Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners if they’re boycotting the NFL following the recent sexual harassment allegations against Deshaun Watson.  Trenni Kusnierek discusses the recent allegations against Watson, the underdog victory for England Women’s soccer in the 2022 Euro Championships and death of a hiker on Mt. Washington. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Carol Rose talks about how state legislatures have been reacting in the wake of Republican challenges to mail-in voting laws, and the recent passage of the CROWN act in Mass., which prohibits discrimination based on hair-type. Rose is the executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts. Lee Pelton reflects on the life and legacy of Bill Russell, Boston’s recent rank as the 2nd least affordable in the U.S. and a recent Harvard study which ties upward mobility to having wealthy friends. Pelton is the president and CEO of The Boston Foundation. Chris Mu

Today on Boston Public Radio: Attorney General Maura Healey shares her thoughts on the outcomes of the recent state legislature session, and took listener calls and answered questions on another installment of “Ask the AG.” Howard Bryant discusses the life and legacy of Bill Russell, including the impact of his presence in Boston and his role as a social justice advocate during the Civil Rights movement. Bryant is a columnist and commentator for ESPN. Then, we ask listeners about their memories of Bill Russell. Katie Krall talks about her experience being a female coach in the MLB, the unorthodox career path that led her to work in baseball, and the culture around women’s sports today. Krall is a player development coach for the Portland Sea Dogs, a Boston Red Sox affiliate team. Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett Price discuss the Kansas nuns opposing a state abortion amendment, the Pope Francis’ recent ‘apology tour’ in Canada, and Beyonce’s new album. Monroe is a syndicated religion columnist and the Bosto

Today on Boston Public Radio: Mayor Michelle Wu discusses her administration’s strategy to combat climate change, as well as the rise of extremism in Boston, and the city’s new Police Commissioner Michael Cox. She also answers listeners’ questions during “Ask the Mayor.” Callie Crossley talks about teen activist Olivia Julianna’s abortion fundraising off of Rep. Matt Gaetz’s insulting her appearance, school segregation in the U.S., and National Chicken Wing Day. Crossley hosts GBH’s Under the Radar and Basic Black. Charlie Sennott shares his thoughts on the latest from the war in Ukraine, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s potential trip to Taiwan, and the U.S. strategy to get WNBA player Brittney Griner back from Russia. Sennott is a news analyst for GBH and the founder of the GroundTruth Project. Sue O'Connell reacts to Gov. Charlie Baker signing a bill to protect abortion, Verizon deciding to drop One American News (OAN), and Republicans’ hypocrisy concerning the same-sex marriage vote. O’Connell is t

Today on Boston Public Radio: Chuck Todd updates listeners on the latest political headlines, including the DOJ’s investigation into former President Donald Trump, and Senator Joe Manchin’s long-awaited compromise on an energy bill. Todd is the moderator of “Meet The Press” on NBC, host of “Meet The Press Daily” on MSNBC and the political director for NBC News. Then, we ask listeners their thoughts on Manchin’s deal. Andrea Cabral discusses a trade proposal for Brittney Griner, the basketball player detained in Russia, and Alex Jones’ trial for spreading misinformation about Sandy Hook. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and secretary of public safety, and former CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Ben Shattuck previews his latest book, and discusses the life and legacy of Henry David Thoreau. Shattuck is a painter, co-owner of Davoll’s General Store in Dartmouth, and the author of “Six Walks: In the Footsteps of Henry David Thoreau.” Shirley Leung talks about politicians joining Starbucks picke

Today on Boston Public Radio: Art Caplan discusses President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 diagnosis and the World Health Organization declaring a global health emergency over monkeypox. 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. Then, we ask listeners whether or not they struggle to get enough sleep. Jon Gruber explains the connection between extreme heat, climate change and economics. Gruber is the Ford Professor of Economics at MIT. His latest book is “Jump-Starting America: How Breakthrough Science Can Revive Economic Growth and the American Dream.” Emily Worden updates listeners on the state of the job industry, and shares career advice with callers. Worden is a career coach and adjunct professor at Boston University, where she teaches Career Development in the Arts. Kate Dineen tells her story of traveling out of state to receive a late term abortion, and Rebecca Hart Holder explains the

