Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by asking listeners whether they’re optimistic or pessimistic for the year to come. Trenni Casey updated us on the status of Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin, who collapsed mid-game on Monday under cardiac arrest. She also shared her thoughts on broader safety concerns in the world of sports, from lacrosse to hockey. Casey is an anchor and reporter with NBC Sports Boston, and a BPR contributor. Juliette Kayyem weighed in on a recent attack in New York, where a man from Maine attacked police officers in Times Square with a machete. She also dissected Republican Rep. George Santos' various lies, and shared how a potential re-opening of a criminal investigation into his past by Brazilian officials could complicate his time in Congress. 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. Gina McCarthy discussed the future of climate action in the U.S., and concerns over the Earth’s dwindling resources in the midst of climate change. McCarthy served as the first ever White House national climate advisor, serving President Joe Biden, the EPA administrator under President Obama and is co-chair of Governor-elect Maura Healey’s climate change transition policy committee. Nancy Gertner shared her thoughts on the final Jan. 6 committee hearing. Gertner is a retired federal judge, a senior lecturer at Harvard Law School, and a BPR regular. Corby Kummer talked about the rise of drive-throughs, ghost kitchens, and delivery apps over the course of the pandemic, as well as The Cheesecake Factory’s enduring legacy. 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. We ended the show by talking with listeners about America’s fascination with The Cheesecake Factory.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by talking with listeners about the many lies and controversies of Republican Rep.-elect George Santos. Michael Curry shared his thoughts on Gov. Charlie Baker’s legacy, and Massachusetts’ new Behavioral Health Help Line. Curry is the president and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers. He’s also a member of the National NAACP Board of Directors, where he chairs the board’s Advocacy & Policy Committee. He serves on Governor-elect Maura Healey’s transition team, and Attorney General-elect Andrea Campbell’s transition team. Charlie Sennott discussed the life and death of Pope Benedict, and the passing of legendary journalist Barbara Walters. Sennott is a GBH News analyst and editor-in-chief of the Ground Truth Project. Kara Baskin talked about societal judgment for mothers foregoing breastfeeding, and managing your emotions as a parent. Baskin writes about food and parenting for Boston Globe. Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III shared their thoughts on Pope Benedict’s religious doctrine and controversial handling of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. Monroe is a syndicated religion columnist and the Boston voice for Detour’s African American Heritage Trail. Price is founding pastor of Community of Love Christian Fellowship in Allston, and the Inaugural Dean of Africana Studies at Berklee College of Music. Together they host the “All Rev’d Up” podcast. Imari Paris Jeffries talked about the upcoming unveiling of Boston’s “The Embrace,” a sculpture memorializing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta Scott King, and the Civil Rights movement. Jeffries is the executive director of Embrace Boston. The MLK “Embrace” monument will be unveiled on Friday, Jan. 13, on the Boston Common. We ended the show by asking listeners about their New Year’s resolutions.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by talking with listeners about the future of Twitter and TikTok, as the social media platforms face increasing scrutiny by U.S. lawmakers. Jeremy Siegel and Sonja Tengblad explained how the development of Logan Airport destroyed a Frederick Law Olmsted park, and shared how East Boston residents face negative health impacts as a result. Siegel is a co-host on GBH’s Morning Edition. Tengblad is a coordinator with the group Mothers Out Front – East Boston. Andrea Cabral discussed changes to mental healthcare for those incarcerated in Mass. correctional facilities. Cabral is the former sheriff of Suffolk County and former secretary of public safety here in the Commonwealth. Andy Ihnatko talked about increasing scrutiny of TikTok by members of Congress. Ihnatko is a tech writer and blogger. Shirley Leung shared her thoughts on Mayor Michelle Wu’s distant relationship with Boston’s business community, and supportive housing for those experiencing chronic homelessness. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe. Sy Montgomery joined us for this month’s edition of “The Afternoon Zoo,” sharing the story of 190-year-old Jonathan the Tortoise. Montgomery is a journalist, naturalist, author and a BPR contributor. Her latest book is “The Hawk’s Way: Encounters with Fierce Beauty.” We ended the show by talking with listeners about outdoor holiday decorations and rising electric costs.