Boston Public Radio Podcast

On today's pre-taped episode of Boston Public Radio:  Jim and Margery talked to New Yorker staff writer Adam Gopnik about his latest book, "A Thousand Small Sanities: The Moral Adventure of Liberalism."  Harvard Business School behavioral economist Michael Norton looked at the pathology of the “ask braggart,” the person whose sole motivation behind asking you a question is to tell you about themselves. Jim and Margery talked to Norman Mineta, the former statesman who served as cabinet secretary for Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, about a new PBS documentary, "Norman Mineta and His Legacy: An American Story." New Yorker Staff writer George Packer discussed his latest book, "Our Man: Richard Holbrooke and the End of the American Century." Filmmaker, writer, artist John Waters talked to Jim and Margery about his latest book, "Mr. Know-It-All: The Tarnished Wisdom of a Filth Elder." Raphael Bob-Waksberg, creator of “Bojack Horseman” discussed his collection of short stories, "Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory." Ben Mezrich discussed his latest book, "Bitcoin Billionaires: A True Story of Genius, Redemption and Betrayal."

On today's pre-taped episode of Boston Public Radio: New Yorker staff writer Patrick Radden Keefe discussed his latest book, "Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland." Cartoonist Roz Chast and humorist Patricia Marx discussed their latest collaboration, "Why Don't You Write My Eulogy Now So I Can Correct It? A Mother's Suggestions." Comedian Jay Pharaoh joined us to talk about his latest projects, which includes a new standup tour, web series, and the movie "Unsane," directed by Stephen Soderberg. Judge Richard Gergel discussed his latest book, "Unexampled Courage," which recounts a racist attack on a South Carolina native after World War II and how that episode sparked the civil rights movement. Harvard Businesses School’s Michael Norton joined us to explain his latest research, which looks at identity branding. Michael Norton is the Harold M. Brierley Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School. His latest book is "Happy Money, the Science of Happier Spending." Alt-rock band Guster joined us for an in-studio performance of their album, "Look Alive."

On today's pre-taped episode of Boston Public Radio: Jim And Margery talked to New York Times Magazine staff writer and lecturer at Yale Law School, Emily Bazelon whose latest book, "Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration," looks at the causes of Mass Incarceration Environmentalist and journalist Bill McKibben, the founder of 350.org, discussed his latest book, "Falter: Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out?" MIT economists Jonathon Gruber and Simon Johnson discussed their latest book: "Jump-Starting America: How Breakthrough Science Can Revive Economic Growth and the American Dream." Author TC Boyle joined Jim and Margery to talk about his latest novel, "Outside Looking In." Poet Richard Blanco gave a crash course on the literary tools that can make your poetry more poetic.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Medical ethicist Art Caplan talked about the problem with relying on a quick COVID-19 vaccine, and his worries about this year’s flu season.  MIT economist Jon Gruber discussed healthcare options for people who’ve lost coverage after losing their jobs, and responded to caller questions.  Ahead of Gov. Baker’s press conference, we opened lines to talk with listeners about Tuesday's decision by the Boston Art Commission to remove a Park Square statue depicting Abraham Lincoln and a former enslaved person.   We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Wednesday press conference.  CNN analyst and national security expert Juliette Kayyem discussed ramifications of rising COVID-19 rates across the U.S., and news about the Trump Administration’s handling of intel that Russia offered bounties on the lives of U.S. troops. Pulitzer-prize winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen discussed his latest writing in the New York Times, about what director Spike Lee got wrong in his new Vietnam War film “Da 5 Bloods.” Tech writer Andy Ihnatko talked about companies banding together to boycott Facebook, and a marketing firm compiling information on Black Lives Matter protesters from phone data. 

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to talk with listeners about the widespread use of illegal fireworks in Massachusetts, and hear your thoughts on how and whether to address the issue.  NBC Sports Boston reporter and anchor Trenni Kusnierek gave her take on Cam Newton, the prospective new Patriots quarterback, and talked about why she doesn’t expect fans will be able to attend baseball games in 2020, despite Red Sox President Sam Kennedy saying he hopes they’ll be able to.  Boston Globe travel writer Christopher Muther talked about restrictions for traveling in New England, and his experience lodging at a “glamping” resort in the White Mountains. Ahead of Gov. Baker’s press conference, we opened lines to talk with listeners about the latest national headlines.   We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Tuesday press conference.  Suffolk County DA Rachael Rollins called in for our monthly edition of “Ask the DA."

