Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by asking listeners about the year-long suspension of Celtics coach Ime Udoka. Juliette Kayyem talked about the latest from the Alex Jones trial, Former President Donald Trump’s recent spring of bad headlines, including his seeming support for QAnon and the fraud lawsuit against him and some of his children. 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 new book is “The Devil Never Sleeps: Learning to Live in an Age of Disasters.” David Abel talked about his latest reporting, including Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s new forestry plan to increase the city’s canopy, and railroad companies in Mass. bulldozing thousands of trees. Abel is a Pulitzer Prize–winning writer who covers the environment for the Boston Globe. Christopher Muther talked about his travel reporting, including new luxury RV parks in Boston, Pete Buttigeig’s potential air travel reforms, a potential train from Boston to Montreal, and Liverpool culture beyond the Beatles. Muther is a travel writer for the Boston Globe. Zurin Villanueva and Ann Nesby from Tina: The Tina Turner Musical shared their experience with the show so far, and how Turner’s music has impacted their lives. Zurin plays Tina Turner in the show, Ann plays the role of Tina’s grandmother. You can buy tickets to the show here.  Kevin O’Connor & Tom Silva from “This Old House” joined us ahead of the premiere of their 44th season to talk about this season of the show and answer listener questions. O’Connor is the host of This Old House, and Silva is the show’s long-time general contractor. We ended the show by taking listener questions for O’Connor and Silva.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show asking listeners whether the recent headlines about Former President Trump will affect the public’s perception of him. Susan Zalkind gave some insight into her years of investigating a 2011 triple homicide in Waltham, Mass., which despite its brutality and connections to the Boston Marathon bombing, remains unsolved; and its recent adaptation into a docu-series. Zalkind is an independent journalist, writer and producer. A docu-series based on her reporting, “Murders before the Marathon,” is out on Hulu.  Andrea Cabral discussed the latest in former President Trump’s legal troubles, and Adnan Syed’s release after two decades in prison. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and secretary of public safety, and former CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Sue O’Connell shared her insights on the alleged looming price spike of heating, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s pledge to introduce articles of impeachment against President Joe Biden. O’Connell is the co-publisher of Bay Windows and South End News, and contributor to Current, on NBC L-X and NECN. Paul Reville talked about the way that President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan will affect Mass. residents, schools boycotting the US News Ratings, and responded to an Atlantic piece raising the question of whether we ought to push all our sons’ schooling back a year. Meredith Goldstein and Sara Farizan joined us to talk about Farizan’s new book, “My Buddy, Killer Croc,” a YA novel in the DC umbrella, and then Goldstein talked about the latest edition of her column: “I have a crush on a fictional character. I’m not sure how to find real love.” Goldstein is a features writer for the Boston Globe, where she authors the “Love Letters” column and hosts the “Love Letters” podcast. Farizan is an author of several award winning young adult novels. Her most recent, My Buddy, Killer Croc, a DC Comics middle-grade graphic novel, came out on Sept. 6th. We ended the show by asking listeners what they think about using human remains as compost.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Art Caplan discussed President Biden’s comments about COVID, Tampa Bay school districts launch of Tom Brady’s fitness program, and new research showing 20 percent of households are dealing with some form of medical debt. Art Caplan is a professor and the Director of NYU Grossman School of Medicine's Division of Medical Ethics. After talking to Art Caplan about issues surrounding the mental health crisis, we heard from listeners about our stress levels during the pandemic. Shirley Leung talked about her recent article on the development potential and costs for the reopening of Long Island, plus the latest on the MBTA's Orange Line reopening, and the MA Steamship Authority rejecting suggestions for its naming competition for the newly acquired ferries to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. Shirley Leung is a columnist and associate editor at the Boston Globe. Rick Steves shared his travel experience dining and cruising the Burgundy Canal, and the usefulness of trekking poles while hiking the trails on the Swiss Alps. Rick Steves is a television host, guidebook author, activist, and owner and founder of Rick Steves’ Europe. Marcela García discussed the recent lawsuits regarding the Martha’s Vineyard migrant case and growing Latino representation on Beacon Hill. Marcela García is an associate editor and columnist for the Boston Globe's op-ed page. Sy Montgomery talked about emotional support squids and alligators, plus kangaroos terrorizing Australian townsfolk. Sy Montgomery is a journalist, naturalist, and author of her latest book is “The Hawk's Way: Encounters with Fierce Beauty.” We closed the show with a call-in segment and heard from listeners about our obsession with height and what it says about us.

