Boston Public Radio Podcast

This is “BPR Talks” – where we feature the call-in segments of the day. If you’re looking for the full two hours with guests, you can find the full episode right here in the same feed. Today on the show: With the midterms officially a week away, the stakes couldn’t be any higher. We’re opening the phone and text lines: is there anybody out there who is choosing not to vote, staying home… Why? And we’ll end the show with the latest Cheesecake Factory drama. Obama mocked the tacky, gaudy White House renovations, comparing them to a Saddam Hussein-run Cheesecake Factory… So we’re opening the phone and text lines: What does The Cheesecake Factory mean to you? Listen in to find out!

Juliette Kayyem discusses the US plans for more Iran strikes, after the election, if Trump chooses. And, the local and state officials acting as a bulwark against Trump's DOJ, ahead of the midterms. Michael Curry discusses the state of nursing homes in Massachusetts. John King gives an election preview with one week to go to the midterms. Chris Muther discusses his 180-turn on packaged group tours.

Andrea Cabral subs in for Margery today. She and Jim talk to Boston Globe ideas columnist Abdallah Fayyad about whether political debates still matter and if Elon Musk can actually buy the midterms. Then it's Princeton University professor Khalil Gibran Muhammad on Trump's latest anti-Muslim rhethoric towards Michigan senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. And finally, election law expert and UCLA Law professor Richard Hasen on the possible outcomes of the midterm elections.

Ashish Jha discussing public health in the age of Trump, RFK Jr, and Russian plague. Live Music Friday with Ilona Kudina of Baltic Transit, ahead of their Thursday night jazz show at Long Live Roxbury next Thurs. Rick Steves zooms in wearing his NORML hat, an advocate of legal weed in Massachusetts. Sue O'Connell zooms in with the latest from the Matthew Farwell trial.

This is “BPR Talks” – where we feature the call-in segments of the day. If you’re looking for the full two hours with guests, you can find the full episode right here in the same feed. Today on the show: We start the show by asking you about the Republican party.. will they ever be able to get back what they lost after Trump's administration? Then, we open the phone and text lines to talk to you about group travelling.. are you one to go solo travelling or in a group? Listen in to find out!

This is “BPR Talks” – where we feature the call-in segments of the day. If you’re looking for the full two hours with guests, you can find the full episode right here in the same feed. Today on the show: We opened the lines to ask you about our political moral compass… Pardons for $50 million …Calling Putin a humanitarian… vicious political ads… ICE detentions… on and on. Post-Trump, will we ever find our moral north star again? Then it’s Am I the A-Hole: What’s the earliest possible time it’s appropriate to leave a function, say a kid’s birthday party? How long do you have to stay at an event before it’s OK to slip out? Listen in to find out!

Food policy analyst Corby Kummer discussing the world of 'dark nutrition' and the shrinkflation affecting Halloween candy this season. Andrea Cabral, former public safety secretary, discusses the Supreme Court blocking Trump from denying gender-affirming care to trans prisoners, an issue the GOP campaigned on in the 2024 election. Plus, the languishing commutations on Mass Gov Healey's desk. Political scientists Stephen Ansolabehere & Brian Schaffner discuss their assessment on our current political polarization. NYT TV critic James Poniewozik joins for an entertainment segment.

Joanne Chang of Flour Bakery discussing her new cookbook "The Joy of Cookies" Nathalie Robelot-Timtchenko, founding executive director of First Aid for the Soul nonprofit, discussing her work at the intersection of mental health, the arts, and human rights — on the heels of a local "Voices for Ukraine" event last month. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joins for Ask the Mayor, 12-1.

Marcela Garcia from the Globe discusses some of her latest columns on Boston Schools, and the debate over 30-minute Amazon drone delivery. Our own Chris Burrell discusses his 'Bullying Unchecked' series on bullying in Mass. Shirley Leung of the Globe discusses Dana-Farber/Beth Israel new cancer hospital; she attended the groundbreaking this week.

