Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by asking listeners about the voting patterns of white women ahead of the midterms. Shirley Leung talked about Mass. Governor Charlie Baker's multi billion dollar spending bill, her own latest piece on Mass. ballot Question 1, and women’s entrepreneurship in Boston. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe Callie Crossley discussed white suburban women’s’ swing to the right ahead of midterms and Kyrie Irving’s recent anti-Semitic tweet. Crossley is the host of GBH's “Under the Radar.” Andrea Cabral explained the Lady of the Dunes story, and new city laws about throwing out mattresses and handling food waste. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff, former Massachusetts secretary of public safety and former CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Jared Bowen gave his thoughts on climate protesters using art as a means of getting attention, shared his thoughts on the new film “Armageddon Time,” and discussed the MFA’s “Frank Bowling’s America” and “

Some food writers and critics skeptical over butter boards — a TikTok food trend consisting of softened butter over a charcuterie board and topped with various herbs, spices, fruits, and more — are now wholeheartedly embracing the buttery dish. Even legendary chef Jacques Pépin jumped on the trend, posting a video to Facebook with his own take on the butter board. “A couple of things: they’re easy to make. As Jacques said in his sexy accent, you put it on a plate — you don’t have to put it on a board,” Kummer said. “What’s great about them is that you can invent whatever you want, as much as you think you’re going to go through, and it lasts — you don’t have to throw it out. You have to refrigerate it and then bring it back to room temperature, but it’s very practical.” Kummer is executive director of the Food and Society policy program at the Aspen Institute, a senior editor at The Atlantic and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Chuck Todd updated us on the latest political headlines, focusing on upcoming midterm elections and America’s worsening political divide. Todd moderates “Meet the Press,” and co-hosts “Meet the Press Now” on NBC Now. We then opened up phone lines, asking listeners about what’s on their minds ahead of the midterm elections. Art Caplan weighed in on whether it’s time to declare pandemic amnesty. Caplan is the Drs. William F. and Virginia Connolly Mitty Professor and founding head of the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU School of Medicine in New York City. Dr. Kimberly Parker discussed the potential impact of the Supreme Court hearing on cases regarding affirmative action. Parker is a former teacher and authority on all things education. Currently, she directs the Crimson Summer Academy at Harvard. She was formerly president of the Black Educators’ Alliance of Massachusetts. Her latest book is "Literacy is Liberation: Working Towards Justice Through Culturally Relevant Teaching

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the show by hosting an hour-long debate on Ballot Question 4, which asks voters if they want to keep or appeal a law in place allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses. Sen. Brendan Crighton argued in favor of a Yes vote, which would keep the law on the books. Maureen Maloney, whose son was killed by an undocumented driver, represented the No side for Fair and Safe Massachusetts. Our listeners called in, gave their opinions and asked for clarification. National Security Expert Juliette Kayyem discussed the police response to the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, this past May. CNN released new audio of a 10-year-old calling from inside the classroom, 40 minutes before police officers breached the room. Kayyem also discussed the arraignment of Paul Pelosi’s attacker as well as the online misinformation that’s been fueling political extremism. Kayyem is the former assistant secretary for homeland security under President Barack Obam

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by opening phone lines, talking with listeners about increasing political violence in the leadup to midterm elections. Trenni Casey talked about Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen’s divorce, and the Patriots’ current season. Trenni Casey is an anchor and reporter for NBC Sports Boston. Lee Pelton discussed the Supreme Court’s affirmative action cases, and The Boston Foundation’s recently released report card on housing in Boston. Lee Pelton is the president and CEO of The Boston Foundation. Elvis Jocol Lara and Delmarina Lopez talked about El Mundo’s “Latino 30 Under 30,” and the current state of democracy. Elvis Jocol Lara is the creator of El Mundo’s “30 Under 30,” now in its 5th year. Delmarina Lopez is an attorney and the first Afro-Latina to be elected to the Chicopee City Council. She’s one of the under-30’s highlighted in this year’s list. Carol Rose shared her thoughts on the legal arguments heard in the Supreme Court’s affirmative action cases. She also

