Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the lines to ask callers: if impeachment ends today, who wins and who loses? Emily Rooney, host of WGBH News' Beat The Press, gave us her famous list of fixations and fulminations. Under the Radar host Callie Crossley discussed the controversy surrounding the book “American Dirt,” and previewed Sunday’s episode ofUnder the Radar. Vox Media co-founder and editor-at-large Ezra Klein discussed his new book, “Why We’re Polarized.”

Today on Boston Public Radio: MSNBC “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd explained what Americans should expect from Thursday's impeachment proceedings, and previewed next week’s Iowa caucus.  Media maven Sue O’Connell discussed ongoing diversity issues within Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign, and the Gen. Z/Millennial embrace of death positivity.  We opened lines to hear thoughts from callers on the role Chief Justice John Roberts has played so far in the Senate impeachment trial. Former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral discussed impeachment, and pushback to a decision by Suffolk County D.A. Rachael Rollins to protect a Somali refugee facing deportation.  Former Massachusetts Secretary of Education Paul Reville discussed fallout at Harvard over chemistry department chair Charles Lieber’s undisclosed financial ties to China, and the lone finalist for UMass Boston’s chancellor position.  We aired live audio from Thursday’s impeachment proceedings.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to talk with callers about a potential witness swap in the Senate impeachment trial.  Medical ethicist Art Caplan discussed the latest on the Coronavirus’ spread in the U.S., and new testimony exposing the role of doctors in the CIA’s Guantanamo Bay interrogations. CNN analyst Juliette Kayyem discussed the Trump administration’s approach to the Coronavirus, along with the latest on the Senate impeachment trial.  Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung spoke on her recent profile of Mass. Environmental Secretary Kathleen Theoharides, and discussed 99 Ranch Market, a newly opened Asian supermarket in Quincy.  We aired live audio from Wednesday’s impeachment proceedings.

A new food movement in California is attempting to reduce carbon footprints in restaurants and make meals more climate friendly by tacking on a surcharge to fund a pilot called Restore California. Food writer Corby Kummer told Boston Public Radio on Tuesday the program is just one system of numerous programs across the country to help restaurants be more sustainable. "This is saying if every restaurant in the Bay Area … if they could put a one percent surcharge that goes toward regenerative soil, which is caring about making the soil better for future generations, that’s even better than organic, that’s what matters now, so this Restore California 1 percent surcharge, fancy restaurants are going along with it, they’re getting with the program." Kummer said the fine dining restaurants are serving dishes like beef tartare sourced with meat from a ranch affiliated with a program to help fields absorb more carbon, local lavender, and toast created from Kernza, a "perennial grain with deep roots that helps rest

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to talk with callers about impeachment, and whether new revelations from former National Security Advisor John Bolton will have an impact on the Senate trial.  NBC Sports Boston Reporter Trenni Kusnierek discussed the passing of John Altobelli, former head coach of Cape Cod’s Brewster Whitecaps, who died Sunday alongside Kobe Bryant in the Calabasas helicopter crash.  Boston Globe cannabis reporter Dan Adams discussed the bureaucracy holding local marijuana entrepreneurs back, and a new study linking heavy marijuana use as a teenager to impaired driving as an adult, even while sober.   Food writer Corby Kummer discussed the merits of noisy restaurants, and a restaurant surcharge bill in California aimed at fighting climate change.   We aired live audio from Tuesday’s impeachment proceedings.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Michael Curry and Jennifer Braceras discussed revelations in a forthcoming book from former National Security Advisor John Bolton, and what to expect from Monday’s impeachment proceedings. Curry is senior vice president and general counsel at Mass League of Community Health Centers, and a member of the National NAACP Board of Directors. Braceras is a political columnist, senior fellow with the Independent Women’s Forum, and a former Commissioner of the United States Commission on Civil Rights. NBC Sports Boston commentator Trenni Kusnierek spoke on the legacy of Kobe Bryant, who died on Sunday. Journalists Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn discussed their latest book, “Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope.” Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price, hosts of WGBH’s All Rev’d Up, discussed the life of Kobe Bryant, and a case before the Supreme Court that could alter the separation of of church and state in the U.S. We aired live audio from Monday’s impeachment proceedings. 

Today on Boston Public Radio: Attorney General Maura Healey stopped by the Boston Public Radio studio for our monthly “Ask the AG” series. Emily Rooney, host of WGBH News' Beat The Press, joined us for her famous list of fixations and fulminations. Under the Radar host Callie Crossley discussed Cambridge becoming the fourth Massachusetts city to ban the use of facial recognition technology, and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries quoting Biggie Smalls in the Senate impeachment trial.

