Boston Public Radio Podcast

It's been nearly a year since authorities shut down a brothel ring operating in Cambridge and Watertown. We ask listeners whether they think the names of the Johns should be released by the Supreme Judicial Court. MIT Professors Daron Acemoglu & Simon Johnson discuss their Nobel prize-winning research on global inequality and AI in the workforce.Charlie Sennott of the GroundTruth Project discusses Biden authorizing Ukraine's use of long-range missiles for strikes inside Russia, as Russia launches a major attack on Ukraine's power system.State auditor Diana DiZoglio discusses state legislators moving to have an outside firm conduct the audit that voters approved DiZoglio's office to do.For our text prompt of the day: should Massachusetts follow New York in ditching broker fees, and would that be enough to ease the pain for renters here?Khalil Gibran Muhammad discusses the intersection of academics, race, and politics. He'll discuss how white nationalism partly fueled Trump's election win and threats to the

Today:Former US Attorney for Massachusetts Donald Stern discusses Trump's nomination of Matt Gaetz as Attorney General. And, Ryan Landry of the Gold Dust Orphans discusses their upcoming holiday musical theatre production: "Rosemary's Baby Jesus"

Donald Stern is a former U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts, he talked about the role of courts in resisting the extremes of a second Trump administration.Juliet Lloyd is our guest for Live Music Friday, she’s a D.C.-based singer/songwriter (and Berklee alum) out with her first new album in 15 years called “Carnival.”Kim Janey, Ted Landsmark & Michael Curry on what the city needs to do to address racial equity gaps.Jenny Johnson & Billy Costa are out with a new cookbook “A Taste of Boston: The Definitive Cookbook of the City We Love.” They joined to discuss.Ryan Landry is the actor/playwright behind the Gold Dust Orphans, he’s back with another holiday show this year at Lithuanian Hall. This time it’s “Rosemary’s Baby Jesus.” AITA for bringing my sister's wallet to dinner? We opened the lines so listeners could decide. 

Today: Andrea Cabral fills in for Jim.Charlie Sennott of The GroundTruth Project discusses the Christian Zionist in Trump's cabinet, Mike Huckabee -- he was just named Ambassador to Israel.And we hear from CRB's Brian McCreath, Berklee College of Music's Rev. Emmett Price, and GBH's culture reporter James Bennett II about local concerts coming up.

NBC political director Chuck Todd returns for his weekly D.C. news roundup. Then we open the phone lines for a potpourri politics discussion. The GroundTruth Project's Charlie Sennott talks about the implications of Trump’s win on the global stage. MIT economist Jon Gruber explains what could happen to healthcare and healthcare costs under another Trump presidency. (Jon was central in creating the Affordable Care Act during the Obama administration). CRB's Brian McCreath, Rev. Emmett G. Price III & James Bennett II return for a quarterly music panel, running through some great live music coming to Boston and reflecting on the passing of Roy Haynes & Quincy Jones. And we hear from listener's about their love for Trader Joe's and other grocery stores. 

Today:We talk with former chief justice of the Supreme Judicial Court Margaret Marshall about the judiciary during Trump’s next term: court expansion, term limits, and Democracy beyond just showing up to the ballot box -- And, a hope of working together informed by her experience as an immigrant from South Africa herself.

Jared Bowen on Yellow Face on Broadway and Cillian Murphy's latest film Small Things Like These.Juliette Kayyem, national security expert, discussed Trump's picks for his administrationBoston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discussed the increase in rage room bookings after Trump's win, and how local economic frustrations translated to an increase in Trump's appeal in Massachusetts.Former SJC chief justice Margaret Marshall on the judicial system under Trump, and the state of the Supreme Court

Mayor Michelle Wu discussed the election, open Newbury Street in December and more.Trenni Casey discussed Trump hosting the World Cup & Olympics in 2026 and 2028.Corby Kummer on the failure of Q5, the fate of the farm bill, and a rise in alcoholism since the pandemic.CNN's John King on his exit polling interviews after the election

Today:Congressman Seth Moulton defends his controversial statements about trans athletes in school sports, and the Democrats’ failure to represent the middle of the road.And, Mike Madrid, author of “Latino Century” explains the massive swing of Latino support for Trump: the fastest growing demographic group – who have historically come to this country for economic reasons – voted along economic lines. 

