Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the show by hosting an hour-long debate on Ballot Question 4, which asks voters if they want to keep or appeal a law in place allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses. Sen. Brendan Crighton argued in favor of a Yes vote, which would keep the law on the books. Maureen Maloney, whose son was killed by an undocumented driver, represented the No side for Fair and Safe Massachusetts. Our listeners called in, gave their opinions and asked for clarification. National Security Expert Juliette Kayyem discussed the police response to the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, this past May. CNN released new audio of a 10-year-old calling from inside the classroom, 40 minutes before police officers breached the room. Kayyem also discussed the arraignment of Paul Pelosi’s attacker as well as the online misinformation that’s been fueling political extremism. Kayyem is the 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. Wall Street Journal Tech Reporter Joanna Stern discussed Elon Musk’s strategy to try to make Twitter profitable and what that could mean for the user experience. She also explained the technology behind Apple’s new crash detection system. She ended by explaining some of the stumbles that Mark Zuckerberg has experienced in trying to push his Metaverse on the rest of the world. Joanna Stern is the Senior Personal Technology Columnist at the Wall Street Journal. Retired Federal Judge Nancy Gertner joined to talk about the implications of people staking out ballot drop boxes in Arizona and how it amounts to potential illegal voter intimidation. She provided updates on the multiple legal issues that the Trump family and their namesake company face in civil and criminal court. She ended by explaining the legal arguments behind affirmative action cases before the Supreme Court. Gertner is a retired federal judge and a senior lecturer at Harvard Law School. Chris Kimball of Milk Street discussed his new book "Cook What You Have," a guide on crafting cuisine from what’s left over in your pantry. He also discussed his new show on Roku, “Milk Street Cooking School.” We ended the show by asking our listeners a very important question: do you brush your teeth before or after breakfast?

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by opening phone lines, talking with listeners about increasing political violence in the leadup to midterm elections. Trenni Casey talked about Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen’s divorce, and the Patriots’ current season. Trenni Casey is an anchor and reporter for NBC Sports Boston. Lee Pelton discussed the Supreme Court’s affirmative action cases, and The Boston Foundation’s recently released report card on housing in Boston. Lee Pelton is the president and CEO of The Boston Foundation. Elvis Jocol Lara and Delmarina Lopez talked about El Mundo’s “Latino 30 Under 30,” and the current state of democracy. Elvis Jocol Lara is the creator of El Mundo’s “30 Under 30,” now in its 5th year. Delmarina Lopez is an attorney and the first Afro-Latina to be elected to the Chicopee City Council. She’s one of the under-30’s highlighted in this year’s list. Carol Rose shared her thoughts on the legal arguments heard in the Supreme Court’s affirmative action cases. She also talked about how the ACLU is shoring up election infrastructure ahead of the midterms. Carol Rose is the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts. John King updated us on the latest political headlines, focusing on the attack of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi, in the couple’s San Francisco home. John King is CNN’s chief national correspondent and the host of “Inside Politics.” We ended the show by asking listeners if they would shorten their showers in the name of climate change, as European leaders urge residents to conserve hot water.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Dan Cence and Andrew Farnitano joined us for an hourlong debate on Massachusetts’ Ballot Question 1 — known as the Fair Share Amendment, millionaires tax or tax hike amendment. We also opened up the lines to listeners with questions on the initiative, which would add an additional 4% tax on individuals’ income above $1,000,000. Cence is a spokesperson for the Coalition to Stop the Tax Hike Amendment and CEO of the Issues Management Group. Farnitano is the communications director for Fair Share for Massachusetts and a consultant at Crawford Strategies. Charlie Sennott discussed the latest news in international politics, from the recent halting of grain shipments by Russia to the election of Lula over Bolsonaro in Brazil and his latest piece in the Boston Globe on the degradation of journalism. Sennott is the founder and executive director of the GroundTruth Project. Christopher Muther joined the show and discussed his recent time in the Greek Peloponnese peninsula. He also talked about the concept of “dark tourism” and offered listeners some tips for striking up small talk with strangers anywhere. Muther is a travel writer and columnist for the Boston Globe. Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III discussed the proliferation of antisemitism around the United States, voter intimidation concerns ahead of the midterm elections and the recent passing of Rev. Dr. Calvin Butts III. 