Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today on Boston Public Radio, live from the Boston Public Library: The Supreme Court heard arguments this week from a handful of Republican states wishing to invalidate President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan. We opened the lines to get listeners’ thoughts on the plan. NBC Sports’ Trenni Casey discussed baseball’s new pitch clock rules, Tom Brady’s news gig at Fox Sports, an unbelievable ‘ice mile’ swim in Boston’s Pleasure Bay and the Fur Rendezvous winter festival in Alaska. Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers’ Michael Curry joined us — fresh off a red-eye flight — to discuss the 2023 NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles, Gov. Maura Healey’s new advisory council on Black empowerment and the nursing home crisis in Massachusetts. GBH News’ Worcester reporter Sam Turken and Worcester resident Dave Vespucci joined Jim and Margery at the Boston Public Library to discuss Sam’s latest piece for GBH News’ Priced Out series, a story that detailed Vespucci’s long search for a new home in Wor

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the show talking with parents about navigating screen time for teenagers. Vsevolod Petriv and Tetiana Litus reflect on the one-year anniversary since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Petriv is president of the Boston Branch of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America.  Angelo Carusone discussed Kevin McCarthy sharing security footage from the January 6th insurrection to Fox News' Tucker Carlson. He also touched on Fox News' attitude towards Marjorie Taylor Greene messaging on a "national divorce" and Fox's latest hire of Curt Schilling.  Corby Kummer discussed a new restaurant gallery opening in Allston and weighs in on the gas vs. electric stove heated debate. He also discussed the union efforts at an upscale NY restaurant where servers push for higher pay and adequate equipment. He explains the latest marketing food stunt -- Peeps-flavored Pepsi.  Richard Blanco read poetry to highlight Black History month. Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price discussed rural

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the lines to hear from listeners about the dismissal of Canadian news anchor Lisa LaFlemme after letting her hair go gray. Is there a double standard when it comes to women, hair and age? Amber Payne joined Jim and Margery to discuss racial equity in the United States and commemorate the one-year anniversary of The Boston Globe’s relaunch of The Emancipator. The GroundTruth Project’s Charlie Sennott discussed the legacy of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the difficulties facing Ukrainian journalists and President Joe Biden’s visit to Kyiv. GBH Kids Executive Producers Marisa Wolsky and Marcy Gunther spoke about the latest show from GBH and PBS, Work It Out Wombats. Zeke, the youngest wombat character, made an appearance at the library. GBH’s Callie Crossley discussed the sentencing of Harvey Weinstein and R. Kelly for sex crimes, and a new technique to detect bruises on Black skin. Gerami Groover Flores, executive director of the Hamilton Garrett Center for Music & Arts,

For those of you out there who’ve already signed up for every TV streaming service, there’s a new subscription model to sink your money into: restaurants. Corby Kummer discusses with Boston Public Radio the different ways restaurants have reinvented themselves and evolved to stay in business since the start of the pandemic. 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: NBC's Chuck Todd discussed the latest national political headlines, including statements from the Georgia grand jury foreperson about their inquiry into former president Donald Trump's interference in the 2020 election in that state. We opened the lines to hear from listeners about Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene's statements that red states and blue states should engage in a "national divorce," essentially separating the United States into two political factions. Food policy writer Corby Kummer discussed how restaurants have pivoted since the start of the pandemic, like by offering subscriptions to receive certain perks. Tech writer Andy Ihnatko discussed the rollout of Microsoft's revamped Bing search engine, powered by AI. Author Karen Baum Gordon discussed her new book "The Last Letter: A Father’s Struggle, A Daughter's Quest, And The Long Shadow Of The Holocaust.” Sue O'Connell, co-publisher of Bay Windows and South End News, and contributor to Current, on NBC L-

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the show by hearing from listeners about a Mass. exodus, based on a Boston Globe report that more than 100,000 residents have left the state since the start of the pandemic. Medical ethicist Art Caplan discusses the “pure blood” movement, grown out of anti-vaccine groups who say receiving blood transfusions from people who have had the COVID vaccine contaminates their body. He’s 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. Jim Aloisi and Stacy Thompson joined for a transit panel to discuss slowdowns and service disruptions on the MBTA. Jim Aloisi is former transportation secretary, a member of the Transit Matters Board, and contributor to Commonwealth Magazine. Stacy Thompson is executive director of the Livable Streets. Nadia Alawa and Onur Altindag joined to discuss relief efforts for people affected by the earthquakes along the Syria/Turkey border. Nadia Al

