Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about the rising death toll of unvaccinated Americans, and whether it’s time for mandatory vaccines. Michael Curry explains how communities of color were disparately impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, and shares his thoughts on mandating vaccines. Curry is the president and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers and a member of Governor Charlie Baker’s COVID Vaccine Advisory Group. He’s also a Member of the National NAACP Board of Directors, and the Chair of the Board’s Advocacy & Policy Committee. Corby Kummer talks about the introduction of lab-grown foie gras, and the growing number of fine dining establishments eliminating meat from their menus. He also touches on non-compete agreements in the fast food industry. 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 Scien

Food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio on Monday, sharing his thoughts on lab-grown foie gras after Paris-based start-up Gourmey raised $10 million from investors to produce foie gras from cell cultures. While many lab-grown meats lack the texture of their natural counterparts, Kummer says that foie gras is especially suited for cell-cultures due to its “soft and squishy” texture. “There’s a big challenge of growing out these cells, and culturing it is trying to get anything like the texture of muscles, sinew, fat, gnawing off the bone,” Kummer said. “That [meat texture] is so many years off.” Animal rights groups have long criticized the foie gras production process, with many farmers choosing to force-feed grains to geese through feeding tubes. The New York City Council passed legislation to ban the sale of foie gras in 2019, joining California, Britain, Finland, Norway, and Israel in adopting strict foie gras laws. Kummer says that the introduction of lab-grown foie gras is a step in the r

Today on Boston Public Radio: Rep. Jake Auchincloss discusses the expansion of the Child Tax Credit, and updated us on the status of Congress’ infrastructure bill. He also talks about the evacuation of Afghan citizens who aided the U.S. Rep. Auchincloss is the Democratic congressman representing Massachusetts’ 4th Congressional District. Next, we talk with listeners about shared streets programs. Callie Crossley weighs in on Cornel West’s resignation from Harvard University after being denied tenure, and shares the history of the all-Black 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. She also previews this weekend’s edition of Under the Radar. Crossley hosts GBH’s Under the Radar and Basic Black. Sy Montgomery explains how to humanely kill a lobster following the U.K.’s potential ban on boiling lobsters alive. She also updates us on the latest news regarding the disease spreading among songbirds in the U.S. Montgomery is a journalist, naturalist and a BPR contributor. Her latest book is "The Hummingbirds’ G

Today on Boston Public Radio: Natalie Rodriguez shares her experience opening a restaurant before the start of the pandemic, and explains how her business survived the COVID-19 crisis. Rodriguez is the chef and owner of Nuestra, an authentic Puerto Rican restaurant in Worcester.  Then, we talk with listeners about an increase in customers behaving badly at restaurants. Andrea Cabral discusses the Justice Department’s report that the FBI failed in their handling of sexual abuse claims against Larry Nassar, allowing him to abuse more girls and women. She also talks about the approval of an unarmed crisis-response team in Lynn. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and Massachusetts secretary of public safety. She’s currently the CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Andy Ihnatko talks about racial bias in facial recognition software, and the numerous cases in which police have used facial recognition software to wrongly arrest individuals. He also explains the various tech provisions in President Joe Bi

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners how they felt about the shift to remote working. Jonathan Gruber explains how Los Angeles Angels player Shohei Ohtani is breaking the economic rule of comparative advantage. Gruber is the Ford Professor of Economics at MIT. He was instrumental in creating both the Massachusetts health-care reform and the Affordable Care Act, and his latest book is "Jump-Starting America: How Breakthrough Science Can Revive Economic Growth And The American Dream." Juliette Kayyem discusses the decision to ban in-person spectators from the Tokyo Olympics as COVID-19 cases rise in Japan. She also talks about the evacuation of Afghan refugees after the withdrawal of U.S. troops. 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. Bina Venkataraman shares recent editorials from The Boston Globe, covering topics su

Today on Boston Public Radio: We start the show by talking with listeners about this month becoming the third rainiest July in Massachusetts on record. Trenni Kusnierek talks about the racist attacks against Black athletes on England’s national football team, and COVID-19 restrictions at the Tokyo Olympics. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Carol Rose and Kade Crockford discuss the state of voting rights following the Supreme Court’s ruling on two Arizona voting laws. They also weigh in on the use of facial recognition software, calling for stronger legislation against facial recognition technology. Rose is the Executive Director of the ACLU of Massachusetts. Crockford is the Technology for Liberty program director at the ACLU of Massachusetts Corby Kummer shares his thoughts on McDonald’s decision to increase their starting pay to a range of $11-17, and a survey of chain restaurants that found that Dunkin’, Chipotle, and Sonic have the

