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One SEGA employee chronicles the company's struggles the only way he knows how: by turning it into a game.San Francisco! Come to a screening of Drop Dead Cityfollowed by a conversation with Roman on Monday, Nov 3. Info and tickets.Hidden Levels is a production of 99% Invisible and WBUR's Endless Thread. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The final episode of Hidden Levels explores the story of SEGA developer Tez Okano and the bizarre, meta-game he created: Segagaga. Okano joined SEGA in 1992, witnessing firsthand the company's tumultuous experience in the "console wars" against Nintendo and Sony. In the mid-1990s, SEGA struggled to make hardware that kept up with its rivals. The SEGA CD, the 32X, and the Saturn were all commercial failures. For Okano and many developers at SEGA, the console wars were both an exciting time to be in the video game business but also an intense and stressful time. They worked long hours, slept at their desks, and faced relentless deadlines. And so Okano decided to turn the chaotic nature of his professional life into a low-budget, self-parodying game about making video games at SEGA. In Segagaga, the player is a young developer tasked with saving SEGA's market share from the rival DOGMA Corporation (a stand-in for Sony/PlayStation). The gameplay is a mix of a role-playing game (RPG) and a management simulator, where you recruit demoralized, mutant-like SEGA employees by convincing them to join your team for the lowest salary possible. The gameplay reflects the absurd reality of game development. Players can spend a long time creating an original, hit game or they can quickly make a bunch of trashy titles (or shovelware) that barely keeps the company afloat. Okano even told us that the insults characters used in "battles" were actual quotes he heard in the office. The game was finished in 2001, just as the highly anticipated Sony PlayStation 2 was effectively dooming SEGA's Dreamcast. As game journalist Simon Parkin notes, Segagaga was released only two weeks before SEGA exited the console business entirely. This timing transformed the game from a self-parody into a memorial for a dying era, inviting players to literally defeat SEGA's failed consoles as bosses. Though Okano's bizarre proposal was initially met with laughter by executives, the game ultimately got made and, in a strange twist, benefited from the company's decision to stop making video game hardware. Even in the face of industry chaos, some creators simply can't help but pour their love and energy into making games. Credits This episode was produced by Jayson De Leon and edited by Meg Cramer. Mix by Martín Gonzalez. Fact-checking by Graham Hacia. Original music by Swan Real and Paul Vaitkus. Jocelyne Allen helped translate and interpret our interview with Tez Okano (truly the best). Special thanks to Lewis Cox and Tom Charnock over at The Dreamcast Junkyard. Their insight on SEGA, the Dreamcast, and Segagaga was extremely helpful in the making this story. Additional thanks to Adam Kuplowsky and 17 Bit's Jake Kazdal. Simon Parkin has a book about the history of the Dreamcast called Sega Dreamcast: Collected Works. It's rich and beautiful and has even more details about Segagaga that we could not fit into this story. Tez Okano would like to thank the small team that supported Segagaga. Especially Hisao Oguchi, Tadashi Takezaki, and Taku Sasahara. Hidden Levels is a production of 99% Invisible and WBUR's Endless Thread. The Managing Producer for Hidden Levels is Chris Berube. The series was created by Ben Brock Johnson. Series theme by Swan Real and Paul Vaitkus. Series art by Aaron Nestor.
In 2019, John Hancock announced it had found a camera hidden in the women's locker room. But six years and one lawsuit later, former employees told WBUR they feel those at the top may have been more interested in protecting the company than finding the perpetrator.
Abby Chin, Celtics reporter for NBC Sports Boston, joins WBUR's All Things Considered to preview tonight's game and tell us more about the new editions.
From blocky biomes to breathtaking open worlds, video games are teaching us new ways to see, build, and even save nature.Hidden Levels is a production of 99% Invisible and WBUR's Endless Thread. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Dr. James "Butch" Rosser was a pioneer in minimally invasive surgery in the 1990s. When he credited his surgical skills to video games, people dismissed him. The prevailing narrative was that kids who played video games became killers, not doctors. So Butch set out on quest: to show how video games can help make better doctors. Show notes: The impact of video games on training surgeons in the 21st century (JAMA Surgery) Study: High-School Video Gamers Match Physicians at Robotic-Surgery Simulation (Slate) We Have to Operate, but Let's Play First (The New York Times) He's really on his game (Orlando Sentinel) Credits This episode was written and produced by Grace Tatter and edited by Meg Cramer. Mix, sound design and music composition by Emily Jankowski. "Hidden Levels" is a production of 99% Invisible and WBUR's Endless Thread. The Managing Producer for Hidden Levels is Chris Berube. The series was created by Ben Brock Johnson. Series theme by Swan Real and Paul Vaitkus. Series art by Aaron Nestor.
