Boston Public Radio Podcast

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.

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!