It's one week post election, so we start the show by asking listeners -- regardless of who you voted for -- what are you most happy about and most worried about in 2025? S. Mitra Kalita, co-founder of URL-Media and a former CNN executive, discussed what might become of "the media" in Donald Trump's second presidency.Congressman Seth Moulton addressed his recent comments on trans athletes.Boston Medical Center's Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett discusses Donald Trump's healthcare proposals. Mike Madrid, author of Latino Century, co-founder of the Lincoln Project, discussed Trump's appeal to Latino voters across the map.Apparently “doom eating,” “doom spending,” “doom scrolling" and even doom rage is on the rise, regardless of political party. What’s your indulgence and what are you doing to stave off a cycle of gloom around this season? 

Live Music Friday with a performance from the Boston Civics Orchestra, celebrating their 100th season kick-off this Sunday. Nancy Gertner on abortion rights, the future of the Supreme Court and Trump pardons.Joe Curtatone, President of the Alliance for Climate Transition joined alongside Rahsaan Hall, President of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts. Meredith Goldstein ran through a handful of her latest advice columns on issues like not wanting to kiss your husband, unwelcome ex-texts, dealing with bad texters, and post-election existential dread.

Today:We asked listeners about what you want to hear from us in the wake of Trump’s election? And you answered: All politics all the time is not what matters to you. So … Am I The A-Hole is back … When a Trump-supporting step-dad offers to let his son’s fiancée use his car – but it’s all MAGA’d out with bumper stickers – and she refuses to drive it … Is she the jerk, or is the grown man playing a prank on a teenage girl the a hole? 

NBC political director Chuck Todd joins with his reaction to Tuesday’s election.Then, we open up the phone lines to ask how Democrats can move forward after this national shift to the right and ask Trump voters why the Dems just weren't connecting with them.Former secretary of public safety Andrea Cabral talks about the implications of a GOP-controlled Senate (and possibly House) under a second Trump term. She also discusses whether Biden should pardon Trump and the future of Jack Smith’s investigation into 2020 election subversion. Former secretary of education Paul Reville reacts to Ballot Question 2, which scrapped the MCAS graduation requirement. Reville had a key role in the original implementation of MCAS, nearly 20 years ago. We then take your mind off politics by talking about chickens for five minutes. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discusses her latest stories on women voter turnout and her interview with Katherine Clark. It's "Am I the A-hole" day. We ask about a dad who "pranked" hi

Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin discussed the election, historic precedence for non-consecutive terms and moreNational security analyst Juliette Kayyem on threats to this election from other nations, and internally; and how the rest of the world is respondingMichael Curry of the NAACP spent election day in Michigan poll-watching. He talked about his experience and the election results generally.

Today:Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin talks us through a stunning Trump victory last night – an overperformance from the right, and a failure from the Democrats to rally voters behind Harris.And we talk with Michael Curry, of the NAACP, about the generational shift this election in terms of race and equity.

Election Day has arrived. We had numerous local political figures call into our show. Senator Elizabeth Warren, GOP candidate John Deaton, Governor Maura Healey, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, and representatives from each ballot question.We took listeners calls throughout the show to get first hand stories on what election day is looking like.

Today:Conservative commentator and never-Trumper Bill Kristol of The Bulwark discusses the American right, and the complicated relationship conservatives have with Donald Trump.And, if you’re still unsure whether to drop the MCAS as a graduation requirement, or legalize psychedelics, Evan Horowitz of Tufts Center for State Policy Analysis – ballot question explainer extraordinaire – gives one last rundown ahead of election day.

Former Globe editor Brian McGrory discusses threats to journalism, trust, the truth and democracy ahead of this election.Then, we open the phone lines to check in with listeners on their voting plans and how they're feeling on Election Day Eve.Charlie Sennott from the GroundTruth Project discusses Israel voiding its 1967 agreement recognizing UNRWA and other news from around the world.Longtime Republican operative and now anti-Trump conservative William Kristol discusses the final days of campaigning and the future of the GOP.Evan Horowitz from the Center for State Policy Analysis gives a final explainer on the MA ballot questions. And people call in with their thoughts on each one.

Thea Hopkins, an Aquinnah Wampanoag singer/songwriter performed for Native American Heritage MonthCallie Crossley reacted to Trump’s comments about being the protector of women “like it or not"Marvin Gilmore spent decades helping to lift up communities of color in Boston. He joined alongside friend (& James Beard nominated chef) Tracy Chang to celebrate his 100th birthday.James Carville explained his full confidence in the Harris campaign

Today: Andrea Cabral fills in for Jim. NBC’s Chuck Todd discusses the last few whirlwind days of campaigning … from Trump’s garbage man orange vest stunt … to the Nikki Haley voters who are still undecided, as she tells voters in Pennsylvania to stop being so emotional, and vote for Trump. And, some good news – higher city investments in Black-owned businesses. We talk about this, and Trump’s promise to put the vaccine-denying RFK Jr. in charge of public health if he wins, with Michael Curry of the NAACP.