Evan Horowitz of Tufts University's Center for State Policy Analysis joins WBUR's Morning Edition to explain why the seemingly sleepy legislation is in the spotlight.
Back in the 90s, artists turned video games into movie sets, and their wildest ideas are finally hitting documentaries.Hidden Levels is a production of 99% Invisible and WBUR's Endless Thread. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Today, Stef Sanjati is a creator on YouTube with over half a million subscribers. Her content mostly focuses on her two greatest loves — makeup and gaming — often combining the two with her otherworldly video game-inspired beauty tutorials. Growing up in small-town Ontario, though, Stef was a quiet, introverted kid who was bullied a lot. For one thing, she looked different from her peers. Having been born with a rare genetic condition called Waardenburg Syndrome, Stef has several distinct physical features, including wide-set blue eyes and a natural streak of white hair. But there was something else that she didn't quite have the words for back then – something she felt closest to while playing as her favorite avatar in World of Warcraft, the massively multiplayer online role-playing game by Blizzard Entertainment. That something else was that Stef is trans. Choosing your player is a near-ubiquitous experience in gaming. Whether it's picking from a stock of ready-made options in Mario Kart or carefully calibrating a custom avatar in World of Warcraft, a gamer's choice of character has a huge impact on the gaming experience. But when a gamer is given the chance to choose, or even build, a brand new identity outside of the one they experience every day, the potential impact goes far beyond simple gameplay. Credits This episode was written and produced by Frannie Monahan and edited by Meg Cramer. Mix, sound design and music composition by Paul Vaitkus. "Hidden Levels" is a production of 99% Invisible and WBUR's Endless Thread. The Managing Producer for Hidden Levels is Chris Berube. The series was created by Ben Brock Johnson. Series theme by Swan Real and Paul Vaitkus. Series art by Aaron Nestor.
Amy Carnevale, chair of the Massachusetts GOP, joins WBUR's Morning Edition to discuss the state of the primary.
ONE HOT FEST – ADELAIDE FILM FESTIVAL is a special mini-series from One Heat Minute Productions, diving into Australia's most charismatic celebration of cinema. Host Blake Howard takes you inside the Adelaide Film Festival — from filmmaker interviews and festival dispatches to reviews and discussions with guests and critics — relaying the energy, stories, and spirit that make it one of Australia's most electric film events.Synopsis:A behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis (2024).Sean BurnsSean Burns is a film critic for WBUR's Arts & Culture and a contributing writer at North Shore Movies and Crooked Marquee. He was Philadelphia Weekly's lead film critic from 1999 through 2013, and worked as a contributing editor at The Improper Bostonian from 2006 until 2014. His reviews, interviews and essays have also appeared in Metro, The Village Voice, Rolling Stone, The Boston Herald, Nashville Scene, Time Out New York, Philadelphia City Paper and RogerEbert.com.A graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, Burns was a recurring guest on the late David Brudnoy's WBZ 1030 AM radio show, and in 2002 received an award for Excellence in Criticism from the Greater Philadelphia Society of Professional Journalists. Currently a member of the Online Film Critics Society and the Critics Choice Association, he's also “the most annoyingest person ever,” according to his niece.WEBSITE: splicedpersonality.comTWITTER: @SeanMBurnsOne Heat Minute ProductionsWEBSITE: oneheatminute.comTWITTER: @OneBlakeMinute & @OHMPodsMERCH: https://www.teepublic.com/en-au/stores/one-heat-minute-productionsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/one-heat-minute-productions/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
We're sharing an episode of On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti. On Point is a rare public space where you hear nuanced explorations of complex topics live and in real time. Host Meghna Chakrabarti leads provocative conversations that help make sense of the world, with urgency, timeliness and depth. In this episode: If you feel like car headlights have gotten too bright, you're not alone. The National Highway Traffic Administration receives more consumer complaints about headlight brightness than any other topic. Meghna explores: How did this happen? And can we fix it? You can hear more episodes of On Point at https://link.mgln.ai/weirdestthing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Before Fortnite and Call of Duty ruled the scene, the US Army quietly shaped the early 2000s with a wildly popular, free shooter designed to excite young people about enlisting.Hidden Levels is a production of 99% Invisible and WBUR's Endless Thread. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
