

Boston Public Radio Podcast
WGBH Educational Foundation
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

Oct 8, 2025 • 28min
Best Of BPR 10/8: Michael Sandel On Reinvigorating Self Governance To Save Democracy
Today:Political philosopher Michael Sandel, author of “Democracy’s Discontent" joins Jim and Margery at the Boston Public Library.

Oct 8, 2025 • 2h 6min
BPR Full Show 10/8: Finding Community Amid 'Democracy’s Discontent'
The Culture Show's Jared Bowen on Bob Ross' paintings on the auction block to support public media, "Sardines" at the Huntington, Taylor Swift's record-breaking record sales, and other arts and culture news. Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem on President Trump's troop orders to Portland and Chicago, the air traffic controller debacle nationwide, and more. Political philosopher Michael Sandel (author of the celebrated 1996 book "Democracy's Discontent") joins us ahead of his GBH Ralph Lowell Annual Lecture Thursday night.Tufts food policy analyst Corby Kummer is joined by retiring Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema, who exposes his face to us for the first time.

Oct 7, 2025 • 2h 41min
BPR Full Show 10/7: What's A Good Boycott?
BPR Full Show 10/7: What's A Good Boycott?

Oct 7, 2025 • 27min
Best Of BPR 10/7: ACLUM's Carol Rose Previews New SCOTUS Term
Today:Carol Rose, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, discusses our constitutional crisis, as the Supreme Court starts a new term.

Oct 6, 2025 • 27min
Best Of BPR 10/06: Paul Dama Says His ICE Arrest Echoed Terrorism He Sought Asylum From.
Today:Paul Dama was here in the U.S. legally seeking asylum from Boko Haram, when he was taken by immigration officials on his way to church. He was held for months, and made to re-submit his asylum claim while detained; only granted freedom two weeks ago. He has returned to his job at Suya Joint in Nubian Square, alongside sister, chef and owner of the restaurant, Cecilia Lizotte. They both join us to discuss.

Oct 6, 2025 • 2h 10min
BPR Full Show 10/6: Robert Putnam On Bowling Alone
UMass President Marty Meehan joins us in studio to talk about school tuition, federal research cuts and their impact on scientific advancement.Former Assistant Secretary of Transportation, Chris Dempsey, and former Rep. Bill Straus join for a transit panel. Robert Putnam, author of Bowling Alone, discusses growing social isolation and what to do about it.Paul Dama and Cecilia Lizotte of the Roxbury restaurant Suya Joint recap Dama's months-long ICE detention and his eventually successful asylum claim.

Oct 3, 2025 • 2h 42min
BPR Full Show 10/3: Who Goes To Coffee Shops Anymore?
BPR Full Show 10/3: Who Goes To Coffee Shops Anymore?

Oct 2, 2025 • 33min
Best Of BPR 10/02: Living In Pryde & Government Shutdown Impacts Local Food Assistance
Today:GBH News’ latest documentary “Living in Pryde” follows residents in "The Pryde" senior living facility at a time when queer rights are under attack. We speak with producer Rob Tokanel, Pryde executive director Gretchen Van Ness, and resident Eddie Whitman.And, Catherine D'Amato of the Greater Boston Food Bank walks us through impacts to food assistance during the government shutdown.

Oct 2, 2025 • 2h 41min
BPR Full Show 10/2: The Government Shutdown Continued...
BPR Full Show 10/2: The Government Shutdown Continued...

Oct 1, 2025 • 37min
Best Of BPR 10/01: Retired Federal Judge Nancy Gertner & Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley
Today:Retired federal judge Nancy Gertner discusses a judge's ruling that federal officials unconstitutionally violated the free speech rights of pro-Palestinian protesters.Plus, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley discusses the government shutdown.


