Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about rising gas prices before carrying President Joe Biden's speech announcing a ban on the import of Russian oil. Trenni Kusnierek discusses Russia’s detainment of WNBA player Brittney Griner, and the 50th Iditarod race, which started this past weekend. Kusnierek is an anchor and reporter for NBC Sports Boston. She's also a BPR contributor. Deborah Douglas and Amber Payne talk about the upcoming relaunch of The Emancipator, and their partnership with BU’s Center for Anti-Racist Research and the Boston Globe. Douglas and Payne are co-editors in chief of The Emancipator, in partnership with the Boston Globe opinions team and the Boston University Center for Anti-Racist Research. Ty Burr shares his thoughts on the latest movies, from “The Batman” to “Power of the Dog.” Burr’s reviews and thoughts on all things movies can be found at “Ty Burr’s Watch List” on Substack. John King updates us on the latest political headlines, focusing

Social media users and investors are calling on various U.S. fast food companies with operations in Russia to speak on the country’s invasion of Ukraine, with many companies remaining silent and continuing business as usual. A number of U.S.-based fast food chains in Russia — such as Starbucks, Papa John’s, and Yum Brands-owned KFC and Pizza Hut — are owned and operated by franchisees, making it difficult for companies to uniformly close stores due to political issues. “[Companies] don't have as much control over their franchisees,” food writer Corby Kummer told Boston Public Radio on Monday. “It's mostly franchise owners who decide whether or not to close the restaurant because of political turmoil, not the brands themselves.” According to the New York Times, however, McDonald’s owns the majority of its 847 restaurants in Russia, with the country accounting “for 9 percent of the company’s total revenues and 3 percent of its operating income” — leaving the company in a prime position to make a statement. P

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about acts of heroism out of Ukraine. Charlie Sennott discusses the state of misinformation and propaganda surrounding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Sennott is a news analyst for GBH, where he also heads up the Groundtruth Project. Michael Curry shares his thoughts on President Joe Biden’s first year in office. He also discusses the long-term COVID issues many immunocompromised people still face. Curry is president and CEO of the Mass. League of Community Health Centers. He’s also a Member of the National NAACP Board of Directors, where he serves as chair of the Board’s Advocacy & Policy Committee. Corby Kummer talks about Mayor Michelle Wu’s efforts to confront a food desert in Mattapan, and the various local restaurateurs who are aiding Ukraine. 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 Nutrit

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by opening phone lines, talking with listeners about surging gas prices associated with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Shirley Leung talks about the closure of Amazon’s brick and mortar bookstores, and the Green Line extension to Somerville. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe. David Leonard shares how people increasingly turned to library services throughout the pandemic. Leonard is the president of the Boston Public Library. Bill McKibben discusses the UN’s recent climate report, and concerns over Russian attacks on nuclear power plants in Ukraine. 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.” Judge Nancy Gertner weighs in on the Supreme Court’s reinstatement of the death penalty for Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Judge Gertner

Today on Boston Public Radio: Chuck Todd updates us on the latest political headlines, focusing on the Jan. 6 committee’s potential charges against former President Donald Trump. 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 open the phone lines, talking with listeners about the return to the office. Andrea Cabral talks about former Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia asking for a sixth extension for the date he’s scheduled to go to prison. She also shares her thoughts on the trial of Newton District Court Judge Shelley Joseph, who allegedly tried to help an undocumented immigrant evade a federal agent who showed up at the courthouse to detain him. Cabral is the former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety. She’s now the CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Jared Bowen shares his latest arts and culture roundup, from “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” to the American Repertory Theater’s “Ocean Filibust

As scores of Ukrainian citizens cross the border into Poland fleeing the Russian invasion, chef José Andrés greets them with warm meals. Award-winning food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio on Wednesday to talk about Andrés work in feeding refugees as the crisis grows. Currently, Andrés is set up in Poland, providing food to refugees through his group World Central Kitchen, which works to feed people on the frontline of global disasters. “These refugees who are spending 36, 48 hours in the road, in lines, how are they managing to survive?,” Kummer asked. “Throwing their possessions away, waiting with children, it's freezing cold. I don't know how they make it. So he's right there where need is great.” Kummer said that the group is hoping to make it into Ukraine itself, particularly to deliver flour to a group of nuns in Lviv also working to prepare meals. Andrés got his start in Spain, and first made national headlines after pulling a contract from Trump Hotel over the former President’s comm

Today on Boston Public Radio: Art Caplan weighs in on the latest with COVID as states drop mask mandates and pushes to legalize psychedelic-assisted therapies. 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 thoughts on the end of mask mandates and the state of the pandemic. Juliette Kayyem explains the latest on the Russian invasion of 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. Her forthcoming book is: “The Devil Never Sleeps: Learning to Live in an Age of Disasters.” Corby Kummer talks about Chef Jose Andres feeding Ukrainian refugees, people forcing dietary restrictions on their pets and the death of Legal Seafoods founder George Berkowitz. Kummer is executive director of the Food and Society policy program at

