Say More

It wasn’t long ago that finding an Asian American novelist in a local bookstore felt like finding a rare flower. Today, the options overflow. Viet Thanh Nguyen was on the leading edge of that wave. His first novel, The Sympathizer, won the Pulitzer Prize in 2016. Since then he has written a sequel, a collection of short stories, books for children,  and a book about the Vietnam War. He’s also become an important public intellectual, promoting the work of immigrant and minority writers, and advocating for Palestinian rights. Today on Say More, editor Jim Dao is joined by Viet Thanh Nguyen for a discussion about his recent works and the role of the writer in times of political turmoil. 

In 2018, the Supreme Court struck down a law that banned sports betting, and ushered in a new era of gambling. Sports betting has become a multi-billion dollar industry. It’s as ubiquitous as it is lucrative.  In his new book “Losing Big: America’s Reckless Bet on Sports Gambling” Jonathan Cohen argues that the rise of online sports betting, fueled by the convenience of mobile phones, is leading to an out-of-control industry that puts the health of young men at risk. Today, author Jonathan Cohen joins Shirley Leung to discuss gambling and public health.

Democrats are at a crossroads. According to recent polling from CNN, just 28% of Americans view the party favorably. The lowest rating in the poll’s 30-plus year history. Critics say the party lacks vision, and fails to connect with voters. Some say, the party is out of touch. Others believe it’s simply gone too far to the left. But there are new voices looking to dictate a path forward for Democrats, as they work to gain back trust of centrist and working class voters, and seats in Congress heading into next year’s midterm election. Some want to double down on the progressive direction of the party. Others are calling for a return to the center and a new vision for working voters to rally around. Rep. Jake Auchincloss represents Massachusetts' 4th district in Washington. Today, he joins guest host Carine Hajjar for a discussion about his vision for the future of the Democratic Party.

The  Michelin Guide is known for identifying the crème de la crème of dining in the nation’s hottest cities. And for the first time, it’s coming to Boston. Today on Say More, Shirley Leung is joined by Boston Globe Restaurant Critic Devra First to discuss what Michelin means for the city, and how the challenges facing  Boston restaurants, including high rents and the steep cost of living, are impacting industry workers and diners alike

It's a uniquely challenging time for our nation's medical community. The Trump administration has set its sites on slashing federal funding for healthcare and research by tens of billions of dollars, which could be catastrophic for the NIH and CDC. Funding is tenuous to say the least. Then there's mounting political pressure to restrict access to care for low income families on Medicaid plus care for at-risk health groups like transgender Americans and immigrants. So how are healthcare leaders navigating these uncertain times? Today we're bringing you a live episode recorded at the Boston Globes Health Equity Summit in May. It's a conversation with Dr. Kevin Churchwell, CEO of Boston Children's Hospital. Dr. Churchwell and host Shirley Leung discuss how major changes at the federal level are impacting healthcare workers and patient care in Boston and beyond.

The 4th of July. What does it mean to you? This week it's America's birthday, a day that recognizes the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a blueprint for Democracy. It's a celebration that comes around every year, yet this time it feels different. Globe Opinion asked readers and community members to reflect on what it means to be an American today. Tune into this special episode featuring a heartfelt collection of voices and perspectives, and check out Globe Opinion's full package marking Independence Day here. 

Kevin Sack is a longtime reporter who spent much of his career writing long-form pieces for the New York Time. Then in 2015, he helped cover one of the most horrific massacres in recent US history, the killing of nine parishioners who were attending Bible study at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. The story launched Sack on what would become a 10 year project to document the history of Mother Emanuel, one of the oldest and most influential black churches in America.  The book, which is out now, explores stories of the enslaved and emancipated Black people who created and sustained the church against all odds in a bastion of the confederacy. The book also grapples with eternal questions of forgiveness and resilience a decade after this terrible tragedy.

Today, we’re sharing a special episode from Endless Thread, a podcast from our friends at WBUR. Brooke Eby was 33 when she was diagnosed with ALS. Since then, she’s gained a huge following for her honest and often hilarious videos about the realities of living with the disease. In this episode, Brooke speaks with Endless Thread hosts Ben Brock Johnson and Amory Sivertson about the long road to her diagnosis, how humor has helped her cope, and what she hopes to change for future ALS patients. Follow Endless Thread wherever you get your podcasts.

United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is making itself known in Massachusetts. Federal immigration officials say they’ve arrested nearly 1,500 people over the last month in what they're calling, “Operation Patriot.” ICE officers have taken people off the streets, on their way to school, and from courthouses. They’ve made it clear that the Commonwealth is a target. Today on Say More, Boston Globe Politics Reporter Samantha J. Gross and Globe Opinion Columnist Marcela Garcia join Shirley Leung for a look at what ICE’s mounting presence in the area means for local immigrant communities… and what local leaders are doing about it.

With the moving of tassels and tossing of caps, the school year has come to a close at Harvard. And what a tumultuous year it has been. President Donald Trump has gone to war with the nation's most elite university. The White House has canceled a sweeping array of grants and contracts worth billions of dollars with no plans to let up. Then, in late May, Trump moved to prohibit international students from enrolling at Harvard. Harvard has filed lawsuit after lawsuit to stop Trump from destroying what makes the university great, but as we head into summer, the school is at a crossroads with much of its fate hanging in the courts. Globe Higher Education Reporter Hilary Burns joins “Say More” host Shirley Leung to discuss what’s next for Harvard.