Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by talking with listeners about the now ex-British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who served 45 days in office before stepping down. Rep. Ayanna Pressley discussed student debt forgiveness, and the current state of the MBTA after numerous safety issues. Andrea Cabral talked about the resignation of Woburn police officer John Donnelly after he was accused of helping plan the deadly 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, VA. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and secretary of public safety, and former CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Paul Reville shared his thoughts on ongoing teachers’ strikes in Haverhill. Reville is Massachusetts’ former secretary of education and a professor at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, where he also runs the Education Redesign Lab. Sue O’Connell talked about members of KPOP group BTS enlisting in South Korea’s military for mandatory service, and the cancellation of numerous TV shows centering queer women. O’Connell is the co-publisher of Bay Windows and South End News, and contributor to Current on NBC LX and NECN. Jared Bowen explained the Supreme Court’s debate over whether Andy Warhol stole famed artist Lynn Goldsmith’s portrait of Prince. He also talked about MFABoston’s exhibit on the photography of LIFE Magazine. Bowen is GBH’s executive arts editor and the host of Open Studio. We ended the show by talking with listeners about talking with and smiling at strangers.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Sen. Elizabeth Warren called in to talk about student loan forgiveness and what is coming ahead for Democrats in the midterms. Warren has been representing Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate since 2013. We opened our lines to ask listeners: What is motivating you to cast your ballot on Nov. 8? Juliette Kayeem discussed the purchase of conservative social media app Parler by rapper Kanye West, and deadly floods in Nigeria over the weekend. 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.” Jeremy Hobson discussed his new live, call-in national radio show, “The Middle,” which aims to reach middle America. Hobson is the former co-host of NPR’s “Here and Now.” Sy Montgomery joined us for another edition of, “The Afternoon Zoo.” She discussed recent mystery respiratory illnesses in dogs, a new report that finds animal populations have plummeted nearly 70% in the last 50 years and more. Montgomery is a journalist, naturalist and Boston Public Radio contributor. Her latest book is “The Hawk’s Way: Encounters with Fierce Beauty.” Jim Salge discussed how climate change is impacting fall foliage, and fielded questions from listeners about everything fall foliage. Salge is a foliage reporter, photographer and former meteorologist at the Mount Washington Observatory.

Dunkin’ Donuts has devalued reward points and removed free birthday drinks as part of their new rewards program — and brand loyalists are not happy. Award-winning food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio to share his thoughts on the backlash on Tuesday. “The whole idea is, this worked for them, and it created loyalty,” Kummer told hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan. “It’s dumb to take something away that keeps customers coming and spending money.” “[At Dunkin Donuts, customers were saying] ‘here’s when I was born, and it’s my birthday — make me feel special.’ What a dumb thing to take that away.” In the wide-ranging interview, Kummer also discussed the rise of NFT reservations and paywalled restaurants, the arrival of vegan meats at Hannaford deli counters, and the $24.6 billion Kroger-Albertsons Merger. 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.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by talking with listeners about new polling that puts the economy and inflation at the top of mind for voters just three weeks out from the midterm elections. Trenni Casey talked about Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s marriage to Dana Blumberg. Casey is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Jim Aloisi and Stacy Thompson discussed MA Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey questioning MBTA officials over multiple safety incidents, and the current state of driving in Boston. 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. Corby Kummer talked about the $24.6 billion Kroger-Albertsons merger, and backlash after Dunkin’ Donuts altered their rewards program. 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. We then continued our conversation on changes to the Dunkin’ Donuts rewards program with listeners. John King updated us on the latest political headlines, focusing on Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake’s denial of the 2020 election results. King is CNN's Chief National Correspondent and anchor of "Inside Politics,” which airs weekdays and Sunday mornings at 8 a.m.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Maggie Haberman joined us to talk about her new book on former President Donald Trump titled, “Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America.” Haberman is a senior political reporter at The New York Times and CNN analyst. Then, we opened our lines to ask: Are American politics irreparably warped? What does it say about us that we can’t stop talking about former President Trump? Charlie Sennott from the GroundTruth Project discussed the latest news in international politics. From the recent escalations in the war in Ukraine and China’s president, Xi Jinping, readying himself for his newest presidential term. Bill McKibben discussed today’s climate news, why the world shouldn’t rely on King Charles III to lead on climate policy, lessons after Hurricane Ian — which ripped through Florida just a few weeks ago — and investments into storm preparation. McKibben is an environmentalist, author, journalist and founder of 350.org. Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett Price discussed Boston Muslims pushing for double-parking privileges, recent abortion rallies in Boston and Kanye’s deep-dive into antisemitism. Monroe and Price are hosts of GBH’s podcast All Rev'd Up. Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III on BPR | Oct. 17, 2022 We closed the show by asking listeners about their thoughts on sacrificing certain things to fight climate change.

