Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to ask listeners: how long can do you think you can self-quarantine? Legendary actor Alan Alda discussed his “Clear+Vivid” podcast, where he recently interviewed frequent BPR contributor Sy Montgomery. Boston Globe columnist Shirley Leung discussed the unique challenges facing Boston’s undocumented immigrants amid coronavirus, and the latest on how the pandemic is affecting local small businesses. Journalist Laura Sullivan discussed "Plastic Wars,” the latest Frontline film on plastic waste and the failures of the global recycling system. Heather Goldstone, Chief Communications officer at the Woods Hole Research Center, discussed the parallels between coronavirus and the climate crisis, and whether we ought to put our conservation efforts on hold while we focus on the pandemic. CNN’s John King discussed the government’s ongoing pandemic response, and the latest on the 2020 presidential race. NBC Sports Boston reporter Trenni Kusnierek discussed the postponed 2020 Olympics and the joys of watching marble racing.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to talk with listeners about the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and who you trust to provide accurate information during confusing times. Writer and physician Dr. David Katz talked about his recent New York Times piece calling for a "surgical strike” approach to limiting fallout from COVID-19.  WGBH News Analyst and GroundTruth Project CEO Charlie Sennott discussed how countries around the world are handling coronavirus, and the importance of maintaining strong local journalism. Washington Post columnist EJ Dionne discussed his latest book “Code Red: How Progressives and Moderates Can Unite to Save Our Country.” We opened our lines to talk with callers about coronavirus.  We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Monday press conference.  Sen. Elizabeth Warren called in to discuss Congress’ newly passed stimulus package, and assessed Trump Administration's COVID-19 response. 

Today on Boston Public Radio: We aired live audio of Charlie Baker’s Friday press conference.  Boston Globe editor Brian McGrory discussed how the paper is adapting to cover the coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Clayton Dalton, an ER doctor at MGH and writer for publications like the New Yorker, discussed the challenges hospitals are preparing to face as COVID-19 cases begin to spike.  Food writer Corby Kummer discussed how the pandemic is impacting the food service industry, and touted the role that grocery store clerks are playing in the current pandemic.  Rep. Steve Lynch called in to talk about the emergency stimulus bill before the House on Friday.  Tech writer Andy Ihnatko offered some tricks of the trade for video chatting, and discussed how social media companies are handling misinformation on COVID-19. WGBH Arts Editor Jared Bowen discussed the how local art institutions are keeping programs alive, by moving online.  We opened our lines to ask: is your weekend still a weekend while you’re quarantined at home?

Food writer Corby Kummer spoke with Boston Public Radio *on Friday about the revival of 'victory gardens' during the coronavirus crisis. "Victory gardens in World War I and especially in World War II were promoted as ways to keep reserves from farms for fighting troops," he said. "And if you, the consumer, grew your own produce, you would be self-sufficient and allow the country's farmers' produce to be bought by the military and used for the war effort." Food supply anxiety during the coronavirus pandemic has caused a demand for personal gardens, Kummer noted. "Now 'victory gardens' are being revived to feed people," he said. "Even though the idea of self-sufficiency is very appealing, I would much rather be helping farmers trying to stay in business." *Kummer is a *senior editor at The Atlantic*, an award-winning food writer, and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition and Policy.

Today on Boston Public Radio: NBC “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd discussed the staggering spike in U.S. unemployment, and how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting candidates in the 2020 presidential race. We opened lines to ask you: is this $2 trillion stimulus package easing your worries about the economy? Former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral discussed whether prisons should be freeing certain detainees to protect them from COVID-19. NBC Sports Boston reporter Trenni Kusnierek discussed Tom Brady’s dismissive coronavirus Instagram post, layoffs at TD Garden, and the postponing of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Former Mass. Secretary of Education Paul Reville discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting schools and colleges. We opened lines to talk with callers about how you’re doing in the midst of the ongoing pandemic. Mass Rep. Joe Kennedy offered some critique of the Trump administration’s coronavirus response, and broke down the latest on the emergency stimulus bill before the House on Thursday.

