Boston Public Radio Podcast

Media maven and local woman Sue O’Connell has thoughts on Donald Trump and JD Vance courting the young man vote through a new generation of "dude" influencers like Logan Paul and Adin Ross. Then, naturalist Sy Montgomery tells us of her recent trip to Ecuador diving with giant oceanic manta rays. And, we get her take on news a little closer to home – Margery’s favorite story of the week, the bulls on the loose in North Attleboro.

Yesterday, Missouri executed 55-year-old Marcellus Williams, ignoring calls from prosecutors and the victim’s family asking the state to spare his life. We discussed the ethics of the death penalty and how listeners feel about it.GBH executive arts editor Jared Bowen discussed a notorious vandal who smashed an Ai Wei Wei sculpture, plus, "Laughs in Spanish" at the SpeakEasy and "Urinetown" at Lyric Stage.Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem discussed our nation's history of political violence and the context of today's violent rhetoric.NBC Boston's Sue O'Connell discussed Biden's final speech to the UN and Ellen DeGeneres' new Netflix special.Then, we talked about chicken tenders and nuggets for six minutes on why Americans hate to love the little chicken snacks.Naturalist Sy Montgomery zoomed in to discuss her recent trip to Ecuador diving with giant manta rays and a Rhode Island community mourning the loss of their 20-year-old library tarantula, Beezus.Then, we asked about your best and worst excuses for getting out of commitments. Sorry, we have worm brain.

Today:It’s not just Ohio: Around the country, Haitian communities are facing threats of violence after incendiary lies made by former president Trump and JD Vance. We talk with former State Rep -- the first Haitian-American to hold public office in Massachusetts -- Marie St. Fleur. And, we speak with two award-winning GBH filmmakers about their work highlighting the role of Vice Presidents past, present and future…  Cameo George, Executive Producer for American Experience and Rainey Aronson-Rath from Frontline will discuss their new documentaries on the VEEP-stakes.

We opened the lines to discuss whether kids should be in contact sports that lead to injuries. NBC Sports Boston anchor/reporter Trenni Casey discussed the WNBA awardsAmerican Experience executive producer Cameo George and Frontline executive producer Raney Aronson-Rath discussed their two films in the works on the Vice Presidential candidates.Marie St. Fleur discussed how Haitian immigrants are woven into the fabric of America, having fought in the Revolutionary War. She'll contextualize the impacts of recent anti-immigrant and anti-Haitian sentiment.CNN's John King on the latest national political headlinesWe ended the show talking about self check-out vs. going to a cashier

Today:Israel’s war against Hamas rages on in Gaza, while Netanyahu appears emboldened to open a second front on its northern border with Lebanon and Hezbollah. We talk with GBH news analyst Charlie Sennott about the destabilizing Middle East.And, how are the presidential candidates reaching out to Americans of faith? We talk with Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price.

We opened the show by asking listeners what issues matter to them this presidential election. We spoke again to John Deaton, Elizabeth Warren's senate challenger.Then, the GroundTruth Project's Charlie Sennott discussed the escalating war in the Middle East and other world headlines.NYU medical ethicist Art Caplan talked about renewed calls to abolish religious exemptions for school vaccinations and why there's a brain drain at the FDA leading to massive inspection backlogs.There's a bull on the loose on North Attleboro (allegedly) after a herd escape from a rodeo over the weekend. We're obsessed with this story, but don't know why. So we ask listeners to text in with their thoughts. The Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III discussed which faith groups are most likely to vote for which candidate, and the outreach each campaign is doing to woo them.We ended the show with a meltdown. Why, even as adults, are we prone to toddler-like outbursts when we get tired?

Today:Saxophonist James Carter is back in town for two shows Saturday night at Scullers Jazz Club. But first, he and his band swing by the BPL.And, Tom Stoppard's Leopoldstadt is on stage now at the Huntington. We speak with director Carey Perloff and actor Rebecca Gibel about the play, about a Jewish family in Vienna at the rise of the 20th century.

People are more stressed than ever. We opened the lines to hear what listeners are stressed over.James Carter performed for Live Music Friday, ahead of his return to Boston this weekend at Scullers. Longtime Boston broadcaster/music critic Steve Elman joined as well. Callie Crossley on Harris/Oprah interview.Director Carey Perloff and actress Rebecca Gibel joined to talk about their work in the Huntington Theatre Company’s production of Leopoldstadt.Corby Kummer broke down some myths and misconceptions about sugar, food waste bans making a difference in Mass., and the hidden environmental cost of food.We ended the show by discussing sparkling vs. still water

Today:Legendary Frontline filmmaker Michael Kirk previews their latest film highlighting “THE CHOICE” voters have between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.And, Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discusses a murky new pro-business group fighting Massachusetts' high-tax reputation.

The GOP keeps throwing insults at Kamala Harris. Will this do anything to do the polls? Listeners weighed in. Shirley Leung on a new nonprofit started by local businesspeople looking for a tax break, and new reporting on the demographics of people leaving Mass.  Andrea Cabral on the controversy around Gov. Healey’s pick for head of state policeJimmy Tingle & Eric Aronson are two filmmakers set to release new projects. They’ll talk about their movies, and what it takes to be a small-scale filmmaker in today’s day and age.  Michael Kirk joined to talk about his latest film for FRONTLINE, “The Choice.” Profiling presidential candidates in the leadup to the election.AITA for not giving up my seat on the plane? Listeners weighed in