

Boston Public Radio Podcast
GBH News
Join hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan for a smart local conversation with leaders and thinkers shaping Boston and New England. We feature our favorite conversation from each show. To hear the full show, please visit wgbhnews.org/bpr To share your opinion, email bpr@wgbh.org or call or text 877-301-8970 during the live broadcast from 11AM-2PM Monday through Friday.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 13, 2022 • 2h 41min
BPR Full Show: A Tremendous Machine
Today on Boston Public Radio:
We begin the show by opening up the phone lines, asking listeners about baby formula shortages across the U.S.
Rick Steves shares the highlights of his recent return to Europe, where he spent over a month and a half updating his guidebooks to reflect how the continent has changed after two years of the pandemic. Steves is an author, television and radio host and the owner of the Rick Steves' Europe tour group. You can catch his television show, "Rick Steves’ Europe," weeknights at 7:30 p.m. on GBH 2 and his radio show, “Travel With Rick Steves,” Sundays at 4 p.m. on GBH.
Callie Crossley talks about a mother in Mattapan alleging that Boston Public Schools delayed calling 911 as her teen son had a stroke. She also shares her thoughts on DuoLingo opening a taqueria next to their Pittsburgh headquarters to help customers practice Spanish. Crossley hosts GBH’s Under the Radar and Basic Black.
Juliette Kayyem discusses the January 6 committee’s subpoenas to five GOP lawmakers, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. 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.
Mass. Senate President Karen Spilka discusses Beacon Hill’s measures to protect abortion rights in Mass., and shares her thoughts on the potential for legalizing sports betting in the Commonwealth. Spilka is president of the State Senate.
Sue O’Connell explains why the U.S. is facing a nationwide baby formula shortage, and weighs in on Elon Musk’s decision to pause his deal to buy Twitter. O’Connell is the co-publisher of Bay Windows and South End News, and contributor to Current, on NBC L-X and NECN.
We end the show by asking listeners how they romanticize their lives.

May 12, 2022 • 2h 45min
BPR Full Show: No Mow May
Today on Boston Public Radio:
We begin the show by asking listeners how they’re handling COVID amid the latest surge.
Brian McGrory shares insights from the latest Globe reporting, including the Federal Transit Administration’s investigation into the MBTA, the state settlement over the deaths at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home and the state of national politics. McGrory is the Editor of the Boston Globe.
Andrea Cabral talks about the Senate’s failed vote on a bill that would codify Roe v. Wade, and the Mario Batali and Johnny Depp court cases involving harassment. Cabral is the former Suffolk County sheriff and secretary of public safety, and former CEO of the cannabis company Ascend.
Then, we open up the lines to hear from listeners what they want Jim and Margery to talk more about.
Eric Deggans previews his latest TV commentary, including his review of “Bosch: Legacy” and who he wants to see succeed James Corden. Eric Deggans is NPR’s TV critic and author of the book “Race-Baiter: How the Media Wields Dangerous Words to Divide a Nation.”
Art Caplan talks about the divide between red and blue states over abortion, and renewed advocacy around the right to die. 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.
We end the show by asking listeners their thoughts on “no mow may,” where some homeowners are opting to let their yards grow wild to benefit pollinators.

May 11, 2022 • 2h 41min
BPR Full Show: All things Oprah
Today on Boston Public Radio:
We begin the show by asking listeners their thoughts on upper age and term limits for politicians.
Shirley Leung discusses UMass Lowell’s new chancellor Julie Chen and new robots that weed gardens. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe.
Kellie Carter Jackson and Leah Wright Rigueur share insights on all things Oprah, from their podcast Oprademics. Jackson is an associate professor in the department of Africana studies at Wellesley College. Rigeur is an associate professor of history at Johns Hopkins. They host the Oprahdemics podcast from Radiotopia.
Jamahrl Crawford weighs in on the latest on Boston police reform, and recent news about former Police Union President Patrick Rose, who was sentenced to prison for sexually abusing children. Crawford served on the city’s police reform task force in 2020 and edits the Blackstonian.
Kim Kelly tells stories about the history of labor movements in the U.S., and how they connect to renewed union pushes today. Kelly is a journalist, columnist for Teen Vogue and Author of “FIGHT LIKE HELL: The Untold History of American Labor.”
Paul Reville talks about the lasting impact of pandemic-induced school shutdowns in education. 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.”
We end the show by asking listeners if they feel they can show their real selves at work.