For decades, the U.S. Army has been on edge about recruitment, hitting its goals for a few years, only to miss them again. As part of their strategy to combat recruiting concerns, the Army has turned its focus online: to the world of gaming and competitive eSports. With nearly 80% of Americans between the ages of 13 and 28 playing video games weekly, the Army has identified this community as a vital demographic for potential recruits. The core goal of this outreach is to use gaming as an entry point, which is nothing new — the precedent was set decades ago. With the end of the draft in 1973, the U.S. Army found itself faced with new recruitment challenges. Campaigns like the “Be All You Can Be” ads of the 80s were popular and led to short-term bumps in recruitment, but they didn't last. The Army failed to meet its recruitment goals in 1998. It failed again in 1999. In response, a U.S. Army lieutenant colonel spearheaded the development of America's Army, a free-to-play first-person shooter launched in 2002. The game was designed to offer a "virtual test drive" of Army life. Before the players could enter the full combat portion of the game, they were required to complete certain training modules covering topics like physical fitness and weapons use. The game was designed to reflect the Army's values and structure. And despite the game's promise to represent the true Army experience, the relatively limited depiction of gore and gruesome violence raised concern from some critics. Other critics, including anti-war activists and the ACLU, condemned the project for "gamifying war" and serving as propaganda that targeted impressionable youth by design. America's Army became a significant cultural and recruiting success, accumulating over 1.5 million downloads in its first month and eventually earning the title of the "Most Downloaded War Video Game" from Guinness World Records with more than 42.5 million downloads. After a two-decade run, the U.S. Army officially shuttered America's Army. The way Americans played video games had changed since the game launched in the early 2000s, and the Army began to pivot its approach to gaming to leverage the success of existing games and opportunities posed by the increasingly popular competitive eSports scene. Today, the Army eSports team competes in commercial titles like Rocket League, Call of Duty, and Valorant, continuing its outreach. This modern presence remains contentious — critics continue to question the ethics of military outreach in spaces that include children. Credits: This episode was produced by Katelyn Harrop and edited by Christopher Johnson. Mix, sound design and music composition by Paul Vaitkus. Additional mixing by Martín Gonzalez. "Hidden Levels" is a production of 99% Invisible and WBUR's Endless Thread. The Managing Producer for Hidden Levels is Chris Berube. The series was created by Ben Brock Johnson. Series theme by Swan Real and Paul Vaitkus. Series art by Aaron Nestor.
Scott Kirsner, with our editorial partner MassLive, joins WBUR's Morning Edition to discuss on how the technology is changing the job market.
From airplanes to Pac-Man to the battlefield, the joystick has quietly shaped the way humans connect with machines.Hidden Levels is a production of 99% Invisible and WBUR's Endless Thread. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this special bonus episode of On Brand: Taylor's Version, now that The Life of a Showgirl is out in the world, we're asking: what does this new era tell us about Taylor Swift? To explore, I'm joined by Joanna Weiss, editor of Harvard Magazine, journalist, and co-author of Taylor Swift: Album by Album, a deep dive into every era. Together, we'll unpack how Showgirl fits into Taylor's evolution and what this chapter reveals about her storytelling, strategy, and brand. What You'll Learn in This Episode How Life of a Showgirl fits into Taylor Swift's evolution as an artist and storyteller Why some fans are divided on this album — and what that says about the expectations Taylor sets with each new era How Taylor balances real-life inspiration with fiction and character-driven songwriting What her creative process and relentless work ethic reveal about brand storytelling and reinvention Why Taylor's storytelling genius is as much about community and connection as it is about the music Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (00:47) Welcome Joanna Weiss (04:24) How the book Taylor Swift: Album by Album came together (07:02) Early takes on Life of a Showgirl (11:04) What makes an “era” — and how Showgirl fits in (19:18) What Taylor's saying with this album (25:23) Her creative process and work ethic (30:37) Money, power, and independence (33:20) The Taylor song that makes Joanna smile About Joanna Weiss Joanna Weiss is the editor of Harvard Magazine, a contributing writer for Politico Magazine, and a former columnist for The Boston Globe. