Boston Public Radio Podcast

Emerald Necklace Conservancy President Karen Mauney-Brodek and NAACP Boston's Ed Burley join to discuss their group's opposition to Mayor Wu's White Stadium plan.NBC Sports Boston anchor-reporterTrenni Casey on the battle over security funding for the FIFA World Cup in Foxborough.Boston Medical Center's Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett discusses a new study that finds Tylenol use in pregnant women declined after President Trump and RFK Jr.'s made unfounded claims last fall that the drug cases autism. GBH executive arts editor Jared Bowen joins us to discuss the BSO declining to renew Andris Nelsons' contract.

Anand Giridharadas of The.Ink Substack and MSNBC commentator joins for Press Play, our weekly media analysis segment, to discuss Pete Hegseth's Iran press conferences in front of a new, friendlier press corps this week.Flutist Jamie Baum joins us for Live Music Friday, ahead of a show at Scullers on Saturday. Steve Elman, former jazz host and one of Jamie's professional cheerleaders, also joins us in Studio 3.NBC10 Boston's Sue O'Connell discusses the bar owner facing sanctions for Patriots players' bad behavior, and a rise in homophobic bullying at school hockey programs across the state, in the wake of Heated Rivalry's popularity.

Political commentator Chuck Todd discusses the latest national political headlines and how Republicans are walking a tight-rope between Trump and the party's anti-interventionists. Olga Cherevko is  head of communications for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. She joins us again via zoom to discuss how the US-Israel war on Iran is impacting Palestinians.Former secretary of public safety Andrea Cabral on why the Minneapolis prosecutors office is launching an investigation into top border patrol officials.The Culture Show host Jared Bowen joins us briefly to discuss why composer Philip Glass chose to withdraw his Symphony No. 15: Lincoln from the Kennedy Center.And for this week's Am I the A-hole: rims-up or rims-down for storing coffee mugs? 

Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem discusses misinformation and cyberwarfare shaping the conflict in Iran.ACLU of Massachusetts' Carol Rose discusses how the Trump immigration policies are making us less safe: since the administration starting denying bond hearings to immigrants detained inside the country, a number of habeas cases have overwhelmed prosecutors and offices are dropping cases.Priya Tahiliani is Superintendent of Brockton public schools. She joins us to discuss her tumultuous career -- after essentially being driven out of Everett when she pushed for change in the schools there -- and the challenges facing gateway city schools across the state.

It's been four days of attacks on Iran. Six Americans are dead. Global markets are down. We open the phones to get more of your reactions to the unfolding situation and what comes next.Then, CNN's John King on the primaries today around the country, and takeaways from Clinton's Epstein depositions.The Boston Foundation's Lee Pelton on how nonprofits like his are managing under Trump, and how TBF is supporting our immigrant neighbors.Sebastian Walker was correspondent for PBS Frontline's 2025 film "Strike On Iran: The Nuclear Question." He joins us to talk about the current situation in Iran.NBC Sport Boston's Trenni Casey discusses how the war may impact Iran's soccer team ahead of the World Cup. Then, in the latest example of eminent domain fights: a Somerville family refuses to give up their home to make room for the YMCA's modern expansion. Would you hold on to your home of four decades, or take the millions in the name of so-called progress?

We start the show on Iran. Daniel Drezner is a Distinguished Professor of International Politics and Academic Dean at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.  He gives the latest on the U.S.-led attacks on Iran and what comes next for the region under fire. Joanna Lydgate heads the States United Democracy Center, which aims to protect free and fair elections in the United States. She talks about what states can do to protect the midterms in November. Congressman Jim McGovern calls in to share his thoughts on what he's calling an "illegal war" against Iran.Throughout the show we take listener calls, asking is this another endless regime change effort by the U.S., or the right move for the region?

Author and journalist Rachel Hartigan discusses her book "Lost: Amelia Earhart's Three Mysterious Deaths and One Extraordinary Life."Jazz, neo‑soul and reggae artist Safiya performs for Live Music Friday.NBC10Boston's Sue O'Connell on Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery and the Clintons' testimony on Jeffrey Epstein.Boston Globe travel writer Christopher Muther zooms in to discuss his harrowing experience in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where violence broke out in response to the killing of the New Generation drug cartel leader "El Mencho."