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about their MBTA woes. Trenni Kusnierek talks about the possibility of Kevin Durant coming to the Celtics, Lebron James’ comments about racism in Boston sports, and the latest in the running world and the state of the Red Sox. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Joan Donovan discusses her team’s research affirming former President Donald Trump’s role in the events of Jan. 6, including the new role of social media in inciting political violence. Donovan is the research director of Harvard Kennedy School’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy where she examines internet and technology studies, online extremism, media manipulation and disinformation campaigns. Judge Nancy Gertner shares her thoughts on the possibility of Trump being criminally charged based on the findings of the Jan. 6 committee. Gertner is a retired federal judge and a senior lectu

To borrow the famous sentiment from songwriter Joni Mitchell, “you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone.” This week, ice cream manufacturer Klondike announced the discontinuation of their popular taco-shaped ice cream snack the Choco Taco. Choco Tacos have been around since the 80’s, and news of the snack’s demise was widely lamented across the internet. Speaking Tuesday on Boston Public Radio, food writer Corby Kummer called the Klondike brand “wonderful,” “nostalgic,” and “iconic,” noting the Choco Taco’s unique appeal in the landscape of novelty ice cream. “[Klondike] had a very clever idea, which is to package in a taco shape, vanilla ice cream with chocolate covered so-called taco shell – and then, nuts that go all around the semi-circle of the taco… that means you can mix the chocolate and nuts and the wafer more in every bite, ‘cause it’s more distributed when you just think of the shape,” Kummer said. For those upset about the news, he added that Klondike already offers several similar alter

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners if they support the proposed return of happy hour in Mass. Michael Curry talks about recent white supremacist activity in Boston and the racial discrepancies in Mass. healthcare surrounding abortion and COVID-19. Curry is chair of the NAACP Advocacy and Policy Committee, and is president and CEO of the Mass. League of Community Health Centers. Mona Haydar and Sebastian Robins reflect on their experience road tripping across Route 66, including the communities they met, the history they encountered, and how their upbringings and backgrounds as Muslim Americans influence their perspectives and storytelling. Haydar is a rapper, poet, activist and chaplain. Robins is an educator and chaplain. Together, they host the PBS series "The Great Muslim American Road Trip." Jimmy Liang discusses his journey from being brought up by a food-loving family to owning the largest Asian food group in Mass., what it takes to design a restaurant today, and how

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by opening phone lines, talking with listeners about last night’s Jan. 6 hearing. Devra First and Christopher Muther join us to share their list of hidden gems on Cape Cod. First writes about food and reviews restaurants for the Boston Globe. Muther is a travel writer for the Boston Globe. Shirley Leung discusses efforts to protect abortion rights in Mass., and the state of the MBTA in the wake of the Orange line train fire over the Mystic River on Thursday. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe. Bill McKibben talks about his recent book, “The Flag, the Cross, and the Station Wagon: A Graying American Looks Back at His Suburban Boyhood and Wonders What the Hell Happened." He also shares his thoughts on heat waves across the U.S. and Europe. McKibben is an author, educator and environmentalist. He’s the founder of 350.org and ThirdAct.org. He has a new newsletter on Substack titled “The Crucial Years.” He’s also got a new, serialized book titled

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners about the case for former President Donald Trump’s prosecution following the Jan. 6 hearings. Then, we re-air a segment with Lee Feinberg and Terri Randall about the NOVA documentary “Ultimate Space Telescope,” and the James Webb Space Telescope. Andrea Cabral shares her thoughts on the upcoming Jan. 6 hearing, as well as Steve Bannon's contempt of Congress trial and the Biden administration’s response to the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and secretary of public safety, and former CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Gov. Charlie Baker joins us to talk about the state of the MBTA, the future of abortion access, and his plan to tackle the housing crisis. He also answered listeners’ questions and calls during “Ask the Governor.” Baker is Governor of Massachusetts. Andris Nelsons discusses the way COVID-19 has impacted musicians, the reemergence of vocal performances at Tanglewood, and his upcomi

