Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today on Boston Public Radio: Mayor Michelle Wu takes questions from listeners on topics including the state of Boston’s public schools, the latest at Mass. and Cass and failures that led to former Boston Police Union President Patrick Rose remaining on patrol after reports of child sexual assault. Wu is Mayor of Boston. Trenni Kusnierek discusses the most recent Celtics win, the murder of elite cyclist Anna Moriah Wilson and controversy over Qatar hosting the World Cup due to its anti-LGBTQ policies. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Then, we ask listeners their thoughts on the Celtics’ playoffs run. Melissa Etheridge previews her upcoming concerts, and recalls her three months at Berklee College of Music and her experience coming out as lesbian. Etheridge is a multiple Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and activist. She’s coming to town to perform at the City Winery on June 5, 6, 8 and 9. Mark Esper talks about his recent book, insigh

In their fight against the alternative milk and nut-milk industries, Big Dairy has been lobbying Congress and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reserve the term “milk” for fluids obtained through “lacteal secretion” — and the FDA looks like it may enforce a stricter definition for “milk” soon. Chief among the National Federation of Milk Producers’ concerns are that consumers are “being misled about the nutritional content of plant-based imitators relative to real dairy products.” Award-winning food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio on Monday to share his thoughts on the situation. “I think it's ridiculous,” Kummer said. “I think anybody who buys almond milk understands it's not cow’s milk.” In the wide-ranging interview, Kummer also discussed the latest news from the nation’s baby formula shortage, and talked about the lack of nutrition education in medical schools. Kummer is executive director of the Food and Society policy program at the Aspen Institute, a senior editor at The Atl

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners how they’re finding positivity amid a slew of bad news.  Michael Curry discusses federal funding to combat hate crimes in the wake of the Buffalo shooting, and the conflict between politics and public health as COVID cases rise again. Curry is chair of the NAACP Advocacy and Policy Committee, and is president and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers. Chris Burrell shares insights from his investigative reporting into the inaccessibility of Massachusetts beaches. Burrell is an investigative reporter for GBH News. The first story in his series “Barriers at the Beach” is now out, GBHnews.org. Then, we take calls from listeners about their experiences with Massachusetts beaches. Corby Kummer talks about how the baby formula shortage became so dire, and the problems with the Food and Drug Administration. Kummer is executive director of the Food and Society policy program at the Aspen Institute, a senior editor at The At

Today on Boston Public Radio: Attorney General Maura Healey answers questions from listeners, including on criminal justice reform, housing prices skyrocketing and racism from officials in Everett. Healey is attorney general of Massachusetts and a candidate for governor. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh shares insights from his move to the federal government, and takes calls from listeners on income inequality, the state of inflation, workers rights and more. Walsh is Secretary of Labor, and former mayor of Boston. James Bennett II discusses the latest news in arts and culture, including praise of the new film “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” Olivia Rodrigo’s local appearance at Roadrunner and the rise and fall of comedian Dane Cook. Bennett II is GBH’s arts and culture reporter. Sue O’Connell talks about the baby formula shortage, the faltering future of People Magazine’s print addition and LGBTQ teachers leaving Florida in the wake of the state’s “Don’t Say Gay” Bill. O’Connell is the co-publisher of Bay

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners their experiences navigating a difficult housing market. Gregory Fried and Phillip Martin discuss Martin’s investigation into Massachusetts’ growing neo-Nazi movement, and why white supremacy is taking a hold. Martin is GBH’s Senior Investigative Reporter. Fried is a Professor of Philosophy at Boston College, where he studies white supremacy. His most recent book is “Towards a Polemical Ethics: Between Heidegger and Plato.” Kara Baskin breaks down her latest stories, including on the baby formula shortage, and the work of Eleanor Forbes, who directs mental health support for Boston Uncornered, a Dorchester nonprofit working with ex-gang members. Baskin is a Food & Parenting writer for the Boston Globe, and a humor writer for McSweeney's. Shirley Leung talks about how Gen-Z is affecting the workplace, the state of inflation and cryptocurrency as an option for retirement plans. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe. Maine

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by discussing the latest slew of midterm primaries. Art Caplan discusses the baby formula shortage, and a new study that could predict traumatic brain injury outcomes. 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 talks about the Buffalo shooting, and why the “lone wolf” framing does not capture the state of white supremacy in the U.S. 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. Stacy Thompson makes the case for better bike infrastructure, and talks with listeners about the debate between bike lanes and parking. Thompson is executive director of Livable Streets. Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow discusses her viral speech defending herself against Republican “groomer” attacks, an

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by discussing the state of white supremacy in the U.S. following the Buffalo shooting. Trenni Kusnierek discusses the Celtics latest wins, and an ironman triathlete returning to the races after surviving a mid-race heart attack. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Victoria Reed tells stories behind some of the stolen art pieces she has helped return to their rightful owners, and how she goes about researching the ownership history of art. Reed is the MFA’s curator for provenance. Jared Bowen talks about the latest from Boston’s arts scene, including “Ain’t Misbehavin” at the Central Square Theater and unseen Georgia O’Keeffe photos at the Addison Gallery of American Art. Bowen is GBH’s executive arts editor and the host of Open Studio. Keith Lockhart previews Boston Pops’ upcoming season, including pieces from “Star Wars,” “Harry Potter” and Disney. Lockhart is conductor for the Boston Symp

