Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by asking listeners if it’s time for Democrats to start being more aggressive to enact political change. Trenni Kusnierek talks about the NFL’s push to suspend Deshaun Watson, and WNBA player Brittney Griner’s upcoming trial in Russia. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Dr. Brenda Cassellius shares her thoughts on how the pandemic has affected the school system and the search for her replacement. Cassellius is the outgoing superintendent of Boston Public Schools. Jared Bowen discusses the new Designing Motherhood exhibit at the MassArt Museum through the lens of the recent Roe overturning, Maurice Sendak’s exhibit at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and Lesley Dill’s sculpture exhibit at the Canterbury Shaker Village. Bowen is GBH’s executive arts editor and the host of Open Studio. Then, we turn to live audio from the Jan. 6 hearings.

Today on Boston Public Radio we're on tape, bringing you some of our favorite conversations from recent years: Imani Perry talks about parenthood and how Black parents talk to their children about race. Perry is a professor of African American Studies at Princeton University. Her latest book is "Breathe: A Letter To My Sons.” Richard Blanco reads his favorite “aubade” poems — about lovers departing at dawn — including “Aubade with Burning City” by Ocean Vuong and “Ghosting Aubade” by Amie Whittemore. Blanco is the fifth inaugural poet in U.S. history. His latest book, "How To Love A Country," deals with various sociopolitical issues that shadow America. Lizzie Post weighs in on cannabis culture in her book, “Higher Etiquette: A Guide to the World of Cannabis, From Dispensaries to Dinner Parties.” Post is a writer, co-director of The Emily Post Institute and great-great-granddaughter of etiquette writer Emily Post. Christopher Kimball previews his latest cookbook “Vegetables,” sharing his favorite ways to bring vegetables to the center of the plate. Chris Kimball co-founded America’s Test Kitchen, and now runs Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street in Boston. His latest cookbook is “Vegetables.” Farah Stockman talks about how class divides manifest themselves culturally and politically in the United States, and why higher-class, well-educated communities struggle to understand and represent the majority of Americans. Farah Stockman is a member of the New York Times editorial board, and a Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter. Her latest book is “American Made: What Happens to People When Work Disappears.” Howard Bryant discusses his book, "The Heritage: Black Athletes, a Divided America, and the Politics of Patriotism." Bryant is a columnist and commentator for ESPN. Lindy West previews her latest book, "The Witches Are Coming," a collection of essays about feminism in the #MeToo moment. West is a writer, comedian and activist. Joshua Foer talks about “Atlas Obscura: An Explorers Guide To The World’s Hidden Wonders.” Foer is a freelance journalist and author of "Moonwalking With Einstein: The Art And Science Of Remembering Everything.”

Swampscott native Tyler Akabane recently opened The Mushroom Shop in Somerville, stocking everything from cultivated exotic king oyster mushrooms to mushroom-bedecked merchandise. And according to award-winning food writer Corby Kummer, Akabane’s shop is just one step in bringing the mushroom foraging craze to the Boston area. “We're finally catching up to the rest of the world, because in Europe and many parts of Asia, a lovely outing is going on a hike and looking for mushrooms,” Kummer told Boston Public Radio on Monday. “It's incredibly common.” “It's a real cult — it's fun and you learn how to do something.” 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 start the show by asking listeners what should be done to protect abortion access in the U.S. Judge Nancy Gertner talks about the future of the Supreme Court post-Dobbs, including the direction Justice Clarence Thomas wants to take the court. Gertner is a retired federal judge and a senior lecturer at Harvard Law School. Corby Kummer discusses the climate of restaurant closings amid rising rents, and a new entirely mushroom-focused restaurant in Somerville. 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. Hal Brooks and Gina Femia discuss the unorthodox approach to theater that the Cape Cod Theatre Project takes, and how the process worked for Femia’s new play. Brooks is the The Cape Cod Theater Project’s artistic director, and Femia is a playwright, who wrote “The Violet Sisters.” Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett Price share their thoughts on how religious leaders should organize to effectively advocate for abortion rights, and where the separation of church and state plays in that organizing. 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 the “All Rev’d Up” podcast. We end the show by asking people what they think about SCOTUS' decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Attorney General Maura Healey shares her reaction to the recent Supreme Court decision on Dobbs v. Jackson. She also answers listeners’ questions for this month’s “Ask the Attorney General.” Healey is attorney general of Massachusetts and a candidate for governor. Judge Nancy Gertner discusses the future of abortions in the US, including the trials that will face those who seek abortion in light of the Dobbs v. Jackson decision. Gertner is a retired federal judge and is now a senior lecturer at Harvard Law School. Callie Crosley discusses the fate of other court-granted rights in the face of the Supreme Court decision. Crossley hosts GBH’s Under the Radar and Basic Black. Then we turned to President Joe Biden’s address concerning the Dobbs v. Jackson ruling, and continued taking calls about the Dobbs decision. Dr. Cheryl Hamlin talks about her advocacy for abortion access, and the state of her practice and colleagues considering the Dobbs decision. Dr. Hamlin is an obstetrician and gynecologist at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge. She travels to the Jackson Women’s Health Organization in Mississippi each month to provide abortion care, the clinic at the center of the Dobbs v. Jackson case that is being decided by the Supreme Court. We return to listeners’ reactions to the Dobbs decision. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley calls for the declaration of a public health emergency in light of abortion restriction. We end the show with more listener calls.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Chuck Todd shares his thoughts on the Supreme Court’s decision on “proper-cause” gun carriage, and the potential for a Trump 2024 run following the Jan. 6 hearings. 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 asked listeners what they think it’ll take to bring unity to the U.S. during a bleak week of news. Juliette Kayyem talks about the Supreme Court gun decision’s impact on Mass., and the potential for former President Donald Trump’s prosecution following the Jan. 6 hearings. Kayyem is an analyst for CNN, former assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security and faculty chair of the homeland security program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Paul Reville shares his thoughts on how the Supreme Court gun decision could impact the attitudes of Americans, and whether Boston should wait for a school improvement plan to place a new superintendent. 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.” Shirley Leung discusses President Joe Biden’s new gas tax plan, and controversy surrounding the “fair share” amendment. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe. We end the show by asking listeners how they unplug from the news cycle.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We start the show by asking listeners to respond to the testimony in congress of two election workers in Georgia, Wandrea "Shaye" Moss and her mother Ruby Freeman. Both were targeted by former President Donald Trump and his supporters in attempts to delegitimize the 2020 election. Medical ethicist Arthur Caplan discusses whether doctors should talk to their patients about gun safety. Art Caplan on BPR | June 22, 2022 Keri Blakinger, a Texas-based journalist covering mass incarceration, discusses her new memoir "Corrections in Ink" which traces her journey from the ice rink to a heroin addiction to prison, and getting out and getting clean. Award-winning Boston chef and restaurateur Tiffani Faison dishes on a new Food Network cooking competition show, Beachside Brawls. She also discussed throwing out the first pitch at Fenway Park, and the challenges she and other restaurateurs face amid rising prices. We again open the lines to callers to discuss the impacts of former president Donald Trump and his supporters' threats to election workers after the 2020 election. Sy Montgomery, a naturalist, journalist and author, joins us for another edition of the Afternoon Zoo. She tells us about the plight of Bonaparte, a 100-year-old snapping turtle whose habitat was threatened in Springfield and is about to return to the wetlands thanks to the efforts of the Turtle Rescue League.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We start the show by asking listeners what they think about the state of Boston’s public transit. Trenni Kusnierek discusses golfer Matthew Fitzpatrick’s dramatic win at the US Open. She also talks about Jayson Tatum’s role in the Celtics’ loss, and Amy Kaufman speaking out as the victim of domestic violence from her ex-husband, sports writer Jonah Keri. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor. Jared Bowen shares his thoughts on the American Repertory Theater’s revitalized run of “1776,” as well as “The Light” at the Lyric Stage Company, and the “wiild negro is love” exhibition at the Cultural Equity Incubator. Bowen is GBH’s executive arts editor and the host of Open Studio. Bill Burr talks about being the first comedian to perform at Fenway Park. Burr is a comedian, actor and Massachusetts-native, with standup specials including “Paper Tiger,” “Walk Your Way Out,” and “I’m Sorry You Feel That Way,” and roles in Netflix’s “F Is For Family,” Disney+'s “The Mandalorian,” and the film “The King of Staten Island.” He’ll be playing Fenway Park on August 21. We end the show by turning to live coverage of the Jan. 6 hearings.

