Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by asking listeners about the normalization of political violence in our culture. Shirley Leung discusses her reporting on the humanitarian crisis stemming from a lack of affordable housing in Massachusetts, and shared her thoughts on Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s relationship with real estate developers. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe. Arthur C. Brooks breaks down his latest columns about happiness, including how to embrace doing nothing, how to be happy in a recession and how to get out of your head by getting outside. Brooks is the William Henry Bloomberg professor of the practice of public leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School, a professor of management practice at the Harvard Business School, the happiness correspondent at The Atlantic and host of the podcast series “How to Build a Happy Life.” Corby Kummer talks about the recent interest in Italian beef thanks to “The Bear,” calls for Congress to address meat’s large carbon footprint and unionization efforts at Trader Joe’s and Starbucks. 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. Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett Price III share their thoughts on Pope Francis meeting with transgender guests of a Roman church, the Department of Justice investigating sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Church and prosecuting local white supremacist groups. 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. Lewis Black talks about the ethos of his rant-comedy style, how the state of America has inspired his tour and what people are ranting about today. Black is a comedian who will perform at the Lowell Auditorium Sept. 16 as part of his “Off The Rails” tour. We end the show by asking listeners what they think about the five-second rule.

In July, workers at a Trader Joe’s in Hadley, Mass. successfully voted to unionize, making their location the first unionized Trader Joe’s in the country. Last week, a second Trader Joe’s in Minneapolis followed suit. The union successes come in a wave of union victories across the country, including at Starbucks and Amazon—currently, employees at a unionized Starbucks near Boston University have been on strike for nearly 30 days.  “I think that it's no accident that places and businesses that made part of their brand identity treating their workers well and enjoying their workers are the ones who were being targeted because these workers got used to being treated much better than others,” food writer Corby Kummer said on Boston Public Radio Monday. Kummer added that COVID-19 and the political climate are factors in recent unionization efforts. Some companies cut benefits at the start of the pandemic, and now workers have to fight to bring them back. “So many places—meaning employers—have been much more lax and financially strapped because of the pandemic and treating their employees worse,” he said. “And also, unions are more fashionable, they've come back into popularity and worker's consciousness in a way they haven't in decades.” Kummer said that unionization efforts at stores like Trader Joe’s are more challenging than at Starbucks, because grocery stores have more employees. Still, he believes the future of Trader Joe’s unions could signal the future of grocery store unions more broadly. “I think that Trader Joe's is an important bellwether for the future, and I'm proud of Massachusetts for being the first one,” he said. 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: Senator Elizabeth Warren talks about the MBTA, and the FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago, and took listener calls and questions on an installment of “Ask the Senator.” Retired Judge Nancy Gertner shares her thoughts on Attorney General Merrick Garland’s address on the FBI raid at Mar-a-Lago, unpacking some of the legal statutes involved in the situation. She also discussed why it’s important to our democracy to be able to trust judges, and more. Gertner is a retired federal judge and a senior lecturer at Harvard Law School. Jared Bowen talks about the latest in arts: the Met’s new exhibit “Chroma: Ancient Sculpture in Color;” Now and There’s new exhibit in front of Faneuil Hall, called “Summer Sets,” Patrick Kelly’s “Runway of Love” at the PEM, and BJ Novak’s “Vengeance;” and Leslie Dill’s new exhibition “Wilderness” at the MFA. Bowen is GBH’s executive arts editor and the host of Open Studio. Patty Bourrée explains the impact of Boston’s Drag Queen Story Hour, and how recent white supremacist protests at the events have affected him. Patty Bourrée heads Boston’s Branch of Drag Queen Story Hour. Brian O’Donovan and the Neave Trio join us ahead of their performance at the Rockport Celtic Festival to share a bit about their group and play a few songs. O’Donovan hosts GBH’s A Celtic Sojourn. The Neave trio members are violinist Anna Williams, pianist Eri Nakamura, and cellist Mikhail Veselov. We end the show by asking listeners what they think about sales tax weekend.