May 10, 2022 • 2h 41min
BPR Full Show: Gassing Up
Today on Boston Public Radio:
We begin the show by talking with listeners about protests against the leaked Supreme Court opinion draft on Roe v. Wade.
Trenni Kusnierek talks about Rich Strike’s major win at the Kentucky Derby, and the growing need for increased mental health services for young athletes. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor.
State Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz discusses her run for Mass. governor, and talks about the current status of the State House’s sports-betting legislation. State Senator Chang-Diaz is running to be governor of Massachusetts.
Jim Aloisi and Stacy Thompson share their thoughts on the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) inspecting the MBTA after numerous safety incidents, and the potential for an East-West rail system. 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.
Jared Bowen talks about the Boston-area events surrounding the bicentennial of landscape architect and city planner Frederick Law Olmsted’s birth. Bowen is GBH’s executive arts editor and the host of "Open Studio."
John King updates us on the latest political headlines, focusing on President Joe Biden’s response to rising inflation. King is CNN's Chief National Correspondent and anchor of "Inside Politics,” which airs weekdays and Sunday mornings at 8 a.m.
We wrap up the show by asking listeners about rising gas prices.

May 9, 2022 • 22min
Corby Kummer: "Hunger is a Bipartisan Issue"
This September, the White House will be hosting its Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health for the first time in over 50 years. Award-winning food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio on Monday to share his thoughts on the return of the Conference, and the Biden administration’s goal of ending hunger in the U.S. by 2030.
“I think that hunger is a bipartisan issue,” Kummer said. “I am incredibly optimistic about this.”
“There's always the tension between the urban needs for food and nutrition assistance and the rural needs for enormous crop insurance assistance,” Kummer continued. “That coalition has held, [and] it will continue to hold. That means that overall, there is bipartisan support that will result in nutrition assistance, [and] how better to wield it.”
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.

May 9, 2022 • 2h 41min
BPR Full Show: Dr. Fauci urges vaccination, booster shots
Today on Boston Public Radio:
Dr. Anthony Fauci discusses the state of the pandemic, including the importance of getting booster shots, how to make decisions around gathering and the need for federal COVID-19 funding. Fauci is the chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Then, listeners respond to the conversation with Dr. Fauci and latest COVID-19 news.
Charlie Sennott updates listeners on the latest news from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including Russia’s Victory Day parade marking the defeat of Nazi Germany during World War Two, and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden’s visit with Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska. Sennott is a news analyst for GBH, where he also heads up the GroundTruth Project.
Dr. Cheryl Hamlin shares her reaction to the leaked Supreme Court decision that could overturn Roe v. Wade, and what it means for her and other abortion care providers across the country. Dr. Hamlin is an obstetrician and gynecologist at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge. She travels monthly to perform care at Jackson Women’s Health Organization in Mississippi.
Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III weigh in on the many religious groups that support abortion rights, and the outsized affect of white Evangelical Christian views. 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.
Corby Kummer talks about the White House convening its first food insecurity conference in 50 years, and Alaskan residents receiving take out via DoorDash delivered by plane. 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.
We end the show by asking listeners what food they think is worth delivery by plane.

May 6, 2022 • 2h 41min
BPR Full Show: Sy Montgomery, Justice Margaret Marshall, The Metropolitan Chorale of Brookline, and more
Today on Boston Public Radio:
We begin the show by talking with listeners about parental burnout.
Interim DA Kevin Hayden discusses his new plan on handling arrests at Mass & Cass. He also shares his thoughts on Mayor Michelle Wu’s statement on providing support for the children allegedly responsible for multiple attacks around Boston Common. Hayden is the interim District Attorney for Suffolk County, and he’s running for election for a full term as DA this fall.
Callie Crossley reflects on a post-Roe America, and the story of Jessica Watkins, the first Black woman on the International Space Station (ISS) crew. Crossley hosts GBH’s Under the Radar and Basic Black.
Sy Montgomery talks about her encounters with birds of prey while learning falconry. Montgomery is a journalist, naturalist and a BPR contributor. Her latest book is "The Hawk’s Way: Encounters with Fierce Beauty.”
Justice Margaret Marshall discusses the unprecedented leak of a Supreme Court draft opinion that could overrule Roe v. Wade. Justice Marshall is the former Massachusetts Supreme Court Chief Justice.
Lisa Graham, Gabrielle Goodman, and the Metropolitan Chorale of Brookline perform live at the Boston Public Library ahead of their upcoming May 15 performance of Duke Ellington’s “Sacred Concert.” Graham is the music director of the Metropolitan Chorale, Conductor of Choral Program at Wellesley. Goodman is a soloist and a professor of music at the Berklee College of Music in the Voice Department. Goodman has performed in both classical and jazz idioms with the Syracuse Symphony, the Baltimore Symphony, the Baltimore Opera, and the National Symphony. The Metropolitan Chorale is a 100-voice audition chorus.

