Boston Public Radio Podcast

NBC political director Chuck Todd joins with his reaction to Tuesday’s election.Then, we open up the phone lines to ask how Democrats can move forward after this national shift to the right and ask Trump voters why the Dems just weren't connecting with them.Former secretary of public safety Andrea Cabral talks about the implications of a GOP-controlled Senate (and possibly House) under a second Trump term. She also discusses whether Biden should pardon Trump and the future of Jack Smith’s investigation into 2020 election subversion. Former secretary of education Paul Reville reacts to Ballot Question 2, which scrapped the MCAS graduation requirement. Reville had a key role in the original implementation of MCAS, nearly 20 years ago. We then take your mind off politics by talking about chickens for five minutes. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discusses her latest stories on women voter turnout and her interview with Katherine Clark. It's "Am I the A-hole" day. We ask about a dad who "pranked" his kids by covering their car with Trump bumper stickers. 

Doris Kearns Goodwin, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, delves into the historic context of non-consecutive presidential terms and the implications of recent electoral outcomes. Juliette Kayyem, a national security analyst, discusses foreign threats to the election and global responses, while Michael Curry, NAACP board member, shares his firsthand experience as a poll-watcher in Michigan. The conversation weaves through voter dynamics, community engagement, and the challenges of reconnecting with younger generations, emphasizing active civic participation.

Today:Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin talks us through a stunning Trump victory last night – an overperformance from the right, and a failure from the Democrats to rally voters behind Harris.And we talk with Michael Curry, of the NAACP, about the generational shift this election in terms of race and equity.

Election Day has arrived. We had numerous local political figures call into our show. Senator Elizabeth Warren, GOP candidate John Deaton, Governor Maura Healey, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, and representatives from each ballot question.We took listeners calls throughout the show to get first hand stories on what election day is looking like.

Today:Conservative commentator and never-Trumper Bill Kristol of The Bulwark discusses the American right, and the complicated relationship conservatives have with Donald Trump.And, if you’re still unsure whether to drop the MCAS as a graduation requirement, or legalize psychedelics, Evan Horowitz of Tufts Center for State Policy Analysis – ballot question explainer extraordinaire – gives one last rundown ahead of election day.

Former Globe editor Brian McGrory discusses threats to journalism, trust, the truth and democracy ahead of this election.Then, we open the phone lines to check in with listeners on their voting plans and how they're feeling on Election Day Eve.Charlie Sennott from the GroundTruth Project discusses Israel voiding its 1967 agreement recognizing UNRWA and other news from around the world.Longtime Republican operative and now anti-Trump conservative William Kristol discusses the final days of campaigning and the future of the GOP.Evan Horowitz from the Center for State Policy Analysis gives a final explainer on the MA ballot questions. And people call in with their thoughts on each one.

Thea Hopkins, an Aquinnah Wampanoag singer/songwriter performed for Native American Heritage MonthCallie Crossley reacted to Trump’s comments about being the protector of women “like it or not"Marvin Gilmore spent decades helping to lift up communities of color in Boston. He joined alongside friend (& James Beard nominated chef) Tracy Chang to celebrate his 100th birthday.James Carville explained his full confidence in the Harris campaign

Today: Andrea Cabral fills in for Jim. NBC’s Chuck Todd discusses the last few whirlwind days of campaigning … from Trump’s garbage man orange vest stunt … to the Nikki Haley voters who are still undecided, as she tells voters in Pennsylvania to stop being so emotional, and vote for Trump. And, some good news – higher city investments in Black-owned businesses. We talk about this, and Trump’s promise to put the vaccine-denying RFK Jr. in charge of public health if he wins, with Michael Curry of the NAACP.

BPR Full Show 10/31: Happy Halloween!

Today: We get listener reactions to a stark gender divide in this year’s race – with women supporting Harris at much higher rates than men.And, a brief reprieve from politics with naturalist Sy Montgomery. From baby turtles named after everyone's favorite public radio show hosts, to Sy’s new book – What The Chicken Knows – all about what we can learn from our feathered farmyard friends.