Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners whether they would be open to becoming chattier on the T, following Mayor Michelle Wu’s invitation for riders to talk with her. Trenni Kusnierek discusses the $380 million settlement reached between USA Gymnastics and the victims of Larry Nassar. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Corby Kummer talks about the latest news on a potential statewide egg shortage, and the fifteen-minute grocery delivery start-ups opening up in downtown Boston. 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. Meredith Goldstein answers listeners’ questions on romance and relationships, and shares advice from her recent columns. Goldstein is an advice columnist and features writer for the Boston Globe. Her advice column, “Love Letters

Today on Boston Public Radio: EJ Dionne talks about Governor Charlie Baker’s latest plan to distribute over two million rapid tests to Massachusetts towns in need, and the state of democracy in the U.S. Dionne is a columnist for The Washington Post and 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 their outlook on climate change, after tornados sweeping through Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee left dozens dead and scores of buildings demolished. Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III weigh in on Gen Z’s relationship with religion and a Black medical illustration going viral. Monroe is a syndicated religion columnist, the Boston voice for Detour’s African American Heritage Trail and co-host of the All Rev’d Up podcast. Price is the founding pastor of Community of Love Christian Fellowship in Allston, the inaugural dean of Africana studies at Berklee College of Music

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners their thoughts on the labor market, amid worker shortages and unionization fights to grow worker power. Mike Keiley gives tips on how to ethically and responsibly gift pets during the holidays, and debunks pet adoption myths from the pandemic. Keiley is the director of adoption centers and programs at MSCPA-Angell. Callie Crossley discusses Simone Biles’ pick as Time Magazine’s Athlete of the Year, and Jussie Smollett’s guilty verdict for lying about a staged racist, homophobic attack. Crossley hosts GBH’s Under the Radar and Basic Black. Andy Ihnatko teaches listeners how to best protect their passwords, after an annual list of most common passwords included “123456” and “password1.” Ihnatko is a tech writer and blogger, posting at Ihnatko.com. Sue O’Connell weighs in on the Supreme Court dismissing the Justice Department’s challenge to Texas’ restrictive abortion law, and the Ghislaine Maxwell trial for her involvement in Jeffrey Epste

Today on Boston Public Radio: Chuck Todd weighs in on the status of Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema and West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin on Build Back Better, and Hillary Clinton reading her would-be 2016 victory speech. Todd is the moderator of “Meet the Press,” host of “Meet the Press Daily” on MSNBC and the political director for NBC News. Then, we ask listeners how they feel about President Joe Biden and the Democrats’ domestic agenda and performance so far. Andrea Cabral talks about the overturned murder conviction of James Lucien, who spent 26 years in prison on a wrongful conviction by a corrupt police detective. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and the former Massachusetts secretary of public safety. She is currently the CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Shirley Leung discusses Governor Charlie Baker’s legacy regarding Massachusetts businesses, and what businesses are doing to retain workers during the great resignation. Leung is a business columnist for The Boston Globe and a Boston

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners whether they think Vice President Kamala Harris is being treated unfairly by the media, and how women and people of color face double standards in politics. Art Caplan discusses the state of testing in the U.S., how the country went wrong by failing to push a broader testing regimen and the latest news on the Omicron variant. Caplan is director of the division of medical ethics at the New York University School of Medicine. Juliette Kayyem updates listeners on the status of the Jan. 6 investigation and gun laws in the aftermath of the Michigan 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 talks about Guy Fieri’s latest restaurant in Boston, and why the government should end restrictions on what food people on federal food assistance programs can buy. Kummer