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners how they’re coping with the heat in Boston. Juliette Kayyem discusses record-breaking heat across Europe, and the Secret Service reportedly turning over just one text to the Jan. 6 panel. Kayyem is an analyst for CNN, former assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security and faculty chair of the Homeland Security program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Boston City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo weighs in on the Boston Police Department’s response to the Patriot Front march through downtown Boston in early July. He also shares his thoughts on Boston’s new police commissioner, Michael Cox. Paul Reville talks about Education Commissioner Jeff Riley’s proposal to raise the passing score needed for 10th grade MCAS tests. Reville is the former secretary of education and a professor at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, where he also runs the Education Redesign Lab. His latest book, co-authored with Ly

Today on Boston Public Radio: Sen. Ed Markey discusses the future of climate legislation in Congress, and calls for reforming the Supreme Court and abolishing the filibuster. Then, we open the phone lines, asking listeners if it’s time to expand the Supreme Court. Prof. Julia Hopkins explains the focus of her “Emerald Tutu” project, which would create a skirt of floating greenery along the most vulnerable parts of Boston’s shore. Hopkins is an assistant professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Northeastern University, and on a team of researchers hoping to install an “Emerald Tutu” along the city’s coast.  Ryan Landry shares his current projects, from recent paintings to upcoming performances. Landry is a playwright, actor, songwriter, painter and canned tomato influencer. Adam Conover joins us ahead of his upcoming performances at Laugh Boston to talk about his new Netflix show “The G Word with Adam Conover” and reflect on the end of “Adam Ruins Everything.” Conover is  a self-described inves

Westford-based group Mocha Connection is partnering with farmers in Yemen to bring back the country’s status as a significant global supplier of coffee beans. Yemen, which has been engaged in a civil war for nearly a decade, is known for its distinct, chocolatey coffee beans that grow well in the country’s rich soil. In fact, mocha gets its name from Yemen’s port city Mocha, which is widely regarded as the birthplace of the coffee trade. “Four locally-based Yemeni natives are managing to get [coffee beans] out of Yemen, and are exporting coffee right here,” award-winning food writer Corby Kummer told Boston Public Radio. “I am so excited about it — I'm immediately going to mail order it.” 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: EJ Dionne talks about Democrats’ recent legislative struggles in Congress including Sen. Joe Manchin’s refusal to support climate change plans, codifying Roe v. Wade, the plausibility of removing the filibuster, and the upcoming Jan. 6 hearings. Dionne is a senior fellow at The Brookings Institution. His latest book is “Code Red: How Progressives and Moderates Can Unite to Save Our Country.” Then, we ask listeners how they’re feeling about the state of the climate inaction. Michael Curry shares dispatches from the NAACP annual convention, including the way that communities of color are responding to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ performances so far. He also shares his thoughts on Boston’s response to the new COVID-19 variant. Curry is chair of the NAACP Advocacy and Policy Committee, and is president and CEO of the Mass League of Community Health Centers. Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III discuss Pope Francis’ recent visit to Canada to apologi

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners their thoughts on the push to switch to electric cars. Then, we re-air a segment with environmentalist Bill McKibben about the United States’ lack of action on climate policy. Callie Crossley discusses the 10-year-old rape victim in Ohio who went to Indiana for an abortion, and the launch of 988, a new suicide and crisis hotline. Crossley hosts GBH’s Under the Radar and Basic Black. Sue O’Connell reflects on the life and legacy of Ivana Trump, former President Donald Trump’s first wife, and West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin sinking President Joe Biden’s climate legislation. O’Connell is the co-publisher of Bay Windows and the South End News, as well as NECN's political commentator and explainer-in-chief. Tamar Haspel previews her book on growing food, and tells stories from a year spent foraging. Haspel is a James Beard Award–winning columnist for the Washington Post and author of the new book “To Boldly Grow: Finding Joy, Adventure, and