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 GBH's All Rev’d Up podcast. Andris Nelsons discussed the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming trip to Japan. Nelsons is the music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. We closed the show with a call-in segment with listeners about when the cut-off age should be for trick or treating.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by asking our listeners how they feel about Elon Musk buying Twitter. Lyndia Downie, president of the Pine Street Inn, discussed the organization's plan to build more than 100 studio apartments at a former "Comfort Inn" in Dorchester despite the steep opposition from neighbors and local leaders. She also discussed the ongoing tension between the city of Boston and the state when it comes to Mass and Cass and ended by highlighting that Boston’s homeless population has dipped by 25 percent over two years. Callie Crossley talked about the divorce between Tom Brady and Giselle Bundchen. She also predicted the impact of Elon Musk buying Twitter, and weighed in on how the media covered John Fetterman's performance during his Pennsylvania senatorial debate with Dr. Mehmet Oz. Callie Crossley is the host of "Under the Radar with Callie Crossley.” Irene Li & Steven “Nookie” Postal brought food and talked about their respective journeys to reaching success in Boston's cuisine scene. Irene’s "Mei Mei Dumplings" has a new cafe and dumpling factory opening in South Boston. "Nookie" provided updates about his restaurants, the "Revival Café" and "Commonwealth Cambridge." Deborah Z. Porter, the director of the Boston Book Festival, and author Gish Jen stopped by to give a rundown on what to expect at the festival this weekend. Gish also discussed her latest book. The musician "BLKBOK" performed during the latest segment of "Live-Music Fridays." He's a Detroit-based classical pianist who’s worked with artists like Justin Timberlake and Rihanna. He had a show at City Winery on Thursday night. We ended the show by asking our listeners to call in and tell us about their favorite Halloween candy.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We started the show with Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Attorney General Maura Healey. Healey discussed her endorsement of tax reform, her support of ballot Question 1, and her desire to have more dense housing built in the state. She also discussed the climate policies she would like to implement if she wins the election on Nov. 8. Next, we took our listeners' calls on how they feel leading up to the midterms elections now that recent polling shows Republicans have a chance of taking control of both chambers of Congress. Then Andrea Cabral discussed the implications of Justice Clarence Thomas freezing a lower court decision that would’ve compelled Senator Lindsey Graham to testify about election tampering in Georgia. Thomas has faced calls to recuse himself from all 2020 election matters because of his wife Ginny’s history of pushing election conspiracy theories onto public officials. Cabral is former Suffolk County Sheriff and former secretary of Public Safety. Gov. Charlie Baker was in-studio for his last “Ask the Governor” segment before the election. He answered our listeners’ questions about struggles at the MBTA, his endorsement of Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson, and refused to say who he plans to vote for to succeed him in the corner office. Then finally, we opened the lines again to ask our listeners if they are among the 50 percent of Americans who told a poll that they believe in ghosts.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the show by taking listeners' calls, hearing their reactions to the news from the MBTA that Orange Line trains will run at reduced speeds until December despite work done during a 30-day shutdown. Jenifer McKim and Sarah Betancourt discussed GBH News' investigative reporting series ["Trafficking, Inc.,"](gbh.org/news/trafficking) which dives into labor trafficking in Mass. McKim is GBH News' Deputy Investigative Editor. Betancourt is a GBH News reporter. Juliette Kayeem discussed the death of former Defense Secretary Ash Carter, and backlash over a letter on Ukraine negotiations released by Democrats that has since been withdrawn. Kayyem was the assistant secretary for Homeland Security under former President Barack Obama, and is the faculty chair of the Homeland Security program at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Her 2022 book is “The Devil Never Sleeps: Learning to Live in an Age of Disasters.” Erika Kinetz and Tom Jennings joined the show to discuss Frontline’s latest documentary, “Putin's Attack on Ukraine: Documenting War Crimes.” Kinetz is a global investigative reporter for the Associated Press. Jennings is a director for Frontline. Jared Bowen talked about ongoing arts events in and around Boston, from "Metal of Honor" at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum to Claudia Comte’s "Five Marble Leaves" along Boston's waterfront. Bowen is GBH News’ Executive Arts Editor. Joan Donovan joined us to discuss her new book, which looks into far-right meme culture and its dissemination into mainstream politics. Donovan is a media researcher and adjunct lecturer at the Harvard Kennedy School. Her new book is “Meme Wars: The Untold Story of the Online Battles upending Democracy in America,” cowritten with Emily Dreyfuss and Brian Friedberg. We ended the show by asking listeners if they're pro- or anti-leaf blower.

