Boston Public Radio Podcast

It's one week post election, so we start the show by asking listeners -- regardless of who you voted for -- what are you most happy about and most worried about in 2025? S. Mitra Kalita, co-founder of URL-Media and a former CNN executive, discussed what might become of "the media" in Donald Trump's second presidency.Congressman Seth Moulton addressed his recent comments on trans athletes.Boston Medical Center's Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett discusses Donald Trump's healthcare proposals. Mike Madrid, author of Latino Century, co-founder of the Lincoln Project, discussed Trump's appeal to Latino voters across the map.Apparently “doom eating,” “doom spending,” “doom scrolling" and even doom rage is on the rise, regardless of political party. What’s your indulgence and what are you doing to stave off a cycle of gloom around this season? 

Live Music Friday with a performance from the Boston Civics Orchestra, celebrating their 100th season kick-off this Sunday. Nancy Gertner on abortion rights, the future of the Supreme Court and Trump pardons.Joe Curtatone, President of the Alliance for Climate Transition joined alongside Rahsaan Hall, President of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts. Meredith Goldstein ran through a handful of her latest advice columns on issues like not wanting to kiss your husband, unwelcome ex-texts, dealing with bad texters, and post-election existential dread.

Today:We asked listeners about what you want to hear from us in the wake of Trump’s election? And you answered: All politics all the time is not what matters to you. So … Am I The A-Hole is back … When a Trump-supporting step-dad offers to let his son’s fiancée use his car – but it’s all MAGA’d out with bumper stickers – and she refuses to drive it … Is she the jerk, or is the grown man playing a prank on a teenage girl the a hole? 

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