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, Slate, The Economist, and many other outlets. After chronicling her own Eras Tour experience for Boston's NPR affiliate WBUR, Joanna dove deeper into the Swiftiverse as co-author of Taylor Swift: Album by Album (Quarto Books), which explores each of Taylor's eras in detail. In addition to her journalism career, Joanna fronts a rock band she formed with five fellow moms — a story captured in her Boston Magazine feature “For Those Moms About to Rock,” now optioned for film by 20th Century Studios. What Taylor Era Has Made Joanna Smile Recently? When asked which Taylor song or era makes her smile, Joanna picked “Love Story.” Despite everything that has come since, she still returns to that song for its sheer emotional clarity — a bedroom-written, 20-minute burst of teenage storytelling that still captures the universal thrill of hope, love, and happily-ever-after energy that defines so much of Taylor's work. Resources & Links Connect with Joanna on LinkedIn and her website Check out her new book, Taylor Swift: Album by Album Listen and Support Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I'll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Step back into the '90s, when dunks broke backboards, catchphrases caught fire, and one arcade game turned every kid into an NBA superstar.Hidden Levels is a production of 99% Invisible and WBUR's Endless Thread. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Welcome to our all-new collaborative series, "Hidden Levels," in which we team up with 99% Invisible to explore how the world of video games has impacted the world beyond. We'll dive deep into how games are made and designed, exploring everything from the history of the joystick to the faithful recreation of nature in digital spaces. Whether you are a lifelong gamer or have never picked up a controller, "Hidden Levels" uncovers how games have quietly changed culture, technology, and the way we see the world...starting with a '90s arcade classic. Developer Mark Turmell worked at Midway, which was known for iconic games like Space Invaders, Pac-Man, and Mortal Kombat. His creation of NBA Jam in 1993 pushed the company in a new direction. It debuted at the height of the Chicago Bulls' dynasty, aiming to capture the energy of professional basketball in a high-octane, over-the-top format. The game was a hit out of the gate, captivating players with its digitized graphics (with the heads of real NBA players) and fantasy gameplay where players could become "on fire." At the heart of the NBA Jam gaming experience was the voice of its announcer, Tim Kitzrow. Turmell and the game's sound team had realized they needed a voice that could match the game's energy and cut through the din of an arcade, without the budget for a professional NBA commentator. So they turned to Kitzrow, an improv comedian and journeyman actor, who was initially hired by Midway for pinball voiceovers — it was just a fun side gig. He had no idea that his work on NBA Jam would make such a lasting impact on the industry. Kitzrow modeled his energetic, flamboyant delivery on NBA announcer Marv Albert, infusing it with his own ad-libbed, short, and punchy catchphrases like "REJECTED!" and the game's most famous line, "Boomshakalaka!"—which was suggested by an artist and inspired by funk group Sly and the Family Stone. The game became a monumental hit, reportedly making $1 billion in quarters in its first year, with its catchphrases entering basketball vernacular. *** Credits: This episode of "Hidden Levels" was produced by James Parkinson, edited by Emmett FitzGerald, and mixed by Martín Gonzalez. Original music by Swan Real, Jamilah Sandoto, and Paul Vaitkus. Series theme by Swan Real and Paul Vaitkus. This story was adapted from James Parkinson's podcast, Gameplay. The Managing Producer for "Hidden Levels" is Chris Berube. The series was created by Ben Brock Johnson. "Hidden Levels" is a production of 99% Invisible and WBUR's Endless Thread.
Massachusetts Congressman Jim McGovern joined Deborah Becker on WBUR's All Things Considered to talk about the looming shutdown and concerns for constituents.
UMass Chan Medical School Chancellor Dr. Michael Collins joins WBUR's Morning Edition to talk about how the expected government shutdown will impact research and healthcare.