Writer George Saunders received a MacArthur fellowship in 2006, and his first novel, “Lincoln in the Bardo,” published in 2017, won the Booker Prize. His latest collection of short stories, “Liberation Day,” is scheduled for release on October 18. Ahead of Saunders’ upcoming appearance at Harvard Bookstore (October 25) GBH’s Arts and Culture reporter James Bennett II interviewed Saunders about the writer’s penchant for surreal settings, his quirky -- yet fully realized -- characters and his knack for sublimating the drama of daily drudgery. We hope you enjoy this bonus podcast!

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by asking listeners for their thoughts on the death penalty, after a jury sentenced the Parkland school shooter to life in prison. Shirley Leung talked about her latest piece on Massachusetts Question 1 aka "the millionaire's tax," the return of the looming eviction wave, and the Boston Pops clarinet player who went on to make $100 milllion for Boston University through the stock market. Callie Crossley shared her thoughts on the Jan. 6 hearings, the new Little Mermaid movie, and the newest product from Kellogg: Eggo-Nog. Jared Bowen discussed an MFA’s directors dealings with a dubious English art dealer, “My Obsession” at the Boston Ballet, Step Afrika!’s “Drumfolk,” and shared his thoughts on the movies “Tár” and “Hocus Pocus 2.” Regie Gibson joined us with his Atlas Soul Trio ahead of a pair of shows with the Boston Celebrity Series to talked about his love of language, and play a few songs.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Chuck Todd updated us on the latest political headlines, focusing on today’s Jan. 6 hearing. 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 opened the phone lines, talking with listeners about the January 6th House Select Committee hearings. Andrea Cabral discussed a Connecticut jury ordering Alex Jones to pay Sandy Hook victims’ families nearly $1 billion in damages. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and secretary of public safety, and former CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Rick Steves joined us to talk about the essential artwork on view throughout Europe. Steves is a television host, guidebook author, activist and owner and founder of Rick Steves’ Europe. His latest special, “Rick Steves Art of Europe,” is available for streaming on PBS Passport. We then switched to live coverage of today’s hearing on the Jan. 6 Capitol riots.

Jim and Margery opened the show by taking your calls about a study from the University of Utah which found that 42 percent of Americans lied or misrepresented their adherence to Covid-19 protocols. Medical Ethicist Art Caplan discussed a new experiment out of Japan where researchers implanted transmitters into cockroaches, allowing them to be controlled remotely. Researchers say the technology can be used to assist in search and rescue missions. 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 discussed the implications of President Joe Biden's comments that the world is facing the biggest threat of a nuclear Armageddon since the Cuban Missile Crisis. Juliette 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. MIT Economist Jonathan Gruber discussed tactics on how to choose the best healthcare plan during open enrollment period at private companies and for Medicare. Gruber suggested paying close attention to the out of pocket spending limit within your plans. Jonathan Gruber is Ford Professor of Economics at MIT. He was instrumental in creating both the Massachusetts health-care reform and the Affordable Care Act. His latest book is Jump-Starting America How Breakthrough Science Can Revive Economic Growth and the American Dream Michael Curry discussed ways to improve equity in healthcare services as well as the latest racist comments from Senator Tommy Tuberville during a Trump rally. 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 We closed the show with a listener call-in session about whether the expectations for tipping have gotten out of hand.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Five years ago, the New York Times and the New Yorker posted allegations against Harvey Weinstein regarding sexual assault. This week Weinstein is beginning another trial now in Los Angeles. With this in mind we wanted to open our lines to ask: in your day to day life, have your lives changed five years on after #MeToo? Is workplace harassment less tolerable or has it stayed the same? Trenni Casey discussed the NFL’s adjusted concussion protocol. She also talked about rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe’s start to NFL life and the Patriots Week 5 game against the Lions. Casey is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Trenni Casey on BPR | Oct. 11, 2022 ACLU of Massachusetts executive director Carol Rose discussed the various SCOTUS cases the league is involved in, and the impact of the Biden Aaministration’s marijuana possession pardons and the risk doctors in blue states take by sending abortion pills to red states. Mayor Michelle Wu joined us for the monthly, hourlong segment ‘Ask the Mayor’ where she took questions from both audience members at the Boston Public Library and from listeners. Wu, a Democrat, has been Mayor of Boston since 2021. Biplaw Rai and Kwasi Kwaa of Dorchester’s Comfort Kitchen discussed their new cafe/restaurant located in Upham’s Corner slated to open this month.