
Boston Public Radio Podcast
Join hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan for a smart local conversation with leaders and thinkers shaping Boston and New England. We feature our favorite conversation from each show. To hear the full show, please visit wgbhnews.org/bpr To share your opinion, email bpr@wgbh.org or call or text 877-301-8970 during the live broadcast from 11AM-2PM Monday through Friday.
Latest episodes

Sep 4, 2024 • 29min
Best Of BPR 9/04: Netanyahu's War & Worcester Goes Queer AF
Today:The Middle East is at a breaking point, as Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to dig his heels in on a ceasefire deal, Israeli hostages are executed, and tens of thousands of Palestinians suffer in Gaza. We talk with GBH News analyst Charlie Sennott.And, Josh Croke of Love Your Labels and Worcester Drag Queen Daishadore Famouz preview the self-described Queer Met Gala of Massachusetts, this Friday in Worcester.

Sep 4, 2024 • 2h 34min
BPR Full Show 9/4: Penny Foolish
Charlie Sennott, founder of the GroundTruth Project, to discuss the latest developments in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.And we asked listeners about the start of school, about dress codes, phone rules and the price of school supplies. GBH executive arts editor Jared Bowen discusses "The Apprentice" Trump biopic, and the latest debate over AI in the arts.Retired federal judge Nancy Gertner discusses Supreme Court justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's openness to "enforceable" SCOTUS ethics rules, and the latest in Special Counsel Jack Smith's case against Trump about January 6.Worcester-based Love Your Labels is hosting their annual Queer AF Fashion and Arts Show, coinciding with Worcester Pride this week and next. Love Your Labels founder Joshua Croke and drag queen DaishaDore Famouz join.We revisited our conversation about the meaning of an upside down pineapple and read your texts. CNN's John King joins via zoom to discuss the latest in national politics. Then we opened the phone lines to talk to you about the merits and frivolousness of the U.S. penny.

Sep 3, 2024 • 37min
Best Of BPR 9/03: Arrow Street Arts & So Long Summer
Today:Jim and Margery broadcast live from the BPL. New arts nonprofit Arrow Street Arts is launching in Harvard Square this month with an 11-day festival. We speak with ASA founder David Altshuler, executive producer and ArrowFest curator Georgia Lyman and Boston drag star Candace Persuasion.Then, we open the lines to mourn the end of summer.

Sep 3, 2024 • 2h 37min
BPR Full Show 9/3: Back To Work!
We opened the lines to catch up on politics. Trenni Casey, anchor/reporter for NBC Sports Boston, discussed the NCAA in crisisSue O'Connell discussed Donald Trump's Arlington Cemetery photo-opLee Pelton, The Boston Foundation, discussed the new academic year as it relates to political protests, affirmative action, etc.The Arrow Street Arts nonprofit is launching in Cambridge at the old Oberon space with an 11-day festival. We spoke with founder David Altshuler, Liars & Believers EP Georgia Lyman, and Boston-based drag queen Candace PersuasianWe wrapped up the show by mourning the end of summer

Aug 23, 2024 • 2h 45min
BPR Full Show 8/23: Summer Wrap Up
The Giver author Lois Lowry joined for a quick 5-minute chat ahead of an event at the BPL. She’ll return for a full 20 minutes on October 1. We opened the lines to discuss the DNC. Oompa and Naomi Westwater performed for Live Music Friday ahead of the free, female-centered We Make Noise festivalAdam Reilly joined for a wrap-up of DNC coverage.Corby Kummer covers the latest in food news. Callie Crossley touched on George Santos’ guilty plea earlier this weekMichael Curry talks about companies stepping back from DEI commitmentsWe wrapped up the week by asking folks how they're planning to enjoy the end of summer

