Boston Public Radio Podcast

For the first time, we’ll be speaking with two current musicians and a member of the board of trustees on the current state of affairs at the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and its future. Gold Dust Orphan Ryan Landry on his holiday show “A Christmas For The Birds.” for “Live Music Friday,” we’ll hear from Bailen the Band – twins Daniel Bailen and David Bailen, as well as younger sister Julia Bailen – as they come through Boston on their national tou

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: In the wake of the massive Microsoft outage and NVIDIA’s Jensen Huang infidelity with a spy sending shock waves through the economy… we’re opening the phone and text lines to ask: Are we all too dependent on big tech oligarchs and their out of control Musk-ian CEOs? Is there anything we can even do about it? And we’ll end the week with you: Not only are more than half of pets overweight, a decent chunk of pet owners are in denial about it. Fat pets and you… is it OK by you that your loveable furball has a little extra cushion? Or is Fido getting fat shamed at the dog park? Listen in to find out!

Congressman-elect Dan Koh, zooming from DC freshman orientation. Bailen joins for Live Music Friday Sue O'Connell joins for a rundown of the Farwell trial, and we take a look at the trans and nonbinary candidates who made history this election cycle. Connie Chin, CEO of Global Arts Live and the Platform, plus Maure Aronson, founder/Artistic Program Advisor, join to discuss Cambridge's newest performing arts center, The Platform.

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: Democrat Scott Colom is going to be Mississippi's next senator. He’s the first Black senator to serve the state in nearly 150 years. Does this mark the end of Trump’s DEI scare, a rejection of his racist policies? What does his win mean to you? we’ll end this Thursday with my favorite segment, Am I The A-Hole? When splitting costs with your partner on household products – lotions, skin care, etc – where do you draw the line on the store brand versus the fancy stuff? Can you ask that they skimp? Listen in to find out!

Chuck Todd discussing "America's political reboot" post-midterms ... and the Democratic leadership challenge ahead. Rachel Leah Blumenthal, food editor at Boston Magazine, joins with Carl Dooley of Mooncusser and Erin Miller of Urban Hearth to discuss the magazine's "Top 50 Restaurants in Boston" list. Ilan Stavans discusses his new book "Fictional Translations: Poems" & breaks down Latino voter behavior this election. James Sullivan and Grace Givertz join ahead of a Protest Music Teachout event Nov. 17 at the Burren in Somerville.

Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung on some of her latest columns and the Kraft Group's plans to build massive data centers in central Mass. Northeastern University prof. Beth Simone Noveck on whether AI can be good for democracy. Musician and The J. Giels Band frontman Peter Wolf joins us in Studio 3 ahead of a show at the Shubert Theatre on November 28th. Photojournalist Bill Brett on his latest series of portraits of Boston veterans. .

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 is facing impeachment charges over his handling of the war in Iran, the capturing of Maduro...going after Sen Mark Kelly…and every other illegal thing he’s done. The phone and text lines are open: Is it about time accountability comes to Washington? Then we’ll end the show with a topic close to Jim’s cold heart – revenge and vengeance. A new study confirms what we already knew: it can provide a lasting boost to your mood.. So we’re asking you, in the aftermath of the blue wave.. Does vengeance make you feel good, or rot you to the core? Listen in to find out!

Trenni Casey on all the sports news we missed during our election coverage John King zooms in for more election review. Andrea Cabral discusses the incoming Democratic Congressional class — and how they might handle leadership. Playwright Ryan Landry previews this year's Gold Dust Orphans holiday special: "The Birds Are Coming to Christmas"

Former education secretary Paul Reville discusses the enrollment crisis in public schools. Boston Medical Center's Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett on the midterm elections setting a potential course for a Medicare for All fight, and the large number of doctors/physicians elected to Congress. Boston Symphony Orchestra board of trustees member Jan Brett joins two musicians, principal clarinetist William Hudgins and violist Kathryn Sievres, in speaking out against the BSO's decision to remove Andris Nelsons after this season.

Former Governor Deval Patrick calls in to discuss the blue wave. Spotlight reporters Kay Lazar, Neena Hagen, and Tricia Nadolny discuss their reporting on nursing homes in Mass. Zahili Zamora and Yosvany Terry join us for Live Music Friday.

Another day, another post-election angle: as young people showed up and voted, what’s the message now to Democrats about where to focus their energy? Is it affordability, immediately? Accountability? Stopping the arch and firing Hegseth? Then we’ll celebrate the spiritual victory of light over dark… Diwali – the Hindu festival of lights … And we’ll end the show with you … As we head into the weekend, hope seems to be back…. are you feeling it too? And when do you think reality will set in that there’s still so much work to do?

