Boston Public Radio Podcast

Marichka Padalko is a Ukrainian journalist who just ran the Boston Marathon, fundraising for Sunflower of Peace, a local US non-profit that provides humanitarian aid and medical supplies to Ukrainians. Fox News settled with Dominion Voting Systems, giving the company $787 million. We opened the phone lines to ask listeners how they feel. Were they looking forward to a trial, or was monetary justice enough? National security expert Juliette Kayyem discussed Fox News’ settlement with Dominion Voting Systems, the shooting death of Ralph Yarl by an 84-year-old man and the leak of classified documents by Jack Teixeira. EPA regional administrators David Cash and Daniel Blackman discussed new EPA pollution limits aimed at promoting electric vehicle sales, dramatic rising sea levels along the Eastern seaboard, and money to help small communities protect their water systems. Stephen Hammond is a descendent of enslaved families who lived at Arlington House, now the site of the Robert E. Lee memorial. Susan Glisson is a historian and founder of The Glisson Group, a consulting firm focused on reconciliation around civil rights issues. Both will be at an April 22 event, where members of Robert E. Lee’s family and descendants of people enslaved by the Lee’s will join together in conversation at the Arlington House. Senator Ed Markey joined to discuss his renewed effort with Rep. Ayanna Pressley to end qualified immunity. We also asked him about his experience at Mel King’s funeral and how his staff navigated unionization, the first Senate staff to do so. Spring is here. We asked listeners to share their spring cleaning rituals and learned that Jim loves dumping stuff.

Today on Boston Public Radio: David Leonard, president of the Boston Public Library, joined briefly at the top of the show to discuss Boston’s plan for housing units attached to some public library branches. It’s Tax Day. So we asked naturally asked listeners if they cheat on their taxes. Not many admitted to it but there was enough discussion that someone shared that they already served time for it. Trenni Casey, anchor/reporter for NBC Sports Boston, recapped the Marathon results and the Bruins success in Game 1 of the playoffs. Lauren Cook is CEO of Ellis Early Learning, early childhood education provider in the South End. Amy O’Leary is executive director at Strategies for Children, a statewide advocacy group. They talked about the child care crisis, from labor shortages to funding. Lehrhaus Tavern is now open in Somerville, a tavern and learning space for Jewish culture. Co-founder Rabbi Charlie Schwartz and executive chef Noah Clickstein joined at the BPL (with snacks). Boston Globe’s Marcela Garcia discussed a new Spanish-language conservative media network; and her reporting on an undocumented worker case in Maine involving a Mass. company. CNN’s John King joins via zoom for the latest political headlines. We wrapped up the show by debating whether or not AI generated art is in fact art.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the lines on the eventful day of Marathon Monday. We asked listeners to share what they’re doing to celebrate and watch. Not a huge fan of the marathon? We asked to hear about other big accomplishments people wanted to share. Michael Curry discussed the conservative campaign against transgender rights, the changing access to free COVID rapid test and more. Charlie Sennott of the Groundtruth Project discussed the Good Friday agreement, The McCartney sisters' campaign to demand justice for the killing of their brother Robert in 2005 and Biden’s trip to Ireland. A segment with Des Linden, 2018 Boston Marathon winner, taped earlier this month where she talked about her new book “Choosing to Run.” Andy Ihantko spoke about Montana being the first state to pass legislation banning TikTok on all personal devices, the Internet Archive and various tech headlines. Rick Steves discussed England’s lake district, travel as a spiritual act, and travel “post-pandemic.”