Chuck Todd with his State of the Union analysis Andrea Cabral discusses the 'Dalilah Law' & Trump's proposal to target immigrant driver's licenses and how it would impact Mass, which passed the Work and Family Mobility Act in 2023.Shirley Leung discusses her reporting on deaths of homeless people outside South Station ... plus, the surge on pot shops during the winter storm.

National security expert Juliette Kayyem discussing the State of the Union and cartel violence in Mexico.Danielle Bell, head of the UN's human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine, discusses this week marking 4 years of Russia's invasion in Ukraine.Haley Fortier (haley.henry and nathalie wine bars) and Alicia Towns Franken (Wine Unify and Towns Wine Co.), two leaders in Boston's wine community, join ahead of the Femme Fête wine festival, this Saturday.

BPR Full Show 2/24: Snow Much Snow

As a massive blizzard bears down on New England, Jim and Margery keep talking on the airwaves. They take calls from listeners on how they're faring during the storm and help Jim answer questions about his pellet stove. Plus:MassDems chair Steve Kerrigan and MassGOP chair Amy Carnevale join us for our regular political check-in.Princeton University professor Khalil Gibran Muhammad discusses the state of Black voter support for the Trump administration, and corporate DEI efforts.Ali Noorani, the Barr Foundation's new president, joins to share his hopes and goals for the philanthropic organization under his leadership.We dedicate hour three of the show to special snow coverage, talking with Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Boston mayor Michelle Wu, meteorologist David Epstein, NBC 10 Boston's Sue O'Connell, GBH's Jeremy Siegel, CAI's John Basile, MassDOT's Jonathan Gulliver, the MBTA's COO Ryan Coholan, and Providence Mayor Brett Smiley. 

For Press Play media analysis we talk to NBC10 Boston's Sue O'Connell and GBH's Callie Crossley. Live Music Friday with saxophonist Zishi Liu. He's headlining a Lunar New Year concert at Regattabar later this month.Retired federal judge Nancy Gertner discusses today's SCOTUS ruling that bars President Trump from enacting sweeping tariffs.  We play our conversation with Andy Freed, author of “Lead Like The Boss: The Bruce Springsteen Framework to Elevating Your Leadership.”

Juliette Kayyem on Democratic mayors across the country moving to limit ICE action in their citiesAndrea Cabral on the Colin Gray case, father of a school shooter.Federico Rossano on a GBH event screening NOVA's “Can Dogs Talk?”

We remember documentarian Frederick Wiseman and actor Robert Duvall with The Culture Show's Jared Bowen. And he reviews the new Wuthering Heights movie.Boston Globe technology writer Hiawatha Bray discusses why more people are turning to AI for health-related questions (and what it means for their health). Plus, why Healey's social media regulation plan faces an uphill battle.NBC Sports Boston's Trenni Casey gives us a dispatch from the winter Olympics: on how a cheating scandal is upheaving the friendly sport of curling, and how, per usual, the Olympic Village has already run out of condoms. 

BPR Full Show 2/17: The Nancy Guthrie Case

NBC10 Sue O'Connell joins to discuss NYC officials re-raising the Pride flag at the Stonewall National Monument, after the Trump administration ordered it removed. Will Nelson Jr. and Loren Benn perform for Live Music Friday, ahead of a Valentine's Day show at Coquette.Boston University researcher Joan Donovan joins for Press Play media analysis, discussing the misinformation stemming from the DOJ's release of the Epstein files, and the internet sleuths claiming they're able to un-redact them.Boston Globe Love Letters columnist Meredith Goldstein unveils the new Love Letters "Telebooth" at the Boston Public Library, where people can leave a message in a giant phone booth. Then, Meredith sticks around to help answer your love questions ahead of Valentine's Day.

BPR Full Show 2/12: Don't Touch My Stuff

Ian Coss of the Big Dig and John Bullard, former New Bedford mayor and Sustainable Development director at NOAA, discuss season three of the podcast, "Catching the Codfather."Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem on security at the Olympics and the Super Bowl, plus the crypto currency grift within the Trump family.Naturalist and author Sy Montgomery zooms in to discuss inter-species communication between dogs and the humans who give them buttons. Plus, the Indigenous-led declaration recognizing whales as legal persons.And, Joe Hanson, host of High School Quiz Show, checks in ahead of the new season.