Today on Boston Public Radio: Dan Cence and Andrew Farnitano joined us for an hourlong debate on Massachusetts’ Ballot Question 1 — known as the Fair Share Amendment, millionaires tax or tax hike amendment. We also opened up the lines to listeners with questions on the initiative, which would add an additional 4% tax on individuals’ income above $1,000,000. Cence is a spokesperson for the Coalition to Stop the Tax Hike Amendment and CEO of the Issues Management Group. Farnitano is the communications director for Fair Share for Massachusetts and a consultant at Crawford Strategies. Charlie Sennott discussed the latest news in international politics, from the recent halting of grain shipments by Russia to the election of Lula over Bolsonaro in Brazil and his latest piece in the Boston Globe on the degradation of journalism. Sennott is the founder and executive director of the GroundTruth Project. Christopher Muther joined the show and discussed his recent time in the Greek Peloponnese peninsula. He also talk

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by asking our listeners how they feel about Elon Musk buying Twitter. Lyndia Downie, president of the Pine Street Inn, discussed the organization's plan to build more than 100 studio apartments at a former "Comfort Inn" in Dorchester despite the steep opposition from neighbors and local leaders. She also discussed the ongoing tension between the city of Boston and the state when it comes to Mass and Cass and ended by highlighting that Boston’s homeless population has dipped by 25 percent over two years. Callie Crossley talked about the divorce between Tom Brady and Giselle Bundchen. She also predicted the impact of Elon Musk buying Twitter, and weighed in on how the media covered John Fetterman's performance during his Pennsylvania senatorial debate with Dr. Mehmet Oz. Callie Crossley is the host of "Under the Radar with Callie Crossley.” Irene Li & Steven “Nookie” Postal brought food and talked about their respective journeys to reaching success in Bost

Today on Boston Public Radio: We started the show with Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Attorney General Maura Healey. Healey discussed her endorsement of tax reform, her support of ballot Question 1, and her desire to have more dense housing built in the state. She also discussed the climate policies she would like to implement if she wins the election on Nov. 8. Next, we took our listeners' calls on how they feel leading up to the midterms elections now that recent polling shows Republicans have a chance of taking control of both chambers of Congress. Then Andrea Cabral discussed the implications of Justice Clarence Thomas freezing a lower court decision that would’ve compelled Senator Lindsey Graham to testify about election tampering in Georgia. Thomas has faced calls to recuse himself from all 2020 election matters because of his wife Ginny’s history of pushing election conspiracy theories onto public officials. Cabral is former Suffolk County Sheriff and former secretary of Public Safety. Gov.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the show by taking listeners' calls, hearing their reactions to the news from the MBTA that Orange Line trains will run at reduced speeds until December despite work done during a 30-day shutdown. Jenifer McKim and Sarah Betancourt discussed GBH News' investigative reporting series ["Trafficking, Inc.,"](gbh.org/news/trafficking) which dives into labor trafficking in Mass. McKim is GBH News' Deputy Investigative Editor. Betancourt is a GBH News reporter. Juliette Kayeem discussed the death of former Defense Secretary Ash Carter, and backlash over a letter on Ukraine negotiations released by Democrats that has since been withdrawn. Kayyem was the assistant secretary for Homeland Security under former President Barack Obama, and is the faculty chair of the Homeland Security program at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Her 2022 book is “The Devil Never Sleeps: Learning to Live in an Age of Disasters.” Erika Kinetz and Tom Jennings joined the show to discuss Front