This is “BPR Talks” – where we feature the call-in segments of the day. If you’re looking for the full two hours with guests, you can find the full episode right here in the same feed. Today on the show: We often ask about what’s done in our name… the latest continuing horror, our government’s decision to completely abandon our democratic ally – Ukraine… in favor of authortic Putin and Russia. And get a little nutty at the end of the show, as we often do… talking seeds and legumes: a new study finds nut snacks can make you healthier. Listen in to find out!

This is “BPR Talks” – where we feature the call-in segments of the day. If you’re looking for the full two hours with guests, you can find the full episode right here in the same feed. Today on the show: Polls are predicting a blue wave on election day…but even if that’s true, will midterm victories for Democrats do anything to stop MAGA? Call or text. we’ll open the lines again at the end of the hour to get your thoughts on Fast Food Nation under RFK Jr … and the latest trend: proteinmaxxing While stumping for GOP midterm candidates President Trump has been eager to talk down the physical appearance of women, and talk up the physical appearance of men. What’s your take on the president’s obsession with the male form? Listen in to find out!

Eric Schlosser, author of Fast Food Nation, joins us on the 25th anniversary of the book, to discuss America's food system today. Boston Globe editor Brian McGrory joins to discuss some of the paper's latest headlines, including their Spotlight report into the state's nursing homes.

We’ll speak with Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Kai Bird and his wife/chief researcher Susan Goldmark on their new book: “American Scoundrel: Roy Cohn's Dark Journey from Joe McCarthy to Donald Trump.” We’ll be joined in person by journalist Anand Giridharadas on his new book “Man in the Mirror: Hope, Struggle, and Belonging in an American City,” about the subway killing of Jordan Neely in 2023 For Live Music Friday, we’ll hear music from the A.R.T’s upcoming “1972: A Rock Opera,” written by Chadwick Stokes, ahead of its premiere on October 27th. We’ll be joined by Stokes and Jessie Nelson

Our final ballot question debate, on Q4, with League of Women Voters' Celia Canavan from Yes on 4 and GOP AG candidate Michael Walsh with No on 4 Chadwick Stokes + Jessie Nelson join to discuss their new rock opera 1972; Chadwick will perform with Khaila Wilcoxon and Gracie McGraw, two actors in the production. Sue O'Connell zooms in to discuss her coverage/observations from the Matthew Farwell trial.

This is “BPR Talks” – where we feature the call-in segments of the day. If you’re looking for the full two hours with guests, you can find the full episode right here in the same feed. Today on the show: After another deadly school shooting in America – and as Boston considers student cell phone bans – we’ll open the phone and text lines to get your thoughts. And we’ll end the show with you: It feels like there’s a growing rudeness in society. It’s not just the Trump effect – everyone seems a little harsher. Why, and what can be done about it? Listen in to find out!

This is “BPR Talks” – where we feature the call-in segments of the day. If you’re looking for the full two hours with guests, you can find the full episode right here in the same feed. Today on the show: We open the phone and text lines to ask you about all The President’s Women … from the new, fumbling press secretary, to the ouster of Guilfoyle – what’s going on here? And we’ll end the show with Am I the A-hole … domestic strife, as one husband keeps looking up the restaurant menu before the couple goes out to eat… the wife has asked him to stop … Is she being a jerk? Or is he ruining the fun of dining out? Listen in to find out!

A debate on ballot question 7: Andrew Mikoula from Yes on 7 and Adam Chapdelaine from No on 7. Senator Markey joins at 12 after their debate. Rebecca Winter, an organizer of this weekend's No Kings rally, discusses the event.

This is “BPR Talks” – where we feature the call-in segments of the day. If you’re looking for the full two hours with guests, you can find the full episode right here in the same feed. Today on the show: we’ll open the phone and text lines – inspired by Treasurer Goldberg and other national politicians who are too scared to debate their challengers… what’s lost for small d democracy? We'll open the phone and text lines to you and get your reactions to Lee’s Alzheimer diagnosis. Listen in to find out!