Today on Boston Public Radio: We asked listeners if they’ve ever ran the Boston Marathon. And if they’re in the group of people who keep telling themselves they’ll just run it the next year, when is it time to admit the truth to yourself? An earlier-than-usual Live Music Friday with Zili Misik, an Afro-Latin band. The founder and front-woman of the band Kera Washington shared music from the African diaspora that is bound to get you in the groove. GBH’s senior investigative reporter Phillip Martin is featured in the three-part Netflix documentary “American Manhunt: The Boston Bombing.” He discussed his reporting on the tragedy and subsequent trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. The artist behind the Boylston Street memorial to victims of the bombing, Pablo Eduardo, reflected on the years-long effort to bring the project to fruition. He also touches on the role of public art in our experience dealing with tragedy and grief. Dave Fortier is a bombing survivor and president of the One World Boston Foundation, which helps connect survivors of terrorist attacks with community and resources. He shared what the foundation’s all about, and how he’s feeling just days before running his 11th Boston marathon. Sue O’Connell shifted things up and talked NPR’s Twitter exit, an Instagram account dedicated to AI depictions of Republicans as drag queens, Bud Light’s ad campaign clashing with far-right ghouls and Kid Rock, and Trump’s chaotic interview with Tucker Carlson. Maura Healey joined for “Ask the Governor.” She reflected on her first 100 days in office, the FBI’s arrest of Jack Teixeira, the House’s $1.1 Billion tax package, Phillip Eng at the MBTA, and more.

Today on Boston Public Radio: CAI's Patrick Flanary, NEPM's Nancy Cohen and GBH's Katie Lannan discussed what listeners had had to say about Gov. Healey's first 100 days in office. We opened the lines to ask listeners if they are beginning to boycott Florida in solidarity with Equality Florida – that’s the largest LGBT advocacy group in the state – that issued an advisory for queer visitors and potential queer-intentifying residents. Andrea Cabral weighs in on the latest law & order headlines... this week that's Trump's attempts to postpone the E. Jean Carroll trial, Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg suing Rep. Jim Jordan to stop interference in his case against the former present. Michelle Wu is on for "Ask the Mayor". She'll discuss her newly unveiled $4.28 billion spending plan for 2024, what the city's got planned for marathon Monday, as well as new steps to make housing greener in Boston, a federal embezzlement trial for four BPD officers and more. We ended the show by asking listeners how they feel about dogs in restaurants, bars, and even a library. Considering that over in Everett, Park-9 Dog Bar opened up.

Jim and Margery started the show with a reflection on Boston political leader and civil rights activist, Mel King, whose funeral they attended yesterday. Former mayor Kim Janey and former governor Deval Patrick also joined to remember King’s life and legacy. Next we heard from listeners about outdoor dining. Now the weather is warm, should more downtown streets be closed to cars and opened to the people? Mary Louise Kelly discussed her new book, It.Goes.So.Fast. Former Boston Police Department commissioner and prolific marathoner Bill Evans discussed what will be his 24th time running the Boston Marathon and reflected on the 10 years since the bombings. Tillie Walden is Vermont’s youngest cartoonist laureate. Her first graphic memoir, Spinning, was published in 2017 and draws from her experience growing up as a competitive ice skater. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discussed her latest reporting on board members at the Alliance for Business Leadership, who quit over how a sexual harassment and discrimination case was handled. And, she talked about the Massachusetts housing crisis. We know it’s hard to work and parent. We opened the phone lines to hear from listeners about how they walk the tightrope that is being a working parent. What would make it easier?

Andrea Cabral and Jared Bowen were in for Jim and Margery today, live from the Boston Public Library. We asked listeners about the state of the roadways today: pedestrian deaths are up, it seems like nobody is enforcing the distracted driving law and cars and trucks keep getting bigger. What’s up on the roads? Trenni Casey of NBC Sports Boston previewed the Boston Marathon and discussed a push on Beacon Hill to curb toxic youth sports culture in Massachusetts. Caitlin Saks, senior producer for NOVA, discussed their newest film out today called Weathering the Future. The film is about frontline communities combating climate change with real solutions. Food policy analyst Corby Kummer discussed the effects Michelin ratings can have on a city’s dining scene, and how years of drought forced a shutdown of the salmon fishing season in California. Elaina Repucci of Simple Sips and Karen Clarke of Clarke’s Cakes & Cookies joined to discuss how their food business are growing through the Commonwealth Kitchen incubator. CNN’s John King joined via zoom to analyze the latest politics headlines. Will the four-day work week ever become a reality in America? A pair of Massachusetts lawmakers are pushing for a pilot program. We asked listeners if they are on board. Or, do they love the flow of a five-day week and time away from home?