Today on Boston Public Radio: MassINC Polling Group President Steve Kozcela discussed his organization's latest polling around how Mass. residents are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.  We opened our lines to ask: how do you handle interactions where people don’t follow social distancing norms?  CNN analyst and national security expert Juliette Kayyem discussed her latest piece for The Atlantic, where she predicts that American could be in lockdown for the next 18 months.  Medical ethicist Art Caplan gave his reaction to President Trump’s latest statements about re-opening the U.S. economy by Easter.  Partners in Health Co-Founder Dr. Paul Farmer discussed the world's preparedness in confronting the coronavirus pandemic, and took questions from listeners. 

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to hear your reactions to the president floating the idea of re-opening the U.S. economy amid the coronavirus pandemic. Robert Kuttner, professor at Brandeis and co-founder of American-Prospect, discussed his latest writing for the New York Times on how the U.S. government's response to the COVID-19 epidemic could send our economy into a major depression.  We opened lines to callers to talk about coronavirus and how you’re faring in the midst of the pandemic.  We aired live audio of Mass. Gov. Charlie Baker’s public address on the state’s pandemic response.  Shannon Liss-Riordan, founding member of the Lichten & Liss-Riordan law firm, discussed protections that workers have amid the Coronavirus outbreak when it comes to paid sick leave and compensation. Lyndia Downie, president and executive director of the Pine Street Inn, discussed how her organization is supporting Boston’s homeless population throughout the pandemic.  CNN’s John King discussed the relief bill expected to pass in the Senate on Tuesday.  We re-opened our lines to talk with callers about why you think liquor stores get to stay open, but pot shops don't. 

Today on Boston Public Radio: Media Maven Sue O’Connell weighed in on how state officials and the Trump Administration are handling the coronavirus pandemic. We opened our lines to check in on callers, asking how you’re doing in these worrisome times.  Dr. Thomas Tsai, surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, discussed the latest news on how hospitals are preparing for the expected surge in COVID-19 cases.  TV expert Bob Thompson discussed how COVID-19 is changing the TV landscape, from late-night shows broadcasting from home to ESPN’s coverage of stone skipping and sign twirling.  We re-opened lines to hear your opinions on whether a full-scale shutdown is the best way the handle the COVID-19 pandemic.  Journalist and author Sy Montgomery discussed the ways pets and zoo animals are keeping us sane through stay-at-home measures.  We opened our lines once more to continue the COVID conversation with listeners. 

Today on Boston Public Radio: Dr. Sandro Galea, Dean of BU’s School of Public Health, discussed what we can expect from the COVID-19 pandemic in the coming months, and answered listener questions about the coronavirus.  “Beat the Press” host Emily Rooney discussed the media’s coverage of COVID-19, and gave her weekly list of fixations and fulminations.  Boston Mayor Marty Walsh gave an update on how Boston is dealing with the outbreak, and answered caller questions. Boston Globe columnist Shirley Leung discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Boston’s economy.  Environmental journalist Bill McKibben talked about what the current pandemic signals in the context of the ongoing climate crisis.  “Under the Radar” host Callie Crossley broke down the inherent racism of the president’s characterization of the coronavirus as the "Chinese Virus."

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to talk with listeners about the coronavirus pandemic.  We aired live audio from the President’s daily coronavirus task force briefing.  NBC “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd discussed President Trump’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak, and how it could impact his 2020 re-election campaign.  Mass. Attorney General Maura Healey called in to discuss the resources her office has made available to help those struggling financially because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  WGBH Arts Editor Jared Bowen discussed the impact of coronavirus on Boston’s local art scene.  Maura Healey called back to talk about her office’s “COVID Hub” resource for anyone with questions about legal protections amid the coronavirus outbreak.  We re-opened our lines to talk about the COVID-19 pandemic with listeners.  Rep. Ayanna Pressley called in to discuss how she and others in Washington are working to provide federal aid for Americans struggling financially because of the coronavirus outbreak.