NBC Sports' Trenni Casey with updates on the games and the Super Bowl.CNN's John King on the latest national political headlines.Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joins for Ask the Mayor taking listeners questions

Boston Globe editor Brian McGrory discusses the American politicians booed at the Olympics and the athletes speaking out against the Trump administration. Plus, more local Epstein connections on college campuses.Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung on the updated White Stadium figures released by Mayor Wu, and why South Station is still kicking out homeless people at night even when temps are below freezing.Boston Medical Center's Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett on the use of AI by both patients and providers, updates on measle outbreaks, and how to navigate end-of-life conversations with loved ones.Finally, GBH executive arts editor and host of The Culture Show, Jared Bowen, on the joyous performance by Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl halftime show.

Ruth Marcus, formerly of the Washington Post, joins for Press Play to talk about the sweeping layoffs at her former employer.John Barros, interim executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, discusses his new post, after serving as Boston's economic development chief.Legendary singer-songwriter Livingston Taylor joins for Live Music Friday to play some tunes and talk about his role as Winnie the Pooh in a new adaptation.NBC10 Boston's Sue O'Connell on the apparent kidnapping of Savannah Guthrie's mother. 

BPR Full Show 2/5: I Changed My Mind... Don't Yell At Me

Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem on the latest tranche of Epstein files and Trump's comments about nationalizing elections.A special live music Wednesday performance by jazz and contemporary composer Farayi Malek, ahead of a performance at the Umbrella Arts Center in partnership with the Salt Lick Incubator. We also talk to Eileen Williston, executive director of The Umbrella Arts Center. Journalist and author Howard Bryant discusses his book, "Kings and Pawns: Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson in America."

John King on the latest national political headlines.Corby Kummer discusses how food delivery apps have reshaped diningReggie Ramos of Transportation4Mass joins for a transit discussionAri Snider of Maine Public on the federal immigration surge in that state

We start the show by getting listener's thoughts on the messy DOJ Epstein file release that leaked several victim identities. What do you do when the government doesn't have you back? Sarah Sherman-Stokes of BU Law and Leah Hastings of Prisoner Legal Services of Massachusetts discuss Gov. Maura Healey's latest actions on immigration enforcement. They both argue that Healey isn't using her full power as governor to keep Massachusetts residents safe.George Howell of George Howell Coffee joins Jim and Margery to celebrate his 50th anniversary in the coffee industry as a roaster and entrepreneur, and brews a couple cups of joe. The Culture Show's Jared Bowen on the premiere of the Melania documentary and anti-ICE speeches at the Grammy awards. Then we open the phone lines to get your thoughts on how to make the most perfect, fluffiest scrambled eggs. 

NBC10 Boston media maven Sue O'Connell joins for Press Play to discuss the arrest of Don Lemon, Bari Weiss' "scoops" based strategy and the FCC revisiting the equal time rule. Governor Maura Healey joins for this month's Ask the Governor.Electric harpist Deborah Henson-Conant serenades us for Live Music Friday, ahead of a weekend show at The Center for Arts in Natick.

Chuck Todd joins for news of the day, asking a novel question: "Is This a Tipping Point" in America?Andrea Cabral discusses the legislators moving to restrict ICE in their states; and new deportation data in New England.Nancy Gertner discusses the Supreme Court's slow walk on Trump tariff case, and how Minnesota's chief judge is taking on ICE.Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley zooms in from Minnesota.Providence Mayor Brett Smiley joins on zoom to discuss his effort to establish ICE-free spaces in his city, and other local politics from Rhode Island.

GBH executive arts editor Jared Bowen on how even apolitical spaces — film festivals, online niche communities — have become political in the wake of ICE's actions in Minnesota. Plus, "Job" at the SpeakEasy Stage and his conversation with actress Claire Foy.Nicholas Burns, former U.S. ambassador to China and NATO, discusses Trump's Greenland push and China's response to Trump's tariff warning shots. Imari Paris Jeffries of Embrace Boston and Reverend Jeffrey Brown of My City at Peace discuss the abrupt change in city plans for Parcel 3 in Roxbury.Boston Globe Love Letters columnist Meredith Goldstein marks 17 years of giving advice and we explore her most recent columns, like one writer who raises the red flag when a boyfriend buys the wrong hair dryer. And Margery learns she's not alone in not knowing that Venmo payments aren't automatically private.

BPR Full Show 1/27: When Enforcement Becomes Extremism?