Notes and Links to Matthew Boedy's Work Matthew Boedy has written for many publications and authored three books. He's appeared on CNN and MSNBC and in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other media outlets. He has been a leader in faculty organizing since 2020 as president of the Georgia conference of the American Association of University Professors, a national higher education advocacy group. He completed his Ph.D. in English in 2015 at the University of South Carolina where he also received in 2010 a master's in creative writing. He most prizes his bachelor's degree in journalism in 2001 from the University of Florida and his work at the campus newspaper, the Independent Florida Alligator. He is a full professor of rhetoric at the University of North Georgia. He researches and writes about religious rhetoric, particularly in the last few years about the rise of Christian Nationalism. Buy The Seven Mountains Mandate: Exposing the Dangerous Plan to Christianize America and Destroy Democracy Matthew's Website Matthew Speaks on WBUR's “Here and Now” on The Seven Mountains Mandate Article from Mother Jones: “His Book on Charlie Kirk Was About to Come Out. Then His Subject Was Murdered. At about 1:50, Matthew responds to Pete's question about “exercising different muscles” in writing fiction, academic, and journalism At about 3:15, Matthew gives information on his book-publisher, summary, etc. At about 5:00, Matthew gives background on the book's title and subtitle in cover in response to Pete's question about added resonance for the book since Charlie Kirk's murder At about 8:25, Matthew responds to Pete's question about what Matthew has learned about the Turning Point and Charlie Kirk's influence as seen from outside the United States At about 10:20, Matthew discusses seeds for the book At about 11:40, Matthew talks about why he wrote two Prefaces for the book, and how the 2024 Presidential Election was a huge turning point for Turning Point At about 12:45, Pete and Matthew trace the book's opening timeline and its significance in tracing the history of the Seven Mountains Mandate At about 13:55, Matthew summarizes the Seven Mountains Mandates and talks about Charlie Kirk's “conversion” to the philosophy At about 17:25, Matthew reflects on whether or not Charlie Kirk's “religious fervor” was authentic and on his turn to Christian nationalism At about 19:45, Matthew responds to Pete's musings about the connection between “grifting” and Charlie Kirk's career At about 21:00, Matthew talks about the connections between the prosperity gospel and the Seven Mountains Mandate At about 22:15, Pete lays out some of the book's early writing on Project 2025, and Matthew expands on its connection to the mandate At about 23:30, Matthew emphasizes how the book is a lot about post-January 6 and connections to the “Mountain of Government" At about 24:10, Matthew talks about Bill Bright and Loren Cunningham and some early iterations of the mandate At about 27:25, Sara Diamond's prescient writing on the mandates is discussed At about 29:15, Pete uses a unique analogy to ask Matthew about the ideas of mandates, and Matthew makes a key point about the Mandate as being part of a “minority movement” At about 32:10, Matthew reflects on Trump's connection to the Mandate and the movement and mutual benefits At about 33:30, Pete and Matthew discuss a staggering stat about American's beliefs in and knowledge of the Mandate At about 34:25, Matthew responds to Pete's question about Charlie Kirk's death and its influence on religious conversion and political engagement At about 35:20, Matthew talks about Charlie Kirk's role in fulfilling a hole for many millennials and Gen Z and young men, particularly with reradds to a religious direction and “finding [one's] purpose] At about 36:45, Pete asks Matthew about ideas of nonengagement and engagement and connections to Christian fundamentalism At about 40:10, Matthew explains the “salt and light” metaphor often used by proponents of the Mandate At about 41:10, Matthew talks about Jimmy Carter's “falling out” with evangelicals At about 43:00, The two discuss the naming of the mandate and tracing the history of the title/metaphor At about 44:20, Matthew talks about his personal experiences and those others who have been listed on the Professors' Watchlist At about 47:00, Matthew traces Charlie Kirk's connections and contradictions involving higher education, as well as his “origin story” At about 49:40, Matthew recounts a memorable trip to a TPUSA event at the University of GA where higher ed was ridiculed At about 51:05, Matthew reflects on connections between state budgets and philosophies on public school and voucher programs At about 52:40, Matthew discusses distinctions between “republic” vs. “democracy” and notes important links to the Mandate At about 56:15, Matthew reflects on the usage and meanings of “stewardship” in certain circles At about 57:30, Matthew responds to Pete's question about Charlie Kirk's seemingly-contradictory attitude towards Israel and Jewish people At about 1:00:05, Pete and Matthew talks about ideas of manhood and male bonding and “warrior” archetypes and TPUSA's tokenization and abuse towards minorities of all types At about 1:02:55, Matthew discusses Erika Kirk's trapeze act of being an emboldened and powerful businesswoman and political force, as well as complementary partner/“stay in the home” woman and mother At about 1:05:15, Pete quotes a line about Charlie Kirk astutely learning how to “erase history,” and Matthew discussed particular mentors who taught him this lesson At about 1:07:30, Conspiracy theories and religious connections to the Mandate are discussed, including how The Great Reset as a conspiracy was hyped and sidelined by TPUSA At about 1:08:50, Andrew Breitbart and Jon Root as representative of the Entertainment Mandate are discussed At about 1:10:25, Matthew discusses Benny Johnson and the “cultural buckets” that have been repurposed through meme culture At about 1:11:55, Matthew talks about Neil Postman's book, Amusing Ourselves to Death, and its close connection to the Seven Mountains Mandate and politics as entertainment At about 1:12:55, the two discuss the “pomp and circumstance” that pervades politics, including the proposed UFC fight at the White House At about 1:14:55, Pete asks Matthew about the idea of Charlie Kirk's possible future as a “martyr” You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you're checking out this episode. Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Hannah Pittard, a recent guest, is up at Chicago Review. Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete's one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content! This month's Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of flawed characters, protagonists who are too real in their actions, and horror and noir as being where so much good and realistic writing takes place. Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show. This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he's convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form. The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com. Please tune in for Episode 300 with Nathan Thrall, an American writer living in Jerusalem. In 2024, he received the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction for A Day in the Life of Abed Salama. An international bestseller, it was translated into more than thirty languages, selected as a New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice, and named a best book of the year by over twenty publications, including The New Yorker, The Economist, and Time. He spent a decade at the International Crisis Group, where he was director of the Arab-Israeli Project, and has taught at Bard College. The episode airs on September 30, and Pete is thrilled and stunned to make it to Episode 300. Thanks to all of those who have helped him make it to 300 episodes. Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.
