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Jaws Island, Part 3: The Test of Time Aug 29, 2025

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Steven Spielberg faced serious challenges making “Jaws” — from unpredictable weather to mechanical shark troubles — but ultimately created the original summer blockbuster.

The final episode of this three-part series explores the groundbreaking techniques behind the classic. Production designer Joe Alves reflects on the challenges of filming on the Atlantic Ocean (“Just finishing the movie was very, very difficult”). Listen to why the film’s legacy endures in cinema, pop culture, and the hearts of generations.

Jaws Island, Part 2: The Amity Effect Aug 29, 2025

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See Edgartown through the eyes of the man who chose Martha’s Vineyard for the set of “Jaws” back in 1973. Production designer Joe Alves walks us through the iconic town and explains how it was transformed into Amity.

Along the way, we meet the locals who brought the movie to life — from extras to carpenters, fishermen to cast members.

Hear about the challenges and charms of filming in a tight-knit island community, and how “Jaws” forever changed the Vineyard, blending Hollywood magic with New England spirit. In the second episode of a three-part series, discover the people and place that made “Jaws” a lasting cultural icon.

Jaws Island, Part 1: The Finatics Aug 28, 2025

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Embark on a journey to Martha’s Vineyard, the real-life “Amity Island,” for the 50th anniversary celebration of the blockbuster film “Jaws.”

Through conversations with longtime fans, collectors, and cast members, we discover how Steven Spielberg’s monster movie became a cultural phenomenon that continues to inspire devotion and nostalgia across generations. In the first episode of a three-part series, we explore why “Jaws” still sinks its teeth into audiences half a century later.

Introducing Jaws Island, a new series from WBUR Aug 27, 2025

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When Jaws premiered in June 1975 on movie screens nationwide, it wasn’t just a movie release — it was a cultural event. Audiences were captivated by the story of a quaint island town terrorized by a colossal, bloodthirsty shark.

Though originally marketed as a horror film, Jaws has become much more than that. It’s a film that continues to resonate deeply with fans around the world.

On the 50th anniversary of this groundbreaking movie, superfans boarded the ferry to “Amity Island” — or rather, Martha’s Vineyard, where Jaws was filmed in 1974. The so-called “finatics” joined an island-wide celebration featuring screenings, autograph signings and reunions.

Listen to Jaws Island, a podcast from WBUR, to explore why, after five decades, “Jaws” continues to sink its teeth into audiences and refuses to let go. Explore iconic filming locations, meet the devoted fans, and uncover the lasting legacy of a movie that still has plenty of fresh blood in the water.

Jaws Island is reported and hosted by WBUR arts correspondent Andrea Shea. Episode 1 drops Thursday, Aug 28.

Reverse Course: This machine creates drinking water ‘from thin air’ in driest parts of the world Apr 29, 2024

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People are taking steps big and small to move the dial on climate change. This week, in Here & Now's Reverse Course series, senior editor Peter O’Dowd and producer Chris Bentley take listeners across the country for a closer look at projects designed to make an impact.

This episode looks at water conservation in the Navajo Nation. Up to 30% of the homes on the Navajo Nation still go without running water. But there’s new hope for many of these arid communities. They’re using solar-powered machines to pull moisture straight out of the air. Each one creates more than a gallon of fresh drinking water every day.

Dive deeper into this episode here.

Find out more about the Reverse Course series and listen to the previous nine episodes here.

Reverse Course: Detroit debuts 'road of the future' with wireless EV charging Apr 25, 2024

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This episode looks at wireless electric vehicle charging. Detroit is testing a new way to charge electric vehicles that doesn’t require plugging in: Just park or drive your car on the right strip of road and watch the battery meter tick up.

Dive deeper into this episode here.

Find out more about the Reverse Course series and listen to the previous nine episodes here.

Reverse Course: Shipbuilders harness the wind to clean up global shipping Apr 24, 2024

Show notes

People are taking steps big and small to move the dial on climate change. This week, in Here & Now's Reverse Course series, senior editor Peter O’Dowd and producer Chris Bentley take listeners across the country for a closer look at projects designed to make an impact.

This episode looks at shipping goods by sea on large container ships, which creates about 3% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions each year. In pursuit of a cleaner alternative, some companies are using wind power to move cargo.

Dive deeper into this episode here.

Find out more about the Reverse Course series and listen to the previous nine episodes here.

Reverse Course: Planes pollute the planet, but new technology could clean up the aviation industry Apr 23, 2024

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This episode looks at big commercial airliners, some of the fastest-growing sources of climate-warming pollution on the planet. Scientists and entrepreneurs are trying to solve that problem with sustainable aviation fuels, such as electric batteries and hydrogen.

Dive deeper into this episode here.

Find out more about the Reverse Course series and listen to the previous nine episodes here.

Reverse Course: Battery-powered big rigs could haul the future of trucking Apr 22, 2024

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Short Run presents Here & Now's climate series "Reverse Course".

Today's episode is about how the trucking industry is responsible for almost a quarter of all American greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. But roadblocks remain to going green.

Take a deep dive on this story here.

Find out more about the Reverse Course series and listen to the previous eight episodes here.

The Gun Machine presents: "Beyond All Repair," a new murder mystery podcast Mar 14, 2024

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Introducing Beyond All Repair, a new WBUR podcast from producer emeritus of Dear Sugars, Amory Sivertson. This series tells the story of a murder, but also the woman who was accused of that murder, Sophia.

Sophia was newly married and 6 months pregnant when she was charged with murdering her mother-in-law in 2002. She gave birth to a son in jail that she hasn’t seen since, and for the last three years, she’s been telling me her story in hopes of getting justice for her mother-in-law, of having a chance of meeting her son, and of finally being believed.

This is the first chapter of Beyond All Repair. Episode 2 is already waiting for you. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

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