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by asking our listener's if they've continued to follow the news from Ukraine as Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskyy prepared to meet U.S. President Joe Biden. Arthur Caplan came on to discuss a study which found that residents living in conservative parts of the country were more likely to experience higher levels of illness and death related to COVID-19. He also discussed how conservative policies on immigration is affecting staffing levels at nursing homes. Arthur 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. Juliete Kayyem discussed how the Supreme Court has temporarily upheld a Trump-era policy known as Title 42. The immigration policy allows the federal governemnt to deport undocumented immigrants based on public health grounds. 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. Chris Muther came on to rank airlines based on the customer experience. He also explained why he believes Arizona is the premier Christmas destination. Muther is a travel writer for the Boston Globe. Jim Aloisi and Stacy Thompson discussed Gov.-elect Maura Healey's approach to replacing the general manager of the MBTA, and how food delivery drivers are clogging Boston streets. Aloisi is a former transportation secretary, a member of the Transit Matters Board and contributor to Commonwealth Magazine. Thompson is executive director of Livable Streets Alliance. Rachel Miller Munzer and Rachel Sundet joined to talk about Jewish cuisine on the fourth night of Hanukkah. Munzer is an owner and the CRO of Mamaleh’s, a local delicatessen with three locations in the Boston area: in Cambridge’s Kendall Square, Brookline’s Washington Square and downtown Boston. Sundet is an owner and the pastry chef at Mameleh’s. We ended the show by taking our listener's calls to hear about what holiday traditions they are embracing ahead of this weekend.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by talking with listeners about yesterday’s Jan. 6 committee hearing, focusing on criminal referrals for former President Donald Trump. Jenny Slate and Ben Shattuck talked about the Golden Globes nomination for “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On,” and the legacy of Henry David Thoreau. Slate is a comedian, an alum of shows like “Parks and Rec,” “Saturday Night Live,” and the filmmaker behind “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On.” Shattuck is a writer, the author of “Six Walks in the Footsteps of Henry David Thoreau,” and co-owner of Davoll’s General Store in South Dartmouth. Governor-elect and Attorney General Maura Healey discussed her focus on keeping innovation in Mass. competitive, and prioritizing climate policy in order to meet the state’s climate goals. She also answered listeners’ questions during “Ask the Governor-elect.” Jared Bowen shared his thoughts on Damien Chazelle’s film “Babylon,” and the Front Porch Arts Collective’s play “Chicken & Biscuits.” Bowen is GBH News’ executive arts editor. Tiffani Faison talked about the recent opening of Tenderoni’s in Boston’s Fenway neighborhood. Faison is a James Beard Award-nominated chef, restaurateur, and TV personality. Her new restaurant, Tenderoni’s, opened in Fenway last month. EJ Dionne updated us on the Jan. 6 committee’s criminal referrals for former President Donald Trump. Dionne is a columnist for the Washington Post. He’s also a senior fellow at The Brookings Institution, and his latest book is “100% Democracy: The Case For Universal Voting.” We ended the show by talking with listeners about everything Christmas-related – and…filmmaker James Cameron scientifically confirming that Jack would have died on the life raft even if Rose had simply moved over in “Titanic.”

We opened the show by taking our listeners’ calls about the final public hearing held by the January 6th Committee. The Congressional panel voted to ask the Department of Justice to charge former President Donald Trump with crimes related to the attack on the Capitol. NBC Sports Reporter Trenni Casey discussed the dramatic conclusion to the World Cup in Qatar, where Argentina beat France via penalty kicks. She then contrasted that victory with the utter debacle of the final play between the Patriots and the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Casey is an anchor and reporter with NBC Sports Boston, and a Boston Public Radio contributor. Charlie Sennott talked about the latest developments in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He also discussed the return of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and how his far-right leaning government under his control will likely derail any form of peace talks between Palestine and Israel. Sennott is the founder and editor-in-chief of the GroundTruth Project and a GBH News Analyst. Rick Steeves discussed his latest trip to Italy, offered tips on pulling off the perfect roadside bathroom trip while on a guided tour, and revealed what training he gives to travel guides across the globe. Steves is an author, television and radio host, and the owner of “Rick Steves' Europe” tour group. You can catch "Rick Steves’ Europe" weeknights at 7:30 on GBH 2, and his radio show “Travel With Rick Steves” Sundays at 4:00 on GBH. Then we ended the show by broadcasting a livestream of the January 6th Committee hearing. The panel voted to refer criminal charges against Donald Trump to the Department of Justice.

