Boston Public Radio Podcast

Former President Trump has been indicted for a second time. The seven counts against him include conspiracy to obstruct and willful retention of documents and false statements. Listeners called and texted in to share their reactions. We have Adrianna Boulin from the newly-formed Boston Pride For The People & Chastity Bowick former executive director of the Transgender Emergency Fund. Rick Steves is in town for his show with the Pops, he'll make an appearance. Sue O’Connell is part of the Speak Now original series where staff members of NBC Boston Stations and Telemundo share stories of LGBTQ+ pride. She'll also touch on The Ultimatum's new queer season. Retired federal judge Nancy Gertner will take a deep dive into news of Trump's indictment. Mary Gauthier joins for Live Music Friday ahead of a show at Club Passim.

E.J. Dionne from the Washington Post joined to discuss last night’s townhall with Mike Pence and other D.C. headlines. Then we opened the phone lines to check in on the Canadian wildfire smoke blanketing the North East. How are people coping with the air quality hazards? Andrea Cabral explained George Santos’ mystery bail guarantors, the arraignment of Charlestown resident Matthew Nilo on serial rape charges, the possibility of new charges for President Trump and other legal headlines. Steve Curwood hosts PRX’s Living on Earth. He joined us in advance of his conversation with David Leonard at the BPL to talk about climate change. Carolyn Beeler from The World is currently stationed in Ukraine. She joined us from Kyiv via Zoom to talk about her work, what she’s seeing, and the environmental devastation that’s playing out as a byproduct of the war. Economist Jon Gruber is back from sabbatical, a few weeks before he officially becomes chair of M.I.T’s department of economics. He offered his thoughts on the debt ceiling and why he thinks we need to do away with it. Plus, his shared a story of a monkey encounter from his time abroad. We ended the show to hear from listeners about U.F.O.s. Do you believe in UFOs? And if you don’t, does the latest account from a former intelligence official have you thinking?

PGA Golf has merged with LIV Golf. We asked listeners about their reactions and if the saying “money is the root of evil” is true. French Ambassador to the US Laurent Bili joined ahead of a meeting with Mayor Wu. He also attended the BIO International Convention this week. Medical ethicist Art Caplan discussed Merck suing the US government to stop the Medicare drug price negotiation program in the Inflation Reduction Act and more. Thais Rocha is co-owner of Dani’s Queer Bar, and co-founder of LGBTQ Nightlife Events in Boston. She discussed the efforts to get Dani’s, a space for sapphic, trans, and non-binary people, launched. Globe’s Shirley Leung discussed her column on bus-only lanes in Seaport & more globe coverage on Boston suburbs working to meet the MBTA/housing law requirements. How has your name shaped you or others around you? We heard from listeners including a Bob and someone named Leaf to hear what they had to say. Food policy analyst Corby Kummer discussed the James Beard Award winners, including Chef Sherry Pocknett, and BPS putting “seaweed-ish meatballs” on the menu.

NBC Sports Boston anchor/reporter Trenni Casey discussed the French Open and updates on Harvard’s investigation into their former women’s hockey coach. We opened the phones to hear about new bike lanes in West Roxbury and Boston’s jaywalking reputation. Who are the streets for? And what do listeners think about adding more bike lanes and other traffic slowing measures? Boston Globe travel writer Christopher Muther discussed his recent columns that highlight safe places for queer travelers in 2023, and a profile of Kennebunk, Maine (not to be confused with Kennebunkport). National security expert Juliette Kayyem discussed All State and State Farm insurance companies announcing they will not sell new coverage to homeowners in California, citing worsening climate conditions. Kayyem also discussed a meeting between Trump’s lawyers meeting and the DOJ regarding the classified documents case. How much PDA (public displays of affection) is too much? We took calls and texts from listeners. Then, CNN chief national correspondent John King joined via zoom for the latest political headlines. Guster performed for Live Music Tuesday, ahead of a Wednesday show with the Boston Pops.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Jesse Mermell and Charlie Chieppo join for a politics panel discussing the debt ceiling deal, President Biden’s fall, and more. Then we opened the lines to hear from listeners about Biden’s age and whether it matters to voters. Michael Curry discusses Compass Medical’s abrupt closure, struggling independent pediatric practices, and Mass hospitals piloting ChatGPT. Curry is CEO and President of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers. Boston Globe columnist Marcela Garcia discusses some of her latest pieces: ‘How to protect undocumented workers from exploitation’ and ‘Barking up the right tree: Regulate doggy day cares in Massachusetts.’ Reverends Irene Monroe and Emmett Price discuss the hateful rhetoric of Ron DeSantis’ pastor, and a new study that finds more Americans choose in-person religious services over virtual worship. Scott Kirsner is co-designer of the Boston Innovation Trail, a walking tour of the city’s STEM sites through history. He joins with Namrata Sengupta, associate director of scientific public engagement at the Broad Institute, one of the 21 locations on the tour. We closed the show with a listener call-in segment about this year’s garden season.