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by discussing the “Great Replacement Theory,” the racist, antisemitic ideology cited by the Buffalo shooter who killed 10 in a supermarket over the weekend. Tom Nichols updates listeners on the latest news from Ukraine. Nichols is a contributing writer and proprietor of “Peacefield” newsletter at The Atlantic, a professor of national security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and a five-time "Jeopardy!" winner. Michael Curry responds to the Buffalo shooting, and discusses U.S. health disparities for communities of color. Curry is chair of the NAACP Advocacy and Policy Committee, and is president and CEO of the Mass League of Community Health Centers. Corby Kummer talks about an investigation into meatpacking plants lying to stay open during the pandemic, and McDonalds withdrawing from Russia. Kummer is executive director of the Food and Society policy program at the Aspen Institute, a senior editor at The Atlantic and a senior l

Food policy writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio to discuss a new congressional report showing meat industry CEOs had a direct line to the Donald Trump administration in the early stages of the pandemic, enabling their facilities to stay open — and their profits to grow — despite the safety risks to workers. Smithfield CEO Ken Sullivan misled the public about an impending meat shortage that they said would result if plants closed temporarily, the congressional report found. “It was this evilly-sealed deal,” Kummer said. “And among the many scandalous parts of this, which we all kind of guessed at the time: profits went up 300% during the pandemic. There was no shortage, it was completely wrong.” Sullivan reached out to Tyson CEO Noel White about getting then-President Donald Trump to sign an executive order declaring meat processing plants essential facilities, allowing them to stay open during the most stringent pandemic-era restrictions. The report found that a draft executive order written by

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by opening up the phone lines, asking listeners about baby formula shortages across the U.S. Rick Steves shares the highlights of his recent return to Europe, where he spent over a month and a half updating his guidebooks to reflect how the continent has changed after two years of the pandemic. Steves is an author, television and radio host and the owner of the Rick Steves' Europe tour group. You can catch his television show, "Rick Steves’ Europe," weeknights at 7:30 p.m. on GBH 2 and his radio show, “Travel With Rick Steves,” Sundays at 4 p.m. on GBH. Callie Crossley talks about a mother in Mattapan alleging that Boston Public Schools delayed calling 911 as her teen son had a stroke. She also shares her thoughts on DuoLingo opening a taqueria next to their Pittsburgh headquarters to help customers practice Spanish. Crossley hosts GBH’s Under the Radar and Basic Black. Juliette Kayyem discusses the January 6 committee’s subpoenas to five GOP lawmakers, incl

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners how they’re handling COVID amid the latest surge. Brian McGrory shares insights from the latest Globe reporting, including the Federal Transit Administration’s investigation into the MBTA, the state settlement over the deaths at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home and the state of national politics. McGrory is the Editor of the Boston Globe. Andrea Cabral talks about the Senate’s failed vote on a bill that would codify Roe v. Wade, and the Mario Batali and Johnny Depp court cases involving harassment. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and secretary of public safety, and former CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Then, we open up the lines to hear from listeners what they want Jim and Margery to talk more about. Eric Deggans previews his latest TV commentary, including his review of “Bosch: Legacy” and who he wants to see succeed James Corden. Eric Deggans is NPR’s TV critic and author of the book “Race-Baiter: How the Media Wields Dange

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners their thoughts on upper age and term limits for politicians. Shirley Leung discusses UMass Lowell’s new chancellor Julie Chen and new robots that weed gardens. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe. Kellie Carter Jackson and Leah Wright Rigueur share insights on all things Oprah, from their podcast Oprademics. Jackson is an associate professor in the department of Africana studies at Wellesley College. Rigeur is an associate professor of history at Johns Hopkins. They host the Oprahdemics podcast from Radiotopia. Jamahrl Crawford weighs in on the latest on Boston police reform, and recent news about former Police Union President Patrick Rose, who was sentenced to prison for sexually abusing children. Crawford served on the city’s police reform task force in 2020 and edits the Blackstonian.  Kim Kelly tells stories about the history of labor movements in the U.S., and how they connect to renewed union pushes today. Kelly is a

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about protests against the leaked Supreme Court opinion draft on Roe v. Wade. Trenni Kusnierek talks about Rich Strike’s major win at the Kentucky Derby, and the growing need for increased mental health services for young athletes. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. State Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz discusses her run for Mass. governor, and talks about the current status of the State House’s sports-betting legislation. State Senator Chang-Diaz is running to be governor of Massachusetts. Jim Aloisi and Stacy Thompson share their thoughts on the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) inspecting the MBTA after numerous safety incidents, and the potential for an East-West rail system. 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.

