Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today on Boston Public Radio: Boston Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius discussed her vision for improving the city’s school system, and responded to questions from callers.  “Beat the Press” host Emily Rooney discussed the media hype around whether Tom Brady will leave the Patriots, and read us her weekly list of fixations and fulminations. Boston Globe writer Shirley Leung discussed the impact of coronavirus fears on Boston’s economy, and the “democratization of coffee” at Panera Bread.   “Under the Radar” host Callie Crossley discussed President Trump’s latest appeals to Black voters, and Hillary Clinton’s new podcast.  Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart discussed the Pop’s upcoming spring season, his 25 years at its helm, and the legacy of composer John Williams.  WGBH's A Celtic Sojourn host Brian O’Donovan and multi-instrumentalist Torrin Ryan joined us for our weekly news quiz, to promote WGBH’s 12th annual A St. Patrick’s Day Celtic Sojourn. 

Today on Boston Public Radio: NBC “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd discussed Tuesday night’s Democratic debate, and gave his thoughts on the positioning of candidates heading into Super Tuesday.  Fatima Shama, senior adviser to Michael Bloomberg’s 2020 campaign, discussed the former mayor's decisions regarding NDA releases, and her views on her candidate's path to a nomination. We opened our lines to ask callers: are you worried about the coronavirus? Former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral discussed President Trump’s recent statements about Justices Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Sonia Sotomayor, and the privileges convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein is expected to receive in prison at Rikers Island. Boston University professor Nathan Phillips discussed his experience going on a hunger strike to protest the Weymouth compressor. Tech writer Andy Ihnatko discussed the Orwellian aspect of smart speakers, and safety risks associated with self-driving cars.  Boston Globe colu

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to ask callers: what did you think about Tuesday night’s Democratic debate? M.I.T. economist Jon Gruber discussed the impact the coronavirus is having on the U.S. economy, and the factors dissuading drug companies from creating a coronavirus vaccine. Ali Noorani, Executive Director for the National Immigration Forum, discussed President Trump’s newly implemented "public charge" rule for immigrants, and post-Brexit Britain’s handling of immigration. Medical ethicist Art Caplan discussed the U.S.’ preparedness for a coronavirus outbreak, and the mixed messaging about it from the Trump administration. WGBH arts editor Jared Bowen reviewed “She the People,” now playing at the Huntington theater, and the new exhibit by artist Tschabalala Self called “Out of Body” at the ICA. Media maven Sue O’Connell discussed sentencing for a Hot Pockets heiress in the ongoing “Varsity Blues” scandal, and the emergence of an anti-Greta Thunberg. In light of a new NOVA docum

Today on Boston Public Radio: Mass. Senate President Karen Spilka discussed her views on mental health parity, NDAs in the public sector, and Massachusetts transportation reform. NBC Sports Boston anchor Trenni Kusnierek reflected on Monday’s memorial for Kobe and Gigi Bryant, and the NHL debut of a 42 year-old Zamboni driver. We opened the lines to talk with callers about your views on early voting in the 2020 primaries. Former Massachusetts Secretary of Education Paul Reville discussed racial inequity at Boston's exam schools, the dipping graduation rates at Boston Public Schools, and a group of illiterate California students who sued their state and won $53 million for troubled schools. Boston Globe travel writer Christopher Muther discussed the impact of the coronavirus on local tourism, the "Shame Plane,” and whether it’s poor form to recline your seat on an airplane. CNN’s John King talked about the South Carolina primary, and what to expect from Tuesday night’s Democratic presidential debate. We