Today on Boston Public Radio: MSNBC “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd discussed impeachment and the 2020 election. Media maven Sue O’Connell recapped Hillary Clinton’s statements on Bernie Sanders, and criticisms of Pete Buttigieg’s campaign from within the LGBTQ community.  We opened our lines to talk with listeners about your thoughts on the Senate impeachment trial.  Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker joined us for our monthly “Ask the Mayor” segment.  We aired live audio from day four of the Senate impeachment trial. 

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to talk with callers about their thoughts on the ongoing Senate impeachment trial. M.I.T. economist Jon Gruber discussed the economics of paid parental leave, and took questions from callers.  Medical ethicist Art Caplan discussed Trump administration rollbacks to Michelle Obama’s school lunch rules, and ICE detainees on hunger strike in Louisiana.   CNN analyst Juliette Kayyem discussed the ongoing impeachment trial, and recapped Monday’s gun-rights rally in Virginia.  We aired live audio from day three of the Senate impeachment trial.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to talk with callers about impeachment, ahead of Tuesday's Senate trial.  NBC Sports Boston reporter Trenni Kusnierek discussed Tom Brady’s free agent status, the Red Sox’s handling of now ex-manager Alex Cora, and a labor agreement for WNBA players that’s been called “historic.” Former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral discussed the upcoming impeachment trial, and debated whether inmates ought to be able to document the conditions of prisons.  We aired live audio of Sen. Mitch McConnell’s opening statements in the Senate impeachment trial.  We re-opened lines to talk with listeners about impeachment.  We aired live audio of the Senate impeachment trial. 

Today on Boston Public Radio: John Nucci and Jennifer Horn joined us for a politics round-table, and discussed the impending senate impeachment trial. John Nucci is Vice President of External Affairs at Suffolk University and Jennifer Horn is the former chair of the New Hampshire Republican Party. We opened the lines to hear from listeners about whether they will be tuning into the senate impeachment trial, which is set to start on Tuesday. Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett G Price III joined us to honor the life and legacy of civil rights leader and U.S. Representative John Lewis. Bob Thompson reviewed CNN's problematic handling of the recent Democratic debate, and discussed other TV and entertainment news. Naturalist Sy Montgomery gave an update on the wildfires ravaging Australia's diverse ecosystems, and other headlines from the animal kingdom, including how one tortoise named Diego had so much sex he saved his species from extinction. Tech writer Andy Ihnatko discussed a recent legal win in Massachuse

Today on Boston Public Radio: Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, joined by John McGahan from the Gavin Foundation and Marty Martinez from Boston Health and Human Services, discussed the opioid crisis in Massachusetts and took questions from callers. Emily Rooney, host of WGBH's Beat The Press, joined us for her famous list of fixations and fulminations. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discussed her reporting on M.I.T., and the officials who accepted donations from convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein. Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley discussed her recent video op-ed about her experience with alopecia, criminal justice reform, and her views on impeachment. Under the Radar host Callie Crossley discussed a Minnesota teacher of the year taking a knee at a football game attended by President Donald Trump, and the longstanding issue of diversity for Oscar nominations. Ginny Nightshade and Mike D’Angelo from “Old School Game Show” joined us for our weekly news quiz.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to ask callers: with 12 candidates vying for the Democratic presidential nomination, do you have election fatigue? Former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral discussed Harvard Law graduates turning down clerk jobs for Trump appointed judges, and an audit that revealed Massachusetts' lackadaisical handling of inmate healthcare. We re-opened our lines to ask callers about the closure of Top of the Hub, and whether Boston is losing its sense of identity.  WGBH News investigative reporter Chris Burrell discussed the first report of WGBH’s “Color of Public Money” series, which exposed deep racial inequities in state contractor funding.  Former Massachusetts Secretary of Education Paul Reville discussed BPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius’ school stimulus plan, and news that BPS shared information on students with ICE.  Massachusetts State Treasurer Deb Goldberg stopped by by for an inaugural edition of “Ask the Treasurer."

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened lines to talk with listeners about Tuesday night’s Democratic presidential debate. MIT economist Jon Gruber discussed the economics of war. CNN analyst Juliette Kayyem discussed the forthcoming Senate impeachment trial, news that Russian intelligence is now investigating Hunter Biden and Burisma, and the Australian wildfires.  Medical ethicist Art Caplan discussed a recent appeal to a Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling on medically-assisted suicide, and criticisms over the speed of the FDA's drug trial approval process.  Media maven Sue O’Connell discussed Sen. Cory Booker’s LGBTQ advocacy, and what his exit means for the 2020 presidential race.  WGBH Arts Editor Jared Bowen recapped this year's Oscar nominations, and reviewed the plays “PASS OVER” and “Cats The Musical." We re-opened our lines to discuss Red Sox manager Alex Cora’s departure from the Sox in light of the recent sign-stealing scandal.