A couple who fled the war in Ukraine and found a home in Boulder is hoping their adaptive efforts with the bike shop they own will help them continue building a life for their family in Colorado. Then, the return of "Sun Day" amid a call for increased solar energy efforts with author Bill McKibben. Also, Colorado's mission to collect stardust. Plus the Local 303 celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, and a chance to "Circle Round Live" with WBUR in Parker on Oct. 5.
Local author Paul Tremblay has an essay out this week for a new collection called “Why I Love Horror.” In it, he tells five stories about his earliest experiences with the genre. He and his daughter, Emma, who drew pictures for the stories, joined WBUR's Morning Edition to talk about their shared relationship with horror.
A pandemic-era boost to health insurance subsidies is set to expire. State Policy Expert Evan Horowitz joins WBUR's Morning Edition to unpack what it means for Massachusetts.
ICE has said it's rare for people to be detained inside its Burlington field office for more than a few hours, but a new WBUR analysis finds that hundreds were detained for more than a day this past spring and summer.
Dan and Ellen are back from summer break and talk with Bill Marx, the editor-in-chief of the Arts Fuse. For four decades, he has written about arts and culture for print, broadcast and online outlets. He has regularly reviewed theater for the public station WBUR and the Boston Globe. He is a founder of Viva La Book Review, a new organization that aims to foster thoughtful, well-crafted book criticism in community news media across the country. Bill created and edited WBUR Online Arts, a cultural webzine that in 2004 won an Online Journalism Award for Specialty Journalism. Until recently, he taught a class on writing arts criticism at Boston University. Dan has a Quick Take about the funding crisis in public media and how that relates to the need to fund reliable sources of local news and information. It's not just a matter of your local public television and radio station needing more support from its audience than ever before. It's also a matter of the limits of philanthropy. Can we find the money to support hyperlocal nonprofits too? Ellen dives into a recent update from Joshua Benton at NiemanLab on The Republican in Springfield and the MassLive website, which has become a web traffic powerhouse as it expands. A previous podcast discussion with MassLive's president, Joshua Macht, and editor Ronnie Ramos can be found here.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, who served as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under President Biden, joins WBUR's Morning Edition to preview an upcoming meeting of a vaccine advisory panel that could reshape childhood vaccine access in the U.S.
It appears the path to re-election for Boston Mayor Michelle Wu just got clearer. Last night, philanthropist Josh Kraft ended his campaign just days after the city's preliminary election. Boston Globe Associate Editor and columnist Adrian Walker joins WBUR's All Things Considered to talk about what it means for the race right now and ahead of November's election.
Josh Kraft joins WBUR's Morning Edition to discuss the state of his campaign for Boston mayor.
Francesca Dominici, a Harvard biostatician whose lab lost more than $5 million when the Trump administration froze research money to Harvard, joins WBUR's Morning Edition.
WBUR's Emily Piper-Vallillo joins WBUR's Morning Edition to unpack a Boston judge's order to restore federal research funds.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joins WBUR's Morning Edition to discuss how the city is preparing for a potential surge of federal immigration enforcement.
Writer Jason Schwartz tells WBUR's Morning Edition that the project will ruin the Green Monster's magic.