Fred Franzia, legend in cheap wine-making, has died. His wine label Charles Shaw, sold at Trader Joe’s, made wine more accessible to Americans for its shockingly cheap sticker price – giving to its affectionate title: “two-buck Chuck.” “Wine snobs hate this idea,” Corby Kummer told Boston Public Radio Tuesday. “The idea that you can buy cheap wine, and he was in Napa and he said, very delicately, ‘take that and shove it Napa.’” 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 about the President’s recent claim that the pandemic is “over.” Trenni Casey talked the latest from the WNBA, Robert Sarver’s suspension from the NBA, the niche community of ultramarathoning and the latest Tom Brady happenings. Casey is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden talked his primary win and the controversial election that led to it, and discussed the future of his office, including the way they will deal with a slew of hate demonstrations in the city, his firing the head of his Juvenile Detention unit, and the MBTA transit police cover up. Corby Kummer talked about the legacy of “Two Buck Chuck” following the death of its creator Fred Franzia, a new energy efficient way to cook pasta, and told us about some notable restaurants in the Boston area. 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. Jared Bowen talked about the Phantom of the Opera closing on Broadway, and the greater challenges in the theater community after years of COVID-19, and shared his thoughts on “Heroes of the Fourth Turning” at the Speakeasy Stage and “Fabulation,” playing at the Lyric Stage. Bowen is GBH’s executive arts editor and the host of Open Studio. John King talked the latest political headlines, including the reluctance of Republican candidates to accept the results of their respective elections, Former President Donald Trump's recent embrace of QAnon, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ political motives behind his Venezuelan migrant relocation stunt. King is CNN’s chief national correspondent and anchor of “Inside Politics,” which airs weekdays and Sundays at 8am. We ended the show by asking listeners to talk about their memories of “Two Buck Chuck.”

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the show with a call-in segment and heard from listeners about the migrants on Martha’s Vineyard moving to temporary housing on Cape Cod. Iván Espinoza-Madrigal discussed the relief efforts for the 50 migrants that landed in Martha’s Vineyard and calls for an investigation into the involvement of Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis. Iván Espinoza-Madrigal is the Executive Director of Lawyers for Civil Rights in Boston. Andy Borowitz detail the political players and events that inspired his new book, "Profiles in Ignorance: How America's Politicians Got Dumb and Dumber." Andy Borowitz is a New York Times best-selling author, comedian, and news satirist of The Borowitz Report for The New Yorker. Charlie Sennott discussed the international implications of the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the future of nuclear weapons in the war in Ukraine. Charlie Sennott is an analyst for GBH News and the editor, founder, and CEO of The GroundTruth Project. Brian McGrory talked about his new role as chair for the College of Communication journalism program at Boston University and stepping down from his tenure at The Boston Globe. For many years, Brian McGrory worked as a reporter to columnist to Metro editor since 2012 for The Boston Globe. Rev. Irene Monroe and Rev. Emmett G. Price III discussed the passing of Eric Jackson and his legacy as jazz host for GBH, along with the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, and the migrants of Martha's Vineyard seeking asylum. Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III are co-hosts of the All Rev'd Up podcast on GBH. Henry Swenson shared his planting strategy to compete for the biggest pumpkin at the Topsfield Fair. Henry Swenson is a Guinness World Record holder for his 65-pound butternut squash. We closed the show with a call-in segment and heard from listeners about the conservative dating app ‘The Right Stuff’ and whether listeners would date outside their own political affiliations.

