Boston Public Radio Podcast

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!

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 withTrump’s ongoing war with the media. In town last night, Obama criticized Trump for banning CNN, Politico and MS Now from the White House. Is it time for the media to stand up to Trump? Then, Do you need to have something always playing in the background, or do you prefer the silence of your own thoughts? Listen in to find out!

Alejandra Caraballo, civil rights attorney, joins with a trans youth and the mother of a trans youth who say they have had difficulty accessing gender affirming care in Massachusetts due to Fenway and Bay State Health pulling back on care for minors. Katie Theoharides of the Trustees of Reservations discusses their efforts to preserve lands around the closing Hampshire College, and other land trust and conservation news. Sarah Botstein (The American Revolution producer and co-director) will be at the BPL on September 22 for an event, in conversation with Imari Paris Jeffries, where she’ll be talking about The American Revolution and her experience with historical filmmaking. They both join us at the BPL today. Thor Steingraber, president and CEO of Vivo Performing Arts + Angie Dickerson creative director and operations manager for Boston Rhythm Riders, join ahead of the "Let's Dance" 5-day public dance festival.

CNN's John King on Trump barring three major news outlets from coverage, and other national political headlines. Ilan Stavans of Amherst discusses the Latino immigrants who say they feel kidnapped after being deported to Africa. Sissi O'Shaughnessy, senior director of suicide grief support services at Samaritans, and Angela Crocker, executive director of the Parmenter Foundation, discusses grief support and suicide prevention. We'll re-air our conversation with Mary Mazzio about the film "Mighty Mary".

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 get your thoughts on the 60 Minutes interview with Patrick Clancy – the father of three children killed by their mother Lindsay. Did you watch and what did you make of it? Then, With endless war in the Middle East, gas at record highs, we can’t stop thinking about Trump’s Triumphal Arch … Listen in to find out!

WWelcome to our new rendition of the Best of BPR Podcast! In this new version, we will be publishing 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: Ken Casey, frontman of the Dropkick Murphys, on the pressures on artists to not be political these days, and why the Murphys have been Very Punk about that since the 1990s. We hosted a special BPR/BPL red carpet fashion show, with “Love Your Labels” President and Founder Joshua Croke, and designer Anita Tension, ahead of their Queer AF show in Worcester Then, it's Paul Giamatti and Diana Paulus discussing theie new showcase of Rhinoceros at the Armory Repertory Theater in Cambridge

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’s endless Iran excursion continues, gas and diesel prices get higher everyday. From candidate Trump who promised lower gas prices on day one, we’re opening the phone and text lines to hear about your pain at the pump and pocketbook. Are you considering that EV instead of a gas guzzler? We’ll end the week talking recess… and a new push to get more unstructured, outside play time for kids at school. Some parents say kids need longer breaks in between learning and screen time…What’s your take? Listen in to find out!

Sue O'Connell discusses the upcoming hearing for Lindsay Clancy, the potential for a new trial, and the backlash against reporting about the lone holdout juror. Boston Baroque joins for Live Music Friday. Paul Giamatti and Diana Paulus discusses Rhinoceros at the ART. Former cannabis regulator Shannon O'Brien joins to discuss her lawsuit against the CCC and Treasurer Deb Goldberg.

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: Ed Sheeran and Robert Kraft are still making headlines after the rapper Macklemore was booted from Sheeran’s tour for pro-Palestinian comments. Then it's Thursday’s Am I The A-Hole… is it okay to open new products, like say- a bottle of ketchup, before the old one is empty? Listen in to find out!

Chuck Todd on the latest national political headlines, including the imminent closure of the Kennedy center and FBI director Kash Patel's bestiality comments. Andrea Cabral, former sec of public safety, on the Clancy mistrial and the public outrage over the holdout juror. Jeffrey Thielman of the International Institute of New England joins with Casamir, a local Haitian immigrant who recently lost her TPS status. We'll talk with her about how this has affected her ability to support herself and continue her education. And GBH's Paris Alston joins with WNYC's Brian Leher to preview tonight's Haiti On the Line special.