Today on Boston Public Radio: David Leonard joined the show to talk about book-banning attempts across the country. Leonard has been president of the Boston Public Library since 2016. We opened our phone lines and heard from listeners about their thoughts on former President Donald Trump’s new line of NFTs — like this one that imagines him dressed as a wrestler, going for $99. Callie Crossley discussed Harvard’s new president Claudine Gay, a settlement for Breonna Taylor’s boyfriend and more. Crossley is the host of GBH’s Basic Black and Under the Radar with Callie Crossley. Tony Williams and Khalid Hill from “Urban Nutcracker” joined the show to talk about the 2022 edition of their show and gave us a very special tap-dancing performance. The show runs from December 17th to the 23rd at the Shubert Theatre in Boston. Sue O’Connell dug into the signing of the Respect for Marriage Act by President Joe Biden, a hot-mic moment for New Zealand’s prime minister and more. O’Connell is the co-publisher of Bay Windows and South End News, and contributor to Current on NBC LX and NECN. The Handel and Haydn Society joined us for this week’s edition of Live Music Fridays. The Handel and Hayden Society will be performing “A Baroque Christmas” this weekend. We ended the show by talking with listeners about re-gifting.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by talking with listeners about getting to know your neighbors. Shirley Leung talked about the housing groups calling for $3.2 billion in aid for Mass. renters, and concern over sports betting at Plainridge Park Casino due to the casino’s connection with Barstool Sports founder David Portnoy. Leung is a business columnist for The Boston Globe. Andrea Cabral discussed Jack Smith’s appointment to special counsel for the Department of Justice’s investigations into former President Donald Trump. She also talked about FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried’s recent arrest in the Bahamas. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and the former secretary of public safety. Jared Bowen shared his latest local arts and cultural rundown, focusing on “Torch Song” at The Moonbox Theatre and “Life of Pi,” adapted for Broadway. Bowen is GBH’s executive arts editor. Brian and Lindsay O’Donovan, Jenna Worden, and Karan Casey joined us to discuss this year’s “A Christmas Celtic Sojourn.” Brian O’Donovan and wife Lindsay O’Donovan, artistic director Jenna Worden, and vocalist Karan Casey are in this year’s “A Christmas Celtic Sojourn.” For more information and to get tickets, go to ChristmasCeltic.com. We ended the show by talking with listeners about where they’re shopping for holiday presents.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by talking with listeners about the debate over Christmas trees in public spaces. Jon Abbott weighed in on the future of public media as his tenure at GBH comes to a close. Abbott is GBH’s outgoing President and CEO. Sen. Ed Markey discussed the need for stronger tech regulations, and Congress’ omnibus spending bill. Michelle Singletary explained how listeners can manage gift-giving expectations when they’re in debt. 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.  Her latest book is: “What To Do With Your Money When Crisis Hits: A Survival Guide.” Art Caplan talked about the military’s vaccine mandate rollback, and a recent survey on physicians’ attitudes towards treating anti-vaxxers. 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. Andy Ihnatko shared his thoughts on the new AI chatbot, Chat GPT. Ihnatko is a tech writer, blogger and podcaster. We ended the show by asking listeners if rising prices are causing them to ask friends to split dinner bills.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our show with a call-in segment, asking listeners about their thoughts regarding the recent spike in COVID-19, flu, and RSV cases, and if they are choosing to mask again. Nancy Gertner discussed the latest news coming out of the U.S. Supreme Court and former President Donald Trump’s legal woes. Gertner is a retired federal judge and a senior lecturer at Harvard Law School. Trenni Casey joined the show to talk about the sudden death of American journalist Grant Wahl in Qatar, and the return of Brittney Griner from Russia. Casey is a sports anchor and reporter for NBC Sports Boston. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joined us for this month's edition of “Ask the Mayor.” She fielded questions from listeners at home and members of the audience at the Boston Public Library. Wu has been the mayor of Boston since her election in 2021. Comedian Chris Fleming joined the show ahead of his performance at the Wilbur on Dec. 17. We closed the show with Jim and Jared's thoughts regarding house guests, both how they deal with them and sharing their own stories of being guests.