May 5, 2022 • 2h 41min
BPR Full Show: The Fight for Abortion Rights
Today on Boston Public Radio:
Chuck Todd updates us on the latest political headlines, focusing on the leak of a Supreme Court opinion draft in support of overturning Roe v. Wade.
We continues our conversation on the future of abortion with listeners.
Andrea Cabral discusses the potential overruling of Roe v. Wade, and the politicization of the Supreme Court. Cabral is the former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety, and former CEO of the cannabis company Ascend.
Stephanie Lippman shares her experience receiving her diploma from New England Conservatory of Music, two decades after she was expelled right before graduation. Lippman is a professional singer, and graduate of the Boston Conservatory at Berklee.
Paul Keil explains how billionaires skirt tax obligations in the U.S. Keil is a reporter who covers billionaires, business and consumer finance for ProPublica. He’s a regular contributor to their series, “The Secret IRS Files: Inside the Tax Records of the .001%.”
Shirley Leung talks about the corporations helping employees in states with restrictive abortion laws, and the Boston-area Starbucks workers unionizing. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe.
We end the show by asking listeners if they’ve grown accustomed to the greater Boston area’s rat population – or if they’re still trying to get rid of them.

May 4, 2022 • 2h 42min
BPR Full Show: Roe v. Wade, Ukraine, and more
Today on Boston Public Radio:
Art Caplan weighs in on the ethics of the leaked Supreme Court decision draft that would overturn Roe v. Wade, and potential attacks on birth control access. 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.
We begin the show by asking listeners for their thoughts on the future of abortion care.
Juliette Kayyem discusses the latest news out of Ukraine, including the supply chain issues slowing down U.S. aid to Ukraine. 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.
Nick Quah shares his recent favorites from the world of podcasting, focusing on Radiotopia’s “Oprahdemics” from hosts Kellie Carter Jackson and Leah Wright Rigeur, and Karina Longworth’s latest season of “You Must Remember This.” Quah is Vulture’s podcast critic.
Carol Rose shares her legal analysis of the Supreme Court’s leaked decision draft on Roe v. Wade. She also discusses the Mass. Senate’s upcoming debate on whether to pass a bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to apply for Mass. driver’s licenses. Rose is the executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts.
Dr. Virginia Sinnott-Stutzman joins us for “Ask the Veterinarian,” talking about the pandemic pet boom and the increasing number of workplaces allowing pets in the office. Sinnott-Stutzman is a senior staff veterinarian at Angell Animal Medical Center.

May 3, 2022 • 2h 44min
BPR Full Show: The Future of Roe v. Wade
Today on Boston Public Radio:
We began the show by talking with listeners about the leak of a Supreme Court abortion draft decision, and the future of abortion rights.
Alton Brown talks about “Iron Chef” moving to Netflix, and his latest cookbook, “Good Eats: The Final Years.” Brown is a Peabody Award-winning celebrity chef and host of both “Good Eats” and “Iron Chef,” which is making a grand-return to Netflix this June. His latest book is “Good Eats: The Final Years.”
Judge Nancy Gertner weighs in on the Supreme Court draft opinion that has the potential to overturn Roe v. Wade, and what overturning the case means for the legal system. Gertner is a retired federal judge, and is now a senior lecturer at Harvard Law School.
Imari Paris Jeffries discusses King Boston breaking ground at the Martin Luther King, Jr., and Coretta Scott King memorial, “The Embrace,” in Boston Common. He also shares his thoughts on the potential for government-funded reparations. Jeffries is the executive director of King Boston, the group behind this coming memorial for Dr. Martin Luther King and Corretta Scott King on Boston Common called “The Embrace.”
John Waters previews his new book, “Liarmouth: A Feel-Bad Romance: A Novel,” and talks about the 50th anniversary of “Pink Flamingos.” Waters is a filmmaker, actor, artist and the author of “Liarmouth: A Feel-Bad Romance: A Novel.”
Jared Bowen talks about Matthew López’s play “The Inheritance” at the SpeakEasy Stage Company. He also shares his thoughts on “Prison Nation,” a photography exhibit examining mass incarceration across the U.S., on view at the Davis Museum. Bowen is GBH’s executive arts editor and the host of "Open Studio."
We end the show by returning to our discussion with listeners on the future of abortion rights.