Today on Boston Public Radio: Charlie Chieppo and Jennifer Nassour joined us for a political roundtable. Chieppo is principal of Chieppo Strategies, senior fellow at the Pioneer Institute and adjunct professor at Suffolk University, and Nassour is a former Chairwoman of the Mass GOP and founder of Conservative Women For A Better Future.  We opened our lines to ask callers your thoughts on Bernie Sanders being the 2020 Democratic frontrunner, and Monday's verdict in the trial of Harvey Weinstein.  TV writer Bob Thompson reviewed Hulu’s “High Fidelity” and Netflix’s “Gentrefied.” Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price, hosts of WGBH’s All Rev’d Up, discussed the Catholic Church’s lax handling of sexual abuse, and the racial inequities at Boston’s exam schools.  WGBH News Analyst and GroundTruth Project CEO Charlie Sennott provided an update on the Taliban’s reduction of violence deal in Afghanistan, and President Trump’s Monday visit to India. Poet Richard Blanco joined us for another edition of “The Vil

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to talk with listeners about Massachusetts’ new distracted driving law. Medical ethicist Art Caplan discussed whether Bernie Sanders ought to release his full medical records, and the latest news on the coronavirus. Media maven Sue O’Connell discussed Matell’s new “Self-Care Barbie,” and reporting from the Atlantic on the political history between Barack Obama and Bernie Sanders. Boston Lyric Opera director Esther Nelson, alongside soprano Elena Stikhina, discussed the B.L.O.’s upcoming production of “Norma,” as well as Boston's lack of an opera house. Tech writer Andy Ihnatko discussed the potential impact of coronavirus on the tech industry, and his thoughts on the new Sony Walkman MP3 player. “Under the Radar” host Callie Crossley discussed the quarantine on Mike Bloomberg coverage at Bloomberg News, and her thoughts on Massachusetts new distracted driving law. Kim Senior and Shayne Kenyon of “Sweat,” now playing at the Huntington Theater, joined us

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to callers to discuss Wednesday night’s Democratic debate. WGBH News Analyst and GroundTruth Project CEO Charlie Sennott discussed a possible peace deal between the U.S. and Taliban forces, and the 900,000 Syrians currently fleeing to Turkey amidst Bashar al-Assad’s recent military advancements. Former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral discussed the sentencing of Trump associate Roger Stone, and the question of whether Attorney General Bill Barr will resign. ESPN’s Howard Bryant discussed his new book, “Full Dissidence: Notes From an Uneven Playing Field.” Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price, hosts of WGBH’sAll Rev’d Up, discussed Wednesday night’s Democratic debate, and the possibility of the U.S. having its first Jewish president in Bernie Sanders or Mike Bloomberg. Boston Globe columnist Alex Beam discussed concierge medicine, rank choice voting, and remembered the life of Jesuit astrophysicist Rev. George Coyne.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to ask caller: do debates influence how you vote? MIT economist Jon Gruber discussed housing affordability in Massachusetts, and whether rent control is the most effective solution. Boston Globe columnist Shirley Leung discussed fraud charges against Mass. Rep. David Nangle, and former GE executive Ann Klee’s move to construction company Suffolk. Harvard Business School historian Nancy Koehn discussed Jeff Bezos’ pledge to commit $10 billion towards combating climate change. Journalist and naturalist Sy Montgomery discussed the role pangolins may have played in the spread of coronavirus, and news on the graciousness of crows. We re-opened our lines to talk with listeners about your experiences at dog parks, in light of a New York Times article arguing that they're bad for a dog’s health and development. WGBH Arts Editor Jared Bowen discussed 40 years of “Sheer Madness” at the Charles Playhouse, and a new exhibit at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, t

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to talk with listeners about the rise of Michael Bloomberg’s 2020 campaign. NBC Sports Boston reporter Trenni Kusnierek discussed Mookie Betts getting traded from the Red Sox to the Dodgers, and new restrictions at the Tokyo Marathon over fears about the coronavirus. Former State Transportation Secretary James Aloisi and Transportation for Massachusetts Director Chris Dempsey discussed South Station construction, and long-term closures planned this summer for the green line. Food writer Corby Kummer discussed the impact of coronavirus fears on Chinese restaurants across the U.S., and new research on the health benefits of coffee. TV writer Bob Thompson discussed the debut of the Black News Channel, reviewed Apple TV’s "Visible,” and the New Hampshire primary edition of “The Conners,” and "Better Call Saul." CNN’s John King discussed Wednesday night’s Democratic debate, and where the 2020 Democratic candidates stand ahead of Saturday’s Nevada caucuses. W