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: because we love lunch, and politics. How are you navigating the minefield of other parents about the decision to include sweet treats like Oreos in little Timmy’s lunchbox? Should the whole class, or office, be ultra-processed and sugar-free to remove any temptation…or joy…from lunchtime? Listen in to find out!

Governor Maura Healey 11-12 for Ask the Gov. Ken Casey, frontman of the Dropkick Murphys, on the pressures on artists to not be political these days, and why the Murphys have been Very Punk about that since the 1990s. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung on Boston's new economic chief and other business headlines.

Welcome to our new rendition of the Best of BPR Podcast! In this new version, we will be publishing 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: Patriot’s owner Robert Kraft has banned rapper Macklemore from performing at Gillette over his pro-Palestinian comments. Is this a free speech issue? And have we all forgotten about the horrors continuing in Gaza and the West Bank? Then, we’ll end the show with some tittle-tattle. Is it possible to be an ethical gossip? Or does talking about other people — even when it’s your job — blur moral principles?

Trenni Casey discussing the start of the NFL season, and Robert Kraft barring Macklemore from playing at Gillette for his pro-Palestine statements. Joshua Croke, founder/president of Love Your Labels joins ahead of Worcester's Queer AF fashion show; models Ray and Audacious will walk the BPR red carpet. Dr. Vanessa Kerry, CEO of Seed Global Health, joins to discuss the status of global health systems. Retired psychoanalyst Leonard Glass zooms in to discuss Trump's mental status and the Goldwater Rule.

Boston Globe editor Brian McGrory joining for a Monday news roundup. Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett discussing the do's and don'ts of using AI for your health questions and other headlines in health. Eddie Wright, an exoneree who spent 40 years in prison, and Jacqueline Fonseca, intake coordinator at the New England Innocence Project, join to discuss the "Voices of the Innocent" event at City Winery this week, and Corby Kummer discusses the collapse of our food system — even "expensive" groceries are getting less safe to eat, millions have been dropped from SNAP food assistance, and ranchers and farmers are struggling under Trump's policies.

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 ask listeners how they feel about AI, is it coming for all of us? should we be concerned? Then, we opened the lines to get your thoughts on little treats... not the big dinner plans type of treats, but rather that $12 Starbucks coffee you love so much. Listen in to find out!

Welcome to our new rendition of the Best of BPR Podcast! In this new version, we will be publishing 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’ll speak with best-selling author R.F. Kuang, ahead of the launch of her latest “Taipei Story,” and her event at The Wilbur We’ll speak with Northeastern professor Beth Simone Noveck on her new book “Reboot: AI And The Race To Save Democracy.” We’ll hear from Polina Mirzad and her husband Suleiman on their new documentary theater project “What We Carry,”

Laura Ogonowski and Mike Casey reflect on 9/11 25 years later. Catalyst New Music and Boston Singer's Resource are our Live Music Friday guests, ahead of an event called "FUSE: Collaborations in Song" debuting on Sept. 19. Sue O'Connell joins us to discuss the Lindsay Clancy mistrial.

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: Listen in to find out!

Chuck Todd on the latest national political headlines. Andrea Cabral on what's next in the Clancy civil cases. Cristina Quinn on her podcast "Fighting Crime," including the role of GLP-1s in reducing crime. And the filmmakers behind "What We Carry," a documentary theater project based on the lived experiences of veterans and refugees of the War on Terror.

Northeastern professor Beth Noveck, discussing her book "Reboot: AI and the Race to Save Democracy" Juliette Kayyem, discussing her latest piece on the "disturbing feeling of 9/11 nostalgia" and other national security headlines. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu from 12-1 for Ask the Mayor.

CNN chief national correspondent John King zooms in with the latest politics headlines. ACLUM executive director Carol Rose discusses their public records lawsuits challenging the Trump administration's restriction of mail ballots ... and their local legal win compelling state police to disclose license plate reader locations and audit records. Author R.F. Kuang discusses her book Taipei Story, ahead of an event tonight at the Wilbur.