Send us a textIn this week's episode I once again bring you an interview I did with personal trainer, author, podcast host and all-round-good-guy-and-happy-chappy Brian Keane.You might, or should I say "should", know Brian from the Brian Keane podcast ( which is one of THE top nutrition podcasts in the UK) and his social media presence. He is one of my favourite people in the health and fitness world at the moment as he never tries to sell you a shortcut, is always truthful and is very generous with his knowledge and expertise.We are talking "the PERFECT diet".How do you go about finding the perfect diet?What is the most important thing when it comes to diet?Why the diet your friend recommended does not work for you.Should the health and fitness industry stop dealing in black and white?Are cookbooks/recipe books beneficial?And much more. Anyone who is familiar with Brian's work will know he is one of THE guys to talk to about this sort of thing and I have no doubt at all that you'll be inpired and get a tonne of useful information from this episode.Brian can be found in all corners of the internet, he is everywhere!His websiteMake sure to catch The Brian Keane podcastInstagramFacebookYou can find his books on Amazon, and I'm sure other places as well.In the news this week (from a while ago); This "good news for millions of women" article from WBUR about vaginal fluid transplants. Yes the science is new but it does hold a lot of potential. Reminder; HPNB still only has 5 billing cycles. So this means that you not only get 3 months FREE access, no obligation! BUT, if you decide you want to do the rest of the program, after only 5 months of paying $10/£8 a month you now get FREE LIFE TIME ACCESS! That's $50 max spend, in case you were wondering. Though I'm not terribly active on Instagram and Facebook you can follow us there. I am however active on Threads so find me there! And, of course, you can always find us on our YouTube channel if you like your podcast in video form :) Visit healthypostnatalbody.com and get 3 months completely FREE access. No sales, no commitment, no BS. Email peter@healthypostnatalbody.com if you have any questions, comments or want to suggest a guest. If you could rate the podcast on your favourite platform that would be a big help.
Dun dun... This week, on Endless Thread... dun dun... something new is here... dun dun dun dun... a podcast mini-series about the 50th anniversary of the cinematic classic... DUN dun dun dun DUN dun dun dun..."Jaws!" Part 1 of this mini-series, Jaws Island, is right here, right now, and it's all about the "finatics" (yes, that's what they call themselves). WBUR arts and culture correspondent Andrea Shea takes us to Martha's Vineyard — AKA "Amity Island," where Jaws was filmed — for the 50th anniversary celebration of the film. Through conversations with "finatics," collectors, and cast members, Andrea learns how Steven Spielberg's enduring monster movie sank its teeth into us. Parts 2 and 3 are right around the corner, so follow Jaws Island in your podcast app! ("You're gonna need a bigger podcast library!")
A change is coming to this podcast feed. While you won't be getting new episodes of Radio Boston here any more, you will be able to find some of the best conversations WBUR records every week. Brought to you by our local news team. We're calling this new show WBUR Up Next Join us throughout the week to learn about the most important issues facing Massachusetts from the people in charge, and the people most affected. Right here, right now - or anytime you want to check in on this podcast feed.
Author Meg Mitchell Moore joins WBUR's Morning Edition to talk about "Mansion Beach."
When Jaws premiered in June 1975 on movie screens nationwide, it wasn't just a movie release — it was a cultural event. Audiences were captivated by the story of a quaint island town terrorized by a colossal, bloodthirsty shark. Though originally marketed as a horror film, Jaws has become much more than that. It's a film that continues to resonate deeply with fans around the world. On the 50th anniversary of this groundbreaking movie, superfans boarded the ferry to “Amity Island” — or rather, Martha's Vineyard, where Jaws was filmed in 1974. The so-called “finatics” joined an island-wide celebration featuring screenings, autograph signings and reunions. Listen to Jaws Island, a podcast from WBUR, to explore why, after five decades, “Jaws” continues to sink its teeth into audiences and refuses to let go. Explore iconic filming locations, meet the devoted fans, and uncover the lasting legacy of a movie that still has plenty of fresh blood in the water. Jaws Island is reported and hosted by WBUR arts correspondent Andrea Shea. Episode 1 drops Thursday, Aug 28.
Massachusetts Auditor Diana DiZoglio joins WBUR's Morning Edition to discuss her office's recent audit of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission.
Harvard research scientist Scott Delaney started website called Grant Witness that tracks all of this year's federal cuts. He joins WBUR's Morning Edition to talk about the back-and-forth over funding playing out in the courts.
Galen Mook of the advocacy group MassBike joins WBUR's Morning Edition to share his thoughts on the issue.
KAYTRANADA. Dijon. Molly Tuttle. We discuss the best new albums of the week with arts critic Amelia Mason from WBUR in Boston.Intro• KAYTRANADA, 'AIN'T NO DAMN WAY!' (Stream)The Starting 5• Dijon, 'Baby' (Stream)• Marissa Nadler, 'New Radiations' (Stream)• Molly Tuttle, 'So Long Little Miss Sunshine' (Stream)• Pile, 'Sunshine and Balance Beams' (Stream)• Joseph Decosimo, 'Fiery Gizzard' (Stream)The Lightning Round• Cassandra Jenkins, 'My Light, My Massage Parlor'• Cass McCombs, 'Interior Live Oak'• Audrey Hobert, 'Who's The Clown' (Read our feature on Audrey Hobert on NPR.org)• Najee Janey, 'Royalty'• Bret McKenzie, 'Freak Out City'See our Long List of albums out Aug. 15 and sample more than 50 of them via our New Music Friday playlist on npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Increased immigration enforcement is playing out across the U.S., and Boston is no exception. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have been spotted in neighborhoods across the city, and the detainment of Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk made headlines across the country.WBUR reporter Simón Rios, who has extensively covered immigration in Boston, joins Here & Now's Chris Bentley to explain more.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Scott Kirsner, a columnist from our editorial partner MassLive, joins WBUR's Morning Edition to discuss the feud.