Ahead of the opening of Guy Fieri’s Kitchen + Bar in the Theater District, food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio to share his thoughts on the celebrity chef’s second restaurant in Boston. Fieri, known for his eccentric taste in food, included menu items from his other restaurants, such as trash can nachos from Guy Fieri’s Tequila Cocina and Guy’s Famous BBQ Bloody Mary. Diners can also order specialties like Cajun chicken Alfredo, hot pastrami grinders, and candy apple sangrias. “It's like somebody has said, ‘let me think of everybody's secret food desires, and I'm gonna let it run rampant,’” Kummer said. “‘Here it all is, come on and let let loose your secret desires.’” Restaurant critics have largely panned Fieri’s restaurants, though Kummer notes that Bostonians should give Guy Fieri’s Kitchen + Bar a chance. “Enjoy yourself: nothing should be forbidden,” Kummer said. “This is about being libertine and being indulgent, which everybody needs to be every so often or else the food police are

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners whether Boston should implement indoor vaccine mandates like those in New York City. Trenni Kusnierek discusses what the U.S. diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics means for the winter games and the Patriots’ win last night. Kusnierek is an anchor and reporter for NBC Sports Boston, as well as a Boston Public Radio contributor. Tito Jackson previews his latest venture, a seven story complex housing marijuana food, drink and more. Jackson is a former city councilor, one-time mayoral candidate, and now marijuana entrepreneur. His business Apex Noire is expected to open in Boston early next year. Dr. Michael Mina updates listeners on the state of COVID-19 testing, including the reliability of at-home testing and why the U.S. should distribute more. Michael Mina is the Chief Science Officer at e-Med, a company that provides a plethora of at-home diagnostic testing. He most recently was an assistant professor of epidemiology at Harvard’s 

Today on Boston Public Radio: Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett begins the show by taking questions from listeners about booster shots, rapid tests and more. Gergen Barnett teaches in the Department of Family Medicine at Boston Medical Center and Boston University Medical School. Then, we ask listeners their thoughts on the state of testing in the U.S., after President Joe Biden announced a plan to reimburse citizens for their purchase of tests. 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 socio-political issues that shadow America. Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III discuss the persistence of racial harassment in schools, and religious communities that support abortion rights. Monroe is a syndicated religion columnist, the Boston voice for Detour’s African

Today on Boston Public Radio: Superintendent Brenda Cassellius answers questions from listeners about the state of schools, including the teacher shortage and wait lists for Boston’s exam schools. Cassellius is the superintendent of Boston Public Schools. Then, we ask listeners about the Omicron variant and how the pandemic is playing out in schools, including hearing from Massachusetts Teachers Association President Merrie Najimy. Makinde Ogunnaike and Josh Sariñana talk about how they turn physics and neuroscience into art and poetry, and the intersection of physics and religious faith. Ogunnaike is a PhD candidate in physics at MIT, where he researches quantum systems and the new states of matter they can create. He also runs the Harvard-MIT chapter of the National Society of Black Physicists. Sariñana is a fine art photographer, a writer and neuroscience marketing professional. He’s also the director of “The Poetry of Science.” Corby Kummer weighs in on who has intellectual property claims to a recipe

Today on Boston Public Radio: Chuck Todd weighs in on yesterday’s Supreme Court deliberations over abortion and the status of Build Back Better. Todd is the moderator of “Meet the Press,” host of “Meet the Press Daily” on MSNBC and the political director for NBC News. Then, we ask listeners their thoughts on the Supreme Court arguments over abortion yesterday. Andrea Cabral continues the conversation about the Supreme Court’s stance on abortion, and the school shooting in Michigan and prosecutors’ hopes to charge the shooter’s parents for their son gaining access to the gun. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and the former Massachusetts secretary of public safety. She is currently the CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Paul Reville talks about how the shortage of teachers is affecting substitute teachers, and how schools can work to combat the teacher shortage. Reville is the former Massachusetts secretary of education and a professor at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, where