Spotlight reporters Kay Lazar, Neena Hagen, and Tricia Nadolny discuss their reporting on nursing homes in Mass Zahili Zamora and Yosvany Terry join us for Live Music Friday. we will speak with Michael Curry instead, about Tuesday's elections We host a Diwali panel with Rokeya Chowdry, owner of Shanti Restaurants, and Shiamin Melville, a board member with the New England Botanical Garden, which is hosting a Diwali Lights event later this month.

Good morning, BPR is in Brighton today, with: Andrea Cabral discusses the Democrats' plans to take on Trump. Corby Kummer discusses the consolidation behind the scenes of the restaurant industry, re: Sysco distributors. Former Governor Deval Patrick calls in to discuss the blue wave. Dr. Zeke Emanuel discusses AI in healthcare.

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: Election hangover, day 3… Now that the Democrats will have some power to check a rogue president, what should they actually do with it? we’ll end the show with A I The A-hole: election edition… If you were rooting for the Dems on Tuesday, is it an A-hole move to rub the win in your MAGA family’s faces? Or are you taking the results of this election graciously, and welcoming those bamboozled by Trump back to sanity? Listen in to find out!

Not My Politics is a new show from GBH News focusing on young people in politics, hosted by Zoe Mathews. In this episode: Zoe parses through the midterm results with GBH politics reporter Adam Reilly. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes! Follow us on Instagram: / gbh_notmypolitics

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: A midterm election for the ages, as a blue wave swept the nation … We want your reactions to last night, and what comes next: Is this a complete repudiation of Trump? Listen in to find out!

Retired federal judge Nancy Gertner on the legal angle of the election. Boston Globe editor Brian McGrory on the horse race, local results and national picture. Latoyia Edwards of NBC Boston joins with Eric Thompson, executive director of EVKids, ahead of their annual gala. Rebecca Gibel and Rachael Warren of The Getaway Driver at Central Square Theater.

Mike Minogue, Elizabeth Dionne, Maura Healey, John Deaton, Andrea Campbell, Michael Walsh, the ACLU's Carol Rose, CNN's John King, Tufts' Evan Horowitz, and Sec. Of State Bill Galvin.

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 and end the show with your calls and texts, how are you feeling heading into election day? What races are you watching, and do the final polls give you as much anxiety as they give Margery? Listen in to find out!

We'll speak with public media reporters from New Hampshire, Maine, Kansas, Michigan, Arkansas, Iowa, Alaska, California and Texas, as well as hear from Joe Kennedy III in Mississippi, about the key national races in those states. And of course, we'll take calls throughout the show from listeners.

Political commentator Chuck Todd discussing the latest national headlines. Andrea Cabral on the latest DOJ actions ahead of the midterms. The Huntington's Loretta Greco & actors Karl Kenzler and Karen Killeen from To Kill a Mockingbird. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley discusses attacks on Black women in leadership, ala Ilhan Omar,

Retired federal judge Nancy Gertner discusses the election officials who fear Trump administration interference in the midterms. Then it's Live Music Friday with Cambridge Symphony Orchestra performing excerpts from Bach's Toccata & Fugue in D minor to get us in the Halloween spirit. NBC10 Boston's Sue O'Connell discusses her coverage of the Matthew Farwell trial. And Meredith Goldstein of Boston Globe's Love Letters on whether love is truly blind.

Not My Politics is a new show from GBH News focusing on young people in politics, hosted by Zoe Mathews. In this episode: Jared Valanzola, Chair of the Massachusetts Young Republicans and a Plymouth County Commissioner & Nicole Hadar, who just interned with Brian Shortsleeve's GOP campaign for governor, discuss the state of right-leaning politics in the United States. Follow us on Instagram @GBH_NotMyPolitics and stay tuned for more episodes.

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 so much of the midterm attention on races elsewhere, what are you excited about closer to home: Minogue Healey? Markey Deaton? The 59 ballot questions? How are you preparing for Tuesday in Massachusetts? Then, of course, it’s Am I The A-hole Thursday. AirBnB has new rules on how guests should leave a place after staying, forbidding hosts from requiring complicated clean-ups… so we’re opening the phone and text lines to you: what’s the etiquette on cleaning a short-term rental? Listen in to find out!

A rolling election segment with brief call-ins from Amy Carnevale of the MassGOP, Katie Theoharides of the Trustees of Reservations, and Evan Horowitz of Tufts CSPA. Jacob Weisberg, author of "Profiles in Cowardice: A Study of Collaboration in the Trump Era" Howard Mansfield, author of "Invisible Monuments" Emily Judem and immigration attorney Jonathan Ng join to discuss GBH's latest documentary following a woman in Chelsea whose husband was taken by ICE.

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 less than a week until election day, it’s the economy, stupid. As voters rank the cost of living in America their number one issue, we’ll open the phone and text lines to ask what you’ve scaled back on, to get by? We’ll end the show with you, and how you’re preparing for the Halloween hordes this weekend. Are you ready to spend more to hand out treats? And where do you stand on the age-old candy corn debate? 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: 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!