Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today on Boston Public Radio: A recent poll shows that millennials and generation Z are embracing socialism. We opened the lines to hear listeners' thoughts on Sen. Bernie Sanders putting Democratic socialism front and center in his campaign. Playwright Melinda Lopez discussed her adaptation of the 1934 play "Yerma," a meditation on motherhood, running at the Huntington Theater Company through June 30. Andrea Cabral, former Suffolk County Sheriff, former secretary of Public safety, and CEO of Ascend, joined the show to discuss the recent return to convict-leasing programs for the agricultural sector. We spoke with NBC Sports Boston reporter Trenni Kusnierek about the Boston Bruins' big loss in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Wednesday night. Former Secretary of Education Paul Reville broke down a recent U.S. News and World Report rankings of Boston schools. Reville is also a professor at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education where he runs the Education Redesign Lab. Poet Richard Blanco shared some original poetry in honor of Father's Day. Artist Rob Gibs and curator Kate Gilbert discussed a new art installation in Roxbury.

Today on Boston Public Radio: The MBTA is having a full-on meltdown, with two train derailments taking place over the course of a few days. We opened up the lines and asked listeners: Is it time to raise taxes to fix the beleagured transit system? Should children be able to make their own medical decisions about vaccines? Medial ethicist Arthur Caplan weighed in on the ongoing debate. Homeland security expert Juliette Kayyem discussed the president’s attempt to block Congress from accessing documents about the 2020 Census citizenship question. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung talked about the Raytheon - United Technologies merger. Are face scans at airports a privacy trap? Tech writer Andy Ihnatko explained. Author and Boston Globe columnist Alex Beam discussed the untimely (or timely?) death of the friendship tree gifted to President Trump from French President Emmanuel Macron. Art curator Pedro Alonzo discussed the upcoming public art installation New Horizon, which features a reflective hot air balloon that will travel across Boston.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has good news about the state of the country's school lunch programs, but it didn't do much to broadcast it. Food writer Corby Kummer explained on Boston Public Radio.

Today on Boston Public Radio: President Donald Trump has tapped Ken Cuccinelli to head the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Joining with his analysis was Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum as well as the author of "There Goes the Neighborhood: How Communities Overcome Prejudice and Meet the Challenge of American Immigration." A new poll says that 60% of voters believe the state is not adequately funding education — and that they're open to paying more taxes and reallocating funds to help districts that need it. We opened up the lines and asked listeners: Do you agree? From multiple derailments on the MBTA to the coming "A-pike-alypse," we discussed all things transit with Jim Aloisi and Chris Dempsey. Aloisi is former state transportation secretary, a member of the TransitMatters board, and a contributor to Commonwealth Magazine. Chris Dempsey is the director of Transportation for Massachusetts and a former assistant secretary of transportation. Is Trump playing chicken with chicken farmers? Corby Kummer weighed in. Kummer is executive director of the Food and Society policy program at the Aspen Institute, senior editor at The Atlantic, and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. Historian Nancy Koehn discussed the anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Koehn is an historian at the Harvard Business School where she holds the James E. Robison chair of Business Administration, and her latest book is "Forged in Crisis: The Power of Courageous Leadership in Turbulent Times." Joining us on the line to go over the latest political headlines was John King, CNN's chief National Correspondent and host of "Inside Politics." Is California the killjoy of travel? Their state legislature is close to outlawing travel-sized toiletries as a way of cracking down on plastics. We opened up the lines and asked listeners: Can you live without your mini shampoos and soaps?

Today on Boston Public Radio: We talked about all things with politics with WGBH reporter Adam Reilly and UMass political science professor Erin O’Brien. Television expert Bob Thompson discussed the return of “Big Little Lies” and other highlights from the small screen this week. We were joined by Atara Rich-Shea and Mallory Hanora of CourtWatch MA, a grassroots group that observes arraignments daily in Suffolk County municipal courts and advocates for criminal justice reform. Charles Sennott, founder of The GroundTruth Project, discussed the shooting of David Ortiz in the Dominican Republic and other international news. On “All Revved Up,” Reverend Irene Monroe and Reverend Emmett Price looked at the controversial plans to hold a so-called “Straight Pride” parade in Boston this summer. Annie Copps, a chef, instructor, and author, discussed this year’s Readable Feast, a festival for regional cookbook writers. Then we opened up the lines and asked our listeners: What are your favorite cookbooks?