This September, the White House will be hosting its Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health for the first time in over 50 years. Award-winning food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio on Monday to share his thoughts on the return of the Conference, and the Biden administration’s goal of ending hunger in the U.S. by 2030. “I think that hunger is a bipartisan issue,” Kummer said. “I am incredibly optimistic about this.” “There's always the tension between the urban needs for food and nutrition assistance and the rural needs for enormous crop insurance assistance,” Kummer continued. “That coalition has held, [and] it will continue to hold. That means that overall, there is bipartisan support that will result in nutrition assistance, [and] how better to wield 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: Dr. Anthony Fauci discusses the state of the pandemic, including the importance of getting booster shots, how to make decisions around gathering and the need for federal COVID-19 funding. Fauci is the chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Then, listeners respond to the conversation with Dr. Fauci and latest COVID-19 news. Charlie Sennott updates listeners on the latest news from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including Russia’s Victory Day parade marking the defeat of Nazi Germany during World War Two, and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden’s visit with Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska. Sennott is a news analyst for GBH, where he also heads up the GroundTruth Project. Dr. Cheryl Hamlin shares her reaction to the leaked Supreme Court decision that could overturn Roe v. Wade, and what it means for her and other abortion care providers across the country. Dr. Hamlin is an obstetrician and gynecologist at

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about parental burnout. Interim DA Kevin Hayden discusses his new plan on handling arrests at Mass & Cass. He also shares his thoughts on Mayor Michelle Wu’s statement on providing support for the children allegedly responsible for multiple attacks around Boston Common. Hayden is the interim District Attorney for Suffolk County, and he’s running for election for a full term as DA this fall. Callie Crossley reflects on a post-Roe America, and the story of Jessica Watkins, the first Black woman on the International Space Station (ISS) crew. Crossley hosts GBH’s Under the Radar and Basic Black. Sy Montgomery talks about her encounters with birds of prey while learning falconry. Montgomery is a journalist, naturalist and a BPR contributor. Her latest book is "The Hawk’s Way: Encounters with Fierce Beauty.” Justice Margaret Marshall discusses the unprecedented leak of a Supreme Court draft opinion that could overrule Roe v. Wade. Ju

Today on Boston Public Radio: Chuck Todd updates us on the latest political headlines, focusing on the leak of a Supreme Court opinion draft in support of overturning Roe v. Wade. We continues our conversation on the future of abortion with listeners. Andrea Cabral discusses the potential overruling of Roe v. Wade, and the politicization of the Supreme Court. Cabral is the former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety, and former CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Stephanie Lippman shares her experience receiving her diploma from New England Conservatory of Music, two decades after she was expelled right before graduation. Lippman is a professional singer, and graduate of the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Paul Keil explains how billionaires skirt tax obligations in the U.S. Keil is a reporter who covers billionaires, business and consumer finance for ProPublica. He’s a regular contributor to their series, “The Secret IRS Files: Inside the Tax Records of the .001%.” Shirley Leung talks

Today on Boston Public Radio: Art Caplan weighs in on the ethics of the leaked Supreme Court decision draft that would overturn Roe v. Wade, and potential attacks on birth control access. 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. We begin the show by asking listeners for their thoughts on the future of abortion care. Juliette Kayyem discusses the latest news out of Ukraine, including the supply chain issues slowing down U.S. aid to Ukraine. 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. Nick Quah shares his recent favorites from the world of podcasting, focusing on Radiotopia’s “Oprahdemics” from hosts Kellie Carter Jackson and Leah Wright Rigeur, and Karina Longworth’s latest season of “You Must Remember This.” Quah is Vulture’s podcast critic. C

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by talking with listeners about the leak of a Supreme Court abortion draft decision, and the future of abortion rights. Alton Brown talks about “Iron Chef” moving to Netflix, and his latest cookbook, “Good Eats: The Final Years.” Brown is a Peabody Award-winning celebrity chef and host of both “Good Eats” and “Iron Chef,” which is making a grand-return to Netflix this June. His latest book is “Good Eats: The Final Years.” Judge Nancy Gertner weighs in on the Supreme Court draft opinion that has the potential to overturn Roe v. Wade, and what overturning the case means for the legal system. Gertner is a retired federal judge, and is now a senior lecturer at Harvard Law School. Imari Paris Jeffries discusses King Boston breaking ground at the Martin Luther King, Jr., and Coretta Scott King memorial, “The Embrace,” in Boston Common. He also shares his thoughts on the potential for government-funded reparations. Jeffries is the executive director of King Boston,

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s second Boston restaurant — Gordon Ramsay Burger — is slated to open in late 2022 inside downtown’s Canopy by Hilton. The Hell’s Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares star’s first Boston restaurant, Ramsay’s Kitchen, opened earlier this year in the Mandarin Oriental in Back Bay. “TV stardom translates into big deals and investment money,” food writer Corby Kummer told Boston Public Radio on Monday. “A big national chain like the Hilton thinks that he'll bring in tourists and customers.” “I would so much rather it'd be somebody local,” Kummer added. “[But] I'm all for fine dining and having access to these dishes wherever they do it and somebody gives local employment.” 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.