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by asking listeners their latest thoughts on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Trenni Kusnierek talks about how the sports world is responding to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and a Swedish speed skater giving his Olympic gold medal to the daughter of a Swedish publisher detained in China. Kusnierek is an anchor and reporter for NBC Sports Boston, she’s also a BPR contributor. Christine Abely explains what the sanctions against Russia are, how they work and the effect they have. Abely teaches international business transactions and contracts at New England Law in Boston.  Lee Pelton weighs in on the reparations bill the U.S. House of Representatives is considering, and what he would like to see from Boston’s new Superintendent. Pelton is the President and CEO of The Boston Foundation. Dorothy Stover discusses why she’s bringing a proposal to make all beaches in Nantucket topless. Stover is a Nantucket-based sex educator, and the advocate behind Nantucket Top

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners their reactions to the latest news from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. EJ Dionne weighs in on the increasingly violent Russian invasion of Ukraine. Dionne is a senior fellow at The Brookings Institution. His latest book is “Code Red: How Progressives and Moderates Can Unite to Save Our Country.” Elizabeth Turnbull Henry updates listeners on where the state stands on its emissions goals, and why Massachusetts is falling behind and running out of time. Henry is president of the Environmental League of Massachusetts. Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III talk about President Joe Biden’s nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, and the 10 year anniversary of Trayvon Martin’s death. Rev. Monroe is a syndicated religion columnist and the Boston voice for Detour’s African American Heritage Trail. Rev. Price is founding pastor of Community of Love Christian Fellowship in Allston, and the Inaugural Dean of Africana Studies

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by opening phone lines, asking listeners if they felt that the U.S. government's sanctions and rhetoric against Russia were enough of a response. Tom Nichols shares his analysis of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, discussing paths to nuclear confrontation and the motives of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Nichols is a contributing writer and proprietor of “Peacefield” newsletter at The Atlantic, a professor of national security affairs at the US Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island and a five-time Jeopardy winner. Callie Crossley discusses President Joe Biden's nomination of Judge Kentanji Brown Jackson to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. Crossley hosts GBH’s Under the Radar and Basic Black. Rep. Bill Keating (D-MA) talks about his recent trip with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the Munich Security Conference, and shares his thoughts on U.S. sanctions against Russia. Congressman Keating represents Massachusetts’ 9th Congressional Di

Today on Boston Public Radio: Throughout the show, we speak with listeners about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Chuck Todd updates us on the latest headlines out of Ukraine, focusing on the future of NATO. 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. Andrea Cabral discusses the resignation of the Manhattan prosecutors leading New York’s investigation into former President Donald Trump and his business practices. She also talks about the vandalism of a Maya Angelou bust during an anti-vaccine protest at the Boston Public Library. Cabral is the former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety. She’s now the CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Israr Akakhil and Jeffrey Thielman discuss efforts to relocate Afghan evacuees six months following the U.S. exit from Afghanistan. Akakhil is a former interpreter for the U.S. Army forces in Afghanistan, and a resident of Charlestown, Mass. Thielman is president and CEO of

Today on Boston Public Radio: Juliette Kayyem tells listeners everything they need to know on the escalating situation at the Russia-Ukraine border. 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. Her forthcoming book is: “The Devil Never Sleeps: Learning to Live in an Age of Disasters.” Then, we ask listeners for their opinions on U.S. foreign policy surrounding Russia and Ukraine. Art Caplan discuss growing research on long-lasting effects of COVID, and some patients asking doctors to refrain from weighing them at doctor's visits. 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. Brian McGrory shares the latest work from the Boston Globe’s Spotlight team, including a story on Brigham Health helping create a Chinese hospital for elites, and the Globe’s Fre

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about avoiding work emails until work hours. Trenni Kusnierek talks about the end of the Beijing Olympics, and a community of women in the Arctic circle who have taken up curling to help their mental health. She also updates us on Brian Flores’ decision to join the Pittsburgh Steelers. Kusnierek is an anchor and reporter for NBC Sports Boston, she’s also a BPR contributor. David Abel discusses the latest in climate change news, focusing on rising sea levels in Boston and the rest of the northeast. Abel is a Boston Globe reporter, where he covers the environment.  He was part of the Globe’s team that won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News. Julio Ricardo Varela explains why U.S. immigration courts are facing a backlog of cases due to understaffing. He also shares his thoughts on Latino representation in Hollywood. Varela is the founder of the news blog Latino Rebels, and the co-host of the “In The Thick” political podcast. He’s