Today on Boston Public Radio: We open the show by asking listeners for their thoughts on Gov. Charlie Baker’s announcement that he would not be seeking reelection. Dr. Cheryl Hamlin talks about her experience working at the last abortion clinic in Mississippi, which is central to the Supreme Court case that could overturn Roe v. Wade. Dr. Hamlin is an obstetrician and gynecologist at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, and she called into us from Jackson, Mississippi, where she’s on rotation at the last operating abortion clinic in the state. Art Caplan shares the latest news surrounding the Omicron COVID-19 variant, and weighs in on Dr. Mehmet Oz’s entrance into the Pennsylvania Senate race. Caplan is director of the Division of Medical Ethics at the New York University School of Medicine. Juliette Kayyem discusses the shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan, and shares how smaller stores across the U.S. are hoarding products due to supply chain issues ahead of holiday shopping. Kayyem is an analyst f

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners whether they have picked up new health habits during the pandemic. Trenni Kusnierek talks about the potential impact of the Omicron variant on the Winter Olympics in Beijing, and Turkish Boston Celtics player Enes Kanter Freedom celebrating his new U.S. citizenship by changing his last name to Freedom. Kusnierek is an anchor and reporter for NBC Sports Boston, as well as a Boston Public Radio contributor. Shirley Leung discusses the ramifications of the state legislature failing to allocate billions of American Rescue Plan Act funding before going on recess. Leung is a business columnist for The Boston Globe and a Boston Public Radio contributor. Senator Ed Markey shares his work with senate democrats to reach consensus on the social infrastructure package, and emphasizes the need for filibuster reform to pass voting rights legislation. Markey is a senator of Massachusetts. Then, we ask listeners their thoughts on the Build Back Better p

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners about how they are reacting to the latest news about the Omicron variant. Michelle Singletary gives tips on how to budget for the holiday and avoid scams during the shopping season. Singletary is a nationally syndicated columnist for The Washington Post, whose award-winning column "The Color of Money" provides insight into the world of personal finance. Christopher Muther talks about the latest locations of Getaway House, a Cambridge-based startup of tiny homes offered for vacation rental, and weighs in on ABBA’s latest album in 40 years, Voyage. Muther is a Boston Globe travel columnist and travel writer. Gov. Charlie Baker discusses why testing is not more widely available across the state, his efforts to create a single QR code showing proof of vaccination and his dissatisfaction with the state legislature’s delay in spending the American Rescue Plan Act money. Baker is the governor of Massachusetts.  Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett G.

Today on Boston Public Radio we’re on tape, bringing you some of our favorite conversations. Susan Orlean previews her latest book about animals, including the history of the movie “Free Willy,” her relationship with turkeys and her Valentine’s Day spent with a lion. Orlean is a staff writer for the New Yorker, and an author; her latest book is “On Animals.” Joanne Chang talks about her latest book inspired by her baking journals, “Pastry Love: A Baker’s Journal of Favorite Recipes.” Chang is a James Beard award–winning pastry chef. Richard Blanco reads fall-themed poetry, including “Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost, “The Blower of Leaves” by January Gill O’Neil, “November 2: Día de los muertos” by Alberto Ríos and “Autumn Begins in Martins Ferry, Ohio” by James Wright. Blanco is the fifth inaugural poet in U.S. history. His latest book, "How To Love A Country," deals with various socio-political issues that shadow America. Howard Mansfield previews his latest book, "Chasing Eden: A Book of Seekers,

Today on Boston Public Radio: Art Caplan begins the show by updating listeners on the latest in the pandemic, including why cases are on the rise in some parts of the country and how to have a safe Thanksgiving. 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 their safety plans going into Thanksgiving as cases rise. Ali Noorani shares his thoughts on President Joe Biden’s immigration policy, and updates listeners on the status of the evacuation from Afghanistan. Noorani is the president and chief executive officer of the National Immigration Forum. His forthcoming book is “Crossing Borders: The Reconciliation of a Nation of Immigrants.” Corby Kummer talks about how climate change could make food less nutritious and how New Mexican chiles made it to space. Kummer is the executive director of the food and society policy program at the Aspen Institute, a senior editor at