Today on Boston Public Radio: Boston Medical Center’s Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett talked about how Massachusetts is faring in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and responded to questions from listeners. We opened lines to talk about Whole Food’s ban on employees wearing Black Matter masks.  Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung talked about the treatment of workers at Boston's Four Seasons hotel, and the looming evictions for Boston renters hit economically by the COVID-19 pandemic. Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price, hosts of WGBH’s All Rev’d Up, talked about the politics behind white depictions of Jesus, and the president’s choice to retweet video of someone shouting “white power” at Black Lives Matter protesters.  We opened our lines to talk with listeners about President Trump retweeting video of an apparent white supremacist yelling at Black Lives Matter protesters in Florida.  TV expert Bob Thompson reviewed Jon Stewart’s film “Irresistible,” "Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am,” and “Disclosure.”

Today on Boston Public Radio: Media maven Sue O’Connell talked about the new tell-all book about the Trump family from the president’s niece, and the decision by the Dixie Chicks to change their name to the Chicks.  We opened lines to her listeners' thoughts on the president’s response to the ongoing pandemic.  We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Friday press conference.  Boston Mayor Marty Walsh called in for our monthly edition of “Ask the Mayor.” WGBH Executive Arts Editor Jared Bowen reviewed Jon Stewart’s “Irresistible,” and discussed a Provincetown art exhibit honoring the life of local icon and art collector Napi Van Dereck.  “Under the Radar” host Callie Crossley talked about the real meaning of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On," and a recent string of white celebrities apologizing for their use of blackface. We opened lines to talk with listeners about Vice President Mike Pence’s Friday assertion that the U.S. is making "truly remarkable progress" with COVID-19, despite the current resurgence of cases. 

Today on Boston Public Radio: NBC “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd talked about the rise of coronavirus cases throughout the U.S., and how it’s impacting the president’s poll numbers.  We opened lines to talk with listeners about the rise of COVID-19 across the nation, and hear your thoughts on the state’s reopening.  Former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral talked about a recent Boston Globe profile of BPD Captain John "Jack” Danilecki, and her views on corruption within AG William Barr’s Department of Justice.  We reopened lines to talk with listeners about coronavirus.  We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Thursday press conference.  Former Mass. Secretary of Education Paul Reville talked about the new guidelines for the reopening of schools in Massachusetts.  Tech writer Andy Ihnatko discussed questionable use of face recognition technology by Detroit law enforcement, and news that Rhode Island is using remote learning to ditch snow days altogether.  Huntington Theater Managing Director Michael Maso discussed news that the Huntington is cancelling all in-person programs until 2021, and how the Black Lives Matter movement is influencing changes at the theater. 

Three months into the coronavirus pandemic, it’s time to face the hard truth: now is not the best time for America’s buffets.  With cases of COVID-19 continuing to rise across the country, the buffet’s communal eating factor has made it unlikely that people will want to return any time soon. Food writer Corby Kummer, however, says that might not be the worst thing in the world.  The award-winning writer and senior editor at The Atlantic returned to Boston Public Radio on Thursday, where he reflected on why it’s probably for the best that Americans aren’t being tempted by the allure of the hot bar.  The first upside Kummer gave (aside from the obvious) was cost. “Paying by the pound,” he said, is "always more expensive than just buying and making the food yourself.” Also on the table is the over-eating factor. “It’s this whole idea that you’re pulling a fast one at a buffet,” he said. "You’re getting a lot of food for nothing. Somehow, when nobody’s looking, you’re going and you’re getting another portion– and nobody ever offers you another portion.”  "It’s gonna result in better portion control. Life is actually going to be better without buffets,” he said. But while Americans taking the pandemic seriously are unlikely to return to buffet lines any time soon, Kummer said it’s probably inevitable that they’ll return, in some form or another.  "They’re more economical for the hotels and restaurants. If you think you’re pulling a fast one and getting a bargain whereas they are making more money, they’ll come back,” he said.

Today on Boston Public Radio: WGBH News reporter Adam Reilly discussed new polling from WGBH, in partnership with the Boston Globe, MassLive, State House News Service, and Suffolk University, about the attitudes of Mass. residents towards police reform and the state’s reopening. We opened our lines to talk with listeners about the findings from the newly released polling. Rep. Joe Kennedy called in to discuss his issues with the president’s handling of COVID-19, and how he believes the federal government needs to address racism and police brutality.  Jim and Margery made their pitch for donations to WGBH, as part of Wednesday’s single-day pledge drive.  We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Wednesday press conference, where he discussed the conclusions of the official report on malpractice at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home.  Medical ethicist Art Caplan explained why he doesn’t expect a readily available COVID-19 vaccine in 2020, and discussed whether the MLB will be able to mitigate coronavirus transmissions in their 2020 season.  We reopened our lines to continue the conversation about Black Lives Matter and police reform in Massachusetts.