Boston Public Radio Podcast

During a segment of Tuesday’s Boston Public Radio, award-winning food writer Corby Kummer chimed in on hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan’s debate over eating alone. “Eating alone at a bar is one of life's most satisfying occupations,” Kummer told Boston Public Radio. “I was in a lot of Boston restaurants over the weekend, and the number of people I saw either happily with a book or sitting at a bar alone and looking like there was nothing else they would rather be doing I found really striking.” “[There was a] level of contentment — not artificially looking up as if they have a friend coming — there was none of that,” Kummer added. “There was ‘I'm happy to be here by myself.’ This is a great thing.” 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 talking with listeners about rising costs amid inflation. Art Caplan discusses the World Health Organization’s (WHO) upcoming assessment of monkeypox as a potential global health emergency. 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. Shirley Leung talks about efforts to build greenspace in Boston’s Seaport neighborhood, and the potential for safe consumption sites in Mass. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe. Miles Howard shares his 25-mile Boston trail map, which connects green spaces across more than a dozen neighborhoods. Howard is a Boston-based journalist and author of the “Mind the Moss,” a newsletter about hiking. Then, we talk with listeners about their favorite hiking trails in the Boston area. Mitra Kalita discusses the role of the diversity officer in corporate spaces, and the transition of diversity, equity,

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners if they’re feeling positive about the state of current events. Trenni Kusnierek talks about last night’s Celtics loss, the suspension of several players from the PGA and Amy Schneider throwing the first pitch at the Giants-Dodgers game. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Juliette Kayyem reacts to the Jan. 6 hearings and the Senate’s potential gun deal. 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. Quincy Roberts Sr. explains his new role as Executive Director of LGBTQ+ Advancement, and his past experiences and advocacy in Boston. Roberts is is the inaugural Executive Director for the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement in Boston and co-founder of the Hispanic Black Gay Coalition. Then, we ask listeners to debate the

Today on Boston Public Radio: Juliette Kayyem previews day two of the January 6 hearings. 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. Then, we air the House Select Committee Hearings on the Jan. 6 insurrection. Andrea Cabral shares her reactions to the proceedings. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and secretary of public safety, and former CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Michael Curry discusses whether he thinks former president Donald Trump will be prosecuted, and how he thinks Trump supporters will react to the hearings. Curry is chair of the NAACP Advocacy and Policy Committee, and is president and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers. We end the show by taking calls from listeners on their reactions to the hearings.

Pandemic-era federal waivers that expanded children’s access to food through year-round, free school lunches are set to expire this month, after Congress failed to extend the waivers past their June 30 deadline. A cumulative 4.3 billion meals were distributed through the program over the last two summers. “Now parents have to go back to filling in humiliating applications saying, ‘Here's what money we make and why we need help from the school lunch,’” Kummer told Boston Public Radio on Friday. “What parent has time to do that, let alone wants the stigma of their kid asking for this kind of assistance?” 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.

John Rosenthal, co-founder of the Boston-based nonprofit Stop Handgun Violence, joined Boston Public Radio live at the Boston Public Library on Friday to share his thoughts on America’s inaction on gun violence.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about the first night of the Jan. 6 committee hearings. DA Kevin Hayden discusses Mayor Michelle Wu’s release of the complete file on former Boston Police Patrolman’s Association union chief and convicted child-sex abuser Patrick Rose, Sr. He also talks about concerns over illegal guns in Mass. Hayden is the interim District Attorney for Suffolk County, and he’s running for election for a full term as DA this fall.  David Gergen shares his thoughts on the future of youth leaders in politics, and the potential for mandatory community service. Gergen is a Senior Political Analyst for CNN, the Founding Director of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard and a professor at the Kennedy School. He was a presidential advisor to four administrations. His new book is “Hearts Touched with Fire: How Great Leaders are Made.” Corby Kummer talks about the upcoming expiration of universal free school lunches, and updated us on the latest news

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners how they feel going into the Jan. 6 hearings. Paul Reville shares his thoughts about Mayor Michelle Wu’s role in education, and the lifting of Boston Public Schools' mask mandate. 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 Lynne Sacks, is “Collaborative Action for Equity and Opportunity: A Practical Guide for School and Community Leaders.” Andrea Cabral weighs in on what we can expect from the Jan. 6 committee hearings, the state of gun control in America post-Uvalde, and the women suing the F.B.I. for early investigative failures in the Larry Nassar case. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and secretary of public safety, and former CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Sue O’Connell discusses media coverage of the upcoming Jan. 6 trials, and updates us on the Pride Month events ha