Chris Keohan for Yes on 5 and Phineas Baxandall for No on 5 debating the tax-related ballot question. Sy Montgomery zooms in to discuss her new book: "Oceanic Manta Adventure: Saving the Angels of the Sea" Stars from the Broadway in Boston production of Wicked join us at the library -- Susan Cella plays Madame Morrible & Tom McGowan is The Wizard. Lee Pelton, former Boston Foundation president and Emerson College president, joins at the library to discuss his Alzheimer's diagnosis.

This is “BPR Talks” – where we feature the call-in segments of the day. If you’re looking for the full two hours with guests, you can find the full episode right here in the same feed. Today on the show: With just 3 weeks until the midterms, we’ll open the lines to talk with you: ballots are in the mail, how are you feeling as the days wind down, Elon Musk spends big, AI ads, and everything seems to be on fire, everywhere? We end the show with you… and peak leaf peeping season… We’re at the peak of the peak. How are you enjoying the colors of the foliage? Listen in to find out!

Lt Gov Kim Driscoll debates her challenger Shawn Oliver, live at the BPL at 11:00. Anand Giridharadas joins at the library to discuss his new book "Man in the Mirror." Ian Coss and former Romney staffer Brian Wheelan join to discuss the latest season of The Big Dig.

We continue our Ballot Question debates with Q8: Eliminate Recreational Marijuana Sales and Allow Limited Possession Initiative. We're joined by Stephen Kronberg of Yes on 8 and Ryan Dominguez of No on 8. Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Kai Bird and co-author Susan Goldmark join to discuss "AMERICAN SCOUNDREL: Roy Cohn’s Dark Journey From Joe McCarthy to Donald Trump." Republican candidate for U.S. Senate John Deaton joins to discuss his effort to unseat Ed Markey.

This is the Best of BPR Podcast where we publish the week's top segments. In case you're missing us over the weekend... now you have something to listen to! On today’s show: We celebrate GBH’s 75th anniversary, joined by President and CEO of GBH Susan Goldberg and BPL president David Leonard (to celebrate our 10 year anniversary of the BPL studio). We hear from Chris Herren to talk about a new partnership between Herren Wellness & Providence College, on why recovery support on college campuses is important Then, We'll listen to this week's Live Music Friday segment, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Mariachi singer Veronica Robles.

This is “BPR Talks” – where we feature the call-in segments of the day. If you’re looking for the full two hours with guests, you can find the full episode right here in the same feed. Today on the show: Pete Hegseth says the Fort Hood shooter’s upcoming execution by firing squad will be livestreamed for the public to see. We’ll open the phone and text lines: Is this more Trump cruelty or justice being served? Maybe if everyone watched, we might actually bring the death penalty to an end…. And we’ll end the show with you… and Boston movies: from The Departed, Good Will Hunting and The Verdict… What do you think is the best movie to take place here, and why? Listen in to find out!

We host another ballot question debate on Q9, with Ruth Zakarin (yes) and Toby Leary (no) Chris Nowinski, co-founder and CEO of the Concussion & CTE Foundation, joins with Dr. Daniel Daneshvar to discuss concussion research — on the heels of a report that found at least a quarter of former NFL players who died recently had CTE. Veronica Robles joins for Live Music Friday, ahead of the VROCC Dia de Muertos exhibitions.

This is “BPR Talks” – where we feature the call-in segments of the day. If you’re looking for the full two hours with guests, you can find the full episode right here in the same feed. Today on the show: With credit card debt through the roof, and rates what they are…If you could find someone to pay off your $100,000 credit card debt, wouldn’t you take it? That’s of course the plight of Kimberly Guilfoyle, who apparently did just that, right before her confirmation hearing to become a US Ambassador Then, our favorite weekly segment: Am I the A-hole, singing in the theater edition… is Jim the jerk for ruining Wicked by singing along the other night? Listen in to find out!