A combination of farmers hatching fewer turkeys during the pandemic and an outbreak of avian flu is going to impact the cost of Thanksgiving this year for American consumers. Food policy writer Corby Kummer told Boston Public Radio on Tuesday to keep an eye out now for your family’s turkey day centerpiece. “If you see a turkey that’s the right size right now, buy it and freeze it, it’s probably going to get more expensive,” said Kummer. Corby Kummer is executive director of the Food and Society policy program at the Aspen Institute, a senior editor at The Atlantic and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by asking listeners if they avoid spending money at morally questionable corporations. Shirley Leung weighed in on debates surrounding Massachusetts Ballot Question 1, commonly referred to as the "millionaires tax" or "fair share amendment." She also discussed the squeeze on Halloween candy this year. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe. Andrew Levitt, also known as Nina West, talked about LGBTQ+ activism amid homophobic attacks, his role playing Edna Turnblad in the 2022 tour of “Hairspray,” and his new children’s book, “The You Kind of Kind.” Levitt is a drag queen, singer, actor and author. Corby Kummer discussed the struggle for New York City’s street vendors to get more permits, and how inflation will impact Thanksgiving. Kummer is the executive director of the food and society policy program at the Aspen Institute, a senior editor at The Atlantic and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. Anand G

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by talking with listeners about this year’s ballot questions. Art Caplan discussed a recent New York Times piece exposing a number of doctors who admit that they “don’t want patients with disabilities.” He also updated us on the latest COVID-19 headlines. Caplan is the Drs. William F. and Virginia Connolly Mitty Professor and founding head of the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU School of Medicine in New York City. Paul English talked about his new social app, “Deets,” which features restaurant reviews from your circle of friends and local influencers. English is a tech entrepreneur and co-founder of Kayak. He’s got a new app called Deets, aimed to reinvent the online review. Liz Neisloss and Deborah Winieicz discussed the latest reporting from GBH’s housing series “Priced Out,” focusing on mobile home ownership in Mass. Neisloss is a reporter for GBH News. Winiewicz is an advocate for mobile home communities across New England. Deirdre Barrett shared her

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the show by taking phone calls on Thursday’s Gubernatorial Debate between Democrat Maura Healey and Republican Geoff Diehl to get our listeners’ opinion on the respective candidates ahead of the general election on Nov. 8. Tibisay Zea of The World and Rafael Ulloa, the Executive VP of Content for El Planeta Media, discussed their new project being produced by GBH, “Salud”. The show, which focuses on healthcare issues within the Latino community, airs on Saturday mornings at 9:30 on GBH 89.7. Michael Curry talked about his concerns regarding the low percentage of people getting covid-19 booster shots.He ended with an update on King Boston, the group beyond the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial coming to Boston Common, changing its name to Embrace Boston. Micahel Curry is the President and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers. He’s also a Member of the National NAACP Board of Directors, where he chairs the board’s Advocacy & Policy Committee.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by talking with listeners about the now ex-British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who served 45 days in office before stepping down. Rep. Ayanna Pressley discussed student debt forgiveness, and the current state of the MBTA after numerous safety issues. Andrea Cabral talked about the resignation of Woburn police officer John Donnelly after he was accused of helping plan the deadly 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, VA. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and secretary of public safety, and former CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Paul Reville shared his thoughts on ongoing teachers’ strikes in Haverhill. Reville is Massachusetts’ former secretary of education and a professor at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, where he also runs the Education Redesign Lab. Sue O’Connell talked about members of KPOP group BTS enlisting in South Korea’s military for mandatory service, and the cancellation of numerous TV shows centering que

Today on Boston Public Radio: Sen. Elizabeth Warren called in to talk about student loan forgiveness and what is coming ahead for Democrats in the midterms. Warren has been representing Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate since 2013. We opened our lines to ask listeners: What is motivating you to cast your ballot on Nov. 8? Juliette Kayeem discussed the purchase of conservative social media app Parler by rapper Kanye West, and deadly floods in Nigeria over the weekend. Kayyem was the assistant secretary for Homeland Security under former President Barack Obama, and is the faculty chair of the Homeland Security program at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Her 2022 book is “The Devil Never Sleeps: Learning to Live in an Age of Disasters.” Jeremy Hobson discussed his new live, call-in national radio show, “The Middle,” which aims to reach middle America. Hobson is the former co-host of NPR’s “Here and Now.” Sy Montgomery joined us for another edition of, “The Afternoon Zoo.” She discussed recent mystery