Jeff Speck, partner at the Brookline urban design firm Speck Dempsey, joins WBUR's Morning Edition to discuss what the potential arrival of automated taxi service Waymo.
If you feel like it's been raining a lot on the weekends this summer, you're not alone. A couple months ago, we noticed a thread on r/boston asking why? So, we enlisted the help of one of our WBUR colleagues, Climate and Environment Corespondent Barbara Moran to clear things up once and for all. Show notes: Rain Every Weekend??? (Reddit) OMG, why is it raining every Saturday in Boston? (WBUR)
In the late 70s, disco was everywhere. Songs like “Disco Inferno,” “I Will Survive” and “Brick House” topped the charts. Disco had been created and embraced by Black people, Latino people, LGBT+ people, and women. It was fun and funky. It was freeing and empowering. …but *some* folks didn't like having disco balls shoved in their faces. So, when a 24-year-old Chicago shock jock began hosting “death to disco” rallies at local bars, he developed a loyal following of young, disgruntled dudes. The shock jock's popularity soon caught the eye of the Chicago White Sox. They needed to sell tickets for an upcoming doubleheader. What if they ran a “Disco Demolition Night” promotion? It would be totally fun! Things definitely wouldn't get out of hand! Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this episode, Kristin pulled from: The documentary, “The Saint of Second Chances” The documentary, “The War on Disco” “When ‘Disco Sucks!' echoed around the world,” by Tony Scalafani for Today.com “Disco demolition: Bell-bottoms be gone!” by Andy Behrens for ESPNChicago.com “We rock ‘n' rollers will resist – and we will triumph!” by Kirstin Butler for PBS.org “Forty years later, disagreement about disco demolition night,” by Gary Waleik for WBUR.org “Baseball's showman,” by Nick Acocella for ESPN.com Are you enjoying An Old Timey Podcast? Then please leave us a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen to podcasts! Are you *really* enjoying An Old Timey Podcast? Well, calm down, history ho! You can get more of us on Patreon at patreon.com/oldtimeypodcast. At the $5 level, you'll get a monthly bonus episode (with video!), access to our 90's style chat room, plus the entire back catalog of bonus episodes from Kristin's previous podcast, Let's Go To Court.
Recently, On Point explored how Hong Kong has changed five years after China passed its so-called national security law and vastly diminished protest and free speech in Hong Kong. Our colleagues at WBUR's podcast Endless Thread also took a look at this law. Specifically, how it changed how people in Hong Kong interact digitally — on social media, and in text messages. What happens to online speech when you're unsure how much the government is monitoring your speech, and what the repercussions will be if they don't like it? And if you want to hear more Endless Thread, you can follow our podcast wherever you follow On Point. Show notes: PROFILE: For Jeffrey Ngo, The Fight For Hong Kong is Far From Over(The Hoya) Social Media and the Hong Kong Protests (The New Yorker) Hong Kong protesters join hands in 30-mile human chain (The Guardian) Hong Kong national security law: What is it and is it worrying? (BBC)
Hi, Dear Sugars listeners, this is Amory Sivertson.. Host of WBUR's Beyond All Repair and co-host of Endless Thread. I'm here to share something special with you this week. It's an episode of Other People's Problems, from our friends at CBC. Normally, therapy sessions are totally confidential, but this podcast opens the doors. On this season, the host Dr. Hillary McBride explores the transformative power of psychedelics in a therapeutic setting. With her psychological expertise, Dr. Hillary leads clients through drug-assisted therapy, guiding them to new heights on their healing journeys. In this episode, you'll hear from Donovan, who has lived in fear and anger ever since he told the truth about being abused by his mother's boyfriend and then felt betrayed by social workers who were supposed to help. Now, after several ketamine therapy sessions, Donovan can finally look back upon his child-self with care and calm and works to become the kind of adult he needed for his own children. Hope you enjoy the episode. And if you like this, find the full season of CBC's Other People's Problems wherever you get your podcasts.