The galaxy’s first space-grown New Mexican hatch chile peppers have been harvested from the International Space Station (ISS). Award-winning food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio in studio Wednesday to discuss the space-grown chiles, and what these chiles could mean for the future of indoor farming. NASA employees brought 48 chile seeds aboard a spacecraft at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida for growth on the ISS. This past October —- the end of New Mexico’s hatch chile season — the ISS crew harvested 7 mature hatch chiles. ISS crewmembers celebrated the growth of the peppers by throwing a taco party. “It's been very good for the mental health and psychology of the people in the space station, no doubt, to tender these plants and smell the leaves and smell the green,” Kummer said. The hatch chile seeds used in the ISS gardens were NuMex Española Improved, a hatch chile variety known for its early-maturity and medium-heat profile. The seeds were planted in an “oven-sized growth chamber” on

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show asking listeners their thoughts on the traditional Thanksgiving turkey, and whether it’s time for something different. Trenni Kusnierek updates listeners on the latest headlines in sports, including Boston Celtics player Enes Kanter criticizing Michael Jordan and LeBron James, and Patriots General Manager Bill Belichick sharing his favorite Thanksgiving food. Kusnierek is an anchor and reporter for NBC Sports Boston, as well as a Boston Public Radio contributor. Mayor Michelle Wu answers questions from constituents in her first ever Ask the Mayor, including about her environmental platform, vaccine requirements and Mass. and Cass. Wu is mayor of Boston. Dan Shaughnessy tells anecdotes from his latest book about covering the Celtics during the Larry Bird era. Shaughnessy is a sports writer at the Boston Globe. His new book is “Wish It Lasted Forever: Life With The Larry Bird Celtics.” John King previews the latest political headlines, including the status of

Today on Boston Public Radio: EJ Dionne talks about the status of Build Back Better, President Joe Biden’s medical report and whether he is eyeing a run for a second presidential term. Dionne is a columnist for The Washington Post and 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 about their media diets, following a PEW survey showing how some types of news consumption have declined. Michael Curry weighs in on the latest COVID-19 numbers and the recent availability of booster shots for all adults. Curry is the president and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers and a member of Gov. Charlie Baker’s COVID Vaccine Advisory Group. He’s also a member of the National NAACP Board of Directors and chair of the board’s advocacy and policy committee. Katie Caster and Kim Parker discuss burnout among teachers of color, and what needs to change for the teacher force to better repre

Today on Boston Public Radio: Art Caplan weighs in on the state of the pandemic, including the need for a universal digital vaccine card, and whether he’s comfortable giving out handshakes and hugs. 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 about their comfort with handshakes, as Norway urges its citizens to avoid the greeting. Callie Crossley unpacks the exoneration of two of the men incarcerated for assassinating Malcolm X, and the latest in the trial of Gregory McMichael, Travis McMichael and William Bryan, for shooting Ahmaud Arbery. Crossley hosts GBH’s Under the Radar and Basic Black. Andy Ihnatko talks about Apple’s new repair program, which gives users access to parts and manuals to repair their own iPhones, and how the airdrop feature is interfering in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial. Ihnatko is a tech writer and blogger, posting at Ihnatko.com. Sue O’Connel

Today on Boston Public Radio: Chuck Todd begins the show with the latest news from Washington D.C., including the latest from the Jan. 6 committee, and a House vote to censure Republican Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona for sharing an altered anime video of him killing Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Todd is the moderator of “Meet the Press,” host of “Meet the Press Daily” on MSNBC and the political director for NBC News. Then, we ask listeners their Thanksgiving plans as COVID cases rise. Andrea Cabral discusses the latest in the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, including Judge Bruce Schroeder dismissing the gun charge against Rittenhouse. She also talks about the state of marijuana legalization at the federal level. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and the former Massachusetts secretary of public safety. She is currently the CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Paul Reville updates listeners on the latest news from schools, including how schools are doing when it comes to COVID-19, and the lates