Dunkin’ Donuts has devalued reward points and removed free birthday drinks as part of their new rewards program — and brand loyalists are not happy. Award-winning food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio to share his thoughts on the backlash on Tuesday. “The whole idea is, this worked for them, and it created loyalty,” Kummer told hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan. “It’s dumb to take something away that keeps customers coming and spending money.” “[At Dunkin Donuts, customers were saying] ‘here’s when I was born, and it’s my birthday — make me feel special.’ What a dumb thing to take that away.” In the wide-ranging interview, Kummer also discussed the rise of NFT reservations and paywalled restaurants, the arrival of vegan meats at Hannaford deli counters, and the $24.6 billion Kroger-Albertsons Merger. Kummer is the executive director of the Food and Society policy program at the Aspen Institute, a senior editor at The Atlantic and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition S

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by talking with listeners about new polling that puts the economy and inflation at the top of mind for voters just three weeks out from the midterm elections. Trenni Casey talked about Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s marriage to Dana Blumberg. Casey is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Jim Aloisi and Stacy Thompson discussed MA Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey questioning MBTA officials over multiple safety incidents, and the current state of driving in Boston. Aloisi is the former Massachusetts transportation secretary, a member of the Transit Matters board and contributor to Commonwealth Magazine. Thompson is executive director of Livable Streets. Corby Kummer talked about the $24.6 billion Kroger-Albertsons merger, and backlash after Dunkin’ Donuts altered their rewards program. Kummer is the executive director of the Food and Society policy program at the Aspen Institute, a senior editor at T

Today on Boston Public Radio: Maggie Haberman joined us to talk about her new book on former President Donald Trump titled, “Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America.” Haberman is a senior political reporter at The New York Times and CNN analyst. Then, we opened our lines to ask: Are American politics irreparably warped? What does it say about us that we can’t stop talking about former President Trump? Charlie Sennott from the GroundTruth Project discussed the latest news in international politics. From the recent escalations in the war in Ukraine and China’s president, Xi Jinping, readying himself for his newest presidential term. Bill McKibben discussed today’s climate news, why the world shouldn’t rely on King Charles III to lead on climate policy, lessons after Hurricane Ian — which ripped through Florida just a few weeks ago — and investments into storm preparation. McKibben is an environmentalist, author, journalist and founder of 350.org. Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmet

Writer George Saunders received a MacArthur fellowship in 2006, and his first novel, “Lincoln in the Bardo,” published in 2017, won the Booker Prize. His latest collection of short stories, “Liberation Day,” is scheduled for release on October 18. Ahead of Saunders’ upcoming appearance at Harvard Bookstore (October 25) GBH’s Arts and Culture reporter James Bennett II interviewed Saunders about the writer’s penchant for surreal settings, his quirky -- yet fully realized -- characters and his knack for sublimating the drama of daily drudgery. We hope you enjoy this bonus podcast!

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by asking listeners for their thoughts on the death penalty, after a jury sentenced the Parkland school shooter to life in prison. Shirley Leung talked about her latest piece on Massachusetts Question 1 aka "the millionaire's tax," the return of the looming eviction wave, and the Boston Pops clarinet player who went on to make $100 milllion for Boston University through the stock market. Callie Crossley shared her thoughts on the Jan. 6 hearings, the new Little Mermaid movie, and the newest product from Kellogg: Eggo-Nog. Jared Bowen discussed an MFA’s directors dealings with a dubious English art dealer, “My Obsession” at the Boston Ballet, Step Afrika!’s “Drumfolk,” and shared his thoughts on the movies “Tár” and “Hocus Pocus 2.” Regie Gibson joined us with his Atlas Soul Trio ahead of a pair of shows with the Boston Celebrity Series to talked about his love of language, and play a few songs.