The Atlantic’s Corby Kummer returned to Boston Public Radio on Tuesday, weighing in on a recent survey by analysts at the investment bank UBS, which found workers at the popular breakfast-to-go chain Dunkin’ Donuts near the bottom in terms of employee retention.  Kummer called the survey “all over the map,” but said most of the chains that fared best tended to be full-service restaurants, like Texas Roadhouse and Longhorn Steakhouse. “The closer they are to actual full-service, the higher the satisfaction rate,” he said. “I would assume that means higher tips and lower turnover.”  In contrast, he said the environment at Dunkin’ Donuts is “all transactional,” and said the automated nature of the chain could be a key reason why the study found employees leaving at higher rates. During the discussion, Kummer also touched on a raise in minimum wage for McDonald’s workers, low interest in vaccine mandates at restaurants, and a recent article in the New York Times about masks becoming social signifiers. Corby

Today on Boston Public Radio: EJ Dionne talks about the death of former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards. He also weighs in on the Supreme Court’s ruling on two Arizona voting laws, and term limits for Supreme Court justices. 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.” Next, we talk with listeners about state Rep. Edward Coppinger’s proposal to add an extra, opt-in year of learning for high school students. Charlie Sennott discusses the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, and shares his thoughts on Haiti’s calls for U.S. military presence in the wake of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse’s assassination. Sennott is a GBH News analyst and the founder and CEO of The GroundTruth Project. Adam Reilly and Saraya Wintersmith update us on the latest news from the Boston mayoral race and Massachusetts governor’s race, from former Boston Police Chief Dennis White’s claim

The U.S. Supreme Court has gutted most of the Voting Rights Act. In a Washington Post column after the decision was announced on July 1, EJ Dionne wrote dryly that the day may as well come to be known as “Oligarchy Day.” EJ Dionne joined Boston Public Radio on Monday, to discuss the ruling, and its implication for American democracy. He said the Supreme Court decision — with the six conservative justices voting in favor — was “outrageous, given that conservatives always say ‘we don’t legislate from the bench.’” Dionne said the decision will make it harder for the federal government to go to court to question voting restrictions that may appear neutral but could be discriminatory. EJ Dionne is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a columnist for the Washington Post. His latest book is Code Red: How Progressives and Moderates Can Unite To Save Our Country.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by opening phone lines, asking listeners if they thought it was time for the government and employers to mandate vaccines. Andy Ihnatko talks about the multiple states that have filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google, and offers tips on safely handling damaged lithium-ion batteries. Ihnatko is a tech writer and blogger, posting at Ihnatko.com. Callie Crossley speaks about Zaila Avant-garde’s historic win of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. She also talks about Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott’s plans to revive failed GOP voting legislation, and Harvard University’s plans to return civil rights leader Standing Bear’s tomahawk to the Ponca Tribe. Crossley hosts GBH’s Under the Radar and Basic Black. Dr. Marcia Chatelain discusses the historic role McDonald’s plays in the Black community, and the origins of Black capitalism. Dr. Chatelain is a professor of history in African American studies at Georgetown University. She’s the author of Franchise: The Golden Arches

Today on Boston Public Radio: Chuck Todd updates us on the latest political headlines, from vaccine hesitancy amid the rise of the Delta COVID-19 variant to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on voting rights. 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. Next, we talk with listeners about the struggles millennials face in saving up for retirement. Andrea Cabral discusses the criminal indictment against the Trump Organization, sharing her thoughts on potential defense strategies. She also talks about the Massachusetts Department of Correction phasing out solitary confinement. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and Massachusetts secretary of public safety. She’s currently the CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Ali Noorani explains the political backlash President Joe Biden might encounter by lifting COVID-era travel restrictions along the U.S. Mexico border, and talks about the evacuation of Afghan interpreters an

Today on Boston Public Radio: Jonathan Gruber explains the economics behind condominiums, from condo ownership to building expenses. He also argues for stronger protections for homeowners in the event of major structural repairs. Gruber is the Ford Professor of Economics at MIT. He was instrumental in creating both the Massachusetts health-care reform and the Affordable Care Act, and his latest book is "Jump-Starting America: How Breakthrough Science Can Revive Economic Growth And The American Dream." Next, we talk with listeners about their experiences with condo boards and condo ownership. Juliette Kayyem talks about the challenges rescuers are now facing in Surfside, Fla. She also discusses the Rise of the Moors standoff on I-95. 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. State Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz discusses her decision to run for governor, c

On Wednesday’s Boston Public Radio, food writer Corby Kummer derided the American lunchtime phenomena known as the “sad desk lunch,” where workers are forced to eat at the work spaces in order to save time and boost productivity. The back-and-forth was sparked by a recent New York Times story about the salad chain Sweetgreen, whose owners are presenting the company’s sales as something of a barometer for the return to workplaces, and the renewed appetite in what the article dubbed “desk salads.” “There’s a generic name for it that you’re forgetting,” Kummer quipped. “Sad desk lunch – it’s a whole phrase.” Rather than bringing lunch back to your desk to send emails while shoveling quinoa, he pushed for American bosses to adopt what he called “the French model.” “You are not allowed to work between 1:00 and 2:00,” he said. “You have to go and take your sad desk lunch to a communal table and make conversation with your workers. That’s part of the whole office serendipity, utopia, of chance encounters that l