Aug 22, 2024 • 2h 38min
BPR Full Show 8/22: That's My Dad
NBC political director Chuck Todd joined live from the DNC.Then we opened the phone lines to talk about the non-toxic masculinity represented by Tim Walz. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discussed her recent column addressing policy disputes between Karen Spilka & Michelle Wu, auditor DiZoglio’s push for a ban on state-led NDAs, and murky financial waters for local grocery institution Stop & Shop.Then we re-aired The Culture Show interview with British sculpture artist Hew Locke, who has an exhibit at the ICA. Sophie Shrand & Alexis Rapo talked about a new comedy-science web series launching at the end of the month over at the Museum of Science.Eric Deggans reviews TV for NPR. He talked about late night comedy DNC coverage, two separate true crime documentaries on the Scott Peterson/ Laci Peterson murder case, and more.We ended the show with laundry etiquette.

Aug 21, 2024 • 2h 39min
BPR Full Show 8/21: DNC Day 3
The opened the show with thoughts on day three of the Democratic National Convention. GBH culture editor Jared Bowen discussed an economic whiplash for emerging artists, new documentaries on the lives of Elizabeth Taylor & Ol’ Dirty Bastard, and a weekly rundown of local arts & culture.Harvard national security expert Juliette Kayyem discussed flooding in Connecticut and New York. She’ll also talked about security at the DNC, the final reports on the Lewiston Maine shootings, and the latest for the Gaza cease-fire talks.Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley called in from the DNC, hoarse after a night of celebrations. Lauren Cook & Amy O’Leary return for a panel discussion on early education and funding milestones in the state’s 2025 fiscal year budget. Lauren is the CEO of Ellis Early Learning & Amy is executive director of Strategies for Children. Ron Mitchell from the Bay State Banner joins to discuss some of his recent Banner op-eds, plus news on achievement gaps in Boston schools & racial disparities in the state’s housing crisis. Naturalist Sy Montgomery returns to talk about animals in the news. This week that’s a pair of Przewalski’s horses sold as mules at a Kansas auction, dolphins attacking beach-goers in Japan, and one brave English Shepard helping treat canine blindness.Then we heard from you about the pros and cons of all-you-can-eat buffets.

Aug 20, 2024 • 2h 33min
BPR Full Show 8/20: Biden's Spotlight
We opened the lines to talk about night one of the DNCTrenni Casey, NBC Sports Boston anchor/reporter, discussed the case of a transgender teen in NH who wants to play on her school's soccer teamSue O'Connell discussed night one of the DNCDr. Katherine Gergen Barnett explained the latest mpox strainTibisay Zea, reporter for The World, discusses her reporting from Venezuela, where crackdowns on opposition to Maduro's government are risingCNN's John King zooms in to discuss the DNC We ended the show talking about how we collect plastic bags

Aug 19, 2024 • 36min
Best Of BPR 8/19/24: Adam Reilly Previews The DNC & Andrew Gottlieb On Protecting Cape Cod
Today: Andrea Cabral fills in for Jim Braude.GBH reporter and host Adam Reilly is on the ground in Chicago; he previews the National Democratic Convention ahead of opening night.Andrew Gottlieb is executive director of the Association to Protect Cape Cod, an advocacy group vehemently opposed to a proposed machine gun range on the cape currently winding its way through the regulatory process.

Aug 19, 2024 • 2h 39min
BPR Full Show 8/15: Water Country!
NBC political director Chuck Todd gave his national political roundup.Then we opened up the phone and text lines to talk about AI deepfakes. Are you scared of their political impact?Retired federal judge Nancy Gertner discussed the latest developments in Trump's legal cases, and Biden's latest push on student debt relief.Tech writer Andy Ihnatko talked about the latest tech news, including the DOJ's antitrust lawsuit against Google.Embrace Boston's Imari Paris Jeffries discussed Trump's race-baiting and Boston Mayor Wu's demolition plan for White Stadium.Food policy analyst Corby Kummer discussed Italy's blue crab invasion and salmon farms in Patagonia facing growing opposition.Then, we celebrated New England's rich history of musical jingles. Who do you call when your windshield’s busted?