Interest in cutting down on alcohol consumption originally started as a wellness answer to the over-indulgence of the holiday season, but the sober curious have extended beyond dry January and are now shaping market trends for low-or-no-alcohol beverages. According to a recent New York Times story, it's not just consumers shaping that trend, it may be your bartender too. Food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio on Tuesday to discuss how the sober curious bartenders are gaining visibility. "One of the main reasons this movement among food service workers who are bartenders in being sober and being able to survive at work, is social media," he said. "Being able to post about it and have a whole community be your support system, the way 12 step groups ... keep them up and keep them accountable, the focus is on a whole movement among bartenders who say, 'I'm good at my job, I like my job, I drank, I don't want to drink anymore.'" Food service workers have struggled with higher rates of alcoholism th

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened lines to ask callers: do you think American voters in 2020 are capable of electing a woman president? Filmmaker Michael Kirk discussed a new two-part FRONTLINE docuseries called “America’s Great Divide: From Obama to Trump.” James Aloisi, Former Secretary of Transportation, and Chris Dempsey, Massachusetts Director of Transportation, discussed frustrations over transportation funding, and the MBTA's failure to comply with a union contract provision to spend $25 million on upgrading bus maintenance facilities.  NBC Sports Boston Reporter Trenni Kusnierek discussed Red Sox manager Alex Cora's cheating scandal, and new rules dictating how athletes can and can’t protest during the 2020 Olympics. Food writer Corby Kummer discussed new Trump rules limiting the distribution of food stamps, and the latest trend in plant-based meats: Impossible Pork.  CNN’s John King discussed the debate over whether a woman presidential candidate could beat Trump, and other headlines rela

Today on Boston Public Radio: Charlie Chieppo and Shannon O’Brien discussed the latest headlines around the 2020 election, and Gov. Baker’s Transportation Climate Initiative. Charlie Chieppo is principal of Chieppo Strategies, Senior Fellow at the Pioneer Institute and Adjunct Professor at Suffolk University. Shannon O'Brien is former State Treasurer and Democratic nominee for governor. WGBH News Analyst and GroundTruth Project CEO Charlie Sennott discussed protests in Iran after state officials admitted fault for the shooting down of a Ukrainian jetliner.  We opened our lines to callers to talk about the rise of billionaires Tom Steyer and Michael Bloomberg in the 2020 race. TV writer Bob Thompson spoke on the legacy of screenwriter Buck Henry, and discussed the ratings success of Jeopardy’s “GOAT" series. Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price III, hosts of WGBH’s All Rev’d Up, discussed Ex-Pope Benedict’s recent statement defending the celibacy of priests, as well as the 1-year anniversary of a Bethe

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened lines to ask callers: are you complicit in the robot takeover?  Boston Mayor Marty Walsh stopped by for our monthly edition of "Ask the Mayor”. Boston Globe business writer Shirley Leung discussed slowing revenue at the Encore Casino in Everett, and Marty Walsh’s proposal to pull funding from local corporations to increase funding for Boston's affordable housing. Under the Radar host Callie Crossley discussed the racism that contributed to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to resign from royal duties, and "Judge Judy” Sheindlin’s endorsement of Michael Bloomberg for president.  Lewis Wheeler and Hubens “Bobby” Cius from the play "Pass Over" joined us for our weekly news quiz. 

Today on Boston Public Radio: MSNBC “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd discussed the latest headlines around Iran, the 2020 presidential race, and President Trump’s impeachment. Rep. Bill Keating discussed the Senate impeachment vote, the evolution of the Republic party, and his views on the erosion of the War Powers Act. We opened our lines to talk with callers about Iran and the War Powers Act.  Former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral discussed litigation against Boston University over a dorm room assault, and voting rights for the present and formerly incarcerated.  Harvard Business School’s Michael Norton talked about the benefit of rituals in keeping relationships strong.  We invited listeners to call in with stories about rituals in their own relationships.  Mass. Senator Ed Markey called in to discuss his 2020 re-election campaign and the Senate impeachment trial. We asked listeners to call in with their thoughts on “Megxit."

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened lines to callers to hear your thoughts on Iran’s Tuesday night missile strike.  We aired live audio of President Trump’s statement regarding the Iranian missile strike.  CNN analyst Juliette Kayyem recapped President Trump’s statements and offered her take on how it could impact tensions moving forward.   Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum, discussed Iranian-Americans being detained by immigration officials at U.S. borders.  Harvard Business School historian Nancy Koehn and the Kennedy School’s David Gergen discussed historic examples of leadership in times of crisis, and weighed in on the situation with Iran.  Medical ethicist Art Caplan discussed questions of transparency surrounding the health of several 2020 presidential candidates.  WGBH Executive Arts Editor Jared Bowen reviewed "Little Women,” “1917,” and “Bombshell,” as well as a new exhibit at the ICA called “When Home Won’t Let You Stay."