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about the incoming results from California’s primary election. Shirley Leung talks about her recent piece featuring women whose decisions to have abortions changed their lives, and shares her thoughts on the potential for a 4-day work week. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe. Juliette Kayyem shares what people can expect from the upcoming Jan. 6 committee hearings. She also talks about Uvalde native Matthew McConaughey calling for gun control in the wake of the Robb Elementary 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. Amy O’Leary talks about the push for accessible childcare in Mass. amid rising costs. O’Leary is the Executive Director of Strategies for Children, an advocacy and policy group aimed at ensuring access to childcare and early educa

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners how they are coping with the rising cost of living. Trenni Kusnierek weighs in on the Celtics Sunday loss, advocacy across teams and leagues for gun control, LGBTQ+ pride and WNBA player Brittney Griner; she also shares dispatches from the French Open, and talked about Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy’s departure. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Art Caplan talks about the scourge of mass shootings this year, negative reactions to mental health clinics in schools, a new drug that could transform breast cancer treatment and the FDA delaying access to contraception. 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. Lee Pelton discusses guns being the leading cause of death for children, and closing the racial wealth gap in Boston. Pelton is the president and CEO of

Today on Boston Public Radio: EJ Dionne discusses the state of gun control negotiations in the U.S. Senate and the role of young voters in 2022 midterm elections. Dionne is a columnist for the Washington Post and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. His latest book is “100% Democracy: The Case for Universal Voting.” Then we ask listeners their thoughts on Elon Musk requiring his employees to return to the office 40 hours a week. Alexandra Drane talks about the burden unpaid caretakers face, and what needs to change to better support people serving in such roles. Drane is the co-founder and CEO of Archangels, a group aimed at supporting unpaid caretakers.  Charlie Sennott updates listeners on the latest news from Ukraine following 100 days of Russia’s invasion, and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson facing a vote of no-confidence. Sennott is a news analyst for GBH, where he also heads up the GroundTruth Project. Jim Aloisi and Stacy Thompson weigh in on Boston’s plan to open more streets this summer,

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about how they’re handling the current political divide in America. Boston City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo shares how he would bring his previous experience as a public defender to the role of Suffolk County District Attorney if elected. He also discusses the need for transparency in the case of former Boston police officer Patrick Rose. Arroyo is a Boston City Councilor. He’s running to be Suffolk County District Attorney. Callie Crossley talks about Harini Logan’s win at the 2022 Scripps Spelling Bee, and Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant. She also shared her thoughts on Sheryl Sandberg stepping down from her role as COO of Meta. Crossley hosts GBH’s Under the Radar and Basic Black. Barbara Lynch shares her thoughts on the state of the restaurant industry, and called for student loan forgiveness for the next generation of restaurant workers. Lynch is a James Beard Award-winning chef, and the restarauter behind No. 9 Park

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about actions they’re taking in the wake of multiple mass shootings. Bill McKibben shares his thoughts on the lack of action in the U.S. on climate change policies, and worsening water quality at Boston-area beaches. 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 “The Other Cheek: An Epic Nonviolent Yarn.” Chris Muther talks about his experiences with masking on airlines, and shared his off-the-beaten-path weekend spots in Boston. Muther is a travel writer for the Boston Globe. Michael Curry weighs in on President Joe Biden’s proposed $10,000 student debt relief plan, and lack of movement on gun control legislation in Washington. Curry is chair of the NAACP Advocacy and Policy Committee, and is president and CEO of the Mass League of Community Health Centers. Andy Ihnatko e

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about student anxiety, following a new GBH report that cites increased levels of bullying in Boston schools. Rep. Ayanna Pressley calls for stricter gun control measures – such as universal background checks and a ban on assault weapons – in the wake of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas. She also discusses broadening student debt relief from President Joe Biden’s proposed plan to forgive $10,000 per borrower in student loans. Juliette Kayyem discusses the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) announcement of an investigation into the police response to the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and diminishing attention towards Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 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. Shirley Leung talks about recent crypto scams targeting A