We open the lines to hear reactions to yet another fatal shooting in Minneapolis – this time of a 37-year-old ICU nurse, Alex Pretti. Boston Globe editor Brian McGrory weighs in on coverage of protests in Minneapolis and the Trump administration's attempts to lie their way out of another extrajudicial killing, and the media's role in calling out those lies. Michael Curry sits on the national board of the NAACP and leads Massachusetts' community health centers. He joins us to discuss ICE's incursion into Minneapolis – where robust social and refugee/immigrant services turned it into a target by the federal government. And live from Minneapolis, we also hear from Leslie Redmond, former president of the Minneapolis NAACP. Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan on how local law enforcement in Minneapolis is on a collision course with federal agents, and local leaders can do to keep their communities safe. MIT economist Jon Gruber gives a macroeconomic view on President Trump's action on the world stage and how he's shredding our international alliances. Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton has called for ICE to be prosecuted for the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. He joins us to explain why he thinks the agency needs to be defunded.

For our weekly media analysis segment “Press Play," GBH's Callie Crossley and The Bay State Banner's Ron Mitchell talk about press secretary Karoline Leavitt insisting Trump never mixed up Greenland with Iceland ... and Bari Weiss' retribution campaign against 60 Minutes reporters. The Massachusetts Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism found that antisemitism is on the upswing in the state. We talk to commission members David Friedman and State Rep. Simon Cataldo about the latest report and their recommendations.For Live Music Friday, the new ‘You Can't Beat Boston' initiative unveils its original song, written and performed by Berklee College of Music students. We talk to two CEOs behind the initiative: Tom Hayes, CEO of Ocean Spray and Boathouse CEO John Connors. Plus, Berklee dean Rodney Alejandro.And, because everyone's talking about this weekend's whopper winter storm, we talk to GBH meteorologist David Epstein.NBC10 Boston's media maven Sue O'Connell on the 32% of Americans who think the country is better off under Trump, and what's behind the constant Band-Aid and makeup on Trump's hand.

Political analyst and podcaster Chuck ToddFood policy analyst Corby KummerMassachusetts Secretary of Education Patrick TutwilerSlate journalist Laura Jedeed who was offered a job at ICE after “minimal vettingFormer Massachusetts Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral

The Culture Show's Jared Bowen on the death of fashion designer Valentino and Boston's Winteractive art installations.Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem on President Trump's continued threats against Greenland that are sowing chaos among European allies at Davos.Singer-songwriter Juliana Hatfield performs for Live Music Friday. Her new album is called “Lightning Might Strike.” Presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin and her son Joe Kearns Goodwin join for a panel discussion on whether public service, civil or military, could bridge our country's political divide.

CNN chief national correspondent John King discussing the latest national political headlines.Boston Mayor Michelle Wu from 12-1 for Ask the MayorNBC Sports Boston's Trenni Casey discussing the Pats, and the unruly NCAA

Former New York Times editor Jill Abramson joins for Press Play to discus her latest column that asks why the press is still struggling to cover Trump, even as he governs increasingly like a king. Shannon O'Brien, reinstated chair of the Cannabis Control Commission, discusses her return and what's ahead for the pot industry in Massachusetts.The co-organizers of "Which Side? A Protest Music Teach-Out" join for Live Music Friday, ahead of a Burren Back Room session on Jan. 20. Our guests are organizers Joyce Linehan, James Sullivan, and musicians Jon Butcher, Ali McGuirk, Magen Tracey, and Erica Mantone.Rep. Bill Keating zooms in to discuss Trump's aggressive posture towards Greenland, and investigations into the killing of Renee Good. NBC10 Boston' media maven Sue O'Connell on the hot, hockey series phenomenon on HBO: Heated Rivalry…A gay love story that has women swooning. Plus, how the internet is turning press for the new Melania Trump documentary into a meme.

Political analyst and podcaster Chuck Todd on the MAGA-fication of CBS news, and the first amendment implications of a federal investigation into a Washington Post reporter. Former Massachusetts secretary of public safety Andrea Cabral on ICE's gestapo-like tactics in Minnesota and one woman's story of how she was recruited into the agency. Amherst College's Ilan Stavans on what Latino voters are making of Trump's Venezuelan takeover. Plus, the lengths American citizens are going to protect their undocumented parents, including enlisting in the military.Environmentalist Bill McKibben gives a rundown on the global damage the Trump administration is inflicting on the climate, including the EPAs new air pollution rules and oil in Venezuela. Then, it's Am I The A Hole day. Today's scenario involves a man at our beloved Costco, calling out a woman who cut him in line. Who's the bigger jerk, the flippant line cutter or the man who swore at her for cutting him? 