Chuck Todd discusses the money flowing into the midterm elections. Former public safety secretary Andrea Cabral discusses the Sandra Birchmore case, as jury selection begins in Matthew Farwell's murder trial. Chris Herren, former pro-basketballer who now works in addiction recovery, discusses his new partnership with Providence College, and the importance of recovery support on college campuses. Tom McKeever of SEIU Local 888 + David Holway of NAGE discuss their advocacy for Ballot Question 2.

CNN's John King zooming in with the latest national political headlines. Stefany Breton of Boston University + Brockton Public Schools Superintendent Priya Tahiliani join for an education panel, discussing screen time and AI rules in schools. Juliette Kayyem zooms in to discuss the Russian plague + youth riots in France. David O'Neil, head of the Mass Audubon, discusses his advocacy for Ballot Q6.

This is “BPR Talks” – where we feature the call-in segments of the day. If you’re looking for the full two hours with guests, you can find the full episode right here in the same feed. Today on the show: More than a quarter million French students have taken to the streets to protest education funding. It got us thinking: why can’t we get the same mass protest here in the U.S. for…. Anything of import? And is mass protest just what we need to push back against the horrors and cruelty of Trump? And the air is crisp, fall is here – and that means it’s peak apple picking season. Do you shell out $40 for that autumnal experience? Or do you stick to the cheap grocery store honeycrisps? Listen in to find out!

This is “BPR Talks” – where we feature the call-in segments of the day. If you’re looking for the full two hours with guests, you can find the full episode right here in the same feed. Today on the show: we’ll open the phone lines and text lines to get your reactions to President Trump’s comments last night about letting Iran take out American cities like LA and San Diego. A question we’ve been asking for years… Has he totally lost it? Then, we’ll end the show with a discussion of your favorite household appliances and kitchen gadgets that have stood the test of time. Do you have a favorite vacuum cleaner, food processor…or spatula .. that you’ll never give up? Listen in to find out!

State Sen. Lydia Edwards + Danielle Allen joining for a Ballot Q 3 debate. Carol Rose of the ACLU of Mass discusses election safety ahead of the midterms, and the start of a new SCOTUS term. Susan Goldberg joins at the library to talk GBH's 75th, and David Leonard of the BPL zooms in to talk about the longstanding partnership between the two organizations (and BPR's 10-year anniversary at the BPL on Sept 30)

This is “BPR Talks” – where we feature the call-in segments of the day. If you’re looking for the full two hours with guests, you can find the full episode right here in the same feed. Today on the show: The Supreme Court begins its new term today, with many hot-button issues on the docket. With the legislative and executive branches totally out of control, do you still trust the judiciary? And if the Dems win in November should they make reforming the court a top priority? And we’ll end the show with you and your kids' sports leagues: do you give sports advice to your kid, coaching them on the car ride home, or screaming tips from the sidelines? Or should parents stop criticizing their kids’ sports performances altogether – and have youth sports gotten out of hand, thanks to helicopter parents? Listen in to find out!

State Auditor Diana DiZoglio discussing her campaign for Ballot Q 1. AG Andrea Campbell joins remotely to discuss the release of a clergy sexual abuse report, and revealing she herself is a survivor of childhood sexual assault. Shirley Leung discusses the latest re: a Southie convention center expansion & soaring mortgage rates in Mass. Anne Brensley, Sec of State candidate, joins to discuss her campaign.