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened phone and text lines to check in with parents and teachers about school vacation week, and the struggle balancing work and childcare. Trenni Casey discussed sexual assault allegations raised by local Olympic runner Lynn Jennings against her former coach. She also spoke on Joe Mazulla becoming the Celtics’ new head coach, and blowback to a sexist joke made by golf star Tiger Woods. Jared Bowen reacted to a recently shattered dog balloon sculpture by acclaimed artist Jeff Koons. He also talked about a coffee shop-slash-motorcycle art exhibit in Roxbury, and some other local happenings in the world of arts & culture. Jack Lepiarz spoke about transitioning from the world of radio host to Guinness record-holding whipper and Tik Tok star. He also demonstrated his talents on a piece of pasta held by host Jim Braude. Susan Goldberg spoke about her vision for the future of GBH as a news and public media organization, two months into her tenure as President and CEO. Jo

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the lines to get listener reactions to a Georgia grand jury report unanimously finding no evidence of fraud in the state's election, repudiating Donald Trump's claims to the contrary. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discussed new Black-owned businesses in Seaport. GBH's Callie Crossley discussed the sentencing of the Buffalo grocery store mass shooter, and comedian Chelsea Handler facing backlash for her satirical sketch riffing on the freedom of being a childless woman. Restaurateurs Tracy Chang of Pagu, Rachel Miller of Nightshade Noodle Bar, and Maria Rondeau of La Royal. All three have been named semifinalists for this year's James Beard awards. Roger Kabler is a Robin Williams impressionist. He joined to discuss his role in the film "Being Robin," screening at The Cabot in Beverly this weekend. Kim Kashkashian, a grammy winning musician and founding member of Music For Food, and Jennifer Hanlon Wigon, executive director of Women’s Lunch Place, j

Today on Boston Public Radio: NBC Political Director Chuck Todd discussed Nikki Haley jumping into the 2024 Presidential race, and other news as twe head into election season. Then, we opened the lines to discuss Bing's new search engine, powered by Chat-GPT, off of Kevin Roose's reporting in the New York Times. For the remainder of the show, we replayed conversations with: author Ben Shattuck; comedian Jenny Slate; naturalist and author Sy Montgomery; Mona Haydar & Sebastian Robins on their PBS show The Great Muslim American Road Trip; and musician Red Shaydez.

NBC Political Director Chuck Todd on the latest political headlines, including the State of the Union address from President Joe Biden. Andrea Cabral contrasts media coverage of Lindsay Clancy with a similar case involving a Black woman, Latarsha Sanders. Cabral is former Suffolk County Sheriff and former secretary of Public safety. Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui joins to answer questions related to the Cambridge police killing of Sayed Faisal.   Arthur C. Brooks writes about happiness for the Atlantic. He joined to talk about a few of his latest columns.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Tracy Kidder and Dr. Jim O’Connell of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless program joined to discuss Kidder’s new book “Rough Sleepers: Dr. Jim O'Connell's Urgent Mission to Bring Healing to Homeless People.” We opened the lines to get listener reactions on the mass shooting at Michigan State University. Juliette Kayyem discusses what we know about the Michigan State University shooting, recent swatting at multiple school districts in Mass, and her latest column in the Atlantic about the unidentified flying objects. Kayyem is former assistant secretary for homeland security under President Barack Obama, and the faculty chair of the homeland-security program at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Jared Bowen discusses the American Heritage Museum’s Hanoi Hilton exhibit, August Wilson’s Seven Guitars by the Actor’s Shakespeare Project, and the Last Dance of Magic Mike. Bowen is GBH's Executive Arts Editor and host of Open Studio. Sy Mo

Today on Boston Public Radio: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joined for Ask the Mayor, discussing her new rent control proposal and taking listener calls. NBC Sports Boston anchor and reporter Trenni Casey discussed the Super Bowl. Boston Globe advice columnist Meredith Goldstein discussed Valentine's Day and her Love Letters columns and podcast. Attorney General for Massachusetts Andrea Campbell joined for Ask the AG, discussing a new abortion legal hotline which can be reached by calling or texting (833) 309-6301, and taking listener calls.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We started the show with listener reactions to the U.S. military shooting down multiple unidentified objects in North American airspace. Michael Curry discussed a new study that finds childbirth is deadlier for Black families even when they’re wealthy; and a 15-year-old in Massachusetts staying in a hospital for 40 days because DCF couldn’t place him. Curry is 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. Charlie Sennott discussed the string of unidentified objects shot down in US airspace; and the latest with the earthquake on the border of Turkey and Syria. Sennott is the founder and editor-in-chief of The GroundTruth Project. Retired judge Nancy Gertner discusses the Supreme Court weighing an ethics code; and former vice president Mike Pence getting subpoenaed related to the events on January 6, 2021. Gertner is a retired f