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about Boston’s failed 2024 Olympic bid in the wake of the Beijing Olympics. Ghenya Grondin and Kate Porter discuss their experiences with longhaul COVID-19, and share resources for fellow COVID-19 longhaulers. Grondin is the owner of Sweet Ride Candy Co., which can be found on their website and on Instagram. Porter is the creator of C19RecoveryAwareness.com, a website that provides resources for long COVID patients. Charlie Sennott updates us on the latest news on Russia and Ukraine, as President Joe Biden warns of an imminent Russian invasion of the country. Sennott is a news analyst for GBH, where he also heads up the Groundtruth Project. Randall Kennedy discusses the 20th anniversary of his book on the legacy of the N-word, reflecting on how the word has evolved in the last two decades. Kennedy is Michael R. Klein Professor at Harvard Law School where he teaches courses on contracts, criminal law, and the regulation of race relat

Today on Boston Public Radio: We open the show by asking listeners about their anxiety over climate change. Interim DA Kevin Hayden discusses his intention to revisit the conviction of Charles Bogues in the 1993 murder of Louis Chéry, and his agenda as interim DA. Hayden is the interim District Attorney for Suffolk County, and he’s running for election for a full term as DA this fall. Jared Bowen talks about the “Immersive Frida Kahlo” exhibit in Boston, and the New Bedford Whaling Museum’s recent 2022 Moby-Dick Marathon. Bowen is GBH’s executive arts editor and the host of Open Studio. Andy Ihnatko updates us on the latest tech headlines, focusing on China’s use of bots and fake Twitter accounts to push against controversy ahead of the Olympic games. Ihnatko is a tech writer and blogger, posting at Ihnatko.com. Callie Crossley discusses Prince Andrew’s settlement with Jeffrey Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre, and the dismissal of Sarah Palin’s defamation lawsuit against the New York Times. Crossley hosts

Today on Boston Public Radio: Chuck Todd talks about the latest news from the Russia-Ukraine border and the recall of San Francisco School Board members. 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 the state of all things education. Andrea Cabral weighs in on RMV staff getting fired for issuing thousands of licenses without drivers tests, and undocumented immigrants potentially getting access to drivers licenses. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and Massachusetts secretary of public safety. She’s currently the CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Paul Reville discusses whether Boston Public Schools should keep its school committee following yet another quick superintendent turnover, and the Harvard affirmative action case. Reville is the former Massachusetts secretary of education and a professor at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, where he also heads

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about the state legislature looking at allowing driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants. Art Caplan talks about the International Olympic Committee’s handling of figure skater Kamila Valieva testing positive for banned substances. He also shares his thoughts on whether COVID-19 has become an endemic, rather than a pandemic. 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 updates us on the latest news from Russia’s potential invasion of Ukraine, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s response to the “Freedom Convoy” in Ottawa. 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. Her forthcoming book is: “The Devil Never Sleeps: Learning to Live in an Age of Disa

Today on Boston Public Library: We begin the show by opening phone lines, asking listeners about whether they’re returning to pre-pandemic activities as COVID-19 cases wind down. Trenni Kusnierek shares her thoughts on the International Olympic Committee allowing Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva to continue competing despite testing positive for banned substances. She also discusses Roger Goodell’s recent statement on diversity in the NFL. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Stacy Thompson and Jim Aloisi discusses Mayor Michelle Wu’s announcement of a two-year, fare-free program for MBTA bus routes 23, 28, and 29 beginning March 1, 2022, and how the program relates to Mayor Wu’s mission to make the T free. 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. Carol Greenwald talks about the end of “

Today on Boston Public Radio: Dr. Katherine Gergen-Barnett takes questions from listeners on the latest mask guidance from the state, when to replace your mask, the importance of booster shots and more. Gergen-Barnett teaches in the family medicine department at Boston Medical Center and Boston University Medical School. Meredith Goldstein gives out Valentine’s Day advice and takes listener calls on all things love. Goldstein is an advice columnist and features writer for the Boston Globe. Her advice column, “Love Letters,” is a daily dispatch of wisdom for the lovelorn that has been running for more than a decade. She also hosts the “Love Letters” podcast. Richard Blanco reads his favorite love poems, including his poem “Killing Mark,” his poem “Maybe” and “You Are Who I Love” by Aracelis Girmay. He’s the fifth presidential inaugural poet in U.S. history. His latest book, “How to Love a Country,” deals with various socio-political issues that shadow the United States. Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Pri

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners for their thoughts on newly released details about former President Donald Trump’s toilet habits, including that he clogged White House toilets by trying to flush documents. Judge Nancy Gertner discusses Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins’ comments about Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and the death penalty, and the ethics of the Supreme Court. Judge Gertner is a retired U.S. District Judge for the U.S. District Court here in Massachusetts. She’s currently a Senior Lecturer on Law at Harvard University. Callie Crossley talks about a bipartisan bill passed by Congress strengthening protections for victims of sexual misconduct, the Obama Portraits headed to the MFA and research showing homes on streets named after Confederate leaders are valued lower than homes on other streets. She’s currently a Senior Lecturer on Law at Harvard University. Matt Gilbert rounds up the best in television, including “Maid,” “A Teacher,” “Uno