This episode of Boston Public Radio is from Friday September 16, 2022. Elle Simone Scott of America’s Test Kitchen shared tips on how to make the perfect food board for hosting. Joanne Chang talks about her latest book inspired by her baking journals, “Pastry Love: A Baker’s Journal of Favorite Recipes.” Billy Collins shares some of his poetry ahead of his June 16 appearance at 2Life Communities’ annual gala. Boston Globe sports reporter Dan Shaughnessy discussed his latest book on the Boston Celtics, “Wish It Lasted Forever: Life with the Larry Bird Celtics.” Chef Christopher Kimball previewed his latest cookbook “Vegetables,” sharing his favorite ways to bring vegetables to the center of the plate. Law professor Rosa Brooks discussed her new book, “Tangled Up In Blue: Policing The American City,” and described her experiences as a reserve police officer in Washington, D.C. Atlas Obscura co-founder Dylan Thuras told stories of strange food from around the world, including psychedelic honey, the anti-masturbatory origins of graham crackers and the great molasses flood in Boston in 1919. Author Susan Orlean previewed her latest book “On Animals.”

This is the podcast for BPR’s show on Thursday, September 15, 2022. We started the show with NBC Political Director and moderator of Meet The Press, Chuck Todd. We then turned to Eve Zuckoff, reporter for WCAI, who was on the ground in Martha’s Vineyard, reporting on the dozens of migrants sent to the island by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Andrea Cabral, former Massachusetts Secretary of Public Safety and Sheriff of Suffolk County. We wrapped the live portion of our show with incoming Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper. The remainder of the show was on tape, featuring Boston Globe reporter Billy Baker on his book “We Need to Hang Out: A Memoir of Making Friends” and Harvard Business School’s Michael Norton on the importance of widening your circle of friends.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the show with a conversation with NPR legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg on her new book "Dinners with Ruth: A Memoir on the Power of Friendships." Then, we opened the lines to hear from listeners about making friends: at the office, in person and online. For the remainder of the show, we re-aired some of our favorite conversations, including: Charlie Warzel on his book “Out of Office,” coauthored with Anne Helen Peterson, reporter Spencer Buell and noise researcher Erica Walker, about health concerns over rising noise levels in the city, the New Yorker's Malcolm Gladwell about his book, “Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don’t Know," writer Lindy West about her book, “The Witches Are Coming." and Lizzie Post, great-great-granddaughter of etiquette expert Emily Post, about her book “Higher Etiquette: A Guide to the World of Cannabis, from Dispensaries to Dinner Parties.”

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened the show by talking with listeners about autumn, and the dread that comes with transitioning from summer to fall.  Trenni Casey talked about the Patriots’ flop of an opening game against the Miami Dolphins and what the loss says about Patriots coach Bill Belichick’s ability, winners from this year’s U.S. open, plus new rules for Major League Baseball.  Boston Mayor Michelle Wu returned for an hour of “Ask the Mayor,” discussing decision to challenge Boston’s 2020 census results, ongoing MBTA shutdowns and workaround shuttles, and her choice to vote for Suffolk County D.A. candidate Ricardo Arroyo in the September primaries. She also responded to questions from listeners.  Michael Kirk discussed his latest “Frontline” documentary, “Lies, Politics & Democracy,” which delves into former President Trump’s relationship with the GOP and how Republicans enabled anti-democratic efforts after his 2020 election loss.  John King weighed in on an August inflation report and discussed how it stands to impact voter’s views on the economy. He also spoke on a forthcoming Senate vote to protecting same-sex marriage, and other national headlines.  We closed out the show by turning to listeners for their thoughts on growing acceptance of anti-democratic politicians in the U.S., off of Michael Kirk’s new film for “Frontline.”