Food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio *on Tuesday to talk about Sweetgreen adding seaweed to the menu. "They are starting a new kelp seaweed bowl and they are buying from the Maine-based Atlantic Sea Farm, so it's a great New England story," he said. "It is taking kelp and seaweed years to actually become the fad, but it's a sustainable source of protein and has tons of vitamins and minerals." Many New Englanders are kelp advocates, Kummer said, since the plant is found in abundance on many eastern coasts. "Off of Maine, off Long Island, off many coasts in New England, there's this free abundant seaweed that’s now being farmed." *Kummer is a *senior editor at The Atlantic*, an award-winning food writer, and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition and Policy.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Former Managing Editor at "U.S. News and World Report" Laylah Alphonse and Michael Curry, deputy CEO and general counsel at the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, member of the National NAACP Board of Directors, and chair of the Board’s Advocacy & Policy Committee, joined us for our politics round table. We opened the lines and asked our listeners if they are hesitant to take a vacation on a cruise due to concerns of the coronavirus.

Today on Boston Public Radio: “Beat the Press” host Emily Rooney discussed rising support for Michael Bloomberg’s 2020 presidential campaign, and read us her weekly list of fixations and fulminations. Boston Globe columnist Alex Beam discussed George Washington’s campaign to bring Spanish Mules to the U.S., and a debate over the architectural future of Washington, D.C. “Under the Radar” host Callie Crossley discussed the candidacy of Michael Bloomberg, and her Valentine’s Day letter to Rep. John Lewis. Attorney General Maura Healey stopped by theWGBH library studio for our monthly “Ask the AG” series. Husband and wife duo Joanne Chang and Christopher Meyers, of the restaurant Meyers + Chang, joined us for our 7th annual Valentines Day news quiz.

Today on Boston Public Radio: NBC “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd weighed in on the Department of Justice’s recommendation of a lighter sentence for Trump associate Roger Stone, statements from former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly on the president’s view of immigrants, and the winning poodle at this week’s Westminster dog show. Medical ethicist Art Caplan discussed the president’s proposed cuts to health and science agencies, The WHO's inability to control media reporting on the coronavirus, and President Trump’s proposal to move tobacco regulation away from FDA control.  We opened our lines to talk with listeners about former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly’s statements on President Trump, and get your thoughts on why most Republicans are unwilling to criticize the president in a significant way.  Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker joined us for our monthly edition of “Ask the Governor,” where he spoke about the Transportation Climate Initiative, affordable housing, air monitoring i

Today on Boston Public Radio: Jennifer Nassour and Steve Kerrigan recapped Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary. Nassour is a former Chairwoman of the Mass GOP and founder of Conservative Women For A Better Future, and Kerrigan is the CEO of the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center and former CEO of the DNC. Mike Bloomberg spokesperson Sabrina Singh discussed the former New York mayor’s path to the nomination, his victory in Dixville Notch, NH, and his evolving views on stop-and-frisk. We opened the lines to talk with listeners about the results of Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary.  CNN analyst Juliette Kayyem discussed the "Friday night purge" in Washington, and the latest headlines around the coronavirus. Harvard behavioral economist Michael Norton discussed his research on consumer voting campaigns, and their impact on a customer’s overall satisfaction. Former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral discussed the Department of Justice recommending a lighter sentence for Tru