Today on Boston Public Radio: We asked our listeners their thoughts on everything related to the upcoming Super Bowl, from the first legal bets on the big game in Massachusetts to the price of Super Bowl snacks and beyond. Cara Solomon, founder of the nonprofit Everyday Boston, and Ronnie Elliot, the Transformational Prison Project’s Youthful Offender Coordinator, discussed their fifth annual “Love Your Wicked Awesome Neighbor Challenge,” a chance for Bostonians to connect with those in their community via supportive homemade cards. Under the Radar and Basic Black host Callie Crossley joined the team to talk about Mayor Wu’s Reparations Task Force, and how the city can take inspiration from existing reparations and racial justice programs both here in the Commonwealth—such as that at Harvard—and across the country. Sue O’Connell broke down major headlines ranging from President Biden’s State of the Union address from this past Tuesday to allegations that abuses against LGBTQ+ users have increased since El

Today on Boston Public Radio: We started the show by opening the lines to hear our listeners’ reaction to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address. Then Art Caplan discussed the shortage of primary care physicians in Massachusetts. He also talked about Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont’s plan to try to wipe the medical debt of state residents and a proposal in Florida that would require high school athletes to submit menstrual records to schools to prove their sex. Art 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 National Security Expert Juliette Kayyem came on to discuss the criminal charges filed against Lindsay Clancy, a Duxbury woman accused of strangling her three children to death. Her lawyer argues she is not guilty because of temporary insanity caused by post-partum psychosis. She also commented on President Biden’s State of the Union Address and how Biden handled the Chi

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened phone and text lines to ask listeners about their relationship with work commutes, and if they enjoy getting a moment’s rest before and after the workday. Trenni Casey discussed a new study finding evidence of CTE in 92 percent of NFL players, and a story about a Connecticut Whole Foods worker who holds the title of most Mount Everest ascents by a woman. Carol Rose spoke on Massachusetts debuting an abortion resource hotline, as well as a pending lawsuit out of Texas that would ban abortion pills nationwide. Lee Pelton discussed scrutiny of Memphis police in the aftermath of Trye Nichols’ death, and why he’s not concerned with public criticism of the Martin Luther and Coretta Scott King memorial on Boston Common. Corby Kummer reflected on the passing of Bob Born, credited with bringing marshmallow Peeps to the masses. John King gave his two cents on rumors that Labor Secretary and former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh will become Executive Director of the NHL Players’ A

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the lines to hear from listeners about a new Washington Post/ABC poll that shows voters unenthused about the prospects of a Biden/Trump rematch in 2024. Jesse Mermell and Jennifer Nassour joined for a political panel, and discussed the DNC voting to move the first primary to South Carolina, and how the Massachusetts Republican party might move forward without Jim Lyons. Mermell is founder and president of deWit Impact Group, and a former Democratic candidate for Congress in Massachusetts’ 4th Congressional District. Nassour is the founder of the Pocketbook Project, former chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party and a former candidate for Boston City Council. Cathy Judd-Stein, Gaming Commission chair, joined to discuss the start of sports betting in Massachusetts. Bradley Campbell, Conservation Law Foundation president and CEO, joined to discuss various environmental headlines, including Gov. Healey’s climate plans. Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price discu

Today on Boston Public Radio: We started the show by hearing from listeners about how they're preparing for the extreme cold weather expected this weekend. Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett discussed the Biden administration decision to lift the public health emergency for COVID-19 in May. She is the vice chair of Primary Care Innovation and Transformation in the Department of Family Medicine at Boston Medical Center. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discussed a legislative push for pay transparency in Massachusetts. Cheryl Straughter, chef and co-owner of the Nubian Square restaurant Soleil, discussed her plans to expand into Boston Public Market, and how the business fared during the pandemic. Sue O'Connell discussed new guidelines from the FDA for gay and bisexual men wishing to donate blood, and the House ousting Rep. Ilhan Omar from her seat on the Foreign Affairs Committee for her statements about Israel. O’Connell is co-publisher of Bay Windows and South End News and contributor to Current

Food policy writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio to discuss the ethical considerations behind lab-grown meat for people who consider themselves vegetarians — whether for animal welfare or environmental reasons — off of an article in Mother Jones: “My Vegetarian Dilemma: Tasting Lab-Grown Meat From Live Animals” “This cultured meat is taken from a live animal … and then grown out in a medium,” said Kummer. “Here’s a dirty little secret, almost invariably the medium is fetal bovine serum, FBS, which is taken from dead cows and calves. They never talk about the growing medium.” 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: NBC political director Chuck Todd discussed House speaker and Republican representative Kevin McCarthy's recent meeting with President Joe Biden over the debt ceiling, and other national political news. We opened the lines to hear from listeners about a trend away from so-called helicopter parenting, due to parental burnout and a change in ideology. Andrea Cabral discussed 20-year-old Sayed Faisal's death at the hands of Cambridge police. Cabral is former secretary of public safety for Massachusetts and Suffolk County sheriff. Paul Reville discussed whether to bring police back to Boston Public Schools in response to increased violence on school grounds, and the latest on teacher strikes in Massachusetts. 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. Tech writer Andy Ihnatko discussed artificial intelligence technology's ability to recall images on