The Culture Show's Jared Bowen on a new PBS series “Breaking the Deadlock,” that explores the role of government in life and death decisions. Plus, we'll get his thoughts on the new Bradley Cooper movie “Is this thing on?” and other arts headlines.Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley discusses her calls for an independent investigation into the ICE killing in Minnesota, and for extended ACA subsidies.Tufts international affairs expert Daniel Drezner on violence in Iran – where the death toll of protesters against the regime has soared past 2,500.Food policy analyst Corby Kummer on the closing of Time Out Market in Fenway, the environmental impact of the new dietary guidelines and how restoring wild oyster reefs in Massachusetts is a win for conservationists and seafood bars. Dr. Atul Gawande is the former assistant administrator for global health at USAID. He explains how the shutdown of the aid organization has had ripple effects around the world…including contributing to the deaths of over half a million people worldwide, most of them children. It's the topic of his Oscar-shortlisted documentary “Rovina's Choice.”

MA Attorney General Andrea Campbell joins for Ask the AG.Andris Nelsons of the Boston Symphony Orchestra joins to preview their special America250 programming.Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discusses her latest column on the impact of Boston's liquor license expansion and what Trump's pressure on the Federal Reserve mean for businesses in Massachusetts.Retired judge Nancy Gertner on the resignation of several top Minnesota attorneys, the Supreme Court trans athlete case, and Trump's push to change how the midterms are conducted, through redistricting, tighter voter registration rules and by gutting cybersecurity protections.

We talk to former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark, Rufus Gifford, about what President Trump's continued threats of taking over the Danish territory of Greenland would it all mean for Europe, NATO and beyond.Chris Dempsey, former assistant transportation secretary, and former state Rep. Bill Straus, join for a transportation panel. They discuss the FIFA World Cup coming to Gillette Stadium and whether our transit system is capable of handling the influx of riders.Boston Medical Center's Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett explains this year's brutal flu season. Plus, HHS secretary RFK Jr.'s new guidelines for nutrition and childhood vaccine schedule updates. Princeton University scholar Khalil Gibran Muhammad on President Trump's saying he thinks Civil Rights-era protections have led to white people being “very badly treated.” And we talk about the administration's continued war with Harvard University. 

BPR Full Show 1/9: Truth Is In The Video

BPR Full Show 1/8: Minneapolis ICE Shooting

The Culture Show's Jared Bowen discusses the growing number of artists canceling their Kennedy Center appearances, his take on Marty Supreme and more cultural news from across the region. Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem on what President Trump's threats of military action beyond Venezuela mean for security at home. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung on the Kraft Group finally striking a deal to open a new professional soccer stadium in Everett, just before the deadline. Eric Segal, Nastasia Lawton and Rev. Fred Small were all arrested when they tried to deliver care packages – with food, bedrolls and menstrual products – to detainees at an ICE processing center in Burlington. They join to talk about their arrest and why they're standing up to the Trump administration's gestapo.  Then, it's soup season. We open the phone and text lines, and Jim reveals which soup is the most erotic.

CNN's John King with the latest national political headlines.Carol Rose, executive director of the ACLU of Mass on oral arguments in Boston over their NIH grants lawsuit. She'll also discuss the anniversary of J6 and the Trump administration's efforts to rewrite history.Lee Pelton of the Boston Foundation discusses the problem of rental deserts in Greater Boston, and the issue of affordability generally.Congressman Jake Auchincloss zooms in to discuss Democrats' response to Trump's actions in Venezuela.Trenni Casey of NBC Sports Boston discusses the Patriots being good on the field, and bad off the field. Plus, a whole new year of Jordon Hudson obsession in sports media.

Tufts University's international affairs scholar Daniel Drezner on the United States' weekend invasion of Venezuela to depose its authoritarian leader, Nicolas Maduro. Tufts food policy analyst Corby Kummer forecasts 2026 food trends and how to stick to New Year's resolutions. Plus, he updates us on how the Trump administration's agriculture investments will impact farmers. Bioethicist Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel discusses his new book “Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life.”There are more lawmakers of color than ever on Beacon Hill. But the legislature still remains disproportionately white. We talk to Mass League of Community Health Center's Michael Curry about that, and what a boost in rural health system federal funding could mean for western Mass.

BPR Full Show 12/24: Jim Is Not The Grinch