments about World Cup games at Gillette stadium.GBH's Jennifer Moore, CAI's Gilda Geist and NEPM's Karen Brown talk about the Connecting the Commonwealth series “Unraveling Immunity,” on vaccine exemptions and related trends in Massachusetts.Boston Globe Love Letter's columnist Meredith Goldstein on the moving professionals who are there to help when a relationship ends. Then we open the phone and text lines to get your pillow preferences.

Today:CNN chief national correspondent John King discusses the government shutdown and the ceasefire in Gaza. And we open the lines to get listener thoughts about peace in the Middle East.

NBC Sports Boston's Trenni Casey discusses the fall of Bill Belichick.Food policy analyst Corby Kummer discusses the closure of the Urban Grape amid financial strugglesBoston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discusses the battle on Beacon Hill over a proposal to raise taxes on offshore corporate income; and the local impacts of the government shutdown and Trump's tariffsCNN's John King discusses Trump's statements on the insurrection act, as cities prep for another round of No Kings rallies this weekend.

Today: Boston Baroque joins for Live Music Friday.Their season opens this weekend with two shows at NEC's Jordan Hall tomorrow and Sunday. Led by a man The Guardian once called “The Bad Boy of Baroque,” all the way from the UK – Christian Curnyn. Also here: Boston Baroque Executive Director Sarah Radcliffe-Mars and Concertmaster and associate artistic director, a familiar face to this show, Christina Day-Martinson. 

GBH's Adam Reilly and The Bay State Banner's Ron Mitchell join for Press Play media analysis. They talk about Pete Hegseth's effort to muzzle press Pentagon access, Trump's claim that flag burning no longer falls under first amendment-protected speech, Bari Weiss at CBS News, and other media headlines.NBC Boston's Sue O'Connell on the O'Keefe family's wrongful death lawsuit against Karen Read, plans for a refresh of the Kowloon, and Amazon's Melania Trump documentary coming to theaters in January.Boston Medical Center's Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett reacts to a Washington Post op-ed by six former U.S. surgeons general arguing RFK Jr. is putting American's health at risk.Boston Baroque performs for Live Music Friday. We talk with Sarah Radcliffe Marrs and Christina Day-Martinson, plus guest conductor Christian Curnyn (who The Guardian has called “The Bad Boy of Baroque").

BPR Full Show 10/9: Don't Talk To Me Until I've Had My Coffee!

Today:Providence College professor Thea Riofrancos joins to discuss her new book "Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism."

Today:Political philosopher Michael Sandel, author of “Democracy's Discontent" joins Jim and Margery at the Boston Public Library. 

The Culture Show's Jared Bowen on Bob Ross' paintings on the auction block to support public media, "Sardines" at the Huntington,  Taylor Swift's record-breaking record sales, and other arts and culture news. Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem on President Trump's troop orders to Portland and Chicago, the air traffic controller debacle nationwide, and more. Political philosopher Michael Sandel (author of the celebrated 1996 book "Democracy's Discontent") joins us ahead of his GBH Ralph Lowell Annual Lecture Thursday night.Tufts food policy analyst Corby Kummer is joined by retiring Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema, who exposes his face to us for the first time.

Today:Carol Rose, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, discusses our constitutional crisis, as the Supreme Court starts a new term.

BPR Full Show 10/7: What's A Good Boycott?

Today:Paul Dama was here in the U.S. legally seeking asylum from Boko Haram, when he was taken by immigration officials on his way to church. He was held for months, and made to re-submit his asylum claim while detained; only granted freedom two weeks ago. He has returned to his job at Suya Joint in Nubian Square, alongside sister, chef and owner of the restaurant, Cecilia Lizotte. They both join us to discuss.

UMass President Marty Meehan joins us in studio to talk about school tuition, federal research cuts and their impact on scientific advancement.Former Assistant Secretary of Transportation, Chris Dempsey, and former Rep. Bill Straus join for a transit panel. Robert Putnam, author of Bowling Alone, discusses growing social isolation and what to do about it.Paul Dama and Cecilia Lizotte of the Roxbury restaurant Suya Joint recap Dama's months-long ICE detention and his eventually successful asylum claim.

BPR Full Show 10/3: Who Goes To Coffee Shops Anymore?

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.