It’s been nearly 15 years of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” and Guy Fieri’s imprint on America’s cultural landscape has reached new heights. Award-winning food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio on Wednesday to share his thoughts on the Fieri fandom, following a recent New York Times profile of the celebrity chef. “The [New York Times] decided they were really going to celebrate Guy Fieri, and if he's raised $20 million [for restaurant workers, let's celebrate him, too,” Kummer said. During the wide-ranging interview, Kummer also shared his thoughts on Taco Bell’s touring drag brunch, the discontinuation of mission-driven brand Honest Tea, and more. 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 talking with listeners about gun reform. Trenni Kusnierek updates us on the Celtics’ win over the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, and the U.S. Open’s return to The Country Club in Brookline this June. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Chris Doughty talks about his run for Mass. governor, and shared his thoughts on the state of the Republican party. Doughty is a Republican candidate for governor. Jenifer McKim and Rose Webster-Smith discuss the corporations buying up Springfield single family homes, following McKim’s reporting for GBH News. McKim is a senior investigative reporter for the GBH News Center for Investigative Reporting. Webster-Smith is the program director for the nonprofit Springfield No One Leaves. Dr. Katherine Gergen-Barnett talks about the latest news regarding monkeypox cases in the U.S., and answers listeners’ questions during this month’s edition of “A

Today on Boston Public Radio we’re on tape, bringing you some of our favorite conversations from recent months: John Della Volpe talks about Gen Z’s relationship to political activism, and the events that pushed them to action. Della Volpe is director of polling at Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics and a former campaign adviser to President Joe Biden. His new book is: “Fight: How Gen Z Is Channeling Their Fear And Passion To Save America.” Howard Mansfield previews his book, "Chasing Eden: A Book of Seekers," about communities throughout American history that sought freedom, happiness and utopia. Mansfield is an author who writes about history, architecture and preservation. Kim Kelly tells stories about the history of labor movements in the United States, and how they connect to renewed union pushes today. Kelly is a journalist, columnist for Teen Vogue and author of “FIGHT LIKE HELL: The Untold History of American Labor.” Rosa Brooks discusses her book, “Tangled Up In Blue: Policing The Ame

Today on Boston Public Radio we're on tape, bringing you some of our favorite conversations from recent years: Imani Perry talks about parenthood and how Black parents talk to their children about race. Perry is a professor of African American Studies at Princeton University. Her latest book is "Breathe: A Letter To My Sons.” Richard Blanco reads his favorite “aubade” poems — about lovers departing at dawn — including “Aubade with Burning City” by Ocean Vuong and “Ghosting Aubade” by Amie Whittemore. Blanco is the fifth inaugural poet in U.S. history. His latest book, "How To Love A Country," deals with various sociopolitical issues that shadow America. Lizzie Post weighs in on cannabis culture in her book, “Higher Etiquette: A Guide to the World of Cannabis, From Dispensaries to Dinner Parties.” Post is a writer, co-director of The Emily Post Institute and great-great-granddaughter of etiquette writer Emily Post. Christopher Kimball previews his latest cookbook “Vegetables,” sharing his favorite ways to

Today on Boston Public Radio: Chuck Todd shares his thoughts on the reaction from Washington D.C. in the wake of the Uvalde shooting, and why politicians refuse to take action on gun control. 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 a growing sense that political action feels hopeless, in a moment where policy often does not match the desires of Americans. Andrea Cabral responds to the Uvalde shooting, the failings of the Supreme Court and a romance novelist convicted for killing her husband after writing a blog post titled “How to Murder Your Husband.” Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and secretary of public safety, and former CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. First Lady of Iceland Eliza Reid previews her book, “Secrets Of The Sprakkar: Iceland's Extraordinary Women And How They Are Changing The World,” and explains why Iceland is leading the globe in gender equi

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by opening the phone lines, talking with listeners about gun violence in America in the wake of a mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. Art Caplan shares his thoughts on the moral apathy Congress seems to have in cases of gun violence, and cases of monkeypox in the U.S. 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 explains how language is used to sanitize stories of gun violence, and updates us on the latest news out of Uvalde, Texas, where a gunman killed 19 elementary school students and two teachers. 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. We continue our discussion with listeners on the epidemic of gun violence in America. Paul Reville discusses the impact of