A combination of farmers hatching fewer turkeys during the pandemic and an outbreak of avian flu is going to impact the cost of Thanksgiving this year for American consumers. Food policy writer Corby Kummer told Boston Public Radio on Tuesday to keep an eye out now for your family’s turkey day centerpiece. “If you see a turkey that’s the right size right now, buy it and freeze it, it’s probably going to get more expensive,” said Kummer. Corby 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.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by asking listeners if they avoid spending money at morally questionable corporations. Shirley Leung weighed in on debates surrounding Massachusetts Ballot Question 1, commonly referred to as the "millionaires tax" or "fair share amendment." She also discussed the squeeze on Halloween candy this year. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe. Andrew Levitt, also known as Nina West, talked about LGBTQ+ activism amid homophobic attacks, his role playing Edna Turnblad in the 2022 tour of “Hairspray,” and his new children’s book, “The You Kind of Kind.” Levitt is a drag queen, singer, actor and author. Corby Kummer discussed the struggle for New York City’s street vendors to get more permits, and how inflation will impact Thanksgiving. 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. Anand Giridharadas shared insights from his new book, “The Persuaders,” including how storytelling is a tool for persuasion, the ways that people can more actively advocate in the midterm elections, and how President Joe Biden could be more effective at persuading. Giridharadas is a journalist, author and former New York Times columnist. John King gave us his thoughts ahead of the midterm elections and analyzed several specific races and debates. King is CNN's chief national correspondent and anchor of "Inside Politics,” which airs weekdays and Sunday mornings at 8 a.m. We ended the show by asking listeners where they draw the line in protesting politicians.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by talking with listeners about this year’s ballot questions. Art Caplan discussed a recent New York Times piece exposing a number of doctors who admit that they “don’t want patients with disabilities.” He also updated us on the latest COVID-19 headlines. 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. Paul English talked about his new social app, “Deets,” which features restaurant reviews from your circle of friends and local influencers. English is a tech entrepreneur and co-founder of Kayak. He’s got a new app called Deets, aimed to reinvent the online review. Liz Neisloss and Deborah Winieicz discussed the latest reporting from GBH’s housing series “Priced Out,” focusing on mobile home ownership in Mass. Neisloss is a reporter for GBH News. Winiewicz is an advocate for mobile home communities across New England. Deirdre Barrett shared her latest research into how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we dream. Barrett is a dream researcher at Harvard University and the author of “Pandemic Dreams” and “The Committee of Sleep,” among other books on dreaming. Richard Blanco highlighted the poetry of writer Sandra Cisneros. Blanco is the 5th Presidential Inaugural Poet in U.S. history, and the first Poet Laureate of Miami-Dade County. His latest book is “How To Love A Country.” We ended the show by opening the phone lines, talking with listeners about the brutal world of online restaurant reviews.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the show by taking phone calls on Thursday’s Gubernatorial Debate between Democrat Maura Healey and Republican Geoff Diehl to get our listeners’ opinion on the respective candidates ahead of the general election on Nov. 8. Tibisay Zea of The World and Rafael Ulloa, the Executive VP of Content for El Planeta Media, discussed their new project being produced by GBH, “Salud”. The show, which focuses on healthcare issues within the Latino community, airs on Saturday mornings at 9:30 on GBH 89.7. Michael Curry talked about his concerns regarding the low percentage of people getting covid-19 booster shots.He ended with an update on King Boston, the group beyond the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial coming to Boston Common, changing its name to Embrace Boston. Micahel 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. Jeff Belanger stopped by to discuss the history of horror legends and shared some personal stories of his experiences with ghosts. He also gave some suggestions on his favorite local haunted spots across New England. Jeff is the host of PBS’ New England Legends TV show and podcast. He’ll also be hosting a virtual event with GBH on Monday night, you can find more information here. Painter & Playwright Ryan Landry stopped by to talk about how the band “The Chicks” has commissioned some of his artwork and his latest play, “Little Christmas Tree Shop of Horrors”. Jim and Margery will be making a cameo. Landry also discussed his love for Martha Stewart, and his hatred for James Corden. Leo Eguchi, Earl Maneein, Kareem Roustom performed for the latest installment in our Live Music Fridays. Leo is an acclaimed cellist with a new show “Unaccompanied,” highlighting the immigrant experience through music. Earl Kareem discussed their writing process for two of the pieces they composed for the show. The show premiers Saturday night at 7 o’clock at the Pao Arts Center in Chinatown. We closed the show taking our listeners' calls to hear about their favorite television shows of all time.