Today on Boston Public Radio: It seems like just yesterday that Joe Biden was against the Hyde Amendment. Oh wait…that’s because it was *yesterday. We opened up the lines and asked you about Biden’s change of heart, but also more broadly about how you feel when people you know *change their minds. Then we examined a species on the verge of extinction: the American diplomat. Author George Packer shared his new biography of Richard Holbrooke, “Our Man.” Emily Rooney, host of Beat the Press, shared her famous list of observations and frustrations. Food writer Corby Kummer explained what it is about working in an office that turns people into snack fiends. Boston Globe business reporter Shirley Leung looked at the slew of store closings in Harvard Square. Tech writer Andy Ihnatko explained YouTube’s new anti-harassment policies. Will they be enforced? Former U.S. ambassador to Spain and Andorra Alan Solomont and Susan Lewis Solomont, author of “Lost and Found In Spain,” faced off on our Friday News Quiz.

Why does working in an office give people an insatiable appetite for snacks? Food writer Corby Kummer explained. 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: Washington Post reporter Annie Linskey discussed former Vice President Joe Biden's place in the vast field of 2020 Democratic candidates for president. Andrea Cabral discussed the grim reality that awaits Paul Manafort at Rikers Island. Marco Werman and Daniel Ofman of PRI's The World discussed their recent series on millennial Russians, who have only ever known the country under the leadership of Vladimir Putin. Harvard Business School historian Nancy Koehn broke down the movement to get Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill. Science correspondent Heather Goldstone examined President Donald Trump's climate change comments from his meeting with Prince Charles. Jonathan Alsop, founder of Boston's Wine School previewed his upcoming Boston Talks at WGBH next week: Rosé All Day.

Today on Boston Public Radio: While campaigning in New Hampshire, Joe Biden emphasized his plans to try to work with congressional Republicans if he wins the presidency in 2020. We opened up the lines and asked listeners: Is Biden being smart, and appealing to Republicans and independents who have tired of President Trump? Or will he alienate progressive Democrats and younger voters? Maine could soon be the seventh state in the nation to legalize assisted suicide. Medical ethicist Arthur Caplan discussed. Caplan is the Drs. William F. and Virginia Connolly Mitty Chair and director of the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU Langone Medical Center, and the co-host of the "Everyday Ethics" podcast. In the aftermath of mass shootings there is always talk about passing laws about background checks, high-capacity magazines, and improving policies and treatment for mental health. Is it time to add silencers to that list? National security expert Juliette Kayyem weighed in. Kayyem is an analyst for CNN and on the faculty of Harvard's Kennedy School. A new FRONTLINE documentary takes a look at how law enforcement is changing its approach to sex trafficking. We spoke to filmmaker Lauren Mucciolo. Federal prosecutors are investigating the Massachusetts prison system thanks to reports from the New England Center for Investigative Reporting. Reporter Jenifer McKim joined us. WGBH's executive arts editor Jared Bowen reviewed the new Elton John biopic "Rocketman" and other new movies, plays, and cultural events around town. We opened up the lines and asked listeners about Trump's trip the U.K.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened up the lines and asked our listeners: Is it time to get rid of the SAT? Trenni Kusnierek, NBC Sports Boston anchor and reporter, examined the debate over putting up netting in baseball stadiums to protect fans from being hit by foul balls. Carol Rose, executive director of ACLU of Massachusetts, discussed the ROE Act and other efforts to protect abortion access in the state. The Boston Globe’s travel writer, Christopher Muther, told us about his favorite new travel destination: a cat sanctuary in Hawaii. Sue O’Connell, host of NECN’s “The Take,” looked at the legacy of the Stonewall Riots 50 years on. CNN’s John King, host of “Inside Politics,” shared the latest national news. We opened up the lines and asked you about whether airlines should get rid of carry-on bags to make it easier for people to evacuate planes in case of emergencies.