This is the Best of BPR Podcast where we publish the week's top segments. In case you're missing us over the weekend... now you have something to listen to! On today’s show: We listen back to our segment with Evan Horowitz from the Tufts Center for State Policy Analysis, on his ballot question explainers ahead of the election. Then, we revisit our conversation with Joseph Carr, Founder of Josh Cellars, about the wine business We listen back to a performance by Boston Landmarks Orchestra with some Chelsea High School students ahead of their Hispanic Heritage Month event on October 2nd

This is “BPR Talks” – where we feature the call-in segments of the day. If you’re looking for the full two hours with guests, you can find the full episode right here in the same feed. Today on the show: The Cornell 7 case is just the latest instance of America’s long history of sexual violence…it got us thinking, how do we raise our kids – boys and girls – in this country, to end the cycle? Then, we re-try our conversation on interactions with strangers. Do you wave? Say hello? Walk by silently, hoping no one notices you exist? How do you prefer to interact with strangers? Listen in to find out!

GOP candidate for governor Mike Minogue joins us at the library to discuss his bid for the top executive office in the state. The Boston Landmarks Orchestra joins ahead of a free concert at Chelsea High School tonight, with student musicians. Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono joins at the library to discuss the Asian Community Fund Gala tonight in Boston, and her response to Hegseth's beliefs on who gets to be in the military. Media maven Sue O'Connell discusses the latest with Lindsay Clancy.

This is “BPR Talks” – where we feature the call-in segments of the day. If you’re looking for the full two hours with guests, you can find the full episode right here in the same feed. Today on the show: Campus sexual assault is back in the headlines, with more disturbing details on the Cornell 7 case. We’ll open the phone and text lines… How are you responding to this latest case of violence against women? With sexual abusers in the highest levels of power – remember the Epstein files – how are you reacting? Then, it’s Am I the A-Hole day. This week: is it okay to wash dog bowls in the human dishwasher? What about using human bowls for pets? Listen in to find out!

Chuck Todd zooms in to discuss red-state Dems veering to the right on social (transgender rights) issues, and the Hispanic voters souring on Trump. Andrea Cabral zooms in to discuss the Cornell University rape investigation, and the student journalists who kept the story alive and pursued accountability for two years. Corby Kummer zooms in to discuss the new SNAP rules taking effect today — millions are losing that assistance. Nik Sharma joins in Studio 3 to discuss his new cookbook "Fundamentals of Flavor"

Juliette Kayyem discusses Hegseth directing the Defense Dept. to fight foreign actors disrupting the election ... And reporting now in WashPo that Netanyahu ignored warnings ahead of the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas. Beth Simone Noveck discusses the local communities fighting back against data centers, and Trump's "Golden Age of AI" pitch. Joseph Carr, of Josh Wine, tells his brand story. Mahmoud Khalil joins BPR ahead of an event at Brookline Booksmith, discussing "No Land to Stand On," his memoir from detention.

This is “BPR Talks” – where we feature the call-in segments of the day. If you’re looking for the full two hours with guests, you can find the full episode right here in the same feed. Today on the show: We all saw the “dirtbag” hearing with former special counsel Jack Smith’s congressional testimony yesterday – and Senator Eric Schmitt’s … total screw up. It got us thinking: In life or at work, do you double down when you’re humiliated – or own up? Then, we talk with you about your interactions with strangers…. Do you wave? Say hello? Walk by silently, hoping no one notices you exist? Listen in to find out!

This is “BPR Talks” – where we feature the call-in segments of the day. If you’re looking for the full two hours with guests, you can find the full episode right here in the same feed. Today on the show: We’ll start the show today with an examination of … empathy, as leaders of the far-right take issue that empathy is actually good…what do we lose as human beings, in our politics, when we toss empathy aside? Then we’ll end the show with you…it’s national coffee day, so forget the tariffs and high prices, pour a cup of joe and call us… what is it about a good cup of coffee? And when is it OK to switch out the iced coffee? Listen in to find out!

NBC Sports Boston's Trenni Casey on the first American man to win the UCI world cycling championships in over 30 years. And a Mass. program to stop school sports bullying. CNN's John King with the latest national political headlines. Tufts International policy expert Dan Drezner on the US-Canada relationship and the terror plot at a U.K. Air Base. And GOP candidate for state treasurer Elizabeth Dionne on why she's running.