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Andrea Mitchell updates us on the latest national political headlines. Mitchell is the NBC News Chief Washington Correspondent. She is also Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent, and anchor of “Andrea Mitchell Reports,” which airs weekdays at noon on MSNBC. Then, we open the phone lines to listeners, asking if they would consider getting rid of their manicured lawns in favor of something more natural. Andrea Cabral discusses the FBI’s search of Mar-a-Lago for classified documents. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and secretary of public safety, and former CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Tess Gerritsen and Josh Gerritsen shares the history of humans’ complicated relationship with pigs, as told through their documentary, “Magnificent Beasts.” Gerritsen is a Maine-based author. Her and her son Josh are the filmmakers behind the new documentary, “Magnificent Beasts.” Paul Reville talks about declining school enrollment at both the high school and college levels. Reville is the former secretary of education and a professor at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, where he also runs the Education Redesign Lab. His latest book, co-authored with Lynne Sacks, is “Collaborative Action for Equity and Opportunity: A Practical Guide for School and Community Leaders.” Jon Gruber explains the economics behind the CHIPS and Science Act. Gruber is the Ford Professor of Economics at MIT. He was instrumental in creating both the Massachusetts health-care reform and the Affordable Care Act – and now can add the CHIPS Act to his resume. His latest book is “Jump-Starting America: How Breakthrough Science Can Revive Economic Growth and the American Dream.” We end the show by talking with listeners about harnessing feelings of envy for motivation.

Award-winning food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio to share his thoughts on Hulu’s “The Bear,” Cracker Barrel adding vegan sausages to their menu, and more.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by opening phone lines, asking listeners for their thoughts on the FBI’s raid of Mar-a-Lago. Art Caplan talks about the accessibility issues wheelchair users face while traveling by plane, and weighs in on the resurrection of extinct animals. 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 discusses the FBI’s raid of former President Donald Trump’s home of Mar-a-Lago. 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. Sarah Larson shares her thoughts on the rise of pickleball in America, and the sport’s potential to bridge the political divide. Larson is a staff writer for the New Yorker. Will Sennott discusses the foreign private equity firms dominating New England’s fishing industry. Sennott is a reporter for the New Bedford Light. Dan Adams updates us on cannabis reforms in Mass., and Maine’s booming medical marijuana industry. Adams is the Boston Globe cannabis reporter, and author of “This Week In Weed,” the definitive marijuana newsletter.  We end the show by talking with listeners about the potential disappearance of summer food staples – like lobsters, blueberries, and corn – with climate change.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Judge Nancy Gertner shares her take on the FBI raiding former President Donald Trump’s home, explaining the legal conditions under which a raid like this could take place, and what kind of consequences could come from it. Gertner is a retired federal judge and a senior lecturer at Harvard Law School. Then, we took listener calls about the FBI raid on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home. Trenni Kusnierek discusses Serena Williams’ retirement, Tom Brady’s tampering scandal, Aaron Rodgers’ recent podcast conversation about his experience with ayahuasca and Brittney Griner’s chances of coming home. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Chris Burrell shares insights from his investigative reporting on the inaccessibility of Massachusetts' beaches. Burrell is an investigative reporter for GBH News. The second story in his series “Barriers at the Beach” is out now. Then, we take listener calls about their experiences accessing the state's beaches. Corby Kummer talks about what the popularity of Hulu series "The Bear" says about the restaurant industry, responses to Cracker Barrel including a new Impossible Burger on their menu, the carbon dioxide shortage that is hampering the production of beer, and how inflation has made it necessary for more middle-class people to use food banks. 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. Sean Ellis and Victor Rosario share their experiences being wrongfully convicted and reentering society — including the stark lack of resources for exonerees — and the way that their work helps to try and help smooth the process of reentering society. Ellis and Rosario are a part of the Exoneree Network of the New England Innocence Project, which provides support and empowerment for people who were released from prison after having served time for wrongful convictions. John King discusses the FBI raid on former President Trump’s home Mar-a-Lago, including his thoughts on whether the news helps or hinders Democrats ahead of the midterms. King is CNN's Chief National Correspondent and anchor of "Inside Politics,” which airs weekdays and Sunday mornings at 8 a.m. We end the show by asking listeners what the FBI would find if the agency raided their homes.