The 2023 Scripps spelling bee crowned it’s winner, Dev Shah, last night. So we held our own spelling bee and challenged the brave callers. Comedian and podcaster Jamie Loftus has written her first book called Raw Dog, a comprehensive exploration of the beloved hot dog. She joined to discuss. Sue O’Connell talked Pride Month in Boston, as well 83-year-old Al Pacino becoming a father. Buster the Bear might’ve made an appearance in her segment as well. Corby Kummer discussed food stamp adjustments in the debt ceiling deal, recent controversies surrounding a dairy ad featuring Aubrey Plaza and an exciting offer from a New Zealand pizza company for its customers. Nancy Gertner joined the conversation to discuss the latest news from the nation's highest court. The Kendall Square Orchestra's annual Symphony for Science, taking place this weekend, performed for Live Music Friday. We ended the show by talking about all things hot dogs.

Chuck Todd talked about the debt ceiling agreement and other D.C. headlines. We opened the phone lines to talk Pride Month: what do people think of corporations co-opting Pride, and those on the right lashing out on Pride-themed products and events? Andrea Cabral returned for her law & order roundup. This week it was legal paranoia in the Trump circle, the story of a Boston police lieutenant with a history of DUIs getting another DUI, a South Boston dog trainer pleading not guilty to animal cruelty and more. Paul Reville weighed in on the sex-ed in Massachusetts schools debate we started on yesterday’s show. He also discussed big spending by BPS, the ongoing debate around cell phone bans and in-state college tuition aid for undocumented immigrants. Director Sammi Cannold & actor Caesar Samayoa from A.R.T’s “Evita” zoomed in to talk about the revival production. James Bennett II talked about some great (and cheap) things to do in an around Boston for June, plus why trashy books make for the best summer reading. We were inspired by a NYT’s piece on the meaning of mustaches. So, we opened the phone lines to get people’s thoughts: what does your mustache say about you?

Should Massachusetts mandate sex education in schools? At the top of the hour we opened lines to hear what listeners had to say. State Senator Jason Lewis made an appearance. Medical ethicist Art Caplan explores the implications of a genetic test aimed at assessing the risk of heart disease and heart attacks in younger individuals. Additionally, he delves into the reasons why many people consider a "natural death" more favorable than the potential trauma associated with CPR. National security expert Juliette Kayyem analyzes the repercussions of Stewart Rhodes' 18-year sentencing and shedding light on the risks posed by artificial intelligence. She argues that people should not fear AI. Poet Richard Blanco shares a collection of his poems, which celebrate the beauty and serenity of open spaces and natural parks. Summer is right around the corner. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung explores Boston's vibrant Peking duck scene, as well as examines the Greater Boston Y's pursuit of alternative offerings beyond the traditional health and fitness services. Naturalist and author Sy Montgomery discusses the reappearance of a Russian spy beluga in Sweden, and exploring whether octopuses experience nightmares. Do you tell your guests to take their shoes off when they enter your home? We held the hot debate at the end of our show by taking calls and texts from listeners.

The Celtics ended their playoff run with a loss to the Heat last night. So, we opened the phone lines to ask listeners about the pain of losing. And, what was harder to watch … the Celtics, or the end of Succession? NBC Sports Boston reporter Trenni Casey discussed the Celtics' loss last night. Plus, how wartime politics are making its way into the French Open. GBH News analyst and editor-in-chief at the GroundTruth Project Charlie Sennott discussed the latest in Ukraine, back from a recent trip to Bucha. Jim Aloisi, former transportation secretary, and Stacy Thompson, executive director of Livable Streets, joined for a transit panel. GBH executive arts editor Jared Bowen joined fresh off a Broadway binge to discuss the shows he saw over the weekend. CNN’s John King joined via zoom for the latest on the debt ceiling deal and more in politics. New Zealand will make all passengers on their national airline weigh themselves before boarding. They say it’s part of a survey to gather data about load distribution on their planes...We asked listeners: would they do anything that requires them to step on a scale?

As we head into the Memorial Day weekend, we started off by asking listeners how they plan to celebrate the holiday. And whether they are taking any special precautions to avoid wild animal encounters. Workman Song is a Martha’s Vineyard-based Americana band. They joined for Live Music Friday ahead of their performance at Boston Calling. Sue O’Connell dished on her headline-grabbing encounter with a wild coyote in Roxbury. Karen Tran runs the Tik Tok Tiny Felted Joy. She joined to teach Jim and Margery a thing or two about her craft. Andy Ihnatko discussed a handful of tech stories, including the Surgeon General’s warning about social media use, those fake Pentagon pictures, EU regulations on AI and other tech headlines. Maura Healey joined us for one hour of “Ask the Governor.” She talked about the Rachael Rollins investigation, offshore wind investments, getting banned in Russia, what’s going at the MBTA and more…