Today on Boston Public Radio: We start the show by opening phone lines, asking listeners what they thought could boost nationwide vaccination rates. Trenni Kusnierek talks about Sha’Carri Richardson’s one-month suspension after she tested positive for marijuana. She then discusses Los Angeles Angels player Shohei Ohtani. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Jim Aloisi and Stacy Thompson discuss the current state of President Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill, and the return to pre-pandemic levels of traffic and congestion. 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. Catherine Peterson talks about how local arts institutions have fared during the pandemic, detailing an arts labor shortage and a lack of economic support for arts. Peterson is the executive director of ArtsBoston. Revs. Irene Monro

Today we’re on tape, replaying some of our favorite conversations with a focus on author interviews. CNN’s Don Lemon discusses his latest book: "This Is The Fire: What I Say to My Friends About Racism." Chasten Buttigieg discusses his memoir, "I Have Something to Tell You." David Byrne discusses the film adaptation of his tour, "American Utopia," and his accompanying illustrated book. Derek DelGaudio discuses the film adaptation of his one man show: "In & Of Itself," and his new book, "AMORALMAN: True Stories and Other Lies." Gish Jen talks about her book, "The Girl at the Baggage Claim: Explaining the East-West Culture Gap." Meredith Goldstein discusses her latest novel, "Things that Grow."

Today on Boston Public Radio: Andrea Cabral weighs in on the criminal indictment against the Trump Organization, and the overturning of Bill Cosby’s sexual assault conviction. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and Massachusetts secretary of public safety. She’s currently the CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Then, we talk with listeners about the Pennsylvania Supreme Court vacating Bill Cosby’s sexual assault conviction. Rep. Ayanna Pressley discusses the future of voting rights legislation, calling for the abolishment of the filibuster. She also talks about her introduction of the Tenant Empowerment Act of 2021, and shared her hopes for the infrastructure bill. Tiffani Faison shares how she kept her four restaurants afloat throughout the pandemic, and talks about how the labor shortage has affected business. Tiffani Faison is the chef and owner of Sweet Cheeks, Tiger Mama, Fool’s Errand And Orfano. Sen. Elizabeth Warren discusses her renewed calls for a wealth tax following a ProPublica repo

Today on Boston Public Radio: We start the show by talking with listeners about what economists are calling “The Great Pandemic Tipping Boom of 2020.” Jonathan Gruber explains the economics behind the music industry as more music venues reopen for live shows. He also talks about the lack of revenue musicians gain from streaming services and album releases. Gruber is the Ford Professor of Economics at MIT. He was instrumental in creating both the Massachusetts health-care reform and the Affordable Care Act, and his latest book is "Jump-Starting America: How Breakthrough Science Can Revive Economic Growth And The American Dream." Juliette Kayyem updates us on the latest news from the partial condo building collapse near Miami, and the possibility of a criminal indictment of the Trump Organization. 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. Art Caplan s

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about extreme heat waves sweeping the U.S., and their connections to climate change. Trenni Kusnierek talks about the Boston Celtics’ new head coach, Ime Udoka, and the latest news from the Olympic and Paralympic trials. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Michael Curry discusses Massachusetts’ current vaccination rate, and explains how he’s reaching out to vaccine hesitant communities. He also shares his thoughts on former police officer Derek Chauvin’s sentencing. Curry is the president and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers and a member of Governor Charlie Baker’s COVID Vaccine Advisory Group. He’s also a Member of the National NAACP Board of Directors, and the Chair of the Board’s Advocacy & Policy Committee. Rick Steves talks about Europe reopening to American tourists, and offered his perspective on visiting England’s Cotswolds reg

Today on Boston Public Radio: EJ Dionne talks about the bipartisan infrastructure bill compromise, explaining which policies made the cut. 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.” Next, we talk with listeners about the return of traffic as more people return to work. Adam Reilly and Saraya Wintersmith update us on the Boston mayoral race and the Massachusetts governor’s race. They also share their thoughts on how Massachusetts politicians responded to the COVID-19 crisis. Reilly is co-host of GBH’s Politics podcast, “The Scrum.” Saraya Wintersmith covers Boston City Hall for GBH. Ned Hinkle and Ivy Moylan explain how the Brattle Theatre pivoted during the pandemic, offering virtual screenings of rare movies and theatre rentals. They also talk about their plans for reopening on July 2. Hinkle is the Creative Director of the Brattle Theatre. Moylan is the Execut

Food writer Corby Kummer talked with Boston Public Radio on Monday about the future of food banks, following the release of a survey from Duke World Food Policy Center that looks at long-term shifts among hunger relief organizations. “One of the ideas is to allow people to shop for what they want. Don't just give them what you're able to get,” he said. “Find out from them what they want, what they need, [and] make it easy and dignified for them to be able to get there.” Food banks should also implement hours accessible to food pantry guests, and have pantry staff educated on the needs of their communities, Kummer added. “The wave of the future is, go to the community first and figure out what they need,” he said. “Don’t design something you think will be good for them.” Kummer is a senior editor at The Atlantic, an award-winning food writer, and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition and Policy.