Today on Boston Public Radio: EJ Dionne discusses the Inflation Reduction Act’s potential impact on climate, as well as what its passage says about polarization in America, and the ability of Democrats in Congress to get things done ahead of the midterms. Dionne is a senior fellow at The Brookings Institution. His latest book is “Code Red: How Progressives and Moderates Can Unite to Save Our Country.” Then, we ask listeners about what the Inflation Reduction Act’s passage says about polarization in Congress. Brian McGrory discuss the impacts of the recent MBTA closures, Mayor Michelle Wu’s strategy in dealing with developers in the city, and the potential for a 2024 Trump or Biden presidential run. McGrory is the editor-in-chief of the Boston Globe. Bruce Marks talks about the work NACA is doing to help Americans afford homes, and explains the factors which are driving the housing crisis across the country. Marks is the CEO and founder of NACA, the nation’s largest Housing and Urban Development-certified nonprofit. Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett Price III share their thoughts on the NFL’s controversial record with player activism and supporting women, as well as recent calls for the church community to confront its ableism, and considerations about changing the Mass. state seal. 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. Ayo Edebiri talks about her upbringing in Boston, her role in Hulu’s “The Bear,” and her upcoming projects. Edebiri is a comedian, writer, producer and actress. She plays Sydney in “The Bear,” and Missy in the Netflix series “Big Mouth.” We end the show by asking listeners how they’re holding up through this summer’s heat waves.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners how they find idle time to relax. Michael Curry weighs in on the U.S. response to monkeypox, and U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins’ new hate-crime hotline. Curry is chair of the NAACP Advocacy and Policy Committee, and is president and CEO of the Mass. League of Community Health Centers. Kevin and Michael Bacon preview their latest music together, and discussed their tour across New England. Michael is an Emmy Award-winning film and television composer. Kevin is an actor – currently starring in Showtime’s “City on a Hill” and the new thriller “They/Them.” Together they form the “Bacon Brothers” musical duo. Irene Li discuss BIPOC women in the farmer’s market scene, and the state of the restaurant industry. Li is a James Beard Award-winning chef and owner of Mei Mei Dumplings.  Shirley Leung updates listeners on the state of the MBTA, with the upcoming Orange Line shutdown and continued slew of dangerous incidents. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe. Brad Vernatter, Omar Najmi and Mack Wolz perform a few songs, and discuss their upcoming performances of “Romeo and Juliet” on the Common with the Boston Lyric Opera. Vernatter is artistic and general director for the BLO. Najmi and Wolz are performers with the BLO. They were accompanied on piano by Douglas Sumi.  We end the show by discussing recent studies showing the harmful effects of unhealthy food.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Chuck Todd talks about Sen. Joe Manchin’s role as the 50th vote in the Senate, the impact of Kansans voting to retain their abortion rights, and the possibility of a red wave in the midterms. 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. Then, we ask listeners if they think the MBTA’s Orange Line shutdown will be worth the hassle. Andrea Cabral discusses the latest headlines from the ongoing Alex Jones trial for spreading misinformation about the Sandy Hook mass shooting. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and secretary of public safety, and former CEO of the cannabis company Ascend. Then we open the phone lines to let listeners lead the conversation, sharing the stories they can’t stop thinking about. David Abel shares his thoughts on potential climate legislation in Congress, how the current drought is impacting the Charles River, and how climate change is affecting Maine’s puffin population. Abel is a Pulitzer Prize–winning writer who covers the environment for the Boston Globe. Andy Ihnatko weighs in on the new CHIPS+ act, which incentivizes United States' companies to manufacture their own semiconductors, a recent controversy surrounding video footage from Ring doorbells, and the resurgence of Google Glass. Ihnatko is a tech writer and blogger, posting at Ihnatko.com. We end the show by asking listeners whether they prefer iced or hot coffee in the summertime.