Today on Boston Public Radio: Jon Gruber discusses the latest on inflation, including the potential strategies of the Federal Reserve Bank and why the middle class is being left behind. He also explains the economic impacts of government failure and whether the US is heading in that direction. Gruber is the Ford Professor of Economics at MIT. His latest book is “Jump-Starting America How Breakthrough Science Can Revive Economic Growth and the American Dream.” Then, we ask listeners how they’re dealing with rising inflation. Stephanie Leydon and Sarah Betancourt talk about their reporting on housing inflation and scarcity in Massachusetts from their new series “Priced Out,” and share about some of the stories they’ve looked into so far. Leydon is the Director of Special Projects at GBH. Betancourt is a reporter for GBH News. Then, we take listener calls responding to the housing crisis in Massachusetts.  Jared Bowen shares the latest in the Boston arts scene, including Neil Diamond's 'Beautiful Noise' at

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about the latest news from the Jan. 6 committee hearings. Art Caplan talks about California Gov. Gavin Newsom announcing that the state would begin manufacturing its own insulin. 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. Juliette Kayyem shares her analysis on the latest news from the Jan. 6 committee hearings, and the release of surveillance video footage depicting the police response to the Uvalde school shooting. Kayyem is an analyst for CNN, former assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security and faculty chair of the Homeland Security program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Corby Kummer weighs in on the end of the business lunch, and explained how some online restaurant reviews seemingly from customers are part of an extortion scam. Kummer is executive director of the food a

Some restaurants have begun receiving one-star reviews — but not from people who have ever visited the venue. Food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio to explain this new extortion scheme is affecting restaurants. “After a series of mysterious one star reviews, they [restauranteurs] get a letter from India saying, ‘$75 gift card, please, if you want these reviews to come down,’” Kummer said. “It’s straight up extortion.” Kummer explained that Google is taking down reviews in some cases, but in other situations Google rules the review legitimate. “I think the solution is for Google to improve its system and figure out how to monitor when these things are happening,” Kummer said. “They say that they've got guardrails in place, but in this case, they're not working. It's a new scam.” 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 begin the show by asking listeners if they’re persuaded by the deals of Amazon Prime Day. Trenni Kusnierek talks about the fourth straight championship win for the Boston  Renegades, Simone Biles and Megan Rapinoe receiving the Presidential Medal of Honor, and Condoleezza Rice’s recent buy-in to the Broncos. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Carol Rose discusses the direction the Supreme Court is moving in, and its impact on democracy, particularly concerning an impending decision about gerrymandering. Rose is the executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts. Andrea Cabral shares some insights about what to expect in the upcoming Jan. 6 hearing, including the ways that former President Donald Trump incited white supremacist groups throughout his election and presidency, and the potential for his prosecution. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and secretary of public safety, and former CEO of

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners if President Joe Biden should run for a second term, or if not, who should replace him. Charlie Sennott shares his thoughts about Biden’s upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia, Boris Johnson’s resignation and the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Sennott is a news analyst for GBH, where he also heads up the GroundTruth Project. Adam Chandler discusses the ways that start-ups can be market disruptors and the destruction they sometimes leave in their wake, including ghost kitchens, grocery delivery services and ride share companies, particularly given the fallout from Uber’s recent leak. Chandler is a journalist and author based in New York, and a former staff writer at The Atlantic.  Tyler Akabane talks about his new store, The Mushroom Shop, discusses the cultural moment that mushrooms are having and shares his foraging recommendations. Akabane is the founder and owner of The Mushroom Shop, a specialty mushroom shop in S