Last Friday, a federal judge in Texas revoked the FDA’s approval of mifepristone, a key medication used for abortions. We opened the phone lines to hear listeners’ reactions. National security expert Juliette Kayyem discussed the leaked Pentagon documents that show the U.S. spying on Russia, Ukraine, Israel and South Korea. Dr. Cheryl Hamlin is a local OBGYN who regularly flew to Mississippi pre-Dobbs to provide abortion care. She joined us along with reproductive rights activist Susan Yanow, who has worked with Self-Managed Abortion, Safe and Supported (SASS) to educate people about self-managed medication abortions. They discussed the Texas ruling that halts FDA approval of a key abortion pill. Jim Aloisi & Stacy Thompson joined for a transit panel to discuss new general manager Phillip Eng’s first day on the job. Plus, T contractors who are stole more than $8 million and a stellar Lexington zoning proposal that meets the state’s new housing law. The Reverends Irene Monroe & Emmett G. Price III discussed the commercialization of Easter; how some U.S. Jews protested Israel’s right-wing leaders during their Passover Seder this year; and how January 6th tore apart one multiracial church in North Carolina. Boston Globe TV critic Matthew Gilbert discussed Succession, Ted Lasso and the blessing that is cursing on TV. Swearing on TV can be gratifying and an authentic expression of emotion. We asked listeners if they agree. Or, do they think profanity has gone too far?

Today on Boston Public Radio: The world is watching Tennessee after 2 young black democratic lawmakers were expelled for speaking out of turn at a gun safety protest. Tennessee republicans didn't expel the 3rd white democratic lawmaker who was participated in the same protest. We opened the lines for listeners to weigh in. Boston Globe's Shirley Leung will talk about the state’s clawback of unemployment benefits after a 3 year pause, the state gambling commission rejecting bets on the marathon, and more. Nancy Gertner is back via Zoom, we’ll talk with her about Clarence Thomas privately accepting (very) expensive gifts from one GOP donor. She’ll also talk about the Trump charges, and what the Wisconsin Supreme Court vote mean for Democrats in post-Dobbs America. J. Ivy is a Grammy-winning poet and the man who gave John Legend his name. He’s performing at the Boston City Winery, he’ll join via Zoom. Sue O’Connell will discuss Marty Walsh siding with the NFL in a dispute over players wearing pride jerseys, plus the Twitter labelling NPR's account as 'state-affiliated media' (which is untrue), the latest pro-gun legislation out of Florida and more. Sophia Chen, Jane Park & Felice Ling are all a part of a late-night event “Asian Glow” at the Pao Arts Center in Chinatown. It’s all about creating space for Asian creatives & performers, we’ll hear some music from singer/songwriter Jane Park and magic from Felice Ling. We wrapped up the show America’s favorite Easter-time debate: peeps. We asked listeners for their thoughts while a producer attempted to buy some peeps but they were sold out in various stores.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Chuck Todd on Wisconsin Supreme Court election result takeaways and it’s connection to the issue of abortion and other national headlines. We opened the lines to ask listeners about their thoughts on the superintendent who lost his job offer for using the word ‘ladies’ in an e-mail. Did listeners think he committed a microaggression? Andrea Cabral continued analysis of the Wisconsin Supreme Court election and future ramifications, the Alpaca Cop Squad in Missouri and more. Paul Reville on high graduation & low college attendance rates for BPS students, the case of leading candidate for superintendent of the Easthampton Public Schools who lost his job offer for using the word ‘ladies’ in an e-mail and more. Volunteer Jen Robinson from Moms Demand Action and co-lead of the Massachusetts chapter is on to discuss substantive action everyday people we can do to address gun violence in Massachusetts and beyond. Sarah Thompson and Kendall DeBoer from the MFA are on to talk about the MFA’s exhibit of works of (and inspired by) Japanese print-maker Katsushika Hokusai and his Great Wave off Kanagawa. We wrapped up the show by asking listeners how they maintain a healthy lifestyle despite pills that advertise magic weight loss.