Today on Boston Public Radio: EJ Dionne shares his thoughts on the latest news from the Jan. 6 committee hearing, and violent threats from the alt-right targeting Republicans in Congress. 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.” We then open the phone lines, asking listeners if they’re holding back on their summer plans due to rising inflation. Michael Curry discusses the legacy of Juneteenth, and the CDC’s approval of COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5. Curry is chair of the NAACP Advocacy and Policy Committee, and is president and CEO of the Mass League of Community Health Centers. Sally Starr reflects on 50 years of Title IX. Starr is the head field hockey coach at Boston University. She has coached women’s collegiate sports for over 45 years. Next, we talk with listeners about their experiences in school sports in the 50 years since Title IX was enacted. Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III weigh in on the federal commemoration of Juneteenth, and potential corporatization of the holiday. 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 the “All Rev’d Up” podcast. Richard Blanco shares his favorite poems for Pride Month. Blanco joins us regularly to lead Village Voice, a conversation about how poetry can help us better understand our lives. He’s the fifth presidential inaugural poet in US history. His latest book, “How to Love a Country,” deals with various socio-political issues that shadow America. We end the show by asking listeners for their most mortifying stories of falling down.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about whether families are being priced out of Boston. Callie Crossley talks about the history and future of Juneteenth, and the Boston bar trolling Stephen and Ayesha Curry. Crossley hosts GBH’s Under the Radar and Basic Black. Patty Bouree and Allison McClaury join us for Drag Queen Story Hour, live at the Boston Public Library. They also talk about LGBTQ+ acceptance in the wake of politicians’ attacks on drag events across the country. Patty Bouree heads Boston’s Branch of Drag Queen Story Hour. MacLaury is the director of education for the Mosesian Center for the Arts. Together, they’re organizing “Let’s Say Gay! A Community Pride Event” at the Mosesian Center for the Arts in Watertown. David Hogg weighs in on the road ahead for gun legislation in Washington. Hogg is a Parkland shooting survivor and a co-founder of March For Our Lives. Sue O’Connell talks about Yellowstone National Park’s “unprecedented” flooding, and the visible ways climate change has impacted the U.S. National Park System. O’Connell is the co-publisher of Bay Windows and the South End News, as well as NECN's political commentator and explainer-in-chief. Jessica Johnson Brock, Annie Rabbat, Patricia Au, and Vera Savage join us for a live performance at the Boston Public Library ahead of this weekend’s Boston Lyric Opera’s Street Stage shows. Johnson Brock is the Senior Director of Artistic Operations at the Boston Lyric Opera. Rabbat, Au, and Savage are members of the Boston Lyric Opera.  We end the show by talking with listeners about France’s worker-friendly laws, from 30 days of paid vacation to restrictions on when bosses can text employees.