Today on Boston Public Radio: Media maven Sue O’Connell and former New Hampshire GOP chair Jennifer Horn discussed Tuesday’s primary, high voter engagement in New Hampshire, and the big question of whether Democrats can beat Trump in November.  2020 presidential candidate Andrew Yang discussed the success of his campaign, his hopes for the New Hampshire primary, and his brief stint writing captions for New Yorker cartoons.  2020 presidential candidate Michael Bennet discussed his “Real Deal,” his hopes for Tuesday’s primary, and the importance of nominating a Democrat capable of working with Republicans to oppose Trump in November.  NBC “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd weighed in on how several 2020 presidential candidates are positioned ahead of Tuesday’s primary.  New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu discussed his support for President Trump, the Democratic 2020 candidate he thinks would fare best against the President in November, and his reasons for opposing Mass. Gov. Charlie Baker’s Transportat

Today on Boston Public Radio: University of New Hampshire pollster Andrew Smith discussed the fickle preferences of New Hampshire’s undecided voters. We opened our lines to talk with callers about anything and everything to do with Tuesday’s primary. Seacoast NAACP president Rogers Johnson, Manchester NAACP president James McKim, and Granite State Organizing Project director Sarah Jane Knoy debated whether New Hampshire deserves to hold their coveted first-in-the-nation primary status. Bernie Sanders senior aide Jeff Weaver discuss Sanders’ electability, his lukewarm support from from the DNC, and why the media is paying closer attention to his campaign this time around than they did in 2016. New Hampshire Rep. Anne Kuster discussed her reasons for endorsing former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg for president. New York Times national politics correspondent Jonathan Martin discussed the 2020 election, and the uphill battle that lower-tier presidential candidates will face moving out of New Hampsh

Today on Boston Public Radio: We aired audio from an interview Jim and Margery had Saturday with Mass. Senator Elizabeth Warren, where she discussed her 2020 campaign and thoughts on the acquittal of President Trump. New Hampshire Democratic Party chair Raymond Buckley discussed Tuesday's primary, and the significance of having an openly gay presidential candidate.  We opened our lines to ask callers: why do you think so many New Hampshire primary voters are still undecided? 

Today on Boston Public Radio: Arnie Arnesen and Fergus Cullen offered analysis of Friday night’s Democratic debate. Arnesen is a former New Hampshire State Rep. and host of WNHN’s “The Attitude,” and Cullen is principal of the consulting firm Fergus Cullen Communications and former chairman of the New Hampshire Republican State Committee. We opened lines to talk with callers about Lt. Col. Vindman’s firing, and hear your impressions of Friday night’s debate.

Today on Boston Public Radio: University of New Hampshire political science professor Dante Scala discussed how various 2020 Democratic presidential candidates are positioned ahead of Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary, and how fallout from Monday's Iowa caucus debacle could make New Hampshire even more significant. 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer joined us to discuss his campaign, and what he thinks it’s going to take to defeat President Trump in November. “Beat the Press” host Emily Rooney joined us for a special primary-themed list of fixations and fulminations. We opened lines to talk with callers about which Democrats are best positioned to win the nomination. A second 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, discussed his views on the New Hampshire primary, and being the only remaining presidential candidate of color. Jack Rodolico and Lauren Chooljian, hosts of NHPR’s “Stranglehold” podcast, broke down the history of New Hampshire's role as t

Today on Boston Public Radio: NBC “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd discussed Mitt Romney’s vote to convict President Trump, and where the Democratic presidential candidates stand in the days leading up to the New Hampshire primary.  We opened lines to talk with callers about your impressions of Mitt Romney’s conviction vote. Former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral debated Jim over whether Nancy Pelosi’s tearing of the State of the Union was an effective act of protest. We aired live audio of Donald Trump’s address, celebrating his acquittal in the Senate.  We cut from Trump’s speech to take calls from listeners, and hear your thoughts on what the president had to say in his address.  Diane Patrick, wife of former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, joined us to talk about her husband and his 2020 presidential campaign.  Boston Globe columnist Alex Beam discussed Mitt Romney’s mormonism, and the role it played in the Senator’s vote to convict President Trump in