
Say More
Big ideas and big debates, explained through intimate conversations with the compelling personalities who shape them. AI and biotech. Higher education and health care. Climate and sustainability. Politics and the media. Culture and culture wars. Hosted by Boston Globe columnist Shirley Leung.
Latest episodes

Feb 15, 2024 • 27min
Decoding AI: How AI Could Wreck the 2024 Election
Imagine it’s the eve of the 2024 presidential election, and you get a call that sounds like it’s coming from a family member or a friend — or even the president — telling you the polls will be closed and you should stay home. The call could sound real but be totally fake, generated by easily available AI technology. That type of ruse is hugely concerning to national security expert and author Miles Taylor. As part of his ongoing series on the promise and perils of AI, Globe Ideas Editor Brian Bergstein talks to Miles about his fears for the 2024 election and how we can protect democracy from this growing AI threat. Email us at saymore@globe.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Feb 7, 2024 • 25min
For Lunar New Year, Shirley Makes Dumplings
This week Shirley ventures outside the studio and visits local restaurant owner Irene Li to make dumplings together for Lunar New Year. Irene is co-founder of Mei Mei Dumplings in South Boston. Shirley and Irene share their memories of celebrating Lunar New Year as children and their relationship with Chinese-American culture. Irene talks about the state of the restaurant industry and how she wants to make it better. Email us as saymore@globe.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Feb 1, 2024 • 25min
Were Blaxploitation Films Exploitative or Empowering?
Blaxploitation films are known for their Black stars, gritty material, and funk music. When they caught on in the early 1970s, these movies had a ton of style and iconic characters. At the time of their release, they were celebrated for their depictions of Black empowerment but also criticized for perpetuating stereotypes and caricatures of Black culture. The Boston Globe’s chief film critic, Odie Henderson, has a new book about the history of the genre called “Black Caesars and Foxy Cleopatras: A History of Blaxploitation Cinema.” He talks to Shirley about revisiting these movies as an adult and the evolving representation of Blackness on screen. Email us at saymore@globe.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jan 25, 2024 • 26min
"Two Down:" A Right-Wing Plan for Higher Education
The ideological battles on college campuses have reached a new pitch in recent months, leading to high-profile presidential resignations and calls for more. This week’s guest on Say More says this is all part of a long-standing campaign to destabilize and overhaul higher education, funded by billionaires on the right. Nancy MacLean is a historian at Duke University. Nancy tells host Shirley Leung about the money behind these campaigns, the playbook, and what lies ahead in the battle over higher education. Email us at saymore@globe.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jan 19, 2024 • 31min
Bonus: New Hampshire GOP Voters Make Their Choices
The New Hampshire primaries will take place on January 23. The choices voters in the small state make could have a major impact on the presidential election. The Democratic primary in New Hampshire isn't competitive this year, but the Republican one could be interesting. On today’s episode, Boston Globe politics reporter Emma Platoff introduces us to three New Hampshire GOP voters as they decide how to cast their ballots. Their views are nuanced, idiosyncratic, and molded by unique life experiences, but they also reveal a lot about where this year’s primary could be heading. Email us at saymore@globe.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jan 18, 2024 • 28min
AI Decoded: Reining in Big Tech
The Globe’s Brian Bergstein will be joining Say More about once a month to host conversations about artificial intelligence, with the aim of asking big questions and getting past the hype. Artificial Intelligence is hard to define. It’s even harder to regulate. But without good regulation, the technology could do a lot of harm to innocent people. This week, Brian speaks to Columbia Professor Tim Wu, the father of “net neutrality,” about the best way to regulate AI and how to avoid the mistakes the government made with social media. Email us at saymore@globe.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jan 10, 2024 • 31min
Opinion Panel: Can Haley Catch Trump in New Hampshire?
The New Hampshire primary is around the corner for Republicans. Former President Trump has a massive lead in the polls, but Nikki Haley has been gaining on him. Can the former South Carolina governor do enough to shake things up? On today’s episode, guest host Kimberly Atkins Stohr, a Boston Globe senior opinion writer, talks to the Globe’s James Pindell, Carine Hajjar, and Scot Lehigh about what to look for in this month’s New Hampshire primary. Email us at saymore@globe.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jan 4, 2024 • 26min
The Science of Getting Happier
Unhappiness is on the rise in America, according to a recent survey. What can we do about it? A lot, says Arthur Brooks, who teaches a class on the science of happiness at Harvard Business School. He joins Shirley on Say More to talk about his own journey to become happier, his partnership with Oprah, and the special gift he received from the Dalai Lama. Email us at saymore@globe.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dec 28, 2023 • 26min
You Have Questions. Shirley Leung Has Answers.
On this week’s episode, we turn the mic around and Shirley answers questions from co-workers, friends, and listeners. What guest changed Shirley’s perspective? Who are her podcast host inspirations? What advice does she have for her younger self? Plus, a special guest! Email us at saymore@globe.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dec 21, 2023 • 27min
How DraftKings and Legalized Betting Are Changing Sports
While sports betting used to require a trip to Las Vegas, a 2018 Supreme Court decision lifted a ban, and now residents of more than 30 states are allowed to place wagers on a vast array of game statistics and outcomes. The largest share of the US online sports betting market belongs to the company DraftKings, based in Massachusetts. The young industry has grown rapidly, and already has its share of controversy. Shirley Leung talks to Jason Robins, CEO of DraftKings, about all those TV ads, the threat of corruption, and how betting has changed the culture of sports. Email us at saymore@globe.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.