This is “BPR Talks” – where we feature the call-in segments of the day. If you’re looking for the full two hours with guests, you can find the full episode right here in the same feed. Today on the show: On the heels of Trump’s fawning all over authoritarian Chinese president Xi … we’ll open the phone and text lines to ask: is the US position in the world waning? And will it ever recover from Trump’s damage? Then we’ll end the show talking TV, perfect for a rainy day – The New York Times has released its list of the 100 best TV shows of the 21st Century so far… Did your favorites make the cut? Listen in to find out!

Boston Medical Center’s Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett on an improvement in teenage mental health and how state lawmakers are planning to address violence against healthcare workers. Princeton’s Khalil Gibran Muhammad the latest federal funding cuts against higher ed. Evan Horowitz from the Tufts Center for State Policy Analysis on his ballot question explainers ahead of the election. Plus, we’ll speak with the GOP candidate for Attorney General Mike Walsh.

This is the Best of BPR Podcast where we publish the week's top segments. In case you're missing us over the weekend... now you have something to listen to! On today's Show: Teddy Walker of Protect Trans Futures joins with Harvard attorney Alejandra Caraballo, and a trans youth to discuss restrictions on access to healthcare in Massachusetts Brian Levine (director of the UMass Cybersecurity Institute) discusses the recent cyberattack at Springfield Public Schools, these types of attacks in general, and personal data privacy and security measures people can take We’ll speak with our pals Monte Belmonte and Kaliis Smith from “The Fabulous 413.”

We'll open the calls with NEPM Executive Editor and Big E historian Liz Roman riding along — and hear from Anthony Hough, of Big E vendor/ West Springfield staple "White Hut" (Jim and Margery experienced their Uncrustadouble, double cheeseburger sandwiched between two deep fried uncrustables ...) Rachel Maddow of MS Now zooms in to discuss her coverage of the protest movement, the White House banning her org among others, and other national news. Sarah Willie-LeBreton, president of Smith College, joins in Starr Studio. AG Andrea Campbell does Ask the AG from the Starr Studio, 12-1

Artificial intelligence has integrated into our daily lives; its omnipresence is reinvigorating a modern Luddite movement. In this episode of Not My Politics, Zoe speaks with Maine librarian Hannah Cyrus – whose “Avoiding AI” and “Breaking Up With Big Tech” workshops have been growing in popularity. She makes the case for AI skepticism, and offers concrete steps for those looking to disentangle themselves from the web. Companion reading list: Technofeudalism by Yanis Varoufakis Blood in the Machine by Brian Merchant Follow us on Instagram @GBH_NotMyPolitics and stay tuned for more episodes.

Chuck Todd zooms in with the latest national political headlines. Brian Levine, head of UMass Amherst's cybersecurity institute, joins to discuss Springfield's cyber attack, AI threats, and more. Sarah Voiland of Red Fire Farm & Russell Braen of Park Hill Orchard, join to discuss their work strengthening the local food system, the necessity of agrotourism for small farmers, and Mountain Day in WMass. Monte + Kaliis of the Fab413 join for a BPR crossover.

Shirley Leung discusses her latest Power Play column about the Kennedy compound on the Cape. Naturalist Sy Montgomery zooms in to discuss the marmots baring a little fur on OnlyFans to raise money for UCLA amid federal funding cuts ... and also terrorizing hikers on California trails. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear zooms in to discuss his book "Go and Do Likewise: How to Heal a Broken Country"

This is “BPR Talks” – where we feature the call-in segments of the day. If you’re looking for the full two hours with guests, you can find the full episode right here in the same feed. Today on the show: As Trump destroys our relationships with allies, gutting our research and support for global health… faith in our institutions is at rock bottom… Will we ever recover from the impacts of a decade of Trump? Then, we asked about your decluttering habits…or lack thereof…as you clean out the summer wardrobe for the fall sweaters. Listen in to find out!